Chapter 37A: Flower Bestowment Feast
If he knew earlier that Luo Qing Luan was so stunning, how would Nangong Chen have been willing to cancel the engagement?
When he returned home that evening, Nangong Chen questioned Luo Qing Shuang regarding what in the world happened to Luo Qing Luan’s appearance. Because of this, the two of them even had a big argument. Seeing Luo Qing Luan again now, why would Nangong Chen even bother with Luo Qing Shuang. He even casted his respected father-in-law aside as he quickly walked forward.
Nangong Chen stood outside of the pavilion, a face full of smiles as he spoke to Luo Qing Luan. “Younger Sister Qing Luan, when did you come? I didn’t know about it and has truly slighted you. Please don’t take offense.”
With one glance at his smiling face and Luo Qing Luan felt disgusted as she replied indifferently. “I came together with Father’s Concubine. Isn’t Brother-in-Law greeting your guests out front? Why are you here?”
Luo Cheng also walked over and spoke after he hardened his face. “Qing Luan, is this any way to talk to Fifth Prince? Are you still not paying the proper respects?”
Nangong Chen immediately responded, “It’s not a big deal, not a big deal. We’re all one family. It’s better to speak a bit more naturally, no matter.”
Coldly casting a glance at him, Luo Qing Luan didn’t even want to respond as she turned her head away.
Snagged on a nail, yet Nangong Chen didn’t get angry in the least and instead he regretted even more how he previously had no eyes. When Luo Qing Shuang saw his anxious appearance, she ignited into anger on the spot and swung around to walk towards Luo Qing Luan. “Younger Sister, Chen is already no longer your fiance, so don’t use that kind of expression to look at him anymore. He’s my husband!”
“Exactly! I ask that Elder Sister properly look after your man and don’t have him come looking for me to chat.” Luo Qing Luan retorted coldly.
How could Luo Qing Shuang be a match for Luo Qing Luan? Her complexion immediately changed, as she charged towards Nangong Chen and shouted, “Chen, you’re already married to me. What? You know that Younger Sister is pretty now, so you like her also? When you came home that day, you and I already got into an argument……”
“That’s enough!”
Being stared at by everyone, including Luo Cheng and Wang Xue Ru at the scene, how would Nangong Chen want to get into an argument with Luo Qing Shuang. At once, his face hardened as he berated, “What are you making a fuss for? I’ve merely said a couple of things to Second Sister. Don’t tell me that this can’t be done? Worry about your own belly. Why don’t you return to rest.”
“Chen……” How could Luo Qing Shuang, who had always been pampered, endure getting scolded in public? She burst into tears.
“Father-in-Law, Mother-in-Law, sorry you saw that. Qing Shuang is pregnant, so her temper is a bit irritable.” When all was said and done, Nangong Chen also didn’t want to be excessive, so he had no alternative but to restrain his temper and speak some kind words. “Alright, with so many visitors here, it won’t look good to make a big fuss. The pregnancy is important, so return to your courtyard and take a nap. After a little while, you should have a meal.”
Seeing that Nangong Chen gave her a way out, Luo Qing Shuang also didn’t want to get into an argument with him. She only glared daggers at Luo Qing Luan before she allowed her servant maid to support her and left with Wang Xue Ru.
In the end, Luo Qing Luan was actually left by herself. Even Luo Cheng didn’t pay anymore attention to her. Fortunately, there was Dai Yue to keep her company, and she also didn’t mind. Without anyone to bother her, she felt quite tranquil.
After returning from Fifth Prince’s Mansion, for an entire half of a month, Luo Qing Luan basically stayed at her little courtyard and did not go out. When she finished writing a book, she would have Dai Yue take it to Boss Li. As for Heavenly Dream Tower……nowadays, its business was flourishing, raking in ten thousand taels of silver each day. Its popularity already spread throughout the entire capital. Even some merchants who came from East Wan Country, or South Yue also hung around Heavenly Dream Tower, reluctant to leave.
Hongyu, Ruyan, and Shimeng, these three young ladies, had truly became the leading courtesans at Heavenly Dream Tower. There were endless numbers of people desiring to see them. Luo Qing Luan also snickered. Fortunately Nangong Yu listened to her and maintained a mysterious, lofty, unyielding posture, practically turning those three young ladies into goddesses.
