Qingying's illness was progressing much slower than she had expected. A month had passed before she had recovered somewhat, and she no longer coughed at night, only experiencing occasional chest pain.
Dr. Qin said that this was an old ailment of hers that could not be cured completely; it could only be treated gradually and could not be rushed.
But she had already begun to imagine herself riding a tall, strong horse, feeling the breeze on her face, the fragrance of grass filling her nostrils, bringing the exhilaration of spring.
That must be very free.
"Your complexion is getting better every day, so the tonics the princess sent haven't been wasted," Yu Yue said as she combed her hair.
Previously, Princess Yongning felt guilty after learning that she had fallen ill after the poetry gathering, so she ordered people to send her many precious medicinal herbs and even asked the Empress Dowager to send a royal physician from the palace to her residence to treat her.
“The princess is a good person. Have someone send out an invitation. I will personally bring gifts to express my gratitude tomorrow.”
"Is the young lady going out?"
"Um."
Yu Yue disagreed: "Miss, you've only just recovered a little. How can you go out and catch a cold? It's the season when willow catkins are flying everywhere. Although there aren't many willow trees in the capital, accidents can still happen."
"It's alright, I'll just take a carriage there and back, and stay at the Princess's Yongning Residence."
Yu Yue looked at Granny Zhang, hoping she could persuade Qingying.
Granny Zhang was tidying up, seemingly oblivious to her gaze, and only whispered, "Miss, remember to bring a silk handkerchief to cover your mouth and nose."
"Alright, then I'll trouble you to prepare a gift for me, Granny."
Since even Granny Zhang allowed her to go out, Yu Yue dared not try to persuade her again.
Just as Qingying was about to retire for the night, she heard a sound coming from the window again. She knew without guessing who it was.
She felt a strange sense of joy, quickly put on her cloak, and ran to the window.
During this month, Wei Huaixu would come to see her every few days. Each time, he would just stand outside the window, sometimes bringing her small trinkets, and sometimes simply coming to see her and talk to her.
Opening the window, one sees a man dressed in black standing outside. There is no moon tonight, and it is pitch black outside. Only the light shining from inside the room illuminates his face, adding a soft, warm hue to his fair and jade-like features.
"Is there something you need, Your Highness?" She leaned lazily against the window, her elbows resting on the windowsill, her eyes slightly upturned, revealing a unique girlish charm.
Wei Huaixu smiled gently, his eyes crinkling, and handed her a paper package. "I went to Qingyue Tower today. Knowing that you love their peach blossom pastries, I bought some."
Qingying's eyes lit up. Now that they were more familiar with each other, she didn't stand on ceremony with him anymore. She took the paper package and said with a smile, "Your Highness is so thoughtful. Qingying thanks you."
"Don't mention it." He leaned closer to see her clearly. "You look healthier, your complexion is rosier. Are you feeling better?"
"I'm much better now. Maybe I'll be able to go horseback riding soon."
"Yes, I'll be waiting for you." He paused, then added, "Yongning said you sent her a formal invitation."
Princess Yongning often resides in the palace, and he is her cousin, so it's not surprising that they are familiar with each other. However, it's unexpected that he learned about what happened only this afternoon so quickly.
Qingying said truthfully, "She gave me so many precious medicinal herbs and even helped me invite the imperial physician. I should thank her in person."
Wei Huaixu nodded. "That's right. You should get some rest. We'll see you at Yongning Residence tomorrow."
"Hmm, hmm?" Qingying was a little confused.
After saying that, he turned and left.
His lightness skill was excellent; he disappeared into the vast night in no time.
Qingying leaned against the window, gazing absently in the direction he had left.
She didn't know how much of Wei Huaixu's kindness towards her was genuine, but she was almost certain that he had already decided to marry her.
...
The next day.
It was a bright and sunny day.
Qingying woke up rather late, and the sachet given to her by Wei Huaixu seemed to have worked; she slept soundly through the night and became even lazier.
She dawdled through breakfast, and only left the mansion when the time for her appointment with the princess was fast approaching.
Yongning Residence was a mansion bestowed upon the princess by the emperor. Too lazy to put any thought into naming it, she simply used her own title.
Fortunately, Yongning Residence was not far from the General's Mansion, and the carriage traveled smoothly for nearly 35 minutes before arriving, allowing Qingying to enter the mansion on time.
It would be truly impolite to be late if you posted the invitation yourself.
Princess Yongning greeted her happily upon seeing her, "It's been quite a while, how is Sister Liu feeling?"
She bowed and replied, "Thanks to the princess's excellent medicine and the imperial physician's daily meticulous care, my illness has greatly improved, so I have come today to express my gratitude."
"Sister, there's no need to be so polite with me. To be honest, your illness is somewhat related to me, and I really feel bad about it."
"It has nothing to do with the princess. It's an old problem I've had since I was born." She waved her hand and said, "Let's not talk about those unhappy things. I brought something for the princess today."
"What good stuff is this? Let me see it."
"It's nothing. I heard that the princess likes to collect jadeite. A few years ago, I accidentally obtained a piece of raw jadeite, which I kept without using until yesterday when I was preparing gifts. So I brought it to give to you."
Upon hearing this, Princess Yongning immediately became interested: "What kind of jade is it? Bring it here for me to see."
Qingying waved her hand, and soon someone carried a wooden box up.
Upon opening it, inside was a stone, about two fists wide and three palms long. The stone had been cut open, revealing a corner that showed a hint of green. Upon closer inspection, the flesh was translucent with an icy quality, giving it a pure and lustrous feel, three parts warmth and seven parts coldness. Its appearance was like ice and water, refreshing and soothing, chilling to the bone, and also revealing a touch of hazy, subtle beauty.
Princess Yongning's eyes lit up immediately, and she clicked her tongue and said, "This water is excellent! You're really just giving it to me for free?"
Qingying nodded.
She immediately laughed, hugged the stone and touched it again and again, saying, "After I carve it out, I'll have a craftsman carve it, and then I'll invite you to my residence to see it."
Qingying knew nothing about these things. In her eyes, jade and gemstones were just stones, inedible and unusable, with only a little aesthetic value. She felt that this stone was no different from the decorative stones in the flowerbed in her hands; perhaps it could only be truly useful if given to someone knowledgeable.
Princess Yongning ordered the stone to be carried down and then invited her to sit down.
“These are loquat syrup and pear cake made by the Imperial Kitchen, which I brought from the palace. They seem to be of some help to your illness.”
Qingying was flattered and surprised. "The princess is so thoughtful."
"Try it." She pushed the plate of pastries in front of Qingying.
Qingying had no choice but to pick up a piece of snow pear cake and take a bite. It was sweet but not greasy, and the taste was excellent.
As expected of food made by the Imperial Kitchen.
"Is it tasty?"
She nodded: "It's delicious."
Princess Yongning winked playfully and said, "Actually, someone specifically instructed me to do so."
Qingying was stunned.
He immediately realized who she was talking about.
"His Highness the Crown Prince? Where is he right now?"
Just as Princess Yongning was about to speak, a male voice came from outside the door, "I think I heard someone talking about me."
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