Wang Daxia and Prince Jing shared similar thoughts, though Prince Jing coveted the forty-eight selected court ladies, while Wang Daxia only had Wei Caiwei in mind.
He longed to see her, but he also knew the severe consequences of trespassing into the inner palace. The current Wang Daxia was no longer the reckless young master of the past.
Lu Ying had taught him martial arts without reservation and approved his expense reimbursements without hesitation; Lord Lu had covered for him when he redeemed the White Lotus Sect Saintess Jin Ying—where could he find such excellent superiors?
He couldn’t let his personal desires implicate Commander Lu. Nowadays, Wang Daxia had learned to restrain himself.
But Qionghua Island was part of the Western Park, where Lu Ying was accompanying the emperor. Wang Daxia patrolled nearby, knowing the court ladies would attend the island’s grand banquet—Wei Caiwei would surely follow. Then, he could finally meet her.
Eagerly, Wang Daxia requested permission from Lu Ying to patrol Qionghua Island the day after tomorrow. Lu Ying replied, “If you can flawlessly demonstrate the entire staff technique from Master Yu’s Classic of Swordsmanship, I’ll grant your request.”
Motivated, Wang Daxia shed his usual absentmindedness and mastered the routine in half a day.
After his practice, Lu Ying picked up a staff and engaged him in a sparring match. Wang Daxia raised his staff and fought with full effort, their duel weaving between altars.
The Jiajing Emperor, observing from a high tower, pointed at Wang Daxia and asked, “Who is that? He’s holding his own against Lu Ying in combat.”
Huang Jin, the Supervising Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs who was accompanying the emperor, replied, “That is Wang Daxia, Lord Lu’s favored subordinate. Highly trusted, he was promoted three ranks for his crucial role in crushing the White Lotus Sect and now holds the title of Hundred-Household Commander.”
Hearing this, the emperor assumed Lu Bing had chosen Wang Daxia as a potential son-in-law for Lu Ying and grew interested. “How old is he? What’s his background? Is he married?”
Huang Jin, who also served as Chief of the Eastern Depot, was well-informed about Wang Daxia’s history. “He is fourteen and unmarried. His family has held a hereditary Thousand-Household rank since the Yongle era, making them part of the nobility. His lineage is clean, though his reputation is somewhat tarnished—he’s nicknamed one of the ‘Four Pests of the North City’ and was known as Young Master Wang. He caught Lord Lu’s attention by assisting in solving the murder case of Thousand Household Chen and his son, leading to his recruitment into the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Even the usually strict Fourth Young Miss holds him in unprecedented esteem, taking him everywhere. He’s quite the rising star in the Guard.”
Lu Ying, now eighteen, remained unmarried. The Jiajing Emperor had occasionally suggested arranged matches to Lu Bing, but Lu Bing always declined, saying she would choose her own husband.
Proud of her talents, Lu Ying had never shown interest in any promising young man. Now, it seemed Wang Daxia might have caught her eye?
The emperor picked up a Western telescope and studied Wang Daxia closely. “He’s handsome, four years younger than Ying’er, but if she approves, age is no issue. Her marriage has been a constant worry for my milk brother—it seems this concern may soon resolve itself.”
Through the lens, he saw Lu Ying trip Wang Daxia with a staff move. Wang Daxia clutched his waist, feigning injury and refusing to get up, muttering something. Lu Ying said a few words, extended her staff, and Wang Daxia grabbed it, pulling himself upright. Then they walked back side by side.
Setting down the telescope, the emperor smiled. “Youth is wonderful—so full of vitality.”In the duty room, Wang Daxia said, "...Commander Lu, rest assured. This subordinate will not wander around Qionghua Island and disrupt Lu Jingfei's Imperial Concubine Selection. I only wish to see Doctor Wei."
Even the usually obtuse Lu Ying sensed something amiss. "Why are you so concerned about Doctor Wei?"
Wei Caiwei had warned him not to disclose the matter of the marriage certificate, so Wang Daxia replied vaguely, "We're neighbors who've been through life and death together, looking out for each other. Doctor Wei cares deeply for me too. That time at the Red Sleeve Brothel by the Pool of Accumulated Water, she nearly drowned while searching for me."
