The First Jasmine - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Hundred Flowers Grand Gathering (Part 1)

The Prince Ding Estate

"I understand. You may leave."

Within the tranquil and somewhat lonely water pavilion, a man clad in green robes spoke flatly as he gazed at the lake waters outside the window.

A wave of helplessness crossed Nanny Sun’s face, which normally appeared rather harsh due to her severe expression. Looking at the solitary silhouette before her, she opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing and withdrew gloomily.

"It seems Nanny Sun has a rather good impression of that Third Miss Ye. You should know, getting Nanny Sun to speak on someone’s behalf is no easy feat." On the other side of the room, Feng Zhiyao, still dressed in his flashily magnificent robes, smiled lazily at his closest friend. Mo Xiuyao turned his head to look at him, his eyes calm and gentle. "What of it?"

"What of it?!" Feng Zhiyao sat up straight and stared at him, his usually indolent voice rising considerably. "A-Yao, Third Miss Ye is your future wife, the person who will spend the rest of her life with you. Are you truly not going to take a look at her?"

"If she truly is as wonderful as you say, do you think... they would allow me to marry her so smoothly? Do not forget, she still has the Xu family standing behind her," Mo Xiuyao said, his voice entirely devoid of ripples.

"What do you mean?" Feng Zhiyao frowned. Could they actually be plotting some kind of scheme?

Mo Xiuyao lowered his eyes, quietly observing his own hands resting on the armrests of his wheelchair. "On the day the Prince Li Estate delivered the betrothal gifts, Grand Dowager Consort Xianzhao specially summoned Ye Li."

Feng Zhiyao curled his lips in disdain. "Don't tell me Mo Jingli is regretting it again? Even if he truly regrets it, so what? Does he think the Prince Ding Estate and the Xu family are truly playthings he can manipulate at will?"

A faint coldness flickered through Mo Xiuyao’s deep and gentle eyes. "The matter of breaking the engagement was originally a case of Mo Jingli acting first and reporting later. Back then... the late Emperor did not betroth Ye Li to Mo Jingli without reason. When Ye Li was born, Ye Wenhua was merely a newly risen official of the lower third rank. How could the late Emperor select a di daughter from such a humble family background to be the main consort of his favored imperial son? It was, naturally, for the sake of Ye Li's maternal grandfather's family, the Xu family. It is a pity that the Xu family has gradually withdrawn from the imperial court over these years, causing most people both inside and outside the palace to forget just how immense their influence truly is."

"Since that is the case, why would the current Emperor betroth Third Miss Ye to you?"

"If Third Miss Ye truly were a woman devoid of talent, appearance, and virtue, who had furthermore been rejected by a fiancé... why wouldn't the Emperor betroth her to me?" Mo Xiuyao countered flatly.

Feng Zhiyao shrugged indifferently. "Whatever. The minds of the royal family have never been quite normal anyway. So, are you actually going to attend the gathering at the Peony Garden? Are you going to see your fiancée or not?"

Mo Xiuyao turned his head back to gaze at the lake’s surface, remaining silent. Watching him, Feng Zhiyao sighed inwardly and nodded in silent understanding. Ever since that incident occurred, A-Yao had become increasingly awkward and reclusive.

Ye Li looked at the heavily piled table before her with a slight headache. The entire surface of the sizeable table was split into two halves, each displaying a set of garments and their corresponding ornaments. On the left side lay a set of robes featuring blue flowers on a white background. Upon the snow-white fabric, pale blue butterflies seemed to dance lightly; as the sunlight from the window spilled over the garment, it momentarily gave one the illusion of seeing the butterflies flapping their wings to take flight. Jing'er and Tian'er held the clothing with utmost care. The youngest, Tian'er, remarked in wonder, "These butterflies aren't actually embroidered on. It’s so beautiful." Qingxia smiled and explained, "This is kesi, exceptionally precious. Generally, kesi features extremely grand and magnificent imagery; a style as elegant and simple as Miss's garment is actually far more rare. Moreover, the silk threads also seem highly unusual. Though the garment felt as light as nothing when held in one's hands, it did not appear the least bit thin or flimsy when looked upon. Clearly, it was crafted from no ordinary material." Qingshuang curiously inspected the left side and then the right side. Tilting her head to look at Ye Li, she asked, "The pieces sent by Maternal Aunt and the Prince are both beautiful, Miss. Which one will you wear?" Ye Li looked at the snow-cocoon, blue-butterfly kesi robes sent by her maternal aunt, then shifted her gaze to the brocade box resting on the right side. Within the box, silver herbaceous peony patterns were subtly and exquisitely embroidered upon pale green water-cloud satin. Elegant auspicious cloud motifs were faintly traced along the cuffs and hem—minimalist and understated, yet a single glance was enough to make one perceive its incomparable elegance and comfort.

