Chapter 6: At the palace banquet for selecting concubines, Jiang Wan's lover turned out to be the eldest son of the current prime minister...
Yunyan was not far from the capital. Ever since Wang Yan disappeared again without a trace, Wang Zhen had not dared to relax for a moment. He rode at full speed and returned to the capital in a single day. Wang Yan got off the carriage and headed towards the garden. As far as she knew, they usually met in the backyard at this time.
"Father, Mother!"
"Be careful not to fall," Wang Zhen said, following behind.
Hearing her voice, her mother, Madam Li, greeted her joyfully from under the shade of the trees, "Aying is back. Did you enjoy your trip?"
Wang Yan rushed into his mother's arms, the weariness of his journey instantly vanishing. His mother always spoke softly and gently, like spring rain washing away the dust, capable of sweeping away all worries. Reflecting on his travels over the past six months, he realized it had been mostly within the Zhejiang and Jiangsu region. Although he had visited many places, he had spent most of his time in Yangzhou.
“Aying didn’t just go there for fun; she also helped her cousin a lot. But they were all small favors, so Aying didn’t have a chance to show off her skills.”
Wang Zhen came to greet the two elders, and Wang Fuzhi nodded slightly and walked over with a smile.
"Now there is an opportunity for our Ah Ying to show her skills."
Wang Yan's eyes immediately lit up, but her parents kept her in suspense, so she had no choice but to turn to her brother and tug at his sleeve, as she always did.
"Brother...could it be related to the coming-of-age ceremony?"
Whenever something might displease Wang Yan, it was always Wang Zhen who would speak up.
"The Hundred Flowers Banquet of Consort Shu".
Wang Yan froze on the spot. She knew it! Is it too late to go back to Yangzhou now... Back then, when she was sent to Yunxi Mountain to become a disciple, her original intention was to keep her away from the troubles and disputes of this place. Why did she have to be dragged into this quagmire now?
Madam Li comforted you, saying, "After all these years, it's time for you to show your face in public. Now that you're recovering from your serious illness, take some more time to recuperate so you can look your best on your coming-of-age ceremony."
Wang Fuzhi was always strict with them, and bluntly said: "Now that you're back in the capital, rein in your wildness. Do you know what to do at the Hundred Flowers Banquet in two days?"
Wang Yan also knew that being too prominent in the capital was not a good thing, especially since few people knew about her martial arts skills, so it was ultimately not advisable to make it public.
"Aying knows. In a couple of days, she will definitely let them see a frail and delicate daughter of a high-ranking official." As she spoke listlessly, her body became light and airy, so weak that a gust of wind could blow her over.
Wang Zhen, unfazed, helped her up, while her father and mother laughed beside them. Wang Yan lowered her head and walked slowly toward Yunqi Residence.
"My father doesn't love me, my mother doesn't care about me, but my brother is the best to me."
Wang Fuzhi looked at her with disdain, "Look at her, where is the demeanor of a lady from a noble family? You've spoiled her rotten."
"Spoiled by me? I wonder who it was last time who was bribed by A-Ying's sweet talk with just a few words and let her travel for half a year." Li Shi's calm demeanor was tinged with authority when she reprimanded someone.
Wang Fuzhi had no choice but to turn his anger towards Wang Zhen, saying, "You, as his elder brother, should keep an eye on him. Look at the state he's become!"
Wang Zhen, who was about to leave, had long since learned to accept the hat that had inexplicably fallen into his lap with equanimity.
Sang Xing and Juan Tao were already waiting outside the garden. Wang Yan returned to the house to wash away the dust of the journey, changed into a fragrant, capital-green brocade jacket with a hundred butterflies and intertwined branches pattern and a moon-white silk skirt, and was in a great mood before heading out.
Juan Tao hurriedly followed, "Madam, you've just returned home and haven't even rested yet, why are you going out again?"
Wang Yan put on the white veil she had prepared in advance, saying, "I heard that Rongjinfang has received a lot of Song brocade in the past two days. If you go too late, you'll only find what others have left over."
Rongjinfang was the largest fabric shop in the capital, renowned for its wide variety of styles and rapid turnover of new designs, and enjoyed a long-standing reputation among high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants. It was divided into east and west sections. The east section mainly offered high-quality fabrics at high prices and was located in a prime location with wide streets for easy access by carriages; the west section was a bustling market where ordinary households mainly supplied their fabrics.
Stepping inside after alighting from the carriage, one is greeted by a lively scene quite different from the outside. Most of those selecting fabrics are women—ladies, maids, and servants—the room filled with their sweet, melodious voices.
