Chapter 50 Observing the Ceremony

After dinner, no one lingered long at the foot of the mountain. Tomorrow was the Emperor's Longevity Festival, a day filled with a series of intricate ceremonies, so everyone wished to rest early tonight.

With no one to restrain them, even her third sister-in-law rode out on horseback. At this moment, they all rode slowly up the mountain together.

After finishing her conversation with him, Qi Yuanfang went to his wife, Lady Huaiyi, leaving her no choice but to follow her brother.

Jing Xun still seemed upset with her. Although they rode side by side, he did not speak to her. Jing Hu found this somewhat amusing; after all, it was just a single remark, as if he thought she had wronged him greatly.

Even though she was magnanimous, she decided that tonight, when she returned, she would first sketch the design for the pouch she intended to make for him.

A man's pouch was usually of just a few styles; she had made one for her father before and still remembered how.

***

The next morning, Jing Hu dressed early in the county lady’s ceremonial robes and went to attend the rites. She looked around for a long time, spotting Lady Huaiyi and Qi Yuanfang but not finding Ke Mingxu anywhere.

She had heard that Qi Yuanfang now worked in the Ministry of Works, holding a rank slightly lower than Ke Mingxu’s. Both were civil officials, so logically, they should have stood together.

While pondering this, the Crown Princess gently tugged her hand, urging her to stay put. The Emperor’s procession was arriving.

Today was the Emperor’s Longevity Festival, filled with tedious ceremonies and officials reciting convoluted, classical texts.

She was already familiar with these proceedings and had mastered the art of appearing respectful while her mind drifted elsewhere. Yet having stayed up late last night crafting a pouch for Jing Xun, she felt quite drowsy today.

Just as she was about to doze off, she suddenly heard Ke Mingxu’s voice.

Jing Hu snapped her head up. Standing at the podium, loudly reciting the prepared blessings, was Ke Mingxu.

Today he wore a silver-red robe, its hem embroidered with silver waves, his hair fastened with a golden pin, radiating unmatched nobility.

She had always seen him clad in pale moon-white or pine-green, those elegant, understated tones. This was the first time she saw him in such vivid colors, and it stirred her heart anew.

Once an ethereal immortal, now seemingly wrapped in the dust of the mortal world. Though he stood far away from her physically, in her heart, he seemed somehow closer.

***

Among the many civil officials in Yanliang, there were countless ritual officers, yet today it was he who stood before the most respected of them to recite the blessings. She felt honored.

The weather was splendid, and behind Jing Hu, a brilliant light shone. Yet this light seemed to fall upon his cheek, as if he naturally emitted a radiance that drew her like a butterfly or moth.

This was the first time she had listened so attentively to words she had once deemed dull. Though she understood only half, it made her admire Ke Mingxu all the more.

The ceremony continued with other rituals, but her gaze never left him.

On his birthday, she had performed a spinning dance for him and they had stargazed together. She embroidered the Big Dipper on that silk handkerchief.

Now, if she could paint, she wished to capture him in a portrait. But even if she could not, she would remember this moment all her life.

Having stood in the sunlight for half the morning, she surprisingly did not feel tired. After the rites, the Emperor, accompanied by many ministers and noble youths, ventured into the forest for a hunt.

Ke Mingxu did not join them. Instead, he walked back with another scholarly-looking man standing on the stage.

That man should be Master Jinshan.

Her third brother, Jing Xun, had already entered the dense woods as an imperial guard to protect the Emperor, but her third sister-in-law remained behind. She wished to find Ke Mingxu but feared her sister-in-law might stop her.

Before she could act, the Crown Princess spoke first, “Since you are leaving Yan Capital, do what you wish.”

They had been standing together earlier; she must have noticed how she gazed dreamily at Ke Mingxu.

Though the Crown Princess could have restrained her, she chose not to. Jing Hu felt a sense of relief.

“Then Sister-in-law, you should return first. I wish to be with my friend.”

The Crown Princess smiled, “When mingling with others, remember to keep proper measure. I have left a horse for you. If you return early, come to my chamber and keep me company.”

Jing Hu nodded and began walking toward Ke Mingxu.

Earlier, while speaking with her sister-in-law, Master Jinshan had left Ke Mingxu’s side and now sat quietly under a nearby tent, lost in thought.

***

Jing Hu considered a moment, then quietly circled behind him and covered his eyes. She deliberately deepened her voice, “Guess who’s here.”

Ke Mingxu smiled, “The little county lady.” Her fingertips were always faintly cool, in summer or autumn, even after standing half a day. It was not unpleasant to have them over his eyes.

Jing Hu released her hands and sat beside him. “How did you know it was me?”

He turned slightly to look at her. “The scent of Du Ruo speaks,” he said, referring to the fragrance of “The Mountain Dweller” she wore.

Recognizing someone by their scent was like how she, upon smelling the fresh pine and cypress, knew he had arrived, and her heart would instantly fill with joy.

Since she had given him that Dragon Boat Festival pouch, she had grown even more fond of that fragrance. She had thought he wouldn’t notice, but he immediately knew it was her—because only she would tease him so.

She explained, “This scent is called ‘The Mountain Dweller,’ made by Yulu Fang. Because I like it, I asked my mother to pay them handsomely so they would no longer sell it outside.”

“What about the fragrance you wear, Master Ke? What is its name and where does it come from?”

Ke Mingxu adjusted his sleeve and replied, “It has no name. My teacher once had an interest in perfumery, and I dabbled carelessly. I like this scent because it calms my heart, so I’ve never changed it.”

Under ordinary circumstances, she would have praised him, “So Master Ke is skilled at perfumery too.” Not flattery—she truly thought him remarkable. After all, the one she liked should be impressive.

Yet, inexplicably, she did not say this now.

“Why do you always seek to calm your heart, Master Ke?”

If one’s heart were always as still as an ancient well beneath the moon, never elated by favorite things or saddened by troubles—

Wouldn’t such a life be rather dull? She did not understand.