Chapter 10: Date Yu Qing praised sincerely, "Your Highness today...

Dong Li laughed aside and said, "I think this prince's appearance is just right. A delicate and handsome one is more attractive. If he is too fierce and tough, it will be scary. Nowadays, contrasts are also popular in novels. He looks like a pale scholar, but is proficient in martial arts. I think the ladies in the capital will like him too..."

Xie Jing muttered, "What kind of storybook is this? Why haven't I read it before?"

Dong Li was two years younger than Qiu Lian and had a more lively personality. While the Marquis's residence wasn't a safe place for them, it was still no match for the brutal, cannibalistic imperial palace. Since leaving the palace, freed from the constant pressure, her true nature had become more apparent.

Qiu Lian was more thoughtful. She knew Xie Jing was still resentful of his son-in-law, so she kept winking at Dong Li when he praised her, trying to prevent her from speaking without restraint and causing Xie Jing displeasure. But Dong Li paid no attention and even suggested, "Your Highness, do you want to see some? How about I buy some tomorrow?"

Xie Jing said, "Well...that's fine."

His Highness didn't seem to mind, nor did he seem to be sulking.

Qiu Lian thought, it seems that he doesn’t hate Prince Yu Qing that much... at least the name is still acceptable.

When "Princess Qingjia" was in the palace, she was recuperating all year round and was ill for most of the month. Sometimes it was a real illness and sometimes it was a fake illness. In any case, she stayed in the bedroom and could not go anywhere.

Generally, I would write a few words, paint some pictures, copy some scriptures, and play a song.

She was bored with it, so she followed the maids, stringing beads and embroidering handkerchiefs, taking care of flowers and plants, and mixing incense... Xie Jing learned embroidery in the palace. It was almost winter and there was no charcoal fire. She had used up all the gold and silver jewelry on her body, so she could only do some embroidery work and sell it for silver.

Later, when she was bored in the palace, she would embroider a few times. Xie Jing felt uncomfortable when he saw the rough things. When embroidering, he must not let the stitches be uneven or the colored threads be snagged... Except for the slower speed, the finished product is basically the same as that of the embroiderer.

Apart from these, the only other way to pass the time is to read storybooks.

Usually, he would watch it secretly, avoiding the Queen's maidservants. If Xie Jing was so engrossed in it, he would not even want to sleep, and would stay up late to finish the plot.

Ever since the news of the arranged marriage came, Xie Jing has been full of worries and has no way to entertain himself. He has been idle for the past two days and has started to sort herbs and sew purses with Qiu Lian.

Qiu Lian said, "Your Highness, how about we go to the street and take a look together?"

Xie Jing paused and said, "No, I won't go out."

Although he is no longer in the palace, Xie Jing does not want to show up in public. He always feels uncomfortable with the identity of "Qing Jia".

Qiu Lian saw that the prince had been depressed these days and wanted him to go out for some fresh air. Since Xie Jing was unwilling, she did not mention it again.

But... aren't we still going to enjoy the flowers tomorrow? Even though I'm with my husband, it's still a chance to relax.

Wenhua Garden was exceptionally quiet at night. After dinner, the servants went off to clean up, and there were no other errands. Qiu Lian had instructed the princess to enjoy quietness, and aside from her personal maids, no one else was required to serve in the house at night. Only the guards and the servants on rotating night shifts would be left.

Xie Jing had removed his makeup and his bun, leaving his black hair loose. Dong Li skillfully combed it for him.

Yu Qing would be here tomorrow morning, and she would have to do her hair and makeup. Xie Jing was bored in front of the mirror, choosing jewelry.

lotus……

His thoughts drifted back to a long time ago, the only time he was with his brother and mother.

At the time, Rong Fei still lived in Furong Palace, very close to the Imperial Garden. After school, his brother would come and play with him, leading him through the winding corridors, catching butterflies in the Imperial Garden, pointing out the species of flowers and plants to him, or listening to the birds singing.

The palace gates were deep, but the young Xie Jing didn't find it oppressive or unbearable there. He felt at ease with his mother and brother by his side.

