Xiao Chengrui's eyes lit up, then he shook his head: "You're of noble birth, why bother..."
"It's alright," Xiao Chengyu said with a smile. "I was just thinking of finding a seamstress to teach me some new patterns."
Three days later, Xiao Chengyu went to the Lin residence under the pretext of seeking advice on embroidery.
As rumored, Lin Chuchu was timid and flustered upon seeing the princess's arrival. But the moment she picked up a needle and thread, she transformed. Her eyes focused, her fingers flew, and soon a lifelike begonia blossomed on the embroidery frame.
Xiao Chengyu sincerely praised, "Miss Lin has excellent skills."
Lin Chuchu lowered her head shyly, saying, "You flatter me, Princess." Her voice was barely audible.
During their conversation, Xiao Chengyu casually brought up the matter of the startled horse: "We were really fortunate to have had you that day, Miss. My second brother has been feeling very bad about it and wanted to come and thank you in person, but he was afraid of being too forward."
Lin Chuchu quickly waved her hand: "I dare not accept that! Anyone would have done the same that day. Your Highness need not worry about it."
Xiao Chengyu observed her carefully and saw that her expression was sincere and genuine, which increased his goodwill towards her. Before leaving, she left a fine ginseng root for Lin Chuchu to use to recover from her injuries, and hinted that she would come to learn embroidery from her often in the future.
After returning to the palace, she said to Xiao Chengrui, "Miss Lin is a good person, kind-hearted, and skilled. If you are truly interested, Second Brother, you should proceed step by step and not frighten her."
Xiao Chengrui seemed to be deep in thought.
On the other hand, Xin Rui has also been acting strangely lately. She often stares blankly into space, and sometimes blushes for no apparent reason.
During martial arts practice that day, he was even punched in the shoulder by Xiao Chengrui. Normally he would have jumped up long ago, but today he just rubbed his shoulder and muttered, "I was distracted."
Xiao Chengyu found it strange and asked Qi Mingyue privately, "What's wrong with Cousin Rui?"
Qi Mingyue chuckled: "What else could it be? She's lovesick!"
A few days earlier, Xin Rui had been ordered to inspect the capital region. Outside the city, he encountered a band of bandits robbing civilians. While leading his men to suppress the bandits, he rescued a young woman. Unlike ordinary women who would panic, the woman calmly pointed out where the bandits had hidden their loot, proving to be of great help.
"I heard that girl is the daughter of a traveling doctor named Qin Sang, and she's very straightforward. My cousin Rui has been distracted ever since he came back; he's probably taken a liking to her." Qi Mingyue winked.
Xiao Chengyu found it very amusing. Her cousin had spent his childhood in the military and had the least patience for delicate noblewomen, yet he had unexpectedly fallen for a woman from the martial arts world.
"Where is that girl now?" she asked.
"Cousin Rui has arranged for her to stay in a villa, saying he'll talk to her after he finds her father," Qi Mingyue said in a low voice. "Don't tell anyone, Cousin Rui is very shy!"
Xiao Chengyu couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed that spring had arrived, and good things were on everyone's mind.
However, not all feelings are so clear-cut.
Xiao Chengyu gradually noticed that Qi Mingxuan's gaze towards her seemed different from before. It was still gentle and caring, but it also held a complex emotion that she couldn't understand.
Sometimes she would catch his gaze quickly averted, and sometimes he would bring her small items she needed—a new ink stick, a rare book, or even a pot of orchids that she had mentioned liking.
His thoughtfulness was just right, never overstepping any boundaries, yet it made her inexplicably uneasy.
On this day, Xiao Chengyu encountered Xie Ling'er in the palace. Xie Ling'er was the granddaughter of Grand Secretary Xie. She was quiet and introverted, but had excellent painting skills. She was sketching alone by the lotus pond.
Xiao Chengyu walked over and asked with a smile, "Ling'er, what are you drawing?"
Xie Ling'er was startled. Upon seeing that it was a princess, she hurriedly tried to curtsy.
Xiao Chengyu helped her up: "No need for formalities. Let me see your painting—ah, it's really well done!"
