Чистое сердце в нефритовом сосуде

Глава 56

The pain in Shen Tingxuan's eyes was so obvious, it pierced my heart. He picked up a teacup casually, his knuckles gripping it tightly. Suddenly, he gave a desolate smile—I wasn't mistaken, it was absolutely desolate, a suppressed pain in his voice: "Yes, if I had recognized you sooner, I wouldn't have had to..."

He didn't say anything more. Infected by his emotions, I found myself in tears without even realizing it.

That night, I changed back into my original clothes and secretly slipped out of the Second Prince's residence. Perhaps he saw me sneak out, but he didn't stop me. I believe he always understood that it was better for me to leave than to keep me.

I didn't take a detour; regardless of whether anyone was following me, I went straight back to the Prince Qing's residence. I found Shen Haoyu and told him directly that I could no longer handle matters concerning the Second Prince because I had been arrested again and my identity had been exposed. Of course, I was referring to my female identity, not my status as the daughter of the Marquis of Qiyun.

Shen Haoyu didn't say anything, so I went back to my room to sleep. I didn't plan to tell Zinuo about Shen Tingxuan; the less secrets you know, the safer you are. My mother most likely died because of this, so there's no need to drag Zinuo into it too. The former First Madam should be in some palace somewhere in the Imperial Palace now…

Marquis Qiyun, what can I say about you? Many questions I couldn't understand before are now explained... You're a pathetic wretch too!

Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 42 of the main text.

Chapter word count: 4834 Update time: 09-08-05 13:54

After returning from the Second Prince's residence, I had even more free time. Shen Haoyu didn't ask me to go out and do anything anymore. I just helped Zinuo take care of the pigeons and receive and send letters from all over the country every day.

The summer heat was unbearable, so I begged Shen Haoyu for some edible ice to make some special iced treats to cool me down. But Shen Haoyu stubbornly refused. I really don't understand this increasingly awkward guy. Sometimes he'll unintentionally show concern for you, and other times you can plead and beg for ages without granting even the smallest request, not caring if it's a waste of time. Finally, after my repeated assurances and promises that he'd be the first to try it, he reluctantly had someone bring me some ice from the Prince's Ice Cellar.

After washing my hands, with Yinyan's help, I rolled up my sleeves and started shaving the ice. Once the ice had turned into shaved ice and was placed in small plates, I squeezed the juice from a frozen watermelon and poured it over the ice, then sprinkled a layer of cheese on top. After a little stirring, I had a simple fruit shaved ice. There were some other fruits, but they didn't have enough juice, and I found it too much trouble, so I skipped them.

A small spoonful of shaved ice went into Shen Haoyu's mouth. He held it in his mouth for a while before swallowing it with satisfaction, then devoured three whole plates. I secretly rejoiced, thankful that Yin Yan and I had each eaten a plate in the kitchen earlier, otherwise…

Seeing Shen Haoyu's eyes begin to scan the remaining two plates, I quickly protected him, saying, "Young Prince, you've already tasted them; the rest are for me." Then I picked up the plates and ran out quickly. Once he's hooked, how could he possibly be without me in the future?

When Zi Nuo came back, the shaved ice had already started to melt, but he still ate it with great relish. I generously gave him the plate that I had originally saved for myself, and told him that Shen Haoyu would definitely ask me to make it again tomorrow, so he should come over early and preferably eat it fresh from the kitchen. Zi Nuo happily agreed.

Just as I finished washing the dishes, Shen Haoyu came in. All the windows were open, but the room was still very hot. Shen Haoyu frowned and said, "Why is it like an oven?"

I thought to myself, "Do you think everyone gets the treatment you, Your Highness?" But I said aloud, "The room is cramped. Please, Your Highness, talk outside. It's much cooler there."

Standing in the corridor, a breeze was blowing, making it much cooler than inside. Shen Haoyu brushed the hair that had blown onto his face and said with a accusing expression, "Why did you only present such a refreshing treat today?"

I thought to myself, "Just now, I wondered who was so adamant about not giving me ice, and now they're accusing me." But all I could say was, "I only recently learned about this method by chance. I wanted to try it out secretly before inviting you to taste it, but unfortunately, I am of lowly status and cannot obtain ice, so I have no choice but to ask you, Your Highness."

With Shen Haoyu's support and the chefs' improvements, the variety of shaved ice flavors increased dramatically. Thanks to Shen Haoyu, I was able to enjoy different flavors of shaved ice every day. Then, the shaved ice spread from the Prince Qing's Mansion to the Imperial Palace, throughout the capital city, and to various other places. I made another small contribution to improving the living conditions of people in this era.

August arrived in the blink of an eye, and the osmanthus blossoms began to fill the air with their fragrance. Around the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Song Zhixuan and his friends, whom they hadn't seen for several months, returned.

After the unpleasantness of the first day of the Lunar New Year, we rarely spoke. Later, when they returned from their trips, I didn't rush to see them as I used to, and this time was no different. But then, they came looking for me.

