Chapter 43: The Pre-Banquet Turmoil
Liu Yiyi encountered a setback while checking the gift list. Although she was indignant, she became increasingly calm. She knew that Su Wanrou was not someone to be trifled with, and if she were to be too hasty, it would only backfire. Therefore, she diligently assisted Granny Li in handling the trivial matters of returning the Dragon Boat Festival gifts, acting meticulously and leaving no room for criticism, as if her "advice" that day had truly been a momentary lapse in judgment.
However, beneath the surface calm, undercurrents were still surging. Liu Yiyi turned her attention to another major event that was about to take place—the peony flower festival at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, which Su Wanrou would be hosting independently for the first time. This was not only Su Wanrou's first solo appearance in the capital's top social circles as the new Duchess, but also a crucial battle to consolidate her position and demonstrate her abilities. If she could make a major mistake in this matter… Liu Yiyi twirled the embroidery needle in her hand, a cold smile curving her lips.
The day before the flower festival, the entire Duke's mansion entered its final, intense preparation stage. Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and potted peonies were moved from the greenhouse and carefully arranged in the courtyards, pavilions, and flower-lined paths. Maids and servants hurried about, checking procedures, inspecting equipment, and confirming menus. Everything proceeded smoothly under the direction of the head steward, Gu Zhong, and several capable matrons.
Su Wanrou was extremely busy. She personally went to the kitchen to check on the preparation of the desserts for tomorrow's banquet, and then went to the storeroom to confirm that the complete set of official kiln porcelain and glass cups for the guests were intact. She even inquired about the incense and vases in the private rooms where the guests would rest. Although Gu Yangui had instructed her not to do everything herself, she knew the importance of this flower show and dared not slack off in the slightest.
In the afternoon, she had just returned to the main courtyard and wanted to rest and have a cup of tea when Granny Chen, who was in charge of the flower arrangement, rushed over anxiously to report: "Madam, something terrible has happened! There's been an accident at the greenhouse!"
Su Wanrou's heart tightened, and she put down her teacup: "What's the matter? Tell me slowly."
Granny Chen gasped, "It's...it's that 'Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond' pot! I don't know why, but today, when the gardener Old Zhao moved it out of the greenhouse to sunbathe, intending to place it in the main spot of the waterside pavilion tomorrow, he wasn't paying attention and it was hit by a tool that fell from the shelf next to it! The flowerpot is half broken, and most importantly, the main flower branch...it's broken!"
"What?!" Su Wanrou suddenly stood up, her expression changing slightly.
"Azure Dragon Lying in an Ink Pond" is an extremely precious peony variety. Its flowers are a deep purple, almost black, with ink-like hues at the base of the petals. Its unique shape resembles a dragon lying in an ink pond. It was one of the prized pieces she had prepared to use as the grand finale at this year's flower festival, originally intended to be displayed prominently in the center of the pavilion for distinguished guests to admire and appreciate. This potted plant was specially purchased from Luoyang at a high price by Gu Yangui and meticulously cultivated for half a year by the most experienced gardener in the mansion, finally reaching its peak bloom before the festival. Now, with the branches broken, the entire plant is ruined!
"Where is Old Zhao? How could he be so careless!" Su Wanrou suppressed her anxiety and asked as she walked quickly outside.
"Old Zhao was so frightened he almost lost his soul. He's kneeling outside the greenhouse begging for forgiveness. I've already questioned him. He was the only one in the greenhouse at the time. He said that when he was moving the flowerpots, a pair of pruning shears he usually uses slipped off the shelf and hit the main flower branch..." Granny Chen explained quickly from behind.
When Su Wanrou arrived at the greenhouse, she saw Old Zhao kneeling at the door, his face ashen, kowtowing repeatedly: "Madam, please forgive me! Madam, please forgive me! I deserve to die! I don't know how the flower shears fell down..."
Su Wanrou had no time to listen to his lamentations and went straight into the greenhouse. There, she saw the precious "Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond" plant placed on a separate shelf. The once graceful and budding plant was now leaning precariously among the broken pot wreckage. The thickest main branch, bearing the largest bud, was severed in the middle, held together only by a thin strip of skin—clearly beyond saving. Scattered nearby were pieces of soil and broken porcelain, along with a seemingly ordinary pair of flower shears.
