The Shangsi Festival, held on the third day of the third lunar month, has traditionally been a festival for young women. Now that peace reigns across the land, people’s enthusiasm for festivals has been growing. Early on the morning of the third day of the third month, families with daughters set out for the outskirts of the city. The Shangsi Festival has long been associated with the custom of purification bathing. On this day, people would bathe and burn incense by the water to cleanse themselves of impurities and evil spirits, praying for safety and health in the coming year. As a result, the waterside was always very lively on this day. Of course, with etiquette being much more refined now than in the Zhou Dynasty, ladies no longer bathe in the water themselves. However, this doesn’t prevent the Shangsi Festival from developing another purpose. As ladies play by the water, their brothers naturally accompany them, making this an excellent season for romantic encounters.
The Furong Garden is an imperial garden, and the court has invested heavily in bringing in a lake of fresh water called the Qujiang Pool. As soon as it was built, the Furong Garden gained immense popularity. The imperial family was very open and did not restrict ordinary people from entering the garden. Thus, during festivals, the banks of the Qujiang Pool were filled with curtains and tents, and crowds of people. The flower ornaments worn by women were scattered all over the ground, almost more vibrant than the peonies in the Furong Garden.
In the early days of the new era, social customs were relatively open, and the separation between men and women was not very strict. However, noble families still needed to maintain their dignity. This led to the rise of veils and curtains. When noble women went out, they wore veils to conceal their figures and avoid being seen by strangers. When they went out to enjoy nature, they would set up curtains to enclose their activity area, demonstrating their propriety and reserve. However, the Xuan Dynasty was established through military conquest, and many lords came from humble backgrounds. They didn’t adhere to the customs of old aristocratic families. So when they went out, they would casually put up a curtain and consider it sufficient. Only particularly traditional families or those eager to emulate old aristocratic ways would completely enclose their womenfolk.
But even the most traditional families wouldn’t enclose their area on all four sides. The side facing the water would naturally be left open. If one were to sit on a boat and float downstream, it would indeed be a feast for the eyes.
The Imperial Academy, as the central official school, was almost a temple for scholars and the source of all trendy poetry in Chang’an. How could such an occasion lack their presence? So the Imperial Academy prepared boats early on and sailed downstream on the day of the Shangsi Festival, ostensibly to compose poetry and seek inspiration, though the real purpose need not be elaborated.
The Imperial Academy’s boats were quite eye-catching, with the most luxurious and attention-grabbing being the boat of the Imperial College. This was understandable, as the Imperial College had only seventy-two students, all sons of high-ranking officials, so they certainly didn’t lack funds.
Xiao Jingduo stood on the deck, one hand on the railing, his posture straight and tall, a pleasant sight from afar.
Bai Jiayi stood beside Xiao Jingduo, taking a long breath in the warm breeze, and said: “Spring in bloom, beauties all around, truly one of life’s greatest pleasures.”
Xiao Jingduo, knowing Bai Jiayi’s character, couldn’t be bothered to respond.
Bai Jiayi squinted his eyes, observing the curtains along the shore. Suddenly, he nudged Xiao Jingduo and asked excitedly, “What are those ladies running around doing?”
Xiao Jingduo glanced casually, “Probably playing cuju (an ancient Chinese football game).”
“Cuju?” Bai Jiayi marveled, “Who would’ve thought? I assumed these well-bred young ladies were all quiet and demure, never showing their teeth when they smile. I didn’t expect them to be so agile and athletic when kicking a ball.”
Xiao Jingduo looked only once before averting his gaze: “It’s too refined. It’s just a game for girls to play.”
“Huh?” Bai Jiayi could hardly believe what he heard, “You’re saying cuju is refined?”
“Yes, it’s too genteel. If you want to play something exhilarating, you should try polo. That’s truly exciting.”
Riding a horse and fighting with many people over a wooden ball – Bai Jiayi felt it sounded dangerous just thinking about it. These guys played too wildly. He couldn’t help but say, “It’s a good thing we don’t have to do that.”
