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"For the rest of my life, I will be at your disposal, Your Highness."
"Sister, I've booked the banquet at Yixin Palace. Should we sit here for a while or go straight over?"
As they walked around the screen wall, Qin Ren asked his sister, after all, it was already 15:30 in the afternoon, and there was only 15 minutes left before the dinner time he had agreed with the kitchen.
Qin Ren knew that his sister and Zhang Su were both early risers. If they ate breakfast early, they would get hungry early at noon.
Qingyang: "Let's go directly to Yixin Palace."
The Yixin Palace is located on an island in the middle of a lake in the back garden of the Third Prince's Mansion. The lakeshore and the island are connected by two long causeways on the east and south sides. Peach and willow trees are planted on both sides of the causeway, and an arch bridge is built in the middle. Although the peach blossoms have long since faded, the water ripples and the green willow branches sway in the wind. The view is quite similar to the lake view of the Western Garden Palace, which is very refreshing.
Walking on the embankment, Qingyang thought of some old things.
Her third brother was a lazy man but also a refined person. As soon as the Ministry of Works received the order to build a prince's palace for him, he ran to his father to ask for a map of the palace. After reading it, he put forward a series of request for changes, including that he wanted to build two long embankments in the lake instead of having to take a ferry.
The emperor said with a stern face, "He is neither good at literature nor martial arts. There are still many things to do. I won't allow him to do that."
Third Brother: "Your Majesty, if I won't let you lay the floor, I'll have to find my own craftsmen after we move in. That's fine too. I just figured that construction would have to start sooner or later, so it's better to do it now while the renovation is going on, to save the mess."
Although the emperor almost beat up my third brother again, he still agreed. The only difference was that the additional silver would be deducted from the title and salary that my third brother would receive after he established his own government.
Qingyang thought that his father must not be short of this money, and he was just trying to prevent his elder sister or second brother from complaining about his father's favoritism after knowing it.
Looking at the two elegant and neatly built embankments, it was clear that my third brother had spent five thousand taels of silver, which was the prince's salary for nearly two years. Fortunately, my third brother had saved the prince's monthly allowance for more than ten years before leaving the palace, so that when he first opened his mansion, he would not be unable to pay the monthly allowance for his servants and personal soldiers.
"After being crowned king, my third brother's salary will increase to five thousand taels, but he will be getting married soon, so we have to be frugal with our money and stop wasting it on literary works." While walking in the shade of willows, Qingyang instructed his third brother who was walking on the right.
Qin Ren smiled and said, "Don't worry, sister. I know what's going on. Before, I was alone in the mansion and I didn't have any other hobbies, so I spent the money carelessly. When Zhenzhen gets married, I will let her manage the household and make sure she doesn't waste the title and salary."
Getting married, having children, and raising them are all more important than writing or painting.
Qingyang: "You're already thinking about asking Zhenzhen to help you manage the household before the wedding. Third Brother, aren't you afraid that people will laugh at you for being rude if you tell them about it?"
Qin Ren: "I didn't say it in front of outsiders."
Qingyang tilted his head slightly, signaling his third brother to look back.
Qin Ren turned his head and saw Zhang Su, who was already three steps behind and now slowed down to create a distance between them. He realized that his sister was treating him as an outsider, and Zhang Su also understood his sister's meaning and took the initiative to avoid suspicion. Qin Ren was embarrassed and stopped, his eyes shifting back and forth between his sister standing forward and his good brother standing still with his eyes lowered: "What's wrong with you two? You grew up together, why are you so unfamiliar?"
The little princess didn't answer, but Zhang Su couldn't just leave the Third Prince alone. He bowed and said, "As an outsider, I should keep my distance from the princess. I just overstepped my bounds."
Qin Ren: "Don't try to be so rude. No one treats you as a foreign minister. You must have angered my sister again... Yes, it's this year's birthday gift! What did you say you were going to give me? You knew my sister liked her little wooden figurine, but you gave her all the gifts in a row before, and suddenly you broke off. It's a bad omen for my sister this year... You are so mean, Zhang Su, could it be that you have some evil intentions?"
My sister is reasonable and polite. It is impossible for her to deliberately embarrass Zhang Su. She must still remember that she has not received the debt from the little wooden man!
Zhang Su immediately knelt down and said solemnly, "I dare not. It's just that I haven't seen the princess all last year. Although I carved a wooden statue of the princess from memory to celebrate her birthday, I was afraid that it wouldn't look like the princess and might dislike her, so I gave her a Kong bird instead."
Qin Ren first pulled Zhang Su up, and then went to see his sister.
Qingyang looked at the man who stood a few steps away and didn't dare to look at her. He said calmly, "I don't mind the omen of missing the little wooden man for a year. After all, you and I are both grown up. This kind of birthday gift that can easily lead to misunderstandings must be stopped. But since you have prepared it, please ask my third brother to send it to the palace someday for my review."
