"It seems that Chu Xiang is not pleased with our visit!" Quite unexpectedly, Qi Jing Yuan stepped out of that phoenix carriage, not far behind, Qi Ling'er followed.
The two of them descended the phoenix carriage together and walked forward to approach Chu Fei Yang and the others.
A few people turned around and looked, seeing Qi Jing Yuan was holding back the cold laugh in the corner of his mouth, his eyes radiating a gloomy look, and his entire body was being enveloped by a somber air, causing people to be intimidated at first glance, due to failing to understand why such gloomy and unfathomobale man existed in this world.
At his side stood Qi Ling'er who was wearing a winter dress. The cuff of her collar was embedded with snow white sable fur, put together, it made Qi Ling'er's jade white small face looked even more exquisite. That dark violet royal palace satin faintly exposed the peony flower that was embroidered using silver threads, swaying gently along with Qi Ling'er's every step, causing the travellers on the road to halt their feet and take a second look, captivating people to have difficulty shifting their gazes.
At this moment Qi Ling'er was wearing a smile on her face. Those crystal eyes indifferently swept across Chu Fei Yang's calm yet cold handsome face, afterwards she looked at Yun Qian Meng, facing Yun Qian Meng as she slightly nodded her head.
The moment when Qi Jing Yuan stepped out of the horse carriage by himself, those fierce looking eyes were closely staring at Chu Fei Yang, until they reached in front of the three persons, that's the only time they changed their gazes towards Yun Qian Meng. Seeing Yun Qian Meng wearing a pink winter dress, making Yun Qian Meng, who rarely wore such dazzling dress, to look even more beautiful and lovely like a fresh honey peach, also during this time her body appeared to be fresh, clean and charming, causing Qi Jing Yuan, who had already met numerous beautiful women, to exclaim in admiration.
And during the time when Qi Jing Yuan shifted his gaze towards Yun Qian Meng, Chu Fei Yang pulled Yun Qian Meng, using his body to block off Qi Jing Yuan's annoying lookhe spoke nonchalantly, "Is there any important matter that permitted the Crown Prince and the princess to pay a visit? If it is a concern regarding the politics, may I request the Crown Prince to enter the Royal Court to report it to His Majesty. Benxiang is now taking a leave as a newlywed person. Benxiang really doesn't like anybody to trouble furen!"
He spoke very bluntly to avoid more contact with Qi Jing Yuan.
When Qi Ling'er heard these words, the corner of her lips, which was initially wearing a shallow smile, slightly paused. Then she removed her gaze from Yun Qian Meng, then turned around and looked at Qi Jing Yuan's figure from behind.
And Qi Jing Yuan just remained emotionless. At first his face looked gloomy, but on the contrary when he heard Chu Fei Yang's words, the corner of his mouth curved up into a smile, then afterwhich he spoke "Of course I came here because of Chu Xiang's grand wedding!"
After speaking, Qi Jing Yuan's cold eyes looked around the entire surroundings, then he laughed coldly and continued, "Locking the door and refusing to see the visitors who came by to congratulate, could it be that this is the new method used by Chu wangfu to entertain its visitors? Although benguan knew that Chu wangye is greatly respected by Emperor Yu Qian, but one shouldn't become arrogant because of this special favor. Keeping off all the visitors outside the gates of Chu wangfu, by doing this, isn't it too unreasonable?"
Chu Nan Shan listened as Qi Jing Yuan continuously tried to humiliate him. Qi Jing Yuan's way of pressuring him with such humiliation made the upper area of his white brows slightly tremble. his face became tranquil and indifferent instantly, while pondering and feeling puzzled he said, "I'm already old, my mental alertness is obviously unlike the time when I was young, naturally I would close the door and decline to meet visitors! Or else if I stressed myself, wouldn't it just outweigh my loses than gains! The Crown Prince is still young and robust, being fond of associating with other people, bearing a man's young and vigorous behavior, that will be evidently the best, but being too excessively dashing, will be very likely to bring harm to the mind and the body!"
Being tricked earlier by Chu Fei Yang, Chu Nan Shan's heart was already feeling sullen. Being interrogated like this by Qi Jing Yuan had ignited the flame of anger in Chu Wang's heart!
Since he couldn't offend Chu Fei Yang, then Qi Jin Yuan would do nicely!
