A Day at the Xindu Poetry Gathering

On the day of the poetry gathering, Xu Guiyi rose early, carefully dressed herself, and then left the palace gates with Cheng Hewei. She had originally invited Lu Zhirou and An Ruosu as well, but the former claimed her throat was unwell, and the latter was indisposed, so the two of them had no choice but to share a carriage to the residence of the Princess of Xindu.

The Princess of Xindu, Fu Yujin, was the sole daughter of Prince Xin and the emperor’s niece. Prince Xin had died young, and the emperor had allowed his niece to inherit her father's fief and princely residence, with ten thousand households in her domain and honors equal to those of a first-rank prince.

In the carriage, Xu Guiyi clicked her tongue in admiration, “I’ve heard that the Princess of Xindu is a few years older than the Crown Prince, but she remains unmarried to this day. That’s quite rare.”

Cheng Hewei chuckled, “Sister Crown Princess, if I were a princess with ten thousand households, a fief, and a princely residence, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to marry either.”

Xu Guiyi considered this and agreed, “Hahaha, Wei, you make a good point.”

They chatted about the princess’s residence, especially the artificial hills and gardens, which were said to be exquisite. As the Princess of Xindu was fond of elegance, many of the pavilions and towers were built in the style of southern gardens.

“The princess truly knows how to live!” Xu Guiyi remarked with envy. To enjoy the income of a prince, without being forced to marry far away for political alliance—what a life of wealth and comfort!

Cheng Hewei smiled mysteriously, “Sister Crown Princess, not only is the princess delightful, but today you’ll meet another remarkable person!”

Seeing Cheng Hewei’s expression, Xu Guiyi became expectant, “Really? Then I’ll keep my eyes open.”

Sure enough, when they alighted, the gates of the princess’s residence were wide open. The Princess of Xindu, accompanied by servants and retainers, had long been waiting.

After formal greetings, Xu Guiyi, arm in arm with the princess, entered the residence.

The Princess of Xindu was of unremarkable appearance, but clothed in a white jade brocade robe, her hair coiffed high, brows delicate, eyes bright, she exuded a noble and understated elegance that was thoroughly pleasing.

After a few polite exchanges, Xu Guiyi noticed another lady beside the princess. Introduced by the princess herself, she learned it was Cao Ziyin, the legitimate granddaughter of Grand Tutor Cao and the younger sister of Princess Zhao.

Xu Guiyi glanced at Cheng Hewei, received an affirming look, and knew this was the remarkable lady she had mentioned.

Cao Ziyin performed a graceful salute, “Your servant, Cao Ziyin, greets Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

Xu Guiyi waited for her to finish, then smiled warmly, “Miss Cao, please rise.”

The Princess of Xindu introduced her proudly, “Crown Princess, Ayin is the foremost talent of Guangling; you’ll see for yourself soon.” No wonder, on the carriage ride, Cheng Hewei had said the princess was fond of this Miss Cao.

Xu Guiyi smiled softly; there was no need to wait, for even in distant Jiangdong, she had heard of the famed talents of the seventh Miss Cao.

“Princess, you are too modest. When I was in Jiangdong, I’d already heard of Miss Cao’s reputation. Seeing her today, she is indeed extraordinary.”

Cao Ziyin's features resembled those of Princess Zhao: a hearty oval face, slender crescent brows, peach blossom eyes shimmering with spring, her thick black hair as lustrous as piled clouds. Upon closer inspection, she was a woman of curved brows and full cheeks, white teeth, and delicate beauty.

She wore a robe of Xiangfei-colored soft satin, dyed with phthalocyanine, paired with a smoke-gray plain gauze vest and a crescent-white embroidered skirt, the lower hem faintly swinging to reveal a coral-woven brocade skirt with bird and beast motifs. Across her shoulders was a pale sash, her hair styled in a Changle bun, adorned with jade earrings and a golden peach blossom hairpin, her hands, white as cream, bearing a red coral bracelet, a powder-yellow sash at her waist decorated with floral embroidery, from which hung a pouch embroidered with a white crane spreading its wings. Her feet were clad in lotus-patterned brocade boots.

