Chapter 1 Old Grudges
Yizhou is an important military and political town with a strict and rigorous layout, emphasizing spaciousness and openness.
Although there is a commander-in-chief's residence in the city, the northwest region does not have the prosperity and luxury of the Central Plains, and the military personnel will not arrange many exquisite details.
But this arrangement made Qiandeng feel at home. Her father and grandfather were both military commanders, and the residences in the front yard, in addition to the backyard of the Changhua Palace, were mostly of this style, which coincided with the environment she grew up in.
Aunt Yuehe is an old lady in the palace. She is steady and considerate. She personally helped Qiandeng settle down and quickly washed away her fatigue from the journey. The food she served was not only of Chang'an style, but also of the style she liked.
Qiandeng was a little surprised. She wondered how the people in the Linhuai Palace knew the taste of a stranger like her.
No matter how well prepared the servants were, they should have inquired about the preferences of the Crown Prince and important border patrol officials such as Cui Fufeng, and ignored her.
Daimao, who came with her, was also very surprised: "Aunt, how did you know our county lady's preferences? Thank you for your trouble."
Aunt Yuehe pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "The prince has instructed that the county lady is an honored guest, so naturally I dare not neglect her."
After the meal, the maid brought over honeydew melons, white apricots and mulberries produced in Yizhou. Each one was juicy and crystal clear, and looked extremely delicious.
"Although the products here are not as rich as those in the Central Plains, the fruits and vegetables here are sweeter than those elsewhere. You can try some to relieve the heat."
Qiandeng tried it and found it quite different from the Central Plains. She gestured for Daimao to try two slices of melon as well. Daimao ate the melon with a smile on his face, feeling relaxed and happy. He inevitably asked Yuehe about the topic that girls are most concerned about: "Aunt, the prince is so busy with all sorts of things, but he specifically asked you to take care of our county lady?"
The smile on Yue He's face was filled with mystery. "Yes, Your Highness usually cares about military affairs. I didn't expect that he could be so attentive."
Only Qian Deng thought that even if King Linhuai noticed such an insignificant person who was just traveling with him, he would probably just mention her casually to fulfill the story.
Seeing that Aunt Yuehe was easygoing, Daimao quickly inquired, "Aunt, we have come from afar to bother you. I wonder which prince's concubine is in charge of this mansion so we can go and say hello."
Yue He laughed again: "Our prince is upright and honest. How could he have concubines if he hasn't even appointed a wife yet? Moreover, the military discipline is strict. The first rule is to humiliate and rob women. Naturally, the prince sets an example and enforces the rules."
Qiandeng nodded silently, and suddenly, as if in an illusion, Ling Tianshui's face flashed before her eyes - the terrifying expression that appeared on his face when Yang Huaijiang intended to humiliate them.
The moment his mother was humiliated must be forever engraved in his heart, and he has never gotten over it.
Therefore, he would definitely be extremely loyal to King Linhuai and faithful to military discipline and regulations, just as he would not betray the way he came.
Daimao was still enthusiastically asking Yuehe, "Why hasn't the prince taken a princess yet? Even an ordinary person would have married and had children long ago. How come he, a dignified prince, doesn't have anyone worrying about his lifelong affairs?"
Yuehe naturally smiled but did not answer.
Qiandeng signaled Daimao to be quiet, "Marriage and childbirth are lifelong events for ordinary people, but the prince's priority is peace on the frontier and in the world. How can we outsiders interfere?"
Hawksbill stuck out his tongue and shut up.
When she stood up to escort Yuehe to the door, Qiandeng finally couldn't bear it any longer and asked in a low voice, "Auntie, are you familiar with the people here?"
Yue He was an elder in the palace, so he naturally knew everyone. "I wouldn't say I know everyone, but many of them look familiar. I wonder if the county lady is looking for someone familiar?"
"Over here in Beiting—presumably in the Shuofang army—I have an acquaintance." She paused, trying to calmly describe the man in her mind. "He's quite tall, over six feet three inches tall. He's been in Chang'an for most of the past year or so, and we're somewhat acquainted. A month or two ago, he was injured and returned to the northwest. I'd like to know... if he's doing okay now?"
Yue He looked at her, the smile on his face faded a little, and took on a hint of meaning: "Really? Is there such a person? Then let me ask around for you, the county lady?"
"No, I'm just asking casually. There's no need to inquire deliberately and alarm others." Qiandeng showed an attitude of inquiring privately, and Yuehe naturally understood.
After watching her go away, Qiandeng suddenly felt ridiculous.
In fact, if she really knew his identity, what would be the point of finding him now?
They have already severed all ties and there is no need for them to meet again.
What's more, he was sent into Chang'an by the Shuofang Army to spy on him, and when he left, he would naturally disappear without a trace with the death of "Ling Tianshui".
There was no need for that. She and he would never meet again.
The patrol team stayed in Yizhou for several days. Prince Linhuai accompanied the Crown Prince on daily border patrols, keeping the entire city busy. Only Qiandeng remained alone in his mansion, seemingly doing nothing.
