Chapter Five, The First Encounter in the Southern Branch

Five and seven indicate unfamiliarity, leaving oneself equally perplexed. "Let us just look at the insignia on the chest; the horizontal and vertical feudal lords are eight in total. Please observe carefully; those with the four-clawed dragon on their chest, once fully seen, will suffice.

She turned her head, wrinkled her nose, and when she was in the Yude Palace, she would never have dared to do so. However, now dressed in the attire of a young eunuch, she felt completely at ease, as if she had escaped from the scrutiny of countless eyes. A small person possesses their own calmness and joy.

A sudden heartbeat, like a thousand horses galloping, and in a daze, I seemed to witness a scene of war. Wanwan bit her lip and lowered her head again, catching a glimpse of him raising his hand. The middle finger emerged from the crimson cuff, revealing a border about an inch wide, accentuating the whiteness and elegance of his knuckles. He placed a bronze medal into the tray, on which a row of small characters was engraved, deeply inscribed with "Yuwen, vassal of Jiangnan Road".

Those who usually sing high praises are often not very trustworthy, and Wanwan's expression clearly showed her disdain. Xiaoyou could no longer maintain her facade and forced a smile, "The imperial examination has regulations; the blind, mute, deaf, and lame cannot hold office. The Wang of Nanyuan inherited his position solely due to his ancestral blessings, and his appearance is not restricted by any standards. I have never seen a Qi person; I have only heard that their looks are quite different. I just hope to be fortunate enough to have the opportunity to broaden my horizons."

Those who have never worked tend to be somewhat dull. She held the umbrella open with a sense of grievance as she approached the door, not knowing to offer greetings or salutations. Instead, she bent slightly at the waist, raising her hand high, waiting for that esteemed official to enter through the West Huamen.

The rough skin and thick meat of the five-seven variety are not taken seriously, "What’s the big deal? We eunuchs live like this. Being scolded is the least of it; if someone is unhappy, they might hit you, and you just have to endure it." He pointed ahead, "I was just worried about not being able to move, and now I've been assigned here. If luck is on our side, the South Garden King might not have entered the palace yet, and perhaps we could meet him."

A gust of wind blew swiftly, slightly alleviating the heat that hung in the air. She stood still, listening to the sound of hooves clattering outside the Xihua Gate, accompanied by the crisp ringing of the copper bells on the reins. A group of eunuchs came out to greet them, taking over the attendants of the officials and escorting them into the enclosure. The guards from the Eastern Depot clasped their hands in a bow, saying: "Those entering the palace must not carry sharp weapons. We are ordered to inspect, please forgive us, esteemed sir."

At Donghuamen, the passersby were coming and going in a steady stream. They waited eagerly for half an hour, but in the end, did not see anyone remarkable. Xiao You, with a crooked smile, looked at Wu Qi and said, "Let us take a guess at how you ultimately met your demise!"

At this moment, Wanwan exuded the demeanor of a great general. Although her words were somewhat halting, her expression remained remarkably composed: "It doesn't matter, you go... it's my turn now... I'll go. Let's meet at Yude Palace."

Little You leaned against the porch, sighing deeply: "To be honest, I should not have suggested this to you. As you said, if something goes wrong, you will be fine, but it will be us who suffer as subordinates. However, did you not say that Lord Yuwen looks like a monster? You want to see a monster, don't you? I am well aware of your temper; if you cannot see it, you will keep lamenting about it every day. Rather than this, it would be better for me to come up with a plan for you. Otherwise, once the grand banquet is over, the vassal lords will have to return to their fiefs, and if you want to see them again, it will be a long wait."

