Chapter 15 With such a strong rival, aren't you panicking...?
Lin Qingdai returned to her mother and sister, by which time she had already removed her veil herself. She was so angry; wearing a veil made it difficult to breathe.
With such a commotion earlier, it was hard for Zhuo Shuming and Lin Qingwu not to notice. Now that things have come to a close, they couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of their beloved Jiaojiao still looking so aloof.
Lin Qingwu gently stroked the stray hairs on her sister's forehead and said with amusement, "Why the cold face? Do you feel you didn't perform well earlier? Should you have been more ruthless?"
Zhuo Shuming: That's enough. The capital city has no shortage of officials, so it's not your place to worry about the common people.
Jiaojiao rarely retorted, "Mother didn't say that before."
Lin Qingwu: "What did Mother say?"
Lin Qingdai: "My mother said we have a home..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhuo Shuming coldly interrupted, "Besides, don't go to Huibao Store tomorrow."
Hui Bao Hang is a favorite haunt of the capital's elite ladies, where the satin and jewelry are hard to find anywhere else.
Upon hearing that they were not allowed to go, the two sisters immediately shut up.
As always, there were many people coming to collect porridge and snacks, but it didn't seem chaotic. People lined up spontaneously, took their share, and left immediately.
Ji and Jing followed the group, approaching slowly, but there was no sign of impatience on his face.
He came from humble beginnings and knew what this meal meant to the poor.
It's a chance to have a full meal, to save the whole family the cost of a meal, and to taste cakes made by top chefs or even by the second daughter of the Lin family—a rare luxury.
More importantly, as they approached their meal, both those receiving food alongside them and those distributing it showed them kindness and warmth.
While waiting, his gaze drifted towards Lin Qingdai several times.
The girl somehow removed her veil, revealing her fair, jade-like face.
She would smile at the villagers and stuff their baskets with snacks.
Mrs. Lin would occasionally glance at her sideways, but that was all; she never seriously tried to stop her.
After nearly two cups of tea's time, it was almost time for Ji and Jing to arrive.
Suddenly, a magnificent carriage drove into Baoshan Street.
The carriage was spacious, with dragon patterns engraved on the sides, its nobility permeating every line. Anyone with eyesight could guess that the person inside was related to royalty.
Discussions arose again, but this time the voices were restrained and suppressed, a subconscious reaction from the people.
"Who's here? I've never seen anything like this when they used to distribute porridge."
“In the past, when porridge was distributed, no one dared to beat people or forcibly abduct women on Baoshan Street.”
"...That's really true."
"It must be one of the princes in the palace. Isn't the Fourth Prince a close friend of the eldest son of the Lin family?"
"Or perhaps it's Prince Jingxian?"
This Prince Jingxian was named Song Qinghuai, the emperor's younger brother by the same parents, more than ten years his junior. The emperor originally intended to bestow upon him the title of Prince Jing, but on the day the decree was to be proclaimed, Song Qinghuai publicly declared: "Qinghuai wishes to be Prince Jingxian, and hopes that Your Majesty will grant my request."
He emphasized the word "leisurely" with particular force, the meaning of which was known to the emperor and the court's key figures. Song Qinghuai was telling His Majesty that he had no interest in the throne and was willing to have the word "leisurely" displayed in his title to remind himself of it every day.
Song Qingwu was more than happy to agree, so he pretended to curse him with "nonsense" and then gave in.
From then on, the capital had a new king.
They were of noble status and lived a carefree life.
Prince Jingxian doted on his younger generation, leading the spring and autumn hunts. Before he even returned to the capital, the new generation would receive gifts from the novelties he acquired during his travels.
Therefore, in the eyes of the common people, the person sitting in the carriage was most likely him.
However, when the car came to a stop and the door opened, it was the Second Prince, Song Yunlan, who stepped out. The young man, who was over twenty years old, was dressed in a white brocade robe, with a cold jade hanging at his waist. The words "noble and flawless" were engraved in every detail.
At the same time, a palace eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out, "The Second Prince has arrived."
After a moment of surprise, the crowd bowed in respect.
Zhao Ning was among them, while Ji Yujing and Ye Xiao, who did not bow, were undoubtedly the most conspicuous figures in the crowd.
After the second prince stopped, he glanced in the direction of the two men, then looked at the crowd with a smile in his eyes, "Get up."
In the spring breeze and morning light, he was gentle and noble, as if a god had descended to earth.
Everyone sighed, saying that the Crown Prince of Xun should be just like this.
Zhuo Shuming and her two daughters went to greet them, but this did not affect the progress of distributing the porridge. There were many servants, all of whom were experienced in distributing porridge, so she did not need to do everything herself.
Good morning, Your Highness.
