29 The Stubborn One

Even though Cui Jingyu was a young marquis with a boundless future, and even though Wei Yushan was a prodigy of peerless talent and appearance, from the moment the Grand Princess took charge of the Flower Festival, there emerged a new possibility for the title of champion—perhaps even the only possibility.

Twenty-four years ago, the Grand Princess Minghua, then the legitimate daughter of the late Emperor, married into the Duke of Ying’s estate. Her husband was Huo Xuan, the heir to the Dukedom. She was a favored princess, noble in blood and breathtakingly beautiful; he was the scion of a founding hero, brilliant and exceptional. Although the story ended with the late Emperor confiscating the Duke of Ying’s estate and Huo Xuan dying at White Horse Station, less than a hundred miles from the capital, the Grand Princess had indeed given birth to a young heir.

After the confiscation, the Grand Princess lived in long-term widowhood, rarely seen by the world, and the young heir vanished into obscurity. Some said old servants from the Duke’s estate raised him in a villa, keeping him away from the Princess; others claimed the current Emperor had issued a decree to bring him into the palace to be raised alongside the princes.

Yet the young heir rarely appeared. The few scattered impressions of him came from deceased elderly dowagers: one said he inherited his mother’s looks but possessed the stature of his father, Huo Xuan; another mentioned that the Grand Princess had once brought him to a palace banquet, where even the imperial princes dared not strike up a conversation with him.

By now, the heir should be twenty-one. It was said he was studying at Mount Yongning. Mount Yongning was not a mountain, but an imperial villa; its academy was renowned. Several princes had taken lessons there before receiving their titles, and even the Emperor, when at leisure, would invite great Confucian scholars to lecture there to cleanse the air of worldly corruption.

The heir’s long residence at Yongning showed the Emperor’s favor. Though the Duke of Ying’s estate had been confiscated, given the weight the Grand Princess held in the Emperor’s heart, it would not be difficult for the heir to inherit the title.

Thus, as rumors of the Grand Princess hosting the Flower Festival spread, countless people speculated that she had reached an unspoken agreement with the Emperor: the Emperor would grant the heir the dukedom, and in return, the Grand Princess would oversee the festival and, incidentally, settle the heir’s marriage—at twenty-one, it was indeed time to betroth him.

If this speculation were true, the champion of this year’s Flower Festival would certainly not be a mere military officer.

As the only surviving Duke in the capital, the Duke of Yong had no male heir. Even as a granddaughter, Shen Biwei’s influence was unrivaled. If a young Duke—one bearing the bloodline of both the Duke of Ying and the Grand Princess—were to appear, the resulting frenzy of suitors would be unimaginable.

What the Dowager Consort of Prince Liang asked was, in truth, what every lady present wanted to know.

The Grand Princess did not answer.

It was Nanny Song who replied. She smiled and said, "The Dowager Consort is truly well-informed. The young Duke is studying at Mount Yongning; the academy does not break for holidays, so he cannot come."

Before she finished, a gust of wind blew through the curtains, causing the candle flames on the hundred-flower mirror stand to flare brightly, the agarwood-scented phoenix candles crackling. Lingbo felt it sounded less like candles and more like the roaring ambition in the hearts of every lady present.

Not an heir, but a Duke.

The Emperor had already invested the Grand Princess’s only son as the Duke of Ying. The vast estate, the carved beams and painted pillars, the jade-tiled floors, the Grand Princess’s lineage, and the sprawling fiefdom thousands of miles away—all belonged to the twenty-one-year-old man currently at the Changning Villa, less than fifty miles away, and to his future wife: the mistress of the Duke’s estate.

In the silence of the hall, Lingbo met Qinglan’s calm gaze; the latter offered her a helpless smile. Even Qinglan could not deny that Shen Biwei was the one closest to that position.

Shen Biwei was indeed jumpy; after looking at Qinglan, Lingbo turned to her and saw her glaring warningly like a ruffled cat. But she could not stop what was to come.

Madam Shen, who had remained indifferent and aloof, caring nothing for who won or lost at the festival, was the first to speak after Nanny Song.

"The young Duke is truly fond of study," she said with the smile of a kind elder. "Unlike my Biwei, who thinks only of play."

"How could that be?" the Dowager Consort of Prince Liang immediately chimed in. "Biwei is so filial; the Duke of Yong dotes on her. Besides, with her brother being a top scholar, how could the sister not be learned?"

"Indeed. My Wanyang went to Baode Temple to pray for her mother recently and ran into Miss Shen," Lu Wenyin seized the opportunity. "Miss Shen was there to pray as well, was she not?"

"Wanyang’s filial piety is beyond compare," the Princess of Ping smiled in praise.

Amidst the ladies' self-promotion, the Grand Princess kept her eyes slightly lowered, looking like a Buddhist statue watching the pious. Nanny Song spoke on her behalf, graceful and adept, showering compliments on every young lady in turn.

In the midst of the excitement, Shen Biwei slipped out to watch the moon from the corridor. Lingbo had come out for air and, seeing her, laughed. "The play is center stage, so why has the lead actress run off?"

