Chapter 41

By the time Hua Liuli and the crown prince reached the pavilion, his servants had already put everything in order. Every two steps within the pavilion stood an imperial guard dressed in ordinary clothes. It was evident that the emperor was not at all reassured with the crown prince leaving the palace.

Spread out on and filling up the stone table were piping hot dishes that both smelled and tasted delicious. Hua Liuli rinsed clean her hands with water and could not help but say, “Although these dishes are different from the ones in the imperial palace, they whet the appetite upon sight.”

“That Commandery Princess likes these dishes is the honor of these dishes.” The crown prince picked up a pair of chopsticks. “Commandery Princess, please.”

The moment Hua Liuli picked up her chopsticks, she caught sight of Prince Ying and Lin Wan coming their way. She set down the chopsticks. Rose to her feet.

“Sorry to bother you, Crown Prince.” Prince Ying handed his umbrella to one of the imperial guards standing outside the pavilion. He entered said pavilion in large strides. “The rain is growing harder and harder. Do you mind if I come in with someone to avoid the rain?”

Glancing at Prince Ying, the crown prince set down his chopsticks, a smile that did not quite touch his eyes settling on his face. “Just now, I kept sensing that there was something following behind me. I was actually thinking of having the guards have a look. Since it’s Eldest Brother, I’m no longer worried. Come, sit.”

Prince Ying frowned. Why does Ji Yuansu’s face look like he’s calling over a dog?

He stomped to get rid of the water on his feet, made his way to the crown prince’s left, and sat down. Hua Liuli cast a glance at Lin Wan, who was still standing outside the pavilion. Then she turned and sat to the crown prince’s right, leaving an empty space next to Prince Ying.

But Prince Ying seemed to not have seen Lin Wan at all; after washing his hands under the service of court eunuchs, he prepared to take his meal.

Did those two have an argument?

Hua Liuli did not want to interfere with their relationship, but she also found it awkward for Lin Wan to stand there. She said, “Young Miss Lin, although the apricot blossoms are beautiful, it’s more important to eat. Have a meal first, then slowly admire the sight.”

Lin Wan took the opportunity Hua Liuli had given her, stepping foot within the pavilion with her head lowered. She saluted the crown prince. Sat down quietly next to Prince Ying.

“This is Eight Treasures Bamboo Soup. It is made with the most tender bamboo shoots gathered in the spring that are simmered to a boil. It aids with expectoration and energizes the drinker. Does Commandery Princess want a taste?” asked the crown prince, not caring about the stiff atmosphere between Prince Ying and Lin Wan. He scooped up a bowl of soup and placed it in front of Hua Liuli. So at ease as if the other two people did not exist.

Picking up the bowl, Hua Liuli had a taste of the soup. “It’s delicious.”

“I also like this soup. The other dishes can only be considered ordinary.” The crown prince looked at the flowers and trees behind Hua Liuli. “But because there are flowers accompanying us today, such ordinary dishes are good enough to eat.”

“Mm?” Hua Liuli turned her head to look around. Petals fell gently to the ground like snowflakes, covering it in a thick carpet. By tomorrow, such petals would be crushed into the earth, no longer as beautiful as during the current day.

She stretched her hand outside the pavilion, catching a few petals that were falling softly to the ground. Placed said petals into the crown prince’s hand. “Here, let’s admire the flowers as we eat.”

Such an action caught him in a daze. Afterward, laughter spilled from his lips.

Prince Ying raised his head. Looked at her hanging jade earrings that swayed a hint. He could not help but think, With how arduous the conditions are at the border, how could the Hua family raise their daughter to be this fair?

“Your Highness,” said Lin Wan, picking up a tender bamboo shoot and placing it into Prince Ying’s bowl. “Try this.”

“Young Miss Lin, just let the servants do such things.” Prince Ying moved the tender bamboo shoot aside. “What’s more, this prince is not used to eating things other people give me.”

Complexion paling a little, Lin Wan replied, “I have committed an offense.”

She subconsciously turned to look at Hua Liuli. When she saw that the other party had not paid attention to them, she felt a lot better.

