Splash! A bucket of cold water poured down.
The icy well water, drawn straight from the depths and further chilled with crushed ice, cascaded over Yan Erlang's head. He leapt three feet in the air on the spot.
"You son of a—" Yan Erlang stepped forward, ready to grab collars and throw punches. "Yan Rongshi, you're deliberately messing with me, aren't you?"
Several imperial guards rushed to separate them.
"Look, Erlang can stand up now. Clearly the drug's effects have been suppressed. The ice water did its job," Yan Rongshi remarked coolly. He then summoned the captain of the guards and issued orders.
"The rest of you stay here and watch Erlang. You, go find your superior, Military Police Commander Wu. Report the situation to him urgently. Tell him to bring men here immediately and detain all the palace servants who attended to Erlang's food and drink at today's palace banquet for questioning."
Yan Erlang sneered, "The banquet isn't even over yet. You're going to make a scene and humiliate me in front of everyone?"
"Whoever plotted this timed the drugging to coincide with your entry to the palace banquet. They clearly meant you harm. What good will it do you to cover this up and pretend nothing happened? You got lucky today with many witnesses around. Will you be so fortunate next time?"
Regardless of their relationship, Yan Rongshi's words made sense. Yan Erlang fell silent, a vein throbbing in his forehead.
Yan Rongshi stepped closer, persuading gently: "The timing is perfect today. We have the advantage of time, place, and people. Don't you want to follow this thread and catch the culprit red-handed? Solve this problem once and for all? Compared to the long-term benefits, what does a moment's embarrassment matter?"
That last sentence carried deeper meaning. Yan Erlang's expression shifted subtly. He had been convinced.
He immediately waved at the guard captain: "Go, quickly."
The captain immediately ran off to find Military Police Commander Wu.
An autumn breeze swept through the corridor. Yan Erlang felt light-headed and unsteady. The drug's effects, temporarily suppressed by the cold water, began to surge up again. The palace maids passing nearby all looked alluringly beautiful to his eyes.
"Damn it all..." he muttered.
Yan Rongshi glanced at him. "Is there an empty side hall nearby? Quickly find a secluded place for Erlang where no one will disturb him. All of you guard the doors and windows well."
Palace banquets, of course, never lacked for wine.
A royal banquet consisted of thirty main courses. Each round brought two main dishes, paired with a fine wine.
Many were famous palace wines well-known to the people of the capital. "Lamb Wine," "Yellow Tangerine Wine," "Lychee Wine"...
Ying Xiaoman occasionally overheard her neighbors in Seven Scholars Lane discussing these with envy: "So-and-so's son attended a palace banquet and was gifted a bottle of Lamb Wine. The taste was exquisite!" and other such praises.
Today at this banquet, she had thoroughly sampled all the famous wines.
The Lamb Wine, fermented from the finest lamb meat.
The Yellow Tangerine Wine, with its lingering sweet and sour flavor made from the best yellow tangerines.
The Lychee Wine, which sounded refreshingly fragrant just from its name.
For the first few courses paired with fine wines, Ying Xiaoman ate and drank with great enjoyment.
After ten courses over five rounds, the elderly matron at the head of the table had stopped drinking. New wines were only placed on the table for show.
Ying Xiaoman was still pouring herself drinks.
But as she drank on, the flavors of the different wines gradually blurred on her tongue. The palace servants beside her kept refilling her cup attentively. She gripped her wine cup in a daze, staring blankly into space.
The bright candles throughout the hall transformed in her eyes into colorful halos, like New Year's fireworks illuminating the night sky over the capital.
The chatter echoing in the hall became the noisy bustle of village New Year's feasts.
The elderly matron paused her conversation, noticing Ying Xiaoman's state. She pointed and said with a laugh, "What is the little girl daydreaming about?"
Ying Xiaoman's gaze was fixed on a bright bronze floor lamp in the shape of a crane and tortoise, symbols of longevity. She was smiling vaguely.
"It's so beautiful," she murmured. "Mother, come look. So pretty."
The surrounding court ladies covered their mouths and giggled softly. Some of the older ladies' eyes held a touch of fondness.
"Young Miss Ying is drunk," said Aunt Huang, who had been tutoring her for over ten days, with a hint of emotion. "She's an honest soul, still calling for her mother when drunk."
The elderly matron shook her head with a smile. "If we really kept her in the palace for a few days, I'm afraid she'd cry herself to sleep at night. No wonder Erlang likes her. Just seeing this little girl smile makes this old woman's heart melt..."
