Chapter 23: The Hundred Flowers Gathering (Part Four)

 

"Princess Imperial Zhaoyang arrives!"

On the lush green lawn of the peony garden, tables were arranged in perfect formation, laden with precious delicacies and fresh fruits. The young ladies in their finest attire sat in order of rank, conversing in careful whispers. Upon hearing the announcement, they hurriedly rose in unison to bow. "Greetings to Princess Imperial."

Princess Imperial Zhaoyang wore simple but elegant palace attire. Though nearing forty, her somewhat severe countenance was exceptionally well-maintained. Her beautiful willow eyebrows raised slightly, making it clear this Princess Imperial was not one of gentle temperament. Princess Ronghua followed obediently beside her, her demeanor entirely different from her previous imperious behavior in the courtyard. Walking alongside them was a stunningly beautiful young lady in brocade clothing, her eyes bright with curiosity as she observed the gathered nobles. Though Ye Li searched through her memories, she couldn't identify this newcomer, so she decided not to dwell on it.

"Rise. Please be seated."

Everyone rose again to express thanks before sitting.

Princess Imperial Zhaoyang continued, "Today's gathering is merely a casual meeting of the capital's noble daughters during their leisure time. Everyone need not be too formal—please feel free to relax."

Though the Princess Imperial said this, few truly dared to act casual. Princess Ronghua, sitting beside her, clung to her arm coquettishly. The Princess Imperial's cold countenance softened visibly—clearly, the childless Princess Imperial was quite fond of this little niece.

"Who is that lady beside the Princess Imperial? She's truly beautiful." The young ladies discreetly observed the stunning newcomer, whispering and exchanging opinions with their companions. Some even cast occasional glances at Ye Ying.

Ye Ying's smile became somewhat strained. That young lady sat at Princess Imperial Zhaoyang's right hand—her status clearly no lower than Princess Ronghua's. Moreover, her beauty far surpassed the princess's. Ye Ying prided herself as the capital's premier beauty, but this brocade-clad young lady's features were exquisite and brilliant. Different from Ye Ying's delicate fragility, yet more capable of capturing attention. Beautiful women always notice those more beautiful than themselves first.

"Hehe, who is that young lady? I'm afraid Ye Ying's title as the capital's premier beauty might not last," Murong Ting laughed behind her sleeve.

Hua Tianxiang glanced at her and smiled faintly. "She's the niece of Princess Imperial Zhaoyang's Prince Consort."

"Princess Imperial Zhaoyang's Prince Consort... isn't that..." Qin Zhong was also surprised, hesitating before asking, "Which princess from Nanzhao?"

Princess Imperial Zhaoyang's Prince Consort had been a hostage from Nanzhao to Da Chu. It was said that Princess Imperial Zhaoyang had fallen deeply in love with him and would marry no other. The previous emperor had no choice but to wed his most beloved sister to a hostage. After their grand wedding, the couple lived in perfect harmony, but unexpectedly, the Prince Consort passed away from illness after just three years. The Princess Imperial vowed before the previous emperor that she would not remarry, remaining faithful to her Prince Consort for life.

Hearing this, Ye Li also looked curiously toward Hua Tianxiang. As the daughter of the Hua Duke's mansion and the current Empress's niece, it wasn't surprising she knew things others didn't. Hua Tianxiang glanced at the Princess Imperial and the beautiful young lady, then shook her head. "That's the current Nanzhao King's youngest daughter, Princess Qixia, known as Nanzhao's premier beauty."

"I've heard Nanzhao produces beauties, and this Princess Qixia is indeed extraordinary."

Hua Tianxiang blinked, looking at Ye Li as if wanting to say something but holding back. Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled. "What can't you say?"

Hua Tianxiang smiled back. "Though this is our first meeting, I find you delightful. It won't hurt to tell you—this Princess Qixia... it's said she'll be staying in our Da Chu permanently."

"Staying permanently?" Murong Ting lost interest in watching the dancers and looked at Hua Tianxiang, puzzled. "This Princess Qixia looks about our age. If she's staying permanently, doesn't that mean..."

Doesn't that mean Princess Qixia intends to marry into Da Chu? An alliance marriage between two countries is a major affair—how could there be no whispers about it outside?

Hua Tianxiang coughed lightly and whispered behind her hand. "Princess Qixia came to Da Chu on her own. Do you remember—last year Prince Li went on a diplomatic mission to Nanzhao..."

