C214

"Tsk, the young prince is really cruel to himself." Young Master Qing Yi broke off a plum blossom from the tree and gently flicked away the snow on the petals. "The snow hasn't melted yet and there's new snow. May I know if the water in the imperial garden is cold?"

"It's not going to be too warm," Miyake said.

The Young Master Qing Yi chewed on the plum blossom on the branch. After a while, he looked at the girl who brought him news and smiled, "I heard that Ran Hao fell into the lake to save him. Do you feel sorry for him?"

Zhong Li was startled and smiled helplessly: "Since it's a play between Young Master and Young Master, there's nothing I can do even if my heart hurts."

The man in cyan smiled, "It has nothing to do with me. I was only just aware of what was going on in the lake."

Gongzi turned the letter over and over in his hands a few times, then asked curiously: "Young Master, you mean, you fell into the lake by yourself?"

The green-clothed young master fiddled with the plum blossom branch in his hand and said carelessly, "A part of the white jade at the bottom of the appendix has been knocked out. It will collapse after a long time. With the young noble's skills, if he didn't intentionally do it, would he have fallen in? " He had a smile at the corner of his eyes, and his silver-white mask shone brightly against the snow. "No matter how weak his martial arts are, he is still Zhuo Yi's disciple."

"The one who fell into the lake was the young prince, and the one who stood by his side was the crown prince. The person who destroyed his appendix was either trying to frame the young prince or the crown prince. Young Prince would not use such a stratagem to frame the crown prince, right? "

The corners of the green clothed young master's lips curled up into a smile, "Yeah, he won't — just like how the crown prince knows that he knows water, the royal garden's lake is simply unable to drown him in it. No matter who it was that framed them, it would all be meaningless. However, this does not mean that the young prince will not go with the plan. "

Gongzi was puzzled. "There's someone else in charge of this farce?"

The green-clad young master nodded his head, "As for who this person is, I believe that the young prince has already made his decision in his heart. Zhong Li, find a chance and send someone to the palace to ask the young prince. "

Zhong Li asked: "Is it really that urgent?"

The man in green narrowed his eyes and seemed to be deep in thought, "The sooner the better. The time of the amnesty is near. I don't want to see any accidents."

Zhongli Yuan said no more: "Yes, I'll make the arrangements."

"Go." He casually answered and then looked at the branch in his hand with a carefree expression. The unexpected fact that he could almost shake the whole setup did not seem to worry him at all.

Gong Qing coldly watched from the sidelines, not saying another word.

— —

"Crown Prince?" Mu Qing Han knocked on the door a few times, but no one answered. When she saw that the door was still open, she hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.

The rooms in the grass garden were not luxurious. They were simple decorations, but they were fully equipped.

The room was very clean. After opening the door, a pungent smell of medicine assaulted his nose. It could not be considered to be unpleasant. There was no one in the room. Mu Qing Han walked into the room, gently covering the door with her hands and placed the food box on the table.

Simply taking a look at the room, her gaze inadvertently landed on the person lying on the bed. Mu Qing Han jumped in shock and quickly retreated a few steps. After the shock in his heart had subsided, he looked over again. The person on the bed was tall and slender, but the outline did not resemble Zhao Qingyan's.

"Miss Mu?" Just as he was guessing, he heard the sound of a wooden door opening and closing softly behind him. Without waiting for her to turn around, she heard a somewhat astonished voice.

Mu Qinghan bowed gracefully. "Your Highness, good morning. "The palace maid said this is the crown prince's room. I thought no one would come in first …"

Zhao Qingyan placed the medicine bowl on the table and smiled, "This is indeed my room. I went to boil the medicine just now." He turned around and picked up the teapot that was still warm on the stove. Then, he gestured for it to be seated. "Sit down first."

Mu Qing Han thanked him as she pulled up a wooden chair and sat down.

Zhao Qingyan poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of her. She then sat down at the opposite side of the table, "The snow has not stopped. The distance between us from the mansion is quite large. Is it cold?"

Mu Qing Han shook her head gently, "There is a stove in the car, I didn't feel any cold on the way." She gently pushed the box of food forward a little and said, "I heard from Peyer that young master had fallen into the water and was afraid that young master would catch a chill, so I stewed some hot porridge and brought mother here with me."

Zhao Qingyan's gaze landed on the box on the table and he laughed involuntarily. "Thank you for your concern, Lady Mu. If it gets hot later, I can also try Lady Mu's cooking skills."

Mu Qing Han pursed her lips and smiled: "It's just ordinary rice porridge, where is your cooking skill?" Even if there is, you would not dare to be conceited in front of Young Master. "

Zhao Qingyan smiled and said, "The hot porridge sent over by the snow is delicious even if it is cooked."

He didn't have his hair tied up, probably because he was "in bed". He only used a headband to tie his hair behind his head. There was a tiredness that couldn't be hidden in his eyes. He was wearing a simple set of clothes, and he took off the cloak that was draped over his neck to protect him from the falling snow after entering the house. For some unknown reason, he felt a little desolate.