"Don't provoke me," Shen Biwei said, feeling stifled.

"Can't bear to listen anymore?" Lingbo wasn't afraid of her, pinching her cheek instead. "Wait until after the new year, when the Duke of Ying appears—that’s when the real play begins."

"Huo Yingzhen."

"What?" Lingbo asked, confused.

"His name is Huo Yingzhen," Shen Biwei said, not forgetting to tell her. "When I was three, before the estate was confiscated, they visited my grandfather’s house. His calling card clearly read Huo Yingzhen."

"A good name," Lingbo mused. She looked at Shen Biwei’s sullen expression and found it amusing, urging her, "Look, your status is different from ours. All these ambitious ladies don't even know his name, yet you’ve known it since you were three. You were clearly meant to be a pair; why resist? It’s a blessing. If the Lu family truly got their way, that would be unfortunate."

"Such a 'blessing' is best left to the Lu family," Shen Biwei scoffed.

"Pah, pah, pah! You crow!" Lingbo pinched her. "Don't say such unlucky things! If Lu Wanyang truly succeeds, she’ll be the first to crush you! You’ve never been beneath anyone; you don't know the bitterness of a petty person gaining power. Look at Lu Wenyin—she tries to sabotage Qinglan even when there’s no reason, just because she was suppressed by her all those years ago. When that happens, I won't help you; you’ll have only yourself to blame."

"I just don't want to be traded around like this. I haven't even met Huo Yingzhen, and my mother is already desperate to send me off."

"Madam Shen is doing this for your own good. If you don't marry Huo Yingzhen, who would you marry? Who else is even worthy of you?" Lingbo, still a young girl herself, glanced around before lowering her voice to advise her earnestly: "Don't be stubborn. You have to marry eventually; you might as well marry the best. Don't end up in a corner where you're forced to pick someone inferior. A fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken, and that would truly drive me mad. Look at Lu Wanyang—she knows she isn't good enough, yet she still fights for it. You should have some backbone."

"I don't want that kind of backbone," Shen Biwei insisted.

"Fine, fine, be stubborn then. I can't be bothered with you," Lingbo said. "I have real business to attend to. Stay here and don't cause trouble; when I'm done, I'll need you to see me home."

"I *will* cause trouble!" Shen Biwei acted out.

Lingbo laughed in exasperation. "Fine, go ahead and tear down the stage, ride to Mount Yongning tonight, and beat up Huo Yingzhen—let’s see how the Grand Princess deals with you then."

Though she joked, she knew Shen Biwei wouldn't do it. She was like the Monkey King born with seven golden locks—a young lady raised in silk and satin who, truth be told, possessed better manners than Lingbo herself. She was just blowing off steam.

Lingbo left to attend to her duties. Shen Biwei found the atmosphere inside the hall stifling, though she usually enjoyed the bustle—it reminded her of childhood, when her mother and Aunt Meng were still alive. On holidays, the fire dragon would be burning hot, the incense burners warm, and the tangerines would roast to a sweet fragrance. She was a carefree little girl who didn't have to worry about a thing; even if she stole the adults' wine and fell asleep, she would wake to find her mother by her side.

Sadly, she had long since learned to walk in the dark. Looking back, those holidays were ten years ago.

With Lingbo gone, Shen Biwei grew even more restless. She didn't want to stay at the estate, so she ordered her servant to bring her horse, intending to return to her grandfather’s to see if his headaches had eased. If the deli stall at Fuji Square was still open, she could bring some venison for him to enjoy with his wine.

As she led her horse out, the Princess’s staff, recognizing the young lady of the Shen family, did not stop her. In the distance, she saw a carriage parked outside a side gate. Recognizing it as the Ye family’s, she guessed it was likely Acuo.

Acuo had become bold lately, daring to leave on her own without waiting for her sister.

Shen Biwei softened her horse’s steps, sneaking up to give Acuo a fright. But she spotted a figure—also leading a horse—standing in front of the carriage. Dressed in brocade robes, it was none other than that little scoundrel, Wei Yushan.

She had heard of Wei Yushan blocking the carriage last time and regretted not being there to beat him up, just to see if the Northern Army men were as tough as they claimed. Today was a perfect opportunity. She pulled out the small bow she carried.

She threatened Lingbo about causing trouble, but she had perfect restraint. Within the city, she didn't use arrows with tips. She nocked three arrows in quick succession, aimed straight at Wei Yushan.

The little scoundrel reacted quickly—he was, after all, a young general who had won glory by beheading enemies. He reacted before the first arrow arrived, turning to block it with his arm guard. He had the nerve to stand his ground, shielding the carriage and protecting Acuo.

He knocked down the next two arrows and drew his sword. "Who dares ambush the Northern Army!"

Fearing he would call for reinforcements and turn this into a real disaster, Shen Biwei stepped out from the shadows, sneering, "No signal arrow? Is the Northern Army’s support that pathetic?"

In truth, Wei Yushan had instinctively reached for a signal arrow when the first shot came, but stopped himself for some reason. Seeing this, Shen Biwei guessed seven or eight parts of the truth; when Acuo lifted the carriage curtain, she knew the whole story.

