Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Ultimately, Du Lingjing found herself wearing the red coral jewelry set.

Awakened early by the sounds of someone preparing for court, her sleep was broken, so she decided to get ready for the banquet at the Prince of Yan’s country estate.

She was not one to make a grand, tardy entrance after everyone else had arrived. With her hair styled, ornaments donned, and dressed in a peach-colored jacket embroidered with floral medallions over a vermilion pleated skirt, she was ready.

The crimson skirt and coral hairpins echoed each other beautifully. A light dusting of powder graced her face, and her lips were tinted with rouge. Lu Shenru had intended to leave for court precisely on time, but his gaze lingered on his wife by the dressing table, and his steps, already halfway out the door, retreated.

He pursed his lips, simply observing his newly adorned wife. Qiu Lin and the others, seeing this, exchanged glances and quietly withdrew.

Du Lingjing was at the mirror, fastening a pair of coral and pearl earrings. After ensuring their symmetry, she stood up, only to turn directly into someone’s embrace.

Startled, she exclaimed, “My lord, weren’t you going to court?”

Yet he replied, “How can I go to court when you look like this?”

Du Lingjing froze, noticing his expression—half-amused, half-melancholy—as he gazed at her, shaking his head.

She was like a red butterfly, wings fluttering, emerging from the soft morning light, alighting on his brow.

Lu Shenru sighed. “What a pity today’s court session is so demanding and complex. I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it to the banquet until much later.”

It was merely the Prince and Princess Consort of Yan’s spring flower banquet—a leisurely social gathering with little bearing on court affairs. Wei Cong, for instance, was still recuperating and had opted not to attend, with only NianJia going in his stead.

Given her husband’s numerous duties, Du Lingjing had assumed he wouldn’t attend at all, and that she would represent him, taking the opportunity to catch up with NianJia.

But he said he would try to make it, and then expressed regret.

Du Lingjing blinked at him, seeing only her own reflection in his eyes.

What was there to regret? Surely it wasn't that she had dressed up just for him to admire.

She turned to slip out of his embrace, but he held her waist firmly, whispering a warning:

“Drink less wine.”

Her alcohol tolerance was indeed strong, but after a few cups, a rosy flush would still appear on her cheeks.

Already stunning, with the added flush, he feared he might lose himself, his gaze lingering on her hair.

Was his wife, the Marchioness Lu, someone for others to gaze upon?

All he could say was, “I’ll come pick you up after court. Remember, go easy on the wine.”

Du Lingjing: “...”

He made it sound as if she were some sort of drunkard.

She hurriedly urged him to leave for court. He was already later than the other officials; any further delay would leave even the Emperor waiting.

After seeing him off, Du Lingjing had a quick breakfast. Time was running short when NianJia sent someone to urge her along:

“Her Highness has already set off. Please hurry along, my lady.”

Just as Du Lingjing finished her preparations, Chong Ping personally escorted her to the Prince of Yan’s country estate outside the capital.

Unexpectedly, the first person she encountered upon arriving at the Prince of Yan’s estate was not NianJia, but the wife of the Duke of Wei's heir—Miss Yang, Yang Jinyu.

Given that the Prince and Princess Consort of Yan had invited all the capital’s old and new nobility, Yang Jinyu’s presence was hardly surprising.

She spotted Du Lingjing’s carriage, her expression turning cold. When the Yan household’s steward rushed to greet the Marchioness Lu first, her face darkened further, though she said nothing, quietly composing herself before entering the villa with a forced smile.

After the Fu Party’s entanglement with the Earl of Rongchang’s Yang family, the fate of the two Yang brothers—whether harshly sentenced or pardoned—was none of her concern. As for Miss Yang Jinyu, she simply pretended they had never met. The fewer dealings, the better.

Upon entering the villa’s gardens, NianJia quickly came forward to greet her.

The Prince of Yan’s villa was truly teeming with the capital’s elite. Everywhere Du Lingjing looked, flowers were in full bloom—yet the crowd outshone them, their finery adding to the splendor of the floral banquet.

Du Lingjing couldn’t help remarking, “The Prince of Yan’s villa is truly vast. How else could so many guests be accommodated?”

A maidservant guiding them replied, “My lady, this is the prince’s largest suburban villa. But with the spring imperial examinations underway, the number of distinguished guests has exceeded expectations. The neighboring households on either side have generously lent their gardens to the prince, to ensure no lapse in hospitality.”

NianJia noted that such neighborly generosity was not uncommon. “Who doesn’t enjoy adding splendor to the occasion?”

Though the Prince of Yan wielded no real authority in court, his seniority and the emperor’s respect granted him considerable prestige among the imperial clan and the capital’s nobility. Who would refuse to attend his flower banquet?

