by Ning er
As they moved closer to the osmanthus garden, the fragrance of the osmanthus flowers became increasingly stronger.
Crossing the rock garden, everyone followed Yuan Qing Zhou into the the osmanthus forest. Everyone was suddenly stunned by the magnificence of the osmanthus flowers.
Those osmanthus trees gently swayed along with the wind. Tiny golden-yellow flowers were scattered all over the trees, decorating the tender and beautiful red autumn leaves. Furthermore though the fragrance was strong and heavy, seeping into one's head, it had a bit of sweetness to it, making people not tire of smelling it.
Small pieces of yellow petals carrying the strong fragrance sprinkled to the ground. For that moment it the wind gradually blew the petals into an osmanthus flower rain, creating an incredibly beautiful scene.
Seeing the beautiful scenery ahead, the xiaojie all quickly rushed into the forest, stretching out their arms trying to catch the gold colored petals. They brought them to their noses to quietly smell, and their graceful actions stunned a lot of the gongzi. Not knowing whether it was the petal shower or the the beautiful women that made them stop and stare, they were all simply unable to take a step.
"I didn't expect Chen wangfu to have such beautiful scenery. I presume this might be the most suitable place in the capital to find all the varieties of osmanthus flowers." Qu Fei Qing remarked indifferently as she watched the scenery.
At her words, Yun Qian Meng looked the garden over, seeing all the different kinds of osmanthus flowers: orange osmanthus, gold osmanthus, silver osmanthus, and all four season osmanthus were here. The autumn trees signified "harvest", so it was no wonder that Chen wangfu was so fond of them.
"Yun xiaojie, Qu xiaojie, let's rush over to get some osmanthus flowers. Look at those xiaojie, they are so delighted to see them." Wu Qin Qin said at seeing Yun Qian Meng and Qu Fei Qing staying motionless. Grabbing one of them in each hand, she pulled them into the osmanthus forest.
"These osmanthus flowers are quite delicate, why don't we put them inside the embroidered pouch? It wouldn't smear onto our dresses, and while we walk it will bring a fragrant smell, wouldn't that be nice?" Yun Qiang Meng suggested as she crouched down to pick up a few osmanthus flowers.
"That's a great idea!" Wu Qin Qin immediately clapped her hands delightedly. Even Yuan Qing Zhou nodded his head a ways away, and immediately a bright idea suddenly occurred to him. Taking out a handkerchief that had a delicate fragrance, he then headed out to somewhere secluded.
The other xiaojie also felt that this idea was quite acceptable, so they removed the embroidered pouches hanging on their waists. Taking out the contents and keeping them away, they then put some osmanthus flower inside the pouches and the faint fragrance started to float out.
As the others were already packing up some osmanthus flowers, Wu Qin Qin had yet to start, so she immediately took out her embroidered pouch from her waist. She opened the knot to empty the pouch into her left palm as her right hand poured out the pouch, and two distinct items rolled out.
The two items were both jade ornaments, one was jadeite ornament for luck, while the other one was a Hetian jade ornament.
But the Hetian jade was just a half circle, and it suddenly attracted Yun Qian Meng and Qu Fei Qing's attention.
Yun Qian Meng smiled and said, "Wu xiaojie, you store a piece of broken jade in your embroidered pouch? What kind of treasure is it that you store it in your personal pouch?"
After Yun Qian Meng said these words, those who had been enjoying the flowers were quick to surrounded them.
Wu Qin Qin's heart trembled and before she could close her palm, Su Qian Yue quickly grabbed the broken piece of jade, which she meticulously studied in her hand, before she muttered, "This isn't a jade ornament used by women, it seems like jade worn by men."
At that, the surrounding xiaojie's expressions immediately transformed, one by one they carefully observed that piece of jade, as Wu Qin Qin's face turned pale white. She had absolutely no idea why it would have been in her personal pouch. She was certain that she only placed the jadeite ornament for luck that her grandmother had given to her, why would there be another piece of jade inside?
"This piece of jade was originally circular. Could it be that the other half is still worn by a man?" Qu Jing Qing said, observing the expensive Hetian jade.
Everyone now looked at Wu Qin Qin disdainfully. How unexpected that this xiaojie, who barely step outside of her residence, would be so vulgar as to engaged in a secret relationship with a man.
