29 Princess

Lu Jing said succinctly, "Come up."

"What is it?"

Emperor Mingde smiled even more. This kid obviously hadn't figured out a reason to prevaricate.

He didn't ask too much, and while sipping tea, he couldn't help but think of when he first met the Queen in his youth, and how he looked like this after he returned.

"It was a gift from Yuan Le." Lu Jing said after a pause.

He collected his thoughts and felt that his father was being too suspicious, and he started to have wild thoughts as well.

"The young master from the Gu family?" Emperor Mingde had some impression of him. He was a junior from the Xuanping Marquis Mansion and had studied in the Imperial College since he was young.

There were so many sixth and seventh-rank civil servants in the court that it was impossible for Emperor Mingde to remember them all. He knew Gu Ningxi because he had personally selected him as the third-place winner of the imperial examination, and because he remembered the boy as a guest at the palace when he was young.

The child was beautiful, delicate and graceful, and Yiwen liked him very much. Once, she even told him that she wanted to have another child as beautiful as him, and it would be even better if it was a girl. Unfortunately, things were unpredictable, and her wish was not fulfilled.

Thinking of the late Empress Yuan, Emperor Mingde was overcome with grief. If she were still alive, she would surely be worrying about Qi'an's marriage.

The emperor sighed softly, but his expression remained unchanged.

Lu Jing put the waterwheel away and said, "It's getting late. Father, why don't you stay at my house for dinner?"

"Okay." Since Qi'an had spoken, Emperor Mingde had no reason to refuse.

Lu Jing ordered people to prepare. Sun Jing was so smart that he had already asked the steward to keep an eye on it in the kitchen.

The renovation work of Prince Zhao's Palace has been completed. As the summer heat dissipates, Emperor Mingde, accompanied by Lu Jing, enjoys the scenery in the palace.

In front of the west courtyard of the palace, Gu Ningxi was waiting with other officials.

It was already time to leave their duties, but since His Majesty had arrived, they did not dare to leave easily and could only wait in the duty room for a while longer.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health."

"Everyone, stand up."

Gu Ningxi thought it was nothing important as they met in a proper manner and followed proper etiquette.

However, His Majesty actually asked her two questions separately: "Did you make the waterwheel in Prince Zhao's study yourself?"

Gu Ningxi said "yes", and Emperor Mingde got the answer. It seemed that he was really overthinking it.

He said, "It's quite ingenious, and the craftsmanship is even more outstanding."

"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty. I am unworthy of it." Gu Ningxi bowed. He felt a little proud that the item he spent a month making was praised by the emperor himself.

Seeing a hint of smile in the man's eyes, Lu Jing also smiled unconsciously.

Emperor Mingde said, "It's getting late. If you have nothing to do, go home early and have dinner. Don't miss the time."

"Yes, I will take my leave."

The moon is shining and the stars are twinkling.

At the hour of Xu, Emperor Mingde's imperial carriage was waiting outside the main gate of Prince Zhao's mansion.

Lu Jing and the people from Prince Zhao's palace respectfully bid farewell to his father. Before he boarded the imperial carriage, Emperor Mingde once again reminded him, "Don't be late for the Fenghe Banquet the day after tomorrow."

He wanted to marry Qi'an to a princess who was one in a million, and selfishly left the most outstanding girls in Kyoto for him to look at first, but he couldn't delay other people's marriage too much.

"I understand."

…

The breeze spreads across the green pond, and the lotus flowers stand tall and graceful, with a pleasant fragrance.

In the Yufu Palace beside the Penglai Pond, the elegant music of stringed instruments is clear and melodious.

Emperor Mingde and Empress Yao sat at the head of the table, joined by Crown Prince Lu Heng and his wife. The young couple had been married for two years, and while the Crown Prince was busy with government affairs, Crown Princess Zheng often performed filial duties on his behalf before the Emperor and Empress, earning a reputation for her virtuous character.

The ladies invited to the banquet were all dressed in bright clothes, carefully made up like newly opened flowers in spring. Some were elegant, some were delicate, some were charming, each with their own unique charm.

