At the Yin family estate, the head of the household, Yin Zhuli, was practicing calligraphy in her study. Her maid, Qingwan, pushed open the door. "Eldest Master, the Ninth Prince..."
Before she could finish, Shen Tingjiao burst into the room. He wore a robe of jasper green that made his snow-white skin appear even more luminous. The weather in Chang'an still held the lingering chill of early spring; having just come in from outside, his cheeks were flushed a faint red, looking like fine jade stained by the glow of sunset. "Zhuli, tomorrow we are going to the Peach Blossom Spring to see the blooms. Will you come?"
Yin Zhuli continued to trace the rubbings of the *Shiqian Stele* on her desk. She didn't even look up as she gave a direct refusal. "I won't be going. My mother’s birthday is approaching, and I fear Hao Jian won't be able to manage everything alone."
Shen Tingjiao leaned over the broad pearwood desk, his face falling with disappointment. "But they say the peach blossoms are exceptionally beautiful this year."
Yin Zhuli remained unmoved. "Then Your Highness should go yourself. Surely you know the way?"
Having his good intentions rebuffed so sharply, Shen Tingjiao let out a cold huff. Ignoring the tea Qingwan offered, he flicked his sleeves and stormed out. Qingwan looked quite worried. "Eldest Master, the Ninth Prince seems angry."
Yin Zhuli moved her white jade paperweight down an inch, her tone indifferent. "Let him be. He’ll get over it."
As Qingwan was refilling the tea, another person entered the room—it was Tang Yin. Yin Zhuli was about to set down her brush, but he waved a hand. "Continue."
She had no choice but to dip her brush in ink again. Tang Yin stood behind her and suddenly reached out, covering her hand with his. His voice was extremely low, brushing against the contour of her ear like a breeze. "Clerical script emphasizes 'silkworm heads and wild goose tails,' a flow of three undulations in every stroke. Your characters always have plenty of elegance, but lack substantial rhythm."
His palm was broad and warm. His grip on the brush was slightly heavier than hers, and as they moved together, the strokes naturally gained a sense of steady fortitude. Yin Zhuli’s mind, however, was clearly not on the calligraphy. She quietly allowed him to guide her hand as they wrote together. After a long moment, she whispered, "Master is a man, so naturally you emphasize substantial rhythm. I am a woman; isn't it enough for my writing to be elegant and pretty?"
"Sophistry!" Tang Yin chided gently. Once the page was finished, he released her hand and said warmly, "Rumor has it the peach blossoms are particularly fine this year. The Peach Blossom Spring is bound to be lively. If you are free tomorrow, how about accompanying your master for a stroll there?"
Yin Zhuli set down her brush. Qingwan handed her a silk cloth to wipe her hands, and she smiled. "It is rare for Master to be in such high spirits. Your disciple shall certainly accompany you."
The following day turned out to be a rare day of clear skies and gentle breezes. Tang Yin and Yin Zhuli set out for the Peach Blossom Spring, accompanied only by Tanyue. There wasn't much to prepare. Before leaving, Yin Zhuli gave instructions to Head Steward Hao Jian. "I remember there is a gang in Wannian County called the Flying Fish Pond. Send someone there to find their leader." She leaned closer to Hao Jian, her voice barely a whisper. "By whatever means necessary, you must buy all twenty thousand taels of the stolen government silver."
Hao Jian pondered for a moment. "The silver is stamped with the seal of the Great Xing Treasury. Even if those outlaws stole it, they would find it difficult to offload. If we are willing to take this hot potato off their hands... they should be willing. But Eldest Master, moving twenty thousand taels of silver might be hidden from others, but to hide it from General Qu..."
Yin Zhuli had naturally considered this. "With his personality, he will certainly search the entire city. If he finds even a trace of evidence, there will be bloodshed. Therefore... there is no need to move it. Once it is in our hands, sink the entire lot into the Junji River."
Hao Jian was slightly stunned. "This subordinate will see to it immediately."
Yin Zhuli nodded slightly but cautioned him again. "Do not send our own people." She patted his shoulder. "Find the most reliable middleman."
Hao Jian understood. "If it is only to be sunk into the Junji River, the matter becomes much simpler. I will be careful."
The Peach Blossom Spring was a pastoral retreat built against the mountains, modeled after the "Account of the Peach Blossom Spring" by Master Five Willows of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It was surrounded by peach trees and teeming with birds. A branch of the Junji River flowed through it, and groves of bamboo, pine, and cypress remained green through winter and summer, making it feel like a world apart.
Every year in the third lunar month, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom, this place became an exquisite spot for literati to enjoy the spring air and recite poetry.
Yin Zhuli walked slowly beside Tang Yin. Along the way, they saw fallen blossoms covering the water, pink petals carrying a faint fragrance as they swirled in the wind, dusting the shoulders of travelers. The sunlight was perfect. In the shallow waters, some ignored the spring chill to spear fish, while along the banks, the scents of brewing tea, warming wine, and roasting meat wafted through the air, making one's mouth water.