Gaze on Lin Wan, Prince Ying frowned. “This prince is talking to you, so why are you looking at someone else?”

“Your Highness.” Hua Liuli set down her bowl and chopsticks. “This official’s daughter has eaten my fill and will go out to admire the flowers.”

“I will accompany you,” said the crown prince, getting up as well. He slightly glanced at Prince Ying, received an umbrella from the hand of a guard, and held the umbrella over Hua Liuli’s head.

Hua Liuli lifted the ends of her skirt and followed the crown prince into the forest of apricot blossoms. She turned her head and looked at Prince Ying and Lin Wan, who were still seated in the pavilion. Then, in a soft voice, she said, “Prince Ying and Young Miss Lin’s relationship is… very unique.”

It was clear that Prince Ying disliked Lin Wan. What puzzled Hua Liuli was the following: Why did Lin Wan indulge his poor temperament and compromise like this?

Sometimes, men needed to be put in order. It was useless to always obey them blindly; the more you obeyed them, the more they would bully you. One must find more opportunities to put men in order, and they would naturally become well-behaved. At the very least, they would know to leave some face for you in front of other people.

She had heard from her third brother that in Sir Lin’s younger years, he had once scolded some officials during morning court, leaving them speechless. One look at him and corrupt officials would shake in their boots. So why did he raise his daughter to be this soft?

He shouldn’t have just taught her the traditional roles of a good wife and to be docile and ladylike, right?

If that’s the case, then with Prince Ying’s crappy temperament, who knows how many grievances she’d have to suffer through?

The crown prince reached out and plucked a flower, inserting it into the hair by Hua Liuli’s temple. “Everyone makes their own choices. Don’t worry because of other people’s circumstances.”

“Your Highness, one flower equals one apricot.” Hua Liuli feigned solemnity. “Now what’s to be done?”

“Then…” The crown prince plucked another flower, inserting it into the hair right next to the last one. “Have its brother accompany him, so that it won’t feel lonely.”

“A flower… can become very lonely?” Hua Liuli grew pensive. Could it be that the crown prince thought of that woman whom he loved yet had already passed away?

“That’s right,” said the crown prince, another meaning to his words. “No matter how beautiful a flower is, it would wish for another flower to accompany it. Alone… the flower would be too lonely.”

“Perhaps this flower wishes to stay on its branch and bear fruit in the future,” said Hua Liuli, fear entering her heart from his words, worried that he would grow depressed. “There are so many beautiful flowers among the trees. It’s better if they stayed there. Why must they leave their brethren?

“How great is this world?” Then Hua Liuli said consolingly, “No matter what one lets go of, one mustn’t abandon happiness. Your Highness, do you agree?”

The crown prince stuffed the umbrella into Hua Liuli’s hand. “I feel a bit cold so I’ll go get a cloak.”

“Oh?” Hua LIuli held up the umbrella, watching as he turned and made for a different direction. It really is a bit windy today.

A moment later, the crown prince had yet to return. Lin Wan made her way to Hua Liuli. Her face was expressionless, as if Pirnce Ying’s prior actions had no affect on her mood.

“Commandery Princess is truly a sight for the eyes,” said Li Wan, turning to Hua Liuli all of a sudden. “As you stand under the rain of apricot blossoms, such a sight is so beautiful that it seems straight from a painting. As I gazed upon your figure while sitting in the pavilion, I was caught in a daze.”

Although those were clearly compliments, Hua Liuli could make out a thick flavor of enmity within them. She drew back two steps. “Young Miss Lin is overpraising me.”

“Commandery Princess mustn’t be so modest. I’m only speaking the truth.” The corners of Lin Wan’s lips raised a hint. “When you stood there just now, everyone could not help but to look at you…”

Hua Liuli sucked in a deep breath. Why did another one have this defect?

She had already scared Yao Jiamin of such a defect, so why did this Lin Wan have it now? With Prince Ying’s appearance, he couldn’t be considered at the level of a calamitous beauty, so why did these two all look like Hua Liuli wanted to steal their man?

Why should women make things difficult for women? She had never met with Prince Ying alone, much less spoken more than a few words to him. Just where did it seem like she fancied Prince Ying?

