Chapter 22: Incident at the Night Banquet
The courtyard was planted with Qionghua flowers, fluffy and like milky white thin gauze, impossible to shake off, impossible to tear apart.
With the Qionghua flowers here, it felt as if I had returned to Yangzhou.
Planting Qionghua flowers in the northern lands of the Capital City required considerable effort.
Cheng Huaishi must be extremely busy entering the Hanlin Academy; where would he find so much time?
Could it be that during his solitary days in the Capital, someone truly managed his household affairs?
Before I could speak, the Old Madam began to talk.
“Huai’er, did you receive the letter I sent you last time?”
Cheng Huaishi helped the Old Madam walk through the corridor, and he nodded, “Mother’s teachings, this son has carefully read and will keep them in his heart.”
The Old Madam said sternly, “To be of one mind and one heart is the way of a man of integrity. Although you have become an official, your mother can still admonish you. A while ago, I vaguely heard rumors that the Xun family’s daughter had arrived in the Capital and was quite close to you. You worked for so long on her father’s case, and now his injustice has been redressed; are there any unfinished matters?”
Cheng Huaishi quickly bowed and said, “Mother, we are not close. It’s just that she previously conveyed messages for Minister Zhang and visited the academy twice. Later, when I moved here, she came with her former classmates to congratulate me, and I had no reason to refuse. She learned that Mother was coming and reminded me that the new residence was messy and unsuitable for receiving Mother. So she offered some suggestions and helped tidy up. I have already told her that a young lady’s reputation is important, and we should keep our distance in the future.”
The Old Madam sighed, “That girl still hasn’t changed her old ways. She associates with scholars without regard for the boundaries between men and women. Even if your new residence was messy, Sang Yu should have been the one to manage it when she came to the Capital. What is she meddling in?”
“Mother is right.”
The Old Madam continued, “You are young and inexperienced, and perhaps you think she means well. In my opinion, whether her intentions are good or bad, who can tell? She is not young anymore; it is important for her to find a proper marriage.”
Cheng Huaishi respectfully replied, “I vaguely heard Minister Zhang say that he has already arranged a marriage for her.”
“Amitabha. That is good news.”
Passing through the corridor, we arrived at the Main Courtyard.
Servant women were arranging the items the Old Madam had brought from Yangzhou.
The Old Madam put aside her reprimands and chatted with Cheng Huaishi about family matters for a while.
She asked if he had seen His Majesty, inquired about the current situation in the Capital City, asked about Minister Zhang’s preferences, and whether he had been eating well and sleeping soundly these days.
Cheng Huaishi answered each question.
The Old Madam said, “After you settle in, you should pay a visit to Minister Zhang. Take him some local products we brought from Yangzhou. Show your sincerity.”
Cheng Huaishi cautiously said, “Mother, you may not know, but Minister Zhang dislikes such empty formalities. My diligent service and loyalty to the country are already repayment for Minister Zhang’s appreciation.”
The Old Madam pondered and said, “Then we won’t go.”
She then added, “Huai’er, in officialdom, your life and reputation are paramount.”
“I have noted it.”
The Old Madam smiled, “Quickly take Sang Yu to your room. They say a brief separation is better than a new marriage; Mother won’t delay you.”
I was embarrassed and said, “Mother, please don’t joke.”
Cheng Huaishi took my hand and led me out of the room.
Spring in the Capital City arrived later than in Jiangnan.
The sun shone through the thin clouds, casting a soft halo.
The Qionghua flowers, visible everywhere in the manor, were like beckoning little hands, brushing against my heart.
Lost in thought, he smiled and called me, “Madam, what are you thinking about, to be so dazed?”
I raised my head and arrived in front of a bedroom.
The furnishings inside were exactly the same as when we were in Yangzhou.
The red gauze curtains, the candlestick, the small table by the window, and the teacup on the table.
Cheng Huaishi said gently, “I was afraid Madam would not be accustomed to it, so I specifically ordered He Ming to arrange it in the style of our old residence in Yangzhou. Do you like it, Madam?”
I nodded and said, “Second Master is very thoughtful.”
He clapped his hands, and several maidservants brought up clothing, hairpins, and other items.
“These are all the latest fashions in the Capital City. The clothes have already been made to your measurements,” Cheng Huaishi said with a slight smile.
I lowered my head, “We are husband and wife; why has Second Master prepared such a generous gift?”
Cheng Huaishi held my hand and sat down in front of the dressing table, “Firstly, I once said that if there were a future, I would treat Madam generously. Let alone some clothes and hairpins, even the most precious and valuable things in the world cannot compensate for Madam’s hard work for me, for Mother, and for the Cheng Family; secondly, tonight, Scholar Su from the Hanlin Academy sent an invitation early to invite me to a banquet at his manor. I wish to bring Madam with me. If Madam dresses up a little, you will undoubtedly stand out.”
