Youthful Glory

As Yun Yi replied, Zhai Nianci was draining her cup. Ming Tan watched helplessly, momentarily at a loss for words.

Throughout the banquet, she couldn't help stealing glances at Zhai Nianci. But after observing for a long while, she noticed nothing unusual about her.

Perhaps she was overthinking it, Ming Tan mused.

The banquet proceeded without further incident. After the winding stream feast concluded, Zhang Hanmiao, with her ever-present cheerful smile, invited everyone to the polo grounds for some excitement.

For those who preferred quieter pursuits, the eastern garden offered beautiful scenery and fine tea—perfect for composing poetry, painting, playing the qin, or simply enjoying the view.

Ming Tan had little tolerance for alcohol. After just two cups of pear wine, her cheeks grew warm. The lively clamor of the polo field only made her head spin further, so she rose and accompanied Bai Minmin to the eastern garden for some peace.

"Did you visit Jingwan yesterday? How is she?" Ming Tan asked along the way.

Bai Minmin nodded. "She seemed in good spirits. The physician said two more doses of medicine should suffice. The erratic weather in April makes one prone to colds—she even reminded me to drink more ginger soup."

"That's good to hear."

Zhou Jingwan had been unwell these past few days, but now that Ming Tan was a Consort, she couldn't visit the Zhou residence as freely as before. She could only send servants with gifts. Though they always returned with reassuring reports, it wasn't the same as hearing it from Bai Minmin herself.

Bai Minmin suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. Commander Lu heard Jingwan was ill and sent quite a few things to the Zhou residence. He even wrote her a letter."

Ming Tan was curious. "What did it say?"

Bai Minmin frowned, trying to recall. "I don’t remember the exact wording—his handwriting was truly atrocious. But the gist was that the incident by the release pond had been a misunderstanding, and he never meant to slight Jingwan with the betrothal gifts. He also wished her a speedy recovery."

"And how did Jingwan respond?"

"Jingwan scolded the impropriety of private correspondence, but she didn’t seem as angry as before. She even took interest in the gifts he sent. And according to her maid, Lord Zhou seems quite taken with Commander Lu as a potential son-in-law."

By the time they reached the garden, Ming Tan wanted to ask for more details, but a few noblewomen approached gracefully, curtsying and greeting, "Our respects to the Consort."

It turned out others were already enjoying the garden.

Ming Tan had interacted with these noblewomen before her marriage. Now, she had no choice but to set aside the conversation and join them in admiring the scenery and exchanging pleasantries.

As they chatted, someone steered the topic toward the male guests.

One of them giggled. "Marquis Jiangyang is here today. I wonder if he’s hoping to catch a glimpse of his future bride."

Bai Minmin blinked. "Marquis Jiangyang?"

"You haven’t heard?"

Bai Minmin shook her head and glanced at Ming Tan. The latter vaguely recalled someone mentioning it during the Bathing the Buddha ceremony, but she had been preoccupied with Zhou Jingwan at the time and hadn’t paid much attention.

The same noblewoman continued, "Marquis Jiangyang has been residing in Shu. This is his first time in the capital to report on his duties, so it’s understandable if you haven’t heard of him. But if I explain the origins of the Jiangyang Marquisate, you might remember."

Bai Minmin asked, "What origins?"

"The Jiangyang Marquisate rose to prominence thanks to the late Emperor’s wet nurse. Because of her merit in protecting the Emperor, the late Emperor favored her family greatly, even ennobling her foster brother—the old Marquis Jiangyang.""The late Marquis Jiangyang was quite capable and extremely loyal to the late emperor. When news of the emperor's passing reached Shu, he submitted his resignation and volunteered to guard the imperial tomb. However, overwhelmed by grief, his old illness flared up, and he passed away on the way to the imperial mausoleum, following the late emperor.

"The current emperor, moved by the late Marquis Jiangyang's devotion, exceptionally allowed the Jiangyang Marquisate to inherit the title at the same rank. As a result, the Jiangyang Marquisate enjoys considerable imperial favor. Even when the palace bestows rewards, they never forget to send a share to the distant Jiangyang Marquisate in Shu."

At this point, Bai Minmin began to recall some details. She nodded and pressed further, "What about the betrothed Madam? If he's already inherited the title, why hasn't he married yet?"

"He already has an heir, so of course he's been married before."

