Chapter 72: The Troubled Marriage The princess snorted coldly, and her slender fingers lightly...
A few days later, Qi Yu entered the palace to meet the emperor. The vast general's residence was remarkably quiet. The rustling of pine trees in the courtyard added a touch of tranquility. However, shortly after Qi Yu left the residence, the sound of horse hooves approached from afar, shattering the stillness. A luxurious carriage, adorned with gold and carved patterns, slowly pulled up in front of the general's residence. Its curtains, made of the finest brocade, shone softly in the morning light.
The carriage curtain lifted slightly, and a woman in a long, lavender brocade dress gracefully stepped out. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes were like autumn water, and there was a hint of pride on her lips. Her skirt fluttered in the breeze, revealing her Xiangfei-colored soft-soled boots embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. Her every move exuded the elegance unique to aristocrats, yet also a touch of dominance.
The guards at the door were startled when they saw the newcomer. They quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Princess."
The princess nodded slightly in response, her almond-shaped eyes lightly sweeping over the furnishings in the mansion with a look of scrutiny. Then she moved her lotus steps lightly, her skirt brushing against the bluestone pavement, making a slight rustling sound.
The servants in the mansion bowed their heads in greeting, their voices hushed in fear. The princess sat down on a carved sandalwood chair, her delicate fingers caressing the edge. Suddenly, she noticed Liu Yeshu, arranging a vase nearby.
Suddenly, her eyes fell on the figure not far away.
A woman in plain clothes was seen arranging a copper-enamel vase, her movements slow and graceful. Though dressed in a plain cloth skirt, she possessed an innate grace. Her every move exuded a rare calmness and elegance, a stark contrast to the other, timid servants. As she bent her head and gently picked up a flower branch, her profile was picturesque, a hint of pride visible between her brows.
Her intuition told her that this woman might not be simple.
A faint sneer curled up the corners of her lips as she thought about it. No problem, this was a good opportunity to establish her authority and let everyone in the mansion know who the future master of this place was.
"You, come here." The princess raised her delicate chin slightly, her voice cold and clear, with an innate nobility and condescending attitude.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yeshu calmly turned around and walked gracefully to the princess. She bowed slightly, her gesture just right, neither flattering nor arrogant. "What are your instructions, princess?"
The princess was about to offer a condescending reprimand, but when she took in Liu Yeshu's features, her delicate brows furrowed slightly. She leaned in closer, the morning light streaming in from the window giving her a clearer view. The woman's eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes were like autumn water, her skin was whiter than snow, and her lips were like a touch of vermilion—a rare and stunning beauty. Even more so than her own, the beauty she was so proud of, hers was even more stunning. This revelation made her heart sink, and jealousy surged like a tide.
Her slender fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrests of the sandalwood chair, making a soft "knock knock" sound, like her gradually losing patience and beating heart. She suppressed her unhappiness, but her voice unconsciously took on a hint of chill.
"You seem quite clever despite your young age. Since you're working in this palace, you should know your duty." She emphasized the word "duty." "His Majesty is about to grant me a marriage, and it's my duty to come here for an inspection. Go make me a cup of tea and clear the fallen leaves in the yard."
Hearing the word "granted marriage," a subtle wave of emotion flashed across Liu Yeshu's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. She bowed slightly, her voice still gentle, "Princess, please wait a moment. I will go and prepare it."
A moment later, Liu Yeshu, holding a celadon teacup in both hands, slowly walked over to the princess. The tea was clear and fragrant. The princess took the cup, gently grasped it with her slender fingers, took a sip, then frowned and placed the cup heavily on the table with a crisp sound.
"This tea is too weak!" The princess' voice suddenly rose, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes. "It seems that the maids in the general's mansion are really vulgar. They can't even do a simple task like making tea." Her eyes were like knives, and she looked Liu Yeshu up and down, with a hint of contempt on her lips. "You dress like this, like a country girl. Don't you have any decent clothes in your mansion?"
