Красоты династии Сун

Глава 7

"Why am I always the one who's awake!" Xingge muttered to himself, feeling the world spinning around him. He quickly grabbed his zither and sword and stumbled back to the South Courtyard, not forgetting to punch Jiuru twice before leaving.

12. will do

When Xingge opened her eyes again, she was met with Zijuan's face magnified to a terrifying size, which startled her awake.

"Wake up! When did you get back last night? You were drunk and didn't even say a word! You slept on the floor in the hall all night!" Zijuan complained. "Did you fight with the Prince? You're supposed to be skilled in martial arts, how come you're all bruised and bloody?"

Xingge recalled the fight from last night; it was indeed a very ugly brawl! A forced smile appeared on his face, but a sharp pain shot through the corner of his mouth!

"You're still laughing! Look at yourself in the mirror, what a terrible sight you look like! This morning, Ziying sent someone to say that the Prince slept in the study pavilion all night, and he probably looks just like you! What's wrong with you two?"

Xingge remained silent and honest, washing away the smell of alcohol and sweat, and leaned back in the massage chair to relieve the soreness in his body.

A short while later, someone came to invite Xingge to the study. Xingge got up, put on her outer robe, and left. Zijuan chased after her and scolded, "You didn't even comb your hair!"

Xingge forced a smile through the pain, "I'm already in this terrible state, it's alright!"

I walked along the lakeside corridor, greeted Ziying and Mo, and strolled into the study.

The person sitting behind the table was still wearing a black robe and a jade crown, and his face was exactly the same as Xing Ge's!

Xingge tried to suppress a smile, but couldn't stop her shoulders from trembling. Just as she was about to bow, a low chuckle came from behind the table. Unable to hold back any longer, the two of them burst into laughter...

Xingge finally snapped out of her daze amidst the pain from the crack at the corner of her mouth, wiped away the tears of laughter that had spilled from her eyes, and stared intently at Jiuru.

"Has Your Highness considered your wish?"

"I want the seat on the north side!" Jiu Ru also stopped smiling and answered firmly.

Sunlight streamed through the window frame, dappling the long-purple cheeks. Blood trickled from the corners of her mouth, yet she wore a proud, aloof smile. This reminded Xingge of the angry, sorrowful face from the previous night, the one that threatened and begged her not to smile.

After a moment's thought, Xingge replied solemnly, "Alright, I'll help you! But once Your Highness sits on that throne, could you also help me fulfill one of my wishes?"

"What is your wish?"

"It's not too late to talk about it after Your Highness sits on that throne."

After a long period of contemplation, Jiu Ru said, "Okay!"

Over the next few days, Jiu Ru took leave from court and, along with her two sisters, Mo Yi, and Xing Ge, went to the Autumn Forest Farm in the suburbs. The Autumn Forest Farm was a hunting ground exclusively for the royal family, and since it was not the season for hunting, it was deserted. After riding through the forest for several days, they had finally relaxed, and the bruises on their faces gradually faded.

That morning, after washing up, Jiu Ru asked Zi Ying to invite Xing Ge over for breakfast.

"Young Master Ye was dragged to watch the sunrise by Young Master Ran from Prince Li's household early this morning! Young Master Ran came from the city before dawn. Are he and Young Master Ye very familiar with each other?"

Jiu Ru pondered for a long time, "She's really taken a liking to Xiao Ran, hasn't she? If she could truly win Xiao Ran over, it might not be such a bad thing..."

Seeing that the prince seemed to be deep in thought, Zi Ying had no choice but to swallow her question.

Xingge was dreaming sweet dreams under the warm covers when Zijuan shook him violently awake.

"When did you offend Prince Ran of the Li family? He's waiting to see you now!"

"What?"

"The third young master of Prince Li's family is here to see you!"

"Now?"

"He's in the living room, get up quickly!"

Xingge rubbed her sleepy eyes, quickly washed up, and came to the front hall, where she saw a delicate woman who probably even had to put on makeup before going to bed.

"Brother Ran, so early in the morning?"

"Ge'er, you're not angry with me anymore, are you? I've been looking for you everywhere these past few days!"

"You didn't need to come looking for me so early!" Xingge yawned sleepily.

"The sunrise at Yangfeng in Qiulinchang is the most beautiful. Let's go together!"

"Nothing is more beautiful than a warm bed!" Xingge muttered, but Ran still pulled her out the door.

An hour later, at Yangfeng in Qiulin Farm,

“Brother Ran, I believe the sunrise at Yangfeng is the most beautiful in the world, but today the clouds are so thick, and we’ve been waiting for so long, I’m afraid…”

"Ge'er, the sunrise here is so beautiful! It was fine yesterday, why is it cloudy today!"

"When the sun saw that Brother Ran had come all the way to see her, she was putting on makeup!"

I had hoped that watching the sunrise would cheer you up.

"Hehe, I'm so happy to be here in the cold wind so early in the morning!"

"Didn't Ge'er want to travel the world? Why did she become a staff member of the Qing Prince's mansion?"

"I'm greedy for wealth and luxury!"

"Ge'er, don't joke! The imperial family is the most ruthless, you should know that! Some people are trying to escape, why are you jumping in?"

"..."

"Your uncle is an outstanding person, and he's not willing to be second to anyone. You'll get dragged into this!"

"..."

"Song!"

Xingge silently watched the person in front of her, watching him frown for her sake, worry for her sake, and travel dozens of miles early in the morning to make her happy. She watched this delicate and innocent person, as beautiful as a flower, want to protect her...

...

...

