Robe blanche - Chapitre 137
"The two grew up together on the Mica Snow Mountain, so their bond is naturally special."
"The regent prince has not yet taken a wife. I wonder what the king's plans are..."
...
Many words drifted into my ears, some true, some false, some real, some fake. My new identity requires many lies to support it. It seems I've never truly lived as myself, always using one lie after another to present myself to others. Is this what it means to be helpless in a different world? However, those comments about He Zinuo are really... sigh, speechless.
After three cannon salutes, King Jinque and his queen slowly walked in. The crimson sunset cast a thin golden-red hue on their white dresses, and the golden embroidered table shimmered with light, slightly dazzling. The Grand Preceptor and Shao Yuan followed closely behind their entourage. Everyone knelt down to pay their respects. Only after King Jinque and his queen ascended the throne did they tell everyone to rise, and the banquet could only begin.
As the master of ceremonies gave his orders, palace maids in colorful robes presented trays laden with fine wine and lifelike peacocks made of flour. This was the first formal dish of the sacrificial ceremony, considered the main course. The Golden Sparrow King raised his cup and drank the first cup with everyone, who were compelled to rise again and drink with him. The food continued to be served, and everyone seemed quite interested. To me, such a banquet was nothing special, just a large gathering of people. Perhaps it was considered sacred and glorious in their eyes.
Halfway through the banquet, everyone was already quite full when the performances on stage began. There were opera singers, acrobats… I couldn't quite understand what they were saying, and the sights were dazzling. I could only judge the performances as quite good from the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd. Actually, of all the years I've lived here, what I miss most is that New Year's Eve in Caizhou City. The conditions were a bit tough, but we had a wonderful time.
As night deepened, King Jinque descended from his throne and mingled with his courtiers and the common people, truly sharing in their joy. The atmosphere at the banquet became relaxed and cheerful, with many leaving their seats to drink and chat with acquaintances, creating a lively scene. Gan Lin gave me a wink, and then I saw Zi Nuo leading two other princes to toast the Grand Preceptor Ren Xu. Ren Xu drank it down in one gulp, then had Shao Yuan and me return the toast… The etiquette at this banquet was largely the same throughout history.
I raised my glass and swirled it at Zinuo. Zinuo smiled, his beauty breathtaking. I was increasingly unsure if he was really Zinuo. Even if boys change a lot as they grow up, the feeling he gave off now was just too unreal. Could two years really bring such a big change? Or had I truly never really known him?
After finishing the wine, Zi Nuo left Princes Luo Chen and Luo Hua behind and led Gan Lin and me to his seat. Only then did we realize that the dishes on his table were somewhat different from ours.
"Sister, this is for you." Zinuo pushed a plate of braised duck in front of me, looking at me with a hint of expectation. I had this dish with Zinuo a few days ago and thought it was quite good, so I ate a few more bites. I didn't expect him to remember it. Hearing that familiar voice and feeling his usual thoughtful care, I realized that he was still my younger brother Zinuo, not the high and mighty regent prince.
I picked up my chopsticks and ate a few pieces of duck meat. It was a bit cold, so the aroma wasn't as strong as before, but it was still quite nice for this weather. I nodded a few times, and Zinuo smiled and forked a piece of frozen honeydew melon for me: "I love ice, but don't eat too much, just a few pieces." I was wondering why everyone else had fruit platters with ice while I didn't; it turned out he was using his privilege to prevent me from having any. Considering he was thinking of my health, I forgave him.
After eating a few pieces of fruit, with a plum still in his mouth, the Minister's Son-in-Law and Princess Luoli came to Zi Nuo's side.
"Royal sister, brother-in-law." Zi Nuo stood up and drank the wine that Princess Luo Li had brought. The prince consort also drank it all in one gulp, but Princess Luo Li, who was pregnant, only took a small sip. I stood beside Zi Nuo and watched.
Next is Luoyan, who can be considered Zinuo's younger sister. However, Zinuo doesn't seem to be particularly close to these brothers and sisters. Looking at Zinuo and me, I'm even more convinced that the bond cultivated later in life is stronger than the blood ties we share.
The two princesses returned to their seats, and Zi Nuo quietly got up, leading Gan Lin and me away from the banquet to return to the palace.
"Isn't it too early to go back now? You're the future king." I asked Zinuo, still a little worried, from behind the crowd.
"Don't worry, sister. It's precisely because he's not the king yet that he can take it easy." Zi Nuo smiled slightly mischievously. He had indeed been working hard for a long time; at least since I woke up, I hadn't seen him have a single day of leisure.
