The Third Chapter: A Glimpse of Beauty
"Seventh brother, what good is your writing? At most, Father will grant you the title of Prince, but you will eventually have to leave the capital to serve as a regional governor." A slightly older boy in a crimson brocade robe laughed loudly, his tone carrying an undisguised arrogance.
Another, younger boy in a royal blue arrow-sleeved shirt immediately chimed in, "That's right, Seventh Brother. In my opinion, it would be better to ask Father Emperor to grant us a marriage. We have no part in governing the country and bringing peace to the world, but we can certainly live a peaceful life with our families. But is this fine white deer silk bestowed upon you, Brother, perhaps to be used to paint a portrait of a beautiful woman?" The two exchanged a smile, their words full of teasing.
"Why don't you give this paper to your second brother? When the new horn bow that Mother Consort made for me arrives, you can admire it for a while..." The boy in blue said, as he casually bumped into the eunuch carrying the tray. With a "crash," the tray tilted, and the neatly folded Xuan paper scattered all over the ground, while an elegant paperweight rolled into the grass.
The richly dressed young man pretended nothing was wrong, chatting and laughing as he strode away, leaving his servant and master standing there for a long time... The young man in a moon-white satin robe remained silent, gazing at the mess on the ground, his long eyelashes drooping, concealing the emotions in his eyes. The young eunuch, Mingye, was filled with resentment, but dared not say a word, only squatting down to silently clean up.
Mo Li, hiding behind the tree, saw the lonely figure and, without thinking too much, couldn't help but peek out from behind the tree and walk quickly towards him. Her heart tightened for no reason, and a fine, dense pain rose up.
She crouched down and silently helped pick up the scattered Xuan paper. The paper was delicate and smooth to the touch, clearly not of ordinary quality. As she picked up the rolled-out paperweight, a warm, cool sensation ran through her fingertips—the texture of fine jade. She inadvertently glanced at the bottom of the paperweight and saw a neatly engraved character for "paperweight." Just as she was about to hand it back, the young man seemed to sense someone behind him and suddenly turned around.
With that turn, Huairou felt the sounds of the wind and birdsong around her vanish in an instant, time seemed to shift and the world seemed to turn upside down.
What came into view was an extremely handsome face. He was about fourteen or fifteen years old, with fair skin that shone through his satin robes, and his face bore a striking resemblance to his son. However, a faint sense of aloofness lingered between the boy's brows, and his expression was silent, unlike Chengcheng's sunny, innocent, and adorable nature.
A wave of bitterness rushed to the tip of her nose, and Huairou almost blurted out that unforgettable name—"Chengcheng?" Her voice was extremely soft, like a dream.
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed across the boy's clear eyes.
Huairou felt a pang of anxiety. Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, her fingertips trembled slightly, but she still tried her best to remain calm. She handed over the Xuan paper and paperweight she had picked up, and mustered her courage to ask softly, "May I ask who you are, young master...?"
The young eunuch Mingye, who was standing to the side, only then realized what was happening. She was both shocked and anxious, and quickly stepped forward, scolding in a low voice, "Where did this maid come from? How dare she be so ill-mannered! She should pay her respects to His Highness the Seventh Prince!"
Huairou was not annoyed. She simply curtsied slightly according to the etiquette she remembered, and said in a soft but clear voice, "Please forgive my rudeness. I am Guo Huairou, a student of Qingshan Academy next door. I got lost and wandered into this place by mistake. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Upon hearing this, the young man gently straightened his already impeccably neat clothes, his demeanor exuding an innate elegance. He returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his gentle voice flowing softly: "So you are a student of Qingshan Academy. I am the seventh son of the king, named Yunji. Thank you for your help, young lady." His tone was polite, yet carried an undeniable sense of distance. "However, this is the Jinxiu Palace of the Royal Academy. If you have mistakenly entered this place and are discovered by the steward or guards, you may be punished. Mingye," he turned to the young eunuch and instructed, "escort the young lady out. I can manage on my own."
"Yes, Your Highness," Mingye replied respectfully, turning to Huairou and gesturing for her to follow.
