“Father Emperor, You Truly Think Too Little of This Son.”
“Everyone is already here.”
A bright, hearty laugh accompanied the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Mingyue, come sit beside this Crown Prince.” The Crown Prince sat in his wheeled chair, his smile warm and unhurried as he beckoned to the man.
Lu Ronghuai was preparing flower tea for Chu Yuan. Hearing the voice, Chu Yuan looked toward the source. The newcomer was unfamiliar to him and looked a moment longer out of quiet curiosity.
“That is Liu Mingyue, the legitimate eldest son of the main branch of the Duke Liu household, and Liu Jinglan’s younger brother,” Lu Ronghuai said, placing a glass tea cup before Chu Yuan. His little finger brushed lightly across the back of Chu Yuan’s hand, seemingly by accident.
Chu Yuan lowered his gaze toward his hand. The faint sensation still lingered there.
“Ah-Yuan, lean a little closer to me,” Lu Ronghuai picked up the tea tongs and drew dried blossoms one by one from the brocade case, arranging them upon the tray with unhurried deliberateness.
Chu Yuan glanced at their thighs, which were already pressed closely together. He could not imagine how they were meant to be any closer.
He looked at Lu Ronghuai speechlessly.
Lu Ronghuai curved his lips. “Lean your head closer. We shall speak quietly so the others cannot hear.”
Chu Yuan glanced around. Seeing that everyone else was occupied with tea and conversation, he tilted his head slightly toward him and lowered his voice.
“What does Your Highness wish to say?”
“You are unfamiliar with many of these people. I will introduce them briefly,” Lu Ronghuai said, setting down the tea tongs and looking at him with feigned solemnity.
Chu Yuan’s expression remained cool, yet the corners of his lips lifted faintly.
“Very well. This subject will trouble Your Highness.”
Lu Ronghuai said, “Nie Siran is a man of deep scheming, a smiling-faced tiger. If he comes to speak with you, Ah-Yuan must remain wary.”
“Oh.”
“The Crown Prince need not be elaborated upon. A complete hypocrite. I have found him intolerable since childhood and have beaten him on many occasions.”
“……”
“Prince Qi did not come this time. He is slightly more foolish than the Crown Prince and easier to deal with.”
“And that Fang Shuyu. He spends his days wandering the flower-and-willow alleys and is fond of gambling besides. Grand Tutor Xu intends to marry Xu Zhizhi to him. That old fellow must have lost his wits. His mind clearly is not right.”
Chu Yuan waited quietly for him to finish speaking. His gaze drifted occasionally toward the opposite side. After a moment he looked up again and asked with a gentle smile.
“Then what of Your Highness’s cousin?”
Lu Ronghuai corrected him at once.
“From the moment he harmed you, he ceased to be any cousin of mine.”
Chu Yuan hesitated briefly.
“Were it not for his rescue that night, I would already have drowned in the river. When he later abandoned the carriage and fled, I had already regained consciousness. He likely believed I knew nothing, yet I did not blame him at the time.”
Ning Yuqiang’s choice had been selfish, but in such a moment the instinct to preserve one’s own life was only human. Moreover, Chu Yuan had not known him long, and their relationship had been ordinary.
“You may not blame him,” Lu Ronghuai said coldly, “but I cannot.”
A chill entered Lu Ronghuai’s eyes. He dared not dwell on the thought. If he had arrived a moment later that day, Ah-Yuan might have…
“Does Your Highness truly feel no regret?” Chu Yuan blinked his bright eyes. “This subject once heard Mao Shu say that Your Highness and Young Lord Ning grew up together among green plums and bamboo horses. You have known one another many years. Merely because of this matter you would…”
“Chu Yuan.”
Lu Ronghuai set down his teacup and sighed softly.
“I spent my childhood within the palace. Once I left the residence later, I was almost always away on campaign. What sort of childhood companionship could that be?”
“Moreover, the Marquis of Xuanning had long harbored other intentions. Ah-Yuan, they never truly regarded me as family. Not even my own mother consort. She too was merely a piece upon their chessboard.”
Chu Yuan looked up in surprise.
“Noble Consort Ning?”
“Mm. Her entry into the palace as a consort bore the Marquis of Xuanning’s influence as well.” Lu Ronghuai clearly had little desire to speak of his mother consort and said no more.
Chu Yuan gave a small nod.
“Your Highness’s temperament is decisive and resolute. It commands admiration. Yet judging from Young Lord Ning’s expression, he still seems to hope for reconciliation.”
A harsh glint appeared in Lu Ronghuai’s dark eyes.
“He has feelings for me. I told him plainly that I hold affection only for Ah Yuan. He will not take it to heart.”
Chu Yuan felt slightly embarrassed.
“Ah-Yuan must remain cautious as well. Ning Yuqiang presents a pleasant face to the world, but his heart harbors venom. If my guess is correct, the Marquis of Xuanning’s residence has already thrown its support behind the Crown Prince.”