Xiao You firmly denied: "In the eyes of a servant, there is only the master, not oneself"

"It is certain, I have inquired thoroughly. The Wang from Nanyuan has a private residence in Baodafang, and he usually stays there when he comes to the capital. Baodafang is right next to Donghuamen, and those living in the eastern part of the imperial city enter and exit through that gate, without any reason to make a special detour to the west. My lord, do not speak, just wait! However, you must promise me that you will take a glance and then leave. The longer you linger here, the more precarious our lives become." His small eyes were keenly observing the surroundings, and he whispered, "The Eastern Depot's men are currently under the control of Xiao Shaojian, and it is uncertain when they might come here. If they see you, just think about how you will explain it."

Wanwan sighed inexplicably, and thought of Xiao Shaojian... The rain was drizzling, and a hint of red clouds faintly appeared on the horizon, making the weather in May so perplexing. She held an umbrella in her hand and quietly glanced over, and that glance met his gaze. In his eyes, golden rings flickered, revealing a brilliance that broke through the heavy mist.

Before he could finish speaking, a eunuch with long eyebrows and narrow eyes shouted at them: "Are you still dawdling here? The west side is so busy that they can hardly keep their feet on the ground, and you are standing here like idle people. Why don't you hurry up!"

Looking up at the sky, I do not know when it became overcast. This afternoon, when she was having fruit tea, it was still clear and sunny. By the time it was around 3 o'clock, clouds began to gather, perhaps it is going to rain

Wanwan had always thought that Xiao Shaojian was the most handsome man she had ever seen, but the man before her seemed to be a contender. His features were more pronounced than those of an average person, with deep-set eyes and a striking profile. Rather than being merely handsome, he was beautiful in a way that was unconventional and strikingly bold. However, this beauty was not of a general nature; it penetrated down to the very bones, leaving an impression that was both insufficiently grasped and unforgettable.

Today the wind is a bit strong, causing the black ribbon at the back of the hat to flutter in the air. Wanwan pressed down on her cap with one hand, bending down to look around left and right, gradually blending into the crowd of eunuchs. Earlier, Wuqī had already instructed that those princes and officials from outside the province would be attended to by the palace eunuchs upon entering the palace, and their attendants were to stop at the horse dismounting stone, strictly prohibited from entering. Beyond the gate, there were also inspections by the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei. At that time, there were many people, each with their own duties, as long as they did not draw attention, they could find a place to quietly stay, and no one would notice them. Earlier, Wuqī had already instructed that those princes and officials from outside the province would be attended to by the palace eunuchs upon entering the palace, and their attendants were to stop at the horse dismounting stone, strictly prohibited from entering. Beyond the gate, there were also inspections by the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei. At that time, there were many people, each with their own duties, as long as they did not draw attention, they could find a place to quietly stay, and no one would notice them.

Wuqiqi was taken aback, "I also do not know where the mistake occurred..."

Wanwan, feeling upset, said, "So what if I see him? I am the eldest princess, am I afraid of him?"

Thus, a meticulous examination was conducted from top to bottom, leaving no room for any oversight. After passing the inspection, they entered the palace, still being led by the eunuchs from within the Forbidden City. Unfortunately, when the distribution of the inner servants was nearly complete, the three of them were still standing upright, and as a result, they were called upon during the roll call.

"Hey, what are you daydreaming about!" She was lost in thought when a thunderous sound erupted near her ear, and the head eunuch's face was as long as eight feet. "What are you staring at? I'm talking about you! The heavy rain is coming, and you are standing there like a wooden post, do you want the prince to get drenched?" A coarse yellow rattan umbrella was roughly shoved into her hand, and the head eunuch urged her repeatedly, "Hurry up, hurry up!"

At five or seven o'clock, she indeed made a sound, got up to wash her face, and said with a stretch of her waist: "My lord, please proceed slowly; I shall lead the way for you."

The eunuchs spared no effort in ingratiating themselves, and only then did Wanwan lift her eyelids to look outside—coming into view was a figure wearing a winged crown and a red round-collared robe, at an age full of vigor, yet possessing a steadfast and serene demeanor akin to that of gold and stone. Perhaps unintentionally upon entering, the flowing sleeves brushed against a tree of red blossoms, causing the flowering tree to sway and shake, scattering fallen petals all around, creating a connection between the person and the flowers, which suddenly became soft and gentle.

