Chapter 140 After Marrying the Crippled Prince (20 Summers)
The paintings Lin Shulang brought back were actually rather boring. Yun Chiyi remembered that a large part of them were painted by one of his talented female lovers, and he had promised to help her make a name for herself when he returned to the capital.
Yun Chiyi lowered her head and glanced at the painting in Lin Jinyuan's hand. It was a landscape painting, with the majestic and continuous rivers and mountains stretching for thousands of miles, their verdant greenness dripping with moisture, and the brushstrokes carrying a faint sense of chivalry and sentiment.
Her paintings are excellent; she is truly a talented woman.
Lin Shulang rubbed his hands together, extremely nervous, and asked, "Uncle, you're an expert in this field. What do you think of the painter's skills?"
Lin Jinyuan paused for a moment, as if he were mesmerized: "Very good. Where did you get this painting? I'll have Chaosheng visit the painter another day to learn from him."
Lin Shulang let out a long sigh, patted his chest, and stuffed another painting into Lin Jinyuan's hand.
"She's just a country girl; she should learn from the Emperor. Emperor, take another look at this painting of lotus flowers in summer. Isn't it beautiful?"
In his haste, he picked out another hunting scene and placed it on his desk: "What about this one? I want to pick the best one to hang at the front door of my house, so that everyone in the capital can appreciate her talent."
Lin Jinyuan smiled and said, "I don't know her character. If this girl is an outspoken person, she should approve of your actions. But if she isn't, Shulang, how will you apologize to her?"
Yun Chiyi nodded secretly, agreeing with Lin Jinyuan's statement; having eaten for several more years meant he was more thoughtful.
Lin Jinyuan tightened his grip on Yun Chiyi's waist and asked with a half-smile, "Does Madam agree or disagree?"
What business is it of hers anymore!
Yun Chiyi smiled and slowly nodded, then heard Lin Jinyuan hug her and chuckle softly.
Upon hearing this, Lin Shulang immediately bowed and said, "Those who are married know a lot. I, the junior, am completely humbled."
He crept closer and asked furtively, "So, in your opinion, Uncle, what should I do?"
Lin Jinyuan said, "I have some business to discuss with the owner of the largest calligraphy and painting shop in the capital. Later, you can give the painting to Chaosheng and have him ask the owner to hang it up. There are many people coming and going there, so naturally someone will recognize a fine horse."
Lin Shulang exclaimed "Oh my!" and clicked his tongue repeatedly: "That's a good idea. Thank you for your help, Imperial Uncle. I'll invite you and Imperial Aunt to have a few drinks another day."
Lin Jinyuan smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling with kindness: "We're all family. If you have free time, come sit down and chat with us more often."
Lin Shulang solemnly agreed: "I will have to trouble you a lot, Imperial Uncle. I will come tomorrow. Please don't mind me, Imperial Uncle."
As he was leaving, Lin Jinyuan added, "There's no rush to announce the artist's name. When the time comes, someone will take the initiative to inquire."
Lin Shulang stood at the courtyard gate and turned back, revealing an expression of admiration from afar.
Chao Sheng went with Lin Shulang to deliver the painting, while Zhenzhen closed the courtyard gate.
Lin Jinyuan gently patted Yun Chiyi's waist and said, "Madam, my legs are numb."
"It's because the prince's legs are too thin."
Yun Chi straightened her sleeves and moved to sit down on the round stool next to her.
"Lin Shulang is unruly and dissolute. Doesn't the Crown Prince discipline him?" Yun Chiyi asked.
Lin Jinyuan said in a light tone, "Like father, like son."
Yun Chiyi asked again, "Judging from what he said just now, he will come to the mansion often?"
"Um."
He slowly raised his eyes and asked in return, "When did Madam become interested in these matters?"
Yun Chiyi only made a slight inquiry, but he immediately became alert.
She said, "I don't like him. I'm just asking my husband how much of his polite words are true and how much is false, to see if I should see him often."
With a single sentence, he belittled both of them. Lin Jinyuan was more concerned about the casual "husband" she mentioned. He smiled faintly as he looked at her eyes and brows.
After a long silence, he said, "The eldest grandson of the emperor is the legitimate son of the crown prince and is deeply loved by the emperor. The powerful and noble people in the capital are too busy currying favor with him. Madam is the first person to dislike the eldest grandson of the emperor so much."
Lin Jinyuan stood up and stroked the stray hairs on Yun Chiyi's forehead with his palm and the base of his hand: "When he came, Madam was reading in her own courtyard. Was she alright?"
Yun Chiyi looked up: "Could it be that I can kick him out of the manor?"
Lin Jinyuan smiled: "No, in the eyes of outsiders, my wife is a well-educated, reasonable, and understanding princess."
He leaned down and kissed the bridge of her nose, whispering softly, "The tea my wife brought me fell, and I'm thirsty again." His hand stroked the back of her neck.
Yun Chiyi pushed him away: "No kissing."
She turned to the side and looked down at the storybook. After flipping through a few pages, she glanced back and noticed that Lin Jinyuan still had a faint smile on his lips.
"What are you laughing at?"
Lin Jinyuan replied, "I am thirsty. Please pour me a glass of water, Madam."
Yun Chiyi lowered her head: "There's a teapot on the table, and my husband is perfectly capable..."
Halfway through her sentence, she looked up with a smile: "It's all my fault for being so forgetful; I forgot that my husband is still on the stage."
Lin Jinyuan laughed in exasperation, his eyebrows curving upwards: "Isn't Madam the same?"
The two of them, however, worked together seamlessly as acting partners.
Yun Chiyi closed the book, poured him water, bowed, and then left.
The next day, Lin Shulang indeed came to visit again.
Upon hearing the news of his arrival, Yun Chiyi was feeding the fish by the pond in the backyard and had no intention of inquiring further.