Ah, so he's taking a second wife.

"Then which young lady has caught his eye? Do we know her?"

After circling around, they finally reached the main point. The noblewoman pursed her lips and smiled, "Of course we know her. It's none other than the most esteemed princess of Yi Manor."

Feng Zhao? Bai Minmin and Ming Tan exchanged glances, somewhat surprised.

Feng Zhao was, after all, a princess. Why would she stoop to marrying a marquis with an established heir as his second wife?

"The Jiangyang Marquisate is quite wealthy, famously prosperous in the Shu region. The current Marquis Jiangyang is also known for his indulgent lifestyle. Since arriving in the capital, he's already taken in two beautiful maidservants. The other day, when the top courtesan of Baozhu Tower was auctioned off, this Marquis spent a fortune to win her. Rumor has it that his household is even more outrageous—over a dozen concubines, not to mention countless unnamed women."

Being a second wife was one thing, but to such a debauched man?

Though Ming Tan had significant grievances with Feng Zhao, hearing about such a marriage didn't bring her any schadenfreude.

Just then, a maid from Changguo Manor entered the garden. She bowed respectfully to the group and turned to Bai Minmin, "Miss, Madam is looking for you. She asks that you come at once."

On an occasion like today, where all the notable noblewomen and madams of the capital were gathered—perfect for matchmaking—it was obvious why Bai Minmin's aunt was summoning her.

Ming Tan naturally wouldn't interfere with her aunt's arrangements. Still slightly tipsy and unwilling to continue chatting with these young ladies, she stood up and left with Bai Minmin. However, once outside the garden, they parted ways, with Ming Tan heading to the lakeside to enjoy the breeze and lotus flowers.

The Madam of Pingguo Manor adored lotus flowers. Every midsummer, her estate boasted a breathtaking view of lotuses stretching for miles.

Though it was still early in the season and the lotuses hadn't fully bloomed, the breeze carried a faint, soothing fragrance across the lake, refreshing and pleasant.

Since nearly drowning during the Lantern Festival last year, Ming Tan had avoided lakesides during outings. But today, with Yun Yi by her side, even picking lotus seed pods wouldn't be difficult.

Fanning herself with a round silk fan, Ming Tan strolled along the lake with Lü'e and Yun Yi chatting and laughing behind her. The trio's lighthearted banter quickly dispelled most of her tipsiness.

However, as they rounded a bend by the lake, they spotted a group of noblewomen gathered on a arched bridge ahead. Ming Tan paused, unwilling to engage in further socializing.

"Let's head back—"

Before she could finish, screams erupted from the bridge: "Ah—! Help, someone help! Someone's fallen into the water!"

Some on the bridge recoiled in fear, while others leaned forward to look. Jewelry and embroidered silks swayed chaotically as panic set in.

Someone had fallen in?

From her angle, Ming Tan couldn't see clearly since the incident occurred on the far side of the bridge. She moved closer for a better look.Standing farther away earlier, Ming Tan hadn't noticed, but now that she was closer, she couldn't help but wonder: although the stone railing on the arched bridge wasn't particularly high, it still reached waist level—how could someone have fallen into the water? If someone had pushed her, could they have done it so easily? And with so many people up there, how could they have just stood by and let it happen?

"Ah, miss, isn't that Second Young Master Shu?" Green Calyx suddenly pointed to a small boat on the other side of the lake near the bridge, her sharp eyes spotting him immediately.

Ming Tan's view was blocked, so she took a few steps to peer around the other side of the bridge.

"..."

It really was him.

There were a few other young masters on the boat with him, and none of them seemed to have brought their attendants.

This looked suspiciously like... the rumored scheme of faking a fall into the water to force a marriage.

She strained to identify the young ladies standing on the bridge, but none of their faces were familiar. Judging by their attire, their social standing wasn't particularly high either.

It seemed even more likely now.

At that moment, Second Young Master Shu on the boat was also at a loss.

The small boat provided by the Duke of Ping's residence was quite cramped. The group had gone out to enjoy the lake and compose poetry, none of them bringing attendants. When they reached the middle of the lake and saw several young ladies approaching the arched bridge, they had hurriedly tried to row away. But before they could even pick up the oars, there was a sudden splash—someone had already taken the plunge!

"I—I can't swim, I'm afraid I can't help."

