Eternal Night - Chapter 48
Yongye was not feeling well, and he didn't have the energy to go inside. He gently lifted the sedan curtain and saw beautiful women and talented men rushing into the gate like they were going to a fair.
How many extras did Prince You hire for this scheme? Even if they didn't get paid, they still had to be provided with tea and pastries, which must have cost some money.
Yongye looked on mockingly, about to have the guards carry the sedan chair in through the side door, but then he thought, "Isn't today all about attracting attention?" He lowered the sedan curtain and said, "Take my name card and come in through the main gate."
The guard's face lit up at these words, and he strode to the entrance of Prince You's residence, shouting to the welcoming servants, "The Heir Apparent of Prince Duan has arrived!"
The shout was so powerful that people climbing the steps all turned to look.
The servants of Prince You's residence knew that the Prince Duan's heir and the prince were on good terms, so they dared not be negligent. They hurriedly went down the steps to greet him and stood respectfully beside the carriage, saying, "Please alight from the carriage, Your Highness."
Two servants had already carried the sedan chair forward with a soft sachet. Yin'er cleverly jumped off the carriage. Seeing so many people looking at her, she blushed and gently lifted the curtain of the sedan chair.
Seeing the imposing guards and the clever, adorable maids, everyone widened their eyes, eager to see what kind of demeanor this prince, who had been ill and refusing to see outsiders, and who was rumored to possess the unparalleled beauty of the Princess Consort of Duan, would have. Instead, a young man in a purple robe and a veiled hat emerged, his long veil trailing down to his waist; his figure was slender and delicate, pitifully frail. Seeing him board the soft-brimmed carriage, they all parted to make way for him.
Yongye dared not use his inner energy, and was afraid that his unsteady steps would arouse Prince You's suspicion. His purpose today was to have everyone watching him, so he swaggered in and sat in the soft sedan chair.
Everywhere he went, he heard only sighs. Sighs for the Prince Duan having such a sickly son, regret for not having seen his face, and pity for Princess Qiangwei for falling for such a short and unfortunate man. He smiled slightly; if someone stood up for Qiangwei, the drama would be even more interesting.
Before I knew it, we had arrived at the Prince's Garden.
When Li Tianyou saw Yongye arrive in a soft-sided carriage, he went up to him and complained, "There are too many people and it's too noisy. Why did Yongye have to come?"
“Your Highness, Yongye must be bored staying at home alone. Your poetry gathering is unmatched in the capital. It would be good to join in the fun. Besides, if Yongye doesn’t come, Qiangwei will be climbing over my wall again.” Yongye said with a smile, then tugged at his veil and said helplessly, “Well, I don’t want people to point fingers at me. If Father hears it, he’ll be sad.”
Tianyou looked at him with sympathy. The Prince of Duan only had this one son, and not only was he not skilled in archery and horsemanship, but he was also frail and sickly, his complexion always unpleasant. People sighed when they saw him, and Yongye, being proud, naturally didn't want to be talked about. He smiled to show his understanding and instructed someone to take good care of him.
A colorful pavilion was erected in the garden for the poetry gathering. The pavilion was made of fresh flowers, with a flower stand in the center and a jade pendant hanging from it. Its lush green color was lovely and delightful, serving as the highlight of the poetry gathering.
Tables were laid out on both sides, with writing implements and fine paper prepared. Two elderly men sat there, ready to record the poems.
The garden also features thousands of potted flowers for visitors to enjoy.
Seeing that most of the people had arrived, Li Tianyou nodded to indicate that they could begin.
An elderly man dressed as a scholar in his early fifties walked gracefully onto the stage, bowed to the crowd below, and said with a smile, "I am but a humble servant, but I am honored by Your Highness's favor and have done my best for Your Highness's poetry gathering. Today, the poetry gathering shall begin. Gentlemen and ladies, please feel free to present your fine poems."
The speaker was Zhang Liancao, a famous painter from Kyoto. Yongye chuckled as he looked at him, and Yin'er asked curiously, "Why is Young Master so happy?"
Yongye shook his head. He recalled how Prince Duan had asked this painter to paint his mother's handprint on his face years ago. He wondered how he could tell Yin'er about it, and suppressed a laugh as he continued watching the play. His gaze swept across the crowd, but he didn't see Qiangwei. Just as he was wondering about this, he spotted a young gentleman.
The young man wore a light green, wide robe, his skin as white as jade, and he appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. He sat leisurely, holding a fan in his hand. His clothes were not particularly ornate, but a jade pendant carved in the shape of a phoenix was tied around his waist. Yongye's eyebrows twitched. This jade pendant was priceless, and it was strange to see it on this person. He couldn't help but take a few more glances.
