Volume One: The Carefree Journey Amidst Indistinguishable Leaves Chapter Sixty-Two: Appreciating the Blossoms

Yang Ning felt no improper intentions toward the young woman, but he vaguely recalled that, earlier while chasing the elder in the gray robe, he’d bumped into someone. In his haste, he hadn’t had time to stop and apologize, but it seemed that person had also been dressed in a light water-green blouse like this. He was about to step forward and ask when he saw the young woman lower her head, making it inappropriate to approach her immediately.

The old flower vendor, hearing the young woman inquire about the price, hurried over and said, “Miss, you’ve taken a fancy to this Golden Chalice and Silver Pedestal?” He raised his thumb approvingly. “You have a discerning eye—a true connoisseur! Search the whole street, and at this time of year, such a flower is exceedingly rare. There can’t be more than three pots like this on the whole street.”

The young woman finally lifted her head and said, “I’ve searched the street and saw you had it here, so I wanted to ask how much silver it costs.”

“It seems you truly desire this flower,” the old man said with a smile. “Since you’re a connoisseur, you surely know that this Golden Chalice and Silver Pedestal isn’t cheap even in normal times, let alone now when it’s almost impossible to find. If you wish to take it, two taels of silver will suffice.”

“Two... two taels of silver?” The young woman’s delicate brows knitted together—she clearly hadn’t expected a single flower to cost so much.

The old vendor, noticing her hesitation, quickly explained, “I can see you know your flowers, Miss. I truly wish to sell it to you. I’ve run this flower shop for many years and never name a price at random. If you find one cheaper elsewhere, I’ll give you this one for free.”

The young woman hesitated, glancing at the Golden Chalice and Silver Pedestal, forcing a faint smile. “Then I’ll look elsewhere.” She turned to leave, but after two steps, she glanced back wistfully.

Though Yang Ning knew little about flowers, he could see how much the young woman cherished this particular one. Seeing her about to leave, he finally spoke up, “Miss, please wait!”

She paused in surprise as Yang Ning stepped forward and addressed the old vendor, “Is it really two taels of silver?”

“Young Master, do you also wish to buy this flower?” the old man asked eagerly. “If it’s for you, I would gladly offer it as a gift for your appreciation, but... but the flower market has its rules, which must not be broken—otherwise, others would complain...!”

Yang Ning smiled. “I understand.” He took out his purse, counted out two taels of silver, and handed them over. Then, picking up the flowerpot, he walked to the young woman and said with a gentle smile, “Miss, since you like this flower so much, please take it.”

The young woman shook her head immediately. “I cannot,” she replied, visibly nervous as she turned to leave. Yang Ning hurried after her. “Miss, do you think I’m being forward? I assure you, I have no other intentions. This flower rightly belongs to you.”

She stopped and looked back at him, puzzled. “Why do you say that, Young Master?”

“If I am not mistaken,” Yang Ning said, “earlier, in the rush, I bumped into you. Was that not the case?”

The young woman lowered her head and spoke softly, “It was unintentional on your part—I... I’ve already forgotten it.”

Yang Ning’s brows relaxed, relieved he hadn’t mistaken her identity. “I accidentally bumped into you. You overlooked it, but I cannot pretend nothing happened. Please accept this flower as my apology; otherwise, I’ll feel ill at ease.”

The old flower vendor, having received his silver, was eager to finalize the sale. “Miss, the Young Master is a truly good person. Just now, he even stood up to the Prince of Shu’s son without fear. Since he offers this sincerely, you should accept it.”

“I... I saw that earlier,” the young woman admitted, a blush coloring her cheeks. “But I cannot accept this flower—I cannot simply take something from another.”

Yang Ning replied, “This is not a casual gift, but a gesture of apology.”

“No, I cannot.” She still shook her head.

After a moment’s thought, Yang Ning smiled. “It seems you are quite fond of this Golden Chalice and Silver Pedestal, while I know little of flowers. Why not, if you have the time, teach me about these blossoms and plants? In exchange, perhaps I might learn something. What do you think?”

The flower vendor quickly interjected, “Anyone can see you’re an expert. Since the Young Master wishes to appreciate flowers, you might as well exchange insights, and perhaps this flower will end up in your hands after all.”

The young woman looked at the flower pot in Yang Ning’s hands, hesitating. After a brief pause, she said, “Actually, I don’t know all that much.”

Yang Ning quickly replied, “Let’s not worry about the rest. May I ask, this flower’s name is quite poetic—how did it come by such a title?”

Seeing Yang Ning’s cordial demeanor, the young woman’s courage grew, and she gave a sweet and gentle smile. She raised a slender finger to the flower and said, “Young Master, please set the flower down and look from above.”

Yang Ning did as she suggested, placing the pot down and gazing at it from above. The young woman stepped forward slightly and said, “See how the petals around the blossom are all white? When fully open, don’t they resemble a silver pedestal? And the yellow center—doesn’t it look like a golden chalice?”

Yang Ning hadn’t noticed before, but on her explanation, he looked more closely and saw she was right. Delighted, he said, “Indeed, it’s just as you say—the bloom really does look like a golden goblet resting atop a silver stand.”