"Brother Ran, it's raining!"

Large raindrops swept down on the mountain peaks, engulfing Xingge, who was pulling Ran along as they ran. Finally, they leaped back to the porch of the villa, panting as they looked at each other.

"Hehe, Ge'er, you even use eyebrow gel?!"

Xingge reached up and touched his brow, revealing a dark bluish-black patch. He cursed the unscrupulous merchant inwardly! He then smiled at Ran, who looked as if he had been pulled out of the water, and asked, "Brother Ran, what kind of eyebrow gel are you using?"

"I didn't use eyebrow gel."

What kind of powder are you wearing?

"I'm a man, why would I wear powder!"

"Alas! If I were born with eyebrows like willow branches and a face like a lotus, I wouldn't need those things!"

Ran heard Xing Ge comparing her to a little girl again, and could only laugh in exasperation. She took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and said, "Come here, let me wipe you!"

Xingge obediently stretched out her face and closed her eyes. The wiping of her face was meticulous and gentle, like a spring breeze...

Suddenly, a gloomy voice was heard coming from inside the hall.

After having breakfast, Jiu Ru took her books upstairs, intending to settle down and read, but her eyes kept drifting towards Yangfeng Peak. What was the point of watching the sunrise under this gloomy sky! Sure enough, not long after, a torrential downpour began. A moment later, two figures, one in crimson and one in snow-white, ran along the mountainside, hand in hand, laughing and cheering. They seemed not to be escaping the rain, but rather two butterflies frolicking in the mountains…

A hint of displeasure welled up in Jiu Ru's heart. She went downstairs to greet the two, only to see Bai Die gently wiping Fei Die's face with a silk handkerchief. Fei Die, damn it, looked completely infatuated! Without thinking, she spoke up,

"You two are having a great time!"

"Little Uncle"

Good morning, Your Highness!

"Good morning! Better morning than you two! Xiao Ran, go to my place and change out of your wet clothes so you don't catch a cold and your father will blame me! Xing Ge, you should go back to your room too!"

"Thank you, Uncle. I brought some clothes and will be staying for a few days." Turning to Xingge, he said, "I'll go back now and come find you later!"

"Hurry up, or you'll catch a cold." Xingge made a face at Ran, who smiled and turned to go to Prince Li's villa.

Jiu Ru stared at Xing Ge, her arched eyebrows, clear, bright eyes, and wet black hair framing her forehead. She stood gracefully on the porch, smiling gently at him.

Xingge strode into the hall and patted Jiuru on the shoulder. "What? Does Your Highness want to accuse me of treason?"

"I am not your brother Ran! Change your clothes and come to the hall!" Jiu Ru shook off Xing Ge's hand that was patting her shoulder, turned around and went up to the hall, not understanding what she was angry about! Her heart was even more depressed!

Inside the hall, Xingge excitedly played with the 'Ningdai' eyebrow gel in her hand.

"Why has Your Highness kept this treasure hidden all this time?"

"You know 'Phantom Flower Shifting,' so why are you using this?"

"Your Highness has heard rumors about how magical the 'Phantom Flower Shifting Technique' is, right? Actually, that skill consumes a lot of internal energy. Nowadays, makeup and disguise techniques can achieve the same result. Unless it's an emergency, who would be foolish enough to use their internal energy to change their face!"

Jiu Ru then realized that Xing Ge had regained her clear and melodious female voice these past few days. "Then why are you still practicing?"

"Hehe, your wise Uncle Ze! From a young age, he made me dress up in colorful clothes to entertain guests, play musical instruments to please them, and teach both male and female roles, leaving nothing out. Practicing this can also be considered cultivating internal strength. Back then, I was the top courtesan in the restaurant!"

Jiuru was filled with mixed emotions as she silently watched Xingge leaning lazily against the couch.

In the afternoon, Jiu Ru, citing his long absence from court affairs, led a group of people back to the Qing Prince's residence. The Qing Prince's villa in Qiulin Farm was now deserted and desolate.

A few days later, in the evening, in the study,

"I'll go to the Bu family!" Xingge said casually after reading the several secret letters in his hand.

"This matter is quite complex, so we must be very careful! I will try to suppress it in the court first."

"When would Your Highness prefer me to depart?"

"Three days later!"

Three days later, at night, in the east courtyard of the Prince Qing's residence.

Jiu Ru looked at the person in front of her with great surprise. She was dressed in white with a natural face, her black hair was loosely tied up, and she was graceful and elegant, with a captivating beauty. If it weren't for the slight resemblance in their eyebrows and eyes...

Xingge walked gracefully to Jiuru, gave a slight curtsy, and asked in a melodious voice, "Your Highness, would Second Master Bu be satisfied?"

Jiu Ru smiled, turned around and touched the mechanism next to the cabinet. The cabinet turned, revealing a dark passage.

"Mo has prepared everything you need, come!" he said, extending his hand to Xingge.

Xingge hesitated for a moment, then took the hand and stepped into the secret passage.

The path was unlit, deep and quiet, shrouded in darkness. The hand that was guiding her was unexpectedly warm and gentle. She could only hear their soft footsteps. Xingge felt a strange sense of peace. The road seemed long, as if it would last a lifetime! Just then, a faint light appeared before her. She had exited the path and arrived at a commoner's house. Mo Yi was already waiting there. Xingge saw a carriage parked outside, smiled serenely at Jiu Ru and Mo Yi, and turned to leave.

"It really is Young Master Ye!" Mo whispered in disbelief.

He remained silent for a long time, his gaze fixed intently on the receding car.