Красоты династии Сун

Глава 4

7. Plum Blossom

The year had a leap month of October, so the New Year came late. Xingge had been staying at Prince Qing's residence for a month and a half, living a carefree life and visiting most of the interesting places in the capital. She had almost completely forgotten about the prince's annoying wish.

These past few days, the first snowfall has arrived, and plum blossoms of all colors are blooming in the mansion, especially the red plum blossoms in the south courtyard, which are particularly vibrant and beautiful. Everyone is busy preparing for the New Year, and today a group of people crowded into the south courtyard, begging Young Master Ye to pick plum blossoms for them to arrange in vases. Picking plum blossoms is a delicate task; the branches must be beautiful in shape and color, without damaging the branches of the plum tree. In previous years, servants would use ladders to pick them one by one. Young Master Ye is skilled and amiable, so this year, the head steward, Uncle Shen, led the group to ask Young Master Ye to do the work for them. Xingge was naturally happy to oblige. So everyone chattered and discussed which branch to start with.

After finishing the morning court session that day, Jiu Ru was in his study organizing the day's affairs when he suddenly heard a commotion in the south courtyard. He realized that he had been so busy dealing with court affairs that he had overlooked this matter. The noise from the other side grew louder, and Zi Ying had disappeared. He had no choice but to take Mo Yi with him to see what was going on.

In the center of the South Courtyard, several freshly picked plum blossoms were already laid out. A group of people pointed at the plum trees, while Uncle Shen smiled silently to the side. Ye Xing stood on the stone table in the courtyard, wearing a light blue robe casually draped over his shoulders. His hair was not tied up, and a playful smile appeared on his pretty face, giving him an androgynous and otherworldly appearance!

"What kind of behavior is this!" Jiu Ru couldn't help but shout angrily.

Upon seeing the prince, the servants hurriedly took the plum branches they had already picked and retreated. In a short while, only Uncle Shen, Xingge, and the Zijuan sisters remained from the group.

Seeing that the prince looked extremely displeased, Uncle Shen stepped forward, apologizing and explaining the reason.

"Your Highness, good morning! Would you like to play a game today?" Seeing that Shen Bo was in a difficult position, Xing Ge laughed and jumped off the table to help him out.

"Good morning?! The morning court session must be over by now!" Jiu Ru turned her gaze to Xing Ge, scrutinizing the strange figure before her. "Director He?"

"Recently, the plum blossoms in the manor have been blooming in competition. Even the black plum tree in the Prince's east courtyard, which has never blossomed for many years, has opened a few branches. There is an old plum tree in each of the four corners of the inner manor. I would like to have a competition with the Prince. Starting from this courtyard, the first person to pick all the black, red, yellow and white plum blossoms on those trees and return to this place will be the winner."

What if you win?

“If I am fortunate enough to win, please grant everyone in the manor a three-day leave starting tomorrow. If I lose…” Xingge said seriously, his smile fading, “then I will answer Your Highness’s three questions truthfully.”

A smile slowly spread across Jiu Ru's face. "Okay!"

The Zijuan sisters didn't feel good at all. Although Young Master Ye was determined to help everyone get a rare holiday before the festival, how could a young man compare to the Prince's unparalleled lightness skill? Alas!

"Since I am a guest, I will choose the direction first. I will circle around from northeast to southwest. Would Your Highness please circle around from northwest to southeast?"

"Can!"

"Hehe! Then please be my witnesses!" Xingge laughed too happily, leaving everyone with a puzzled expression.

At Shen Bo's command, Xing Ge flew straight to the east courtyard...

