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Chapter 94: Exploring Flowers

The sunlight cast shadows of branches on the window paper, gradually slanting westward.

In the porcelain vase, a few petals of the peach blossom withered, while the peach blossom painted under Yu Lingxi’s collarbone bloomed inch by inch, radiant and splendid. Yu Lingxi’s cheeks were as red as the peach blossoms on her body, breathing too quickly, she turned her head and coughed twice.

Ning Yin immediately looked at her, his thin lips lightly stained with crimson, his slightly raised eyes tinged with a lingering darkness.

Their eyes met, Yu Lingxi’s eyes rippling, deliberately said, “Dizzy, out of strength.”

The beauty lying among the embroidered cushions, recovering from a severe illness, with redness at the corners of her eyes, looked quite pitiful.

In the past, Ning Yin would have lazily teased her, “So unreasonable, every year the flowers bloom, and you don’t care whether your husband lives or dies.”

But today, he surprisingly didn’t bother to distinguish the truth of her words. After looking at her for a moment, he slowly got up and kissed her moist eyelashes, pulling the blanket to cover the floral patterns emerging on her thin shoulders.

With lowered eyelashes, Ning Yin’s slender and cold white fingertips skillfully smoothed out the wrinkles on her dress inch by inch. Ning Yin’s attire was neat and elegant, with the high-quality deep purple royal robe hanging impeccably along the edge of the bed, and below the white jade belt…

Well, it didn’t seem that elegant after all.

Yu Lingxi felt a bit embarrassed, glanced at him for a moment, and whispered, “Are you… okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Ning Yin expressionlessly pinched Yu Lingxi’s neck, causing her to shrink her neck, then chuckled lightly, “Being suffocated in your arms is also a beautiful thing.”

Yu Lingxi wanted to shut his mouth.

The charcoal fire gradually extinguished, and the setting sun outside became rich and heavy.

Ning Yin washed his hands and wiped them clean with a handkerchief, then glanced at the half-opened list of successful candidates next to the desk and casually picked it up to flip through.

Several names were circled on it, and for some important ones, the suitable positions and abilities were thoughtfully written in red annotations.

After looking for a while, Ning Yin said with interest, “Sui Sui’s insight into people is quite similar to mine.”

Yu Lingxi felt a bit guilty: These people were all the right-hand men of his previous life, how could they not fit his preferences?

“I’ve seen the articles of Zhou Yunqing before, they criticize the current situation sharply, quite impressive.”

Ning Yin nodded at the name circled in bold, “To think that a poor scholar who once benefited from the Tang family could have such insights, it’s interesting.”

“He is silent and reserved, yet impartial and upright, suitable for a position in the Dali Temple.”

As the floral patterns faded, Yu Lingxi’s mind cleared a bit. Leaning lazily on the couch, she smiled bonelessly, “These people are all well-connected, perhaps they can help you. How to use them specifically will still require you to investigate and select on your own…”

Then she thought of something, and her voice slowed imperceptibly.

If Ning Yin truly intended to retreat from the world and avoid the court, then these talents naturally wouldn’t belong to him anymore. That era of courtiers bowing their heads and looking down on the world would eventually remain in a distant past.

For some reason, a hint of regret arose in her heart.

Ning Yin made his decision swiftly and accurately. In the moment Yu Lingxi was distracted, he had already summoned attendants.

“After Zhou Yunqing and the top scholars finished the parade, they disappeared without a trace.”

The guard said, “I’ve inquired, he didn’t return to his inn…”

Ning Yin closed the list with a cold gaze.

The guard realized his mistake, tensed his posture, and immediately changed his tune, “I’ll have someone go and invite him!”

Yu Lingxi got up from the couch, thought for a moment, and smiled lightly, “Perhaps, I know where he is.”

…

Tang Buli recently felt quite troubled.

It had only been two months since his grandmother passed away, and before the mourning period was over, there were already matchmakers coming to propose marriage one after another. They seemed to rely on the fact that she was an orphan with no one to make decisions for her, coveting the substantial wealth of the Tang family.

If they were sons of noble families, it would be fine, as they would at least have some manners.

But lately, those who sent matchmakers were increasingly unsuitable.

“…Although marrying into the countryside as a concubine, as the saying goes, a man who has had a wife is a treasure, he will cherish his wife. Moreover, Li Langjun just passed the imperial exam this spring, ranked eleventh! Once he takes up an official position, he’ll surely rise to great heights.”

The matchmaker held the handkerchief, shamelessly exaggerating the other party, “He’s truly talented and handsome, if the countryside lord marries him, she can live in a mansion like a palace, be fed with a golden spoon, ride in a glass sedan chair when going out, and enjoy endless glory and wealth for a lifetime, with someone who knows how to care for her. Isn’t it better than struggling to maintain the family business alone? Hey, as women, it’s better to marry well than to be born well, it’s been the same since ancient times.”

Tang Buli couldn’t stand it any longer.

“This Li family could even be her father. She’s only eighteen, why should she marry a middle-aged man as a concubine?”

