The vermilion gates and towering white walls and black tiles of Prince Jing's mansion appeared particularly solemn against the backdrop of the city's waters. Xiao Chengkang led A Yuan up the steps, and the old gatekeeper, Uncle Fu, rubbed his eyes several times before he was convinced that it was indeed his second young master, who had been away from home for a long time, who had returned. He was so surprised that he could hardly speak.
"Second...Second Young Master?! You're finally back! The Prince and Princess were saying they missed you just a few days ago!" Uncle Fu hurriedly opened the side door and looked curiously at A Yuan behind Xiao Chengkang, whose simple clothes and plain hairpins couldn't hide her beautiful appearance.
“Uncle Fu, this is Miss A Yuan,” Xiao Chengkang introduced naturally.
"Hello, Miss Ayuan! Please come in, please come in!" Uncle Fu greeted her warmly.
However, the grand main hall of the Prince's mansion seemed rather empty. Uncle Fu served fragrant tea, his face apologetic: "Second Young Master, Miss A Yuan, it's really unfortunate. The Prince and Princess accepted the invitation of the Prince of Nan'an three days ago to go to Luming Mountain Villa outside the city to enjoy the lotus flowers and escape the summer heat. I estimate they won't be back for a few more days."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengkang's expression did not change much, and he simply nodded slightly: "I understand." He turned to A Yuan and softened his voice, "You must be tired from your journey. Go with Uncle Fu to 'Qinfangzhai' to rest. It's quiet there, and there's a lotus pond right outside the window."
A-Yuan nodded obediently and followed Uncle Fu. Xiao Chengkang immediately returned to his study, ground ink and laid out paper, his brush moving swiftly and powerfully. His few words were weighty and profound. He carefully sealed the letter and summoned his trusted guard: "Quickly deliver this letter to Deer Cry Manor and personally hand it to Father. Inform Father and Mother that there is urgent business in the manor and request their immediate return."
Upon receiving the letter, Prince Jing, Xiao Chengjing, and his wife, Shen Yuewei, hurriedly returned the following evening. As dusk settled, the atmosphere in the main hall of the Prince's residence was unusually solemn. All the servants had been dismissed, leaving only the family of three and A-Yuan, who had been specially summoned.
A-Yuan had changed out of her travel clothes and was now wearing an elegant ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) prepared for her by the Prince's mansion. Her black hair was loosely tied up, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck. She sat quietly to the left of Shen Yuewei, her hands folded on her knees, her back straight, her eyelashes lowered, concealing all emotions in her eyes, leaving only a gentle profile.
Xiao Chengkang stood in the hall and bowed deeply to his parents, who were sitting at the head of the table: "Father, Mother, your son is unfilial and has been away from home for a long time. Today there is something I need to tell you, which also concerns the safety of Miss Ayuan."
His voice was steady as he recounted Ah Yuan's true identity—Princess Xi Ling Yuan of the Xi Ling Kingdom—her mother's early death, her father's intention to pass the throne to her, the empress's refusal and secret pursuit, her rescue by him while she was stranded in a foreign land, and their journey together, the development of their feelings for each other, and his determination to help her. He spoke clearly and without reservation. The candlelight flickered in the hall, illuminating his handsome and resolute face.
As he spoke, Xiao Chengjing's expression grew increasingly solemn. His knuckles unconsciously tapped lightly on the armrest of the rosewood chair. His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over the bowed-headed A-Yuan before returning to his son, filled with scrutiny and deep thought. Shen Yuewei, on the other hand, listened with increasingly bright eyes, her gaze lingering on A-Yuan, filled with undisguised amazement and pity—what a beautiful and delicate girl, so pitiful to behold! Even now that her identity was revealed, the quiet and gentle demeanor, subtly revealing a resilience and nobility, made her like her even more from the bottom of her heart.
The hall was silent, save for the occasional crackling of the candlelight. A-Yuan kept her head down, but her clasped fingers tightened slightly, her knuckles turning white, betraying a hint of tension.
After a long silence, Xiao Chengjing spoke in a deep voice, his gaze sharp as a knife: "The struggle for the crown prince position in Xiling Kingdom is no small matter; a single move can affect the whole situation. Kang'er, do you know what this means? If the Jingwang Mansion gets involved, it will put itself in the eye of the storm."
Xiao Chengkang met his father's gaze without flinching: "Father, I am well aware of the implications. However, a physician's heart is compassionate, and I cannot stand idly by and watch someone die. Moreover, A Yuan is innocent, and her father's intentions are clear. This is not merely a matter of personal feelings between children, but also concerns the legitimacy of the Western Ling Kingdom and the future well-being of its people. Our Jingwang Mansion has been loyal and virtuous for generations, protecting the peace of this region. If we stand idly by and allow treacherous officials to rise to power, neighboring countries will be thrown into chaos, which would not be a good thing for Jiangnan either. I am willing to do everything in my power to help, and I implore Father to consider this carefully."
His words were earnest and logical, explaining both the greater good and personal feelings and risks.
Xiao Chengjing's gaze lingered on his son's face for a long time, his eyes seeming to pierce through his skin and reach his very heart. Finally, the sharpness in his eyes slowly faded, turning into a barely audible sigh, followed by a steady nod: "Since you have thought things through and made up your mind, I... grant your request." He turned to A Yuan, his tone much gentler, carrying the authority of an elder and a hint of barely perceptible reassurance, "Princess Xiling, now that you have entered my Jingwang Mansion, you are a guest. Settle in comfortably; Kang'er and we will handle the rest."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" A-Yuan immediately stood up and bowed deeply to Xiao Chengjing, her voice trembling slightly. When she looked up again, her eyes were slightly red, and her gaze towards Xiao Chengkang was filled with gratitude and dependence.
"Get up quickly, good child!" Shen Yuewei could no longer contain herself. She personally got up and helped A Yuan up, took her hand, and looked her up and down, becoming more and more delighted with her. "Look at this little face, so adorable! Forget about princesses, here we are all family! From now on, you will call me Auntie!" She turned to Xiao Chengjing and said reproachfully, "Your Highness, look how good this child is! Kang'er has good taste!"
Looking at his wife's undisguised affection, and then at the determined light in his son's eyes and the relieved smile that finally bloomed on A Yuan's beautiful face, Xiao Chengjing's serious face finally softened: "What the princess says is true. Yuan... Miss, please settle down here."
"Thank you, Your Highness... Thank you, Aunt!" A-Yuan readily complied and addressed her in a clear, melodious voice, with the soft, gentle tone characteristic of women from Jiangnan, which delighted Shen Yuewei.
“Okay! Okay!” Shen Yuewei responded repeatedly, holding onto A Yuan’s hand tightly. “Are you tired from the journey? Sit down and rest! Someone, bring me that new box of ‘Pre-Rain Dragon Well’ tea, and prepare some delicate snacks!”
The heavy atmosphere in the hall was instantly dispelled by Shen Yuewei's enthusiasm, filling the room with warmth. Xiao Chengkang watched his mother tenderly inquire about A Yuan's well-being, and saw the tacit approval in his father's eyes; the weight that had been hanging over him finally lifted. He walked to A Yuan's side, naturally taking the tea offered by the maid and handing her a cup: "Have some hot tea."
A-Yuan took it, her fingertips touching his, and looked up into his smiling eyes. A thousand words were left unsaid.
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