Chapter 6: As Expected, Rumors Cannot Be Trusted
“That guqin was my mother’s dowry. Madam Liu really is something, isn’t she? I suppose all of my mother’s dowry fell into her hands. Hmph, she claimed it was for safekeeping, but if her daughter ever needed it, wouldn’t she just take it out for her?”
Lin Yurou drifted into memories. When her mother passed away, she had still been with child, and it was on that very day that Madam Liu was formally brought into the household. At the time, she herself was only five, and Lin Ruyan, whom Madam Liu brought with her, was only two years younger.
The servants in the manor never bothered to avoid speaking in front of her, a little girl, so she had overheard many “secrets.” Madam Liu had, in fact, been with her father long before, and Lin Ruyan was her half-sister. Some servants even speculated that her mother had died of rage. Indeed, what woman could bear to see her husband bring his mistress and her child into the household on the very day she was to give birth?
When the performance ended, the emperor was delighted. “What a splendid ‘Floral Competition’! Whose daughter are you? A reward!”
The hall erupted in applause and praise.
“Your Majesty, I am Lin Ruyan of the Lin family. Thank you for your gracious reward!” Lin Ruyan answered with a sweet smile.
Upon hearing Lin Ruyan’s name, Jiang Yan, who had just been sipping his tea, suddenly spat it out.
Cough, cough, cough...
He was at a loss for words. Lin Ruyan—wasn’t that the name of the novel’s original female lead? To think he would meet her so soon! Unbelievable! Truly, one should never tempt fate.
Meanwhile, the eldest prince was utterly captivated by Lin Ruyan, gazing at her with a lovesick expression, having entirely forgotten about Lin Yurou. Hearing that Lin Ruyan was from the Lin family, he rejoiced inwardly—if only he could marry both Lin sisters...
Having received the emperor’s praise and reward, Lin Ruyan returned to her seat, her heart brimming with satisfaction.
“Father, since today’s banquet is held in my second brother’s honor, shouldn’t he perform for everyone as well?” the eldest prince suggested at just the right moment, not wholly blinded by beauty.
In his mind, his second brother was always stern and taciturn, without any presentable talents—a complete good-for-nothing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see him make a fool of himself in public?
“Very well, then. I shall compose a poem for everyone to enjoy.”
Before the emperor could speak, Jiang Yan accepted readily. As someone who had transmigrated into a novel, composing poetry felt like the safest choice. Besides, wasn’t it common in novels for time-travelers or transmigrators to show off by composing poems? Heh—being a person of the twenty-first century, and having gone through nine years of compulsory education, how hard could it be?
Hearing that Jiang Yan intended to compose a poem, the empress sneered inwardly: Compose a poem? She had never heard of him composing anything before. She was eager to see what kind of poem he could produce.
Jiang Yan stepped onto the stage and declared, “Since today is the Hundred Flowers Banquet, allow me to present to you all a poem titled ‘Ode to Spring Blossoms.’”
“Blossoms in spring fill the banquet hall,
A tapestry of colors, dazzling for all.
Red plums greet spring, proud in the snow,
White lotuses mirror the clear sky’s glow.
Fragrant laurels send auspicious news,
Purple orchids invite distinguished views.
Weeping willows sway with music’s tune,
Orioles sing, heralding the spring anew.”
The poem painted a vivid picture of the banquet’s colorful spring flowers, expressing people’s longing for a beautiful life and admiration for the festive atmosphere.
The guests burst into applause.
Indeed, rumors could not be trusted. The second prince, Jiang Yan, was not only strikingly handsome, but able to compose a poem so perfectly suited to the occasion. His looks and talent won him many new admirers—what girl would not be enchanted?
The emperor lavished praise without hesitation. “Excellent! What a fine poem! A reward!”
He had never expected his usually silent son to possess such talent. Was it that Yan’er simply didn’t wish to show off before?
“Thank you, Father,” Jiang Yan replied.
Though his poem could not quite match Lin Ruyan’s performance in stirring the crowd, the guests nonetheless began to see the second prince in a new light.
Seeing that Jiang Yan had not made a fool of himself, but instead earned the emperor’s and everyone’s admiration, the eldest prince and the empress exchanged glances, both looking rather displeased.
Returning to his seat, Jiang Yan resumed eating and drinking as though nothing had happened, though he could feel countless heated gazes upon him. There was no need to guess—they must belong to all the new admirers he had gained today.
He had never imagined that poetry could win him fans!
Ah, what could he do? He could only blame his own devastating good looks.
He shrugged, pulling An Yi and Mo Shiyu closer to shield himself from the stares. The two, ever the reliable attendants, were left utterly bewildered by his actions.
After that, more people took the stage—some sang, some painted, others recited poetry...
Once several rounds of performances had concluded, the empress and the emperor withdrew, saying they would leave the floor to the young people for socializing.
Immediately, the young men and ladies began to mingle.
Lin Ruyan, finding an excuse, slipped away alone toward an isolated rock garden. She crouched down and drew from her pouch a small, translucent orb.
The orb was faintly warm.
“Spirit Pearl, is there a Child of Destiny nearby?” Lin Ruyan whispered, cupping the orb in her hands.
At once, the orb grew to the size of her palm, its surface displaying several words: Yes, Destiny.
Lin Ruyan could barely contain her excitement. “Who is it, and where?”
The orb showed Jiang Yan’s face, then new words: Be patient, Golden Core, Supreme.
Since finding this unique pearl five years prior, Lin Ruyan’s luck had soared. The pearl could help her absorb others’ luck. Over the years, she had siphoned much of Lin Yurou’s luck—after all, Lin Yurou was naturally blessed.
She had named the orb Spirit Pearl, since she had discovered it possessed a will of its own. Though it could not speak directly, it could communicate through images and words. After so many years together, Lin Ruyan could usually infer its meaning from the few words it showed.
“You mean, I cannot absorb his luck just yet? I must wait for him to reach the Golden Core stage?”
The Spirit Pearl displayed more words: Take the Golden Core, Ascend!
Lin Ruyan understood. It seemed she needed to get closer to Jiang Yan. If she could make him fall in love with her and willingly offer up his Golden Core, that would be ideal.
If not, she would have no choice but to take it by force...