The Peach Blossom Banquet was the grandest spring banquet of Feng City. Princess Hu Guo was originally the younger sister of the Ning Emperor and was soon widowed after marrying General Chen. This Peach Blossom Banquet was a private event held in her resort, the Shi Cui Mountain Villa, when she had nothing better to do. When the flowers in the mountain villa began to bloom, she would invite all the imperial family relatives and the ministers of the imperial court to attend her flower viewing banquet. Later on, she gradually invited young talents and scholars of Feng City and in the end, it turned into a high-end matchmaking banquet.
Feng City had five sons of nobility worth noting; Ning Empire’s Crown Prince Liu Jian, Fourth Prince Liu Fei, Emperor An Qing’s son Liu Jue, the new top scorer of the imperial examination Cheng Si Yue, and Left Minister’s son Gu Tian Xing. It was said that once they reached their twenties, they would be the most brilliant and handsome youths. Most of the girls in Feng City would have stars in their eyes when they talked about the five noble sons.
Li Xiang looked at his three daughters. Li Qing Lei was reserved and dignified, Li Qing Fei was bright and lively, Li Qing Luo was dainty and graceful. Like the orchid in spring and chrysanthemum in autumn, each had their own strengths. Except for Ah Luo who didn’t have any outstanding skill in particular, the other two daughters left him satisfied to the bones.
He had heard that the five noble sons of Feng City would attend the Peach Blossom Banquet this year, three of whom were from the imperial family and were yet to be engaged. Emperor Ning had hinted several days earlier that his eldest daughter, Qing Lei, had caught his eye and if there were no mishaps, she was a likely candidate for the Crown Princess. Li Xiang had been moved to tears. He had also heard that the Empress Dowager liked Gu Tian Lin, the daughter of the Left Minister and second only to Qing Lei in Feng City, making him feel uneasy again.
Even later, there was a rumour that the Empress was interested in her own niece, the daughter of the imperial lieutenant, Wang Yan Hui. It was said that Miss Yan Hui was an extremely clever astute tactician. Although her appearance may not match up to the beauty of Gu Tian Lin or Li Qing Lei, she was still elegant. Moreover, her family background must not be underestimated.
With these three forces all mingling together, Princess Hu Guo had the idea of hosting the Peach Blossom Banquet, intending on having all three daughters appear at the same time which meant an open competition. Emperor Ning had always doted on the Crown Prince, and ordered that whoever the Crown Prince had set his heart on would be the winner. As a result, everyone knew that the Peach Blossom Banquet had an underlying purpose and were all waiting to watch the three girls compete for their future husband.
Li Xiang thought about it over and over again, yet he was still unsure and continued pacing around anxiously in the main study room. The Eldest Mistress smiled softly, “Master, why not let all three daughters attend the banquet? Aren’t all five noble sons of Feng City going to be there?”
Eldest Mistress’ words reminded Li Xiang. If they could not be the main wife of the Crown Prince, then they could still become a concubine. If the other two daughters were favoured by any one of the five noble sons of Feng City, it would be a good profit. He unconsciously stroked his beard and smiled, “It’s still Eldest Mistress who is long-sighted!”
When Seventh Mistress heard that Ah Luo would also be going to the Peach Blossom Banquet, her eyes sparkled colourfully. On her return to the Begonia Garden, she hugged Ah Luo and said, “Ah Luo, even though you are only 12 years old, you have not lost to your sisters. Almost all of the noble sons and daughters of the Ning Empire have been invited to this banquet. You must observe them carefully and plan for your future.”
Ah Luo felt surprised, “Mother, I am only 12 years old!”
Seventh Mistress smiled and said, “Girls in the Ning Empire can marry when they reach 13 years of age and consummate at 16. It is very likely that my Ah Luo can be betrothed to a good family so you can marry when you grow up!”
Ah Luo lamented, “I’m reluctant to part with Mother. Can we not plan a betrothal so early?”
