Chapter 18 The moonlight is like a veil, the night is cool like water, and a faint fragrance floats in the air. ...
Xie Jing also didn't understand why he had the patience to copy Buddhist scriptures with Yu Qing for most of an hour.
Perhaps because he saw that the other party was in trouble, he went to the Buddhist temple and inexplicably accumulated a lot of debt. The scripture was copied for Princess Qingjia.
Or maybe the other party's sword dance was so beautiful that he considered these scriptures as a reward.
Xie Jing went to bed late the day before and wanted to sleep a little longer the next day, but someone came from the palace and he couldn't get any sleep.
The Queen Mother held a peony banquet in the harem today and invited several princesses and consorts from outside the palace to attend. The palace maid specifically said that the Queen Mother missed His Highness Qingjia very much and hoped that Qingjia would go.
Xie Jing dressed up with resentment and hurriedly got on the carriage to the palace.
After admiring the flowers for more than half an hour in a dull manner and drinking some hundred-flower tea, the banquet soon ended, and the concubines and ladies left slowly, while Qingjia was called aside and stayed for a while.
"You've been married for a while now. How are you doing with the prince?"
"The prince is very considerate and treats me very well."
The Queen said, "Yes, although Prince Yu is young, he is a leader among the noble families in terms of talent and bearing. Your mother will be assured if you marry him."
Xie Jing nodded in agreement.
"However, he used to be stationed at the border. If he wants to establish his reputation in the capital, past military achievements alone will not be enough," the Queen blew on her tea. "When his leave is over and he returns to the court, does he have any plans for what kind of duties he wants to take?"
Qing Jia opened his eyes in ignorance: "This... the prince never mentioned this to me, so I don't really understand."
"You have to pay more attention to these things yourself. The future of your husband is your future. Now that you are married, you should understand these things," the queen said earnestly. "Well, mother knows that you have no ideas, so I am giving you some advice."
"Military officers are not as good as civil officials. The capital is peaceful, so there are few places to use their talents. Therefore, the position of deputy commander of the Golden Feather Guard is currently vacant. If Yu Qing joins the Golden Feather Guard, with his qualifications and family background, he can easily take over the position of commander. There is no better place in the capital than the Golden Feather Guard."
The Golden Feather Guards were the imperial guards, and their members were either highly selected soldiers or sons of prominent families. A few years of experience would be enough to quickly rise to the top. If they could become a commander, they would undoubtedly be considered extremely powerful.
"But, how should I..."
"You are my daughter, so I will naturally arrange things for you," the Queen smiled. "I have already discussed this matter with the Crown Prince. He is willing to recommend Yu Qing to join the Golden Feather Guard, but this cannot be forced. Yu Qing herself must also be willing to fight for it. As long as you convince him, the Crown Prince will help you. After all, we are all family."
"...My daughter understands." Xie Jing lowered his head, and he understood in his heart.
When Qing Jia was married to the Marquis's Mansion, the Queen and the Crown Prince were actually planning to take over Marquis Xuanbei and Yu Qing.
He knew why the Queen was anxious. General He Lian had made great contributions in calming down the rebellion at the beginning of the year. The military reforms supervised by the Fifth Prince had been very effective. Now the He family was in the limelight.
One of the two deputy commanders of the Golden Feather Guard is from the He family and has a close relationship with Marquis Zhongwu.
The Crown Prince absolutely did not want the other deputy commander position to fall into the hands of someone else, but he had no one he could use. Looking around, the only one who could compete with the He family was Yu Qing. He used the marriage to win over the Xuanbei Marquisate and make Yu Qing his own.
How could he really be so kind as to help and assist Yu Qing? It was obvious that he was dragging him into the vortex of party struggle.
The prince has always been unscrupulous in achieving his goals. If he fails once, there is no guarantee that he will not come up with other more underhanded means.
The capital seems stable, but the struggle never stops.
When they knew nothing, there was actually another force that was infiltrating into the capital.
Xie Jing looked up at the queen's palace gate, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.
*
Of course he didn't whisper anything to Yu Qing, and even if he did, he couldn't, because they didn't sleep together.
However, given Yu Qing's attitude towards him, if Qing Jia really spoke up, maybe the other party would actually consider it.