"It's too noisy here. If you're still not satisfied, we can still enjoy drinks and conversation when we get back to Xiyang Palace."
He shook his head with a helpless smile, and followed closely behind Zinuo with Gan Lin.
As he approached the carriage and was about to get in, a beautiful figure blocked his way. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Zi Ling.
"Your Highness Luoyang, could you please take me back to the palace?" Ziling stood before Zinuo, her eyes fixed on Ganlin, her thoughts clearly visible on her face. Princess Ziling had been in the Golden Sparrow Kingdom for several years, living alone in Zhiyang Palace, which wasn't far from Xiyang Palace. She and Ganlin must have met before, and she couldn't help but look at Ganlin with a hint of ambiguity. However, Ganlin's face remained icy, ignoring Ziling completely. When he met my teasing gaze, he turned his head away.
Zi Nuo smiled and said, "Please, Princess." With that, she stepped onto the carriage herself on the brocade stool, and then reached out her right hand to pull me up as well, leaving Zi Ling and Gan Lin below.
Zi Ling slightly raised her chin towards Gan Lin, and without asking for help, she nimbly jumped onto the carriage. Judging from her movements, it was clear that what Shen Zexuan had said back then was true; this princess was indeed different from other princesses.
Gan Lin silently got into the carriage. Zinuo and I had already sat down side by side. Although the carriage was spacious, there was only one seat left next to Ziling. Gan Lin glanced inside the carriage and then sat down next to the eunuch driving the carriage, no longer looking back inside. The atmosphere in the carriage was somewhat subtle.
My first impression of Zi Ling was quite good. My intuition told me she was straightforward, bold, and passionate, perhaps partly due to shared experiences. Whatever the reason, I would be happy to see her and Gan Lin become a couple; I've never seen anyone around me find happiness together. However, Gan Lin's reaction seems a bit excessive. Why is he avoiding Zi Ling so much? Having been separated from them for so long, and with so much happening in between, I understand them less and less. This applies to Gan Lin, Zinuo, and perhaps others as well.
There was no moon tonight, but the wide, smooth palace road was lined with large red lanterns, making it brightly lit with flickering light and shadow. Listening to the crisp clatter of horses' hooves on the stone slabs, Zhiyang Palace soon came into view. The carriage stopped in front of the palace gate. Ziling lifted her skirt and jumped down, giving Ganlin a slightly resentful glare before entering. Seeing that Ganlin didn't react, she reluctantly strode into the palace.
The eunuch driving the carriage turned around, and the carriage headed back towards Xiyang Palace. Gan Lin remained seated outside, not coming in. She nudged Zinuo's arm nervously, and Zinuo returned a reassuring smile. But how could she be at ease looking at Gan Lin's stiff back?
Back at Xiyang Palace, the head lady-in-waiting, Yan Yu, sent someone to report that Chu Chen had suffered from a stomachache during the night, had been examined by the imperial physician, and was now sleeping peacefully; everything else was fine. Following the palace maid to Chu Chen's room, Yan Yu saw that Chu Chen was indeed sleeping soundly. She then checked on Xiao Wan, who was asleep next door, before finally arriving at the pavilion in the garden, where Zi Nuo and Gan Lin were already drinking together.
Sitting down beside him, looking at his two closest loved ones, he felt a deep sense of contentment. Yet, in a small corner, there seemed to be a slight emptiness, a touch of pain, or perhaps what could be called "regret." Was he struck by Zi Ling's subtly courageous act?
With a wry smile, I picked up my glass, took a small sip—it was a sweet fruit wine. My life had reached a point where I needed to be so deliberately concerned. If I could see him again while I'm still alive, would I be brave enough to do so? He doesn't even know that he's already taken up residence in my heart…
Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 120
Chapter word count: 3435 Update time: 09-09-14 11:20
Waking from her afternoon nap, Ruosheng informed her that Princess Ziling had come to visit. After a quick tidying up, she immediately had Ziling invited in. Inside Pingbo Pavilion, she ordered two cups of floral tea to be brewed and seasonal fruits to be laid out, then waited for Ziling's arrival. Pingbo Pavilion was entirely built of nan bamboo, situated on the water, and well-ventilated on all sides, making it a perfect place to cool off in the summer. She often enjoyed the breeze there at night with Zinuo, Ganlin, and the others.
Amidst the lush greenery, a figure in lake blue gracefully approached. It was Zi Ling, dressed in a light gauze dress, looking even more elegant than yesterday. As she drew nearer, she turned a corner and ascended the bamboo staircase of Pingbo Pavilion, the soft sound of her footsteps echoing around her.
