Chapter 4 — Paper Kite, Mirror Dream

Yet I refused to follow him, fixing my gaze on Pei Xuan as I awaited his reply. Should he refuse, well, at the very least, I could simply choose not to participate in this literary gathering. When Pei Xuan raised his head, what met his eyes was a pair of slightly reddened, grievance-laden eyes. Hearing the words Pei Thanh had just uttered, he could naturally piece together the gist of what had transpired. Originally, he had only attended because his mother, the Empress, had insisted he make an appearance for a brief while before leaving. The refusal had already risen to the tip of his tongue twice, yet in the end, he swallowed it back down.

Very well. Lady Shen, please take a seat.

A sudden wave of indrawn breaths rippled from the crowd behind them.

Had I known His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince was so easily persuaded, I would have stepped forward to invite him myself.

Indeed. I could die of regret. Shen Youning has truly picked up an extraordinary bargain.

His Highness the Crown Prince is as ethereal as a celestial being; how could he possibly form a team with such a hopeless good-for-nothing? My heart is completely shattered.

Pei Thanh’s expression stiffened noticeably. He stared at me for a long moment before casually selecting another young lady to form his team. The Fifth Princess’s eyes shimmered with barely contained excitement. Remembering her mother’s strict instructions, she instantly felt the immense weight of the responsibility resting upon her shoulders. Picking up the drum mallets, she formally announced the rules of the game: When the drum sounded, everyone would pass a peony flower from hand to hand down the line. Wherever the beating of the drum ceased, the team currently holding the flower would be required to compose a couplet. One person would recite the first line, and the other would supply the matching second line. Should either partner fail to provide a suitable response, or if the verse was deemed lacking in quality, both would be penalized with a cup of wine.

I cast a stealthy sideways glance at Pei Xuan’s profile, chanting inwardly that we must pass the flower with utmost swiftness when the time came. Yet the rhythm of the drum seemed deliberately determined to oppose my wishes. No sooner had the peony blossom reached my hands than the rolling thunder of the drum abruptly died away. Pei Xuan recited the first line, and I reluctantly managed to cobble together a matching response. Just as I was about to release a breath of relief, however, the Fifth Princess slowly shook her head.

It is my judgment that Lady Shen’s couplet lacks sufficient poetic resonance. Therefore, a wine penalty is in order. What does everyone think?

The young ladies who had always held a quiet animosity toward me were quick to chime in.

We agree, it is quite mediocre.

A penalty! Pour the wine!

With no other choice, I resigned myself to draining the cup to the dregs, casting an apologetic look toward Pei Xuan. He tilted his head back slightly and followed my lead, emptying his own cup. Perceiving my gaze, he inclined his head fractionally and murmured in a low voice:

It is of no consequence.

His lips were rendered all the more vivid and rosy by the wine, yet his expression remained as aloof and detached as ever. My face flared with sudden heat. Hurriedly averting my eyes, I muttered under my breath:

A sin, what a heavy sin... Amitabha... Boundless Heavenly Venerable...

Yet the moment I lifted my gaze once more, my eyes collided directly with those of Pei Thanh sitting across the courtyard. His complexion was far from agreeable, and the remnants of any polite smile had completely vanished from his features. Doubtless, he was consumed by lingering frustration at not having been able to form a team with his eldest brother.

The second round commenced. Once more, the unfortunate peony blossom came to a halt in my hands. Pei Xuan looked across at the Fifth Princess and said, with a helpless sigh:

Fifth younger sister, isn't this coincidence just a trifle too convenient?

The Fifth Princess showed not the slightest trace of a guilty conscience, responding with a bright, unrepentant smile:

Imperial elder brother, I am practicing no deception whatsoever. It is entirely the will of the heavens, so you mustn't accuse me of foul play.

The verse I managed to cobble together still failed to satisfy her exacting standards. Just as I reached out to lift the wine cup... Pei Xuan’s hand intercepted it, taking the vessel from me.

Lady Shen, from this moment onward, all punitive wine shall be consumed by me.

There is no need for that, I am quite capable of—

Before I could finish my sentence, he had already downed both cups. A murmur of profound astonishment rippled through the gathered onlookers. The Fifth Princess’s smile only grew more triumphant as she cast a covert, knowing wink in my direction. At that precise juncture, Pei Thanh abruptly rose to his feet and strode over to where Pei Xuan stood.

Imperial brother, Shen Youning is utterly devoid of literary talent; she is merely dragging you down.

Perhaps we should exchange partners. Let her come and form a team with me instead.

The young lady currently paired with him brightened instantly at these words, her expression brimming with eager anticipation. For my part, I could only lower my head in deep mortification, my heart heavy with self-reproach. I had heard it said that Pei Xuan was habitually rigorous and demanding with himself, practically never touching alcohol under normal circumstances. Yet today... on my account, he had already consumed such a copious amount. He must surely despise me by now. Unwilling to continue acting as a burden to him, I was on the verge of fabricating an excuse about feeling unwell so that I might take my leave.

Yet before the words could pass my lips, I heard Pei Xuan state with tranquil certainty:

There is no need.

Lady Shen’s verses were entirely correct. Although they carry a trace of childlike innocence, they are remarkably vivid and full of life.

Since I agreed to form a team with her, I shall see it through to the end.

Furthermore... it is not she who is dragging me down.

Rather, it is I who am dragging her down.

Astonished, I turned my gaze toward Pei Xuan, catching his eyes at that exact instant. Those pupils remained as placid as a deep lake, yet they were imbued with a quiet, steady comfort. The restless fluttering within my chest gradually subsided.

Imperial Highness, I shall try my utmost.

With no further pretext, Pei Thanh could only return to his seat. Though he repeatedly signaled me with urgent, meaning glances from across the space, I chose to ignore them entirely. Even so... all my diligent efforts proved utterly futile. Throughout the ensuing five rounds, Pei Xuan was forced to endure the wine penalty on at least three separate occasions. I began to harbor deep suspicions that the Fifth Princess was intentionally targeting the two of us, though regrettably, I possessed not a shred of evidence.

Fortunately, Pei Xuan’s capacity for alcohol was remarkably strong. From beginning to end, his complexion remained entirely unchanged, his demeanor as unruffled and serene as ever. It was only when the literary gathering finally drew to its conclusion that I exhaled a long, pent-up breath of relief. Turning to him, I called out softly:

Imperial Highness.

Imperial Highness.

Yet after calling twice in succession, he offered no response. Reaching out, I gently tapped him upon the shoulder, only for my wrist to be intercepted and grasped in a firm, unyielding grip. Only then did Pei Xuan slowly turn his head to look at me. His gaze seemed veiled by a fine layer of mist, hazy and unfocused.

Mmm?

...Had he... actually become intoxicated? Lifting my hand, I held up two fingers and waggled them directly before his face.

Imperial Highness, how many fingers am I holding up?

Pei Xuan’s gaze slowly traced a double circle following the movement of my fingers before he finally answered:

Two.

Was he truly drunk, or was he still sober? Waiting until nearly all the guests had dispersed, I quietly beckoned the Fifth Princess over. She circled around Pei Xuan a few times before inquiring with amusement:

Imperial brother, imperial brother, how many years of age are you this year?

Twenty-one.

He is drunk! He is thoroughly, hopelessly drunk!