Since the young adjutant was not present, several young men wanted to test-ride the mount he had lent to Yao Lin.
Yao Lin said sternly, "If this were my horse, you could try it however you please, but it was lent to me by that lord. Without his permission, I cannot make decisions on my own."
Mr. Fan nodded and said, "That makes sense. The finer the steed, the more spirited it is. All of you behave and stop coveting it."
The young men thus gave up their thoughts of a test ride and mounted their own mules or horses.
Li Tingwang rode alongside Mr. Fan and asked, "Sir, we still do not know that lord's honorable surname?"
Mr. Fan remembered that Yao Lin's sister had already guessed it, and Prince Hui himself had no intention of hiding his surname, so he casually replied, "Zhao."
The imperial family's surname was Zhao, but Zhao was also one of the common surnames among the people. Since Mr. Fan said it so easily, Li Tingwang did not immediately associate it with royalty. After all, he had been down on the field playing polo all morning, unlike Yao Huang, who had seen Mr. Fan's utmost reverence in front of that lord from a close distance.
Mr. Fan did not want to mention Prince Hui much further and began to comment on the young men's performance in the polo match.
Upon arriving at the Wangxian Pavilion, Mr. Fan kept in mind Prince Hui's admonition against students indulging in wine, so he ordered only one jug to satisfy the cravings of the ten youths.
When ordering food, Mr. Fan opened the pouch Prince Hui had given him. Inside was a hundred-tael silver note, five small one-tael gold ingots, and a few taels of broken silver.
Mr. Fan then glanced at the ten young men sitting around the full table, helplessly took out the five gold ingots, and said, "Eat according to this budget. If you exceed it, you will split the extra cost equally."
Li Tingwang, who was only sixteen and had worked hard through two matches just to earn a two-tael prize: "..."
After eating out with her sisters, Yao Huang returned to Changshou Alley.
Luo Jinhua asked, "Why didn't you come back with your brother?"
Yao Huang briefly explained, omitting her speculations about the adjutant's identity to avoid alarming her mother.
Having eaten and drunk her fill, Yao Huang went back to the west chamber to rest for the afternoon. However, lying on the heated brick bed, she could not fall asleep. Her mind was full of Lord Zhao's handsome features and his heroic posture while playing polo.
Yao Huang felt a bit melancholic.
Such a handsome young master. If his family background matched hers, Yao Huang would not only dare to return his gaze, but even if he showed no interest in her, she would take the initiative to pursue him. Just like how her mother had proactively flirted with her father back in the day, she would turn the man she fancied into her own husband.
Merely guessing that he came from a prestigious family was enough to extinguish her hopes. Upon learning that he was an imperial prince, Yao Huang dared not entertain any wishful thinking.
After tossing and turning a few times, Yao Huang fell asleep. When she woke up, she stopped thinking about him. She called Aji to bring some water, washed her face, and then left the west chamber.
The south gate of the Yao residence was closed. From the backyard came the voices of her father and brother, seemingly talking about a horse.
Yao Huang walked over in confusion, only to see her parents, brother, and several of their servants gathered around, inspecting a fine black horse.
The steed stood perfectly still, almost looking like a fake horse.
Yao Huang quickly ran over and looked at her brother. "This is?"
Yao Lin wore an expression of joy and pride, as if he had found gold. "Right after you all left, Lord Zhao saw that I didn't have a mount and lent me his."
Yao Huang asked, "Then how did Lord Zhao leave?"
Yao Lin replied, "He didn't go. He said he had errands and returned to the martial academy, only covering the expenses with his silver."
Yao Huang: "..."
She did not want to overthink it, but for someone so noble and a horse so expensive, was it because Lord Zhao was naturally generous and straightforward, or...
Waiting until the others lost interest in the horse and walked away, Yao Huang asked her brother in a low voice, "Do you have some kind of friendship with Lord Zhao? Why was he willing to lend his horse to you?"
Yao Lin thought for a moment and mentioned the interaction he had with Lord Zhao the day before when he was being punished with standing.
Yao Huang asked her brother to explain in detail. Upon learning that Lord Zhao had very abruptly asked about her brother's family background, Yao Huang's heartbeat fell into complete disarray.
Afraid that Lord Zhao's divine steed might be stolen from their home, Yao Lin cautiously slept in the firewood stack by the mule shed for the night. The next morning, he rode the fine horse early to the martial academy.
