Chapter 60: Laughter Xie Jing smiled and said, "This is the first time I see you smile...
After he had trimmed the branch, he looked around, feeling quite satisfied and revealing a hint of joy.
Yu Qing saw all of this.
Xie Jing was about to ask someone to move the flowerpot aside when he looked up and found Yu Qing standing at the door.
There was no one else here in the afternoon, so he took a short nap. When he woke up, he heard faint shouts from the direction of the parade ground. He knew it was probably the imperial guards training, but he had no intention of joining in the fun. He just happily fiddled with the flowers.
He was stunned for a moment, not knowing when Yu Qing came back. However, after seeing clearly, he subconsciously smiled and asked, "Is your work done, Prince?"
There was a smile in the corners of Xie Jing's eyes and eyebrows. The cluster of newly bloomed, beautifully trimmed flowers was right in front of him. The man's face and the flowers complemented each other. Yu Qing's heart skipped a beat.
She must have seen this scene before.
Long-lost memories began to stir, and for a moment she forgot her words, as if she had returned to the quiet courtyard deep in the marquis's mansion.
“…”
Xie Jing asked, "Hmm? Prince?"
Yu Qing said: "...I'm done."
She returned to her main seat, but for a whole cup of tea she couldn't concentrate on reading anything. Later, she forced herself to suppress all distracting thoughts, silently read the words on the document one by one, and finally got back to business.
The afternoon passed quietly. Later that evening, a deputy envoy from the Golden Feather Guard came to discuss matters with her. Afterward, she continued to attend to important matters. Xie Jing asked, "Sir, what time do you usually return home?"
Yu Qing said: "There is no time, I will leave after I finish my work."
"That's too much work," Xie Jing said. "Why did King Rui assign you so many tasks? If you can't finish them, forget it. There's no such thing as an end to work. It will be the same tomorrow."
This was not something that King Rui asked for, but Yu Qing himself did not like procrastination. He did not want to leave what he wanted to do today until the next day. He did not want to put off things that could be solved as soon as possible, otherwise they would accumulate in his heart and he would think about them all the time.
This habit was basically developed in the military. Her style of doing things is decisive and efficient. After all, military intelligence waits for no one, so it is better to act sooner rather than later.
It can't be like the court, where several ministers would discuss one thing for three to five days, and only after a long delay could there be some progress. Yu Qing couldn't stand it. Every time he heard those civil officials grumbling in the palace, he felt dizzy.
She was the one who had the final say in everything she did, making decisions without waiting for responses from others. Her pace was so fast that it could outperform some government offices by several blocks.
If you think about it carefully, it is true that everything cannot be stopped. Even King Rui was surprised when I went to Guanlan Palace to report the progress.
...I had originally accepted Prince Rui's recommendation reluctantly. It's already very good to work for him. There's really no need to work day and night.
Although Yu Qing thought so, he still didn't put down the scroll, thinking of finishing the last thing of the day first.
"Later." Yu Qing said.
“…”
Xie Jing wanted to say something but stopped himself. Yu Qing looked up at him and saw the slightly darkening sky outside, and immediately understood what he meant.
Although she didn't mind staying a little longer, His Royal Highness the Prince had never been tired before. After staying here for a whole day, he wanted to rest early.
Yu Qing said: "Your Highness can go back first, no need to wait for me."
Xie Jing said, "...this is not good. The commander is still here. How can I leave first?"
Yu Qing said helplessly: "You can really go back home."
Xie Jing insisted: "No."
Although he didn't leave, he didn't have anything important to do, so he just stared at Yu Qing.
Yu Qing sighed inwardly, feeling helpless. Finally, he put down the things in his hand and said, "Alright, let's go."
The two people were not going in the same direction. Xie Jing returned to Xuanwu Street under the escort of the guards and Xuanlin Guards, and she also got on the carriage of the Marquis' Mansion.
This day seemed to go more smoothly than usual, and Yu Qing did not feel upset or tired. When she arrived home, it was Xuetuan who came out to greet her. Before she entered the yard, the puppy ran out from Huaifeng Pavilion.
I don't know why he was acting coquettishly, but he had to let her hold him, rubbing against him in her arms, and sniffing her clothes with his wet nose.
After dinner, Yu Qing played with the puppy for a while to relieve his boredom, and then took it for a walk around the marquis's mansion.
