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I Saw His Highness in His Youth 72

Idle Gossip

 

Three days before the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Gao Yuexing received instructions from her father before attending—“knock the mountain to shake the tiger.” [ (敲山震虎): an idiom meaning to issue a warning to intimidate others.]

 

In the past, such occasions in the capital were always accompanied by her elder sister. However, now that Gao Yuemin was preparing for her marriage, she declined the princess’s invitation this year.

 

Thus, only Madam Gao accompanied Gao Yuexing to the banquet.

 

In the carriage, Madam Gao asked, “What did your father instruct you when he called you to the study?”

 

Gao Yuexing hesitated, unsure whether to answer. Her father likely did not want her mother to worry about such matters, but as a daughter, could she truly keep it from her mother when asked?

 

She merely paused before answering, and her mother changed the subject, saying, “Never mind. You’re no longer a child; you know how to handle things. Especially at the princess’s Hundred Flowers Banquet, remember to leave some face for her no matter what you do.”

 

Gao Yuexing obediently agreed.

 

Her father had just shown her something in the study—something that couldn’t see the light of day.

 

The third concubine married into Chen Jingchen’s household, Lady Jiang, entered the residence four years ago. What made her unusual was that this Lady Jiang was neither youthful nor of any notable background. She was said to have been bought from a slave trader. Chen Jingchen, a high-ranking official, could easily have taken in many beautiful young women longing to become his concubine. Why, then, did he choose such a woman?

 

Moreover, it was said that after Lady Jiang entered the residence, she was not favored. Chen Jingchen rarely spent nights in her quarters. Yet, within the entire back courtyard, no other woman dared to provoke her. Even Madam Chen treated her with a certain degree of respect.

 

On closer examination, it was truly strange.

 

That piece of intelligence, whose origin was unclear, was shown to her by her father only briefly before he burned it in front of her.

 

It was likely obtained through improper channels, most probably leveraging the power of the Jinyiwei. In the entire capital, only the Jinyiwei could wield such influence, knowing even the private affairs of officials’ households.

 

Gao Yuexing had often regretted that if she had waited just a bit longer back then, until Xi Heng returned to the capital, perhaps she wouldn’t have had to leave for Medicine Valley. Xi Heng had been intent on recruiting her into the Jinyiwei for training. If things had gone smoothly, she might not have had to be separated from Li Fuxiang for so many years.

 

Seeing her distracted, her mother sighed. She noticed the gold-embroidered peony hairpin in Gao Yuexing’s hair and frowned, feeling uneasy. “You have so many new ornaments in your room. Why did you choose to wear this one?”

 

Gao Yuexing touched her temple. “Mother, is it inappropriate?”

 

Madam Gao replied, “The peony is the national flower. What is your status?”

 

Indeed, the peony was the national flower, but since the Great Xu Dynasty had no empress, young women like Gao Yuexing often overlooked this detail in their daily lives.

 

Hearing this, Gao Yuexing obediently removed the peony hair ornament and said, “In that case, I’ll change it.”

 

In a young lady’s carriage, there was always a vanity box at hand. Gao Yuexing pulled out her box and said, “Why don’t you help me choose something more appropriate, Mother?”

 

At this, Madam Gao finally smiled.

 

Indeed, her daughter was very obedient, and this gave her some comfort. She carefully selected from the box of gold, silver, and jade ornaments, eventually picking out a hairpin adorned with two butterflies dancing among flowers. Its craftsmanship was exquisite. She personally pinned it into her daughter’s hair and said, “My dear Ah Xing has such beauty; playful ornaments like these suit you best.”

 

Gao Yuexing leaned against her mother’s shoulder, acting coquettishly. “Mother is always right. I’ll listen to you.”

 

Madam Gao thought her daughter was simply obedient, unaware that Gao Yuexing was indulging her. Just as Gao Jing always humored and appeased Madam Gao to please and reassure her, Gao Yuexing did the same. They preferred to use soft words and gentle persuasion to avoid disputes or conflicts whenever possible.

 

Women like Madam Gao, who lived in such a simple and naïve manner, could lead a blissful life—if only they had a reliable husband and children who were well-behaved and successful.

 

Gao Yuexing thought to herself.

 

But she could no longer bear to hand over her fate to others so blindly.

 

The Gao family’s carriage stopped at the palace gates, where a small sedan chair carried them into Chunhe Palace.

 

Today, Chunhe Palace was crowded with noblewomen, each with a warm smile on her face. Gao Yuexing followed her mother into the palace to pay respects to the empress consort and then greeted the other ladies present. Afterward, Consort Xian allowed her to leave and enjoy herself.

 

This was the first time Gao Yuexing had appeared in front of the noblewomen since returning to the capital. As she excused herself and stepped away, her posture was steady and composed, her demeanor dignified yet light and graceful.

 

Before she even exited the room, she could hear the women behind her chatting with laughter:

 

“Madam Gao truly knows how to raise daughters. The eldest is dignified and stunning, and although the second daughter has yet to reach her coming-of-age ceremony, she looks just as promising. Her every move exudes a refinement not seen in ordinary families.”

 

“I heard that the second young lady was seriously ill as a child. I wonder how her health is now?”

 

“She doesn’t look sickly at all.”

 

“A young lady’s health mustn’t be taken lightly. In the future…”

 

The voices trailed off as Gao Yuexing walked further away, their idle gossip fading into inaudibility.

 

Guided by Aunt Wei, Gao Yuexing arrived at the Liuhua Terrace.

 

The flowers cultivated in the greenhouse had bloomed as scheduled over the past two days and were all displayed on the terrace. Though autumn was approaching, the Liuhua Terrace was still a vibrant sea of blossoms.

