Chapter 068
Chapter 68: Qiu Ru Ying’s Awakening
Ever since the day she learned Lin Qing Xuan was hurt, Lin Yu Jiao wrote a letter urging Qiu Ru Ying to hurry over to visit.
In her mind, she had a talent for tying red strings. She believed she had the duty to lock this golden boy and jade girl, Qiu Ru Ying and Lin Qing Xuan, together for good.
Outside Auspicious Cloud Residence, Lin Yu Jiao tugged Qiu Ru Ying along, her steps so quick it looked like she was riding the wind. She chattered nonstop: “Ruying, listen, Elder Cousin is sick! This is Heavenly Lord handing food right to your mouth, a heaven sent chance!”
Her eyebrows danced. It was as if the words cause trouble were written across her face.
She urged with a flourish: “Hurry! Take that Buddhist sutra and ask him for guidance. Back and forth you go, a man and a woman alone in one room, dry wood and fire… oh wait, I mean feelings that grow day by day! Won’t love just come naturally then?”
Dragged so hard she almost stumbled, Qiu Ru Ying could only shake her head with a helpless, delicate smile: “Yu Jiao, Buddha’s Chosen lives in Secluded Cultivation and has Purified Six Senses. How could he be moved by something so small?”
Stomping in frustration, Lin Yu Jiao tightened her grip and practically hauled her forward: “Oh, trust me! Think about it. Elder Cousin is ill, which is when the heart is weakest and most in need of careful care. Showing concern now works twice as well. What’s this called? Strike where the guard is down, got it?”
Qiu Ru Ying was half amused and half exasperated by this crooked logic. She let herself be pulled along, yet her heart stayed clear.
Meanwhile, inside Auspicious Cloud Residence, Xiao Man had been caring for Lin Qing Xuan these last few days.
He said nothing out loud, but his heart was full of joy. Bubbles of happiness rose and rose, almost drowning him in sweetness.
The thin paper between them had not been pierced, but it grew more transparent with each passing day. The air itself felt warm and blurry with closeness, so thick it could be squeezed.
Just then, they stood shoulder to shoulder under the eaves. Early winter wind bit the skin. Xiao Man had just come in from the outer yard, and her hands were red and swollen with cold.
Lin Qing Xuan’s brows knit at once. Without a word, he took her hands and wrapped them tightly in his: “Winter only just began. Why are your hands this cold?”
He lowered his head, brought his warm lips near her red fingertips, and breathed on them softly.
The breath brushed her skin like a tiny spark, running through her whole body. Her ears flushed bright red, but she still tried to be tough, muttering, “Mind your own business. I was just born with weak blood and energy…”
Her words stopped. She froze.
At the gate stood two people, staring like statues.
Lin Yu Jiao.
Qiu Ru Ying.
Four people, eight eyes, locked in the bitter air. Time stopped.
Lin Qing Xuan was still bent over, warming Xiao Man’s fingers. Xiao Man’s hands were still wrapped snugly in his palms. The pose was close and unbroken, leaving no room for a third person.
Qiu Ru Ying and Lin Yu Jiao stood dumb, minds blank. So… it had already become like this between them.
Lin Yu Jiao was the first to snap out of it. Her pretty almond eyes went round, and she pointed as excitement shook her voice: “Elder Cousin! You, you two…”
“Yu Jiao,” Qiu Ru Ying said, catching her arm and giving a tiny shake of her head to stop her.
The moment was already awkward enough. Talking more would only make it worse for everyone.
Lin Qing Xuan finally straightened, yet he did not loosen his hold on Xiao Man. He only tightened his fingers. Calm as still water, he looked toward the two at the gate.
They exchanged a few hollow greetings. Then Lin Yu Jiao and Qiu Ru Ying could not stay another breath and fled in a hurry.
On the way back, Lin Yu Jiao stomped in fury, ready to cry a thousand injustices for Qiu Ru Ying: “Too much! How could Elder Cousin be like this? How could he like a maid? Ruying, how are you any worse than her?”
Even though she half knew the truth, her mind still refused to accept it.
Qiu Ru Ying, however, was calm. She tugged her sleeve and coaxed softly: “Yu Jiao, mind your words.”
Her light voice somehow soothed: “Did you see them just now? Their eyes could not hide their feelings. It must be mutual and sweet.”
“I know you hoped to match me with Elder Cousin, but a noble heart does not steal another’s love. Besides, I never felt that way about him. I only admired his Buddhist Dharma.”
Those open words made Lin Yu Jiao lower her head in shame. She could not say another word.
At Third Princess Manor, Princess Xuan Ji lounged on a couch covered in white fox fur. Slender jade fingers pinched a secret letter as a cold smile curled her lips: “Qiu Ru Ying?”
She said the name lightly, full of scorn: “She thinks she can covet the man I, this Princess, have set my eyes on?”
The letter was covered in tiny script, clear as day: The Qiu Clan’s Miss has been frequently entering and leaving Heir Apparent Manor lately, growing close with Buddha’s Chosen Lin Qing Xuan, often holding a sutra translated by his own hand.
“In this world, there is only what I do not want, not what I cannot get,” she said.
Crushing the paper in her fist, a violent look cut across her perfect face. She turned to her trusted nanny and ordered coldly: “Go, send the Qiu Clan a Flower Viewing Invitation.”
Since you love reading sutras so much… this Princess will let you reach sudden “enlightenment” in front of every Noble Lady in the Capital City!
The Third Princess Manor invitations flew across the Capital City. The cards were exquisite, with a gilded cover and a lifelike peony stamped on top. Inside, neat graceful script read: In the harsh chill of winter, the Princess’s Private Estate has obtained an out of season Green Peony named “Spring Dawn.” You are invited to view this rare marvel together.
The signature was Third Princess Xuan Ji.
The Noble Lady circle exploded. A peony in winter? And the legendary, almost mythical, Green Peony?
No one had ever heard of such a thing. At once, everyone talked about the Third Princess Manor’s miracle flower. Those who received an invitation plotted outfits and makeup, hoping to shine before the Princess.
The news also reached Yao Xiao Man. She was in the courtyard airing Lin Qing Xuan’s books when maids nearby began chirping about it. Her hands paused.
A peony blooming in winter? The first words that popped into her head were [a greenhouse]. But then she thought again: [Could this era even build greenhouses?]
She curled her lip. [Unless this Third Princess has the power of the legendary Empress Wu and can command all blossoms to open for her alone? This whole thing feels wrong.]