Chapter 12
On the day of the Shangsi Festival, hundreds of potted plants with newly blossoming buds were moved into Pingshan Garden. Palace servants came and went, taking care of everything in a proper manner. Tables were set up along the winding stream, and fine wine and new tea were served in front of the guests.
As the weather has gradually warmed up recently, Xie Qinghong changed into a light green spring dress, with a pearl hairpin tucked into her hair, swaying slightly with her steps. Unsure of the arrangements for today's flower-viewing banquet, she and her brother were led away separately by eunuchs as soon as they entered the garden. They were told that there were separate groups for male and female guests, and that they needed to choose a token before entering.
When she reached the women's entrance, she learned that the Empress had come up with a clever and ingenious idea: the ladies would choose a hairpin from a tray at the entrance to adorn their hair, while the gentlemen would choose a folding fan with a poem on it that would correspond to the flower on the hairpin. If they chose the same flower, it was considered a divinely ordained connection, and they should talk more.
Xie Qinghong arrived late, and there weren't many hairpins left. Her clothes were a light color today, so a pearl was most suitable; adding another hairpin would be too much. Besides, she wasn't sure what the male guests had chosen; what if she happened to choose the same one as the Hu envoy…
As she hesitated, Song Lingxi's voice suddenly came from behind her: "The lotus leaves stretch to the sky, an endless expanse of green, while the lotus blossoms, bathed in sunlight, are a vibrant red. Qinghong's light green dress would pair perfectly with the rose red, so why not choose this lotus? It would suit you exceptionally well."
Xie Qinghong was surprised by her familiarity with Song Lingxi. Last time they were so at odds, even if they wanted to maintain a facade of friendship in public, they shouldn't have spoken so intimately. She never hesitated to assume malice in others, and Song Lingxi's words must be getting back at her.
She glanced at the rose-red lotus hairpin and immediately understood Song Lingxi's scheme. The hairpin, made of finely wrapped silk thread, was exquisitely crafted, but its color scheme was rather unattractive; the overly bright rose was somewhat gaudy. Just the thought of wearing such a hairpin in her hair was enough for her to imagine how she would be ridiculed.
How could she fall for such a simplistic scheme? Xie Qinghong replied without hesitation, "I think this lotus hairpin suits you better, so I won't take what she loves." After saying that, she looked at the osmanthus hairpin on the tray, adorned with tiny pearls the size of rice grains, small and lovely. Brother knows that she loves osmanthus cake, so let's choose the osmanthus one.
Watching Xie Qinghong snatch her favorite osmanthus hairpin first, Song Lingxi immediately regretted speaking up first. But she couldn't snatch it now; several other ladies were already choosing hairpins, and she didn't want to be left with a lotus hairpin! Glancing hastily at the tray, she picked up a hibiscus hairpin and put it in her hair. Oh well, since she couldn't get close to Xie Qingzhou, she'd pursue a side quest; the hibiscus-related young master from the Zhong family was also a good option.
Xie Qinghong only realized upon entering the garden that today was a true flower-viewing feast. Flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, and young women's skirts trailed among the blossoms, their faces more beautiful than the flowers themselves. She cautiously stood still for a moment, and sure enough, her brother quickly found her, exclaiming, "Ah Yao, what are you wearing in your hair? Osmanthus! Hahaha, I knew it! Luckily I managed to snatch this folding fan; that brat Zhong Yu tried to take it from me earlier."
Although the sunlight was warm, it wasn't the right time to use a folding fan. It looked rather comical that he was holding it in his hand to fan himself.
"Come on, let your brother take you to fly a kite. I just saw a swallow kite over there. Don't let someone take it first." Xie Qingzhou had already received instructions from his parents. They didn't expect him to go on a blind date today. They just wanted him to keep an eye on his sister and make sure nothing happened to her. This was no big deal. He could just take Ayao to play.
Just as the swallow kite took off, it was struck by a peacock kite next to it. The strings got tangled together by the wind, and after struggling for a few moments, they both fell and got caught on the treetops not far away.
Xie Qinghong frowned slightly. When she arrived at the accident scene, she found that the person who released the peacock was Pei, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. Beside Pei Du was a woman wearing a pink floor-length dress, who was Qin Yu, the granddaughter of Zong Zhengqing, and also the younger sister of Qin Erlang Qin Zheng.
Xie Qinghong understood. It seemed that His Majesty had already chosen a suitable wife for the Prince of the South. Well, Buddha said that her heart was not sincere.
When Qin Yu saw that it was the two of them, the corners of her mouth turned down slightly, and she asked unhappily, "Why did you fly the kite?"
A palace maid was running around to put it down for her. Seeing this, she hurriedly said she would go get a bamboo pole to take it down, but Qin Yu refused: "It will probably be damaged even if I take it down. I want to go and choose a new one." As she spoke, she walked away with the palace maid, while Pei Du remained standing in the same spot without moving.
Xie Qingzhou stepped forward and struck up a conversation with him: "Your Highness, the 'Peach Blossoms in Full Bloom' on this fan is quite fitting for the occasion." In fact, he was finally relieved. It seemed that His Majesty intended to arrange a marriage between the Imperial Clan Court and the Prince of Nan's Mansion, so there was naturally no need for other girls.
Pei Du's folding fan was made of ebony, which made his hands appear long, slender, and jade-like. Hearing this, he fanned himself and said, "If Xie Erlang likes it, why don't we switch?"
Xie Qingzhou quickly gave him a wink, indicating that her younger sister was listening right behind her and she couldn't change the subject. Pei Du understood and changed the subject: "That sword match last time..."
Xie Qinghong couldn't stand it any longer and stood up for his brother: "Last time, my brother underestimated his opponent. If you want to compete in swordsmanship, compete with my brother, my brother..."
Before he could finish speaking, someone interrupted him: "Exceptional swordsmanship?"
Xie Qinghong choked for a moment, then continued as if nothing had happened: "My elder brother is extremely learned and skilled in both literature and martial arts; you certainly can't compare to him."
Pei Du pretended to ponder, then pointed to the kite on the treetop and deliberately said, "I can take the kite down from the tree without a bamboo pole, can your brother do that?"
“My brother isn’t here,” Xie Qinghong turned to look at her brother, “but my brother can do it too! Brother, isn’t that right?”
"Ancestor, you've spoken, how could I dare to disagree?" Xie Qingzhou smiled at Pei Du: "You promised to make me look powerful this time, don't go back on your word."
But before he could convey his meaning, Pei Du leaped up the tree in a few steps, stood easily on a branch, stretched out his arm and plucked the swallow kite from the leaves, then nimbly jumped down, slightly bent over and handed the kite to Xie Qinghong, his voice tinged with laughter: "Am I still better?"
Xie Qingzhou: ?
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