CUI BUQU SELDOM attended banquets, regardless of whether the host was a noble or a court official. Even at state banquets that the whole court attended, it was rare to catch a glimpse of him.
Compared to the ostentatious Feng Xiao, he was like the shadow of a tree cast by a lamp. When he wasn't needed, he could conceal his presence entirely; no one would notice he existed. Thus, it wasn't just Yan Yun who failed to recognize him; even the well-connected Gao Ying had never encountered him.
He possessed neither Feng Xiao's radiantly handsome face, nor the otherworldly air of an immortal. On the contrary, his complexion was wan, his eyes dull. Yet it wasn't about appearance. He still drew the eyes of the two young ladies and many other gazes as well.
Cui Buqu ignored them all. His cloak fluttered in the breeze as he walked toward the banquet tables, and Yan Yun picked up the faint scent of herbs. She screwed up her courage and spoke. "Sir, there are still some open seats over here—"
Before she could finish, the Prince of Jin was on his feet, inviting him over.
Many people were intrigued by Cui Buqu, but most had no idea who he was. They watched as the normally proud and pampered Prince of Jin politely cupped his hands to him. The two appeared to be on familiar terms, further igniting the curiosity of the bystanders.
Yan Yun whispered to Gao Ying, "Who is he?"
Gao Ying shook her head. "I've never seen him before either," she said, hesitant. "Perhaps some member of the royal family?"
"He's the Zuoyue Bureau chief, and his name is Cui Buqu," came a voice from nearby.
The two young ladies turned, then quickly got to their feet to bow. "Greetings to Duchess Yuwen!"
Yuwen Eying was only fourteen years old, in the springtime bloom of her youth. Despite her complicated background, she'd grown up sheltered by her mother's love and protection. To her, the grudges of ruined families and usurped thrones were a distant thing. Her childhood had been as happy as that of any princess of the realm, and her face was free of cynicism or guile. It was precisely for this reason that she was no threat to the Yang Clan's Great Sui, and why the emperor was willing to indulge his daughter's wishes and shower his granddaughter with gifts.
"Please rise." Yuwen Eying was familiar with Gao Ying, and reached out to help her upright. She smiled at the two girls. "I was talking to Fang-niang and the others just now. Why didn't you go say hello? They said they couldn't find you anywhere—now I see you were here peeping at handsome gentlemen!"
Gao Ying laughed. "How can you say we're peeping? We came over to wish the duchess many happy returns on her birthday. Naturally, we must make use of our chance to stare openly!"
Yuwen Eying blinked. "Well then, who are you interested in? Don't say Feng Xiao; my fifth aunt already has her eye on him, so I can't help you there. If you're referring to my second uncle beside him…he already has a princess. Becoming a concubine is out of the question for young ladies of your station. But other than that, perhaps I can help."
Her words were so direct, even Gao Ying found them a little overbold. "No, no!" she hastened to say. "Please—stop guessing. Everyone appreciates a lovely sight; we were only having a look. There are many other stars besides Feng-langjun. Maybe I'll find a man like the legendary Pan An: a gentleman so handsome, maidens will fight each other to throw fruit into his carriage!"
"Dare I ask the duchess about the gentleman talking with the Prince of Jin?" Yan Yun whispered.
Yuwen Eying glanced over. "Oh," she said. "That's Marquis Cui."
Yan Yun waited for her to continue. But though Yuwen Eying had been prattling on just a moment ago, she seemed to have surprisingly little to say now.
The three of them looked at each other.
"Marquis Cui?" asked Gao Ying. "The envoy who escorted the Göktürk khagan to court recently?"
"That's right," said Yuwen Eying. "That achievement made him a marquis. He's also the chief of the Zuoyue Bureau, with a rank equal to the Six Ministers."
Yan Yun couldn't help sneaking another glance at Cui Buqu, standing not far away. From here, she had a good view of his profile. The thousand lotus lanterns glowed behind him, limning his figure and tracing its gentle contours with light. Yet looking at his back, so straight and tall, she was struck by a sense of bleak coldness. This man held such a high position at such a young age, and judging from his appearance, it seemed his health was poor as well.
Yan Yun chanted his name over and over in her heart, silently memorizing the characters. Cui Buqu.