They suddenly felt disgusted at attending the feast today with a frivolous and unconventional woman like her. For no reason, they were being implicated by this shameful person, their pure and innocent reputations were almost ruined by Wu Qin Qin.
With these thoughts, they all looked at Wu Qin Qin with looks full of hatred.
"No! This piece of jade is not mine. I also don't know how it got inside my pouch, you must believe me!" Wu Qin Qin panicked at all the resentful looks fixated at her. Her lips trembled, seeking everyone's understanding, but the gazes from all directions made her face turn deathly pale and her body tremble uncontrollably. Suddenly, she remembered that she practically stayed with Yun Qian Meng the whole day, so she immediately grabbed Yun Qian Meng's hands and asked for help, "Yun xiaojie, you would know, I was with you the whole day, you must bear witness for me!"
Yun Qian Meng, feeling some pain from the grasp, awkwardly responded, "Wu xiaojie, I believe you are innocent. But I only stayed with you today, but we have never met any other time."
Yun Qian Meng clearly distinguished her relationship with Wu Qin Qin by indicating that they had only met each other today. She also vaguely pointing out that this jade might not have been obtained today, but perhaps a long time ago that Wu Qin Qin might have already done some immoral things before now, and Yun Qian Meng was being involved by Wu Qin Qin for no reason at all.
Although Yun Qian Meng had not thrown any culpable words, but with just a simple statement she accused Wu Qin Qin of being immoral. Suddenly, Wu Qin Qin's eyes turned white and she fainted.
And yet, the xiaojie still kept their distance. Aside from Chen wangfu's mama and Wu Qin Qin's yatou, most of the ladies kept themselves far away from her for the fear of ruining their own reputation by association with Wu Qin Qin.
At this moment, Yuan Qing Zhou approached with something in his hands, but when he saw Wu Qin Qin lying on the floor, his brows wrinkled and he asked without thinking, "Jiang mama, what happened here?" immediately, he swept his gaze around looking for Yun Qian Meng's figure.
The Yuan Family's gongzi was clearly up to something so Jiang mama only coldly replied, "Wu Guo Gongfu's xiaojie fainted because she is not feeling well."
Though the incident had only occurred moments ago, the other xiaojie blocked her view so Jiang mama was not able to witness the entirety of the incident. She only knew that the discussion had been about a piece of jade. The only reason she replied that Wu Qin Qin was feeling unwell was to avoid affecting the xiaojie's reputation.
"Oh, in that case we must quickly carry her back. Her lying in front of the beautiful scenery is quite an eyesore." Yuan Qing Zhou glanced at Wu Qin Qin on the ground and the disgust in his eyes was quite obvious. As he tried to cross over Wu Qin Qin's body, he unexpectedly tripped on a rock and his body flew forward. Luckily, he was able to quickly stabilize himself, but the silk wrap of osmanthus flowers in his hand bursted out, sprinkling everything to the floor.
"Eh? Isn't this a woman's silk handkerchief?" Qi Jing Han had been watching everything from afar and suddenly rushed over. Before Yuan Qing Zhou could move, Qi Jing Han already picked up the silk handkerchief and looked it over. Somewhat teasingly, he said, "I've heard that Yuan gonzi is a outstandingly casual and free. Who could have thought that seeing it myself is better than hearing it from others. Now, I have clearly witnessed your romantic side."
Yuan Qing Zhou was angered at seeing that silk handkerchief that he had obtained from Yun Qian Meng
with great difficulty being snatched off by Qi Jing Han and being mocked on top of it. He advanced forward to try to take back that silk handkerchief, but Qi Jing Han just ignored him as he threw out the silk handkerchief before the ladies, as he coldly laughed and walked away.
He wanted to see if Yuan Qing Zhou, a person of highly respectable status as the son of an influential family, would pick up this silk handkerchief in front of all the women.
Like tiny startled birds the surrounding xiaojie retreated, but they still had the courage to take a glimpse at the handkerchief of high quality material. Immediately, Qu Jing Qing inquired the yatou who was trying to support Wu Qin Qin up, "Where is your lady's handkerchief?"
The yatou was intimidated by Qu Jing Qing's cold voice, and immediately searched around Wu Qin Qin's body. Indeed the handkerchief that her lady brought with her today was missing. That along with the fact taht she had an additional piece of jade with her, the yatou face suddenly became distressed and her body started to tremble violently.