The painting depicts lotus flowers just beginning to bloom in a pond, with delicate brushstrokes, elegant colors, and a captivating charm.
Xie Ling'er said shyly, "You flatter me, Princess." But her gaze unconsciously drifted to a spot not far away.
Xiao Chengyu followed her gaze and saw Qi Mingxuan talking with several Hanlin officials. A thought struck her, and she said casually, "Cousin Mingxuan is the most knowledgeable about painting; why don't we invite him to take a look?"
Xie Ling'er panicked immediately: "No need! How could my humble work possibly offend Young Master Qi's eyes..."
Xiao Chengyu called out loudly, "Cousin Mingxuan!"
Qi Mingxuan came over upon hearing the sound, first bowing to Xiao Chengyu, and then nodding to Xie Ling'er.
Xiao Chengyu handed him the painting: "Cousin, take a look, isn't Ling'er's painting excellent?"
Qi Mingxuan examined it carefully and sincerely praised, "Miss Xie's brushwork is exquisite, and what is even more remarkable is its clear and distant artistic conception, which is quite reminiscent of Ni Zan."
Xie Ling'er's cheeks flushed crimson, and her voice was as soft as a whisper: "Young Master Qi is too kind..."
Qi Mingxuan examined it closely for a moment, then pointed to a spot and said, "If this area were slightly embellished, the layers would be even more distinct." He then naturally took the brush and began to demonstrate.
Watching from the side, Xiao Chengyu suddenly understood something. When Qi Mingxuan watched Xie Ling'er paint, his gaze was focused and pure, a pure expression of appreciation and exchange. But when he looked at himself...
She felt inexplicably choked up.
Just then, a young eunuch rushed over and said, "Princess, His Majesty and the Empress invite you over. They say that the Northern Barbarians have sent a letter of state."
Xiao Chengyu had no choice but to take his leave. After walking a few steps, he turned back to look at the two people in the pavilion. Qi Mingxuan was patiently explaining something, and Xie Ling'er was listening attentively, nodding occasionally; the scene was quite harmonious.
She sighed softly, her heart filled with indescribable feelings.
Upon arriving at the palace of the Emperor and Empress, they indeed found Xiao Xun and Xin Jiuwei reading a state document.
“Yu’er is here.” Xin Jiuwei beckoned her closer. “The Khan of the Northern Di has sent a letter, saying that he is very grateful for our care of Ashina Yun and hopes that she can stay for a while longer.”
Xiao Chengyu recalled the scene at the martial arts arena today and smiled, "Sister Yun is probably having such a good time that she doesn't want to leave."
Xiao Xun snorted: "That girl is wild, only Cheng Rui can control her."
Xin Jiuwei gave him a reproachful look: "I think Yun'er is straightforward and cute, and she is a good match for Rui'er." Then she sighed, "If the two countries can form a marriage alliance, it would be a good thing for the peace of the border."
Xiao Chengyu's heart stirred. It turned out that his father and mother had long harbored this intention.
After talking for a while, Xiao Chengyu took his leave. Walking along the palace road, he saw Xin Rui talking to a smartly dressed young woman in the distance. The woman had a spirited look and a graceful demeanor; she must be Qin Sang.
Xin Rui scratched his head and cheeks, completely losing his usual carefree demeanor, which made Xiao Chengyu want to laugh.
While passing through the Imperial Garden, they bumped into Xiao Chengrui and Ashina Yun again. The two had stopped arguing and instead huddled together studying a powerful bow, their heads almost touching, completely absorbed.
Xiao Chengyu quietly walked around, his heart filled with mixed emotions. In just a short period of time, the relationships between the people around him had undergone subtle changes.
Back in the palace, she sat alone by the window, gazing at the orchid that Qi Mingxuan had sent in the courtyard, lost in thought for a long time.
Suddenly, she stood up and instructed the palace maid, "Prepare paper and ink."
Since she couldn't see her own heart clearly, she decided to stop thinking about it for now. There were more important things to do right now—she needed to carefully plan how to help these couples in love.
After all, she was the most beloved princess of the Great Liang Dynasty, and she naturally had to contribute to the happiness of her brothers and sisters.
As for my own worries, there's plenty of time for that in the future.
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