In mid-February, as the year's plans take root in spring, the capital awakens from its winter slumber. With the revival of all things, the city grows lively again. The first event to breathe life back into the capital is naturally the Lantern Festival, followed closely by the Spring Examinations.
The Spring Examinations were held in February, the results announced in March, and the Palace Examination in April. During these two months, the capital gathered scholars from all corners of the land, each eager to seize the opportunity to make a name for themselves and elevate their family's status.
As the Spring Examinations concluded, on the first day of March, the Empress Dowager hosted the Spring Day Banquet in the blooming Hibiscus Garden. Not only were nobles, aristocrats, and elite families—both men and women—gathered together, but also talented scholars from humble backgrounds, recommended or connected to imperial relatives, managed to obtain invitations from the palace. At a glance, the scene was far more bustling than last year's Chrysanthemum Banquet.
Shen Xihe originally had no need to attend such a banquet. She was already betrothed and disliked crowded occasions. However, she had a matter to attend to today, which compelled her to come.
Yet, this visit proved fruitful for Shen Xihe, as she spotted several "incarnations" of the Crown Prince: Xiao Fuxing, Guo Daoyi, and that... Lady Qin.
Qin Zijie stood out like a crane among chickens. Her height surpassed that of ordinary young men, causing passersby to glance at her once or twice. Seated calmly, she paid no heed to these gazes.
It was only when she saw Shen Xihe that she approached with her maid.
"Zhaoning County Princess," Qin Zijie proactively greeted Shen Xihe with a bow.
Shen Xihe returned a courtesy of equal standing. "Lady Qin."
"County Princess, might I have a word in private?" Qin Zijie spoke directly.
Shen Xihe raised a brow slightly, guessing that she wished to explain the previous incident, and nodded in agreement. Following her to a secluded spot, Qin Zijie instructed her maid to stand guard, while Shen Xihe signaled to Zhenzhu and Ziyu.
Only Qin Zijie and Shen Xihe entered the moon gate alone. The small courtyard was no larger than Shen Xihe's bedroom, easily taken in at a glance.
"County Princess, I am not acquainted with the Crown Prince," Qin Zijie stated frankly, her gaze clear and upright. "On the day of the Fourth Prince's Consort's birthday banquet, I was not at home. I had originally planned to send generous gifts to congratulate her, but the Crown Prince went to the Grand Tutor's residence and persuaded my grandfather to agree.
"Seeking you out to say these words today is also at the Crown Prince's command."
Upon learning this, Qin Zijie felt as if struck by lightning. She had never imagined that the Crown Prince would impersonate her at the Fourth Prince's Consort's birthday banquet just to get closer to Zhaoning County Princess! Blaming her usual solitary habits and indifference to gossip, she only discovered this today.
Truly, she was the Grand Tutor's daughter—her conduct as rigid and methodical as her grandfather's teaching.
"You've been put in a difficult position, Lady Qin," Shen Xihe said with a soft laugh.
Qin Zijie's brows were tense with suppressed anger, likely still resentful over Xiao Huayong's impersonation. Bound by the ruler-subject relationship, she had no choice but to comply with Xiao Huayong's orders, hence her stiff demeanor.
It had to be said, although Xiao Huayong was not familiar with Qin Zijie, he had managed to imitate her with about eighty percent accuracy.
Qin Zijie had not expected Shen Xihe to respond this way. Rumors painted Shen Xihe as aloof and unapproachable, and Qin Zijie had prepared herself for cold disdain. Instead, she found Shen Xihe quite amiable, proving that rumors should not be fully trusted.
However, being disinclined to socialize, she merely nodded, performed a bow, and departed.Shen Xihe turned to watch her depart, a faint smile playing on her lips.
She followed not far behind Qin Zijie as they returned to the bustling, noisy area where people were coming and going. Several young men, for some unknown reason, began chasing each other and collided head-on with Guo Daoyi and his companions who had just stepped onto the bridge.
Guo Daoyi, walking at the back, steadied his companion but couldn't stop his own momentum, stumbling backward. Qin Zijie happened to be passing by and reached out to grab Guo Daoyi's lapel. The sound of tearing fabric was heard—she failed to catch the man but tore off a piece of his clothing instead.
In his panic, Guo Daoyi grabbed Qin Zijie's hand, and both of them tumbled into the water with a loud splash.
Onlookers on the shore gasped in shock. A skilled eunuch immediately jumped into the water from a distance and swam toward them. Qin Zijie surfaced quickly after falling in—she knew how to swim. In contrast, Guo Daoyi was a complete landlubber, flailing in the water: "Hel...help..."
His head bobbed in and out of the water, unable to form a complete sentence. Qin Zijie's maid had already reached out for her. Seeing that the eunuch was still some distance away and no one on the bridge had jumped in to rescue them, she thought for a moment and swam toward Guo Daoyi.
As soon as she grabbed him, Guo Daoyi clung to her, wrapping his arms around her neck. Qin Zijie, being quite strong, managed to swim a short distance with the tall man in tow until the rescuing guards and eunuchs arrived, whereupon she handed him over.
She needed no one's help, swimming ashore alone. Her maid wrapped a prepared cloak around her, and without a word, she left with her attendants.
Guo Daoyi looked as if he had narrowly escaped death, lying sprawled out with a deathly pale face.
"Take Scholar Guo to Wenlang Hall to change clothes," Xiao Huayong commanded the eunuchs as he approached with several princes.
Xiao Huayong led the way, the princes lining up beside him—each exceptionally handsome and dignified, causing the young women who had gathered to blush with shy admiration.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince..." everyone bowed to Xiao Huayong and the others.
Xiao Huayong slightly raised his hand. "The spring scenery is lovely. Disperse now, and do not delay your enjoyment."
With this brief command, he dismissively sent everyone away. He then strode forward to Shen Xihe's side, his earlier authority instantly replaced by gentle features and soft eyes. "Shall I accompany you for a walk?"
Shen Xihe glanced at the crowded surroundings and, not wishing to be bothered by these people, nodded and turned to leave first.
Her manner of completely disregarding the Crown Prince's status left everyone astonished.
Yet far from being displeased, Xiao Huayong's lips curled into a delighted smile, his eyes filled with her figure as he hurried after her.
This was the result of much effort on his part—to make her feel at ease in his presence, ensuring that Shen Xihe's time in the palace hadn't been in vain. The effect was evident.
"A noble gentleman, profound in elegance," Yu Sangzi's gaze unconsciously followed Xiao Huayong.
Yu Sangning, standing beside her, said quietly, "Elder sister, the Crown Prince... is not destined for longevity."
These last six words were spoken so only Yu Sangzi could hear them.
Yu Sangzi withdrew her gaze sadly. "Who has longevity written on their face? Otherwise, how would there be widows in this world?"
It was well known that Xiao Huayong suffered from a chronic illness and wasn't fated to live long. But were those unaware of this necessarily destined for long life?Seeing Yu Sangzi mesmerized, Yu Sangning said, "Elder sister, as the legitimate daughter of a marquis' household, there is absolutely no reason for you to enter the Eastern Palace as a concubine."
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