Mr. Fan and a young man in plain clothes who looked like a trained martial artist were standing near the main gate of the martial academy. Seeing him, Mr. Fan waved.
Zhang Yue did not say much to Yao Lin; he simply took away the prince's horse.
Yao Lin learned from Mr. Fan that Lord Zhao was only temporarily inspecting the martial academy and would not remain there for official duties permanently.
Yao Lin felt a bit regretful, as he still wanted to find an opportunity to spar with Lord Zhao. However, the coursework at the martial academy was heavy, and Yao Lin soon put Lord Zhao out of his mind. That was until a few days later, when the academy director, who was in his fifties, summoned all the academy officials, civil and martial instructors, and students to the training grounds. He loudly read out several new rules, including that outsiders who were not officials, teachers, or students of the academy must register their reasons for entry at the gate, and that students organizing private polo matches must keep their clothing neat and proper...
Yao Lin gritted his teeth. "This must be Lord Zhao's doing!"
At the end of February, while returning home for his rest days, Yao Lin complained about these new rules to his family at the dinner table.
Yao Huang silently picked up some food with her chopsticks, the profile of Lord Zhao standing quietly with lowered eyes flashing through her mind.
Prince Hui's Manor.
Zhao Sui walked slowly alone along the main path of the back garden.
Some thoughts could be hidden from others, but one could not deceive oneself. For instance, ever since that chance encounter, he had been unable to stop recalling Miss Yao's various expressions and actions.
Zhao Sui loved to read, but he was no bookworm. He knew very well what his fixation on Miss Yao meant.
Zhao Sui could directly report to his imperial father and ask him to grant a marriage, but he was not sure if Miss Yao had feelings for him. Furthermore, he did not want her to compromise herself just because she dared not defy the royal family's favor.
As he walked, a peony garden appeared in Zhao Sui's field of vision. The spring sunlight was warm and gentle, and some of the peonies had already bloomed.
Zhao Sui walked towards the peony bushes.
The landscaping of the entire back garden of Prince Hui's Manor had been designed by Zhao Sui himself, so he recognized every famous tree and every precious flower in the garden.
Passing by an early-blooming Yao Huang peony, Zhao Sui stopped in his tracks. On the day Miss Yao went to the martial academy to watch the match, she was wearing a pale yellow dress just like this. Made of fine cotton, it was inconspicuous among the silk and satin dresses of the other young ladies. Yet, the bright color suited her very well. Even when she was not smiling, she looked vibrant, and when she smiled, it was like spring sunlight dancing among the peony bushes.
Yao Huang, Miss Yao—both carried the character Yao. Unfortunately, Zhao Sui only knew that her surname was Yao and that her relatives and friends called her Yaoyao, but he did not know her first name.
"Qingai."
Zhao Sui called out while facing the Yao Huang peony.
Qingai, who had fallen behind, immediately hurried over.
Zhao Sui said, "Fetch the easel. I want to paint."
Qingai walked away briskly and soon returned with Feiquan, bringing an easel, painting paper, and various pigments.
Zhao Sui then spent the entire morning slowly painting a peony, ultimately titling it Yao Huang.
The peonies of the capital were renowned throughout the world. Not only did the imperial palace, princely mansions, and noble families like to dedicate entire gardens to cultivating peonies, but wealthy merchants among the common people also opened peony gardens. This not only satisfied their own families' refined interest in admiring peonies but also allowed them to earn a sum of silver by selling flower tickets to tourists in the springtime.
There were several peony gardens in the capital. The more varieties of peonies and the more exquisite the landscaping, the more expensive the flower tickets were. The most expensive one, Jinxiu Garden, actually cost one tael of silver per ticket.
At dusk on the ninth day of the third month, Li Tingwang arrived at the Yao household with three flower exhibition tickets in hand. He invited Yao Lin and his sister to visit Jinxiu Garden the next day to admire the peonies. My father originally planned to take my mother and me, but something urgent came up. My mother insisted on waiting for him, and since these tickets are only valid for tomorrow, I have no choice but to bring my best friend and his sister along.
Yao Lin had no personal interest in flower viewing, but he knew his sister loved peonies, especially the rare Yao Huang variety.
Without a second thought, he reached out to take the tickets.
Yao Huang wanted to go, but she did not want to take advantage of Li Tingwang by accepting tickets worth two taels of silver. Subconsciously, she glanced at her mother, who was passing by.
