Luna de Luzhou

Capítulo 56

Su Chen listened to their conversation with disgust. The woman took out a small brooch from her inner sleeve and said, "I don't have anything else to give you. I liked this very much when I was young. I was thinking of wearing it today, but it doesn't feel the same at all. Oh well, it seems that this day is destined to be with you. It's good that it's given to this girl."

Su Chen declined several times, but seeing that Madam Wu was smiling and silent, he finally thanked her and accepted. The woman asked many more questions, and finally said, "Young lady, I'm afraid you don't like us older people. I won't force you. Go play over there. After the banquet, I'll have someone find you so you can meet my child." The last sentence was directed at Madam Wu, "If it's convenient, could you help look after Nan? Speaking of which, he needs someone to keep an eye on him."

Madam Wu smiled but didn't say anything, changing the subject to something else. Su Chen knew something was wrong, so he followed the maid into the side room without saying anything.

Two young maids were chatting at the door. When they saw someone coming, they laughed and rushed to lift the curtain. Su Chen smiled back, crouched down and went in. As soon as he entered the room, he heard a crisp female voice say, "As Su Shi once said, 'All writing should be vigorous and colorful when young, and gradually become simple and plain as one grows older and more mature.' I think this is not plainness, but true splendor. It is precisely in the time of antiquity that people are more captivated. It is far superior to the charming and beautiful verses of Li Yishan and Liu Sanbian."

"And what do you know about being wise? Your father was just a military officer who probably didn't even pass the imperial examinations back then. It's not a family tradition, so what knowledge does he have to offer? Someone like you must have poor upbringing, and nobody listens to your nonsense."

Su Chen sensed something was off about what she was saying and looked up to see two women arguing. One was sitting at a large, sturdy table in the middle, holding a sandalwood fan with small tassels, painted with a woman chasing butterflies. The other was leaning against a chaise lounge, casually picking up a jujube, seemingly indifferent to whether she wanted to eat it or not.

She recognized the one who had spoken earlier; it was Liu Tinglin, who had sat at the same table as her at Emperor Huizong's banquet a few days ago. She didn't recognize the other girl—no, she seemed quite old. Everyone else in the room remained silent, watching the two women talk.

Chapter Nineteen, Dispute

After assessing the situation, she decided it was best to remain silent. Inside, Liu Tinglin's expression darkened upon hearing the woman's words. She said sternly, "Princess, your words are unreasonable. I am simply stating my opinion; why are you insulting my father?!"

It turned out that the woman was none other than the pearl-adored Shang that everyone was talking about.

Su Chen had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth from those words, and now that it was confirmed, he looked at her carefully. He saw that the woman's jet-black hair was tied up in a high bun, secured with a white jade hairpin and a gold band. The white jade and the dazzling gold band were usually quite clashing, but they didn't look awkward on her head. On top of the high bun, there were four or five other headdresses, extremely intricate and elaborate.

She had a slightly high nose bridge, giving her a square face, a pointed chin, and thick lips that were further enhanced by a thin layer of lipstick.

It seems hard to describe, but her face was slightly above average, and she was meticulously dressed, using only very high-end items.

She's a typical aristocratic young lady, but unfortunately, she gives off a very unpleasant vibe, and her tone and word choice are particularly annoying. Compared to He Yuanfang, she's probably even less likable. He Yuanfang possesses a disdain and pride that seeps into her very bones; that disdain and pride doesn't change based on status or position. If she doesn't like someone, she simply disdains them, and she can find a thousand reasons to look down on you. But this princess deliberately puts on this act.

Zhenzhu said disdainfully, "Did I insult him? Military officers don't understand literature. I'm not just talking nonsense. If your father had any knowledge, why would he become a military officer? Your family couldn't even provide your father with any protection, so he had to fight for fame and fortune himself. I'm afraid it wasn't a family with any reputation."

Her words encompassed all the military officers. Su Chen glanced around and, sure enough, four or five young women in the room looked unhappy.

Liu Tinglin was truly furious. She threw her tasseled fan onto the table and said angrily, "Princess, you're being unreasonable! Military officers are protecting the country. What would others think if they heard you speaking like this?! If it weren't for the military officers protecting you outside, Princess, you might not even be able to enjoy this banquet here!"

