Chapter 50

Chapter 50

When she woke up early, Yao Niang felt her eyelids were swollen, and the sunlight stung her eyes.

Although these days had been spent traveling, they had also been quite pleasant. Every day, she didn’t have to think about anything except enjoy the scenery along the way, except for yesterday when they encountered the so-called Jinyiwei investigating a case.

"Yao Niang, it’s time to get up. If you don’t, Shen Gongzi might laugh at you," Mrs. Jie said as she handed her daughter a cup of honey water to wake her up.

Yao Niang stretched lazily. "I know, Mother."

But when she got up and finished breakfast, there was still no word from the Shen family about setting off. Mrs. Jie wanted to send someone to check on Shen Linfeng, but Yao Niang stopped her.

"Mother, Shen Gongzi stayed up late last night to help us. Let him rest a bit longer. We’re not in a hurry anyway, so why rush him?"

Though Shen Linfeng had volunteered to escort them, how could they impose on him? After all, he wasn’t related to them.

Mrs. Jie agreed and simply instructed someone to iron their clothes and pack their luggage. She hated the smell of camphor balls, which always left an old, stale scent on her clothes.

Yao Niang also returned to her room to iron her clothes, especially those she planned to change into. She didn’t dare be careless.

They waited until lunchtime before Shen Linfeng sent someone to say they would depart after eating. He had slept half the day and was now well-rested. Hearing that the Yan family hadn’t come to rush him during this period improved his impression of them even more.

When he saw Yao Niang again downstairs, she was wearing a pink spring robe with a matching hairband. Her movements added to her charm and grace, making her even more captivating.

Yao Niang couldn’t help but ask Shen Linfeng, "Shen Gongzi, who were those Jinyiwei chasing yesterday?"

Shen Linfeng shook his head. "I don’t know, but if Commander Liu himself came out, it must be someone important. I think we should just continue on our journey through Gongyi and Yanshi. It’s a shame to inconvenience Mrs. Yan and Sister Yan."

He had previously referred to her as Miss Yan, but now he called her Sister Yan. Mrs. Jie, being experienced, understood the implication.

Yao Niang naturally heard this too. She found the new title acceptable, and Shen Linfeng seemed like a decent person, not someone lecherous.

"Alright, should we ask the stationmaster to prepare some dry provisions?" Yao Niang asked.

Shen Linfeng replied confidently, "Don’t worry, I’ve already arranged for everything."

Yao Niang smiled. "Big Brother Shen is truly thoughtful."

Rong An, standing behind Shen Linfeng, glanced at him in surprise. His master usually couldn’t be woken up easily, and all the food and snacks were prepared by Rong An and the steward. Now, Shen Linfeng had arranged everything himself.

Shen Linfeng then invited the Yan mother and daughter onto the carriage, while he rode alongside on horseback. When Yao Niang lifted the curtain to look outside, she could see his figure.

For some reason, she felt slightly reassured.

After about six days, they arrived at the Golden Sun Inn in Luoyang. Yao Niang learned that the Shen family actually had a residence in Luoyang, but given their current relationship with the Yan family, it wouldn’t be appropriate to stay there together, as it might invite gossip. Staying at the inn was better.

Indeed, everyone who came to Luoyang was there to see the peonies.

Upon arriving in Luoyang, they discovered that instead of a specific place selling peonies, various famous gardens offered selections. They first visited the home of an official named Pan, known for his love of planting different types of peonies, making his garden famous in the area.

The garden was open to visitors, and if anyone liked a particular flower, the steward would negotiate the price.

While the garden was known for its peonies, it also had many other flowers such as peony, peony rose, hawthorn, honeysuckle, rose, golden gauze, jade ball, and small peonies. Both men and young ladies entered the garden. Yao Niang supported Mrs. Jie as they went in, with Shen Linfeng accompanying them.

Yao Niang noticed several young ladies discreetly eyeing Shen Linfeng. She recalled her initial assessment of him as a blue-eyed beauty, and indeed, she was right.

"The most rare peonies are Yellow Yao and Purple Wei, which make our Pan Garden unique," the steward explained.

Yao Niang didn’t care much about the rarity of the flowers; she just wanted to pick some that looked nice. This way, bringing them back would make the trip to Luoyang worthwhile, and appreciating flowers suited her better.

Mrs. Jie genuinely loved flowers and couldn’t move away from the sight of so many. She told Yao Niang, "Go ahead and take the servants to explore nearby. I’ll stay here for a while."

Yao Niang nodded and was about to leave when she saw Shen Linfeng following her.

They happened upon someone pinning flowers. If one liked a particular flower, they could pay and pin it.

