Because there was still a grand court session tomorrow and all the princes had to attend, they didnât leave the palace after the family banquet.\n
Zong Yue sent Consort Li back to Xianfu Palace, then took De Wang and De Cai with him to the fifth residence at the northwest wing where he had lived prior to establishing his own manor outside the palace.\n
The Forbidden City at night was particularly bleak. The palace walls were clearly erected in great numbers, yet they gave people a sense of empty solitude. Snow blanketed both sides of the corridor, radiating a cold glow under the illuminating moonlight.\n
De Cai had wanted to say something several times, but ultimately decided against it. The words unuttered seemed to have plagued him all the way from Xianfu Palace to here.\n
Zong Yue glanced at him and asked, âWhat do you want to say?â\n
âThis slave finds His Majestyâs attitude strange. Your Highness obviously did nothing in Yangzhou.â It was basically just that, save for a trip to Taizhou and a visit to Fan Jin Chuan. Yet, the Jianping Emperor praised Zong Yue greatly. Although he didnât explicitly say it, all were to express his great satisfaction for his ability to carry out a task.\n
These things were unknown to others, but as Zong Yueâs trusted aide, it was impossible for De Cai to be ignorant. If this was to be regarded as doing a task well, then De Cai really had to doubt whether or not His Majesty was doing it on purpose in front of others.\n
This wasnât considered a happy occasion for Zong Yue. The Crown Prince occupied the position of heir apparent, and his younger brothers matured each passing day with their own growing influence. After all, a prince who desired not to be the crown prince wasnât a good prince. No matter how honest and virtuous the Crown Prince appeared to be, with numerous capable pairs of hands coveting his seat, he was also in straitened circumstances, and Prince Wei, who was a part of the âzealous crown prince party,â was wrong regardless of his words or deeds.\n
If he said and did the right thing, the Crown Prince still wouldnât take their relationship to heart and instead divert the focus of attention to himself. If he otherwise said and did the wrong thing, then it would be even better. Other princes could leverage his blunders to disadvantage the Crown Prince.\n
Since childhood, having been born in this Forbidden City, he had borne witness to much of the fluctuating warmth and coldness of human relationships, and had similarly encountered too much concealed malice. Zong Yueâs reticence wasnât aimless, rather, it was a habit fostered out of survival.\n
However, this time, the Jianping Emperor evidently wanted Zong Yue to jut out as a target. If this kind of attitude persisted, Zong Yue would become the target of countless arrows.\n
What even De Cai could perceive, how could Zong Yue possibly not?\n
âWhat imperial father wants is precisely that this prince does nothing.â\n
While Zong Yue was still walking forward, De Caiâs footsteps halted, and shock took over his face.\n
âŚâŚ..\n
Therefore, it was only his Consort Mother, that fool, who presumed that winning his imperial fatherâs favor would pave him a bright future. Little did she know that a monarchâs schemes were far too deep to be fathomable.\n
He had sent him to Yangzhou, which, on the surface appeared as though he was carrying out a task, but in reality, he was weeding out the Crown Princeâs connections. Once he returned, he praised him incessantly, casting a mist on the publicâs eyes so he could stick out to block the shots for the Crown Prince.\n
After all, the Crown Prince was the crown prince from the central palace. Empress Chen and the Jianping Emperor had been married since young, and others couldnât easily influence their deep feelings. However, the Jianping Emperor was in his sixties, and the Crown Prince was in the prime of his life. This wasnât a good sign, especially since a few of the Crown Princeâs connections were not at all content with their lot.\n
However, the Jianping Emperor had no desire to abolish the Crown Princeâs position, so he put appropriate pressure on him, which served as an admonishment and a shield. Prince Wei was there to distract everyoneâs attention, as well as to veer away the arrows aimed at the Crown Prince. After all, with one more opponent, everyone wouldnât dare make rash moves without thorough deliberation.\n
One stone, several birds.\n
If Zong Yue was not mistaken, for a long time to come, he would be the Jianping Emperorâs much-loved son.\n
