Chapter 23 Until the birthday banquet ended, he didn't...
The Crown Prince was actually going to hold a birthday banquet for his wife, and as soon as the news came out, many high-ranking officials and nobles rushed to attend.
However, Jiang Shuifu didn't want so many unimportant people, and she didn't even want to invite the prince's wife. For her, the most important thing was that she was happy at her birthday banquet.
Shen Jizhao followed her lead, refusing many invitations, and finally only inviting elders who were on good terms with her father and her close friends whom she hadn't played with in ages.
She wanted to rejoin them. Although she was the Crown Princess, she was also herself. She shouldn't be forced to sever ties with them because of a man and numerous rules.
Previously, the Crown Princess's world consisted only of the Eastern Palace, so she didn't have time to visit them. It was normal for a woman to only have her husband's family after marriage, so they didn't dare to disturb her.
Jiang Shuifu had made all the arrangements perfectly, but although her father had sent word that he would rush to her birthday banquet, he had not yet shown up. The birthday banquet was tomorrow.
Will he come?
Unaware of her own situation, she secretly hoped that her father would come, for he had never lied to her before; if he said he would come, he would always come.
Shen Jizhao lay contentedly beside her. He had eaten his fill again tonight, while her hands and heart were weary. He rewarded her with:
"I should be fine tomorrow, so the Crown Princess need not worry. How would the Crown Princess like to spend tomorrow?"
Jiang Shuifu disliked his arrogant demeanor. His words and actions revealed a sense of charity. She should be grateful that he was alright, and that his presence was a favor to him.
Moreover, he asked her how she was going to live, even though he was the one who initiated it.
He only needed to gather people to prepare the banquet, and then he became a hands-off manager, unaware of all the details.
The next day, the sun shone brightly and the sky cleared. Countless tiny petals, some pink and some white, drifted down from the trees throughout the East Palace, creating a dazzling spectacle, as if celebrating her birthday and wishing her a happy birthday.
Jiang Shuifu also changed into a bright red brocade dress with ancient patterns and flowers, and greeted the guests.
The Eastern Palace welcomed a group of new faces, including her uncle who had watched her grow up and the lady who often brought her pastries. She was very kind to them all.
"The Crown Princess has finally overcome all her hardships. Today, we will indulge ourselves and have a big one. Your uncles will be proud of your father."
"May everything go smoothly for the Crown Princess from now on, may she and the Crown Prince live in harmony and happiness, and may she give birth to a son soon."
The change in the officials could be seen in the banquet that the Crown Prince held for Jiang Shuifu. If there were no feelings involved, why would he go to such lengths to hold a banquet? It was just an ordinary birthday celebration, not some grand birthday banquet. He could have celebrated it however he wanted.
So everyone said some nice things, from the bottom of their hearts. Even though these were all congratulations and kind words, her eyes froze for a moment.
Shouldn't we wish her to become more and more beautiful every year? Why does every word and sentence revolve around him?
A short while later, Jiang Shuifu met several close friends from her boudoir. Their eyes betrayed their awkwardness and unease as they bowed to her with full courtesy, which she refused. Instead, she lifted them up.
"Will you still welcome me? Can Shuifu still play polo with you?"
The surprise in their eyes was very obvious. "Your Highness is joking."
Jiang Shuifu shook her head: "I'm not the Crown Princess, just your friend. Do you remember I owe you a polo match?"
Their eyes darkened. There was a grand polo match scheduled shortly after Jiang Shuifu's coming-of-age ceremony. It had been arranged long ago, but after Shen Jizhao gave her a coming-of-age gift, she was very happy and chose a day to go to the palace to ask the emperor to let her become a candidate for the crown princess.
Unfortunately, the polo match was moved to the same day, and she missed their appointment. Now she wants to seek their forgiveness again.
"There will be a polo match at the Princess's banquet in two weeks. May we join her?"
The acquaintance hesitated and nodded, but her eyes still held a hint of unfamiliarity and trepidation.
The banquet officially began, with a continuous stream of dishes, so many that the table couldn't hold them all.
However, none of the guests dared to touch their chopsticks, because the Crown Prince had not yet arrived. It was his territory, and they dared not touch anything without his presence.
Not only did Shen Jizhao not come, but Jiang Sheng also didn't come. Jiang Shuifu searched around but couldn't find any trace of them.