Zhang Su: "Yes, I will bring it to His Majesty the Third Prince this afternoon."
Qingyang: "Okay, I'm hungry, let's go."
Leaving the two of them behind, the little princess went forward alone.
Qin Ren was afraid that his good brother would be sad because of his sister's estrangement, so he took the initiative to walk behind Zhang Su. However, Zhang Su wanted to persuade him to go in front. After urging and persuading him, the little princess suddenly turned back and let the two of them lead the way.
Qin Ren didn't dare to disobey his sister and glared at Zhang Su who insisted on observing the etiquette.
The first time Zhang Su walked in front of the little princess, he found it even harder to remain calm than when he met the emperor.
Knowing he wouldn't dare turn around, Qingyang observed Zhang Su's back with amusement. Today, he wore a sky-blue satin robe, tied with a plain black brocade belt, unlike his third brother's belt, which was inlaid with jade. Zhang Su was about half a hand taller than his third brother, and his tan was visible from the side and back of his neck. His shoulders were broader, his frame more imposing, and his legs, which flashed regularly beneath his clothes as he walked, were straighter and more powerful.
Whenever the third brother turned around to look at her, Qingyang would look away in time. After the third brother turned away, Qingyang would continue to look at Zhang Su.
Although Zhang Su couldn't see, he could feel the obvious gaze on him. He didn't know whether the little princess was simply observing him or examining his changes and then regretting that she shouldn't have promised to wait for his return before he left Beijing.
If it was the latter, Zhang Su really wanted to tell the little princess that he didn't dare to harbor any delusions and the little princess could just pretend she had never said that.
Or maybe the little princess has already forgotten...
Finally, they arrived at the Yixin Hall. In the spacious and open main hall with a gentle breeze blowing through it, three tables had been set up in advance: one for the main seat on the north side, and one each on the left and right. They were all very close to each other, making it convenient for chatting.
Qin Ren asked his sister to sit in the main seat.
Qingyang chose the table at the lower left: "This is the table at Third Brother's house. Third Brother should sit at the main seat. When I open my own house in the future, I will host a banquet for Third Brother."
Qin Ren had no choice but to agree to his sister's arrangement. After the two princes were seated, Zhang Su sat down behind the desk at the lower right.
Fu'an sent someone to the kitchen to pass on the message. Qin Ren continued with his sister's previous topic and asked, "When do you plan to open your residence?"
The time for the brothers to set up their own residences was decided by their father. Their sister always had her own ideas, so whether it was advanced or postponed, the emperor would definitely agree.
Qingyang: "Third brother, do you want me to come earlier or later?"
Qin Ren sighed, "My eldest sister only opened her own residence before she got married. Father loves my younger sister so much that he wouldn't let her leave the palace unless she was getting married. As for me, I want my younger sister to live outside the palace so that we can see each other more easily, but like father, I can't bear to see her get married."
Qingyang: "Why should I be reluctant to leave? Even with my husband, I will still live in the princess's residence. I won't move to his house. Third brother can come over anytime, just like I come to your place."
Qin Ren: "That's a difference. You and Zhenzhen are like sisters, but I'm not necessarily familiar with your husband, so I'm afraid of disturbing your time if I go there rashly."
Zhang Su sat quietly with his eyes lowered, like a statue.
Qingyang glanced at him and said with a smile: "Third brother, you think too much. I may not be able to recruit a suitable prince consort."
Qin Ren was surprised and asked, "Why do you say that? There are so many young talents in the capital, don't you think my sister likes any of them?"
Qingyang: "Family background, appearance, and talent are all easy choices, but I am determined to become an official. Whether I am married or not, I will serve the court. Think about it, Third Brother, most men hope to marry a virtuous wife to take care of their husbands and children. How many of them would like their wives to be away from home all day and not allow them to take gentle concubines? So when I choose a son-in-law, I have to choose someone I like and who is willing to listen to my arrangements. If he is unwilling, I will neither bully him nor let him give in."
Qin Ren pondered for a moment, then began to worry about his sister. "There are already very few talented young men that my sister likes. I have to screen out those who are willing not to take a concubine, and I have to screen out those who are willing to accept my sister serving as an official for a long time..."
Qingyang: "Okay, I'm not in a hurry. Besides, I don't really need a consort. Third brother, don't worry about me."
The people from the kitchen came over, and Qin Ren stopped talking about this for the time being. After the food was placed on the table and there were only three people left in the hall again, Qin Ren wanted to talk about his sister's choice of a son-in-law, but his sister took the initiative to ask Zhang Su about the war with the Pyu Kingdom.
Qin Ren had no choice but to listen.
Qingyang's questions were much more detailed than those of her third brother, covering the terrain of the Pyu Kingdom, how the Qi army treated the people of Pyu State who passed through on the way, and the attitude of the Pyu people towards the Qi army. Her questions were detailed, and Zhang Su answered them in detail. Qin Ren listened while eating, turning his head left and right. As he turned, Qin Ren realized that Zhang Su dared to look at his sister when he answered, no longer acting like a foreign minister with his eyes downcast.