She was never a weak person. She unfastened her long whip from her waist and swung it, shattering the cups in the matchmaker’s hands, saying firmly, “Uncle Tang, escort the guest out!”

The matchmaker was frightened, standing up awkwardly with a stiff expression.

“Miss, you have high standards. It’s a pity there’s only one prince in the court. Even if there’s a royal concubine as a handkerchief, it’s not destined for you to be a royal concubine.”

The matchmaker smiled apologetically, but every word was like a jab at Tang Buli’s nerves. “Even the newly appointed scholar cannot catch your eye. Who in the capital would dare to propose marriage to you in the future?”

Tang Buli sneered coldly and pulled the whip, saying, “What are you saying? If you continue to speak ill, I’ll rip your tongue out!”

The matchmaker shuddered at her whip and left with a bitter smile.

As soon as he stepped out of Tang’s mansion’s gate, he muttered under his breath, “A nobody without parents, thinking of marrying into the Three Ding Family’s new nobility?”

Muttering to himself, he suddenly heard a cold voice from the sedan beside him, “According to the laws of our dynasty, slandering others could result in twenty slaps or even the punishment of the entire family.”

The matchmaker turned his head in surprise, assessing the luxurious sedan, wondering who the noble inside was.

The sedan landed, and two gentle fingers lifted the curtain. A young nobleman in a red robe with a silver leaf velvet flower on his black hat stepped out gracefully. The young man wasn’t exceptionally handsome, but he had a fair and upright demeanor, indicating he was a person of integrity and learning.

The matchmaker, experienced in judging people, recognized him at once by the silver leaf velvet flower on his hat and the red robe that only the top three scholars could wear…

And among the top three scholars, only the Tanhua scholar was of this age.

Realizing he had offended this new nobleman earlier, the matchmaker’s complexion changed completely. He hastily made a gesture of apology and fled.

Tang Buli’s uncle rushed to the tea dregs at the door, shocked by what he saw, and hurried back to report to the mansion.

“Miss, he… he’s here!”

Tang Buli, with a puzzled expression, asked, “Who’s here? That gossiping matchmaker again?”

“No… it’s not!”

Panting, Tang’s uncle leaned on his knees and took a deep breath. “It’s Tanhua scholar Zhou Yunqing, Young Master Zhou is here!”

Tang Buli spewed out her tea.

She was stunned for a moment before realizing who this name belonged to.

“What?”

Tang Buli stood up suddenly, feeling inexplicably embarrassed. “Given my current situation, why is he here?”

Thinking of her resolute actions in driving him away before, she felt a bit guilty.

It was the day after the Qiqiao Festival.

When she told him to pack up and leave, Zhou Yunqing didn’t say anything. He just buried himself in fervently writing essays, filling the entire shabby room with sheets of paper, his eyes silent and lonely.

“Could it be that he’s still resentful for kicking him out back then, so he’s here to mock and seek revenge?”

Tang Buli couldn’t help but think.

“I’m worried about that too.”

Tang’s uncle sighed and kindly advised, “Miss, you should have shown a bit of mercy in your actions back then.”

“What’s the point of saying that now?”

The calm and fearless Princess of Qingping finally panicked and hurriedly ordered, “Uncle Tang, go and close the door! Don’t let him in!”

Uncle Tang obeyed and withdrew. In no time, he returned sweating profusely, with a troubled expression, saying, “It’s too late. Lord Zhou is standing at the main gate, and it seems he insists on seeing the young lady.”

Princess of Qingping sank into a chair.

She could endure the scheming of her relatives, the mockery of others, and wielded her whip to drive them all out of the mansion, but only towards Zhou Yunqing…

As if possessed, she showed fear only towards him.

Back when her grandmother was seriously ill, her mood wasn’t too good, and she indeed didn’t handle things very kindly. After much hesitation, Princess of Qingping tightened her grip on the whip at her waist.

Well, whether to face it head-on or to avoid it, isn’t Lord Zhou just a scholar despite his grandeur? Can’t argue with him, can’t fight him?

With determination, Princess of Qingping gritted her teeth and strode towards the door. Sure enough, Zhou Yunqing was standing in front of the mansion gate, standing upright without any impatience.

His once shabby air was gone with the red robe of the scholarly champion, making him look dignified.

Princess of Qingping paused for a moment before continuing forward, cautiously asking, “What do you want?”

Seeing her unfriendly tone, Zhou Yunqing was somewhat surprised, but quickly lowered his eyes, reverting to his former submissive appearance. He wasn’t good with words, taking ages to speak a sentence. But once spoken, it was piercingly sharp.

Zhou Yunqing opened his mouth, and Princess of Qingping immediately tensed up.

She pondered angrily whether Zhou Yunqing would first boast about his current achievements or mock her current plight.

“Princess of Qingping’s gracious assistance is unforgettable to me. Today, returning in glory, I’ve come to express my gratitude.”

With that, Zhou Yunqing solemnly rolled up his sleeves and bowed deeply.

“…”

Silence followed the wind, enveloping the surroundings.