Seventh Mistress said, “Mother also can’t bear to part with you, however, you cannot spend the rest of your life with Mother. It’s better to meet a good person now than marry a random person in the future. Mother simply wants you to take a closer look at the banquet, see who you might like so they can be a candidate for the future.”
The seventh day of March came with a gentle spring breeze, warm sunshine, and fine weather. Eldest Mistress took the three daughters to the Peach Blossom Banquet. This was where Eldest Mistress felt the most satisfied for only she could stand proudly with the wealthy and noble women of the Ning Empire. Today, she deliberately had her hair combed into a Chaotian bun. She wore a skirt embroidered with dark gold, hairpins with clusters of golden peonies, beads, and bells that jingle. Her plump figure matched with her outfit and hairstyle showed off her extravagance as a rich woman in the Ning Empire..
Ah Luo sized Li Qing Lei up, who was wearing a light blue top and wite skirt embroidered with plum branches filled with plum blossom buds in silver thread. Slim and graceful with a calm elegant expression on her melon-seed shaped face, she was loftily cold beyond compare. Then she looked at Li Qing Fei in her jade-coloured outfit covered in a sheer red gauze fabric. The hem of her skirt was embroidered with numerous flowers in a dark coloured silk thread. She was the tallest of the three, already standing at around one point six or seven meters at the age of 14. As the wind blew, the red gauze fluttered.
She looked at herself again, wearing a single cyan jacket and a navy skirt. Her hair was combed into two small buns with two silver hair pins inserted and Xiao Yu had cut bangs that fell down halfway on her small face. Standing next to Qing Lei and Qing Fei and being a whole head shorter, she looked like a little girl that they had brought along. Qing Lei and Qing Fei took one look at Qing Luo, then snorted with laughter. Eldest Mistress frowned, thinking that Qing Luo was too young. Today was mainly for the eldest and second daughters, so she hadn’t ordered Qing Luo to dress up.
Ah Luo hastily flattered them sweetly, “Eldest sister and second sister are so beautiful today. Ah Luo will be your servant today and carefully help sisters choose a good husband.”
Qing Lei and Qing Fei immediately blushed and spluttered at her, “Little wench, when did you become so naughty?!”
Ah Luo just smiled and said nothing.
This was the first time she had left the gates of the Xiang residence since she arrived in this world. Along the way, she couldn’t help but lift the carriage curtains to peek out. Eldest Mistress scolded her, “Ah Luo, before we left, your father told you that you must keep in mind our respectable status. Do not embarrass him today, otherwise he will discipline you as the head of the family. Look at Ah Lei and Ah Fei, then look at yourself. It seems like Old Seventh Mistress is truly unable to change her character and teach her daughter well!”
Ah Luo felt anger flare in her heart. She concealed her curiosity and sat straight back in her seat. She thought inwardly that one day, she would have the ability to protect herself and would definitely move out of the Xiang residence with her beautiful mother!
The horse-drawn carriage headed east for two hours since leaving the gates of the residence before stopping. Under the strict supervision of the Eldest Mistress, the three of them sat properly and obediently with Ah Luo pretending that she was practising yoga. The blood flow in her legs had yet to recirculate properly when they had to alight from the carriage. She wondered how Qing Lei and Qing Fei had mastered the skill of meditation for they floated down the carriage like graceful butterflies.
When Ah Luo stepped out of the carriage and saw the world outside of the Xiang residence’s four walls, at this moment her view widened. Ah Luo thought how nice it would be to be free, for the day to come when she could travel at ease of her own free will!
Princess Hu Guo’s Shi Cui Mountain Villa was built according to the topography of the mountain, the overhanging eaves being faintly visible among the forest on the slope. Ah Luo couldn’t help but sigh. No matter what society she was in, only the rich could live in these kinds of resorts.
