Chapter 52: Publicly Presenting a Poem – I Wrote a Poem, Can You Help Me Take a Look…

The intricate scenery was like flowers blooming in the spring sunshine, rising and falling, bright and moving. Li Ruantang was in the midst of it all, the movement under the window gradually becoming inaudible, already deep in a dream.

The gauze curtain on the bed was gently blown by the wind, the cool breeze pulling back her wandering thoughts. Li Ruantang slowly opened her eyes. This dream was becoming clearer. According to what Dr. Xu had said, it meant the poison was starting to dissolve.

But if all these things in the dream were true, she quietly looked at the intricately carved bats and persimmons on the bed, her heart gradually sinking.

“Wei Dan, what time is it?”

Li Ruantang carefully put away the poem she had placed by her pillow. Behind the bamboo curtain, a maid was holding an invitation card, “In response to the young lady, it’s already the first quarter of the Chen hour.”

Li Ruantang rubbed her brow. Today she had woken up an hour later than usual, but her head was still groggy, probably because of the wine she drank yesterday.

Behind Wei Dan, a group of maids and servants came in to serve and help with grooming. The invitation card in hand was from Qin Yu, the Vice Minister of Rites.

Li Ruantang gestured for Wei Dan to read its contents, while she took a warm towel and covered her face, not speaking.

“Young lady, I’ve inquired about it. Secretary Qin’s poetry gathering was sent to various noble houses three days ago. This letter sent today is likely a late addition.”

Li Ruantang gave a faint “hmm” in response.

She held no official position in the capital, and the noble houses secretly speculated that there was some discord between the Sujin Princess’s mansion and the Empress, which was why they were delaying in granting her a title.

But on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, when the Prince of Qing County was drinking heavily with Li Ruantang, it was the Empress who protected her. Since the Empress’s ascension to the throne, no one had ever received such special favor.

Moreover, with Qi Yun publicly betrothed, families with young men suddenly had fewer reservations. As the wind direction changed in the capital’s upper echelons, the Sujin Princess’s mansion also became a hot commodity.

“Young lady.” Wei Dan worriedly fastened the pouch at her waist, not concealing her concerns, “Secretary Qin and Wei Yunruo are from the same school. Inviting you to go, I’m afraid there might be other intentions.”

Li Ruantang was not surprised. The Golden Elixir case ran deep. Originally, she had planned to walk into the trap last night, using the engagement to restrain the Qi family, but unexpectedly, Wei Yunruo had deceived Qi Yun and dragged Meng Jun into it as well.

That young man was already pure-hearted by nature. If she hadn’t brought Lord Meng back to the Meng residence in time earlier, Wei Yunruo would likely have succeeded.

Yesterday, he foolishly went to Lanxu Palace again. She really couldn’t stand by and watch, which is why she rashly intervened.

However, Li Ruantang didn’t regret it. Things are in human hands.

Now Wei Yunruo had latched onto the Qi family’s ship. If she wanted to find more clues, she would have to deal with these old foxes one by one.

Moreover, yesterday, Her Majesty’s health was clearly much worse than before. If it weren’t for her mentor’s hard support in court, I’m afraid it would have long since devolved into chaos, with people suffering. Additionally, the Prince of Qing County, with his wolfish ambitions, had also found an excuse to return to the capital.

In the early years of the Crown Princess dispute, if it weren’t for her mentor’s mediation, I’m afraid the Prince of Qing County would have taken the opportunity to raise troops and declare himself emperor when Her Majesty was grieving the loss of two princesses.

Now, she didn’t have much time left to investigate the case.

Li Ruantang pointed at the pomegranate red gold-threaded dress that Wei Dan was about to put away, “Let’s go with this one.”

If she wanted to delve deep into the quagmire, she couldn’t remain pure as snow.

She grabbed a handful of gold beans and put them in the pouch at her waist, her lips curling into a smile as she turned to the stunned Wei Dan and asked, “How is it? Do I have a bit of a playboy’s air?”

She didn’t seem like a playboy, but the young lady’s gaze somehow looked a bit sinister.

Wei Dan’s eye twitched as she glanced at the young lady in front of her, who was trying hard to put on an amorous and affectionate appearance, and nodded nervously.

The invitation stated that the banquet would be near noon.

It was still early, and Dr. Xu, carrying his medicine box, was taking Li Ruantang’s pulse in the study as usual.

Wei Dan pondered for a moment, beckoned to a subordinate, and the two whispered a few words before quietly walking towards the wall, one in front and one behind.

The ladder against the wall had not yet been taken down. Wei Dan, holding a tile in her hand, pretended to be repairing the wall tiles as she climbed to the top of the wall, her gaze constantly peeking into the courtyard.

A familiar servant came out from under the corridor in front of her.

Wei Dan immediately spoke loudly with full vigor, “Oh, the Vice Minister of Rites sent another invitation, saying he wants to set up a feast and wine at Yuqing Pavilion, to make friends through poetry.”

“Yuqing Pavilion?” The subordinate raised his voice very enthusiastically.

On the other side of the wall, Zhidong, who had just poured water, suddenly hid behind the corridor pillar upon hearing this. Even though it was in the courtyard of the Meng residence, he still had to eavesdrop on this conversation.

“That’s right. Originally, the young lady didn’t want to go, but Secretary Qin sent several invitations early in the morning. In my opinion, there’s more to this than meets the eye. Everyone knows that Secretary Qin’s son has already come of age and is ready to be engaged.”

“So the young lady is going reluctantly, just for social obligations, absolutely no other intentions!”

The voice coming over the wall was clear and articulate. Zhidong carefully memorized it. When the footsteps on the other side gradually faded away, he ran into the corridor in a few steps, the pearl curtain he lifted clattering like pearls falling to the ground.

“Young master, there’s gossip!” Zhidong knelt on the gold-embroidered wool carpet, his face extremely mysterious as he lowered his voice, “I just heard the guards from the Sujin Princess’s mansion say that Young Lady Li is going to discuss marriage with Young Master Qin today!”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” The young man who had just turned a page in his book shook his head with a light laugh, “Secretary Qin has invited many people today, and our mansion also received an invitation. If it were for a marriage discussion, why would he invite so many people?”