Seeing that Chu Nan Shan and Chu Fei Yang were both unwilling to let her and the Crown Prince to enter Chu wangfu, Qi Ling'er laughed as she walked forward from behind Qi Jing Yuan. She approached Yun Qian Meng, gently held Yun Qian Meng's hands, smiled and said, "It's been a long time since I last met Yun xiaojie! Oh, wrong, now Yun Xiaojie is already Chu furen! The recent grand wedding of Chu Xiang and his furen, we've received the news too late, as a result it had been delayed until to today that we are able to come to visit and congratulate, please don't be concerned about it, furen and Chu Xiang!"
Qi Ling'er was full of smiles, naturally Yun Qian Meng would not stretch out her hand to slap her face. Moreover this Qi Ling'er was the princess Northerni Qi, in addition to Rui Wang still being held captive in Qi Jing Yuan's hands, regardless of the plans that Yu Qian Di might have had for this Bei Qi Princess, but in this current situation, such a bit of meager sensibilities must still be given to them as respect.
Hence, Yun Qian Meng also put on a smile and said, "Thanks for your concern, Princess!"
"There's no need to be too courteous, Chu furen! Benguan and furen really get along well, that's why benguan pleaded with brother Crown Prince to bring benguan here. It may be assumed that furen will not just ignore me, right?" While speaking, Qi Ling'er covered her mouth and started to laugh, but the corner of those smiling eyes did not forget to steal a glance towards Chu Fei Yang.
Watching Qi Ling'er worming her way into being friend with Yun Qian Meng, Chu Fei Yang's eyes contained a faint cold air. At first he had planned to bring Yun Qian Meng directly back to xiangfu, but this time seeing the corner of her mouth was wearing a smile, emitting some specks of light, after which he also followed suit and smiled before saying, "Then please proceed inside to have your seats, Crown Prince and Princess."
Upon speaking, he accompanied Qi Jing Yuan to step inside Chu wangfu together with Chu Nan Shan, while Yun Qian Meng was accompanying Qi Ling'er as they followed from behind the three persons.
All the way from the main gate to the front yard, then passing through the garden, until finally they had arrived at Chu Wang's side palace hall which he usually used to entertain visitors, unable to see a single fresh flower inside Chu wangfu. Qi Ling'er's eyes looked puzzled, even Qi Jing Yuan was brimming with curiosity towards this Chu Wang of Western Chu who had been famous since a very long time ago.
Seeing Qi Ji Yuan was being entertained by Chu Fei Yang and Chu Wang, Yun Qian Meng led Qi Ling'er to the garden and sat down inside the pavilion.
"Wangye, why isn't there any decorative items inside the fu? Although it is full of verdant and lush green shade which makes people feel carefree and relaxed, but if one were to add some more fragrant fresh flowers, won't that be even better?" Seeing the yard full of greens, Qi Ling'er felt it was monotonous, then she smiled and suggested.
Sensing Qi Ling'er seemed to have other meaning behind her words, Yun Qian Meng responded cunningly, "They were the same decorations that Chu wangfei had used during those years, perhaps grandpa only have Wang Fei in his heart, as a result he had continuously preserved its appearance."
After hearing these words, Qi Ling'er's eyes slightly flickered, then indifferently uttered, "Wangye, you are someone with a deep passion and best attitude, being so devoted like this, causing me to envy that Chu wangfei!"
While the two of them were talking, Shang Guan Mama led a few servant girls as they approached, seeing Yun Qian Meng and Qi Ling'er, all of them paid their courtesy.
"Everybody, rise. Didn't expect Mama to come over here at this moment, is there anything wrong?" Yun Qian Meng looked at those things being clasped in the hands of the servant girls, as she laughed and asked.
Shang Guan Mama slowly stood up, hearing Yun Qian Meng's inquiries, she also replied with a shallow smile, "Reporting to you, young furen, this time xiangye had allowed all of us to prepare some soft cushions, although it is extremely cozy outside today, but it was actually too cold, the stone stool inside the pavilion is extremely cold. Please do not just sit there, young furen, or else if the sickness raised up to the heart from the soles of the feet, then that will not be good!"
While speaking, Shang Guan Mama fetched the soft thick cushion from the hands of the servant girl standing behind her, and personally put it on the stone stool for Yun Qian Meng.
And as for Qi Ling'er, she took another cushion from the servant girl she brought, then placed it on the stone stool that she was sitting on.
"He must have exerted some efforts for this!" Feeling more comfortable than before, Yun Qian Meng pursed up her lips and smiled, then she remarked lightly.