Zhenzhu Shang scoffed, "Even without your father, there are plenty of other generals. Our Great Song Dynasty is full of talented people, so why would we need just one more like your father?"

Liu Tinglin's expression changed drastically. He was about to say something, but he held back. Seeing the situation was not good, several bystanders quickly stepped forward and said a few polite words. Zhenzhu was still not satisfied and said, "In my opinion, if you are not good yourself, then don't say such things casually. Don't be afraid of being laughed at by others for your academic papers." Just as she was about to continue, the curtain behind Su Chen was lifted again. A girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old walked in and said, "What are you all talking about? I've only been gone a short time, and you're all talking so enthusiastically?"

Hearing the person speaking inside, and seeing her arrive, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Their eyes turned to her simultaneously, only to find Su Chen standing by the door.

The woman seemed a little surprised to see Su Chen. She asked, "Young lady?"

Su Chen smiled and said, "Su Chen. He Su Chen."

A series of gasps filled the hall. Several people who had seen her at Emperor Huizong's grand banquet immediately recognized her. All eyes turned to her.

Su Chen smiled bitterly to herself. Was He Ziyuan's daughter really that intriguing? The woman was also taken aback. She immediately became warm and friendly, saying, "So it's Sister Su Chen! We've been saying you were coming to the capital for so long. I didn't expect you to arrive so soon. Are you getting used to life here? We sisters often talk about you when we get together. We all say that the daughter of Lord He must be a very refined and elegant woman. I never thought I'd actually meet you today." After speaking for a while, she took two steps back and looked her over. Then, turning to the others in the inner room, she sighed, "Look at her! Such an air of refinement! I can't compare to her at all!"

Su Chen knew she was just being polite, and replied, "Sister, you're too kind. I think the ladies in this room are truly exceptional." Just then, Zhenzhu Shang suddenly spoke up, "It's said that Master He's daughter is skilled in poetry and embroidery, and her needlework is also first-rate. I've been curious for a long time. Miss He, why don't you compose a poem on the spot?"

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Chapter Twenty, Proposal

Shen smiled inwardly. This princess really was quick to attack anyone she could get her hands on. Didn't she know that was bad? But she didn't show it on her face. She just smiled and said, "Today's banquet at Lord Xiangmin's house is not a place where guests are asked to compose poems. Su Chen can't steal the limelight from the other sisters."

Zhenzhu pursed her lips, seemingly joking but also serious, and said, "Afraid of showing off? Or maybe you can't bring yourself to do it? I heard that at the beginning of the year, Miss He slipped and fell into the water, and can't remember anything. I was thinking then, 'She's Lord He's daughter, after all. If she really became mentally impaired, I know how embarrassing it would be for him. Luckily, Miss He, you don't seem to have completely lost your mind.'"

Her eyes and brows were smiling as she spoke, but it didn't seem like she was really smiling at all, and the things she said sounded off no matter how you listened to them.

Su Chen was very puzzled. He hadn't offended her at all, so why did she dislike him? However, since he had been said such things, he couldn't just pretend he hadn't heard anything. If he ignored it, people in the capital might think he was easy to bully. Besides, he was also He Ziyuan's daughter. If he didn't do something, the one who would lose face the most would be his ailing father.

She turned to Zhenzhu Shang, a smile on her face, "Thank you for your concern, Princess. I accidentally fell into the water at the beginning of the year and suffered quite a bit. I'm still a little disoriented. Since Princess wants to see poetry, among all the sisters here, there are probably only a handful with outstanding literary talent. It would be a pleasure for everyone to write something together. Besides, although Su Chen has only been in the capital for a short time, he has already heard of Princess's remarkable literary talent. Even if Su Chen has recited a few mediocre poems, he cannot compare to Princess." She took two steps forward, getting closer to Zhenzhu Shang, "If Princess is so pleased, please also compose a couple of poems for Su Chen to see."

Zhenzhu was about to yell at her, but then swallowed her words and sneered, "Whoever wants to do it can do it, what does it have to do with me?!" She sat up. "Sister He, stop with the pleasantries. I don't need you to do anything else, just give me a word." Clearly, she hadn't given up yet.

Su Chen was getting a little annoyed. What was wrong with this woman? Did she not have a brain? It was obvious that although his words were barbed, he was still giving her a way out. She could have just said yes and let everyone come and have some fun. Why did she have to push her so hard? Although he was new here, he was He Ziyuan's daughter. Did she not know his temperament at all and act recklessly? Wasn't she afraid of pushing him too far?

