"Satisfied, of course satisfied, if even this doesn’t et the mark, I fear Zheng Capital won’t find a better fabric," Zheng Nianru said, her dress’s hem in hand. Today’s outfit was not the usual innovative and eye-catching attire, but the common dress of a Nanzheng State girl, even the color was the ordinary crimson. As the girl’s figure swayed with the hem, her waist supple, the crimson lessened the fullness of the red, adding a sense of warmth and gentleness.
The young girl’s temples were like clouded ink, with a pigeon-blood hairpin slanted into her hair, a ruby the size of a thumb shining brightly in the candlelight, displaying no ostentation, its tassel swaying with the girl’s movents.
"By the way, Brother Crown Prince, I was thinking about the midnight snack from your mansion, where’s Steward Hu?"
Zheng Congyuan felt a warmth in his heart, the corridors filled with her distinctive fragrance, constantly infiltrating all his senses.
"Commandery Princess, Your Highness," Steward Hu hurried forward, beaming, "Commandery Princess, the midnight snack will be ready shortly."
Steward Hu quickly went to pull out a chair, while Zheng Congyuan had already drawn out the rose-backed armchair in the study. Zheng Nianru’s eyes lit up.
"Brother Crown Prince, where did you find this?" Zheng Nianru imdiately tried it out - in comparison to the wooden chairs in the study, it was much more comfortable.
"As long as you like it, the midnight snack will arrive soon," Zheng Congyuan said, seated at the desk, unsure whether to feel happy or annoyed.
He had investigated many things, from how they t to her bold departure from the palace, and even to Prince Duan’s discovery, all arranged by him.
She loved to play, to discover new things, disliked being constrained, was proud, and would not heed advice; she often grew unhappy with even the slightest constraint from him. Yet Nann Yu indulged her without limit, which made her feel the novelty and freedom to leave the palace whenever she wished, acquiring the attention of people with inns and shops – he was like a clown, going to any lengths to amuse her.
Zheng Congyuan also thought that at her age, Zheng Nianru was curious about new and appealing faces. Upon closer observation, however, he noticed that Zheng Nianru regarded Nann Yu as a given, like facing Qi Jin or Qi Yu, like a servant to be ordered about. Zheng Congyuan was no longer worried, but as a man, he could clearly see Nann Yu’s intentions.
Zheng Nianru was only intrigued by the armchair for a mont before realizing that, comfortable as it was beside the desk, it put a gap between her and Zheng Congyuan. Looking up, she saw that the book Zheng Congyuan was engrossed in concealed most of his face, leaving only the Green Jade Crown revealing his bamboo-like jade temples, a style which did not look good, a wonder it could be borne by his handso face.
Zheng Nianru stood up – in her absence, Qi Ling’s gaze remained as unsightly as ever. The Green Jade Crown should have been paired with deep blue satin to exude an air of deep nobility, with gold trim to highlight the edges. That was the attire befitting her exalted position as Crown Prince of Nanzheng State.
Zheng Nianru tiptoed, reaching to pluck the crown from Zheng Congyuan’s head, who slightly turned away, causing her outstretched hand to miss, her translucent wrist maintaining its forward reaching posture. Without a word from Zheng Congyuan, he saw annoyance cross Zheng Nianru’s face – displeasure from not being able to reach the jade crown on his head, she was likely holding in her unhappiness.
Zheng Congyuan gave a resigned smile, returning his head to its initial position; seeing her still struggling, he leaned forward a bit more to help.
Finally, Zheng Nianru slowly removed the Jade Crown, just as Steward Hu arrived, carrying the night snack. His eyes empty as he focused solely on the young Commandery Princess before him, deliberately oblivious to anything else around.
"Commandery Princess, would you like to try our kitchen’s newly mastered dish?" Steward Hu set down the bowl, the glazed bowl filled with cow’s milk, bright red waterlon, translucent lychees, and golden-yellow loquats - rich in milky fragrance yet also full of sweet scent.