With lunchtime approaching, she could only raise her glass to toast everyone:
"Please eat first, everyone. Today is Fu'er's birthday banquet. Fu'er thanks everyone for taking care of me over the years. Fu'er will never forget your kindness. Today, there are no ministers or the Crown Princess, only this hall full of laughter and clinking wine glasses. Fu'er will first toast everyone!"
Upon hearing Jiang Shuifu's words, the guests who were seated no longer hesitated and picked up their wine glasses to drink in one gulp, but they were still hesitant to take their seats.
Although the banquet was for Jiang Shuifu, the person behind it was Shen Jizhao, whose status was extremely noble.
Since the host was not present, these officials dared not overstep their bounds and could only make small talk and laugh to get through it.
Jiang Shuifu sighed inwardly at the scene. It was supposed to be her birthday, but his rules were everywhere. Could she not celebrate her birthday if he didn't come?
She just wouldn't believe it:
"It's Fu'er's birthday, and I want everyone to enjoy themselves as well. Fu'er has been the one who organized this banquet. Everyone here has watched or grown up with Fu'er, so I can't possibly neglect you all today, can I?"
The women who were close friends were all young and couldn't bear to go hungry. They started arguing and fussing and began eating directly from the table, and their mothers couldn't stop them.
With someone taking the lead, the guests were not only moved, but also temporarily forgot the rules and began to eat.
After all, what she said was true. Their relationship with her was not only that of subjects and the Crown Princess, but also that of companions for many years. Since she did not mind, they could not spoil her mood.
As they ate, their feelings naturally developed:
"Does Your Highness remember? Back then, you were just a tiny little thing, running to my house every day. I loved you so much. You were such a cute little thing, all fair and round, and your smile was so sweet it warmed my heart. Later, when you were sent to Jiangnan, I kept asking when you would come back!"
"I remember, I remember. Back then, Fu'er's favorite food was your white jade crispy dumplings. She was really shameless back then, and she would come over every day to snatch food from you."
Jiang Shuifu shook her head, recalling her childhood self, just like now, greedy for food.
"You've grown up in the blink of an eye. When you were little, you always complained that you didn't want to get married. If anyone teased you about it, you would get angry. I never thought that you would get married so early and so well!"
Indeed, she married young. Jiang Shuifu never expected that she would meet Shen Jizhao. If she hadn't met him, she really wouldn't have married so soon after reaching marriageable age, and her father even wanted her to stay with him.
As for marrying well? That's what she always thought. How could marrying the person you love not be considered marrying well?
But time will slowly reveal the truth. She is not sure now what it means to marry well.
For the first three years, she and Shen Jizhao lived separate lives. Rather than being respectful to each other, it was more like a vast and deep divide between them. She had always tried to cross the river, but now she realized that since this boundary already existed, she could not cross it no matter what.
Moreover, she shouldn't overstep her bounds, shouldn't interfere, and there's no need for it. The best approach is to ignore it like he does, letting everything take its natural course.
Half a day has passed since the birthday banquet, but two seats are still missing.
Father probably won't make it in time. The journey is long, and even if he rides at top speed, he might not be able to get back in time. Shen Jizhao... he must be busy.
I had time to plant seeds with her yesterday, but today she's completely disappeared.
Pan Tao knew how happy Jiang Shuifu was today, but the person she cared about most was not present. She advised, "Should we send someone to ask? The Crown Prince wouldn't be absent without a reason."
That's just how he is. Even though he knows she's waiting for him, even though he knows it's her birthday today, even though he knows what he promised her, he doesn't even have time to send someone to tell her.
This was typical of him. She shook her head, not wanting to say anything more, and only softly uttered two words: "Never mind."
So what if he sent someone? He would only subtly or overtly remind her not to overstep her bounds.
It's meaningless.
Even if he really doesn't come, does that mean she won't celebrate her birthday? Can't she celebrate her birthday properly? Why should she depend on him?
After the luncheon, Jiang Shuifu arranged for tea tasting, flower viewing, music listening, opera watching, pitch-pot, and kite flying.
The guests split into two groups, with the older guests preferring to go to the octagonal pavilion to enjoy tea and admire the flowers, leisurely basking in the beautiful autumn scenery.
Jiang Shuifu also watched for a while; today's story was "The Abandoned Queen".
"Sanlang, if you abandon me today, I will move to another village and make sure you never see me and the child again! You have a future, but you don't necessarily have to go to the capital!"
"Your Highness, why are you doing this to yourself? I'm going to take up a high-ranking official post. How can I accomplish great things if I don't go to the capital? I will come back for you!"