Just because someone was unable to grab hold of her man, she blamed all the women in the world. Just what kind of logic was that?

“Young Miss Lin.” Hua Liuli smiled, the corners of her mouth rising. “I’m not a tolerant or generous person. I especially dislike when people look at me with eyes of ridicule. I hope you understand.”

Gaze cold, Lin Wan looked at Hua Liuli.

To which Hua Liuli returned the look with a smile.

“Commandery Princess has an awe-inspiring influence. I naturally cannot offend you.” Lin Wan sneered. “Hopefully this will continue to be so.”

Paying her no mind, Hua Liuli beckoned over Yuanwei. “Yuanwei, can you remember what Young Miss Lin just said?”

“Yes, this slave will remember it,” replied Yuanwei, smiling. “May Commandery Princess rest assured. This slave has recorded to memory each and every word.”

“It’s good if that’s the case.” Hua Liuli’s smile glittered like gold. “In a few days, we will pay a visit to Sir Lin and Mistress Lin and repeat what Young Miss Lin said. I’m sure Sir Lin will be very happy about Young Miss Lin’s way of speaking.”

“What are you trying to do?” Lin Wan’s expression changed.

“I’m going to tattle on you,” said Hua Liuli, tilting her head and grinning. “When a child doesn’t know how to talk and offends people, who would lower themselves to that child’s level? It’s only natural that you go look for her parents.”

“Hua Liuli!”

“Young Miss Lin.” Expressionless, the crown prince approached the two young ladies. “Young Miss Lin’s appetite for the noon meal must have certainly been great.”

Never had Lin Wan imagined for the crown prince to appear so suddenly. With a somewhat frantic expression, she bowed and retreated a step. “This official’s daughter… does not understand what Your Highness the crown prince means.”

“If you didn’t have a great appetite and ate a lot, how could you have had the courage to shout at a commandery princess whose title the emperor had personally conferred?” The crown prince looked at Lin Wan with indifference. Raindrops dripped from his brows and eyelids, making him resemble a cold double-edged sword that had been unsheathed, causing others to be too afraid to look straight at him.

“Sir Lin is a good official. Young Miss Lin mustn’t ruin his reputation. If a future princess consort does not have proper conduct or a proper manner of speaking, then she will not marry into the imperial clan.”

Noticing that the spring rain was growing ever more strong, and that the crown prince lacked an umbrella, Hua Liuli rushed to raise her umbrella over his head. And she discovered that there was a height difference between them. That even by standing on tiptoes, she almost blocked his line of sight.

A warm hand wrapped itself around the umbrella’s handle. “Give it to me.”

Hua Liuli hurried to release the umbrella. It was too tiring for a kindhearted and adorable girl to hold one up for a tall person.

However, the Lin Wan who was propping up an umbrella by herself felt cold all over. Her teeth chattered. She was unsure if she was actually cold or if she was afraid. She feared that Hua Liuli would truly tell on her to her parents. Feared that the crown prince would tell the emperor that she was unfit as a princess consort.

Lin Wan was unable to accept that she could not become Princess Consort Ying in the future, that in the end, she would be constrained to the fate of marrying someone poverty-stricken like her father.

Her eyes reddened. She dropped to a kneel. Said in a soft, weeping manner, “Please forgive me, Your Highness and Commandery Princess.” Her weeping proved mournful and miserable, as if she were a pitiful person who, under a force of great power exceeding hers, dared to be angry but was too afraid to say anything.

“What’s going on?” asked Prince Ying when he came over, after noticing his future princess consort kneeling before the crown prince. His expression grew somewhat unsightly. No matter how it’s put, Lin Wan was his future wife. The crown prince’s sister-in-law.

A future sister-in-law was kneeling in front of her brother-in-law. Just what the hell was this?

“It’s the fault of this official’s daughter,” said Hua Liuli as she bit her lower lip, her long, shapely eyebrows furrowing just a hint. As if she were concealing boundless amounts of grievances. Yet, she staunchly kept them to herself. “There was miscommunication between this official’s daughter and Young Miss Lin, causing both of us some unhappiness. Then His Highness the crown prince came over and said a few words to her. Never had this official’s daughter imagined that Young Miss Lin would feel this remorseful, kneeling before His Highness and me to apologize.”

