Fu Yu, restrained by her pride, still couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud.
The people in the main hall hadn’t noticed her arrival yet and were still engrossed in their conversation.
Qing Wei, with a sorrowful expression, continued to console: “Although the Qing family has been known for its integrity for generations, none of our ancestors have ever married a princess. You are the first in the Hejian Qing clan to achieve this. Once you succeed, the entire family will be honored. As your father, I congratulate you on becoming the imperial son-in-law.”
Qing Yao looked at her father and comforted him in return: “Father, there’s no need to grieve. I congratulate you on becoming the emperor’s in-law.”
Qing Wei waved his hand despondently: “Well said, well said.”
Qing Yao also waved her hand: “You’re too modest, too modest.”
The servant who had brought Fu Yu in seemed unable to bear the melancholic scene any longer and coughed exaggeratedly before bowing and announcing, “Master, young lady, Princess Zhao Hua has arrived.”
Then Fu Yu saw the middle-aged man with a small mustache slide right off his round-backed chair and onto the floor, like a slice of tenderloin slipping into a hot pot.
Qing Yao, however, remained as composed as ever. Upon hearing the announcement, she merely glanced toward the door.
When Fu Yu saw her senior sister look over, a smile immediately spread across her face.
Qing Yao beckoned to her: “Come here.”
Fu Yu lifted her skirt and stepped over the threshold into the main hall, approaching Qing Yao.
Beside them, the old father was still sprawled foolishly on the floor. Seeing his daughter so casually call the princess to “come here,” he was momentarily astonished. And the princess actually obeyed and came over!
He scrambled to his feet, brushed off his trousers, straightened his robes, and forced the professional smile he used at court, inviting the princess to take a seat.
Then he saw that the princess, upon noticing the seat next to Qing Yao, didn’t sit down immediately, almost as if… she didn’t dare?
It wasn’t until his daughter spoke that the princess cautiously took her seat.
Qing Wei pondered silently, wondering what was going on. Had the cat and mouse switched roles?
After sitting down, Fu Yu leaned toward Qing Yao and tentatively said, “About the arranged marriage… I had no prior knowledge.”
Qing Yao nodded: “Mm.”
Fu Yu gritted her teeth: “If you’re unhappy about it, I’ll find a way to have it revoked.”
Qing Yao nodded again: “Mm.”
Fu Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Qing Yao didn’t seem angry about the matter.
However, seeing her neither pleased nor displeased by it, Fu Yu felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment. She gained a deeper understanding of this prodigy of the emotionless path, it turned out she truly was as rumored, indifferent to everything.
With no attachments in her heart, there was naturally neither anger nor resentment.
It seemed the matter was settled. The silence in the hall reminded Fu Yu that it was probably time for her to leave.
So she stood up: “In that case, I’ll take my leave?”
Just as Qing Yao was about to nod again, Qing Wei beside her spoke up: “Why not stay for lunch before you go?”
Fu Yu looked at Qing Wei, whose court-style professional smile was still plastered on his face. It seemed he had only just realized what he’d said, his eyes wide and his mouth agape, awkwardly awaiting Fu Yu’s response.
The Qing family, with generations of scholarly refinement and integrity, had always been meticulous and polite in their interactions. Qing Wei had blurted out this polite remark out of habit, but he immediately regretted it. Still, he assumed the princess wouldn’t linger in a household like theirs, after all, the kitchen of a fourth-rank official could never compare to the imperial kitchens of the princess’s residence.
Unfortunately, Fu Yu happened to be someone who wasn’t very good at refusing others. If someone invited her to stay for a meal and she had no pressing matters, she couldn’t find a reason to decline. Out of courtesy, she decided to stay for the meal.
She said politely, “In that case, I’ll trouble you, Uncle.”
Qing Wei responded with equal courtesy, “No trouble at all. I’m honored that Your Highness doesn’t find our humble home beneath you.” Internally, he was astonished: Heavens, she’s really staying for a meal…
Not daring to be negligent in the slightest, he immediately instructed the kitchen to prepare their best dishes.
Unsure how to interact with the princess, Qing Wei pushed his daughter forward to handle the situation. Stroking his mustache, he said kindly, “Yao’er, this is Her Highness’s first visit to our residence. Why don’t you show her around the garden?” Then, turning to Fu Yu, he added, “Your Highness, while our garden cannot compare with the imperial gardens or your own estate, Yao’er enjoys cultivating flowers and plants here. It has its own modest charm. Would you honor us by accompanying Yao’er for a stroll?”