"Sanlang, we've been married for so long. Now that you're gone, will you really come back? Will you still be the Gou Dan I've known since childhood?"
This play tells the story of a young couple, a man and a woman, who were originally happy. However, the man wanted to make a name for himself and took the imperial examination. The woman thought that she could become a minor official, so she helped support the family by subsidizing the man's studies.
But who would have thought that after the man passed the imperial examination, he would say that he wanted to go to the capital to become a high-ranking official? The woman knew that people's hearts were fickle, so she resolutely asked the man to make a decision: whether to go or not, whether to go alone or with his family.
The opera paused for a moment, and the woman watching couldn't help but urge, "And then what happened? And then what happened? You can become an official without going to the capital! What did he choose?"
The middle-aged man in the pavilion spoke without the slightest hesitation: "Is there any need to say more? Can officials in the capital be compared to local officials?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Sanlang on the stage reluctantly abandoned Wang Niang: "Alright, Wang Niang, I believe that one day you will come to your senses."
The words had barely left his lips when the result was announced. The middle-aged man scoffed dismissively, as if he were the one playing a role in the drama.
The later outcomes all came true. The man initially kept himself pure and upright, but gradually he became overwhelmed by the pressures of officialdom and ended up getting close to the daughters of powerful and wealthy people.
But he remembered his promise to Wang Niang. He didn't want to betray her, nor did he want to prove her right. So he went to find her, only to find that she had left, taking the child with her, leaving without a trace and without giving him any clues.
Then he married the daughter of a powerful man, rose through the ranks, and lived a happy and peaceful life. He would think of his first wife from time to time. More than ten years later, the daughter of the powerful man died.
Someone asked, "Does he want to reconcile with Wang Niang? He still has feelings for her, and besides, he has a child! With his current power, marrying her again wouldn't be a problem; it just depends on whether she's willing to marry him!"
The middle-aged man was confident. He didn't know the woman, but he was certain the man in the play wouldn't go looking for his ex-wife.
“His abandonment of his first wife and remarriage is giving the enemy of the court a handle to use against him. He has come this far step by step, and the desire to seek advantage and avoid harm is ingrained in his bones. Moreover, he does not want to see a woman who witnessed his miserable youth and remind him of how incompetent he was in the past.”
The discussion ended, and the opera continued. Indeed, the man had no intention of reconciling with Wang Niang, and the reason was much the same as what the middle-aged man had guessed.
The man found the woman, who had remarried and was living happily. Her husband treated her and their child very well.
He apologized to Wang Niang: "I admit you're right. I chose my future and considered the consequences, but I still did it anyway. Wang Niang, I'm sorry, but that's just who I am."
Wang Niang smiled and said, "We are just not compatible. We each chose the path we wanted to take. Everything can be summed up in seven words: 'Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.'"
She wanted a comfortable life, hoping he would simply be a lowly official with no worries about food or drink. He, however, desired a bright future and to rise above others. They were both selfish, and they both got what they wanted, so they were destined to separate.
The man's gaze softened: "Could you call me Sanlang again?"
Lady Wang granted his request: "Sanlang, please go ahead."
In the end of the opera, the man remarries, and his obsession with women gradually fades away. He has many children and grandchildren, and never thinks of his first wife from his youth again.
After the song ended, Jiang Shuifu remained silent, her eyes fixed on the music, unable to recover for a long time.
This opera is very realistic. Men always prioritize power, while women always prioritize emotions and life.
A man can easily remarry after losing his first wife. Although he may have some regrets, he doesn't feel any deep remorse. For him, a woman is just a piece of clothing; if he loses her, he can simply replace her. He won't remain faithful to one woman forever.
What's most surprising is the woman's decisiveness, her ability to leave without hesitation, and her courage to start over.
Jiang Shuifu admired him greatly.
She couldn't help but connect it to herself. In fact, she had long seen through it all. She and Shen Jizhao were on different paths and were not on the same road.
Like Sanlang in the play, Shen Jizhao only wants power and status. To be precise, all men in the world are like Sanlang. Faced with power, they can make the same choice without hesitation. They have no shortage of women.
However, Jiang Shuifu lacked Wang Niang's courage and decisiveness, and only had deep love and a willingness to compromise for him.
Sanlang and Wangniang also had happy times. Their common goal at that time was to live a good life together and pass the imperial examination. They went through the most difficult times together, but things still changed and they separated just like that.
However, she and Shen Jizhao never shared a common goal.
They were scattered from the very beginning.
