It was May—the season when pomegranate flowers bloomed in abundance. The brilliant red blossoms, resembling the glow of an evening sky, dazzled the eyes with their radiant beauty.
"These pomegranate flowers were originally exotic imports from the West. Throughout the entire Yin Dynasty, only the imperial gardens and the mansion of Duke Ying (i.e. the residence of the Duke whose surname is Ying) are graced with such a sight."
"Chen Xian Di is right—the Duke's mansion truly boasts scenery as picturesque as a painting. I wonder, however, if Miss Yao herself is as enchanting as one of those painted beauties?"
"Stop, stop, stop—Miss Yao is not someone you may treat so lightly!"
The three conversed merrily, their uninhibited laughter ringing out now and then. Their mirth caused the passing maidens to glance back repeatedly, and Qingtao was no exception. Ever the unrestrained soul, she halted her steps to watch the commotion.
"Look—there's the young master from the family of the Minister of Rites, the heir of the Marquis of Chu Mu, and the Fifth Prince!" Qingtao whispered, chin raised as she secretly looked over. "Truly, they are the very crème de la crème of the guests!"
Hongxing, much more composed, walked steadily without even a sideways glance. In a hushed tone she reminded, "Do not pry into impropriety; let's simply attend to the tasks Miss has assigned us."
Under her direction the maidservants behaved impeccably. Carrying copper basins, fresh tea, fragrant soap, and other grooming implements, they filed in one after another into the Guangyue Pavilion.
From a distance, Yao Sishan could hear the rising clamor outside and knew that the guests were arriving in succession. Yet she paid little heed, absorbed in turning the pages of the book in her hand.
"Second Miss, it's about time to prepare to change your clothes and head to the banquet," Hongxing said with a bow. Then, when she looked up and saw the title of the book Yao Sishan was reading, her face flushed crimson. "Mi—Miss, you, such a proper lady, really should not be reading such salacious novels; this is against propriety!"
Yao Sishan furrowed her brows ever so slightly, clearly unconvinced. "It's nothing more than a tale recounting the simple affections between husband and wife—it's not some sordid affair of illicit liaisons. Must one make such a fuss?"
At these words, Hongxing immediately knelt down. "Miss, please do not say that—if word were to get out, it might ruin your reputation!"
Seeing this, Yao Sishan sighed softly and casually set her book aside. "Enough reading. Come, accompany me for a stroll in the back garden."
Noting that her mistress was willing to heed her counsel, Hongxing felt a measure of relief and readily agreed. "A fifteen‐minute walk won't be a problem."
The Jinxiu Garden was located in the mansion's northeast corner. After winding through several corridors with her attendants, Yao Sishan at last emerged into a scene of flourishing blossoms—a view as if the darkness had given way to a sudden burst of light.
Amid the lush green shadows and abundant foliage, this garden was unlike the typical official courtyards that relied on artificial trees and staged scenery; here were genuine hills and streams, lending the scene an even greater majesty.
Yet, even such splendid scenery was not immune to the intrusion of lewd interlopers.
"Hongxing, do you hear that sound?" Yao Sishan asked.
Hongxing strained her ears for a long while before replying, "The noise is so faint—I really can't discern it. Perhaps it's just a kitten?"
Shaking her head, Yao Sishan strode straight into the depths of the trees. Along the way, waves of floral fragrance brushed her face, intermingled with a hint of feminine powder; the air carried an almost suggestive quality.
As she advanced, the sounds gradually became clearer—gentle, coquettish cries, each one rising above the previous, clearly reaching the height of passion.
Clicking her tongue twice as she recalled a scene from the novel she had been reading, a mischievous and sparkling glint appeared in her eyes. "It seems you were right—though this little 'cat' has quite a wild nature!"
Having said that, she lifted the wide hem of her skirt. Placing her right foot on a stone and raising the other leg high, she leaned forward dramatically.
At that moment, Hongxing, casting aside any regard for social propriety, quickly reached out to stop her. "Miss, you must not! If you witness such a debauched scene with your own eyes, it will tarnish your honor—and it isn't worth it."
