While Duahua found Xie Lin’s appearance satisfactory, something about him failed to win her over.
Even though her mother had considered him, Duanhua dismissed the idea immediately. She knew that Xie Lin liked Qin Luan. Furthermore, when Zhou Gu prevented her from going to Jiangning County and forced her to return to the capital, Xie Lin not only did not help her, but also laughed at her misfortune. As a result, she would not consider him.
At least, during the years she persisted after Zhou Gu, even when her cousin, the Crown Prince, had been annoyed by her behaviors, he never once laughed at her. He only scolded her.
There was also Su Xingze. When she had hysterically berated Su Rong, he did nothing as well, simply ignoring her.
She sighed again, she was worried sick.
Upon arriving at Ye Qiuying’s courtyard, she found Ye Qiuying in the middle of a lesson, learning to play the qin from her tutor.
Duanhua reached the doorway and stopped, complaining to Little Chengzi, "Why didn’t you tell me that Little Qiuying is having a lesson?"
Little Chengzi defended himself innocently, "The class is almost over."
Upon hearing that, Duanhua sat down on a stone stool by the doorway, whispering, "Then I’ll wait here and not disturb them."
Little Chengzi could only accompany her.
After waiting for approximately a quarter of an hour, the sound of the qin stopped. The female teacher came out and upon seeing the princess, she quickly greeted her. Duanhua waved her hand dismissively, stood up, and went in to find Ye Qiuying.
Seeing Duanhua, Ye Qiuying was very happy, "Princess Sister."
Duanhua pinched her small face, "Little Qiuying, did you miss me?"
"I did. Tomorrow is my day off, and I was planning to send you an invitation to hang out together. I didn’t expect that you would come today." Ye Qiuying looked up at Duanhua, "Why did you think of visiting me today?"
"I came to the Eastern Palace to find my cousin, the Crown Prince. But he was not around, so I stopped by to see you." Duanhua said.
Ye Qiuying held Duanhua’s hand and entered the room, "Has His Highness the Crown Prince not returned?"
"No."
Ye Qiuying nodded, "His Highness the Crown Prince is very busy after his return to the capital." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
Duanhua knew full well that Yan Huisheng was busy. However, her marriage was also of great importance. If a princess of the imperial family like her could not get married, wouldn’t it be a disgrace to the Crown Prince? In any case, he ought to handle this issue.
Entering the inner room, the atmosphere was instantly warmer.
Ye Qiuying personally served Duanhua a cup of tea, noticing her troubled face she asked in a low voice, "Princess Sister, do you have any problems?"
To her, Duanhua seemed incredibly fortunate - her parents were loving, the atmosphere in Princess Qingping’s residence was pleasant, and Duanhua was greatly favored, with enough influence to dominate the capital.
Duanhua nodded, holding the teacup, she shared her worries with Ye Qiuying, "I’m afraid I won’t be able to get married."
"What? That can’t be?" Ye Qiuying didn’t believe it at all. Although the princess had a bad reputation in the past, her situation had improved significantly. Ever since it had been rumored that Princess Qingping was selecting a husband for her, many people had covertly approached the princess, eager to marry into the princess’s family.
"Why not?" Duanhua glanced at her. Seeing her shocked face, she shook her head, "I won’t be able to get married."
"Why?" Little Qiuying couldn’t understand.
"I can’t find anyone who looks as good as Zhou Gu."
Ye Qiuying: "..."
She quickly retorted, "My uncle is as handsome as Zhou Gu."
"Your uncle lives in Nanchu, and I can’t go to Nanchu. No matter how close a friend I want to be with Su Rong, I can’t go to Nanchu. Can your uncle marry into the Daliang family?" Duanhua looked at her.
Ye Qiuying shook her head vigorously. Her uncle was meant to be a pillar of support in Nanchu.
"That’s what I’m saying." Duanhua whispered, "So, I must plead with my cousin, the Crown Prince to issue an imperial decree to select the most handsome man in the world for me."