Princess of Qingping: “Uh?”

…

Today, Yu Lingxi stopped taking her medicine. The imperial physician said that since it was a clear spring day, she should go out more.

Ning Yin arranged the carriage and personally took her to the palace to admire the flowers.

The road to the palace was not far, but it was very crowded. The front of every major rice shop was packed with people, all scrambling for rice and flour.

Yu Lingxi knew that with the recent loss of the monarch, people were in a state of panic. Once the conflict with the Yan tribe started, the price of grain would inevitably soar, so every household in the capital was hoarding food.

It seemed that no one had confidence in the current Wei dynasty, after all, this court hadn’t even settled on a monarch. As she watched, her heart trembled, her line of sight blocked, and the curtain of the carriage was lowered by the person behind her.

Ning Yin reached out, gently turning Yu Lingxi’s head. Amidst the noisy street, those pitch-black eyes remained calm and indifferent, without a trace of ripples.

Yu Lingxi looked puzzled, her soft eyelashes fluttered gently. “What’s wrong?”

Ning Yin half-squinted at her for a while before slowly saying, “Your lip tint smeared.”

Yu Lingxi subconsciously raised her hand to touch the corner of her mouth. Sure enough, her fingertips were stained with a faint red, the result of Ning Yin’s reckless kissing just now.

She hurriedly took out a handkerchief and vigorously wiped the corners of her lips, muttering softly, “It’s all your fault.”

She had been looking out of the carriage for so long just now and hadn’t noticed the smudge. If someone saw it, it would be too embarrassing. Ning Yin chuckled, showing no remorse. Instead, he leaned closer, using his lips to clean off the remaining lipstick stain.

There was a tower in the northern palace with an excellent view.

Upon reaching the seventh floor, one could see the vast Penglai Pool, with waves shimmering like jade and flowers blooming abundantly. Countless pear blossoms weighed down the branches, and thick layers of white petals drifted down with the waves.

Inside the tower, there were fine wines and delicacies, and incense burned in bronze censers.

Yu Lingxi leaned against the railing, enjoying the distant view, feeling her heart broadening, with waves of thoughts surging within.

Ning Yin didn’t have a liking for flowers, and consequently, there was no sign of spring in the this Prince’s mansion. Yu Lingxi was considering whether to transplant some pear blossoms or peach blossoms into the mansion when she felt a tightening around her waist. Ning Yin had leaned in from behind.

Yu Lingxi softened her body, fanning herself helplessly. “Aren’t you feeling hot?”

Ning Yin held her even tighter, as if the more uncomfortable they were from the heat, the happier he became.

“Do you like pear blossoms?” His voice was low and tingling in her ears. “Unfortunately, there’s no white blood in this world.”

Okay, so the Quiet Prince was also thinking about “planting flowers.”

“I like them.” Yu Lingxi took a deep breath of the air filled with the fragrance of flowers and thought for a moment. “When our hair turns as white as pear blossoms, we should still come here together to admire the flowers.”

Ning Yin rarely thought about the “future”; he used to be a man without a future.

But at this moment, listening to Yu Lingxi’s vision of the future, he inexplicably felt that it must be a beautiful scene.

An old lady, year after year, supporting Ning Yin, step by step, slowly walking. The setting sun cast long shadows behind them, merging with each other.

Ning Yin burst into laughter.

Yu Lingxi didn’t know what he was laughing about, but as she concentrated, she suddenly saw a valiant female warrior carrying a bow and arrows, leading her subordinates on patrol.

Under the sunlight, the female warrior walked with the wind, her heroic demeanor captivating.

Yu Lingxi’s eyes lit up. “Sister!”

The late spring sun was already a bit scorching. Yu Lingxi guessed that her sister must have been running under this blazing sun for most of the day, so she must be very tired. She scratched Ning Yin’s palm with her finger and was about to ask someone to send some cold soup to her sister when she saw a young man in brocade robes hurrying over from outside the palace gate.

Ning Zizhuo called out something, and her sister turned around.

The wind blew, snowflakes fell like rain, and Yuning hastily raised her sleeve, shielding her sister from the falling petals.

Clearly, they were two people with incompatible personalities, yet standing together, they exuded a harmonious and beautiful aura like a painting.

Yu Lingxi’s lips curled up, dispelling the thought of sending cold soup.

Ning Yin pressed down on the corner of her mouth that was slightly raised and asked, “What are you thinking?”

Yu Lingxi took a deep breath of the fresh air and turned her head to look at Ning Yin seriously.

She remembered the arrogant Yan tribe riots, the chaos in the capital, and the clumsy young man guarding under the pear blossoms just now…

Her thoughts converged at that moment, gradually becoming clear. In her eyes, there were vast lakes, picturesque clouds, and Ning Yin’s handsome face.

The wind stopped, the pear blossoms swayed peacefully, yet the light in Yu Lingxi’s eyes did not fade.

She whispered, “Ning Yin, you should ascend to the throne.”

Ning Yin’s fingertips paused slightly, his dark eyes deep and bottomless, without saying a word.

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