Qi Su: "What is it?"

What could possibly make that brood of birds think she's crazy and rude?

Qingyan: "Princess Anle is here today as well."

Qi Su: "Wow!"

It has to be said that her friends know her quite well.

Qingyan: "...Your eyes are practically glowing. Are you plotting something shady? Don't cause trouble for your senior brother."

Qi Su: "I understand, little master. I'm just a little curious about what Princess Anle looks like. Aren't you curious too?"

Qingyan remained silent.

He was curious too.

She's said to be the most beautiful woman in the capital.

A woman's voice suddenly came from the garden gate.

A maid dressed in palace attire asked politely:

"Where is Qingyan, the young master who serves His Highness Prince Qishan?"

The attendant in charge of reception in the park immediately stepped forward to inquire what was wrong.

The palace maid said with a smile, "Princess Anle has something to tell you."

Oh ho.

Qi Su and Qing Yan exchanged a glance.

She swiftly and skillfully grabbed the young monk's robe.

If I become rich and powerful, I will not forget you.

.

White mist filled the greenhouse.

Even though it's only early February, the hot spring pools are already blooming with red lotus flowers.

The Crown Princess, a woman in her early twenties with a round face, held a water ladle and gently poured water onto the lotus flowers that were in full bloom.

"Your method really worked! This time, water lilies have successfully bloomed in the Jade Lotus Pond. Let's see what your brother has to say now!"

The girl in the light blue dress next to him smiled and said:

"I only offered a couple of suggestions. The fact that the lotus flowers are blooming now is mainly thanks to the flower craftsmen."

The Crown Princess said, "If it weren't for your guidance, they wouldn't have been able to cultivate lotus flowers in the winter even after two more years."

As they were talking, someone outside came to report that Master Qingyan had arrived.

The Crown Princess asked, "Who is this?"

The girl in blue: "He is a young novice monk serving the King of Qishan."

The Crown Princess responded with an "oh".

With a meaningful tone, he said, "Yun Zheng."

The girl in green said, "Sister-in-law, please don't misunderstand. He was injured before, and His Majesty ordered me to treat him."

The Crown Princess laughed and said, "What did I say? I didn't say anything, but you rushed to explain a lot, and your face turned red."

The girl in blue: "..."

The Crown Princess laughed and said, "Alright, why don't you hurry up? What if Yun Zheng blames you if you're any later?"

…

The young girl herself lifted the beaded curtain of the water pavilion and stepped out.

Sure enough, a young novice monk dressed in a dark blue robe stood at the foot of the steps in front of the courtyard.

Upon seeing her approach, the young novice monk glanced at her briefly before quickly lowering his head.

With hands clasped together and a solemn expression.

"Greetings, Princess."

Princess Anle took her seat and casually waved her hand, indicating that he didn't need to be so polite.

"Has your senior brother's injury improved recently?"

Qingyan replied, "Much better. I've been applying the medicine the princess gave me every day."

Seeing that he had indeed used the medicine she had given him, Princess Anle smiled.

They inquired again in detail about the King of Qishan's recent diet, medication, and daily routine.

"We've probably finished most of the previous medication. It's time to switch to some new drugs."

The maid beside him whispered:

"Seeking medical treatment naturally requires the patient to be present in person. As for changing the dressing, Princess, let's wait until we meet with the Prince of Qishan."

Princess Anle blushed slightly, nodded, and indeed said nothing more.

He instructed someone to bring Qingyan several boxes of fruit and pastries, and had his bodyguard carry them.

Only then did they send the person away.

.

After leaving the Jade Lotus Pond, Qingyan, under the pretext of wanting to see what snacks the princess had given him, called Qi Su forward to talk.

"Here, these are some snacks from the princess."

Qi Su didn't mind.

I picked out a piece of each to try.

Hmm, it tastes better than what you buy at a pastry shop.

"These are all made with vegetable oil, so you can eat them. It seems this princess is quite thoughtful."

Qingyan glanced at her sideways.

