Hibiscus as a Painting - Chapter 22
Young and naive, unaware of sorrow (Part 1) In March of the fourteenth year of Xuanlong of the Yue Kingdom, the Yue Kingdom army and the enemy army were locked in a stalemate for three months.
A severe blizzard raged across the borders of the Yue Kingdom for over a month. The cities defended by the Yue army were difficult to attack due to their rugged terrain, and the supply lines to the rear were blocked by the snow. At this critical moment, the friendly arrival of the envoys from the Chen Kingdom delighted Emperor Xuanlong.
During the war between the Yue Kingdom and the Yao Kingdom, the Chen Kingdom, which had initially remained neutral and intended to reap the benefits, suddenly changed its mind for some unknown reason and firmly sided with the seemingly weaker Yue Kingdom. This drastically altered the previously balanced power structure among the three kingdoms.
To demonstrate its stance, the Chen Kingdom also sent Princess Xile, the beloved younger sister of Emperor Zaichu, along with its entourage. It was rumored that this princess was the eldest daughter of the Chen Kingdom, holding an extraordinary position and deeply favored by the puppet Emperor Zaichu and the de facto ruler of Chen, King Anle. Yet, the Chen Kingdom was willing to leave her in the Yue Kingdom until the war ended; this concession from the Chen Kingdom was truly perplexing.
What puzzled the officials even more was that Emperor Xuanlong showed no surprise upon hearing the news, but instead revealed a smile as if he had everything under control.
The attitude of the Chen Kingdom and the humility of the envoy greatly pleased Emperor Xuanlong, so he ordered the tutors to suspend the studies of the princesses and princes for three days to celebrate. Zi Jin even stole half a day of leisure from her busy life.
"Jin Di, today Father is taking everyone on a boat trip on the lake. Would you like to come with us?" Jun An smiled as he looked at the person who was lying in bed, unwilling to open his eyes.
Zi Jin turned over, pretending not to hear, and thought to herself: The spring sun is already a bit harsh. I'm already dark enough. If I get any darker, how will I ever fulfill my dream of having a harem of handsome martial arts heroes?
Jun Chi looked helplessly at Zi Jin, then looked apologetically at Jun An and said, "Second Brother, you don't know, Brother Jin is... quite... quite afraid of sunlight."
"Is that so? Today, we're going out for a boat trip on the lake, and we'll also let the envoy from Chen Kingdom see the customs of our Yue people. I thought Brother Jin would be willing, so I specially asked Father for permission to let Brother Jin go along. If Brother Jin really doesn't want to, then I'll go back and report..."
Before Jun An could finish speaking, Zi Jin sat up abruptly.
happy Bao immediately put her sycophantic nature to the fullest, saying, "Please wait in the living room, Your Highnesses. Master will be there shortly after you make your preparations."
Riding on her horse, Zi Jin gazed at the already scorching spring sun with immense depression, thinking to herself: Why am I so unable to resist temptation? Emperor Xuanlong's departure from the palace is a major event, and the road ahead was already completely surrounded by guards. How can we see the customs of the people under such circumstances? Most importantly, the Emperor, Jun Lin, the Grand Tutor, the Prime Minister, the envoy from Chen Kingdom, Princess Xile, and the twins all rode in sedan chairs. Why did she, Jun An, Jun Chi, and Qi Yongyue have to ride a silly horse and bask in the sun?
Ten miles outside the capital of the Moon Kingdom lies Biyue Lake, its waters crystal clear, appearing from afar as a vibrant, jewel-like emerald green. Legend has it that a uniquely delicious fish once roamed this lake. The former Empress Yanzai once traveled a great distance to catch it herself, her efforts to bring live fish to the capital causing the deaths of countless fine steeds. Sadly… this fish has now become extinct for unknown reasons.
Zi Jin was captivated by the scenery: the unspoiled landscape was truly intriguing. Could this be considered a free time travel? If she were still in modern times, she might not be able to see such a lake even if she went to Jiuzhaigou.
"What is Brother Jin looking at?" Jun Chi asked, looking at Zi Jin, who had been frowning ever since leaving the palace.
Zi Jin shook her head and sighed silently.
After boarding the ship, Emperor Xuanlong led his ministers to the second floor of the pleasure boat, leaving the rest of the people in the first-floor hall. Zi Jin finally understood what the old fox Emperor Xuanlong was planning.
Crown Prince Jun Lin was ordered to lead his ministers on a tour of the first floor. Wasn't this clearly setting up a blind date for that damned princess?