"Let's go with this one. Carefully put away the one sent by Maternal Aunt; I will wear it next month for Maternal Uncle's birthday." Ye Li quickly reached a decision. While spending a bit of thought on clothing and adornments was necessary, wasting too much time on it was entirely superfluous.

The maidservants hastily and carefully stored the white-and-blue butterfly robes, then brought forth the set sent by the Prince Ding Estate to attend to Ye Li as she changed.

A short moment later, amid the astonished gasps of her maidservants, Ye Li stepped out from behind the screen. The shallow, pale green color perfectly suited her tranquil and elegant temperament, while the exquisite silver-thread patterns ensured that this minimalist style did not lapse into monotony. A form of low-profile luxury, Ye Li praised silently in her heart. Even though the Prince Ding Estate was no longer what it once was, the gifts they sent out were still extraordinary. "Is this... water-cloud satin?!" Jingwen, who had been standing to the side unable to assist much, cried out in surprise.

Qingxia’s expression also betrayed a hint of shock. Mandarin duck brocade, water-cloud satin, and hibiscus gauze were collectively known as the Three Treasures of Nanzhao, serving as one of the most precious specialties of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Furthermore, they were never traded as regular commercial goods between the two countries, but were only presented annually as state gifts. As the foremost of the Three Treasures, even the imperial palace would not receive more than ten bolts of water-cloud satin each year.

Ye Li cast a smiling glance at Jingwen. "You have quite an accurate eye."

Jingwen’s countenance shifted slightly as she forced a smile and said, "This servant merely saw it once in Fourth Miss's quarters. It was a reward bestowed upon Fourth Miss by Consort Zhao." She had indeed seen it in the Fourth Miss's quarters, though it was not an entire garment but merely a silk handkerchief. Although water-cloud satin possessed "satin" in its name, it differed entirely from the opulent weightiness of ordinary silks and satins. Instead, it was so light, soft, and simple that if one did not look closely at the hidden, magnificent patterns woven within, it was fundamentally impossible to tell it was water-cloud satin. Ye Ying had received a piece of water-cloud satin as a bounty from Imperial Consort Ye last year, but it was nowhere near enough to fashion a dress, and she had been too unwilling to use it lightly, choosing to have it carefully stored away. Ever since the day Jingwen had taken it upon herself to lead Madam Wang into the Qingyi Pavilion without giving prior notice, Ye Li had not said anything to punish her. However, Jingwen had remained constantly on edge, deeply terrified that the Third Miss would find a pretext to discipline her. She had not expected that her momentary shock just now would draw Ye Li's attention again.

Ye Li nodded, no longer paying heed to the somewhat anxious Jingwen, and turned to sit before the bronze mirror. Qingxia and Qingshuang held the ornaments sent by the Prince Ding Estate, selecting suitable pieces to arrange her hair.

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Jingwen stood quietly in a corner, watching the maidservants busily working in an orderly fashion, feeling a trace of awkwardness and resentment. Her gaze fell upon the jewelry box resting casually on the table, and she hastily lowered her head, not daring to look further. Little did she know that Ye Li, sitting before the bronze mirror, had just caught her poorly concealed expression perfectly.

With her nimble hands, Qingshuang inserted the final jade hairpin into Ye Li's hair, smiling with deep satisfaction. "Miss will definitely cause all the cloistered young ladies of the capital to pale in comparison today."

"What nonsense are you spouting? If others hear those words, they will laugh themselves to death," Ye Li chided softly, casting a glance at the immensely confident Qingshuang.

Qingshuang blinked her eyes mischievously and laughed. "In Qingshuang's eyes, Miss is the most beautiful woman in the world."

"Whether one is beautiful or not is unimportant; as long as one is presentable, it suffices." Once everything was completely arranged, Ye Li rose to her feet and said, "Let us depart. We mustn't be late."

Qingshuang and Qingxia hastily followed behind Ye Li, though Qingshuang did not forget to murmur under her breath, "I wonder if Prince Ding will come to attend the Hundred Flowers Grand Gathering."

Qingxia cast a glance at Ye Li walking ahead and lowered her voice to reply, "The Hundred Flowers Grand Gathering is a convergence of the capital's cloistered young ladies. Although some renowned individuals are invited every year to serve as judges, Prince Ding has apparently never participated before.”