Jiu Ru first leaped to the south corner to pluck a red plum blossom, then flew towards the west courtyard to pick a yellow plum blossom, and finally obtained a white plum blossom from the north courtyard. She still hadn't encountered Ye Xing. Had she overestimated her skills, or was there something amiss? Jiu Ru harbored suspicions, yet her steps didn't falter. Finally, as she neared the east courtyard, she saw Tian Qing's figure approaching, carrying a large bunch of black plum blossoms, greeting her, "Your Highness, what skill you possess!" Jiu Ru immediately sensed something was wrong! Ignoring Ye Xing's greeting, she headed straight for the old black plum tree in the east courtyard…

After the two flew away, the four people in the South Courtyard began placing bets. Three bet on the Prince to win, while only Zijuan, out of consideration for their recent close relationship, bet on Young Master Ye, determined to lose. Not long after, the Prince's figure swept in from the East Courtyard. The Prince returned first, so he must have won! Why is his face so ashen? The Prince slammed the plum branch he was holding onto the table, turning and staring intently towards the West Courtyard. The four looked at the plum branch—only three branches? Only red, yellow, and white! Where was the black plum? Without the black plum, wouldn't the Prince…? None of the four dared to speak, only glancing intermittently at the Prince's ashen face, then back towards the West Courtyard…

After a long while, and then another long while, Young Master Ye still hadn't appeared! It wasn't until the four of them were on edge from the strange atmosphere that they saw a 'plum blossom tree' slowly moving along the path from the west courtyard. This 'plum blossom tree' had a dozen or so branches of plum blossoms in each of four colors, and it also had the hem of a sky-blue robe growing from it. When the 'plum blossom tree' moved in front of them, a pretty, playful face peeked out from the side of a plum branch.

"I'm exhausted and have kept you all waiting!" Xingge placed the plum branches on the table and beckoned to Uncle Shen, "Come and see, are these enough for a vase?" Then she turned to the now ashen-faced prince.

"Your Highness is too kind!"

"Young Master Ye is indeed a man of extraordinary abilities! I have learned my lesson!"

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness!" Xingge actually smiled ingratiatingly.

Jiu Ru glared at Xing Ge for a long time, then turned and left in a huff!

Xingge turned around and saw the four of them staring at him in surprise. He could only laugh and stick out his tongue, "Hehe, I've stirred up a hornet's nest!"

Everyone was confused and looked at each other in bewilderment. Suddenly, Mo Yi's expression darkened: "Young Master Ye, you wouldn't have really...picked...picked that black plum tree in the east courtyard until it was bare, would you?!"

"I'm afraid so."

"That's the young master's favorite ink plum blossom!"

"So, you've really messed with the tiger's whiskers!" Xingge said with a smile, spreading his hands.

"Hahaha-----" First, Zi Ying burst into laughter, then Zi Juan also laughed so hard she clutched her stomach, shouting to the other three, "Quickly take out the money!" Uncle Shen also chuckled, but Mo Yi's face grew increasingly grim! He shook his head and left the South Courtyard.

"Uncle Shen, we'll have to rely on you for these three days off!" Xingge raised an eyebrow and looked at Uncle Shen.

"Young Master Ye is so righteous, I would rather risk my life to uphold justice." She then made a gesture as if she were ready to die for her country.

Unexpectedly, the usually composed Uncle Shen could be so humorous, and the two sisters burst into laughter.

Shen Bo sent someone to put plum branches in a vase and personally delivered the ink plum blossom vase to the study. No one knows how he said it, but in any case, the manor announced that afternoon that everyone would have a three-day holiday except for those who had to be on duty and would be given time off in lieu of leave! The servants spread the word that it was Young Master Ye from the South Courtyard who had asked the Prince for the leave, and they all praised him for it.

On her first day of staying, Xingge confessed to Zijuan that she was a woman. After more than a month of getting along well, they became extremely intimate, which made Ziying envious and Mo coldly glare at her. Ziying played around in the south courtyard for half a day before returning to the study in the evening to see her sullen master.

Ziying served tea to the prince, then stood quietly to the side with furrowed brows, pondering how to persuade her master to allow her to go out with her sisters the next day.

Looking at the usually lively and mischievous maid who was now up to no good, Jiu Ru thought of the laughter that had come from the South Courtyard after she left in a huff that morning, and her suppressed anger rose up again.

"Did you have a good time at the South Campus today?"

"I just went to learn a few new embroidery patterns," Zi Ying replied guiltily.

"snort!"

Seeing the prince's expressionless face, Zi Ying hesitated and asked timidly, "Does Your Highness have any important matters that require Zi Ying's service tomorrow?"

