Qingying didn't really want to pay attention, but the knocking kept coming, giving the impression that he would keep knocking as long as she didn't open the window.
"Good heavens, what did I do to deserve this?!"
She let out a low groan, stormed over, flung open the window, and instantly put on a smiling face upon seeing Wei Huaixu. "What brings Your Highness the Crown Prince here?"
If it weren't for the fact that she didn't hide the resentment in her eyes for a while, Wei Huaixu would have thought she was genuinely happy to see him.
“You are hiding from me.” This is a statement.
Qingying did not refute, but leaned casually to the side and said, "Does Your Highness have something important to discuss with me?"
"Can't I simply see you?"
"Oh, that might not be convenient. I'm having dinner right now."
"I haven't eaten yet either."
She frowned slightly. "I'm sorry, I only prepared one serving. I'm afraid simple food is not suitable to entertain Your Highness."
She clearly wanted to get rid of him, but Wei Huaixu seemed not to understand her meaning and said, "It's alright, I'm not picky about food."
Qingying sighed resignedly, turned around and walked back, instructing Yu Yue, "Add another set of chopsticks and bowls, add another dish, and bring up the stewed white fungus and lotus seed soup as well."
"Yes." Yu Yue left.
Tong Xia, who was outside the door, saw her and quickly pulled her aside, asking in a low voice, "Has His Highness the Crown Prince arrived?"
"yes."
"What's wrong with him? Is he jealous because the young lady and the young master are getting along?"
"Who knows?" Yu Yue shrugged and walked towards the small kitchen, saying indifferently, "Anyway, the young lady won't go back to an old flame."
Meanwhile, Qingying returned to her bed, holding a hot water bottle in her arms, her eyes fixed on Wei Huaixu, who had moved a chair over to sit opposite her.
"Does Your Highness have nothing to say to me?"
"have."
"Then tell me, I'm listening."
Wei Huaixu sat upright, his hands neatly placed on his knees, and said earnestly, "I hope you can trust me one more time. This time, I will definitely not let you down."
To her surprise, he was still saying the same thing after a whole night. Qingying couldn't help but chuckle, "Believe you? What makes you think I'll believe you?"
"Take my sincere heart."
"Sincerely? Hahaha... That's the funniest joke I've ever heard."
Wei Huaixu looked hurt, his fists clenched on his knees, his face pale. "Jiaojiao, I know I hurt you, but please believe me, it wasn't my intention. I thought you would wait for me..."
"Your Highness, are you implying that I did something wrong? What makes you think I should stand still and wait for you?"
That's not what I meant.
"I am truly sorry, Your Highness. I am ignorant and cannot fathom Your Highness's thoughts. But I only wish to tell Your Highness that our fate has come to an end. From now on, who your Crown Princess is is none of my concern, and I ask that Your Highness not interfere with who my husband is."
"No! Jiaojiao, you can't marry Wei Dongchen!" he said urgently.
Qingying quickly shrank back, afraid that he would hit her again, and her tone became somewhat fierce: "If I don't marry him, who else can I marry? Does Your Highness want me to be your stepmother?"
Wei Huaixu was stunned for a moment, then blinked. "What...are you talking about?"
"So Your Highness doesn't know yet? It's because the Emperor intends for me to enter the palace as a concubine that Wei Dongchen had no choice but to come to propose marriage so quickly. Otherwise, do you think I really don't care about my reputation at all and would be willing to let outsiders talk about me, saying that I'm fickle and that I immediately hooked up with the Heir Apparent after leaving the Crown Prince?"
His face visibly darkened, and after a moment, he suddenly stood up and said, "I will handle this matter."
Without waiting for Qingying to say anything more, he jumped out of the window and left.
Yu Yue brought over the white fungus and lotus seed soup, but didn't see Wei Huaixu. She asked in confusion, "Miss, would you like some more chopsticks and bowls?"
"No need." Qingying sighed, rubbing her forehead, and waved her hand, saying, "Go and make sure the windows are closed tightly."
Yu Yue walked over and locked the door. Just as she was about to leave, Qing Ying called her back, "I'll write a note later. Have Tong Xia deliver it to the Xie family tomorrow."
...
At this moment, inside Chongfu Temple.
When Feng Ruilan learned that Lu Jingyan was going to stay at the temple for a few more days, she was secretly delighted and was no longer in a hurry to return to the capital.
The snow was still falling heavily outside. She asked Cui'er to cook a pot of soup, which she then personally delivered to her.
"What brings Miss Feng here?" Lu Jingyan put down the sutra he was holding when he saw her.
He wasn't actually interested in the scriptures, but he picked them up to read them after hearing the servant's report, just to put on an act in front of Feng Ruilan.
"Young Master Lu, the weather is chilly, so I've personally prepared a vegetarian soup to warm you up. Have some to warm yourself up." She placed the bowl of soup on the table.
"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Feng." Lu Jingyan opened the lid and looked at the green and white vegetables, which made him feel unappetized. However, he still praised, "It smells so good. I didn't expect that Miss Feng is not only gentle and charming, but also has excellent cooking skills. I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry such an excellent wife in the future."
"You flatter me, sir." Feng Ruilan lowered her eyelashes shyly. "Try this soup and see if it suits your taste."
Lu Jingyan picked up a porcelain spoon, scooped up a spoonful of soup, and put it in his mouth. The soup didn't look very appetizing, but it was surprisingly delicious. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and ask, "What kind of soup is this?"
Feng Ruilan was stunned for a moment, "This..."
Cui'er, who was behind her, quickly added, "Shepherd's purse and tofu soup, young master. This is some ingredients that our young lady specially asked the monks at the temple for. She borrowed the kitchen and made it herself. She was busy all afternoon."
Do you really think you can spend an entire afternoon making a soup with just a few vegetable leaves and two pieces of tofu? Who are you kidding?
Lu Jingyan secretly grumbled to himself.
She said gently, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Feng."
Feng Ruilan shook her head and said with a smile, "As long as you like it, I don't think it's too much trouble for you."
He ate half a bowl before putting down his spoon and said, "Tomorrow, Master Huiren will be giving a lecture. Would you like to go and listen?"
"Okay." She naturally wouldn't let this opportunity to spend time together slip by, and agreed without hesitation.
The next day.
Feng Ruilan knelt on the prayer mat, listening to the master above recite scriptures she couldn't understand, and felt somewhat drowsy. Turning her head to look at Lu Jingyan beside her, she saw that he was sitting upright and looking very serious, which made her admire him even more.
Little did he know that Lu Jingyan was also going through a lot of internal turmoil. He could only see the bald monk's mouth opening and closing, but he couldn't hear what the monk was saying, let alone think about it.
He just hoped it would end soon, after all, pretending was quite tiring.
An hour later, Feng Ruilan couldn't help but lean closer and whisper, "Young Master, I didn't rest well last night and I'm a little tired."
He immediately felt relieved and said considerately, "Then let's go for a walk outside."
"good."
The two of them slipped out quietly, without even bringing any maids or servants, almost like they were eloping.
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