Li Ying never expected Princess Yongning to be so straightforward with her. Even though she was usually very adaptable, she couldn't help but be slightly stunned at this moment.
She was accustomed to the roundabout ways of the nobles in the capital, who were always scheming and calculating. Suddenly encountering Princess Yongning's directness left her at a loss as to how to respond.
Seeing her astonishment, Princess Yongning was in no hurry. She just gave her a gentle smile and said in a charming voice, "It's all right. Since it's a great favor, the reward to be asked for must be carefully considered. Miss Li, you can take your time. When you've made up your mind, come and discuss it with me."
She swayed her willowy waist and walked away gracefully. Li Ying watched her back and discussed with Lu Xunguang in doubt.
"Lu Lang, what do you think Princess Yongning means by these words?"
The inner palace was the most ruthless place. She didn't believe that Princess Yongning was a naive and straightforward girl.
Although the princess had casually extended an olive branch, Li Ying had to think twice. She couldn't afford to be careless and give others a handle.
Lu Xunguang also looked in the direction she was looking and said in a deep voice, "If Princess Yongning really has no feelings for me and is willing to speak up for me in front of the emperor, it will surely be a good thing. If she has other motives and is just playing tricks, I will fight for it with the emperor even without her saying a word. I will never let A Ying be wronged in the slightest."
Li Ying nodded. She remembered that just now, Queen Pei had also seized the opportunity to mention in front of the emperor that she and Lu Xunguang were in love.
There was still the relationship between Uncle Pei and the Nanyang garrison between her and Queen Pei. In the end, it was just a matter of each taking what they needed. She would surely have to return this favor today.
Looking at the fluffy and soft sponges, Li Ying already had an idea in mind.
The young prince was so attached to his mother that he refused to leave Queen Pei for a moment. Otherwise, he would cry non - stop.
The emperor doted on Queen Pei, and also attached great importance to the young prince. Although the child was still in swaddling clothes, the emperor made an exception and allowed Queen Pei to bring the young prince and his wet - nurse with them.
Just now, after Queen Pei got the honeycomb sponges and the imperial physician checked that they were harmless, she excitedly ordered someone to prepare hot water and personally bathed her son.
If she wanted to curry favor with Queen Pei, the best way was to think more about the young prince.
She said to Lu Xunguang with a beaming smile, "Lu Lang, the blue sea is as clear as a gem. I like it so much that I can't help but want to swim with you."
Since she had invited him, and Lu Xunguang had already explored the underwater reefs and knew the situation well, he didn't want to disappoint her. He said softly, "Okay, I'll do everything as you wish."
Under the pretext of searching for sponges, the two climbed down the dragon boat slowly along the hanging ladder. They took a deep breath and jumped into the sea.
The underwater scenery was truly magnificent.
Li Ying had been bored in the capital for too long. At this moment, she suddenly felt as if she had returned to the fishing village and was freely roaming in nature.
She was like a lively fish, creating layers of white foam like flying flowers and broken jade in the sea. Lu Xunguang followed behind her. After she had enough fun, they dived down together.
It didn't take them much effort to find a large area of sponges firmly growing on the reefs.
Li Ying was quick - eyed and deft - handed. With a few swift movements, she put a large mass of sponges into her bag.
While her hands were busy, her eyes were looking around nimbly.
Where sponges grew in clusters, starfish often appeared.
Starfish were cute and colorful. In later generations, many young people regarded them as interesting desktop pets to raise and play with.
Some varieties, although not very fancy in appearance, were extremely delicious. Even when simply steamed or boiled, they could rival shrimps and crabs.
She came underwater this time, on the one hand, to harvest sponges, and on the other hand, to look for starfish.
Li Ying was fully concentrated. Before long, she saw a small purple starfish leisurely crawling on a reef.
This kind of small starfish was also called "sea swallow". There were bright orange patterns on its back, making it extremely cute.
The young prince had already opened his eyes. He was at a time when he was curious about everything in the world. Raising this little sea swallow in a glass fish tank to amuse him would be most suitable.
Li Ying caught a few sea swallows of different sizes and colors, surfaced to take a breath, and then dived down again to catch the large starfish for the imperial cuisine.
When they finally returned with a full load and handed the sponges to the palace servants for cleaning, Li Ying first settled the little sea swallows.
It was actually quite easy. She just needed to add clear sea water to the glass fish tank, spread a thin layer of washed sea sand on the bottom, and casually plant a few waterweeds picked from the sea. Then the little sea swallows could be settled.
When Li Ying went to Queen Pei's cabin to present this small seascape in the fish tank, the young prince had already finished his bath. Queen Pei was holding him and affectionately teasing him.
She took a quick look at the fish tank from afar. Although it was dainty, there was nothing particularly eye - catching about it. So she just waved her hand casually.
"Put it down."
Li Ying said softly, "Your Majesty, I know you love your son dearly. With the young prince's noble status, even if he wants the moon in the sky, you would surely wish to pick it off and give it to him to play with."
"I'm incompetent and can't share your worries by picking the moon in the sky. I can only pick up some stars from the sea, hoping to make Your Majesty and the young prince smile."
Stars from the sea?
Hearing this, Queen Pei became a bit interested. Sensing her interest, Li Ying quickly held the small fish tank with both hands and presented it in front of the mother and son.
"Your Majesty, please look. This little sea swallow may seem ordinary, lying motionless on the sea sand at the bottom of the tank. But if you do this..."
She stretched out a fair finger, deftly reached into the tank, and flipped over all the "motionless" sea swallows, exposing their golden bellies on the sea sand.
In this way, they really looked more like the stars in the sky.
As soon as Li Ying let go, those seemingly lifeless little sea swallows immediately wriggled their bodies.
Their five stubby feet struggled to lift up. Their wobbly appearance was quite like a "chaotic dance of demons".
In the blink of an eye, all the sea swallows wriggled their bodies, neatly did a somersault, and then slowly swam to a comfortable corner and lay down steadily again.
Queen Pei had never seen such a strange sight before. For a moment, she was completely spellbound.
As for the young prince who was still in swaddling clothes, no one knew if he understood this wonder of the "sea swallow flipping over", but he opened his little mouth and giggled.
A mother and son were connected in heart. Since the young prince was so happy, Queen Pei was naturally delighted too.
"Bring my pair of mutton - fat jade bracelets and reward them to A Ying!"