Chapter 744 If the bow and arrow are covered with dust, just polish it
The incident in Xiyuan was suppressed by the emperor with thundering means.
On the surface, the prince accidentally stumbled in order to win the smile of his beloved, but he escaped harm in the end. But behind the scenes, undercurrents surged beneath the surface of the entire capital.
Gu Qingchen's life seemed to have returned to the way it was before.
The warm winter sun shines through the window lattice, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground.
She still rose early every morning to practice archery in the courtyard, but the small silver bow that had once served her so well was now unresponsive.
“Whoosh—”
The arrow left the string, but did not hit the center of the target accurately as usual. Instead, it just brushed the edge of the target and disappeared into the snow behind it.
"Miss, it seems that your mind is not on this arrow today." Huanran on the side carefully handed over a new arrow.
Gu Qingchen took the arrow but didn't put the bowstring on immediately. She stared at the empty target, and her mind flashed back to the deep pool at the bottom of the cliff and Zhao Chen'an's eyes, burning with mad flames as he protected her behind him.
Everything is different now.
She took a deep breath, forced her chaotic thoughts down, and raised the bow again.
"Snap, snap, snap."
Crisp applause rang out from the courtyard gate. Qian Zhenyun, dressed in a plain long gown and holding a few books, walked in with a smile on his face.
"Good archery, but today's arrow was too murderous and lost its accuracy."
Gu Qingchen put down his bow and rolled his eyes at him unhappily. "What are you doing here again? Have you finished the task the Crown Prince assigned to you?"
"No matter how busy you are, you have to come and see our heroine who is famous in the capital."
Qian Zhenyun placed the scroll on the stone table and poured himself a cup of hot tea.
"Now, the rumors are spreading that Miss Gu of the Zhenguo Mansion is as capable as any man. Even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was so impressed by your charm that he risked his life to act like a hero saving a beautiful woman."
Gu Qingchen curled his lips and wiped his hands with a handkerchief. "If the rumors are to be believed, even sows can climb trees."
She walked to the stone table, sat down, picked up the teacup, but hesitated to drink it.
Qian Zhenyun looked at her furrowed brows and said softly, "Princess Jiahe's reputation for virtue has spread far and wide these past two days."
Gu Qingchen raised his eyes.
"She personally visited all the noble families who were frightened in Xiyuan, with sincere words and considerate manners."
Qian Zhenyun's tone was very calm, as if he was talking about an insignificant matter. "Now everyone in the capital praises her gentleness and generosity, and she has the style of a future mother of the country."
Gu Qingchen's fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly.
She remembered Princess Jiahe's flawless face and her flawless words that day.
"She's quite clever. She knows she's no match for me in a head-on confrontation, so she resorts to this gimmick of flattery."
Gu Qingchen sneered, "She made me look like a willful, capricious, crazy girl, while she herself became the model of a virtuous woman who took the overall situation into consideration."
"Since you've seen through it, why worry about it?" Qian Zhenyun looked at her. "This is not like you."
"I just feel..."
"I just feel a little tired. I used to think that right was right and wrong was wrong. If I liked something, I would fight for it, and if I hated something, I would stay away from it. But now, everything has become complicated."
She raised her head, and her eyes, which were always as clear as stars, now seemed covered with a layer of mist.
"GongGong, did I do something wrong?"
Qian Zhenyun looked at her steadily and did not answer immediately.
After a long time, he reached out, replaced the slightly cold cup of tea in front of her, and filled her with a hot cup.
"You're not wrong." His voice was gentle but firm. "What's wrong is this world where people have to wear masks and say things they don't mean in order to survive. You just saw it for what it really is."
He pushed the hot tea to her hand and said, "Qingchen, you don't need to become like them. You just need to be stronger than before."
Gu Qingchen's heart seemed to be soothed by the warmth of the cup of hot tea, and the inexplicable irritability and anxiety gradually subsided.
Suddenly, I felt that the rumors about Princess Jiahe and the strange looks from the young ladies from aristocratic families became less important.
Seeing her expression relax, Qian Zhenyun's smile deepened a little.
He stood up, walked to her, and tapped her forehead with his hand.
"Ouch!" Gu Qingchen felt pain and glared at him while covering his forehead.
"If a bow and arrow is covered in dust, it can be polished. If a person's heart is stuck in a rut, it can be refreshed."
He picked up the cloak on the back of the chair and put it on her shoulders without saying anything. "Come on, I'll take you somewhere."
"Where are you going?" Gu Qingchen tied the belt of his cloak, his tone still a little lazy.
"You'll find out when you go." Qian Zhenyun winked mysteriously. "I guarantee it'll be much more fun than shooting at targets in this yard."
There is a stretch of lakes in the suburbs of Beijing. In winter, a thick layer of ice will form on the surface of the lake, making it as smooth as a mirror. It is the favorite place for the children of the nobles in Beijing to play.
Qian Zhenyun brought Gu Qingchen not to the bustling main lake area, but to a secluded bay.
This place is surrounded by several small hills, most of the cold wind is blocked, and the sun shines lazily on the ice, making it warm.
"Ice skating?" Gu Qingchen's eyes lit up when he looked at the crystal clear ice surface.
She grew up on horseback and has an excellent sense of balance, so this kind of thing is a piece of cake for her.
Qian Zhenyun took out two pairs of specially made ice skates from the carriage, with sharp ice blades embedded in the soles.
He put on his own shoes slowly and then handed the other pair to Gu Qingchen.
He stood up somewhat clumsily and cautiously explored the ice, like a duck that had just entered the water and was not very good at swimming.
Gu Qingchen had already changed her shoes. Looking at Qian Zhenyun's cautious look, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She lightly kicked off the kick, and her whole body slid out on the ice like a light swallow, leaving behind only a string of silver bell-like laughter.
"GongGong, your speed is even slower than a turtle's!" She turned around nimbly, stopped not far away, and turned back to make a face at him.
Qian Zhenyun finally managed to steady himself and looked at her bright and lively face in the sun, his eyes full of a doting smile.
He was not in a hurry, but just slid forward slowly. Although his movements were not fast, they were very steady.
"Go slower, be careful not to fall."
"I won't fall..."
Too much joy leads to sorrow.
Before Gu Qingchen could finish his words, he was tripped by something. His body suddenly tilted and he screamed and was about to fall backwards.
Qian Zhenyun had slipped behind her without her knowing. He held her in his arms, and his low laughter rang in her ears.
"Who just said he wouldn't fall?"
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