The young master seemed to sense someone watching him. He slightly raised his chin, his gaze sweeping sideways, his arrogance radiating. Seeing that it was a veiled person whose face he couldn't see, he frowned. A scholar-like figure beside him whispered a few words in his ear. The young master raised an eyebrow, his gaze towards Yongye filled with more surprise and sigh.
Yongye knew he couldn't see her, and chuckled to herself from behind her veil. Such a keen sense; he must also know martial arts. Not everyone who came today was there for the poetry gathering.
Just then, someone squeezed in and sat down next to her. Rose's face was flushed, and she was panting, "I almost missed it. It's all Ayu's fault. She didn't wake me up!"
Yin'er sensibly brought over the tea, and Qiangwei drank it down in one gulp. Seeing that Yongye remained silent, she angrily tugged at his robe and said, "I'm talking to you."
Yongye then said lazily, "Rose is about to meet her match."
"who?"
"The young man in the green robe, oh, it's a young lady, whose looks and appearance are no less than yours."
With that one sentence, Rose's gaze shot out like a dagger, meeting the arrogant eyes of the green-robed lady dressed as a man. She couldn't help but ask in surprise, "How did Brother Yongye know she was a woman?"
"I know, that's all." Yongye's gaze swept over the cross-dressing woman's waist once more, and he thought with satisfaction that he didn't need to put in any effort today; someone else would naturally vie for the limelight.
Rose saw that although the young lady was young, she was no less beautiful than herself, with a delicate and refined appearance, exuding the dignified air that her father always scolded her for lacking. Seeing Yongye praise her made Rose feel even more resentful. Seeing the young lady constantly looking Yongye up and down, Rose snorted, "A woman dressed as a man, what kind of decorum is this! Daring to go against this princess, you'll learn your lesson later!" She then whispered to Yongye, "You promised me you'd make sure I outshine her!"
Yongye nodded with amusement; the more beautiful women bumped into each other, the more interesting the scene became.
The poetry contest was in full swing when Zhang Liancao laughed and said, "Today, there are so many poems and essays. To win first place, I have received a new topic from the Prince. Instead of writing about spring or describing scenery, the topic is 'Entertaining Guests'."
A scholar rose and, swaying his head, recited: "The cold snow melts among the plum blossoms, the spring breeze returns to the willows. In the second or third month of the capital, when will my guest return?"
Applause erupted, and someone else stood up to answer.
Yongye turned her head and whispered in Qiangwei's ear. Qiangwei smiled and stood up: "This princess also has a poem. The grass and trees know that spring will soon be gone, and all kinds of red and purple flowers vie for fragrance. The iron horses have finished their battle at Yuguan Pass, and welcome guests from the State of Chen!"
Upon hearing this poem, everyone was stunned. Zhang Liancao gaped, unsure how to judge it. The poem lacked rhyme and structure; the first line was acceptable, but the latter part praised their own victory, with the Chen Kingdom bowing its head in submission and coming to the capital to negotiate peace. To say it was wrong meant to say the court was wrong; to say it was good, however, was indeed not good.
Seeing the silence around her, Rose smiled bitterly as Prince You leaped onto the flower platform, reaching out to take the jade pendant.
A green shadow flashed by, and a fan pressed down on her hand. It was the young lady dressed as a man, whose voice was as clear as a spring breeze, yet carried a chilly spring air: "Princess, please wait. I also have a poem."
Rose was furious and raised her chin: "I don't believe you can defeat this princess!"
The young lady stood on the stage, her eyes glancing at Yongye as she recited in a leisurely voice: "The scenery of the capital is chaotic with the warbling of orioles, and the spring waves of Chen State lap against the shore. I urge my horse on with the north wind, and slowly send you off past Sanyu Pass."
Upon hearing this poem, the audience erupted in another uproar. The poet's words were veiled yet perfectly balanced, clearly implying that the springtime scenery of Chen was no less beautiful than that of An. The last line further mocked our army, suggesting that while guarding the pass was easy, getting out was difficult, and setting foot on Chen's soil would be extremely challenging.
"A spy from the Chen Kingdom!" someone shouted from below the stage.
Li Tianyou's face hardened. A guard jumped forward, drew his sword, and pointed it at the newcomer: "Take him down!"
Stealing a sheep
Li Tianyou's face hardened. A guard jumped forward, drew his sword, and pointed it at the newcomer: "Take him down!"
Several people quickly jumped out from the crowd and fought with the young lady and the guards, causing chaos in the Prince's Garden.
The Prince Duan's guards didn't move, all drawing their swords to protect Yongye, their eyes fixed intently on any unusual movements. Yongye sat still, watching the show. Qiangwei, however, rushed forward without hesitation, throwing punches and kicks at him with great enjoyment.
Li Tianyou watched all this quietly, a question suddenly arising in his mind.