Chapter 155: Chrysanthemum Flower Festival

“In response to Princess Yu’s question, it was Miss Cousin… she wanted to carry this little white puppy in her arms, but the puppy refused to yield, and none of us were able to catch it.”

The words of maidservants had been validated by the others.

All the people gazed upon the two little beasts which had gone under Lin Mengya’s skirt with terrified looks in their eyes.

These two little chaps were so nimble and fast that a dozen maidservants chasing after them did not even manage to touch their fur.

“Not everyone gets to carry my Snow.”

Lin Mengya bent down to pick up Snow, and it fidgeted a little before settling quietly in Lin Mengya’s arms.

“Look at you. The entire place has turned into chaos just because of a puppy. It was just because it was unfamiliar with you. Look at how obedient it is in Mengya’s arms.”

Concubine De fixed her eyes on the little white puppy as she berated Jiang Ruqin.

Jiang Ruxin’s heart was filled with rage at the thought she was even despised by a little beast.

“Mother is right. I have picked up this little guy with a fierce nature. It would be wise for Miss Ruqin not to touch it, lest you be bitten and left with a scar.”

In Lin Mengya’s arms, Snow turned into a submissive little creature.

Although the arrogant nature of wolves meant that they did not behave coquettishly like puppies; however, Snow was rather used to and enjoyed squirming in Lin Mengya’s arms.

The baby tiger following closely behind Lin Mengya was looking at them jealously with its watery cat eyes.

Unfortunately, its master had neglected the pitiful looking baby tiger at this moment.

“Alright, I shall not try to carry it. How strange to be keeping dogs.”

Jiang Ruqin was obviously angry but could do nothing about it.

“Needless to say, this little puppy you are keeping as a pet is so lovable, Mengya.”

Concubine De used to keep a little Pekingese in the palace, but sadly it died.

Therefore, she had a special affinity for Lin Mengya’s Snow.

The little guy apparently understood human nature. It seemed to know who to fawn on.

When Concubine De reached out to stroke Snow’s head, it simply stole a glance at her for a moment but allowed her to continue caressing it.

“Look, it’s an obedient little guy. See, you must have frightened it just now.”

Gritting her teeth, Jiang Ruqin forced a smile on her face.

No wonder it was Lin Mengya’s pet, given that it was as sly as her.

“Oh yes, Mengya, I’ve something to discuss with you.”

Concubine De smiled. The more she looked at Lin Mengya, the more satisfied she was with her.

“Please go ahead, Mother.”

Qinghu, who was dressed as a woman, had set upright those pots of flowers knocked down by the maidservants earlier.

The garden was once again filled with chrysanthemum flowers and the sight refreshed people’s hearts.

Concubine De took in a deep breath. It seemed that the subtle fragrance of the flowers had lifted her melancholic mood.

“In past years when the chrysanthemum flowers were in full bloom, a number of gardens would hold flower festivals. This year, I see that the flowers in your garden are so beautiful. How about we also hold a chrysanthemum festival too?”

Concubine De suggested excitedly. She was cooped up in the Art Courtyard all day long. Apart from her regular visits to the temple to offer incense, she was normally not engaged in other activities.

When she saw that Lin Mengya’s garden was decorated with so many beautiful chrysanthemum flowers, the idea of a flower festival came to her.

“Oh yes, Cousin-in-law. From the look of it, the chrysanthemum flowers in your garden are the prettiest of all. I bet all the madams and mistresses in the entire Capital City would concede defeat once they see your garden.”

Jiang Ruqin quickly backed up Concubine De’s idea. Lin Mengya gave her a dispassionate look and said, “I’ll take note of this, but first, I need to discuss it with Prince Yu. Rest assured, Mother, the prince is very filial towards you and I’m sure he would gladly oblige.”

Lin Mengya’s respectful and submissive reply brought a smile to Concubine De’s face.

“In that case, my heart can be at ease. As long as you’re the one handling the matter, I feel more assured.”

Concubine De was very happy with this daughter-in-law of hers.

After lingering for a while more to enjoy the beautiful flowers and having eaten the pastry Lin Mengya made with chrysanthemum flower in her little kitchen, Concubine De went back to the Art Courtyard, feeling completely satisfied.

Lin Mengya sat in the pavilion, holding Snow on her lap and staring into the garden full of chrysanthemum flowers and sank into deep thoughts.

“What are you thinking about, lass? You’re dazing.”

Qinghu, still in his woman’s attire, walked up to Lin Mengya with dainty steps.

“Will you change out of this dress first?”

Lin Mengya looked at Qinghu with disgust and disdain.

Was the lad addicted to cross-dressing?

“Pfft, you must be jealous of my charming looks!”

Qinghu rolled his eyes at Lin Mengya and walked out of her line of vision, swaying his hips.

Oh god, Lin Mengya thought, was he not looking completely like a woman?

“Is something troubling you, Master?”

Baiji walked up to Lin Mengya carrying a pot of chrysanthemum tea and looked at her with concern.

“Why would Concubine De want to hold a chrysanthemum flower festival for no reason? Did something happen when I went over just now?”

Lin Mengya could sense that this was not as simple as it seemed.

Perhaps Concubine De had a simple motive of merely wanting to hold a chrysanthemum flower festival.

However, Jiang Ruqin, who usually took a stand against her, had actually tried to make the festival happen as suggested by Concubine De.

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Jiang Ruqin’s action had alarmed Lin Mengya.