He put on the smile he had practiced in front of the mirror for a long time and quietly watched Zi Ling walk closer.
"Saintess?" Zi Ling raised her eyebrows slightly, addressing me with an uncertain tone.
She wasn't used to being addressed that way, and neither was I. My professional smile faltered, and I chuckled, saying, "Qingqiu is the same age as the princess, only two months older. If the princess doesn't mind, you can simply call me Qingqiu."
Zi Ling scoffed, "I'm just an empty princess with no country or home. I'm already lucky that others don't despise me." She spoke self-deprecatingly, but there was no real self-mockery in her tone, suggesting she was quite philosophical about it. No country, no home—perhaps I'm a little better off than her, or perhaps even worse. But in that respect, the Golden Sparrow King has been quite kind, still treating Zi Ling with courtesy despite her extremely awkward status.
Zi Ling sat down opposite me and said with a light smile, "I have heard the name of the Holy Maiden mentioned by the palace servants many times, but I only had the chance to meet her yesterday. I hope my visit today has not disturbed the Holy Maiden."
"Not at all, it's nice to have someone come and talk to me occasionally." What could the palace servants say about me? It was just my hair color and eyes, which seemed strange to them, and the fact that I had been living in Zinuo's palace and receiving his meticulous care. In their eyes, Zinuo was almost comparable to a god, and I was honored to receive such care from him. However, Ziling's visit to me was definitely not for this reason.
Sure enough, she said, "I've heard that Guard Gan has been following the Holy Maiden. Could you please tell me about Guard Gan? To be honest, when the Holy Maiden was unconscious, I spent several days with Guard Gan and fell deeply in love with him. If I could find such a fine man as Guard Gan in this foreign land, I would have no regrets."
I guessed that Ziling had come for Ganlin, but I didn't expect her to be so straightforward, telling me her feelings for Ganlin without any beating around the bush. Although I had already glimpsed her feelings for Ganlin last night, hearing her say it like this still shocked and embarrassed me. I admire women like her, but I would find it very difficult to do the same.
I wanted to help her and Gan Lin get together, but I knew very little about Gan Lin himself. As long as I knew he was completely kind to me, I almost never asked about his past experiences, since they weren't happy memories. "Since Your Highness is so frank, I have no choice but to tell you the truth. I only spent a few months with Brother Gan, and we were mostly separated, so I don't know much about him. If Your Highness wants to win Brother Gan's heart, you should try to win him over yourself. That way, he'll see you more often." After saying this, I waited for Zi Ling's response, but she looked out the window and didn't answer for a long time. Looking over, I saw Gan Lin holding Chu Chen's arm as they walked through the garden, with Xiao Wan and a palace maid following closely behind.
Sigh, I don’t know if she heard me. Just as I was about to repeat myself, I heard Zi Ling say, “In that case, I still need to ask the Holy Maiden to help create more opportunities for me to spend time with Guard Gan. Guard Gan lives in Xiyang Palace, and this is not a place that Zi Ling can come to whenever she wants.”
"Creating opportunities?" I couldn't say much to Gan Lin about her affairs, but creating opportunities didn't seem too difficult.
"I received instruction from Guard Gan for a few days before. If the Holy Maiden could have him teach Zi Ling for a while longer, Zi Ling's chances would be much better." As she spoke, a faint blush rose on Zi Ling's face. It turned out she was still shy after all. However, given Gan Lin's coldness, she did indeed need to take the initiative.
Reminded by Zi Ling, he began to secretly consider his options, but he couldn't agree immediately. After all, Gan Lin was the person in charge, and even if it was under the guise of teaching Zi Ling martial arts, he still had to consult Gan Lin's opinion.
After finishing our business, Zi Ling told me about some trivial matters that had happened inside and outside the palace recently. Because of my intentional or unintentional avoidance, not much news had spread from Xi Yang Palace. When Zi Ling told me about it today, I just shook my head and smiled faintly. Seeing that I was not very interested, Zi Ling got up to take her leave and ordered someone to escort her back to Zhi Yang Palace.
If I had met her a few years earlier, would things be different for both of us? Now, her personality hasn't changed, but she is still a woman who grew up in the palace; and as for me, my curiosity and enthusiasm are far less than before. I am just enjoying these peaceful days with my family, which may end at any time. If I didn't sincerely hope that someone would be by Ganlin's side, I probably wouldn't meddle in other people's business.