NianJia recalled that the eastern neighbor belonged to another imperial relative. The maid confirmed this, adding, “They’ve lent their rear garden to the prince.”

NianJia then asked, “And who resides to the west?”

She couldn’t recall, but the maid answered promptly.

“The western neighbor is a newly acquired villa by Lady Protector. She has lent a small courtyard in her rear garden for the prince’s guests to rest.”

So it was Lady Protector—the Wei family’s villa.

NianJia had no further questions. The maid escorted them to greet the Princess Consort of Yan.

Having grown fond of Du Lingjing during their last meeting, the princess consort engaged her in extended conversation. Only as more guests arrived for greetings did she finally let her go to wander and admire the flowers at leisure.

Du Lingjing and NianJia hadn’t wandered far when they spotted a group approaching from another path.

Unfortunately, it was Lady Protector, who had lent her courtyard, accompanied by several noblewomen—among them Madam Wan, with Du Runqing following behind.

NianJia opted to take a different route, and Du Lingjing followed, though not before shooting a look at Qiu Lin.

Qiu Lin whispered in her ear, “Don't worry, my lady. I’ve instructed Ai Ye to discreetly follow Second Miss.”

With so many guests at the banquet, even the most secretive schemes risked exposure.

Any scandal here would become the talk of the town.

Du Lingjing subtly clenched her fist and accompanied NianJia down another path—this one passing through a grove of purple bamboo, past a flower-lined trail beside a rockery terrace.

As they passed, they overheard someone reciting poetry on the terrace, the Prince of Yan clapping enthusiastically while others gathered to admire the verses, the prince lavishing praise.

NianJia glanced up and smiled. “Guess who composed that poem?”

Curious, Du Lingjing looked up—and locked eyes with the poet on the terrace.

Clad in a dark purple robe cinched with a red-jade belt, he stood tall, hands clasped behind his back. For a moment, Du Lingjing hardly recognized him.

It was Liulang.

Since Third Brother’s passing, his wardrobe had shifted entirely to the colors the latter had favored in life—even to the extent of wearing the tassels Du Lingjing had once made for him at his waist.

His attire today was as richly vivid as crimson maples atop autumn mountains, shedding the refined austerity of bamboo—Du Lingjing truly barely recognized him at first.

Yet Liulang was indeed different from before. Once a scholar beneath the third brother, the provincial exam champion, he was now a tribute scholar, soon to be a palace graduate on the golden list next month, surpassing the third brother.

Seeing that he had noticed her, Du Lingjing gave him a slight nod. Nian Jia also greeted him, and the two turned onto another path, leading toward the peach grove.

But someone’s gaze lingered from the high platform, trailing like parting blossoms and willow fronds, following the long ribbon fluttering behind Du Lingjing’s chignon.

The wind on the platform lifted the hem of Jiang Fengchuan’s deep violet robe. An advisor came to request the Prince of Yan's presence in the main hall to receive guests.

The prince promptly urged the gathered gentlemen to accompany him, but when he turned to Jiang Fengchuan, the latter smiled and begged pardon.

“The scenery of Your Highness’s villa is truly intoxicating. Might I beg Your Highness’s indulgence to linger a while longer? The breeze upon this platform and the sweeping view are too captivating—I shall follow shortly.”

The prince readily granted his request. “The front hall is indeed clamorous. It’s well for you to steal a moment’s respite here, Qiu Yi, though I cannot.”

He addressed Jiang Fengchuan by his courtesy name, adding that he would send for him once his duties were done.

Though Jiang Fengchuan’s ranking in the metropolitan examination had not been high, the prince held him in particular esteem, and others treated him with respect, bidding him farewell one by one. Soon, he stood alone on the platform, silent in the wind.

The figure who had vanished down the flower-lined path had just stepped into the peach grove. The blossoms were fading, only half the branches still adorned with petals.

Clad in a peach-red embroidered beizi, she moved lightly among the flowers, as if her presence alone restored the half-bare peach branches.

The young man’s gaze clung to the dancing skirt hem and the drifting ribbon in her hair.

Back in Qingzhou, he had once accompanied her to the peach groves outside the city in spring.

At that time, the third brother was still alive, walking ahead with her. A clear mountain stream flowed beside them, and the third brother scooped water to brew tea for her.

She loved tea made with spring water, and the third brother never forgot. But he remembered more—what she wore, what jewelry adorned her, the color of the ribbon in her hair.

Returning home, the third brother would sit by the window and write of the day’s outing. He never detailed her attire, but wove the hue of her ribbon into his travelogue's clouds, blossoms, and streams, into the rare breezes he could still enjoy.

Back then, Jiang Fengchuan hadn’t understood. At first, he hadn’t even noticed his brother wrote this way—until illness confined him indoors, and he pored over those old travel notes again and again.