The mother and her two daughters bowed slightly and paid their respects to Song Yunlan.
Song Yunlan: "Madam, there's no need for such formalities. I was being presumptuous today."
Zhuo Shuming straightened up and smiled at Song Yunlan, "Your Highness is too kind. Your Highness has the people in your heart, which is a blessing for the people."
Song Yunlan: "Madam Hou is too kind."
After he finished speaking, he paused for a few breaths, looking hesitant and deliberating.
Zhuo Shuming actually disliked his hypocritical act, but since he was a prince and they were in the public eye, she had to be polite no matter how much she disliked it.
He could only suppress his displeasure and smiled faintly, saying, "Your Highness, please speak freely."
Song Yunlan's gaze swept around Baoshan Street. "This is my first time visiting Baoshan Street. I would like to learn more about it. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will report the situation here to Father Emperor and seek ways to improve it."
Zhuo Shuming: "It is a blessing for the people of Baoshan Street that Your Highness has such a thought."
Song Yunlan neither agreed nor disagreed with these words, and went on to state his main purpose, which he had been laying out for so long, "Would you be so kind as to ask Dai Dai to show me around?"
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Shuming's dislike for Song Yunlan intensified, but his smile became even clearer and more sincere.
"Dai Dai, take the Second Prince for a walk around."
Lin Qingdai replied softly, "Yes."
After replying, she looked intently at the Second Prince, raised her slender hand slightly, and said, "Second Prince, this way please."
With her graceful demeanor and composed and polite manner, she gave those around her a sense of rigor and integrity in handling official business.
The two walked away together.
After watching the play, Ye Xiao remembered that he had a cousin, and the girl who accompanied the Second Prince was his future cousin's wife.
Oh dear, this is a big problem?
He couldn't help but look at Ji Yujing, only to see him staring straight ahead with a cold expression and a very stable demeanor.
"Brother, you really don't mind?"
"With such a strong rival, aren't you panicking?"
"This second prince holds a high position and wields great power, and he's also handsome..."
Ye Xiao's voice was kept extremely low, to the point that only the three people nearby could hear it.
Halfway through his sentence, Ji Yujing's cold gaze swept over him.
The rambling stopped abruptly.
Upon seeing this, Zhao Ning couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Lin Qingdai led Song Yunlan to a teahouse and said softly, "Would Your Highness like to come up for a cup of tea? Although few people know about the Yufo Tea in this teahouse, in my opinion, it is a unique delicacy in the capital."
Song Yunlan was more than happy to agree, so she readily agreed: "I'll do as Dai Dai says."
Lin Qingdai smiled slightly and entered the teahouse with Song Yunlan. It was still early, and the villagers had all gone to collect their porridge, so there were few customers in the teahouse.
Led by the shopkeeper, the two found a window seat on the second floor. Looking out, they could see the long alleyway of Baoshan Street. Usually, people came and went here, some carrying various fruits, vegetables, and poultry to sell, and others returning home eating sesame seed cakes.
Today is no exception.
But most of them went from the inside out, towards the Zhuo family's porridge distribution area.
With few guests, the tea was served quickly.
The hot steam billowed fiercely, and the aroma of tea spread with it.
Song Yunlan couldn't help but sigh, "Indeed, excellent tea."
Having said that, he actually poured tea for Lin Qingdai. Few people in the world would receive such treatment.
Lin Qingdai watched him quietly as he performed his act. When he pushed the rough teacup in front of her, she said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
After a few pauses, she added, "I hope that something like this will never happen again."
Her voice was as gentle as ever, like a cold spring flowing from the deep mountains, heading towards its destination at its own predetermined rhythm.
However, her tone was firm, and she was making a statement, clearly expressing her dislike.
Song Yunlan was taken aback by his words, then smiled and asked, "What do you mean by that, Dai Dai?"
Lin Qingdai: "Was Your Highness present when His Majesty bestowed the marriage upon my sister and Su Yu in court that day?"
Song Yunlan acquiesced.
Lin Qingdai was certain that he was there. "Since he is here, he must know that Daidai is about to marry into Lingdong."
"Therefore, Dai Dai should no longer have any inappropriate entanglements with any man."
There were some things she didn't say directly.
That is, in her view, this meeting was an untimely entanglement.
In fact, there's no need to say anything more.
The words above were enough to stir up Song Yunlan's emotions and shatter his composure.
"Dai Dai, do you truly not understand how I feel about you? Or are you deliberately pretending to be ignorant?"
"Even if you have no feelings for me whatsoever, staying in the capital as a princess is better than going to the remote Lingdong where you have no relatives or friends, isn't it?"
"Dai Dai, I think you've lost your mind."
Those who hold high positions for a long time gradually become intolerant of disobedience.
