Chapter 55: Romantic He cast his gaze over and when he saw her, his eyes lit up...

Now I should respectfully address him as His Royal Highness Prince Jing.

The last time she sent him into the palace, he was dressed in plain clothes and was injured. After entering the palace, he didn't know which way to go, so he followed her carefully.

Now he is dressed in gorgeous clothes, and is well-dressed. His charm is even greater than when we first met. He is young, handsome and elegant, and everyone pales in comparison to him.

Sure enough, this is more suitable for him, Yu Qing suddenly thought.

"The prince has arrived, please take a seat!"

Yu Qing was invited to the guest table. Everyone around greeted her and the waiter brought a glass cup and filled it for her.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, Xie Jing, who was chatting happily with someone, somehow heard her voice from afar. He looked over and smiled brightly when he saw her, then raised his golden cup to toast her from afar.

“…”

Because of his action, many people followed and looked over.

"Prince, are you acquainted with His Royal Highness Prince Jing?" someone beside him asked.

Yu Qing said: "I guess we know each other."

"Oh, yes, it was you who went to welcome him back to the capital," the man remembered, "and it must be that you were deeply trusted by the emperor..."

The pleasure boat slowly sailed into the center of the lake. Lanterns were bright and the air was filled with the sound of clinking glasses. The dancer's skirts spun and spread out like lotus flowers. Tiny silver ornaments jingled, and the music of silk strings and drums never stopped. The air was filled with the aroma of perfume and wine. Yu Qing sat there for half an hour. At first, she would clap and cheer for the wonderful performance, but the more time went on, the more dizzy she felt. Her peripheral vision began to unconsciously glance in the direction of Xie Jing.

He was never at peace. Countless people came to toast him, and he accepted them all with a smile. Occasionally, he would rest his chin on his hand and watch the singing and dancing with great interest, looking very relaxed and at ease.

No one could have imagined that not long ago he was just a nameless and temporarily living in Jianghua Palace. He integrated into the place so naturally, as if he was born into a royal family and was raised in the most luxurious and prosperous place in the capital.

Yu Qing had the illusion that she had never known him at all.

It's really amazing that he has taken to it so quickly.

After three rounds of drinking, King Kang became interested and asked everyone to play games such as throwing pots and guessing numbers. Everyone could place bets at will and there was no limit on the prize.

Xie Jing looked so comfortable that Yu Qing had the illusion that he was quite good at the game. But after watching for a while, he found that his accuracy in throwing pots was just average, and he was just taking chances. However, he could really afford to lose, and he smiled as he scattered a handful of golden beans, which won him applause from the whole room.

Normally, Yu Qing would not stay so long at such a banquet. After all, she was quiet by nature, and even if she did nothing in such an occasion, she would feel exhausted.

She took advantage of the gap to leave the top floor and walk down the stairs.

There are entertainment opportunities everywhere on the ship. Waiters are walking around, guests are coming down and walking around, and laughter can be heard from the top from time to time.

She avoided the crowd and finally found the quietest spot at the stern of the lower floor, where she stayed to enjoy the breeze.

There was a female zither player not far away. Upon seeing the distinguished guest, she carefully stood up and greeted him. Yu Qing told her not to be restrained and to just play as usual.

The sound of the piano was clear and melodious. Yu Qing looked at the lake and the lights on both sides of the river, and a sense of nostalgia welled up in his heart.

·

The music changed several times, and footsteps approached the remote stern of the ship.

Yu Qing noticed it and turned around, and the person who appeared from the corner was Xie Jing.

"Hmm?" Xie Jing said happily when he saw her, "Prince is here. I was wondering why I couldn't find you anywhere."

Yu Qing said, "Hello, Your Highness."

Xie Jing smiled and said, "It's been a long time since we last met. How are you, Prince?"

"Everything is fine with me, thank you for your concern." Yu Qing said.

"How is your father? Is he feeling better?"

Previously, because Yu Heng was seriously ill, she did not go to the banquet at Prince Jing's Mansion, but only prepared good gifts. Later, Prince Jing's Mansion also sent people to deliver a lot of precious medicinal materials to Marquis Xuanbei.

