Chapter 023 Chapter 23 (3+4 more)

"Is this what the prince meant?"

When Aunt Deng came back, Xu Duanyi had already sent Bixi and Shiyu to pack up her things.

There's actually nothing to pack.

She just got married into the palace yesterday, and she hasn't had time to take out many of her things. They are just some personal belongings, so she can just pack them up casually.

She was originally waiting for Aunt Deng to come back and take her to the new yard, but she didn't expect to hear these words from Aunt Deng.

Xu Duanyi was a little surprised and confused.

She didn't expect this result.

Aunt Deng would naturally speak well of Xie Qingya.

No matter how much she blamed the prince in her heart, as a member of the palace, it was impossible for her to say anything bad about her prince.

Besides, she was still trying to bring the two of them together.

In her opinion, the prince and princess have already worshipped heaven and earth, so they are a proper family.

What's more, the princess looks so good.

She naturally hoped that the two of them could be together forever and live a good life, and she also hoped that the prince could return to his former self with the company of the princess.

Even if I can't go back to the way I was before, at least I shouldn't be the same as before.

All he does every day is hang out with a bunch of bad friends.

After hearing what Xu Duanyi said, she immediately smiled and said, "Yes, the prince said that you are not in good health, so you should stop working so hard."

"He has been busy with official duties recently, so he will rest in the study first, so as not to disturb your rest."

"By the way, the prince also specifically instructed me to ask a doctor to see you." This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team to record these words about Aunt Deng.

Xu Duanyi didn't know for a moment whether what she said was true or she was exaggerating.

But living in Linfeng Pavilion was obviously Xie Qingya's idea, and Aunt Deng did not have the ability to make such a decision.

Although puzzled.

I don't understand why Xie Qingya did this.

But Xu Duanyi hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded: "Then let's do as the prince says."

Since Xie Qingya had spoken, there was no need for her to disobey him.

It doesn't matter where she lives anyway.

Originally I just wanted it to be more convenient for him.

“Hey!”

Aunt Deng was delighted to see that she agreed.

"Then, if you need anything, just tell me!" Then she added, "I'll ask a doctor to come and see you."

She was afraid that Xu Duanyi was really feeling unwell.

It would be bad if there is any delay.

"No."

Xu Duanyi declined gently.

Fearing that Aunt Deng might worry too much, Xu Duanyi added: "Bixi has been learning medicine from the imperial physician since she was young. She can treat most minor illnesses. I am used to letting her see me on weekdays."

Aunt Deng was surprised: "So that's how it is!"

She glanced at Bixi, and was surprised to see that she was quiet and smiled at her.

There are many hidden talents around their princess. These two girls have their own abilities.

In this case, she no longer wanted to find someone to blame for this embarrassment: "Then you can take a rest first. If you have any instructions, call me back. I will not disturb you for now."

Xu Duanyi smiled and nodded to her.

After Aunt Deng left, she lowered her eyes to look at the boxes and cages on the ground.

Bixi asked her: "Master, then we..."

Xu Duanyi said: "Then let's stay here for now."

Not really understanding what Xie Qingya meant, Xu Duanyi added, "You don't have to take out all the things. Just take out the things you need for daily use first."

Bixi understood what she meant and nodded to do it.

Shi Yu couldn't help but complain: "I don't know what the King of Nan'an is thinking."

After Bixi slapped his arm and glared at him, Shi Yu immediately shut up.

The two of them moved their things back inside and started to clean up, while Xu Duanyi sat on the bed outside.

Don't say Shi Yu was puzzled.

She was actually puzzled and didn't understand what Xie Qingya was thinking.

Obviously her initial suggestion was the best and most convenient.

Is she afraid that the people around her will tell her aunt?

After thinking about it, Xu Duanyi could only think of this possibility.

Sighed silently.

She wanted to tell him not to worry.

With her watching, no one dared to tell my aunt about these things.

But he probably won't believe it.

Xu Duanyi felt helpless.

Without thinking about these things anymore, she looked out the window at the peach tree in full bloom.

The spring is beautiful.

The peach blossoms in the daytime are much more gorgeous than those at night.

After so many years, the branches of the tree have become stronger and stronger, and even the peach blossoms on the branches have become more luxuriant.

Clusters of pink flower buds are pinned to the branches.

When the wind blows, the flowers sway and you can see the tender yellow stamens inside.

She suddenly became interested in painting.

Over the years, she has painted countless peach trees and peach blossoms.

Seeing that she liked it, her aunt even transplanted a few peach trees from the garden to her yard.

But the tree that I wanted to draw most when I was a child has never been realized.

