Lovable Beauty

“Eldest Cousin, how much longer do we have to wait?” 

It being so lively outside, Xie Lanyin was too restless to sit in the carriage. After begging her mother’s approval, she opened a gap in the curtain and whispered to her cousin-brother who was standing guard in front of the carriage, while she scanned the scene in front of the city gates.  Armored soldiers lined both sides of the road, so long was the train that it was impossible to tell where it ended. Behind the soldiers were the crowds of eagerly awaiting commoners, packed shoulder to shoulder. They were all there to see Prince Qin. 

Jiang Jizhou took a few steps closer and guessed in a hushed whisper, “Probably about half an hour more.” 

Xie Lanyin was slightly disappointed. Just as she was about to drop the curtain, the melodic chirping of a birdsong suddenly drifted out from the carriage next to them. Xie Lanyin peered over curiously, only to see the curtains were tightly closed, so she couldn’t see anything inside. As her gaze shifted to the side, she was surprised to recognize the driver with a cold side profile—it was the tourist she encountered at the Jade Well Tower. 

What a coincidence, they met again. 

Xie Lanyin couldn’t help but take a few more looks at him. 

Lu Jun stood motionless in front of his master’s carriage as if he didn’t notice a thing. 

Since the prince she wanted to see hadn’t come yet—and Xie Lanyin detested the bright sunlight—she didn’t need her mother to remind her to lower the curtains and sit back properly. 

A platter of dried longan fruit was laid out on a small stand. Xie Lanyin peeled and ate them one by one. Finding them too sweet, she poured herself a cup of tea. 

“Mother, do you want some?” Before taking a sip, she offered it to her mother with a smile. 

Madam Jiang shook her head and raised her chin in the direction outside. 

Xie Lanyin poked her head out and asked her sister and cousins if they would like a sip. The delicate voice, not only made the man in the nearby carriage look away from his book, but it also attracted the attention of the commoners nearby to look over curiously. 

Seeing this, Xie Lanqiao lectured her younger sister to sit down properly. 

It was always so cumbersome outside. Xie Lanyin pointed to the teacup in her sister’s direction, and after being turned down, she drank it herself. 

After waiting tediously for some time, it suddenly fell silent outside. Jiang Jizhou reminded his little cousin of the procession’s entrance.  Xie Lanyin immediately regained her spirits, shoved on her veiled hat, and after some dressing-down by her mother, she darted out of the carriage. Before she could stand steady on her feet, someone came out from the opposing carriage as well. Xie Lanyin instinctively raised her head, and with one look, she fell into a daze. 

It was a man wearing black robes with a brocade belt fastened around his waist, looking about twenty years of age. When others would lower their heads to watch their feet as they stepped out of the carriage, he remained unaffected as easily as if he was walking on flat ground. His phoenix eyes looked on coldly. There was no trace of disdain on his handsome face, but he showed an innate nobility with his mannerism as if he wasn’t there to take part in the merriment but to survey his own servants. 

A man’s good looks might be common, but a man with preeminent bearings was hard to come by. Not only did this man have a striking appearance, but he also had an austere and noble bearing, making him stand out like a crane amongst chickens. The moment he showed his face, not only was Xie Lanyin dazed, even the widely experienced Jiang Jizhou and Jiang Xingzhou were taken aback. 

Sensing their gaze, Xiao Yuan cast a glance toward them. 

Jiang Jizhou clasped his fists in greeting and praised, “Young Master is handsome.” 

Xiao Yuan was neither humble nor proud. With a nod that was polite and distant, he walked forward without leaving a word. 

Jiang Jizhou looked at his back and exchanged a look with his second brother—this man wasn’t an ordinary person. 

Jiang Xingzhou nodded. When he saw his younger cousin was still in a daze, most likely taken away by the young master, he whispered, “Let’s go, we’ll watch from the front.” 

Xie Lanyin finally regained her senses. Fortunately, she was covered by a veiled hat, so she didn’t have to worry about her cousins seeing her gaffe. 

“This man is so rude. Eldest Cousin praised him, yet he didn’t show a bit of humility.” 

No matter how good-looking he was, none of that mattered with his misconduct. Recalling the man’s haughty greeting towards her eldest cousin, Xie Lanyin was naturally displeased 

Geniuses were often eccentric in temperament; hence, Jiang Jizhou didn’t take it to heart. He and his brothers stood on either side of their younger cousins, as they shielded them in the center. 

Prince Qin had yet to arrive, but in the center of the road in front of the city gates, Marquis Pingxi, Shen Jie, leading officials of all ranks, already came outside the city to welcome him. 