"My father has gotten much better, thanks to Your Highness," Yu Qing said. "After a few days of not seeing you, Your Highness has already made great progress. I haven't been able to congratulate you yet."

Xie Jing shook his head slightly.

"Ah, it only looks glamorous," he sighed. "I come from a humble family, and I'm not used to anything in the capital. People are always visiting, and I have to greet them with a smile every day. It's very tiring."

Yu Qingke didn't notice at all.

"Just now at the banquet, I saw His Highness chatting and laughing with quite a few people."

Xie Jing said, "Actually, I don't even know him. It's so hard to deal with him. Fortunately, the prince is here, and I can still catch up with you."

As the two were talking, a waiter patrolling the floor noticed that there were guests there, so he came forward with a tray filled with wine cups. Yu Qing casually took a cup, but Xie Jing didn't touch it and said, "Tea."

The waiter responded and went to get it. Yu Qing glanced at him in surprise: "Why, Your Highness, are you too drunk?"

Xie Jing said: "I always drink tea."

Yu Qing: "...Why?"

Xie Jing said quietly, "Because the injury hasn't healed yet."

Yu Qing: “…”

She was speechless for a moment. She knew the injury Xie Jing had sustained. It was just a hole left by the arrow tip.

It wasn't in any vital parts, and there were no injuries to the muscles or bones. According to Yu Qing's experience, it should have healed in a month. Xie Jing really couldn't help but suffer.

After all, she was the one who accidentally injured him, so she had to ask, "Why is it so slow? Has it worsened?"

"It's okay. It doesn't hurt anymore. There's only a little bit left that hasn't healed," Xie Jing said. "But I still have to be careful. The doctor told me not to drink alcohol, otherwise it will easily leave scars."

Yu Qing: "...Then Your Highness, please change the dressing and rest peacefully."

Xie Jing said sadly again, "To be honest, Your Highness, I really can't calm down. Before I even returned to the capital, someone wanted to kill me. The capital is a place where dragons and tigers fight each other, and people's hearts are unknown. Who knows how many people still want my life? Today I am chatting with Your Highness here, and tomorrow I may be an unmarked corpse in a mass grave... I think only Your Highness can save me. Apart from you, I am afraid no one cares whether I live or die. Seeing Your Highness will make me feel at ease."

It must be said that as soon as he said this, he regained his previous delicate and pretentious demeanor, and Yu Qing actually felt less unfamiliar with him.

She thought to herself, actually I don’t really care whether you live or die...it’s just that you have this face.

"Your Highness, you are worrying too much," Yu Qing said slowly, "You will not become an unknown corpse in a mass grave..."

Xie Jing felt a little relieved for a moment, thinking that this was a rare comfort from Yu Qing.

Unexpectedly, Yu Qing said: "You now have a name and a body worth millions of gold. If something really happens, you will have to stay in the imperial mausoleum."

Xie Jing: “…”

Xie Jing said, "I didn't expect that the prince would joke."

Yu Qing took a sip of wine and asked, "Is there any progress regarding the assassination of His Highness?"

Prince Rui later asked her about the situation in detail and should have started to investigate the group of accompanying personnel, but the result was unknown.

"Second brother is investigating under the instruction of our father," Xie Jing said. "We have some clues now. I think there must be a spy in the team. But there is no specific news yet."

Yu Qing couldn't help but frown, thinking that Xie Jing was too easy-going. It was only Prince Rui's job to investigate. He might not care much about Xie Jing. He might even dislike this extra brother.

If it were her, she would definitely find a way to get to the bottom of it herself, otherwise how could she rest easy?

But on second thought, Xie Jing really had no foundation in the court or in the capital, and he had just established himself. How could he have such great means?

Don't expect too much from him since he hasn't even learned how to play the game of pitching a pot.

·

The zither girl at the stern had been playing seriously and had just changed several songs. Now she stopped to chat and listened to the music quietly. The music was also melodious and charming. Yu Qing went over and put a silver ingot down for her. The zither girl stood up gracefully and thanked him, then bowed her head and sang softly along with the music.