Wang Yan walked around the shop. Among the sample fabrics on display, she liked the brocade with lotus and vine patterns the most. However, when she found the shopkeeper, she was told that the only two bolts of that style left had just been sold.
"Shopkeeper, what's wrong?"
A woman walked towards them upon seeing this. She was graceful and dignified, with her hair neatly styled and adorned with pearls and jade. She was truly a model of a refined lady from the capital.
The woman stopped two steps away from Wang Yan, scanned her from head to toe, then looked at Juan Tao beside her, and immediately concluded, "This must be Sister Yan, right?"
Wang Yan rarely traveled to the capital, so she only recognized the names of these scions of noble families, but knew nothing of their appearances. She could only roughly judge from the person's clothing that he must be the daughter of some high-ranking official.
Shang Nianyao took the lead, smiling as she introduced herself: "Shang Nianyao."
Wang Yan slightly curtsied, "So it's Sister Nianyao. I've long heard of your exceptional talent and renowned reputation throughout the capital. Meeting you today, I can confirm it's true."
Shang Nianyao must have heard similar things many times, so he ignored her politeness and instead asked about her health.
Wang Yan smiled and said that everything was fine. He then casually said a few more words to change the subject. Shang Nianyao then looked at Manager Xu, who was at a loss, and asked about what had just happened.
"Madam Shang, this lady wanted to buy the brocade with lotus and vine patterns, but you've already bought the last two bolts..."
Without saying a word, Shang Nianyao readily took a bolt of cloth from his own hand and gave it to Wang Yan.
Wang Yan glanced at her again. How could this person be so familiar with her after only knowing her for a short while? Is this how all interactions between young ladies are? Just as she was pondering how to return the favor, Shang Nianyao added an inappropriate remark.
"However, I remember that Brother Yiheng never wore red..."
Wang Yan had no intention of making friends with Shang Nianyao. After offering a brief explanation with a forced smile, Shang Nianyao understood and left.
That's how this place is. When complete strangers meet for the first time, they already owe each other a favor.
Juan Tao smiled and said, "Perhaps Madam Shang thought that you were going to give it to your beloved husband."
Wang Yan was still puzzled. She had not appeared in the capital for a long time, and the Wang family did not have a deep relationship with the merchants. How could a young lady from a humble background recognize her? It turned out that Juan Tao had run into her a few times when she came to Rongjinfang with her brother to have clothes made for her.
Seeing that Juan Tao's eyes were darting around, as if she had something to say but remained silent, Wang Yan scolded, "What's wrong? It's only been a few months, why are you being so secretive with me?"
Juan Tao cautiously leaned close to Wang Yan's ear and whispered, "It's being said outside that you are the future Princess Consort of Wei."
When her brother brought her back to the capital, he had already guessed, but how did it become a rumor that she would be a princess? The favor of having a favorite concubine preside over the coming-of-age ceremony is more than just putting her on the spot; it's pushing the entire royal family into the center of a vortex! The merchant's wife is so enthusiastic, probably because of this.
Wang Yan glanced at her, clearly displeased. "Brother Yiheng... are you very familiar with her?"
Juan Tao quietly introduced Shang Nianyao to her. The current matriarch of the Shang family was not Shang Nianyao's biological mother, but was made the official wife after the death of the first wife. The rumors of Minister Shang favoring his concubine over his wife had been circulating for many years. The first wife only had this one daughter, and everyone secretly said that the Shang family's wife was not having a good time in the mansion.
Wang Yan disagreed. Even if Shang Nianyao was having a hard time, she wouldn't be reduced to a state where she needed pity. Perhaps her life was just as it appeared, not as bad as the rumors suggested. It was enough to see the side of her that she presented to the public.
"Why is that maid walking in front of her?"
Juan Tao craned her neck and glanced at her. "That's Rong Mei, the maid of Princess Yi."
Wang Yan asked in surprise, "You recognize Princess Yi's maid?"
Juan Tao replied, "She is Sang Xing's cousin's aunt."
The two were as close as sisters, so it wasn't surprising that they knew a few close friends and relatives. Wang Yan had spent very few days at home in recent years, and she was completely unfamiliar with the capital. Although Wang Zhen sometimes told her anecdotes and stories, giving her some understanding of the political situation at court, she still needed to understand the intricate web of the capital more thoroughly, lest she get herself into trouble someday.
Two days later, Lady Li escorted Wang Yan to the palace gate, repeatedly instructing her on palace etiquette along the way, fearing that she might say or do something wrong, or even her life wouldn't be enough to save her.
