Chapter Twelve

As the announcement ended, everyone in the viewing area rose in unison to welcome the arrival of the Princes. The members of the Xu household naturally followed suit. Zhuang Ningyuan placed her hand in the palm of her head maid and stood up gracefully. Moving from her seat, she stood by the hanging curtains alongside the others from the estate, waiting for the Princes to pass so she could bow her head in greeting.

However, once she had settled into position, she suddenly felt the elderly woman beside her tugging subtly at her sleeve.

Zhuang Ningyuan frowned slightly and looked back, only to see Li Lanxin still seated. Her head was bowed, her face unusually pale, and she seemed lost in a trance. The royal procession was almost upon them.

"Lanxin, Lanxin!" she whispered urgently.

Li Mian, standing nearby, was equally anxious and hissed, "My Lady? My Lady! Quickly, stand up! It is time to pay respects!" With that, she hurriedly patted the woman who was currently miles away.

Li Lanxin shuddered, snapping back to reality. She looked up and, seeing the members of the Xu family all gazing at her with concern, scrambled to her feet. She lowered her head and stepped behind Zhuang Ningyuan and the head maids, hiding half of her body from view.

Zhuang Ningyuan felt a flicker of unease but said nothing. After all, Li Lanxin had never attended such an occasion; perhaps she was simply overwhelmed by nerves or feared committing a breach of etiquette. That was understandable.

Soon, the three Princes reached their section. Seeing the hem of the head maid’s skirt lower as she curtsied, Li Lanxin quickly followed suit. The exhilaration and thrill of the polo match had vanished, leaving her body chilled. She realized then that although she had left the Hundred Flower Garden, she was still within the palace grounds. As long as she remained here, she was not truly safe, and it would be best to avoid every one of these royal figures.

She had no idea who the man in the garden was. She knew neither his face nor his voice, and she had no idea what his intentions were after watching her from the shadows for so long.

No, she was no longer an innocent girl; she could vaguely sense the hidden, unspeakable implications of the encounter. But she did not want to dwell on it. Besides, perhaps she was merely overthinking. When she considered how plainly she was dressed—without powder or rouge—and the fact that she was a widow, coupled with Lady Zhang’s constant criticism of her uncouth manners, how could a nobleman accustomed to all manner of beauties possibly have any interest in her?

Regardless, it was best to have no further contact with that man. The moment he had blocked her path by the pond was dangerous enough. If others had seen it, there was no telling what might happen, and if Lady Zhang found out, she would never know a moment of peace again.

Li Lanxin was lost in these chaotic thoughts, unaware that a blade-like gaze was sweeping over her.

Zong Lin looked at the frail woman trying to shrink away among the maids, feeling only a sense of mockery. So timid—what a spineless creature. Her husband at home must truly be a useless, soft-hearted man; otherwise, how could he have raised such a fearful little woman? Was he some kind of monster, or did he possess such a hideous face that she refused to look at him even twice?

He Cheng, following behind, caught every nuance of his master’s reaction. His master had been looking straight ahead the entire way, but suddenly, he had tilted his head slightly to the left. He Cheng immediately grew alert, followed his master’s gaze, and his pupils dilated in shock. He barely managed to control his expression.

Once they had passed the area, he regained some composure, though his mind remained in turmoil. Among that crowd of women, the delicate figure in the plain dress—was that not the same woman who had rushed out of the Hundred Flower Garden from the very direction his master had gone alone? He Cheng’s heart hammered. He glanced at his master, who had resumed his forward gaze, and could not help but swallow hard. Could it be that his Highness...?

The three Princes ascended the high platform, which offered the best view of the match, and took their seats in order of seniority.

Prince Kang, the eldest, stroked his thick beard and cleared his throat. "It has been years since I last attended a polo match in the capital. Since His Majesty has granted us this grace, my two younger brothers, I suggest we each offer a prize to boost morale and add to the spectacle."

Prince Gong, appearing humble and respectful, nodded immediately. "Prince Kang’s suggestion is sound. My estate shall offer a jade statue of Guanyin."

Prince Kang laughed and waved his hand. "Is that all, brother? You are too stingy! My estate shall offer an ivory 'Ghost-Work' sphere!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Gong feigned astonishment. "Brother, your generosity is unmatched! You would part with such a treasure?" The ivory used for a 'Ghost-Work' sphere was precious enough, but the craftsmanship required to carve it could only be described as divine. It was a rarity in the world.

"A mere trinket, not worth mentioning," Prince Kang chuckled, squinting as he turned to Prince Jin, who had remained coldly silent. "And what of the seventeenth prince...?"

Zong Lin’s expression remained indifferent. He cast a sidelong glance behind him.

He Cheng understood and stepped forward. "The Prince Jin estate offers a white fox-fur cloak!"

Prince Kang’s expression soured instantly.

The *Book of Rites* states that a prince wears white fox fur, layered with brocade. In ancient times, the white fox-fur cloak was the attire of the Son of Heaven. While such strict regulations no longer existed, this was merely a polo match. As the eldest of the imperial clan, he had set the standard; it was expected that those who followed would not significantly outshine him. Yet, this young man at the end of the line was using a white fox-fur cloak as a prize—it was a clear sign of disrespect and an undisguised display of his vaulting ambition!

"You...!" Prince Kang’s face turned livid.

"Now, now, Prince Kang!" Prince Gong, who had been unperturbed, stood up to mediate. "It is just a prize, why get so angry?" He turned to Zong Lin, who remained unmoved, and frowned slightly. "Seventeenth brother! You are young, and though you have reached manhood, you still lack manners. Apologize to your elder brother at once. Furthermore, a fox-fur cloak is far too extravagant for a prize. Such an item should be presented to His Majesty..."

"Prince Gong," Zong Lin spoke slowly, his narrow eyes deep and unreadable. "It is merely a fox-fur cloak. My Northwest estate has plenty of them. I would not dare present such crude items to His Majesty." He paused, then added, "And I truly do not understand why Prince Kang is so angry. Is this cloak perhaps too precious for you? If so, I shall have another one sent to you to wear later."

As he finished, both Prince Kang and Prince Gong turned black and blue with rage. One was so furious his beard seemed to stand on end, while the other dared to hate but dared not speak.

Zong Lin looked away, picked up his porcelain cup, and took a shallow sip of tea.

...

After another match, Xu Biqing was still galloping gracefully on her horse, and Lady Zhang arrived late. Zhuang Ningyuan and Li Lanxin hurried to welcome her to the main seat. After Lady Zhang sat down, a look of joy appeared on her face, as if she had successfully negotiated an important matter; her tone was much kinder and more benevolent when speaking to her two daughters-in-law.

Once settled, she glanced at her energetic daughter in the distance and said, "There is a hunt after the polo match, which will take a few days to conclude. Your father-in-law is a military man and must remain here. We will not be able to attend Zhan’s memorial service. Qing’er and Cheng’er are young and love the excitement, and they insisted on staying for the festivities."

"After the polo match, the three of them will stay behind. I will go with you to the ancestral lands to hold the rites for Zhan and Ayu."

Li Lanxin and Zhuang Ningyuan exchanged a glance.

"Yes," they replied in unison.