Chapter Nine: The Dragon Boat Festival

The young county lady was already quite familiar with the entire routine of watching the dragon boat race by the Ba River. Her father, the king, had always doted on her and had naturally reserved a private box for her at the best viewing spot, the Panyue Pavilion.

The Panyue Pavilion stood right beside the Ba River, having endured through two dynasties and now owned by the court. Therefore, those watching the dragon boat race from within the pavilion were all high-ranking nobles of Yanliang.

There were two spacious private rooms allotted to her alone. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret—Zhenning wouldn’t easily leave the palace; she should have invited Qingrou or Li Yi to come along.

The guards of Prince Yongning stood watch at the door, and the bustling sounds of drums and gongs filled the area below. The young county lady sat quietly in the private room; the dragon boat race had yet to begin, and she was simply bored—just as bored outside as she was at home.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed along the corridor outside the room. “…Actually, this matter doesn’t necessarily have to be handled this way, in my opinion…”

Ming Xu?

Even if she hadn’t heard his name, the young county lady could recognize his voice. After all, she had dreamed of him several times; how could she not be familiar?

Her heart leapt with joy, and she was about to dash out of the room, but the guards of Prince Yongning blocked her path.

“County Lady, the prince has instructed that if you leave the private room, we will immediately escort you back to the Yongning Prince’s Mansion.”

She wasn’t afraid and insisted on going out. “I’m not leaving the Panyue Pavilion. I just happened to see an acquaintance and wanted to say hello.”

The two guards fell silent but still did not allow her passage. Ming Xu was about to enter the private room, and Jing Hu grew anxious. “Brother Ke!”

His voice was firm and clear. Ming Xu quickly turned around, and behind him was the Crown Prince.

Seeing the Crown Prince here was somewhat surprising to Jing Hu, but the fact that the guards hadn’t let her go was more pressing.

She was clearly being blocked by the guards, and Ming Xu understood immediately. He seemed to say something to the Crown Prince, who then smiled and walked toward her.

Having grown up to this age, the young county lady was adept at bluffing. “See? This is the Crown Prince himself. He came looking for me—why don’t you let me out now?”

The Crown Prince rarely joked, but now he said, “Jingling, how do you know I came to tell them to let you out? Actually, I came to make sure they watch you closely.”

Jing Hu knew his weakness. “If you don’t let me out today, the first thing I’ll do once I’m free is go to the Eastern Palace to complain to Sister Guannan and tell her not to listen to you anymore.”

The Crown Prince's favored consort, Lady Xu Guannan, was also her cousin and childhood playmate of the Crown Prince, dearly loved by him. The Crown Princess, surnamed Jiang, was from the Jiang family, the Marquis of Suchang in the northeast.

Jing Hu didn’t dislike her but thought she seemed cold, like the icy, snowy northeast she had never visited—a thought that made her uneasy. No wonder the Crown Prince’s feelings toward her were strained.

At her words, the Crown Prince’s expression darkened slightly. Although young, Jing Hu was perceptive and sensed a change. She hadn’t paid much attention to Eastern Palace affairs for some time—had something happened to Sister Guannan?

Before she could dwell further, Ming Xu interjected smoothly, “Crown Prince, please don’t be hard on the young county lady. I noticed she came out alone today and seemed a bit bored.”

“Since there is nothing pressing today and it’s just for relaxation, why not invite the young county lady to join us?”

The Crown Prince nodded solemnly and led the way to the private room ahead.

With the Crown Prince’s approval, the guards naturally dared not object and stepped aside, allowing the young county lady to leave. She didn’t forget to make a face at them as she passed.

She often succeeded nine times out of ten when she insisted on going out, yet these guards had short memories.

She bore them no ill will, though. Once outside, her eyes immediately flicked to Ming Xu’s waist.

Today he wore a lake-blue robe without embroidery, only the natural wave pattern of the fabric. The weather was hot, and such a color was refreshingly pleasing to the eye.

Spotting the pouch she had made hanging there, she relaxed and smiled at Ming Xu. “Brother Ke keeps his word—truly a man of honor.”

He knew she was looking for it as soon as she glanced at his waist.

Smiling, he said, “Even if I hadn’t promised you, I would still wear this pouch. It’s quite beautiful, and it seems you added some calamus inside—the scent is very pleasant.”

“You’re impressive, Brother Ke. I only put in a tiny bit.”

She had added it at the last moment when deciding to gift him the pouch—not calamus petals, but a fragrance sold by Yulu Fang called ‘Mountain Dweller.’

“Mountain dweller and fragrant calamus.” Though she was unlearned, she wasn’t ignorant enough to miss this phrase from the ‘Nine Songs.’

She had hated studying Chu poetry at school but thought this phrase suited Ming Xu perfectly.

Since he had complimented her needlework, it was only proper to return the favor.

“Brother Ke, your orchids are well cared for. The gardener at my residence said they’re a rare Song Brocade Spiral Plum variety. Where did you get them?”

Ming Xu replied, “Years ago, while camping outdoors with my teacher, we happened upon them in the mountains. I brought them back and have nurtured them for several years. They finally bloomed, and I even propagated a few.”

“I see,” the young county lady nodded, showing she understood. “Why is the orchid called Song Brocade Spiral Plum?”

He explained, “The Plum Petal Orchid is a type of orchid. Legend says the person who cultivated it was named ‘Song Jin Xuan,’ so it was named accordingly.”

“There’s also a green calyx plum whose color somewhat resembles this orchid.”

Jing Hu quickly added, “I’ve seen green calyx plums before. Qingrou’s mother’s Meizhen Hall has many of them.”

Ming Xu’s expression darkened slightly. “Indeed, Meizhen Hall has nearly all the varieties of plum blossoms in the world. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy plum blossoms in winter.”

Whenever the Dingguo Duke’s mansion was mentioned, he seemed displeased.

Naturally, Jing Hu said no more. “Brother Ke, why are you with the Crown Prince today? Weren’t you usually very busy?”

She rarely saw him at court during her visits.

“I was just about to tell you,” Ming Xu stopped walking. “Before passing the imperial examination, I served as an official in the Eastern Palace for a time, so I have some acquaintance with the Crown Prince.”

“Last year, there was an incident at the Eastern Palace. The former favored consort Xu made a serious mistake and was demoted to the Southern Garden. You haven’t heard about this? It’s best not to mention it in front of the Crown Prince anymore.”

Jing Hu truly hadn’t heard of it.

“Last year, I was in Jiangnan staying with my grandmother and only returned just before the New Year, so I hadn’t heard.”

But it wasn’t appropriate to press further, so she covered her mouth and muttered vaguely, “I won’t mention it again.”

Ming Xu smiled kindly and entered the private room where the Crown Prince awaited with her.