Chapter 271 Ending 6

The Flower Festival on February 15th was a grand event in the imperial capital. During the festival, every family offered sacrifices to the flower god, and people went out to the suburbs to enjoy the flowers, which was called "outing". Young girls and boys cut colorful paper and glued it on the branches of flowers, which was called "viewing red". In addition, there were other customs such as "catching butterflies" and "picking vegetables".

Xia Jingtang was invited by some of her good friends to go for an outing in Baihua Garden, so Nanxing accompanied her and also closely protected her safety.

Since the name of the Hundred Flowers Garden is "Hundred Flowers Garden", there are naturally hundreds of flowers in the garden. The garden is very large and can accommodate tens of thousands of people at the same time. There is a large lake in the middle, which sparkles under the sunlight. There are pavilions built around the lake, and there are pavilions and towers outside for tourists to rest. There is also a temple for people to pray for blessings.

The garden has the best-blossoming roses, camellias, forsythias, etc., as well as some greenhouse flowers that are not available now. Jiang Muyu specially ordered people to transplant them from his own flower fields. There are large pots of osmanthus, crape myrtles, crabapples, and even expensive green plums and peonies. The garden is full of spring colors, which can be said to be colorful and gorgeous.

Xia Jingtang walked around the lake and felt bored, so he went up to the highest building in the garden. Looking down from there, he could almost overlook the entire garden.

The crowd was bustling, and she looked around with wide eyes, trying to find the figure.

Fortunately, the man was very conspicuous, and she immediately locked her sight on the man in white standing under a crabapple tree.

The noble ladies who came with her were chatting around. Xia Jingtang trusted Nanxing the most, so he quietly pulled her sleeve, leaned over and whispered, "Sister Nanxing, I need to go look for someone. Can you help me here?"

Nan Xing raised her eyebrows slightly, "Oh? Are you going to look for your sweetheart?"

Xia Jingtang blushed and said shyly, "Sister, please don't tease me. I was just surprised at the first sight of him and wanted to make friends with him."

"Just making friends?" Nan Xing just joked again. Seeing that she was anxious and shy, he did not expose her little thoughts and smiled and said, "I'll help you watch, go quickly and come back soon."

"Sister-in-law is the best." She winked playfully, and then ran away with Xiao Yunzi.

Nanxing looked at her hurriedly leaving back and shook his head helplessly.

I thought to myself: "Tangtang has grown up, and she is already feeling romantic."

She suddenly thought of Xia Jinghe. She didn't know what he was busy with now. He didn't even show up at the Flower Festival. She still hadn't seen him two days after she learned about the betrothal gift.

Just as I was thinking this, I suddenly heard the two girls at the opposite table talking in a deliberately low voice:

"I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also came to Baihua Garden, but I don't know where he went."

"I saw with my own eyes that Lord Xu and His Highness got off the carriage together. They should have gone to the east pavilion."

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is in his prime, and he is so handsome. I wonder who will be lucky enough to be the Crown Princess in the future."

"Alas - I think the emperor is more handsome in appearance. You can't tell that he is over 30 years old. If there is a selection of beauties in the palace, I will definitely be the first to sign up."

"Don't even think about it. My father said that the emperor is determined to keep the harem empty. This shows that the current empress is very capable. How can we compete with her?"

Nanxing sat at the table listening to the gossip of the people around him, playing with the cup in his hands boredly.

Until a shadow fell in front of her, she raised her head and met the smiling eyes of the person who came up to her.

"Mr. Zeng?"

The other party bowed and said, "Greetings, Her Royal Highness the Princess."

"Sir, there is no need to be so polite." She put down the cup, sat up straight, and resumed her usual calm demeanor: "I wonder why you are looking for me?"

"I would like to invite Your Highness to go to the garden to enjoy the red flowers. Is it convenient for Your Highness?"

She wanted to refuse, but when the words came to her lips, she changed her mind and agreed.

The two of them walked downstairs together and followed the path to a grove of flowers dedicated to viewing red flowers. There was a vendor nearby selling colored ribbons and red ropes, and providing pens and ink for just five cents.

Nanxing picked up a piece of red paper, took the red rope, thought for a moment, picked up the pen and wrote the word "Shun Sui". Then he walked to a cherry tree, pinched the paper between two fingers and threw it towards the tree.

The thin paper sheet was thrown onto the tree branch as quickly as a dart, and finally got caught on the tip of the highest branch at the top of the tree. Due to inertia, it circled twice before falling down, swaying gently in the wind.

Master Zeng watched and couldn't help but praise: "Your Highness is very skilled."

She just pursed her lips and said, "Thank you for your compliment, sir."

However, just as she finished her words, another piece of paper was thrown onto the branch, and it also circled around the treetop twice, and then hung firmly together with her piece of paper.

She could guess who the person was without even looking, so she pretended not to know and turned around to leave, but he blocked her way.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling guilty? Planning to run away?" A man's slightly low voice came from above my head.

She frowned, took a step back, raised her eyes to meet his gaze, and said calmly, "What is your Highness saying? Why can't I understand a word you say?"

"Don't play dumb, you understand." His eyes passed through her and looked at the man behind her. The corners of his lips curled up slightly, but his eyes were cold: "Men and women often meet to appreciate red for love. Is it inappropriate for Master Zeng to invite my Crown Princess to come here?"

Zeng Gongzi had bowed when he saw him, but before he could stand up, he was stunned when he heard these words: "Crown Princess?"

"Oh, I almost forgot. My father hasn't issued an order yet, so it's normal that Lord Zeng doesn't know about it yet. Once I prepare the betrothal gifts and write the engagement letter, I will naturally announce it to the ministers and the people. Lord Zeng, just go back and wait for the news."

As soon as Master Zeng met his fierce gaze, he immediately gave in. Not to mention that his power and status could not compete with the Crown Prince, his appearance and strength were also far behind. Turning back to look at Princess Yong'an, she remained calm throughout, showing that she had known about this matter for a long time.

He was not a fool. He was not going to confront Xia Jinghe head-on. He immediately bowed his head and apologized: "I am stupid and ignorant of this matter. I have offended you in the past. I hope Your Highness the Crown Prince will forgive me."

Xia Jinghe was not a person who would not tolerate any wrongdoing, especially since he had to maintain his gentle and kind image in front of others, so he waved his hand and said, "I trust Mr. Zeng's character, so I will not take this matter into consideration for now. I hope you will respect yourself."

"Yes, yes, from now on I will never have anything to do with the princess again, please rest assured, Your Highness."

Afterwards, he glanced at Xia Jinghe's expression and tactfully left.

Nan Xing also turned around and was about to leave. Xia Jinghe quickly grabbed her wrist and asked anxiously, "Where are you going?"

"Go to the Temple of the Goddess of Flowers to pray."

"I'll go with you."

Nanxing just glanced at him, brushed his hand away and continued walking forward.

Xia Jinghe quickly caught up with her, walked side by side with her, and asked tentatively: "Are you angry?"

She said nothing.

"You were so close to another man and even watched the red with him. I'm not angry at all. Why are you angry?"

Nan Xing asked calmly: "What have you been doing these days?"

"Didn't I tell you? I'm preparing the betrothal gifts."

"Why do you need to hide when preparing the betrothal gift?"

When he said this, his ears suddenly turned red and he whispered, "I did something wrong that day and I don't dare to see you."

Nanxing glanced at him sideways and cursed him lightly, "You stupid idiot." Then she walked away on her own.

Seeing that her arrogance had subsided, Xia Jinghe shamelessly walked over, took her hand, and interlocked their fingers.

The more she tried to break away, the tighter he held her, and finally she had no choice but to let him go.