Chapter 510 The Prince's Deliberate Approach (Part 3)
Gu Qingran looked at his departing back, and her palms were slightly sweaty.
At that moment just now, she seemed to see some extremely complicated emotions in his eyes.
Explore, appreciate, and even a little bit of... nostalgia?
In the following days, Yan Xingtian would occasionally come to the library.
Sometimes he was alone, and sometimes he was accompanied by one or two officials from the Ministry of Works.
When he came, he didn't always talk to Gu Qingran.
Most of the time, he was looking up information on his own or discussing with officials.
But Gu Qingran could feel that he would give her a glance of approval when she answered the official's questions;
When she frowned at a problem, he would casually point out a few key points;
There was even one time when she caught a cold from sitting for too long and couldn't help but cough softly.
The next day, there was a cup of warm lung-moisturizing honey tea on the desk.
This silent and meticulous attention made Gu Qingran more flustered than direct words.
She became more cautious, adhering to etiquette in her words and actions, and dared not overstep the line in the slightest.
I couldn't control my thoughts and they were gradually taken over by him.
She found that although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was young, he was extremely knowledgeable.
He has a unique vision in government and military affairs, and his speeches always hit the nail on the head.
Although he was naturally dignified in his treatment of his subjects, he was not always harsh and was willing to listen to different opinions.
But he always shrouded in a melancholy and loneliness that was inconsistent with his age.
Even though he was surrounded by officials from the Eastern Palace, it seemed as if there was an invisible barrier between them.
On this day, Yan Xingtian had a long discussion with officials from the Ministry of Works, and they seemed to be arguing over a waterway reconstruction plan.
Gu Qingran was tidying up and listening silently.
The Minister of Works insisted on following the old practice, believing it to be safe.
However, Yan Xingtian pointed out the drawbacks of the old rules given the local terrain, and both sides held their own opinions.
Gu Qingran remembered a local gazetteer of the previous dynasty that he had compiled a few days ago, which happened to contain records of the governance of similar landforms.
She hesitated again and again, but seeing them arguing endlessly, she finally plucked up the courage.
While serving tea, he quietly placed the small piece of paper with the summary under the prince's teacup.
Yan Xingtian picked up the teacup and glanced at the beautiful handwriting on the paper, his eyes slightly fixed.
He read it calmly and pondered for a moment.
He actually directly quoted the facts and data recorded on the note and restated his point of view.
The Minister of Works was stunned when he heard this, and after thinking about it carefully, it seemed that this was indeed the case.
However, it was too old and was considered a local case, so it was not included in the Ministry of Industry's regular regulations.
The evidence was conclusive, and he was speechless, and finally adopted the prince's plan.
After the meeting, the officials withdrew.
There were only two people left in the library.
Yan Xingtian didn't look at her, but said:
"I had never even noticed the Chuyang Water Records. You did a great job."
Gu Qingran whispered, "This humble servant has overstepped her bounds. Please punish me, Your Highness."
"What crime have you committed?" Yan Xingtian turned around and his eyes fell on her.
"You can put your knowledge into practice and help me out of my predicament, so you deserve a reward. What do you want?"
Gu Qingran quickly shook her head: "I dare not."
Yan Xingtian took a few steps closer and looked at her trembling eyelashes.
"Don't be so nervous in front of me. I... won't eat people."
His voice was a little deeper and gentler than usual, with a barely perceptible smile.
Gu Qingran couldn't help but look up at him, and her eyes happened to meet his deep ones.
There was no longer the usual indifference and alienation, but a real and slightly gentle emotion.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Your servant...is not nervous." She lowered her eyes, her voice as thin as a mosquito.
Yan Xingtian laughed very softly, the laughter was almost inaudible.
"That's all."
He took out a small and exquisite white jade seal from his sleeve and handed it to her.
"This is for you."
"When you are sorting through the classics in the future, if you come across an important passage, you can put this seal next to it. I will know it was you who marked it."