The music was also joyful, and looking around, one could already faintly see the peaceful and prosperous atmosphere of the Great Jin Dynasty.

Emperor Mingde was pleased, but there was only one thing that made him dissatisfied with such a carefully arranged Fenghe Banquet.

He looked again at Lu Qian'an who was sitting at the first seat on his right. This kid was drinking by himself. Did he know why he was called here today?

With a beautiful woman in front of him, if he had someone he liked, he would have seized the opportunity.

Emperor Mingde signaled to Li Ji, who was serving behind him, "This lychee cup is good. Go and take it to Prince Zhao."

"I obey your order."

There was no need for the palace's chief steward to go in person just to deliver a piece of fruit.

Queen Yao smiled and said, "Perhaps it's because we're here that the children feel restrained."

The emperor and empress were present, and the noble ladies all observed the rules.

Li Ji respectfully presented a bowl of fresh lychees to His Royal Highness Prince Zhao, and subtly signaled to Sun Jing with his eyes.

Sun Jing smiled bitterly. Who else except His Majesty dared to interfere with His Highness's behavior?

His Majesty has always loved Your Highness very much over the years, and Your Majesty can rest assured in her grave.

Halfway through the banquet, Emperor Mingde used the excuse of being tired and took the empress back to the palace to rest.

Empress Yao said, "The lotus flowers outside are in full bloom, and the crape myrtles and gardenias are perfect for decoration. Please feel free to do as you please. There's no need to be formal."

It wasn't too hot today, and a few new awnings had been erected outside Penglai Pond. A gentle breeze was blowing off the lake, making it a perfect day for enjoying the flowers.

Before Emperor Mingde left the table, he looked at King Zhao deeply again, and the meaning in his eyes was self-evident.

Everyone in the hall saluted as usual: "Farewell, Your Majesty, and Your Majesty the Queen."

…

In the Taiji Palace, Emperor Mingde had a nice nap.

He woke up at noon and opened his arms to let his attendant change his clothes. "How is it going by the Penglai Pond?"

Li Ji replied carefully, saying that if the noble ladies were drinking tea and appreciating flowers in the palace and there were court painters painting beside them, it would surely be a beautiful painting.

"Where's Qi'an?"

Li Ji couldn't help but lower his voice: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Zhao... is in Ruihe Hall."

Emperor Mingde's original joyful mood was mostly gone.

He opened his eyes and Li Ji's head drooped even lower.

Ruihe Hall was the former palace residence of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao. Although His Royal Highness had left the palace for many years, His Majesty had retained this hall and had not given it to any other prince. The palace servants regularly cleaned it for His Royal Highness Prince Zhao's stays.

"Why are you staying here when you're not at Penglai Pond?"

The attendants outside the Ruihe Palace conveyed the news respectfully, and Emperor Mingde became furious when he saw them.

"Your son greets His Majesty."

Emperor Mingde ordered all his attendants to leave, then asked, "I left right before you did, and you're running away right after?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, I am not very good at drinking."

Emperor Mingde was almost pissed off and laughed. Since there were no outsiders in the palace, he simply opened up and spoke frankly, "You're not young anymore. It's time to marry a princess and settle down. Is there anyone at the table that you're interested in?"

Emperor Mingde had already selected in advance that the six noble ladies ranked at the top today were all his preferred candidates for Princess Zhao. Let's see what Qi'an thinks.

The emperor mentioned them one by one, but Lu Jing had no real impression of them. He said in detail, "I don't think the right person has arrived yet."

"Who calculated your destiny?"

Lu Jing remained calm and said, "I asked for divination at Chongsheng Temple some time ago, and the monk who interpreted the divination said that I will have to wait another three or two years for my marriage."

"When did you start believing this?"

"If you believe, it exists; if you don't believe, it doesn't exist."

The father and son interacted with each other, and they felt a bit like they used to, and Emperor Mingde's anger gradually subsided.

There were quite a few items on the table in the hall. Lu Jing had nothing to do, so he took out some old things from the cabinet and looked through them.

Emperor Mingde remembered that one of the wooden slingshots was made by him and Qi'an.

