Chapter 241: Implied Meaning
Seven or eight songs and dances had been performed, and the wine had long since gone through three rounds.
Prince Chu was somewhat unable to hold his liquor and, taking advantage of the Emperor’s undressing, quietly slipped out of Sidede Hall.
Coincidentally, there were several pots of jade hall golden horse chrysanthemums placed by a screen wall, blooming beautifully, so he lingered there.
Tutor Zhuge approached gracefully and smiled at Prince Chu, “Your Highness has a refined taste, but be careful not to be caught and fined more wine.”
“Oh, Tutor,” Prince Chu quickly cupped his hands, “It’s just that yellow wine doesn’t quite agree with my temperament. I just came out for a bit of fresh air and will return. Why have you also left the banquet?”
“This old man is naturally unaccustomed to banquets. I have already done my best today, so I specially apologized to His Majesty and left early,” Tutor Zhuge said with a smile.
Prince Chu knew that Tutor Zhuge was a renowned scholar, naturally unbound by worldly constraints. The Emperor treated him as an honored guest, but it still depended on his own willingness.
Otherwise, if he were to simply flick his sleeves and depart, people would still accuse the Emperor of being unable to honor the virtuous.
“Don’t you also love chrysanthemums, Tutor?” Prince Chu asked, looking at the blooming autumn chrysanthemums.
“This old man loves all flowers and plants, but Your Highness seems to have a particular fondness for chrysanthemums,” Tutor Zhuge stroked his long beard.
“I love this flower for its beauty that surpasses autumn, and even more for its proud spirit that endures frost,” Prince Chu praised with a sigh. “Every time I see it, I forget the mundane world.”
“Heh heh, Your Highness’s love for chrysanthemums is deep. If chrysanthemums had spirits, they would surely become your confidantes. To appreciate their spirit, it is best to admire them at dawn or dusk.”
“Oh, what you say, Mister, deeply resonates with me. In that case, I can also consider you a confidante,” Prince Chu said happily.
“Your Highness is too kind. One can know a person’s character by observing things. Your Highness, as a noble, possesses noble character and integrity, which is truly rare.”
“Tutor, you flatter me, you shame me.”
The two conversed, their rapport growing with each word. Prince Chu had long admired Tutor Zhuge, and he was also truly grateful that the tutor had praised his son in front of the Emperor.
Seeing that the time was right, Tutor Zhuge finally steered the conversation to the main topic.
“Your Highness, this old man believes that although enduring frost and possessing a proud spirit is rare, it is also good to have a heart that preserves oneself for the long term. Otherwise, to wither and decay, wouldn’t that be a pity?”
Prince Chu was puzzled by his words, “This is the nature of chrysanthemums; it has been this way for thousands of years!”
“It is so for flowers, but not for people,” the Tutor smiled faintly. “With the same noble roots and outstanding beauty, how can one abandon oneself?”
If Prince Chu couldn’t understand the meaning by this point, he wouldn’t be Prince Chu.
He didn’t respond to Tutor Zhuge’s words, his mind racing through countless thoughts. Finally, he chose to feign ignorance, “People say it’s not advisable to be in the wind after drinking, and it seems to be true. I feel dizzy and disoriented right now, I’m afraid I must excuse myself.”
Tutor Zhuge heard this and said no more, turning and drifting away.
Prince Chu was left alone, feeling lost and dejected.
Wen Mingqian was not qualified to attend the imperial banquet. She had spent the morning with Xiao Yue selecting and drying spices.
Later, Sang Er came and stayed there for a long time.
Afterward, Wen Mingqian thought that since she had come to the palace, she should visit the Imperial Garden. She asked Xiao Yue to take her there to stroll before returning.
Unexpectedly, they waited and waited but the two of them didn’t return, so she became worried and went out to look for them herself.
In the Imperial Garden, several children were playing merrily.
Someone had set up an archery target in an open space, and several boys were practicing archery there.
Gong Changan was not participating; he was being pestered by Zhuola Han to teach her cuju ball.
Sang Er and Xiao Yue stood not far away, seemingly wanting to leave but unable to.