"And what? Am I really just stealing a glance?" Yao Sishan replied as she peered out; she could faintly see two figures entwined in an intimate embrace. Yet she wasn't satisfied with what she saw, so she tiptoed forward, stretching her neck to get a better view.
"Miss, please, please stop watching—consider it as your humble maid begging you," Hongxing pleaded continuously, though she dared not forcefully pull her mistress back. After all, the Second Miss's slender, fair arms were so delicate that even a slight tug might leave a red mark.
This wild encounter was so intense that Yao Sishan, witnessing such unabashed passion for the first time in her life, could not help but swallow nervously as a blush spread over her delicate face. When she saw the critical moment, she felt it was indeed improper and lowered her gaze, an inner impulse urging her to retreat.
But before she could step back, her foot hesitated mid-motion—and suddenly, someone's hand pressed against her shoulder. Before she had time to cry out in pain, that forcefully gripped hand straightened her body.
Frowning in annoyance and about to scold whoever had dared lay a hand on her, she turned around only to see Hongxing's face as pale as paper. "Mi—Miss…" Hongxing murmured.
In a subtle gesture, Hongxing signaled for her to look at the person beside her. At that moment, the hand that had been on her shoulder had already released its grip.
Before Yao Sishan could utter a word of reproach, the owner of that hand preempted her, saying coolly, "This is none of your business." His tone was languid and nonchalant—hardly the manner of an upstanding gentleman.
The pain had already subsided, but Yao Sishan feigned a delicate "hiss" in an attempt to mask her inner disquiet. Behind her, the wild cries of a woman and the man's low, labored breaths continued unabated, causing her cheeks to flush even deeper.
"Then I am not someone you can control," the woman retorted. With a graceful raise of her willow-like brows, she exuded an air of arrogance.
The man's gaze remained indifferent. Though he ought to have merely glanced away, his eyes unconsciously lingered on her lips for a moment. Admittedly, she was extraordinarily beautiful—not the demure type celebrated in our times, but rather a boldly striking beauty.
He snorted lightly, his even-toned voice revealing nothing of his true emotion. "Young lady, you are surprisingly unashamed."
Her cheeks tinged with red, she pressed on, "Matters between a man and a woman are a matter of mutual consent—everyone experiences them. Judging by your look, young master, you are clearly not yet married."
"You speak truly," he replied, completely unruffled by her challenge. Instead, a slight smile curled on his lips. "It's a pity that in this vast capital, not a single woman is worthy of me."
Yao Sishan couldn't help but widen her eyes in silent disbelief—how could there be such a shameless fellow! Just as the words threatened to escape her lips, she quickly rephrased, "Young master, it is not shameful to be unable to find a wife."
Her tone softened further, and she even looked at him with a trace of sympathy, as if pity had stirred within her. He was about to retort when suddenly a loud commotion arose from the far end of the thicket.
A coquettish voice rang out, calling the other's name in a tone as sweet as if steeped in honey: "Mindé, Wei Mindé!"
That unabashed call left Yao Sishan momentarily choked for words. Who else but her elder sister, Yao Sisou, could have spoken with such familiarity? Hongxing, too, recognized the voice; she stammered for a long time, unable to speak.
In her memory, the eldest Miss was the very picture of propriety—adept in the six arts and as ethereal as a celestial being. To now be involved in such disgraceful conduct before her marriage was, in her eyes, a terrible sin!
Seeing Hongxing standing dumbfounded, clearly shaken, Yao Sishan worried that if they stayed any longer even more indecent words might reach their ears. Steeling herself, she fixed a stern expression and said, "This is the inner courtyard of the mansion; guests are not permitted to roam about. Please excuse us, young master."
Though she was in the right, her gritted teeth and scowling expression unmistakably conveyed a single message: "Scram."
Feigning not to catch the hidden meaning in her tone, he shamelessly persisted, "Is that so? This is my first time visiting as a guest; perhaps I've lost my way. Could I trouble you, young lady, to guide me?"
