LF Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Meager Fare

Inside the Prince Zhao Manor, the verdant branches were filled with orioles and swallows, singing melodiously.

Inside the inner hall, wisps of seal incense spiraled upwards, scattering into the dust with the wind, leaving only a lingering fragrance in the small room.

Jiang Yinghua loved the soft bed inside the hall most of all.

Her hair was half-combed, a few strands of dark hair naturally falling over her shoulders, accentuating her fair and delicate skin against the crimson silk dress that gathered at her chest. The dark, silver-threaded gauze sleeves draped over her arms like cicada wings, adding a touch of enchanting allure.

The summer heat was gradually intensifying, and the sweltering atmosphere was inevitably unsettling. The young palace servants had prepared iced fruits and fans early in the morning, surrounding their mistress closely, attending to her every need with meticulous care.

If it weren’t for the faint, lingering pain from the injuries on her back, Jiang Yinghua would have truly sighed, “How peaceful the world is.”

But things weren’t bad as they were now. Looking at the pretty maids and eunuchs around her, Jiang Yinghua found it very pleasing to the eye.

She trailed her slender fingers, lifting this girl’s chin and stroking that maid’s cheek. Suddenly, she plunged her hand into the ice dish, picked up a green grape, and popped it into her mouth. Then, she turned to tease a nearby palace servant, watching as the person shivered from the icy touch, and Jiang Yinghua chuckled.

In a small courtyard, willows grew green, and the reflection in the Jade Pool was like delicate, intoxicating cream.

Beside a low stone table, a young man in a light blue round-collared robe held a teacup, a scroll of books spread out on the table.

The wind rustled the pages of the book, along with the young man’s thoughts.

“Steward, what news is there from the Prince Zhao Manor?” Yan Wanzhi asked quietly.

“This servant has inquired. I heard that the Empress Dowager released Prince Zhao back to the manor early yesterday morning. There’s no other news at the moment,” the old steward replied, seeing that his master had no mind to read, and proceeded to tidy up the scrolls.

“Do something for me. Last time, the governor of Wu Prefecture sent a piece of ancient inkstone. Find a brocade box to pack it well. Then, take a platform of swallow’s nest that Advisor Wei sent from the private treasury. I’ll write a letter myself. Prepare it all and send it to the Prince Zhao Manor,” Yan Wanzhi instructed, staring at the swirling leaves in the teacup.

“Does Master intend to win over that troublemaking little prince? I’ve heard that he’s a notorious idler. You’re sending an ancient inkstone, but those who know will recognize it as a rare and elegant item, which might not suit her taste,” the steward hesitated for a moment, ultimately unable to resist asking. After all, his master treasured that inkstone dearly.

“Just do as I say,” the tea had gone cold, its color poor and taste bland. Yan Wanzhi took a light sniff and then waved his hand, tossing it into the earth god’s embrace.

Yan Wanzhi walked to the lake, gazing at his wavering reflection in the water, pondering: Jiang Yinghua was not someone to offend. It was best to reconcile with her as soon as possible. With fewer enemies and more friends, his plans could be realized sooner.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the time for midday meal. Jiang Yinghua selected a handsome musician to play the zither beside her, while she chose a picturesque spot in the courtyard and started thinking about brush and ink.

A eunuch hurriedly walked in from the outside, standing with hands respectfully at his side.

“What is it that spoils my mood?” Jiang Yinghua asked, a little annoyed, as she disliked being disturbed while painting.

“Your Highness, Scholar Yan’s manor has sent someone to deliver gifts to you, along with a letter from him personally. Would you like to take a look?”

Jiang Yinghua’s brow furrowed. Was this a plaster? Was she trying to avoid him so he stuck to her? “It’s not a holiday, so what kind of gift is he sending?”

“The messenger said it’s a thank-you gift. Thank you for your compassion, and he hopes to trouble you to take care of him in the future. He sent a whole platform of swallow’s nest and a Duan inkstone.”

A thank-you gift? Was he afraid that she couldn’t bear the beatings and wanted to give her something to nourish her body, or was he worried that she would be serving the Emperor often in the future and would lack a handy stationery item for serving him with writing and ink? Thinking of this, Jiang Yinghua paused, holding the brush for a moment. She took a deep breath and said, “The letter? Read it to me.”

“Your subject respectfully greets Prince Zhao… due to the nature of my position, there may be offenses and discourtesies… hoping for your forgiveness and generosity… I have prepared a humble gift…” The steward read each word slowly, occasionally glancing at his master’s expression.

Jiang Yinghua smiled as she listened, raised her hand, and dropped the brush, with no more thoughts of painting.

Yan Wanzhi, oh Yan Wanzhi, why did every sentence in your seemingly conciliatory letter feel like a provocation?

