At the palace banquet, the Empress specially arranged for Luo Qingrou to perform. Luo Qingrou's zither skills were superb; her rendition of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" was profound and captivating, astonishing everyone present. The melodious music enchanted the audience. The Empress looked with satisfaction at Luo Qingrou, who sat gracefully before the zither, and then at the Crown Prince, who seemed to be listening attentively in the main seat, secretly pleased.
As the music ended, its lingering melody filled the air. A moment of silence followed, then erupted in enthusiastic applause. Luo Qingrou rose, gracefully bowing, her eyes gazing expectantly at the Crown Prince.
Just as this perfect atmosphere was about to lead to something, Lu Zheng's loud voice suddenly rang out: "Excellent! Well played! This music should only exist in heaven; how often can one hear it on earth!" He clapped vigorously, then changed the subject, "But Chengjing, don't you think this piece... lacks a bit of grandeur? It's not as impressive as the Jie drum I heard at the border a few days ago—that was truly awe-inspiring! Boom boom boom! The earth shook! I'll get a few drummers sometime to entertain His Majesty and the Empress?"
His crude metaphor instantly shattered the refined elegance of classical music. Everyone wanted to laugh but dared not, creating an awkward atmosphere. Luo Qingrou's smile froze, a hint of grievance flashing in her eyes. Xiao Chengjing's lips twitched almost imperceptibly as he raised his wine glass to cover it up: "Lu Zheng, watch your words. Miss Luo's zither skills are exquisite; they are truly comforting." That single phrase, "truly comforting," was polite and distant, and nothing more.
The Empress was so angry she nearly crushed the jade cup in her hand, her eyes practically spitting fire as she glared at Lu Zheng. Lu Zheng, however, remained oblivious, still smiling as he raised his cup: "Yes, yes, Your Highness is right! Miss Luo's musical skills are unparalleled! I'll punish myself with a cup!" He then tilted his head back and drank it all.
After several such encounters, the Empress finally came to a clear understanding of one fact: as long as Lu Zheng remained an impenetrable fortress, her meticulously planned "chance encounters" would forever remain just that—chance encounters—and could never be transformed into a "beautiful story." Looking at her son's face, which always maintained a polite distance from Luo Qingrou, and then at the extremely obstructive Lu Zheng, a deep sense of powerlessness and frustration welled up within her.
In stark contrast to the chaos of the capital, life in the Jiangnan courtyard was like a flowing stream, tranquil and fulfilling. Shen Yuewei's life revolved around two things: her increasingly lively and adorable daughter, Xiao Yue, and the thriving "Jinwei Ji".
Xiao Chengjing's carrier pigeons never stopped, sending a letter almost every three to five days. The letters were no longer written in a cold, official tone, but were filled with the tenderness and longing of someone from Jiangnan, like the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.
> Wei'er Qingqing:
> Seeing your letter is like seeing you in person. Autumn has deepened in the capital, and the falling leaves of the paulownia trees create a rather desolate atmosphere. However, every time I read your letter, seeing the fragrant osmanthus blossoms in Jiangnan described in your writing, Yue'er's smiling face, and the thriving business in your shop, I feel a warm glow in my heart, as if I are bathed in a spring breeze.
Yesterday, passing by the Imperial Garden, I saw chrysanthemums in full bloom and was suddenly reminded of a time in a secluded garden in Jiangnan, when you stood among the chrysanthemums, holding Yue'er in your arms, and said with a smile, "This is a magnificent autumn scene." That scene is still vivid in my mind; I wish I could sprout wings and fly to your side to enjoy the autumn light together. There are chrysanthemums in the palace, but they are too artificial and lack the vibrant life of the wild chrysanthemums of Jiangnan, and are far inferior to even a fraction of the smile on Yue'er's face in your arms.
> Mother has been making many arrangements lately. However, with Lu Zheng by her side, everything becomes a joke. Thinking of Lu Zheng's embarrassing attempts to sabotage things, although it's against etiquette, I feel a sense of pleasure. I only think of you and Yue'er, and my heart longs for them.
> How is Yue'er? She's starting to babble, has she learned any new words? I fondly recall the soft, warm grip of her fingers on my hand. Enclosed are a few new and clever toys from the capital, hoping to bring a smile to my daughter's face.
> The weather in Jiangnan is getting cooler, so please take care of yourself and wear warm clothes in the mornings and evenings. Although the affairs at the shop are demanding, you must also take care of yourself. Once things in the capital have settled down, I will travel day and night to fulfill my promise to meet you in Jiangnan.
> This letter was written hastily, and I cannot express all that I want to say. I only wish that you and Yue'er are safe, happy, and healthy year after year.
> — Written by Jing on an autumn night in Beijing
As Shen Yuewei read the letter, her fingertips traced the powerful, affectionate handwriting, and a gentle ripple of emotion stirred within her. In her replies, she would meticulously describe her daughter's growth: "Yue'er can clearly call 'Mother' today, her sweet, childlike voice melts my heart." "Yue'er absolutely loves the newly made osmanthus chestnut cake; her little mouth is stuffed full, like a little squirrel." She would also mention the shop's new developments: "'Jinwei Ji' received a small order from the Imperial Textile Bureau; though the quantity is small, it's a commendable one." "Scholar Zhou introduced several scholars with refined tastes, who offered some interesting insights into the new autumn/winter patterns."
Regarding the Empress's "arrangements" and Lu Zheng's "meddling" mentioned in the letter, she merely smiled, not delving into it further, and without a trace of jealousy. Her thoughts, like the clear autumn waters of Jiangnan, were crystal clear: her daughter's smiling face, the shop's accounts, the newly designed patterns, and how to prepare a calming sachet for the Crown Prince with the newly acquired Jiangnan herbs in her reply... This was her entire life.
As for Zhou Wenxuan, the scholar who frequented the shop and spoke with refined manners? In Shen Yuewei's eyes, he was no different from Manager Li and Madam Wang—all were important customers and potential business partners of "Jinwei Shop." Zhou Wenxuan's appreciation and occasional expressions of concern were like a gentle breeze brushing against the osmanthus tree, leaving no trace in her heart.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com