His slender fingers lightly tapped the table surface, his tone carrying the weight of certainty.
After his rebirth, some matters had changed. Others, however, continued to unfold along the same course as his previous life.
Chu Yuan turned his head to look at him.
The man’s expression was steady, his features resolute. His jawline was sharp and well-defined, and beneath his thick brows lay eyes that were impossible to read.
Watching him, Chu Yuan felt a faint ache in his heart, though he himself did not fully realize it.
Before marrying him, he had only heard rumors of Lu Ronghuai’s brutality and cruelty. After truly coming to know him, he discovered that, like himself, Lu Ronghuai had spent these years fighting alone.
Perhaps his circumstances had been even worse.
While they spoke, the delegates from the six kingdoms gradually arrived. Another half hour passed before Emperor Hongjia entered with the imperial consorts.
“Today’s contest concerns poetry. Such opportunities are rare. The young men of the seven kingdoms are well-versed in the literary arts. Should one of them distinguish himself in the Wanchao Hui’s contest, his fame will spread throughout the realm, bringing honor to both family and kingdom.”
Standing upon the raised platform at the center of the peach grove, Emperor Hongjia spoke with bright spirits.
When his gaze swept across the grove and fell upon Ning Yuqiang and Nie Siran, confidence appeared in his eyes.
Among the younger generation of scholars, these two were spoken of with the highest praise. Surely they would not fail him.
Yesterday the Kingdom of Lu had triumphed in archery. Today’s poetry contest would likewise be won by Lu.
“Your Majesty, yesterday’s archery contest left us somewhat unsatisfied. Might today’s proceedings be a touch more spirited?” the ruler of Kang Kingdom called out in a loud voice.
Emperor Hongjia looked toward him.
“How does the ruler of Kang propose we proceed?”
The ruler of Kang gestured toward the fellow rulers at his side, his smile one that could not be faulted for even a thread of impropriety.
“This ruler and several old friends have just conferred on the matter. If the prize for victory were a marriage alliance, it would better demonstrate the goodwill between the seven kingdoms. We have traveled great distances to attend the Wanchao Hui. Our sincerity is evident. Surely Your Majesty will likewise show the sincerity of the Kingdom of Lu.”
“Indeed, indeed.”
The smile on Emperor Hongjia’s face cooled for a moment.
He turned his gaze toward the ruler of Kang and asked, “Yesterday the Kingdom of Yu sought a marriage alliance with the Bai household, yet Miss Bai’s heart was already given elsewhere. Today, with whom does the ruler of Kang seek to form a marriage alliance?”
“This ruler merely gives voice to the sentiments of all assembled. Should the Kingdom of Yu prevail today, then let the Kingdom of Yu form a marriage alliance. This ruler would have no objection.”
The ruler of Yu rose to his feet.
“If Your Majesty does not dare compete, then treat our words as though they were never spoken.”
The ruler of Liu followed.
“Indeed. The six kingdoms make their tribute with devotion year upon year, desiring nothing more than peace and prosperity for the people of all lands. If Your Majesty truly regards us as friendly kingdoms, the connections between us ought not to be limited to marriage alone. Trade and commerce might also be opened between us to strengthen cooperation.”
The remaining rulers rose as one. Though they spoke no further, their expressions revealed their agreement.
Emperor Hongjia watched them and at last understood.
Yesterday, the six kingdoms had yielded nothing of advantage from the contest. Last night upon retiring, they must have put their heads together and devised a plan to recover what they had lost today.
He sneered inwardly. His gaze once again swept the peach grove and what he saw settled his mind considerably. He spoke with composed ease.
“Zhen can agree to a marriage alliance.”
The ruler of Kang clasped his hands in a bow.
“Many thanks, Your Majesty. Should we prevail, we wish to seek an alliance with Your Majesty’s Third Princess.”
Lu Lingshuang’s face turned pale at once. She sprang to her feet and cried out.
“Father Emperor! I will not be part of any marriage alliance!”
Emperor Hongjia glared at her.
“Sit down. This is not a place for you to speak.”
The Empress went pale while pulling Lu Lingshuang close. The princess collapsed into her arms and burst into tears.
The Empress spoke in a trembling voice of comfort.
“The contest has not yet begun. The Kingdom of Lu possesses many talented scholars. Most are your father emperor’s ministers. They will not truly allow you to be married away.”
Lu Lingshuang raised her tear-streaked face with desperate hope and looked at the Empress.
“Mother Empress truly means that?”
“Do not worry. Your Cousin Mingyue is here. He will protect you.”
Lu Lingshuang looked toward the peach grove and clutched the Empress’s sleeve.
“Then Mother Empress should have Cousin compete at once. Why is he still sitting there? Why must I be the prize in this marriage?”
