In early spring in Beijing, willow catkins fluttered like snow.
In the back garden of the Third Princess's residence, a few early-blooming peach trees dotted the lush greenery. Xiao Chengyu held Qi Mingxuan's arm, carefully accompanying him as they walked along the pebbly path. Qi Mingxuan's left leg was still somewhat weak, but he could already walk independently with difficulty, a far cry from the near-death state he was in when he was carried back to the capital three months ago.
"Slow down, take a rest if you're tired," Xiao Chengyu said softly, her gaze never leaving her husband's legs.
Qi Mingxuan smiled slightly, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. "It's alright. The imperial physician said that moving around more will help me recover faster." He paused, then looked at his wife beside him. "But you, you've been accompanying me through my rehabilitation every day, and you've lost weight."
Just as Xiao Chengyu was about to say something, a maid led a person through the moon gate. The newcomer wore a light blue dress with a moon-white gauze cloak over it. As she walked, her skirt swayed slightly, like a willow swaying in the spring breeze. It was Zhishu, Qi Mingyue's personal maid.
As Zhishu approached, she bowed respectfully and said, "Princess, Prince Consort, my young lady has arrived and is waiting in the flower hall."
Xiao Chengyu and Qi Mingxuan exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised. Qi Mingyue was always very polite; if it were a regular visit, she would always send an invitation in advance. Her uninvited appearance today must mean she had something important to discuss.
"Please invite her over here. The prince consort should rest now," Xiao Chengyu instructed, helping Qi Mingxuan toward the pavilion not far away.
Before long, Qi Mingyue arrived gracefully. Today, she wore a simple updo with only a white jade hairpin and light makeup, which made her features even more exquisite and her temperament elegant.
"Brother, Princess." She gave a slight curtsy, her voice as gentle as ever, but upon closer inspection, there was a hint of unwavering resolve in her eyes.
"You've come at the perfect time, Yue'er. Please sit with me for a while," Qi Mingxuan said gently, patting the stone bench beside him.
Qi Mingyue did not sit down immediately, but took a delicate porcelain jar from Zhishu's hand. "This is a newly made muscle-relaxing ointment. I added a few medicinal herbs, so it may be more effective than the one from the Imperial Hospital." She handed the ointment to Xiao Chengyu. "Massage your legs and feet every night before bed, brother, and it will help you recover faster."
Xiao Chengyu took it and keenly noticed Qi Mingyue's unusual behavior today. "Yue'er, is something the matter?"
Qi Mingyue took a deep breath and finally spoke: "I've come to say goodbye. I'll be setting off for Yingzhou to study the day after tomorrow."
The courtyard fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of the wind rustling through the flower branches.
"Have you thought it through?" Xiao Chengyu broke the silence first, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Father and Mother have already agreed," Qi Mingyue said softly, her gaze unconsciously drifting into the distance. "Although the capital is nice, I've read so many books and I always want to see the outside world with my own eyes. Yingzhou has a thriving literary culture and many schools, making it a perfect place for study tours."
Xiao Chengyu gazed at her for a long time before sighing, "I know the capital can't hold you back." She paused, lowering her voice slightly, "Then what do you plan to do about your engagement with the Duke of Yingguo's heir?"
Qi Mingyue seemed to have been prepared and calmly replied, "I have already persuaded my parents, and I will go to the Duke of Ying's mansion soon to dissolve the engagement."
“You know that’s not what I’m asking.” Xiao Chengyu looked directly into her eyes. “I’m asking, what do you think?”
Qi Mingyue paused, her long eyelashes drooping slightly, casting a small shadow under her eyes: "I... had a few words with Prince Yao. Since he has no interest in the marriage, why waste each other's time? Besides..." She paused, her voice almost inaudible, "...he is not suitable for me either."
Xiao Chengyu hesitated for a moment, then gently took Qi Mingyue's hand and said, "Since you have made up your mind, I will not say anything more. However, although Yingzhou is not far away, it is not as far as the capital. You must be careful in everything you do."
Qi Mingyue smiled, her smile as gentle as a spring breeze melting ice: "Thank you, Princess. I will write back often."
After chatting for a while, Qi Mingyue got up to take her leave. Xiao Chengyu personally escorted her to the gate of the mansion, watching her board the carriage and disappear at the end of the long street.
Back in the pavilion, Xiao Chengyu frowned, "With Yue'er's personality, she'll probably suffer outside. She looks gentle, but she's incredibly stubborn inside, and too naive, unaware of the wickedness of people."
Qi Mingxuan took her hand and patted it gently: "Don't worry too much. Yingzhou is the Xin family's ancestral home, and your uncle still has a foothold there. I will write a few letters and ask old friends to take care of you. Yue'er is smart and will know what to do."
Xiao Chengyu nodded, then suddenly remembered something: "Speaking of which, didn't Yue'er and Prince Yao get along very well when they were little? I remember once at a palace banquet, the two children even sneaked out to release river lanterns. When they were found, Prince Yao was soaking wet, but he protected Yue'er's lantern so it didn't get wet. How come the two of them have become estranged since Prince Yao joined the army and went to the border?"
Qi Mingxuan smiled but didn't reply. He simply said, "It's getting windy. Let's go back inside."
…………
Two days later, at the Qi residence.
In Qi Mingyue's room, several maids were busy packing her luggage. Books, stationery, and clothes were being checked and packed into boxes in an orderly manner.
“Miss, the climate in Yingzhou is very different from that in the capital. Why don’t you bring a few more spring clothes?” Zhishu asked, holding up a pale yellow spring shirt.
Qi Mingyue was writing at her desk, not even looking up: "No need, just bring a few of your usual clothes. Leave plenty of space for books."
Footsteps sounded outside the door, and Xin Xiyao walked in. She looked at the chests and boxes filling the room, and her brows furrowed involuntarily.
Qi Mingyue quickly put down her pen and stood up to greet her: "Mother."
Xin Xiyao waved for the maids to leave and pulled her daughter to sit down on the couch. She looked at Qi Mingyue with a complex expression: "Yue'er, Yingzhou is not like the capital, there..."
"Mother, rest assured, I will be careful with my words and actions and will not bring shame to the Qi family," Qi Mingyue said softly.
Xin Xiyao shook her head: "That's not what I'm worried about." She paused, as if choosing the right words, "I also grew up in Yingzhou when I was young, and I know the way the children of high-ranking families behave there. On the surface, they are supposed to be cultured and polite, but inside... you'll know when you go there."
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