39. The Watchtower

While Atuo was exerting great effort elsewhere, Lingbo was also working diligently.

Marquis Jingyu’s investiture banquet was markedly “youthful.” The Grand Princess’s absence set the tone; the Northern Defense Army had held two such banquets back-to-back, and having honored the Wei family, they could not well honor the Cui family as well, lest it seem they were overly favoring the Shanzi Battalion. Marquis Jing was originally thrust into his position to serve as a counterbalance to the Shanzi Battalion; the old Marquis was frail, his descendants unremarkable, and if the officials didn't show their support, the Northern Defense Army would fall entirely under the hegemony of the Shanzi Battalion.

Yet, the Cui family’s influence was truly formidable. Anyone with even a slight understanding of military affairs knew that Marquis Wei was a commander of genuine national stature, and Cui Jingyu was the successor he had handpicked. In fact, Marquis Wei’s own son, Wei Yushan, was treated with less consideration under his father’s command than outsiders were. Ironically, Wei Yushan respected Cui Jingyu, looking up to him like an elder brother. Thus, the future of the Shanzi Battalion would, in all likelihood, fall to Cui Jingyu.

The officials of the court, while loyal to the Emperor, were also concerned for their own prospects. Though they themselves did not attend, they sent their sons and nephews, while their wives and daughters arrived early. Cui Jingyu was undeniably wealthy—his family background was already solid, and the Emperor had bestowed upon him generous rewards: gold, silk, and precious treasures flowed into his coffers like water. He had effortlessly purchased the residence of Vice Minister Huang to serve as his own marquisate.

The Huang family had once produced an imperial concubine, and though she never returned for a formal visit, the residence had been built to the specifications of nobility. It was perfect for such a grand event. While the Orchid Banquet had originally been a modest gathering, under Cui Jingyu’s hand, it became the most significant social event in the capital. While the men remained cautious, the ladies were already eager to secure this golden son-in-law. They dressed their daughters like flowers and prepared extravagant headpieces and gemstone jewelry, driving the market prices of silk and gems in the capital to fluctuate daily—a truly staggering sight.

The only eyesore was Madam Wei. With no elder women in the Cui household, Madam Wei helped him host the guests. The banquet was merely mediocre, as Lu Wenyin had not put forth much effort, and the other ladies, wary of Wei Leshui, picked at every flaw in private. They knew full well that Madam Wei was inept and had no eyes or ears to catch their gossip.

As the ladies occupied Madam Wei, the young misses found themselves free. The inner courtyard of the residence had been built for an imperial concubine, so it was vast, elevated, and separated from the outer courtyard. A troupe was performing at the pavilion by the water, where Taihu stones framed a winding embankment planted with winter plum blossoms. They bloomed late and braved the snow, and when warmed by the bronze heaters, the entire courtyard was filled with a cozy fragrance.

The young ladies strolled through the gardens, quite satisfied with the opulent estate. To recreate the aesthetic of a Jiangnan garden in the capital must have taken immense effort and resources. The grand lake connecting the inner and outer grounds, the rockeries, the flowing springs, the pavilions, and the rare flora were rarities in the capital. It was inevitable that they began to fantasize about becoming the mistress of such a place.

“I hear Marquis Cui is still purchasing secondary estates,” He Qingyi remarked.

“That is only natural,” Chen Mengliu, the Chen family’s daughter, said smugly. “Marquis Cui comes from a distinguished lineage and understands the rules of the gentry. A residence in the capital is for attending court, but for enjoying flowers in spring, one needs a Spring Villa; for hunting in autumn, an Autumn Villa. Those from shallow roots wouldn't even know such things.”

The Chen family was not particularly distinguished in appearance, and Chen Mengliu was no exception, but she was haughty and dim-witted. She failed to notice that while her sister-in-law, Lu Wenyin, had brought her along, her true support was reserved for Lu Wanyan. Instead, Chen Mengliu acted as a vanguard, snapping at He Qingyi on Lu Wenyin's behalf.

He Qingyi’s face turned cold, and she fell silent, knowing that arguing with Chen Mengliu would only provide entertainment for others. Then, someone laughed, “If that is the case, then your Chen family’s Rapeseed Flower Banquet must be held at a mountain villa, then?”

Minister Chen held a high rank but was often overshadowed by Minister Shen, leading him to commit embarrassing acts in his desperation to climb higher. Snatching the Rapeseed Flower Banquet every year was a minor thing, though he often staged it with the pretense of “winding stream” banquets to show the Emperor his frugality, leading his disciples to “compose a hundred poems about rapeseed flowers.” The Emperor had barely glanced at the sycophantic verses.