Now, finally, this opportunity comes.

There is nothing to do.

After Bixi and the others had finished their work, Xu Duanyi asked them to take out the four treasures of the study and spread them out on the tea table one by one.

When Changfeng was ordered to come over to get something, Xu Duanyi was painting by the window.

"What are you doing here?"

Shi Yu just went out and when he saw Chang Feng coming, he immediately frowned.

Although I had to obey my master's orders not to argue with the people in the palace, I certainly couldn't talk to Aunt Deng like I did last night.

But seeing the attendants around the King of Nan'an, Shi Yu still found it difficult to have a good face towards him.

If the master hadn't been inside, she was afraid that he would scold her.

I guess she would just draw her sword and drive the man out.

"Uh... Miss Shiyu, the prince asked me to come and get some daily necessities." Changfeng had expected that he would not be welcome when he came, but looking at the cold face of the girl in red, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

I heard that Miss Shi Yu's martial arts skills are quite good.

He was not afraid of not being able to beat her, but he was really afraid of getting into a fight with this Miss Shi Yu.

That's what I was worried about.

That's why he let Ringgit stay and came here by himself.

Otherwise, he actually didn't want to run here.

Changfeng felt helpless.

Shi Yu looked at Chang Feng coldly without saying a word, but the hand on the knife seemed to be unable to hold back any longer, and his fingers were tense.

Changfeng caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye, and was already prepared in his heart, waiting for Shi Yu to take action.

Unexpectedly, the overwhelming force would suddenly recede like the tide.

Shi Yu just dropped two words coldly.

"Wait."

Then I went in.

Although he didn't understand the reason for her change, Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief because he didn't take any action.

"Master, the servant of King Nan'an has come and said he is here to get something." Shi Yu went in and delivered the message.

Although he looked unhappy, he did not exaggerate.

Xu Duanyi happened to be sitting by the window. When he heard this, he looked outside.

Sure enough, he saw Changfeng waiting outside.

Although Xu Duanyi was not very familiar with the two followers beside Xie Qingya, he still knew their names.

One is Changfeng and the other is Lingji, both are illegitimate children of the royal family.

I have followed Xie Qingya since I was a child.

The one standing outside at this time was the one named Changfeng.

"Let him in." Xu Duanyi ordered.

Shi Yu agreed and went out.

After a while, Changfeng followed Shi Yu in.

"princess."

As soon as Changfeng came in, he greeted Xu Duanyi first.

He lowered his head, but his attitude was very respectful.

When he came in, Xu Duanyi put down the brush in her hand. At this time, she was talking to Changfeng with a smile.

"I don't know where the things the prince uses every day are. Guard Chang, go in and look for them yourself."

"Bixi, accompany Guard Chang in."

Bixi nodded in agreement.

"Guard Chang, please come in." She turned and spoke to Chang Feng.

Bixi's attitude is much better than Shiyu's.

Changfeng felt a little relieved and was grateful for the princess's consideration and generosity. He bowed to Xu Duanyi again and followed Bixi in.

What Changfeng was going to pack were just some underwear.

So it didn't take him long to follow Bixi out.

When they came out, Xu Duanyi had already started painting again. Changfeng had sharp eyes and could see that she was painting the old peach tree in the yard.

"alright?"

Xu Duanyi caught a glimpse of them coming out from the corner of his eye, and stopped what he was doing with a smile.

Changfeng didn't dare to look at it any more, lowered his head and nodded.

Xu Duanyi nodded.

She thought about what she should say, but she felt that given the relationship between her and Xie Qingya, it seemed inappropriate to say anything, so she could only politely tell Changfeng: "It's still cold at night recently, remember to take good care of the prince."

Changfeng naturally agreed.

Afterwards he said goodbye to Xu Duanyi and left.

Xu Duanyi didn't look at it any further and continued painting with his eyes lowered.

…

Return to the study.

Lingji was still standing outside, sitting astride the railing with a knife in his hand, gesticulating casually.

It's been too long since I took action.

He felt that his knife was getting a little rusty.

In his heart, he actually wanted to have a good competition with the maidservant named Shi Yu who was beside the princess. He heard that Shi Yu had learned martial arts from the previous commander of the imperial guards, Gao Chuan, and that Shi Yu had extraordinary martial arts skills.

It’s a pity that the prince will definitely not agree.

It's a bit of a shame for the ringgit.

Seeing Changfeng coming back, he casually greeted him: "You're back."

Changfeng nodded, glanced at the still closed study, and lowered his voice to ask Lingji: "Is the prince still asleep?"

