People gradually took their seats one after another.
It was a cloudy day. The sunlight was soft and often hidden behind drifting clouds, while a cool breeze blew along the riverside.
The air carried a faint, refreshing scent of river water.
In this era, people dined using low tables placed in front of them while sitting on the ground. Each person had their own small table, already set with tea and two plates of snacks.
The entire venue was enormous—about the size of a modern sports field—large enough for over a hundred tables, even two hundred if arranged carefully.
Although this was not a time with strict separation between men and women, they still sat separately—not due to custom, but because of social hierarchy.
The men sat on the west side, the women on the east.
For example, the imperial palace was located to the west, and "west" was considered the more honorable direction. Among the two Empress Dowagers in the palace, the one of higher status was called the "Western Empress Dowager" for this reason.
Zheng Chi and Zheng Run sat at small tables opposite Zheng Qian, with some distance between them.
The Wen family is indeed wealthy, Zheng Qian thought. Out of habit, she reached for her cat—she often talked to it to herself—but her arms were empty.
"Where did that brat A Chou run off to?" she muttered. "Just wait till tonight—I'll neuter you. The weather's finally cooling down anyway."
Not long after she sat down, Wen Zhao arrived, escorting Zheng Yutan and the others.
Soft murmurs spread among the crowd.
Two noble ladies seated not far ahead whispered. One of them snorted, "She's already entangled with Prince Yu, and now she's trying to hook Brother Zhao."
Clearly, Zheng Qian wasn't the only one drawn to Wen Zhao's looks—many others admired him too.
The speaker's tone was thick with jealousy.
"What does it have to do with you?" the other woman—likely her elder sister—said bluntly. "Young Master Wen is already engaged."
"To that ugly girl from the Jing'an Marquis household? What a waste of him," the first woman said.
Zheng Qian: "…"
Seeing that some guests were walking around, Zheng Qian decided to move about as well. Sitting here listening to gossip made her want to hit someone.
But gossip wasn't a crime, and she had no justification to act, so she chose to leave for some peace and quiet.
She wandered behind a blood cherry tree and examined it closely. It resembled cherry blossoms from the modern world, but the petals were larger and a deeper, darker shade.
No wonder it's called a blood cherry tree, she thought.
Suddenly, a voice sounded behind her.
"Do you like these blood cherry trees?"
She turned around—it was the Prince of Ancheng.
"Your Highness, you came to join the excitement too?" she asked.
"Of course. Just here to enjoy the scene," he said. "Besides, I've been making good money lately—puts me in a good mood."
"Are mosquito coils really that profitable?"
"Very. We've nearly recovered costs this year alone—and might even turn a decent profit. Next year, we'll make a fortune."
"Congratulations."
"It's thanks to Miss Zheng," he replied.
Zheng Qian gestured toward the seating area. "My brother is over there. Perhaps Your Highness should go to him first."
"I'd rather talk to Miss Zheng," he said. "You don't mind, do you?"
"Why would I?"
"Aren't you afraid of gossip ruining your reputation?"
"If Your Highness thinks I'm not even worthy of Wen Zhao, then I'm certainly not worthy of you. As long as you're not afraid of gossip, I don't mind," Zheng Qian said.
He paused, then laughed.
Some people noticed them chatting and laughing together, but since they didn't recognize Zheng Qian, they assumed she was just a maid.
When the banquet began, music played, and everyone returned to their seats.
After a lavish lunch—featuring dish after dish of river delicacies served in small portions—people gradually began to move about and enjoy themselves freely.
Zheng Yutan approached Zheng Qian. "Elder sister, there's boating ahead. Shall we go?"
Zheng Qian glanced toward Zheng Chi and Zheng Run.
Zheng Yutan grabbed her arm. "Do you still have to wait for elder brother? Have you become that close with him?"
"Of course not," Zheng Qian said with a smile, quietly observing what her sister was planning.
Just as they stood up, Wen Zhao hurried over.
"You're going boating? I'll go with you."
"That would be wonderful," Zheng Yutan said sweetly. "Young Master Wen, could you row the boat yourself?"
"Of course," he agreed eagerly.
Zheng Qian thought Wen Zhao was even better-looking than Zheng Yutan, yet somehow he was completely devoted to her—and so humble about it.
She knew Zheng Yutan was plotting something, but the likely victim wouldn't be her—it would be Wen Zhao.
So she decided to just watch the show.
There were many small boats by the river, each attended by servants. Some were already occupied.
Lotus leaves floated across the river, perfect for picking lotus or fishing.
Zheng Qian and Zheng Yutan boarded a boat, and Wen Zhao dismissed the servant, insisting on rowing himself.
The servant hesitated. "Young master, do you know how to row? What if—"
"Get lost," Wen Zhao snapped.
The servant had no choice but to retreat.
Surprisingly, Wen Zhao handled the boat quite well.
Zheng Yutan praised him enthusiastically. "Brother Zhao is amazing, isn't he, elder sister? Just look—"
Wen Zhao beamed with pride.
"Yes, very impressive," Zheng Qian said.
He gave a satisfied hum.
Nearby, someone else was rowing alone—clearly still learning.
Zheng Qian took a closer look—it was the Prince of Ancheng again.
"Your Highness!" Wen Zhao called.
Xiao Mingyu turned back. Sunlight cast a golden glow over his face, making his gentle smile even more radiant.
"You're boating too?" he said.
"Yes," Wen Zhao replied. "You're rowing by yourself? Where are our servants?"
"I dismissed them. It's more fun this way," Xiao Mingyu said. Then he glanced at Zheng Qian. "Miss Zheng, would you like to try my boat instead?"
Zheng Qian glanced at Zheng Yutan, then smiled. "Sure."
She stood up.
"Elder sister—" Zheng Yutan called out.
But Zheng Qian ignored her. Xiao Mingyu brought his boat closer, and she stepped across without hesitation.
"Be careful! If you fall in, you'll drown—the water's deep!" Wen Zhao shouted behind her.
But Zheng Qian was already steady on the prince's boat.
Before people knew her identity, they ignored her. Now that they did, they began whispering and pointing.
Zheng Qian didn't care.
Zheng Yutan was visibly annoyed.
Xiao Mingyu steered the boat farther away and smiled. "Now the two of us won't be able to explain ourselves clearly."
"I never intended to," Zheng Qian said lightly. "Why wouldn't I take advantage of something offered to me?"
He laughed. "You're really clinging to me now."
"Not exactly. I'm saving myself," she said calmly.
"After we got on the boat, my sister poured half a bottle of hair oil onto the deck. And Young Master Wen isn't exactly the sharpest."
"If he slips and falls into the water later, my eloquent sister will surely shift the blame onto me. I was just looking for a way out—then Your Highness appeared."
Xiao Mingyu glanced toward the other boat.