The room was filled with fresh-faced young maidens, a truly delightful sight to behold, adorned in fashionable silk dresses and ornate hairpins. The Grand Princess's expression finally softened somewhat.
"It's been so long since I ventured outside, and now I see so many unfamiliar faces. Looking at these radiant children makes me feel all the more aged. Ladies, won't you introduce them to me?"
"Many years have passed, yet Your Highness remains as graceful as ever, while the rest of us have grown old and weary. Do you still remember me?"
Old Madam Song, mother of Master Song, the Minister of Rites, was the first to respond with a smile. She had interacted with the Grand Princess in her youth and had deliberately brought her granddaughter to the banquet today, hoping to leave a lasting impression.
"Of course I remember. How has Madam Song been faring lately?"
The Grand Princess recalled Madam Song's youthful appearance and, in turn, remembered the identical twin sons of the Song family—she had even held them as babies. A faint smile touched her lips.
"By Your Highness's grace, I am in good health."
Madam Song beamed, her eyes brimming with nostalgia.
"Upon hearing of today's banquet at Taoyuan Mountain, my heart swelled with joy, and my spirits lifted. It's been ten years in the blink of an eye, yet the memory of those peach blossoms in full bloom remains as vivid as a painting before my eyes. Today, I brought my little granddaughter along to broaden her horizons, lest she keeps accusing me of exaggeration."
The girl beside Madam Song curtsied gracefully, her voice clear and melodious.
"Your humble servant, Song Qingxue, greets the Grand Princess. It seems my grandmother seldom took me out before, for now that I’ve seen the ethereal beauty of Taoyuan Mountain, I realize how narrow my perspective was—truly shameful."
"You mischievous monkey! Always so obsessed with painting—the moment you see a pretty scene, you’d sit there all day, deaf to anyone calling you!"
Old Madam Song feigned annoyance, raising her hand as if to lightly swat her granddaughter. The Grand Princess chuckled heartily and turned to Song Qingxue.
"I find this girl quite clever. Qingxue, you must paint a scene of Taoyuan Mountain for me later, so I may always have this springtime splendor before my eyes."
The ladies at the banquet immediately understood—this Song Qingxue was skilled in painting. The other young ladies who also excelled in the art could only bite their lips in secret, resentful that they lacked an elder with such familiarity with the Grand Princess.
"Your servant is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Taiyuan Wang family, paying respects to the Grand Princess. Though I’ve never visited Taoyuan Mountain before, I did attend Your Highness’s wedding and even had the pleasure of tasting the wedding sweets."
Madam Wang, now in her forties, was well-preserved and carried herself with dignified grace.
"Ah, so you’re from the Wang family. I do know your mother-in-law. She sent me an invitation to your wedding, but I was unwell at the time and couldn’t attend. Who would’ve thought your child would already be so grown now."
Back then, the Grand Princess had been in low spirits, indifferent to many matters, and had merely sent a congratulatory gift. If she recalled correctly, the hairpin adorning the girl beside Madam Wang—Wang Jiayu—was part of that dowry gift.
"Wang Jiayu greets the Grand Princess. May Your Highness enjoy eternal peace!"
The hairpin, somewhat outdated now, still exuded an understated elegance, lending Wang Jiayu an air of cool refinement.
"What a fine child."
With these two ladies leading the way, the remaining women rose one after another to introduce themselves. The Grand Princess felt her face stiffen from smiling—why hadn’t that imperial nephew of hers arrived yet?
Xiao Youcheng, accompanied by Zhou Qingyuan, Lu Chao, and a few others, strolled leisurely into Taoyuan Mountain, carrying the game they had hunted.
Just as the Grand Princess was nearing her limit, a palace attendant hurried into the banquet hall.
"Reporting to Your Highness, Prince Kang requests an audience. He says he comes bearing game, sent by His Majesty’s decree."
The Grand Princess finally exhaled in relief.
"Quickly, invite him in!"
Prince Kang, leading the group, wore a silver-gilded brocade robe, his noble bearing unmatched in handsomeness.
But it was the young man behind him who truly stole the show—when had the capital ever seen such a figure?
