013
Before the aftershocks of the Empress Dowager's return to the palace had subsided, Si Mianmian fell ill.
The illness came at just the right time, avoiding the limelight and earning her genuine or feigned concern. The Empress Dowager personally appointed imperial physicians and bestowed upon her many precious medicinal herbs, and even the Emperor inquired about it. Zhuixia Pavilion was bustling with visitors for a time, but quickly returned to quiet after Si Mianmian's medical advice that she "needed to rest."
On this fine day, Si Mianmian felt a bit better, so she informed Consort Wen and took Qiuhe to the palace's Buddhist hall. The official reason was to "thank the gods and Buddhas for their protection and pray for the health of my grandmother, father, and mother," but in reality, she wanted to find an excuse to get some fresh air and, incidentally… see if she could "bump into" someone.
The Buddhist hall, located on the west side of the palace, was a serene and secluded place, rarely visited except by the concubines and a few devout Buddhist imperial concubines. Si Mianmian knelt on the prayer mat, prostrating herself devoutly. Amidst the swirling incense smoke, she closed her eyes, her mind preoccupied with her next move. That Crown Prince Rong Jingyu—since their parting at the plum grove, his probing and insightful words had made her wary, yet also ignited her competitive spirit. Such an unpredictable opponent often held the greatest opportunities or risks.
Survival Handbook Rule 13: A true hunter dares to step into a game seemingly set by his opponent. Because the most skillful way to break a deadlock is often to play your own game within the opponent's rules.
After finishing her prayers, Si Mianmian got up and was about to leave with Qiuhe when she heard a slightly noisy argument coming from the backyard of the Buddhist hall, interspersed with a boy's clear but somewhat impatient voice.
"...What nonsense! I was merely offering a few plum blossoms to the Buddha, how is that offensive?"
Si Mianmian paused slightly. Was it Rong Jingyu? Why would he come to such a quiet place? And argue with someone? She gestured for Qiu He to be quiet, then quietly moved to the moon gate leading to the backyard, peering out through the pillars of the porch.
Beneath the rare green plum trees in the courtyard, Rong Jingyu was being stopped by an old nanny in charge of the Buddhist hall. He was still dressed in his flamboyant crimson brocade robe, standing out starkly in the serene courtyard. In his hand, he held several freshly broken green plum blossoms, their buds just beginning to open, exquisitely beautiful. The old nanny looked troubled and earnestly advised, "Your Highness, these green plum blossoms are the Empress Dowager's favorite possessions. She specially ordered them to be carefully nurtured, intending to send them to Renshou Palace for a vase once they are in full bloom… If you break them like this, this old servant will truly be at a loss!"
Rong Jingyu's handsome face was full of disdain. His peach blossom eyes glanced at the old nanny, and his tone was lazy and barbed: "Oh? The Empress Dowager's flowers cannot be picked? I, the young master, offer them to Buddha with sincere intentions. Would Buddha blame me? Or is it that in this palace, the Empress Dowager's intentions are sincere, but my intentions are not?"
These words were already somewhat unreasonable, even carrying a hint of provocation. The old nanny turned pale with fright and waved her hands repeatedly, "This old servant wouldn't dare, this old servant absolutely did not mean that..."
Si Mianmian saw it all and understood. Rong Jingyu's actions, seemingly foolish, were actually deliberate. How could a prince of his status not know the rules of the palace? He was clearly using this as an excuse to vent his dissatisfaction, or... deliberately putting on a show for certain people.
And at this moment, who else is in this backyard area besides himself?
Si Mianmian's lips curved into a very faint smile. Well, she was just worried about not having a chance to get to know each other better, and this "opportunity" had delivered itself to her doorstep. She straightened her clothes, her face instantly switching to a perfectly measured look of surprise and innocence, and walked out with light steps.
"Your Highness? What a coincidence, are you here to worship Buddha too?" Si Mianmian's voice was soft and gentle, with a hint of weakness from her illness, successfully attracting the attention of both sides in the dispute.
Rong Jingyu turned his head at the sound of her voice, and when he saw her, a hint of expected amusement flashed across his eyes, before his carefree smile returned to his face: "Oh, isn't this the Ninth Princess? You're better now? What a coincidence!" He waved the plum branch in his hand, "Offering to Buddha? I suppose so. I thought the Buddha would be pleased to see these plum blossoms blooming so beautifully, so I picked some to offer as a sacrifice. Who knew this old servant would be so noisy."
The old nanny, upon seeing Si Mianmian, was overjoyed, bowing respectfully and saying, "Your Highness, Ninth Princess, you've come at the perfect time! Please be the judge..."