“Who says we don’t? Every year after the imperial examinations, the new successful candidates perform in a polo match at Furong Garden. At that time, everyone in Chang’an comes to watch. That’s what you call ’empty streets as all flock to see’ and ‘riding the spring breeze to success.'” Xiao Jingduo didn’t expose Bai Jiayi’s ignorance, but simply smiled as he educated him on common knowledge. “Your misconceptions about scholars run far too deep.”
Bai Jiayi felt desperate, wondering why the people of the Xuan Dynasty were so militant and combative, not even sparing the civil officials.
“Moreover, every year at the Chongyang Palace, there’s a banquet with an archery ceremony. All court officials must participate in archery to ensure they haven’t neglected their martial skills.”
“What happens if someone misses the target? Will they be demoted?”
“It’s not that serious,” Xiao Jingduo said casually. “At most, they’ll be made to drink a few cups of wine as punishment, and later be mocked in poems by their colleagues.”
Being mocked in poems – truly a punishment with Xuan Dynasty characteristics.
Bai Jiayi felt conflicted.
As Xiao Jingduo and Bai Jiayi were talking, the boat suddenly stopped. It turned out someone thought the scenery here was nice and suggested disembarking to enjoy it. Xiao Jingduo had no objections and followed the others off the boat.
The scenery was indeed beautiful, with lush vegetation and flowing streams. Just as more than a dozen students sat down in the pavilion, they saw another group of people coming around the corner.
The people in the pavilion hurriedly stood up and bowed: “Greetings to Your Highnesses, Prince Liang and Prince Qi.”
Prince Liang and Prince Qi were the titles of two princes. The Emperor currently had five sons. The eldest, Rong Mingzhe, was the current Crown Prince. The second son, Rong Mingyuan, had died in battle and was posthumously titled Prince Chu. The third son, Rong Mingli, was titled Prince Liang. The fourth son, Rong Mingcheng, was titled Prince Qi. The fifth prince, Rong Mingzhi, was born to the second Empress Cui and was only three years old, not yet titled. Among the princes, the Crown Prince and the late Prince Chu were born to the first Empress, the fifth prince to the second Empress, while only the third prince (Liang) and fourth prince (Qi) were born to concubines. However, because the Emperor had been busy with military campaigns in recent years, he didn’t have many children. Only the Crown Prince, Prince of Liang, and Prince of Qi were adults, so the Crown Prince and his two half-brothers were relatively close, not paying much attention to their different maternal statuses.
The Crown Prince was busy with state affairs daily, and the fifth prince was too young, so only Prince Liang and Prince Qi were often seen in public. Prince Liang and Prince Qi had passed the imperial examinations in the fourth year of Qiyuan, instantly becoming famous and popular in Chang’an. Moreover, Prince Liang was twenty-two this year, and the Prince Qi was eighteen. Both princes were talented and handsome, and still unmarried, so one can imagine how much they were admired.
Seeing the two princes arrive, the students of the Imperial College didn’t dare to be negligent and all stood up. The Prince of Liang, followed by many royal clan members, saw this scene and just smiled, saying, “What a coincidence to meet the talented scholars of the Imperial College. It’s truly our pleasure.”
“You’re too kind,” the students cupped their hands and smiled, politely declining the compliment.
“Since we’ve had the fortune to meet here, would you mind if my fourth brother and I join you?”
“Prince Liang jests. Please, Your Highnesses and the other princes, take the seats of honor.”
The students of the Imperial Academy stood up to make room for the royal princes. Once everyone was seated again, Xiao Jingduo finally had the chance to carefully observe these princes.
Prince Liang wore a smile, appearing open and gracious. Prince Qi, though still showing some youthful features, already possessed the noble air of the royal family when silent.
Among Prince Liang’s group, besides him and the fourth prince, there were several other princes. These royal scions knew that the students before them came from impressive backgrounds – their fathers were current high officials, and in a few years, these students would become the new elites in the court. So the princes didn’t put on airs, and their conversation was quite friendly.
