The Crown Prince, a man so reserved and profound, actually whispered sweet nothings to her in public?
At that time, Cheng Simian was still innocent and didn't think much of it. But now, as the truth dawned on her and she recalled the scene, her cheeks flushed with heat.
Why did the Crown Prince do that?
He seemed like a young lad in the first flush of love, which was so unlike his usual self.
Was it a hint to the Queen?
Was he telling the Queen that he had found his true love and hoped for her mother's blessing?
It was true that as the mother of the nation, the Queen had to consider both the court and the harem.
But she was also a mother. Who wouldn't want their son to end up with the one he truly loved?
Moreover, this “true love” of the Crown Prince had passed her test and won her approval.
This was the only explanation Cheng Simian could come up with.
She accepted the peach gum without hesitation.
As for the Crown Prince's tender feelings...
She wasn't the real Crown Princess. She was just sitting in this position for a while for certain purposes.
It was okay to get into the role, but getting too involved would be dangerous.
As twilight deepened.
The Crown Prince told Mrs. Rong not to get up and only asked Cheng Simian to see him off.
The footstool for getting into the carriage was already in place, but the Crown Prince didn't rush to step on it.
He turned back and stared deeply into Cheng Simian's eyes.
His hand caressed her face, and his fingertips brushed against her red lips.
The spring night was cold, but the warmth of his palm lingered on her face, spreading bit by bit.
“Mianmian, after tonight, no matter what you hear, whether it's pleasant or unpleasant, don't pay any attention. Don't worry or overthink about any rumors in the capital. Take Baizhi and Luocen with you when you go out.”
Baizhi and Luocen had been assigned to Mrs. Rong's old mansion by the Crown Prince a month ago.
The two aunts were going to teach her the rules of the palace.
They were female officials of the fifth rank, with noble status. Taking them out was like having the Crown Prince by her side.
Even someone as domineering as Qin Xuanyan wouldn't dare to speak rudely to her.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration.” She whispered softly.
The Crown Prince had thought everything through and made arrangements in advance to shield her from unnecessary troubles.
“Mianmian, remember, you'll be the only Crown Princess in the Eastern Palace. I won't allow any irrelevant women to appear and cause you trouble.”
His tone was solemn, but his eyes were gentle.
Cheng Simian remembered the first time the Crown Prince left the Marquis of Wude's Mansion. She caught up with the carriage and thanked the Crown Prince for his help and for intimidating Cheng Yong.
At that time, he was sitting in the carriage, aloof and looking down on her with disdainful eyes. He warned her in a cold and distant tone.
But now, he was looking at her eye to eye, speaking in a gentle tone, making her feel cherished and respected.
It turned out that deep down, the Crown Prince was a very gentle man.
After seeing off the Crown Prince, Cheng Simian returned to the house.
Mrs. Rong grabbed her hand, not knowing whether to be worried or happy.
“Mianmian, do you feel that the Crown Prince...?”
Cheng Simian showed a relaxed smile. “Mother, you're overthinking. The Crown Prince and I are just acting. If we act well enough and make it seem real, people will talk. And these rumors will reach the Emperor's ears.”
These words didn't comfort Mrs. Rong.
The person involved was often blind. Mianmian obviously hadn't realized that the Crown Prince wasn't just acting.
But what could she say?
Tell her daughter to be vigilant and not be deceived by the Crown Prince's love?
Mrs. Rong felt like there was a fishbone stuck in her throat.
“Mother, go to bed early. I still want to read some books.”
It was already late at night.
Mrs. Rong was in a daze as she returned to her room. Seeing the purple ganoderma in the brocade box, she let out a deep sigh.
Nanny Chen comforted her. “Our eldest girl is the most sensible and clear-headed. Although she hasn't gotten married and hasn't experienced love, she's no longer a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl in the first flush of love. It doesn't matter whether the Crown Prince likes her or not. The girl knows what she's doing. Besides, the Crown Prince has already promised that he'll let the girl go after everything is done. What else do you have to worry about, Madam?”
Mrs. Rong rubbed her temples, looking helpless. “It's easy for you to say. I'm afraid that once Mianmian enters the Eastern Palace, it will be hard for her to leave!”
...
