Lotus Banquet
...
This lotus-viewing banquet is truly not just for admiring the lotuses. Not only young ladies, but also young men from noble families want to join in, hoping to find a beautiful wife or concubine of equal social standing.
Xie Lingxi hid among the noblewomen, listening to their casual conversation. For example, the woman next to her was the younger sister of the Marquis of Yongyi's wife. She had never gotten along with her older sister since childhood, married a civil official, and had a sharp tongue that never stopped talking—
"Do you know how rich and powerful my good sister's nephew is? He not only managed to seize the poor young master's beautiful house, but he's also squandered the entire fortune of the Marquis's mansion!"
Another noblewoman chuckled, "Shuangniang, isn't that your nephew too?"
Xiao Shuang scoffed: "I don't acknowledge that nephew. That bastard's surname is Lin, and who knows whose son he is."
This is a secret. This lady came from the Xiao family of Lanling. Even Xiao Yin had to respectfully call her "Aunt." Lin Jun, on the other hand, was just a cousin's child. Because his family was addicted to gambling, he lost all his family property and even lost the three or four houses given to him by the Xiao family. He came to the Xiao family penniless and was chased away by Xiao Yin, who was only fifteen years old at the time, with a broom.
But her sister cherished this sentiment and not only treated her well, but even disregarded the prince's reputation, bringing her into the public eye for the past two years.
Lin Junxiao's parents were dissolute playboys who indulged in all sorts of vices, including drinking, gambling, and whoring. In her opinion, they were a disgrace to the Xiao family.
At this point, Xiao Shuang suddenly glanced at Xie Lingxi and asked, "Third Sister, tell me, which of my statements was slightly biased?"
Immediately, everyone looked at Xie Lingxi.
Xie Lingxi, who had just been adjusting the embroidery on her clothes, suddenly became the target of everyone's attention and looked up in surprise: "Ah."
"Yes, Madam Xiao's words are as good as gold, not a single word is wrong."
Xiao Shuang nodded arrogantly, "Since Third Sister has said so, it's clear how hateful this person is!"
Xie Lingxi had an excellent reputation in Chang'an. Upon meeting her, people felt that her family background and wealth were merely embellishments, while this intelligent, beautiful, and confident young woman was the truly precious and exquisite beauty.
Now that she's married to the top scholar, all the noble ladies look on with envy, saying, "Third Sister has looked much more energetic lately!"
The younger woman held Xie Lingxi's hand and said with a smile, "What are you saying! Even before you married, Third Sister was a crystal-clear water lily."
Xie Lingxi brushed it away, "Your sister's words are as sweet as honey!"
While everyone was enjoying themselves here, a grand drama was unfolding in another waterside pavilion.
On a bright, sunny day, square lanterns painted by skilled craftsmen hung in the pavilion, each adorned with a famous poem by a renowned scholar, and were mounted on a delicate wooden frame carved with lotus patterns, from which a few strands of pearls and jade were suspended.
Below, several young men sat by the stone table, elegantly picking up cold jade chess pieces and making a move with each peck.
Beside it lies a lotus pond spanning several acres, its red blossoms reflecting the sun, interspersed with patches of white like a river, exuding a delicate fragrance.
Amidst the playful antics of several young women, one of them inadvertently fell down. When palace maids and eunuchs pulled her up, her clothes were half-wet, appearing almost see-through.
Immediately, a young man rushed down from the pavilion, took off his outer robe and covered the woman with it, vowing that he would marry no one but this woman.
When the news reached Xie Lingxi, before the ladies could even set off to see what was going on, one of them angrily flicked her sleeve and stormed off.
The young lady whispered, "She is the mother of the woman who fell into the water."
Xie Lingxi looked at her in surprise, finding her increasingly familiar. "You are... Madam Zhang?"
Madam Zhang chuckled, "So you only recognized me now?"
This was the wife of Lord Zhang, whom Xie Lingxi had instructed Mo Shen to falsely accuse. Xie and Liu later invited the Zhang couple to their residence for a chat, firstly to apologize, and secondly to make friends.
However, Madam Zhang was unwell that day and left the banquet early. In addition, it was getting late, so she did not see clearly.
As they walked, Madam Zhang, holding her hand, said, "It really is a blessing in disguise. The Emperor realized he had wronged my husband, and because of his diligence in handling official duties, the position of Registrar of the Ministry of Rites happened to be vacant, so he promoted him."
Xie Lingxi said, "That would be wonderful!"
"Why do I feel like I've seen my sister somewhere before?"
Madam Zhang smiled and said, "Perhaps you haven't noticed, but when I was young, I visited the Cui family in Chang'an and saw you and Ayi there once."
Memories flooded back, and Xie Lingxi finally remembered, "You are the Cui family sister who taught me how to drink?"
Cui Qi nodded: "I have lived in the north of the mountain for a long time. I am the fifth child in my family, and my given name is 'Qi'."
I see……
Xie Lingxi never expected that two seemingly unrelated people, like wildflowers in the mountains, would still be connected even as they drifted in the wind.
As he spoke, he arrived at the lotus pond.
The young woman who had fallen into the water clung to her mother, weeping and refusing to let go. Meanwhile, her lover stood by, locked in a stalemate. Amidst their argument, the woman suddenly pointed at Xie Lingxi, her expression unreadable.
"It was this lady who taught me!"
"She told me that as long as Shenlang saved me, even if my father and mother disagreed, they would have to agree to the marriage."
Before she could finish speaking, her mother slapped her head hard. "What nonsense are you talking about? How could Madam Liu say such a thing to you!"
Xie Lingxi never said it, but wasn't Qixia just the one she schemed against?
