Still pond adrift with yellow leaves, by the river savoring lake crabs.
The last day of August marked the Empress Dowager's birthday. This year being her sixtieth milestone birthday, the celebrations were exceptionally grand. The Youning Emperor had decreed preparations lasting three full months from May to August. To delight the Empress Dowager, folk opera troupes were invited from among the common people.
From nobles and royals down to ordinary citizens, this day felt like a festival. Coinciding with the harvest season, an atmosphere of jubilation enveloped the entire empire.
Shen Xihe briefly partook of the morning meal before entering the palace. The birthday banquet commenced at noon and continued until dusk's end in the Hibiscus Garden.
She first accompanied Shen Yungan to pay respects to the Empress Dowager at the palace. Shen Yungan then went to greet His Majesty, accompanying the emperor thereafter. Shen Xihe remained in Yong'an Palace attending the Empress Dowager, later accompanying her to the Hibiscus Garden.
Officials offered collective congratulations, noblewomen performed ceremonial bows, and commoners cheered enthusiastically—the magnificent spectacle vividly displayed the prosperity of this golden age.
Melodious strings and pipes accompanied song and dance; ringing bells and drums harmonized with raised wine cups.
Though palace banquets were no novelty, this occasion held unique significance—purely celebratory, with every face adorned with joyful smiles.
Shen Xihe appreciated the performances while relishing delicacies, thoroughly content.
"Elder Sister Zhaoning." Princess Pingling, seated adjacent to Shen Xihe, leaned over and softly addressed her.
Amidst the booming music, Shen Xihe didn't catch the words but noticed the princess's gesture. She inclined closer with a questioning look.
"Elder Sister Zhaoning, Fourth Sister bids me inquire—has the heir apparent brother yet been betrothed?" Princess Pingling whispered.
Shen Xihe shifted her gaze toward the previously mentioned Fourth Princess. The princess wore a peony coronet, draped in lotus-root-colored gown embroidered with peonies at the bosom, over which flowed wide-sleeved, trailing lavender robes—resplendent and striking.
Fourth Princess held the title Changling Princess. Among the Youning Emperor's four surviving daughters, all received mausoleum-related titles. But "Changling" held particular distinction: while other princes avoided associations with the Crown Prince by replacing "hua" with "chang," Changling stood equal to princely titles.
This title bestowed upon Fourth Princess—a motherless princess since childhood—signaled exceptional imperial favor, matching her name's equivalence to princes. Even Princess Pingling, sixth princess with two princely brothers and an imperial consort mother overseeing the harem, yielded precedence.
Meeting Shen Xihe's gaze, Fourth Princess slightly lifted her chin, acknowledging her with a smile.
Shen Xihe withdrew her attention, telling Pingling: "This question—why not let Fourth Princess pose it to His Majesty?"
Shen Xihe's relocation to the capital aimed at royal marriage, part of an agreement between Shen Yueshan and the Youning Emperor that included non-interference in Shen Yungan's marital affairs.
Though contemporary marriage customs remained flexible—widows wedding brothers-in-law or even fathers-in-law, illegitimate children causing no surprise, siblings marrying into same families being commonplace—all permissible so long as blood relations weren't violated.
While Shen Xihe's royal marriage meant imperial princesses could wed her brother, the Youning Emperor wouldn't decree it unless Shen Yungan personally petitioned.
Unclear whether this seemingly unattainable Changling Princess genuinely fancied her brother or acted under someone's instigation.
Was imperial capital prosperity insufficient? Must one brave northwestern winds and sun?
Pingling made an almost imperceptible hand gesture toward Changling. Changling's expression shifted slightly, lips pressed as she pondered unknowable thoughts.Shen Xihe gave Hongyu a meaningful glance, and Hongyu quietly withdrew. It was better to inform Shen Yungan about this matter earlier, lest he end up having no choice but to marry the princess.
Originally in high spirits, Shen Xihe felt somewhat deflated by this interruption. Having sat long enough, she silently rose and left the table with Biyu, heading toward the toilet.
Naturally, she had no intention of using the facilities. Halfway there, she turned a corner and found a secluded spot to enjoy some peace.
No sooner had Shen Xihe settled down than she heard a familiar voice: "Why are you following me? Could it be that you've finally realized how handsome and imposing I am, and discovered that there can be endless fun between men, hence..."
Bu Shulin's words were flirtatious and suggestive, thick with implication.
"Are you behind all those rumors circulating outside?" Cui Jinbai's cold voice concealed his anger.
"What rumors?" Bu Shulin played dumb. "I haven't heard any rumors."
Shen Xihe pressed her lips together in a silent smile. The capital was practically buzzing with the news - how Worldly Son Bu and Cui Shaoqing were caught having a secret midnight rendezvous, how they panicked and fell into the river together, and how they tangled together like water weeds in the water.
A few days later, Bu Shulin was reported to the Dali Temple for getting into a fight. To everyone's surprise, Cui Shaoqing deliberately used his official position for personal revenge, punishing Bu Shulin to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Furious, Bu Shulin rolled his eyes and said: "Fine, I admit it. Who made my sweetheart such an iron-faced, impartial man - lenient with others but strict with himself? As his insider, I suppose I should suffer a bit."
This nearly made Cui Jinbai faint from anger. Afterwards, the rumors in the capital spread even more fiercely - how Princess Anling personally witnessed them being intimate, how some gentleman saw them hugging and embracing.
Only then did everyone suddenly understand - no wonder Cui Shaoqing, despite his remarkable achievements at a young age, remained unmarried well into his twenties. So that was why...
Some relatives and friends in the Shunan Army who wanted to curry favor for their own people even made a big show of sending fair-skinned, delicate young men to Bu Shulin.
But Bu Shulin boldly threw them back, even declaring: "This worldly son has no interest in men - I only fancy the Cui family's young minister."
The Cui family was furious, and Cui Shaoqing's parents were desperate to arrange a marriage for Cui Jinbai immediately. However, Bu Shulin always showed up to cause trouble.
The problem was that aside from this personal misconduct, Bu Shulin made no other mistakes. The Shu Southern Royal Manor was also cautious in words and deeds, leaving the Cui family helpless against this unruly Bu Shulin.
Because of this commotion, no respectable young woman was willing to marry Cui Jinbai anymore, fearing that he might not be pure either. Who would want to marry their daughter to a man who might prefer other men?
"You—" Cui Jinbai's face turned livid with anger at her feigned ignorance. "What are your intentions, chasing after Zhaoning County Princess the moment she left her seat?"
"Intentions?" Bu Shulin's eyes rolled. "What strong jealousy!"
Cui Jinbai's expression grew even more unpleasant: "I just want to know - if you keep smearing my reputation, is it under Zhaoning County Princess's instruction?"
"Oh my." Bu Shulin blinked. "You care whether my feelings for you are genuine. You say you have no interest in me, you accuse me of smearing your reputation - but I think you're more anxious about this than I am..."
Before Bu Shulin could finish, Cui Jinbai angrily flicked his sleeve and turned to leave. In the past, he would have been angry enough to fight with her, but after several confrontations, he had come to realize that he was truly no match for her."Hey, hey, don't go! Let's chat a bit longer..." Bu Shulin shouted at Cui Jinbai's retreating back. "Others didn't see me chasing after the princess, but they clearly witnessed you following me. Let's talk a while longer, Cui Shaoqing. Soon enough, people will start imagining all sorts of things. Life is so dull—let's be charitable and give them some interesting gossip..."
Before Shulin could finish speaking, Cui Jinbai had already disappeared with hurried steps.
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