Xiao Jingheng, who was elegant and cultured, smiled when he heard the Governor's suggestion:
"Chen Aiqing's proposal is very good."
He instinctively looked at Song Zhao, originally wanting Song Zhao to accompany him to appreciate the night view of West Lake, but Song Zhao said: "Your Majesty, your concubine is pregnant and has traveled for two days. I'm really tired, afraid that if I go together, it will ruin Your Majesty's interest."
So Xiao Jingheng said, "Then the Noble Consort should rest well. Also, Tong Chong has been in the palace for a year and hasn't seen her family. Today she came to Lin'an, I specially permit her to stay overnight at her mother's house to comfort her longing for her parents."
Tong Chishan and Rongyue thanked him in unison. They also heard Xiao Jingheng say awkwardly:
"As for the concubines to accompany me boating on the lake..."
Consort Yin had just heard a little when she immediately straightened her back and smiled, as if she was bound to get the favor.
While Concubine Yao half covered her face with her jade fan, she didn't fantasize about any favor in her heart, she just hoped to end the banquet early and go back to rest, so she wouldn't embarrass herself in front of everyone.
However, Xiao Jingheng's decision was beyond both of their expectations,
"Let Concubine Yao attend me."
When Concubine Yao heard this, she was both delighted and terrified. At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on her.
She covered her face even more with her jade fan, afraid to decline which would draw more attention, so she quickly agreed,
"Your servant abides by the order."
While Consort Yin stood still in place, watching Xiao Jingheng lead Concubine Yao onto the boat, seeing her dazed expression, she must have lost her soul.
*
On the boat, lights twinkled on both banks, like stars sprinkled into the mortal world, reflecting the shimmering ripples on the water surface, it was beautiful.
The night grew darker, the summer heat dissipated, and the light breeze on the deck felt cool like jade lightly caressing, quite pleasant.
Concubine Yao sat with Xiao Jingheng in the cabin. She poured wine for Xiao Jingheng while still covering her face with her jade fan.
Xiao Jingheng disliked her pretentiousness, so he said,
"The scars on your face haven't fully healed yet, don't apply powder to cover them these days, or they will get worse."
Concubine Yao nodded awkwardly, "Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your concern..."
"Put down the fan," Xiao Jingheng glanced at her, "I've seen what you look like, no need to cover up like this."
"This... your servant, your servant..." Concubine Yao stammered, "Your servant is timid, afraid that..."
"Forget it."
The light breeze on the lake rustled, making Xiao Jingheng feel more drunk.
Impatiently he raised his hand to stop Concubine Yao's words, then got up and said, "You can continue being timid."
After saying that, he turned and walked briskly to the bow.
Concubine Yao finally had a chance to be alone with Xiao Jingheng. She remembered Consort Yin's words the other day and didn't want to miss this hard-won opportunity.
So she had to put down her fan and follow him with her head down to wait on Xiao Jingheng's side.
She gently held Xiao Jingheng's arm and said softly,
"Your Majesty, it's late, why don't you let your servant tuck you in to rest early?"
Just as she finished speaking, before she got a response, Concubine Yao first heard a clear, melodious female voice singing:
"This momentary encounter, we rest among the grass and flowers, then tie up the cloud hairpin, and lean against the red pine and green departments."
Concubine Yao looked in the direction of the voice and saw that without knowing when, several flat-bottomed boats had followed alongside the ship.
Those boats stood many young girls dressed in light red and green clothes. From a distance, they were all young and graceful.
Among them, the one standing on the second boat to the right was especially outstanding.
She had an extraordinarily graceful figure and charming curves, not inferior to Concubine Yao at all.
What's more, her skin was fairer than snow. Her willow leaf eyebrows and apricot eyes were full of charm.
Even looking at the entire rear palace, a woman of such beauty could only be barely matched by Song Zhao.
The melodious singing also came from her mouth:
"Seeing you, I want to snuggle close, slowly get intimate, wishing our flesh could stick together, arousing passion like rain of rouge and fresh flowers, wonderful!"
As the girl sang, she also kept looking towards the ship, secretly sending flirtatious glances to Xiao Jingheng.
Her seductive voice and coquettish manner greatly annoyed Concubine Yao.
"How can a girl sing such licentious lyrics, isn't she ashamed!"
Xiao Jingheng glanced at her, quite helpless, "These are lyrics from The Peony Pavilion, how can you say they are like that?"
"This..." Concubine Yao was extremely embarrassed, nervously fiddling with her silk handkerchief, "Your servant didn't know, made a joke of myself..."
Xiao Jingheng sighed briefly, obviously disliking Concubine Yao even more.
Later he didn't even look at Concubine Yao at all, but kept his eyes on the girl in green clothes boating on the lake, exchanging flirtatious glances.
Hearing the girl sing again:
"I want to leave but still reluctant, looking at each other, we met with no words."
The bright lights on the ship reflected on the water's surface, like a layer of romantic, rippling brocade, flowing gently towards the flat-bottomed boats.
When she finished singing, Xiao Jingheng applauded vigorously, calling it amazing.
Seeing Xiao Jingheng's expression and actions, Jiang Deshun who was attending nearby knew,
These girls today were all chosen by local officials from distinguished families. Their background was also checked by the eunuchs beforehand, all were decent.
So he tentatively asked, "Does Your Majesty want to spend the night on the boat?"
Xiao Jingheng smiled and agreed. Jiang Deshun immediately called to the girl on the lake,
"Miss, His Majesty invites you onto the ship."
The girl came onto the ship gracefully, supported by servants.
She walked leisurely to Xiao Jingheng and bowed to him:
"Your citizen pays respect to Your Majesty, long live my Emperor, long live, ten thousand years."
She bowed without daring to look him in the eye.
When she lowered her head, a lingxiao flower ornament in her hair floated and fell at Xiao Jingheng's feet.
Xiao Jingheng bent down to pick up the lingxiao flower and toyed with it in his hand.
"What's your name?"
The girl lightly pursed her lips and shyly said,
"Replying to Your Majesty, your citizen's name is... Qu Yanran."