Qu Jing Qing kicked the silk handkerchief as her delicate hands pointed at it. Wearing a cruel smile, she said, "Is this the one?"
The yatou looked in the direction Qu Jing Qing was pointed to, and her legs immediately turned weak, with a plop sound she knelt to the ground.
Seeing her like this, it became clear that the jade had belonged to Yuan Qing Zhou.
Yuan Qing Zhou might have been afraid that their affair would be exposed and thus appeared to be fed up by calling people to carry Wu Qin Qin away.
But unexpectedly, Yuan Qing Zhou forgot that he was holding the silk handkerchief he had gotten from Wu Qin Qin. Now that evidence of their exchange of personal belongings was laid bare, the xiaojie now wanted to know how close Wu Qin Qin was to Chen wang.
"Quickly report this matter to taifei and wangye." Jiang mama had finally understood the whole story and she immediately waved her hand to summon a yatou over. Whispering something in the girl's ear, she then personally lifted the passed out Wu Qin Qin and handed her over to other servant girls. "The wind in this osmanthus garden is too strong, would xiaojie and gongzi follow after me back to the garden."
Although Jiang mama was also a servant, she bore a commanding tone in her voice. Perhaps after serving Yuan de taifei for so long, she had acquired some of Yuan de taifei's character.
And although those ladies were quite reckless and pampered, but they had their own schemes and add to that, Jiang mama was the closest to Yuan de taifei, so one by one they followed behind her and left the osmanthus forest without objection.
Translated by:cristina
Edited by:ChocolateMorn
seriouspotato
Chapter 103: Part 1: Emotional Breakthrough | Chu Wang Fei
The group followed Jiang mama quietly back to the garden. They unconsciously looked at the seat of honor and saw that the expressions of Chen wang and Yuan de taifei were pretty normal. There were no signs of them being angry, while Wu furen also looked the same as when they had left a while ago.
Before Yuan Qing Zhou stepped into the garden, Ning Feng caught him by the collar and pulled him away from the garden.
Everyone proceeded to their respective seats and sat down. Seeing that Yuan de taifei had no intention of mentioning the incident in the osmanthus forest, they understood that Yuan de taifei did not want this incident to spread out.
Especially since there were visitors from Northern Qi in Chen wangfu today. Even if they wanted to deal with Wu Qin Qin and Yuan Qing Zhou, they needed to wait for the people from Northern Qi to leave before dealing their own issues.
Yun Qian Meng sat quietly in her seat. She felt that she was being watched ever since she stepped into the garden. On pure instinct, she raised her head and looked straight at the person who had been staring at her and saw that it was Chu Fei Yang. His pitch-dark pupils contained indescribable feelings, which made Yun Qian Meng's heart beat faster than usual. She felt that Chu Fei Yang's stare contained a look that she herself did not understand.
Suddenly, Chu Fei Yang smiled at her then looked away, somewhat frustrating Yun Qian Meng; Chu Fei Yang's actions were really unpredictable.
Now, the whole garden was rather silent with the incident in the forest hanging on everyone's mind. They were all curious as to how Yuan de taifei and Chen wang would handle Yuan Qing Zhou and Wu Qin Qin.
"What do taifei and wangye think about this recent incident?" the others might not have had the courage to scrape against Yuan de taifei and Chen wang's bottom lines , but as the Tenth Prince of Northern Qi, Qi Jing Han's words still had a lot of weight especially since Rui Wang was still in the hand of the Northern Qi. Even Emperor Yu Qian needed to give him some respect, even more so Yuan de taifei and Chen wang.
Everyone was shocked and scared to hear Qi Jing Han ask this, but deep inside those horrified eyes actually had hints of enjoyment over others' misfortune.
Noticing the change in everyone's expressions, Yun Qian Meng kept her eyes on the teacup in front of her. She could not help but sigh deep inside. These gongzi and xiaojie were really well taken care of by their families growing up. They did not even have any compassion for others, and only thought of how to make fun of others. If Yuan de taifei and Chen wang did not have their current position and rank, these people would have already added in their criticism.
Hearing Qi Jing Han's question, Yuan de taifei and Chen wang looked at each other with similar expressions before they turned away from one another. Yuan de taifei then calmly said, "Bengong doesn't know what Tenth Prince is talking about. If there was some important matter, could I trouble Tenth Prince to please continue the discussion after the party."
