On the fifth day of the fifth month, it was the Dragon Boat Festival.
This was the new capital of the Sui Empire, newly established in the beginning of the year. Not only were the roads new, even many manors and residences boasted a newly constructed air. Even normal citizens, once they moved into this new Daxing city, they radiated a fresh new air, like pride reflecting off their skins as they looked upon the new Dynasty.
If one were to gaze from the city's Guanyin Temple or any tall buildings, they would discover that this city was expanded from Chang'an city into Daxing city. The style was different from the former dynasty, for not only did the lands they conquered expand, the palace walls heightened and the air they radiated was grander, but hawkers and markets were everywhere in the city, as many as the stars in the sky. Just like these words of old from a poem: Of a thousand residences that resembled a board of chess, and twelve streets that resembled a farm bed. From afar, the torches lined by Imperial Officers could be seen, like an array of stars that formed the great gates of the Palace.
The evening drew close to night, but the capital remained just as crowded as it had been during the day. People rushed to and from the streets. Some of them had just finished work and were rushing home for dinner, some changed into light clothing coupling with colourful silk pouches and held wormwood herbs in their hands, since they were guests on a cruise. Horse carriages roamed the streets, and the wind brought a lingering sense of fragrance, divulging the person who wore cotton clothes and jade robes, with hair in a high ponytail and jade ornaments. All of them were heading towards Dongnan.
In Dongnan, there was a district named Qujiang that was established around the same time as the capital. It used the theme of wind, water, and lotus, to draw water from lakes outside the city, sprouting a couple more new lotuses around the water tower in the garden, submerging it in lotus fragrance. They say that the current Emperor thought the character 'Qu' from Qujiang was unlucky, and so the assistant of the ShangShu Minister, Gao Ying, interfered, and changed its name into Furong Garden. The Emperor loved it, and thus that place was made into the scenery of the new capital. Those citizens who have yet to obtain the permission to enter the garden could only remain outside to admire its glory.
However, these people who rode on horse carriages weren't going to the Furong Garden, but to Qingli Garden that wasn't situated far from Furong Garden, near Qujiang.
The current Emperor's eldest daughter Princess Leping's most cherished daughter, Yuwen Xianzhu, would be having a birthday banquet today, where guests from all eight directions were invited.
As for Princess Leping's background, no one in this city was oblivious to it. As the former Empress, she was crowned as Princess again by her own father when Yang Jian took the throne. Her background was a legend to many. Compared to her, her daughter whom was the child of herself and the former Emperor, Yuwen Yun, Yuwen Eying's identity was even more awkward.
When it came to bloodline, Yuwen Eying was Yang Jian's granddaughter, but her father's kingdom, the Kingdom of Zhou, was also ravished from his grasp by Yang Jian. When Yang Jian laid his eyes on her, it was impossible for him to not feel like he owed the Yuwen Imperial family, so he was very distant with this granddaughter of his.
But because of her mother, Princess Leping, the Emperor and Empress never treated Yuwen Eying badly. Although she was not gifted with many jewelry in the palace, and Yuwen Eying did not have the title of Xuanzhu, she had the authority of one. Everyone also addressed her with 'Yuwen Xuanzhu'.
Today was Yuwen Eying's fourteenth birthday, and she had just moved into the new capital. Princess Leping decided to hold a huge banquet for her, so she chose Qingli Garden that was on the shores of Qujiang. Then, all at once, the Emperor and Empress granted her gifts, all the young masters and nobles and royalty all came to attend her banquet, turning Qingli Garden absolutely crowded.
As Gao Ying came down from the carriage with his friends, he immediately saw the crowd that had gathered before the Qingli Garden's gate, thus inside would be even more crowded. Both of his servants walked inside the garden and discovered that the tree branches, halls, and bogus mountains all were decorated with lanterns that looked like lotuses, swaying in the wind like a thousand lights. Although the sky has not darkened yet, it was enough to astound everyone.