Wang Yan grasped Li's hand, "Mother, Aying can recite it perfectly. Don't worry, I will definitely not let you and Father down."
This was Wang Yan's first time entering the palace, and also her first time attending a banquet attended by ladies from high-ranking families. She had specially made a new outfit for herself. She had worn wide-sleeved robes very few times, which showed how formally her mother had dressed her today.
Madam Li was still worried and instructed Sang Xing: "Pay close attention to Madam's words and actions, and remind her often."
Sang Xing said, "This servant understands. Madam should also have more faith in the lady; she is very clever."
Wang Yan straightened her back and said, "Mother, listen, A-Ying is very clever."
Upon entering Huarong Palace, Wang Yan was led by the head maid Yuan Chun to Peilan Hall to meet Consort Shu. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he was then led by a palace maid to the garden.
"So alike, so very alike." Consort Shu was still staring at the palace gate, though Wang Yan's figure had long since disappeared.
Yuan Chun handed the tea to Consort Shu, saying, "Lady Wang is even more beautiful."
A slight smile appeared on Consort Shu's face. "Minister Wang is well-nurtured, but he's a bit timid."
"Your Majesty can discipline her in the future, and she will definitely not repeat the same mistake." Yuan Chun only dared to say these words at times like this.
Consort Shu put down the jade cup. "It was a lucky accident. His Majesty gave a mother a chance to save herself."
Yuan Chun straightened Consort Shu's clothes. "Your Highness has never blamed Her Highness. Her Highness is overthinking it."
"I hope so. Go and call the merchant's child."
Yuanchun went to the garden again.
When Wang Yan arrived at the small garden, more than ten young ladies from prominent families were already waiting there. Polite greetings filled the air; while some were close friends, few were truly acquainted.
Shang Nianyao spotted her first and greeted her with a beaming smile, "Sister Yan!"
Wang Yan indeed only recognized her, and he was probably happy to meet her here. She had already suffered enough in the Peilan Palace just now.
"Sister Nianyao, I knew I would meet you."
Shang Nianyao had expected her to come. "Is this your first time attending the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Sister Yan?"
Wang Yan said helplessly, "Yes, I've been sick for so many years, this is the first time. I'll have to trouble you to take care of me, sister."
"That's natural."
Shang Nianyao always greeted people with a smile. She then carefully observed Wang Yan for a while. Wang Yan wore a half-colored floral skirt, a light blue blouse, and a lotus-colored wide-sleeved shirt. Her hair was styled in the most fashionable updo at the time, except for a gold hairpin that seemed a bit out of place.
Wang Yan asked suspiciously, "Is there something on my face?"
Shang Nianyao's tone carried a hint of envy, "I didn't see your face last time, but you're so beautiful."
Her features were exquisite, her skin as smooth as jade, and her eyes as clear as autumn water. Her appearance at the beginning of her recovery was even more endearing.
The constant praise she received today was overwhelming. She hadn't appeared in front of strangers for a while, and couldn't even remember the last time she'd heard such compliments.
Wang Yan took her hand, "Shoulders like those of a sculpted figure, waist as slender as a silken thread—Cao Zijian was probably modeled after you, sister. Why do you envy me?"
Shang Nianyao blushed at her praise, "Look at your mouth, little sister, don't you even know where you are? How dare I claim to have the beauty of the Goddess of the Luo River?"
Afterwards, Yuan Chun took Shang Nianyao away, and soon many women surrounded her, wanting to befriend Wang Yan, their words filled with envy for her coming-of-age ceremony. Of course, there were also those who didn't come forward, whispering in the corner that she must have used some tricks, desperately hoping that Consort Shu would choose her as the Princess Consort of Wei.
Wang Yan had never hated her sharp hearing. Who wanted to be some damn princess? What utter nonsense! It was all so absurd. After finding an excuse to leave, she finally had some peace and quiet.
Just as Wang Yan was wondering when the palace banquet would end, he suddenly caught sight of two furtive figures. One of their faces looked very familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before...
Wait—no way, that person looks like Jiang Wan's lover. Wang Yan, confident in her eyesight, rubbed her eyes and looked again; she wasn't mistaken. Why would Jiang Wan's lover be in Huarong Palace?
The person beside him wore a dragon-patterned jade belt and was dressed as a prince. His unbridled presence here was undoubtedly that of Prince Wei. And standing beside Prince Wei was…
Jiang Wan's lover is actually Shen Minghuai, the eldest son of the current prime minister?!
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