Because of Qiu Lanxi, it took them some time to get there. Even so, Qiu Lanxi was still slightly out of breath, which showed that she was either a sickly beauty or not.
Since Yan Qingli did not let go, Qiu Lanxi had no choice but to sit next to her. Princess Shaoguang's meal was very extravagant, with the table almost full, and each dish exuding an enticing aroma.
However, whether it was due to restraint or simply being used to the food, none of this whetted Yan Qingli's appetite. She barely touched any of the dishes. Qiu Lanxi, on the other hand, was quite uninhibited. She was already hungry and loved meat, so she focused on eating meat dishes.
For aristocratic families that have always been restrained, such behavior is really unseemly. Yan Qingli's gaze shifted and then couldn't help but fall on Qiu Lanxi.
Her posture wasn't actually bad; she sat upright and looked quite presentable. Yan Qingli thought of the information presented by the secret guards and couldn't help but think that she wasn't as bad as the higher-ups described.
Compared to her pitiful appearance during the day, she looked much more energetic now, as if the food had soothed her anxious emotions.
They're fairly easy to please.
However… Yan Qingli thought casually about the other party’s probing, “They have too many thoughts; they need to be polished before they become useful.”
Thinking this, she quietly put down her chopsticks.
Qiu Lanxi did not ignore Yan Qingli, after all, Princess Shaoguang was her only asset. Seeing that she had stopped eating, she immediately put down her chopsticks as well.
Yan Qingli's expression remained unchanged: "Are you full?"
Qiu Lanxi's eyelashes trembled twice, as if she didn't know whether she was full or not. Before she could finish her dilemma, Yan Qingli said, "Qingqing is too thin. Why don't you eat more?"
It was not a question, but an order.
Qiu Lanxi had no choice but to pick up her chopsticks again. Even though Yan Qingli was watching her the whole time, she didn't feel like she couldn't eat. Her mental fortitude was exceptionally good. However, her gaze was like that of a wary rabbit, quickly shifting away the moment they met. Like a cat cautiously trying to figure out its master's intentions, she looked obedient but was probably thinking about something to provoke.
Yan Qingli chuckled at her own thoughts, picked up her bowl and chopsticks again, but her eyes remained fixed on the food as she ate, looking at it as if it were the perfect accompaniment to her meal.
Qiu Lanxi couldn't help but find this a bit strange. Did Princess Shaoguang have some kind of quirk? Did she watch her eat?
When Qiu Lanxi's belly was slightly bulging from eating, Princess Shaoguang put down her chopsticks, reached out and took Qiu Lanxi's hand to leave.
Logically speaking, Qiu Lanxi should have been moved to a guest room or somewhere else at this hour, but Yan Qingli made no attempt to instruct the servants and instead took her back to the bedroom where she had woken up.
The maidservants moved in and out with their eyes lowered and breath held, behaving with impeccable manners, and no one stopped them. Qiu Lanxi watched as Yan Qingli was served and washed up, and she herself was also dazed and her everything was taken care of. When Princess Shaoguang beckoned to her from the bed, Qiu Lanxi hurriedly pulled out a film she had watched out of curiosity many years ago from her mind, striving to make her moan melodious and alluring, and her low sobs tempting to be abused.
On the surface, she pretended to be inexperienced and climbed onto the bed somewhat stiffly, as if she was nervous about what was about to happen. Yan Qingli's eyes were dark, and he reached out and held Qiu Lanxi's waist. With a gentle pull, he made her lie in his arms.
But apart from that, Yan Qingli did nothing else out of line. Because she was lying so close to Qiu Lanxi's heart, Qiu Lanxi could hear her heartbeat. It was steady and regular, not excited, and didn't seem like she was looking forward to something.
Qiu Lanxi felt a subtle sense of regret because the mental preparation she had made for herself had not been of any use. At the same time, it made her realize that the other party was not after her beauty and that taking her away was for his own use.
Used to accuse Wang Baiying? A human-shaped pet? A tool?
Before she could figure it out, Yan Qingli had already picked up the book and started reading.