Song Qingwu is, and so is Song Yunlan.
Even if they define it as just casual conversation during a standoff, their dominance will be blatantly revealed if a dispute arises.
And they themselves are unaware of it.
Despite Song Yunlan's offensive words, Lin Qingdai's expression remained unchanged, as did her tone.
“Dai Dai is perfectly lucid.”
“Dai Dai has been in poor health since she was a child. Her grandfather and parents have gone to great lengths to take care of her. Not to mention her clothes and other necessities, they are all the best in Xun Kingdom, for fear that she will be outshone by anyone and suffer grievances when she goes out.”
"We are related by blood and I grew up in a loving environment. Now that the family is in trouble, I cannot stand idly by, both morally and logically."
Song Yunlan had no way to refute these words.
A girl who grows up surrounded by love will always think of protecting others first when faced with difficulties.
“Dai Dai, there is another way. If you are willing, I can let you stay in the capital, and the Zhuo and Lin families can maintain their former glory.”
As he finished speaking, Lin Qingdai let out a light, brief laugh.
Song Yunlan asked her what she was laughing about.
She stated bluntly, "Dai Dai is unwilling."
In an instant, Song Yunlan's heart surged with turmoil, filled with resentment. "Why?"
Lin Qingdai: "Dai Dai is fond of Ji Yujing."
"I went to Lingdong for two reasons: first, to relieve my family's predicament, and second, for my own sake."
This answer was unexpected by Song Yunlan, and he was unwilling to believe it: "You're lying."
"Ji Yujing is a country bumpkin who can't read many words, is covered in dirt and doesn't understand romance. What do you like about him?"
The prince, who was once a pampered and noble prince, began to speak recklessly and without any manners after his pretense was broken by anger.
Lin Qingdai looked at him, her expression serene.
His mind was far from calm, as images surfaced one after another, all related to Ji and Jing.
He had already developed excellent handwriting many years ago, as evidenced by the to-do lists he wrote.
Before they parted, he would spend a lot of money to buy her candy balls.
Upon their long-awaited reunion, he noticed the longing in her eyes and asked, "Would you like to go out and have a look together?"
At that time, the dangers outside the Tulou were unknown, and inviting her out was no different from bringing trouble upon herself, but he still created a novel experience for her.
This shows that Ji and Jing were not people who were oblivious to romance.
On that day, she had a lot of contact with him, but she never sensed a single repulsive aura.
Instead, a natural, subtle fragrance of plants occasionally drifted into her nostrils, making her ears burn and her heart pound unnoticed.
...
Lin Qingdai reached a conclusion almost easily.
Not a single word the Second Prince said was true.
There's no need to argue with him about these points one by one.
"I am the one who will marry him. I know his goodness, that's enough. I have said all I need to say. I hope Your Highness will not do anything to make things difficult for me."
"I also hope that Your Highness will find a soulmate in the future, and grow old together."
By this time, the tea had cooled slightly and was drinkable.
Lin Qingdai held up the teacup with both hands and raised it towards Song Yunlan, saying, "I, Daidai, will drink this cup of tea first as a sign of respect."
Without waiting for Song Yunlan's reply, she brought the teacup to her lips and took a small sip. After drinking, she placed the teacup on the table. "Dai Dai is in a hurry to help her mother and sister and would like to leave first. I hope Your Highness will grant me permission."
She's already said all that, what's the point of forcing her to stay?
Song Yunlan's pride wouldn't allow it either; he nodded, seemingly unconcealed.
Lin Qingdai then gracefully stood up, "Thank you, Second Prince."
Upon spotting Lin Qingdai at the entrance of the teahouse, a fleeting gloom crossed the eyes of Song Yunlan's guards.
Miss Lin came down alone, and so quickly; the tea-drinking experience probably wasn't very pleasant.
One can imagine how His Highness felt.
When their master is in a bad mood, those of them who are subordinates will naturally have a hard time. However, no matter how difficult it is, they cannot avoid it.
The guards began to move, but just as they reached the second-floor entrance, a sharp, strange noise rang out. The source must be where the Second Prince was.
He was smashing things, using all his strength.
The guards stopped in their tracks, and Li Sheng, the leader, raised his right hand, indicating that they didn't need to go any further. It was best for them not to be present at a time like this.
After another cup of tea's time, Song Yunlan appeared in the teahouse lobby, his fierce aura completely dissipated.
Li Sheng led his guards to greet him, "Your Highness."
Song Yunlan: "Some cups and saucers were broken upstairs. Please leave someone to clean them up."
Li Sheng: "Yes."
"Changting, you stay."
The others left with Song Yunlan.
As the teahouse returned to silence, a clear yawn came from a beam on the second floor.
A moment later, it vanished with the wind, as if it had never existed.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com