Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet “Miss Ling, it’s time to get up and wash.” Lingzhu entered Ling Jiayue’s room carrying a basin of water. Seeing that she was still lazing in bed, she could not help laughing. “Miss Ling, Madam has invited Teacher Zhou from White Horse Academy to teach you calligraphy. He’ll be here soon, so you’d better get up quickly.” Lingxue walked in carrying the newly sewn clothes and placed them on the dressing table. “Miss Ling, get up and change.” Ling Jiayue climbed out of bed groggily. “You two are so noisy…” Seeing that she was finally up, Lingzhu hurried over with the basin. “Miss Ling, you finally got—ah!” “Bang!” The copper basin crashed to the floor, and hot water spilled everywhere. “Lingzhu, what are you doing?!” Lingxue rushed over at the sound, only to find Lingzhu staring at Ling Jiayue in alarm. When she looked over, her own face turned deathly pale as well. Ling Jiayue woke up completely. Looking at the two of them in confusion, she asked, “What’s gotten you so frightened?” Lingzhu dropped to her knees with a thump, tears streaming down her face. “Miss Ling, what happened to your face?!” “My face?” Realizing that something was wrong, Ling Jiayue rose and walked over to the dressing table. Only when she stood before the bronze mirror did she see clearly. For some unknown reason, her once jade-white face was covered in red rashes that extended all the way to her neck. The sight was frightening and horrifying. “Lingzhu, stop crying. What good does all this sobbing do?” Lingxue said with a deep frown, scolding Lingzhu. She then turned to Ling Jiayue. “Miss Ling, I’ll immediately report this to Madam First Wife and Master and summon a physician for you.” She was about to leave when Ling Jiayue called out to stop her. “There’s no need, Lingxue. I’m only having an allergic reaction.” Ling Jiayue recognized the Jade Scorpion Powder at a glance and did not take it to heart. “Lingzhu, have someone secretly go to the medical hall and buy several portions of medicine for me. Don’t alarm Madam First Wife or Master, and don’t tell anyone else.” In her previous life, Ling Jiayue had been the daughter of a general. She was skilled in both martial arts and medicine, and whenever soldiers were wounded on the battlefield, she had been the one to prepare their medicines and tend to them. Later, after becoming Empress, she had seen more than enough of the schemes used in the imperial harem. Her knowledge of medicine was therefore extremely profound. The red rashes on her face were likely caused by the strange fragrance she had smelled that day. “Madam Zhang…” Ling Jiayue silently repeated the name in her heart. They had met only once, so why had she poisoned her? Fortunately, it had merely caused an allergic reaction and had not disfigured her. Seeing how calm she was, Lingzhu grew even more anxious. “Miss Ling, you should still have a physician take a look. This servant is worried.” Ling Jiayue smiled and casually made up an explanation to reassure her. “It’s nothing. I studied under Abbot Huiguang from a young age, so I’m fairly proficient in medicine. Just buy the medicine as I instructed.” With that, Ling Jiayue took up paper and brush, wrote out a prescription, and handed it to Lingzhu. “Remember, buy it in secret. You mustn’t tell anyone.” “Yes.” As she carefully recalled what had happened that day, a name suddenly flashed through her mind. “Lingxue, is there anything happening these next few days?” Lingxue was doing her hair and did not react for a moment when she heard the question. “What sort of thing does Miss Ling mean?” Ling Jiayue prompted her, “At the palace. Is anything happening there recently?” Lingxue informed her, “In a few days, the Empress Dowager will be holding a Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet. The sons and daughters of all the capital’s third-rank and higher officials who are at least fourteen years old have been invited. Since Miss Ling is the Third Prince’s future consort, you will naturally be attending as well. Besides, nearly everyone will prepare some sort of talent for the banquet to win the Empress Dowager’s favor.” Ling Jiayue fell into thought, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. So this was what Madam Zhang wanted to set in motion. Very well, she would cooperate. She would take the opportunity to end this tiresome engagement and regain her freedom. “Lingxue, find me a veil.” Ling Jiayue gave the order unhurriedly, without the slightest trace of panic. “If Madam asks, tell her I’ve caught a chill and shouldn’t be exposed to the wind.” “Yes, Miss Ling.” Five days later, the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet arrived. Early that morning, several carriages were lined up outside the Prime Minister’s Residence. “Once you enter the palace, all of you must watch your words and actions. You are not to cause trouble. If any of you misbehaves, I will show no mercy. Is that understood?” Ling Taian’s expression was solemn as he issued his stern instructions. Several Madams stood behind him, all of them wearing delighted expressions. Ling Jiayue answered along with her brothers and sisters, “Yes.” “Very good.” Ling Taian stroked his beard and looked toward Ling Jiayue. His expression unconsciously softened. “Jiayue, this is your first time entering the palace, so you must be especially careful. If there is anything you don’t understand, ask your younger sisters for advice.” Then he turned to Ling Jiaxuan. “Jiaxuan, Yue’er has caught a chill. You must take good care of her. Do you understand?” Ling Jiaxuan possessed a distinctly masculine air and replied in a clear voice, “Father, rest assured. I understand.” Ling Jiayue suddenly remembered her father and brothers from her previous life. Tears glimmered in her eyes as she bowed to Ling Taian. “Thank you for your concern, Father. Your daughter will remember.” Ling Taian nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand. “All right, go.” Men and women were separated, with the men riding in one carriage and the women in another. Their personal maids and young male servants walked alongside the carriages as they entered the palace together. Inside the carriage, Ling Jiayue wore her veil and gazed at her two younger sisters. Ling Ziqi was indeed quite beautiful, with thick, dark brows, jewel-red lips, and a graceful figure that was difficult to forget at a glance. Ling Yuwan, on the other hand, appeared pure