Pastoral Splendor

The petals fell softly from the branches, landing on Miss Yan's cherry-red dress. They seemed to be embroidered on, fitting perfectly. Miss Yan stared intently at the fallen petals, her mind racing with countless thoughts, but she couldn't utter a word.

"Miss Yan, please speak frankly. My shop is very busy, and I have to go out and take care of it." Yan Ying looked at her hesitant manner and felt helpless. She was really busy and had no time to play the "guess my thoughts" game with these young ladies from high-class families.

"Miss Xiao, you are not worthy of him." Seeing Yan Ying turn to leave, Miss Yan panicked and blurted out these words.

"Not good enough for him?" Yan Ying turned to stare at Miss Yan, a half-smile on her face. "Who is this 'him' you're referring to?"

Miss Yan's face turned even redder, like that of a drunk person, so red it seemed as if blood was about to seep out: "He...you know him."

"How would I know that the man I'm thinking of is the same person you're talking about?" Yan Ying smiled at Miss Yan, surprised that this noblewoman had the courage to come to Baixiang Garden to steal her man. Jian Yifei was hers, and no one could take him away! Yan Ying looked at Miss Yan with curiosity: "Miss Yan, tell me, who is it?"

“Miss Xiao, why pretend you don’t know? The ‘he’ I’m talking about is that Young Master Jian.” Miss Yan glanced at Yan Ying and quickly lowered her head: “You are not good enough for him, not good enough for him.”

"I'm not good enough for him?" Yan Ying looked at Miss Yan with a smile. "Then who is good enough for him? Is it you?"

Miss Yan covered her face with her hands, her voice barely audible: "I... am naturally more worthy of him than you."

"Oh? Miss Yan is so confident? Then tell me, what makes you more worthy of him?" Although she found Miss Yan's infatuation somewhat annoying, in the Great Zhou era, it was truly rare for a woman to bravely speak her mind to someone. Looking at Miss Yan, Yan Ying's initial contempt lessened somewhat.

"You're just a country girl, what help could you possibly be to Young Master Jian?" Miss Yan covered her face with her hands for a while before lowering them, saying shyly, "I'm different. My father is the Minister of Personnel. If he marries me, he'll definitely rise through the ranks. Miss Xiao, if you truly love him, shouldn't you hope for a better future for him?" There was a hint of urgency in Miss Yan's eyes: "I hope Miss Xiao will think more about Young Master Jian's future."

“Hmm, what Miss Yan said seems to make some sense.” Yan Ying nodded: “That’s right, if he marries you, he will definitely have a bright future.”

“So…” Miss Yan’s face lit up: “So Miss Xiao is going to let go?”

“Miss Yan, in your eyes, getting promoted and making money is the only good future, but in the eyes of Young Master Jian and me, these are all fleeting clouds.” Seeing the confused look on Miss Yan’s face, Yan Ying knew that she did not quite understand the meaning of fleeting clouds, so she was too lazy to explain to her and continued: “Young Master Jian and I both believe that living a happy life, farming and running shops, is the most pleasant life. Young Master Jian has no desire for promotion at all. He is even planning to resign from his position in the Qingyi Guard and go to the estate to help me farm.”

"Impossible, this is impossible!" Miss Yan looked at Yan Ying in surprise and shook her head repeatedly: "This is just your own thinking. Young Master Jian would never think like this! What kind of future does a real man have if he doesn't climb up the social ladder and can't secure a good future for his wife and children? Miss Xiao, it's one thing for you to be short-sighted, but don't assume that others are like this too."

“Miss Yan, I don’t want to say much to you. Call me short-sighted, or say I can’t understand the thoughts of young ladies from wealthy families. The truth is, Young Master Jian likes me, and I like him too. You don’t need to impose these worldly views on us.” Yan Ying frowned. “Do you think Young Master Jian likes you? At the Peach Blossom Banquet, did he even glance at you?”

Miss Yan swayed slightly, and two maids beside her quickly reached out to support her. One of the maids scolded, "Miss Xiao, don't be so arrogant!"