I don't know what the prince did last night to make him so tired.

If he hadn't known that the prince couldn't possibly have anything to do with the princess, he would have thought that he...

"Are you up now? I heard some noise just now," said Lingji.

After saying that, he stood up and reported to the people in the study: "Prince, Changfeng has returned with something."

Xie Qingya's voice came from inside, asking Changfeng to come in.

Changfeng went in holding the things.

Xie Qingya was sitting at the desk.

He has been the prefect of Shuntian for more than two months.

He knew that Cao Da had spies in Shuntian Prefecture, so he usually just let things slide and left official duties to the prefects and magistrates under him.

But he didn't do nothing.

During the past two months, almost three months, he conducted a brief investigation into the situation in the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen and also looked into the situation and background of the people there.

I have roughly figured out who is behind these people.

In fact, not all of them are Cao Da's people, but it is human instinct to seek benefits and avoid harm. Compared with him, the governor of Shuntian Prefecture who has no say and real power and is a mess and does nothing, they naturally listen to Cao Da more.

But everyone has their own weaknesses.

Besides, not everyone has to rely on anyone, and Cao Da can't want everyone. Many of them have their own ambitions and don't like Cao Da.

Shuntianfu Yamen is a place independent of the Six Ministries, but it is in charge of all government orders in Kyoto. Although it is not as famous as the Six Ministries, it is also an indispensable place.

Moreover, Shuntian Prefecture Yamen directly faces the people and is the place closest to them.

The people in higher positions look down on this place.

I always feel that they are just doing some trivial things.

On a daily basis, he also has to mediate the conflicts among the powerful and wealthy, which is simply a thankless job.

But if we can bring these people under our control and make them submit to Your Majesty, it will be much easier to act in the future...

Xie Qingya was thinking about how to start and didn't pay attention to what Changfeng was doing.

It was not until Changfeng put away his things and came over that he asked casually without even looking up, "Did I cause you any trouble in the past?"

"not."

Changfeng did not tell Xie Qingya about Shi Yu's attitude, as he felt it was unnecessary. He only told him what Xu Duanyi had said: "The princess was very polite and asked me and Lingji to take good care of you."

Xie Qingya stopped what he was doing when he heard this.

He said nothing.

Just when Changfeng thought he had nothing to say and was about to leave, he suddenly heard a sentence: "What is she... doing?"

Changfeng paused.

He subconsciously looked at the man behind the desk.

But the man lowered his head, and from Changfeng's angle, he couldn't see the expression on his face clearly.

Besides, he didn't dare to look at it any more.

"The princess is painting." Changfeng did not hide the truth and told Xie Qingya, "Painting the peach tree in the yard."

"Peach tree..."

Xie Qingya murmured.

As if he thought of something, he pursed his lips slightly.

After a while, he said nothing and just waved his hand to let Changfeng go out.

Changfeng then bowed and walked out, closing the door for the other person.

Lingji was still sitting in the same place, holding his precious sword and wiping it carefully. When he saw Changfeng come out, he stood aside without saying a word, but his eyes were staring blankly ahead, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked Changfeng.

Changfeng looked down at him.

He opened his lips slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but seeing that he looked so heartless and only cared about holding the knife, he gave up.

“…Nothing.”

He turned his head away and simply stopped thinking about it.

Anyway, the prince always has a plan in mind, and they have no say in what will happen in the future.

Let's see how the prince decides.

Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief when he thought of the prince who had just gone to the military camp.

If it weren't for those things, the prince and princess would have been a perfect couple.

Ringgit doesn't know.

However, he knew clearly who had given the prince the amulet he had always carried with him, and he also knew why he had been accumulating military merits.

…

When Xu Duanyi finished painting, it was already time for lunch.

Aunt Deng was very capable. After leaving early in the morning, she asked the kitchen to deliver today's menu so that she could take a look and see if there was anything wrong so that she could make arrangements in advance.

Xu Duanyi cut out several dishes.

It’s not that she doesn’t like it, it’s just that she can’t eat so much by herself.

Afterwards, she told the kitchen manager that there was no need to prepare such a lavish meal three times a day, and that two dishes and a soup would be enough for lunch and dinner.

Afternoon.

She also asked someone to prepare the materials so that she could frame the painting herself and hang it up later.

But mounting a painting is a big project and requires a lot of preparation.

It just so happened that Aunt Deng asked her to meet with the stewards in the mansion.

Xu Duanyi asked Bixi to stay with the others and continue preparing things, while he took Shiyu out to visit the palace and meet the steward.

Xu Duanyi first met the managers in various places and got to know their faces.