The Imperial Garden is connected to the Lotus Pond in the palace.

"Ah Jing, look. This lotus is a gentleman among flowers. It rises from the mud without being stained, and washes in the clear water without being coquettish."

Xie Jing: "What, Lotus Demon?"

Xie Tingzhao laughed out loud.

More than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye, and now he almost can't remember what his brother looks like.

The southwest is remote and full of miasma and swamps, and I don’t know how much suffering it has suffered.

Xie Jing clenched the pearl hairpin in his hand, leaving a red mark on his palm.

*

In the evening, Yu Qing also went to the residence of the Marquis of Xuanbei and his wife. Since their marriage, they had always eaten at the princess's place, and she couldn't forget to visit her father and mother.

"The doctor said last time that my father's illness is more serious in autumn and winter, and will improve when the weather gets warmer. Now it's already spring and it will be the beginning of summer soon, but I don't think there has been much improvement." Yu Qing said.

Mrs. Lu said, "It's okay. I think it's much better."

Yu Qing asked his father: "Did you take the medicine carefully? Did you not cut corners?"

Yu Heng said helplessly, "No, your mother keeps me under control every day, so it's hard not to drink."

Since ancient times, famous generals rarely have gray hair. Xuanbei Hou has fought on the battlefield for most of his life. She often feels sad when she thinks of her father who was also majestic in the past, but now has a hunched back and sometimes even has to gasp for breath when speaking.

"We've been using this prescription for over half a year, and I'm guessing it's no longer as effective," Yu Qing said. "Let's ask the imperial physician to come tomorrow and prescribe a new one."

"This is an old illness. We don't need a cure, but we can just take good care of it," Madam Lu said. "Qing'er, how are you doing? Is the princess okay?"

There is no safer place.

Princess Qingjia never quarreled, argued or fought, and never put any pressure on her. She was like a quietly growing flower, and Wenhua Garden was her garden.

Every time they greeted each other or had a meal, the two of them were always in harmony.

Qingjia doesn't talk much, always speaks softly and slowly, and every word he says makes people want to listen carefully.

Yu Qing's appetite improved, not because the food at Wenhuayuan was delicious, but because Qingjia was across the street.

With a stunning beauty before him, Yu Qing finally understood what it meant to be a feast for the eyes.

Madam Lu said, "...Everything has been arranged at Tanyin Temple. Remember to take the princess there. Don't delay too long."

Yu Qing said: "Yes, I know."

When Yu Qing was leaving, he was halfway there when he heard Yu Heng coughing again in the house from the yard.

She was worried and turned back to see how he was doing. When she was at the door, Mrs. Lu was calming Yu Heng down.

"It's no use anymore," Yu Heng sighed. "I don't know how much longer I can live."

Madam Lu said angrily, "Don't say that in front of Qing'er."

Yu Qing paused and did not enter the door.

"We have to hold on for a few more years," Yu Heng said. "If I leave, Qing'er will be left to take care of this mansion alone."

"...When Qing'er was three or five years old, she would cry loudly if she fell or was caught in the wind, and she would always look for people to act like a spoiled child," Mrs. Lu said softly. "When she was just born, we hoped that she would live a peaceful life. Now... Oh, if Lang'er were still alive..."

There was silence inside and outside the house.

Yu Heng said: "Qing'er is talented and magnanimous. It is a good thing that she can realize her ambitions."

"It's good, but it's also hard work. Look how much thinner she has become recently... How long can we stay with her? The Marquis' Mansion is so big, and she's all alone. How will she live..."

Yu Qing walked away quietly.

In the evening in Huaifeng Pavilion, she and Qiying were playing chess, placing pieces randomly. When she looked down, she saw that Qiying was about to win again.

"What are you thinking about?" Qiying said, "I've been distracted all night."

Yu Qing was actually thinking about what he had overheard his parents say, and he felt a little upset.

She once thought that she could take charge of the Marquis's Mansion, but in fact, she still makes her parents worry about her.

Yu Heng was stubborn, strong-willed, and as stubborn as a lone wolf throughout his life. He would rather die on the battlefield than linger on.

