Just as everyone was overjoyed, Princess Yongning stared at the retreating back of the hawksbill turtle and spoke softly, as if filled with deep emotions.
"Among beasts, the tiger mates only once; among birds, the mandarin duck mates only once; among shelled creatures, the hawksbill mates only once."
"Mandarin ducks playing in the water in pairs are the most affectionate and loyal birds in the world. But this divine hawksbill turtle is all alone. How lonely it is! It only desires a single mate in its life. Such loyalty is truly moving."
As if struck by the scene, she murmured to herself in a low voice, "I've always pitied the lonely hawksbill, yet still envy the paired mandarin ducks..."
Li Ying secretly raised her eyebrows.
These two lines were written by a woman in the inner courtyard of a noble family in the capital. She had been divorced by her husband because she couldn't bear a child for many years.
The lines described how this abandoned woman envied the deep affection between mandarin ducks. When she lowered her head and saw the hawksbill bracelet among her dowry, she couldn't help but feel sad.
The dragon boat was originally filled with joy, but Princess Yongning suddenly became so melancholy.
The emperor felt a faint sense of uneasiness in his heart. But since he doted on Princess Yongning, he just patted her little hand and said in a deep voice, "Yongning, don't worry. Just wait for your marriage with peace of mind. You, my precious daughter, a delicate and noble princess, are bound to have a wonderful marriage like the envy of mandarin ducks. You will never be alone."
However, Princess Yongning raised her eyes, looking straight at the emperor with a burning gaze without any sign of yielding. She then said, "Thank you, Father, for your love. But in my opinion, if I'm to get married, I must marry a man as valiant as you, Father, and who will whole - heartedly love only me."
"Otherwise, I'd rather be like that divine hawksbill turtle, alone and content with myself!"
She glanced meaningfully in the direction of Lu Xunguang and Li Ying.
Li Ying knew that the so - called loyalty of mandarin ducks was just the wishful thinking of these ancient people. In fact, among birds and beasts, for reproduction, there was hardly such a thing as "monogamy".
But she didn't expose this fact. Instead, she lowered her head obediently and secretly observed the expression of the emperor.
Sure enough, the emperor's face darkened a bit more.
"Yongning, as a princess of the country, your marriage is decided by me. How can you act willfully!"
He didn't want to say more and looked tired. "I'm a bit tired. All of you, leave!"
The emperor was supported by a little eunuch who served him closely and went back to his dragon couch to rest, leaving only Li Ying, Lu Xunguang, and Princess Yongning looking at each other.
Princess Yongning walked past them gracefully and gave Li Ying a mischievous smile.
"Miss Li, you don't need to thank me. You're very clever. If you really want to thank me, then find some more novel and ingenious things for me to amuse myself. The journey on the boat may still last for many days. It's really boring."
Like a proud golden - winged phoenix, she walked lightly and soon disappeared from sight.
Li Ying looked worriedly at her back and secretly calculated in her heart.
Princess Yongning's words were very clever. She clearly stated her stance. What she wanted was a lifetime with a single partner, rather than Lu Xunguang being forced by the imperial edict to separate from Li Ying, and then marrying her while their hearts were apart.
Although her words in front of the emperor seemed to be a generous act of letting go and helping Li Ying and Lu Xunguang, the emperor's words were final. If the emperor had set his mind on Lu Xunguang as his son - in - law, would he change his mind just because of Princess Yongning's few words?
Lu Xunguang couldn't bear to see Li Ying frowning like this, so he comforted her softly.
"A Ying, don't worry. Now that we know Princess Yongning has no feelings for me and doesn't insist on marrying me, for the sake of his beloved daughter's happiness, the emperor will surely reconsider the candidate for the son - in - law."
"I've set my heart on you in this life. If the emperor is stubborn and insists on his decision, then I'll just give up being a wealthy merchant with a red - topped hat. I'll take off my official hat and be a pair of wild mandarin ducks on the run with you!"
Li Ying finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Who wants to be on the run with you! You're so unserious!"
Even so, she had already started to search for a strong long rope, planning to tie it around her waist as a safety rope.
When Lu Xunguang saw that she had put on the self - made flippers and the swimming goggles made of glass, he knew she was going to dive into the water. He quickly reached out to stop her.
"A Ying, there are many hidden reefs here. It's really dangerous underwater. Why are you in such a hurry to dive?"
It was, of course, to thank Princess Yongning for her words just now.
Li Ying wasn't sure how much of Princess Yongning's generous speech was sincere and how much was false. But since the princess had spoken and asked her to find some novel and interesting things to amuse herself, Li Ying had to obey.
Hawksbill turtles usually feed on sponges. Since there was a hawksbill turtle stranded here, there must be many fresh sponges growing on the reefs.
The soft and porous texture of this natural sponge is most suitable for bathing and cleansing the face. Paired with the various essential oil soaps she made that were very popular in the capital, the foam would be richer and the washing feeling would be more gentle, greatly enhancing the happiness of bathing. It would surely please Princess Yongning.
She got dressed neatly and handed the other end of the long rope to Lu Xunguang.
"Lu Lang, I'm going to dive to look for'sponges'. They grow in the crevices of the reefs. Only those who are good at swimming can pick them. You hold this long rope. When I pull it as a signal, pull me up."
In her previous life, she was a senior free - diving player. She thought her swimming skills were much better than Lu Xunguang, a wealthy young master who grew up in the capital.
The task of picking natural sponges to honor the queen, Princess Yongning, and other women in the harem was non - other than hers.
Natural sponges are not extremely rare things. When harvesting, one only needs to gently cut the sponge with a sickle, leaving the root of the sponge on the reef.
The remaining sponge will regenerate in a few days, just like the spring leeks. Cut one batch and there will be another.
But unfortunately, these sponges grow in deep water with high pressure. If one is not careful, they may drown due to lack of oxygen in the blood, or the water pressure may damage the eardrum, causing dizziness and shock, and never return.
Even though Li Ying was brave and skilled, she only dared to entrust this life - saving safety rope to Lu Xunguang.
Lu Xunguang stared at her fixedly, and his big hands tightly held the safety rope. No matter what, he wouldn't let her go into the water.
Previously on the pearl - breeding island, most of the tasks of diving for pearls were done by local pearl - diving women.
Although he knew Li Ying was good at swimming, when it came to life and death, he would never let Li Ying take risks.
Lu Xunguang rarely showed a cold face in front of Li Ying. Even though she tried her best, coaxing and pleading, this man remained unmoved. He just kept a straight face and said nothing.
Li Ying was tired from persuading him. When she accidentally lowered her head, she was shocked to find that the safety rope that was firmly tied around her waist had somehow been wrapped around Lu Xunguang.