Upon seeing this, the maid holding the lantern silently moved the bronze goose-fish lamp inlaid with luminous pearls closer before bowing her head and retreating.
The goose-fish lamp is full of the craftsman's ingenuity. It can even adjust the brightness so that people won't hurt their eyes when reading at night. Qiu Lanxi lay quietly, turned her head towards the book, and seeing that Yan Qingli didn't object, she started reading with peace of mind.
Although the original owner of the body was not very literate, she still recognized a few characters. Qiu Lanxi guessed and managed to make out the contents of the book. It was a storybook about a scholar who went deep into the mountains to study for the imperial examinations. He ended up rescuing a girl by the roadside. The girl became his lover in the mountains, and he was so infatuated that he didn't even want to take the exams. Despite the pleas of his wife, children, and elderly parents, he only wanted to stay with the beautiful girl forever.
Qiu Lanxi couldn't understand why Princess Shaoguang was interested in such a story. She found it too difficult to read, and seeing that the other party really didn't intend to do anything, she simply fell asleep.
Yan Qingli looked down at her. In the darkness, her skin appeared even whiter than during the day. Her frail body clung to her, as if she were the only person in the world she could rely on.
Such a delicate person is undoubtedly unable to withstand any storms, like a dodder vine.
However, Yan Qingli once read in an ancient book that dodder flowers are not as delicate as people think. They cling to large trees, blinding the trees, and what awaits the trees is their gradual withering and the increasingly delicate dodder flowers.
The dodder vine is deadly, but Yan Qingli, who allows the dodder vine to cling to her, is not afraid. No matter how cunning one is, one must rely on power and status, which the other party happens to lack.
Without these, even if the dodder vine truly possessed the ability to suck blood, it would be at the mercy of being crushed and ravaged, just like at this very moment.
Her fingertips traced across the other person's delicate neck, letting out a sigh that sounded both regretful and satisfied.
Chapter 3
Princess Shaoguang suddenly led troops to surround Xunyan Lane. Such a commotion attracted the attention of almost everyone in the capital, both openly and secretly. Xunyan Lane was a place where many high-ranking officials kept mistresses, and there were usually many people who paid attention to the movements here. So, as soon as Yan Qingli left, the news immediately began to spread everywhere.
The Da Ning region has a long-standing tradition that imperial sons-in-law cannot hold official positions. Wang Baiying was so full of vigor when he was chosen as the third-ranked scholar by the emperor, but he was so depressed when he was chosen as the imperial son-in-law.
Though the beauty is stunning and the princess is noble, what ambitious scholar would willingly become a mere decoration, watching Tongze rise through the ranks?
Therefore, Princess Shaoguang took pity on her husband and persuaded the emperor to send him to the front line. If nothing unexpected happened, it wouldn't be difficult for him to get an official position after returning with military merits.
Because of this incident, almost everyone believed that Princess Shaoguang must have deeply loved her husband. After all, even for someone as favored as Princess Shaoguang, it would not have been easy to accomplish something that violated ancestral rules.
The prince consort probably took the rumors seriously, believing that Princess Shaoguang loved him so much that she would be willing to compromise for him like other wives of noblewomen, which is why he dared to bring Qiu Lanxi back.
Unexpectedly, Princess Shaoguang, upon learning of this, immediately surrounded Xunyan Lane and even ordered the prince consort's belongings to be thrown out, leading a group to vandalize the area. As for Wang Baiying himself, she completely ignored him.
Wang Baiying and Yan Qingli have been married for three years. During those three years, Wang Baiying has never been unfaithful. In fact, he has even written several poems and articles praising the princess, which has led many young noblewomen to add literary talent to their requirements for their future husbands.
However, literary talent is not the same as character. Qiu Lanxi knew very well that people like Wang Baiying were only afraid to act rashly because of Princess Shaoguang's status. In essence, they were still full of longing for the life of a virtuous wife and beautiful concubines.
However, as the "beautiful concubine," Qiu Lanxi felt she had no right to comment on these matters. Yet Yan Qingli made no attempt to avoid suspicion, and when the maid reported Wang Baiying's movements to her, she did not hide anything from her.