At this moment, a well-trained footstep came from the East Palace. The footsteps were powerful, fast, and urgent, as if something urgent had happened.
It was Jin Qing. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Jiang Shuifu and said:
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has been delayed by some business and will arrive later."
His voice was loud enough that the guests naturally heard it.
Now, the East Palace became completely lively. Everyone straightened their robes, paying close attention to their words and actions, glancing outside from time to time. They showed even more respect for Jiang Shuifu, with the women pulling her aside to reminisce and follow her lead in conversation, praising her to the highest esteem.
Jiang Shuifu suddenly got up, feeling a bit tired. The women didn't dare stop her, so she left and went to play pitch-pot with the young woman.
Every step she took felt like walking on a lonely iceberg, where one wrong step could cause it to collapse, but she still bravely reached her destination.
"Didn't win again! I don't believe it, let's try again!"
"No, no, each person only has one chance, you're doomed to lose."
This time, the pitching game was divided into two teams. The team that her best friend was on was about to lose unless they could throw five arrows in at once. This game was too difficult, but it would win them outright.
"You do it, your technique is more precise."
"Come on, you call it accuracy if you miss the handle of the pot three out of five times?"
The women looked at each other, unsure of who to send into battle.
"I'll do it!"
Jiang Shuifu took the initiative to fight.
Everyone was stunned by her appearance. Before they could even pay their respects, she struck. In the blink of an eye, all five arrows hit their mark, leaving only the size of a copper coin at the mouth of the pot.
She clapped her hands, a smile playing on her lips, and for a fleeting moment, she seemed to have returned to her former flamboyant self:
"Don't forget to call me next time you play games, I'll carry you to victory!"
The young woman always made up easily. Her close friends nodded in agreement. There was no way around it; she was just too good at games, and they couldn't lose such a capable and invincible ally.
Jiang Shuifu had a great time all afternoon, and Pan Tao was also giggling along, but Shen Jizhao hadn't arrived yet.
He sent word at noon that he would come over, but now the birthday banquet is almost over.
He could have simply stayed out of the way, thus denying the guests any hope and allowing them to take their seats with a clear conscience. Instead, he chose to make a high-profile absence, which completely disrupted Jiang Shuifu's banquet.
If the midday feast was barely held, the afternoon was completely silent.
Since Shen Jizhao had said he would come, and he didn't show up, everyone sat up straight.
Jiang Shuifu was also seated at the head of the table. She knew they wouldn't listen to her this time, even though she was the main character today and she was the one with whom they had a relationship.
At this point, all she could do was wait with them; the people they sent couldn't find him and had no way to make a move.
Her back was straight, and her face was normal, only her gray eyes revealed a hint of fatigue and helplessness.
Her birthday celebration didn't seem as happy as she had imagined; it turned out that no matter how many people were around, it couldn't bring back the joy of those days.
As dusk fell, Jiang Shuifu suddenly stood up and walked out of the hall.
Now, the crowd couldn't sit still any longer and began to whisper among themselves:
"Why aren't they here yet? Are they just joking? We're nothing, but the Crown Princess..."
"I heard that people in the court started discussing it privately a few days ago, apparently because some important person is going to return to the capital!"
"What kind of important person could the Crown Prince personally go to receive, and keep it a secret?!"
"I don't know, but can anything be more important than the Crown Prince? I reckon it's the Crown Prince who wants to go! If he doesn't want to, there's nothing anyone can do about it!"
"The situation is not that simple. Almost everyone thought that the Crown Prince would celebrate the Crown Princess's birthday with her, but he didn't come!"
At this point, the voice grew softer and softer, almost whispering in his ear: "You mean, this is all a setup?"
"I didn't say much, you just interpreted it yourself! Alas, the political situation in the court is very volatile right now. Not only the Crown Prince, but all the princes have also made great achievements. If we don't take any surprises, it's not impossible for someone to surpass him!"
"Alas! The poor Crown Princess is still waiting foolishly!"
A few quiet sighs rippled through the crowd, all expressing sympathy and regret for Jiang Shuifu.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"
The noisy scene instantly quieted down. Everyone straightened their robes and prepared to pay their respects. Outside the hall, the Empress's phoenix carriage descended. Her phoenix robe was wide and flowing. A palace maid led her down the carriage step by step.
The Empress, still exuding grace and elegance, smiled and said:
"What are you all saying? It's so lively. Are you all waiting for me?"
Everyone bowed, and Jiang Shuifu followed behind the Empress, bowing to her as well. Her expression was normal, and it was unclear whether she had heard what they were saying.
