Mo Qianxue’s pupils shrank, and her delightfed face turned a little gloomy. Junzhu Susu thought she feared to meet Princess Yuhe due to what had happened just now.

She comforted her, “Although Princess Yuhe ranks high, she has a mild temper. Don’t worry, Qianxue. She won’t be as stupid as that Wengzhu and stump you about courtesy. Let me show you around in the peach forest and enjoy ourselves on the way there.”

Just roll with the punch! Worry wouldn’t be helpful. Thinking this through, Mo Qianxue relaxed her eyes and looked up with a bright smile, “Okay. I’ll follow your lead…”

Along the way across the forest, there wasn’t a guard for several miles.

Mo Qianxue, confused, couldn’t help asking, “Where aren’t there any guards in such a big forest? Isn’t there concern that some playboys might sneak in, disturbing the ladies and making ugly things?”

It was a joke, but as she asked, some thoughts flickered in her mind.

“Playboys?” Junzhu Susu was astonished by her question, but on a second thought, she found it amusing and joked, “You’re thinking too much. This forest was built by the First Empress, exclusive to noble ladies to enjoy themselves. Ever since it’s open, there aren’t any men coming. The gardeners and servants are all women.”

“Even the Emperor isn’t allowed here, let along playboys.” Susu explained and gently knocked Mo Qianxue’s forehead.

Mo Qianxue touched the place where was knocked and replied with a ‘oh’ in shock. Susu was pretty proud of it, “This is an imperial garden, so even though there aren’t guards inside, there are layers of imperial guards outside.”

Mo Qianxue asked quickly, “So, if a fly flies over, its gender will be checked, right?”

“Haha.” Junzhu Susu burst into laughing by her joke and blamed her, blushed, “Can you be serious? All girls attending this party are noble ladies. If there were playboys sneaking in and making ugly incidents, a public rage will be stirred up. Not only the man will be sentenced to death, but also his whole clan. Which playboy is able to or dares to sneak in?”

The daughter of a prince naturally displayed authority in her words. For a time, she looked majestic.

Mo Qianxue, losing the previous flashing thought, stuck out her tongue and smiled lovely.

Junzhu Susu rolled eyes at her, “If a noble lady lost her chastity in the garden, then who dares to attend the party the next year? This is a common grand party for both the imperial and noble families. Who dares to ruin it? Qianxue, I have to say that, sometimes you think fast, but other time…”

As they chatted, they had already walked out of the forest, and what greeted them was a huge pavilion, on which a sign wrote stylishly: Peach Blossom Pavilion.

Not far behind the pavilion was a row of houses. Before it was the main avenue, while on both sides were several long corridor pavilions.

At this time, in the Pavilion, besides servant girls standing still like trees, there weren’t others.

But the corridor pavilions on both sides were deemed with people, standing or sitting, wearing in red or purple or dark or blue, which made people dazzling at first glance.

Mo Qianxue followed Junzhu Susu to the corridor pavilion nearest to the Peach Blossom Pavilion, where a few seats were vacant, presumably reserved in advance.

Junzhu Susu pulled Mo Qianxue to sit together, pointing to the girls in other pavilions, and whispered to introduce them to her.

“The one in purple is Junzhu Xinrui, daughter of Prince Yu. She has a pair of eyes on the top of her head… Last time, she ran into my arm and I gave her a good lesson…”

“The one in beige dress is a Xie girl, Xie Wanyi. This damn girl believes she is the most beautiful one and the future empress, putting on air all day long. Actually, the eldest imperial Prince Qing is only eleven years old, but she’s already fifteen. By the time when Prince Qing gets married, she will be an old girl already…hahaha…”

“That one is…”

Junzhu Susu was right in the mood, when a group of people walked out of the houses behind the Pavilion. The one in the lead was a girl in a red dress, wearing not many accessories in her hair but every of them were exquisite, still young but with extraordinary bearing.

She walked in a graceful manner, her clothes fluttering, and stopped in the middle of the Pavilion, glancing around at every lady with a smile, seemingly saying hello to everyone and seemingly ignoring everyone.

As she stood still, the other ladies greeted in unison, “Princess Yuhe.”

In this grand party, naturally they employed the most respectful etiquette, and Mo Qianxue was no exception. She cursed inwardly and did the same.

“Let’s get up.” Princess Yuhe smiled and raised her hand, and the girls thanked her and stood up, all smiles.

After she took a seat, the others also sat down in the previously arranged chairs. Then, there were servant girls beginning to serve tea and refreshments.

In this time, there were porcelains, but the techniques weren’t mature and the output not high.

Even so, the low-quality ceramics were rare among folks. The more exquisite porcelain vases or other decorations were only affordable for nobilities.

Right now, the plates and teacups that were served by maids were white fine porcelain. The white wasn’t the pure white made by modern techniques, but the primitive milky white, which looked more graceful and noble, the most well-made ones Mo Qianxue had seen in this world.

