Chapter 30: Flower Viewing

After the onset of spring, winter snow melted, and all things came back to life.

With the warmth of spring, flowers bloomed, grass grew, and birds chirped.

Spring arrived in the capital earlier than in Qingzhou. It seemed as if overnight, all the flowers in the courtyard had bloomed. Xie Zhen received an invitation from the Prince’s residence, inviting her and Xie Xian to join them for flower viewing on the first day of March.

Just as Ling Xiangyun had said, since they had just arrived in the capital, it would be good for them to get to know more people. Besides, Xie Zhen was naturally a sociable person, and attending such banquets was like a walk in the park for her. Back in Qingzhou, she was known for her eloquence and got along well with everyone.

Of course, Qingzhou couldn’t compare to the capital.

The people in the capital considered themselves superior, exuding an air of arrogance. Among them, Xie Ying and Xie Yin were especially so.

Xie Zhen found these two amusing. Did they think changing her fabric to coarse cloth would render her helpless?

Before returning to the capital, Madam Leng had made several sets of new clothes for her and Xie Xian, suitable for all seasons and made from the latest colors and fabrics. Xie Zhen had a unique taste, and the styles and patterns were distinctive, even in the capital, attracting attention.

Xie Xian ran over to her, hesitatingly said, “Sister…”

Xie Zhen was busy arranging a pink harp-shaped necklace when she heard her sister’s words. She lifted her head, “Hmm?”

Xie Xian fidgeted for a while before managing to say, “Can I not go flower viewing…”

Now she stopped her actions, turning to look at her sister, “Why?”

Pouting, Xie Xian said, “Too many people.”

She sighed, looking troubled, “But if you don’t go, I’ll be all alone, and it’ll be very lonely.”

Xie Xian didn’t understand the meaning of these words and blinked her eyes.

Putting down the necklace, Xie Zhen had to ask, “Do you like the third and fourth sisters?”

Xie Xian honestly shook her head.

Though she was innocent, there were some things she understood. Whether someone liked you or not was easy to figure out. From their actions and expressions, Xie Xian could sense that Xie Ying and Xie Yin didn’t like the two sisters from the moment they returned home.

Xie Zhen felt relieved, “Exactly, the third and fourth sisters don’t like us either.”

Some childhood memories she had forgotten, while others were crystal clear, just like the time she remembered when Grandfather scolded her for damaging his flowers. Xie Ying had never liked her since childhood, creating a difficult relationship. At that time, she was too young to understand why. She tried to get closer to Xie Ying many times, but it always ended in failure.

Xie Ying was ambitious, wanting to be the best child in the eyes of the elders. However, Xie Zhen stood in her way. Xie Zhen was intelligent, remembering books after reading them once, making Grandfather favor her the most.

Combined with the influence of the old lady and the Madam Xu, Ying had disliked Xie Zhen since a very young age. So, bullying her, pushing her into the snow, tricking her into getting wet in the rain became a common occurrence. Later, Xie Zhen finally understood that Xie Ying was not the good sister she had thought. So, she never approached her again, until now.

Xie Zhen told Xie Xian, “The more others don’t want us to live well, the more we should live well. Ah Xian, will you come with me?”

Xie Xian nodded vigorously, reaching out to hug her neck and rubbing against her, “I’ll listen to Sister.”

Unexpectedly, Xie Zhen, caught off guard, was pressed down on the couch, making a pitiful sob.

She said, “Ah Xian, did you sneakily eat something again? Why are you heavy again?”

Xie Xian loudly retorted, “No, I didn’t.”

*

On the first day of March, the carriages from the Prince’s residence were prepared to wait at Duke Dingguo’s residence. There were two carriages in total, one carrying the third and fourth sisters, and the other carrying the fifth, sixth, and seventh sisters.

Duke Dingguo’s residence had seven sisters; the first two were already married, leaving five waiting to be married. The sixth sister, Xie Jing, didn’t talk much and was often forgotten by people. She was the legitimate daughter of the fourth house.

On this day, Xie Ying and Xie Yin had already finished dressing up and left. They were wearing newly made clothes, looking bright and beautiful as they boarded the carriages.

Before boarding the carriage, Xie Ying adjusted the silver-blue hairpin with pomegranate pattern on her head. She looked at the carriage behind and asked Xie Jing, “Have the fifth and seventh sisters not come out yet?”

Xie Jing nodded.

She didn’t say anything, but the smile on her lips became thicker.

Xie Jing felt a bit strange but didn’t think much of it. She sat in the carriage and waited for a while until the flower and bird-patterned curtain was lifted. She looked up and was momentarily stunned.

Xie Zhen gracefully entered, the red agate at her brow swayed lightly with her movements. When the bright sun outside shone on her, her fair skin appeared even more delicate. She smiled slightly at Xie Jing, revealing shallow dimples on her cheeks, adding a lot of warmth, “Sorry for making the sixth sister wait.”

Even Xie Jing, who had seen her twice before, couldn’t help but be impressed by her beauty this time.

In the past, she didn’t groom herself properly; her beauty was a natural, unadorned charm. Now, with her hair styled in a lotus bun, wearing a cherry blossom-colored silk shirt, a colorful lotus-patterned silk skirt, adorned with a brow-hanging gem, and a gold-threaded sachet at her waist, sitting in the sunlight, she resembled a lotus flower with dewdrops after the rain. One would want to pluck her, bring her home, place her in a vase, and tenderly care for her every day.

