The Flirtatious Beauty Decides to Steal the Princess - Chapter 24

Wen Ying’s eyes were still slightly red, but she was feeling much better now. With a smile on her face, she sat at the table, eyeing the steaming bowl of porridge eagerly and couldn’t wait to pick up the wooden spoon to take a sip.

Fu Qingyin knew Wen Ying wouldn’t be patient. She quickly reached out to stop her from lifting the spoon to her mouth.

“What’s wrong?” Wen Ying blinked obediently, pausing her movement. Her little dimples were utterly adorable. Fu Qingyin had originally intended to teach her how to eat the porridge properly, but seeing Wen Ying so endearing, she couldn’t help but treat her like a child, gently blowing on the spoonful of porridge to cool it down.

Only then did Wen Ying understand, lowering her head in slight embarrassment. Why had she been in such a hurry just now?

Though she knew it was her own fault, Wen Ying still stubbornly defended herself, “I just wanted to finish the porridge quickly so I could take my medicine!”

Fu Qingyin looked at the stubborn little Wen Ying and decided not to expose her. Instead, she played along, “Right, then little Wen Ying mustn’t cry when it’s time to take the medicine later.”

The last time Wen Ying drank her medicine, though she finished it quickly, her eyes had brimmed with tears, as if she had been terribly wronged.

Fu Qingyin memorized every one of her expressions whether she was laughing, scolding, or even sulking in anger each one was precious to her.

Wen Ying, recalling how bitter the medicine had been, realized her excuse had backfired. She huffed but obediently took small sips of the porridge.

Because of her injuries, her breakfast couldn’t contain any oil or salt, leaving her with nothing but a plain bowl of white porridge.

Wen Ying found it utterly bland, but the sight of that bitter medicine forced her to stall for time.

By the time Fu Qingyin returned from freshening up, Wen Ying was still sipping her porridge. Understanding dawned on her.

“Little Wen Ying, weren’t you in a hurry to take your medicine?” Fu Qingyin’s beautiful eyes fixed on her, shining like the rarest treasure in the world. Wen Ying didn’t dare meet her gaze and could only pick up the now-cooled porridge and finish it.

Only then did Fu Qingyin relent. She had just retrieved the pale blue dress from outside, its skirt now draped naturally, thanks to the care of Madam Gu. Even though it was an older style, it looked as good as new.

Besides, no one here would recognize the fashion of Yi Qing Kingdom. She placed the dress and the new undergarments Yun Chu had sent on the bed. When Fu Qingyin turned around, she saw Wen Ying had just finished her medicine, traces of the bitter liquid still lingering at the corners of her lips.

The bitterness had forced tears into Wen Ying’s eyes. Noticing Fu Qingyin’s gaze, she immediately adopted a pitiful tone, “Beautiful sister!”

Her voice trembled with a sob as she reached out, asking for a hug. This side of Fu Qingyin melted Wen Ying’s heart completely.

As if under some spell, Fu Qingyin moved toward her without thinking, wrapping her arms around Wen Ying.

Wen Ying, ever so sweet, looped her arms around Fu Qingyin’s neck. They pressed close, so very close, as Wen Ying’s tears rolled down. She nuzzled forward, her face brushing against Fu Qingyin’s neck.

“Big sister is here.” Fu Qingyin’s voice softened involuntarily, and in an instant, Wen Ying’s ears burned. She realized her actions carried a hint of intimacy, yet she couldn’t help but instinctively want to draw closer to Fu Qingyin.

“Little Wen Ying, you!” Fu Qingyin’s words faltered slightly, her cheeks flushed, though she retained some composure. She leaned in closer to Wen Ying. “If we waste any more time, you’ll be late for the Spring Banquet.”

The mention of the Spring Banquet immediately stopped Wen Ying’s tears. She shyly retreated toward the bed, while Fu Qingyin lingered in the fading warmth of Wen Ying’s presence, her own cheeks still burning.

Wen Ying looked at the dress laid out on the bed for her and felt a surge of joy. Why was she so excited? Perhaps it was because she hadn’t attended such a spring-themed banquet in so long, or perhaps because she hadn’t seen the ever-kind Empress in ages.

Even with the wounds on her back, she still wanted to go. Wen Ying wasn’t seeking the bustle she had simply been cut off from the outside world for far too long.

The noble ladies of prominent families must have all blossomed into graceful beauties by now. The Empress’s Spring Banquet was, after all, an occasion for young nobles to meet, to select consorts and royal spouses.

That was the true purpose of the Spring Banquet. Wen Ying had no desire to marry, nor did she need to stand out. She would simply hide in a corner and admire the dazzling displays of the other young ladies.

“Did you know, beautiful sister? The second daughter of the Marquis of Beizhen plays the qin exquisitely, and the eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites is a master of the flute. A-Ying learned all this from storybooks outside the palace. People love writing tales about them, and Xiao Tang always brings them back for me when she goes out.”

The books Wen Ying read weren’t all from the palace library many were unofficial stories Xiao Tang secretly bought to amuse her.

