Chapter Fourteen: A New Wave Arises

“*Ahem!* Just now, as I was passing by, I happened to meet the musician you were looking for. I suspect the maid Bi Tao may have led you astray, so I brought her to you,” Lin Rou’er said, clearing her throat awkwardly and breaking the silence, though she turned her head away in discomfort.

Jiang Zhuo then noticed that behind Lin Rou’er followed a musician dressed in the uniform of the Music Bureau, no doubt the very Li Shi he had been searching for.

“Jiang, after I changed, a maid said she could take me to the main hall since it was on the way, but we ended up going in circles and never arrived…” Li Shi, red-eyed from knowing she had caused trouble, explained to Jiang Zhuo.

“No matter. If we go to the front courtyard now, we might still catch the finale,” Jiang Zhuo replied, feeling even more embarrassed than Lin Rou’er. Still, soaked through, he had no choice but to turn to Lin Rou’er for help. “Madam Lin, could you kindly do me the favor of escorting Li Shi to the main hall?”

“Why would I help you?” Lin Rou’er asked haughtily.

Jiang Zhuo was speechless.

Indeed, Lin Rou’er had no obligation to assist him.

He pressed his lips shut, unable to respond.

“Hmph!” Seeing Jiang Zhuo silent, Lin Rou’er turned to a nearby maid and commanded, “What are you waiting for? Hurry and take Li Shi to the front courtyard! Do you want to ruin the Marquis’s birthday banquet?”

Truly, a stubborn yet kind-hearted soul.

Jiang Zhuo looked at Lin Rou’er gratefully.

After Li Shi and the maid walked off, Lin Rou’er scolded Jiang Zhuo again.

“And you? How much longer do you intend to stand in the water? Don’t tell me you fell in on purpose to play the victim and seduce the Marquis!”

Only then did Jiang Zhuo react and begin making his way toward the shore.

Soaked to the skin, Jiang Zhuo shivered as the cold night wind bit at him.

Lin Rou’er draped a pale pink outer robe over his shoulders.

“Thank you, Madam—”

Before Jiang Zhuo could finish, Lin Rou’er interrupted.

“I’m not helping you out of kindness; I just want to prevent you from accusing me of pushing you into the water.”

Despite her words, Lin Rou’er took Jiang Zhuo back to her chambers and helped him change into dry clothes.

Fortunately, their sizes were similar, so Jiang Zhuo could wear Lin Rou’er’s garments.

As for his own crumpled female attendant’s uniform, he could only wrap it up in cloth and take it with him.

“Madam, I am deeply grateful for your assistance today. Rest assured, I will have this outfit cleaned thoroughly and sent back to you,” Jiang Zhuo sincerely promised before departing.

“Do you think I, Lin Rou’er, care so much about a few tattered clothes?” Lin Rou’er waved her hand in annoyance, clearly impatient. “Consider them a gift. Anything you’ve touched is filthy to me. Even if you return them, I’d only find it disgusting and have them thrown away or burned!”

“Yes, Madam!” Jiang Zhuo replied cheerfully. “So your given name is Lin Rou’er. I am Jiang Zhuo. Should you ever need anything, I will do my utmost to assist you!”

“Ugh! Such a jinx! Life at the Marquis’s mansion suits me just fine! What need have I of a lowly female attendant’s help?” Lin Rou’er seemed angrier still. “Just the sight of you irritates me. If you really meant well, then get lost—and don’t ever show your face here again!”

As the maids nearby began to see Jiang Zhuo off, he wisely took his leave and hurried toward the main hall.

By the time Jiang Zhuo arrived at the banquet, Ling Heng was already seated at the head of the table, gently fanning himself with a golden bamboo fan, exuding the refined air of a noble gentleman.

There was no trace of the unsavory scandal from earlier.

Ling Heng’s gaze lingered on Jiang Zhuo with a blend of admiration, amusement, and determination.

Feeling marked as a target, Jiang Zhuo smiled sweetly at Ling Heng in defiance.

Not everyone craves the glory of the Marquis of Wuwei, nor fears his power. With his father far from the capital, Jiang Zhuo considered his own life expendable; if Ling Heng insisted on forcing the issue, a fight to the death would not be unthinkable.

At the center of the banquet, the ensemble began performing “Gathering Joy Among Immortals” in the Gao Shuang style.

The zither’s melody was delicate and winding, the silk strings melodious, while Li Shi’s flute soared clear and high. The harmonized music filled the air with lively festivity.

This piece signaled the banquet’s climax and the nearing completion of the Music Bureau’s duties. As Jiang Zhuo slipped behind the folding screen, he finally exhaled deeply.

Having changed into the pale pink brocade robe, Jiang Zhuo stood out conspicuously among the female attendants and musicians.

“What happened? You disappear for a moment and cause such a commotion?” Qin Caiyun scolded upon spotting him.

“Caiyun, don’t be like that…” a fellow attendant gently tugged Qin Caiyun’s sleeve, soothing her. “Jiang, you fell in by accident just trying to find Li Shi.”

“Yeah, without Jiang, there’d be fewer people for the Gathering Joy performance,” another attendant chimed in.

“People’s hearts are hard to fathom. Who knows what she’s trying to do dressed like that?” Qin Caiyun scoffed but ceased mocking. “My sister knows you fell in the water. She told you to leave early and not make a fool of yourself here.”

Would Sister Liu Yun really say such things?

Jiang Zhuo felt a flush of embarrassment.

“Qin’s meaning is that Jiang was startled today and should return to rest early. She will handle the aftermath.” Another attendant corrected.

“…Isn’t that what I just said?” Qin Caiyun smirked, ignoring Jiang Zhuo’s response.

Jiang Zhuo smiled helplessly, aware that his appearance was ill-suited to remain; upon entrance, he had already drawn the attention of many guests.

The Marquis of Wuwei’s mansion was a place where trouble was never far, but better to avoid it entirely. It was best to leave now, while fewer guests remained.

After confirming a few matters and bidding farewell to his sisters, Jiang Zhuo stepped out alone.

Because Qin Liu Yun held a rank just above his, Jiang Zhuo forwent the grandest Music Bureau carriage he had arrived in, choosing instead a common carriage belonging to the Department of Etiquette.

...

“Did you get the details?” Qian Yunyi, the capital’s notorious rake, swallowed nervously as he watched the carriage fade into the night.

“Master, I confirmed it precisely! The Marquis of Wuwei didn’t arrange a seat for this little beauty. The banquet wasn’t over before she boarded a plain carriage with no family crest. She’s likely from a humble household,” the excited footman reported eagerly.

“Judging by her attire, she’s probably a concubine. Seems some family tried to present a beauty to the Marquis but was rejected.”

Qian Yunyi recalled the woman’s demeanor as she entered behind the screen in the main hall. Though only a fleeting glimpse, he prided himself on years of experience in the pleasure quarters and was certain he had not been mistaken.

“Tsk, tsk. To look like that and still get rejected—does Lord Ling expect a celestial fairy from the heavens?”

“Who knows? That Ling fellow lacks taste, but tonight your master might enjoy some rare pleasures.” Qian Yunyi narrowed his eyes, vaulting onto his horse. He waved to his attendants. “Bring more men quickly! Don’t let my good fortune slip away!”