Men were indeed contemptible……
Luo Qing Luan laughed lightly as she shook her head and swept away her train of thought.
A zither was placed in front of her, and her fingers stroked it lightly. As she picked the strings, sweet sounding, gentle zither music floated like the babbling of running water, echoing inside the little courtyard. Actually, it’s not like she suddenly took a liking to zither music, but rather, she originally was already an expert zither player in her previous incarnation and didn’t want to get rusty. Therefore, she played a bit when she was free and practiced a little.
Speaking of the master from her previous life, the Ghost Doctor, he was truly a genius. His demeanor was elegant and graceful. Already over fifty years old, yet brimming with a masculine mature charm and as healthy as a man in his thirties. Not only was his medical skills top notch, even the four arts (zither, calligraphy, painting, Go), astronomy, geography, and all kinds of other skills were grasped by him. There was none that he wasn’t proficient in.
As the Ghost Doctor’s sole disciple, Luo Qing Luan naturally had been trained by him in all kinds of skills ever since she was little. She was originally already innately highly talented. After learning for many years, she also achieved seventy or eighty percent of her master’s abilities. It’s too bad……
The zither music gradually faded as Luo Qing Luan’s hands stopped. She then took a bamboo flute that Dai Yue handed her and started blowing. The flute music was light, bright, and melodious as it started from her lips and rose upward, soaring into the sky, inducing a few little birds to fly onto the wall of the courtyard, twittering and echoing each other.
Once the song ended, Luo Qing Luan’s hand finally stopped. Dai Yue was filled with surprise as she approached. Although she had already heard her mistress display numerous skills during this short period of time, she was increasingly amazed each time, causing her to have difficulty believing what she was seeing.
In the past, her mistress had learned these things, but how was she as good as she was now? Could it be that her mistress was hiding her skills in the past, unwilling to let others be aware?
“My Lady, Master has always said that girls should practice these things more and should be good at the four arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting, as well as needlework, so that they can find a good husband in the future. If the Master were to know that you’re so skilled, he will be very happy for sure.” Dai Yue spoke happily.
Humph, would she care whether Luo Cheng was happy? Luo Qing Luan smiled indifferently, “I’m learning these skills not because I want to win anyone’s favor. No matter if it’s painting, writing, zither, or flute, these are all able to temper a person’s character. Can it be that you don’t feel that listening once in awhile also improves your mood?”
Dai Yue didn’t understand. She only knew that the mistress’ zither sounded good and nodded immediately. “En, yes, yes, My Lady, My Lady is really awesome. In the future, I’ll listen to you play music everyday……”
Suddenly, she thought of something and stopped herself. She suddenly realized, “Oh! I know now. My Lady recently painted and practiced music everyday, Is it because you want to marry the crown prince?”
Chapter 37B: Flower Bestowment Feast
“Nonsense! Look at what you’re saying now!” Luo Qing Luan feigned anger.
Even though after she returned from the Fifth Prince’s Mansion last time, she didn’t go out much to avoid Luo Cheng and Wang Xue Ru finding trouble with her everyday, so she was too bored. However, Dai Yue went out once in a while, so she still found out about the news that circulated outside.
Presently, the crown prince, Nangong Qing, had already reached a marriageable age and the current empress was preparing a Flower Bestowment Feast for him. She reckoned that it wouldn’t be much longer before those noble-born young ladies would be invited to visit the imperial palace’s back garden. Naturally, this was merely a way to select the best crown prince’s consort in disguise, that’s all.
Nangong Qing’s birth mother is actually not the current empress, but Empress Yao, who had already passed away. However, the current empress was actually his maternal aunt, and was also Empress Yao’s female cousin. The current empress was equally concerned about him and pampered him. For the sake of Nangong Qing’s marriage, she naturally demonstrated even more concern.
Not to mention that Luo Qing Luan had never met the crown prince before. Even if she really met him before, she still wouldn’t just casually like him. Moreover, Nangong Qing was the crown prince and the future emperor of Western Chu. He’s bound to have a harem with numerous imperial concubines. How could she possibly marry this kind of man?