Fu Yu replied, “Not at all. I’ve been wanting to see where my senior sister grew up.”
The two women then left the main hall and headed toward the garden. Qing Wei remained in his armchair, stroking his beard as he watched their retreating figures. His daughter, dressed in plain white, looked slender and graceful, while the princess carried herself with elegant poise. He had always known they didn’t get along, so he’d never considered them together before. But now, seeing them side by side, they actually seemed… somewhat compatible…
However, winning a princess’s favor was no easy feat. If the marriage could be called off as she suggested, that would be ideal. But if it couldn’t… given her high status, they’d probably have to treat her like a revered deity, constantly attending to her every need.
As Fu Yu followed Qing Yao along the covered walkways, she took in the surrounding rockeries, pavilions, and diverse flowers, each turn revealing a new vista. While it lacked the grandeur of her own estate, it possessed a unique refined beauty, much like Qing Yao’s own aura: serene as moonlight, softly hazy and elegantly subtle.
Fu Yu thought to herself, indeed, one’s environment shapes one’s character.
After walking awhile, they came upon a garden of fragrant snow flowers. It wasn’t yet blooming season, so only lush green leaves stretched out in tranquil continuity.
Suddenly, Fu Yu recalled the blossom pattern on Qing Yao’s neck. She stole a glance toward her collar, usually, that distinctive mark of the Flower People lay hidden beneath the skin, revealing only a pale stretch of neck.
Qing Yao noticed her gaze and turned. “What are you looking at?”
Fu Yu quickly averted her eyes. “Nothing, nothing.”
Qing Yao didn’t press further and changed the subject. “Fu Yu, your presence has significantly altered the course of events in this realm. Many things will likely unfold differently than before. Remember: you must not use magic recklessly, or you’ll suffer backlash. Although everything here is illusory, any injuries you sustain will be real, and death here is permanent.”
Qing Yao delivered this lengthy warning in a tone reminiscent of lecturing disciples. Unconsciously, Fu Yu adopted the demeanor of a chastened student, hanging her head as if reprimanded by a stern teacher, and meekly agreed.
From a distance, Qing Li and Qing Yao’s maid observed the scene with astonishment. Having missed Fu Yu’s earlier remarks in the hall about canceling the marriage, they each drew their own conclusions.
Qing Li sighed inwardly: Ah, the princess’s future domestic standing seems precarious.
Qing Yao’s maid thought: My mistress is truly skilled, she’ll have the princess completely wrapped around her finger after marriage.
Unaware of the speculations behind them, Fu Yu and Qing Yao continued walking ahead.
Their conversation remained sparse. After those few exchanged words, silence fell between them. Fu Yu found it rather awkward.
Though the awkwardness lingered, she thought it was quite nice to stroll through the garden with Qing Yao. The air was filled with the faint, snowy fragrance that seemed to emanate from her.
In truth, before that night, she had never been able to detect Qing Yao’s scent unless it was during her period of heightened emotions. But ever since they had become one, even when Qing Yao wasn’t in that state, as long as they were close enough, she could catch that intoxicating floral aroma, a scent that stirred her heart and even made it flutter with distraction.
Just as Fu Yu was secretly lost in the fragrance of her senior sister, something small and unexpected flew out of nowhere, hitting her on the head before landing at her feet.
Fu Yu raised her hand to rub her head and looked down to see a bamboo dragonfly lying quietly by her feet. She bent down, picked it up, and examined it carefully. Suddenly, it struck her as oddly familiar.
At that moment, a woman’s voice came from behind: “Young lady, that’s my bamboo dragonfly.”
Hearing this, Fu Yu turned around and saw a finely dressed woman sitting atop a nearby rockery, her knees dangling, a gentle smile on her face as she looked at them.
Fu Yu was about to ask Qing Yao who the lady was when she saw Qing Yao already walking over. “Mother, why are you climbing so high again?”
The woman’s expression turned stern. “Nonsense! I’m your aunt!”
Fu Yu remained calm. “Aunt.” She signaled for someone to help the woman down.
Fu Yu slowly approached. “Senior sister, who is this?”
Qing Yao introduced her: “This is my mother.”
Then, turning to the woman, she introduced Fu Yu: “Aunt, this is Princess Zhao Hua.”
Fu Yu: ???
Wait, is she your aunt or your mother?