Shen Jintang picked up the celadon teacup, feeling the warmth of the tea on her fingertips.
The tea was clear, and a few tender green tea leaves slowly unfurled in the cup. Wisps of steam swirled around her, blurring her thoughtful expression.
The faint scent of agarwood lingered around her nose, making her increasingly nervous.
She lowered her eyes and took a sip of the tea. The warm tea went down her throat, carrying a faint fragrance of orchids.
"Your Highness has been quite free lately, which is rare."
She spoke cautiously, her voice very soft, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquil atmosphere of the hall.
The eldest princess leaned against the carved rosewood couch, her fingertips gently playing with the jade bracelet on her wrist.
The bracelet was entirely emerald green, gleaming warmly in the candlelight, making her wrist appear even whiter.
Upon hearing this, she raised the corners of her lips slightly, revealing a half-smile: "Yes, there's no need to worry about those troublesome things anymore. Even the imperial physician said that my complexion has improved a lot."
She raised her eyes, her gaze lightly landing on Shen Jintang's face. Her phoenix eyes were still as bright as ever, but now held an emotion that Shen Jintang couldn't decipher. "What, you seem to be even less used to it than I am?"
Shen Jintang paused slightly, and the teacup almost tilted.
She quickly steadied her wrist, then smiled and said, "I was just worried that Your Highness might get bored if you suddenly had nothing to do."
Despite this, a strange feeling arose in her heart.
Is this once powerful princess who once dominated the court really content with such a leisurely life?
"Boring?"
The princess chuckled softly and casually picked up a delicate plum blossom pastry from the celadon plate.
The dessert was so lifelike that even the patterns on the petals were clearly visible.
She slowly took a small bite and said, "Now I enjoy admiring flowers, sipping tea, and occasionally listening to the gossip presented by the ministers. It's much more interesting than before."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Shen Jintang with a meaningful look. "At least now, no one dares to play tricks under my nose."
Shen Jintang's heart skipped a beat.
This seemingly casual remark reminded her of the things she had done.
She wisely refrained from asking further questions, lowered her head, and took another sip of tea, using this action to conceal the contemplation in her eyes.
The tea had cooled slightly, and it tasted a bit astringent.
A gentle breeze came from outside the hall, causing the beaded curtain to rustle and make a crisp, clinking sound.
Through the half-open carved window, one can see several crabapple trees in full bloom in the courtyard, their pink and white petals drifting in the wind, some even floating into the hall and landing on the brocade carpet.
Seeing her silence, the princess's smile deepened.
She suddenly raised her hand in a gesture, and immediately a palace maid quietly stepped forward carrying a gilded chessboard.
"Since you're here, why don't you play a game of chess with me?"
Her tone left no room for refusal.
Shen Jintang looked up and saw that the chessboard was made of the finest Hetian jade, and the black and white chess pieces were as smooth as jade, gleaming with a warm luster under the candlelight.
She nodded in agreement: "Yes."
The chess pieces landed on the board with a crisp sound.
Shen Jintang's mind was not on the game of chess. While dealing with the Princess's attacks, she was secretly pondering.
The eldest princess's strategy today was quite different from usual; it lacked the sharp, ruthless edge and instead displayed a more composed demeanor.
She carefully placed a white piece and tentatively said, "Your Highness's chess skills are still superb, but your moves... seem more composed than before."
The princess paused slightly in mid-air while holding the black piece.
Today she was wearing a loose, moon-white casual dress with delicate dark patterns embroidered on the cuffs, which appeared and disappeared with her movements.
With a light tap of her fingertip on the chessboard, she smiled and said, "Chess is like life; you can't rush it."
When he looked up, his eyes were as calm as a deep pool, making it impossible to see through them. He said, "Only by retreating when it's time to retreat and advancing when it's time to advance can you win in the long run."
Shen Jintang's heart stirred slightly. These words were like a key, seemingly able to unlock the doubts she had been harboring these past few days, yet they were also like a thin veil, leaving her uncertain.
She remained silent for a moment, then stopped asking questions and focused on playing chess.
For a moment, only the crisp sound of chess pieces falling onto the board and the distant dripping of water from the water clock filled the hall.
After three rounds, the sky outside the window gradually darkened.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window screens, casting dappled light and shadows inside the hall.
The princess leaned lazily against the soft pillows and rubbed her wrists: "Let's call it a day, I'm tired."
Shen Jintang rose and bowed, her skirt brushing against the gleaming blue brick floor: "This subordinate takes her leave."
The eldest princess hummed in agreement, then suddenly added, "Oh, right."
She gestured to the palace maid to pack up the untouched plate of pastries on the table, saying, "Take this plate of pastries back to the Crown Prince and tell him that no matter how busy he is, he must take care of his health."
Shen Jintang was startled, and her hand unconsciously tightened as she took the pastry box.
The box is made of fine sandalwood, feels heavy in the hand, and has a faint sandalwood fragrance.
She instantly understood the princess's unspoken meaning—even though she no longer interfered in court affairs, the princess still knew everything about Gu Zhixing.
Gu Zhixing was, after all, the eldest princess's only child, and no matter what, he could not be allowed to make any mistakes.
This statement today is both a reminder and a warning.
"I will certainly convey your message."
She lowered her head and replied, her voice several decibels lower than usual.
As I left the palace gate carrying the box of pastries, a night breeze blew in my face, carrying the fragrance of crabapple blossoms from the courtyard.
Shen Jintang unconsciously turned around and looked back. The candlelight inside the hall flickered, casting the figure of the princess on the window screen. Her outline was blurry and distant, as if separated by a mountain and river.
Walking along the palace path, with towering red walls on both sides, the moonlight cast her long shadow.
Shen Jintang sighed softly. She had come today hoping to find out some information, but she hadn't gotten anything out of her.
The box of pastries in her arms was heavy, as if reminding her of something.
The sound of the night watchman striking the gong echoed from afar, reverberating within the silent palace walls.
Shen Jintang quickened her pace, and her figure soon disappeared at the end of the winding palace road.
Behind her, the magnificent palace remained brightly lit, like a lurking beast, quietly watching everything.
"Lord Si Yan!"
Shen Jintang was walking slowly along the bluestone palace path when he suddenly heard a call from behind.
The voice was crisp and urgent, and it was particularly clear in the quiet palace corridor.
She stopped and turned around, only to see Lin Tingwan hurrying after her, lifting the hem of her pale yellow skirt, followed by two panting palace maids.
As Lin Tingwan ran, the pearl hairpin in her hair swayed slightly, reflecting tiny glimmers of light in the sunlight.
"Princess." Shen Jintang curtsied slightly, her movements so perfect that not a single flaw could be found.
Today she was dressed in a light blue palace gown with a silver sash around her waist, and she looked as upright and elegant as a green bamboo.
Lin Tingwan stopped three steps away from Shen Jintang and raised her hand to tidy her slightly disheveled hair from running.
Today she wore a fashionable flying fairy bun, adorned with a few small pearl flowers, which made her skin look as smooth as jade.
At this moment, however, she looked somewhat flustered, her almond-shaped eyes darting left and right, unable to look directly at Shen Jintang.
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