“News has already spread that the empress is helping the crown prince chose a consort, but do you think that Father’s Concubine will allow me to enter the palace to strive for this kind of opportunity?” Luo Qing Luan didn’t say what she was thinking, but analyzed the circumstances instead. “Elder Sister married Fifth Prince with great difficulty. If I truly attended the Flower Bestowment Feast, can it be that Father’s Concubine isn’t afraid that I might really be favored by the empress and become the crown prince consort? Wouldn’t that be the same as stepping on Elder Sister’s head?”
“Oh. What My Lady said makes sense.”
Dai Yue’s voice softened as she curled her lips. “The Side Madam dislikes you so much, she certainly won’t allow you to go.”
In Luo Qing Luan’s opinion, this matter will most likely just pass, but she absolutely never expected that because someone said a few words before His Majesty, she who originally never had a chance to attend the banquet, discovered before two days came to pass that Luo Cheng received an imperial decree directly from the empress.
Wang Xue Ru was nearly angered to death when she looked at that golden yellow imperial decree in her hand, wishing that she could tear it to pieces, yet did not dare to. She could only twist her face and said in a strange voice. “Master, what do you think is going on? His Majesty already cancelled Qing Luan and Fifth Prince’s engagement, yet now, the empress actually personally issued a decree to have her take part in the Flower Bestowment Feast. Can it be……the empress intends to make Qing Luan the Crown Prince’s Consort?”
If it was truly like that, then she would truly be angered to death!
Her daughter had barely become the Fifth Prince’s side consort with difficulty. Luo Qing Luan, this loathsome girl, was actually fancied by the empress? When did she enter Her Royal Highness, the empress’ field of view?
Luo Cheng also couldn’t figure it out. Originally, he was also feeling ill when Luo Qing Luan was separated from Nangong Chen. After all, it could be considered a scandal within his General’s Mansion. Now if it was true that Her Highness the empress fancied Luo Qing Luan, then it could also be considered a happy matter to be able to cling onto the crown prince, and his Luo family would take another step towards genuinely becoming relatives with the emperor.
He thought about it even further. If Luo Qing Luan gave birth to a little highness in the future and the crown prince became the emperor, then wouldn’t he become the emperor’s father-in-law? Now that would indeed be a supreme honor!
Thinking to this point, he smiled a rare smile. “Then that’s good. After a few days, you should just bring Qing Luan there. Remember to remind her to maintain good etiquette and don’t lose face in front of Her Highness the empress. Grasp this opportunity properly.”
Wang Xue Ru heard this and hate grew in her heart. Each of her fingers twisted, but she couldn’t go against Luo Cheng’s wishes and even more so, couldn’t disobey the imperial decree. On the day of the Flower Bestowment Feast, she finally brought Luo Qing Luan into the palace to attend the banquet.
“Qing Luan, we’re probably headed towards the location of the imperial harem today. The empress will also be there. You absolutely can’t be like you were last time and casually point out people’s faults. Did you hear that?”
Her tone of voice was incomparably serious and even carried a trace of hypocritical concern. “Have you remembered what Father’s Concubine just told you about paying attention to proper etiquette? You can’t make any mistake by any means. Otherwise, it’ll be cause for a beheading.”
How could she not know that Wang Xue Ru wanted to scare her on purpose, so that when she entered the palace, she’d be nervous and anxious and make a fool out of herself instead? However, Luo Qing Luan originally had no interest in this Flower Bestowment Feast anyway. If it wasn’t for the imperial decree, she would rather go play at Heavenly Dream Tower.
After their carriage arrived at the gate to the palace, Luo Qing Luan and Wang Xue Ru were escorted by a palace maid. The walkways were lined with luxuriant flowers like the best brocade in brilliant purples and brilliant reds. There were endless gold and jade pavilions and kiosks in glorious splendor, yet were peaceful and dignified, similar to an imposing, tranquil national painting.
Following along the walls were white jade reliefs, then a lake whose surface rippled like blue jade, Luo Qing Luan finally entered the central area of the imperial harem, precisely the place where the Flower Bestowment Feast will be held this time—-Thousand Springs Garden.
It’s just that Luo Qing Luan never thought that the moment she came, she would see Luo Qing Shuang, who was already married. She was chatting and laughing with another young lady. Once the two of them turned their heads, they already saw her. Merely dazed for a short moment, Luo Qing Shuang’s lips turned into a smile as she walked towards Luo Qing Luan.