The true humiliation came during the Emperor’s autumn hunt last year. Because the Emperor had spent a quarter of an hour at the Shen family’s villa the year before—a great honor for any subject—Minister Chen had obsessed over it for a year. Last year, he couldn't resist inviting the Emperor to his own villa. The Emperor, perhaps to show him favor, actually went. When they arrived, they found it looked like a peasant’s farmstead, complete with mud walls, thatched-roof sheds, and vegetable plots everywhere, with nowhere even to tether a horse. The Emperor had a place to rest, but the accompanying officials, royal princes, and even the eunuchs had nowhere to sit, while chickens and ducks ran underfoot.

The Emperor said nothing, merely lingering for a moment before remarking, “Minister Chen is truly simple and rustic,” then returned to the palace. Minister Chen took this as a compliment and was overjoyed. When the news leaked, the Chen family was mortified. Chen Mengliu had thrown a tantrum: “The Shen family welcomed the Emperor with red silk covering the ground and brocade canopies stretching for miles, but Father had to be perverse, tearing down good houses to build sheds! It’s a disgrace; the whole capital is laughing at us!”

Minister Chen had only replied, “What do you know! This is called integrity. The Emperor may not have said anything, but he surely values it!”

As it turned out, Minister Shen later had his disciples in the Censorate submit a memorial exposing that Minister Chen’s prize pupil had embezzled a million taels while auditing salt taxes in Jiangnan, transporting the silver to the capital in grain ships, only to be caught red-handed by the Prefecture Magistrate.

It went without saying who the silver was intended for. The Emperor suppressed the matter, refusing to let it be investigated further. He summoned Minister Chen to the palace, sat in silence for an hour reading memorials, and only when he saw the trembling Minister kneeling beside him did he toss the impeachment document at him, saying, “Truly, Minister Chen is simple and rustic.”

With his face burning in shame, Minister Chen suffered a heavy blow. Only then did he tear down the sheds and build the same kind of luxurious pavilions as other estates.

Lingbo, well-informed and quick-witted, had heard this story and chose this moment to bring it up. Many of the young ladies in the courtyard had heard the joke and burst into laughter, while those who hadn't asked and were quickly brought up to speed. The courtyard erupted in mirth. Chen Mengliu’s face turned bright red, and she glared at Lingbo, snapping, “What business is it of yours? Why must you be such a show-off?”

“We are all sisters at this flower festival; there is no such thing as showing off,” Lingbo said with a faint smile. “If you are going to be angry over such a small thing, then Miss Chen, there was much in your previous remarks that could be easily misunderstood...”

As she spoke, she glanced at He Qingyi. He Qingyi, being clever, immediately smiled and said, “What is Sister Ye saying? Sister Chen spoke without thinking. I am not so muddled as to be provoked by a joke from her.”

Suffering a silent defeat, Chen Mengliu could only swallow her anger, muttering, “Ye Lingbo, just you wait,” before stalking off, presumably to complain to her sister-in-law, Lu Wenyin. He Qingyi glanced at Lu Wanyan, who was watching coldly from the crowd, and hesitated as if wanting to say something to Lingbo.

But she was young, and when the Cui family’s housekeeper led them to admire the camellias in the warm pavilion, she couldn't help but linger at the back of the crowd, drawing close to Lingbo.

Lingbo paused to listen.

“The Chen family is powerful and not to be trifled with. Second Miss, you would do well to avoid their edge for now,” she whispered.

Lingbo smiled and asked in return, “My aptitude is average, so I naturally do not contend. But Miss He, you are as bright as an orchid—do you not wish to contend?”

A flicker of emotion stirred in He Qingyi’s eyes before settling back into calm. She laughed bitterly. “I am isolated and weak; what is there for me to contend for?”

Madam He lacked talent, possessing only a mother’s love. The old Madam He was muddled and, instead of supporting her own granddaughter, had been won over by Lu Wenyin to keep her daughter-in-law in check. She truly had no allies.

“Isolated and weak? I think not,” Lingbo smiled faintly.

He Qingyi’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but look at her. Lingbo merely winked.

“I will give you a gift, Miss He.”

She spoke mysteriously. He Qingyi wanted to ask more, but Lingbo had already moved away. Word came that the midday banquet was being served, so she had to set the matter aside and return to playing the role of a proper noble lady.

Lu Wenyin’s desperation to climb the social ladder was sometimes quite impressive. Had she not been an enemy, Lingbo might have appreciated her methods more. At the midday banquet, she socialized, ensuring everyone knew how hard she had worked to help Madam Wei. Even when Cui Jingyu came to greet the guests, she didn't forget to claim credit, asking, “Marquis Cui, how is the mutton I prepared? It’s not inferior to what you have in the North, is it?”

