shorten?
Sang Qing was somewhat confused.
Nie Xin leaned closer to her, her tone more tentative: "Didn't I tell you that the Queen really likes the clothes you make? If you have the opportunity to enter the palace as an embroiderer, you will soon get a formal status and be able to earn more money."
"If you had this opportunity, would you be willing?"
Sang Qing felt as if a huge pie had suddenly fallen from the sky and hit her on the head.
But eighteen years of life experience is neither long nor short. Based on the experience she gained from those shady days, the more seemingly good things seem like a windfall, the more dangerous the trap they are.
The Queen has seen far too many talented people; there's no reason for her to be kept in the palace as an embroiderer, a nobody like her.
Besides, that palace isn't exactly a fun place. Even if she's never been to a royal family, hasn't she at least seen how things work? Doesn't she know what royalty is like? Hasn't she ever watched a TV drama?
Those people appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, they were fighting fiercely.
She can adapt to complex environments, but that doesn't mean she likes them!
Compared to that magnificent but unpredictable place, she would rather stay in this small tailor shop for the rest of fifteen years.
Sang Qing frowned, naturally thinking of the princess who had come to see Nie Xin that morning...
Letting her into the palace is probably this woman's idea! What does she want to do?
Whatever she wants to do, if we don't contact her, she naturally can't do anything to us!
So Sang Qing calmly took a bite of rose-flavored ice jelly, swallowed it, and shook her head with a firm expression.
"I don't want to."
This answer delighted Nie Xin!
In fact, Nie Xin's heart had been in her throat the whole time, fearing that this girl would do anything to get a status, even daring to venture into dangerous places.
If she really agrees to enter the palace, he will definitely stop her!
What good could Heya possibly be up to? After calming down, he thought about Heya's instigation and realized that there was a big problem.
Out of caution, he disagreed with Sang Qing entering the palace, but even after analyzing the pros and cons, he couldn't guarantee that He Ya wouldn't come looking for Sang Qing alone in the future.
So he had to sound him out first...
He never expected this girl to be so much smarter than he thought!
Nie Xin smiled slightly, relieved. Sang Qing was clever and resourceful, always thinking things through, and would definitely not let herself suffer.
"Oh," he said calmly, asking her softly, "Why don't you want to?"
"I just feel like... good things usually don't come my way," Sang Qing answered honestly. "My neighbor, the Gypsy grandma, once said that the faster you run, the harder you fall. So it's better for me to take things one step at a time."
"Yes, that's great!" Nie Xin couldn't hide her joy. "It's the answer I wanted!"
"What?"
"Let me tell you! From now on, no matter who comes looking for you or asks you to enter the palace, ignore them!"
"In short, just one sentence!" Nie Xin slammed his hand on the table, practically pressing down on Sang Qing, "You are not allowed to enter the palace!"
"Did you understand?"
Sang Qing looked into his eyes, and in his dark pupils, she was the only image she saw.
Her little face quietly started to flush.
“Oh, I understand…” she said softly.
"Yes, that's right!"
Nie Xin was very satisfied and reached out to ruffle her hair.
...
Huo Zhixing and He Jin met at a quiet coffee shop in the city center.
This is a place He Jin frequents. He likes the quiet and charming atmosphere here, and the coffee beans are air-freighted from Kinshasa.
Before he arrived, he had the area cleared and decorated in a simple and solemn manner.
He knew that Huo Zhixing didn't like anything too flashy.
He Jin arrived fifteen minutes early, glancing at the clock on the wall every now and then, feeling that time was passing particularly slowly today.
He lowered his eyes and smiled, holding the coffee cup in both hands, his slender, fair fingers tapping incessantly on the rim of the cup.
A moment later, a servant came to report: "Your Highness, Mr. Huo has arrived."
He Jin froze, held his breath, and watched him walk in through the door.
Huo Zhixing had an upright posture and walked with a confident stride, exuding the temperament and refinement accumulated over a century by a prestigious family.
Furthermore, he possesses a powerful aura that commands respect.
He Jin stood up and smiled, as if all the light in the world was shining on Huo Zhixing.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?" a servant whispered, "Mr. Huo is bowing to you!"
He Jin suddenly snapped out of his daze, nervously twitching the corners of his mouth to tell him there was no need for such formalities.
Huo Zhixing sat opposite him, his eyes deep and his sharply defined face revealing no emotion.
“Mr. Huo,” He Jin said gently, “it’s been a long time.”
Huo Zhixing was taken aback, then chuckled and said, "It hasn't been that long, has it? It seems like only a month has passed since His Highness last came to my house for tea."
He Jin nodded.
When he said "long time no see," he actually meant "we finally met."
And after all these years, Huo Zhixing seems to have changed little.
Still aloof and unapproachable, with a glint in her eyes like that of a solitary beast roaming in the dark.
But he showed a completely different face to Jiang Can...
He Jin smiled. If he had ever envied anyone, Jiang Can would be the first.
"Your Highness," Huo Zhixing said in a deep voice after taking a sip of coffee, "My wife has been visiting the palace quite frequently lately, and I've heard that Your Highness has been taking care of her. Thank you for your hard work."
He Jin shook his head. "It was nothing."
"It was just a small favor for you, but I am extremely grateful!"
“I know that the palace is a place where things seem harmonious on the surface, but there are actually undercurrents. My wife is a simple-minded person, and she might offend someone if she says the wrong thing. With you taking care of her, I feel much more at ease.”
Huo Zhixing spoke slowly and deliberately, especially emphasizing the words "my wife."
He was polite on the surface, but every word he said implied that He Jin was "taking care" of Jiang Can—there were far too many...
However, He Jin misunderstood his meaning and was still happy that he could do something for him and Jiang Can, so he hurriedly said, "Mr. Huo, I am very willing to take care of her!"
"Is that so?" Huo Zhixing's expression changed, and so did his tone. "Your Highness... is very willing to 'take care' of other people's wives?"
The air froze instantly, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
He Jin's attendant coughed incessantly, his eyes reminding him that Master Huo's expression was not right!
After a few seconds of stunned silence, He Jin realized what was happening and quickly corrected himself:
"No, no, no, I don't want to take care of her!"
Huo Zhixing glanced at him and let out a cold laugh.
“Mr. Huo, please don’t misunderstand,” He Jin said sincerely. “I know what you mean… but please believe me, I have never had any improper thoughts about Mrs. Huo!”
"And I..." He Jin's voice trailed off, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips, "...I wouldn't dare..."
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