She turned to look at the woman who had just entered. The woman had been standing aside listening to their conversation, showing no intention of helping. Seeing Su Chen looking at her, she gave a helpless expression. Su Chen immediately understood her meaning. One side was Zhenzhu Shang, a troublemaker who always seemed to have a reason to cause trouble—the beloved daughter of the Duke of Xiangzuo and the old Consort's darling. The other side was He Ziyuan's daughter, newly arrived in the capital, unfamiliar with everything and her character; it wasn't worth offending Zhenzhu Shang for her sake.

However, since she is He Ziyuan's daughter, she cannot be neglected. Originally, she was someone we should have gotten closer to.

Weighing both sides, the only thing we can do is stand aside.

He Su Chen thought for a moment. Suddenly, a vague idea surfaced. All those years of watching palace intrigue dramas and TV shows hadn't been for nothing. She turned to the woman and said, "May I ask how I should address this lady?"

The woman paused, seemingly surprised that she hadn't answered the question but had instead been approached. She quickly realized what was happening and replied, "I am Yi Qianxian." She then added, "Sister He, you probably don't know me. My aunt is hosting a banquet, but there are no daughters in the house. I'm naturally fond of lively gatherings, and I thought my cousin was lucky to have been found. Thank goodness! Since my aunt is hosting a banquet, it would be strange if she didn't invite everyone. So I volunteered to take on this task. After all, we haven't seen each other for quite some time; it would be good for us to get together." She then looked at the people in the hall and smiled, "I wonder what everyone thinks. If they don't like it, and I've bothered them to invite you all for nothing, they might be quite resentful."

Su Chen followed her gaze into the hall. More than a dozen women stammered, "No, no, not at all." Liu Tinglin also smiled. She couldn't tell there had been any unpleasantness before. Zhenzhu Shang was also strange; she hadn't expressed any dissatisfaction or objections.

This girl named Yi Qianxian seems to hold some status. The vague idea in her mind was becoming clearer. She then said to Yi Qianxian, "Since you are the niece of the Lady of Xiangmin, should I address you as 'elder sister' or 'younger sister'?"

Yi Qianxian pulled her forward, half-inviting and half-pushing her to sit down. She said, "Of course I'll call you 'elder sister.' I knew you were coming to the capital. Otherwise, I would have come to see you sooner. No wonder you're such an outstanding younger sister. Everyone likes you so much."

Su Chen listened to her with a smile, but in his heart, he had no faith whatsoever. Was this woman really so warm to everyone? He had only just met her, yet she acted as if they had known each other for years. To put it nicely, she was worldly-wise and smooth-talking. To put it bluntly, she was hypocritical.

The two of them went back and forth for a while. Su Chen was pressed to sit down by Yi Qianxian, but then he stood up again, curtsied to everyone in the room, and said gently to everyone in the room, "Su Chen greets all the sisters. It is my first time here and I have just arrived in the capital. I am bound to be ignorant in many ways. From now on, Su Chen will be staying in the capital all year round. If I offend anyone in any way, please help point it out and I hope you will forgive me."

She thought about these polite words for a long time, but still decided to say them. She had to appear humble, but somehow, as she spoke, her words took on a different tone, sounding somewhat like those of a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) paying homage to a powerful sect in a martial arts novel she used to read.

Although it was chilling, there was nothing they could do; the words had already been spoken. Fortunately, the others didn't seem surprised and all said things like, "Don't worry."

Su Chen exchanged a few polite words with the women around him, then turned to Zhenzhu Shang and said, "Although the princess wishes to see Su Chen compose lyrics, it's ultimately not very elegant for one person to do so. How about Su Chen gives his opinion, and we can all see if it's acceptable?" Although she spoke to Zhenzhu Shang at first, she then turned to the others. Her last sentence was clearly directed at Yi Qianxian.

"How about we follow Su Chen's lead and learn from the famous scholars of the Jin Dynasty, and have a game of composing lyrics while floating wine cups?" She glanced at the large round table in the middle of the room. "Although we don't have a winding stream, we have this big table. Let's play a game of musical chairs, and whoever gets the first cup gets to complete the poem. What do you think?"

Chapter Twenty-One, Orders