"The sun is about to set, the flowers are covered with smoke, the moon is bright and white, and I am worried and sleepless...

...My thoughts of you are so far away across the blue sky,

The eyes that were full of tears in the past are now a fountain of tears.

If you don't believe me, I'll be heartbroken.

Come back and look in front of the mirror."*

Yu Qing seemed to be moved by the tender and heart-wrenching words and could not help clapping his hands in praise.

Qin Nu's eyes kept moving over Yu Qing, shyly and timidly.

Xie Jing saw it clearly.

Qin Nu vaguely sensed a chill, looked around, and found nothing. She only vaguely saw Xie Jing with an expressionless face.

She was frightened and confused, and then she saw Xie Jing suddenly smile gently and walk over.

"The girl played the famous piece 'Longing' very well," he said, "but there seemed to be some problems with a few sections."

At first, seeing his striking appearance and attire, Qin Nu was a little hesitant to look directly at him. But when she heard him speak in a soft and gentle voice, she no longer felt timid and said softly, "Then... please give me some advice, sir."

She made room and Xie Jing came to her side.

Qinnu was not scheduled to attend the banquet that day, and was feeling a little disappointed. Unexpectedly, she met two young and handsome noblemen who were generous and elegant, and she was a little dizzy for a moment.

She looked at Xie Jing carefully, but Xie Jing just lowered his eyes and stroked the strings of the zither.

The same piano and the same score can produce very different results when played by different people.

Even though Yu Qing was not proficient in playing the zither, he could tell that Xie Jing's technique was extraordinary, as smooth as silk and sounded like the music of nature.

She had the impression that she had only heard such beautiful piano music once, so she couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

However, when he looked up, he saw that Xie Jing and the zither girl were very close. The zither girl was staring at him without blinking, and Xie Jing seemed to enjoy it very much, with the corners of his lips slightly curved, looking very suave.

Yu Qing: “…”

No wonder he wanted to perform a song himself, it seemed like he wanted to enjoy the girl's admiration.

Yu Qing suddenly lost interest, feeling somewhat redundant. Mainly because seeing Xie Jing so close to others with that face on made him feel strangely uncomfortable and irritating.

Xie Jing played a few passages, and the zither girl's cheeks flushed, full of longing: "Your Excellency is so talented, I am ashamed to be inferior to you."

He smiled and looked at Yu Qing with some pride, only to find that Yu Qing was looking at the lake absent-mindedly and didn't seem to be listening at all.

Xie Jing: “…”

He pursed his lips, feeling bored.

Yu Qing had originally thought that if Xie Jing and Qin Nu started flirting under the moonlight, she would move somewhere else. However, as soon as she left, Xie Jing followed closely.

Yu Qing asked, "Why doesn't Your Highness continue playing the piano?"

"Well," Xie Jing said, "I won't play it anymore. Not many people listen, so it's boring."

His tone sounded a bit strange. Yu Qing thought he was bored because there were not enough people around, so he said, "It's lively upstairs. Why don't you go back and continue playing toss pots?"

Xie Jing said bitterly, "I don't want to play pot anymore. I've already lost everything."

Yu Qing: “…”

She shook her head in a mixture of laughter and tears and said, "Your method of throwing pots is completely wrong. You don't use force on your wrist, so you can't throw accurately at all."

Xie Jing said: "Oh?"

Yu Qing usually stayed out of the game, mainly playing with a group of princes and nobles, so as to appear to be bullying. She had practiced throwing flying knives and hidden weapons, and as long as she remembered the direction of the pot, she could continue with her ears closed.

In order to demonstrate it to Xie Jing, she joined in for a few rounds and won a bunch of small bets, the gold beans in it were probably all the ones Xie Jing had bet on before.

It would be embarrassing to win too much, so Yu Qing almost gave up. Turning around, he saw Xie Jing looking at him with a somewhat earnest look.

"?"

Yu Qing was puzzled for a moment, then suddenly realized and threw the purse directly to Xie Jing: "Take it all, I'll give it back to you."