"Who's so arrogant? Coming to my Baixiang Garden and expecting me to come out and talk to them? Now that they've stepped onto my territory, they're still acting all high and mighty. Do they think I'm easy to bully?" Yan Ying also put on a stern face and pointed to the shop's door: "Miss Yan, I have nothing to say to you. Please go out quickly. Turn left at the street corner, then turn right across Qinglong Street, then turn right again and walk two streets. That's Yudao Street. Is your home there? Go back and rest. Have your mother look for some talented young men in the capital for you. Don't bother with Young Master Jian. He's mine."

Miss Yan was completely bewildered by Yan Ying's barrage of words, and only realized she was being asked to leave after hearing the last two sentences. Her face flushed even more, she looked aggrieved, and tears welled up in her eyes: "Miss Xiao..."

"Sanhua!" Jian Yifei's excited voice came from the courtyard gate. Yan Ying had just turned around when he rushed up to her, grinning, "I have something to tell you!"

"Young Master Jian!" Unexpectedly, the person she had been longing for was right in front of her. Miss Yan was flustered and didn't know where to put her hands. She held up her veil, wanting to put it down but reluctant to. She secretly glanced at Jian Yifei from the side of the veil, then quickly looked away.

"And this is..." Jian Yifei still couldn't remember what Miss Yan looked like, and looked at Yan Ying with some confusion: "Sanhua, is she here to order roast duck from you?"

Miss Yan nearly choked on her own blood, almost spitting it out. How could Young Master Jian not recognize her? They had met several times before, how could he not remember her name? Was he deliberately saying it for Miss Xiao to hear? And how did Young Master Jian's manner of speaking compare to Miss Xiao's? He always asked if she was there to order roast duck, did he dress her like a stewardess? Miss Yan glanced at her clothes with a wronged expression. She had chosen her newest outfit and worn the latest jewelry from Jin Yu Fang to see Yan Ying, so why did Young Master Jian seem so indifferent?

"Yifei, this is Miss Yan the Third. Don't you remember her?" Yan Ying looked at Jian Yifei with a smile. Well, is this guy pretending to be confused? There's no way he doesn't recognize her, right? They've met several times, and Miss Yan the Third even chased him all the way to Baixiang Garden. Does he still treat her like a stranger?

"Oh!" When Yan Ying mentioned it, Jian Yifei suddenly remembered Miss Yan. He looked at Miss Yan standing opposite him and said somewhat awkwardly, "I don't remember her very clearly. Please forgive me, Miss Yan."

"Young Master Jian, it's alright, I'll remember next time." Miss Yan gave a sweet bow. "Young Master Jian, it's only natural that you don't remember me."

Jian Yifei showed no embarrassment whatsoever and nodded: "Miss Yan is right. With so many things to do every day, how can I have time to remember other people's faces? Miss Yan, what brings you to Baixiang Garden?" He had finally managed to arrange the marriage with Sanhua, and he couldn't let anyone ruin it. He looked at Miss Yan warily: "I didn't expect Miss Yan to also like to go out and about."

Miss Yan had a lot to say, but couldn't get it out. After thinking for a while, she hesitantly spoke, "Young Master Jian, I just heard Miss Xiao say that you want to resign from your official post and go farming? Really?" She looked at Jian Yifei hopefully and whispered, "If Young Master Jian wants a promotion, I can speak to my father..."

"No need, no need." Jian Yifei waved his hand: "Miss Yan, there's no need for this. Sanhua is right. I am planning to resign from my official post and come back to farm and open a shop with her."

"Ah..." Miss Yan, having received Jian Yifei's personal reply, immediately fell silent. She gave Jian Yifei a deep look, feeling an indescribable sadness in her heart. She had originally thought that using her father's power would make Jian Yifei like her more, but unexpectedly, he didn't care at all.