*\n
Taizhou City was contingent on salt and flourished from taxation. Salt ships flocked the place and merchants were as ubiquitous as cloud banks. \n
The people were prosperous, and were therefore more than willing to eat, drink, and make merry. So every year, the lantern market in Taizhou City bustled alive during the Lantern Festival.\n
As early as the day before, peddlers had set up lantern stalls, and merchants along the street had also hung colorful lights in front of their doors to boast of the whole cityâs celebration. On the day of the Lantern Festival, it wasnât at all dark, and all sorts of lights illuminated outside. All the yamen runners in the county yamen had been dispatched, including those from the Military Inspectorate. Today, those people were deployed to guard the whole city. On each street corner sat water jars filled with water, lest a fire broke out because of some thoughtless individuals.\n
âWorthy Brother Fang, shall we also go out and take a look?â\n
The entire county yamen was deserted, and only a few old yamen runners remained to watch the gate. With that kind of bustling excitement outside, Feng Sheng naturally wouldnât stay confined in her room. She had already ordered Zhi Chun and Zhi Qiu to change her clothes to prepare to leave and join the fun.\n
When she heard Fan Jin Chuanâs voice, she trotted out from inside.\n
Tall and slim, she was dressed in a blue robe, her paper fan shaking lightly, exuding an indescribable and casual elegance.\n
Compared to Fan Jin Chuan, Feng Shengâs height was more than half a head shorter, but in the south, where men were generally not tall, she was not considered short.\n
Such a her was extremely in line with the male aesthetic currently popular to women, with a sheer scholarly style, cultured and refined.\n
âBrother Fan, Brother Fan, whatâs wrong with you?â\n
Fan Jin Chuan snapped out of his trance, only to find a fan waving before his eyes and Fang Feng Sheng eyeing him curiously.\n
âNothing, Iâm just worried that something will happen with so many pedestrians on the street.â\n
There werenât actually quite many. Not far out of the county yamen, one could see a sea of people on the street fronting them. The crowd slowly advanced forward and clamored about.\n
âIâm afraid there will be even more people at the lantern market. But didnât you and Assistant Magistrate Liu come up with good protocols? Yamen runners patrol every street, so nothing will happen.â\n
Saying that, Feng Sheng noticed that Fan Jin Chuan was silent again.\n
âBrother Fan, youâve been strange lately. Is something on your mind?â\n
âNo, nothing.â\n
âYoung Master, look at that lantern.â Zhi Qiu pointed to a small stall not far away that hung dozens of colored lanterns, including a few eye-catching lotus flower lanterns.\n
Feng Shengâs eyes were not on the lotus flower lanterns, but on the jade rabbit lantern suspended at the corner.\n
The lanternâs entire body was pink and white. The only red color was the longevity peach clasped in the jade rabbitâs hands. Looking at the hand-sculpting, it couldnât be considered meticulous, but for a while, it triggered a rush of memories in Feng Shengâs thoughts.\n
âŚâŚ..\n
âFeng Sheng wants it? Father will buy it for you.â The man clad in blue approached the stall, took down a jade rabbit lantern, and placed it in his daughterâs grasp. âCarry it carefully. Donât spill the candle inside.â\n
âThank you, Father. Dad is the best.â\n
âDonât wander around. The lantern market is crowded.â\n
âŚâŚ..\n
âWant it? Young Master will buy it for you.â Feng Shengâs whole face was full of intent to pamper.\n
Zhi Qiu, who was wearing a double-bun, smiled very happily and was the first to run to the lantern stall.\n
Yes, Zhi Chun and Zhi Qiu had reverted back to dressing as women, a matter that had completely caught Fan Jin Chuan unaware. Xiao Qi later on told him that Zhi Qiu was originally a woman, and he then realized that he was probably the only one in the entire county yamen who was still in the dark.\n
But if Zhi Chun and Zhi Qiu were women, then, had he misunderstood Worthy Brother Fang for the so-called splitting peaches and for liking men? However, Fan Jin Chuan was not the least bit happy about it. If Zhi Chun and Zhi Qiu were women, and Worthy Brother Fang didnât like men, thenâŚâŚ\n
Anyway, these days, Fan Jin Chuanâs mood was like a boat braving the wind and waves. Suddenly tranquil, then once again agitated. Not once could his mood settle. Otherwise, his mind wouldnât be so unhinged when facing Feng Sheng.\n
