Chapter 30 — Definitely Not Your Imagination

The streets and alleys of the capital were decked out with red lanterns and festive ribbons. Even the small street stalls had covered their tables with red cloth or tied on red silk, filling the city with an air of celebration, as if it were the New Year.

“I’ve only stayed home for ten days, and the streets have changed this much? Are we celebrating some grand festival?”

Standing in the middle of the street, Mu Nanjin looked up and down both ends. She noticed that aside from her own residence, every household had hung red lanterns and pasted new couplets.

Princess Xueyu, seated in her carriage, lifted the curtain and said, “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten, Father’s birthday is in half a month.”

Mu Nanjin: “…”

She knew.

She had just forgotten.

Idleness had dulled her sense of time.

“Originally, Father didn’t want to make it a big affair,” Princess Xueyu continued, “but this year, not only will the Four Princes be coming to celebrate, even the neighboring kingdoms are sending envoys. To display the Great Qian’s prosperity and power, and to keep other nations in check, Father ordered the people to decorate the city as if it were New Year.”

Mu Nanjin wasn’t particularly interested in foreign envoys. “Have the Four Princes arrived in the capital yet?”

“I heard from Grandmother that they’ll enter the city in two days.”

Since they weren’t here yet, Mu Nanjin saw no need to concern herself with them. She climbed into the carriage and accompanied Princess Xueyu to Baodian Lake.

By the time they arrived, the area around the lake was already crowded with carriages and tall steeds. Even before they got down, Mu Nanjin could hear the soft chatter of young ladies and the hearty laughter of young men.

As soon as Princess Xueyu’s carriage arrived, the laughter and conversation ceased. Everyone turned toward her carriage and gathered around.

When Princess Xueyu stepped down, they all bowed. “Greetings, Princess Xueyu.”

“There’s no need for such formality,” she said with a smile. “Everyone, carry on.”

Then she turned back toward the carriage. “Aren’t you coming down yet?”

Curious gazes turned to the carriage as a young woman in a white martial outfit stepped out.

Her features were delicate, her attire simple, and her long hair was tied high with a plain white ribbon. She wore nothing of value, yet she had arrived in the princess’s ornate carriage. Naturally, everyone was curious about who she was.

Glancing at the eunuch kneeling beside the carriage to serve as a step, Mu Nanjin ignored him and leapt gracefully to the ground. Her gaze swept toward the three tiered painted pleasure barge moored by the lake. “That one looks nice.”

“Of course it is,” Princess Xueyu said proudly. “It’s mine. Come, let’s take a ride.”

She led the way toward the lake.

Once they were gone, whispers broke out among the crowd.

“Which noble house does the girl accompanying the princess belong to? Have any of you seen her before?”

“She looks like the only female Jinyiwei.”

“Wait, isn’t she the cousin who has feelings for Tang Qianhu? She already has someone she likes, so what’s she doing here? And honestly, with her low family background, which young master would ever fancy her? Unless she’s willing to be a concubine.”

“You shouldn’t speak too soon. Do you know who presented the Jade Beauty Pill to the Empress Dowager?”

“Don’t tell me it was her?”

“That’s right, it was her.”

Everyone fell silent, their expressions mixed with surprise and disbelief.

They all knew about the Jade Beauty Pill, and everyone wanted one. But each pill cost a fortune, worth tens of thousands of taels of silver. Few among them could afford such a treasure.

Yet, if they could get on her good side, perhaps the pill might come at a lower price, or even for free.

Their earlier disdain suddenly felt awkward and misplaced.

Just then, someone called out, “Look, the Capital’s Number One Beauty is here!”

All heads turned as a breathtaking young woman walked toward them with light, graceful steps.

Surrounding her was a group of high born ladies and a cluster of admiring young men, scions of noble families who also held minor positions in court. Though their ranks weren’t high yet, with family backing and talent, they could easily rise to the Fifth Rank in time.

It was clear that someone able to draw such company must have an extraordinary background. Indeed, her mother was the Grand Princess, and she herself had been granted the title of Princess Rongyue by the Emperor.

When Princess Xueyu saw her arrival, her brows instantly furrowed. “Ugh, the annoying pest is here.”

Mu Nanjin asked, “Who’s that?”

“Princess Rongyue,” she replied curtly.

Mu Nanjin nodded in understanding. “Oh, the one who’s been competing with you since childhood?”

“Yes! I can’t stand how she keeps trying to steal my Brother Feng,” Princess Xueyu said angrily, glaring in Princess Rongyue’s direction. “Wait, how do you even know about that?”

【Of course I read it on the gossip news.】

Mu Nanjin thought silently but didn’t answer.

Meanwhile, the noble young men trailing behind Princess Rongyue froze in place. Their gazes darted around uneasily, and when they spotted Mu Nanjin beside Princess Xueyu, their expressions darkened.

“Why is she here?” one muttered under his breath.

The others exchanged helpless looks. If they’d known Mu Nanjin would attend the flower viewing gathering, they’d rather have stayed home.

Princess Xueyu noticed their hesitation and frowned. “Am I that terrifying? Why aren’t they coming over?”

Mu Nanjin: “…”

【Why do I get the feeling they’re afraid of me instead?】

【I’m just a small Jinyiwei. What’s there to be afraid of? Even with Tang Jingrui backing me, they shouldn’t be scared.】

【Mm, must be my imagination.】

The young noblemen: “…”

No, it’s not your imagination.

We are afraid of you, afraid you’ll expose our secrets.

As they hesitated, a group of excited noble ladies and young men surged forward, pushing them toward the lake.

“The courtesans are here! The courtesans have arrived!”

A two tiered pleasure barge approached, its decks lined with stunning courtesans, both men and women, dressed in bright, elegant attire and smiling gracefully at the onlookers.

Music drifted across the lake, and the courtesans began to dance in unison.

Mu Nanjin’s gaze lifted to the upper deck, where Gong Xiurong sat playing the zither. Her eyes lit up slightly.

【Wow, Gong Xiurong’s here too. Finally, I can openly admire him today.】

The noblemen: “…”