Before Wei Yushan could recognize her, Acuo stepped out, standing under the lantern with her head bowed. "Sister Biwei."

Shen Biwei just sneered.

"Lingbo taught you well," she said coolly. "In the dead of night, no maid in sight, are you here 'confessing your true feelings'?"

"Confessing true feelings" was a phrase from plays about secret lovers. At these words, Acuo’s face burned bright red. Wei Yushan didn't understand the nuance but knew it wasn't a compliment. He stood his ground, sword raised. "Don't spout nonsense! I blocked her carriage; it has nothing to do with her. Whatever you have to say, say it to me."

"The young Marquis of Wei has such fine manners—a dignified Marquis blocking a lady’s carriage," Shen Biwei asked coldly. "If someone were to see this and gossip, I wonder how the Marquis would 'shoulder the responsibility'?"

"Then I will marry her!" Wei Yushan declared immediately.

Mortified, Acuo retorted, "And I won't marry you!"

Wei Yushan panicked. He looked at her, weighed the situation, and chose to deal with Shen Biwei first, eyeing her warily.

The eighteen-year-old boy in the dark looked like a white wolf with its fur raised, yet he had a certain sense of responsibility. Shen Biwei found them amusing. She raised a hand, and Wei Yushan immediately stepped in front of Acuo, likely thinking she was going to punish her.

"I’m the one pestering her; it has nothing to do with her," the young Marquis, who had been so arrogant at the banquet earlier, blurted out.

Shen Biwei couldn't be bothered with him.

"Get lost," she said dismissively. "Acuo, call your carriage driver and maid back. I’ll take you home."

Wei Yushan didn't trust her, fearing she would take Acuo to the Ye family to be punished. But Acuo insisted on leaving, so he had no choice but to say, "I’ll have Xiao Si go back with you; if anything happens, have him send me word."

"Stop being crazy," Acuo scolded him. Seeing he wouldn't let go, she added patiently, "It’s fine. Sister Biwei is looking out for me. I’ll go with her; you should go back too."

Wei Yushan had to let go, watching as Shen Biwei escorted Acuo away like a prisoner. As she passed Wei Yushan, she sneered, "Hmph, the 'Northern Army'." Wei Yushan, who had never suffered such an insult in his life, was nearly livid.

Shen Biwei escorted Acuo back to the Ye house. The Ye sisters hadn't returned yet. Shen Biwei, who had been complaining to Ye Lingbo earlier, found herself acting quite like a big sister. She sat at the tea table, and when Yanghua brought tea, she said, "So Lingbo let you follow Acuo just to teach her these things?"

Yanghua, who had followed Lingbo since childhood and was the most disciplined of the maids, couldn't handle such words and knelt, blushing and silent.

Acuo was responsible. Seeing Yanghua take the blame, she walked over and stood before Shen Biwei. "Sister Biwei, it’s not their fault. It was all my own doing. They tried to stop me, but I wouldn't listen."

"Your own doing," Shen Biwei laughed. "For what? For that little scoundrel Wei Yushan?"

"It’s not what you think," Acuo said stubbornly.

Shen Biwei sat with her legs crossed, watching her and finding it ironic. She had always been the most reckless one, yet here she was, teaching others about decorum—what was that if not karma?

"Then what is it?" she asked calmly. "Is it 'sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall'? A beauty trap? Are you planning to lure him into the dark to beat him up, or ruin his reputation?"

Acuo looked at her in surprise.

She had no idea how rebellious Shen Biwei truly was. If she really let go and caused trouble, the Ye sisters combined were no match for her.

"It’s not that bad," Acuo finally confessed. "I just think he’s very rude to Sister Qinglan, and I don't want him to keep opposing us."

"So you’re throwing yourself into the tiger's den, thinking that if he likes you, you can control him and help Lingbo?" Shen Biwei saw through her thoughts completely.

Acuo bit her lip and said nothing; clearly, she had been found out.

No wonder her grandfather often said that stupid people don't cause real trouble; the ones who truly cause disasters are the stubborn, smart people.

Shen Biwei didn't want to lecture her, knowing it would be as futile as trying to persuade Ye Lingbo, so she stood up.

"Fine, don't stand there. I’m not Lingbo; I don't like babysitting," she said impatiently. "I know you won't listen. You probably think you’re very clever. Lingbo likes winding paths and long detours, and you’re following suit. Do you really think playing with people’s hearts is that much fun?"

Acuo stood silent, blushing. Ye Lingbo often laughed at her for being stubborn, but Acuo’s stubbornness was exactly the same as hers.

Shen Biwei stood up, not wanting to say more. She pulled a small dagger from her robes and placed it on the table.

"Playing with hearts is fun, but it’s hard to clean up when things go wrong. You’re a smart person, I can’t stop you, so just be careful." She turned to leave, and seeing Acuo following her anxiously, she added, "Don't worry, I won't tell on you. I suggest you find a time to confess to Lingbo yourself, or it won't be fun when she finds out. Go on, don't see me out."

With a carefree wave of her hand, she walked into the moonlight filling the courtyard.