Lu Jingfei led the forty-eight candidates of the Imperial Concubine Selection on a stroll through the garden before settling down. Palace attendants served fine wine and delicacies, as the Ming harem's monthly provisions followed seasonal customs. For instance, in the first lunar month, they wore python robes with gourd-patterned badges and ate bianshi (dumplings), while at the start of spring, they would "bite the spring" with seasonal treats.
By the fifth month, they donned python robes embroidered with five-poison and mugwort-tiger motifs, consuming zongzi and realgar wine.
Now in the ninth month, they wore chrysanthemum-patterned python robes, drank chrysanthemum wine, and feasted on Double Ninth cakes alongside side dishes like frost-defying spicy rabbit head, pickled eggplant, and salted cucumbers.
Shang Qinglan, operating on the principle that each meal might be her last, had no intention of performing for Lu Jingfei. Her focus remained entirely on the succession of imperial delicacies, eating with unrestrained appetite.
The banquet commenced.
They began with the game of "passing the flower to drumbeats." A bouquet of chrysanthemums circulated among the candidates, and when the drumming ceased, whoever held it would showcase a talent—be it composing poetry, painting, or performing song and dance.
As the banquet reached its peak, the candidates displayed their unique skills like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each revealing their prowess. Only Shang Qinglan remained engrossed in gnawing on a spicy rabbit head, thinking even palace rabbit meat tasted superior to outside fare.
The spicy rabbit meat prompted her to chase it with chrysanthemum wine—three bites of meat to one sip of wine, consuming increasingly more of both. When the chrysanthemum bouquet landed in her lap, she held a half-eaten rabbit head as the drumbeats halted.
Unfazed, Shang Qinglan set down the rabbit head, wiped her fingers clean, raised her wine cup, and declared, "I possess no exceptional talents, unless a high alcohol tolerance counts as one. I shall punish myself with three cups of wine."
Lifting her golden goblet, she downed three consecutive cups in quick succession, then displayed the empty base.
Nearby, Granny Song could barely watch, certain this tactless candidate would be eliminated. So far, only Li Jiubao had demonstrated balanced composure, having painted an ink chrysanthemum scroll.
Li Jiubao's painting skills originated from tracing embroidery patterns in her youth. Her neighbor Chen Jingji had gifted her a painting manual, which she treasured, frequently copying and sketching from it to embroider onto handkerchiefs sold at embroidery shops to supplement her family's income.
Little did she expect this livelihood skill would prove useful during the Imperial Concubine Selection.
Li Jiubao presented her ink chrysanthemum painting to Lu Jingfei, who presided at the head seat.
Lu Jingfei first observed the girl—what a delicate beauty! Her willow-like figure boasted graceful curves, slender where appropriate and fuller where desired. Her full forehead suggested good childbearing potential. Though by Lu Jingfei's aesthetic standards, her face seemed insufficiently broad—a finely sculpted almond-shaped face—her eyebrows resembled emerald-green mountains, and her eyes shimmered like Lake Taiye's waters, captivating all who gazed upon them.
Li Jiubao's appearance reminded Lu Jingfei of the late Empress Fang, who had been burned to death. Empress Fang hailed from Jiangning in Yingtian Prefecture, a classic Jiangnan beauty. Surprisingly, though Li Jiubao was a native of the capital, she possessed southern features with a northern stature—her posture as steady as a pine tree, unlike the fragility typical of Jiangnan beauties.
Having even climbed roofs to replace tiles, Li Jiubao naturally enjoyed better health than most sheltered maidens.
With the face of a Jiangnan beauty and the physique of a northern one, she appeared perfect.
Lu Jingfei instantly grew interested. "Come closer, let me examine you carefully."
Her primary objective being to select concubines for her biological son Jing Wang rather than choosing imperial consorts for the emperor, Lu Jingfei viewed Li Jiubao not as a future palace sister but as a potential daughter-in-law.
Li Jiubao placed the ink chrysanthemum painting on the table before Lu Jingfei.Lu Jingfei grabbed her hand. When examining a beauty's hands, Li Jiubao's appeared decent from the back, but upon closer inspection of her palms, they felt somewhat rough, with faint thin calluses on her fingertips.
It seemed this modest young lady often did household chores, coming from an extremely humble background.
This was just as well—it would make her easier to control later. Even if she bore a son, she would remain obedient.