Cui Jingyu replied coolly, “Thank you for assisting my teacher’s wife, Young Madam Chen.”

He saw through the court politics, let alone Lu Wenyin’s petty tactics. Yet Lu Wenyin persisted, saying, “Food is a small matter; sincerity is what truly counts, don’t you agree, ladies?”

Her followers, like Yang Qiaozhen, giggled, and Madam Chen added, “Wenyin, don’t tease the Marquis.” It was clearly tacitly approved; she was using her status as a married lady to tease the unmarried Marquis, which was not considered a breach of etiquette.

Madam Wei smiled and said, “Jingyu is the most courteous of hosts. If anything is lacking, ladies, just tell me.”

She likely thought her words were gracious, unaware that the other ladies were wary of her, believing she was scheming for Wei Leshui, trying to bind Cui Jingyu to the Wei family. They likely cursed her in private.

Lu Wenyin remained superficially polite, but she did not take the bait. Instead, she turned to Cui Jingyu, saying, “They say a guest should feel at home, but Marquis, you only seem concerned with our menu. Will you not arrange something to entertain us?”

“A troupe has been hired; the ladies may request any play they wish,” Cui Jingyu replied coldly.

“Who wants to hear plays? We hear them every day until our ears are calloused,” Lu Wenyin revealed her true intentions. “At Madam Wei’s residence, the generals performed archery for us, which was wonderful, though a bit rushed. And since it was outdoors, we ladies couldn't really watch properly. Today is a great opportunity; the inner courtyard is spacious, and there are pavilions. Madam Wei, we could set up tea on the balcony and have the Marquis and the generals perform archery on the lawn below. Wouldn't that be novel and fun?”

Madam Wei, unfamiliar with the capital’s customs, was about to agree when she caught Cui Jingyu’s eye. Cui Jingyu said coldly, “Battlefield skills are not meant for display, and they carry an air of violence that might frighten the ladies.”

His implication was clear: he did not want his generals performing for the amusement of these women.

But Lu Wenyin pretended not to understand, tugging at Madam Wei’s sleeve. “How could we be frightened? Besides, the Grand Princess mentioned that this year’s Flower Festival is intended to help the unmarried generals of the Northern Defense Army find matches. That depends on us ladies! If we don't even see them, how are we to know their character or appearance to arrange marriages? Ladies, don't you agree?”

Arranging marriages was the domain of respected elder matrons, but she conflated the two. Madam Wei, unable to discern the difference, believed her and turned to Cui Jingyu. “Jingyu...”

Cui Jingyu respected his teacher’s wife. Seeing her speak, he called to his attendant, “Pingyao, go tell them to prepare the targets and clear the Ji lawn.”

The viewing tower was not high, and the lawn below, the Ji lawn, had been prepared by the Huang family for the imperial concubine’s visit, with stages and lanterns so she could watch performances from above. It was vast and could accommodate several stages. The ladies went up to the balcony to drink tea and eat refreshments, while the generals arrived one after another. Since archery was their daily training, they were never rusty. Having just finished their meal, they were in high spirits; some even donned their armor, covered by the brocade robes bestowed by the Emperor, looking quite magnificent.

The young officials who had come to the banquet had only read about war in books and were curious about the Northern Defense Army’s skills. They gathered to watch. Low-ranking officers took turns firing rounds, some hitting, some missing. Lu Wenyin was not interested in that. She smiled and asked Madam Wei, “Why hasn't Marquis Cui taken the field?”

“Jingyu’s skills are too great; he rarely plays with them, fearing he might crush their spirits,” Madam Wei said.

She was much like Marshal Wei, and in truth, she was even more satisfied with Cui Jingyu than with Wei Yushan.

“Where is the young Marquis?” a lady asked curiously. Her daughter was young, and she naturally felt Wei Yushan was a good target. But Lu Wenyin had already ruled him out for Lu Wanyan, and Cui Jingyu was a better catch. She let Madam Wei answer, “I don't know where Yushan has gone; he’s nowhere to be seen,” before steering the topic back, shaking Madam Wei’s arm. “Madam, ask the Marquis to perform for us. He always listens to you.”

Madam Wei smiled, pleased by the flattery, and sent word down. Cui Jingyu, merely standing there in his black brocade robe, was already striking. He was a born warrior, taller and broader than the rest, with wide shoulders and a narrow waist; even standing still, he possessed the presence of a tiger or a leopard. When he emerged carrying a bow as tall as his shoulder, it was even more so.

The ladies stood up to watch. He stepped out of the crowd, and the generals, who admired him, parted like water to let him through. Even those who were shooting paused; a young hothead who hadn't noticed was restrained by those beside him.

They were even more eager than the ladies to see him shoot.