With one side eager to be close and the other respectful and polite, both parties conversed happily, creating a harmonious atmosphere in the pavilion.
As Prince Liang was engrossed in conversation with these future elites, suddenly a light laugh came from the flower bushes: “Third Brother, Fourth Brother, we’ve been looking for you for so long. Who knew you’d be hiding here?”
Everyone turned around. When Prince Liang saw who it was, he laughed with delight: “It’s Third Sister! My apologies for not informing you.”
The Third Princess, Rong Wenchan, stood prettily behind the flower bushes, smiling as she looked in their direction. When she saw the many students behind Prince Liang, her smile deepened.
She was followed by many ladies-in-waiting. The Third Princess didn’t shy away and walked gracefully towards the pavilion: “You certainly know how to find a quiet spot. You’ve found such a nice place.”
With the princess’s arrival, the students of the Imperial College could only stand up and bow again. But a princess was different from a prince – one could joke freely with princes, but not with princesses. Moreover, the current royal family was famous for their beauty, and the royal princesses were known to be exceptionally beautiful. As soon as the Third Princess appeared with her ladies-in-waiting, many students lowered their heads with slight blushes. Even so, some couldn’t help but steal glances at the princess.
The Third Princess was fourteen this year, the perfect age for marriage discussions. So her intention in joining Prince Liang and the Imperial College gathering wasn’t hard to guess. With Prince Liang and Prince Qi as cover, the Third Princess sat down contentedly, taking the opportunity to carefully scan the young men before her once again.
This time, her eyes lit up as she discovered two promising candidates.
One wore a long black robe, with handsome features. Though his expression was somewhat cold, it complemented his appearance, making him appear even more like a jade-like beauty. Standing next to him was one in red robes who, though not as handsome as the first, had bright, alluring eyes that marked him as a romantic figure.
The Third Princess couldn’t be too obvious, so she asked casually: “I saw Third Brother chatting happily with the students earlier. What were you talking about? Come to think of it, I don’t know several of these talented young men yet.”
Prince Liang suddenly realized: “Oh, right. Third Sister, you rarely leave the palace, so you probably don’t recognize many people.” Prince Liang introduced each person to the Third Princess, then turned to Xiao Jingduo and the others, saying: “This is my third sister, the Third Princess.”
“Greetings to the Princess.”
“This is Princess Hejing.”
A nine-year-old girl heard her name and nodded slightly, gracefully acknowledging everyone.
Everyone paid their respects to Princess Hejing according to custom, but inwardly they all had an “Oh” moment of realization.
So this was Princess Hejing, the daughter of the late Crown Prince Min, who had caused such a stir a few days ago.
Xiao Jingduo, blending in with the crowd, tried his best to be neither disrespectful nor conspicuous. It was only now, hearing Prince Liang’s introduction, that he looked up.
Princess Hejing sat next to the Third Princess, gentle and beautiful, quiet and elegant, with a faint smile on her lips. She was the very image of the perfect royal lady that scholars dreamed of.
In comparison, the other princess of the Xuan Dynasty seemed too lively and boisterous.
Only a daughter of the Crown Prince could be titled a princess, and now Hejing bore the title of princess, indicating that she wasn’t truly as calm as still water, or rather, the forces behind her were not to be underestimated.
Years ago, the Emperor had forced a coup, killing his elder brother and compelling the previous Emperor to abdicate. All the sons and grandsons of Crown Prince Min were executed on the spot and removed from the royal family register. After all the male heirs were massacred, the Emperor stripped the titles from Crown Prince Min’s female relatives and confined them to the palace. Although these women lost their status, they were still the Emperor’s nieces, and he couldn’t bring himself to harm young girls. So the Emperor simply raised Crown Prince Min’s daughters in the palace without names or titles, planning to grant them the title of county lady and marry them off well after a few years when the situation had calmed down.
