On Lake Heart Island, there were three paths divided. Aside from Cherry Blossom Grove Path, which was reserved exclusively for the Imperial Family and the most prominent Aristocratic Gentry Clans, the other two were open for casual enjoynt. To facilitate this, Ju Nanyi further divided these two paths, reserving one exclusively for female guests and the other for male guests.
Moreover, the scenery on each path wasn’t significantly different. However, at a few scenic spots, Ju Nanyi cleverly arranged the Hundred Flowers Garden, which was favored by female guests, and so entertaining gas for the male guests.
Qi Jin stopped Mu Qingfeng and three others. As soone from the Crown Prince’s retinue, having accompanied the Crown Prince to the Youchun Workshop a few tis before, Mu Qingfeng and his companions didn’t suspect anything amiss, although they couldn’t fathom why this Close Retainer of the Crown Prince had called out to them.
"Lord Qi—" The four n paid their respects, and Qi Jin, without saying much, turned and walked away.
The four exchanged glances and followed, Qi Jin giving them no chance to speak, quickly making his way through the bustling crowd.
After walking a distance, Mu Qingfeng cast a puzzled glance around, yet they were still within the male guests’ area. Although they were approaching the area where male and female guests were divided, they were still within the male guests’ section, and it seed abrupt to inquire further.
True to form, when Qi Jin was less than five ters away from the female guests’ area, he stopped and turned around with a smile.
"Gentlen, I have a favor to ask of you," Qi Jin said with a sheepish smile, scratching his head as if embarrassed to speak.
The n were startled, their first thought being that they were unlikely to be of much help. But when a servant of the Crown Prince ca to them, they had no reason to refuse, other than feeling unexpectedly honored.
"Lord Qi, if there is anything we can assist with, please don’t hesitate to command us," Shen Houmu said, taking the lead, with Luh Xingze and Lin Haosi also nodding in agreent.
Mu Qingfeng said nothing. He had seen Princess Chao Ren. He had his own plans; his strength was comparable to Shen Houmu’s, and Prince Duan’s satisfaction was one aspect, but the Princess’s opinion mattered most, hence he had his own strategy.
However, it was not up to him at the mont, and there was still plenty of ti.
"Gentlen, I thank you in advance. The task is not difficult. After the first round just now, so ladies from prominent families, smitten with the young lords’ poetry, ventured in here prematurely and have beco trapped in the male guests’ area. It’s easy to say it’s simple, but also difficult if you look at it that way. Finding the right person to lead them out at this mont is challenging, so Lord Ju thought of you gentlen," Qi Jin explained.
Upon hearing this, the n realized it wasn’t a difficult task, and it made sense that they were chosen. The best approach was for mbers of each family to discreetly return their own ladies, to avoid any commotion. Thus, the most discreet way was to secretly escort them back to the female guests’ section, completely unnoticed.
If the task were assigned to the guards, it would be seen as disrespectful to the ladies from prominent families. Besides, the guards were stationed at their posts, and coordinating a relocation could lead to chaos. Therefore, having a few officials accompanied by one or two guards would be ideal, and Mu Qingfeng’s group of four was considered due to their smaller presence and ease of movent, which is why they were approached.
"Lord Qi, rest assured. We will ensure the ladies reach their destination safely," Shen Houmu stated, and Mu Qingfeng, harboring no doubts, was eager to see the matter resolved swiftly.
"Gentlen, please follow ," Qi Jin said, satisfied with how things were proceeding, leading the four n directly to a secluded pavilion in the male guests’ area, where indeed there were three or four ladies from the Aristocratic Gentry Clans anxiously waiting with maids and servants.
"Ladies, I have asked a few officials from Youchun Workshop to escort you out of the male guests’ area," Qi Jin approached and said.
