THE PEONIES IN Prince Bao's Manor were in full bloom. The pink was almost striking. Everyone had arrivedâI counted fourteen. The Crown Prince was missing, but Yunhua did not seem affected. Princess Shaoheng assured her that he would come eventuallyâhe must just be busy. Duan shizi assured her of the same, especially due to Mr Qu's absence as well. Both men had been invited, and the two men tended to travel around together.
While I could admire the beauty of the peonies, I found myself struggling to participate in any of the other activities. Some of the ladies had tables set out and began to paint, Princess Shaoheng, Eryang and Yunxuan included. But I was not much of an artist, so instead, I stuck with Yunhua to enjoy some tea. We'd all moved out of the pavilion, and now the ladies mingled among the men, though there was still a careful divide.
"Miss Fei, do you not paint?"
The girl who'd asked was named Luo Xueying. The daughter of a minister, Yunhua had whispered in my ear. She was the same age as Yunhua, icily gorgeous. She didn't seem to like me. Extended from her dislike of Yunhua and Yunxuan, most likely. Dark hair with skin the colour of first snow, in a light blue silk robe. Yes, she fit her name indeed. Xue meant snow, and her surname, Luo, had the same pronunciation as the word for falling. An ice queen. She seemed to be the person with the strongest presence at this gathering besides Princess Shaoheng and Yunhua. While the aforementioned two wore bright colours and had a louder personality, Luo Xueying seemed to prefer to keep her mouth shut except for a few carefully selected comments.
"I'm afraid not," I replied with a small smile, meeting her eye. "I'm not very proficient at painting."
"Have you any particular talents, then?"
"I am a proficient musician." My uncle had hired tutors for me, and I'd always been good on the pipa and guzheng. I wasn't sure how I'd measure up compared to the young ladies here, but my tutor had assured me that I was good even by Luoyang standards.
"Perhaps you'd like to play something for us."
I blushed. "Oh, I'd prefer not..."
"Why?" she asked innocently, batting her long lashes.
At this point it was clear she was purposefully trying to make my life difficult. I sent Yunhua a glance, and she replied for me. "I hardly think it necessary for my cousin to need to put on a show. It would be awkward for the rest of us not to perform if my cousin does, and that would be inconvenient for the servants as well."
And just like that, Yunhua dragged in the entirety of their group and the servants of Prince Bao's Manor. It would be stupid of Luo Xueying to continue pressing on this topic.
Luo Xueying raised one brow, studying Yunhua, and then let out a little "hmph." "Fair, I suppose," she said, her annoyance barely concealed. "Perhaps next time, Miss Fei."
"Of course, Miss Luo."
At that awkward note, most of us turned to direct our attention to the painters. As we cruised through the tables of painters, I suddenly found Duan shizi behind me.
"Sir?" I asked, bobbing a quick curtsy.
"Do not mind her." I blinked, momentarily unable to grasp his meaning. He continued, "Miss Luo's father, the Imperial Secretary, is a rival to your uncle. Thus, she'd never been fond of your cousins. It is nothing personal. She is all bark and no bite. Do not be scared or offended."
"Thank you for your concern, sir," I replied. "But I am alright. I could tell her dislike stemmed from something other than my own person. I am not upset."
He nodded. "That is good."
And then he'd moved to another group of people, and I glanced around before quickly rushing up to meet Yunhua.
She'd been watching me, I realised. Her brows were creased. "What did Duan shizi say to you?"
"He told me not to be upset by Miss Luo's behaviour."
"Bah, that girl." Yunhua rolled her eyes. "I suppose he told you about her father."
"Yes. And his rivalry with Uncle."
"Well, her hatred of me goes a little deeper than that. See, for the longest time, her father thought she'd be the Crown Prince's wife instead. She still holds hope and actively wishes for my downfall."
"Oh." I found it rather sad.
"Ignore her," Yunhua commanded. "That's what I do. She's like a rabid dog. She'll bark and bark and bark, but courtesy and self-respect always holds her back like a leash. She won't do anything too extreme."
