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Accompanied by the soft melodies of string and bamboo instruments, Qingge followed Ning Wang onto the pleasure boat. As the daughter of the Xiahou clan, she shouldn’t have known, but Qingge was well aware: this boat had been a gift from the current emperor to Ning Wang for his coming-of-age ceremony. Constructed from priceless nanmu wood, it was over sixty meters in length, exquisitely designed with carved railings and painted beams, and could comfortably accommodate a hundred people. Walking aboard felt as stable as being on solid ground.
Ning Wang led Qingge onto the boat, where a throng of maidservants promptly and carefully served them. The two sat enjoying light refreshments while admiring the scenic beauty of the lake.
“What would you like to have?” Turning to Qingge, Ning Wang asked. The lake was alive with small boats serving as floating stalls—some offered soups, others sold fragrant wine, as well as tea cakes, fresh produce, and various local delicacies.
Qingge commented, “Everything here looks so fresh and delicious. Let’s have a try of everything.”
Ning Wang instructed a nearby guard, who quickly descended to the boats and made his purchases. Before long, the table was piled high with an assortment of dishes: freshly roasted snails, tea cakes, and various vegetable and meat platters.
“Try this one—it’s a local specialty,” Ning Wang gestured toward a dish.
The one he recommended was made from tender bamboo shoots, goji leaves, and mushrooms, blanched and then tossed with fragrant oil, pepper, and salt. Qingge tentatively took a bite and found it crisp and fresh, akin to the soothing experience of listening to spring rain.
As they tasted the dishes, the two watched the performances nearby. On the adjacent boats, the Jinti performers displayed their acrobatics—leaping, spinning, and showcasing their skills with flair, earning applause and cheers from the crowd.
Noticing Qingge’s focused gaze, Ning Wang remarked, “If you enjoy this, we shall arrange for the imperial troupe to come and perform for you. Their artistry is far more refined than these crude street acts.”
Qingge understood his intent. Ning Wang undoubtedly believed his Wangfei to be an elegant boudoir lady, someone completely detached from the crude life of common folks. He was being thoughtful, trying to ensure her comfort and enjoyment.
His efforts toward pleasing the ‘Xiahou clan’s daughter’ were earnest, but unfortunately, his goodwill was completely misplaced. He didn’t even know that the real Xiahou Jianxue had no desire to marry him. All his words of flattery and attention were wasted on Qingge, a lowly secret guard.
Were he to learn the truth, his reaction would surely be one of furious disbelief. But rather than dwell on such a possibility, Qingge chose to savor the present. She had visited this pleasure boat many times before, in her capacity as Ning Wang’s guard. Needless to say, she could never relax, let alone being served tea by Ning Wang and admiring the scenery at his side. Now that this rare fortune had come her way, she saw no reason not to enjoy it.
Smiling, she gazed at the distant scenery—pavilions and pagodas, thatched cottages, and arched bridges, all shrouded in the soft green hues of the lake, creating a tranquil and delightful view.
“Your Highness sure can jest,” she remarked with a light chuckle. “The imperial troupe is undoubtedly unmatched, but there’s a unique charm in these lively street acts. It has more of a down-to-earth feel than the palace entertainment, don’t you agree?”
Ning Wang leaned back slightly, resting his hands comfortably on the armrests. With a smile, he replied, “Wangfei’s words are quite insightful.” His dark eyes settled on Qingge. “Years ago, this prince heard much about your renowned talent. I had thought you might be a woman of lofty tastes, but now, after speaking with you, I find you not only appreciate refined art but also take joy in life’s simpler pleasures.”
Qingge responded, “This consort heard that Your Highness began traveling the world at the age of seven, visiting all thirty-two provincial seats. When it comes to understanding the life of the common people, perhaps no other person in your rank could surpass Your Highness.”
Ning Wang let out a pleasant laugh. “Wangfei, since we are husband and wife, there’s no need for such formalities. Let’s not waste time exchanging exaggerated compliments.”
Qingge chuckled as well. “Your Highness is right, though this consort was only speaking from the heart.”
As they were conversing, a commotion arose nearby, accompanied by the sounds of gongs and drums. A large group of people dressed in splendid clothes marched in a grand procession, carrying saplings adorned with red ribbons. Following them was another procession carrying flower baskets on poles, colorful and striking, adding to the lively scene.
Seeing Qingge looking in that direction, Ning Wang explained to her, “They are preparing to plant trees.”
Qingge, thinking this must be a custom in Yuning, feigned ignorance and asked, “Planting trees?”
Ning Wang elaborated, “This prince was enfeoffed in Yuning ten years ago, but actually had been here before. At that time, the area was barren, devoid of greenery. This prince mentioned to my elder brother that it would be good to encourage tree planting here. Coincidentally, there was already a tradition of making wishes while planting trees during the Zhonghe Festival, so I decreed that for the Zhonghe Festival, every household should plant twenty mulberry and jujube trees. Since then, the practice of tree planting has flourished year after year. To encourage this, the local government celebrates the festival with a grand procession.”
