Chapter 17: Shaken to a man, he actually saw his face like a peach...

This was the first time Xie Jing took the initiative to go to Yu Qing's residence.

Not only was his maid surprised, but the servants of Huaifeng Pavilion also did not expect the princess to visit suddenly. They hurried over and greeted her with a bow.

"I will go and tell the Prince Consort..."

"Don't bother him yet," Xie Jing said. "I was just enjoying the flowers and just stopped by to see what the Prince Consort was doing."

The voice he disguised as a woman was clear and cold, with a noble air. The servant bowed his head respectfully and said, "In reply to the princess, it seems that the prince is practicing sword in the backyard right now."

"Practicing swordplay?"

There were no extravagant decorations inside Huaifeng Pavilion, save for a powerful plaque at the entrance. Passing through the corridor, one was greeted by a stand of tall bamboos. A bluestone-paved path led to the arched entrance to the backyard. Xie Jing entered and discovered the vast expanse of space within. Amidst the trees lay an open space resembling a martial arts arena. A maid stood waiting nearby.

Xie Jing recognized this person. It seemed to be the capable manager beside Yu Qing, named Qiying.

Is she usually in Yu Qing's yard?

When Qiying heard footsteps, she turned around without waiting for the servant to call her. When she saw Xie Jing, her eyes widened immediately.

"...Why is Your Highness here in person? No one has informed us. Please forgive me. Someone, please make some tea and invite Your Highness to sit inside."

Xie Jing smiled and said, "I didn't inform anyone. I just came to take a look and didn't want to cause too much trouble. The Prince Consort..."

Qiying and Qingjia didn't have much contact. Although Yu Qing and the princess were married, they had always lived separately. Yu Qing would not bring her along when he went to pay his respects. In Yu Qing's words, Qingjia was like a delicate and fragile little white flower, and she was good in everything.

At this moment, the real person is right in front of me. His temperament is indeed gentle and calm, and there is no condescending tone in his smile.

"The Prince Consort is practicing swordplay. I'll go call him."

There was no need for Qiying to explain, Xie Jing saw it himself.

Hidden behind a circle of trees, a figure was swimming in the gap.

He couldn't help but take a few steps forward and pass through the branches. He saw the man moving as gracefully as a startled wild goose, light and swift, with each move flowing smoothly. The sword in his hand was like a magical weapon, emitting a sharp cold light from time to time.

Xie Jing didn't know swordsmanship, nor was he a martial artist. But even if he was just watching, he could tell that this man's swordsmanship was exquisite.

Even when dressed in finery, he was a handsome young man from an aristocratic family. But only when he drew his sword could his true elegance be seen.

For a moment, Xie Jing didn't even realize that it was Yu Qing.

What he saw was a young general who was heroic, high-spirited, and had a sword-like aura.

It wasn't until a cold light flashed and the tip of the sword suddenly stabbed towards Xie Jing that Xie Jing's eyes were startled and he came to his senses.

Facing the sword, there is a handsome and fair face, with slightly raised eyes and eyebrows reaching the temples. Perhaps because of long-term practice, the hair on the forehead is a little messy, and the lips and cheeks are rosy.

Xie Jing was shocked. He felt that he was really a little crazy. He could actually see a man with a rosy face.

Yu Qing, who had just completed the last move, paused and followed the direction of the sword tip. Only then did he see clearly that the person in the brocade shirt was Qing Jia?

She quickly sheathed her sword with a clang and asked in surprise, "...Why is Your Highness here? I was practicing swordplay and didn't even notice you."

Yu Qing casually put on his outer robe and walked to Qingjia's side, not noticing the flicker in Qingjia's eyes.

"I was walking around the mansion after dinner, and since I haven't been here much, I decided to come take a look," Xie Jing pursed his lips and said, "I thought you were copying scriptures, but it turns out you were practicing swordsmanship."

"Oh," Yu Qing smiled. "I was copying scriptures and felt sleepy. I wanted to wake myself up. I usually practice when I have time at night. Don't stand here. Let's go inside."

Xie Jing stepped into the study and discovered that Yu Qing hadn't lied. A stack of papers lay spread out on the large desk, and he was genuinely copying Buddhist scriptures.

Yu Qing casually hung his coat aside, and Xie Jing noticed that his waist was very thin.

It is especially obvious when wearing a short shirt with a tight collar.

He turned his eyes away and turned to look at the scriptures copied by Yu Qing. The handwriting was very familiar, and it was written by the same person as the annotations in the book he saw.

"Have you copied so much? Have you had dinner yet?"

Yu Qing said: "Well, I'll put it away first."

She felt a little embarrassed. In fact, she hadn't copied carefully. Only the top few pages were neat. Once she flipped through the pages, it became messy. After all, she was just following Anren's advice and making it look like she was doing it.

She quickly gathered the paper and put it aside, not wanting the princess to find it.

Fortunately, Qingjia didn't pay much attention to the Buddhist scriptures. Instead, he looked around and said, "The prince consort's study is very unique."

Unlike the elegant residences of scholars and poets, what hangs on the walls are not calligraphy and paintings, but several black swords. The small couch next to it is not covered with cushions, but a tiger-skin blanket. The shelves are not filled with the usual four treasures of the study, but many strange and exotic things.

"Is this tiger skin?" Qingjia touched it.

"Yes, I hunted it myself." Yu Qing said.

"real?"

Yu Qing looked at the princess's slightly upturned eyes, and for some reason, a sense of pride welled up within her. She smiled and said, "When I was a teenager, I think I was on patrol in the mountains when I stumbled upon a tiger and shot an arrow at it. It was my first time hunting such a beast, so I kept it as a souvenir."