However, the Empress Dowager, perhaps heartbroken by her second son’s actions, didn’t believe the Emperor would truly spare the women. She threatened suicide and insisted on raising the pair of daughters born to Crown Prince Min’s wife by her side. The Emperor thought that since they were all in the palace anyway, it didn’t matter who raised them, so he didn’t object. But as time passed and the children grew, their gender characteristics could no longer be hidden. The Emperor then discovered that the pair of twins the Empress Dowager had protected were not two girls, but a boy and a girl.
The elder of the twins was Rong Wenyan, now Princess Hejing. The younger one was originally Rong Wenshu, but had been secretly switched with Crown Prince Min’s illegitimate son, Rong Mingtai, who was then brought to the Empress Dowager’s side. The real Rong Wenshu had long been executed as a boy.
At the time of the coup, the twins Rong Wenyan were only four years old, and Rong Mingtai was three months younger. Given that the royal family already had somewhat androgynous features, it was indeed difficult to distinguish between boys and girls at that age. Using a girl to disguise a boy was feasible, especially with the Empress Dowager’s protection. Crown Prince Min’s wife was ruthless enough to sacrifice her younger daughter to preserve a bloodline for Crown Prince Min, even though this son wasn’t her own child.
After the ruse of disguising a boy as a girl was exposed, the Emperor was displeased, but with the Empress Dowager firmly protecting this pair of children under her wing, what could he do? So the Emperor complained a bit to the Crown Prince and let the Empress Dowager have her way. After all, the Emperor was already on the throne, and Crown Prince Rong Mingzhe was secure in his position as heir. A five or six-year-old child posed no real threat. But the Empress Dowager didn’t see it that way. She not only watched over this pair of children like they were her own eyes, but also replaced all the staff around them with her own people. She even distrusted the fruits and dishes sent from the palace kitchens, insisting they be tested before Rong Wenyan and Rong Mingtai could eat them.
If the Empress Dowager had just remained suspicious and anxious, that would have been fine. The Emperor would have just laughed it off as her making trouble for herself and paid it no more mind. Unfortunately, the peace didn’t last long. Last year, the Uyghurs deliberately poisoned the southern part of the city and took the opportunity to spread rumors. Due to some coincidences, these rumors became entangled with supernatural elements and the late Crown Prince Min. The Empress Dowager seemed to be moved by these rumors and actually started thinking about restoring Crown Prince Min’s title.
The first thing the Empress Dowager did was to force the Emperor to restore the title of princess to Rong Wenyan, Crown Prince Min’s daughter, according to tradition.
This was like poking a hornet’s nest. Not just the Emperor, even the Crown Prince thought this was going too far.
However, at this point, the Emperor had already posthumously titled his elder brother as Crown Prince Min out of respect. The Empress Dowager was his mother, and her request was reasonable. He really couldn’t argue against it. So in February of this year, the Emperor reluctantly bestowed the title of Princess Hejing on Rong Wenyan, treating her as an equal to Princess Yangxin, Rong Ke.
The Empress Dowager was satisfied with this. These days, she had been hosting grand banquets for Princess Hejing, all to promote Rong Wenyan. Moreover, all of Rong Wenyan’s living expenses and privileges were to be equal to or better than those of Rong Ke.
The Eastern Palace (residence of the Crown Prince) had been having a terrible time these past few days. Empress Cui was happy to watch the drama unfold, so she went along with the Empress Dowager in everything, also elevating Rong Wenyan’s status. The Empress Dowager’s attitude towards Rong Ke was cool; she disapproved of how spoiled Rong Ke was and wasn’t close to her from the beginning. After the incident with Crown Prince Min, the Empress Dowager became even more distant towards Rong Ke. Even when the Crown Prince’s wife went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, she couldn’t get in her good graces, let alone Rong Ke, who was of a younger generation.
Today, on the Shangsi Festival, the Emperor had taken his consorts and children out of the palace for an outing. The Empress Dowager, wanting to give Hejing a grand showing, entrusted her to the Third Princess, asking the Third Princess to introduce Rong Wenyan properly in the circle of unmarried noble ladies.