Only when the pages grew yellow from handling did he realize.

He asked, “Brother, why write like this? One might think the scenery truly matched the color of her ribbon—wouldn’t that distort the truth?”

He spoke bluntly, without circumspection, only to see his brother’s cheeks flush faintly.

“How could you understand?”

Then, looking at him, the third brother smiled softly.

“Perhaps one day, you will.”

At the time, of course, he hadn’t. On outings, he only noted how his brother’s health fared that day, his spirits, the brilliance of his writing.

Now...

Jiang Fengchuan closed his eyes and shook his head.

But all he saw was the coral-red hair ribbon.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes. There was nothing to shake his head at.

He laughed mockingly at himself, watching the figure in the peach grove until she disappeared on the other side. Only then did he descend the platform at a leisurely pace.

*

Passing through the peach grove, Du Lingjing and Nian Jia encountered several noblewomen of the imperial clan.

Though Du Lingjing had met them before, they were not close. This time, Nian Jia made a point of introducing her, whispering in her ear, “If Lu Shenru asks whom you met today, you’ll have names ready. Don’t let him think we came only to feast and idle—we’ve accomplished something proper.”

She was ever the master of plausible excuses. Du Lingjing stifled a laugh. Though the marquis would never ask such a thing, she still made earnest connections.

Strolling along the riverbank in conversation, they had gone but a short way when Du Lingjing overheard nearby chatter.

“Commander Wei has arrived, they say—accompanying the prince from the front hall to the gardens.”

Earlier, learning Wei Jue hadn’t come, Du Lingjing had thought no discord would arise, that it takes two to quarrel. Now, whispers of his arrival surrounded her.

Pleading fatigue and a need to change clothes, she excused herself from Nian Jia and the ladies. Once apart, she immediately questioned Qiu Lin about Wei Jue’s situation.

Qiu Lin had just learned: “Originally, only the Lady Protector came with the second master of the Wei family, his wife, and their daughter. The commander wasn’t expected. But just now, the Lady Protector seemed to have sent repeated summons, saying since they’d lent their villa, they were half-hosts—he ought to attend and at least share a cup of wine.”

Du Lingjing pressed her fingers to her brow. “And the second young miss?”

“She’s in the pomegranate pavilion with some acquainted young ladies, taking tea. Nothing amiss.”

Du Lingjing did not relax. “Keep watching her.”

*

Pomegranate Pavilion

Du Runqing’s attire today was inconspicuous—by her grandmother’s design. “Unnoticed is best,” the old lady had said.

People judge by robes before character. Her usual companions, seeing her plain dress, grew dismissive, instead gossiping about Marchioness Lu’s coral-red headpiece—neither gold nor silver, yet radiant. They asked, “Why hasn’t Qingniang attended banquets with the marchioness?”

Du Runqing gave an evasive reply. The girls, losing interest, turned to planning flower wine later.

Left on the sidelines, she spotted Nanny Guan beckoning from her grandmother’s entourage.

Before departing, her grandmother had stressed obedience for today’s “great matter.”

She approached swiftly. The nanny, ensuring no observers, slipped a finger-length porcelain vial into her sleeve.

“The old mistress’s orders: when drinking later, mix this medicinal wine into your cup and consume it.”

She added, “The medicinal liquor is potent. Bear it silently, but let none see. Once flushed, claim to be overcome by drink and retreat to the western courtyard to change.”

Nanny Guan pointed toward the far west. “The villa lent by the Lady Protector. It’s sparsely populated there. Go with Rui Xue—I’ll meet you.”

She repeated the instructions to Du Runqing’s maid, then hurried off, leaving mistress and servant in the shaded grove.

Du Runqing clutched the secret vial, silent.

Rui Xue swallowed hard.

“Young miss, this... surely isn’t proper?”

Even Rui Xue grasped the implication—this was no ordinary tonic. It was...

She seized Du Runqing’s hand. “What do you think, miss?”

What did she think? Du Runqing’s heart contracted in waves of pain.

Her grandmother knew Commander Wei opposed the marriage. Now, she meant to trap him—first compromise her virtue, then force the marriage!

“Didn’t Grandmother always say that a woman’s virtues and teachings must be strictly adhered to? Why has she given me this bottle of medicine now?”

Du Runqing’s heart ached terribly. The more Rui Xue asked her what to do, the more choked with pain she felt, as if she might faint at any moment.

She didn’t want this, either.

But the Marquis had already married her elder sister—he couldn’t take another wife. And in every way, she fell short of her sister, leaving her with no hope of a good marriage.

Her heart quivered. Just then, someone suddenly appeared on the path by the woods.