She was softly enchanting, exuding a subtle fragrance—a jade lotus in the midst of spring’s rippling waters.

While the Princess of Xindu entertained guests in the front courtyard, Xu Guiyi and Cheng Hewei enjoyed the scenery in the rear gardens.

Xu Guiyi held a golden embroidered fan with a painted Pekingese dog and bone handle. She raised it to shield herself, leaning toward Cheng Hewei to whisper, “I’ve surveyed the noble ladies of Guangling, and indeed Miss Cao stands out the most—a gentle, elegant soul, no wonder she’s been your equal in fame for so many years.”

Cheng Hewei seemed unimpressed by such comparisons, interrupting, “Crown Princess, I value substance; who wants the title of a useless beauty?”

Xu Guiyi felt a jolt—had she just been subtly insulted? She drew in a breath and muttered, “Are you implying something about me?”

Cheng Hewei’s expression shifted, and she waved her hand, “Crown Princess, that’s not what I meant. I only lament my own shortcomings.”

Xu Guiyi narrowed her eyes, refusing to let it go, “Really?”

Cheng Hewei hid half her face behind her fan, “Crown Princess, if I had your face, I’d gladly be a useless beauty.”

Xu Guiyi rolled her eyes, showing her disbelief.

As the group strolled through the gardens, they came upon several newly blossomed purple magnolias, elegant and delightful.

March’s warmth returned, the purple magnolias bloomed pale violet, their shadows idle upon the courtyard—spring was in full swing.

The “Treatise on Things” says: “Magnolia is best planted before the hall. When several are arrayed, the flowering season is like a jade grove, peerless in its beauty. There is also a purple variety, called ‘wood pen’, not fit to be a mere companion of magnolia; the ancients called it ‘xin yi’.”

Xu Guiyi gazed at the blossoming purple magnolias and sighed, “Their color is as brilliant as lotuses, seeming like clouds and rosy mists. What a pity Zhirou isn’t here today; she loves purple magnolia most.”

Cheng Hewei tilted her head and asked seriously, “Crown Princess, I love crabapple blossoms. Will you think of me when you see them in the future?”

Xu Guiyi, seeing her earnest look, couldn’t help but laugh, “Why are you and Zhirou competing for my affections? If anything, you should be vying for the Crown Prince’s attention.”

Cheng Hewei pouted, “The Crown Prince doesn’t care what we like or dislike.”

Xu Guiyi shot her a sidelong glance and smiled.

When Fu Lancheng arrived in the rear courtyard, he saw Xu Guiyi and Cheng Hewei chatting and laughing—two beautiful women, clearly close.

Hearing someone greet the Crown Prince, Xu Guiyi and Cheng Hewei realized Fu Lancheng had arrived.

Under the magnolia trees, the Crown Prince stood in a lake-blue robe with wide sleeves, a golden crown, jade sash, dragon-patterned pendant, and phoenix feather ornament, moving with grace and dignity.

All the noble ladies, intimidated by the Crown Prince’s presence, withdrew, except for Cao Ziyin, who approached and conversed with him for quite some time. Xu Guiyi and Cheng Hewei waited nearby for their conversation to end.

Cheng Hewei leaned toward Xu Guiyi and whispered, “Everyone once thought Cao Ziyin would become Crown Princess, but who could have guessed she’d miss her chance.”

Xu Guiyi felt a flicker of surprise, then steadied herself, speaking quietly, “Why did she miss her chance? Her grandfather is Grand Tutor Cao.”

Indeed, this former candidate for Crown Princess and herself, the current one, shared the same fate—both had grandfathers who were Grand Tutors.

Cheng Hewei coughed, “Naturally, His Majesty wishes to guard against powerful maternal relatives.”

Xu Guiyi sighed, “So that’s how it is.”

Such is fate.