Entering through the main gate, there was a rope bridge waiting, leading them in. After walking for an hour, a field of pink appeared. They had reached a valley with flat terrain and a semi-manmade, semi-natural shallow stream that meandered through the peach blossom forest. Occasionally, petals would float along the water, giving out an intoxicating floral fragrance. Ah Luo sighed, what a pollution-free peach blossom paradise! Upon hearing the news that Li Xiang’s Mistress had arrived, Princess Hu Guo stood up and smiled. When they had greeted each other, they sat down. Princess Hu Guo then asked Eldest Mistress, “I have heard that Li Xiang has two precious daughters who are greatly talented in Feng City and have the appearance of celestial fairies. Come and let me have a good look.”
Eldest Mistress quickly called Qing Lei and Qing Fei forward.
Qing Luo discreetly observed Princess Hu Guo. Dignified and beautiful at 30 years of age, she was noble from head to toe with a temperament that had been developed since childhood. She then looked at her surroundings. Two small pavilions were built in this open space with sheer curtains all around them for guests to use. Only the curtains in the women’s pavilion were drawn. There were many madams and young ladies sitting around at random. Dressed up rather exquisitely and beautifully, they had clearly put effort in their appearance.
Qing Luo chuckled. Unfortunately, it was a breezy day and when the wind blew, the appearance of the women were exposed as they sat there beautifully, beautiful enough that the necks of those young talented youths stretched forward, their eyes flitting around.
After a while, Eldest Mistress returned to the pavilion with the two who had faces as red as tomatoes. Qing Luo was very curious and pestered Qing Fei to ask what Princess Hu Guo had said.
Qing Fei looked embarrassed. Eldest Mistress opened her mouth and said, “The Princess likes Qing Lei and Qing Fei very much. She said she would send for them once the Crown Prince and the other four highnesses arrive to pick flowers.”
When she said this, she pointed at the pavilion opposite them and said, “That is the Crown Prince’s pavilion. Next to it is the one for the four highnesses.” Lowering her voice to a whisper, she continued, “Left of us is the Gu Family’s pavilion and on the right is for the Wang Family of the imperial lieutenant. I heard that Miss Lin and Miss Yan Hui have already arrived.”
After hearing Eldest Mistress’ words, Qing Lei and Qing Fei couldn’t help but look over, but there was no one in the opposite pavilions. Then they looked left and right and saw very faintly a few women’s silhouettes covered by the sheer veil. As they couldn’t see their faces, they felt a little disappointed and anxious. Qing Luo smirked, “Eldest Madam, may Ah Luo go and investigate a bit?”
Eldest Mistress hesitated, “What if you run into problems that lead to a breach of etiquette? In the end, you are still a noble daughter of the Xiang residence.”
Qing Luo smiled and said, “Eldest Madam, no one knows that I am the Third Miss of the Xiang residence yet, right? Everyone’s gazes are fixated on eldest and second sisters. I can simply be a maid from the Xiang residence. Look, I already seem like one.”
There was a smile in Eldest Mistress’ eyes, “This is a good idea. Today, nobody knows that the Third Miss of the Xiang residence had also come along. It’s hard to say if they even know that the Xiang residence has a Third Miss. Go on and take a look at the other two young misses, then listen to what others are saying.” She then ordered the maid next to her, Juan’er, who she brought along everywhere she went, “You go with Third Miss and make sure not to cause any trouble.”
Juan’er hurriedly nodded her head. Ah Luo smiled at her two sisters and said softly, “Sisters don’t worry, Ah Luo will be right back.”
She left the pavilion with Juan’er and the two of them walked into the blossom forest while carrying a basket. This was because the Princess had an ingenious approach to her Peach Blossom Banquet that allowed guests to pick flowers at will so that if they saw someone they liked, they could tie a poem to a bouquet and give it to them right away, letting them know of their interest. If there was no one that they took a liking to, there would also be bouquets inside the pavilions so no one would feel embarrassed if they did not receive any flowers. Moreover, the girls could give bouquets to each other to show courtesy.
Qing Luo’s plan was to present flowers under Xiang Family’s Eldest Mistress’ name and peek at the daughter of the Gu Family, Tian Lin, and imperial lieutenant Wang’s precious Miss Yan Hui. Of course, she would also take a look at the men’s pavilion while she was at it.