Luo Jinhua smiled and said, Go ahead. The tickets are already paid for; it would be a shame to let them go to waste.
After Li Tingwang left, Luo Jinhua fetched two taels of silver and handed them to her daughter, instructing her to find an opportunity the next day to reimburse him. If she tried to give it to him herself, Li Tingwang would undoubtedly refuse out of politeness, and Luo Jinhua could not be bothered to argue with him. Given her daughter's temperament, she would surely find a way to slip him the money without all the fuss.
Yao Huang said, I have made you spend money again, Mother. I originally just wanted to buy tickets for Chunfang Garden.
Chunfang Garden was smaller and had fewer varieties of peonies, so its tickets only cost one mace of silver each.
Luo Jinhua replied, You and your brother go to Jinxiu Garden first. In a few days, just the two of us will go to Chunfang Garden together.
As for her husband and son, those two rough men could just stay home and practice their martial arts. The money saved on their tickets could be used to buy silk peony hairpins for the two women to wear.
Yao Huang happily hugged her mother, touched that she was willing to spend the money for her to see the prized peonies.
Early the next morning, Li Tingwang drove his family's carriage over to pick up Yao Huang and her brother. He and Yao Lin sat up front on the driver's bench, while Yao Huang sat comfortably inside.
As they exited Changshou Alley, Li Tingwang instinctively wanted to tease Yao Huang, perhaps joking about letting her experience the grand entourage of a wealthy young lady on an outing. However, at the thought of a certain Lord Zhao whom they had not seen in a while, Li Tingwang swallowed his words. He no longer dared to deliberately provoke Yao Huang as he used to.
There is some date paste cake in the cabinet. I just bought it this morning, give it a try, Li Tingwang said, glancing back as he drove the carriage.
Li Tingwang frequently freeloaded meals at the Yao household, so Yao Huang never stood on ceremony with him when it came to small snacks. She opened the low cabinet inside the carriage, took out the pastry, and moved to sit near the front. With a piece of date paste cake in one hand, she used her other hand to offer the oiled paper bag to the two young men so they could have some as well.
Looking into her bright, clear eyes, Li Tingwang felt a rush of sweetness just from holding the piece of cake.
The spring weather was beautiful, and all three of them were in high spirits.
Upon arriving outside Jinxiu Garden, Li Tingwang found a spot to park the carriage. He and Yao Lin then flanked Yao Huang on either side, escorting her toward the garden entrance.
Outside the gates, the garden owners had set up several stalls selling food, beverages, and various peony-themed embroideries. The most popular among them was a stall selling silk peony hairpins.
Li Tingwang insisted they go over and take a look.
Yao Huang teased him with a smile, Are you planning to imitate those refined young masters and wear a flower in your hair?
Yes, indeed. If I wear one, I will be refined too, Li Tingwang retorted playfully.
He actually picked out a pale yellow silk peony, spending five mace of silver on it. Just as he was about to put it on his own head, he caught sight of Yao Lin laughing at him. Feigning anger, Li Tingwang grabbed Yao Huang by the shoulders and attempted to tuck the silk flower into her hair instead.
Afraid that his clumsy hands would ruin her hairstyle, Yao Huang took a few steps back to dodge him. As she lifted her head, her gaze suddenly landed on the alleyway behind Li Tingwang and her brother.
A man was approaching on horseback. He was dressed in a tea-white brocade robe with a jade hairpin securing his hair. His quiet, narrow phoenix eyes were already fixed on her, though she had no idea how long he had been watching.
As their eyes met, Lord Zhao lowered his gaze once more.
Taking advantage of Yao Huang's momentary distraction, Li Tingwang quickly slipped the silk flower into her hair.
The old woman running the stall had been keeping an eye on Yao Huang the entire time. Seeing this, she began to holler excitedly, Come look, everyone! This young lady wearing our silk flower looks just like a fairy descended from the heavens!
With that, the old woman hurried around her stall and personally adjusted the position of the silk peony in Yao Huang's hair.
Amidst the admiring glances of the surrounding men and women, Yao Huang looked back at Lord Zhao, who had drawn closer. He was looking at her again. But this time, he did not hastily avert his gaze. After a brief moment of eye contact, his gaze shifted upward, landing squarely on the silk peony pinned in her hair.