She crouched down, carefully examining the broken shears and the fallen cutting shears. The blades were stained with fresh soil and plant sap, seemingly the culprit. But… Su Wanrou frowned slightly. The placement of the shears seemed odd. Old Zhao was a seasoned gardener, always meticulous in his work; all tools in the greenhouse had fixed positions. How could they have slipped so easily? And, precisely, hit the most valuable and crucial potted plant?
She stood up, her gaze sweeping across the greenhouse. The greenhouse was warm and humid; besides the "Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond," dozens of other peonies, prepared for display the next day, were all unharmed. Her gaze finally settled on the shelf displaying tools. The shelf was quite high; the pruning shears were usually placed slightly below the center. If they accidentally slipped, they would likely fall to the ground or hit the flowerpots below. To accurately strike the main branch of the "Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond" on the adjacent shelf would require a very precise angle and force.
“Old Zhao,” Su Wanrou began, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, “think carefully, when you moved the flowerpots, did you bump into the shelf? Or, did anyone else enter the greenhouse today?”
Old Zhao raised his head, tears streaming down his face, and tried hard to recall: "Madam, I was extremely careful at the time, and I absolutely did not touch the tool rack! As for others... the greenhouse is a restricted area, and normally only I and my two apprentices are allowed in. Today, both of my apprentices were sent to move other flowers, so I was the only one here. Oh... right!" He suddenly remembered something, "About half an hour ago, Chunxing, the maidservant of Miss Biao, came by and said that Miss Biao wanted to cut some peach blossom buds for a vase, and asked me for flower shears. I was loosening the soil for 'Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond' at the time, and my hands were covered in mud, so I told her to get them from the shelf herself. She took the flower shears and left without lingering."
Liu Yiyi's maid? Su Wanrou's eyes narrowed. Such a coincidence in timing? Chunxing came to fetch the flower shears…
"Which pair of flower shears did Chunxing take? Is it this one?" Su Wanrou pointed to the "murder weapon" on the ground.
Old Zhao squinted at her, somewhat uncertain: "There are several pairs of the same flower shears on the shelf, and I... I didn't pay much attention to which one she took. But she returned them quickly, so it must have been this one?"
"Returned so quickly?" Su Wanrou's doubts deepened. Did she really need heavy pruning shears specifically for trimming thick, stiff branches just to cut a few peach blossoms for a vase? And why did Chunxing borrow the shears precisely the day before the flower festival, when Old Zhao was tending to the precious peonies alone? And then, after returning them, an "accident" occurred?
Was this really an accident? Su Wanrou was almost certain it wasn't! Liu Yiyi's scheme had indeed come to fruition. Moreover, she had done it so discreetly, using a maid and a seemingly plausible excuse to create a perfect "accident." Even if investigated, Chunxing had only borrowed a pair of flower shears and returned them quickly; who could prove she had tampered with them? Old Zhao's negligence in causing the destruction of the precious flowers was an undeniable fact.
"Madam, what should we do now?" Granny Chen said anxiously. "So many distinguished guests are coming tomorrow, and they're counting on this 'Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond' to make a good impression! Now that it's ruined, where are we going to find a suitable replacement peony? This... this is going to be a huge embarrassment!"
Su Wanrou took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Panic wouldn't solve the problem; blaming and investigating the murderer could wait. The most urgent task was to quell the immediate crisis.
She looked at the dilapidated "Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond," then at the other peonies vying for attention in the greenhouse, and her mind raced. Finding a replacement of equal value was impossible; there wasn't enough time. Therefore, she could only try to mitigate or even reverse this disadvantage through the exhibition layout and creative design.
An idea gradually took shape in her mind.
“Granny Chen,” she turned around, her tone regaining its composure, “you need to do a few things right away.”
"First, clean this place up. This 'Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond' pot... carefully move it to the corner of the storeroom, pot and soil. Don't make a fuss about it for now, especially don't let Songhetang know that we have discovered and dealt with it."
"Second, go and move that large, low-legged rosewood desk from my study to the center of the waterside pavilion, the same spot where the zither table is usually placed."
"Third, bring out the set of Ru kiln porcelain basins in the sky-blue color after rain from my dowry, the largest shallow basin. Also, go to the storeroom and find some of the best Taihu stones and moss."