Exquisite yet not effeminate, tall and poised without being burly, his slightly upturned eyes and jade-like demeanor made him seem almost celestial.
The noble ladies flushed, lowering their eyes in shyness.
"Greetings, Aunt! Today, His Majesty took us hunting at Huyin Mountain. Upon hearing of your banquet, he ordered me to deliver some fresh game for Your Highness to enjoy!"
The Grand Princess nodded slightly.
"How thoughtful of His Majesty! Knowing my fondness for roasted venison, he’d have you trek all this way just to deliver it! Bai Zhi is an excellent cook—since you’re here, you must stay and savor the feast. The scenery of Taoyuan Mountain is splendid; why not admire the spring blossoms beneath the trees outside?"
Prince Kang and his companions bowed in assent.
"Then we shall impose upon Your Highness and the esteemed ladies."
"And who are these fine young men? Such extraordinary looks."
The Grand Princess couldn’t help but ask, her gaze lingering on Lu Chao behind Prince Kang.
The gentlemen accompanying Prince Kang took turns introducing themselves.
The older ladies, as if equipped with searchlights, scrutinized them with keen interest.
There was only one Prince Kang—even if they couldn’t secure him, these other young men trailing behind him surely had bright futures ahead.
Zhou Qingyuan and the others had grown up in the capital, so the ladies recognized them. But Lu Chao and Chen Ning'an were complete strangers.
"Your humble servant, Lu Chao, greets the Grand Princess!"
The moment Lu Chao spoke, the room fell silent for a few seconds.
So this was the infamous Lu Chao! What a pity! To possess such striking beauty yet be so unfortunate!
Several young ladies clenched their handkerchiefs in frustration, silently cursing that female general.
The older women cast sympathetic glances at Lu Chao—to bear the shame of a cuckold before even marrying, how bitter! Prince Kang must have brought this pretty but powerless Lu Chao along to appease Xiao Zheng’s military influence. Tsk tsk.
Rumors had it that Xiao Huan had orchestrated the marriage to seize military power. But now, after seeing Lu Chao, a new suspicion arose in their minds.
Could it be that the female general had fallen for this delicate flower and demanded the marriage herself?!
One Grand Princess, an avid reader of romantic tales, nearly gasped in excitement.
The rumors claimed the female general had originally sought control of the Xiao Army, yet somehow ended up commanding the imperial forces instead. Had she traded that for this marriage?!
Ahhh!!
A domineering female general forcing her love upon a beautiful youth!
Lu Chao was baffled—why was the Grand Princess looking at him so intently?
He glanced sideways at Zhou Qingyuan, confusion written all over his face.
Zhou Qingyuan shook his head—he had no idea either.
A lady broke the awkward silence with a lighthearted remark.
"It seems we are truly blessed today—such splendid scenery, such fine delicacies, such beauty all around!"
The others chimed in, and soon the banquet regained its harmonious atmosphere.
"Watching Qingxue paint has stirred my fingers. Perhaps I might play a tune to add to the artistic ambiance?"
A young woman in a pale-yellow dress giggled. Song Qingxue’s lips twitched as she irritably twisted her handkerchief.
"Though unskilled, I dare suggest—wouldn’t a duet of zither and flute be even more delightful?"
Nanny Qingyu, holding a sandalwood tray, smiled as she observed the eager young ladies.
"It's rare to see Taoyuan Mountain so lively today. The Grand Princess is in high spirits, and she invites all the young masters and ladies to showcase their most ingenious ideas related to peach blossoms. The one whose creativity stands out will receive a generous reward from Her Highness."
With these words, she gently presented a wooden tray. All eyes turned to it, revealing a delicate pink jade hairpin resting quietly on the surface. The jade was warm and translucent, carved into a lifelike peach blossom with petals so vivid they seemed to blush, and stamens so finely detailed they appeared almost real—utterly flawless in craftsmanship.
At the sight of this treasure, even the young ladies who had initially attended merely as passive companions felt a surge of determination. They knew well that in terms of family status, they could never compete with the daughters of noble houses; the title of princess consort was as unattainable to them as flowers reflected in a mirror or the moon mirrored in water. Yet this exquisite hairpin was a tangible prize, one they could claim through their own merit if they proved themselves worthy.
