Then, Wei Dongchen and the others knelt down to pay their respects.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Qingying was taken aback.
This person is none other than the Crown Prince, Wei Huaixu! No wonder he always carries a jade pendant with dragon patterns; she should have realized it sooner…
Luckily, Yu Yue, who was kneeling behind her, tugged at her skirt, which made her realize what was happening, and she quickly knelt down to pay her respects.
However, she had only bent her knees halfway when a hand reached out and supported her elbow.
No need for formalities.
Qingying raised her head and met the man's deep, pool-like eyes, momentarily losing her composure.
"Would Miss Liu like to accompany me to Qinyu Tower for a drink?" he repeated.
His voice had mostly recovered; although it was still a little hoarse, it was full and deep, adding a smoky, rustling quality, like the wind rustling through trees—sexy and alluring.
Realizing she had lost her composure, she quickly lowered her eyelashes and said, "I... I don't drink alcohol."
"It's alright, young lady, you can drink tea instead of wine."
Qingying dared not refuse again, so she nodded and left with Yu Yue.
She was very uneasy the whole way. She never expected that the person she picked up by chance would be the crown prince of a country. She didn't know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.
"I've long heard that the Liu family has a girl who's been raised in a sickly environment, but I never imagined it would be you."
Qingying thought to herself: This person really doesn't know how to talk.
However, she dared not show it on her face, and always had a faint smile: "Qingying does not recognize Your Highness the Crown Prince. If I was impolite before, I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
"Miss Liu, what are you saying? You saved my life, and I am grateful to you. How could I possibly blame you?"
"It was nothing more than a small favor, Your Highness need not worry about it."
She dared not casually claim to be the Crown Prince's savior. If he was grateful for saving her life and gave her some reward, that would be fine. But if he didn't care, she wouldn't dare utter a single complaint.
Upon arriving at Qinyu Tower, palace maids came to serve us, bringing us freshly brewed tea and exquisite pastries.
"My wounds are still healing, so it is not advisable for me to drink alcohol," he said, picking up the teapot and pouring tea.
Qingying sat opposite him, looking slightly awkward. When he brought her the tea he had poured, she quickly took it and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
"There are no outsiders here, so you don't need to be so reserved or nervous."
Huh? There are no outsiders here. When did she become an "insider"?
Qingying quickly took a sip of tea and then put it down.
"What's your name?" He looked at her, his eyes slightly curved, a gentle smile like rippling blue waves.
It turns out the Crown Prince is such a gentle person; it's truly unexpected.
"Qingying, Liu Qingying."
"Which two characters?"
"The rain falls on Qingming Festival, but the flowers have not yet faded; orioles and mockingbirds sing in chorus."
"A good name."
Qingying pursed her lips and said, "Your Highness is too kind."
He actually praised her even though she had just casually made up two disjointed lines of poetry. Qingying wondered if he had a special 'benefactor' bias towards her.
"You should have heard of my name."
She nodded eagerly.
But in his heart he thought: Even if I knew, so what? Would I dare call you that to your face?
"You saved my life, so I owe you my life. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, you can ask me for help. As long as it is within my power, I will do my best to assist you."
Qingying quickly waved her hand: "I know my status is lowly, how dare I presume to attach myself to His Highness the Crown Prince? My intention in saving people is not to seek any reward. Even if I had only encountered a commoner that day, I would still have helped them."
"I know you are kind-hearted, but I will definitely repay this favor. As for whether you are willing to accept it, that is your own business."
Having said all she could say, Qingying could no longer refuse.
The two drank tea in silence, the atmosphere rather awkward. Qingying was pondering what excuse to make when he suddenly looked up at the azure sky and said, "March is the perfect time to fly kites."
Qingying immediately understood and declined, saying, "I have been weak since childhood and cannot run or jump. I am afraid I cannot go with Your Highness to fly kites."
"What's wrong with that? You just need to watch from the sidelines." With that, he stood up, looking eager to try.
Qingying was taken aback. "Your Highness is going to release it yourself?"
"Otherwise what? It's just flying a kite, why should I have to rely on others? What fun would that be?"
"That's not what I meant. I was just worried about Your Highness's injuries."
"My injuries are no longer serious." He winked at her, his dark eyes shining brightly.
If it weren't for the difference in their social status, Qingying would have almost forgotten that the Crown Prince is only seventeen years old this year. Perhaps it is because he usually abides by the palace rules and is strict with himself that he gives people a sense of pressure, making him seem old-fashioned and lacking the vigor that a young man should have.
Unlike Wei Dongchen, who is like a carefree big kid.
Qingying couldn't refuse, so she went with him to fly kites on the lakeside meadow deep in the Biyuan Garden.
This place is remote and rarely visited; the stone benches in the pavilion are covered in dust.
"My status is special, and it is not appropriate for me to play in crowded places. I can only ask that you come with me to this secluded place."
Qingying smiled and said, "I have lived in seclusion for a long time and am not good at socializing. I prefer quiet."
"As long as you don't feel wronged."
A young eunuch came over to help him tie his sleeves, while a palace maid beside him held a colorful paper kite in the shape of a phoenix, exquisite and eye-catching.
"What a beautiful kite!" she couldn't help but exclaim.
"When it takes flight, it will surely be the most dazzling presence in this beautiful garden."
Qingying couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile.
"why are you laughing?"
"His Highness just said he didn't want to attract attention."
He said helplessly, "You certainly know how to nitpick."
Now that they've relaxed, they're no longer as reserved as before.
Wei Huaixu sent the others away to a distance, leaving only Qingying by his side.
"You may sit here and watch me play."
Qingying nodded and whispered, "Your Highness, please be careful."
"Um."
He took the kite and went to an open space by the lake. He ran quickly, and the kite rose higher and higher with the wind, and then... fell straight down.
Undeterred, he tidied himself up and started running again, but failed once more. The second time, he didn't even get airborne and fell flat on his face.
Qingying couldn't help but laugh when she saw him standing there looking frustrated.
"Why can't it fly?" he asked, looking at the kite in his hand.
"Your Highness, please be patient. You need to wait for a gust of wind, run against the wind, and you will be able to put it away soon."
Wei Huaixu did as she said, standing still for a moment. When the wind came, he ran quickly, and the kite rode the wind upward. The string grew longer and longer, and it flew higher and higher until it stopped falling.
He was overjoyed, a bright smile spreading across his handsome face. He beckoned to Qingying, "Miss Liu, come here."
Qingying walked over to him, and he stuffed the kite spool into her hand, saying, "Here, you can play with it."
"Your Highness?" She didn't understand what he meant.
Wei Huaixu smiled gently and said, "This kite is for you."
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