"Do you want to cut one and pin it?" Shen Linfeng asked, noticing Yao Niang’s eager expression.

Yao Niang smiled. "Let’s do it together."

Men also wore flowers, and some even applied powder to their faces. Yao Niang’s brother, Yan Jingzhao, disliked wearing flowers, finding it too feminine. She wondered if Shen Linfeng would feel the same, but surprisingly, he was agreeable.

He smiled. "Sure, if you wear one, I’ll wear one too."

Seeing his compliance, Yao Niang felt much better. She disliked people who contradicted her.

"Big Brother Shen, what color of flowers do you like?" Yao Niang asked, feeling happier.

Shen Linfeng thought for a moment. "I prefer a light sky-blue or a slightly deeper greenish-blue." Then he asked Yao Niang, "What colors do you like, Sister Yan?"

Yao Niang blurted out, "Pink, pale yellow, and pea green are all my favorites."

"I thought you’d only mention one," Shen Linfeng laughed.

Yao Niang said, "Actually, any color can look good if it’s well-matched and suits the person. Look, there’s a pink peony over there. I wonder if it’s Zhao Pink or Feng Chaojiao?"

Shen Linfeng replied, "That’s Jade Peony. The colors are similar but distinct."

"How do you know the variety? I find it hard to tell them apart," Yao Niang marveled.

He pointed to a small wooden sign nearby. "Look, the signs indicate the varieties."

Yao Niang realized, "I thought you knew them all."

Shen Linfeng chuckled. "How could I? But I also need to pick some for my mother."

"Don’t you want to choose more? Maybe there are better ones later," Yao Niang suggested.

Shen Linfeng replied, "Looking at too many can be overwhelming. Since this garden is renowned, I trust the quality here. Why bother choosing too many?"

I don't know if it's just a feeling, but Yao Niang always feels that there's something profound in his words. However, when she looks up again, Shen Linfeng is as he always was. She doesn't feel right to say more, as their relationship hasn't been officially confirmed, and it wouldn't be appropriate to talk too much.

"Manager, can all the flowers here be picked for adornment?" Yao Niang asked.

The chubby manager smiled and said, "Yes, Miss, you may choose any you like."

Yao Niang saw a potted peony with two colors on the same plant. She liked it at first sight, so she asked the manager, "What variety is this?"

"Miss, this is Luoyang Brocade, also known as the Two Jo."

Yao Niang pointed to another pinkish-white peony, which looked like the slightly blushing cheeks of a maiden with skin as smooth as congealed fat. It seemed very adorable. Afraid her touch might damage the flower, she only leaned down to smell it.

Seeing her expression, Shen Linfeng couldn't help but ask, "Do you want to buy this one?"

Yao Niang isn't the type to be coy. She nodded slightly and said to the manager, "I would like this flower. How much does it cost?"

The chubby manager, who works for an official family, is very perceptive. Seeing the girl's noble demeanor and the gentleman beside her who looks like a scholar, he realizes they are extraordinary. Noticing how the man defers to the woman, he cleverly says, "If you like this pot, it's not expensive. Others would pay fifty strings of coins, but you can have it for twenty strings."

"Then we'll take this one," Shen Linfeng readily agreed.

Yao Niang thought about her maternal family from Zhejiang, known for their shrewdness. Shen Linfeng has also shown himself to be quite reliable. A peony for twenty strings of coins? Who would believe that? She glanced at Shen Linfeng and then said to the manager, "You're not being honest. I just bought two pots of Jade Beauty, and they even gave me two pots of hydrangeas for free, all for eight strings of coins. Your garden claims to belong to some official, yet you're so greedy?"

The chubby manager, caught off guard, tried to defend himself, "These flowers are different from those."

"To me, they look the same," Yao Niang said coldly, disliking people who treat others like fools.

Hearing Yao Niang speak, Shen Linfeng was surprised by her strong character and principles. He had once heard his sister comment on the girls of the Yan family after Yan Ningxin broke off their engagement: the eldest is foolish, the second is cunning, the third is gentle, and the fourth is the most stubborn.

He glanced at Yao Niang again and noticed her glare. Shen Linfeng quickly joined in, "Indeed, if you were honest, I was planning to buy a hundred pots. Now, it seems unnecessary."

Yao Niang felt better hearing Shen Linfeng's support and said to the manager, "Just give us a fair price."

The manager, flexible as he is, immediately responded, "Miss, you are truly wise and virtuous. Fine, let's consider it a friendship. I'll sell it to you for four strings of coins per pot."

Yao Niang didn't press further and said, "You should have said that earlier. By the way, do you have any blue flowers? Let me see them; I'll buy them too."

