Chapter 509 The Prince's Deliberate Approach (Part 2)
The poetry gathering lasted for another half hour, and then the three princes stood up to say goodbye.
As soon as they left, the atmosphere in the warm room became noticeably more relaxed.
The young men and women were laughing and discussing the demeanor of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the two princes, especially the Crown Prince's rare words to come to the rescue.
"The prince is not as unkind as the rumors say."
"Yes, and he is so knowledgeable and talented."
"I wonder which young lady will be lucky enough to enter the Eastern Palace in the future..."
Gu Qingran listened quietly, holding a slightly warm teacup in her hand.
His eyes fell on the tea leaves floating in the cup, but his mind was a little far away.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince...
Thinking of his look today.
It was like a stone thrown into the lake of her heart, creating ripples that were difficult to calm down.
On the carriage back home, Gu Qingran remained silent.
When she returned home, she went to pay her respects to her mother.
Wen Wanqin noticed that her daughter seemed troubled, so she asked softly, "Ran'er, did you enjoy the poetry gathering today?"
Gu Qingran came back to his senses and nodded slightly.
"Mother, it's very good. Princess Ruchu is kind and friendly, and the other young ladies in the mansion are also very kind."
"That's good."
Wen Wanqin smiled and seemed to mention it casually.
"I heard that the Crown Prince, the First Prince, and the Fourth Prince also went today?"
"Yes." Gu Qingran replied in a low voice: "The three princes just sat for a while and then left."
Wen Wanqin looked at her daughter's drooping eyebrows and slightly red ears, and a hint of understanding and a hint of worry flashed across her eyes.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince does seem to treat Ran'er a little differently.
Whether this "difference" is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.
The position of Eastern Palace involves too many things.
She just wants her daughter to be safe and happy.
At the same time, in the East Palace study.
Yan Xingtian was reviewing memorials, but he was a little absent-minded.
The scene at Prince Lin’s Mansion today kept appearing in my mind.
The concentration she put into appreciating paintings and the gleam in her eyes when she recited poems.
And the moment of panic and forced calmness when his gaze caught my eye.
He put down his red brush and tapped lightly on the desk with his fingertips.
Maybe... he should let her appear in front of him more often.
Not as a servant, but as... a future wife.
So that he can legitimately protect her, understand her, and let her adapt to everything around him in advance.
"Someone come here." He called in a deep voice.
The eunuch came in in response.
"Send a message to the Gu Mansion. I've recently been studying the hydraulic engineering methods of the previous dynasty."
"I heard that the Minister of Works, Lord Gu, has quite a bit of experience in this area."
"Could you please ask for a careful and knowledgeable person in Lord Gu's house."
"Starting tomorrow, come to the East Palace Library every afternoon to help me organize the relevant books."
"The duration is...tentatively scheduled for March."
The eunuch took the order and left.
Yan Xingtian picked up the red pen again, his eyes fell on the memorial, but the corners of his lips slowly raised into a shallow arc.
Gu Qingran, in this time and space, our meeting happened many years earlier.
This time, I will no longer let you be just the flawless queen on that cold phoenix throne.
…
When the Gu Mansion received the message from the East Palace, Wen Wanqin was checking the accounts of the mansion with Gu Qingran.
I heard that the prince wanted to ask the Gu family to send someone to help organize the water conservancy engineering books, and specifically asked for "someone who is careful and knowledgeable."
Wen Wanqin and Gu Jinxiu looked at each other, and their hearts moved.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince's actions..."
Gu Jinxiu pondered for a moment: "I'm afraid the drunkard's intention is not to drink."
Wen Wanqin sighed softly, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a man of deep thoughts. Although this is an opportunity, we must be cautious."
"Ran'er, what do you think?"
Gu Qingran lowered her eyes and tightened her fingertips slightly.
The prince's understanding look at today's poetry gathering was still fresh in my mind, and now this decree came...
She calmed herself down, raised her head and said:
"Father and Mother, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is using the excuse of studying hydraulic engineering as an excuse, and it's legitimate."
"If my daughter refuses, it will appear that the Gu family is ungrateful."
"Since we are compiling ancient books, my daughter should proceed with caution."
Gu Jinxiu nodded: "That's fine."
"The Eastern Palace Library is a vital location. It is a great honor for you to be able to organize the ancient books there."