Chapter 37A: Flower Bestowment Feast
If he knew earlier that Luo Qing Luan was so stunning, how would Nangong Chen have been willing to cancel the engagement?
When he returned home that evening, Nangong Chen questioned Luo Qing Shuang regarding what in the world happened to Luo Qing Luan’s appearance. Because of this, the two of them even had a big argument. Seeing Luo Qing Luan again now, why would Nangong Chen even bother with Luo Qing Shuang. He even casted his respected father-in-law aside as he quickly walked forward.
Nangong Chen stood outside of the pavilion, a face full of smiles as he spoke to Luo Qing Luan. “Younger Sister Qing Luan, when did you come? I didn’t know about it and has truly slighted you. Please don’t take offense.”
With one glance at his smiling face and Luo Qing Luan felt disgusted as she replied indifferently. “I came together with Father’s Concubine. Isn’t Brother-in-Law greeting your guests out front? Why are you here?”
Luo Cheng also walked over and spoke after he hardened his face. “Qing Luan, is this any way to talk to Fifth Prince? Are you still not paying the proper respects?”
Nangong Chen immediately responded, “It’s not a big deal, not a big deal. We’re all one family. It’s better to speak a bit more naturally, no matter.”
Coldly casting a glance at him, Luo Qing Luan didn’t even want to respond as she turned her head away.
Snagged on a nail, yet Nangong Chen didn’t get angry in the least and instead he regretted even more how he previously had no eyes. When Luo Qing Shuang saw his anxious appearance, she ignited into anger on the spot and swung around to walk towards Luo Qing Luan. “Younger Sister, Chen is already no longer your fiance, so don’t use that kind of expression to look at him anymore. He’s my husband!”
“Exactly! I ask that Elder Sister properly look after your man and don’t have him come looking for me to chat.” Luo Qing Luan retorted coldly.
How could Luo Qing Shuang be a match for Luo Qing Luan? Her complexion immediately changed, as she charged towards Nangong Chen and shouted, “Chen, you’re already married to me. What? You know that Younger Sister is pretty now, so you like her also? When you came home that day, you and I already got into an argument……”
“That’s enough!”
Being stared at by everyone, including Luo Cheng and Wang Xue Ru at the scene, how would Nangong Chen want to get into an argument with Luo Qing Shuang. At once, his face hardened as he berated, “What are you making a fuss for? I’ve merely said a couple of things to Second Sister. Don’t tell me that this can’t be done? Worry about your own belly. Why don’t you return to rest.”
“Chen……” How could Luo Qing Shuang, who had always been pampered, endure getting scolded in public? She burst into tears.
“Father-in-Law, Mother-in-Law, sorry you saw that. Qing Shuang is pregnant, so her temper is a bit irritable.” When all was said and done, Nangong Chen also didn’t want to be excessive, so he had no alternative but to restrain his temper and speak some kind words. “Alright, with so many visitors here, it won’t look good to make a big fuss. The pregnancy is important, so return to your courtyard and take a nap. After a little while, you should have a meal.”
Seeing that Nangong Chen gave her a way out, Luo Qing Shuang also didn’t want to get into an argument with him. She only glared daggers at Luo Qing Luan before she allowed her servant maid to support her and left with Wang Xue Ru.
In the end, Luo Qing Luan was actually left by herself. Even Luo Cheng didn’t pay anymore attention to her. Fortunately, there was Dai Yue to keep her company, and she also didn’t mind. Without anyone to bother her, she felt quite tranquil.
After returning from Fifth Prince’s Mansion, for an entire half of a month, Luo Qing Luan basically stayed at her little courtyard and did not go out. When she finished writing a book, she would have Dai Yue take it to Boss Li. As for Heavenly Dream Tower……nowadays, its business was flourishing, raking in ten thousand taels of silver each day. Its popularity already spread throughout the entire capital. Even some merchants who came from East Wan Country, or South Yue also hung around Heavenly Dream Tower, reluctant to leave.
Hongyu, Ruyan, and Shimeng, these three young ladies, had truly became the leading courtesans at Heavenly Dream Tower. There were endless numbers of people desiring to see them. Luo Qing Luan also snickered. Fortunately Nangong Yu listened to her and maintained a mysterious, lofty, unyielding posture, practically turning those three young ladies into goddesses.