"We do, though they're not peonies. They're called spider lilies, originally from Yunnan, brought here by our old master from Kunming." The manager promptly had someone bring them over.

Yao Niang found the spider lilies beautiful and said to Shen Linfeng, "A gentleman is like a lily. This flower is for you, Shen Gongzi, thank you for escorting my mother and me."

Since he was young, many women had thrown flowers at Shen Linfeng, but they weren't genuinely interested in him; they were drawn to his appearance and family background. Before he was eight, he was chubby and not particularly attractive, even earning criticism from his father for lacking the grace of a nobleman.

No one expected him to slim down and become what he is now.

But in Yao Niang's eyes, he never saw the adoration for his looks; instead, she admired him.

Shen Linfeng nodded slowly.

Not far away, Lady Jie watched Shen Linfeng and her daughter each pick a flower and couldn't help but smile. Lao Mama, standing beside her, said, "Your daughter's character is very much like her elder brother's."

She is quite strong-willed, and Lady Jie said, "That's good. If a woman is strong, men tend to rely on her."

Lao Mama, looking at the couple, couldn't help but say, "It's hard to describe, but Third Miss and Shen Gongzi look exceptionally well together."

It's not always true that handsome men and beautiful women automatically look like a couple when standing together.

Yao Niang's stay in Luoyang was brief. Lady Jie chose six potted flowers, all famous varieties, costing thirty strings of coins. Shen Linfeng selected many other varieties, intending to transport three carts back.

For their return journey, they planned to travel by boat. Shen Linfeng arranged everything meticulously, leasing a large ship and reserving the best cabins for Lady Jie and Yao Niang.

On the boat, Shen Linfeng mostly slept, showing little interest in anything else. Occasionally, after a good sleep, he would read on the deck, accompanied by the sound of a zither playing soothing pieces like "Fishing Boats at Dusk" or "Spring River Moonlit Night." Though they didn't speak much, their silent understanding was rare.

Everyone on the boat felt as if they were listening to celestial music.

Now heading to the capital, they were no longer under the watchful eyes of Henan. Lady Jie reminded Yao Niang to maintain her dignity and self-respect, so others wouldn't gossip.

Yao Niang occasionally walked around the boat when feeling stifled, but Lady Jie fell ill.

The journey had taken its toll on her, as she was used to a life of luxury and thus caught a cold.

Shen Linfeng immediately arranged for a doctor at the next ferry crossing, and Yao Niang, realizing her mother's illness was due to the journey, asked the doctor, "Is my mother alright?"

"Relax, Madam has only a slight cold. Everything else is fine. Please don't worry," the doctor assured her.

Yao Niang breathed a sigh of relief. After sending the doctor off, Shen Linfeng returned and said, "Let Lady Yan rest well these days. If there's any discomfort, we'll stop and get medical treatment. Don't delay."

"Thank you, Shen Gongzi. You must also take care of yourself. The boat is damp and the temperature changes greatly between day and night, making it easy to fall ill," Yao Niang expressed her gratitude.

Despite having no familial ties, Shen Linfeng had done everything perfectly.

Shen Linfeng smiled and said, "Don't worry. I've had the kitchen prepare pigeon soup. Have an extra bowl."

"Alright, I'll try to drink an extra bowl of soup," Yao Niang felt reassured.

However, she felt guilty, "My mother usually likes plain noodle soup, especially hand-pulled noodles. Unfortunately, I'm not skilled in cooking. Could you ask the kitchen to send a bowl of noodles?"

Shen Linfeng smiled, "Of course, since you're not skilled in cooking, I'll have the kitchen prepare it."

**

Meanwhile, in the capital, Lady Zhen and Lady Gong discussed the matter. Lady Gong knew some details, "Don't worry. I heard Shen Linfeng will soon take the special imperial examination. Once he passes, I'll discuss this matter. Wouldn't that be a double celebration?"

Lady Zhen sighed, "My husband is stubborn. We'll need your help, Madam."

Lady Gong thought that Minister Yan was a tough opponent, although aligned with the Gong family, he didn't always follow their orders. He had his own group of supporters.

Deepening the enmity between the Gong and Shen families wasn't beneficial for Vice Premier Gong, who preferred balance among his subordinates. But she still comforted Lady Zhen, "Even the Emperor says Minister Yan is a fierce and loyal minister. That's better than anything else." Then she added, "How is Jingzhao's marriage progressing?"

Lady Zhen, preferring her daughter's happiness over her niece's, replied, "Not yet. The mourning period for the Guo family hasn't ended. Our family always follows proper etiquette."

Madam Gong said, "Your family has always had excellent rules, which I know well. But Jingzhao will be appointed to office next year, and it's not right for there to be no women in the household. Besides, it's not as if the marriage would happen immediately. We can wait until the mourning period for the Kuan family is over before bringing her home."