If you want to kneel, kneel properly. Or stand tall and straight like a real man. This insincere behavior is clearly asking for a lesson. Moreover, reconciliation requires some sincerity, doesn’t it? You sent a servant to take care of it?

“Your Highness, should we accept this gift?” the eunuch timidly asked.

“Accept it, of course, we should accept it and take good care of it. Is the messenger still there?” Jiang Yinghua asked the eunuch softly, without the slightest sign of displeasure on her face, smiling like a flower.

“He’s waiting at the gatehouse.”

“Bring him in,” Jiang Yinghua said, her eyes darting as she tapped her finger on the table, leaning lazily against the back of the low table.

Before long, the eunuch led the Yan manor’s steward into the inner courtyard.

Jiang Yinghua sized up the old uncle, who was over fifty years old, dressed very plainly. His face looked proper and upright, truly matching that person’s temperament.

She stood up, placing her hands behind her back in front of the messenger, and said, “I heard that your master was not feeling well the other day. Is he much better now?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My master only ate something wrong. He’s fine now,” the steward replied formally.

“That’s good. Scholar Yan’s gift is very much to my liking. Thank him for me.” With those words, Jiang Yinghua flicked her sleeves and left.

Feeling drowsy in the afternoon, Jiang Yinghua, due to the grind of yesterday, had a rare day of leisure and didn’t want to fall asleep and favor the Duke of Zhou.

After thinking for a moment, she called a close attendant and instructed, “Bring the century-old ginseng that His Majesty bestowed last year. I’ll go to the Yan manor.”

The head maid, Hua Yan, was puzzled. Her Highness had repeatedly shown special concern for this Scholar Yan, but she wouldn’t admit it. Perhaps she really had other intentions.

Walking to the front yard, the eunuch advised with concern, “Your Highness, there’s no need for you to personally return the gift. The summer heat is hard to bear. Let me run the errand for you.”

Jiang Yinghua continued walking, replying lazily, “No need. I just want to go out for a walk.”

When the carriage arrived at the manor’s gate, Jiang Yinghua got out and saw that this residence of a respectable fourth-rank official was indeed, shabby.

There wasn’t even a guard or gatekeeper outside the gate. The royal guards directly entered the gate before spotting an old man dozing off behind the door.

Jiang Yinghua walked straight into the manor, following the path to the main hall. The few servants in the manor saw that the group of people who had come were quite imposing and didn’t know who they were. All of them held their breath and kept silent; no one dared to stop them.

“The emperor’s beloved confidant, eats such bland fare?”

Yan Wanzhi was having lunch, a plate of clear bamboo shoots, a bowl of yellow millet rice, without even a bit of meat or oily food. Hearing the sudden voice, he was startled and dropped the shredded bamboo shoots from his chopsticks.

Looking up, he saw a tall figure standing with a jade-like grace, wearing a dark gauze robe that fluttered in the afternoon breeze. The vermilion skirt underneath wrapped around her creamy, half-hidden bosom, creating a misty, intoxicated feeling. Under her thick eyelashes, a pair of smiling phoenix eyes gleamed with gentle light as they scrutinized him, her lips curved in a pretty smile, and he couldn’t help swallowing.

The person helped herself to a chair, extended her white fingers, used a silk handkerchief to dust it off, sat down, and casually tossed the used handkerchief onto the table.

Yan Wanzhi came back to his senses and realized he had been rude. He hurriedly stood up and bowed.

Jiang Yinghua rested her chin on one hand, not asking him to rise, playfully looking up and down at him. He was said to be much better, but his small face, whiter than a porcelain cup, still had patches of red, as delicate as the specks of plum blossoms on a vast snowy plain. With sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and a cherry mouth, she didn’t know what kind of fortune this person had to attract the pity of the goddess Nüwa, receiving such a fairy-like appearance.

Jiang Yinghua remembered that this person had a very thin skin, and it wouldn’t be good if his face turned completely red like the sunset covering the hills, so she smiled and waved her hand.

“Scholar Yan hasn’t answered my question yet.”

“Your Highness, this subject only just received a report that the south has suffered floods, with vast acres of fertile land submerged. The court doesn’t have much stored grain, and the national treasury has limited funds. Since we’re eating from the public pot, we must worry about this. We should save where we can,” Yan Wanzhi replied in a solemn tone, standing beside her. Anyone who didn’t know better would think this was the imperial court.

Jiang Yinghua stopped smiling. She had wanted to tease him a bit, but didn’t know that this person was so devoted to his duty, worrying about the suffering of the people, which made it hard for her to say anything.

“I came on a whim, at an inconvenient time. Scholar Yan, don’t stand on ceremony; this is your home. Hurry and eat.”