Men were indeed contemptible……
Luo Qing Luan laughed lightly as she shook her head and swept away her train of thought.
A zither was placed in front of her, and her fingers stroked it lightly. As she picked the strings, sweet sounding, gentle zither music floated like the babbling of running water, echoing inside the little courtyard. Actually, it’s not like she suddenly took a liking to zither music, but rather, she originally was already an expert zither player in her previous incarnation and didn’t want to get rusty. Therefore, she played a bit when she was free and practiced a little.
Speaking of the master from her previous life, the Ghost Doctor, he was truly a genius. His demeanor was elegant and graceful. Already over fifty years old, yet brimming with a masculine mature charm and as healthy as a man in his thirties. Not only was his medical skills top notch, even the four arts (zither, calligraphy, painting, Go), astronomy, geography, and all kinds of other skills were grasped by him. There was none that he wasn’t proficient in.
As the Ghost Doctor’s sole disciple, Luo Qing Luan naturally had been trained by him in all kinds of skills ever since she was little. She was originally already innately highly talented. After learning for many years, she also achieved seventy or eighty percent of her master’s abilities. It’s too bad……
The zither music gradually faded as Luo Qing Luan’s hands stopped. She then took a bamboo flute that Dai Yue handed her and started blowing. The flute music was light, bright, and melodious as it started from her lips and rose upward, soaring into the sky, inducing a few little birds to fly onto the wall of the courtyard, twittering and echoing each other.
Once the song ended, Luo Qing Luan’s hand finally stopped. Dai Yue was filled with surprise as she approached. Although she had already heard her mistress display numerous skills during this short period of time, she was increasingly amazed each time, causing her to have difficulty believing what she was seeing.
In the past, her mistress had learned these things, but how was she as good as she was now? Could it be that her mistress was hiding her skills in the past, unwilling to let others be aware?
“My Lady, Master has always said that girls should practice these things more and should be good at the four arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting, as well as needlework, so that they can find a good husband in the future. If the Master were to know that you’re so skilled, he will be very happy for sure.” Dai Yue spoke happily.
Humph, would she care whether Luo Cheng was happy? Luo Qing Luan smiled indifferently, “I’m learning these skills not because I want to win anyone’s favor. No matter if it’s painting, writing, zither, or flute, these are all able to temper a person’s character. Can it be that you don’t feel that listening once in awhile also improves your mood?”
Dai Yue didn’t understand. She only knew that the mistress’ zither sounded good and nodded immediately. “En, yes, yes, My Lady, My Lady is really awesome. In the future, I’ll listen to you play music everyday……”
Suddenly, she thought of something and stopped herself. She suddenly realized, “Oh! I know now. My Lady recently painted and practiced music everyday, Is it because you want to marry the crown prince?”
Chapter 37B: Flower Bestowment Feast
“Nonsense! Look at what you’re saying now!” Luo Qing Luan feigned anger.
Even though after she returned from the Fifth Prince’s Mansion last time, she didn’t go out much to avoid Luo Cheng and Wang Xue Ru finding trouble with her everyday, so she was too bored. However, Dai Yue went out once in a while, so she still found out about the news that circulated outside.
Presently, the crown prince, Nangong Qing, had already reached a marriageable age and the current empress was preparing a Flower Bestowment Feast for him. She reckoned that it wouldn’t be much longer before those noble-born young ladies would be invited to visit the imperial palace’s back garden. Naturally, this was merely a way to select the best crown prince’s consort in disguise, that’s all.
Nangong Qing’s birth mother is actually not the current empress, but Empress Yao, who had already passed away. However, the current empress was actually his maternal aunt, and was also Empress Yao’s female cousin. The current empress was equally concerned about him and pampered him. For the sake of Nangong Qing’s marriage, she naturally demonstrated even more concern.
Not to mention that Luo Qing Luan had never met the crown prince before. Even if she really met him before, she still wouldn’t just casually like him. Moreover, Nangong Qing was the crown prince and the future emperor of Western Chu. He’s bound to have a harem with numerous imperial concubines. How could she possibly marry this kind of man?