He watched as Feng Sheng purchased two lanterns. A servant girl pushed a lantern in her hand, and the two little maidservants were jubilant upon receiving theirs. While Worthy Brother Fang was observing them with mirth, Fan Jin Chuan felt an inexplicable sourness in his heart.\n
âYoung Sir, whatâs wrong with you? At first, out of concern for Advisor Fangâs shameful habits, you always kept a watchful eye on Zhi Chun and Zhi Qiu, afraid that they would lead Advisor Fang astray. Now that you know Zhi Chun and Zhi Qiu are women, why are you still looking at them this way? Could it be thatâââ\n
In apprehension, Fan Jin Chuan reproved him, âWhat drivel are you saying? I was just looking at the lantern and found that the handiwork wasnât too bad.â\n
With that, he stepped forward. That same moment, Fang Feng Sheng grabbed a lantern from the stall. It was the jade rabbit lantern.\n
She paid the stall owner and turned around with the lantern.\n
âWorthy Brother, youâreâŚâŚâ\n
âDoesnât Brother Fan think the lantern is pretty?â\n
Fan Jin Chuan studied the adorable-looking rabbit and hesitantly agreed, âIt is quite pretty.â\n
âDoes Brother Fan like it? Want one too?â\n
Feng Sheng curved back and gestured to purchase, but Fan Jin Chuan held her back. âWorthy Brother, most of the pedestrians on the street carrying lanterns are women and children. If we ourselves carry lanterns, it wonât be so elegant and tastefulâŚâŚâ\n
His embarrassed appearance made Feng Sheng laugh.\n
âAlright, Iâm teasing you.â She swept her eyes all over Fan Jin Chuanâs body and took note of how solemn and orderly his scholarly attire made him appear. âI really canât imagine what youâd look like carrying a lantern. I better not damage your prestige as an honorable county lord, so as to avoid seeming improper.â\n
Fan Jin Chuan was flustered and wanted to say something, but Feng Sheng had already turned around and fluttered away.\n
âŚâŚ..\n
Zhi Chun and Zhi Qiu hadnât seen such excitement in a long time and were high-spirited.\n
Feng Sheng was also in a hard-to-come-by mood as she led her two maidservants to gawk at stalls hither and tither. Along the way, they bought sticky rice dumplings, candied chestnuts, dragonâs beard candies, tuckahoe pies, dough figures, and candied hawthorns on sticks.<sup>1</sup> All these, Feng Sheng had claimed she was buying for the two maids, but it was actually her who seemed to like them better.\n
They werenât the only ones munching on. Fan Jin Chuan and Xiao Qi were also stuffed a handful of snacks.\n
As a child himself, Xiao Qi was just fine, but when had Fan Jin Chuan ever experienced such an occasion? Looking at the things in his hands, his head was swimming.\n
âBrother Fan, carry this for me. Iâm going to check out that sugar painting seller.â<sup>2</sup>\n
She shoved the jade rabbit lantern into Fan Jin Chuanâs hand. His other hand contained two dough figures, on his fingers hung a few square paper bags, and under his armpit lodged a painting.\n
He paced a few steps to catch up. âWorthy Brother, donât buy any more. That sugar painting isnât easy to hold. I really donât have the free hand to hold it.â\n
âIâll buy just one more. Look at how remarkably true-to-life the phoenix is painted. By the way, Brother Fan, whatâs your astrological sign? How about letting the master paint one for you too?â\n
What was supposed to only be one painting became two.\n
One phoenix and one ox.\n
Feng Sheng placed her gaze on the ox in Fan Jin Chuanâs hand, then shifted to his greatly embarrassed face. She couldnât help but laugh.\n
âWorthy Brother.â\n
âDonât be annoyed, Brother Fan, Iâll take it for you.â She reached out and took the sugar painting.\n
At that moment, a noise blared out in the distance. Feng Sheng strolled that way and said, âCome on, letâs go see whatâs happening.â\n
Fan Jin Chuan, however, looked down at his hand and couldnât resist stroking it.\n\n
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color has-vivid-red-color is-style-wide">\n<sup>1</sup> Festival stall goodies (from left to right): sticky rice dumplings, candied chestnuts, dragonâs beard candies, tuckahoe pies, dough figures, and candied hawthorns on sticks\n\n
<sup>2</sup> Sugar painting:\n
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"></figure>\n<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color has-vivid-red-color is-style-wide">\nă Previous | Table of Contents | Next ă
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