The following days, Lin Heng often send over the Lin family's personal carriage for Zhao Meixiang to come and go from the Zhao's Capital City estate. The people who saw the beautiful girl entering the famed Lin family's carriage understood her importance to Lin Heng. It was clear how doting the Lin Family was by the prestigious carriage made for a princess. Anyone could see how fond Lin Heng was with Meixiang as he always accompanied her out from the Lin estate and into the carriage. The softness in his eyes show how much he cared for beautiful girl. But then again, seeing Zhao Meixiang for the split moment before she entered the carriage made everyone understood why Lin Heng would go such length to show everyone that she was his intended bride. Beautiful and graceful, no one could find fault in her appearance. When they tried to find information about her, none could be found in the recent years because of her seclusion within the Zhao residence. People only hear how the Zhao maids and servants boasting about their young mistress quiet and graceful temperament. No one remembered the old spoiled Meixiang.
"Stop!"
Meixiang was inside the carriage when the horses were suddenly agitated, causing her to nearly fall over. While loud noises occurred outside, Meixiang casually leaned back and waited for the guards and maids to handle the situation.
"Miss, are you alright?" A maid spoke softly against curtain window.
"What happened?" Meixiang set her elbow back on the window sill while leaning her chin against her palm - her expression held boredom.
After listening the maid explained what happened, Meixiang exited the carriage with the help of her two maids. At first sight of the scene, Meixiang could see the old woman and child were crying because their fruit cart had collided into the carriage. The surrounding crowd pitied the old woman who was crying as she clutched onto the child. Because the noble crest of the Lin's family name was on the carriage, the old woman feared she have offended someone beyond her station and so begged for forgiveness.
"There is no need to cry" Meixiang could see the fear in the old woman's eyes as she continued to clung onto the small boy.
"Miss!" A maid rushed over when Meixiang bend to pick up a pear. "It's dirty"
"Only a little dirty" Meixiang laughed softly and brushed the dirty away from the green pear.
"These fruits, I'll buy them all"
The old woman was startled as the rest of the watching crowd was.
"The cart as well" Meixiang pointed to the damage cart. "I want that too"
Hearing their mistress words, the two maids quickly brought out a bag of silver enough for the old woman and child to life out their lifetime.
"Here" Meixiang smiled as she handed the old woman the bag and said quietly to her. "Go home carefully with the money and take care of your grandson"
It wasn't safe for a frail old woman to hold so much money so Meixiang told one of the guards to escort the woman and child home.
"Take care..." Meixiang wink at the small boy, laughing inside when the boy blushed and hid within his grandmother's bosom.
Ignoring the watching crowd, Meixiang walked back into the carriage and proceeded to head toward the Zhao's estate as if nothing big had happened. While the crowd spoke of how kind the beautiful girl was, the maids and guards held the "of course" expression. No one could see the supposed kind girl leaning lazily against the soft cushion with a small cunning smile on her lips.
Later on that very night at the Lin Estate, Lin Heng was having dinner with his parents and grandmother when a guard entered. Like always, the guard would let the family know Zhao Meixiang's safe return to her home. Naturally, he also conveyed the event that happened at the market.
"Was she hurt?" Lin Heng's first concern was Meixiang safety. "Is she frightened?"
To hear that the frail woman was shaken in the carriage worried him.
"No, Lady Zhao is fine and well"
"To have caused such an accident" Lin Heng eyes furrow with displeasure. "What were you doing?"
"Sir, it's this subject mistake" The guard immediately bowed low.
"The boy had been playing with the cart and so went the cart suddenly rolled out into the road, I couldn't stop the horses in time."
"Everyone is safe" Elder Lin soothed. "Such a kind girl to have accepted blame for the little boy"
"Yes" Madam Lin smiled fondly. "Such a sweet girl"
"I assumed everything is taken care of?" The Prime Minister was also pleased by Zhao Meixiang action.
"Yes, Lady Zhao asked this subject to escort the old woman and grandson home to ensure their safety"
"Oh?" The Prime Minister chuckled. "How much did Meixiang gave the old lady?"
The guards' silence was enough to answer.
"Good-good" The Prime Minister laughed. "Viscount Zhao maybe a crafty old fox, but he has raised a good daughter"
"Husband" Madam Lin looked at the Prime Minister. "I wanted to ask you for some time now...
There was rumors of how the Viscount bribed his way to get his daughter name to the Empress for marriage... why did you agree knowing such dishonesty?"
This was the question Lin Heng also once wanted to know.
Viscount Zhao was an intelligent official in court, but the man wasn't completely good and fairs.