I looked at him, my heart filled with emotion.
He sincerely wanted to help me integrate into his circle in the Capital.
He cherished me, his wife, dearly.
As I had just arrived at the manor, my reverie brought on by the Qionghua flowers seemed to have been blown away by the wind.
The maidservants gathered around to help me change and do my hair.
I had always disliked adornments and preferred simple attire, but today I made an exception and applied some rouge.
The person in the mirror had a face like a peach blossom.
With a mixture of joy and anticipation, I got into the horse carriage with Cheng Huaishi.
At this moment, I never imagined that the night banquet tonight would lead to great trouble.
Along the way, Cheng Huaishi told me that among his colleagues, he was closest to Scholar Su.
Scholar Su was older than him and had entered officialdom a few years earlier. He had also studied at Qionglin Academy. Scholar Su was strategic and skilled in both literary and martial arts. He was the person Cheng Huaishi admired most in the Capital, besides Prime Minister Zhang.
Scholar Su was also willing to befriend him, often calling him “Brother Huai.”
The horse carriage arrived.
The steward of the Su Manor greeted us at the entrance.
Cheng Huaishi entered with me.
At the banquet, many people were already seated.
A man of elegant demeanor with a long beard stood up and walked towards Cheng Huaishi.
This must be Scholar Su.
He said with a beaming smile, “Brother Huai, tonight Brother Su will introduce you to an important person.”
Cheng Huaishi looked bewildered.
Scholar Su solemnly led him to the main seat and bowed, “This is His Highness Prince Lu.”
Prince Lu, Zhu Yijun, was the younger brother of His Majesty and the youngest son of Empress Dowager Li.
I quietly observed him.
He sat regally at the table, clad in a python robe, exuding an air of noble grace.
Cheng Huaishi seemed completely surprised that Prince Lu would be at the banquet tonight. Although astonished, he calmly bowed and said, “Your Highness Prince Lu, long live.”
Prince Lu smiled and said, “The Great Ming is full of talented individuals. The scholars of this year’s imperial examination have extraordinary bearing; this King is greatly pleased.”
“Your Highness flatters me; this humble minister is humbled.”
Everyone took their seats.
Scholar Su, being a man of refinement, invited musicians to play 《Guangling San》.
Prince Lu recited, “Once drunk beneath the Wushuang Pavilion, I knew I did not fail Guangling’s spring.”
Scholar Su and others quickly praised, “Your Highness has a poetic spirit.”
Suddenly, the string of the musician’s instrument snapped with a “bang.”
Dozens of people dressed in black suddenly rushed in from outside the door.
A commotion erupted among the guests.
Scholar Su stood up vigilantly, but upon seeing the newcomers, his face filled with panic.
He tried his best to compose himself and stepped forward, bowing and asking, “Director Feng, what brings you here tonight?”
Director Feng?
A person slowly crossed the threshold and entered.
It was indeed Feng Gao.
At this moment, his expression was one I had never seen before.
It was so sinister, yet tinged with a hint of mockery and politeness.
He lightly clapped his hands, “What a lively gathering tonight. Master Su’s manor is truly full of surprises. Such a beautiful melody; I almost couldn’t bear to interrupt it.”
Scholar Su said with a fawning smile, “Does His Majesty have any decrees?”
Feng Gao suddenly saw Cheng Huaishi.
He frowned, “Why are you here too?”
Cheng Huaishi remained silent.
Feng Gao thought for a moment, then waved his hand, “Take him away!”
Scholar Su said, “Director Feng, we can discuss anything, anything at all, please don’t…”
Feng Gao glanced at him.
He immediately fell silent.
Prince Lu, seated at the banquet, had not uttered a word from beginning to end.
I rushed forward, shouting, “Huai Shi! Huai Shi!”
Feng Gao saw me.
This time, he did not speak to me.
He merely gave me a meaningful glance.
I was extremely anxious, not understanding his intention.
Why was only Cheng Huaishi being taken away?
A flash of lightning and thunder.
Heavy rain suddenly poured down.
Cheng Huaishi turned to me and the servant boy, “When you return, do not tell Old Madam. Don’t let her worry.”
I watched him being led away by the Eastern Depot’s men, my entire body turning cold.
The person who used to call me “Elder Sister” so affectionately, why was he targeting my husband?
The Eastern Depot has slaughtered thousands, proclaiming this decree from Heaven.
Heh, they are indeed from the Eastern Depot.
How much genuine feeling can they possess?
