Chapter Twenty-One: Verdant Moon Shadows

“This banquet is indeed delightful, but I find it a bit monotonous. I—this princess—propose a game: let each of us use a line of poetry to describe ‘snow’ and see whose description is the most fitting. Wouldn’t that be interesting? What do you think, King Ji and Your Majesty?”

It was the Princess Regent who spoke, her eyes boldly sweeping across everyone present. Her lively temperament and disregard for strict decorum were evident. She was not being polite; though the banquet was exquisitely arranged and the music and dances were all first-class, to her, it was absolutely dull. After all, she was a person of the twenty-first century—what had she not seen? Yet someone misunderstood her intention, assuming she was deliberately picking at Xuexue.

“The Princess Regent speaks well. Your Majesty the Queen, what do you think?” The enchanting Lady Qin Yu responded, her alluring face appearing pure and innocent as she glanced at Xuexue.

Yin Yueying sensed something was amiss; she had a distinct feeling of being used as someone’s pawn. Little did she know these people were so sensitive, eager to seize upon her suggestion.

Xuexue’s expression remained unchanged as she replied coolly, “I have no objections. Since the Princess Regent has proposed it, why not give it a try? What do you say, Your Majesty?” Her voice was crisp and clear as a bubbling spring, which drew a curious glance from Yin Yueying.

“Hmm? That does sound interesting. Since it is the Princess Regent’s idea, why don’t you begin?” Ji Wuqing appeared genuinely intrigued, his eyes gleaming with a touch of mischievous delight.

“Then I shall not decline. To compare snow, I would say, ‘Scattering salt in the air is a near likeness.’ It is as if salt were tossed into the sky—doesn’t it resemble falling snow?” Yin Yueying tilted her head as she spoke, her reasoning sound and eloquent.

“‘Scattering salt in the air is a near likeness!’” At her words, a wave of admiration swept through the hall.

“To liken snow to salt flung into the air—how clever, Princess Regent!”

“Indeed, it is most fitting!”

With such an apt metaphor, no one else dared to risk embarrassment. For one, the Princess Regent’s line was truly apt; for another, wise people knew when not to force the issue.

But—‘Scattering salt in the air is a near likeness’—wasn’t that…? Inwardly, Xuexue was shocked. Wasn’t this a modern poetic line? Could it be that this Princess Regent…

“Xue’er, what is it? Are you at a loss for words?” Ji Wuqing had noticed her unusual expression and was surprised by her reaction.

Xuexue shook her head, unable to dispel her mounting doubts.

“The Princess Regent’s verse is truly marvelous,” Lady Qin Yu stood and praised Yueying with proper ceremony, then bowed to Ji Wuqing. “Your Majesty, though I am unworthy, I too have a line to offer. It may not be as apt as the Princess Regent’s, but may I try?” Seeing that no one else dared challenge the Princess Regent, Lady Qin Yu seized the opportunity to volunteer.

Such a chance to shine before the king was not to be missed.

Consort Jun, formerly the Jun Consort, harbored deep resentment, but dared not make any further moves.

“Permission granted,” Ji Wuqing nodded, and Lady Qin Yu rejoiced inwardly.

“‘Plum blossoms scattered over the mountains.’ I liken plum blossoms to snow—Princess Regent, I welcome your critique.” She addressed Yueying with courteous decorum, a picture of scholarly grace.

“I hardly have any critique to offer; it was just a spontaneous line. Your Highness need not take it so seriously.” Whether intentionally snubbing her or simply oblivious to her goodwill, the Princess Regent left Lady Qin Yu embarrassed before the assembly.

“Indeed, Princess Regent.” Lady Qin Yu forced a smile, inwardly fuming with resentment.

As for Yin Yueying’s lack of courtesy, the Prince Regent only chuckled, saying nothing. Rumor had it he doted excessively on this willful princess—clearly, the rumor was true.

“And what does the Queen think of the Princess Regent’s verse?” Noticing Yueying’s bratty disregard for others, Ji Wuqing showed no reaction, but instead turned to Xuexue, who had been lost in thought.

Xuexue returned to herself, sensing the crowd’s gaze.

“Your Majesty, I believe that willow catkins drifting in the air are quite akin to snow. ‘Not as the willow fluff that rises with the wind’—how does the Princess Regent find this verse?” Her gentle voice carried a hint of inquiry.

“‘Not as the willow fluff that rises with the wind.’” The moment the line was spoken, everyone brightened.

“Your Majesty the Queen, that is even more apt—brilliant!”

“‘Not as the willow fluff that rises with the wind!’ Your Majesty, your line truly surpasses the others.” The court officials nodded with admiration.

“It is only because the Princess Regent spoke first that I was able to take advantage,” Xuexue replied meaningfully in Yueying’s direction.

“No need for modesty, Your Majesty. I gladly concede defeat.” The quick-witted Princess Regent grinned at Xuexue, “I can take a loss with grace!”

Seeing the Queen so effortlessly handle the lively young princess, the assembled ministers could not help but admire the Queen’s personal charm.