She had carefully dressed herself, and every part of her exuded refinement. Xie Jing lowered her head to take a look, and the needlework on the lotus-patterned silk skirt was so vividly embroidered that even a dragonfly, if it came, would want to perch on it for a moment.

Before Xie Jing could speak, another person came in from outside, and it was Xie Xian.

Xie Xian and Xie Zhen, with their hair draped in a hairstyle which was not heavily adorned due to their young age. Xie Xian, in a white pleated collar blouse, paired it with a colorful goose-yellow embroidered skirt. Apart from a sachet on her waist, she also had two floral-patterned silver bells hanging below a jade pendant. As she moved, the bells made a clear and crisp sound.

When she saw Xie Jing, her pretty apple face blushed, “Sixth sister.”

Xie Jing was stunned by the two sisters, took a moment to respond, “Seventh sister.” Then looking at Xie Zhen, “Fifth sister.”

Xie Zhen paid no attention, dropped the curtain, and signaled the coachman to start. It was quite a journey from the Duke Dingguo’s mansion to the Prince’s residence, and to pass the time, Xie Zhen and Xie Xian sat side by side, chatting away.

Suddenly, Xie Zhen remembered something and asked Xie Jing, “Where are the third and fourth sisters?”

Xie Jing almost immediately replied, “The third and fourth sisters left early, they went ahead.”

She nodded and remained silent.

Half an hour later, the carriage stopped at the Prince’s residence, and the staff came to receive them. The maids led them to the backyard, saying that the Prince’s consort and Princess Heyi had already arrived, and other young ladies were there as well. 

Xie Zhen felt as if she arrived late, but the maid reassured her, “The Prince’s consort and Princess arrived early to host a feast for the young ladies. You don’t need to worry; just follow the maids.”

Only then did she feel at ease.

The flower appreciation was in the southeast corner of the backyard, where there was a peony garden meticulously cultivated by the Prince’s consort. The garden had pavilions, flower racks, artificial hills with flowing water, and various items that the young ladies enjoyed, such as musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting. When Xie Zhen, Xie Xian, and Xie Jing arrived, the garden seemed like a secluded paradise with melodious music, pleasant laughter, and the fragrance of flowers.

*

A maid approached and informed the two ladies playing chess in the pavilion, “Your Highness, Princess, Xie Family’s fifth, sixth, and seventh young ladies have arrived.”

Ling Xiangwu made a move, turned her head, and looked outside.

With just one glance, she was captivated.

The two young ladies from the Xie family were both unparalleled beauties. The younger one had not fully grown yet, with a tender and adorable demeanor, while the older one was a genuine beauty embryo.

Appearing to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, she had a graceful figure and an unparalleled charm. The skirt she wore was embroidered with subtle golden lotus patterns, and a faint lotus fragrance emanated from the golden silk sachet, giving off a hint of the fragrance of blooming lotus flowers.

It seemed that Ling Xiangyun had not lied this time; probably, there couldn’t be a better match of colors in the entire Chang’an City. As they entered, all eyes were on them, and Xie Jing on the side almost became overshadowed. Xie Ying and Xie Yin, looking at them, were both shocked and annoyed.

Xie Zhen and Xie Xian approached, bowing to Ling Xiangwu and Princess Heyi, “Greetings, Your Highness, greetings, Princess.”

Ling Xiangwu lightly helped them up.

Ling Xiangyun, standing behind the Prince’s consort, gave them a hearty smile.

On the opposite side of the stone table, Princess Heyi finally came to her senses, having almost drooled earlier. Similar in age to Xie Zhen, she had a cute appearance but a somewhat wild and tricky personality. Today, for some reason, Xie Zhen and Xie Xian caught her interest, and she quickly joined them in playing together.

Upon inquiring about their birthdays, she found out that she was only half a year older than Xie Zhen, immediately becoming closer to her. Princess Heyi no longer played chess with the Prince’s consort, instead pulling Xie Zhen to the side to appreciate peonies. Surprisingly, they got along well and had endless conversations.

In just half a day, it seemed like they were developing a trend of becoming close friends.

Seeing this, Xie Ying was so frustrated that she almost crushed the handkerchief in her hand, “She’s really talented…”

Xie Yin was also jealous, thinking, “Isn’t it just having a pretty face? Why does the princess treat her differently?”

On the other side, Princess Heyi, sitting under the wisteria arbor, took off the white jade pendant from her waist, “Here, this is for you. From now on, we’re good sisters. Keep it safe; if you dare to lose it, I’ll hold you accountable.”

Xie Zhen had no choice but to accept it. Since she didn’t have anything suitable to give, she simply took off the golden silk sachet, “Then, take this.”

Princess Heyi’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly took it, “I’ve had my eye on this sachet for a long time. What fragrance does it contain? It smells really good.”

The fragrances in this sachet were crafted by Xie Zhen, and she listed them as if it were her treasure, “There’s lotus, osmanthus, vetiver, and agarwood, among others…”

Princess Heyi happily accepted it.

Xie Zhen teased her, “Does the princess lack such things? Why do you look so surprised…”

Princess Heyi interrupted her, “Don’t call me princess anymore; just call me by my name, Yaoyan.”

The current royal family surname is Yan, and her full name is Yan Yao’an.

Xie Zhen didn’t hesitate and called her Yaoyan, also complimenting that her name sounded beautiful.

Lunch was served at the Prince’s residence, and the spirited Princess Heyi wouldn’t let Xie Zhen leave no matter what. By the afternoon, if it weren’t for the servant reporting that the Sixth Prince had come to escort her, she probably wouldn’t have allowed Xie Zhen to go.

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