So Qiu Lanxi was also forced to learn how magnificent and poignant Wang Baiying's poem of repentance was. She choked up several times in public when talking about the princess, regardless of the occasion, and lost weight within a few days, looking like a terminally ill patient, which was pitiful.
Even with Qiu Lanxi's mediocre literary skills, she had to admit that the other party's poetic talent was indeed not bad. It would have been even better if the poem hadn't shifted all the blame onto her.
Whether others believed Qiu Lanxi or not is unknown, but Yan Qingli was clearly unmoved by this move. He even gave Qiu Lanxi a glass hairpin that day, perhaps to comfort her.
...
…………
Yan Qingli looked rather unwell after court today, suggesting that something must have happened during the court session.
Indeed, Yan Qingli holds an official position. Her existence has almost redefined everyone's understanding of how favored a princess is. Even if it's not a real post, the fact that she can only stand in the court is enough to show how much the current emperor loves this princess.
However, their apparent intimacy was merely superficial. Yan Qingli never confided anything to her, so Qiu Lanxi pretended not to notice and asked with a smile, "Your Highness, it's getting late. Shall we have dinner?"
Yan Qingli nodded and said, "It's getting late. You've been in the capital for quite some time now, and I imagine you haven't had a chance to explore the city yet. After we finish our meal, I'll take you out for a walk."
Qiu Lanxi paused. Was this the culmination of so much buildup, and now they were finally going to use her?
She quickly smiled, as if she knew nothing: "Then let's use it quickly, I can't wait."
Yan Qingli glanced at her, paused briefly at the corner of her lips, and calmly looked away.
After having her meal, Qiu Lanxi changed her clothes. The light green dress made her look even more delicate, and her waist was so slender that it seemed as if she could be broken with a gentle pinch, making one's hands and heart itch with desire.
She seemed oblivious to anything amiss, and even circled in front of Yan Qingli, smiling as she asked, "What does Your Highness think of my outfit?"
"Very good."
Although she said that, her tone was extremely flat, as if it were just a polite compliment. Only Qiu Lanxi knew that beneath the other person's sanctimonious appearance, she was almost provocatively caressing her hand, perfectly embodying the meaning of feigned seriousness.
When Yan Qingli led her out, the carriage had been waiting at the gate for a long time, but what attracted more attention than the carriage was the person who had taken off his shirt and was carrying thorns to apologize in front of the princess's mansion.
It's not summer yet, and there's still a chill in the air. Such behavior is enough to make one shiver with cold, not to mention that the thorns on the other person's back don't seem to have been completely removed, and they've even scratched several bloody marks.
Scholars value their reputation above all else. Qiu Lanxi glanced at the onlookers around her and thought that Wang Baiying had really gone all out. In a sense, this was almost moral blackmail. After all, it was a patriarchal society. The other party had done so much, and in the eyes of others, if the princess didn't forgive him, she would be ungrateful. Even women wouldn't speak up for her anymore.
Ultimately, this is a patriarchal society that preys on women.
Qiu Lanxi couldn't help but look at Yan Qingli. There was no emotion or disgust in his eyes, as if he were looking at the grass and trees by the roadside.
"Time flies!"
Upon finally seeing Yan Qingli, Wang Baiying's eyes immediately brightened. But when she met Yan Qingli's cold gaze, she looked somewhat lost and said, "Greetings, Your Highness!"
“I know my sins are grave and I dare not ask for the princess’s forgiveness. It was only because I saw that Miss Qiu was pitiful that I took her back. As for what happened here, whether you kill me or torture me, it is entirely my responsibility!”
After saying this, he prostrated himself deeply on the ground.
Qiu Lanxi thought to herself, "He really managed to absolve himself of all his crimes. He kept saying it was all his fault, but he made it sound so serious, as if Princess Shaoguang was usually domineering and liked to use private punishments at home. And what's with all this talk about being pitiful? It means she was cunning and bewitched him."