The white jade felt warm to the touch, and had a small "天" character engraved on it, which was obviously the prince's private seal.
Gu Qingran was shocked and knelt down quickly.
"Your Highness, this item is too valuable. I dare not accept it!"
"I never take back what I give away."
Yan Xingtian's tone was unyielding: "Take it."
Gu Qingran's fingertips trembled slightly, and she took it with both hands: "Your Highness, I thank you for your kindness."
The small seal in her hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds and was so hot that it made her feel flustered.
Since that day, there seemed to be an indescribable tacit understanding between the two.
When Gu Qingran sorts out classics, he pays more attention to content that is beneficial to the national economy and people's livelihood.
Occasionally, that small seal would be stamped on it.
Whenever Yan Xingtian came again, he would always look through the places she had marked, and sometimes discuss a few words with her.
He no longer always called her "Miss Gu", and occasionally called her "Qing Ran".
She always respectfully addressed him as "Your Highness".
She gradually discovered that this Crown Prince, who seemed cold, taciturn and majestic in the eyes of outsiders, was...
When discussing classics with her, she would reveal a rare concentration and even "interest".
It's not that he really doesn't show his emotions, it's just that there are too few things that really make him care.
And Yan Xingtian was also observing her.
She is not only knowledgeable and has a good memory, but more importantly, she is very smart.
They are often able to draw inferences from one example and come up with novel yet prudent insights.
Beneath her calmness and elegance lies a kind of silent tenacity and wisdom.
This gradually coincided with the image of the queen in his memory, who was perfect but seemed to be separated by a veil.
And it seems more vivid and lively.
March is approaching in a blink of an eye.
That day, Gu Qingran finished sorting the last batch of books and looked at the small white jade seal on the desk.
I felt an indescribable reluctance in my heart.
Although she was very cautious during these three months, it was the most fulfilling and comfortable time for her since returning to Beijing.
I can be accompanied by vast books, and occasionally... I can discuss knowledge with such a person.
Even if it's just a few words.
She was lost in thought when she suddenly heard footsteps approaching.
Looking up, I saw Yan Xingtian walking towards me alone.
"Your Highness." She stood up and saluted.
"Is today the last day?" Yan Xingtian asked, looking at the bookshelf area that had been completely renovated.
"Yes, Your Highness. The books have been sorted out and the catalog has been transcribed." Gu Qingran handed over a thick list.
Yan Xingtian took it, but did not look at it, his eyes fell on her face.
"Thank you for your hard work during these three months."
"It is my honor to be able to share your Highness's worries."
There was a brief silence.
Yan Xingtian suddenly said, "I recently acquired a painting called 'River Boats and Pavilions' by Li Sixun."
"Unfortunately, it's slightly damaged. The palace painters all say it's difficult to repair."
"I heard that Madam Gu... is an expert in this field?"
Gu Qingran was startled and replied, "My mother is indeed good at this. If Your Highness needs it..."
"No need to trouble Madam Gu." Yan Xingtian interrupted her.
"I heard that you have inherited all of Madam Gu's true teachings?"
Gu Qingran's heartbeat quickened suddenly: "Your servant... only has a superficial understanding."
"Tomorrow afternoon, I'll bring you back with your painting tools."
Yan Xingtian spoke indifferently, as if he was just saying it casually.
"I want to see your fur with my own eyes."
After saying that, without giving her a chance to refuse, he turned and left.
Gu Qingran stood there in a daze, watching his back disappear behind the layers of bookshelves.
The three-month deadline has expired, but new invitations have already arrived.
This time, it is no longer about organizing classics.
But it is a more private, solitary...invitation to appreciate paintings.
She touched her heart, which was beating violently.
She knew that something was different.
The prince's patience and thoughts were far deeper than she had imagined.
And that invisible thread between him and her.
He had already grasped it firmly and slowly closed it.
And her heart seems calm.
I had already begun to feel agitated by that person's every move.
…
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