The soldiers without enough contributions to enter the palace and participate in the banquet would return home and reunite with their families. However, Qi Yunruo did not return to Prince Chun’s estate. Rather, he decided to explore the capital since it was such a fine day.
While the civilians had greeted Prince Chun and his men as they had returned to the capital, Qi Yunruo stood at the side of the road, watching them from not too far away. After Prince Chun’s chariot passed by, Qi Yunruo looked at the civilians who were helping each other off the ground, expression tainted with worry. Today, the temple fair of the fifteenth of the month was being held. Qi Yunruo fell into his thoughts, following the crowd all the way to just outside the Guanyin temple.
Young ladies of the boudoir walked around in groups. Elegant young men held folding fans in their hands, graceful in appearance. Roadside vendors and peddlers all called out the names of their products. Married women selected joss stick candles at the roadside. There were also old women with heads full of white hair, trembling as they told their family members to support them to the Guanyin temple, sincerely wanting to pray.
There were many people walking along the bridge and not many carriages or regular sedans. Qi Yunruo also saw many lightweight sedans lifted by two people, squeezing through the crowd. The porters kept saying “excuse me, excuse me.” Some people rudely said to others around them, “Today is the fifteenth of the second month. Do you think there’s not enough people?”
Although Qi Yunruo had lived in the capital for sixteen years, never had he the chance to experience this kind of scene. The social relationships of the marketplace. The turmoil of the world. A bustling atmosphere drifted through the air, yet made people feel a serene lingering charm. So the capital is this big and there are this many people. The capital is very interesting.
Qi Yunruo couldn’t help but smile. He entered the temple. In the courtyard, there was a Buddhist monk who explained the inscribed bamboo sticks. There was a booth that sold blessed lucky items. Qi Yunruo entered the main hall. However, he did not kneel to pray. Rather, he placed two silver pieces into the donation box. A married woman who was kneeling in prayer glanced at him.
Qi Yunruo met her gaze. In a flash, he felt slightly odd. This woman was in her forties, wearing a dark yellow loose coat. She wore a long sash around her waist, a sapphire dangling from it. And a full set of Flowing Clouds Diancui jewelry. Because Qi Yunruo used to manage the ledger for Prince Chun’s estate, just one glance and he could tell that everything this woman wore was expensive. Just her Diancui jewelry would cost hundreds of silver ingots. However, this woman seemed very subdued. The little servant girl by her side was ugly and petite. A look, and it was clear she did not work for a renowned family. The makeup of the woman was also too garish. Even the members of a merchant family wouldn’t draw such thin brows or apply such bright red lipstick. However, she actually looked good. Attitude calm. Refined and beautiful.
Qi Yunruo blinked. Realized that, other than that servant girl, there was no one else around that woman. The other women would rather wait from afar for her to finish than use the praying mats near her.
The ugly servant girl supported the woman to her feet, and the woman smiled as she looked at Qi Yunruo. For some reason, Qi Yunruo found her amiable and smiled as well.
But the next moment, after Qi Yunruo had heard someone softly say “Fengya House’s Madame,” his whole body went stiff.
Li Chen rested his body on Empress Dowager Lan’s knees. She said in a soft voice, “Yao’er is a decisive person. Her intelligence is not inferior to yours. No matter where she is, she’ll be able to live well.”
“But I’ve promised Grandmother before…”
Empress Dowager Lan smiled. “Since I know that Yao’er is living well in the northwest region and that you have returned safe and sound, why would I feel sad?”
Li Chen fell silent. Empress Dowager Lan’s gaze fell upon him. “At present, those with ill intentions have appeared. I’m already old and cannot help you with much. However, I want to know this: what does Chen’er want right now?”
He faced the grandmother he put in high esteem, and without hiding anything, he said, “Grandson is the eldest legitimate son, has studied essays regarding statecraft and studied civil skills and military strategy. Chen’er is not a passive recluse and knows that sometimes, retreating a step would result in falling into the abyss. Chen’er intends to be the crown prince.”