There was little free time recently, and Prince Yu seldom played with it himself. Perhaps it had tasted the sweetness. The next day, when Yu Qing was about to leave, the Fulin dog held its leash in its mouth and handed the end to Yu Qing, as if it wanted to go out with her and let Yu Qing lead it.
Yu Qing felt soft-hearted and was touched by the cuteness of this furry little thing. She couldn't help but smile. However, the prince was still very strict and raised a finger to block its mouth: "Be obedient, I'll take you for a walk tonight."
·
After a few days, she finally got used to having Xie Jing by her desk.
It's not so much that she ignored him, but rather that she adapted to this powerful presence with her extraordinary courage and intelligence, and tried her best to stay focused.
Xie Jing was quite smart and he did the task assigned to him quite well. Yu Qing didn't have to waste time explaining it to him; he understood the key points after just one explanation, and he was more attentive than she thought.
But he was always slow and steady, perhaps it was his nature. In any case, he was not in a hurry at all, and even the sound of his pen was softer than hers.
He would occasionally take a sip of tea, eat a snack, or go out for some fresh air. Yu Qing had no problem with all of this. But the trouble was that he was always talking to Yu Qing. Not satisfied with just relaxing himself, he would drag her along. Yu Qing would sometimes agree and sometimes not, but Xie Jing didn't mind. Basically, they would start a conversation every half hour or so.
When she was alone, she always moved without stopping. But when Xie Jing came, she slowed down unconsciously.
...It's not that bad.
After the afternoon training, the guards took over and patrolled the city. Yu Qing planned to go out with them and asked Xie Jing if he wanted to come along.
"Okay," Xie Jing asked, "Shall we take the same car?"
"..." Yu Qing said, "We usually go on horseback when we conduct inspections. As far as I know, there's no precedent for riding in a carriage."
Xie Jing: “…Oh.”
But when Yu Qing saw that Zhou was dressed like a nobleman, with his robes immaculate and spotless, and that even when he was riding a horse he looked out of place among the guards, he thought, forget it, why would he patrol the streets in such an outfit?
She said, "Your Highness should take a carriage and follow the guards to Xuanwu Street."
The so-called asking him to follow the patrol was actually to send the prince back to the palace directly.
·
During her next work report, Prince Rui asked her about Xie Jing's situation.
"Your Highness Prince Jing is very quick to learn," Yu Qing replied after a moment's thought, "and he also acts appropriately."
"Is that so?" Prince Rui said, "Your Highness, there's no need to hide it. If he's not doing well, then he shouldn't go to Beichensi anymore. Just come and tell me and I'll transfer him to a new place."
Yu Qing: “……?”
Xie Jing has learned well, so why does it seem like Prince Rui is a little disappointed?
Could it be that Prince Rui is now regretting sending him to Beichensi, thinking that the power is too great, and plans to arrange Xie Jing to a more insignificant place as a decoration?
Yu Qing said: "No, Your Highness the Ninth Prince is diligent and dedicated to his duties. I have no dissatisfaction with him."
King Rui said: "...Okay."
Yu Qing felt that Xie Jing really had to be careful of Prince Rui.
The next evening, she thought of this matter and was still thinking about how to talk to Xie Jing in a more tactful way to remind him, but Xie Jing said first: "I won't come tomorrow."
Yu Qing was startled: "What?"
Xie Jing said, "Go to the palace and see the emperor."
Yu Qing said: "... Yeah, I understand."
For a moment, she thought that Prince Rui had really transferred Xie Jing away.
All in all, Xie Jing had been here for several days and had hardly taken any leave.
The emperor always regarded him as a blessed Buddhist and loved to listen to his lectures. He often summoned him to the palace to keep him by his side.
Yu Qingqi asked, "Your Majesty, are you really studying Buddhist scriptures now?"
Xie Jing said, "No, he's just superstitious and thinks this can cure illnesses. He's hard of hearing and can't hear anything clearly. I'll make him sleepy and he can leave."
Yu Qing: “…”
She was speechless for a moment.
Xie Jing said, "Actually, I don't have much to say to him. Every time I see him, I rack my brains to deal with him. It's very tiring."
Yu Qing couldn't help but sneer when he heard this: "It's not easy to be a favored minister, Your Highness."
Xie Jing supported his chin with his wrist, did not answer, but looked at her without blinking.