Two young women, one was the ShangShu Gao Ying's daughter, and the other one, whose father was also a high-ranking officer in court, were not people who hadn't seen the world, yet they both hung their chins down and stared agape at the sight. Even their footsteps slowed down.
Yan Yun stuttered, "How many lights did they need to use so they could create this scenery of a sea of lanterns?"
The servant that was their guide who walked in the front smiled, "The Xuanzhu has prepared nine hundred and eighty nine lanterns and hang them all over the garden. She said she wants to create a banquet of a thousand lanterns, so that the guests could enjoy the night and temporarily forget their troubles, to party throughout the night."
Gao Yin sighed unaware, "Just now when I entered the door, I heard the music of a lute, now that I've came into the garden, the sound of the lute is still faint, in fact it is still playing the same song. Logically speaking, this music should not have travelled far."
The servant's tone sounded a little proud as he said, "There is something you do not know. These musicians were specifically trained. They are located everywhere and would play the entire song from the beginning of the banquet until the end. With every time they finish a song, they would pause to count the seconds, and although they were located far from each other, they can still play in sync. No matter where the guests walked, they would hear the music."
Gao Yin was very surprised, "How long does it take to make such a majestic arrangement?"
Naturally, the servant could not answer her, so he only smiled.
Gao Yin and Yan Yun exchanged glances and decided in unison that this was far too luxurious.
But since this was the Emperor's granddaughter, the princess' daughter, it was not their place to judge.
The banquet is about to begin, and the guests have nearly all arrived. During these sort of banquets, men and women mixed among one another, and they weren't too fuzzy about proper protocols. It was more carefree and simple compared to banquets held inside the palace. Young men and women all came here to play, so it was a good opportunity to get to know new friends as well.
Gao Yin and Yan Yun caught Prince Jin sitting on a table with one look. Although Prince Jin was a prince, he wasn't very much older than his niece Yuwen Eying. At that moment, he was sitting crossed-legged, happily chattering away with others, showing no pride at all.
However, the one who attracted their gazes wasn't Prince Jin, but the one who was chatting with him.
The other wore a white robe with his hair in a high bun, his face handsome and beautiful, a pair of sharp eyes with long tail ends looking like morning dew of the next sunrise, carrying a bright smile.
He was like the moon and stars in your arms, radiating an energy like the might of jade mountains. Yan Yun had always thought that these were simply bombastic descriptions, but now that she had seen him with her own two eyes, only did she realize that there really is such a man.
Prince Jin himself was also considered a man of elegance and grace, yet when he was beside this person, he could not help but appeared a little bit inferior.
"Who...is this person?"
Yan Yun stared in shock for a while, her sleeve was lightly tugged by Gao Yin only did she return to her senses.
Gao Yun said softly, "I do not know if you have heard of the Jiejian Bureau? That is its Second Commander, Feng Xiao."
Yan Yun inhaled a breathe, then she mimicked Gao Yin's tone, "It was him!"
The capital was a place of luxury, it was not the same as the lives of normal people. Even these women have also heard of the Jiejian Bureau and the Zuoyue Bureau, that these two agencies reported directly to the Emperor and Empress, so to the outside world, its members were also quite secretive.
Feng Xiao wasn't like Cui Buqu who hid himself up like a hermit and only appeared scarcely. He has attended public banquets before. It was only because Yan Yun's family had just returned to the capital, so she had never seen Feng Xiao in person before.
Gao Yin laughed and said, "Lord Feng's looks are extraordinary, it was not strange that you lost yourself. When I saw him for the first time, I wasn't much better than you. However, even though his lordship hasn't married yet, someone had already chosen him. I heard that Princess Lanling's heart had always yearned for him, and that she wanted to ask the Emperor for a betrothal."
"Is this for certain?"
"I've also heard it as a rumour..."
Both of them spoke quietly, while Prince Jin and Feng Xiao were discussing a wholly different topic.