"You mean—!" Murong Ting was so shocked she nearly lost control of her voice. Qin Zhong pinched her discreetly to calm her down. Seeing people from neighboring tables glancing over, she quickly composed herself and gracefully sipped some hundred-flower fruit wine. Once others' attention had shifted away, Murong Ting smiled apologetically at the other three. Hua Tianxiang and Qin Zhong knew her personality well and smiled back understandingly. Murong Ting frowned, looking at Ye Li. "Though I shouldn't say this, I still want to—perhaps breaking off the engagement with Prince Li wasn't such a bad thing."

Ye Li sipped the light fruit wine in her cup, smiling in agreement. "You're quite right."

"Can you guess who will be the judges for this year's Hundred Flowers Gathering?" Hua Tianxiang asked.

Ye Li only knew the general outline of the gathering's procedures, considering it merely a social event for the capital's noble young ladies. She shook her head indifferently, causing Hua Tianxiang to poke her in frustration. "This is your first time attending—you should at least showcase your talents to avoid letting those arrogant folks look down on you."

Ye Li blinked, looking at the dancing performers in the center. "You mean you want me to go up and sing and dance? I'll scare people—I can't dance." Besides, she wasn't someone who craved attention, and this era didn't have talent competitions anyway.

Qin Zhong explained softly, "Generally, noble ladies don't choose song and dance. But there are competitions in the four arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—as well as poetry and prose. Each year, the top three winners receive extremely precious prizes."

Prizes?

"Are you all participating?"

Murong Ting said sheepishly, "Except for me, Zhong'er and Tianxiang are both very skilled. Two years ago, Zhong'er won first place in poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Last year, Tianxiang won first in chess and third in zither. Last year's overall winner was your fourth sister, the future Princess Li. She won first in both zither and dance, and fifth in poetry."

Ye Li glanced at Ye Ying, who sat a table away conversing with others, and smiled. "I knew about that. But I didn't know Zhong'er and Miss Hua were such rare talents."

Hua Tianxiang waved her hand dismissively. "Lady Ye was once the capital's premier talent. This year, Zhong'er and I aren't participating. Among us, we're counting on you."

Ye Li replied helplessly, "I am not skilled at these things."

Qin Zhong held her hand and smiled. "This year Ye Ying will certainly participate again. Li'er, you can't let her outshine you."

Hua Tianxiang was equally enthusiastic. "That's right, Ye Li must avenge me. Last year I tried so hard but still lost to Ye Ying. It was embarrassing."

Murong Ting joined in the encouragement, looking at her eagerly. "In martial arts, I could win first place every year, but no one will compete with me. Li'er, you must do your best."

Ye Li was both amused and exasperated by these newly acquainted friends. She wasn't skilled at these things. Though she'd learned some from her mother since childhood, compared to those who specifically trained hard, she was far behind. Take Ye Ying's dancing, for example—though she hadn't seen it, it was said there were five or six specially invited dance instructors just for Ye Ying. Every dance was specially choreographed, and Ye Ying had indeed worked diligently in this area. As for herself, after her mother passed away and she'd regained her previous life's memories, her interest in these pursuits had dropped dramatically. Moreover, Madam Wang wouldn't specially invite good tutors to teach her.

"This year, you might not have a choice about participating," Murong Ting said while eating the delicate desserts on the table. "The winners of the Hundred Flowers Gathering competitions have the right to challenge anyone present to a match. Trust me, if you hadn't stayed home all these years, you would have been the most challenged person every year."

Whether as Prince Li's former fiancée or the future Princess Ding, in many people's eyes, Ye Li's good fortune was enviable—they were probably eager to see her embarrassed.

"Better eat something quickly. Once it officially begins, we probably won't have much chance to eat today," Hua Tianxiang reminded.

Ye Li looked speechlessly at the desserts and dishes before her. After dawdling for over two hours, it seemed this so-called Hundred Flowers Gathering hadn't even truly begun.

She took a sip of the delicate fruit wine, letting its subtle sweetness linger on her tongue as she surveyed the gathering. Princess Qixia was laughing at something Princess Ronghua said, her beauty truly exceptional even among this assembly of noble daughters. Ye Ying sat stiffly at her table, her smile frozen as she watched the foreign princess charm those around her.

Ye Li thought about the irony of it all. Ye Ying had schemed and stolen Prince Li, only to have him bring home a foreign princess who outshone her completely. Meanwhile, Ye Li herself had been freed from an engagement that would have trapped her with a man whose heart now clearly wandered.

"What are you thinking about?" Qin Zhong asked softly.

Ye Li smiled. "I'm thinking that sometimes what seems like misfortune is actually the greatest blessing in disguise."

As if on cue, Princess Imperial Zhaoyang rose, and the gathering fell silent. The real competition—the real test of worth and standing—was about to begin.

And Ye Li, whether she wanted to or not, would be at the center of it all.