Si Mianmian smiled gently at the old nanny, signaling her to calm down, then looked at the plum blossom in Rong Jingyu's hand, her eyes revealing sincere appreciation: "Your Highness is very thoughtful. This green calyx plum is pure and aloof, with a distant fragrance, which is most in line with Buddhist nature. Your Highness's choice of this flower to offer to the Buddha shows your wisdom."
First, acknowledge their behavior to eliminate any antagonistic feelings.
Rong Jingyu raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised that she would praise her first, and waited for her to continue.
Si Mianmian changed the subject slightly, her tone still gentle but with a hint of guidance: "However... Buddha is compassionate and saves all beings, but he values sincerity and reverence even more. If the act of offering flowers leads to the punishment of those on duty, it is probably not Your Highness's original intention in worshipping Buddha, is it?" As she spoke, her gaze swept meaningfully over the anxious old woman.
Shift the focus from "whether the flower can be picked" to "whether it will implicate others"—winning people's hearts is the best strategy.
Rong Jingyu's playful expression faded slightly as she looked at Si Mianmian without saying a word.
Si Mianmian continued, her voice growing softer yet each word clear: "Mianmian has heard that offerings before the Buddha are like a world within a flower, a Bodhi tree within a leaf. The most important thing is a respectful heart. Since Your Highness has already picked the flower, why not offer it before the Buddha yourself and recite a sutra to show your reverence? I'm sure the Buddha will sense Your Highness's sincerity and be filled with joy. As for the flower... since it has been offered to the Buddha, it has created a karmic connection with Buddhism. The Empress Dowager has always been a devout Buddhist; if she knew of Your Highness's piety, she would surely be pleased."
Offering a way out that satisfies both the other party's face and "good intentions," while also resolving the old woman's predicament.
Upon hearing this, the old nanny's eyes lit up, and she quickly chimed in, "The Ninth Princess is right! If His Highness the Crown Prince were willing to personally offer flowers and recite scriptures, that would be an immense act of merit!"
Rong Jingyu stared at Si Mianmian, his peach blossom eyes gleaming. After a long while, he suddenly chuckled and stuffed the plum blossom in his hand into Si Mianmian's arms: "Alright, alright, this young master hates these formalities the most. The flowers are yours. As for chanting scriptures..." He took a step closer, lowered his voice, and said in a volume that only the two of them could hear, "Let's leave it to someone as clever as the Ninth Princess."
His words were ambiguous, implying both that he had given up the argument and that he had seen through the scheming behind Si Mianmian's attempt to mediate.
Holding the few green plum blossoms that exuded a cool fragrance, Si Mianmian's face showed a suitable mix of helplessness and shyness: "Your Highness, this..."
Rong Jingyu had already stepped back, reverting to his lazy demeanor. He waved to the old nanny, "Alright, I'm in a good mood today, so I won't hold it against you. Consider these flowers as a gift from the Ninth Princess on my behalf." With that, he actually turned around, humming an off-key tune, and swaggered away.
The old woman felt as if she had been granted a pardon and thanked Si Mianmian profusely. Si Mianmian gently comforted her, telling her to take good care of the plum blossoms, and then left the Buddhist hall with Qiuhe.
On the way back to Zhuixia Pavilion, Qiuhe was still shaken: "Princess, you were really bold just now, daring to try to persuade His Highness the Crown Prince..."
Si Mianmian stroked the cool petals of the plum blossom branch in her arms and smiled slightly: "It's alright." She remembered Rong Jingyu's last whisper and those eyes that seemed to see through everything.
He saw through her. He saw that she wasn't as innocent and naive as she appeared, and he saw the calculation and scheming behind her actions. But he didn't expose her; instead, he went along with it and left the plum blossom behind.
This wasn't like a compromise; it was more like... tacit approval, even a playful observation. He wanted to see what kind of grand drama this "little white lotus" could put on in this deep palace.
Looking back now, his phrase "specializing in dealing with spoiled brats" doesn't seem like a joke at all; rather, it's like a declaration, a silent clash between truth and pretense that only the two of them could understand.
Si Mianmian brought a green plum blossom close to her nose, its cool fragrance refreshing and invigorating.
Survival Handbook Postscript: When faced with equally masked intelligent people, sometimes tearing off a corner of the disguise can forge a more subtle and stronger connection. So-called "authoritarianism" may simply be the beginning of another form of "interest."
This young prince is indeed the most special and dangerous "spoiled brat" in this deep palace.
And she seems to have successfully piqued his interest in "special treatment".
This game is getting more and more interesting.
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