“News has already spread that the empress is helping the crown prince chose a consort, but do you think that Father’s Concubine will allow me to enter the palace to strive for this kind of opportunity?” Luo Qing Luan didn’t say what she was thinking, but analyzed the circumstances instead. “Elder Sister married Fifth Prince with great difficulty. If I truly attended the Flower Bestowment Feast, can it be that Father’s Concubine isn’t afraid that I might really be favored by the empress and become the crown prince consort? Wouldn’t that be the same as stepping on Elder Sister’s head?”
“Oh. What My Lady said makes sense.”
Dai Yue’s voice softened as she curled her lips. “The Side Madam dislikes you so much, she certainly won’t allow you to go.”
In Luo Qing Luan’s opinion, this matter will most likely just pass, but she absolutely never expected that because someone said a few words before His Majesty, she who originally never had a chance to attend the banquet, discovered before two days came to pass that Luo Cheng received an imperial decree directly from the empress.
Wang Xue Ru was nearly angered to death when she looked at that golden yellow imperial decree in her hand, wishing that she could tear it to pieces, yet did not dare to. She could only twist her face and said in a strange voice. “Master, what do you think is going on? His Majesty already cancelled Qing Luan and Fifth Prince’s engagement, yet now, the empress actually personally issued a decree to have her take part in the Flower Bestowment Feast. Can it be……the empress intends to make Qing Luan the Crown Prince’s Consort?”
If it was truly like that, then she would truly be angered to death!
Her daughter had barely become the Fifth Prince’s side consort with difficulty. Luo Qing Luan, this loathsome girl, was actually fancied by the empress? When did she enter Her Royal Highness, the empress’ field of view?
Luo Cheng also couldn’t figure it out. Originally, he was also feeling ill when Luo Qing Luan was separated from Nangong Chen. After all, it could be considered a scandal within his General’s Mansion. Now if it was true that Her Highness the empress fancied Luo Qing Luan, then it could also be considered a happy matter to be able to cling onto the crown prince, and his Luo family would take another step towards genuinely becoming relatives with the emperor.
He thought about it even further. If Luo Qing Luan gave birth to a little highness in the future and the crown prince became the emperor, then wouldn’t he become the emperor’s father-in-law? Now that would indeed be a supreme honor!
Thinking to this point, he smiled a rare smile. “Then that’s good. After a few days, you should just bring Qing Luan there. Remember to remind her to maintain good etiquette and don’t lose face in front of Her Highness the empress. Grasp this opportunity properly.”
Wang Xue Ru heard this and hate grew in her heart. Each of her fingers twisted, but she couldn’t go against Luo Cheng’s wishes and even more so, couldn’t disobey the imperial decree. On the day of the Flower Bestowment Feast, she finally brought Luo Qing Luan into the palace to attend the banquet.
“Qing Luan, we’re probably headed towards the location of the imperial harem today. The empress will also be there. You absolutely can’t be like you were last time and casually point out people’s faults. Did you hear that?”
Her tone of voice was incomparably serious and even carried a trace of hypocritical concern. “Have you remembered what Father’s Concubine just told you about paying attention to proper etiquette? You can’t make any mistake by any means. Otherwise, it’ll be cause for a beheading.”
How could she not know that Wang Xue Ru wanted to scare her on purpose, so that when she entered the palace, she’d be nervous and anxious and make a fool out of herself instead? However, Luo Qing Luan originally had no interest in this Flower Bestowment Feast anyway. If it wasn’t for the imperial decree, she would rather go play at Heavenly Dream Tower.
After their carriage arrived at the gate to the palace, Luo Qing Luan and Wang Xue Ru were escorted by a palace maid. The walkways were lined with luxuriant flowers like the best brocade in brilliant purples and brilliant reds. There were endless gold and jade pavilions and kiosks in glorious splendor, yet were peaceful and dignified, similar to an imposing, tranquil national painting.
Following along the walls were white jade reliefs, then a lake whose surface rippled like blue jade, Luo Qing Luan finally entered the central area of the imperial harem, precisely the place where the Flower Bestowment Feast will be held this time—-Thousand Springs Garden.
It’s just that Luo Qing Luan never thought that the moment she came, she would see Luo Qing Shuang, who was already married. She was chatting and laughing with another young lady. Once the two of them turned their heads, they already saw her. Merely dazed for a short moment, Luo Qing Shuang’s lips turned into a smile as she walked towards Luo Qing Luan.