He lowered his tone. Marriage is indeed a matter that cannot be rushed.

"Father is right."

This kid had bad intentions. Emperor Mingde didn't bother with him, but he wasn't going to be fooled by him.

He asked, "What kind of girl do you like?"

Qi'an had to explain the reason for the marriage so that he and the queen could make arrangements for him.

Before he finished speaking, a clear and handsome figure suddenly appeared in Lu Jing's mind, not blurry, and flashed by.

He froze, not daring to think about it any further.

Seeing his son fall into unusual silence, Emperor Mingde felt something.

Qi'an had indeed found a lover, perhaps of humble origins. But as long as Qi'an liked her, she could be taken into the palace as a concubine. Once they had children, their status could be gradually elevated, and it wouldn't be unfair to her.

Emperor Mingde mentioned this in a tactful way, but he must first marry the princess, or at least appoint a concubine as his own.

"Father, please allow me to...consider this a little longer."

After all, he was the one who would hold hands with Qi'an for the rest of his life. Seeing him relent, Emperor Mingde reminded him, "You should pay more attention to yourself."

He summoned Li Ji and ordered him to present the items. Five wooden carvings, all crafted by masters, were placed on a gilded tray. Emperor Mingde had also specially added a red sandalwood ruyi inlaid with jade.

"Keep it for your enjoyment."

"Thank you, Father."

…

The sky was filled with brilliant clouds. Thinking about the bayberry drink he had two days ago, Lu Jing ordered the carriage to change direction on the way back to the palace.

It was still early today, and the stall owner had just arrived at his location and was putting things out one by one.

The carriage paused for a moment in an empty area, and Lu Jing watched the stall owner busying himself. It was clearly just an ordinary fruit drink, but for some reason the taste was unforgettable.

None of the fine wines served at the banquet today can compare to its cool, sour, sweet taste.

Sun Jing sent his servant to buy some. Lu Jing said, "Let's send one to the Marquis Xuanping's mansion as well."

"yes."

He smiled, perhaps Yuan Le was also thinking about it at the moment.

Lu Jing was thinking this, but when he looked up inadvertently, he actually saw that familiar figure in front of a shop.

It was Yuan Le without a doubt. Before Lu Jing could realize what a coincidence, a young girl came out from the shop door the next moment. She was actually traveling with Yuan Le.

The girl was wearing a green skirt, and Yuan Le was wearing a green shirt as usual. It was a coincidence that the two of them stood together.

Behind them was a cleaning shop.

In public, the two of them chatted and laughed freely, looking very familiar with each other.

Yuan Le even lowered his head slightly and listened to the girl's words with a smile.

The bayberry drink had been bought, but the person in the carriage did not accept it for a while.

Yuan Le listened attentively, and only came back to his senses when the girl first discovered the carriage from Prince Zhao's palace and reminded Yuan Le.

"Your Highness." Gu Ningxi stepped forward and saluted.

Lu Jing's eyes swept between the two of them. He had some impression of the girl in the green skirt. She must also be a girl from a noble family.

The girl was very perceptive and knew that His Royal Highness Prince Zhao and Lord Gu must have something to discuss, so she politely bowed and took her leave.

Gu Ningxi gave her a faint smile and returned the greeting slightly, his movements indescribably elegant and calm.

The girl's face behind the curtain was shy and timid, and she left first.

As the sun went down, it was clear that the sun had already set, but the light was still a little dazzling.

Sun Jing had the carriage door opened, and Lu Jing said to Gu Ningxi simply, "Get in."

Gu Ningxi had no doubts. After she sat down, she asked, "Your Highness, what business do you wish to see me on?"

There was only one subconscious thought in Lu Jing's mind: Why can't I talk to him if he's fine?

His Royal Highness Prince Zhao looked normal, but Gu Ningxi soon noticed that he was in a bad mood.

Considering Prince Zhao's entrance into the palace today, Gu Ningxi naturally assumed it was Prince Huai who was stirring up trouble again. The two brothers had never been on good terms.

Lu Jing's question came from his heart, without any other considerations: "Who was that girl just now? When did you become acquainted with each other?"