“Nothing much had been said. Concubine De basically told us some of the ancient stories in the palace. Subsequently, Miss Ruqin mentioned that the palace used to conduct the chrysanthemum flower festival annual, until the time the Emperor’s health deteriorated and they stopped holding the festival.”

Baiji searched her memory but could not pull out anything suspicious.

“I see, but who actually started the idea of holding a chrysanthemum flower festival?”

“Miss Cousin was the one who suggested it. She said that it’s almost the prince’s birthday and a chrysanthemum flower festival would bring bustle and excitement. No doubt she’s trying to take this opportunity to win the prince’s favor, but I bet the prince wouldn’t appreciate that!”

The flushed Baizhi said, apparently displeased with Jiang Ruqin.

Lin Mengya nodded in response. She must be on her guards since it was Jiang Ruqin who suggested the idea.

In name, it would be a chrysanthemum flower festival, but it would just turn out to be another banquet.

The only trouble was that her little courtyard would be flooded with people coming to see the flowers.

There was a fear of bad things happening in the presence of too many people, which would distract their attention.

“Master, shall we just forget about it?”

A worried look appeared on Baishao’s face as she tried to dissuade Lin Mengya.

Having been through Lin Mengya’s training on crisis management, the maidservants were careful about not allowing outsiders into the Liuxin Courtyard.

It would be difficult for them to stop some from entering since there would be many guests.

“Not a problem. Didn’t you see how excited Concubine De was?”

Nevertheless, the greatest challenge of all was to make sure that Concubine De was pleased.

Moreover, if she were to dismiss Concubine De’s suggestion, Lin Mengya would be blamed as lacking magnanimity.

In that case, Lin Mengya would suffer an overall loss. Jiang Ruqin was always keeping a lookout for any opportunity to destroy her.

“The banquet will be held in the front hall. Just be careful when there are people coming into the courtyard to see the chrysanthemum flowers.”

It seemed that they could only deal with whatever came to them one step at a time. Ultimately, this part of Prince Yu’s Mansion was still under her jurisdiction.

When Long Tianhao returned from a trip outside, he was immediately asked by Lin Mengya to come to the Liuxin Courtyard.

Even before he entered the courtyard, he could hear sounds of loud laughter coming from inside.

“Come here, Snow! Don’t you bite Snow’s tail, baby tiger. Come over here, quick!”

The moment he opened the gate, he saw Baizhi and Lin Zhongyu playing happily with the two little creatures.

Lin Mengya was sitting in the pavilion, looking at the people in the courtyard with gentle eyes and a smile on the face.

Taking in the sight of Lin Mengya’s contented smile on her face, Long Tianhao thought this was the so-called blissful life as described by poets.

“The prince is here, Master. The prince is here!”

Baizhi was the first to spot Long Tianhao. At that moment, her face which was filled with a brilliant smile a moment ago suddenly tensed up.

She ran up to Lin Mengya, looking all submissive. However, she had lost the liveliness and innocent look a moment ago.

“Erm, I’m here.”

Baizhi was not the only one, but the rest of the people in the courtyard had obviously hidden their smiles the moment they saw that Long Tianhao arrived.

Lin Mengya was the only one who continued wearing the sweet and gentle smile on her face.

“Have you had dinner, Your Highness?”

Lin Mengya stood up and greeted the prince, just as any wife normally would do.

“Yes, I’ve already eaten.”

For some unknown reason, a warm feeling filled his cold heart.

Long Tianhao’s frozen heart was quietly and gradually melting.

“I’ve asked for Your Highness to come because I’ve something to discuss with you.”

Standing before Long Tianhao, Lin Mengya raised her face up.

The rays from the setting sun fell on her creamy, translucent skin, making her as beautiful as an angel.

“What’s it about?”

Long Tianhao had instinctively softened his voice as if he was afraid to destroy the beautiful scene.

“Mother saw the chrysanthemum flowers in my courtyard and in a fit of excitement, she suggested that we should hold a flower festival. I would like to hear your thoughts on this.”

Lin Mengya looked down and spoke with the most gentle and sweet voice ever.

“Alright, I shall put you in charge of this matter then.”

For the first time ever, Long Tianhao had treated her as the mistress of Prince Yu’s Mansion.

In the past, he used to complain that women were a clamor, so he refused to have any concubines in the mansion.

Nowadays, however, he could not wait to see Lin Mengya’s warm and smiley face the moment he returned home from outside.

“Alright, Your Highness. Do you have any other instructions for me?”

Lin Mengya avoided looking into Long Tianhao’s eyes because they were deep and dark and felt as if her soul would get sucked into them.

No, she could not let this go on!

Lin Mengya warned herself that if she sank into this, she would be the one to get hurt eventually.

“There’s nothing else. It’s going to be a lot of hard work for you.”

Long Tianhao did not know what else to say after this, and the two of them stood there in awkward silence.

“Elder Sister, Snow and baby tiger seem to be behaving strangely!”

Luckily at this juncture, Lin Zhongyu exclaimed.

Lin Mengya and Long Tianhao looked in the direction Xiaoyu was pointing and they saw at the corner of the wall, baby tiger was lying on the floor, foaming at its mouth.

Lin Mengya dashed towards it as an alarm screamed in her head.

Frowning, she picked up the baby tiger and folded it into an embrace. Who could be so cruel as to poison this innocent little creature?

“Go get some cow’s milk from the kitchen! This is a very powerful poison. We have to administer first aid while we look for its antidote!”