Now he is very sick, but he drinks bowl after bowl of medicine every day without complaint. His temperament has never been calmer, and it is actually all for her.

When Yu Heng was seriously ill two years ago, the imperial physician said that he could not be cured, and even Mrs. Lu accepted it.

Yu Qing was nearly destined to inherit the title. After hearing Yu Heng's final words at his bedside, she looked at her father's pale face and felt a sense of loss and unease she had never felt before. She realized she was about to lose her support and become the sole pillar of support.

Loved ones will leave one day, and she was not ready to face it at that time.

Yu Heng's breathing gradually weakened, and she became more and more frightened. Finally, she couldn't hold back her tears. Yu Heng heard her voice, opened his eyes with difficulty, and said that he was not afraid and that his father would not leave.

Yu Heng miraculously survived that night because he was worried about his daughter.

If it weren't for that incident, Yu Qing herself wouldn't have known that she wasn't strong enough. She thought she had already adapted to everything and could accept the rest of her life peacefully.

Yu Qing thought, her mother's worries were not wrong. If she was really the only one left in the Marquis' Mansion, how would she survive the next few decades?

But she was too embarrassed to tell Qiying what she was feeling, so she said, "...I'm thinking about Qingjia."

"..." Qiying said, "What are you thinking about?"

Yu Qing: "I've made an appointment with her to go flower viewing tomorrow. I wonder if she'll be happy. What do you think I should talk to her about?"

Qiying: "I don't know either. Why don't you go ask Second Master Wen?"

Wen Shuo's tricks were too frivolous, and Yu Qing couldn't use them on the princess. However, she really didn't understand the princess's thoughts, so it was difficult for her to please her.

The next morning, Yu Qing woke up early, practiced a set of sword techniques, and then went to Wenhua Garden to pay her respects to the princess. Upon entering, she noticed that Princess Qingjia had changed into brighter clothes. Perhaps it was the clothes that accentuated her complexion, but Qingjia's face had also become a little rosier. Her already beautiful appearance was now even more radiant.

"Why are you looking at me?" Qingjia asked.

Yu Qing praised sincerely, "Your Highness looks really good today."

Xie Jing froze when he heard this.

There's no such thing as a good complexion.

Didn't she promise him to go to the pond and enjoy the flowers today, and asked Qiu Lian to put on more makeup so that she could go out and meet people?

"Let's go." He sighed.

If Yu Qing hadn't invited him, Xie Jing would have stayed in the courtyard for ten days or half a month.

However, if you stay in one place all the time, you'll inevitably lose interest. Walking around and seeing something different from your usual surroundings will indeed broaden your mood.

Coming to the newly built flower garden with Yu Qing, Xie Jing's eyes lit up when he saw the entire lotus pond from afar.

"This garden has just taken shape and is still too simple." Yu Qing said.

Xie Jing shook his head: "Not bad, I think it's good."

"It's certainly far inferior to the scenery in the palace," Yu Qing said. "I heard that the Imperial Garden is full of rare and exotic flowers. I wonder if I can ask the flower house for some of the seeds they've cultivated so that Your Highness can see them in the Marquis' Mansion."

Qing Jia said, "I don't have any impression. In the palace, I rarely leave the bedroom. The palace maids come and go in the imperial garden, with so many eyes and mouths, I don't stay there for long."

Yu Qing was stunned and said, "Is that so..."

Qing Jia smiled and looked into the distance: "Is that a lotus over there?"

"Well, Your Highness, please come with me."

Yu Qing said this and led the princess onto the cobblestone path.

The princess's earrings reflected the sunlight, which just caught Yu Qing's eyes. Yu Qing turned his head and looked at Qingjia's earlobe. The gems were shining, making her look more clear and elegant.

Princess: "Prince Consort... Is there something on my face?"

Yu Qing realized that he had been staring for too long without noticing.

"Uh, nothing... Your Highness, did you change your earrings today? They suit you very well."

Xie Jing was startled and subconsciously reached out to touch his ear.

"Is it better than before?"