Ye Qiuying: "..."
Despite her young age, she couldn’t help but think that Duanhua’s idea was a tad far-fetched, "Will His Highness the Crown Prince agree to this?"
"As long as he agrees, there is no need for local officials. It is enough to send someone from my mother’s Princess’s Residence all over the place." Duanhua had already planned it out, "Without utilizing the resources of the Imperial Court, he can’t possibly object, right?"
Ye Qiuying didn’t know how to reply, "Then, Princess Sister, you must plead with His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Okay."
Duanhua stayed with Ye Qiuying till dusk, but Yan Huisheng had not yet returned.
Little Chengzi asked her, "Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince has not returned yet. Would you like to continue waiting?"
"Wait, I’ve been waiting so long." Duanhua didn’t want to return empty-handed.
"It’s time for dinner, would you like to have dinner?" Little Chengzi asked, "Should I arrange for the meals to be served here? Can you dine with Little Miss Ye?"
"Okay." Duanhua was hungry now.
Agreeing, Little Chengzi immediately arranged for the meal.
Not long after, Little Chengzi brought the food. Duanhua glanced at the meal and found it to be quite lavish.
After dining with Ye Qiuying, it had already become completely dark.
The housekeeper came and saluted, "Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince may return very late today."
Duanhua looked determined, "I will not leave today, and will stay in the Eastern Palace instead. Send someone to tell my mother."
The housekeeper’s eyes widened.
"Is it not possible?" Duanhua argued confidently, "The Crown Prince is my blood-related cousin. Can’t I stay at his residence? Is the Eastern Palace so small that there is no place for me to stay?"
"No, it’s not..." The housekeeper shook his head.
"Then you go and arrange it. No matter how late the Crown Prince returns, I will wait until then." Duanhua knew that Yan Huisheng was busy, but she had learned from her father yesterday that he might be busy for the next year. What was she supposed to do? If she kept waiting, she would become an old maid. She did not want to become a spinster. Su Rong’s wedding was imminent, and she didn’t even have a fiancé. Her mother was pregnant and it was essential to maintain a peaceful pregnancy. If she didn’t seek his help, who else should she turn to?
The housekeeper could only agree, "Then I will arrange a place for you to stay right away. Is it okay for you to stay in the yard next to Miss Ye?"
"Okay." Duanhua nodded.
So, the housekeeper hurried off.
Ye Qiuying whispered softly, "Sister, actually, you can stay here with me."
"No, you need to rest early as you have a lesson tomorrow." Duanhua was considerate of the young girl.
Ye Qiuying fell silent.
The housekeeper quickly arranged a place for her with some assistants. Duanhua immediately left Ye Qiuying’s yard with two maid servants and went to her newly arranged accommodation.
In the middle of the night, when Yan Huisheng returned, the housekeeper immediately reported that Duanhua had come to the Eastern Palace, waited for a long time for His Highness the Crown Prince’s return, and had asked to stay in the Eastern Palace to wait for him.
Yan Huisheng stopped in his tracks, "Did she say what she needed to see me about?"
The housekeeper shook his head.
Yan Huisheng rubbed his forehead, initially wanting to ask her to come to his study, but considering the late hour, he decided instead to go to her, "Which yard is she staying in? I’ll go find her."
The housekeeper quickly guided the way, "I arranged for her to stay in the yard next to Miss Ye. I will accompany you over."
Yan Huisheng nodded.
Duanhua had waited until she was drowsy. She sat at the table, continually nodding off into the light of the oil lamp. She gritted her teeth and struggled, contemplating whether she should give up waiting. But it was unacceptable. The Crown Prince had to attend the morning session at the court the next day. Did it mean that she had to continue waiting in the Eastern Palace for the entire day?
Hearing footsteps outside, the maidservant who was attending to her took a look out, instantly she rejoiced, "Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince has returned."
Duanhua was suddenly alert, and she sprang up and ran out to greet him.
She had finally caught him.
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