Chapter 46 In the Cloud Garden
The first thing that catches the eye is a pair of butterfly-shaped accessories. The material looks like wood but isn't quite, possessing both rustic charm and exquisite craftsmanship, exuding a unique elegance.
Without even trying, a fragrance wafts into your nose. Like its texture, the scent is rich yet refreshing, as if a cool breeze has torn away the summer heat, leaving you feeling relaxed and invigorated.
“This is called a sachet. It’s said to be made from various spices. Your sixth sister learned it from an old Taoist priest who travels around. It’s quite popular in the capital now, and many incense shops sell it…” the old lady said from the side.
Qiuhe reached out and gently stroked the butterfly-shaped pendant: "Sixth Sister is truly intelligent and kind-hearted."
The old lady pursed her lips: "Don't praise her. She's just a country girl, she can't tell if someone is being polite, and she's wild and always running around wherever there's excitement..."
Qiuhe listened quietly to her grandmother's nagging, and suddenly a tear fell down her cheek.
She lowered her head, and the tear fell onto her clothes, leaving almost no trace.
The old lady paused, glancing nervously to her left and right.
Two palace maids stood in the small room, but thankfully their gazes weren't on them, which relieved me.
It's not that one can't be presumptuous in the palace, but a mere beauty like me doesn't have the right to be presumptuous.
For example, Consort Yu could command the wind and rain, and no one dared to speak against her.
"My beauty, look, isn't this fragrance pendant quite special?" The old lady didn't ask Qiuhe why she suddenly burst into tears.
Why ask? This deep palace is not what the eldest maid wanted. Several years have passed in the blink of an eye, and she has no children and no favor. Why ask about the bitterness she has endured?
"Compared to sachets, it has a unique charm." Qiuhe composed herself and smiled at the old lady. "It's so good that Sixth Sister is back. I still remember how cute and adorable she was when she was little, like a little dumpling, but she was very strong and often made Fu'er and the others cry..."
"Is that so? Grandmother had forgotten..."
The time spent together was always too short, and the room immediately became quiet and deserted after the old lady left.
Qiuhe stared at the pair of butterfly-shaped pendants that emitted a refreshing fragrance for a long time before speaking: "Keep them safe."
"Aren't you wearing it?" the palace maid asked.
"Put these things away safely; they might come in handy later."
Where could she wear it? Everyone in the palace knew that Consort Yu loved butterflies, and her hairpins, dresses, and other garments were often decorated with butterfly designs.
Upon seeing the pair of butterfly-shaped pendants, she immediately sensed that they would be something Consort Yu would like. She couldn't wear them, but perhaps she could use them to ask Consort Yu for help if she encountered difficulties in the future.
The excitement outside the palace belongs to others; the crisis within the palace is hers alone. Qiuhe raised her hand to press down on the corner of her eye, suppressing the surging hatred within her.
She hated her grandfather for using her to advance his career, hated her mother for not showing any affection for her, and hated her father for silently enjoying the benefits.
What's worse is her bad luck; she was forced to leave the emperor's harem at the most opportune age, leaving her to break off her relationship with her beloved.
It was a marriage that both families were happy to see happen, yet they indulged it, facilitated it, and then destroyed it. In the end, it's all in the past, leaving her alone in pain.
Qiu Heng was unaware of the loves, hates, rises, and falls within the palace. Choosing the butterfly-shaped incense pendant as a birthday gift for her elder sister was a deliberate act on her part.
She knew that Consort Yu, who could influence the emperor's mind, had a fondness for butterfly designs. If Miss Qiu were willing, those butterfly-shaped pendants could come in handy, giving her a chance to get close to Consort Yu.
The time left for Da Xia was too short. She was acting alone and could only sow as many seeds as possible, waiting for some to bloom.
There was no movement from the Yuan residence for the time being. Two days later, Qiu Heng received an invitation from Feng Caixing, the second daughter of the Marquis of Changchun.
Feng Caixing invited her to participate in the Cuju (ancient Chinese football) club's activities.
There are many Cuju (ancient Chinese football) clubs of all sizes in the capital. The Cuju club that Feng Caixing belongs to is called Yuantuan Club, which is the most influential Cuju club among noble ladies. The club president is Princess Rongning of the Prince of Fu's Mansion.
The carriage from the Marquis of Changchun's residence went directly to the Earl of Yongqing's residence, where Feng Caixing picked up Qiu Heng and headed to Yun Garden.
Yunyuan Park has opened up many fields for people to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football). The park is covered with lush green grass and tall trees, and there are even colorful canopies to block out the sun. It is the perfect place for Cuju enthusiasts to play in the summer.
“My sister is a little unhappy and doesn’t like playing Cuju.” Feng Caixing affectionately linked arms with Qiu Heng. “Princess Rongning knows we’re familiar with each other and specifically asked me to bring you along.”
Qiu Heng raised an eyebrow: "Does the princess know me?"