"Where are you planning to go for fun with those two from the South Courtyard tomorrow?" she thought to herself, cursing the two treacherous maids inwardly.

Seeing that her master had seen through her, Zi Ying simply acted coquettishly and said, "Young Master Ye said he would take my sister and me to the market in the east of the city tomorrow. Your Highness, please grant my request!"

"good!"

"You agreed too readily!" Zi Ying sensed something was wrong.

8. The Celestial Yuezhi

The next day, in the South Courtyard, Xingge and Zijuan waited for over an hour, but Ziying still hadn't appeared. They sent someone to inquire, but were only told that Miss Ziying said to wait a little longer. The sun was already high, and its warm glow made Xingge want to go back to her room and dream.

Suddenly, Ziying's aggrieved little face appeared before them, and behind her were two figures, one in a black brocade robe and the other in a light blue outfit.

"The prince said that Young Master Ye has been here for over a month and hasn't been properly entertained yet. He rushed back after the morning court session today to accompany everyone to the East City market," Zi Ying said softly, her eyes looking at Xing Ge and her sister with a wronged expression.

Zijuan was speechless with surprise, but Xingge smiled slowly and bowed to the prince with clasped hands: "Your Highness is too kind! I originally wanted to invite the two ladies to tour the east of the city, but since Your Highness wishes to host, I will gladly accept." He turned to Mo Yi with a sly smile, "Hero Mo, remember to bring enough money!"

Three riders and one cart, a group of five people, headed east of the city.

The East Market, also known as the East Market, is a place where all kinds of shops are located.

First, they went to the silk shop. Xingge, along with her two sisters, spent most of the day selecting and trying on colors, and the silk they bought filled half the carriage. Next, they went to the jewelry shop, where they did the same, buying all sorts of new hairpins, rings, and jewels. Then they went to the rouge shop, where they bought rouge, face powder, lipstick, and eyebrow gel. Zijuan and Ziying were thoroughly satisfied, while Mo, who was paying the bill, was twitching at the corner of his eye! Meanwhile, Xingge called the rouge shop owner to a corner...

"Your rouge shop is the best in the capital, why didn't you use any eyebrow gel?"

"The cream can only be washed off with medicine!" The shopkeeper's eyes professionally swept over Xingge's eyebrows.

"I bought it for my younger sister."

"Women's eyebrow shapes change frequently, so this eyebrow gel isn't suitable!" the shopkeeper concluded professionally.

"My younger sister specifically asked for it. Do you have it or not?"

"Young master, that Ningdai ointment is made from rare indigo stone from the Western Regions through more than 30 processes, including grinding, settling, washing, adding ointment, and boiling!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"Such a rare item, even if you order it, you'll have to wait six months!"

"You're talking so much even though you don't have anything to say!"

"Young master, our shop also has excellent eyebrow gel, no less than the fine-toned eyebrow gel. Take a look at this..."

Xingge had no choice but to settle for second best, paying the silver separately and tucking the eyebrow gel into her sleeve. Turning around, she saw the prince raising an eyebrow at her not far away. She guessed that the prince must have heard what had just happened. Not intimidated, she raised her eyebrows provocatively at the prince and turned to look for Zijuan.

After their stroll through the textile market, the five of them went to Linjiangyue, the largest restaurant in the East Market, and ordered a private room for their meal. The two sisters complained of aching feet and fatigue. Xingge couldn't help but think of Ruyi, another delicate woman with no martial arts skills. When it came to shopping, Ruyi could shop from before sunrise until the textile market closed... Often, Ruyi would be snapping up items with sharp eyes, while Xingge would be dozing off and carrying bags. It turned out that Ruyi wasn't just obsessed with making money; she was equally obsessed with spending it! She wondered if Ada could handle it. Memories of Zui Dongfeng flashed before her eyes. Thinking of the vain yet good-natured Ran, Xingge couldn't help but smile.

"Young Master Ye, are you thinking of an old friend?"

Xingge snapped out of her daze and looked at the prince who had asked the question. "Which old friend does Your Highness want to ask about?" He probably wants to ask the old fox!