Princess Xile of Chen Kingdom wore a veil and hat ever since she stepped out of the sedan chair, explaining that it was a custom in Chen Kingdom for young women not to reveal their faces in public. Now that she dared not even show her face, who would be interested in her?
Zi Jin really admired the pig-headed prince for being able to have such a pleasant conversation with someone wearing a straw hat. It seemed that Jun Lin was determined to get Princess Xi Le.
The Crown Prince truly lives up to his name; without even seeing what the other woman looks like, he's already investing his entire future happiness in this ill-fated Princess Xile for the sake of the throne. Truly, shamelessness breeds fearlessness… no… it's ignorance… ignorance breeds fearlessness…
Jun An now dotes on both twins, and even a fool could see their feelings for each other weren't genuine. But which twin does Jun An truly love? If he loves both, would the twins be willing to share him?
Are people in ancient times too precocious? The Crown Prince will only be sixteen in a few months, and Princess Xile doesn't seem to be that big, although she is quite tall, seemingly not much different in height from Jun Lin.
What was Zi Jin doing when she was fifteen? She was still living the most carefree days of her junior high school life, begging and whining to her parents for more pocket money.
Zi Jin looked at Jun Chi with a relieved expression and thought to herself: It's good that you're still young and not in a hurry to find a wife. You know how to keep me company, this lonely man.
Jun Chi seemed to sense something, gently rested his head on Zi Jin's shoulder, and closed his eyes with a smile on his lips.
In a corner of the cabin, Qi Yongyue was taking a nap with his eyes closed when Zi Jin's mischievous heart suddenly struck her. She stopped Jun Chi from following her, tiptoed over to Qi Yongyue, and patted his shoulder hard.
Zi Jin was only meant to scare Qi Yongyue, but Qi Yongyue was startled and shoved her away. He was sitting on the outermost side, and with that push, Zi Jin fell into the water.
There was a loud "thump".
"Brother Jin!"
Jun Chi was about to jump into the water when Jun An stopped him, saying, "You can't swim; you'll just cause trouble if you go in."
Jun Lin was initially startled when he saw Zi Jin fall into the water, but then smiled and leaned against the railing with the others, looking down into the water.
The Moon Kingdom is a plain region, and very few people can swim. Outside the imperial city, only Biyue Lake can be considered a place with water, but this place is only for elegant people to enjoy. The government has banned fishing for many years, so where are the fishing boats and fishermen?
Three or five of the guards who knew how to swim jumped in, but only dared to search around the boat. Everyone was anxious.
With a "thump!", a white gauze dress floated past everyone's eyes and disappeared.
Jun Lin was shocked: "Princess!"
Emperor Xuanlong, who was waiting upstairs, heard Jun Lin's call and immediately led his officials down the painted boat to the first floor.
The guards in the water were shocked to discover that even Princess Xi Le had fallen in, so they slightly expanded the search area.
"Haha...haha..." Zi Jin was seen laughing loudly, holding a large fish in one hand in the water about ten feet away from the boat. The warm spring sunshine made her arrogant smile shine.
Jun Chi smiled when he saw that Zi Jin was safe, while Jun Lin glanced at Zi Jin but still stared anxiously at the water.
Emperor Xuanlong gazed at Zi Jin in the distance, a complex mix of emotions flashing across his face. He staggered back two steps, only to be supported by the eunuch behind him. His eyes remained unfocused as he stared blankly at the jade-green lake.
As if hearing laughter, a white figure appeared not far from Zi Jin.
Zi Jin turned around and reflexively whistled. Look at her, a lotus emerging from the water, with skin as white as ice and bones as white as jade, eyebrows as delicate as distant mountains, hair as green as spring mist, lips as red as cherries, and a very faint smile on her lips.
Why does she look so familiar? She's a woman from the Nalan Nan tribe's ancestral temple! But that gauze dress belongs to Princess Xile!
Zi Jin gasped in surprise, threw the fish back into the lake, and her mind went blank.
Princess Xile winked playfully at Zi Jin, smiled slightly, and swam towards the boat.
The people on the ship were stunned by the beauty of the woman.
After Zi Jin and west Le safely boarded the ship, Emperor Xuanlong made no comment on the matter. His eyes remained blank as he returned to the second floor with the help of his personal eunuch.
Emperor Xuanlong sat down in the main seat, looking tired. His personal eunuch tried to approach him, but Emperor Xuanlong waved him away.