The Third Princess naturally didn’t dare to disobey. She had been walking around with this cousin for a while when they happened to meet Prince Liang and the others. With the romantic feelings of youth, the Third Princess happily joined her brother’s gathering, bringing Rong Wenyan along.
After the princess and the imperial princess joined, the atmosphere in the pavilion immediately changed. Some became more talkative, while others seemed to suddenly become mute. Xiao Jingduo was one of those who spoke as little as possible.
Prince Liang chatted and laughed with his sister. He smiled and said, “It’s really lively today. I remember Elder Sister also walked in this direction. I wonder where they are now?”
“I just saw them, not far from here,” the Third Princess waved her hand, smiling as she said to a servant, “Quick, go and invite the First Princess to join us.”
Before long, a group of palace ladies gracefully approached. Among them, a lady wearing a red pomegranate-colored skirt was particularly eye-catching, and beside her was a young girl in a purple dress.
First Princess Xin’an, hearing the report from the palace servants, came over tentatively to see what was happening. She didn’t expect to turn the corner and see such a scene. She smiled and said, “Oh, what’s going on here? We couldn’t find anyone at Father’s place, and now everyone’s gathered here?”
Everyone in the pavilion laughed. Many people, including Prince Liang, Prince Qi, and the Third Princess, stood up to pay their respects: “Greetings to Princess Xin’an.”
“Greetings to Elder Sister.”
Princess Xin’an was the Emperor’s eldest legitimate daughter and the Crown Prince’s only full sister. Her title was Xin’an, and she was highly favored, with a status and influence far beyond that of the Third Princess and others. Xin’an exuded the noble aura of the eldest legitimate princess. She nodded to everyone in the pavilion and said, “No need for such formality, please rise.”
As the eldest legitimate sister, Xin’an naturally sat at the head. Prince Liang and Prince Qi both stood up to give her their seats. After everyone was seated once again, the young girl beside Princess Xin’an finally paid her respects to everyone: “Yangxin pays her respects to Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and Third Aunt.”
Prince Liang wanted to pat Rong Ke’s head, but she dodged it with pursed lips. Prince Liang was taken aback for a moment, then pointed at her and laughed loudly: “Look at this girl, she’s got a bigger attitude than anyone. She won’t even let me pat her head.”
Rong Ke looked up and corrected him: “I’m nine years old now. I’m grown up.”
Hearing this, Prince Liang laughed even louder, and even Xin’an couldn’t help but smile: “Yes, yes, our Ke’er has grown up.”
Xiao Jingduo stood to the side, silently watching the princes and princesses tease Rong Ke, and found himself unable to suppress a smile.
Although Rong Ke wasn’t particularly young, her generational status was very low. All the princes and princesses present were her elders, and even these noble sons and daughters, if one traced the family lines carefully, might be of a higher generational status than Rong Ke.
After being thoroughly teased by her uncles and aunts, Rong Ke was finally able to break free. She turned to Rong Wenyan and calmly paid her respects: “Yangxin pays her respects to Aunt Hejing.”
Rong Wenyan was the daughter of Crown Prince Min, while Rong Ke was the Emperor’s granddaughter. So despite being about the same age, Rong Ke was a generation below Rong Wenyan.
The two young ladies, like tender spring onions, faced each other and exchanged greetings. Both held the title of imperial princess, and logically, their situation should have been quite delicate. But to onlookers, it was unspeakably amusing.
Xiao Jingduo silently averted his gaze, struggling to hold back his laughter.
Then, his thoughts wandered to another matter. Xiao Ying had been a subordinate of the late Emperor Rong Bo, roughly of the same generation as Prince Qin, the current Emperor. He was Xiao Ying’s son, and Rong Ke was the current Emperor’s granddaughter. By this reckoning, wouldn’t he also be a generation above Rong Ke?
