Chapter 226 - 102: Why Can’t the Emperor Just See?
Ai Ju came over carrying a Beauty Bottle and placed it gently on the table.
Feng Yunjin examined it carefully. From the outside, nothing seemed amiss. The white porcelain was delicate, and a winter plum blossom braved the wind on its side. She picked up the vase and gave it a gentle shake, then held it to her nose and sniffed. There was no scent at all.
Song Jieyu had said that what flourishes must also decline. ’What does that mean, "what flourishes must also decline"?’
’Is she referring to a person or a thing?’
Feng Yunjin was baffled. Song Jieyu was not one to speak carelessly, nor was she a meddler. For her to issue a reminder now, it certainly wasn’t without reason.
But she couldn’t find any clues and couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.
’The flowers of the Mid-Autumn Festival, no matter how grandly they bloom, will eventually flourish only to decline...’
’The Mid-Autumn flowers... that must mean the flower arrangements. So "flourish and decline" must refer to a person. But there are so many people. With so many in the harem, who could she mean specifically?’
The flower arranging was started by Chen Guoji, then discovered and promoted by Consort Qin, and then all the other concubines in the harem followed suit...
’Who did they follow?’
’Certainly not Chen Guoji.’
Feng Yunjin’s expression turned subtle. ’Could it be Consort Qin?’
She had heard that Consort Qin had just visited Song Jieyu. No matter how she thought about it, something seemed off. But she couldn’t guess what had happened to make Song Jieyu warn her.
Feng Yunjin had someone put the vase away, her expression returning to normal. She looked at Ai Ju and said, "Take a trip to Huayang Palace and ask if Consort Qin is free. I would like to pay her a visit."
Ai Ju quickly agreed and turned to leave.
Just as Ai Ju left, Ru Hua came in to report, "Mistress, Lu Pin has sent someone to invite you for tea."
Feng Yunjin hadn’t expected such a coincidence. She thought for a moment and said, "Go to Yihua Palace and apologize to Lu Pin for me. Tell her I’ll drop by tomorrow."
Ru Hua nodded. "I will go right away."
"Go on."
Feng Yunjin had a headache. ’It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival. After what happened at the Qixi Banquet, wouldn’t it be better for it to pass peacefully?’
’Why must someone stir up trouble? If it gets out of hand and provokes Song Jieyu, with her temperament, wouldn’t she turn the entire harem upside down?’
A mere Concubine naturally wouldn’t be feared, but a Concubine with the Emperor’s protection behind her was a different matter entirely.
Thinking about the Qixi incident, Feng Yunjin’s expression soured.
It had been several months since she entered the palace, and the Emperor seemed interested only in Song Jieyu. Even the three concubines had fallen out of favor. Before her group arrived, the three concubines had shared the Emperor’s attention equally. Now, the Emperor only occasionally visited them to sit for a while, at most having a cup of tea or playing a game of chess, but he never stayed the night.
’Thinking about it this way, it’s possible someone is getting restless.’
Ai Ju returned quickly. Learning that Consort Qin was free, Feng Yunjin changed her clothes and headed for Huayang Palace. The route passed by Consort Lu’s Cuiwei Palace, which was much quieter now than before. She didn’t take the path by Zhaoyang Palace, instead bypassing it to reach Huayang Palace.
Consort Zhuang of Zhaoyang Palace was not someone to be trifled with, and Feng Yunjin didn’t want to attract attention.
Upon entering Huayang Palace, Fang Ping came out to greet her. "Greetings, Feng Xiaoyuan. My mistress heard you were coming and had me wait for you here."
"Thank you for your trouble," Feng Yunjin said with a smile.
"It is my duty," Fang Ping said as she led the way.
Ascending the steps, they entered the main hall, and Feng Yunjin followed Fang Ping all the way to the inner chambers.
Qin Xiyue heard the commotion and rose, taking a few steps to greet her. When Feng Yunjin saw her, she stepped forward and curtsied. "This concubine greets the Noble Consort."
Qin Xiyue looked at Feng Yunjin with a very familiar smile. "You’re still so formal with me. It’s rare for you to come and chat. Please, sit."
Feng Yunjin smiled and offered her thanks before rising to take a seat.
Fang Ping led the palace attendants in with tea. Feng Yunjin glanced at the teacup before her. The liquid was clear, and the aroma fragrant. This tea seemed even better than the one at Song Jieyu’s residence.
’Considering Grand Tutor Qin stands behind Consort Qin, it’s not surprising at all.’
She lifted the teacup, took a delicate sip, and praised it as good tea before stating her purpose. "My clumsy hands are simply no good at flower arranging. I arranged over a dozen vases at Yanqing Palace today, and not a single one was presentable. It seems I truly have no talent for it. I’m afraid I’ll have to regretfully withdraw from the Mid-Autumn flower arranging."
As she spoke, Feng Yunjin held out her hand for Qin Xiyue to see.
Qin Xiyue looked down and saw deep red marks on Feng Yunjin’s fingers, clearly from being chafed by scissors.
She looked at her in surprise. "Cutting flower stems is something the palace attendants should do. Why did you do it yourself?"
"I just didn’t think of it at the moment and started doing it myself. I thought flower arranging would be simple, but who knew it wasn’t simple at all." Feng Yunjin heaved a long sigh. "Even studying never made me frown, yet this simple matter of flower arranging has defeated me."
Qin Xiyue laughed. "That’s hardly a big deal. If you really can’t do it, you can just be a judge instead."
Feng Yunjin’s brow twitched at her words, and she immediately replied, "How could I do that? With the three consorts present, it would never be my turn. Besides, with you, Noble Consort, and Song Jieyu here, a mere small concubine like myself wouldn’t dare do such a thing."