and charming, delicate and seemingly unable to withstand the slightest breeze, inspiring pity in others. Ling Yuwan grew especially bashful beneath her gaze. Her face flushed as she could not help asking, “Sister Jiayue, why are you looking at Sister Ziqi and me like that?” Ling Ziqi let out a cold snort. “What else could it be? She’s jealous of our beauty, of course.” Ling Jiayue remained silent, unable to stop herself from rolling her eyes. She mocked her inwardly: I was once the Empress of Dayi, dressed in imperial phoenix regalia. Why would I be jealous of such vulgar beauty? Ling Yuwan had not understood Ling Ziqi’s meaning at all and defended her. “I’ve heard the servants say that Sister Jiayue is exceptionally beautiful, a rare beauty. How could she possibly be jealous of the two of us?” Afterward, she looked apologetically at Ling Jiayue. “Sister Jiayue, Mother has been urging me to practice my dancing these past few days, so I truly haven’t had any time to visit you. I had wanted to see your beautiful face for myself, but then you caught a chill and have worn this veil for several days in a row. My wish has been thwarted again.” Ling Jiayue waved her hand, a faint smile rising to her lips. “It’s all right. Yuwan, you needn’t blame yourself. Once Sister recovers from her chill, you can see my face then.” Seeing the two of them chatting and completely ignoring her, Ling Ziqi grew furious. She said sarcastically, “Yuwan, you’d better keep your distance from her. Once we reach the palace, if she makes a fool of herself, don’t let her drag you down with her.” Ling Yuwan was even more confused when she heard this. “Sister Ziqi, how can you say that? Sister Jiayue is our legitimate elder sister. We should help—” “All right, Yuwan. There’s no need to say more.” Ling Jiayue interrupted her and looked at Ling Ziqi with eyes glinting coldly. “Once we reach the palace, it remains to be seen who will make a fool of herself.” “What do you mean by that?” Ling Ziqi widened her eyes and was about to argue when Mama Wang’s warning came from outside the carriage. “Ladies, you are about to enter the palace. Once before the Empress Dowager, please be careful with your words and conduct.” Mama Wang was a palace steward matron. Naturally, no one could afford to offend her. Ling Ziqi could only swallow her anger, thinking viciously to herself, Just wait until we reach the palace. We’ll see how you make a fool of yourself then! In less than half an hour, the carriages stopped. Everyone was led by Mama Wang and the eunuch in charge to Jingshang Palace, where the Empress Dowager’s chrysanthemum banquet was being held. Red brick and golden tiles, towering walls and deep, winding lanes—though this was a foreign land, every step she took stirred memories of Ling Jiayue’s previous life. Within the deep palace, flowers competed in beauty, blazing with vivid colors. Yet who knew how many bones were buried beneath those crimson flower roots, or how much blood had soaked into the fertile flowerbeds… After entering Jingshang Palace, they were guided by a matron serving at the Empress Dowager’s side. They passed through the main hall and inner courtyard, heading straight toward the area behind the side hall. Only after passing beyond the red wall did they finally see the astonishingly beautiful scene behind the hall. A vast flower garden had been divided into several sections. Chrysanthemums of countless varieties bloomed in profusion, their flowers of every color mingling with tender green branches and leaves, interwoven like a sky of emerald and multicolored clouds. The sight was enough to broaden anyone’s horizons. In the flower garden— “Young masters, please sit over there. Ladies, please follow this old servant this way.” Ling Jiayue and Ling Yuwan exchanged a smile before following the old matron to the women’s seats. As it happened, Ling Jiaxuan’s seat was directly across from theirs. Across the long passageway, Ling Jiaxuan winked at her, wearing a hint of youthful mischief. Ling Jiayue smiled absentmindedly. In her previous life, her elder brothers had appeared mature and dignified, yet whenever they were with her, they always liked to make silly faces to cheer her up. Over the next half hour, more and more young noblemen and ladies arrived one after another, and the empty seats were gradually filled. “The Empress Dowager has arrived! The Third Prince has arrived! The Fifth Prince has arrived! The Eighth Princess has arrived!” A little eunuch shouted at the top of his lungs. Immediately afterward, palace maids and matrons filed in one after another. In their midst were several handsome young men and girls, supporting a kindly silver-haired old woman with a slightly plump figure. The young masters and ladies, who had been chatting and laughing moments before, immediately rose and curtsied. “Greetings to the Empress Dowager!” The Empress Dowager was helped to the principal seat. She raised a hand. “Rise. Be seated.” After everyone sat down, the Empress Dowager smiled at the filial grandsons and granddaughter beside her. “You several should take your seats as well.” “Thank you, Grandmother Empress.” The princes and princess took their places on either side of the Empress Dowager. The Eighth Princess’s seat was especially close to Ling Jiayue, who could not help taking a few extra looks at her. She possessed the beauty of flowers and the grace of the moon, with skin as smooth as condensed fat and an extraordinary bearing. Indeed, she was different from the daughters of ordinary families. However, judging from the happiness at the tips of her brows, she seemed to be an especially lively girl. As she sipped her tea, Ling Jiayue quietly glanced across the room. She had already met the Third Prince, Mu Yuyang, and the Seventh Prince, Mu Yuheng. Both men possessed their own graceful bearing. The Fifth Prince, Mu Yuzhuo, however, was someone she was seeing for the first time. His brows and eyes were cool and aloof, his face as flawless as jade. He wore a moon-white robe, and every gesture he made was exceptionally elegant. He resembled an immortal banished from the heavens, untouched by worldly matters. It truly seemed a pity that he had been born into the imperial family, where everyone schemed against one another. After finishing her cup of tea, Ling Jiayue gently adjusted her veil, as though she were afraid others might see her face. Ling Ziqi witnessed this scene, and a sly smile spread across her lips.