This kneeling further cleansed him of all guilt. Since ancient times, the five subjects of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher have been considered the foundation of a man's life. How could a man kneel to any other than these five?
I'm done. If anyone makes a fuss about something as trivial as not being able to control one's lower body, then it's the other person's problem.
“I did not blame the Prince Consort,” Yan Qingli glanced at the veil that was being blown up by the breeze, revealing a glimpse of her face beneath. She then pulled the veil down and smiled gently, “Even I feel pity for you, so how much more so for the Prince Consort?”
She took Qiu Lanxi's hand: "When my father bestowed me with the title of consort, we were a perfect couple, living in harmony. But after meeting you, I realized what it means to be captivated by you at first sight and never be able to live a full life. From then on, my lover was just a stranger."
Upon hearing this, an unspeakable silence immediately fell over the surroundings.
Princess Shaoguang adapted a poem from a previous dynasty, "A Gift to a Maidservant." The phrases "bestowed a title" and "from now on, Xiao Lang is a stranger" are enough to show that Yan Qingli has always regarded the consort as something bestowed upon her by the current emperor. Now that her former lover has become a stranger, it is clear that she has lost interest in Wang Baiying and loves "Qingqing" more.
Such shocking words stunned Wang Baiying on the spot. He didn't even have time to think about the intentions that made him even more ashamed and indignant. By the time he came to his senses, Yan Qingli had already led Qiu Lanxi into the carriage and left.
As one of the main characters in the vortex, Qiu Lanxi had only one feeling: Yan Qingli's mouth was really sharp and he dared to say such things. The word "bestowed" was enough to kill Wang Baiying. Yan Qingli compared him to the concubines that were given to him. In the future, everyone would think of this word when they mentioned him.
But as the most favored princess of the time, who would dare to criticize Yan Qingli even if she said such things? So in the end, it was obviously only Wang Baiying who suffered, while Qiu Lanxi, others would probably be more curious about just how beautiful she was, that not only did Wang Baiying take the risk, but even Yan Qingli tore off his mask for her.
However, Wang Baiying was indeed infatuated with her, but he became rational after returning to the capital. After settling Qiu Lanxi in the courtyard, he never came to see her again, only writing letters to express his "unavoidable circumstances." But Yan Qingli was never infatuated with her.
Qiu Lanxi wore a veil before leaving, which is why Wang Baiying didn't notice her when she went out with Yan Qingli. Otherwise, she would have definitely changed her story at the last minute; he was capable of that.
Qiu Lanxi was initially puzzled as to why she would wear such things when the atmosphere in Da Ning was rather unrestrained and young women didn't usually go out. Now she realized that this was a trap set by Yan Qingli for Wang Baiying.
But what exactly is she trying to achieve by putting on such a show?
"What are you thinking about?" Yan Qingli suddenly put down the book in her hand and asked.
Qiu Lanxi blinked, looking at her blankly: "Huh?"
Yan Qingli touched the book cover beside him: "The prince consort carried thorns to apologize, and you feel sorry for him?"
People tend to feel a certain fondness for those who save them from dire straits, especially if the person is also good-looking; such a person might even be willing to repay such kindness with their body.
Such people, though easy to manipulate, are ultimately not perfect.
"No, not at all." Qiu Lanxi shook her head, looking at Yan Qingli, not interpreting it as simple jealousy, but rather feeling a chill in her heart.
"Um?"
"I'm just curious, wasn't he a veteran? Why does he look so... frail?"
She used a word that didn't sound so unpleasant, showing no shame at the fact that she was paying attention to these things.
Wang Baiying carried thorns to apologize, but Qiu Lanxi only noticed that he had no muscles, no wounds from the battlefield, and even his skin was fair.
"...A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall." Yan Qingli lowered her head to read again.
Qiu Lanxi could detect a hint of regret in her tone. Perhaps when Yan Qingli sent him to the battlefield at the beginning, she did have the idea of supporting him, but his actions did not meet her expectations.
So even without her, Princess Shaoguang would probably find another way to get rid of her.
However, this has nothing to do with Qiulanxi, who is like a floating duckweed.