His Royal Highness (1)
"Heavens! It's His Highness Prince Jin!" Miss Zhou exclaimed, her eyes instantly filled with amazement. "His features, nose, and overall noble bearing are unmatched in the entire capital!"
Miss Li excitedly leaned closer to the window, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Yes, yes! His Highness rarely appears in public. It's so lucky that we could run into Prince Jin at Zhuoyue Tower... Wait, who's that girl behind him?"
The two noble ladies' eyes were immediately drawn to the figure behind Xiao Chengyan, who had lowered his head and was dressed simply but whose beauty was undeniable.
"What a beautiful woman! Look at her... she has quite the air about her." Miss Zhou's tone was full of curiosity and inquiry.
Miss Li covered her mouth and sighed softly, "To be personally brought to Zhuoyue Tower by His Highness Prince Jin for a meal... what a blessing this is! His Highness is known for not being interested in women!"
Miss Zhou glanced at Gongsun Jingyao, then subconsciously nudged Miss Li with her elbow, signaling her to stop talking. This was because the noblewoman from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion before her had become the most beautiful noblewoman in the capital after the passing of Princess Yongning.
Hearing the undisguised amazement and envy from her two sisters, Gongsun Jinyao felt a surge of anger rising within her.
That "warmth-inducing powder" is extremely domineering. Without a woman to relieve it, it can cause death or serious injury!
The only explanation for Xiao Chengyan's calm and composed demeanor, especially with Gu Jinghong by his side, is that they...!
Her meticulously planned scheme turned out to be a stepping stone for that vile maid Gu Jinghong!
The two noble ladies looked at Gongsun Jingyao more and more, finding her face as cold as water, her eyes chillingly cold, and her entire being radiating a low pressure that kept strangers at bay. Their hearts skipped a beat, and they instantly fell silent, exchanging an uneasy and confused glance—had they... said something wrong?
Miss Zhou glanced at Miss Li and quickly changed the subject: "Speaking of which, wasn't the Second Prince hosting a banquet in the building today? It's the 'Star-Picking Pavilion' right across from us. When I came over just now, I heard him throwing a tantrum inside, complaining about why Miss Yunni hadn't arrived yet, and he was getting anxious. The manager must be in a dilemma."
After hearing Miss Zhou's words, Gongsun Jingyao suddenly raised an eyebrow: "Is the Second Prince here?"
...
Downstairs, the innkeeper personally led Xiao Chengyan and Gu Jinghong to the "Qiongju Pavilion" on the second floor. The interior was exquisitely furnished, with "Spring Tidings in Snow" incense burning for a thousand gold pieces, and from the window, one could see half of the snow-covered capital city.
"I've heard that your restaurant has recently acquired 'Snowy Antelope Tendon,' which, when paired with 'Kunlun Jade Bamboo Shoots,' could be used to make a 'Snow-Seeking Treasures Soup'?" Xiao Chengyan's voice was not loud, carrying his usual coldness, his gaze fixed on the menu as if it were just a casual question.
The shopkeeper bowed hastily: "Your Highness is indeed well-informed! This soup is warming and nourishing, perfect for Your Highness's noble health. We also have 'Jade Belt from the Icy Sea' (deep-sea silver pomfret belly), which arrived this morning. Steaming is the best way to prepare it, accompanied by 'Jade Dew' (specially made vegetable juice)..."
"Hmm." Xiao Chengyan responded lightly and ordered a few more of the famous dishes from Zhuoyuelou.
"Add another plate of crystal plum blossom cakes and a pot of 'Jade Moon Nectar'." He closed the menu, his gaze finally landing on Gu Jinghong's drooping hair. "You sit down too, no need for formalities today."
Xiao Chengyan seemed to be in a good mood, and said to the shopkeeper standing to the side, "I have heard that there is a young lady named 'Yunni' who can attract hundreds of birds with her pipa playing? Please come and entertain us."