Xie Lanyin stared at the company of government officials for a while before she subtly leaned toward Jiang Jizhou. “Eldest Cousin, who is that?” 

She was only nine the last time she came to Shanxi. Four years had passed since then, so even if she met someone before, she would have long forgotten them by now. 

Jiang Jizhou followed the direction she pointed at, answering promptly, “That’s Shen Yingshi, the heir apparent of Marquis Pingxi’s Manor.” 

The Jiang family was the wealthiest in Shanxi; hence, they often rubbed shoulders with government officials. Take the wedding for example, they sent out invitations to the Shen family and other officials—sending an invitation was out of courtesy—but whether they would attend was of little importance. 

That cleared it up for Xie Lanyin as she took another look at Shen Yingshi. No wonder he was able to stand in the second row at such a young age, it turned out he was the heir apparent. He was quite handsome, dressed in a brocade robe that gave off a heroic vitality, but… 

Xie Lanyin couldn’t control a peek to the side. She didn’t dare make it too obvious, so she only caught a glimpse of the man’s black hem. 

There was always another sky beyond their own1天外有天: an idiom that means the world is boundless and there will always be something/someone better out there, she finally understood the meaning of those words today. She used to think her father was the most good-looking among the elders, and her third cousin Jiang Huaizhou was the most handsome among their peers, but just now in a hurried glimpse and seeing that person’s nobleness and handsomeness for herself, the title of the most outstanding, handsome man shifted in Xie Lanyin’s heart. 

It was a pity that he had such a terrible temperament… 

“Announcing His Royal Highness Prince Qin! All must kneel!” 

A high-pitched summons came from afar, startling Xie Lanyin out of her thoughts, and she knelt with her sister. 

There was a momentary pause in Xiao Yuan’s reaction before Xiao Yuan also lifted the hem of his robe and knelt. Before he lowered his head, his gaze fell on Marquis Pingxi, Shen Jie. 

Shen Jie was in his forties, appearing stalwart and dignified. As he watched Prince Qin’s carriage approach, the corners of his mouth curled upwards slightly as he led the various officials to kneel. After all, he was a prince of the first rank, so he had to give Prince Qin some face in front of a whole city of people. As for the future, it was best if Prince Qin was tactful; otherwise, he didn’t mind letting him have a taste of what it was like for a tiger to stumble into the plains.2虎落平阳 is the first half of an idiom. The complete idiom is 虎落平阳被狗欺 which translates: a tiger that falls to the plains is bullied by a dog. Once a powerful tiger leaves his territory and descends to the plains, he loses all power and advantage and even a dog can bully him. 

According to protocols for receiving a prince, commoners must lower their heads, but they all wanted to look at the prince; hence, very few truly obeyed. 

Likewise, Xie Lanyin used the veiled hat on her head to eye the procession even more brazenly. 

In front of the carriage were eight royal guards who all rode atop tall and powerful steeds, which was such an awe-inspiring sight. The curtains of the luxurious carriage were drawn down so one couldn’t take a peep at the person inside. Behind them was Prince Qin’s escort of three thousand guards from the Prince’s manor. Whether it was cavalry or infantry, they marched in an immaculate and orderly fashion, giving off an unsettling feeling. 

Xie Lanyin eyed them a couple of times, but she was more curious about His Highness Prince Qin as her eyes fell on the carriage window once more. 

The carriage stopped, under bated breaths and all focus, the curtain of the carriage rustled, but it was only a eunuch who came out. He shook his chowrie, standing on the thill of the carriage, acknowledging Marquis Pingxi and his party, “His Highness’s horses are fatigued, and his noble self is ill of health; hence, he won’t be coming out to meet with all the ministers. If you can please step aside, it won’t do to delay His Highness’s return to the palace to rest.” 

His attitude was very arrogant. 

All the officials were at a loss as they snuck glances at each other with their heads still lowered. Was the prince truly ill or was he shaming them? 

Shen Jie appeared unaffected. He took a few steps forward, exclaiming, “Since His Highness isn’t feeling well, we the vassals shall celebration His Highness’s arrival another day!” 

As he finished, he took the lead to step aside to the side of the road. The other officials considered him their leader and followed him blindly; they followed suit and soon, the front of the city gate was vacant. 

The eunuch nodded in satisfaction and drawled out, “Onwards to the Prince’s manor…” 

As his tapered voice fell, the carriage started moving. The climate in Shanxi was dry, so a gust of wind stirred up a cloud of dust. 