“Mother Wen!” Sang Er was the first to spot Wen Mingqian and hurried over.
“Why aren’t these esteemed individuals at the banquet?” Wen Mingqian asked.
“Mother, I was about to return to your place when I encountered these esteemed deities. Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent and the Prince of Yu Dynasty wouldn’t let me leave, which is why I was delayed,” Sang Er explained the situation to Wen Mingqian.
Wen Mingqian understood immediately. Those two must have fallen for Sang Er at first sight. Judging by their competitive spirit, they were full of a desire to outdo each other.
“Mother, do you think I can take advantage of this opportunity…” Sang Er’s beautiful eyes darted sideways, “It’s rare to have such a chance.”
“The Grand Princess will surely be coming to the palace frequently during this period. If you have such intentions, it will save us a lot of effort. However, you must handle it with discretion and not implicate yourself in the end,” Wen Mingqian cautioned her.
“Don’t worry, Mother, I know,” Sang Er smiled like a little fox. “Those two have fiery tempers and are easily provoked. However, that Prince of Chu’s Heir Apparent seems quite steady. I’ll find a way to draw him in.”
While the two were talking, Gong Changan also arrived, and Zhuola Han naturally followed him.
“Is this your mother?” Zhuola Han asked Gong Changan, looking at Wen Mingqian.
“This servant pays her respects to the Princess.” Wen Mingqian’s position in the palace was that of a fragrance official, considered a palace servant with a rank. Zhuola Han was of noble status, so she naturally had to bow.
“You are so beautiful, like a lily on the grassland,” Zhuola Han affectionately hugged Wen Mingqian’s arm. “I like Changan, and I like you too!”
Wen Mingqian looked at this foreign princess. Her beauty was different from that of Han Chinese daughters; it was robust and wild. Her temperament was so straightforward. Such a person was not found in the palace, and it was truly refreshing.
“Hey, why do you smell so fragrant?” Zhuola Han asked, pulling on Wen Mingqian’s sleeve.
“Princess, this servant is the palace’s fragrance official. I am surrounded by spices every day, so it’s inevitable that I carry their scent,” Wen Mingqian explained with a smile. “Does the Princess like any particular fragrance? I can make some for you.”
“I like the smell of grass,” Zhuola Han said. “There is no grassland in the Capital City, and after staying here for a long time, I feel weak.”
“This servant can try to make it,” Wen Mingqian said. “I’m just afraid it won’t be accurate.”
“It’s alright if it’s not perfect. You must be a great mother to have such a clever son as Gong Changan,” Zhuola Han said. “On our grasslands, we say a son’s cleverness depends on his mother.”
“Miss Sang Er, I won!” Yu Chao shouted loudly. “I’ll give you this valuable item!”
Their archery contest was not for nothing; each person had to put up a valuable item.
Yu Chao won, and the items of the other two would go to him.
Sang Er walked up and declined, “This is not acceptable. This item is too precious; I cannot accept it.”
It was a fine piece of yellow jade tiger head pendant, half the size of a palm.
“Hey, Brother, isn’t this yours?” Zhuola Han’s eyes widened. “What about the two you won?”
“They are all mine. I can give them to whomever I wish,” Yu Chao’s dark face was tinged with a blush. “You talk too much!”
Ying Tong stood aside, his eyes cold, and whispered, “What’s so great about him? Just a barbarian.”
Ying Bai stood further away, silent. He had previously been warned to stay out of the situation as much as possible and not to conflict with the people here.
Sang Er refused to accept it no matter what. Wen Mingqian interceded for her, “It’s not that she is unwilling to accept the Prince’s reward, but rather that this item is too precious. If she were to accept it, she would surely be reprimanded later.”
Hearing this, Yu Chao had no choice but to put away the jade pendant and gave her a string of clam shell beads he was wearing on his wrist.
Sang Er had no choice but to accept it.
“Miss Sang, although this Heir Apparent lost the archery contest, my reward for you will not be lacking,” Ying Tong said, taking off his thumb ring and giving it to Sang Er.