Xiao Jingduo was suddenly nudged by Bai Jiayi. He turned his head, frowning with displeasure, and asked, “What are you doing?”
“I should be asking you that,” Bai Jiayi scrutinized Xiao Jingduo. “Why are you smiling so strangely for no reason?”
Only then did Xiao Jingduo belatedly compose his face: “Was I smiling?”
Bai Jiayi gave him a contemptuous look and turned away, not bothering to answer.
However, the Rong family was inherently restless, especially with several princes and princesses gathered together. Before long, one of the princes suggested: “It’s too dull to just sit here on such a fine spring day. Since we have enough people today, why don’t we go play polo?”
“Great idea!” Before others could respond, several princes readily agreed. Prince Liang enthusiastically asked the princesses: “Elder Sister, Third Sister, we’re going to play polo. Would you like to join us?”
Polo was a rather intense and dangerous sport, especially for women. Without outstanding horsemanship and courage, few women dared to play polo. But for the ladies of the Rong family, this was no issue. Xin’an readily agreed, and even the 14-year-old Third Princess nodded confidently: “My riding skills aren’t great, please don’t laugh at me.”
The students from the Imperial College hurriedly shook their heads and waved their hands, all knowing that this statement was just routine modesty.
Everyone stood up excitedly, chatting and laughing. The prospect of playing polo with princes and having princesses as spectators was clearly thrilling. In such a joyous atmosphere, a child like Rong Ke was automatically filtered out by everyone.
Rong Ke immediately protested: “I want to go too!”
“What would you do there?” Prince Liang said dismissively. “How old are you? Just stay here quietly. If you’re bored, I’ll have someone perform acrobatics for you.”
Who wants to watch acrobatics? Rong Ke was about to speak again, but was silenced by Prince Liang. Even Princess Xin’an, who usually doted on her, said: “Polo is too dangerous. You’d better stay in the pavilion. Actually, I’ll have someone escort you back to the Eastern Palace.”
While the royal family was talking, some students from the Imperial College were secretly exchanging information with their companions. Bai Jiayi lowered his voice and asked Xiao Jingduo: “They’re going to play polo. Are you going?”
“No.”
Bai Jiayi didn’t expect Xiao Jingduo to answer so decisively without hesitation. He felt somewhat touched: “Xiao Jingduo, you’re such a good brother. You know I’m not good at polo right now, and you’re looking out for me like this?”
Xiao Jingduo gave him a surprised look, his expression complex, but in the end, he said nothing.
Prince Liang and Princess Xin’an led the large group away to play polo. In a moment, the previously bustling pavilion was left with only a few people.
The young Rong Ke and Rong Wenyan were left behind, while Xiao Jingduo and Bai Jiayi had chosen not to go. Suddenly, only they remained in the pavilion. The relationship between Rong Ke and Rong Wenyan was delicate, and Rong Ke had just been harshly rejected, so her mood was probably not good. In this situation, neither Xiao Jingduo nor the others took the initiative to speak.
The silence only lasted for a moment before Rong Ke stood up and walked towards the exit of the pavilion. Rong Wenyan frowned slightly, her delicate eyebrows knitting together as she asked softly: “Where are you going?”
“To find Aunt Xin’an and the others.”
“But Third Brother and the others told you to wait here.”
Rong Ke stopped, turned her head, and gave Rong Wenyan a cold glance. “It’s up to you if you want to come or not. I’m leaving first.”
As Rong Ke left, a large group of attendants waiting outside the pavilion hurriedly followed. Bai Jiayi looked back and forth, calling out with difficulty: “Ah, Princess Yangxin!”
Xiao Jingduo’s eyes only swept in that direction for a moment before he bowed to Rong Wenyan and said: “Princess Hejing, I’ll go and persuade the Princess to come back.”
Before the others could react, Xiao Jingduo had quickly gone after her.
Xiao Jingduo walked briskly, and soon caught up with Rong Ke at a corner.
“Princess, please wait.”
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