It was not until four days later, after learning that the prince was resting today and the Yizhou army had not gone out, that Qiandeng brought several guards from the palace to the camp and delivered a letter requesting to see King Linhuai to thank him for his help in saving her from the cold pond that day.
As she expected, Prince Linhuai did not meet her. He only sent a personal guard from the camp with a message, saying that she had ordered the palace to send gifts of thanks last year, which showed her attentiveness. The intention was already there, so there was no need to fuss over such a small favor.
Qian Deng had come here specifically to explain the grudge between their fathers and grandfathers to him face to face, so he insisted to the guard, "Could you please inform the prince on my behalf? After all, my grandfather served under the old prince, and the prince has repeatedly saved me. I must thank him in person to avoid being disrespectful."
The guards did not dare to disobey the Prince of Linhuai. Seeing her insistent plea, they were in a dilemma when a clear voice came from behind them. It was Cui Fufeng: "County Princess."
Qiandeng looked back at him and saw him riding a horse in official uniform, obviously here to discuss important matters.
Before she could speak, he had already dismounted and walked towards her waiting at the camp gate: "Do you want to see Prince Linhuai?"
Qian Deng knew he was about to enter the camp, so he whispered, "I remember that I once had some contact with the prince's ancestors, and I don't want the relationship between our two families to be severed. I wonder if Shaoqing Cui could help me get a meeting with Prince Linhuai and make my case in person?"
Cui Fufeng naturally knew what she meant and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, County Lady. When I see Prince Linhuai, I will help you convey this message."
Unfortunately, even with Cui Fufeng's mediation, Prince Linhuai still had no intention of meeting her.
Not long after, Cui Fufeng returned from camp and gently explained to Qian Deng, "The timing is unfortunate. The prince is busy with important military matters and cannot spare the time. I have already conveyed the county lady's wishes to him, and the prince also said that your father and grandfather were simply following orders. He has always respected the noble character of Prince Changhua and the Crown Prince. Moreover, your father and grandfather sacrificed their lives for the Tang Dynasty and deserve the admiration of all soldiers. The prince is a reasonable man, and the county lady can rest assured."
Although Qiandeng was a little disappointed, things had come to this point and it was clear that Prince Linhuai would not see her.
He had previously plotted against the Changhua Palace, so avoiding the topic now was a possible solution. However, since he had responded in this way, he believed he should be respectful of his status, and the grudges between the two palaces should gradually dissolve.
After all, the Changhua Palace has now reached such a situation. What waves can she, an orphan girl, make in front of the powerful Linhuai King?
His life was vast and boundless, and there was really no need to continue targeting her and pushing her into a desperate situation.
"In that case, I'm relieved." Qian Deng thanked Cui Fufeng and whispered, "I'm sorry to have troubled Master Cui all this time. If there's a chance in the future, I hope Master Cui can help us explain this matter to the Changhua Palace."
Cui Fufeng stared at her and smiled faintly: "County Lady, why should you be so formal? The relationship between you and me is naturally different from that of others. Since I have promised to go with you, then Fufeng will definitely not break his promise in this life."
The sky is high and the sun is bright in the northwest. Under the scorching sunlight, he appears more brilliant and clear.
Qiandeng looked at his smile and felt that the worries in her heart were relieved a lot.
"Yes, along the way, I am grateful to Mr. Cui for accompanying me and helping me overcome countless difficulties."
Seeing that she finally stopped referring to herself as Cui Shaoqing, Cui Fufeng couldn't help but smile softly: "The future is long, and Fufeng will definitely accompany the county lady all the way to success."
He watched Qiandeng leave, staring at her back until she disappeared before turning back.
After taking two steps, he felt something strange. He felt that the guards, who were already standing in an upright military posture, seemed to be even more tense than before.
But the military camp is heavily guarded, so how could anyone walk around freely?
His heart moved slightly, and he asked a soldier beside him: "Did the prince come just now?"
The soldier nodded and replied, "Yes. The prince saw that Cui Shaoqing was talking to someone and told us not to disturb him, so we did not disturb Cui Shaoqing."
Cui Fufeng nodded slowly, thinking to himself, he clearly didn't want to meet Qian Deng and asked him to help convey his meaning, but in the end he still took these two extra steps.
Do you want to know her reaction, or do you not want to meet her in public but want to take another look at her secretly?
Seeing Qian Deng now and the changing relationship between them, I wonder if there will be any changes in his heart?
He lowered his eyes and walked into the tent, going over in his mind what he had just said to Qian Deng.
But in the end, he just smiled faintly and everything was as usual.
Regardless of whether it was appropriate or not, and no matter what emotions it aroused in him, the words had already been spoken, and just as the world was changing, everything was irreversible.
Anyway, he is already a candidate for the county lord's husband. He is not afraid of anyone, and no one can criticize his current relationship with the county lord.
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