Yu Qing's wedding leave is about to end, and it is also the day for the Marquis's wife to hold a family banquet.
Xie Jing was drawing his eyebrows in front of the mirror, skillfully brushing the ends of his eyebrows with copper ink.
The maid chose two blouses, one with a flowing cloud blue and white pattern, which was thin and exquisite, and the other was a water red Shu brocade, which was very gentle.
Xie Jing looked around and felt that it was not good enough. He said, "What about the lake blue one?"
Dong Li found the lake blue smoke silk shirt and put it on Xie Jing. Xie Jing put on a layer of lip balm and looked in the mirror. This time he was satisfied: "It's OK."
Yu Qing came to pick up the princess a moment ago. When Qing Jia came out, he was amazed by her again and couldn't help but smile.
"Ahem... let's go."
Yu Qing was wearing a crown, had a face like a beautiful jade, and was dressed in a blue-green suit. The two people's clothes were surprisingly similar.
Xie Jing raised his eyes and saw the fleeting smile on Yu Qing's face. His heart paused and he thought:...Why are you laughing for no reason?
When they arrived at the main hall, Marquis Xuanbei and Madam Lu were already seated.
"We are late. Please let the Marquis and Madam wait." Qingjia said softly.
Mrs. Lu smiled and said, "It's not too late, please sit down."
They were all family, so there was no restraint. Yu Qing picked up the jade cup on the table and smelled the aroma of wine. He asked, "What kind of wine is this?"
Xie Jing said, "It must be the imperial wine of the palace, called Dangui Amber, a rare treasure among the annual tributes."
He knew it by the smell without having to taste it.
Madam Lu said, "That's right. It was given by His Majesty during the New Year holidays and has been hidden in the cellar ever since."
"I see. I'll have to try it then." Yu Qing poured a glass and asked Qing Jia, "Your Highness, can you drink?"
Qing Jia said: "A little bit."
Yu Qing also poured her half a glass of wine.
"Lord and Madam Qing Jiajing." The princess picked up the cup, shook it and said a toast, then covered the cup with her sleeve and drank it all in one gulp.
Yu Qing also drank another cup, the mellow aroma lingering between his lips and teeth.
"It's really a good wine." Yu Qing savored it.
She doesn't have many other hobbies, but she is somewhat interested in wine.
The border was bitterly cold, and most of the soldiers stationed there in winter drank to keep warm. She could drink quite a bit, but the wine she drank was too strong and lacked any mellow flavor, so whenever she tasted a good wine, she couldn't help but drink too much.
Mrs. Lu asked curiously, "I see that you two are dressed very well together today. Do you have an appointment?"
Yu Qing subconsciously glanced at Qing Jia. She was wearing a lake blue dress, elegant and dignified, and indeed, she looked very similar to herself. She said, "...really not. It's just a coincidence."
"That's really a telepathic connection." Mrs. Lu said with a smile.
Mrs. Lu was always talking and laughing. With her around, the banquet didn't feel lonely even though there were few people at the table. It seemed harmonious.
She also arranged musicians and actors, and the performances were not complicated or grand, but rather had a folk flavor.
The music was melodious, and the dance was delightful, but Yu Qing's eyes kept drifting to Qing Jia. The smile on her lips was faint, a little unclear, and she nodded in praise from time to time.
What is the princess feeling now? Yu Qing wondered.
She never spoke a word and was always very quiet.
Yu Qing poured a few more glasses of wine, looking thoughtful.
After rinsing his mouth with tea, he chatted with Mrs. Lu for several rounds. The music of the pianist slowly flowed to the end, and the moonlight outside the courtyard was like a weave.
"It's getting late," Madam Lu said, "Qing'er, please accompany His Highness back."
Xie Jing said, "Madam, you should also go to bed early."
The maid put clothes on him, and Yu Qing walked out with him.
The surroundings were very quiet. As they walked on the bluestone path, servants held lanterns in front and behind to light the way, leaving space for the two of them in a very polite manner.
Not far away was Huaifeng Pavilion. Xie Jing originally wanted Yu Qing to not see him off and just go back to his residence, but Yu Qing spoke first: "Your Highness."
"Um?"
"Your Highness, have you been here these days? Are you feeling unhappy?"