Qingge was naturally aware of this history—more so than anyone else—but she hadn’t expected Ning Wang to bring it up.
More than a decade ago, this land had been desolate and lifeless. Only through ten years of dedicated effort had it transformed into the current thriving city, now dotted with fresh greenery every spring.
Looking at the bustling crowd in the distance, she remarked, “It sounds very interesting.”
Ning Wang nodded, “Indeed. That’s why this prince makes it a point to visit whenever I have time during the Zhonghe Festival. The first month of spring represents vitality in wood, and seeing this growth makes me feel everything is full of promise.”
“You mentioned that there’s a custom of making wishes while planting trees during the Zhonghe Festival?”
“Yes, people dig a hole to make a wish, plant a tree, and pray for blessings. The locals believe in this tradition.”
Qingge knew Ning Wang didn’t believe in such superstition himself, but she found it intriguing. “May this consort try it? I’d like to plant a tree, too.”
Surprised, Ning Wang glanced at her. In her bright, expectant eyes, he saw sincerity, compelling him to agree without hesitation. “Of course. Let’s go. This prince will take you to see it.”
The couple disembarked the boat and went back to the embankment. Upon reaching the shore, a crowded temple came into view, where wealthy families handed out porridge to seek blessings, alongside free porridge from the local government. Anyone could line up to receive a portion.
The blessing porridge was made from a mix of colorful grains and looked rather appetizing. “I’d like to try some,” Qingge suggested.
Ning Wang readily agreed. “Alright.”
Without their guards accompanying them, the two had to queue up in person. Luckily, although Ning Wang’s attire was luxurious, the festival drew people from all walks of life, so while some glanced at him with curiosity, no one recognized his identity.
When it was finally their turn, they were each given a bowl of blessing porridge. They carried their bowls to a nearby pavilion, where others were eating their porridge on the spot. Following their example, Qingge curiously took a sip and remarked, “It’s quite delicious.”
Ning Wang watched as she savored the porridge with genuine appreciation, a faintly amused smile playing on his lips. But he didn’t touch his own bowl. Instead, noticing a young boy nearby eyeing it eagerly, he called the child over and handed it to him.
The boy accepted the porridge with wide-eyed joy.
Qingge knew he had no intention of eating it. Standing in line with her earlier was merely a matter of fulfilling his promise, or perhaps a strategic concession to win over the Xiahou clan. But Qingge didn’t allow his lack of enthusiasm to damp her own. She enjoyed her porridge with unreserved delight, even licking the rim of the bowl when she finished.
The refined manners and etiquette of the Xiahou clan could be easily feigned, but keeping up such an act all the time was undeniably dull. In any case, she had grown accustomed to playing her role seamlessly, and it seemed Ning Wang had no suspicions about her, so she could afford to relax a bit.
As for the risk of being exposed by Ye Min… even if she were to act as elegant and noble as possible, Ye Min would still see through her the moment he caught sight of her face. Since that was inevitable, she might as well make herself comfortable.
Ning Wang watched her finish the porridge and asked, “Is it really that good?”
Qingge wiped her lips before looking at him. His gaze was polite, yet restrained, and brimming with suppressed tolerance.
Doubtless, this behavior did not suit the ideal wife he wanted—he was merely tolerating her for a greater purpose.
‘He’s actually tolerating me!’
The sight of a man who had always lived according to his own whims now forced to exercise patience amused Qingge immensely. Feeling an irresistible urge to tease him further, she remarked mischievously, “It tasted quite nice. What a pity, Your Highness didn’t try it.”
Ning Wang raised an eyebrow but said nothing in reply.
Qingge continued, “Are you sure you won’t give it a taste, Your Highness? What if tonight you can’t sleep and suddenly sit up, regretting that you didn’t try it, wondering what it tasted like?”
Ning Wang, catching the mischief in her expression, raised his brow and let out a soft chuckle. “Come,” he said, “This prince will accompany you to plant a mulberry tree and make a wish.”
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Author’s Note:
What Ning Wang didn’t know at that moment was that his Wangfei’s words would become a prophecy. Many times in the years to come, in the depths of sleepless nights, he would find himself haunted by the question: What did that blessing porridge taste like?
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Thank you for the extra chapter!
That’s so funny. Thank you for the chapters
Aw, maybe partly because of the music I was listening to while reading but these chapters (/chapter parts) actually really affected me poignantly. Some of these novels are kinda carried by the plot and the quick drama, but these interactions were actually quite sweet and sowed this seed of genuine emotion and potential between them that I loved!
I love that she’s allowing herself to be indulgent very purposefully, like a cat that jumps up on a bed where they’re not usually allowed and carefully and purposefully stretches with visible insouciance even though they’re prepared to be chased off lol! And I love that it’s her sincerity that convinces him, and that even though he’s working for the sake of politics there’s also some genuine things disclosed that spark genuine little bridges.