"Miss, let's go back. Madam will be waking up from her afternoon nap soon. She'll be worried if she can't find you." Seeing that things weren't going well, Miss Yan dragged Miss Yan away. Miss Yan was reluctant to leave, but the two maids were very strong, so she could only stumble and follow them out. Her long veil fluttered in the spring breeze.

Jian Yifei looked curiously at Miss Yan's retreating figure and asked Yan Ying, "What is she doing here?"

"Don't you know why she's here?" Yan Ying pouted at Jian Yifei: "Don't pretend you don't know!"

"Sanhua, explain yourself clearly!" Jian Yifei was somewhat anxious and tugged at Yan Ying's sleeve: "Tell me, tell me, how exactly did I pretend to be confused? I was only ordered to deliver a coming-of-age gift to that Miss Yan, and we haven't had any contact since. What does her coming to see you have to do with me?"

"It really has something to do with you!" Yan Ying rolled her eyes at him. "She said I'm not good enough for you and wants me to give you up to her!"

"What? You're not good enough for me?" Jian Yifei's eyes widened. "How could she say such nonsense? It's clearly me who's not good enough for you!" He gripped Yan Ying's hand tightly, a hint of anxiety in his voice. "Sanhua, you can't let me go. We're already engaged. You can't go back on your word!"

Seeing his anxious look, Yan Ying laughed and said, "Don't worry, I won't give you up for now. But if you misbehave and keep glancing at other girls, I'll definitely dump you without hesitation!"

Jian Yifei grabbed Yan Ying's sleeve and wouldn't let go: "Sanhua, how can you not believe me? I said I would treat you well for the rest of my life, how could I disobey and look at other women?"

Yan Ying smiled at him: "No need to rush to express your opinion, we'll know from your performance later! You came in so happily just now, is there something good to tell me?"

"It's not exactly a good thing," Jian Yifei grinned. "The Empress summoned me today!"

Chapter 248 Audience

"The Empress summoned you?" Yan Ying was somewhat surprised. Why would the Empress summon Jian Yifei out of the blue? Could it be that Minister Yan's family went to ask the Empress to arrange a marriage? But judging from Jian Yifei's attitude when she met Miss Yan just now, that doesn't seem to be the case!

“Yes, Her Majesty the Empress summoned me.” Jian Yifei was also a little surprised: “I have been a member of the Qingyi Guard for several years and have seen the Emperor many times, but this is the first time I have seen Her Majesty the Empress. When I entered Chang Le Palace, Prince Qin was also there. I guessed that he wanted to recommend me, but Her Majesty the Empress only asked a few questions and then let me leave the palace.”

The Chang Le Palace was resplendent with gold and jade. Jian Yifei stood there and performed the grand ceremony. He felt that the Empress Wang's gaze kept lingering on him, which made him feel slightly uncomfortable. It was as if he were a potted flower placed in a shop, allowing the customers to scrutinize him with critical eyes.

"You are the commander of the Green Robe Guard? You must have a lot of things to do every day. Do you find it tiring?" Empress Wang spoke to him with a smile. Her tone was very gentle and did not make him feel pressured at all. Jian Yifei immediately felt much more relaxed and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty is too kind. Serving the Emperor is my duty."

"A young man who has achieved great success has a bright future ahead of him." After asking Jian Yifei a few questions, Empress Wang smiled and said these two sentences. Then she instructed the eunuch to bring Jian Yifei one hundred taels of gold: "This is a gift from me. Serve the Emperor faithfully."

Having inexplicably met the Empress, inexplicably received a hundred taels of gold, and inexplicably left the palace, Jian Yifei was still somewhat bewildered, completely unaware of what had happened today. She had initially thought it was because the Prince of Qin had recommended her, but now it didn't seem likely. However, having received a hundred taels of gold, the important thing was to hurry back and hand it over to Sanhua.

"The Empress bestowed upon you a hundred taels of gold?" Yan Ying was stunned when she saw the bag of gold. What incredible luck Jian Yifei had had to find gold out of nowhere. Although the price of gold in the Great Zhou Dynasty wasn't much higher than that of silver, a hundred taels of gold was still a considerable sum.