Liu Yeshu lowered her eyes, hiding her displeasure beneath her long lashes. Her fingers tightened slightly within her sleeves, yet she maintained a respectful demeanor. "Princess, please forgive me, it was my negligence." Her voice was as calm as water, without a trace of emotion.
The princess snorted coldly, her slender fingers gently stroking the edge of the teacup, her eyes moving over Liu Yeshu like a knife.
"Go, make another pot." She casually pushed the teacup away, the celadon clinking against the table. Her voice held an unwavering chill. "Once you're done, go to the yard and pick up those fallen leaves one by one. Remember, there shouldn't be a single mess." As she spoke the last few words, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, a hint of a meaningful sneer appearing on her face.
Liu Yeshu pursed her lips, swallowing the unhappiness rising in her throat. She nodded slightly, her voice soft as water: "Yes, Princess."
However, the moment she turned around, the princess's voice suddenly rang out: "Wait." These two words were like an invisible rope, pulling her back. Liu Yeshu slowly turned around and looked at the princess calmly, with just the right amount of doubt in her eyes.
The princess tapped the armrest with her slender fingers, her eyebrows slightly raised, and a trace of undisguised contempt flashed in her eyes: "Why don't you show courtesy in front of this princess?" Her voice suddenly rose, with a bit of aggression, "In such a big general's mansion, is there no one to teach you the rules?" She raised her chin slightly, looking down, her expression full of condescending contempt.
Liu Yeshu bowed and performed a standard etiquette: "It is my fault for being negligent. I beg your forgiveness, my lady."
The princess stared at Liu Yeshu's back, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes. She raised a slender finger and said to the attendant beside her, "The general is away on the battlefield, and the servants in the mansion are really unruly." She narrowed her eyes slightly, a sneer on her lips, "With the general away, I still need to rectify the atmosphere in this mansion."
Liu Yeshu lowered her eyelids, and her long eyelashes concealed the coldness in her eyes.
Calculating the time, Qi Yu would be back soon, so she might as well go with the flow and see what this "future hostess" was going to do.
Liu Yeshu respectfully offered the freshly brewed tea again. Seeing her obedient, the princess didn't think too much of it. She gracefully lifted the teacup and took a sip, but suddenly frowned. She placed the cup heavily on the table, the porcelain clinking with a crisp sound. "Why is this tea still so bland?" Her voice suddenly rose, a flicker of anger in her eyes. "Is this the only inferior tea a maid in the general's mansion can brew?"
Liu Yeshu lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting a faint shadow beneath them. Her voice was steady and clear, like flowing water: "Princess, please forgive me. The general does not like extravagance, and our tea stock is running low. We are using the best tea available right now."
The princess heard the hidden meaning behind the words, and her expression darkened instantly. She stood up abruptly, slamming her delicate hand on the table. "What a sharp-tongued maid! Are you trying to teach me a lesson?" Her eyes burned with rage, and she could no longer maintain her elegant demeanor. "Come here! Slap her in the face! Show her what the rules mean!"
Several maids stepped forward trembling with fear, but dared not act rashly. Liu Yeshu remained motionless, her expression calm, but a fierce glint flashed in her eyes. She slowly raised her head and met the princess's furious gaze. "Princess, I mean no offense. I was simply speaking the truth. Besides, General Qi never mistreats his servants."
"You!" The princess was irritated by her calm demeanor. She quickly stepped forward, her hand raised high, ready to strike. "It seems General Qi is too lenient, causing you servants to lose your bearings!"
At this critical moment, a deep and powerful voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Stop!"
Liu Yeshu slowly turned her head and saw Qi Yu's tall figure standing at the door.
He was dressed in a dark brocade robe, his sleeves fluttering in the wind. His face was as cold as frost, his eyes as deep as the sea. A few rays of morning light fell on his shoulders, adding a hint of fierceness to his aura. His gaze, with an unmistakable chill, fell directly on the princess, and a meaningful sneer curled up at the corner of his mouth.
