Chapter 94: Conflict in the Peach Blossom Forest

Zhang Yue had long known that Wan Shijie was no ordinary scholar who only knew how to read and compose poems. Seeing him keenly notice this, Zhang Yue felt even more convinced of his extraordinary intelligence. When Sun Han from Fangling also began to ponder, Zhang Yue asked with a smile, “What, Brother Wan plans to take a chance inside?”
“Never mind. We know Master Yao hardly at all. Even the Prince of Anyang encountered setbacks—how could we rashly go in and end up in even worse trouble?” Wan Shijie shook his head, opened his folding fan, waved it a few times, and said smilingly, “If fate brings us together someday, we’ll meet then. There’s no need to rush. Though I admire Master Yao, I certainly don’t want to be driven out in such an embarrassing way.”
With that, Sun Han from Fangling naturally wouldn’t take any risks either. So the four of them continued on toward the back mountain. After passing through the small gate next to Pilu Temple, they first glimpsed a corner of the bright red flower forest. As they walked further along the mountain path, the red blossoms seemed to envelop them completely, as if they were in a world of red. Compared to the red plum forest at Yang Shiqi’s home back then, this vast peach blossom forest was like fireflies pitted against the bright moon.
Zhang Yue had been to Qixia Mountain in his past life and only knew that its maple leaves were famous in autumn, but he didn’t realize there used to be such a large peach forest here. Sun Han from Fangling then explained, “This peach forest was planted during the Hongwu era; it didn’t exist before. It’s still early in the peach blossom season, so some trees haven’t bloomed yet, which is why not many people have come. In a few days, the whole mountain will be filled with scholars and poets, who will surely leave plenty of money and poems for Qixia Temple.”
While others were talking about these refined matters, Wan Shijie interrupted, “You’ve missed one thing. With so many peach trees on this back mountain, the peaches harvested each year are a significant source of income for Qixia Temple. Even if each pound of peaches costs ten coins, just calculate how many pounds there are and how much money that amounts to…”
At that point, even Zhang Yue couldn’t help but laugh. He cut him off irritably, “Enough, Brother Wan. No one thinks you’re mute just because you stay silent. People are here to enjoy the flowers, not to calculate the forest’s harvest. If you become an official and buy a big house, plant peach trees in your backyard and harvest peaches then!”

The four of them joked with each other as they walked slowly through the forest. As Fangling had said, at least one-third of the peach blossoms in this grove still hadn’t bloomed, yet their bright pink hue was still pleasing to the eye. Along the way, they encountered many people—both men and women—though most of the women were of questionable reputation. They stared boldly at others, their gazes tinged with flirtation. After walking around for a while, they had seen enough peach blossoms, but not a trace of romantic fortune.

In the depths of the forest, they spotted an octagonal pavilion. Exhausted from walking, the four decided to rest there. Upon approaching, they found the place already occupied. Two young men dressed in splendid attire sat on opposite sides, each with a table in front of them. On those tables were several white porcelain plates filled with candied fruits, with a servant standing by to serve them. Two men dressed like guards stood at the entrance of the pavilion, looking as if they wanted to keep outsiders out.

Seeing this, Sun Han couldn’t help but mutter, “What an extravagant display of arrogance!”

Zhang Yue recognized the people in the pavilion as his cousins Zhang Bin and Zhang Jin. He knew they were two arrogant members of the noble class and really didn’t want to deal with them, so he planned to take the other three somewhere else. But just as he turned around, a mocking laugh came from behind him.

“Isn’t this Third Brother Yue? Tsk tsk, it’s Sun Han from Fangling, along with some poor wretch. Truly, like attracts like. I never thought you’d end up hanging around with people from the Sun and Fang families! Our Zhang family is a prestigious duke’s household, while the Sun family is just a non-hereditary earl family, and the Fang family doesn’t even have that title anymore. Aren’t you afraid of embarrassing your uncle by befriending such people?”

“Brother Jin, that’s not right. The Zhang family of Xiangfu is originally a branch family, and everyone knows that the third branch was born out of wedlock. It’s already an achievement for Third Brother Yue to associate with the descendants of declining noble families in the capital. Do you really expect him to mix with those little princes and dukes? Third Brother Yue, please give my regards to our eldest brother. Those pirates from Jinxian Guard aren’t as lenient as those weaklings from the Shence Army!”

Zhang Yue had hardly spoken to those two cousins before, and hearing their sarcastic and vicious remarks, he became furious immediately. Seeing them drinking together, he said with a forced smile, “Our brotherly affairs are for us to handle; there’s no need for your advice. Success also comes through hard work—at least my elder brother earned his reputation on his own, I passed the exams on my own merit. Brothers Fang and Sun studied hard at the Imperial Academy, and Brother Wan is already a scholar. They’re not like some who only know how to indulge in pleasure and act arrogantly!”
“What did you say?” Zhang Bin slammed down his cup, stood up, and pointed at Zhang Yue’s nose, scolding, “Don’t think just because you two live in the duke’s mansion you can have delusions and ruin your own fortunes for no reason! Someone, get these guys out!”
Fang Ling and Sun Han had already been enraged by Zhang Bin and Zhang Jin’s harsh words, so they were delighted to hear Zhang Yue retort. Seeing Zhang Bin order his men to act, fearing Zhang Yue might suffer, they stepped forward to protect him. Even the usually calm Wan Shijie angrily stood beside them. Just as tension mounted between the two sides, a voice suddenly rang out from nearby.
“Someone, drive these people out of the pavilion! Such a nice place is ruined by these messy folks, spoiling the tranquility of this peach blossom forest!”
Hearing this, Zhang Yue was stunned. Following the sound, he realized that a group of people had appeared not far behind him, led by two girls.
The girl on the left, about fourteen or fifteen years old, wore a small jacket in autumn-colored fabric with auspicious patterns, along with a skirt made of cloud-patterned lambskin with gold trim. She wore an agate hairpin, her face as gloomy as the clouds before rain. The younger girl on the right wore a sandalwood-colored robe and a white silk skirt, with a gauzy floral hairpiece. She was looking at him curiously.
As soon as the girl finished speaking, more than a dozen guards rushed forward from behind her. They pushed aside Zhang Bin and Zhang Jin’s guards and rushed into the pavilion, carrying things out without a word. After their initial shock, Zhang Bin and Zhang Jin became furious, with Zhang Jin shouting even more violently, using extremely harsh words.

“You Zhang family’s name can be used to scare others, but don’t try to scare me!” The girl wearing an agate crown sneered and said slowly, word by word, “You can use your Zhang family’s name to keep others out, but I am Princess Chen Liu of the Zhou Kingdom. Do you dare speak arrogantly just because I ask you to make room? It was the late King of Hejian and the Duke of Ying who were good at fighting! If I met the Duke of Ying, I would surely show him respect. What are you two, who only know how to eat, drink, and play, anyway?”