Lu Jingfei was quite satisfied with Li Jiubao and asked, "What is your name?"
Li Jiubao replied, "Answering Lady Jingfei, this commoner is Li Jiubao."
Lu Jingfei nodded, "Jiubao—such an auspicious name." She then looked down at the ink chrysanthemum painting. Having viewed countless artworks, Jingfei found Li Jiubao's painting rather mechanical and lacking distinct character. Still, for a humble woman who had to perform household chores, achieving this level was commendable.
It appeared she was not only beautiful but also exceptionally intelligent. Such a woman was worthy of bearing her grandson.
Lu Jingfei was now thoroughly pleased with Li Jiubao, wishing she could send her to Prince Jing's residence that very night for her son's enjoyment, hoping for an imperial grandson soon.
Lu Jingfei rewarded her with a golden buyao hairpin and personally fastened it into her chignon.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Wang Daxia pulled Wei Caiwei to Penglai Pavilion in the chrysanthemum garden. Nestled halfway up the hill, it overlooked the entire garden and was exceptionally tranquil.
During the ascent, Wang Daxia used the steep path as an excuse to frequently hold her hand. Wei Caiwei saw through his ploy but didn't expose it, allowing him to lead her. The image of Eunuch Wang from her previous life overlapped with Wang Daxia in this one—Eunuch Wang had also held her hand while climbing mountains.
For a moment, Wei Caiwei felt dazed. Wang Daxia, who had preserved his roots, and Eunuch Wang, who had castrated himself, were certainly not the same person. Yet both had fallen for her, and she too was stirred by Wang Daxia's clear-eyed, fiery passion, leading her to write the Marriage Certificate.
Could regrets from her past life truly be mended in this lifetime?
Wang Daxia sought praise, "Isn't this place beautiful? I scouted the island yesterday. It's close to the chrysanthemum garden—if the selected maidens need anything, you can return anytime, yet still enjoy the scenery in peace... and talk with me."
Wei Caiwei felt inwardly delighted but said offhandedly, "The Imperial Concubine Selection will end soon, and I can return home to chat freely in the courtyard. Why rush to seize moments here, whispering secretly?"
Wang Daxia grew excited, "I love the secrecy! Yesterday, Lu Ying almost saw through me. I promised you I wouldn't announce anything publicly before our three-year agreement—this is just our secret."
Truthfully, the thrill of racing hearts and constant vigilance against being discovered at the chrysanthemum banquet exhilarated Wei Caiwei too. She nearly forgot her soul was old enough to be Wang Daxia's mother—love truly was the elixir of eternal youth.
Wei Caiwei teased him intentionally, "What did you want to tell me by bringing me here?"
Wang Daxia sat beside her, inching closer bit by bit like a subtle drift until their shoulders touched. Rubbing the back of his head nervously, he said, "Just... chatting about life ideals and such."
Wei Caiwei asked, "What is your ideal?"
Wang Daxia blurted out, "To get promoted, become wealthy, and marry you after our three-year pact. What about you?"Wei Caiwei said, "My aspiration is also to advance in rank and prosper, to serve the court diligently, and to secure a position as a female official—even if only in name, without any real authority. With an official title and wealth, those outsiders won’t dare to bully me openly anymore."
Wang Daxia nudged her sleeve with his elbow. "Did you forget something? What about marrying me in three years?"
Wei Caiwei replied, "That’s not contradictory. Advancing in rank, prospering, and saving up for a dowry—I cannot marry you as a destitute widow who can only survive by relying on you. I want to stand by your side as an equal and marry with dignity. A true match in social status. I don’t wish to be a dodder vine, becoming your burden."
Why exactly three years? It was a test for both Wang Daxia and Wei Caiwei herself.
The humiliation she suffered at the Taotie Restaurant had always stayed with Wei Caiwei, and she vowed never to let such a thing happen again.
Wang Daxia shifted closer to her, offering comfort.
The two leaned tightly together, silently enjoying the view, when suddenly, footsteps and the sound of snapping twigs echoed from the steps of Penglai Pavilion.
Wang Daxia immediately stood up, pulling Wei Caiwei with him, and pointed to a narrow path on the left, whispering, "You go down first."
It wouldn’t be appropriate for them to be seen together privately—a female physician and an Embroidered Uniform Guard—so they had to separate.