The words "Yun Ni" made Gu Jinghong's fingertips tighten slightly inside her sleeve.
The shopkeeper acknowledged and withdrew.
A moment later, the beaded curtain swayed slightly, and the jade pendants jingled softly. A woman dressed in a long, light blue brocade dress and carrying a sandalwood pipa gracefully entered; she was none other than Yun Ni, the most popular courtesan of Zhuoyue Tower.
Yun Ni's gaze lingered on Xiao Chengyan, who sat in the main seat, for a moment before she respectfully curtsied, "This servant, Yun Ni, greets Your Highness." Her voice was clear and melodious, like pearls falling on a jade plate. When she raised her eyes and her gaze swept over Gu Jinghong, who was sitting to the side, the shock in her eyes was even greater than before, but she quickly lowered her eyes, concealing it flawlessly.
Xiao Chengyan spoke in a cool tone: "I have long admired Miss Yunni's pipa playing. May I ask which master she studied under?"
Yun Ni felt a slight chill in her heart, but her smile remained gentle and polite: "Your Highness is too kind. My skills are rudimentary; I only received some guidance from a wandering musician when I was young, and I dare not claim to have a master."
"Oh? A wandering musician? What a coincidence." Xiao Chengyan picked up the "Jade Moon Noodles" in front of him, glanced at Gu Jinghong, and seeing that she was looking down, he turned back and took a sip. "To be able to train a young lady like you, you must be a master. Do you still remember the musician's name? Or... what were his characteristics?"
His tone was calm, as if it were just casual conversation, but the probing intent was like an invisible thread, wrapping around Yun Ni.
Yun Ni's face revealed a perfect blend of reminiscence and melancholy: "Time has passed, and names have long since become blurred. I only remember... that gentleman had a long, thin scar on his left thumb, and the sound of his zither... was exceptionally serene."
Xiao Chengyan nodded slightly, his tone unusually gentle, "Sit down and play a piece called 'Yangchun' for me."
"yes."
The clear and ethereal melody of "Yangchun" is like a gentle stream after the first melting of ice and snow, carrying the chill and vitality of early spring, flowing slowly in the warm and elegant room.
Her skill was truly superb; her fingering was adept, and her grasp of the artistic conception was extremely accurate, perfectly showcasing the charm of all things reviving and budding with vitality in the music. Every note seemed to possess a spirit, captivating the listener.
The tension of the past few days and the lingering effects of the medicine seemed to find a moment of relief in the clear and melodious music. The barely perceptible creases between Xiao Chengyan's brows also seemed to relax slightly. As the music flowed gently, he leaned back slightly and closed his eyes.
Gu Jinghong sat quietly with her eyes lowered.
She had no talent for music and no appreciation for it. In the past, when Yun Ni played music, the tunes did not reach her ears, or rather, they did reach her ears, but she did not notice.
But today is a little different.
Gu Jinghong occasionally looked up, and the melodious piano music, Xiao Chengyan's focused posture as he listened with his eyes closed, and the comfortable and pleasant feeling he hadn't experienced in days... all felt like tiny thorns, gently pricking her heart.
Her gaze swept over Yunni, who was playing the zither—her head was lowered, her expression focused, and her fingers flew across the strings, a truly pleasing sight.
She looked back at Xiao Chengyan in the main seat—his eyes were still closed, and the corners of his mouth seemed to hold a very faint, almost imperceptible curve? Was that… a smile? Because of Yun Ni's zither music?
Gu Jinghong unconsciously clenched her fingers in her sleeve, a bitter feeling she had never experienced before, a feeling unfamiliar even to herself, welling up in her heart. With nothing else to do, she picked up a piece of crystal plum blossom cake and put it in her mouth.
Just then, a commotion broke out outside the private room, interrupting Yunni's performance.
A haughty voice pierced through the door: "Which blind fool dares to steal my Yun Ni? Are they tired of living?!"
Bang--!