Qi Yunruo and the woman sat in a private booth on the second floor of a tea house. The woman said, “This one has a surname of Rong. People call me Rong Sanniang.”
He looked at her and said, “I should know you.”
Rong Sanniang did not deny it. She peered into Qi Yunruo’s eyes, her own gaze carrying a profound nostalgia. A light smile appeared on her lips. “At the start, this one was curious. Who knew that after one glance, I would know who you are.”
Qi Yunruo looked down. Not a word left his lips for a while.
“Speaking of which, the last time this one and your mother met was seventeen years ago,” said Rong Sanniang, looking at Qi Yunruo. “You resemble her a lot.”
Qi Yunruo recalled his mother, and felt that they didn’t look that much alike. Rong Sanniang continued to reminisce. “Your eyes are basically the same as hers.”
“…Really?” Qi Yunruo appeared dazed.
Rong Sanniang smiled bitterly. “Linglong and I have been together for more than ten years. With just a look at your eyes, I’m certain I am not mistaken… Linglong was adept at reading people. However, she still died because of lying to herself.”
“She…” Qi Yunruo looked at Rong Sanniang, impatient. “What do you know? Why did she die?”
But Rong Sanniang went quiet. A good while later, she sighed. “It’s best if one doesn’t know anything. Then one could live well.”
Qi Yunruo fell silent for a long time. Then asked, “It’s because Qi Suxiao betrayed her, right?”
“…Correct.”
Once Qi Yunying returned to his household, Qi Suxiao whipped him over twenty times before punishing him to kneel in the ancestral hall. Qi Suxiao took his time entering the palace for the banquet. Fuming with rage through gritted teeth, he said, “This evil creature! Born to anger me to death!”
Today, Qi Yunshan was off duty. He was also an upright and courageous man. But because his status as the eldest legitimate son restrained him, he could never be as willful and rash as Qi Yunying. He could only say consolingly, “Father, Second Brother is in the prime of his youth. It is normal for him to make mistakes. If Father is patient when teaching him, Second Brother will definitely be corrected.”
Qi Suxiao slapped the table hard. It was obvious he was flustered and exasperated. “What do you know?! Our Qi family cannot have any connection with the military right now! The more contributions this evil creature accumulates, the more worried I am!”
Doubtful, Qi Yunshan asked, “Why, Father?”
Qi Suxiao took a deep breath. Said unenthusiastically, “The Qi family and the imperial clan have a gamble going on. We’ve already lost. Since we lost, we must carefully examine the circumstances.”
Qi Yunruo and Li Chen returned to Prince Chun’s estate almost at the same time. To be precise, Qi Yunruo waited for Li Chen outside the estate to enter together. The scent of alcohol still clung to Li Chen. Qi Yunruo was also exhausted. Waving, Li Chen said, “Respects can be paid tomorrow.”
Su Ge replied, “This slave understands.”
In Ink Lotus Courtyard, the two soaked in hot water to relieve their fatigue. Qi Yunruo leaned his head against the edge of the tub, staring above in a daze. A hot damp towel covered Li Chen’s face. Their tubs were next to each other. Mixed in with the water were calming essential oils. Once the water gradually cooled down, Li Chen asked, “Were you tired today?”
Qi Yunruo absentmindedly grunted his acknowledgement.
A smile spread across Li Chen’s lips. He resumed relaxing with his eyes closed.
Then, Qi Yunruo felt he had ignored the prince. A hint of awkwardness appeared in his expression. He rose to his feet in the tub. “Did Your Highness meet with Empress Dowager Lan today?”
Still smiling, Li Chen said, “Grandmother is in good health.”
Not long after, Qi Yunruo climbed out of the tub. Wiped away the water on his body and draped a white inner garment over himself. Afterward, he picked up a towel to wipe dry Li Chen’s body. The two lay down in bed. Once they were drowsy, Li Chen said, “You have to wake up early tomorrow.”
“Why…” Qi Yunruo couldn’t even open his eyes.
“Because,” said Li Chen, “I’ll be sending you a gift. You’ll receive it tomorrow.”
