067

The garden where Yuan Zhaogong hosted the banquet was located outside the capital city, not far from the city. It covered a vast area with crisscrossing waterways, carefully arranged rock formations, and countless winding paths. It also frequently hosted Cuju (ancient Chinese football) tournaments or polo matches, catering exclusively to high-ranking officials and nobles.

The banquet in front didn't take up the entire garden, but some areas in the backyard remained quiet.

The maid led Qin Sang to a less crowded area. The guards all had to greet her when they saw her, and Qin Sang knew that this maid was no ordinary person in the princess's residence.

Qin Sang followed the maid further and further into the wilderness, until they arrived at a desolate lakeside.

The view here is expansive, nestled against the mountains and facing the lake; the scenery is quite nice.

In May, the thatch grasses bloomed, and white fluff danced in the wind, scattering across the lake like snow in winter.

Perhaps because it was too far from the main hall, the place gradually fell into disrepair, and it was never even remembered to be cleaned, so that withered branches and fallen leaves were scattered all over the ground.

After walking along the lakeside path for a while, Qin Sang waved her fan, looked around, and asked the maid, "Where exactly are you taking me?"

Just as I asked that question, I turned past a clump of reeds and saw a platform overlooking the water, with a person standing on it.

Tall and slender, dressed in a dark red robe and wearing a jade crown, he exuded a cool and noble air.

Qin Sang paused, and the maidservant had already gone to Bai Yiqing's side to report, then bowed to Qin Sang and left.

Bai Yiqing turned around, still with that calm and composed demeanor, as if covered in ice and snow, even her magnificent robes could not conceal the frosty aura emanating from her.

I wonder what this person has been through. It's human nature to love excitement; no one is born so cold-hearted.

Thinking this, she gestured for Lingding to wait aside, then stepped onto the dilapidated steps and went up to the wooden platform.

The platform here is dilapidated and abandoned, and should be neglected under normal circumstances. However, because two people who look like immortals are standing here, this place suddenly appears like a fairyland, as if it is radiant.

Qin Sang walked to Bai Yiqing's side. The sun was shining on her without any shade, and she felt hot. She took out a fan to barely cover her face and asked, "What does Young Master Bai mean by this?"

Bai Yiqing gazed at a pair of wild ducks on the distant lake. One flew away, and the other chased after it, leaving two long trails of water on the surface.

"Who are you?" Bai Yiqing suddenly asked.

Qin Sang was taken aback: "Huh?" In that instant, she suddenly felt that he was not just asking about "Qin Sang's" identity, but rather about her identity as the Fairy of Southern Melody.

"Hmm?" She felt inexplicably guilty.

Bai Yiqing didn't even bother to glance at her, and continued, "You came to the capital alone, yet you dare to think you can stir up trouble all by yourself? Isn't that a bit too delusional?"

With his last words, he finally turned his head and looked deeply into Qin Sang's eyes.

Qin Sang looked into his deep, dark eyes and felt an inexplicable pressure.

She took a step back: "What are you saying, young master..."

Unexpectedly, Bai Yiqing took a step towards her and said, "Wasn't what I said clear enough?"

Qin Sang subconsciously took another step back... but was suddenly grabbed by Bai Yiqing and pulled back.

His face was clearly so fair, but Qin Sang felt as if he were covered in black frost, and his whole being was as cold and sinister as a judge from the underworld.

Qin Sang smelled the scent of sandalwood, a fragrance usually associated with people who regularly worship Buddha.

The scent was originally meant to bring peace and tranquility, but at this moment, Qin Sang detected something else within it—a chilling, bloody stench.

She looked at the hand holding hers; it was slender and long, with distinct knuckles, beautiful, but it seemed as if it were about to crush her delicate wrist with its force.

Qin Sang suddenly tried to pull her wrist back, but the other person was too strong, and she couldn't break free for a moment.

"Young Master Bai...you're pinching me too hard..." Qin Sang frowned.

Bai Yiqing was taken aback.

Then she let go, turned her back, and said in a low voice, "Do you really think Xie Zhongxu is reliable? He brought you back as his adopted granddaughter because he didn't want you to stay in the Xie family. At the same time, he wanted to use you to find a better in-law for himself. You went to all this trouble to come here just to be someone's pawn?"

Qin Sang: "...??"

"If you don't want to die a horrible death, get out of Kyoto as soon as possible. This is not a place for you."

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable coldness.

Qin Sang understood that he didn't want her to get involved in the mess in Kyoto. So, he was concerned about her.

But they only shared a fish, so why should he care about his own life or death?

Qin Sang waved her fan, unsure how to respond.

Just then, a bamboo raft suddenly floated onto the lake, with several people standing on it.

"Brother Qing, what... are you doing?" Xiahou Yuan stood at the front of the bamboo raft with his hands in his pockets, frowning and looking at them in disbelief.

Seeing this, Bai Yiqing turned around and gave Qin Sang a meaningful look.

Qin Sang didn't understand.

She assumed he was signaling her to leave, so she bowed and left as he indicated.

***

She stumbled and struggled her way back, still unable to understand the meaning behind Bai Yiqing's actions.

They clearly don't know each other!

Could it be that he also fell in love with her at first sight and then fell even more deeply in love upon seeing her again?

Surely not? Such a refined and elegant young man, with such a pure and innocent appearance…

Next, Qin Sang obediently found Xie Wu and joined him in playing pitch-pot and ball games, drinking and eating.

In just half a day, Qin Sang's reputation had spread far and wide, and wherever she went, it seemed that people were talking about her.

