Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 20. Blooming Flowers Festival (1)
20. The Grand Flower Gathering (1)
「King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion」
"I see, you may go now."
In the tranquil and somewhat lonesome Water Pavilion, a man in a blue robe gazed out at the lake beyond the window, his voice calm as he spoke.
Nanny Sun’s stern face, which often lent her a harsh demeanor, showed a hint of helplessness. She looked at the solitary figure before her, wanting to speak yet hesitating. Ultimately, she said nothing and dejectedly retreated.
"It seems Nanny Sun also thinks highly of Third Miss Ye. You know, for Nanny Sun to speak in her favor is no easy feat." Elsewhere, Feng Zhiyao, still clad in his striking and resplendent attire, languidly chuckled to his dear friend. Mo Xiuyao turned to look at him, his eyes calm and genial. "And so, what of it?"
"And so, what of it?!" Feng Zhiyao sat up, glaring at him, even his usually languid voice rising considerably. "Ah-Yao, Third Miss Ye is your future wife, the woman you will spend your life with. Are you really not planning on seeing her?"
"If she truly is as wonderful as you claim, do you think... they would let me marry her so easily? Don’t forget the Xu Family stands behind her," Mo Xiuyao responded, his voice calm and composed.
"What are you implying?" Feng Zhiyao furrowed his brow. Could they be planning some trickery?
Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze, quietly observing the hand resting on his wheelchair’s armrest. "On the day Prince Li’s Mansion sent the betrothal gifts, Grand Consort Wise Zhao specifically summoned Ye Li for a private meeting."
Feng Zhiyao sneered, "Don’t tell me Mo Jingli is having second thoughts again? Even if he is, so what? Does he really think the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion and the Xu Family are mere playthings for him to manipulate?"
A faint hint of coldness flickered in Mo Xiuyao’s deep yet gentle gaze. "Mo Jingli acted on his own to break off the engagement in the first place. Back then... there were reasons why the late emperor betrothed Ye Li to Mo Jingli." He continued, "When Ye Li was born, Ye Wenhua was merely an up-and-coming noble of the third rank. How could the late emperor choose a principal consort of such humble origins for his beloved prince? It was naturally because of Ye Li’s maternal relatives, the Xu Family. Unfortunately, as the Xu Family gradually withdrew from the imperial court over the years, most people, both inside and outside the palace, have forgotten just how influential they truly were."
"If that’s the case, why would His Majesty betroth Third Miss Ye to you?"
"If Third Miss Ye were truly a woman lacking talent, beauty, and virtue, and moreover, one whose engagement had already been broken, why wouldn’t His Majesty betroth her to me?" Mo Xiuyao coolly countered.
Feng Zhiyao shrugged nonchalantly. Everyone in the royal family is somewhat eccentric anyway. "So, are you going to the Grand Flower Gathering at the Peony Garden or not? Are you going to meet your fiancée?"
Mo Xiuyao turned his gaze back to the lake and fell silent. Seeing this, Feng Zhiyao nodded to himself, understanding. Ever since that incident, Ah-Yao has become increasingly difficult and withdrawn.
Ye Li looked at the fully laden table before her, a slight headache beginning to form. The sizeable table was divided into two halves, each displaying a set of clothes and matching accessories. On the left was a white Kesi silk garment patterned with blue flowers. Light blue butterflies seemed to dance across the snow-white fabric; as sunlight from the window streamed over it, one could almost imagine the butterflies fluttering their wings, ready to take flight. Jing’er and Tian’er carefully held the garment, the youngest, Tian’er, exclaiming in amazement, "These butterflies... they’re not embroidered on! They’re so beautiful."
Qingxia chuckled. "This is Kesi silk; it’s very precious. Most Kesi silk designs are extremely opulent; a simple and elegant one like yours, Miss, is actually rarer. Moreover, the silk thread itself seems quite extraordinary." The garment felt as light as a feather in hand, yet it didn’t appear flimsy in the slightest; it was clearly not made of ordinary material.
Qingshuang curiously glanced from the left side to the right, then turned to Ye Li. "The gifts from your aunt and the Prince are all beautiful, Miss. Which one will you wear?"