Then Hua Liuli’s little face grew pale. As though Young Miss Lin’s actions had frightened her. Despite this, she still said to Prince Ying in a considerate fashion, “Thank goodness Your Highness arrived. Please quickly persuade Young Miss Lin to stand.”

This wok was both large and round. If she let the crown prince carry it, it’d definitely cause a larger rift between the brothers. It was better if she carried it instead.

“So it was merely a misunderstanding,” said Prince Ying, realization striking him. He lowered his head to look at Lin Wan. “Then what are you still kneeling for? Do you think it’s good if people see you like that? Hurry and stand. In a little while, change your clothes. Consort-Mother has invited you to stay over at her residence for a couple days.”

“Many thanks for the leniency, Commandery Princess.” Lin Wan’s sleeves concealed her hands, fingernails digging deeply into her palms. Slowly, she rose to her feet, head lowered as she cast a glance at the muddy foot of her dress. Then she said in front of Prince Ying, “Your Highness, this official’s daughter will return home to change before entering the palace and paying Her Highness a formal visit. Is that alright?”

“Up to you.” Prince Ying glanced at the crown prince. “It’s raining heavier and heavier on the mountain. Commandery Princess is of poor health and should not remain on the mountain for too long. What’s more, if it continues to rain, the roads on the mountain will become slippery and hard to traverse. It’s better if Commandery Princess descends the mountain sooner.”

“Many thanks for the reminder, Your Highness. This official’s daughter will take it to heart.” Hua Liuli took note of Lin Wan’s cold and sharp stare.

She sighed at the bottom of her heart. Hid behind the crown prince. There were benefits to having someone tall standing by one’s side. At least it could block off other people’s stares.

Glancing at Hua Liuli, Prince Ying cupped his hands to the crown prince. “Crown Prince, I will leave first.”

“Take care, Eldest Brother.” Expressionless, the crown prince once again cast a glance at Lin Wan. Lin Wan was too afraid to meet his gaze, dropping her head even lower.

Once Prince Ying and Lin Wan had left, the crown prince said to Hua Liuli, “We should descend the mountain as well. There’s a lake near the outskirts of the capital city, and the scenery is the best during a rainy day. We can reach it by carriage. Do you want to have a look?”

“Yes, let’s go,” said Hua Liuli, nodding. With a beauty in accompaniment, admiring a lake and admiring flowers was no different.

Halfway on the road, they encountered Fifth Prince, who carried a cylindrical painting container. When Fifth Prince caught sight of Hua Liuli, his eyes brightened. He saluted the crown prince in a grand and well-behaved fashion. Following that, he gazed at Hua Liuli with luminous eyes. “Commandery Princess Fushou, I drew a new painting today. May Commandery Princess give some comments.”

Hua Liuli was speechless.

Youngster, I feel very awkward when you look at me with eyes like that.

“Then this official’s daughter will be so bold as to take a look.” Forget it, forget it, the other person’s an imperial prince. I still need to flatter him a little.

Two little court eunuchs unfurled the painting scroll with care. Without delay, Fifth Prince held an umbrella over it, afraid that the merciless spring rain would soak his work.

Hua Liuli sucked in a deep breath. Steeled herself as she took a look at the painting.

What in gods is this?

A darker clump of ink and a lighter clump of ink mixed together. Since they’re close together, does that make them friends?

“Commandery Princess, what do you think of this painting of the scenery on Mount Qing?” asked Fifth Prince, looking at her with eyes full of expectation.

With a smile that did not quite touch his eyes, the crown prince glanced at Hua Liuli. Took a step back without a word as he pretended to look at the sky and ground, anywhere besides Fifth Prince’s painting.