Lu Ying remarked, "I've never seen neighbors as friendly as you two."
Wang Daxia spread his hands. "Well, now you have, Commander Lu."
Though simple, Lu Ying was no fool. "If you harbor any improper intentions toward Doctor Wei, I won't let you off. I promised Ding Wu I'd protect her properly."
Before his departure, Ding Wu had sworn to her, "I shall not return until the White Lotus is destroyed," and entrusted Wei Caiwei's safety to Lu Ying. Despite Wang Daxia being more attentive and considerate toward Wei Caiwei, Ding Wu found him unreliable and preferred to entrust her to Lu Ying.
Wang Daxia thought to himself: You might not believe it, but it was Wei Caiwei who first developed feelings for me! Step by step, she drew me into her affection. On her first night moving to Tianshui Lane, she took in this runaway and let me stay overnight.
Wang Daxia said, "Commander Lu, you know me well. I am definitely not the kind of man who would abandon someone after misleading them." I will marry her with proper ceremony!
Lu Ying said nothing more, merely making a throat-slitting gesture at Wang Daxia as a warning.
On the fifth day of the ninth month, chrysanthemums blanketed the ground. The selected maidens all changed into python robes embroidered with chrysanthemum patterns for the Double Ninth Festival. Even Wei Caiwei received one. Shang Qinglan put on the python robe with the chrysanthemum emblem on the chest, caressing the golden python pattern lovingly. "It's all embroidered with gold thread," she marveled. "When I return home, I'll remove the chrysanthemum patch and alter the python robe to make it larger. I'll keep it for my father's birthday celebration—how impressive it will be! The villagers will be green with envy."
To this day, Shang Qinglan remained convinced she would never pass the final round, planning to leave once she had acquired enough treasures.
Dressed in the python robes, wrapped in black headscarves, and adorned with silk flowers or fresh chrysanthemums in their hair nets, they appeared dignified yet lively.
The group first boarded blue-curtained sedan chairs, which halted by the Taiye Lake. They then transferred to a large boat, disembarking at Qionghua Island. The misty expanse of Taiye Lake and the picturesque scenery of the Western Garden resembled a fairyland, stunning these maidens from humble backgrounds. Even those who had initially sought to avoid the selection were now captivated by the wealth and splendor before them, aspiring to rise high and secretly vowing to secure their place.
Except for Shang Qinglan, that is. She had already resolved to "shine brilliantly" at the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet today, ensuring Lu Jingfei would eliminate her. After all, she had already gathered enough treasures.
Moreover, she didn't need to deliberately act foolish—staying true to herself would guarantee her elimination.
She could hardly wait to flaunt the treasures she had accumulated over the days, one by one, before her father!
The thought alone excited her.
Wei Caiwei knew both of them would be selected, so she wasn't worried at all. She glanced around, searching for any sign of Wang Daxia.
She missed him too.
Carrying her medicine bag, Wei Caiwei followed behind the selected maidens. After disembarking, they walked out of the dock and waited for Lu Jingfei outside the chrysanthemum garden.The chief eunuch of the Palace of Gathered Elegance announced, "Today, Consort Jing will grace the Chrysanthemum Garden to admire flowers with all the selected maidens. You are to wait here and are not permitted to leave without permission."
The maidens waited for nearly half an hour. Shang Qinglan had already drunk two cups of tea and eaten half a plate of pastries by the time Lu Jingfei arrived belatedly.
A page hurried over, whisking a horsetail whisk. "Rise quickly and prepare to receive Her Highness! Consort Jing has already disembarked from the boat."
The chief eunuch immediately ordered the maidens to stand and form two rows on either side of the path to welcome her.
The young eunuchs attending nearby all knelt and prostrated themselves on both sides of the path, not daring to lift their heads.
First came the leading eunuchs, followed by pairs of eunuchs carrying ceremonial insignia. Between the insignia bearers were musicians playing peaceful melodies. Then came pairs of palace matrons, who lined up on both sides, surrounding a Phoenix palanquin carried by eight bearers.
The ceremonial entourage alone numbered over a hundred people.
The Phoenix palanquin had a golden-copper pearl-topped roof, with a golden-copper flying phoenix at each of its four corners. The body of the palanquin was painted with pheasant patterns and draped with a red, gold-embroidered silk gauze covering, all edged with golden silk.
