Chapter - 2
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"My dear princess, you've been dragging along since noon, and it was so difficult for you to choose an outfit and go out finally, but now you can't move again..."
From behind the stone mountain in the distance, there was the clear sound of a flowerpot bottom tapping the ground, echoing a few times before suddenly stopping. Wu Yingxiong's footsteps gradually slowed as he approached.
Qi Tang took off her shoes and socks, lifted her skirt, and sat by the water basin, dipping her feet into the water. Qing Ming hurriedly reached out his hands to cover her, constantly muttering, "Princess, please don’t do this... The banquet is about to start, and there will be so many guests coming and going. If someone sees you... what will we do... You are the princess!"
Qi Tang smiled faintly, softly murmuring, "What difference does it make to be a princess?" She then patted Qing Ming's hand, saying in a slightly disjointed manner, "I’m just too hot, I can't walk anymore, and I can't wear these flowerpot bottoms properly. I'll rest; just resting will be fine."
Qing Ming sighed, "Princess, why do you have to do this?"
Although Wu Yingxiong didn’t want to eavesdrop, he couldn’t help but notice her bare feet when she stepped out. After thinking for a moment, he quietly moved a few steps forward and leaned against the rockery to hold his breath, listening to Qi Tang say, "Qing Ming, tell me, what is this banquet for? How many people are unaware of it?"
Qing Ming remained silent. It seemed like Qi Tang smiled faintly before continuing, "I heard that the emperor wants to marry the thirteenth sister off to the deputy governor. What do you think the thirteenth sister feels about it?"
At this point, Wu Yingxiong, the person behind the stone mountain began to understand her identity, becoming increasingly curious about what she would say next.
Qing Ming hesitantly called, "Princess..." It seemed she had been holding something in for too long and finally couldn’t hold it back. She said, "Do you think I should be happy? I can stay in the capital, I won’t be married off far away. My other royal sisters were married off to various tribes, to the grasslands—some died, some became widows. Their endings are tragic, not to mention they didn’t know what kind of family they were marrying into. Do you think they were happy after marriage?"
Wu Yingxiong wasn’t sure how to react to her words, but he heard her voice choke slightly as she continued, "Which woman doesn't hope... to be cherished in the way that Chen family does, held in the palm of someone's hand?"
Qing Ming comforted her, "Princess, you should think positively. The heir is the biological son of the King of Pingxi. A tiger’s son can’t be a dog; he will be a good man."
Her sobs became more intermittent, "I’ve known since I was little, I was betrothed to him. I’ve never seen him, and no one told me about him. I don’t even know if he’s married or not... Just thinking about it, what if he’s good, but six years older than me? What if I marry him but he has someone in his heart? Even if he gets angry for a reason, what will I do when he’s angry for someone else? In the end, I only have him in my life. How will I deal with it? How can I handle how he treats me?"
Wu Yingxiong pondered her words, surprised by the level of detail in this young girl's thoughts. Then he heard her continue quietly, "In the end, at that time when we entered the capital, he was a hot-blooded young man. After a thousand grievances and humiliations, I’m sure he must be frustrated. He probably hates me, thinking I’m just a burden to him. How could he ever truly like me? If he's troubled, he might drink, seek out other women... I can understand that, and I don’t expect anyone to speak up for me. But Qing Ming, I don't have my mother anymore. Besides you, who else can listen to me and understand how much my heart hurts?"
Qing Ming pulled her closer by the shoulders, "Princess, you always think too much..."
Qi Tang smiled bitterly, "How can I think too little? I always feel like I’m just a permanent guest in the Forbidden City. This is never my home. In my life, I only have the chance to have a family through marriage, but even that might not come true." She paused and sniffed, "I’m sorry, I was being willful. If I go back late, I might cause trouble for you..."
As Qing Ming helped her put on her shoes and socks, he smiled and said, "I know that you are troubled, princess. I’m happy to do anything I can to help you."
Her nose grew more sore, and tears dripped onto her clothing. Her tone was filled with grievance, and it tugged at one’s heartstrings. "Qing Ming, do you have any candied fruit? I want something sweet in my mouth."
Qing Ming felt a bit apologetic as he searched his sleeve, "I came out in a hurry, I don’t have anything with me... But when we get to the banquet, I’ll find you a plate of sweets."
She nodded, and after getting dressed, she followed Qing Ming to the front hall. Leaving Wu Yingxiong alone, he stood tall, looking up at the full moon. Her words echoed in his ears: "In the end, at that time when we entered the capital, he was a hot-blooded young man. After a thousand grievances and humiliations, I’m sure he must be frustrated. He probably hates me..."
He let out a low laugh, then turned and headed towards the hall.
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