When they reached the blossom forest, Qing Luo had an expression of having returned to nature after seeing the field of crimson, feeling grass beneath her feet, and smelling the fragrance from the stream. She smiled at Juan’er and said, “It’s so beautiful here!”
Being only 13 or 14 years old, Juan’er was also at the playful age so she followed Qing Luo and admired the scenery as they walked, gradually heading further and further away from the others. Without knowing how long they had wandered, Juan’er looked back and didn’t see the pavilion. All she saw were trees filled with blossoms and couldn’t help but panic, “Third Miss, are we lost?”
The cheerful Qing Luo froze for a moment, turning around but the flowered trees all looked identical, where was the pavilion? She also panicked, “Oh no, Juan’er, if we return late, Eldest Madam will certainly scold us. Which direction did we come from?”
With a bitter expression, Juan’er was unable to answer her. Qing Luo looked at the shadows cast by the sun and thought about the scene inside the pavilion. Taking Juan’er, she headed northwest. After a while, Qing Luo happily said, “Juan’er, look, there’s a resting place!”
The two of them hurried in the direction of the flowing white veil. It seemed like they would be able to reach it in a moment. Then a wide stream appeared in front of them. Qing Luo picked up a branch and stuck it into the water, finding it to be thigh deep. However, if they were to find another way, she was afraid they would be too late. Qin Luo glanced around. It was very quiet and only faint sounds of laughter from the pavilions could be heard. She started to remove her shoes and socks decisively, rolling up her pants to her thigh. “While there’s no one right now, hurry Juan’er. It’ll be troublesome if someone sees.”
Juan’er was so anxious that she wanted to cry. Seeing Qing Luo had already stepped into the water, with a hand held out towards herself, her heart skipped a beat as she copied Qing Luo, taking off her shoes and socks. Placing them into the basket which she then put on her head, she took Qing Luo’s hand and they went step by step. When they had almost reached the shore, Juan’er slipped on a stone and her whole body swayed. The basket with the shoes, socks, and flowers fell into the water. She couldn’t help but shout, “The basket!”
Qing Luo let go of Juan’er’s hand and grabbed the basket, losing her balance as she did so. Just as she was about to fall into the water, a figure flew over from out of nowhere and caught Qing Luo, carrying her out of the water.
Qing Luo involuntarily screamed, then in the next moment, her feet were standing firmly on the shore. Still recovering from shock, Qing Luo’s eyes widened as she stared at the person in front of her. All she saw was a tall, young man facing her with a grin. Qing Luo’s face reddened and lowered her head, realising that he was looking at her bare thighs and feet. Anger swelled in her heart, “Turn around, this young miss wants to put on her shoes.”
Only then did the man become aware that he had forgotten his manners and turned around. Qing Luo saw his back shaking, knowing that he was laughing and cursed inwardly. Juan’er came ashore and the two of them hurried in fixing their outfits. Qing Luo spoke slowly to the man, “Just now, thank you. Don’t look back yet, we haven’t properly redressed.” This was originally meant to be a proper thank you, however, Qing Luo snapped, “Who told you to let your gaze wander?!”
As soon as she said this, Qing Luo made a move. The man hadn’t thought that this girl who almost fell into the water would know martial arts, not to mention having a skillful hand. He faltered and his figure was about to fall into the stream when he twisted several times in the air. One of his palms slapped the surface of the water, soaking half his sleeve, then his whole body flipped around without touching the stream and he jumped to the opposite shore.
Qing Luo felt shocked, this man knew the legendary martial arts! She didn’t dare to do anything more and fled in defeat, pulling Juan’er along.
After steadying himself, the man turned to look back. Seeing the two of them stumbling away with their basket, he couldn’t help but laugh in spite of himself. Shaking his sleeve once more, he secretly said to himself, which household raised such an unruly girl?! Surely I can find you as long as you are here for the banquet?