In the bright candlelight, the elderly matron studied her for a few more moments, then began murmuring to an equally white-haired old nursemaid beside her.
"I thought she looked familiar earlier. When the Ying girl smiles, she looks even more like it. Look carefully, doesn't the little girl's face resemble how Little Mei looked back then?"
The white-haired nursemaid had been by the Empress Dowager's side since she first entered the palace, and knew all the old stories.
When the elderly matron mentioned "Little Mei," the nursemaid was startled for a moment, then looked closely.
After observing, she sighed and said, "This old servant's eyes are dim, I can't see clearly. But Young Miss Ying does have bright round eyes and a pretty oval face, certainly bearing some resemblance to how Lady Mei looked back then. Then again, all beautiful young ladies tend to look somewhat similar."
The elderly matron's smile held a touch of nostalgia. "There is indeed some resemblance. It's been so many years. Little Mei was such a delicate thing, leaving home so young – how could she have endured the hardships of the outside world? She must have passed on long ago. I've lived to this ripe old age, so I don't care much about keeping old family secrets anymore. Seeing this little girl before me reminds me of that little girl from back then, so I'm just reminiscing a bit."
The white-haired nursemaid softly acknowledged her words.
As the elderly matron spoke wistfully, naturally no one around dared make a sound. In the sudden quiet of the hall, only Ying Xiaoman was still talking.
The half-drunk young lady stared hazily at the bronze floor lamp in the great hall, calling out softly, "Seventh Young Master, Seventh Young Master. Come look too. The fireworks are so beautiful."
The elderly matron listened with an amused smile.
Her tone held a hint of regret as she said to the surrounding court ladies, "Erlang said he would come by in the middle of the banquet, but he still hasn't arrived. When he comes, I'll advise him in person. No matter how beautiful a flower is, how can one pluck it from someone else's garden..."
Suddenly, faint footsteps could be heard from outside the hall. A eunuch in charge hurried to the elderly matron's side and whispered a few words in her ear. The matron started slightly, turning her head. "How could such a thing happen? Where is he now?"
The eunuch replied, "He's being closely guarded by the imperial guards, resting in an isolated pavilion by the water."
"Keep him under close watch."
The elderly matron's expression showed a hint of disappointment. "Erlang won't be able to come see this old woman today after all."
Ying Xiaoman, thoroughly drunk, was supported by palace servants to a side hall behind Yongning Palace to sleep it off.
Mixing several types of wine certainly made for a good time, but when the alcohol hit, she ended up much more deeply intoxicated than the last time she got drunk in the small courtyard.
By the time she hazily regained consciousness, the sun had already moved westward. Slanting rays filtered through the window screens, shining on the polished stone floor.
The familiar Aunt Huang and Aunt Ji were in the hall watching over her.
When she woke up, the two aunties brought her sobering soup. Ying Xiaoman sat cross-legged on the bed, but the soup seemed to have little effect – she still looked dazed and confused. Fortunately, she was docile when drunk, doing whatever she was told. If asked to raise her hand, she raised her hand; if asked to lift her head, she lifted her head. Only one thing was impossible: she absolutely refused to change her clothes. The pink narrow-sleeved upper garment stained with wine and the begonia-colored pleated long skirt – before the two aunties could even touch them, Ying Xiaoman clutched them tightly to herself.
"My mother sewed this outfit stitch by stitch," she mumbled indistinctly. "However I wore it in, that's how I'll wear it out."
The two aunties had no choice but to make do with washing her face and hands. Seeing that dusk was falling and the palace gates would soon be locked, they hurriedly gathered four or five palace maids. The group surrounded Ying Xiaoman front and back, escorting her out of the gates of Yongning Palace.
"More people means less chance of trouble," Aunt Ji revealed. "It seems Yan Erlang was ambushed at today's palace banquet. Young Master Yan sent word to keep a close watch on things here in the inner palace."
Ying Xiaoman: ?
She stumbled along, supported on both sides. The words drifting to her ears were like wisps of breeze, blowing past in a haze. She only asked one question: "Is Yan Erlang hurt?"
The two aunties exchanged a glance, then said vaguely, "No, not exactly..."
"Oh." That's good then.
She promptly dismissed this minor matter from her mind and asked another question: "Did Seventh Young Master have time to come pick me up? We entered the palace together, he said he'd come get me when we left."