Seeing her staring at him blankly, Zhao Qingyan could not help but chuckle. "What's wrong? Do you think this place is overly lonely? "

Mu Qing Han was startled once again as she heard the latter half of his sentence, but she couldn't stop herself from looking at him.

The man in front of her seemed to have the ability to pry into people's hearts.

His clumsy action was surprisingly cute. The smile in Zhao Qingyan's eyes became even more pronounced. "Could it be that I've guessed correctly?"

Mu Qing Han hesitated, but still nodded her head.

Zhao Qingyan was not annoyed at all. "The number of nights spent in the palace has decreased in recent years. The grass garden only has a few maids to sweep the palace. It's snowing, and there's nothing important to do here, so I might as well not let Jin'er come. "

Mu Qing Han pursed her lips, "Young master, there are still too few attendants by your side."

"Yeah." Zhao Qingyan turned to look at the unconscious person on the bed and sighed. "I always forget that he can get sick."

Mu Qing Han didn't know how to reply, but after a moment she said in a low voice: "Many thanks, Young Master."

Zhao Qingyan was slightly taken aback. "Why are you thanking me?"

Mu Qing Han stood up and bowed, "My humble concubine's identity is unknown, I am sorry that I have not forsaken you, Young Master."

Zhao Qingyan looked at her quietly. In fact, her eyes were filled with gentleness that could not be hidden. But in the end, he still stood up, extended his hand to help Mu Qinghan up, and his lips still carried a slight smile: "Why would Lady Mu give such a great bow? You and I, husband and wife, should have had the same heart and strength, so how could we abandon or not? "

Mu Qinghan looked at him and at the youth's handsome face. Her dark eyes reflected her own face — the half of her face that was burned away by the flames and the scar that was covered by a piece of cotton cloth. Such a face, however, was reflected in the eyes of the youth, and he was willing to look at it for the rest of his life.

Her eyes were closed, and her mind was in chaos. She was an extremely calm person. She was good at disguising her emotions with a smile. She clearly knew that the person in front of her was someone who was as good at disguising as she was, but she could not see any flaws in him. Instead, she had been seen through in front of him and her disguise had been seen through, causing her to be thrown into disarray.

Even though she knew it was just a formality, she had always been willing to drown in such tenderness for a moment. Even if it was only a temporary berth, a floating boat was still good.

Zhao Qingyan released his hand and took half a step back. She then stopped at a polite but not distant distance, "I have already requested for an order from Imperial Uncle. I will marry you at the beginning of next month."

Mu Qing Han subconsciously raised her head, and the chaos in her heart gradually calmed down. She was so calm that she didn't want to think about anything anymore. She gently nodded her head in a submissive manner and said, "Mm, I understand."

Perhaps because he had seen her dodging and fear, Zhao Qingyan softly added, "Married clothes are beautiful, and that day, you will be beautiful too. "After all, she is the number one beauty in the martial arts world. If she marries into the Qi King's Manor, I will not let you feel even the slightest bit wronged."

Mu Qing Han was startled at first, but when she saw his serious expression, she couldn't help but burst out laughing. "I've heard that the young prince never gets involved with women, how can he coax his daughter to be happy at home?"

Zhao Qingyan smiled as well. "I don't like the wind and the snow, but I can't avoid my wangfei. If you are unable to make Lady Mu happy, I hope you can forgive me for that. "

Mu Qing Han tilted her head and smiled beautifully. "It's a pity that I won't be on the Beauty Rankings from now on. It's a pity that Young Master will not be able to take first place in the next Beauty Rankings."

Zhao Qingyan didn't even glance at her face. His expression was still as steady as ever. He only returned a smile with a hint of ridicule: "Yeah, Miss Mu is about to leave the pavilion, it's about time for those girls to fight for the list of famous girls. As for me … When I grow a beard, let's see who dares to put me on the list. "

Hearing that, Mu Qing Han couldn't help imagining his appearance after he had grown a beard, so she covered her mouth and laughed even harder.

Zhao Qingyan looked at her with a smile. When her laughter stopped, he said softly, "Marry me and you will be wronged."

"aggrieved? Why would I feel wronged? " Mu Qinghan was a little surprised, "The men I saw before seduced me and feared me. Apart from their boastful reputations, what else do they have in their eyes? Without a family, without looks, without a body full of glorious golden jade, how many men are there who are willing to treat me as a complete person? "

Zhao Qingyan was speechless for a moment. He had the same feeling of helplessness.

He did not speak, and Mu Qinghan waited quietly.

"Lady Mu, when did you ever think that I was willing to marry you just to maintain my reputation?" Zhao Qingyan's words were cruel and clear.

Mu Qing Han didn't have any hesitation at all from his straightforward and cruel words. She replied lightly and resolutely: "If Young Master wants the reputation of a marriage contract, then I should die in the blazing fire that day. "It's just a simple marriage contract, there's no need for young master to go against His Majesty for that."

Zhao Qingyan said, "I went to save you because I was sure that I wouldn't be burned to death. I defy royal uncle because I know that royal uncle won't blame me. "

Mu Qinghan chuckled. "Young Master's lies can be so stiff."