“This painting…” After a moment of muttering to herself, Hua Liuli said, “As Your Highness started painting, at times there were deep colors, and at times lighter colors were used. When it comes to the darker colors, they resemble Mount Qing’s loftiness and spectacular sight. When it comes to the lighter colors, they resemble the wind among the mountains. The rain. Additionally, they resemble the mountain’s spiritual essence that cannot be seen or touched. When one looks at a painting, one can see the painter. This official’s daughter thinks Your Highness conducts yourself like a mountain, yet your frame of mind takes after the unrestrained, quiet, and comfortable white clouds. Fitting for an upright gentleman.”

“Commandery Princess is flattering me,” said Fifth Prince, cheeks pink. He had a court eunuch carefully store away the painting. “But Commandery Princess is correct. I want to be the clouds by the mountain, the wind that blows yonder. Not bothered by the matters of the vulgar world.”

Turning her head to the crown prince, Hua Liuli asked, “Your Highness, are the words of this official’s daughter correct?”

At a time like this, he couldn’t let her wrack her brain to think of praises alone.

“Indeed.” The crown prince smiled. “I find Commandery Princess very reasonable, and extremely approve of your opinion.”

“Crown Prince understands Younger-Brother-Official.” Fifth Prince grew even happier. “May the two wait a while. After I return, I will make two new paintings to send to you.”

Not a word escaped Hua Liuli’s lips.

No, that really isn’t necessary.

“Thank you for the trouble, Fifth Younger Brother.” The crown prince’s expression appeared normal. “Then you should return earlier to work on those paintings. I look forward to your work of art.”

“Younger-Brother-Official will definitely not disappoint Crown Prince,” said the perfectly graceful Fifth Prince. After he had heard the crown prince’s encouragement, he rushed the whole way down the mountain, not even bothering to use his umbrella.

Ever since they were little, the crown prince seldom praised him. Since he surprisingly praised and encouraged him this gently today, it must mean his painting was too artistically meaningful, garnering the crown prince’s appreciation.

Sure enough, he had a peerless talent in painting.

As Hua Liuli took in Fifth Prince’s cheerful and lively figure, her emotions grew complicated. Many of the sons and daughters of the imperial household… were very odd. But were the words Fifth Prince had said earlier, of wanting to be the clouds and wind or whatever, sincere? Or did he only say them for the crown prince to hear? She snuck a peek at the crown prince. Unable to discern his thoughts, she simply gave up.

Traversing the mountain path truly proved difficult in the rain: The crown prince slipped and almost fell. But Hua Liuli had quick reflexes and pulled him by his belt, dragging him back.

The crown prince looked at her hand. All of a sudden, he smiled. “They say that under great concern, people could do extraordinary things. I didn’t expect that in order to save me, Commandery Princess could actually summon so much strength.”

Coughs spilled from Hua Liuli’s lips. She pressed a hand to her chest. “This official’s daughter is also surprised. From here, it can be seen that a person’s potential is limitless.” She received a pill from Yuanwei and swallowed it. “This official’s daughter feels relieved that Your Highness is alright.”

Once they reached the base of the mountain, the two did not ride in the same carriage. Reclining in her carriage, Hua Liuli finally let out a sigh of relief.

Beauties confused the person; why couldn’t she control her hand? The crown prince had so many servants by his side. There was no way they’d let him fall.

“Commandery Princess, it’s a good thing you aren’t the monarch.” Yuanwei shook her head. “If you were the monarch, the country would have long since toppled due to your love for beauties.”

“Yuanwei, if you say things so bluntly, then I’ll have no more face.”

“With beauties before you, would you still care about face?” said Yurong with a smile. “You obviously won’t.”

“Alas, this is called having tender, protective feelings for the fairer sex. How could you understand my frame of mind?” said Hua Liuli. Then she whispered, “What’s more, the person the crown prince liked already passed away, and his emotions for her have yet to fade. I was afraid he would be depressed, and could only console him more.”

If something truly happened to the crown prince, it would affect the whole country. Those suffering would be the common people. As such, what she saved just a while ago wasn’t a beauty, but the future of Great Jin.

As such, she was noble. Was worthy of great admiration.

The carriage traveled forward on the road before coming to a halt. Hua Liuli lifted the window curtain. Took in the surroundings. The scenery was quite commonplace. Where was that good-looking lake?

“We’re here?”

