Chapter 16: This Flower, Fresh and Elegant, Suits Me Perfectly

“Royal Uncle, Xue’er knows she was wrong; she shouldn’t have caused trouble in the flower fields.”

Cheng Xueyang moved deftly, carefully avoiding the flowers. She had assumed that Cheng Liuyi’s people wouldn’t dare trespass in Prince Shou’s flower fields, but that was not the case—they had pursued them right into the blossoms.

Prince Shou personally oversaw everything, and even the gardeners in his estate merely assisted him. It was clear he valued this flower field greatly and was likely very upset now.

Prince Shou glanced at Cheng Xueyang and sighed. “That girl Yiyi came early this morning and was whispering with the princess consort. I knew nothing good would come of today.”

The mother consort was a favored concubine, the emperor’s elder brother was the rising Prince Jing, and Princess Yunxiang, Cheng Liuyi, had been spoiled since childhood, causing headaches for many families.

Cheng Xueyang was moved; her royal uncle did not blame her. “Royal Uncle, let Xue’er help.”

Rolling up her sleeves, Cheng Xueyang set about repairing the flower field. Fortunately, the damage was not extensive.

As the time for the banquet approached, the Princess Consort of Prince Shou, now in a fresh outfit, called everyone to their seats.

Prince Shou and Cheng Xueyang finished restoring the flower field. The surroundings fell silent; everyone had left.

After the servants brought water for handwashing, Prince Shou went ahead to greet the guests.

Cheng Xueyang went to find the two maids who always hid whenever trouble arose.

As for Cheng Liuyi, she had no appetite for the meal. Taking the statue of the goddess with her, she returned to the palace early to seek a court physician to repair her face.

Guided by Yingda, Cheng Xueyang found the two trembling maids hiding behind a fence. Upon seeing her, they began to weep and plead for mercy.

“Your Highness, please spare us. Princess Yunxiang is terrifying.”

When Cheng Liuyi had come to snatch things, she had dealt with everyone in the estate, leaving them all traumatized. At the sight of their mistress clashing with Cheng Xueyang, they fled immediately.

“I do not blame you. I hope the next head of your household is a better person.”

“Ah? Your Highness!”

Cheng Xueyang could overlook many things, but desertion in the face of adversity was not one of them.

In contrast, Gu Anyu, though absent for five years, was willing to fight for her. This kindness warmed her heart even now.

She resolved to invite Gu Anyu out for a proper gathering soon.

Perhaps sharing the same sentiment, Cheng Xueyang saw Gu Anyu waiting for her outside the banquet. “Sister Xue, except for the main table, the seating is free. Let’s sit together later.”

Cheng Xueyang’s seat was not at the main table.

As a princess and a member of the imperial family, she would normally be seated at the main table. In the past, when she was favored, attending Prince Shou’s banquets meant sitting there.

But times had changed.

Seeing her, the Princess Consort of Prince Shou approached with her attendants. “Princess Xuanyun, your seat is over there. Let the maids escort you.”

Once again, Cheng Xueyang found herself with oleander flowers adorning the Princess Consort’s head.

The Princess Consort had changed her clothes and hairpins but had not removed the oleander; in fact, she had added another blossom.

Noticing Cheng Xueyang staring, the Princess Consort proudly lifted her head. “Beautiful, isn’t it? The prince personally planted these for me. They’re called foreign peaches—there’s a whole courtyard full.”

Cheng Xueyang’s breath caught. “Royal Uncle?”

The Princess Consort continued, “The prince said these flowers are elegant and refined, perfect for me. He cares for me deeply.”

In recent years, the Princess Consort felt the prince’s attentions waning. He often spent time in the flower fields or retired to the side concubines’ quarters, visiting her only once or twice a month.

Though this was supposedly for her own good—her frail health had nearly cost her life at full term, and she could not endure too much exertion or intimacy—her heart was often lonely in the empty chamber.

Half a year ago, the prince had sent her these flowers. Seeing the warmth in his eyes, she kept them close, even using them to adorn her bath.

She believed the prince loved her.

This morning, only because Cheng Liuyi had insisted did she invite Cheng Xueyang, and not finding other flowers for the invitation, she had reluctantly included one of the oleander blossoms.

Evidently, Cheng Xueyang had taken a liking to these flowers, glancing at them repeatedly.

Hmph, jealousy was futile; these flowers were filled with the prince’s love for her.

Cheng Xueyang’s expression shifted. Suddenly, the cold wind seemed even chillier.

Gu Anyu, who had not paid much attention to the Princess Consort before, knew it was rude to stare. However, having tended to flowers herself, she was intrigued by these blooms that captured Sister Xue’s interest and looked closely.

She froze at once.

This flower resembled a poisonous plant she had read about in medical texts, though she wasn’t certain.

With countless herbs and plants, many look alike, often causing confusion. Identification required examining leaves, stems, roots, and other parts, something only those deeply knowledgeable could do at a glance.

Gu Anyu had yet to reach that level, but she sensed something was wrong.

“Your Highness, may I take your pulse to ensure your safety?” Gu Anyu asked with concern.

The Princess Consort frowned and withdrew her hand to her waist.

Coldly, she said, “Though I have heard Lady Gu is a well-known female physician at Shou’an Hall, what status do you have? And what status do I have? Am I someone for you to practice on?”

Gu Anyu flushed with embarrassment. “I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Princess Consort.”

Cheng Xueyang stepped forward, placing herself between Gu Anyu and the Princess Consort. Looking at the latter, she said, “Lady Gu only worries because Your Highness’s complexion seems poor today. She means no harm. I’m sure you are magnanimous enough not to take offense. Lady Gu need not be so fearful.”

My poor complexion is not from illness but from your anger.

The Princess Consort took a deep breath. Yes, she was the Princess Consort of Prince Shou. With so many guests at the birthday feast, quarreling with a junior would only make her lose face and invite ridicule.

“Winter is harsh. Please take your seats quickly, lest the hot dishes cool down,” she said, then walked toward the main table.

A maid stayed behind to guide Cheng Xueyang. Looking over, that table was filled with the Princess Consort’s natal family—the Lin family—and also Lin Xuan’s relatives.

Lin Xuan had served in the imperial guards and had a bright future ahead, a young talent cut down in his prime.

The Princess Consort despised those two sisters.

She blamed them for luring Lin Xuan north, for causing his death.

The Lin family hated them in return.

They weren’t at the rear garden tea gathering earlier—something must have delayed them, as they had just arrived.

“Sister Xue,” Gu Anyu said anxiously, “let’s sit at He Xuan’s table; there’s still room.”

Cheng Xueyang shook her head. “We must face them sooner or later.”

She approached the main table where the Lin Grand Tutor sat. Present were the Lin matriarch, Lin Xuan’s widow, the second young master and his wife, and several grandchildren. One young boy bore a striking resemblance to Lin Xuan.

The child had grown so much.

Well, fifteen years had passed.

“Madam Lin,” Cheng Xueyang greeted.

“Not at all. Your status is noble, and you should be the one to bow to Her Highness. It’s just the cold has made my legs stiff. I hope Her Highness will pardon me,” the Lin matriarch replied.

Her hair was grayed at the temples, her face aged beyond her years. Lin Xuan’s death had dealt a heavy blow to the Lin family, especially to the matriarch.