Wei Caiwei headed down the path toward the chrysanthemum garden, while Wang Daxia walked upward, pretending to be on patrol.
The newcomer was a man dressed in plain clothes, making his status unclear. He entered Penglai Pavilion, sat down, and took out a Western telescope, aiming it precisely toward the location of the chrysanthemum banquet.
Wang Daxia halted. Since the man was in civilian attire, it was impossible to tell if he was an Imperial Bodyguard.
Moreover, the man’s furtive behavior—crouching by the railing, hiding his head, and peeping through the telescope—aroused Wang Daxia’s suspicion, especially since he had recently clashed with the White Lotus Sect and been deceived by Miss Jin Ying. This person seemed highly suspicious.
Could he be a plainclothes guard secretly protecting the chrysanthemum banquet?
After all, Qionghua Island was surrounded by the waters of Taiye Lake, with layers of palace walls beyond—not just anyone could enter.
To avoid mistakenly harming an ally, Wang Daxia entered Penglai Pavilion and called out clearly, "Who goes there?"
In truth, the man spying on the chrysanthemum banquet was Prince Jing. He wanted to select a few desirable candidates from the forty-eight court ladies. However, as an adult feudal prince, he was only permitted to visit his mother, Consort Lu Jingfei, at the Palace of Celestial Favor. He was forbidden from entering other palaces, including the Palace of Gathered Elegance where the court ladies resided. Thus, he had long harbored desires but lacked the nerve.
He had learned from Consort Lu that the chrysanthemum banquet would be held on Qionghua Island today, and all the court ladies from the Palace of Gathered Elegance would be present to display their beauty and talents. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity, he seized it.
While Prince Yu was despised by the Jiajing Emperor and barred from the palace, Prince Jing could come and go freely. Using the pretext of paying respects to his mother, he made his way to Qionghua Island.
To avoid detection while peeping at the court ladies, he dismissed all his attendants after landing on the island and climbed alone to Penglai Pavilion. Having grown up in the palace, he knew this spot offered a panoramic view of the entire chrysanthemum garden—the ideal location for his covert observation.Prince Jing leaned over the railing, raising his telescope just in time to witness Li Jiubao presenting the map to Lu Jingfei. Having grown accustomed to women with broad faces, ample bosoms, and full hips in his princely estate, the sudden sight of a Jiangnan beauty like Li Jiubao—with her delicate grace—sent a shiver through him, nearly buckling his knees. He instantly longed to beg his mother-consort to bring this southern belle into his household for tender affection.
At twenty-three, Prince Jing was at the peak of youthful vigor. The beauty before his eyes, combined with his vivid imagination, caused the "little prince" below his navel to stir to attention.
Just as Prince Jing’s indecent fantasy reached its climax, a sudden voice spoke behind him. Startled, his whole body jolted, his hand trembled, and the telescope crashed to the ground, its lenses shattering across the floor.
Wang Daxia needed to ascertain the other’s identity first. A quick glance revealed no waist token or other identifying objects, and the man’s gaze was lowered—yet below his waist, a "sudden peak" rose with towering ambition.
Wang Daxia, being a man himself, might not have indulged in such pleasures but knew exactly what this meant. He thought, "Men in the palace are either eunuchs or guards. This guard actually dares to spy on the palace maids and intends to act indecently? He’s risking his life for lust!"
Prince Jing turned and saw the Flying Fish Uniform, recognizing him as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. But this guard had the audacity to stare boldly at his "imperial root," igniting his shame into fury. He lunged at Wang Daxia, intent on striking him.
Having frequently entered the palace, Prince Jing was well-known to the Embroidered Uniform Guards who patrolled there regularly. Had they recognized him, they would have endured his blows without resistance.
But Wang Daxia had only been in the palace for half a month, stationed solely in the Western Garden, and had never laid eyes on Prince Jing. Unaware of his royal status, and true to his nature, Wang Daxia was not one to take a beating without retaliation.
"This peeping tom even wants to silence me!" Wang Daxia thought in alarm. He swiftly dodged the attack and, recalling a move he’d just learned from the "Classic of Swords," grabbed Prince Jing by the belt, bent low, and executed a graceful hip toss—slamming the prince hard onto the ground.
Prince Jing’s body abruptly soared through the air, his head hitting the ground first, and he was knocked unconscious instantly.
Author’s Note: Finally, they’ve come to blows! Hahahahaha!
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