It's perfect that I don't have to see Lin Jinyuan's feigned concern for his junior.
Days passed by, and summer slowly arrived, bringing with it hot and humid weather.
Lin Shulang came even more frequently, each time bringing new paintings. He would also occasionally ask Lin Jinyuan to help him choose some beaded jewelry to give to some girls on East Street.
Just as Lin Jinyuan saw Lin Shulang off, Yun Chiyi entered the room carrying a fruit platter.
The study is a well-connected room with windows all open, allowing golden sunlight to dapple the desk.
Yun Chiyi put down the fruit plate and said, "Your Highness, I am going to Jingci Nunnery to visit my mother tomorrow."
Lin Jinyuan, dressed in thin clothes, leaned against the chaise lounge with a languid yet noble air. The exquisitely carved pear wood chaise lounge was specially prepared for Yun Chiyi in her study.
Lin Jinyuan said, "I'll go with you."
Yun Chiyi: "Is it inconvenient for you?"
Lin Jinyuan smiled slowly and sat up leisurely: "Could it be that Madam is going to meet her lover?"
Yun Chiyi sat down beside him and said, "Those people outside have ordinary looks, how can they compare to Your Highness?"
Lin Jinyuan was pleased with these words: "How can I let my wife go out alone? Haven't I learned my lesson yet?"
Unexpectedly, he cherished Yun Chiyi.
Yun Chiyi asked, "I thought I had no enemies left."
Lin Jinyuan said in a flat tone: "Better safe than sorry."
He insisted, and Yun Chiyi didn't say much more.
Lin Jinyuan had Chaosheng prepare a carriage and some gifts, and left early the next day.
Once outside the city, the summer scenery was breathtaking, with the azure sky stretching to the horizon.
A delicate, jade-like hand lifted the curtain, revealing beautiful, dreamlike eyes: "The carriage is moving too slowly."
Yun Chiyi hung up the curtain, leaving only half a corner exposed. A cool breeze blew through the mountains, so she didn't feel hot at all.
Lin Jinyuan leaned back reading a book and said, "If there's nothing urgent, wouldn't it be nice to slowly enjoy the scenery?"
Yun Chiyi asked, "Does Your Highness wish to spend the night in the wilderness?"
Lin Jinyuan smiled and raised his eyes: "Could we stay at the villa? I can't bear to see my wife freezing outside all night."
Yun Chiyi teased him, "Whose manor is this that Your Highness can come and go as he pleases?"
She stopped hiding it.
Lin Jinyuan's brows were relaxed, showing no sign of anger, and his expression remained calm and composed.
"If Madam likes it, then it belongs to Madam."
Yun Chiyi was taken aback, then blinked her eyelashes: "Thank you, Your Highness."
Lin Jinyuan saw her eyes crinkle with laughter, then smoothed his brow and asked, "You like it?"
Yun Chiyi said frankly, "Of course, no one would want to go against the land."
Lin Jinyuan smiled upon hearing this: "Madam is now a smart person who loves to speak the truth."
He continued reading with his head down, while using his foot to hook Yun Chiyi's leg onto his own.
Yun Chiyi found a place to put her feet down and relaxed comfortably.
Then, feeling bored with the long journey, she casually sat on his lap and took a nap with her head against his neck.
Lin Jinyuan's robes were all crumpled. He lowered his eyes and leaned back, bringing Yun Chiyi's body closer.
It was already noon when we arrived at Jingci Nunnery.
As soon as Yun Chiyi got out of the car, she went to find Lan Yihan.
Under the magnolia tree in the backyard, Lan Yihan was playing chess with a lady from another family who was practicing Buddhism.
She was dressed simply, but looked radiant and in good spirits.
Lan Yihan was about to lose, so she pushed the chessboard aside and said, "Yi'er, why did you come here? It's hot, and the carriage must be uncomfortable."
Yun Chiyi pulled her to go for a walk elsewhere.
"I learned some pastry making from the kitchen and brought them to my mother to try, but my skills are not as good as hers."
Lan Yihan smiled and said, "Your cooking skills are improving with each bite. The one you brought last time was delicious."
After chatting for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lan Yihan twirled the prayer beads in her hand and said, "Lately, I keep dreaming about your father. I wonder if you have any news about him?"
Yun Chiyi said, "He has never written to me. He probably wrote to Yun Shuxue, but I didn't ask."
Then she asked, "What did Mother dream about him?"
Lan Yihan frowned: "In the past month, there have been quite a few pilgrims from other places. I heard from them that there are floods outside, and the place where your father is is the most severely affected."
After all, they were husband and wife. Even though they have gone their separate ways now, a kind-hearted person like Lan Yihan still cares about Yun Huai Ren.
Yun Chiyi is cold-hearted and ungrateful, and has almost forgotten who the biological father of this body is.
Yun Chiyi comforted her, "He is very fortunate. If Mother is still worried, she can recite a prayer for him every morning and evening. That would be the best she can do."
Lan Yihan nodded, then sighed.
That night, they indeed stayed overnight at the mountain resort.
After Yun Chiyi finished showering and changed into her nightgown, someone followed her in, drawn by her scent.
She pulled the blanket over her head, and Lin Jinyuan pulled it off.
Yun Chiyi yawned and asked, "What does Your Highness want to do?"
Lin Jinyuan skillfully unbuckled her belt: "Madam, guess."
Yun Chiyi hooked her arms around his neck: "If you bite me, I'll bite you back."
Lin Jinyuan smiled but remained silent.
At night, he didn't bite her, but Yun Chiyi found out that it was troublesome to discover that his legs were both intact, and he no longer needed to suppress it.
Pretending to be mute in front of him is annoying; he wants to hold her wrist and hear her call his name.
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