As I lay in the shade of a tree, fanning myself, Zinuo arrived with them. They had been gone for over three months, and now, both of them looked much thinner and darker, but also more manly. I didn't speak, and they stood quietly under the eaves watching me. Finally, Zinuo broke the silence, saying, "Brother, Brother Song and Brother Lin have returned from Dongjun this time, and they brought you gifts."

I looked up at them, but didn't know what to say.

After a moment of silence, Lin Zhao finally couldn't hold back any longer. He jumped down from the corridor, stood in front of me, and said, "Brother En, it's been so long, how long are you going to stay angry?"

I said, "This is no small matter; it concerns personal dignity!"

"Didn't I bring this gift especially to apologize?" Lin Zhao took out a small cloth bag from his bosom and opened it; inside was a jade hairpin inlaid with a pearl. In the Youjing Dynasty, the sons of princes and nobles all wore hair crowns, the height of which varied according to rank; ordinary men simply wore their hair in a bun and inserted a hairpin. Therefore, not everyone could wear a hair crown here; it was a symbol of status. People usually kept their distance from those wearing hair crowns to avoid accidentally offending them, as the consequences could be unimaginable.

I reached out and took the hairpin. It was exquisitely crafted and looked quite expensive. I couldn't help but say, "Who asked you to spend so much money on something like this? If you want to apologize, you'd be better off treating me to something delicious." But I felt both touched and uneasy. Where did they get so much money?

Song Zhixuan also came over and asked, "Brother En, are you not angry anymore?" His voice was very gentle, like a spring breeze.

I nodded sheepishly and said, feeling wronged, "How can we possibly control what our masters do? What right do we have to speak? I'm not angry about what you said, I'm angry that after so many years of brotherhood, you doubt me because of a master's petty actions..."

Lin Zhao interrupted, "Alright, alright, we were wrong after all. Let's not do it again, and let's not bring up the past anymore, okay?"

I nodded, but then suddenly remembered I hadn't asked a question, so I quickly asked, "Where did you get so much money to buy this hairpin?"

Song Zhixuan laughed and said, "Actually, this can't be considered as us buying it. It's because we accidentally saved a merchant while on a business trip in Dongjun. He was grateful and gave us the hairpin."

I asked in surprise, "You two saved him, so why did he only give you one gift?"

Lin Zhao blushed and said, "There's another item, a woman's hair ornament. Zhixuan said that whoever among the three of us brothers finds someone they like first will get it."

I decided not to say anything more. The relationship between the group returned to what it was before.

After exchanging a few more greetings, I urged them to go back and rest, saying I would visit them again that evening. Lin Zhao smiled and pulled Song Zhixuan away.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, a banquet was held in the palace, and the masters of Prince Qing's mansion all went to the palace early in the morning. I broke off a branch of osmanthus flowers, still wet with dew, from the courtyard and put it in my room. Then I saw Zinuo holding a package, leaning against the door and not coming in.

After arranging the flowers, I walked to the door and asked Zinuo, "Where are you going? Is the young prince sending you on a long journey at this time?"

Zi Nuo blushed and shook her head, placing the package in my arms: "Sister, this is for you. Today you turn fifteen, and all girls have to undergo the coming-of-age ceremony on their fifteenth birthday."

Zinuo pushed me into the room, turned around and closed the door, and said in a small voice, "Sister, Mom is gone, let me comb your hair today. I specially went out to learn how to do it a few days ago." As she spoke, her little face turned even redder.

Hearing these words, my heart warmed. I gently opened the package, and inside lay a set of pink women's clothing, with a delicate silver hairpin shaped like a magnolia flower lying quietly on top. I glanced at Zinuo; he was looking at me anxiously. I smiled slightly at him, picked up the package, turned and went behind the screen, wiping away the tears that were about to burst forth.

After changing my clothes, I came out to find Zinuo already seated at the table, with a bronze mirror placed on it. Looking at myself in the mirror, I saw that although the clothes weren't made of high-quality material, the style was quite nice. The high-laced belt accentuated my slender waist, making my curves even more graceful. Perhaps the greatest benefit of practicing martial arts over the years was that it had given me a fairly healthy body and a good physique.

Zinuo glanced at me but didn't look at me again. I teased him on purpose, "Don't you think your sister looks good in women's clothes?"

Zi Nuo quickly shook her head: "It's not that it doesn't look good, I'm just afraid it'll look too good. Sister, you should wear men's clothes from now on."

I chuckled and said, "Of course I'll wear men's clothes."

Zi Nuo's expression turned sad again: "If only Mother were here."

I had no choice but to change the subject and urge him, "Didn't you say you specifically learned how to comb hair? Hurry up and comb my hair."

Zi Nuo untied my male bun, picked up a comb and began to comb it carefully. Her tender fingers were a little clumsy, but she still tried her best to tie the hair up in circles. Finally, she inserted the magnolia silver hairpin diagonally into the right bun, making her look even more lively.

I reached out and touched the smooth, tight bun on my head. The hairstyle was quite intricate, and it was impressive that Zinuo could style it like that. It was clear that he had put a lot of effort into learning it. I didn't feel comfortable asking him who he had consulted or where he had learned it. Instead, my eyes welled up with tears, and I turned around and hugged him. "Zinuo, thank you."