Cui Buqu paid no mind to the many eyes on him, nor to whether those gazes were kind or malicious. After exchanging a few words with the Prince of Jin, he covered his mouth and coughed quietly.
"The wind here is strong. Let us sit while we speak!" The Prince of Jin invited them to sit and raised his wine in a toast. "Deputy Chief Feng also happens to be here today; a rare treat. I shall take full advantage of my eldest sister's hospitality and offer you a toast with her wine. My hearty thanks to both of you for exposing Yuxiu's true face. If not for you, I would have unwittingly harbored a viper and wrought great disaster." He remembered to add: "Cui-xiansheng isn't feeling well; you shouldn't be drinking. I'll drink this toast on behalf of both of us."
He drank his wine in one draft. Cui Buqu raised his cup and let his lips brush the rim before setting it down without drinking. "Your Highness is too kind."
The Prince of Jin smiled. "I asked my father for permission to hold a banquet in Furong Garden ten days from now. Perhaps the two gentlemen will have time to attend?"
The five princes present at this birthday banquet were all sons of the empress. It was well known that her favorite was not the eldest nor the youngest, but her second son, the Prince of Jin. His life had been smooth sailing since birth; he'd never encountered any difficulties or setbacks. From his parents above him to his subjects below him, very few had ever denied him anything.
Of course, he also very rarely took the initiative to extend such an earnest invitation.
Another man might have agreed right away, but Cui Buqu merely said calmly, "I'm deeply grateful for Your Highness's generosity, but I fear my duties keep me too busy to attend."
The servants behind the Prince of Jin were practically sweating, but the prince's expression didn't so much as flicker. He nodded. "I understand that you're a busy man. It's pillars like you who uphold the stability of this nation."
"Erlang!" A short distance away, Princess Leping and a group of noblewomen had arrived. They waved a greeting to the Prince of Jin.
The prince rose to his feet. "Please, carry on chatting. I won't disturb you further."
He cupped his hands toward Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu, then turned and made for Princess Leping. Before he reached her, another man appeared and bowed to him. Recognizing the man as a petty official he'd previously met during morning court, the prince nodded acknowledgment.
The man gave him a solicitous smile. "I've heard Your Highness is soon to host a banquet at Furong Garden. I have some small talent when it comes to poetry; dare I ask Your Highness for an invitation?"
"We'll see," said the Prince of Jin indifferently, and walked away without even glancing at the man.
Observing this exchange, Feng Xiao turned to Cui Buqu. "What kind of magic potion did you slip the Prince of Jin? Why does he act so differently toward you?"
"Different how?" Unconcerned, Cui Buqu picked a mandarin up off the table and slowly began to peel it.
Feng Xiao pointed his fan at the disappointed petty official. "See that? That's how the Prince of Jin normally conducts himself. He was polite to me, but it was different with you—he was wary, as if afraid of making you even a little unhappy."
"So?"
"So, is the Prince of Jin carrying a torch for you? Are his affections unrequited?"
Cui Buqu snorted a laugh. "Only half a month since our last meeting and Deputy Chief Feng's brain has been replaced with straw."
Feng Xiao chuckled in return. "It's fine if you don't want to talk about it. Now that you mention it, I'd like to know why you've been avoiding me for the past few weeks."
Cui Buqu didn't bat an eye. "When have I avoided you?"
Feng Xiao began counting off on his fingers. "After our meeting with the emperor, every time I sent someone to the Zuoyue Bureau, they were told you were either sick in bed or out of town. When I went to call upon you personally, you hid away and refused to see me. Why? You're a callous man, Daoist Master Cui. We were husband and wife; we shared every intimacy. Yet you wish to burn the bridge between us?"
Cui Buqu sneered. "Is that why you've been harassing the Zuoyue Bureau? Three days ago, you complained our tea was too bitter and salty, then called our refreshments inedible and our maids ugly. The day before yesterday, you smashed a vase in our front hall then released several stray cats inside to wreak havoc. Yesterday you fought with Zhangsun. When tomorrow comes, are you going to send thugs to our door to demand compensation for some made-up wrong?"
Feng Xiao snapped his fan shut. "An excellent idea! How about something like, 'Cui Buqu is an ungrateful, heartless bastard, and the pregnant wife he abandoned has arrived in the capital in search of him'?"