"I heard that a beauty came to the Xie family residence today, and she even outshone Princess Fangfei! The two even got into a fight, it was quite a spectacle!"

"When did this happen? How come I don't know?"

"Oh dear, the news has spread far and wide. It's said that the woman is the son of an old friend of Prime Minister Xie, but I've heard that she's Prime Minister Xie's illegitimate daughter."

"No wonder he's so arrogant, daring to challenge Tan Wuyan."

"That's for sure. Prime Minister Xie is currently wielding great power. It seems we'll have another competitor. Sigh!"

Qin Sang then leaned closer and asked, "Competition? Compete for what?"

The young woman, unaware that it was her, whispered, "Young Master Bai! Which noble lady in the capital wouldn't want to marry Young Master Bai!"

"Ah...I see." Qin Sang covered her face with her fan. "But I heard that Young Master Xie Sui'an is more popular with the ladies."

"Him? He's alright, but he's too dissolute and womanizing. Young Master Bai is much better..."

Qin Sang secretly felt sorry for Xie Sui'an.

Bai Yiqing is cold-hearted and cold-faced; he's nothing like a good husband. These young women are so immature.

During the luncheon, thanks to the Prime Minister's blessing, the Prime Minister's family members were seated very close to the dignitaries at the main table, which allowed Qin Sang to get a good look at Princess Yuanzhao's face. Although she had seen her before when she came to pay her respects, she had kept her head down and had not seen her clearly at the time.

Having secretly observed her now, I can tell that Princess Yuanzhao is a delicate and graceful beauty, bearing a resemblance to Bai Yiqing. Although she has aged, she still appears young, elegant, and beautiful due to proper maintenance.

The prince consort was equally handsome and dashing, a rare beauty. Standing together, the two were a perfect match, a man of exceptional talent and beauty. No wonder he was born to such a celestial being as Bai Yiqing; tsk tsk.

Furthermore, the people at the next table were all descendants of princes and nobles, including a whole bunch of princesses, county princesses, and noble ladies. Qin Sang quietly asked Xie Wu about them one by one, and was deeply impressed by how the royal Xie family had ruled for two hundred years. They were truly deeply rooted and flourishing, with their influence spreading everywhere. There were so many princes and nobles that there were hardly enough seats at the three tables.

No wonder this country is not prosperous; there are too many people who hold positions without doing their jobs.

Because she had exerted herself too much in the morning, she quietly focused on eating during the banquet and did not speak casually.

Little did she know that she had already concealed her true abilities, but a close nanny of the princess suddenly came over and said that the princess had invited her.

Not only were the women at Qin Sang's table dumbfounded, but the women at the next table were also dumbfounded.

Who is this? Why is he summoned by the Princess?

Wang Huiwen wanted to get up and decline, but with so many people around, she couldn't refuse the princess. So she could only ask Qin Sang to get up and tell her to go and wish the princess a happy birthday.

Qin Sang had no choice but to get up and follow the old woman.

Upon arriving at the main hall, they discovered that Princess Yuanzhao was not seated in the main seat today. Instead, another noblewoman was seated there, wearing a phoenix crown and a scarlet robe embroidered with gold thread patterns.

Qin Sang's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but wonder about this person's identity.

However, when I came in to offer my birthday greetings to the Princess, I did not see this distinguished person.

If the other party is not intentionally making a fuss, but simply came to celebrate Princess Yuanzhao's birthday.

At this moment, the nanny introduced in a gentle voice: "This is Consort Xian from the palace."

Consort Xian, true to her name, was gentle and refined, with a very good temper. Yet, this good-natured consort gave birth to a son with a stubborn and unruly temper—Prince Ning'an.

She had just mentioned that no family members from the Prince of Ning'an's residence would come to give her an opportunity to make friends, and now this opportunity has come knocking on her door.

Qin Sang respectfully walked up to Princess Yuanzhao and Consort Xian and greeted them one by one. Then she heard the princess say in a magnetic and pleasant voice, "Raise your head and let me see what kind of beauty you are."

Qin Sang obediently looked up, letting everyone watch.

She had a high, straight nose, flawless facial features, bright, almond-shaped eyes with clear whites and black pupils, delicate skin like smooth cream with a slight peach-pink tint, naturally black eyebrows, and naturally red lips.

With her tall and slender figure, neither too plump nor too thin, she was a sight to behold. Even the most meticulously selected beauties in the palace, chosen every three years, could not compare to her striking presence.

The eldest princess had not noticed before, but was somewhat surprised when she saw it now.

She and Consort Xian exchanged glances almost imperceptibly, and both remained silent for a moment.

It was Consort Xian who spoke first: "What is your name?"

Qin Sang thought for a moment. Since arriving in the capital, the Prime Minister had never asked her to change her name. Even the elders and children in the Prime Minister's residence still called her Qin Sang, without any regard for her name. If others investigated, they would know the truth. She couldn't hide it, so she answered honestly, "Your Majesty, this commoner is called Qin Sang."

Consort Xian: "Which two words?"

Qin Sang lowered her eyes and said, "The Qin family has a beautiful daughter named Luofu. Luofu loves cicadas and mulberry trees. She picked mulberry leaves in the south corner of the city... that is the name Qin Sang."

"Her black hair is used as a cage rope, and cassia branches are used as cage hooks. Her hair is styled in a wavy bun, and she wears bright moon pearls in her ears..." Consort Xian smiled gently, "It is indeed a good name."