Chapter 23: Star of Solitude and Calamity – Beware of Pride Before a Fall

Yan Qing nodded slightly. Miss Xie.

Murong Ji blinked.

So this was Miss Xie, Xie Yunmeng.

No wonder she was surrounded by a group of youngsters.

She wore Huayun brocade bestowed by the palace, the fabric as delicate as clouds and embroidered with exquisite auspicious cloud patterns. Her face was elegantly beautiful, adorned with a perfectly measured faint smile. Her every gesture exuded the dignified demeanor of a noble young lady from an aristocratic family, truly worthy of being Virtuous Consort Xie’s niece.

Xie Yunmeng’s gaze swept over Murong Ji, her lips curving upward. This must be the imperial eldest grandson. Greetings, young heir.

Murong Ji flashed eight teeth in a smile. Sister is so pretty.

Hearing this, Xie Yunmeng chuckled softly, her composure unshaken—clearly accustomed to such compliments, or perhaps this was simply the standard bearing of aristocratic manners.

Just as she was about to speak, a crisp voice interrupted.

What are you all crowding around for? The dragon boat race below is about to start! Let’s hurry and place our bets!

A young girl in a green dress squeezed through, her voice tinged with urgency and liveliness. She didn’t say much upon seeing them, simply tugging at Xie Yunmeng’s sleeve to pull her toward the viewing pavilion.

Xie Yunmeng helplessly patted the young girl’s hand, soothing her gently. Don’t rush, younger sister Lu. The attendants will give us tokens when it’s time to place bets. Besides, this is only the first round—the most exciting part hasn’t even begun yet.

Murong Ji looked at the other girl, Ziyun’s words surfacing in her mind.

‘Young Miss Lu, Lu Ningke. Her grandfather is the current Censor-in-chief, responsible for supervising all officials. He is upright and uncompromising, often directly admonishing His Majesty, which has earned him dissatisfaction among court ministers. He can be considered a beacon of integrity. His son married a woman from the Kong family and serves as Vice Minister of Rites, upholding tradition and propriety. The Lu family maintains good relations with the Kong family.’

These aristocratic children clearly regarded Xie Yunmeng as their leader at the moment.

Lu Ningke pouted, somewhat displeased, but seeing Xie Yunmeng’s stance, she could only squeeze out reluctantly.

Xie Yunmeng turned her gaze back to Yan Qing, her smile gentle. This must be young Master Yan’s first time attending the dragon boat racing.

Just as Yan Qing was about to respond, an impatient complaint came from behind. Haven’t you had enough? I came to watch the dragon boat race! Not to listen to you all chat idly here!

Everyone turned to look and saw Yan Jingquan frowning, his face full of impatience. The gazes of the young masters and ladies from aristocratic families fell upon him, filled with disdain as if looking at an uncouth brute who didn’t understand propriety.

Murong Ji had heard enough of the adults’ mutual flattery, and these youngsters were basically just imitating their elders—all too superficial. She didn’t want to waste time.

She tugged at Yan Qing’s sleeve. I want to go down.

There were too many people here. For the imperial eldest grandson’s safety, Yan Qing didn’t let her go down but instead walked straight toward the viewing pavilion ahead.

Having been ignored for the first time, the smile on Xie Yunmeng’s face became somewhat strained.

Several young ladies from aristocratic families nearby complained discontentedly.

That Yan Jingquan is so rude! He really is a barbarian raised in the Northern Desert!

Sister Xie is still too gentle and polite, always being bullied by those who don’t follow rules.

And isn’t the imperial eldest grandson already over three years old? Why is she still being carried?

Young Master Yan is quite strange too. He never participated in these events before—I thought he had gone to Shangyong Academy.

Xie Yunmeng stopped them. Do not speak carelessly of others.

The several young ladies from aristocratic families obediently fell silent.

The Bright Moon Tower was situated at the most scenic spot by Yueyang Lake, facing the water. From the second floor upward, each level featured six Viewing Pavilions, designated from top to bottom as Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow, with the two central pavilions on each floor offering the best views, labeled in order as First, Second, and Third.

Wu Niangzi had arranged for them the Black Armor Left Pavilion, while the adjacent right pavilion was occupied by those young nobles from prominent families.

Upon entering the pavilion, the furnishings were elegant and opulent. The rosewood tables and chairs were exquisitely carved, with white jade cups and golden plates adorning the tables, along with other decorations, each piece priceless.

But what left the deepest impression on Murong Ji was the Immortal Guiding the Way Painting hanging on the wall. In the painting, an immortal held a whisk, with a crane beside it spreading its wings as if about to take flight, so lifelike it seemed real. That crane was identical to the one embroidered on Wu Niangzi’s gown.