When the princess saw Qi Yu suddenly appear, a flicker of panic crossed her fair face. She quickly put away her previous arrogance, a delicate shyness instantly appearing on her face. She took light steps, rose gracefully, and spoke in a gentle voice with a hint of reserve, "General Qi, why are you back so early?" Her eyes flickered, and a gentle smile played on her lips. "I was just thinking of tidying up the mansion for you to save you the trouble."
Qi Yu stared at the princess coldly, his gaze as deep as a cold pond. His eyes contained no warmth at all, as if he were looking at an insignificant outsider. "Princess, the affairs of this mansion are handled by our own servants. There is no need for you to condescend to me."
The princess's carefully maintained smile faltered, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes, like a flower struck by frost. But she quickly composed herself, forcing a gentle smile. Her voice was deliberately soft and charming. "General, I came to see what's going on in the mansion just for your sake." Her fingers gently stroked her hair, her eyes flickering. "Besides, I only did this to get to know more about the affairs of the mansion so that I can assist you later... later."
Qi Yu sneered, his eyes sharp as knives. "Help me?" He paused meaningfully. "Princess, I remember that the matter of the Emperor's marriage has not yet been finalized."
Upon hearing this, the princess's fair face flushed with embarrassment. Her delicate hands trembled slightly as she clutched her sleeves. "General, His Majesty has mentioned this many times. If you hadn't been so reluctant to come to the capital, the wedding date would have been set long ago." Her voice carried a hint of grievance, yet also a hint of persistence.
A layer of frost covered Qi Yu's brows, and his eyes became more stern: "Princess, this general is busy with affairs, and the war is ahead, so marriage should be put off until later." His words were crisp and clear, leaving no room for maneuver.
After saying this, he turned to Liu Yeshu, his eyes softening instantly, as if ice had melted. His voice was low and gentle, with obvious concern: "Are you okay?"
Liu Yeshu shook his head slightly: "Don't worry, General, I'm fine."
The princess stood aside, watching the casual intimacy between them, feeling a pang of pain in her heart. A flicker of jealousy flashed in her eyes, and her voice suddenly rose: "General, I wonder who this young lady is?" She emphasized the word "this" deliberately. "I've come to the General's Mansion today, and I've never heard of her name before."
Qi Yu turned his head, his eyes as sharp as a cold star: "She is a capable assistant in my mansion, assisting with the affairs of the mansion. Princess, there is no need to ask more questions."
These words are not only an answer, but also a boundary.
The princess's face was gloomy, and she bit her lips. Hatred surged in her heart, but she dared not act rashly. She suppressed her anger and forced a smile. "So that's how it is. It seems that the general's mansion is indeed full of talented people."
Qi Yu ignored her implied meaning and turned to his personal guards, saying, "Send the princess back home and tell her guards that they don't need to stay in my house any longer." His tone was resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.
The princess's face paled instantly, and she felt a moment of embarrassment. Her delicate hands clenched the handkerchief, her knuckles turning white. She wanted to explode, but dared not. Finally, she forced a smile, her voice trembling slightly, "Since the general has important matters, I will take my leave."
Qi Yu simply nodded indifferently, his tone calm and almost indifferent: "Princess, take care."
After the princess' figure disappeared at the end of the courtyard, Qi Yu turned and looked at Liu Yeshu, his eyes full of apology: "I'm sorry for making you feel wronged just now." He was completely different from the cold and stern person just now.
Liu Yeshu smiled and said, "Don't worry, General."
Qi Yu stared at her face, a complex expression on his face. The warm sun shone through the window, casting a mottled light and shadow between them.
After a moment, he slowly spoke in a low and gentle voice: "Ye Shu, if you are dissatisfied with what happened today, you can speak frankly."
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