But Shang Guan Mama was not finished just yet. Seconds later she took out a delicately decorated tiny mobile heater from her sleeve then put it into Yun Qian Meng's hands, then instructed the servant girl behind to leave, while she herself quietly retreated back behind Yun Qian Meng and remained silent.
Seeing that pretty mobile heater in Yun Qian Meng's hands, Qi Ling'er seemed to be envious, hence she could not help but comment, "Didn't expect Chu Xiang to be so thoughtful, treating his own furen with care in every possible way. You are really a blessed person, furen, for being able to marry such outstanding man like Chu Xiang, it really makes the people around you to feel envious."
Yun Qian Meng's both hands were clasping the apple-sized heater, she felt the heat inside the heater passed through her ten fingers then spread through every corner of her body, instantly warming up her slightly cold body. At once, her mental energy had improved a lot, having more energy to face Qi Ling'er standing in front of her. Upon hearing her keep mentioning about the man of Chu family, knowing clearly about her intentions today, the smile in the corner of her mouth lightened up a bit, the tone in her voice seemed to be with a bit of melancholy, her eyes insipidly looked at that slightly opened red lips on the face before her, "Princess, a person with a noble status like you, other people had strived hard to achieve it, also being born with such beautiful face, only made us envy the Princess even more! For us, what we are trying to seek for in this life will just be merely 'Wishing to find one true love, and never be apart until the end of time'! Such kind of wish from an ordinary person, will never be the target of interest for the Princess' eyes!"
Hearing Yun Qian Meng's response, Qi Ling'er went silent for a long moment. Seeing Yun Qian Meng was staring at the beautiful scenery of the garden with full concentration, she followed her as she shifted her gaze towards that greenery for a long time, then she slowly said "Furen, you are indeed unlike any other women! Such kind of wish, not to mention the ordinary women, even for the noble Princess like me, how many people like us will be able to have our wish fulfilled? But furen, you have effortlessly achieved it, it truly makes people envious!"
Having heard these words, the cold radiance in Yun Qian Meng's eyes flickered, slightly raising up one hand, pointing towards the pine trees in the garden she calmly said, "It's just merely a different point of view. Hearing Princess' words a while ago, I knew that Princess is a person who was fond of flowers! But, although all kinds of flowers were pretty, yet inevitably there will be a time for them to wither, but the pine tree has only one appearance, yet it is an evergreen tree. I think, this might be Chu wangfei's idea during those years. Qian Meng certainly knew that one's appearance and talents were not the best attributes, I'm not after the high position and great wealth, I also didn't expect to be in the league on my own, I only wish to be the only green that will forever hold a place in my husband's heart. This is only my humble thoughts, please do not laugh at me, Princess!"
Hearing Yun Qian Meng's words, Qi Ling'er was greatly amazed in her heart. She had been the one who used the garden before to express a hidden meaning, now she was unexpectedly refuted by Yun Qian Meng, pressuring her as she was not able to find words to retort her in return.
After all, what Yun Qian Meng had said a while ago, was the hope and expectation of every woman in the world. Although she was a noble princess, did she not also hope that she will also marry a husband who would truly love and cherish her?
And with Yun Qian Meng being frank, Qi Ling'er did not really know how to respond. If she were to retort back she would seem to twist words and force logic, if she were to retreat back, she would have appeared to be in the wrong side.
For a moment, the pavilion went extremely silent, Qi Ling'er made use of the idle time drinking tea, carefully arranging her thoughts in order to come up with a way to respond to Yun Qian Meng.
Yun Qian Meng carefully observed the slight changes underneath Qi Ling'er's tranquil and composed facial expression. Afterwhich she lifted up the teacup in front of her, with one hand carefully lifted open the lid and was about to take a sip, yet she discovered that it was only a cup of warm water. Feeling a little puzzled, she looked at Shang Guan Mama.
Receiving Yun Qian Meng's inquiring gaze, Shang Guan Mama simply nodded at her, hinting that it was prepared according to Chu Fei Yang's instructions. Feeling at ease Yun Qian Meng drank a mouthful of it, yet she discovered that it was actually a mild honey water, for a moment the sweetness of it flowed to her heart.
At the moment, Qi Ling'er was ready for her next round of attack which made that face with light makeup to slightly exposing an appropriate demure smile, with both eyes craftily looking at Yun Qian Meng, with a bit of concern she said, "With such cherished desire of furen, it is naturally the thoughts of every woman in the world! But, such ways of the world which woman could manage to do it? Then she might be called a promiscuous woman and cursed by the people."