Tang Yin was a famous scholar of Chang'an, and Yin Zhuli was a merchant tycoon whose wealth could rival a nation. Consequently, they encountered many friends along the way. Amidst chatting and laughing, they soon reached the bamboo houses nestled among the flowers. These dwellings were built over the water in staggered layers, delicate and unique. Many refined guests had already gathered inside.
Yin Zhuli and Tang Yin found a table by the window. Before they could even sit down, a voice shouted loudly, "Yin Zhuli!"
Everyone was startled. They turned to see the young Prince Shen jumping into the room. His white robes seemed to brighten the bamboo hut. "Yin Zhuli! What is the meaning of this!"
He didn't care about the gazes of the crowd, marching straight to the table and grabbing her, his face full of fury.
The onlookers naturally knew of the history between these two "foes." None were willing to step in and stop them; instead, they all covered their mouths to watch the spectacle. Even Tang Yin sat down with a smile, turning his face to look out the window. Yin Zhuli glanced at the Prince sideways. Seeing he had no intention of letting go, she asked coldly, "What?"
The young Prince grew even angrier. "This is outrageous! Yesterday I invited you to come, and you made excuses to refuse. Today, you come... you come with someone else! Hmph, you're a fellow who values beauty over friendship!"
Yin Zhuli’s expression remained solemn. "Your Highness is mistaken. Strictly speaking, Your Highness is the 'beauty' here. I am actually valuing friendship over beauty..."
Shen Tingjiao’s face turned bright red. "What kind of nonsense is that!"
Yin Zhuli looked down at his hand gripping the fabric of her shoulder and said leisurely, "Let go."
The Prince huffed. "I won't! Why is it that when I invite you, you don't come!"
Yin Zhuli didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Seeing the crowd snickering, she knew she couldn't reason with him. She decided to use her fists instead. She leaned in and whispered, "Shen Tingjiao, if you don't let go, believe it or not, I'll thrash you!"
Hearing this, the Prince actually let go, his expression a mix of frustration and grievance. When he was angry, his cheeks flushed like jade stained by sunset, more vivid and beautiful than the peach blossoms themselves. Yin Zhuli leaned over to arrange the tea set she had brought today, her voice neither cold nor warm. "If you want tea, sit down. If not, get lost!"
Shen Tingjiao huffed again but sat down anyway. This place was not like a tavern; everything had to be done oneself, which was considered part of the rustic charm. Tanyue brought over boiling water. Yin Zhuli scalded the tea set with the water and used tea tongs to arrange the cups before everyone.
A waiter brought a charcoal stove and a large basin of food—seasonal vegetables, fruits, chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Because the bamboo hut was over the water, there was no fear of fire; the food could be boiled or grilled, which was quite interesting.
Yin Zhuli brewed the tea, while the young Prince sat there motionless. Seeing him still pouting in anger, no one dared to stroke the tiger's whiskers. Yin Zhuli suppressed a smile. After a while, she picked up a chicken wing, grilled it, and held it out to him. Outside the window were miles of peach blossoms; inside were wine, meat, and beautiful people—it was quite an atmospheric scene.
The Prince was still angry. Even with the chicken wing right before his eyes, he acted as if he didn't see it.
Yin Zhuli cleansed her hands with lemon water, tore off a sliver of meat, and despite his struggles, forcibly stuffed it into his mouth like she was feeding a duck. Amidst the playful noise, the surroundings suddenly went silent. Yin Zhuli turned her head and saw more noble guests arriving. It was the King, Shen Tingyao. Behind him followed Qu Lingyu, dressed in men's clothing.
The young Prince’s gaze instantly became glued to the woman who had already become his sister-in-law. Qu Lingyu naturally saw him as well. Their eyes met and became locked, unable to pull away.
Yin Zhuli paid her respects to Shen Tingyao. Since they were out in plain clothes, she couldn't expose his identity. Thus, she ignored him and went back to her grilling.
Shen Tingyao naturally noticed Qu Lingyu’s gaze. The moment Qu Lingyu saw Yin Zhuli, a flash of murderous intent appeared in her eyes. Yin Zhuli was not afraid of her; she kept her head down, grilling the fruits and vegetables Tang Yin liked, then picked out two pieces of succulent fish to grill and serve on a plate for him.
The young Prince reluctantly finished looking at Qu Lingyu. When he looked down, he grew angry again. "Where is mine?"
Yin Zhuli said indifferently, "A beautiful face is a feast for the eyes. You can just look and be full. Why do you still need to eat?"
Shen Tingjiao didn't answer. He picked up a piece of lamb to grill himself. After a while, seeing that Yin Zhuli had no intention of paying him any mind, he felt a bit sheepish. "Are you angry?"
Yin Zhuli was puzzled. "What would I be angry about?" She glanced at Qu Lingyu, who was currently selecting wine and food, and realization dawned. "Oh, you mean that..." She leaned close to Shen Tingjiao’s ear, her lips almost brushing his delicate earlobe, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum. "I'm not angry, Shen Tingjiao. But I, Yin Zhuli, am someone who settles every score. Whoever dares to touch my man, I'll sleep with her man to get my revenge!!"
***