Granny Chen was stunned: "Madam, what are you going to do..."
A resolute glint flashed in Su Wanrou's eyes: "Since we don't have any individual rare peonies, let's create a 'peony bonsai'! We'll use multiple peonies of different varieties and colors, paired with rocks and moss, to create an atmosphere of 'flowers celebrating a birthday' or 'a beautiful landscape.' Although it won't have the preciousness of a single peony, it will be magnificent and unique! Go and do it!"
Although Granny Chen found it unbelievable, seeing how calm and decisive the lady was, she felt as if she had found a pillar of support and quickly agreed to do so.
Su Wanrou then said to Old Zhao, who was kneeling on the ground, "Old Zhao, get up. Although you were negligent in this matter, it's probably not entirely your fault. Now is not the time to pursue the matter; your chance to make amends has arrived. You are the most knowledgeable about flowers in the manor. Immediately select several peonies with beautiful shapes, complementary colors, and in full bloom, including famous varieties such as Yao Huang, Wei Zi, and Zhao Fen. Work with Granny Chen to ensure that this peony bonsai is completed before tonight! Whether we can save face depends on you!"
Old Zhao thought he would be severely punished, but to his surprise, his wife not only did not punish him immediately, but also gave him a chance to redeem himself. He was immediately moved to tears, kowtowed, got up and rushed into the flower bushes to start choosing flowers.
After arranging these things, Su Wanrou immediately returned to her study, spread out Xuan paper, and began sketching the bonsai. She wanted to put her ideas into practice as soon as possible, ensuring that Granny Chen and Old Zhao could accurately understand her intentions.
Just then, Gu Yangui returned. He had left court late that day, and as soon as he entered the mansion, he sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat tense than usual, so he went straight to the main courtyard.
"I heard there was some trouble at the greenhouse?" He walked into the study and saw Su Wanrou writing furiously at her desk, her brows showing a hint of fatigue, but her eyes were unusually bright and determined.
Su Wanrou put down her pen and briefly explained to him the destruction of the "Azure Dragon Lying in the Ink Pond" and her countermeasures. She concluded by saying, "...The matter was sudden, and I had no choice but to take this risky step. If the bonsai is successfully made, it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise and become a highlight of tomorrow's flower show. If it fails...it will be because I am incompetent and have tarnished the reputation of the Duke's Mansion."
She didn't mention her suspicions about Liu Yiyi because she lacked concrete evidence. But she believed that Gu Yangui would understand her unspoken meaning.
After listening, Gu Yangui remained silent for a moment. He walked to the window, looked at the busy figures of the servants in the distance, then turned around, his gaze falling on Su Wanrou's face, deep and unfathomable.
Just when Su Wanrou thought he would ask for details or express his concern, he simply spoke calmly and without wavering: "Since it has already happened, we should try to make amends. Do what you want to do. If you need anything, just tell Gu Zhong."
There was no questioning, no panic, and not even much comforting; only complete trust and support.
The tension in Su Wanrou's heart suddenly eased. A warm current flowed through her body. With him behind her, what did she have to fear?
"Yes, my husband." She met his gaze, smiled, and all her previous anxiety vanished, leaving only a do-or-die determination. "I will certainly not let you down."
Gu Yangui watched her instantly brighten, a barely perceptible hint of admiration flashing deep in his eyes. His young wife was even more resilient and intelligent than he had imagined. Faced with the sudden storm, she didn't cry or complain, nor did she shirk responsibility; instead, she quickly found a way to resolve the situation. This quick wit and sense of responsibility far surpassed many of her peers, and even some so-called matriarchs.
"Hmm." He responded softly, turned and sat down on a chair nearby, picked up a book, seemingly intending to stay there with her. "You go about your business, I'll read here for a while."
He didn't leave; instead, he chose to offer her the strongest support in this silent way.
Su Wanrou felt a warmth in her heart and said nothing more, burying herself back in the sketches. The study fell silent, save for the rustling of pages turning and their steady breathing. Outside the window, the setting sun cast long, intertwined shadows of the two of them.
The crisis is not yet over, and a storm may be brewing. But at this moment, a strange peace and strength permeate this small study.
Su Wanrou knew that she was not fighting alone.
End of Chapter 43
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