Yu Qing: “?”
"Your Highness is always very serious in the government office," Xie Jing said with a smile, "but this is the first time I've seen you smile."
Yu Qing paused for a moment, thinking that Xie Jing was too free to care whether others laughed or not?
Xie Jing did not come the next day. His place was empty, except for the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone.
After hearing what he said yesterday, Yu Qing couldn't help but think that this person in the palace might be reciting scriptures to the wrinkled old emperor in a serious manner. He didn't know what was touched on, but he couldn't help laughing again.
She shook her head and turned her gaze back to the table.
·
Central Palace.
"Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince has just come out from His Majesty's place and should be here soon," said the maid.
The queen nodded indifferently, showing no joy at all.
After a huge change, the once graceful queen looked much older, her blessed appearance faded, and the lines on both sides of her nose became deeper, making her look a little sharp.
"Xie Tingye..." The Queen stroked the jade ruyi in her hand, "I hope he is someone who can be helped."
Her son, once the crown prince of the Eastern Palace, was now a prisoner. The emperor ignored his concerns, and the Chen family's fortunes deteriorated day by day.
She didn't expect that Concubine Rong was willing to pretend to be crazy and stupid and deceived her for so many years. She should have killed her at the beginning.
The most urgent task is to find a new fulcrum for her and the family so that they can re-enter this battle.
Fortunately, the Ninth Prince suddenly appeared and ran into her. This child had escaped torture to death while outside the palace, which was a blessing. Now he just happened to be her pawn.
Since Concubine Rong and Prince Rui were able to make a comeback, so can she.
However, the Queen waited for a long time, but no one came to inform her. She raised her eyes in confusion, and her confidant understood and sent a palace maid to ask. After a long while, she entered the room and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty... Prince Jing seems to have... gone to pay his respects to Concubine Rong first!"
"What?" Maid Lan Yun was startled. "Is he playing a trick on us?"
The Queen looked up, a gloomy expression on her face as she sneered, "It was intentional. It seems this child... isn't very obedient. Wait, he'll come."
It was the Chen family who had been helping to make connections. The Queen had never met Xie Tingye and only knew that he was young and conceited.
Today she had wanted to give the other party a warning first, but she didn't expect the other party to give her a warning first - undoubtedly telling her: I have more than one way out, you'd better pay attention to it.
Even though she saw through his cleverness, the queen could only endure it.
A bastard who had managed to survive was now acting so arrogantly. It didn't matter; she didn't care about the momentary pleasure. She would wait until the situation turned around, then she would make room for Xuan'er.
After waiting for a few more moments, the eunuch finally came to report that His Royal Highness Prince Jing had arrived.
The queen was at ease when she saw a tall young man walking into the palace. However, he was wearing a carved mask with a layer of gauze underneath, so his face was almost invisible.
"Prince Jing, what is this..."
"Your Highness," Prince Jing said, "I have never been able to be exposed to dust since I was a child, or I'll get a rash on my face. Just now, when I came to the palace, I felt the dust was too heavy, so I covered my face. Your Highness, do you mind?"
The Queen narrowed her eyes, and Aunt Lan Yun had already spoken, "I heard that Your Highness just went to Yongning Palace, and the pollen there was very heavy. Since Your Highness has this disease, you must be careful not to get infected."
The eyes behind the mask glanced at her.
"The maids in the imperial palace really know how to behave," Prince Jing said leisurely. "They are so majestic."
Lan Yun's face froze. The Queen shook her head slightly, almost imperceptibly. Lan Yun gritted her teeth and knelt down, saying, "This servant has spoken out of turn. I will accept my punishment now."
The Queen said, "You all may withdraw. I will have a private chat with His Highness the Ninth Prince."
The palace maids nodded and filed out. Soon, the sound of Lan Yun being slapped could be heard from outside. The Queen asked, "Are you satisfied with this rule?"
King Jing smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please make your own arrangements. I have no objections."
The Queen also smiled and said slowly, "Please sit down. When you first left the palace, I missed you the whole time. I thought you were gone, but I never thought I would see you again. My dear child, it's a pity that your biological mother passed away too early and didn't see you grow up to be what you are now."
King Jing did not respond.
"Ordinarily, I should have chatted with the Empress for a few minutes," he said, "but I've arrived late today. Let's cut to the chase and save time."
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