The sweetness inside Yun Qian Meng's mouth was not dispersed yet but Qi Ling'er was already relentlessly questioning her. She could not help but curled up the corner of her lips, expressing an extremely unique smiling expression.
Upon seeing Yun Qian Meng like this, Qi Ling'er felt puzzled in her heart, failing to understand what was going on with Yun Qian Meng.
For a normal woman, hearing the these words like promiscuous woman would already make one's face turned deathly pale due to fear, but not only had not displayed any abnormal behavior, but she managed to squeeze out a smile happily. It truly made Qi Ling'er, who was used to analyzing people's thoughts, to slightly look distracted, somehow unable to fathom Yun Qian Meng's personality and her way of thinking.
At this time, Mu Chun and the others who were waiting inside the pavilion hearing their own xiaojie being given the title of a 'promiscuous woman' by Qi Ling'er, instantly their faces turned bright red due to anger, their hearts being outraged by injustice for Yun Qian Meng.
All the perspicacious persons were able to see that, the current young master truly loved their xiaojie in every possible way. But when these words came out from Northern Qi Princess' mouth, it had twisted its meaning, as if their xiaojie was the one who was being aggressive towards the young master. That was beyond doubt annoying!
Even for Shang Guan Mama who was used to being expressionless, yet after hearing Qi Ling'er's words, she could not restrain herself and let her brows to slightly wrinkled up.
Shang Guan Mama had seen Chu Fei Yang grew up with her own eyes, although she still could not be able to completely grasp Chu Fei Yang's thoughts, but she was able to clearly see some things. The young master was not being nice to the young furen for just a short period of time, but with such diligent efforts being spent, Shang Guan Mama was definitely certain about the young master's thoughts.
However this Northern Qi Princess' words really sounded hurtful to the ears. It was as if furen had demanded everything from the young master.
Yet, standing here for a long time, both defensive and offensive words from Yun Qian Meng made Shang Guan Mama feel completely confident with her. Even though she was not pleased with Qi Ling'er, she believed that none of these would pose a problem for Yun Qian Meng, instead she was quite curious about how Yun Qian Meng was going to respond next.
Yun Qian Meng gently laid down the teacup from her hand, casting up her eyes to look at Qi Ling'er, then said deliberately, "The fish and the bear's paw, you can't have the both of them at the same time, Qian Meng is not greedy! I didn't also have excessive expectations to cause other people to have the thought that I'm a virtuous or worthy person before I attain that person wholeheartedly. Besides, other people's comments still cannot affect my way of living. That person close to my heart and soul is someone that I can depend on in this life. Which is trivial or important, I believe, with the Princess' wisdom, she will definitely be able to differentiate them."
"Do you really not care about it, furen? Of all the women in the whole world, who doesn't care about her own reputation? Not to mention the wives of the outstanding men or the common people, even those honorable and delicate individuals inside the Imperial Palace, in order to gain His Majesty's admiration, they've also tried every possible means just to stuff those beautiful-looking women beside them to those people of supremacy! Ling'er seriously can't understand why furen had such a peculiar opinion, to hardly care about other people's opinion." But, be that as it may, Qi Ling'er's heart was still greatly shocked by what Yun Qian Meng had said moments ago. Deep within her heart, she was continuously asking herself, should she live in the eyes of the people around the world, or had she better to live for herself.
Watching the inner struggle in Qi Ling'er's eyes, also hearing her questioning closely unwillingly to give up, Yun Qian Meng only laughed without speaking. Evidently when words got sour, adding words would still be useless, there's no need for her to explain further to this woman who desire passionately for her own husband.
Besides, those which needed explanations were already illustrated by her. Whether Qi Ling'er really understood, or was pretending to be stupid, her standpoint and attitude would naturally not have any changes.
Even if Qi Ling'er asked her about the same question for a hundred times, the response would still be exactly the same.
"What are you discussing about, why are you laughing to your heart's content?" At this time, Chu Fei Yang walked towards the Pavilion together with Qi Jing Yuan, but his eyes only had Yun Qian Meng alone, from the beginning as he stepped inside the garden he was looking at his own wife who was wearing a smile in the corner of her mouth. Inside his heart he was quite inquisitive as to why his Meng'er would laugh happily upon seeing Qi Ling'er.