“That is exactly the ideal form,” the young woman smiled. “Not all of these flowers grow so perfectly—sometimes the petals are too spread out, and the platform shape is lost. Sometimes the bud is misshapen and doesn’t resemble a chalice. Only with careful tending and favorable climate does one achieve such a result.”

“Oh? Then is it rare for a flower to grow so perfectly?” Yang Ning asked.

The young woman thought for a moment. “From what I know, perhaps only one in five hundred will turn out so well.”

“Miss, you are indeed knowledgeable,” the old vendor praised, giving a thumbs-up. “A true expert! In all my years, I’ve met countless buyers who only pretend to appreciate flowers, but true connoisseurs are rare indeed...” He trailed off, suddenly realizing that Yang Ning himself knew nothing about flowers, and fell silent in embarrassment.

Yang Ning only smiled. “You’re not wrong. There are far more who merely follow the fashion.” Then he added, “So this Golden Chalice and Silver Pedestal is truly one in a thousand. No wonder you favor it so.”

The young woman hesitated before saying, “It’s not that I love it so much, but... my mother does. All her life, she has loved this flower above all others.”

“Your mother must be a person of refined taste,” came a voice from the side. It was Yuan Rong, who had dawdled but now finally arrived, grinning. “Only a mother so elegant could have raised such a remarkable daughter.”

Yuan Rong’s sudden appearance startled the young woman, and her previously relaxed manner grew tense again. Yang Ning shot Yuan Rong a glare, thinking, “This fellow has no sense—what is he doing here at such a moment?” But with others present, he couldn’t ask him to leave.

“Your arrival has brought honor to my humble shop,” the old vendor said, seeing that Yuan Rong, too, was from a distinguished family. He gestured inside. “There are many other fine varieties in the shop. Why not come in and look around? Perhaps you’ll find one you like.” Turning to the young woman, he added, “Miss, you’re an expert—please, come give us your guidance.”

The young woman looked nervous and shook her head. “I... I won’t go in. My mother is waiting for me at home.”

“Miss, it’s still early—you needn’t hurry,” Yang Ning said, deeply impressed by her knowledge of flowers. He gestured invitingly. “Don’t worry, we’re only here to admire the flowers. You mentioned your mother loves the Golden Chalice and Silver Pedestal, but what about yourself? Perhaps there’s a variety here you’ll like.” He shot Yuan Rong a glance. “Though this fellow is a bit unruly, with me here you needn’t worry about him. Just pretend he isn’t here.”

Amused by Yang Ning’s lighthearted words, the young woman smiled, while Yuan Rong protested, “Ning, how can you speak that way about your own friend? How have I been unruly?”

Since Yang Ning had said so, the young woman didn’t refuse. Clearly, she was a true devotee of flowers. The old vendor led them into the shop, where a spacious hall was filled with blossoms and plants of every shape and color. The air was thick with fragrance, intoxicating to the senses.

The young woman’s eyes sparkled with joy as she took in the flowers around her. The old vendor said, “Since you’ve come to admire flowers, may I dare pose a question to the three of you? What do you think?”

“Oh?” Yuan Rong snapped open his folding fan. “Go ahead, let’s see what kind of question you’ll ask.”

Yang Ning, knowing nothing of floriculture, felt out of his depth, but with the young woman present, he couldn’t refuse outright. Smiling, he said, “Miss... ah, may I ask your name?” Realizing it was improper in this age to request a lady’s full name, he quickly added, “If it’s inconvenient, you needn’t say.”

The young woman thought for a moment before replying, “You may call me Xiaoyao, Young Master.”

“Is that the ‘Yao’ from the Jade Pool?” he asked.

She nodded slightly. Yang Ning smiled. “So you are Miss Xiaoyao. This gentleman here wishes to test us—what do you think?”

Xiaoyao seemed a little interested. “What is the question?”

The old vendor smiled. “It’s simple. Of all the flowers and plants in this garden, which do you think is the king of flowers?”

The king of flowers?

Yang Ning couldn’t help rubbing his nose and glanced at Yuan Rong, who laughed heartily, closed his fan, and said, “I’ll go first.” He lifted his fan and pointed, “In my opinion, the king of flowers must be the peony—specifically, the ‘Hall of Crimson.’”

Yang Ning thought, “The fellow has a good eye—perhaps he truly knows something about flowers.” The old vendor had just mentioned that his ‘Hall of Crimson’ peony was the shop’s treasure, and Yuan Rong had picked it out at once.

The ‘Hall of Crimson’—true to its name—was vibrant and radiant, exuding joy.

“This peony’s blossoms are delicate yet bold, with the bearing of a statesman,” Yuan Rong said, strolling over, looking pleased with himself. “Its color is pure, its meaning profound, symbolizing the everlasting prosperity of our great Chu. It is an auspicious omen sent from heaven. As the saying goes: ‘Raising the clear waves of jade water, nourishing the fertile earth, gathering the essence of mighty mountains, drawing the gentle spirit of streams, it strides forth from antiquity, resplendent through the ages, ever renewed among myriad blooms, eclipsing all others in beauty.’”

Yang Ning couldn’t help but feel a cold sweat break out on his brow. “This fellow truly lives up to his pedigree as the son of the Minister of Rites,” he thought. Watching Yuan Rong shake his head and recite so pompously, Yang Ning felt a strong urge to run over and give him a good thumping, were it not for the company present.