“I know,” Feng Caixing said, her lips curving into a radiant smile. “Aheng, have you forgotten how impressive you were on Dragon Boat Festival? Princess Rongning wasn’t there that day, but after hearing about it, she remembered you and told me she’d like to see you sometime…”
Qiu Heng listened with a smile, sketching out the image of Princess Rongning in her mind.
This princess, who loved Cuju (ancient Chinese football), is mentioned extensively in books; she was a tragic, lamentable, and respectable woman.
Yuan Chenghai instigated chaos in the southeast, prompting the Northern Qi to stir up trouble. The Great Xia proposed an alliance with the Western Jiang, who not only demanded a large amount of wealth but also wanted the Great Xia princess to marry the Western Jiang king.
The Great Xia had no princesses of marriageable age, and the women of the royal family were all in danger. Prince Fu took the initiative to share the burden of Emperor Jingping, and his daughter, Princess Rongning, was granted the title of princess and married into the Western Jiang.
Later, Xi Jiang broke the agreement, giving an even more absurd reason: she claimed that Princess Rong Ning was not the emperor's daughter. Enraged, Princess Rong Ning attempted to assassinate King Xi Jiang but failed and died tragically in a foreign land.
The carriage continued forward, and with the creaking of the wheels, they arrived at Yunyuan.
A group of girls were playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) under a colorful canopy, while in a wider area, men were chasing and running, playing Cuju.
"Princess, this is Miss Qiu Liu."
Qiu Heng bowed and said, "Greetings, Princess."
"No need for formalities." Princess Rongning had bright, lively eyes. "I've heard that Miss Qiu is a master of Cuju (ancient Chinese football). Would you like to give it a try?"
“Okay,” Qiu Heng readily agreed.
Princess Rongning flicked her toe, sending the ball flying towards Qiuheng.
Qiu Heng caught the ball steadily with a raised foot, juggled it a few times, and then executed a diagonal cross, sending the ball soaring high into the air. Amidst gasps of amazement, the ball landed and came to a steady stop on her foot once more.
Currently, there are two types of Cuju (ancient Chinese football). One is a competitive match between two teams, where the winner is determined by the number of goals scored. The other type is freestyle Cuju, which features more tricks, higher kicks, and is more visually appealing.
Everyone present loved to have fun, and Qiu Heng's skill level was immediately apparent after she showed off her abilities.
Even some members of the teams taking a break nearby noticed this.
"Whose family is that young lady from? She's quite the expert!"
"Hey, isn't that Miss Qiu Liu? Cui Er, do you think so?"
"Sixth Miss Qiu? The Sixth Miss Qiu who saved Prince Ling?"
"That's right, it's her! Cui Er, why aren't you saying anything?"
Cui Er, snapped out of his daze by a tap on the shoulder from his companion, coldly replied, "So what if it is?"
"Aren't you curious? A young girl was able to save the prince's heir, aren't you curious?"
"That is indeed a bit strange."
Another person said, "Actually, it wasn't called saving Prince Ling. I heard that she pushed Prince Ling away and fell into the hands of spies herself."
"Tsk, that's selflessly saving others."
A strange laugh rang out: "Saving Prince Ling, then it's not surprising."
"Ha ha ha ha--"
Amid laughter, Cui Er forcefully tossed the ball into the field: "The game is starting!"
Under the decorated pavilion, after a brief exchange of skills, Princess Rongning extended an invitation: "Miss Qiu, would you be interested in joining our Round Gathering Society?"
"It is my honor to join the society, thank you for your kind offer, Princess." Qiu Heng did not refuse.
The book records that Xue Han, the Imperial Envoy, was executed for murdering Prince Fu. After meeting the real Xue Han, she became very curious about the reason.
By taking the initiative to share the emperor's burdens and sacrificing his beloved daughter, Prince Fu's posthumous reputation is quite good.
After becoming a member, the other noble ladies treated Qiuheng more warmly, asking about Xiang Pei with smiles.
Qiu Heng showed the women the fragrant pendant she always wore.
"After seeing Qiu Liu's fragrant pendant, I realized that what I had been tinkering with at home was just a lump of mud."
"The ones I bought aren't good either. The incense sold in those shops looks okay at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they're too rough..."
"Not only that, my sachet, which I bought not long ago, has already cracked, and it wasn't cheap either..."
As they were talking, someone suggested, "Miss Qiu Liu, how about we exchange gifts to celebrate our acquaintance?"
"You're quite clever; Miss Qiu Liu only wears this one fragrant pendant!"
Qiu Heng smiled and said, "I just finished making some scented pendants. I'll send someone to deliver them to my sisters later."
"Okay, okay!"
...
As Cui Er competed, his eyes involuntarily drifted towards the decorated pavilion. He saw a beautiful young woman, as radiant as the autumn moon, surrounded by a group of noble ladies, and his heart clenched with sorrow.
Was it because Ling Yun, the heir of Prince Kang, rejected his marriage proposal?
Lost in thought, Cui Er didn't notice a ball flying towards him.
"Cui Er—"
Before the person who spoke could finish, the ball hit Cui Er on the head.
With his head buzzing, Cui Er hardened his heart: Damn it, I'm going to get to the bottom of this today!
(End of this chapter)
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