In court, the Viscount is known to many as a fox - deceiving others with his words and smiles in order to obtain his goals. Fortunately, none of his aims had been too out of hand so the Emperor still made use of him. Still, for a honorable man like the Prime Minister, Lin Heng was surprised when he heard his father had agreed to the engagement.
"Viscount Zhao had resort to dirty tricks in order to ensure his daughter's future" The Prime Minister explained as he stroked his long beard. "Shrewd but understandable. It show how much he treasure this daughter of his"
"But were you not afraid Zhao Meixiang would be spoil and crafty like her father is?"
"To be honest, yes" The Prime Minister laughed.
"Then why risk Heng-er happiness for_"
"My wife" The Prime Minister chuckled at his wife. "Your son, if he didn't like Zhao Meixiang, he could simply reject her. Even now, with the Empress and Emperor's favor for him, they can find a way to remove the engagement. One small Viscount don't hold that kind of power to refute the royal tongue no matter how astute he is"
Hearing her husband words, she realized the truth to situation. Fact is the Lin Family is much more favorable and powerful in the royal family eyes than the Zhao Family. If they wanted to end the engagement, the royal family would have ways to help them end it.
"Beside" The Prime Minister smirked at his son. "The situation now is quite reversed. This engagement may not be important to the young Meixiang"
"Father" Lin Heng stood up with irritation. "Don't joke about my engagement with Meixiang"
"Am I wrong?" The Prime Minister chuckled at his son outburst.
The years the Lin Family spent with Zhao Meixiang, everyone from Elder Lin to the lowest servants all adored the beautiful girl.
"Viscount Zhao is a bit foolish to have resort to bribery" The Prime Minister chuckled more. "Meixiang is a good child. With a daughter like Meixiang, Viscount Zhao should not have had trouble finding her a good match_"
"Father!"
"Heng-er" Madam Lin smiled softly. "Calm down my son, your father is only teasing you."
"Mother, father, please don't tease Meixiang about the engagement anymore" Lin Heng sighed tiredly. "Meixiang's heart is delicate. She'll run if you keep on joking about ending this engagement."
"Right, right" Elder Lin agreed with Lin Heng despite her amusement. "Heng is right. Let's not tease anyone about this engagement anymore. Beside, who is a better match for a wonderful girl like Meixiang than our Lin Heng"
Everyone nodded.
"That Viscount Zhao is smart to aim for our Heng" The old woman continued with a smile. "Now, stop worrying and finish your meal"
Lin Hong is at a loss with his family, but still, he indulged his grandmother and sat down to finish the bowl of rice.
--------------
Days continued
uneventfully for Meixiang as the girl would either be at the Zhao or Lin estate. After the Prime Minister brought forward the wedding invitation to the Empress for approval, everyone in the country soon learn of the wedding date. By the end of the year, Zhao Meixiang will marry Lin Heng as his official wife. While Lin Heng's reputation as a intelligent young scholar and strategists is far and wide, Zhao Meixiang was relatively unknown.
Other than being the Viscount's lovely daughter, not much else is known about her. Because the second male lead, is after all, a good catch, he has several young maiden admirers; thus, those very admirers wanted to know who the lucky girl was to catch someone like Lin Heng. On the other side, Lin Heng's friends and acquaintances were also curious to know who his fiancé was -since Lin Heng never disclose any information about Meixiang just like that, Zhao Meixiang became the talk of the country with everyone wanting to know what she was like.
The Royal Spring Banquet was the best opportunity for everyone to see who the mysterious Zhao Meixiang. Normally only daughters and sons of first and second rank Duke or Marquise can attend royal banquets, so as a daughter of a 2nd rank Viscount, Meixiang never had the opportunity to attend such banquets. But the Royal Spring Banquet was rarely thrown by the reclusive Empress Dowager who hadn't hosted any events in the last 10 years, so had extended the invitation to all young maiden of the 1st or 2nd rank official of any position. The invitation had many young maiden very happy and excited as it was the best opportunity for them to create a good image before the royal family.
Zhao Meixiang, on the other hand, was not as excited as many Zhao Meixiang, on the other hand, was not as excited as many others was. For an engaged young woman, there was really no gain on her end to attend such banquet.
If anything, it's stressful. To maintain proper representation for her father on one end and to uphold her image toward her future husband family on the other end. At these type of banquets, young maiden are often use as a source of entertainment. Dancing, music, poetry, or painting, everything is through the young women who put themselves out there to be seen as potential brides for sons of nobility or aristocratic families. Meixiang understood the intention and only sneer inside at the idea of being used as entertainment.
"Good daughter, do not be nervous and try to enjoy yourself"
The Banquet was hosted in the largest garden in the Imperial City. In the center of the banquet hall was the largest tent made with pure gold. As expected, the Emperor, Empress, Empress Dowager, princes, and princess all sat within the open tent. Then to each side of the golden tent held two rows of ten silver tents for each officials and their family.