Prince Jin was not a young maiden, so it was impossible for him to be jealous of Feng Xiao's handsomeness. Instead, he was actually very respectful and polite towards this confidant of the Emperor.
"This time you guys not only took back Qiemo, but you have already formed an alliance with Western Göktürk, and brought back the Khan. These are not trivial matters nor conquests. The Emperor is glad, so he is preparing to raise your ranks and fief. The decree shall be announced soon, so here, I will congratulate Marquis Feng in advance."
"Many thanks, Prince Jin, for your wishes. During that time, when we were in the City of Six Crafts, we met a monk whose name was Yu Xiu, after that he got to know that..."
Xiao's voice was light and slow as he recited everything—from Yu Xiu's background and origins, to how he changed his face and mask, playing everyone for a fool to create chaos of Western Göktürk.
It has been almost half a month ever since Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu returned to the capital from the Western Regions.
The Göktürk Khan has already been graciously treated, and the Emperor had sent a team of men to escort him back. There was no need for Feng Xiao to go himself.
As for Yu Xiu, when Cui Buqu was granted for an audience with the Emperor, he had already told him everything. Logically, there was no need for Feng Xiao to repeat everything to Prince Jin again.
However, Feng Xiao still told him. Prince Jin also listened very intently with not a flicker of impatience nor anger shown towards Feng Xiao.
After he finished, Prince Jin even apologized, "I've only known that Yu Xiu came from a prestigious sect, skilled in the ways of Buddhism, and was smarter than most men, and I have retained him by my side because of that to assist me. I had no idea that he was in league with the Yunhai Thirteen Stories. Ey! I have admitted my wrongs to Lord Father and Lady Mother. It was thanks to Marquis Cui and yourself, otherwise, I do not know how much of a trouble that Yu Xiu would have created!"
His tone was strong and his gaze was sincere, proving that he had never held enmity in his heart.
Originally, Feng Xiao simply wanted to test him, to see whether he knew or not of Yu Xiu's background, but now he felt that he has been suspicious for naught.
Whether Prince Jin knew about this previously or not, or he knew but did not report it, now he has already pushed everything off of himself.
Feng Xiao waved his fan and casually said, "Prince Jin has a generous and wide heart. I, Feng Xiao, deeply admire your Highness."
Prince Jin smiled, "Marquis Feng is indeed understanding, therefore I am at peace. Truthfully, you should not speak to me here, because there is someone whose heart yearns for you all the while."
Feng Xiao gave a surprised look, "Yuwen Xuanzhu? I have only met her once, and we have never spoken to each other."
Prince Jin noticed that he was pretending to be oblivious, so he did not say more, merely tapped him with his finger and laughed, "His Majesty wants to make a match of you both. Fifth sister was also very willing, yet you are the one who isn't willing. So be it, these are matters belonging to both of you, so I will not interfere too much."
Feng Xiao twitched the corner of his lips, as if he wanted to say something, but abruptly, the subject was switched, and his tone became even more light and filled with laughter.
"Today really is a gathering of talents. Even a familiar who seldom shows himself has appeared!"
Just as Feng Xiao said this, Yan Yun and Gao Yin who sat not far off also raised their heads to watch the servant guiding the new guest down the stairs.
It was summer, and everyone only wore light clothing and wide dresses—all but him and him alone, was draped in high and thick robes, as if he was surrounded by autumn and winter.
Among all the talented people in the city, he alone was different.
ShangShu: Meaning classic literature. ShangShu Officer would mean an officer in charge of the classic literature department.
Xianzhu: translated as "Princess of a County" or "Princess of the Fourth Rank". It was usually granted to the daughter of a junwang or shizi. Also called duolun gege (多倫格格) or junwang gege (郡王格格), lit. "lady of a prince of a commandery".
Gao Yin: The correct pinyin is also 'Gao Ying', but it's changed to 'Gao Yin' to avoid confusion with her father's name. In Chinese, the Chinese characters for both 'Ying's are different.