"You're still praising her. Aren't you afraid that your senior brother will be snatched away by her? The princess is also very beautiful, dignified and graceful, like a Bodhisattva in a Buddhist temple."

Qi Su then picked out another piece of her favorite hibiscus cake.

"You're still young, you don't understand. Men don't like the Bodhisattvas in the temple, men only like the demons outside the temple."

Pooh.

Qingyan refused to give up.

Aren't you jealous?

Qi Su laughed.

What are you jealous of? I have your senior brother's heart and soul in my hands.

Feigning jealousy in front of him is a bit amusing.

“She’s not as good-looking as me, and your senior brother doesn’t like her. What do I have to be angry about? Besides, your senior brother always treats me differently.”

Qingyan sighed.

“Your senior brother treats you differently. He sent someone to inquire about you three years ago in the capital, so I suppose he was interested in you back then.”

Qi Su: "...Hmm? Three years ago?"

Anyway, they were already hugging and cuddling together. Although her senior brother didn't say it explicitly, it seemed like the position of Princess Qishan was going to be given to her. She wasn't a bad person; last time, she even let him choose from a whole box of gifts bestowed upon her by the palace.

Although Qingyan didn't like her very much, his senior brother did.

Why are you still hiding it from him?

“Yes!” he said matter-of-factly, recounting what happened three years ago.

"Back then, wasn't there a rumor in Kyoto that the Buddhist disciple of Ciyun Temple was in love with Qi San Niangzi? Not two days after the news came out, my senior brother ordered someone to investigate you."

Qi Su: ...She didn't know anything about this.

"Have you found anything yet?"

Qingyan: "I don't know about that, it should be nothing. Anyway, the abbot of Ciyun Temple was quite angry at the time and wanted to defend him, but my senior brother refused."

He won't go into his Zen philosophy, but what he's trying to say is that you're a young woman, unmarried, and doing this would damage your reputation. Therefore, he'd rather you damage his reputation.

Qi Su was filled with awe.

"So he loved me all along. I'll treat him better from now on."

.

Lunch was served in an open pavilion overlooking the water.

In the corridor with its hanging bamboo mats, there is a pool of spring water on the left. On the right are several peach trees that have already blossomed.

The pink petals, like a misty fog, drifted on the breeze with a sweet fragrance.

Indeed, the view was clear and the scenery was beautiful.

Although a large group of guests arrived at the Prince's Villa today.

But only a handful of people actually get to sit at the Crown Prince's main table.

The Crown Prince laughed and said, "King of Qishan, try these spring bamboo shoots. You can't find them anywhere else in the capital except for my Yuanxiang Mountain."

The Fifth Prince laughed and said, "We are very grateful to the Prince of Qishan for his hospitality today; we are fortunate to have such a delicious meal. However—"

His gaze swept across the table.

"Your Majesty, although the Prince of Qishan is a vegetarian, he still has a younger brother. We can't possibly not serve any meat dishes, can we?"

The prince laughed and said, "Look at your round belly, it looks like you're five or six months pregnant. Eat some light food to cleanse your system."

Accompanying them were Qi Yuanlang, a retainer of the Crown Prince; Xiao Heng, the heir apparent of the Prince of Qin; and Qian Tong, the Duke of Ningguo.

They were all the Crown Prince's confidants.

After one round of drinks, three rounds of dishes were served.

The Fifth Prince raised his wine cup.

"Today, I would like to take this opportunity, Your Majesty, to toast my brother, the Prince of Qishan. We haven't met often before, but from now on, we will both be brothers under the command of my brother, the Crown Prince."

Yun Wuyi remained silent, raising his wine cup to drink.

The crown prince stopped him and said considerately:

"Oh, Yunzheng is still injured. This isn't a palace banquet, there aren't so many rules, so we don't need to drink this wine."

The Fifth Prince seemed to only just find out about this.

"Huh? How did the King of Qishan get injured?"

The crown prince glared at him.

You're overdoing it, you silly bead. Didn't you go to the Mingguang Palace banquet the other day?

The Fifth Prince touched his nose.

"Look at my memory. But have you found the murderer yet?" he asked with concern.