"Understood, cousin."
We'd made our way to Yunxuan's table. The younger girl was deeply concentrated, carefully considering each stroke before making them. She seemed to be going a lot slower than a majority of the others, but her painting was also the best one I'd seen.
Yunhua and I watched for a moment before she led me away.
"She is a wonderful painter," I whispered, slightly awed. "And to be talented at such a young age."
"She works hard," Yunhua agreed. "I wouldn't be surprised if she'd spent most of yesterday drawing drafts for today's flowers."
"What?" I asked, blinking as I glanced up at her.
But Yunhua didn't answer, instead dragging me to meet up with Princess Shaoheng.
Princess Eryang was painting too, and a group of people had gathered around her. Yunhua and I watched for a moment before heading to Shaoheng's table.
Princess Shaoheng glanced up when we stopped, flashing a smile. "I'm quite proud of this."
I studied her painting. She'd taken a different approach than most of the others, choosing to concentrate on a single flower rather than the whole plant. "It is a beautiful drawing," I told her earnestly.
"Not as good as my sister's probably."
Yunhua sighed. "There's no point comparing yourself to her. You are the eldest. You are the eldest daughter of Prince Bao by his main wife. How often are you summoned to the Imperial Palace? How often is she summoned?"
"Yet, in the eyes of everyone, she is more talented, kindly and likeable."
"Not in our eyes," Yunhua told her pointedly. "No point thinking about it."
I kept quiet. But Princess Shaoheng didn't seem to like that as her gaze met mine. "And what do you think?"
I blinked. "Princess?"
"What do you think of me and Princess Eryang?"
"I cannot speak ill of either of you," I replied hastily.
"No one else can hear you except us two," she told me. "Say what you wish to say. I will not get angry at you for it."
I glanced at Yunhua, who nodded. Swallowing, I said, "I think you're going about it wrong."
"Oh?"
"You're trying to beat her by scaring her into submission. That's the wrong way to go about it. You'll just put yourself in the place of the aggressor and instigator instead, and she'll gain sympathy. You need to play weak, Princess."
Her gaze hardened. "I'm Princess Shaoheng. I am not weak, and I should not need to act that way."
"Then popular opinion will always fall with your sister. Everyone sympathises with who seems to be the victim of the situation. You could try it sometimes. The next time she comes at you and tries to belittle herself, do the same thing to yourself."
"Oh."
"My cousin has a point," Yunhua admitted. "Yunxuan does it sometimes."
"You're both the eldest daughters. And was born of the main wife. It is natural for both of you to be stronger and prouder than the others. But sometimes it helps to play weak."
Yunhua looked amused. "Is that what you do every day? Play weak?"
I only smiled, rather than answer.
"I'll consider it," Princess Shaoheng said. "Thank you, Miss Fei."
"It is nothing, Princess. Just a small suggestion."
"What do we have here?"
The voice unmistakably belonged to Huo Murong. The three of us turned our heads. I curtsied. Yunhua and Princess Shaoheng offered dips of their heads.
Huo Murong reached closer, observing Princess Shaoheng's painting. "Ah, I like that. Very detailed."
"I try," she replied slowly. "How is everyone else doing?"
"Most of them are reaching completion. The youngest Miss Shangguan still seems a fair difference from being finished, but her paintings are always so, so delicate."
"She is a very talented artist."
I glanced at Yunhua, thinking about what she'd said about the drafts, but she showed nothing on her face. Not something to be mentioned in front of anyone else.
We agreed to stop distracting Princess Shaoheng, leaving her to finish her painting by herself. Yunhua, Huo Murong and I slowly made our way back to where we'd left behind some tea. A few of the lords and ladies had trickled their ways back there. Yunhua took a seat on a stone bench and I sat beside her. Huo Murong remained standing.
"How is this fair day for you two young ladies?" he asked, hands behind his back.
"It's treating us well. Wonderful weather," Yunhua murmured, her eyes fixed on the peonies around us. "How is your day, Lord Huo?"