The situation was unavoidable, so I signaled to them to slip away if they could, while I stepped forward to take on the task of escorting someone to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Xiao You felt a bit flustered and leaned close to Wan Wan, asking what to do. It was no longer possible to run away unless they revealed their identities. If that happened, the entire Forbidden City would know that the Princess was causing a ruckus, and how could those consorts maintain their dignity in front of her?

"Wait a moment, this is only the first position!" Xiao You remained undaunted

Crying with a sorrowful face, Wu Qi squatted in front of the inlaid table, unwilling to budge. "Xiao You, you reckless girl, I must tell Lady Li and have her skin you alive!" Turning to Wan Wan, she pleaded, "My good master, you must not listen to Xiao You's instigation. You are a princess, a person of noble status. What would it look like if you went to the East Huamen to see men? If this gets out, what will people say? The Empress Dowager didn't even invite you to the grand banquet, clearly wanting you to uphold the standards of a virtuous woman. If you go against that, you will anger the Empress Dowager, and even your grandfather won't be able to save you."

Wanwan thought for a moment, and it made sense, so she stood behind the eunuchs holding a whisk. Xiaoyou was the first to notice someone approaching the door, and she knocked several times. Wanwan widened her eyes to look; it was someone dressed in the princely robes of a feudal lord, with a round face and a wide mouth, a waist that measured ten spans, walking in sideways, and lying down was even taller than standing.

Wanwan casually remarked, "It is most likely that he died from stupidity."

The prince's journey to the capital was swift, enduring hardships along the way

Today, there are quite a number of guests attending the banquet. In addition to those from outside the region, even those of notable rank within the court have been invited. Ministers arrived in waves, followed by a string of princes, none of whom the members of the royal family recognized, only knowing that they all adorned themselves with colorful makeup and dragon-patterned robes. Fortunately, there is Wu Qi, who recited their names as if announcing a menu: "Prince of Changshan, Prince of Bohai, Prince of Chengdu..."

It is just that one does not know what kind of bloody storm will ensue once Lady Li discovers this matter. Xiao You reluctantly went off to carry out her duties, and the trio's group instantly fell apart, leaving only Wan Wan standing alone by the drum-shaped doorstop. A light rain began to fall from the sky, and she squinted her eyes; no one provided these eunuchs with thick, oiled garments, so she could only let her hands hang down, allowing the wind and rain to drench her. The young lady, accustomed to luxurious clothing and food, suddenly realized that this profession was not easy to manage. No wonder the older ones said it was hard in the past; when they were little firekeepers, life was utterly devoid of flavor, and it was only after arriving at the Yu De Palace that things gradually improved. ... A light rain began to fall from the sky, and she squinted her eyes; no one provided these eunuchs with thick, oiled garments, so she could only let her hands hang down, allowing the wind and rain to drench her. The young lady, accustomed to luxurious clothing and food, suddenly realized that this profession was not easy to manage. No wonder the older ones said it was hard in the past; when they were little firekeepers, life was utterly devoid of flavor, and it was only after arriving at the Yu De Palace that things gradually improved. ... She now also began to miss that mattress with the gourd and double happiness pattern; after being scented with incense, lying on it felt like falling into a warm dream ...

One master and one servant hit it off perfectly, whispering to each other as they prepared everything needed for their actions.

Wanwan was moved by her words, but since she had never done such a thing before, she inevitably felt hesitant and uncertain, wearing a smile that reflected her doubts. She hesitated and said, "Is it really okay? What if someone finds out and reports it to the Empress Dowager? I would lose all face."

Wanwan felt ashamed of her own stubbornness, but then thought it over and realized it was not quite right. Tilting her head, she asked Xiaoyou, "You are willing to take such a great risk to bring me along; in fact, you want to see it yourself, don't you?"