Did Wu Niangzi have an interest in seeking immortality and pursuing the Dao?

Murong Ji habitually stroked her chin.

But the next moment, she was pulled by Yan Jingquan toward the viewing balcony outside the inner pavilion door.

Murong Ji, look! You can see so clearly from here! It’s even better with the spyglass!

Forced into her hands was a rotatable telescope. Murong Ji first marveled at the exquisite craftsmanship of this era, then silently cursed the artisans who built the Bright Moon Tower.

She strained to stand on her toes but still couldn’t see over the railing, and the railings themselves were built so closely spaced that they blocked her view of the lake.

The result was that she couldn’t see anything at all.

Yan Jingquan noticed this too and pointed at the little white bundle, laughing heartlessly.

You’re so short, hahaha—

Only this tall at three years old? Did your parents not feed you enough, hahaha—I’m dying of laughter, hahaha—

Murong Ji slowly turned her head.

Damn brat!

Clearly, she hadn’t hit him hard enough last time.

Murong Ji raised her hand, but before she could reach him, someone suddenly picked her up.

Yan Qing pushed aside the boisterously laughing Yan Jingquan and warned, Be careful—extreme joy begets sorrow.

Yan Jingquan waved him off, laughing even louder: I’m just telling the truth, hahaha—I must have been careless last time when he hit me in the crotch. Such a tiny thing, Murong Ji, are you still nursing, hahaha—

Rage surged in Murong Ji’s heart, then she forcibly suppressed it, surged again and suppressed again, surged once more and manually pressed it down. Finally, she held back until her eyes reddened, large tears welling up once more in her big eyes.

Yan Qing had expected the Crown Prince’s eldest grandson to retort directly, but instead the child started crying, leaving him momentarily at a loss.

Young Prince, Young Master Yan was just joking, you…

Yan Jingquan finally stopped laughing and curled his lip: Just like that Murong Zhuo, you imperial grandchildren are too fragile. How boring.

Murong Ji stared unblinkingly at Yan Jingquan, her voice both aggrieved and angry.

You don’t have to take medicine! Of course you grow tall! Grandfather says Ji’er still has to take it for many more years! That medicine is so bitter—it must be why I can’t grow tall!

Almost forgot—the Crown Prince’s eldest grandson was in poor health.

Yan Jingquan scratched the back of his head: Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to make fun of you. I just thought it was funny.

Truly a spoiled child.

A scheme began forming in Murong Ji’s mind.

On the lake, the preliminary rounds of the Dragon Boat races had begun. Dozens of dragon boats shot forward like arrows released from their bows, accompanied by thunderous drumbeats as they competed fiercely in swift strokes. Cheers from the shore rose and fell in waves.

A server brought wooden plaques for the group to choose which dragon boats to bet on. Unlike other gambling houses, the Bright Moon Tower required a minimum wager of one gold coin per bet. Those who hadn’t brought enough money couldn’t place bets, but winning could multiply one’s fortune many times over.

The Yan family, being upright and principled, naturally forbade their descendants from participating in such high-stakes gambling, so Yan Qing merely observed from the sidelines.

Yan Jingquan, flush with money, directly wagered five gold coins on boat number six.

Thanks to having hooked a genuine Sugar Daddy in Wu Niangzi, Murong Ji felt no pressure betting. She casually picked boat number three, matching the five-gold wager, then flashed a smile at the server.

Thank you for your hard work!

The server respectfully withdrew.

After the server left, Murong Ji turned to Yan Jingquan.

Just betting is boring. Yan Jingquan, dare to make a wager with me?

Yan Jingquan lifted his chin. There’s nothing this young master doesn’t dare! Speak—what’s the bet?

Alright, we’ll use the final result of the Dragon Boat Racing. Whoever wins more pays up. The loser becomes the winner’s follower for a month! How about that?

Ha! This young master accepts! Hearing the two aspiring ne’er-do-wells’ wager, Yan Qing could only sigh and massage his forehead in resignation.

The group then turned their attention to the intense dragon boat race on the lake.

Suddenly,

a commotion erupted outside the pavilion, as if an argument had broken out.

Murong Ji, who loved nothing more than spectating drama in this life, broke free from Yan Qing’s embrace and dashed outside.

Before she could exit, a shrill, acerbic woman’s voice pierced the air.

Star of Solitude and Calamity! Hurry up and scram back home!

Another voice chimed in, Yu Qingluo, go back. This is no place for you.

Yu Qingluo?

Yan Qing’s eyebrow twitched.

That elegant and magnanimous imperial granddaughter-in-law, who’d even permitted the imperial eldest grandson to keep male concubines in his villa?

Author’s Note:

———————-

Ji’er’s main wife has arrived—

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