Emperor Hongjia glanced at the weeping and stubborn Lu Lingshuang before turning his gaze toward the grove below.
The six kingdoms had already sent forward the youths who would compete. The fruit platters had been cleared away and replaced with brush, ink, paper, and inkstones.
The Crown Prince looked toward Liu Mingyue. Receiving the signal, Liu Mingyue sighed inwardly and rose to bow toward Emperor Hongjia.
“Your Majesty, Mingyue is willing to exchange verses with them.”
Emperor Hongjia looked pleased.
“Good. Is there anyone else who wishes to compete?”
The poetry contest differed from archery. There would be only one round and no limit on participants. Each contestant had a single chance to compose a poem. Several Hanlin scholars would review the poems and select the finest piece.
The more participants a kingdom sent forward, the greater its chance of victory.
At present the Kingdom of Yu had five contestants, the Kingdom of Liu eight, the Kingdom of Chu five, the Kingdom of Kang six, the Kingdom of Shi seven, and the Kingdom of Duan seven.
The Kingdom of Lu had only Liu Mingyue.
The rulers of the six kingdoms exchanged glances with expressions of unspoken understanding and smiled.
Who would have expected that Lu could not even gather contestants?
Emperor Hongjia waited for a time. When not a single additional person stepped forward from the peach grove, his expression darkened at once.
Seeing this scene, Lu Lingshuang stamped her foot and wailing in despair.
“This princess will not marry for an alliance! Hurry and compete. Take first place!”
Liu Mingyue himself felt somewhat embarrassed.
He could not help glancing toward Nie Siran and extended a spoken invitation.
“Brother Nie’s learning and discernment surpass the rest. I have long wished to measure myself against you. I ask that Brother Nie grant me this opportunity.”
Nie Siran opened his folding fan with a smile, fanned himself a few leisurely times, and declined the invitation with grace.
“This one will not. I am but a rustic from the countryside. How could my poor verses be fit for the eyes of those present?”
Liu Mingyue refused to give up and continued persuading him, yet Nie Siran remained firm and refused him regardless of what was said.
At last Liu Mingyue gave up and turned his gaze toward Ning Yuqiang.
“Qingguang has always enjoyed composing poetry. how is it you sit so still today?”
Qingguang was Ning Yuqiang’s courtesy name. Liu Mingyue and Ning Yuqiang were both students of Cangyun Academy and knew each other well.
Ning Yuqiang glanced subtly toward Lu Ronghuai.
Lu Ronghuai, however, paid no attention to the matter at all. He was focused entirely on feeding Chu Yuan sweet jujubes.
Ning Yuqiang looked at the eye-stabbing sight, jealousy making his heart drip blood.
He clenched his fists. Suddenly he looked toward Liu Mingyue and smiled brightly and innocently.
“Brother Liu, the Prince Consort of Prince Li also composes poetry. Moreover, he comes from the Kingdom of Chu and understands their customs and styles best. Should the Prince Consort compete, victory over the six kingdoms would be assured.”
Liu Mingyue immediately looked toward Chu Yuan.
Chu Yuan had just bitten into a crisp sweet jujube. He shook his head.
“This consort does not know their ways well enough. This consort cannot prevail.”
The ruler of Shi had grown impatient.
“Your Majesty, are the scholars of Lu ready? Let us begin.”
Lu Lingshuang looked at the crowd below who remained unmoved. Anger filled her as she clenched her teeth. Suddenly she rose and pointed at Chu Yuan.
“Prince Consort of Prince Li, you go and compete.”
Seeing that Emperor Hongjia remained silent, the Empress parted her vermilion lips and commanded.
“Since you have already married Prince Li and entered the Kingdom of Lu, today you may meet your former companions with your new status. Go.”
Chu Yuan’s brows and eyes remained calm. Rising to his feet, he replied.
“As Mother Empress commands.”
Lu Ronghuai stood, his eyes settling upon the Empress with a cool and steady weight.
“This son will also compete.”
Emperor Hongjia moved to stop him.
“You need not join the commotion.”
Lu Ronghuai replied, “Father Emperor truly thinks too little of this son.”
Emperor Hongjia: “……”
Emperor Hongjia said, “Zhen did not mean that. If you wish to compete, then go.”
Ning Yuqiang also spoke.
“Your Majesty, this subject will compete as well.”
Nie Siran closed his folding fan and glanced at Chu Yuan with concern. Raising his head, he bowed.
“Your Majesty, Yuanzhou is also willing to attempt it.”
Liu Mingyue looked puzzled.
“Did Brother Nie not just now insist he would not compete?”
Nie Siran smiled with easy lightness.
“A man’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. This one finds he wishes to compete after all.”
Liu Mingyue: “……”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Lingshuang: Hurry and compete for me!
Everyone has left the chat.
Chu Yuan: The contest is about to begin.
Lu Ronghuai, Nie Siran, Su Ruhe… have joined the chat.
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