Chapter 168 Someone Else Thinks of You
Lady Cui, the first wife of the Marquis of Yong'an, died of illness not long after giving birth to Mingyan.
After his stepmother, Lady Ji, entered the family, she soon became pregnant and gave birth to Minghong.
The women of the Ji clan were renowned for their beauty, and Ji Fangmin captivated the Marquis of Yong'an with her good looks alone.
Their status in the Yong'an Marquis's mansion was awkward. The children left by the first wife were naturally not as well-cared for and admired as the legitimate sons born to the new wife who was in charge of managing the household affairs.
But they were never bullied because Mingyan was a wicked and domineering child.
Anyone who insults him will retaliate tenfold.
Even though Mingyan knew that his father doted on his youngest son excessively, if Minghong dared to provoke him or touch his things, he would pin the brat down and beat him to death once he found out.
But Minghong was also a reckless and tough guy. Even after being beaten into submission by his older brother, he would still dare to do it again next time.
As Mingyan grew older and joined the army, his personality changed drastically. He became more discreet and indifferent to people and things, as if nothing could arouse his interest.
As his older sister who watched him grow up, Princess Huachang knew perfectly well that this indifference was just a facade.
A person who is truly without desires will not repeatedly break through dangers and sit on the supreme throne of a king.
Those in this position are all people who are driven by desires.
The lust for killing, the lust for power, the lust for sex...
Today, Wu Su's deliberately restrained emotions were very obvious, as if he was on the verge of exploding, but the scene of fish playing with lotus flowers instantly calmed his temper.
This may be the principle of mutual generation and mutual restraint.
Princess Huachang sat inside the carriage, lifted the curtain, glanced at where they were, and knew that they would arrive at the Princess's residence after turning another corner.
But she said to the coachman, "Let's not go back yet, let's change our route and go to the Ji residence."
When Ji Qingwu received news of the Princess's visit, she was still "plotting" with Qiao Shi.
After hearing Qiao's arrangements, she was still somewhat hesitant, unsure if she could do it.
Madam Qiao got up and lit a calming incense stick, instructing, "Xiao Wu, don't keep the Princess waiting. Go ahead first, we'll talk about this later."
Ji Qingwu made up her mind and said, "Mother, we'll do as you say. If there's anything you need me to prepare in advance, just let me know."
Mrs. Qiao said gently, "Alright, let's try this method. Go quickly."
Ji Qingwu rushed to the front hall, and upon looking at the entrance, he suddenly understood what it meant to feel honored to have his humble abode shine with glory.
Princess Huachang sat leisurely in a plum blossom elm chair with crescent-shaped armrests, resting her head on her hand.
When the maidservant came to serve tea, she glanced at her briefly.
The maid had never seen such an ethereal beauty as the princess and was momentarily stunned.
Just as the tea was about to overflow, Ji Qingwu stepped forward and caught the maid's arm in time.
She cautioned, "Be careful."
The maid was a new girl who had been assigned to serve in the front hall. She rarely saw the Fifth Miss, let alone Ji Qingwu after she had removed her disguise.
The maidservant glanced at the beautiful princess before her, then looked back at the girl supporting her, and gasped.
I feel like I've seen this person with such a beautiful and graceful appearance somewhere before.
Sandwiched between two women, each with their own unique beauty, Xiang'er shook her head like a rattle-drum, looking at one one for a moment and the other for a moment.
Feeling the woman's fragrant and soft body behind her, the little maid, half-leaning in Ji Qingwu's arms, was so happy she almost fainted.
When Granny Li, who was passing by, saw this scene, she exclaimed "Oh dear!" and quickly stepped forward.
He scolded in a low voice, "Xiang'er, you must not be rude to the Princess and the Fifth Miss."
Then, Granny Li bent down and picked up the tea bucket from the side, saying in a low and respectful voice, "Please forgive me, Your Highness. It was this old servant who failed to properly train the maid, which is why she was so impolite. I will bring you fresh tea right away."
Princess Huachang's gaze, however, was fixed on Ji Qingwu's face.
The voice was indifferent as it said, "It's nothing, you may leave."
Granny Li frowned as she led Xiang'er away, and Ji Qingwu sat down in the chair next to the Princess.
She said, "If the Princess has something to do, she can just call me to the Princess's residence. Why did you have to make a special trip here?"
Princess Huachang stared at her face as if she had discovered something new and interesting.
"Qingwu, come closer to me."
Upon hearing this, Ji Qingwu obediently leaned over.
Princess Huachang stretched out her slender, jade-like fingers and suddenly pinched her chin.
Ji Qingwu's eyes suddenly widened, not understanding what was going to happen.
The princess's fingertips brushed across her cheek, carrying a cool and soft sensation.
Is this your true nature?
Ji Qingwu blinked her long, fan-like eyelashes.
People who don't live with her every day usually don't notice the subtle adjustments to her bone structure; they just think she looks more radiant. But Princess Huachang noticed it at a glance.
Ji Qingwu nodded with a slight look of surprise.
At such close range, Princess Huachang looked into those bright, sparkling eyes, which seemed like the purest and most flawless gems in the world.
Just one look at it and my heart feels warmed and sweetened.
Princess Huachang couldn't help but take a few more glances, and felt much more comfortable.
"I feel sorry for her." She sighed softly and nodded. "No wonder..."
That wasn't the whole story.
Ji Qingwu asked curiously, "No wonder what?"
Princess Huachang withdrew her hand, staring at her face without answering.
Ji Qingwu thought for a moment. The eldest princess wasn't the type to enjoy visiting others or building relationships. She probably knew about the sensational event that had happened today.
She asked first, "Has the Princess also learned about what happened at this morning's court session?"
Princess Huachang said, "Yes, I just came from the palace. I originally intended to go straight back to the princess's residence, but I suddenly thought of coming here to visit you."
She wasn't lying; it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Ji Qingwu smiled and teased, "Your Highness has not seen me for a long time, have you missed me?"
Seeing her bright, smiling eyes, Princess Huachang wanted to smile too, but she suppressed the urge to smile.
He was secretly amazed. The more times he saw Ji Qingwu, the more pleasing and attractive the girl seemed to him.
Princess Huachang then realized that she had even taken the initiative to reach out and touch her face earlier that day.
Thinking of the scene she had just witnessed by Taiye Lake, she suddenly understood why the emperor's mood had suddenly improved.
This little blue lotus truly has the power to bring joy.
Princess Huachang smiled faintly and sighed softly, seemingly sighing for herself, but more likely for someone else.
She replied, "It's not me who misses you."
As she spoke, the image of her unrestrained and willful younger brother in her childhood appeared in Princess Huachang's mind, slowly overlapping with the image of the emperor who was now patient and restrained.
Despite not wanting to meddle, she still spoke up, saying, "The Emperor is depressed because of your matter."
Ji Qingwu's eyes, which had been smiling like crescent moons, instantly turned into full moons, filled with deep surprise.
But it wasn't just surprise.
Only she knew that there was also a subtle sweetness welling up from the bottom of her heart.
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