He made a disapproving cluck with his tongue. "I've told you a million times, Miss Shangguan, call me Murong."
"Hardly appropriate," she replied coolly. "You and I are not that familiar, Lord Huo."
"Well, I suppose we could become closer."
"I have no intention of tarnishing my reputation that way." Yunhua seemed to be more than willing to publicly show her scorn towards Lord Huo. And Lord Huo didn't seem to be offended at all. A strange relationship they had. "Do you have anything of substance to say, sir? Or are you just here to waste time?"
"Can I not simply want to spend some time in your lovely presence?"
"My presence is neither lovely nor enjoyable. I cannot think of a reason why you would like to talk to me, unless you are a masochist."
This conversation was getting slightly out of hand. But no one was here to hear us and it was entertaining, so I did not interrupt.
"Do you think of yourself so lowly, Miss Shangguan?"
"I am simply honest," Yunhua replied with one raised brow. "Is there anything else you want, Lord Huo?"
"Miss Shangguan..."
"Lord Huo."
The two stared at each other for a little while, and Lord Huo finally broke eye contact with a shake of his head. "What a pity."
"What?" Yunhua asked, frowning. But instead of answering, Lord Huo merely let out a sigh and an indecipherable little smile before turning away, leaving the question up in the air.
â
BUT THAT STRANGE little conversation was quickly forgotten with the arrival of the Crown Prince. As he entered, everyone knelt, head lowered. It was almost a comical sight. Did it ever feel strange, the way everyone had to fall to their knees when he entered the room?
"Rise."
With that, everyone got back on their feet. Princess Shaoheng stepped forward, a bright beam on her face. "Cousin! You are finally here."
"How fares my favourite cousin?" the Crown Prince laughed, glancing around.
Before Shaoheng could answer, Princess Eryang stepped forwardly, a weak smile on her face. "Your Highness."
The Crown Prince's expression turned soft. "Eryang. You seem sick, are you feeling well?"
Shaoheng's face turned dark for a moment, but then she suddenly met my eye in the crowd. I tilted my head. She blinked, and then her expression turned caring as well.
"Sister," she murmured a little awkwardly, "if you are feeling unwell, perhaps you should retire and take some rest."
Princess Eryang turned to meet her sister's eye, lips quivering. "If you do not wish for my presence, sister, I'm more than willing toâ"
Shaoheng almost sneered, but at the last second she seemed to remember herself. She was a quick learner. I was pleased to note that. "What on earth do you mean by that?" she asked with mock surprise. "You are my sister. You act as if I fervently dislike you." She tossed a little wary glance at the crowd gathered before them. "If everyone else didn't know better, they'd think I abuse you at home."
"I did not meanâ"
"I merely mean to suggest," Princess Shaoheng continued, her voice a bit more firm, "that if you are feeling unwell, you ought not feel forced to stay and accompany us. I would not like you to faint. Perhaps you ought to rest. I can call for a doctor if you wish to."
"That... that will not be necessary," Princess Eryang seemed a bit startled by her sister's change in attitude, but she recovered quickly. "I can stay, I may simply beâ"
"If you are feeling unwell," the Crown Prince said with earnest concern, "you ought to take your sister's advice. We would not like to see you unwell."
"Agreed." Besides me, Yunhua took a few steps forward. "Princess Eryang, I almost saw you swoon a few times earlier. You shouldn't take such risks with your health. You've always had a sickly composition."
"Iâ"
"I must say," Yunxuan chorused, "I am not feeling particularly well either. A bit faint from being in the sun for so long." She did not look faint in the slightest, but with her pale skin and meek demeanour in public, it was not difficult to seem that way to those unfamiliar with her. "Perhaps Princess Eryang and I could rest somewhere indoors for a little while and rejoin you later."
Princess Eryang would be a fool to not see what the girls were doing. And I, as the person who technically came up with this plan, kept my mouth shut.
Luo Xueying let out a huff. "I'm sure Princess Eryang is fit to keep us company. By the way you all speak, it's almost as if you wish for her to be gone."
