Chapter 34: An Elegant Fragrance: Heart of Orchid and Quality of Hibiscus

In the East Warm Pavilion, the bright moon hung from the willow tips, and faint sounds of bamboo leaves rustling in the wind drifted in from outside the window.

The refined brow bone blocked the candlelight.

Zhao Huairen lowered her gaze, her emotions unreadable in her eyes.

“Why doesn’t the Heir respond?” Liu Jinggan raised an eyebrow.

Her slightly cool fingertips picked up a white jade chess piece, and as it fell into place, Zhao Huairen pursed her lips and said, “The Empress’s decree granted this marriage—a great honor. This subject is naturally very satisfied.”

Though he had asked the question himself, Liu Jinggan paid no attention to Zhao Huairen’s answer. His full focus was on the chessboard, and his expression didn’t change because of her response.

Seeing that he was about to win, he waved toward the person behind him and said, “Zhaohua, did you hear? The Heir says she’s very satisfied.”

She stomped the floor in frustration.

Ning’an Princess emerged from behind the screen, her face dark.

Her beautiful hair was lightly pinned up, with a three-winged oriole feather hairpin slanted in it. She wore a purple gauze silver-patterned hundred-butterfly skirt adorned with shattered jade tassels, draped in a gossamer-thin cloud silk shawl. Liu Zhaohua had clearly dressed up deliberately.

“Why are you satisfied?”

Seeing Liu Zhaohua, Zhao Huairen stood and paid her respects. “This subject pays respects to Ning’an Princess.”

“I’m asking you—why are you satisfied?” Liu Zhaohua stopped in front of her and lifted her chin to ask.

“A childhood betrothal and the Empress’s decree,” Zhao Huairen answered flatly.

“I’m asking about you,” Liu Zhaohua stared into her eyes, biting her lip. “I just want to know what you’re really thinking. Tell me, do you like her?”

Zhao Huairen countered, “Because of that painting?”

She had only heard that Myriad Treasures Pavilion was selling his painting and rushed over in a hurry, only to later learn—it was a painting he had given to another woman.

“That painting… why won’t you answer my question?” Liu Zhaohua clenched her palms.

She could easily say she didn’t like her and brush it off.

Or say she did, to quash Liu Zhaohua’s hopes.

Either way was a good strategy. Zhao Huairen should have handled it with her usual composure as she always did, but she hesitated.

“Zhaohua, with you making a fuss like this, the Heir can’t play chess with me anymore,” Liu Jinggan said with a frown, holding the chess basket.

“Brother!” Liu Zhaohua clenched her fists in dissatisfaction and was about to speak again when a eunuch announced from outside, “Crown Prince, His Majesty orders all the lords to proceed to Purple Chen Hall. The banquet is about to begin.”

—

As the lanterns were lit at dusk, even from a distance away from Purple Chen Hall, the sounds of silk and bamboo music could be heard coming from inside.

“It’ll only be a few more days,” Yan Yue said softly as she stepped onto the stone steps. “Soon, you can leave Si Nong Temple.”

Yan Yiqing nodded. “If there’s anywhere you need me, Sister, just say the word.”

Yan Yue patted the back of her hand, her gaze deep. “Naturally.”

The sisters walked side by side, about to enter Purple Chen Hall, when they ran into Zhao Huairen and the other two coming from the opposite direction.

Truly, leaving affection everywhere.

Even within the palace walls, he had confidantes among the fairer sex.

Seeing Zhao Huairen standing beside Liu Zhaohua, Yan Yiqing suddenly felt a twinge of displeasure. She bowed slightly and said coldly, “This official pays respects to Crown Prince and Ning’an Princess.”

Liu Jinggan was just about to tell her to rise when Liu Zhaohua, standing behind him, stepped forward. “You’re Yan Yiqing?”

“In response to Your Highness, this official is Yan Yiqing.”

Her almond eyes narrowed as Liu Zhaohua scrutinized Yan Yiqing closely, nearly staring a hole through her.

There was nothing Yan Yiqing could do about Liu Zhaohua’s hostility. Though she shared no feelings with Zhao Huairen, her status as wife left her without defense.

“Hmph, nothing special.” A flash of disdain crossed Liu Zhaohua’s almond eyes as she strode into the hall.

Brother Huai Jin is the epitome of self-discipline and propriety.