"If you have someone in mind to introduce to me, then I'd love to hear about it," Madam Zhen said with a smile.

Madam Zhen truly impressed Madam Gong. Despite the scandal that had befallen the Yan family, she still managed to socialize without showing any signs of distress, displaying remarkable skill.

Madam Gong continued, "Speaking of which, there are several young ladies from good families whom I think would be suitable for your Jingzhao. But what kind of girl do you think Jingzhao likes? As parents, do you have any idea?"

At this point, Madam Zhen felt somewhat awkward. People like Madam Gong pretended to be oblivious, clearly hoping to take advantage of Madam Xie's absence to arrange a marriage for Yan Jingzhao.

If it were about her daughters, Madam Zhen might have taken a chance, or perhaps she could make decisions for her own son. But she couldn't decide on Jingzhao's marriage. To gain Madam Gong's support, she tactfully replied, "As long as the young lady is virtuous and gentle, there's nothing to criticize."

Madam Gong then said, "In a few days, Minister Lang will celebrate his seventieth birthday. I'll introduce you to some candidates then."

"Thank you very much," Madam Zhen said, knowing that she wouldn't be able to refuse an introduction made by Madam Gong, especially since Madam Xie was unable to socialize and didn't know many people.

Madam Gong patted her hand. "No problem. By the way, bring out your daughters for me to see, especially the fourth one. I miss her dearly."

Madam Zhen then asked Aunt Wei to bring Qian Niang, Ying Niang, and her niece Zhen Li over. Soon, the three girls arrived. Madam Gong gave each of them a string of coral beads, saying, "Take these to play with."

The three girls thanked her. Madam Gong observed that the second daughter of the Yan family was quiet and gentle, while the fourth daughter exuded youthful enthusiasm. Zhen Li, however, had fair skin and a beautiful face, making her a rare beauty.

"In my opinion, your niece looks almost as beautiful as your third daughter," Madam Gong praised.

Zhen Li stood up and bowed, thinking that since coming to the capital, she hadn't met the third daughter yet, as she had gone to visit her maternal grandparents. She often heard others mention her but had never seen her in person, wondering how easy she would be to get along with.

Since arriving at the Yan residence, both her cousins had been friendly with her, though Qian Niang was more agreeable and never spoke ill of others. The fourth daughter, on the other hand, had a somewhat arrogant personality. It was said that the third daughter was the only one who could keep the fourth daughter in check, being quite a fiery character herself.

After meeting Madam Gong, Zhen Li returned to her room with her maid. Seeing her lost in thought, the maid asked, "Cousin, what are you thinking about?"

"I'm just wondering what kind of beauty your third daughter is," Zhen Li replied.

The maid said, "Our third daughter is both talented and beautiful. Whether it's music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, or songs, she excels in all. Her speech is also sharp and witty, and her appearance is heavenly. However, she isn't easy to get along with. Our second daughter is the most amiable, but the third daughter has a big temper. If any of the more difficult servants offend her, she will surely respond sharply. Even the fourth daughter is no match for the third daughter."

Zhen Li sighed, "How should I interact with her? I'm new here and don't understand these things."

The maid smiled, "Don't worry, Cousin. You're not in the same household, and besides, the third daughter is a reasonable person and can hold her temper. She's not the type to be petty."

Zhen Li understood the subtle reference.

While Zhen Li thought it would be a while before she met the third daughter, she unexpectedly learned the next day that Madam Xie and the third daughter were returning home.

Her uncle and elder cousin had gone to Tongzhou Port to greet them.

Indeed, Yan Yingqi and Yan Jingzhao were both there, and Yan Jingzhao joked, "I wonder how many types of peonies Mother and Sister saw? Sister even said she wanted to paint Mother among the peonies."

"That's true. I really hope they had a safe journey. Your mother only sent me a brief letter mentioning the date of their return, nothing else," Yan Yingqi said with a frown.

Yan Jingzhao admired his father's devotion but dared not tease him.

As they were talking, they saw a ship approaching. At the bow was Steward Lian, and Yan Jingzhao exclaimed, "Father, look! That must be their ship."

Father and son were delighted, but when the ship docked, the first person to emerge was Shen Linfeng. After he stepped off, he paused, and then Madam Xie and a girl wearing a veil appeared.

Yan Yingqi and his son approached, momentarily stunned. Why were they with Shen Linfeng?

The first words from their daughter were not about reunion but rather, "Father, you must thank Brother Shen for us. He took such good care of us on the journey."

Brother Shen!

Yan Yingqi felt goosebumps all over and his teeth ached. Who could tell him what was going on?