“Remember to be careful with your words and actions and observe etiquette.”
The next afternoon, Gu Qingran arrived at the side door of the East Palace in a blue wool sedan chair.
A eunuch had been waiting there, respectfully leading her through the palace walls to the library deep in the East Palace.
It was late autumn, and the afternoon sun shone through the eaves, casting fine shadows on the ground.
Not dazzling, nor too deserted.
Gu Qingran lowered her head slightly, looking straight ahead, but she couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.
The library is filled with the faint scent of ink and the unique aroma of old paper.
There are tall bookshelves everywhere, and there are countless classics.
Yan Xingtian did not show up. Only an old Hanlin and several scribes were present.
When the old Hanlin saw Gu Qingran, he took a quick look and knew that she was the person the prince mentioned as "careful and knowledgeable".
After briefly explaining the scope and regulations of the classics that needed to be sorted out, she was allowed to start on her own.
Gu Qingran felt a little relieved.
She found the area related to water conservancy engineering and began to organize it patiently.
She is meticulous and methodical, and soon became immersed in it.
This went on for three consecutive days.
Yan Xingtian never showed up, as if he was really just looking for someone to help organize the books.
Gu Qingran occasionally felt that someone's eyes seemed to be falling on her.
But when I looked up and around, I saw only quiet bookshelves and old scholars and clerks busy at work.
She gradually relaxed and focused on the matter at hand.
The collection of books in the Eastern Palace was indeed extraordinary, with many rare books and notes on water conservancy that even her father might not have seen.
She was so engrossed in reading that sometimes she would even take out the small notepad she carried with her to write down the key points.
On the afternoon of the fourth day, Gu Qingran was standing on tiptoe to get a copy of "General Discussion on River Defense" from high on the bookshelf.
A slender hand reached over her head and easily took the book down.
Gu Qingran was startled and turned around suddenly, her nose almost hitting the dark collar of the person who came.
A cold pine scent hit her, and she hurriedly took a step back and lowered her head.
"Your humble servant pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Yan Xingtian handed the book to her, his eyes swept over her slightly flushed cheeks and slightly flustered eyes, and said in a calm tone:
"No need to be so polite. Are you used to being here?"
"Your Highness, there are so many books here, and I have benefited a lot from them."
Gu Qingran took the book and replied respectfully.
"That's good."
Yan Xingtian walked to the desk where she had just been sitting, picked up the small piece of paper where she was taking notes and took a look at it.
The handwriting is neat and beautiful, and all the records are about the key points of water conservancy. Although the views are immature, they sometimes have highlights.
"What are your thoughts on the 'General Discussion on River Defense'?" he suddenly asked.
Gu Qingran was startled for a moment, thought for a moment, and answered cautiously:
"This book details the advantages and disadvantages of river engineering throughout the ages. I think its argument of 'adapting to local conditions and being cautious in changing existing roads' is particularly insightful."
"Oh?" Yan Xingtian raised his eyebrows.
"But the previous dynasties managed the Yellow River, repeatedly changing its course, spending vast sums but achieving little success. What was the problem?"
He asked suddenly and in-depth, as if he was testing her.
Gu Qingran calmed down, combined with what he had just seen and thought, and said slowly:
"My humble opinion may be that I have focused too much on blocking and not enough on dredging, and I haven't given comprehensive consideration to soil and water conservation in the middle and upper reaches."
"Water management is like governing a country; we need to focus on the root cause, not just treat the symptoms."
As soon as these words were spoken, a hint of surprise and admiration flashed across Yan Xingtian's eyes.
How could she actually go beyond the specific construction methods and see a more macro level?
This is definitely not something that an ordinary woman in seclusion can do.
"Focus on the fundamentals..."
He repeated, looking at her intently.
"Miss Gu's views are not like those of ordinary women."
Gu Qingran's heart skipped a beat, knowing that she had spoken out of turn, she hurriedly said:
"Your Highness, please forgive me for speaking nonsense. I just heard my father talk about it occasionally and made random guesses..."
"Don't underestimate yourself." Yan Xingtian interrupted her, his tone softening.
"What's the crime in saying something meaningful?"
He put down the small piece of paper.
"When you sort it out later, if you find anything, you can write it down. I will come to check it out sometimes."
After saying that, he turned and left.
It was as if he was just passing by and asked casually.
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