Looking at the two persons who were already making their way on the stairs, Yun Qian Meng and Qi Ling'er stood up one after another, after which the former simply smiled as she responded to Chu Fei Yang's inquiry; "I am only appreciating the wangfu's garden together with Princess. The Princess felt that the color in our garden was excessively monotonous, we must plant some more fresh flowers. And I think the verdant colors will look more pleasing to the eyes, as compared to the disorderly manner of a hundred flowers, it made people's mind to feel more at ease."
Having heard of these words, Qi Jing Yuan's eyes swept through Chu wangfu's garden along with Yun Qian Meng's words. Despite being in the winter time, but within the garden of the wangfu it was overflowing with the atmosphere like the beginning of spring, giving people a particular feeling full of vitality. Though the lack of decorative flowers causing people to have a waning interest, but as compared to seeing those decayed dried branches of winter time, yet it was already a hundred times better.
Nevertheless, Qi Jing Yuan was a somewhat highly shrewd person, how could he not know Qi Ling'er's intention for deliberately mentioning these things. Yet totally out of expectation, it had made Yun Qian Meng seize the decisive opportunity, going so far as to speak out in front of Chu Fei Yang.
Chu Fei Yang knew very well Yun Qian Meng's motive for deliberately mentioning the details of their conversation. This kind of abominable tiny fox, for putting out a white face, she had actually thrown the task of wearing a red face to him!
All right, who told her to be his wife! Particularly at the moment Yun Qian Meng still enthusiastically poured a cup of warm tea for him, Chu Fei Yang delightedly held up the teacup, had a toast with Qi Jing Yuan in the opposite side before took a sip, those perspicacious eyes roamed around the garden, then he looked at Yun Qian Meng, facing Qi Ling'er he said, "Princess, don't you feel that Meng'er is the only blooming fresh flower within this garden? Since there's already a fresh flower, why should we add other things? I really don't want to see that kind of dazzling garden. Crown Prince, what do you think, isn't it right?"
After speaking, Chu Fei Yang faced Yun Qian Meng then smiled weakly, a strange mood flickered in his eyes.
Even though Yun Qian Meng was satisfied with Chu Fei Yang's reply earlier, but the hint in the corner his eyes had caused her to be secretly angered. In his heart he could not help but warn himself, that he must not do the same thing again in the future, or else, he himself would fall head first to the situation.
Qi Jing Yuan watched as this couple echoed one another and turned down Qi Ling'er, yet he just laughed and did not mind them, afterwhich he commended and said, "Chu Xiang and furen were the married couple very much in love. No wonder our Ling'er is always saying that the furen had a good fortune. Apparently, it seemed that, even benguan is also a bit jealous about Chu Xiang and the furen's great lives, having a marital harmony."
Having heard what was said, Chu Fei Yang just curved up his lips, under the table his right hand held Yun Qian Meng's left hand, feeling that warmth radiating from her small hand, the curve in the corner of his mouth became even more obvious, after which he voiced out, "The Crown Prince is too modest! Our Imperial Court's Princess He Shun is actually a remarkably beautiful woman, I believe Crown Prince and Princess He Shun will certainly become the harmonious husband and wife, with mutual respect. Is there a need to feel jealous towards common people like us?"
Facing Chu Fei Yang who deliberately changed the topic, Qi Jing Yuan's face exposed a grim smiling expression. Those concealed fierce eyes could not restrain from stealing a glance towards Yun Qian Meng, seeing the corner of her mouth still had a light calm smiling expression, her eyes were emitting out the radiance of firm self-confidence, while in a corner Qi Ling'er had turned silent when Chu Fei Yang started to speak, although her face still contained a smiling expression, yet after all it was covered up with the impatience that would be easily provoked. This was the reason why her appearance had greatly surpassed Yun Qian Meng's, but but her loftiness had lost terribly against the other party's.
"I've been out with Ling'er for half day, after troubling you for quite a long time today, we must head back now!" Somehow beyond expectation, Qi Jing Yuan actually took the initiative to say goodbye, it was quite surprising.
The few of them stood up simultaneously, still it was Yun Qian Meng and Qi Ling'er walking side by side as they stepped down from the stairs.
"Ah…...:" But during this time, Qi Ling'er who was a little absent-minded tripped on the edge of her own skirt. However before her right foot could reach the flight of steps, her both hands recklessly waved in midair, almost hitting Yun Qian Meng who was beside her, and she could not restrain her own body to fall forward throwing herself towards Chu Fei Yang who was positioned in front……
Translated by: cristina Edited by: ChocolateMorn