He definitely wouldn’t like a woman this flashy.

Liu Jinggan watched his sister’s retreating figure and shook his head. “Zhaohua has always been like this, Young Master Yan. Don’t take it to heart.”

“This official wouldn’t dare.”

After he left, Yan Yue reached out to adjust Yan Yiqing’s hairpin. “Let’s go. We should take our seats too.”

Yan Yiqing glanced at Zhao Huairen out of the corner of her eye.

She nodded and entered the hall with Yan Yue.

Based on what she knew of Ning’an Princess…

If she spoke up to defend her now, it would likely provoke an immediate outburst.

Tonight’s banquet was probably no good. Zhao Huairen’s long lashes lowered as she sighed silently to herself.

“Young Master Yan.” Zhao Huairen sat down beside her.

A dark shadow passed through Yan Yiqing’s peach-blossom eyes. She picked up the wine cup from the table and subtly shifted to the right.

“My apologies,” Zhao Huairen said.

Yan Yiqing took a sip of the wine and stared straight ahead. “What is the Heir apologizing to me for? I don’t mind who you… “

“I mean, Zhaohua might make things difficult for you.”

“Zhaohua?” A cold smile tugged at Yan Yiqing’s lips. “The Heir and the Princess are truly close—you even dare to address her by name.”

Why was Yan Yiqing suddenly so barbed?

“Nothing special”—had those words made her so indignant…?

Zhao Huairen lowered her phoenix eyes and explained, “The Princess and I—”

“Childhood friends, sweethearts from youth.”

Yan Yue had already told her on the way to Purple Chen Hall that Zhao Huairen had been selected as the Crown Prince’s study companion in her youth and had known the Princess for many years. The Princess had harbored feelings for her for a long time.

Zhao Huairen should have become the Prince Consort.

But for some reason, she had married this general instead.

“It was just some interactions in youth,” Zhao Huairen said softly, pursing her lips. “Hardly childhood sweethearts.”

“Why tell me all this? What does it have to do with me?”

…

Wasn’t it you who brought it up?

Swallowing those words, Zhao Huairen replied in a clear voice, “I spoke out of turn.”

Seated beside Liu Jinggan, Liu Zhaohua had been silently watching the two of them. Seeing their discord, she felt secretly delighted.

Hmph, she knew Brother Huai Jin wouldn’t like her.

“Zhaohua, Zhao Huairen already has a family,” Liu Jinggan said.

“Yan Yiqing?” Liu Zhaohua slowly peeled a grape. “After Brother ascends the throne, will he really spare her life?”

Liu Jinggan’s back straightened instantly as he rebuked her in a low voice, “On the grand hall, how dare you speak such nonsense?”

Though scolded, Liu Zhaohua didn’t care much.

She ate the grapes in small bites.

Blinking, she said, “Brother Huai Jin will be mine sooner or later.”

“A proper lady shouldn’t speak of such things every day—what decorum is that!”

“Are there not enough beauties in the Eastern Palace?” Liu Zhaohua wiped the juice from her fingertips with a silk handkerchief and looked up at Liu Jinggan. “Unlike my brother, I’m not greedy. I only want one Zhao Huairen. What’s wrong with that?”

“Full of twisted logic, throwing shame and propriety to the—”

The inner servant announced loudly, “His Majesty arrives!”

As soon as the words fell, everyone immediately stood and paid respects.

The Emperor entered with the Empress, followed closely by Noble Consort Shen. Yan Yiqing knelt beside Zhao Huairen and subtly glanced sideways, her gaze quietly passing over the Empress.

Meng Shuqin wore phoenix robes, exuding dignified elegance. Her features bore some resemblance to Ning’an Princess.

Compared to Noble Consort Shen, her beauty was slightly inferior, but her bearing surpassed it.

“Rise,” Liu Zhengkang said as he took his seat at the head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. It lingered briefly on Zhao Huairen and Yan Yiqing. “This is just a casual family banquet. No need for excessive formality.”

The banquet officially began. Palace maids filed in serving dishes, presenting delicacies like a flowing stream.

Tsk tsk tsk…

This dog emperor sure doesn’t skimp on silver.

Yan Yiqing showed no restraint before the fine food. She ate heartily, pouring herself cup after cup of wine. In the span of a single tea’s time, she had downed at least five or six cups.