"I'm already engaged to the young lady of the Chang family. I can't possibly rescue this one."

"Ahem, cough! I'm still recovering from a cold, cough, cough..."

They all turned to look at Shu Jingran in unison.

Shu Jingran: "..."

Although he knew martial arts, he wasn't like Jiang Qizhi, who could save someone without even touching them.

But if he didn't rescue her, not only would their reputations suffer afterward, but there was also the one-in-a-million chance that she had genuinely fallen in by accident. He couldn't just leave her.

Ming Tan watched as Second Young Master Shu moved toward the bow of the boat and felt uneasy.

What a joke! Second Young Master Shu was her husband's good friend and had once been her top choice for marriage—someone she had meticulously planned to wed but ultimately failed to secure. Of course, her failure wasn't due to any lack of ability on her part... In any case, how could she stand by and watch such a refined gentleman fall prey to such a clumsy trick!

She made a quick decision and said, "Yun Yi, go rescue that young lady. Stay far away from those gentlemen's boat."

"Yes."

Ming Tan sent Yun Yi to save the girl while she prudently moved away from the lakeside and stood under the shade of a tree. But just as she and Green Calyx watched in awe from a distance as Yun Yi lightly stepped across the water, the backs of their necks were suddenly struck by a heavy blow!

Ming Tan first felt a numbness in the back of her neck, then a sharp pain before everything went black—she lost consciousness completely.

When Ming Tan came to, the pain in the back of her neck was still unbearable. Instinctively, she tried to rub it, but as soon as she moved, she realized her hands were tied behind her back, her legs bound, and her mouth stuffed with a handkerchief.

What in the world?

She was lying on her side, struggling futilely. From what she could see, she seemed to be on a bed. Her mind raced with shock and suspicion when she suddenly heard muffled whimpers behind her. After twisting her body to turn over, her eyes widened in disbelief.

Zhai Nianci?

She had also been tied up and thrown onto the bed!

Moreover, Zhai Nianci's forehead was beaded with sweat, her face flushed with an unnatural redness. Ming Tan immediately recalled the wine at the winding stream banquet—the one Yun Yi had swapped out earlier.

Feng Zhao. It was Feng Zhao.

She had actually been outsmarted by that idiot!Ming Tan's heart was in turmoil, but she knew that the more critical the situation, the more she needed to stay calm. She forced herself to steady her nerves, frantically searching for a way out.

Soon, she noticed that although Zhai Nianci had been drugged, her mind was still somewhat clear. Ming Tan quickly shot her a glance, signaling her to turn around. At the same time, she turned her own back and struggled to use her barely mobile fingers to fumble with the tightly knotted rope binding Zhai Nianci's hands.

The rope was tied extremely tight. Just as she managed to find a slightly loosened part of the knot, the faint sound of a door closing came from outside, followed by a malicious male voice: "My lady? The Marquis has arrived."

Damn it. Ming Tan's heart instantly sank to the depths.

She closed her eyes, repeatedly telling herself to stay calm, calm, and even calmer.

As footsteps circled outside, sweat beaded on her temples.

Why wouldn't it come loose?!

Zhai Nianci had little strength left, but her anxiety was palpable as she nudged Ming Tan to hurry.

Beads of sweat rolled down her temples onto her eyelashes, then slowly seeped into the corners of her eyes, stinging slightly. She heard the footsteps approaching the inner chamber, the beaded curtain being pushed aside. Little by little, she worked the loosened end of the rope...

Suddenly, her eyes flew open.

It was undone!

Freed, Zhai Nianci immediately yanked the gag from her mouth and shakily untied the rope around her ankles. Having practiced martial arts for some time, she was stronger than most women and, despite the lingering effects of the drug, remained relatively clear-headed.

Ming Tan urgently gestured for her to help untie her as well.

Zhai Nianci did instinctively reach to remove the gag from Ming Tan's mouth, but as the voice outside grew clearer, she—no fool—quickly recognized it as Marquis Jiangyang's.

For some reason, she let out a cold laugh and abruptly changed her mind. The hand that had been reaching toward Ming Tan withdrew. Staggering off the bed, she even gave Ming Tan a shove further onto the mattress before hiding behind the screen just as the man entered the inner chamber.

Ming Tan was stunned.

After saving Zhai Nianci, this was how she was repaid?