Just moments before, she had been sitting in the hall. Although no one had said a word, she could see comfort and sympathy in their eyes, but she only felt embarrassed.
More than mockery, this gaze felt tangible, like sharp needles. It was supposed to help her improve blood circulation by stimulating her acupoints, but instead it pierced deep into her muscles and blood, disrupting her breathing. She could only swallow the blood that surged up inside her.
From childhood to adulthood, she has received envious, jealous, resentful, and mocking looks from others, but never looks of pity or sympathy.
It's okay if others hate you or mock you, but if others like you and look at you with pity, it means you're really having a bad time!
She was pampered growing up, and she never imagined that one day she would become the object of others' pity.
Her eyelashes fluttered weakly, and her neck slumped as if she couldn't support herself any longer.
So she decided to go to the Empress, admitting that she had no way to deal with the situation in the face of imperial power.
At this moment, she stayed quietly by the Empress's side.
The Empress remained gentle and kind, raising her hand to tell them to rise.
"Why haven't you all eaten yet? It's the Crown Princess's birthday banquet. There's no need to wait for me. I won't blame her once she arrives!"
The Empress defused the awkward situation with just a few words, and also reminded the people below that the protagonist of the day was the Crown Princess. The Empress's status was already noble, and the Crown Prince was also in mourning. With that, who would dare to say anything? They immediately sat down and took their seats.
Jiang Shuifu felt a little bitter; she had waited so long, yet the Empress hadn't said a single word.
So what's the point of being the Crown Princess? The only useful part is the first two words; she's just a concubine.
The Empress patted the back of her hand: "Don't worry, even if the Crown Prince doesn't come, I'll come to keep you company."
"My gift has been put into storage. I guarantee you will like it. It will be delivered to your room later for you to see."
Jiang Shuifu smiled slightly. She was very grateful that the Empress had come to support her, but if you looked closely, you would find that the smile in her eyes had lost some of its original sincerity.
The group continued to toast and drink, their faces flushed and necks red. They praised Shen Jizhao to the Empress, and the gathering gradually turned into the Empress's affair.
Jiang Shuifu didn't want to stay there any longer, so she went to the back hall by herself. Before she knew it, she had arrived at the storeroom, where all the gifts for the day were kept.
Her gaze searched inch by inch, from east to west, from south to north, even exploring the smallest corners and gaps. She understood and gave a self-deprecating smile.
She had been overthinking it. He didn't come, nor did he bring any gifts, let alone geese.
He always treated her like an object that could be placed on the shelf, putting everything else before her. Even though he had some desire for this object now, to him, she was nothing more than a pastime.
He had never cared about her, a fact she had known for a long time. She hadn't expected it before, and later she hadn't bothered to think about it. Now she accepted it all. She was fine with everything. In the end, isn't that what marriage is all about? It didn't matter if things were like what happened to Aunt Zhang.
She only needs to care about herself; she doesn't need anyone else.
She lifted her overly long skirt and descended the steps. The moonlight tonight was exceptionally bright, piercing through layers of dark clouds and scattering across the earth, as if clearing away most of the haze and tangled threads in her heart.
The left and right sides of the warehouse are clearly separated, each with its own path.
She chose to turn left, raising her head slightly and slowly turning her face to the side. In the darkness, one could see the fine lines drawn at the corners of her eyes lifting, her small nose standing out high, and the pale corners of her mouth regaining their color. She was stunningly beautiful, and an alluring charm was about to bloom.
Just as she was about to disappear completely into the darkness, an anxious voice called out to her from the path on the right:
"I'm sorry I'm late!"
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Author's Note: Some readers have asked about the update frequency. I really can't set a schedule during the Spring Festival. I don't want my family to find out. I'd be sneaking upstairs to write every day, and then I'd get caught. So please be understanding, readers. I'm very sensitive; do you want me to break down like this? (Just kidding, it all depends on your mood, please forgive me!) If you don't mind, you can take a break.
I'm sure many of you have had this experience: my elderly relative gets up very early, and when my aunt asks her why, she says, "It's already nine o'clock!" But when I woke up after sleeping for a while, it was just past nine! Haha, maybe we're not using the same clock.
And some babies said they can't eat rat meat. Okay, I'll be good. Thank you everyone for your concern. I hope everyone has a happy new year, and enjoys all the food and fun!
The contradictions of this turning point cannot be fully explained in one chapter; we'll continue in the next.
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