Yunhua casted Luo Xueying a surprised look. "Miss Luo, what on earth can you mean by that? My, I am offended. Is that what you think of us?"
By the look on her face, Luo Xueying clearly wanted to answer with a biting yes. But while she might be more than happy to say as such to Yunhua, Princess Shaoheng stood right there. And the Crown Prince had so far agreed with them. Instead, the lady swallowed and looked away.
Princess Eryang turned back to the Crown Prince, her face practically begging for help. "Your Highness..."
But the Crown Prince seemed to misunderstand what she was begging for help from. Instead he said, "Do not worry, Eryang. You ought to take your health more seriously."
Princess Eryang's face basically crumbled, but she did not say a word of complaint. Instead, she offered a deep curtsy before turning to the rest of us. "I am deeply apologetic for the inconvenience I may have caused to all of you. Good day, everyone."
She was practically in tears by the time she left the garden, accompanied by her maid.
I had to admit, she was good at this.
Very good.
With that dealt with, Princess Shaoheng quickly led the Crown Prince over to Yunhua and the three began a conversation. Yunxuan went to a group of young ladies around her age, leaving me to myself.
"What do you think of that spectacular show?" Duan shizi strolled over, keeping his voice low.
I raised one brow. "You seem to awfully like speaking to me, sir."
"You haven't been polluted by all the schemes and machinations of Luoyang yet. Interesting to see a new view and perspective on all this."
He was wrong, of course. I was indirectly responsible for the spectacular show he referred to. But I was not going to let that slip.
"I'm a bit confused," I said slowly, "about the relationship between Princess Shaoheng and Princess Eryang. I hope it is not some guarded secret that I am encroaching upon."
"Not at all," he replied. "It's a situation that stems from their mothers. Princess Consort Bao was not originally intended to be the Prince's wife. My uncle's Side Consort Wen, the mother of Princess Eryang, was meant to be the Princess Consort."
"Ah." I was starting to put together the picture. But I let him continue.
"Have you heard of the Wens?"
"Briefly. They are a rather large family, are they not?"
"They have a few high-ranking officials in court right now. But they used to be far more powerful. In the olden days, the Wens were right up there with the Shangguans. But around the time Prince Bao was about to marry Side Consort Wen, one of their relatives committed a fairly grave crime and the entire family was punished as a result, stripped of many of their power. Thus, instead of Side Consort Wen, the Prince took the current Princess Consort Bao as his wife instead."
"If I may enquire the surname of the current Princess Consort Bao?"
"Yao. Her brother is the current Earl Yao. But you see, Side Consort Wen was quite enamoured with Prince Bao." Duan shizi winced. "I must confess, I cannot see why. My uncle has grown rather... large in the past few decades. But he was rumoured to be fairly handsome in his youth. But do keep that a secret. Either way, Side Consort Wen managed to have the Prince take her as a Side Consort. But I think she blames the entire situation on Princess Consort Bao, and so the two women have never gotten along. And neither do their children."
"It seems hardly fair. It is not Princess Consort Bao's fault."
Duan shizi shrugged. "It is easy for us to say that. We are not involved. But it must be quite hurtful to Side Consort Wen, to be turned from the main wife into a concubine. Her children will be unable to inherit, since Bao shizi is alive and well." He nudged his chin towards the younger boy laughing with his friends in the corner.
"Have you any half-brothers and half-sisters, sir?"
"None," he replied simply. "I am an only child. My parents were a love match. I have one adopted older brother, but he's off with the army. His father was a general who was good friends with my father."
"Oh."
"Have you any half-brothers and half-sisters?"
Dryly, I replied, "If my step-mother is to be believed, I am soon to have a brother. Either way, I shall have one soon. But of course, they will be of the main wife."
"You need to care little about them now."
I frowned. "They are my family."
"If the Shangguans have called you here, you are now more Shangguan than Fei." He said that with a little smile on his face.
I did not inquire what he meant, for I knew it was true.
The moment my father let me come to Luoyang instead of staying with him in Henan, he'd already chosen to let go.