When Qin Xiyue heard Feng Yunjin mention Song Yunzhao, she said with a helpless air, "I also went to Wangyou Palace to invite Song Jieyu to participate, but unexpectedly, she refused outright."
"She refused?" Feng Yunjin was full of surprise. "Flower arranging is such an elegant affair. Song Jieyu is such a great lover of beauty; one would think she would enjoy something like this. Why would she refuse?"
Qin Xiyue sighed. "I can’t figure it out either. Yun Jin, you’ve always been clever. Why do you think Song Jieyu refused? Does she really intend to go on all alone in this harem?"
Feng Yunjin wore a grave expression as she looked at Qin Xiyue and said, "Ever since her time in Zhichun Palace, Song Jieyu has always done as she pleases. Now that she’s entered the palace and gained the Emperor’s favor, it’s not at all strange for her to be a loner, given her temperament."
She paused, then continued, "Actually, she’s not entirely a loner. Han Jinyi’s relationship with Song Jieyu is somewhat better. But only a little. Speaking of which, I wonder if Han Jinyi knows how to arrange flowers?"
Qin Xiyue shook her head. "She follows Song Jieyu’s lead in everything these days. Since Song Jieyu isn’t coming, she won’t either. It’s truly a bit frustrating."
Hearing this, Feng Yunjin also sighed. "Han Jinyi is not a child. Since she’s acting this way, she must have her own plans. To each their own; we can’t force it."
Qin Xiyue lowered her gaze slightly at these words and said softly, "I was thinking that since we all grew up in the Capital City, there’s some shared history between us. That’s why I thought to invite Han Jinyi. I didn’t expect her to... Forget it. You’re right, to each their own, we can’t force it." At this, she looked up at Feng Yunjin. "Consort Zhuang is in charge of the Mid-Autumn Banquet this time. On that day, you should come with me a bit earlier to help out. If there’s really going to be flower arranging, we’ll be very busy."
Feng Yunjin’s heart skipped a beat. She feigned a thoughtful expression, then shook her head after a moment. "I don’t think I’ll go. Consort Zhuang has always been indifferent toward me, and I don’t want to make a nuisance of myself. Besides, the Mid-Autumn Banquet is no small matter. I’m afraid if I mess up, I’ll give people something to gossip about."
Fearing Qin Xiyue would try to persuade her further, she immediately rose to take her leave. "I know the Noble Consort means well and wants me to have a chance to shine, but I’m just not so fortunate. I’m afraid I’ve let down your kind intentions."
Qin Xiyue knew then that it was a lost cause. Seeing Feng Yunjin was determined to leave, she could only say, "It’s alright, it’s a small matter. I don’t have much interaction with Consort Zhuang either. It’s just that for this Mid-Autumn Banquet, Her Ladyship sent someone to ask for my help, and it wasn’t proper for me to refuse, so I agreed."
Feng Yunjin smiled. "Being valued by Consort Zhuang is a good thing. Please, Noble Consort, don’t see me out. This concubine will visit again another day."
Qin Xiyue smiled as she saw her off. Once Feng Yunjin’s back had disappeared from sight, the smile on her face vanished.
She had thought Feng Yunjin wouldn’t refuse. Although Feng Yunjin came from a military general’s family, she was extremely cautious. One couldn’t say she was full of schemes, but she was certainly more clever than the average woman.
She wanted to pull Feng Yunjin into her camp. If the two of them joined forces, they could advance further in the harem.
But now Feng Yunjin was unwilling to take that step, claiming to be clumsy. She didn’t believe a word of it.
Qin Xiyue returned to her inner chambers. ’If it didn’t work this time, there will be a next time. As long as Feng Yunjin doesn’t side with Song Yunzhao, everything will be fine.’
’If she really does join forces with Song Yunzhao, then I can’t let her be.’
Thinking of Song Yunzhao reminded Qin Xiyue of the news from her family, and the urgency in her heart eased. Song Qinghan was marrying into the Marquis Wuxin Mansion. This was a good thing for her; it was just a matter of how to get Song Qinghan to work for her.
’But it probably won’t be difficult. Although Song Qinghan and Song Yunzhao are sisters, they are practically enemies. As long as I offer her some benefits, I don’t believe Song Qinghan won’t take the bait.’
"Hua Ying."
"Mistress." Hua Ying hurried in.
"Are all the arrangements for Chen Guoji’s side taken care of?" Qin Xiyue asked.
Hua Ying smiled and said, "Everything is arranged. It’s only because you are kind-hearted, Mistress. You’ve prepared everything Chen Guoji asked for. If her flower arrangements happen to win the Emperor’s favor at the Mid-Autumn Banquet, she might not be willing to give you the credit."
Qin Xiyue glanced at Hua Ying. "It was just a small effort. It’s rare for Chen Guoji to have such a clever idea. If I can help her, I will. Life isn’t easy for any of us."
Hearing this, Hua Ying said softly, "I’ve never seen someone as domineering as Song Jieyu. There are so many concubines in the harem, does she really think she can stay in favor forever? She’s offended everyone now. When her influence wanes, who knows how much she’ll suffer. You are too kind-hearted, Mistress, even going to Wangyou Palace personally to invite her to arrange flowers, only to be rejected. With Song Jieyu acting like this, you shouldn’t hold on to any past feelings for her."
Hearing Hua Ying’s words, Qin Xiyue gave a helpless smile. "You, you need to hold that tongue of yours. Don’t say such things outside. It won’t be good if someone overhears."
Hearing this, Hua Ying said softly, "You are such a good person, Mistress. Why can’t the Emperor see it?"