Wu Qi and Xiao You looked at her with pity, their eyes filled with the helplessness of "You know whether you are afraid or not"

What does it really mean to be afraid? The identities of the two individuals are so far apart that she has no reason to fear him. Her feelings towards Xiao Shaojian can be accurately described as affection; she wants to see him but does not dare to. When he looks at her, she feels an urge to burrow into the ground, fearing that she is not good enough, not beautiful enough, and that he secretly despises her. The young girl, truly without any prejudice, sees the eunuch as no different from a normal person. However, after hearing Xiao You speak of his complicated relationship with Empress Zhao, she suddenly feels as if a white jade has been tarnished, a pearl has been cast into darkness; what once filled her with longing now brings her deep regret. The young girl, truly without any prejudice, sees the eunuch as no different from a normal person. However, after hearing Xiao You speak of his complicated relationship with Empress Zhao, she suddenly feels as if a white jade has been tarnished, a pearl has been cast into darkness; what once filled her with longing now brings her deep regret.

The transformation has been quite rapid, truly a case of refusing the drink offered and instead being served a punishment drink. Wanwan and Xiaoyou exchanged a triumphant smile, hiding behind the door to observe outside. In front of the western courtyard, a matron was reprimanding a young palace maid, momentarily neglecting this area. Thus, they quickly ascended the corridor, keeping their heads down as they followed Wuqii, making their way through the eastern side hall and slipping out through the side gate.

Wuqing cried emotionally, crawling over to kneel in front of her. Wanwan, angered, stepped on his finger and said, "As long as you don't make a fuss, naturally nothing will happen. If you keep making a ruckus and attract attention, I will punish you by sending you to the Coal Weighing Department to weigh coal!"

Wanwan usually engages in little activity, and after running back and forth, the muscles in her calves are taut. What she once wholeheartedly wanted to do now seems to have lost its appeal. Looking back, she realizes that she is both idle and absurd, having lost much interest in that Wang from Nanyuan, yet she wishes to return but cannot, leaving her no choice but to stand here.

Wanwan ran out of breath, pressing her knees and complaining: "What kind of person is this, cursing as soon as they open their mouth"

The eunuchs were blind to the situation, and even Xiao You, along with Wu Qi and Her Royal Highness the Princess, received a good scolding. The three of them dared not retort, and with their tails between their legs, they passed through the Xiehe Gate and walked up the Tianjie in front of the Wuying Hall

"That prince from Nanyuan must have entered through the Donghua Gate, right?" Wanwan confirmed repeatedly, as they could not be away from the palace for too long; if the matron came looking and they were not there, they would surely be scolded later.

However, after waiting for a long time with her neck stretched out, there was no sign of Wang Nanyuan. She turned to Wu Qi and asked, "How do we recognize him? What does Wang Nanyuan look like?"

Did the prince rest well yesterday

Perhaps the prosperity of Jiangnan has allowed for a good upbringing, which is why they appear so carefree and plump. Wanwan suspects that this person might be Wang of Nanyuan, as they meet her standards of unattractiveness. Xiaoyou, with a disappointed expression, sticks out her tongue and shrugs; in her view, one must have eyes and nose that are completely out of place to be considered grotesque. The Great Ye has enjoyed peace for over 200 years, and the high officials and nobility have nothing to do. As soon as the weather turns cool, they busy themselves with putting on autumn weight. Gaining a little weight is nothing unusual; isn't this the prevailing trend in the court?

Upon reflection, misfortune turned into fortune, and three individuals hurriedly ran to the door. At that moment, they encountered a younger brother with whom they had previously worked on cleaning duties. One of them nudged him with his elbow and inquired whether Wang from Nanyuan had entered the palace. The other shook his head and replied, "I haven't seen the sign of Wang from Nanyuan; he must not have arrived yet"