So even if Wen Ying had never heard their music firsthand, she could still imagine it through the vivid descriptions in those tales.

Fu Qingyin’s heart ached. Wen Ying should have been able to experience these things herself, not just through stories.

She was a princess, a descendant of a lineage that should have overshadowed all noble families yet she had been cursed with such an emperor.

“No matter. Today, we’ll see for ourselves whether their music is truly as enchanting as they say. How does that sound?” Fu Qingyin knew Wen Ying disliked being pitied, so she said nothing more, pouring all her tenderness into comforting her instead.

Wen Ying nodded vigorously, her face breaking into a bright smile. She gathered two dresses and climbed onto the bed, drawing the thick bed curtains shut.

Fu Qingyin collected the two empty bowls Wen Ying had just drunk from. Without realizing it, she had grown accustomed to caring for Wen Ying. She still remembered their first meeting Wen Ying peering down at her from atop a wall.

“Your Highness! I’ve brought the gown and jewelry you requested.” While Wen Ying was still changing inside, Sangzhi’s voice came from outside. Today, Fu Qingyin would attend the banquet as the Princess of Yiqing.

That wretched Emperor Wen wouldn’t dare humiliate her in front of so many people and likewise, Fu Qingyin wouldn’t let Yiqing’s dignity be tarnished before the crowd.

Although the clothes were not newly made, they had just been brought back from Yi Qing Kingdom well-fitted and far from shabby. As for the jewelry, though much had been sold off, a few commonly worn sets remained.

Even so, Fu Qingyin’s eyes still betrayed a hint of melancholy. In her former status, stepping out required selecting the most suitable attire from mountains of clothes and piles of jewelry nothing like the current state of decline.

Whenever Fu Qingyin felt her situation was dire, Wen Ying’s circumstances would inevitably drift into her thoughts like an intrusive wind, as if reminding her that there was still a little one who suffered just as much.

After receiving permission, Sang Zhi carried those items inside and placed them on the wooden table.

At that moment, Wen Ying happened to emerge. The dress was so captivating that one couldn’t look away no matter how many times it was seen. Even Fu Qingyin hadn’t achieved such an effect when wearing it proving that giving it to Wen Ying had truly been an excellent idea.

Once everything was prepared, Fu Qingyin sat before the bronze mirror, gazing at her refined reflection as if recalling the day she first arrived at this palace. Back then, she had been radiant and newly appointed as a political hostage.

The imperial decree naming her a hostage had descended like a crushing mountain, bending the proud Fu Qingyin under its weight. Now, all her sharp edges were hidden within the pages of her letters home.

Emperor Wen had been negotiating with Yi Qing Kingdom these past days. The courtesy he showed her now was merely temporary Fu Qingyin could not afford to sit idly by.

“Sister, you’re as beautiful as ever,” Wen Ying never hesitated with her compliments, warm like a little sun comforting without burning.

Such words pulled Fu Qingyin out of her resentment. Whenever she looked at Wen Ying, her expression remained gentle.

As they stepped out, Mama Gu stood at the entrance of the embroidery pavilion, watching as Wen Ying, supported by Fu Qingyin, walked out with an excited little face. The words urging her to rest died on Mama Gu’s lips.

“Little Wen Ying, if anyone bullies you, tell Mama Gu, and I’ll deal with them. Alright?” Mama Gu rarely set aside her work, but this time, she did just to reassure Wen Ying not to be afraid.

Hearing this, Wen Ying revealed her little dimples, smiling at Mama Gu and waving her hand. “Don’t worry, Mama Gu!”

With that, they left the embroidery courtyard.

The embroidery courtyard was located in a rather remote area, while the Spring Banquet was held in Chonghua Palace, a place usually reserved for entertaining visiting noblewomen or guests.

Thus, the journey was long. Without a carriage or sedan chair, they had to walk step by step. The path was quiet, as the extra maids and eunuchs had all been sent to Chonghua Palace to assist.

Sang Zhi followed behind Wen Ying and Fu Qingyin, making it a trio this time.

Only when they reached the road near Chonghua Palace did they finally see many sedan chairs from outside the palace being carried in, some even switching from carriages. In any case, there were many unfamiliar faces.

The entire palace path was filled with the fragrance of perfumed sachets and cosmetics beloved by all noblewomen.

“And who might this be?” A sedan chair slowly came to a stop beside Wen Ying. The girl inside lifted the curtain to peer out she seemed unfamiliar with Wen Ying.

Wen Ying smiled and explained her identity to the girl, who then nodded and said, “Greetings, Your Highness. I am Jiang Zhiyi, daughter of the Minister of Personnel. I noticed Your Highness seems to have difficulty walking. If you don’t mind, please join me in my sedan chair, I’d be happy to escort you.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s offer was genuine. From afar, her maid had noticed Wen Ying struggling to walk, so the pair had approached to offer assistance.

Though Wen Ying wasn’t a particularly favored princess, Jiang Zhiyi had a kind heart and couldn’t bear to stand by while someone was in need.

Deeply moved, Wen Ying suddenly realized this was the same Minister’s daughter whose flute playing she had once admired.

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