Xu Lai's eyes darkened, she hardened her heart, and lunged forward. Her mud-covered hands grabbed Xie Lingxi's skirt, and she burst into tears, wailing, "My wife, how can you turn your back on me? You were the one who promised to help me find a husband, and you even told me in detail about the county princess and Lin Langjun. Because you spoke so confidently, I believed you..."
All that remained were soft sobs.
When those hands lunged at her, Xie Lingxi had a bad feeling. After hearing her words, which were full of veiled accusations, she realized that they were clearly coming for her. No wonder she had sent her an invitation, fearing that this good show might not be able to start.
Xie Lingxi didn't rush to step back. She quietly looked around at the onlookers and saw the elegant princess with her hair adorned with pearls and flowers smile smugly.
Yan Ying, it turns out it was her.
Today, she was unusually dressed up, her clothes several shades brighter than usual. However, the hem of her robe, embroidered with silver and red hibiscus, was now completely stained with mud, and a dirty paw was coiled on top of it. Xie Lingxi simply raised her hand and called out, "Chun Tao Chu Liu—"
Two maids hurriedly came forward.
"Let's go back to the manor."
After saying that, he raised his foot to kick the woman.
However, there were some sharp stones on the ground, and the woman was holding onto her clothes tightly. With the slightest struggle, she could tear the precious silk gauze apart. Xie Lingxi's patience ran out, and she said coldly, "Let go."
Xu Lai, feeling wronged and with tears streaming down her face, said, "My wife won't give me an explanation. She's made me lose all face. How can I leave?"
A murmur arose from the surroundings, as some young men and women quietly pointed at the ground and argued amongst themselves.
——
"Heaven have mercy! Seeing Madam Xu like this, I couldn't help but feel pity. Is Third Sister Xie's heart made of iron?"
"I don't think so. Such a disheveled state is beneath the dignity of a noble family! However, what Xu Lai said just now seemed to have a hidden meaning..."
"What do you mean by 'hinting at something'? It's clearly stated!"
"..."
Some offered criticism, others praise; Xie Lingxi listened to the crowd's hushed conversation and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The laughter, though cold and aloof, concealed an undisguised mockery.
Xu Lai, with sharp hearing and keen eyesight, looked up with tears in her eyes and asked, "What are you laughing at, my wife?"
Xie Lingxi slowly curled her lips into a smile, looking down at him, "What's it to you?"
These words effectively forced Xu Lai to back down from her later remarks: "Does my wife look down on my poor family and think she can be humiliated at will?"
She stared blankly at Xie Lingxi, probably never having been interrupted like this before.
Before they met, the woman's lips parted slightly, and her words were like a knife to the heart: "My lady, I've racked my brains just now, but I can't remember when I first met you. My smile is simply because I love to smile, and seeing this beautiful scene, it's just a natural expression of my feelings—"
"But you, why are you crying?" Xie Lingxi bent down and wiped away her tears. "Oh, these tears make my heart ache. According to you, you can get ready to marry your sweetheart tomorrow. You should be happy!"
"My wife!"
Xu Lai was startled when she touched Xie Lingxi's hand, and upon hearing these words, she realized it was clearly an insult!
She was about to say something more, but her mother forcefully pulled her arm—
The Xu family is considered a respectable and distinguished family, and today's incident has already made them look foolish, not to mention dragging the Xie family's daughter into this mess.
Even after getting married, this Lady Xie showed no intention of restraining herself. Not only did her family provide unwavering protection, but her husband was also a highly sought-after figure in the imperial court.
"Alai, come home!"
Before leaving, Madam Xu glanced at the young man, her gloomy expression speaking volumes.
After everyone left, the young men and women who had surrounded her slowly dispersed. Princess Yan Ying, supported by her maid, stepped forward, her face pale, but her cold eyes were smiling, and she said arrogantly, "You're always like this."
Xie Lingxi was having someone lift her skirt as she searched for a quiet place to change, annoyed. Upon hearing this, she looked up and said, "What is Your Highness saying? Lingxi is dull-witted and doesn't understand."
Yan Ying had anticipated her sharp retort: "It's alright."
She glanced at the mud beneath Xie Lingxi's skirt, which obscured the rosy patterns, and ordered, "Take my lady to change into clean clothes."
...
The person Yan Ying summoned was indeed very respectful, and didn't cause any trouble on the way, smoothly leading Xie Lingxi to a side hall.
"Thank you, madam, please."
This is a separate courtyard specially prepared for guests in case of emergency. The courtyard is lively and well-organized, and palace servants often walk around.
Behind the courtyard is a desolate garden, which must have been where the princes played as children. There are layered rockeries reflected in a dried-up pond, which gives it a rather desolate feel.
Xie Lingxi discovered that place by accident.
To be even more precise, she couldn't be called "the Empress Dowager," since she had changed into a light pink gauze dress in the palace but forgot which gate she had exited through. All the palace maids had vanished without a trace, and she stumbled out of a door by accident, eventually finding her way here.
The palace eaves, layer upon layer, are carved with golden dragons and colorful phoenixes, while the ancient and elegant brackets with their scrolling grass and dragon motifs below bear witness to the years of wind and rain that have ravaged Chang'an. A melodious song is already playing in front of the eastern hall; it must be the time when the Empress announces the banquet, presents lotus cakes, and the palace maids begin their music and dance.
Xie Lingxi was pacing around in the cold palace.
The houses here are often in disrepair, with dilapidated eaves, withered vegetation, and even birds and swallows refuse to perch on them.
She lifted her skirt and slowly waded across a patch of overgrown white ground, where she spotted a barely clean table. She was about to sit down and rest for a moment when, in a dizzying moment, someone grabbed her by the throat and pressed their entire body down on her—
"Who are you?"
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