Zhao Qingyan silently looked at her for a long time before he smiled and said, "I am only trying my best to help. I cannot bear to see you as an abandoned son who is competing for benefits. "The reason I said you were wronged is because my son has long ago lost all of his glory."

Mu Qinghan asked, "What does Young Master think I married Young Master for?"

Zhao Qingyan shook his head, "I know you are not greedy for peace and wealth, but I am worried about you leaving the wolf's lair and entering the tiger's den."

"You and I, husband and wife, should have shared the same heart." Mu Qing Han looked directly at him, "Am I right?"

Zhao Qingyan was stunned for half the time it took to brew a cup of tea before she slowly spoke, "To have you as my wife is the fortune of my life."

Mu Qing Han smiled lightly, "Being able to marry you is also Qing Han's fortune."

Zhao Qingyan said, "I hope you do not disappoint me."

Mu Qinghan replied, "It will never be the same."

He hoped that he wouldn't, but he definitely wouldn't.

It wasn't until many years later that Zhao Qingyan finally understood. Even though she had put on a disguise when she made the promise, she had paid it with her heart.

This is a postscript.

"Young master." Mu Qing Han bowed, "It's not early yet, mother is probably waiting for me."

Zhao Qingyan regained his senses and quickly bowed in return, "It's been quite a while. It's good for Lady Mu to return as soon as possible. "For my sake, I think my mother said, 'I am fine now, so please be at ease with me.'"

Mu Qinghan smiled, "I know."

Zhao Qingyan took an umbrella from the corner and handed it to her. "The snow hasn't stopped. Be careful on the road." Next time, remember to bring a servant along. "

Mu Qing Han seemed to be incredibly surprised that he was able to find an umbrella in an empty corner, but she just extended her hand to receive it, "Thank you Young Noble, I will pay attention to this next time." After bowing once more, he turned around and left.

Zhao Qingyan watched her leave and opened the box on the table. There was a jar filled with half a pot of rice porridge. It was obvious that it had been simmering for a long time. He picked up the jar and put it on the stove to heat it up. Then, he stretched out his hand to pick up the soup that was still warm, sat on the collapsed edge and fed a spoonful to Ran Hao.

"Mo'er, you really don't understand the matters of the wind and the flowers and the moon." After reading so many poems, how good would it be to pick a few lines? " Snow and wind poured in, and Duke Huai quickly shut the door and spoke with a smile.

Zhao Qingyan placed the bowl on the stool, then pulled Ran Hao's hand and checked his pulse. "What did you say?" "Wishing for a single person to be separated from the other?" She and I are not the same person, so it is even more impossible for us to hold hands until our hair turns white. Why would there be a need … You're going to use nice words to coax her to bully you. "

Prince Huan sighed lightly. "It's good to not talk about this. I'll talk about other things, and I'll be happy to hear it in the end."

"I had originally thought that Thirteenth Uncle would be like me and have no intentions for the wind or moon, but I never would have thought that he would know even more about it than me." Zhao Qingyan put Ran Hao's arm back into the blanket and carelessly touched his forehead, "Thirteenth Uncle, how long have you been listening for?"

Hearing his teasing, Duke Huan could only sigh, "Why do you have to go through so much trouble?"

Zhao Qingyan looked up when he heard what she said. His face became even more pale as his hair fell down. Are you speaking with sincerity about marrying her? "

Prince Huan said, "Why do you have to be so clear with her? Both of them are sad."

Zhao Qingyan lowered her eyes. She was obviously covered by the shadows, but she could not hide her fatigue. "She is a person who is extremely similar to me. Even if I did not say it clearly, I would have been able to see through it."

Duke Huan raised his hand and caressed his hair, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Are you alright?"

Zhao Qingyan was a bit nonchalant. "It's been a while."

Duke Huan sat down by the table and waved his hand, signaling for him to come sit down. "Just as you guessed, there was someone inside the Heaven Smiting Prison last night."

Zhao Qingyan answered with an "En" and didn't have any further reactions.

Duke Huan continued, "If you fall into the water, the stones that have fallen from your white jade appendix will be pointing towards the Eastern Palace. "Yesterday, half of the court officials went to the banquet, sealing the palace doors was tantamount to sealing them inside the palace …"

I know." Zhao Qingyan lightly coughed a few times before getting up and sitting down on the chair she had been sitting on earlier, "Making such a big move on my appendix, if I get caught, I will be sentenced to death. Such obvious framing of the East Palace could only cause a moment of chaos, and could not achieve the results of a frame-up. No one would touch the dragon's whiskers in front of the Son of Heaven, except for what they would give their lives for.

Duke Huan nodded his head silently, "That's right, but we have no way of knowing what they want."

"It worked?" Zhao Qingyan frowned. She was not that surprised, "How many people were taken?"

Prince Huan looked at the unconscious Ran Hao, stood up and said, "Come out with me."

Zhao Qingyan did not ask any further. He put on the cloak that he had put aside and walked out with King Huan.

The door slowly closed, and Ran Hao, who was lying on his side facing the inside, opened his eyes with his eyelashes slightly trembling.