Her words were meant to remind Qi Jing Han to refrain from making up any rumors at this moment of time. Yuan de taifei had already faced so many ups and downs in her life, she would not be afraid of facing a challenge to her prestige from a young person. But now that there were so many people here and so many eyes stuck to Chen wangfu, thought Yuan de taifei was clearly aware of what had happened, she naturally needed to protect the fame and reputation of the Yuan Family so as to not go down the same road as the Ruan Family, who were already being ridiculed by others.
But Qi Jing Han was a wild and uncontrollable person. Now that he had Qi Jing Yuan behind him, he naturally feared nothing. Thus, he did not mind Yuan de taifei's warning and said, "I don't see Yuan gongzi and Wu xiaojie. There was an excellent scene in the osmanthus forest a while ago, aren't taifei and wangye curious about what happened? Wu furen has been here talking with taifei for so long already, didn't you notice that your daughter isn't here in the garden?"
Afterwards, Qi Jing Han ignored the cold glares from Yuan de taifei and sat beside Qi Jing Yuan with a cold smile.
After Qi Jing Han's reminders, Wu furen immediately searched the garden with her clever eyes. After going through everyone, she realized there was no trace of Wu Qin Qin and immediately felt rather suspicious, but she also understood that Qi Jing Han's statement was intended to sow dissension; thus, she did not show any concern or worry and only glanced at Yuan de taifei inquiringly.
"Wu furen is indeed still concerned of your daughter! But Wu xiaojie had fainted just now and may not be able to come to the garden." Noticing Wu furen's attention on Yuan de taifei, Qi Jing Han explained for her, causing Yuan de taifei to glare at him more viciously.
At Qi Jing Han's explanation, Wu furen felt that something bad must have happened. Her delicate brows tightly knitted, but she still maintained the image of an upper-class lady and did not lose her manners and scream out of worry.
But Wu Qin Qin was nevertheless the daughter she had brought up carefully since birth. How could she not be concerned? So she asked softly, "What happened to Qin Qin? She was always healthy, how could she faint for no reason?"
With those words, Qi Jing Han had succeeded in his intentions, but it was still up to Yuan de taifei whether or not Qi Jing Han's schemes would fully push through.
She lightly smiled and c
omforted Wu futen, "The wind is strong in the forest. That child was too happy in there and wasn't too aware of the weather. She fainted because of the harsh winds. Don't worry, bengong has already ordered the mamas to bring her to a room to rest. She will surely wake up in a while. If furen is still worried, bengong will have Jiang mama take you to her."
Wu furen's worries had slowly faded. She then stood up and bowed towards Yuan de taifei, excusing herself in order to follow Jiang mama to go to Wu Qin Qin.
But before she was able to leave the garden, Qi Jing Han spoke again, "Why is furen leaving in a hurry? Is it that in furen's mind, whatever taifei says is the truth? Doesn't furen want to hear about the whole course of events? If you miss it, I'm afraid that Wu xiaojie wouldn't be able to raise her head up high for the rest of her life."
Qi Jing Han's words immediately stopped Wu furen from moving. She looked at Qi Jing Han curiously, then turned to Yuan de taifei, watching her every move.
Yuan de taifei gave Wu furen a pacifying look which worried Wu furen even more. She immediately understood that something bad had truly happened, and that Yuan de taifei already knew what, but still pretended to know nothing, making her into a laughing stock in front of the younger generation.
But Wu furen also knew that as the Tenth Prince of Northern Qi, Qi Jing Han's words undoubtedly contained words to incite dissension. Moreover, he mentioned Wu Qin Qin's reputation a while ago so she needed to react to the situation even more carefully. She could not make any mistakes at this time, otherwise, she might ruin her daughter's life.
Yuan de taifei also understood Wu furen's concerns which was why she ordered Jiang mama to bring Wu furen to Wu Qin Qin. But unexpectedly Qi Jing Yuan, who had been silent, also laughed and said, "Taifei, since the incident has already happened and so many people had seen it, bengong feels that it is most appropriate for taifei to settle this issue in front of everyone. Otherwise, once someone spreads this incident, it would not only harm Yuan gongzi and Wu xiaojie's reputations, but it would also bring shame to Chen wangfu and Yuan fu."