The poetry gathering was about to begin. Xu Guiyi wandered about, feeling uninspired, and returned to the pavilion. Upon entering, she found the Crown Prince already there, passing time with tea; it seemed he too disliked such occasions.

After greeting him, Xu Guiyi sat aside, and Cheng Hewei soon joined her. Upon seeing Fu Lancheng, she paused, then forced a smile, “Your Highness has finished speaking with Miss Cao?”

Fu Lancheng glanced at her, opened his white jade bone-handled fan, “What brings you two here today? Don’t you find it noisy?”

Cheng Hewei sighed, “The Eastern Palace received the princess’s invitation. It was Lu who originally wanted to come, so we accepted. Yet this morning, she suddenly claimed her throat was unwell, and only the Crown Princess and I had to brave it.”

Xu Guiyi nodded at the side, and Fu Lancheng did not press further.

Cheng Hewei settled next to Xu Guiyi, her gaze falling on Cao Ziyin, and praised sincerely, “Miss Cao is truly a woman of both talent and beauty, the legitimate granddaughter of Grand Tutor Cao—refined and elegant, truly outstanding.”

Xu Guiyi, to avoid having to respond, lifted her cup of tea to her lips.

Then Fu Lancheng’s voice, clear as moonlight, sounded, “Indeed, she is both talented and beautiful, from a good family. The Marquis of Yongjia is considering a marriage proposal to the Cao family for Ayu; what do you think?”

“Cough, cough, cough!” Xu Guiyi, caught off guard, coughed out her hot tea.

“Crown Princess, be careful!” Cheng Hewei quickly took her cup and wiped her mouth, attentive as ever.

After a moment, Fu Lancheng said with mild annoyance, “Crown Princess, do you find the match unsuitable?”

How to answer this? Xu Guiyi looked to Cheng Hewei, who was equally bewildered.

Xu Guiyi rubbed her hands together nervously, and asked carefully, “Has the Marquis of Yongjia asked the heir’s opinion regarding this match?”

Fu Lancheng considered, “You mean Ayu is unwilling?”

Xu Guiyi drew in a breath and explained, “During last winter’s hunt, I often saw the heir with the General Zhongwu’s daughter; they must have grown up together.”

Cheng Hewei was surprised, “You mean he favors Miss Qu?”

Xu Guiyi neither confirmed nor denied it, but her gaze remained on Fu Lancheng, whose expression seemed uneasy.

The three of them understood the subtle intricacies.

Cheng Hewei sighed, “General Zhongwu holds only a third-rank military post, the Qu family’s standing at court is shallow—unlike the illustrious Cao family. The heir’s wish will be hard to fulfill.”

Her words were meant as casual banter, but Fu Lancheng’s face darkened, frightening Cheng Hewei into silence; the atmosphere in the pavilion chilled instantly.

“Your Highness, since you’re here today, please leave a piece of calligraphy before departing.” Fortunately, the Princess of Xindu arrived just then, forcibly dragging Fu Lancheng away, allowing Xu Guiyi and Cheng Hewei to breathe a sigh of relief.

A scholar named Mei copied Liu Taihang’s “White Boat Under the Moon” in Yan style. Fu Lancheng glanced at it, shook his head, and then moved to an empty desk, picking up his brush to copy the same piece. His strokes were swift, fierce, and grand, like the surging waters of river and sea; in moments, dozens of characters appeared, vigorous and extraordinary.

It was said the Crown Prince was arrogant and unruly, treating the world with disdain, but few knew his calligraphy was unparalleled. Today, seeing it firsthand, all marveled at its excellence.

Yet Fu Lancheng, standing among the crowd, heard their praise and smiled indifferently. He recalled that, as Crown Prince, he had received far more censure than accolades over the years.

The world scolded him for being unconventional, rebellious; hearing it so often, he almost believed it himself. Thus, when occasional praise reached him, it seemed almost laughable.

Between himself and the emperor, disputes and cold wars never ceased. The estrangement between father and son left the empress caught in the middle, always troubled. He, meanwhile, only ever evaded, never minding the consequences.