As dust crept in from under the veiled hat, Xie Lanyin frowned and held her breath. After the procession entered the city gates and there was no need to kneel anymore, she was the first to get up and walk back, huffing a complaint, “I knelt for so long yet I didn’t catch a single glimpse of a figure.  I breathed in all that dust for nothing. As expected of a prince, he sure puts on such airs.” 

Jiang Jizhou followed her with a chuckle. When they reached the carriage, he held out an arm to help her up. 

Xie Lanyin lowered her head. The gossamer veil was blown up by the wind, revealing a side profile of her enchanting face. Her red lips pouted, making them plump and enticing. 

Behind, Ge Jin was staggered by the sight and immediately glanced at his master. 

Xiao Yuan already withdrew his gaze, with an indifferent expression. 

Ge Jin’s lips twitched secretly. Possessing a beautiful face and a sweet voice was indeed favorable. Master wasn’t even angry at the snub to his character. 

It was late in the morning when Xie Lanyin and her entourage finally entered the city gate. 

“If I had known I wouldn’t get to see the noble’s face, I wouldn’t have come.” Xie Lanyin wiggled slightly in her seat, complaining quietly to her mother. 

All her life, not counting Marquis Pingxi who she caught a glance from a distance, the highest official she had ever seen was her grandfather Xie Ding, a general of the official third rank, followed by the prefect of Hangzhou. She had been to the Imperial Capital before as a child, but because she was still small, she was kept on tighter reigns. She could only stay obediently by her elders’ side and didn’t have the chance to go out and take part in any festivities. With this trip to Xi’an she thought she’d get to see a prince, but who knew all the wait was for nothing!? 

Her daughter pouted, feeling greatly wronged. Madam Jiang was amused, patted her hand, and said, “Noble this noble that, all nobles are just like us. They have one nose and two eyes. The only difference is their higher status. There’s nothing to see. Now don’t be upset, Lanyin. We’re almost at your uncle’s house. We don’t want your uncle and aunt to misunderstand, do we?” 

Thinking of her uncle and aunt whom she hadn’t seen for many years, Xie Lanyin’s face brightened and she forgot all about the unhappiness as she leaned against the window to watch the bustling streets. 

“Mother, I remember that elm tree.  Once we turn into that alley, we’ll be at Uncle’s home, right?” 

Leaving the bustling of the main street, the surroundings gradually quieted down. Most of the wealthy merchants in Xi’an congregated in the west of the city. The Elm Shade Lane where the Jiang family was located was even called Ingot Lane by the common people. When Xie Lanyin was nine and lived at her uncle’s house for two months, she didn’t find any ingots, but she remembered her third cousin climbed a tree to pick elm fruit for her to eat. 

Recalling her childhood anecdotes, Xie Lanyin poked her head out of the right carriage window, giggling as she fluttered her lashes at her cousin riding horseback, “Third cousin, do you still remember that year when you picked elm fruit for me to eat and accidentally sprained your foot when you jumped off; you were then punished by Uncle by locking you inside your room to reflect on your misdeed?” 

Jiang Huaizhou glared at her, “You have the nerve to laugh? How many times have I been punished because of you? After drinking the wedding wine, you should leave. Don’t stay too long. We have a lot of dust here anyways, so you won’t like it.” 

Knowing he was purposely winding her up, Xie Lanyin was still indignant. She plucked a dried longan fruit and threw it at him. “I can stay however many days I want. It’s none of your business!” 

With sharp eyes, Jiang Huaizhou caught the dried longan, crushed it single-handedly, and tossed it in his mouth. Then, he threw the shell back at his cousin triumphantly. 

Xie Lanyin hurriedly put down the curtains, her watery peach blossom eyes were brimming with joy. 

She wasn’t very close with the cousins from her father’s side, but she was very fond of these three older cousin-brothers from her mother’s side of the family. 

Author’s Thoughts: 

Prince Qin: What is so terrible about my temper? 

Xie Lanyin: You are too cold toward my cousin! 

Prince Qin: I fear if I’m too friendly he’ll misunderstand. 

Eldest Cousin: …I have a fiancee… 

Chapter 7 and 8 available on Kofi.

1天外有天: an idiom that means the world is boundless and there will always be something/someone better out there2虎落平阳 is the first half of an idiom. The complete idiom is 虎落平阳被狗欺 which translates: a tiger that falls to the plains is bullied by a dog. Once a powerful tiger leaves his territory and descends to the plains, he loses all power and advantage and even a dog can bully him.