Zhao Huairen frowned slightly and pressed down on her wine pot. “Young Master Yan.”

“What?” Yan Yiqing looked at her.

“If you lose composure from drink, I’m afraid…” Zhao Huairen hesitated over her words, pursing her lips.

“Afraid I’ll drag down your Duke Rui’s Mansion?” While Zhao Huairen was stunned, Yan Yiqing snatched back the pot. “Don’t worry. I won’t drag you down.”

Though the rose dew tasted excellent, to her it was no different from water—her reputation for drinking a thousand cups without getting drunk wasn’t for nothing.

Seeing the sarcasm hidden in Yan Yiqing’s smile, Zhao Huairen lowered her gaze and said no more.

With Duke Rui’s Mansion’s status and position, even if Yan Yiqing caused trouble, the Zhao family wouldn’t be implicated.

She simply…

Didn’t want to see her get into trouble.

“Young Master Yan seems to like this rose dew quite a bit?” Noble Consort Shen set down her jade chopsticks and looked at the two with a smile. “What a perfect pair. The Heir and Young Master Yan do look well-matched.”

“Indeed,” the Crown Princess chimed in, but praised the Empress. “Mother Empress arranged this marriage perfectly.”

Liu Zhaohua glared at her and muttered softly, “You and your big mouth.”

No one but the Crown Princess and Crown Prince noticed her words. The Empress nodded. “Seeing this young couple so affectionate makes this palace happy too.”

Affectionate? Yan Yiqing repeated the word silently in her heart and sneered soundlessly.

Zhao Huairen curved her thin lips into an appropriate smile, raised her wine cup, and said in a voice like jade striking water, “This subject and Young Master Yan were granted marriage by the Empress’s grace. We are endlessly grateful. Allow us to toast Her Majesty with this cup.”

The Empress smiled in satisfaction and took a light sip. Seeing this, the Emperor laughed heartily. “Court affairs have been busy lately. The Crown Prince mentioned it today, and only then did I suddenly remember you two have been married for some time now.”

Hearing this, a dark glint flashed in Liu Jinggan’s eyes.

“This son heard the Heir was newlywed and thought Father Emperor should meet the couple,” he said with a smile, his gaze sweeping subtly toward Prince Gong. “After all, such fine matches are rare in court.”

Prince Gong’s expression darkened slightly. Liu Jingde was a few years older than the Crown Prince, and his features bore some resemblance to Noble Consort Shen.

Seated beside Prince Gong, Yan Yue exuded a calm aura like still water. She rolled up her sleeve and picked up a piece of fish sashimi for him with her chopsticks.

“Speaking of fine matches,” Noble Consort Shen suddenly spoke, her voice soft and seductive as silk, “Prince Gong and his Princess Consort are also in perfect harmony. Not long ago, when the Prince was unwell, the Princess Consort personally brewed ginseng soup for him, tending day and night. Even the imperial physicians praised her.”

The Emperor nodded with a smile. “The Yan family’s two daughters both have hearts as refined as orchids and qualities as keen as hibiscus.”

Yan Yiqing coughed lightly to suppress the laughter rising in her throat. Hearts as refined as orchids and qualities as keen as hibiscus? Aunt would laugh her teeth out if she heard.

Sure enough, the people in this palace knew how to talk.

One sister married to Prince Gong, the other to the Crown Prince’s brother-in-law.

Everyone in Great Yong knew the Crown Prince and Prince Gong were like fire and water. Such marriages were truly “rare fine matches.”

Sensing Yan Yiqing’s unease, Zhao Huairen curled her fingertips slightly and leaned closer to her.

Amid the nauseating dragon saliva incense that nearly made her retch, a thread of cool, elegant fragrance emerged—like wisteria crushed into snow pine.

It smells so good. Yan Yiqing couldn’t help but inhale deeply twice.

Her furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

She looked up and unexpectedly met a pair of light brown eyes.

Realizing her earlier actions had all been seen, her ear tips burned. Yan Yiqing blurted out awkwardly, “So disgusting. How… how can a man like you wear fragrance?”

“I don’t wear fragrance.”

After this simple explanation, Zhao Huairen was about to say more—

“I’ve heard Young Master Yan is skilled at dancing,” Liu Zhaohua said playfully, toying with her wine cup in a sweet voice. “Might this princess have the pleasure of a performance today?”