An imperial guard replied, “Commandery Princess, there’s still a bit more to travel. In front is a quarry. The road is a bit uneven, so may Commandery Princess and the young ladies who serve your honored self please sit steadily.”

“Alright.” Hua Liuli nodded. “Thank you.”

“This one dares not accept the thanks,” said the guard, before allowing the coachman to resume driving.

A short while later, the carriage sure enough shook as it traveled. Curious, Hua Liuli lifted the window curtain for a look outside. Piles of bare stones lined both sides of the road. A crowd of convicts that had been working in the quarry found shelter from the rain in the form of an awning. They stood underneath it in a well-behaved fashion, not daring to make a sound and bother Hua Liuli’s group, who was passing by.

There was one other convict who crouched outside the awning. He didn’t seem to get along with the other convicts.

When this convict caught sight of Hua Liuli, he rose to his feet and said, “Commandery Princess, please save my life.” He appeared as though he wanted to rush in her direction, but once the jailor drew out his whip, the convict stopped in his tracks out of fear. Despite this, he still called out to Hua Liuli, shouting himself hoarse.

“Stop the carriage,” said Hua Liuli. Then she had the jailor bring the convict over. She took a few good, careful looks at him.

Hair a mess and face full of dirt. Who’s this?

“Commandery Princess, I’m the musician Yunhan.” The convict wore straw sandals; short clothes made of coarse, dirty cloth covered his skinny and shriveled body. He appeared like someone who hadn’t had a full meal in a long while.

“You’re… Yunhan?” Hua Liuli looked him up and down. No wonder the elderly said that people were merely wooden clothes hangers. Now that this Yunhan wore worn-out rags, his immortal-like aura was nowhere to be seen. His filthy face was no longer as fair as it had been a few days prior, the beauty without a question a thing of the past.

“Commandery Princess, this jailor has been abusing me. May Commandery Princess save my life.” Although he had only stayed at the dungeon of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review for two days, he couldn’t endure it any longer.

“Please see things clearly, Commandery Princess. The convicts under the Imperial Court of Judicial Review are supposed to work as punishment for their crimes.” The jailor did not know which commandery princess was currently sitting in that carriage, but he dared not slight her. “This person is accustomed to scheming. He doesn’t work much yet eats a lot, and also doesn’t accept being disciplined. We have no choice but to whip him. It’s not that we’re deliberately targeting him.”

“Mister Yunhan, the Imperial Court of Judicial Review has its rules and regulations. Although I am a commandery princess, I cannot interfere in government affairs. The officials of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review are all talented in investigation. I am sure that they can discover the truth and give this case a beautiful ending.” Hua Liuli glanced at Yunhan’s dirty straw sandals. “Life in prison contains a bit of suffering…”

Hope rose in Yunhan’s heart.

“…But there are still many days ahead. After a while, you’ll get used to it.” From within the carriage, Hua Liuli handed over a deep dish of pastries. “Here. Eat more. Once you’re done, you will have the energy to work.”

As Yunhan stared at the deep dish of pastries, his hands shook as he received it. “Since Commandery Princess says this, I will believe it.”

“That’s good,” said Hua Liuli, nodding. “Reform yourself well, and work hard to be released early.” Following that, she dropped the curtain and said to the guard, “Let’s go.”

Once Hua Liuli and her entourage left, the convicts who had been acting well-behaved under the awning rushed out in a burst, snatching all the pastries from Yunhan’s hands and leaving them empty.

“And I thought this little white face could get himself out of here.”

“In the end, all he got was a deep dish of pastries.”

“Her Highness the commandery princess was right. Reform yourself well and work hard to be released early.”

The crowd laughed with abandon. Despite this, they did not comment on the commandery princess at will. Because when it came to those convicts worthy of being held under the Imperial Court of Judicial Review’s jurisdiction, each was as clever as a mouse regarding what could and could not be said.

In an extremely good mood, the crown prince leaned against a wall of his carriage in an indolent manner.

How could one leave a wonderful impression on another person’s heart?

Reveal the entirety of his rival’s ugliest appearance.

The most handsome, most charming musician?

Ha.