As the only daughter of a fourth-rank official, Shen Duruo had planned out her life early. After graduating from the Imperial Academy, she would either work in the Ministry of Works or stay at the Academy as a junior official in mathematics, earn a little money, and live out her life in peace.
But life was full of unexpected twists, and before long, that path was no longer open to her.
In the sixth year of Jian'an, on the Ghost Festival, Emperor Chengzong hosted a banquet for the civil and military officials at the Heyuan Garden.
Before the banquet began, Shen Duruo followed an attendant to sit among the female officials. At her table were newly appointed female scholars who had only recently entered court.
Not many people knew her, so she was happy to enjoy some peace and quiet. The palace's fruit wine was fragrant, and Shen Duruo chatted with the female official beside her as they drank several cups.
Gu Pingzhang watched from afar, still unable to put his mind at ease. After informing Chancellor Cheng, he headed toward Shen Duruo.
Shen Duruo watched him approach, feeling uneasy. He had caught her drinking too much. She was now more than four months pregnant, and Gu Pingzhang worried about her health, keeping a close eye on her at home.
She slid the wine cup farther away. Gu Pingzhang reached her side and glanced at her, looking a little annoyed but unable to do anything but indulge her.
Gu Pingzhang bowed to the other female officials at the table and said, "Please help me keep an eye on my wife. She's pregnant and shouldn't drink too much."
It was a court banquet, and Gu Pingzhang wasn't dressed in his commandery prince's robes. He wore purple court attire and a crown. One of the female officials recognized him as the current Censor-in-Chief and hurriedly stood to return his bow.
Gu Pingzhang gestured for her not to be so formal, then gave Shen Duruo a warning glance before returning to the front.
The table was quiet for a long while after he left. Then one of the bolder female officials asked Shen Duruo if she was the commandery princess.
"Before I came to the capital, I'd heard that Prince Yong'an and his wife were deeply devoted to each other. Seeing it for myself today, I can tell it's true. Everyone says the prince is graceful and talented, but after seeing you in person, I think the princess is truly fortunate." After one female official finished speaking, the others joined in with their praise.
"Could you tell us how you and Prince Yong'an met, Your Highness?"
Hearing this, Shen Duruo smiled. Ever since Wei Sanbian wrote a story about her and Gu Pingzhang, young female officials at court were always asking her about it.
"That's a long story..."
Formal blurb:
After the twenty-third year of Longqi, the struggle between the Crown Prince's faction and Prince Wei's faction intensified.
Emperor Shunzong doted exclusively on Consort Xu, and the Xu clan rose to great heights at court. They suppressed the aristocratic officials and promoted the powerful families of Consort Xu's maternal relatives, the Cui clan among them.
As a result, officials at court devoted themselves to petty schemes. The buying and selling of official posts continued despite repeated bans, leaving scholars throughout the land deeply disappointed.
The story takes place against this backdrop.
Gu Pingzhang, Prince Yong'an and the son of Princess Yangshuo, and Shen Duruo, daughter of former Vice Minister of Revenue Shen Yuan, face the chaotic court of the late Longqi era. They cleanse the court of corruption and help the Crown Prince ascend the throne.
Talented people gather, order is restored, and scholars throughout the land yearn for this flourishing age. Such is the splendor of the Garden of Abundant Fragrance.
"Blessed by the clear breeze and bright moon, with moss spread beneath us and clouds high overhead. Jiangnan is lovely, with a thousand cups of fine wine and a song of abundant fragrance."
Theme: Unlike the idea that a nation's misfortune is a poet's good fortune, this story explores how scholars and patriots can realize their ideals in a flourishing age