Tiring from walking, the ladies were elegantly enjoying tea and refreshments in small sip and bite.

Everything was so poetic and picturesque, peach blossoms swirling in the air and falling on the chairs and tables around the pretty noble ladies…

When women gathered, apart from gossiping, there must be artist talent. After a few cups of tea and chatting, some ladies shifted the topic to it.

An Eryan, daughter of the Prime Minister suggested, “In the past, the competition was about guqin, chess, calligraphy and painting, so some ladies with other talents fell behind. This year is the first time Princess Yuhe hosts this grand party. Why not we make some change and let everybody have an opportunity to show their talents.”

The Prime Minister wasn’t surnamed Xie, but being a tongue of the court, the Xie family had certain power. Hence it attracted many young officials as its supporters. She dared to make such a proposal only because she had discussed with Princess Yuhe in advance. It was also indispensable for Princess Yuhe to give favors since this was her first time to host the party.

Bai Youwei, daughter of the Grand Secretary agreed, “I think Miss. An is right. We can add more categories and select the winners of Peach Blossom Pendant of this year accordingly.”

Such a suggestion benefiting everybody was naturally supported.

Qin, Lingrou, daughter of a Minister, agreed too, “Yes. As one category is added, we’ll be able to see more sisters displaying their talents. It’s very desirable…”

“…”

As the Peach Blossom Pendant aroused heated discussion among the ladies, Mo Qianxue looked in confusion, to Junzhu Susu, who explained in a low voice, “It’s a normal jade pendant in the shape of a peach blossom, not valuable and there are loads in the imperial warehouse, but since it’s a prize given to the winner of the competitions, they go all out to fight for it. Boring.”

Mo Qianxue contemplated. Junzhu Susu, a loved daughter in her family, ranked high and certainly didn’t value this Pendant. However, in the eye of others, this pendant was not only a symbol of identity, but also a proof of virtues and talents.

With it, the holder would not only be thought highly of, but also had the honor in a social occasion, where she would have more suitors.

Hearing others’ approving words, Princess Yuhe seemed in a good mood, smiling, “All you suggestions make sense, especially Miss. An and Miss. Bai, who were the winners of the last year. Your consideration for others proves your own virtues. So what categories, in your view, should be added to make it fair?”

Praised by the Princess, An Eryan and Bai Youwei were quite smug and felt superior than others.

“We can add martial arts. In the past years, the daughters of generals didn’t attend the competition or win prizes. It was a little unfair.”

“We can also add poetry. Since it’s a party appreciating flowers, then we can contest on this topic…”

“We can add embroidery. It’s a crucial part of female virtues… How can we miss it?”

“We can also add…”

Most ladies expressed their opinion.

Princess Yuhe wasn’t old but quite sophisticated. Every of her movement indicated imperial majesty.

She pondered a little, raised her hand to stop the discussion, and pronounced, “Since this is your suggestion, then let’s add Three Talents, because embroidery takes a time too long, while martial arts…forget it. It’s not proper to display violence here, and it’s hard to decide who wins. Just add poetry, tea ceremony and dancing. Any different thought?”

In view that Prince Yuhe had made a decision, the ladies all felt delighted and hopeful about the three more pendants in this year’s competition and didn’t have other ideas at all. Hence, they all stood up and thanked the Princess, “Thank you, Princess Yuhe.”

“You’re welcome.” Princess Yuhe said modestly, “The Peach Blossom Party is a grand event for Tianqi, for us unmarried ladies. It’s my duty to input my mental energy.”

The atmosphere reached a peak, and every lady was eager to take a shot. But Mo Qianxue wasn’t.

Princess Yuhe, as Junzhu Susu had told her, at least on the surface, appeared to be mild and thoughtful, like an eldest princess should be. So far, she hadn’t glanced at her directly, but she already felt the waves of chill and threats coming from Princess Yuhe.

What a white lotus (hypocritically kind person)!

At this moment, An Eryan suggested again, “I heard that Junzhu Susu is a great dancer. This time, as dancing is added, why not let Junzhu Susu take the initiative?”

An Eryan was seventeenth years old and had attended the party and won the Pendants for several times. Besides, her father was the Prime Minister, so her words were influential. Upon these words, there started discussions.

Some apple-polishers said, “Junzhu Susu must be a great dancer, we’ve been waiting for this moment for long.”

Some were jealous, “Since Junzhu Susu is here, I guess we can’t get the Pendant this time…”

Some were neutral, “It sounds great that Junzhu Susu takes the lead…”

Junzhu Susu was generous and, when the ladies were still discussing, stood up and walked to the middle, “It’s fine with me, but I’ll just take the lead and not take part in the competition!”

Hearing this, Princess Yuhe smiled and approved with appreciation. The jealous and disappointed ladies were instantly cheered up again.

Come on! Music and dance~

…

The party was lively, but at this moment in the Ning family, every corner was filled with air of chill and killing.