Seeing the palanquin, Shang Qinglan whispered to Li Jiubao, "I thought piling gold, pearls, and gems onto clothing was the height of luxury. Now I realize our garments aren’t as splendid as the palanquin’s covering."
Shang Qinglan itched to scrape off the gold and pick out the pearls from the Phoenix palanquin to take with her!
After Lu Jingfei stepped down from the Phoenix palanquin, the selected maidens, following the rehearsed etiquette, bowed in unison and said, "We respectfully welcome Consort Jing!"
Lu Jingfei glanced over the maidens. They were all dressed identically in python robes embroidered with chrysanthemum motifs and wore hairnets, though the flowers adorning their hairnets varied.
One round-faced maiden with large eyes and fair skin had a green chrysanthemum fall from her hairnet as she bowed her head in greeting.
Instead of appearing embarrassed, the maiden gave Lu Jingfei an apologetic, guileless smile.
This was none other than Shang Qinglan, who was determined to be eliminated. She had pinned the green chrysanthemum herself but hadn’t secured it properly. While on the boat to Qionghua Island, she had leaned over the railing out of curiosity to enjoy the scenery. The strong lake wind had loosened the flower, causing it to fall when she bowed—not an intentional act.
Lu Jingfei said, "Rise." Then she whispered to the eunuch beside her, "Take note of her name. She must be selected this time and prepared to be sent to Prince Yu’s residence."
Since she needed to fill the quota to showcase her virtue, she might as well assign this foolish one to Prince Yu. Even if she were to become pregnant, she’d likely give birth to some simpleton.
Shang Qinglan, completely unaware, thought she was about to be eliminated and was overjoyed. She picked up the green chrysanthemum—truly, it was her lucky star!
Li Jiubao, assuming it was intentional, whispered to her, "It seems you’ll get your wish."
Shang Qinglan chuckled. "I’ll miss you after I leave the palace." Today had gone so smoothly—she was successfully out.
Lu Jingfei entered the Chrysanthemum Garden first, and the palace matron beside her announced loudly, "Proceed!" (Note 1)
The selected maidens divided into two groups and followed behind Lu Jingfei, filing into the garden one by one. The Chrysanthemum Banquet was about to begin.
Wei Caiwei, carrying her medical bag, deliberately lagged behind. After everyone had entered the Chrysanthemum Garden, a familiar figure emerged from behind the rockery—it was Wang Daxia.
Wei Caiwei: It’s been over half a month since I last saw him. He seems to have grown taller and carries himself more steadily.
Wang Daxia: Doctor Wei looks both imposing and beautiful in that python robe!The two exchanged a smile, and Wang Daxia reached out his hand, "It's heavy, isn't it? Let me carry it for you."
Since the Marriage Certificate had already been written, Wei Caiwei saw no need to stand on ceremony with him. She handed him the medical bag to carry, and the two walked side by side into the Chrysanthemum Garden.
Meanwhile, the Jiajing Emperor was meditating in Qingyi Studio. Noticing that Lu Ying was alone today, he asked her, "Where is that Wang Daxia?"
Lu Ying hadn't expected the emperor to inquire about such an insignificant figure like Wang Daxia and quickly replied, "Today, I assigned him to patrol Qionghua Island in the Western Garden."
In the Jiajing Emperor's eyes, Lu Ying indeed treated Wang Daxia differently. It seemed there was something brewing between them. Seeing Lu Ying almost like a niece, the emperor hoped to marry her off soon to ease the deep concern of her elder brother, Lu Bing. Thus, he developed a keen interest in Wang Daxia.
"It's been a long time since I last visited Qionghua Island. There's a Chrysanthemum Garden there, filled with nothing but chrysanthemums of all varieties—no other flowers. Now that autumn has arrived, it should be at its most beautiful. Accompany me to admire the chrysanthemums." Along the way, he intended to test what skills that young man possessed to have moved the aloof and stern Lu Ying.
Author's Note: Lan Zhou: Finally, we're about to spill all the dramatic twists—rubbing hands in anticipation like a fly.
Note 1: This set of court etiquette is derived from the Ming Dynasty storybook The Fate of the Pearl.
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