Xie Jing frowned and hesitated, "Everything is fine with me. I have nothing to be dissatisfied with. Why are you asking this suddenly?"
"Because you never say anything, I'm worried that I might not do it well and that you might feel wronged," Yu Qing said. "If there's anything I can do for you, please tell me."
Xie Jing was speechless for a moment and stopped walking.
Yu Qingdu took half a step forward and saw Qingjia suddenly stop where he was. He turned around and asked, "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Xie Jing raised his eyes and looked at Yu Qing deeply.
The high-spirited young general, the promising young prince of a marquisate, his expression was so sincere and calm.
He tried to find any falsehood or concealment, but there was none. There was not a trace of gloom on the other person's handsome face.
I’m afraid you’ll be wronged…
Unexpectedly, it was Yu Qing who said this to him.
She had suffered so much injustice since she was a child that she had become numb to it during her years in the palace. She was separated from her loved ones, and even if she wanted to protect him, she couldn't. She felt alone in the deep palace, unable to support herself, and no matter how much bullying and criticism she received, she had to endure it all by herself.
Xie Jing's heart suddenly felt a little sour, and he couldn't help but feel ridiculous.
I married a husband by accident and actually treated him as a treasure.
Xie Jing replied: "Nothing."
Yu Qing escorted him all the way to Wenhua Garden. Standing at the door, he said, "...Your Highness, please have a good rest. I will not go in."
Having said that, Yu Qing's eyes were still glued to Xie Jing, and his feet did not move, as if he was reluctant to leave.
Xie Jing had long noticed that Yu Qing seemed to like his face very much.
It's not easy for a man to not be close to his wife for such a long time. Xie Jing thought that even if the wizard asked him to abstain from sex, nothing would happen anyway, so he might as well show mercy and give Yu Qing some sweet treats.
"There's nothing to do if we go back. It's a rare full-moon night, so I want to stay outside for a while longer. Do you want to enjoy the moon again, my dear husband?" Qingjia said.
Yu Qing naturally agreed to Qingjia's proposal.
She accompanied the princess into the courtyard. The pavilion in front of them was silent and deserted. The moonlight was like a veil, the night was cool as water, and the shadows of trees and flowers were mottled, with a faint fragrance floating in the air. Yu Qing had felt a heat from drinking, but now, with the breeze, she felt much cooler.
She leaned against the railing, looked up at the moon, and said, "Actually, the moon in the northern frontier is bigger and rounder. You must go to see it in the wilderness. Not only is the moonlight beautiful, but the stars are also the brightest. It can't compare to this in the capital."
Qing Jia: "Does the Prince Consort often admire the moon there?"
Not really.
"Surrounded by warriors who only know how to wield swords and guns, how can I have the leisure to enjoy life?" Yu Qing sighed casually. "The flowers are in full bloom, the moon is full, and the beautiful scenery is beautiful. It's only worth it if someone can appreciate it with me."
The princess' eyes flickered as she asked, "What do they do in the military camp at night?"
"Well, nothing much. I read the military newspaper, roasted the fire with them, ate meat, and occasionally set up a ring for wrestling or martial arts competitions."
"Is that so? Then no one has ever defeated you."
Yu Qing smiled and said, "I am a general. Few of them dare to compete with me. I won't even give up."
Perhaps because she was facing the princess, she couldn't help but feel a little proud. "But, if we really compete, I should win."
The princess smiled faintly when she heard this.
"The prince consort still likes the northern frontier," she said.
Yu Qing said: "Maybe... After all, I have been in Saibei for too many years."
Qingjia looked up at the moon and sighed almost inaudibly.
Yu Qing suddenly realized that everyone knew that she was urgently recalled to Beijing because of her marriage. Qingjia was too sensitive and she was afraid that Qingjia would misunderstand.
"I'm just used to it. I think Beijing is pretty good now!" said Yu Qing.
Qing Jia smiled and teased, "Really? I'm afraid there won't be any martial arts competitions in the capital."
Her face was so beautiful and gentle that Yu Qing felt as if his heart was captured by her.
She smiled, and she felt happy too. If anything she said hurt her, it was definitely her fault.
"The martial arts competition wasn't very interesting," Yu Qing said. "Your Highness, would you like to see a sword dance?"
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