Lowering her eyes and gradually regaining her composure, Yao Sishan inquired, "May I ask, young master, what is your esteemed name?"
"My surname is Wei, and I am the fourth in my family. You may call me Wei Si," he replied, his tone carrying a subtle hint of testing.
"Wei Si?" Yao Sishan murmured, almost instinctively. "Young master, you remind me of an old acquaintance I met by chance."
Having said that, she wished to say no more. "The pathways here are rather winding. Once you follow me to the front hall, a maid will guide you to your seat."
Just a few steps later, Hongxing could no longer contain herself. Leaning in close to Yao Sishan's ear, she whispered, "Miss, what are we to do? The eldest Miss is already set to be the Crown Princess—and if the Empress finds out, what then?"
Yao Sishan snorted softly. "Hasn't the betrothal gift not even been presented yet?"
Hongxing, reassured, replied, "Yes, there is still room to maneuver. Besides, given the Duke's temperament, our eldest Miss will not be treated unfairly."
Deep down, Yao Sishan knew that while such words might silence a maid, they could not possibly stop the endless gossip of the world. After a moment's reflection, she spoke at length, "You just heard the name of that man. The Wei family is the imperial surname of our great Yìn Kingdom, and among those of the 'Min' generation bearing the character 'De,' there is only His Highness the Third Prince."
"If word of this were to spread, it would disgrace the imperial household. Even if the Emperor's grace were boundless, my Yao family would not be spared."
"Then, what are we to do?"
Wei Mindé had always enjoyed favor before the Emperor; if he were to commit the taboo of private exchanges, the worst that could happen would be a half-year confinement or a minor demotion—punishments that, though not severe, were still significant. But for Yao Sisou, to be accused of seducing a prince was, without doubt, a death sentence.
After pondering for a long while, Yao Sishan finally settled on a compromise. "Qingtao, you are both eloquent and trustworthy. Have you find a way to send a message to our grandmother—simply say that a servant in the garden has seen the eldest Miss and the Third Prince walking closely together." Then, after a pause, she added, "We shall attend the banquet as usual; let nothing appear amiss."
At a fork in the path, Yao Sishan turned back with a forced smile and said, "The hall lies just ahead; it isn't a long way. I trust, young master, that you won't go on to offend any other lady."(She was still holding a grudge over what had just hurt her.)
He smiled warmly, giving off the first impression of a refined gentleman. Yet the words that followed were nothing short of scoundrelish. "Rest assured, young lady—I am not a man of indiscriminate advances. Were it not for your peerless beauty, I would scarcely deign to notice you."
"You—do you have no sense of shame?" she exclaimed.
The man's smile deepened further. "I always thought you had such thick skin; yet when it comes to yourself, you seem so bashful." Before his words had even ended, he turned and departed, offering her no chance to retort.
It was only when he had gone far enough that the guards, who had been lurking in the shadows, dared to emerge. One among them—Sergeant Liang—though he had not seen the scene firsthand, had overheard everything and now felt indignant. "Miss Yao really knows no gratitude," he muttered while half-bowing, his eyes flashing with a hint of murderous intent, "His Highness needs my service."
He tapped his finger on his sword, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "No matter— a gentleman does not seize what belongs to another; I shall see to it that they are duly brought together."
"But with Her Majesty the Empress, it might be hard to explain," another voice remarked.
"I will certainly provide the Empress with a daughter-in-law who will satisfy her," he declared with unwavering certainty—as though he had long planned it. "Come, let's go."
Sergeant Liang was momentarily stunned, taking a long time to recover. Only when the distance between the two had gradually widened did he break into a small jog to catch up.
Had he been imagining things? It seemed he had seen a smile lingering on His Highness's lips. Despite the rumor that his master's soon-to-be bride had been fraternizing with her elder brother, His Highness still maintained his customary grace—truly, his master is exemplary, able to sacrifice and let go, remarkably magnanimous!