Huairou was filled with anxiety, her gaze almost unable to leave Yunji's face. A voice silently echoed in her heart, "Chengcheng, is it you? Could it be that heaven has taken pity on me, allowing me to meet you here?" However, reason told her that the person before her was a prince of noble birth, and she herself didn't even know who she was. Seeing that although he treated her with gentle politeness, there was a faint distance between them, Huairou was unwilling to leave. She curtsied and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will take my leave now. Also... I wish Your Highness and the Empress Dowager good health."
Upon hearing this, the young man was stunned. He smiled slightly, but the smile didn't show on his face. "There are still people in this world who care about my mother." But the smile never reached his eyes; it only rippled slightly before disappearing quietly, as if flowing back into the depths of his heart. He didn't respond directly, but simply nodded slightly, his voice becoming even softer: "Thank you for your concern, young lady."
Huairou followed Mingye silently, her mind in turmoil. They hadn't gone far when Mingye couldn't help but whisper a reminder: "Miss, you are beautiful and kind-hearted, but... our Prince lost his mother at a young age and was raised by several concubines in the palace in turns. The word 'mother' is a hidden pain in His Highness's heart. If you ever see His Highness again, please be careful what you say and never mention it again."
Upon hearing this, Huairou felt a sharp, tingling pain in her heart, as if pricked by fine needles. She nodded silently, saying nothing more. It turned out that although this child resembled her own, his situation was tinged with heartache.
After Mingye led her to the vicinity of Qingshan Academy and pointed out the way, she hurriedly returned. Huairou had just regained her composure when she saw an elegant carriage parked by the roadside. Two maids in light blue dresses were anxiously waiting beside the carriage. Upon seeing her, they immediately lifted their skirts and ran over, their faces filled with anxiety and relief: "Miss! Miss, you've finally come out! The carriage has been waiting for so long, we couldn't find you anywhere, we were so worried!"
Huairou subconsciously looked back, only to find the palace path behind her deserted, with "Mingye" nowhere to be seen. She then realized that the "Miss" the maids had been calling out to was none other than herself.
Perhaps this really is a dream, an illusion that is too realistic. But if she could see that face that is exactly the same as her son's in this dream again, and know that he is well, even if it is just a glimpse from afar, Ji Moli would be willing to remain in this dream forever.
The carriage slowly came to a stop, and the curtain was gently lifted by a maid. Ji Moli bowed and stepped down from the carriage. As soon as she looked up, she was completely captivated by the scene before her.
Although she knew from Binghui that she was now "Guo Huairou" and "General Guo's daughter," she had been so preoccupied with her journey that she hadn't truly grasped the weight of this identity. Only now, standing before this majestic and solemn mansion, was she truly awestruck.
The first thing that catches the eye is the towering, seemingly endless vermilion wall of the mansion. The thick walls bear the marks of time, adding to their imposing grandeur. Above the lintel hangs a large plaque with gold lettering on a black background; the two characters "Guo Mansion" are written in bold, powerful strokes, exuding a rugged spirit forged in battle. Two heavy vermilion doors are adorned with gleaming green lizard-face rings, their fierce eyes adding to their imposing presence. On the door panels, forty-nine large, bowl-shaped golden door studs, arranged in seven vertical and seven horizontal rows, gleam with a cold, hard luster in the setting sun, silently signifying the family's prestige and strict hierarchy. On either side of the gate stand two lifelike white marble lions, each taller than a person; one male and one female, the male lion resting on an embroidered ball, the female lion caressing a cub, displaying both power and the family's refined heritage. Even more breathtaking were the two rows of guards clad in black armor and carrying sharp blades on either side, each standing as straight as a pine tree, their eyes sharp, their expressions solemn, exuding a unique military aura of killing intent. Deep ruts were faintly visible on the bluestone slabs in front of the gate, indicating the mansion's bustling activity and prominence.
Huairou stared blankly at everything, her heart churning with emotions. Was this... her "home"? Compared to the ordinary neighborhood and small apartment she remembered, it was worlds apart. A strong sense of unreality enveloped her, as if she had stepped onto an elaborately constructed theatrical stage, and she herself was the young lady of this magnificent mansion? She subconsciously clenched her slightly cool fingertips, trying to find a sliver of certainty in this tangible reality.
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