With the Viscount rank and position, Meixiang and her father sat on the Right row, eight position from the top - practically at the end of the row. From the Viscount's tent, Meixiang could barely see the royal family or Lin Heng who sat in the Prime Minister's tent at the top of the Left row. Even the female lead seat was better than hers with the first rank Duke being next to the Prime Minister. Instead of nervous, Meixiang felt bored out of her mind. The entertainment had been closer up front so her view was always of people's back. But not wanting to cause her father's concern, Meixiang gave a light smile and kept her boredom hidden. Seeing his daughter's usual graceful behavior, the Viscount was pleased and continued to watch the event.
It didn't take long before the female lead made her grand appearance. As the fourth prince's future consort and was well liked by the Emperor and Empress, the young woman was soon called forward to give her performance.
Everyone already knew of Liu Jiaying's talents so watched with admiration as she played the Guzheng. And being the story's female lead, it was expected that everyone was entrance by her music and beauty. Listening quietly, Meixiang smiles were unreadable. When Liu Jiaying finished, everyone applaud loudly.
The Empress was a known music lover so was very happy with Liu Jiaying's performance. No one was surprised with the Empress gifted a rare Guzheng to the young woman.
"Jiaying has long heard Viscount Zhao's daughter, Lady Meixiang's talents. If Lady Meixiang does not mind, Jiaying wish to play a duet with her"
All of a sudden, Meixiang was called forward by the female lead. Startled, Meixiang hadn't expected to be called out. On top of that, the female lead actually is taunting a small character like herself? Sneering inside, Meixiang could take a guess it was due to Lin Heng. It seems the female lead does not like her so-call good friend being stolen by another woman. Meixiang wondered how the fourth prince was feeling? Did he care that his woman was taunting his best friend's fiancé? Or was he foolish not to see the female lead's aim?
While everyone attention suddenly turned to Viscount Zhao and his daughter, Meixiang could see how her father's face went slightly cold. With a soft smile, she understood the Viscount was unhappy on her behalf. Even if the man was seen as cunning fox in court, at home, the man was a good, kind father. So for her to behave as a good daughter was only normal. Standing up quietly, Meixiang did not make any move to leave the tent. Instead, she bow properly toward the royal tent.
"Zhao Meixiang is untalented. How can this small status Meixiang think to perform a duet with Lady Liu? If Meixiang caused others to laugh, and thus, harm Lady Liu's reputation, how can Meixiang live with herself?" Meixiang's voice was clear and sweet like always. "Instead, please allow Meixiang to impart with a poem which was inspired by Lady Liu's beautiful performance"
Everyone was amazed by Zhao Meixiang's response to Liu Jiaying's request. Admitted to having no talent is one thing, but Meixiang boosted Liu Jiaying's talent as if it was untouchable showed her humility. With a response like that, Liu Jiaying was unable to refute.
Θ 13
"Oh, then let's hear your poет" The Emperor, on the other hand, was intrigued by the lovely voice.
"Meixiang obeys his royal majesty and hopes that Lady Liu would laugh at her poor poem"
Giving another proper bow, Meixiang lifted her head and begin to recite.
My Soul, there is a world
Far beyond the heavens
All the dexterous in the wars
Where swords and arrows cease
Sweet Peace lay, sleeping with smiles
And the Crown born with wings
Commanding Peace and Joy
Our Souls, there is a country
Here in this world
Flower blooming, Spring everywhere
Sweet Peace sits, forever smiling
And the Crown spread wings
Give Peace and Joy
Meixiang's poem was met with silence. Liu Jiaying's music was a well known piece written by the previous Emperor to his Empress who now the Empress Dowager herself. Everyone had thought the music expressed love and affection, yet Meixiang's poem was that of peace. Moreover, no one had ever heard such a heart-moving poem which meant the young woman had created herself. Hearing it made anyone feel thankful to be living in a time of peace. Meixiang had indirectly implied her thankful toward the Royal Family for providing peace to the Country. It had been much more powerful than Liu Jiaying who had played originally to please the Empress Dowager.
"Very good" The Empress Dowager's soft but fervent voice carried through the banquet.
The Empress Dowager who had not spoken since the beginning of the banquet had only said two words.
But the two words was more rewarding than any young maiden had wished to receive.
"Yes" The Emperor agreed and clapped with a smile. "A very good poem"
Everyone immediately applaud after the Emperor. Meixiang bowed graciously before she sat back down behind her father and away from anyone's clear view.
The Viscount with a proud smile, even sat up straighter.