The Peach Garden lay on the eastern outskirts of the city, beside the Hanshui.
It was private property belonging to Hanshui Academy, often used for gatherings of scholars and cultured gentlemen.
Spring had arrived, and the peach blossoms were in full bloom.
The annual Peach Garden Poetry Gathering had also arrived right on schedule.
Carriages and horses thronged the entrance to the Peach Garden.
Young noblemen in fine brocade and jade ornaments stepped down from their carriages, exchanged courteous greetings, and entered the garden together with scholarly refinement.
Besides the young gentlemen of the various families,
many young ladies from wealthy households also came to admire the flowers and enjoy the spring scenery, calling it cultivation of the spirit and an appreciation of culture.
Of course, most of the young ladies harbored another intention.
They hoped to look over the young noblemen and see whether anyone caught their fancy.
Amid the stream of people, horses, and carriages, Chen Jing stepped down from his carriage in green robes, surveying the varied crowd with curiosity.
But none of the aristocratic young men or officials' daughters who glanced his way recognized his face. They whispered among themselves and gave him a wide berth, leaving him looking somewhat out of place.
Just then, a clear, warm voice came from beside him.
"Are you Chen Jing, Brother Chen?"
Chen Jing turned to look.
A youth in green-and-white scholarly robes stood nearby, his hands raised in greeting.
His face was like lustrous jade, and his phoenix eyes shone with a keen spirit.
He looked fifteen or sixteen, but his frame had already filled out, with broad shoulders and a sturdy back. There was nothing frail about him; beneath his scholarly air lay a steady, martial bearing.
Chen Jing's heart stirred.
What a fine young man!
He