During the day, she attended the Queen's flower-viewing banquet and had to deal with all kinds of people. In the evening, she entertained the Crown Prince for dinner. After a whole day, Cheng Simian was very tired.
After washing and taking a bath, she lay on the couch and flipped through The Book of Songs, but her mind was in a whirl and she couldn't calm down.
The gifts the Crown Prince gave today were too precious.
Although they were used to stir up public opinion, the things had really ended up in her and her mother's hands.
If she were really the Crown Princess and her mother were the Crown Prince's mother-in-law, it would be perfectly justifiable to accept such gifts.
But if she took such precious gifts and then returned them when she left, wouldn't it be an insult to the Crown Prince?
Cheng Simian didn't want to owe the Crown Prince a favor.
After much thought, she got off the couch, spread out the rice paper, dipped her brush in ink.
In less than half an hour, a painting titled “The Peach Tree in Blossom” emerged on the paper.
The peach tree in blossom,
So radiant in flower.
This young lady goes to her home.
May she bring harmony to her family.
This poem was originally about the happiness of a man and a woman getting married.
The Crown Prince had given her so many hints, and she should also give some response.
Tell the Crown Prince that she understood those hidden messages.
She would definitely cooperate with him well and make the Queen believe that they were truly in love.
Baizhi exclaimed, “Your painting is so vivid, just like the Crown Prince's state of mind. When the Crown Prince sees that you're on the same wavelength as him, he'll be overjoyed.”
“Auntie, you're overpraising me.”
She told Shuyi, “Send this painting to the Eastern Palace early tomorrow morning. Don't do it secretly.”
But Luocen laughed. “Since you have this intention, why wait until tomorrow? It would be better to send it now.”
Cheng Simian hesitated. “Will it disturb the Crown Prince's rest?”
She didn't want the Crown Prince to think that she had ulterior motives.
Luocen winked at her. “The Crown Prince would be delighted to be disturbed by you.”
In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince returned to his bedroom.
For some unknown reason, he got the idea and asked someone to bring a pot of peach blossom wine. He sipped it slowly.
He wasn't indulgent in wine and women, but he did love the mellow taste of fine wine.
As the wine slid down his throat, the charming face of Mianmian appeared in his mind. His breath grew heavy, and his vision became hazy.
In the painting in front of him, the person in the painting seemed to come to life. The light veil fluttered, and she walked towards him slowly.
“Mianmian...” He murmured softly. A burning sensation started from his throat and spread to his abdomen.
His fingertips touched the smiling face of the beauty.
There was no smooth and delicate feeling. The sound of his fingernails scratching the paper woke the Crown Prince from his fantasy.
He was stunned.
There was no Mianmian. What was hanging in front of him was a portrait of Song Wanchu.
In the painting, the girl was fifteen or sixteen years old, with bright eyes and white teeth. Wearing a pink riding outfit, she was riding a horse through the jungle valiantly.
The first time he saw Song Wanchu, he couldn't forget that fleeting glimpse. He had captured her beautiful figure on paper forever.
This painting had been hanging in his bedroom for six years.
He had only drunk a little wine. He wasn't even close to being drunk, but he had mistaken Wanchu for Mianmian.
Suddenly, as if he had made up his mind, he shouted, “Someone, take down the painting!”
It was time for him to say a formal goodbye to his past relationship.
Little Anzi took down the painting and put it into a scroll.
“Your Highness, what should we do with this painting...?”
He didn't dare to make a decision on his own.
The Eastern Palace was soon going to welcome its real mistress. It was inappropriate to put this painting anywhere in the Eastern Palace.
Burn it? That didn't seem right either.
The Crown Prince smiled faintly, and Little Anzi detected a hint of cunning.
“Take it and give it to Taoist Priest Qingzhou.”
Little Anzi stifled a laugh.
He wondered how angry Taoist Priest Qingzhou would be when he saw the painting of Miss Song drawn by the Crown Prince.
But he couldn't really get angry. The Crown Prince's gift of the painting was a way of telling him that the Crown Prince had completely let go of his feelings for Wanchu.
Taoist Priest Qingzhou should be happy and relieved.
Before Little Anzi could go out, he heard a female official announce from outside, “Your Highness, Miss Cheng has sent you a painting.”