Lady Qin Yu, however, looked disgruntled. She had tried so hard to curry favor with the Princess Regent, yet was met only with coldness. Was that blind girl truly so exceptional, just for her talent with words?

Throughout the feast, Yin Yueying had wanted to speak more with Xuexue. Unfortunately, this was not a private dinner, and the distance between them made conversation difficult.

“What are you thinking about? You’ve dropped your food on the table.” At her side, Cheng Feng noticed her distraction, his gentle eyes lingering on her.

“Nothing, just admiring the Queen’s beauty—I couldn’t help but glance a few more times.” She feigned seriousness as she deftly picked up the piece of chicken she’d dropped and popped it into her mouth, savoring it.

“Knowing how to be frugal isn’t a bad thing.” The Prince Regent watched her, making no move to stop her, only nodding approvingly.

But the laughter in his eyes glimmered like starlight, enough to drown a person.

The palace banquet proceeded smoothly; in such a setting, no one dared make any underhanded moves.

The only surprise was how the Queen, with a single line of poetry, had won over the Princess Regent from the State of Cheng. This sixteen-year-old princess was lively as a child, chattering incessantly to their Queen like a little sparrow.

Even after the banquet ended, the Princess Regent still lacked any sense of propriety, hovering around the Queen, oblivious to the odd looks exchanged between the King and the Prince Regent.

“The Prince Regent and Princess Regent must be tired—perhaps it’s time to return to the guest residence for rest.” Miao Jian, catching Ji Wuqing’s signal, bowed to Cheng Feng and Yueying.

“Of course. Thank you for your hospitality this evening, King Ji.” Cheng Feng nodded, his pale, handsome face softening.

The Prince Regent nodded as well, but the Princess Regent protested immediately, “I—it seems to me the night is still young. Why not take another stroll in the palace? I would like to visit the Queen’s chambers, if I may…”

“Yueying.” The Prince Regent gently interrupted her, and Yueying obediently nodded, returning to his side.

“Since the Prince is tired, I shall look after him properly. Your Majesty the Queen, we shall meet again tomorrow.” She sounded almost resigned, as if worried about the Prince Regent’s frail health.

The Prince Regent’s expression remained unchanged, showing no annoyance at his princess’s childishness.

“Rest well at the guest residence, Your Highnesses. I am always at your service,” Xuexue replied politely, nodding to them. Sensing the warm atmosphere between Cheng Feng and Yueying, she was quietly amused.

Though she could not yet be certain if this Princess Regent was from the same world as herself, her temperament alone made her easy to get along with.

“King Ji, Your Majesty, we take our leave.” The Prince Regent led his little princess away with indulgence—their contrasting heights, one tall and one small, created a charming picture. One was steady, the other lively; together, they made others envious.

“Does Xue’er like that princess?” Ji Wuqing sensed her emotional ripple as he walked with her, asking the question casually.

“The Princess Regent is innocent, forthright, and bold—I do like her,” Xuexue replied earnestly.

The starlight that night was dazzling, as bright as a string of luminous pearls, each shining brilliantly.

Xuexue tilted her head slightly, facing the vast darkness, imagining how beautiful the sky must be, how bright the stars must shine. For one who belonged to darkness, even the most beautiful things were shrouded in black.

“Your Majesty, are the stars especially beautiful tonight?” She followed Ji Wuqing’s steps, gazing upward as she voiced her question.

Such a simple question, yet Ji Wuqing was momentarily at a loss.

He turned to study Xuexue’s expression; her profile was gentle, her head tilted upward as if to gaze at the stars, but her feet still followed his steps unerringly. Only now did he remember that the girl beside him was blind—she could see none of it.

“Why? Does Xue’er wish to see the stars?” Ji Wuqing laughed heartily, then suddenly slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. Before Xuexue could react, he called out to the attendants, “Miao Jian, you need not follow.”

As the sound of retreating footsteps faded, Xuexue asked in puzzlement, “Your Majesty, what are you doing?”

“Taking you to see the stars, of course.” He tightened his hold on her waist, and with a leap, the wind rushed past their ears.

In the star-filled night, their bodies pressed close, they sped through the darkness.

Xuexue could not describe the feeling in her heart—she only felt a fleeting sense of freedom and ease. After a brief rush of wind, they landed atop a high tower. As soon as her feet touched the ground, they went weak, sending her tumbling into Ji Wuqing’s arms.

Slightly embarrassed, she steadied herself. “Your Majesty, you’re so impetuous,” she said, clearing her throat to mask her awkwardness.

“All for the sake of winning a beauty’s smile—how can that be wrong?” Ji Wuqing whispered in her ear, the intimacy making Xuexue both flustered and annoyed.

Not wishing to argue further, Xuexue let the matter drop, fearing what he might say next.

…Author’s note…

‘Plum blossoms scattered over the mountains’ is a line Tong Yan adapted from ‘Snow drifts scattered over the mountains.’ O(∩_∩)O~