The young ladies in the pomegranate arbor pavilion, who had just been admiring Marchioness Lu’s ornate hairpins and jewelry, were startled to see the Marchioness herself appear before them. They hurriedly rose to curtsy.

Du Lingjing acknowledged them with a nod, then turned her gaze toward Du Runqing outside the pavilion.

"Come here, Qing-mei. I have something to say to you."

Her sudden appearance and abrupt request made Du Runqing stiffen, nearly dropping the porcelain bottle hidden in her sleeve.

The other girls, understanding the sisters wished to speak privately, quickly bowed to Du Lingjing and excused themselves. In moments, only the two sisters and their maids remained beneath the pavilion by the woods.

Du Runqing had little choice but to approach. "What instructions does Eldest Sister have for me?"

Du Lingjing wasted no time.

"Some decisions shape your entire future. You must think carefully before acting."

At these words, Du Runqing looked up in shock.

"Big Sister had me followed?!"

Du Lingjing neither confirmed nor denied it.

Du Runqing clenched her fists. "What if I’ve already decided for myself? My Grandmother has cleared the path for me—why shouldn’t I take it?!"

The girl’s face had turned ashen, her lips pressed tightly together as she glared back. Du Lingjing frowned.

"Is the path your Grandmother paved truly a proper and honorable one?"

She had no wish to argue with her sister and merely gestured lightly toward the hidden medicine in Du Runqing’s sleeve.

"If you follow your Grandmother’s plan—using this drug to compromise your virtue first and then marry—do you truly believe you’ll be respected afterward?"

She spoke softly, trying to reason with her. "Perhaps you might live peacefully for a time at first, but the moment anything goes wrong, this matter will be used against you. Even if Wei Jue says nothing, others won’t hesitate to use it against you. What if Lady Protector brings it up? Or others in the Wei family? Or if outsiders find out?"

This was precisely why Lady Protector had arranged to use the borrowed estate—to keep the matter under control within her own family’s estate.

Du Lingjing pressed her sister. "Can you truly bear the harsh fallout if even the slightest misstep occurs?"

If word got out, the Du family’s reputation in Qingzhou would plummet. Or if Wei Jue raged, it might even jeopardize Eldest Brother Cang’s decades of scholarly toil—twenty years of study to pass the imperial exams, only to be denied entry to the palace exams. Could Second Sister bear such responsibility?

Du Runqing went still. For a fleeting moment, she wavered as she met her sister’s gaze. But then her eyes caught the coral-adorned hairpins adorning Du Lingjing’s head and the lavish robes she wore.

Suddenly, she retorted, "Eldest Sister lectures so easily because she’s never suffered! You have everything—Uncle dotes on you, Third Master respects you, and the Marquis cherishes you above all! Of course, you don’t need to endure hardship to enjoy rank and privilege. But I’m different—I still have to support my mother!"

Her words gave Du Lingjing pause.

Qiu Lin, standing nearby, gaped at Second Miss Du in disbelief.

Back when the young lady had lost her father and fiancé and was mistreated as an orphan by the second branch, Second Young Lady hadn’t held this attitude!

But Du Lingjing didn’t press the point. She simply said,

"Then you still don’t have to resort to this method. Have you considered whether this path truly benefits you and Aunt, or merely your Grandmother and uncle?"

Her tone grew stern. Though Second Sister might not match the noble daughters of the capital, she could easily secure a respectable marriage with a scholar from a decent family—one with prospects and no lack of sustenance.

Why must a pure young lady take such a dishonorable route?

But Du Runqing was beyond listening.

"What do you know? Big Sister only ever bullies me!"

Only ever took the Marquis who should have been mine!

In a sudden surge of defiance, Du Runqing decided there was no need to keep up appearances with Du Lingjing.

She spat the words directly in her sister’s face.

"Stay out of my affairs! You’re worse than my Grandmother!"

With that, she abruptly shoved Du Lingjing aside and fled the garden.

The sudden impact sent Du Lingjing stumbling backward. As her hand braced against a large rock behind her, the sharp edge sliced her palm, sending a sharp pain through her.

But she ignored the injury and immediately called out, "Stop her!"

At this command, Du Runqing only ran faster.

Yet after just two steps, she collided headlong into someone.

The young man stood unmoving as ice, unmoved by the impact, while Du Runqing crashed backward onto the ground.

She looked up in shock and finally saw the man before her.

Clad in dark crimson robes with a red-jade belt at his waist, his narrow eyes glinted with a piercing coldness as they locked onto hers—so cold it made her heart seize in terror.

She had never seen such a chilling gaze. Trembling, she scrambled backward, unaware that the medicine vial had tumbled from her sleeve into the grass.

Du Lingjing also saw the newcomer.

"Liulang?"