Zheng Nianru held the Green Jade Crown, a pure and translucent Hetian Jade gem, and she placed it in the wooden box beside her.
Steward Hu set down the bowl and retreated with a smile. How wonderful it was, with the Commandery Princess here, the Crown Prince’s Mansion seed bathed in moonlight, and the waters of Siyan Lake sparkled and shimred as if sprinkled with gold.
"Qi Ling has watched for so long yet still can’t learn basic color matching. Such a foolish person should have been replaced long ago." Zheng Nianru put away the Jade Crown, took out another one, and then put it back again. Not going out today, feeling restricted was uncomfortable, so she simply decided not to wear it.
Zheng Congyuan watched the hair crown being taken out and put back in, closing the book in his hand. Zheng Nianru also didn’t sit still, walking beside Zheng Congyuan, giggling as she held the jade pen shaft.
"The weather is getting hotter and you’re too lazy to move?" Zheng Congyuan reached for the bowl of supper, not fond of the sweet taste, but she always craved sweets and cold things. When sumr ca, she wished for ice in her room to feel truly content. In winter, however, she’d be extrely afraid of the cold, huddling by the warm stove like a cat.
In general, she was accustod to extre luxury and indulgence.
"Mhm." Zheng Nianru looked at the pattern on the pen shaft, flowing like clouds and water, a craftsmanship that required at least a decade of experience to engrave such intricate details on the small pen shaft.
Zheng Congyuan suddenly wanted to test her. Though she hadn’t been exposed to certain things since childhood, there were so things that didn’t need to be taught. The face of that hostage from Nann State was born with sinful features and harbored ulterior motives.
"Prince Duan ca to see today to inquire about the origins of a hostage from Nann State." Zheng Congyuan’s gaze fell on the girl who was still focusing on the pattern on the pen, but he noticed that her concentrated look remained unchanged, her clear fingernails delicately tracing the patterns.
"Nann Yu?" Zheng Nianru spoke casually, easing so tension for Zheng Congyuan. "I thought he was quite good, but Father won’t allow to play with him anymore."
Is that all? What was quite good about him? The mont of relaxation tightened again as Zheng Congyuan gripped the silver spoon in his hand, his fingertips turning sowhat pale from the force. The ice beneath the bowl slowly started to lt, clearly Zheng Nianru had lost interest in eating, only to insist on having another bowl when the ice was gone, by which ti the heat of the day would fade and the craving for coolness at night would lead to stomach pain.
"Quite good? Are you close with him?" Zheng Congyuan scooped up a spoonful, patiently waiting for Zheng Nianru to open her mouth.
Zheng Nianru didn’t turn her head, naturally opening her mouth, waiting for the cold fruit to enter her mouth, the sweetness spreading pleasantly. She turned her head, thoughtfully looking at Zheng Congyuan.
"Hmm, I know him. I even saved his life, didn’t you know?" A test, wasn’t it? Her heart was no longer as open as in her previous life, no longer assuming it was natural for Zheng Congyuan to feed her. Even if Zheng Congyuan was not yet aware that his actions had long crossed the boundaries of sibling affection, and still considered her as a little sister to protect, sothings were slowly changing.
When Zheng Congyuan would co to realize this, how would he despise her? Despise her to the point where he would decisively end her life.
Zheng Nianru felt her heart sinking. Her previous deliberate attempts to distance herself had not resulted in the expected consequences. Thus, she couldn’t deliberately anger Zheng Congyuan now; a gentle and gradual estrangent was the most prudent approach.
Therefore, Zheng Nianru changed her strategy. She feared speaking fondly of Nann Yu would bring about the opposite effect.
"I saved his life; naturally, he owes his." Zheng Nianru spoke boldly, as if it were as obvious as to Qi Jin and Qi Yu.
Zheng Congyuan couldn’t help but sigh with muted laughter.
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