Qing Jiaqi asked, "One arrow is enough?"

"Yes, this is what I'm using," Yu Qing pointed to the black longbow on the wall. "This is my best bow. It's powerful enough. As long as I shoot accurately, one arrow is enough."

"I heard that most people can't pull a bow like this," Qingjia said.

"This one's okay, because I'm not very strong," Yu Qing said. "There's a bow in the storeroom that belonged to my father. It's better than this one, but I'm not used to it."

Xie Jing asked, "Your strength is not strong enough?"

He still remembered when Yu Qing killed the snake for him, he raised his hand and threw the sword so deeply into the wood, which was something that even the best guards in front of the emperor might not be able to do.

Yu Qing said frankly, "In terms of physique, I'm naturally not as strong as those warriors, so I have to improve my skills. When I was a child, my father took me to practice martial arts, but I always cheated. I was tired of holding the heavy sword, so I had to switch to a lighter sword."

Qing Jia asked, "Did the old marquis change it for you?"

"Well...it really has changed." Yu Qing smiled.

When she was three or five years old, although she loved imitating her brother's moves, she couldn't stand the training at all. She could only hold the horse stance for an incense stick at most. When she couldn't lift the iron sword, she switched to a wooden sword, and then to an even thinner wooden sword... Xuanbei Hou was always at a loss for what to do with her: "This child is very talented and can remember sword manuals at a glance, but she is too spoiled."

"If you don't like to practice, then don't practice," Mrs. Lu always said angrily, "It's enough to keep fit. Are you really going to let Qing'er go to war?"

"It seems that the Marquis is a kind father," Qing Jia said, "In the past, when I was in the palace, I would occasionally see the royal brothers practicing martial arts with their masters, and I was very envious."

Others can draw their bows and arrows and ride horses, but he just stays in his small world, facing endless anxiety and confusion.

Yu Qing said, "Hmm? If Your Highness wants to learn, I can teach you. Many women also practice martial arts. Look... Qiying, she also grew up in the mansion since she was a child, and her kung fu is not bad at all."

Xie Jing longed for truth and freedom. If he were asked to practice martial arts, he would definitely get tired within a day and flatly decline, saying, "...I'm weak, so forget it."

"...Yes, I heard from the maid that Your Highness is often ill," Yu Qing said, unconsciously softening her voice. "Take your time, and you will get better. I can teach you in the future."

Xie Jing just said it casually, but Yu Qing actually meant to remember it.

He paused and said, "How many chapters do you still need to finish your scriptures?"

Yu Qing said: "Hmm... let me take a look."

Xie Jing watched the other person flipping through the papers on the table and said, "This matter requires sincerity. It would be bad if you get too tired."

Yu Qing smiled and said, "Copying a few chapters of books, how can it be tiring? Those scholars copy all day long without any problem."

But Qingjia smoothed his wide robe sleeves, sat down at the table, and ordered the servants: "Bring some more paper."

Yu Qing was startled, not knowing what this meant. Then Qing Jia picked up his pen, looked up and said to himself, "I have nothing to do tonight anyway, so why not share some of the copying with you?"

Yu Qing said: "How can I trouble Your Highness with this..."

"Don't bother me. How tiring can copying books be?" Qing Jia asked her back, using Yu Qing's words, and smiled. "Your Highness, I hope I won't be a nuisance to you, Prince Consort?"

Yu Qing immediately said: "How could that be!"

Qing Jia said: "Yeah."

Qingjia exuded a tranquil aura, her picturesque features illuminated by the warm, bright light. She dipped her brush in ink, then lowered her gaze to focus on the paper. For a moment, Yu Qing felt unable to disturb her.

Yu Qing sat opposite the princess and also picked up a pen, but he found it difficult to copy those boring scriptures.

I read the wrong lines several times and had to go back to find where I had copied. I made three or two mistakes on a piece of paper and couldn't help feeling embarrassed.

The princess ground the ink slowly, her slender white hands turning slowly. Yu Qing looked at her quietly and thought, could this be what it means to be a beautiful woman with beautiful sleeves?

Qing Jia asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Yu Qing stared at her for too long again. She shifted her gaze from the princess's hand to the side, covering up, "Nothing... Your Highness, why don't you have a scripture?"

She found that in front of Qingjia there was only the paper she was copying, and there was no original scripture for comparison.

"The Empress is compassionate and always worships Buddha. When I was ill, she often told me to recite scriptures and pray for blessings to dispel my misfortune. So I have been able to memorize these passages for a long time."

As he spoke, Qingjia finished writing the last word on the page and put the paper aside to dry.

The handwriting reflects the person, and the princess's handwriting is also very beautiful.

When Yu Qing received the imperial decree and hurried back to the capital from the border, she was filled with anguish. When she received the imperial decree granting her marriage, she felt annoyed by the congratulations from outsiders. She had never imagined that marrying the princess would lead to such a situation.

Her Huaifeng Pavilion was always quiet, with few visitors except for a few close friends. When she was stationed outside, patrols and drills continued day after day, and in the evenings they could sit together in front of the camp, drinking and eating meat or practicing martial arts, so she didn't feel too lonely.

Whenever she returned to the capital, she didn't know how to spend her time. Once she left the border, she didn't know how to live as a person.

Yu Qing always heard some soldiers say that they wanted to get married and start a family, and fantasized about the sweet life in the future, but he never responded.

Only now did she suddenly understand the feeling.

The candlelight flickers, and the beauty under the lamp is like a hazy dream covered by a veil.

In the long night, there is someone accompanying me, who is gentle and considerate, and even has a fragrant scent and a pleasant voice... It is really comfortable.

A wave of tenderness welled up in her heart, and she thought, how nice it would be if it could always go on like this.