Chapter 494 She should be only thirteen years old
Chu Weiyi took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
He still kept his head down, his voice as thin as a mosquito but with a hint of deliberately created panic.
"Your Highness... Your Highness dare not deceive me."
"When I was at Zhuangzi, I accidentally saved a wounded old soldier."
"He...he knows a little bit of martial arts, and to repay the favor, he taught me a few self-defense moves..."
"These are just some crude skills, not worthy of being displayed in a refined hall. I'm sorry to have embarrassed Your Highness."
She had prepared this excuse a long time ago, just in case.
There are all kinds of people in Zhuangzi, so it is not uncommon to meet retired veterans.
Yan Xingyi stared at her for a moment with sharp eyes.
veteran?
This explanation makes sense, as his "Eighteen Styles of the Owl" was indeed circulated in the military.
But is it just such a coincidence?
He still had doubts in his mind.
But seeing that she looked frightened and on the verge of tears, it was not a good idea to press her any further.
After all, she had just experienced a shock.
"I see."
Yan Xingyi's tone slowed down a bit.
"Although it's a self-defense technique, it's rare for a woman to have such courage and skill."
"It's just that the edge of this hunting ground is not safe. Why is Miss Chu here alone?"
Chu Weiyi repeated her words about going to the nunnery to fulfill her vow and taking a walk to get some fresh air on the way.
She lowered her eyebrows and looked submissive, with no flaws visible.
Yan Xingyi glanced at the Chu family servants and the simple carriage waiting not far away.
She knew in her heart that her situation in the Chu Mansion might not be easy.
That desire to explore was mixed with a subtle hint of pity.
"It's not advisable to stay here for long. This prince also wants to return to the city, so I'll give Miss Chu a ride on the way."
He made his decision and there was no room for doubt.
Chu Weiyi felt conflicted and happy, but she didn't dare show it at all, and bowed quickly to express her gratitude.
On the way back to the city, the atmosphere was subtle.
Yan Xingyi rode his horse to protect the carriage, silent, but invisibly put huge pressure on Chu Weiyi.
She sat in the car, feeling very confused.
Yan Xingyi, who was outside the carriage, was also feeling uneasy.
He found that his curiosity was completely aroused by this girl named Chu Weiyi.
It's interesting to see how she looks weak but is actually very tough.
More interesting than any noble lady he had ever met.
He sent her back to the vicinity of the Chu Mansion without disturbing anyone else.
Watching the slender figure disappear behind the side door, Yan Xingyi whispered to Changxing:
"Go and investigate her, especially the people she has come into contact with in the countryside, especially those who are skilled in martial arts."
"Also... let's see if I've been near her farm a few years ago."
Because the more you come into contact with it, the more obvious the sense of familiarity becomes.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yan Xingyi turned his horse's head and glanced over the high walls of the Chu Mansion.
After a while, he turned and left.
Inside the Chu Mansion, Chu Weiyi stroked her still wildly beating heart.
She leaned against the door, unable to calm down either.
The eldest prince's eyes were as sharp as a knife, as if he could see through people's hearts.
And his strong and occasionally revealed protection made her feel a sweet and flustered emotion.
The two of them experienced danger together because of an unexpected heroic rescue and another "chance encounter".
The invisible thread seemed to be entangled even tighter.
The spring wind blows the leaves in the forest and quietly ripples the spring water in each other's hearts.
…
The next day, the Zichen Hall was filled with the scent of incense.
Wen Li'er leaned on the chaise longue by the window, her fingertips unconsciously sliding across a roster spread out on the small table beside the couch.
The booklet lists the noble ladies of marriageable age in the capital, with their family background, character, appearance, and talents all marked in great detail.
"Your Highness," Nanny Qin reported softly, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
Wen Li'er raised her eyes and saw her son walking in slowly.
Yan Xingtian was wearing a dark-colored uniform with dark gold patterns today. He had an upright posture and walked steadily.
His brows already revealed the majesty and composure of a crown prince.
But that premature Leng Ning always made Wen Lier sigh in her heart.
"Your son pays his respects to the Queen Mother." Yan Xingtian saluted, his voice clear and calm.
"Get up quickly and sit here with your mother."
Wen Li'er waved him over and took his hand to look at him carefully.
"It looks like it's been reduced a bit, but has he been busy with government affairs lately?"
"Although I have to share your father's worries, you also need to take care of yourself."
Yan Xingtian smiled faintly: "Thank you for your concern, mother. I am fine. It's just that the spring weather is getting warmer, so my appetite has decreased a little."
Wen Li'er nodded, her gaze returned to the roster, and she got to the point in a gentle tone.
"Tiantian, you are not young anymore."
"For an ordinary family of your age, even if they are not married yet, they are most likely to have arranged a marriage."
"The Queen Mother is already looking for your eldest brother's marriage."
"And the selection of concubines for you, the crown prince, is related to the foundation of the country, so you should pay attention to it earlier."
She pushed the roster in front of Yan Xingtian and asked softly:
"I called you here today because I wanted to ask you what you think."
"Did you ever pay attention to any girl during your usual banquets or outings in the palace?"
"What kind of qualities do you like?"
"Don't be restrained, but feel free to speak. Mother will also be able to look at it according to your preferences."
When Yan Xingtian heard this, he looked dazed for a moment.
What kind of girl do you like?
This question is like a stone thrown into a deep pond.
Ripples spread across the lake of his heart, stirring up a hazy and distant mist.
Subconsciously, a dignified and quiet figure, with whom he had treated with respect for many years, emerged in his mind.
She served as his queen for many years, and was graceful, generous, and self-disciplined.
She managed the harem in perfect order and never made any mistakes.
Who in the court and the country would not praise the virtuous queen?
But there always seemed to be a barrier between them, separated by the etiquette of ruler and subject, and family responsibilities.
They are rarely as close as ordinary couples, yet they have been strangely harmonious for more than ten years.
But at this moment...
She must be only thirteen years old, right?
Is she still a little girl who has not yet reached marriage age and is waiting to be married?
For so many years, I have been living in two different time and space.
Yan Xingtian was loved by his father, the emperor, and his mother, and had several close siblings and close friends.
But when he thought of his queen, he felt helpless.
There was even a sense of melancholy that I wasn't even aware of.
Those images hidden deep in my memory are now so clear that it makes my heart flutter, but so ethereal that I can't grasp them.
He collected his thoughts, suppressed the inappropriate image, and met his mother's concerned gaze.
The tone was calm but with unquestionable firmness:
"Thank you, Queen Mother, for taking such great care of me."
"But I believe that now that the political situation is stable, I should focus on studying government affairs and gain experience with my father, and not indulge in personal affairs too early."
"Regarding the matter of marrying a wife, I plan to wait two years until my mind is more mature. It won't be too late to discuss it again."
Wen Li'er looked into his calm eyes.
I know that he has always been a very opinionated person, and it is difficult for others to change his mind once he has made up his mind.
And what he said makes sense. In two years he will only be eighteen, so it is not too late.
She has always been open-minded and unwilling to force her son.
So she nodded slightly and closed the roster.
"Since you have already made your plan, I will obey you."
"It's okay to wait for another two years. Maybe there will be better girls by then."
"But if there's anyone you like, you might as well keep an eye on them."
Yan Xingtian bowed slightly and said, "I understand. Thank you, Queen Mother, for your consideration."
Wen Li'er asked him in detail about his food, clothing, and daily life, and gave him a lot of instructions before letting him go.
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