Yan Wanzhi sat down upon hearing this, but although he picked up his chopsticks, he ate very restrainedly, picking up one grain of millet at a time and putting it into his mouth. Jiang Yinghua watched, thinking that at this rate, he wouldn’t finish eating by nightfall.

“I like the gift that Scholar Yan gave me very much. The pastries the other day were a misunderstanding. I didn’t know you couldn’t eat those things. I’ve brought an old ginseng as an apology.”

Yan Wanzhi stood up again upon hearing these words to show his gratitude. He was just about to explain something when Jiang Yinghua also stood up and made a “shush” gesture to him. She slowly paced, the fragrance on her clothes filling the room, and said softly:

“Scholar Yan is too cautious. Relax. I suppose you’re not comfortable with me here, so I’ll just take a walk in your courtyard. You can finish eating and then come find me later.”

“This subject is not hungry. Since Your Highness has graced my humble abode with your presence, how could I dare to neglect you? How about this subject accompany Your Highness?”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t stand on ceremony so much. You stay here,” Jiang Yinghua said and turned to leave the main hall, walking toward the backyard along the corridor.

Yan Wanzhi gave the steward a look, and the steward trotted along to follow.

Having grown accustomed to the palace corridors and the magnificent palace gardens like a fairyland on Jade Pool Island, the sesame-sized Yan manor really had nothing to catch Jiang Yinghua’s eye.

There was a small man-made lake in the north courtyard, and a Qing Tang tree grew by the lake, attracting a few sparrows to whisper on it.

Behind the large Qing Tang tree, there was a fairly spacious house with exquisite doors and windows. Through the open window, she could see the carefully arranged calligraphy and paintings inside. Jiang Yinghua became interested and walked toward that room, casually asking, “Steward, what is that place?”

The steward replied, “That’s Master’s study.”

“I’d like to go in and take a look. Is that convenient?”

The steward’s face showed reluctance, and he stammered, “Please forgive me, Your Highness. Master’s study is not open to outsiders, and this old servant wouldn’t dare to act without authorization.”

Jiang Yinghua smiled and teased, “Is your master keeping a beauty hidden away? Why are you so afraid of people looking?”

“Of course Your Highness can look. Steward, you may leave. This is none of your business,” Yan Wanzhi’s voice came closer, and he hurried over.

“Scholar Yan, have you finished eating?” Jiang Yinghua asked, looking back at him with her hands behind her back.

“I apologize for keeping Your Highness waiting for so long. Your Highness, please,” Yan Wanzhi bowed, still so proper and careful, and then led the person into the room by half a step.

Upon entering, Jiang Yinghua was a little disappointed. Only the area in front of the window looked clean and tidy. On the table and on the ground, various manuscripts were scattered in a mess, and she didn’t know where to put her feet.

If her study were this disorganized, she would have been skinned and had her tendons pulled out by her elder sister.

Seeing this magnificent scene, Jiang Yinghua said:

“I heard from His Majesty that Scholar Yan is twenty-three years old now. Have you not found a sweetheart? Or is there a prior engagement?”

“Your Highness is joking. This subject is alone, clumsy and dull, and has no engagement,” Yan Wanzhi replied with an awkward smile, the roots of his ears tinged with a faint red. The afternoon sun shone, clear and bright, like a fine southern red bead.

“Oh? There’s no need for Scholar Yan to be so modest. With your talent and appearance, what kind of Madame Yan couldn’t you find in the future? Perhaps your fate hasn’t arrived yet.”

Jiang Yinghua carefully avoided the scattered books on the floor, slowly pacing by the bookcase, examining the young minister’s collection.

In the corner of the bookcase, a picture album caught Jiang Yinghua’s attention. Although it probably hadn’t been put away properly during cleaning, Jiang Yinghua’s sharp eyes noticed the book was unusual from the corner of the scattered cover, because it clearly depicted two girls. As for the content, it seemed a bit indecent.

Although Jiang Yinghua had a reputation for being unruly, it was all just playing along for the sake of the occasion. She was, after all, just a child of sixteen, and seeing these things made her a little confused and at a loss.

She turned around, pretending not to have noticed anything, and glanced at Yan Wanzhi, who was still standing with his head bowed as he had been when they first came in. Jiang Yinghua walked to the door and said, “I didn’t come here for anything important. The afternoon is hot, and I shouldn’t disturb Scholar Yan’s rest. I should go back.”

“In that case, this subject will see Your Highness off.”

Jiang Yinghua walked quickly in front, while Yan Wanzhi followed closely behind.

Jiang Yinghua thought to herself, “Such a serious white-faced scholar actually has such wild and unique hobbies in private. What can’t he look at? He has to find stories of women’s pleasure to read. Truly, you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Yan Wanzhi was also thinking to himself, “This little girl actually came to the manor in person today, speaking so softly. I must have appeased her, right?”

Little did he know, a gentle knife carves the heart.