The door to the private room was pushed open without any ceremony, and a young man dressed in a magnificent purple robe, with a face that was somewhat arrogant and frivolous, barged in carrying a jade wine pot in one hand. It was none other than the Second Prince, Xiao Chengjue.
Behind him were several nervous-looking attendants who tried to stop him but dared not actually make a move.
Xiao Chengjue saw Yun Ni sitting in the private room and reached out to grab her wrist.
However, when he turned around and saw Xiao Chengyan sitting in the main seat, he suddenly seemed startled, and his eyes showed a moment of panic. "Uh... who is it? It's my fourth brother here... what's wrong? You've been sick and now you're looking for girls?"
Xiao Chengyan remained silent, but the coldness emanating from him already put pressure on Xiao Chengjue.
But alcohol emboldens the timid; his mother was a Noble Consort, while Xiao Chengyan's mother had long since died—what was there to fear?
Just as he was thinking this, Xiao Chengjue's gaze was quickly drawn to the woman sitting next to Xiao Chengyan.
The words Gongsun Jingyao had said when she found him just now floated through his mind—
"Second Prince, have you seen the new 'maid' beside the Fourth Prince? She is truly beautiful, with fair skin and delicate features, and a cool and stunning appearance. No wonder she caught the Fourth Prince's eye."
"But this Miss Gu has quite the airs. Why don't you try having her drink a couple of cups with you like Jin Yao did, Your Highness?"
"Your Highness, who are you? In the entire capital, who dares to disrespect you? How dare this lowly maidservant act so arrogantly? If word gets out, won't people laugh at Your Highness... for not even being able to order a maidservant around?"
"Your Highness, you were merely offering her a drink to liven things up; you didn't intend to do anything more. Even if the Fourth Prince found out, would he really hold a grudge against his own brother for a... maid of unknown origin? Besides, you are the son of the Imperial Concubine..."
While Xiao Chengjue was reminiscing, Gu Jinghong was eating the Snow-Treading Treasure Soup in her bowl.
The rising steam enveloped her, and from Xiao Chengrui's perspective, her already stunningly beautiful face appeared even more ethereal and dreamlike.
Gu Jinghong glanced up at Xiao Chengrui briefly, then quickly looked down again.
"Fourth brother, is this... a new beauty in the manor? I've never seen her before, she's truly... a beauty of unparalleled grace!"
Xiao Chengyan's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the teacup, his knuckles turning slightly white. He put the teacup down, the movement so gentle that it instantly lowered the atmosphere in the private room.
Gu Jinghong felt uncomfortable under the Second Prince's gaze, but still smiled and curtsied to him, saying, "Greetings, Second Prince."
She immediately turned around, avoiding Xiao Chengjue's gaze.
Xiao Chengjue's eyes were glazed over: "It is fate that we have met! Fairy, let me have a drink with you!"
Gu Jinghong snapped out of her daze and forced a smile: "Your Highness, please forgive me, this servant does not drink alcohol."
After speaking, he turned to the side again.
Xiao Chengjue hadn't expected the woman to refuse him, and suddenly raised his voice: "Who do you think you are! What are you pretending for?! Don't think you're just a maid, even a concubine, if I want you..."
"Whatever Second Brother wants, so be it."
The cold voice rang out, and Xiao Chengjue's mind suddenly cleared up considerably.
With two beautiful women by his side, how could Xiao Chengjue easily admit defeat?
He then laughed loudly, "Fourth brother, your palace is so deserted, you don't even have a confidant. Could it be... that you have some unspeakable trouble? Haha! Or perhaps, your years of fighting abroad have damaged your health? Tsk, this concerns the royal offspring, we can't be careless!"
His henchmen immediately joined in with lewd laughter.
Just as Xiao Chengyan was about to speak, there was a "crash" sound, and the white jade cup filled with "Qiongyue Niang" that Gu Jinghong was holding "accidentally" fell to the ground!
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