The two court ladies couldn't say for certain.
"Yan Rongshi and Military Police Commander Wu have been investigating palace staff in the outer hall this afternoon, trying to uncover the mastermind behind the plot against Erlang. I wonder if they're free now..."
These words drifted past her ears again. It was lamp-lighting time in the palace, and the on-duty palace staff were lighting lamps everywhere. Ying Xiaoman raised her head, staring straight ahead.
In her eyes, the surroundings were a kaleidoscope of colors, with swirling lights and shadows, and a rainbow of colors blooming on the horizon.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, pointing at the sky. "Look, what a beautiful rainbow!"
In the direction she was pointing, not far ahead at a palace gate, two lines of palace staff carrying lanterns were just entering. As she pointed from afar, the two people surrounded by the palace staff stopped.
The two female officials' faces changed immediately, and they urged in a low voice: "Miss Ying, please put your hand down. It's impolite to point at people! The Eleventh Young Master is coming. Step aside and curtsy."
After saying it twice to no avail, the Eleventh Young Master at the palace gate paused for a moment, then stepped forward. As he came closer, Aunt Ji hurriedly held Ying Xiaoman's raised arm, finally managing to lower the hand that was pointing at people.
The Eleventh Young Master had already walked up close. Ying Xiaoman looked up, her gaze filled with wonder, still exclaiming softly:
"Wow, so beautiful. Seventh, Seventh, come quick and see the rainbow!"
The Eleventh Young Master turned to look where she was pointing.
Colorful silk ribbons were tied to the trees, a row of about ten flowering trees. All the lanterns and stone lamp stands around were lit, the interplay of light and shadow illuminating the colorful silk.
"Hold her steady. Wait here at the Left Changqing Gate for Yan Rongshi to come and pick her up," the Eleventh Young Master said expressionlessly. "There's already been an incident up ahead, we absolutely can't have another in the inner palace."
The two female officials bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, sir."
Walking alongside the Eleventh Young Master was another official in purple robes, spirited and energetic, in his early fifties, with a shiny black beard.
The Eleventh Young Master showed great respect to this person, speaking in a consultative tone: "There are some small matters to attend to here. If Prime Minister Zheng has urgent business, there's no need to delay. Please proceed to your office, Prime Minister."
So it turned out the purple-robed official was Prime Minister Zheng, the current head of court officials, greatly valued by the Emperor.
Prime Minister Zheng waved his hand: "It's rare to have some leisure time. Taking advantage of today's palace banquet, this old man shall rest a bit as well."
Ying Xiaoman, drunk and confused under the trees ahead, was still exclaiming about the "rainbow" repeatedly.
"Is that young lady under the tree Miss Ying, who was involved in the Northern spy case at Yuqing Tower?" Prime Minister Zheng stroked his beard and smiled. "I've heard some rumors in the city. They say her father was acquainted with Manager Fang back then, and came to return some silver ingots, but somehow got into an argument, which led to the accidental solving of the case later. If that's true, this young lady should actually be credited with the main merit."
As it concerned his friend and Ying Xiaoman, the Eleventh Young Master didn't dare to be careless and spoke according to the official statement: "Those are just rumors, without any real evidence."
Prime Minister Zheng smiled slightly.
As dusk fell, enveloping the halls, another group of people carrying lanterns slowly approached from outside the Left Changqing Gate.
Ying Xiaoman was in a state of half-drunk, half-awake confusion. Somehow, she caught sight of a tall figure that hadn't yet entered the palace gate. Her gaze locked onto that spot, and in an instant, she broke free from the female officials' supporting hands and ran towards the vermilion palace gate.
Her movement was surprisingly quick, sweeping past everyone like a gust of wind. From her actions to her voice, she exuded unbridled joy and excitement:
"—Seventh!"
Yan Rongshi tossed aside his lantern and embraced her.
Ying Xiaoman's entire body was filled with the scent of alcohol. Her cheeks were flushed red, and her eyes sparkled brightly.
Half-drunk and half-awake, she had forgotten all about the propriety between men and women in public. She rushed over wanting to hug him, and indeed was embraced fully. Satisfied, she tilted her face up, excitedly pulling him to "see the rainbow."
Yan Rongshi couldn't resist and raised his hand to gently pinch her cheek.