"Everyone is very interested in Young Master Ye's old friends, so let's talk about them one by one."

"My past experiences have been rather unremarkable, but living in the Prince Qing's mansion has made things much more exciting, and I'm sure it will only get more exciting in the future." Xingge looked directly into the prince's eyes, thinking to herself that she was having a carefree time and that she could wait until she had had her fill of fun before making any moves. She was determined to help him ascend to the throne sooner or later, so there was no need to rush.

After lunch, they were supposed to go see a dance and a play, but Zijuan and Ziying were tired and insisted on going home.

"Then please escort the two ladies back first, gentlemen. I will return later!" Xingge teased.

"Mo Yi, you take them back first. Young Master Ye is a guest, and I, as the host, should make sure he has a good time."

Xingge and Jiuru left Linjiangyue together. Just as the waiter was about to fetch their horses, a rider across the road suddenly stopped.

"Brother Jiuru, is it really you?! What brings you here today, wafting you from your study chair?"

Xingge felt as if a light was shining before his eyes; what a handsome young man, as radiant as sunshine.

"Brother Hua Lian, where are we headed?"

"On my way to—oh, and who is this?"

Jiang Hua then noticed that standing beside Jiu Ru was an exceptionally handsome young man, his dark eyes, like the night, possessing a serene radiance. There was a strange sense of familiarity about him.

When the prince addressed the man on horseback as Hua Lian, Xing Ge immediately understood who the newcomer was. He simply waited quietly for the prince's introduction.

"This is my friend Ye Xing, who is currently staying at my residence." "Ye Xing, this is the Vice Minister of Works, and also the eldest son of the Jiang family, Jiang Hualian."

"My name is Ye Xing. I greet you, Your Excellency."

"Young Master Ye, there's no need for such formalities!" Hua Lian returned the greeting, thinking to himself that he had never heard of such a staff member before, and that he even lived in the Prince's mansion.

"Brother Jiuru, where are you headed?"

"The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was clear; we just came out for a stroll."

"If you two don't have a specific destination in mind, would you be interested in coming with me to the Craftsmen's Office to see a treasure?"

Jiu Ru and Jiang Hua rode side by side, with Xing Ge following behind Jiu Ru. The three riders slowly made their way to the Craftsmen's Office of the Ministry of Works in the east of the city.

"Brother Hua Lian, what treasure will you be rewarding me with today?"

"Brother Jiuru, have you ever heard of 'Rainbow Puppet Show'?"

"Rumor has it that the Yuezhi created the 'Rainbow Puppet Show' more than twenty years ago?!"

"Exactly! That set of puppets had been decaying for a while, but two months ago the Emperor suddenly said he wanted to see the play on New Year's Eve this year. Alas, that set of puppets was a gift from the Yuezhi to the Emperor to celebrate his birthday, and the maker is long gone. The Craftsmen's Office made one based on the original, but it just doesn't have the same delicate and graceful charm as it used to be! Time is running out, so let's go see if there's any progress today."

"The Yuezhi's craftsmanship is so ingenious that it cannot be imitated by ordinary people. His Majesty must understand this predicament. Brother Hualian, you can rest assured."

Xingge, who was following behind, was secretly alarmed. Could it really be that puppet show?

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The Yuezhi, as described by Jiu Ru and Hua Lian, were known as the "Celestial Yuezhi." Legend has it that the Yuezhi possessed extraordinary talents, possessing seven ingenious skills and the ability to master various arts, displaying unparalleled genius. Their ancestors, along with the Wang and Jiang clans, assisted the Sima clan in their rise to power. Later, despite the Sima clan's attempts to retain them, they insisted on retiring to the world. To avoid suspicion, they made a pact with the emperor that their descendants would never be involved in worldly affairs, and must not have any connection with the imperial family or officials. Furthermore, to maintain seclusion, Yuezhi descendants only possessed names, not surnames, and their skills were passed down only within the clan, never to outsiders. If a new member was born into the clan, it would be reported to the court for official supervision. Therefore, in the eyes of the world, the Yuezhi were a legendary "celestial" clan.