Qin Ren understood that Zhang Su was a military general, and it would be easier for him to have a conversation with his sister who was also well-versed in military strategy and concerned about the battlefield.
We ate and chatted, and the banquet ended after half an hour.
The sun was scorching outside. Seeing that his sister seemed a little reluctant, Qin Ren suggested, "The rooms in the back hall are all ready. How about you rest here for the afternoon before leaving?"
Qingyang: "Alright, it just so happens that I haven't played chess with Zhang Su for a long time. We'll all be busy later, so why not take advantage of today to have a few more games."
Zhang Suqian replied, "Please enlighten me, Princess."
Qin Ren smiled and asked Fu'an to get the chessboard and chess pieces. The three of them first moved to a pavilion where they could enjoy the lake view.
While his sister was playing chess with Zhang Su, Qin Ren was leaning on a rattan chair to keep them company. The chair was shaking, and Qin Ren fell asleep while shaking. The folding fan in his hand slipped and fell to the ground.
Zhang Su saw this and left his seat to pick it up. As soon as he picked it up, he heard the little princess say, "The lake breeze isn't cool enough. Can you help me fan it?"
When Zhang Su stood up, the little princess had already walked to the other side and sat next to the beauty.
Zhang Su glanced at Fu'an and Jie Yu who were guarding outside the pavilion, walked behind the little princess with a fan in his hand, unfolded the folding fan and started fanning the little princess.
Qingyang patted the chair next to her and asked him to sit down and fan her: "If you do this, the wind will only blow on my head."
Zhang Su paused for a moment, took two steps around to the front of the little princess, and stood there fanning her.
Qingyang glared at him: "I still want to talk to you, do you want me to keep my head up?"
Zhang Su finally cooperated and sat in front of the little princess, keeping as far away from her as possible while still allowing the folding fan to blow air past her.
Qingyang looked at his tanned face, lowered his eyes again, and chuckled, "Why don't you dare look at me again? Are you afraid that I will misunderstand you and choose you as my consort?"
Zhang Su immediately raised his eyes, meeting the little princess's increasingly beautiful features, which made him afraid to gaze directly at them for long. He looked towards the nearby water and said, "I dare not harbor any ambitions to reach your height, Your Highness, but if I could truly gain your favor, I would consider it the greatest honor of my life."
Hearing this, Qingyang rested his right arm on the backrest, his hand supporting his chin, and looked at the person in front of him with satisfaction: "Finally, you can say something nice. From the time I got off the car to the time I walked over here, you didn't even look at me. I thought the Third Young Master had forgotten what I said to you on the night of Second Brother's wedding."
Zhang Su avoided the little princess's smiling eyes and looked at the Third Prince who was sleeping soundly on the rattan chair: "I dare not, it is..."
Qingyang: "You're afraid I'll forget, right?"
Zhang Su agreed.
Qingyang: "If I had forgotten, I wouldn't be angry about the bird you gave me. I even gave you a big bag of sachets."
Zhang Su didn't want to make the little princess angry, so he put down his folding fan, took out a tied silk handkerchief from the sleeve pocket of his left hand, and presented it to the little princess with both hands.
Qingyang was stunned for a moment, then slowly sat up straight, took the handkerchief and unfolded it.
Inside was a small wooden figure about half a palm long, shaped like a little princess, standing in an ordinary position, but the little princess's hair was tied up.
Qingyang suppressed his laughter and looked across at Zhang Su, who still had his eyes downcast, but his tanned face was slightly flushed.
Qingyang snorted, "I knew it. You're such a stickler for etiquette. If I don't make it clear to you first, you might not tell me even after I choose someone else."
Zhang Su did not refute.
If the little princess chooses someone else, it means she likes someone else. How can he force her?
Qingyang looked at the little wooden figure for a moment, then wrapped it in a silk handkerchief, held it in her palm, and held it in front of Zhang Su. "You already know what kind of princess I want to be. If you really want to be my consort, you must abide by my arrangements for the rest of your life. Zhang Su, I'll give you one last chance. Take it back, and I'll pretend this never happened. I won't make things difficult for you if you refuse. But if you insist on giving it to me, I won't let you off easily if you regret it in the future."
Zhang Su did not accept the handkerchief. Instead, he knelt on one knee before the little princess and promised with the courtesy of a military commander: "From now on, I will be at your disposal for the rest of my life."
This is the little princess he watched grow up.
When she was little, he was willing to obey her orders.
When she grew up, Zhang Su would still obey her orders, regardless of whether he became her consort or not.
【Author’s words】
Before he even realized the love, Zhang Su already belonged to the little princess completely.
100 little red envelopes, see you tonight~
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