The surrounding twilight was dim, and the extremely light action, noticed only by the two involved, elicited a big reaction from Ying Xiaoman. She let out an "Mm~" sound, her flushed face tilting up as she intimately raised her arms to embrace his shoulders: "Seventh, kiss me!"
The corner of the Eleventh Young Master's mouth twitched slightly, and he turned and left, preferring not to see any more.
If he kept watching, he might regret it.
Yan Rongshi coaxed her in a low voice. After a few words, he picked up the lantern from the ground and handed it to Ying Xiaoman. The young lady finally let go, holding the lantern and waiting for him at the palace gate.
Yan Rongshi stepped forward and bowed to the figure shrouded in the shadows of the colorful silk-draped trees: "Prime Minister Zheng."
Prime Minister Zheng stepped out from the tree shadows, though still half-hidden in the twilight, and returned the greeting with a smile: "No need for such formalities, Yan Rongshi. From what this old man has observed, it seems good news may be coming soon."
"Thank you for your kind words, Prime Minister. When the good news arrives, I will certainly send you an invitation."
"Ha ha, this old man will surely prepare a generous gift and come to offer congratulations on the joyous occasion."
Wu Xun led a team of imperial guards to escort them. Yan Rongshi walked alongside Prime Minister Zheng towards the outside of the Left Changqing Gate. As they passed through the vermilion palace gate, Ying Xiaoman, who had been waiting, happily returned the lantern and offered her hand.
Yan Rongshi held the lantern in his left hand and took his beloved young lady's hand, politely saying, "Please excuse us, Prime Minister. My Xiaoman is drunk."
Wu Xun's eyelids twitched violently as he ordered the imperial guards to close ranks, forming a human wall to completely block the unseemly scene in the middle.
Prime Minister Zheng sighed with a smile: "This old man is indeed getting old. The old days are replaced by new ones; now it's the world of you young people."
Yan Rongshi exchanged pleasantries flawlessly: "Prime Minister, you work tirelessly from dawn to dusk and are a pillar of the court. His Majesty relies heavily on you; how could one speak of old age so lightly?"
"Ah, the heart may not be old, but the body is," Prime Minister Zheng said.
As they parted at the palace gate, Prime Minister Zheng stroked his beard, smiled, and looked at Ying Xiaoman once more, sighing wistfully:
"In those days, we were young and wore thin spring robes. I still vaguely remember some scenes from the old days, but in the blink of an eye, I'm already over fifty, reaching the age of knowing fate. Old friends have fallen away; one can't help but yield to old age."
Yan Rongshi bowed deeply in farewell. After walking about a hundred paces in opposite directions, as they were each about to board their carriages, he paused and turned back, staring in the direction of Prime Minister Zheng's carriage for a moment.
The drunk person, swaying unsteadily, was particularly talkative.
"I heard Yan Erlang got into trouble. Aren't you helping him investigate the case?"
"Wu Xun and I investigated for two hours and uncovered some clues. It seems someone from his own family is causing mischief. With the Empress Dowager, a Yan family elder, in the palace, there's no need for me to interfere further. When I heard you had woken up, I came to escort you out of the palace."
In the carriage with the curtains drawn and no one to disturb them, Yan Rongshi raised his hand and pinched the pink cheeks before him again: "Your matters are more important."
Ying Xiaoman didn't avoid it, tilting her face up and letting him pinch gently, only mumbling: "Where's Yan Erlang?"
"He should still be in the palace. This time he'll be busy enough; he won't have time to bother you for at least half a month."
Yan Rongshi casually changed the subject: "We've already left the palace, let's not talk about him anymore."
"Mm." Ying Xiaoman obediently closed her mouth.
Leaning against her young master's warm embrace, her thoughts were chaotic and jumpy in her half-awake, half-drunk state. Her attention quickly shifted to another matter.
"Good news is coming soon. Is our good news coming soon?"
"Soon. Do you remember Old Master Han whom you met when entering the palace? He's highly respected and was a good friend of my grandfather. Both my grandfather and father have passed away, so it's most appropriate for Old Master Han to propose the marriage on our behalf."
"But my father didn't promise me to you. Before he died, he held my hand and instructed me to go to the capital to rep—"
"Shh... don't say those two words."
Ying Xiaoman vaguely remembered that it wasn't good to mention entering the palace, and promptly closed her mouth.
The carriage swayed as it moved, and the two gazed at each other quietly for a while. Her eyes sparkled brightly as her thoughts jumped to another matter that had been interrupted earlier.
"Seventh, kiss me!"