 

From afar, Li Lanyao spotted her arrival. Breaking away from the group of noble young ladies around her, she affectionately brought Gao Yuexing onto the terrace and said warmly, “You’re finally here! I’ve been waiting forever.”

 

Gao Yuexing laughed. “Forever? I don’t think everyone’s even here yet!”

 

Li Lanyao glanced around and said, “A few are indeed missing. Just now, Aunt Wei received a few letters saying some girls couldn’t come due to family matters…” She leaned close and whispered so only the two of them could hear, “No matter. Let them be. Fewer people means less trouble for me.”

 

Gao Yuexing chuckled.

 

The princess’s Hundred Flowers Banquet was originally meant to celebrate her birthday. Over the years, however, it had turned into a gathering for noblewomen to network and arrange potential marriages.

 

Quietly, Gao Yuexing said, “I brought you a gift. I had Aunt Wei deliver it to your bedchamber. Keep it aside and open it tonight.”

 

Li Lanyao smiled. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

 

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Gao Yuexing noticed a figure dressed in plain attire among the brightly adorned young ladies.

 

It was the second young lady of the Chen family.

 

Due to a recent bereavement in her family, the Chen family’s second daughter wore a simple outfit of subdued cloud-patterned silk. Amid the vibrant colors around her, she stood out with a certain elegance.

 

She sat alone at the banquet. The noble young ladies of the capital, aware of her family’s mourning period, avoided her. Although they said nothing, they harbored unspoken discomfort, unable to understand why she would attend such a lively occasion while still in mourning.

 

Gao Yuexing glanced at her a few times.

 

Li Lanyao quickly noticed her gaze and asked, “Are you interested in the second young lady of the Chen family?”

 

Gao Yuexing replied candidly, “After returning to the capital, I unintentionally heard some rumors about myself that seem to be connected to her. I’d like to find an opportunity to ask her directly.”

 

Li Lanyao immediately pressed, “Oh? What kind of rumors?”

 

Gao Yuexing said with a faint smile, “It’s laughable, really. I’m alive and well in this world, yet someone has been spreading word everywhere that I’m the reincarnation of a vengeful ghost. Princess, have you heard of this?”

 

Li Lanyao frowned deeply.

 

Gao Yuexing hadn’t lowered her voice, and the young ladies nearby overheard every word. Gao Yuexing noticed the slight stiffening of the Chen family’s second young lady’s shoulders, a clear sign that she had heard it too.

 

Li Lanyao cast a casual glance and locked eyes with a noblewoman with an oval face. She immediately pulled her over and asked, “I’m not well-informed in the palace. What Second Miss Gao just said—have you heard about it?”

 

The noblewoman covered her mouth with a silk handkerchief and laughed. “The rumors are becoming more outrageous by the day. Where did Second Miss Gao hear this?”

 

Gao Yuexing didn’t answer but instead asked, “So, it is true?”

 

The noblewoman replied, “I have no idea what nonsense people are spreading now, but two months ago, I heard this version: Second Miss Gao nearly died from a serious illness when she was young. Yet now, she’s as lively as a normal person, jumping and running around. Who knows? Maybe she’s not entirely human. Perhaps her life was so robust that after wandering through the underworld, the King of Hell chased her back to the mortal realm.”

 

Li Lanyao spat. “Some idle busybody must’ve started this nonsense.”

 

The noblewoman chuckled. “Since it’s idle gossip, why bother with it? Everyone knows what’s true and what’s not.”

 

Gao Yuexing admired the noblewoman’s composure and the way she addressed the gossip without evasion, so she asked, “Thank you, elder sister, for clarifying. May I ask your name?”

 

Li Lanyao answered for her, “She is the eldest granddaughter of Master Kong, the Minister of Personnel.”

 

Gao Yuexing then performed a proper formal greeting. “Miss Kong.”

 

The other woman smiled and said, “I am Kong Luopu.”

 

The three of them began chatting and sat together, drinking tea. Li Lanyao seized the moment to ask Gao Yuexing, “I just saw your father enter the palace again. He stayed in His Majesty’s study for quite some time. Whenever the Court of Justice stirs, it makes everyone in the palace nervous. Has something happened recently?”

 

“Nothing much,” Gao Yuexing replied in a voice that was neither loud nor soft—light enough to sound casual but loud enough for a phrase or two to reach the ears of the Chen family’s second daughter. She said, “It’s still about the Chen family’s matter. There’s been some progress, but it’s tricky to act on. After all, it concerns Lord Chen’s inner household, and the concubine in question isn’t of a proper family background. Since they are colleagues in court, my father doesn’t want to cause open hostility. Most likely, he’ll consult Lord Chen first or leave it to His Majesty to decide.”

 

Kong Luopu looked at her in surprise. “You’re so young, yet you understand all this?”

 

Gao Yuexing said, “What would I know? I just overhear them discussing things endlessly. It’s so tedious I feel like falling asleep. His Highness Prince Xiang may enjoy it, but he insists on dragging me along. It’s utterly boring.”

 

She mixed three parts truth with seven parts falsehood in her explanation. At the right moment, she even brought up Li Fuxiang as a cover to distract from her ulterior motives.

 

No one could detect her hidden agenda.

 

Gao Yuexing’s casual mention of His Highness Prince Xiang hit just the right note, drawing nearly everyone’s attention toward him.

 

His Highness Prince Xiang was in the prime of his fame—a young hero, dashing in appearance, and most importantly, still unmarried.

 

It was rumored that the Gao family had a verbal agreement with the emperor, but the truth was uncertain. Hearing Gao Yuexing’s offhand comment, many began forming their own plans.

 

Some felt regret.

 

Others were disdainful.

 

Gao Yuexing sipped her tea and glanced to the side.

 

The seat next to them was empty.

 

At some point, the second young lady of the Chen family had quietly left the gathering without a trace.

 

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