Accompanied by Aunt Deng, he toured the palace.

She had been here many times when she was young.

But after all, she was still too young at that time, and some of her memories were already vague. Moreover, she didn't go to many places at that time. Except for the Grand Princess's house, she mostly stayed in Xie Qingya's Linfeng Pavilion, and did not have a proper tour of the palace.

I have to say that the scenery of Nan'an Palace is extremely beautiful.

I heard that the Grand Princess loves growing flowers.

Whenever the old prince has time, he will personally plant flowers for the eldest princess.

Walking through flowers and willows all the way.

When Xu Duanyi walked to a place, he suddenly saw a tall persimmon tree inside the courtyard wall.

It's not time yet.

All you can see is the thriving persimmon tree behind the courtyard wall, standing like a majestic general.

"What place is that?" she stopped and asked Aunt Deng.

Aunt Deng followed her gaze and immediately laughed: "That's the prince's study."

Xu Duanyi was surprised.

She didn't expect that the place she asked casually was actually Xie Qingya's study.

Aunt Deng didn't notice her surprise and continued to talk to her, "The persimmon tree was planted by the eldest princess and the late prince personally when the prince was born. It was originally planted in Linfeng Pavilion, but for some reason, the persimmon tree and the peach tree were planted together, and the two trees just wouldn't bear fruit."

"Later, the princess decided to transplant the persimmon tree to this yard."

"It's also rare that after these two trees were separated, they both started to bear fruit."

"When the prince was a child, he was very naughty. When he could run, he loved to climb trees. When he was a child, he liked to climb all kinds of trees. Every time the persimmon tree bore fruit, he would eat all the fruits." This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team. "Every time the princess saw it, she would get angry and say that the prince didn't like to eat persimmons. Wouldn't it be better to let the persimmons hang on the tree? It would still be a beautiful sight to enjoy the snow in winter."

"But our prince has no interest in romance, he just can't bear to see them growing on it."

Aunt Deng couldn't help laughing when she talked about these past events.

But thinking of the old master's death, she couldn't help but feel a little sad. She didn't dare to let the princess see it. Aunt Deng quickly suppressed her sadness and asked Xu Duanyi: "Princess, do you want to go to the study to take a look?"

She tried every possible way to bring Xu Duanyi and Xie Qingya together.

But Xu Duanyi hesitated for a moment, and still politely declined: "No."

Whether Xie Qingya was there or not, it was not appropriate for her to go in.

Xie Qingya was there, and if she went there, she wouldn't know what to say to others, and it would just be awkward for both of them.

If Xie Qingya wasn't there, she shouldn't have gone there.

From the corner of his eye, he could see the regret on Aunt Deng's face. Xu Duanyi knew what she was thinking but could only pretend he didn't see it.

"I wonder where Changning and Ping'an's house is? I might as well go visit them later." She changed the subject and continued walking forward.

Seeing this, Aunt Deng couldn't force anyone to go to the study.

Seeing that the princess had already walked forward, she hurriedly followed and said, "I will lead you there, but Sanlang and the girl are out studying now, and they will not be back until night."

The group walked away while talking.

Lingji, who had been secretly gathering information behind the courtyard wall, saw Xu Duanyi walking away and hurried in to reply to Xie Qingya.

"Master, Master!"

The door of the study was open.

Xie Qingya is writing something.

Hearing this, he frowned.

"What?"

He still didn't look up.

Until I heard Lingji say, "The princess is here!"

Xie Qingya's expression froze.

As if he couldn't believe it, he looked outside subconsciously.

But it's empty outside, where is anyone?

Xie Qingya frowned.

Before he could ask Lingji, Lingji smiled and said, "Don't worry, the princess has left and didn't come in!"

He didn't notice Xie Qingya's expression at this time and was still feeling relieved.

He was just worried that the princess was going to come in!

Fortunately not!

Otherwise, the prince will have to continue pretending, which is too tiring!

However——

He lowered his head to glance at the prince behind the desk. He always felt that the prince's expression looked a little strange at this moment?

He asked in confusion, "My Lord, what's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong?" Xie Qingya was a little impatient.

"You look a little..."

Before he could finish his words, Lingji saw his father suddenly raise his head and look at him. His expression was cold, which made him feel a chill. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team. Lingji was suddenly speechless.

He closed his mouth silently, made a gesture to keep quiet, and then stepped back.

Xie Qingya watched him leave, then lowered his head again, but his originally calm heart inevitably changed. He was annoyed for a long time and couldn't calm down. Finally, he got up and walked to the window to look at the persimmon tree in the yard.