Ye Li looked at the Ice Silkworm Blue Butterfly Kesi silk garment her aunt had sent, then her gaze shifted to the brocade box on the right. Within the box lay a pale cyan watered silk garment, delicately embroidered with understated yet exquisite silver peony patterns. The cuffs and hem were faintly outlined with elegant auspicious cloud motifs. It was simple yet understated, radiating an unparalleled elegance and sense of comfort at first glance.
"Let’s go with this one," Ye Li decided quickly. "Carefully put away the one my aunt sent. I’ll wear it for my uncle’s birthday next month." It was necessary to put some thought into one’s attire, but there was no need to waste too much time on it.
The maids carefully put away the white garment with blue butterflies and then presented the ensemble sent by the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion to help Ye Li change.
A moment later, amid the maids’ admiring gasps, Ye Li walked out from behind the screen. The light cyan hue of the garment perfectly complemented Ye Li’s calm and refined temperament, and the exquisite silver thread patterns prevented its simple style from being monotonous. Understated luxury, Ye Li quietly praised in her heart. Even though the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion had seen better days, the gifts they sent were always extraordinary.
"Is this watered silk?!" Jingwen, who had been standing to the side, somewhat at a loose end, exclaimed.
Qingxia’s expression was also one of shock. Mandarin duck brocade, watered silk, and lotus yarn were known as the three treasures of the Nanzhao Kingdom. They were among Nanzhao’s most precious specialties and were not items of trade between the two countries, only exchanged annually as gifts. And watered silk, the most prized of the three treasures, was so rare that even the palace received no more than ten bolts a year.
Ye Li smiled at Jingwen. "You do have a good eye."
Jingwen’s complexion paled slightly. She forced a smile. "This slave girl saw it once at Fourth Miss’s place. It was a gift from Her Highness Zhao Yi to Fourth Miss." Indeed, she had seen it at Fourth Miss’s, but it hadn’t been a garment, merely a silk kerchief. Watered silk, though ’satin’ was in its name, was unlike the typical heavy, luxurious satins. Instead, it was light, soft, and elegantly simple. If not for the subtly embedded, splendid patterns visible only upon close inspection, one might not even recognize it as watered silk. Fourth Miss had received a piece of watered silk from Ye Zhaoyi as a gift last year, but it wasn’t enough to make a garment, and Ye Ying, reluctant to use it, had it carefully stored away. Ever since that day Jingwen had, on her own initiative and without announcement, brought up past matters in Qingyi Pavilion, Ye Li hadn’t said anything, but Jingwen had been constantly on edge, fearing Third Miss would find an excuse to punish her. She hadn’t expected her momentary surprise to draw Ye Li’s attention now. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
Ye Li nodded, paying no more mind to the apprehensive Jingwen, and turned to sit before the copper mirror. Qingxia and Qingshuang brought the jewelry sent by the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion and selected suitable pieces to style her hair.
Jingwen stood quietly in a corner, watching the maids bustling about methodically, feeling both awkward and resentful. Her gaze fell upon the casually placed jewelry box on the table. She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look again, unaware that Ye Li, seated before the mirror, had clearly seen her unguarded expression.
Qingshuang skillfully inserted the final jade hairpin with her delicate hands, smiling with satisfaction as she said, "Miss, you will definitely outshine all the young ladies in the Capital City today!"
"What nonsense are you spouting? If anyone else heard that, they’d die laughing," Ye Li glanced at the confident Qingshuang and gently chided her.
Qingshuang winked playfully. "In Qingshuang’s eyes, Miss is the most beautiful lady in the world!"
"Beauty isn’t important; being presentable is enough." Once everything was ready, Ye Li stood up. "Let’s go, we mustn’t be late."
Qingshuang and Qingxia promptly trailed behind Ye Li. Qingshuang couldn’t help muttering under her breath, "I wonder if Prince Ding will attend the Grand Flower Gathering."
Qingxia glanced at Ye Li walking ahead and whispered, "The Grand Flower Gathering is a gathering for the young ladies of the Capital City. Although some renowned individuals are invited to be judges each year, it seems Prince Ding has never attended."