The ladies who had inadvertently trespassed were from the Minor Gentry such as Outer Capital Jiumu and Hongnong. Originally, these families were in decline, and it was only due to their distant marital connections to the family of Xia that they were able to participate. They had co to Zheng Capital together with a re handful of people, sharing the sa boat. Upon disembarking, they were uncertain who to follow and sohow ended up in the male guests’ area.
Although these families had deteriorated, Jiumu once belonged to the Aristocratic Gentry Clans, and even Emperor Jingzhi held them in high esteem. The pillar of the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan at the mont was Xia Zhitan, the eldest daughter.
Furthermore, the reigning eldest son of the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan, Xia Tongjun, was achieving victories in the Northwest and had been nad Ding General, beginning to make a na for himself.
The lady from the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan also possessed the composure reflective of prominent families, calming the other ladies with considerable aplomb.
"Then we’ll have to trouble the gentlen," said Xia Zhitan, casting a glance at the several distinguished n standing before her, all striking in appearance and bearing, though she did not know their ranks, she felt a surge of goodwill at that mont.
"Then we’ll have to trouble the gentlen," Qi Jin said, ready to leave imdiately after his task was completed, as the ti Ju Nanyi gave him was limited.
...
"Father—" Zheng Nianru had no sooner landed than she saw Zheng Boding waiting for her at the dock.
Zheng Boding glanced at Zheng Haoyuan, who imdiately restrained his hands and feet, not daring to lift his head or even to walk, afraid of making a bad impression.
Zheng Nianru paid no attention to Zheng Haoyuan but headed cheerfully towards Prince Duan.
"Father, no wonder Mu Qingfeng managed to get that impressive third-place ranking, I just heard from Qi Zhu that you were the Judge Officer," said Zheng Nianru playfully as she hopped onto a rather tall step. Zheng Boding’s eyelids twitched violently, and he quickly reached out to protect her.
Zheng Nianru was about to jump again, but Zheng Boding imdiately pulled her back.
"How could that be? Would your father be the kind of man to engage in nepotism? It’s that Qingfeng is truly a rare talent, what do you think of his writing?" Zheng Boding hinted aningfully.
Qi Zhu glanced at Prince Duan but did not speak, though he felt that Prince Duan was promoting his son-in-law as though he were promoting his own son.
Zheng Nianru, uninterested, idly nodded her head.
"It sounds quite good," said Zheng Nianru, looking around. They were on a very secluded path, with no one else around aside from themselves. Zheng Nianru did not know that guards had already been posted at both ends of the path.
Prince Duan wanted to offer more praise but, seeing Zheng Nianru’s indifferent expression and recalling that she was not well-versed in literature, and in fact, had little proficiency in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with only her needlework being presentable—yet even that was not a trait that could be proudly displayed by ladies from prominent families—he pondered further and realized that aside from her beauty, there seed to be nothing else she could flaunt.
Upon such reflection, Prince Duan felt the matter needed to be expedited; there must be no chance for that youngster Mu Qingfeng to reconsider. Once married, turning back would not be an option. Although he might lack significant power now, subduing Mu Qingfeng was still within his abilities.
"Nian Ru, father is getting old now. If you could leave the Imperial Palace early and marry a man of good character and talent to live an ordinary life, that would be enough to satisfy ," Prince Duan suddenly expressed with emotion.
"Father, look over there," Zheng Nianru, who didn’t fully hear him, was delighted solely because she could accompany Zheng Boding on a stroll. Moreover, at her age, Zheng Boding had not yet reached the point of sighing with disappointnt or begrudgingly severing family ties for the sake of righteousness.
Zheng Boding followed Zheng Nianru’s indicated direction and looked out to see a riot of colors where multitudes of flowers blood in profusion; the Hundred Flower Garden lay at their feet.
Zheng Boding felt a pang of sorrow. Such a common sight brought her so much joy, yet for so many years she had never truly had the opportunity to go out and enjoy such experiences.
"Go ahead," said Prince Duan, patting Zheng Nianru on the shoulder.
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