CH 21

Fifth Prince treated the crown prince very deferentially, so deferential that one could not make out any brotherly relationship between them.　　

As Hua Liuli looked at the two princes, she felt that she should not be standing here, but rather among the crowd. She pushed stray strands of hair behind her ear, drawing back one step.　　

The people of the capital liked spreading rumors too much. She feared that when she woke up early tomorrow, the most exciting rumor in the capital would be, “the crown prince and Fifth Prince fought over General Hua’s only daughter in public.” After her daddy and mother returned, she and her third brother would definitely receive a scolding.　　

At this moment, fireworks bloomed through the skies above the imperial palace, as bright as stars. So beautiful a sight that it caused one to forget what day it was.

Unconsciously, Hua Liuli raised her head to look at the sky, hating to part with the sight.　　

The crown prince and Fifth Prince had long since grown accustomed to such gorgeous scenes; they did not find these fireworks a rarity. However, after seeing the well-behaved girl with her head raised, they joined her in looking at the sky a few more times.　　　　

Shortly after the gorgeous fireworks were launched, they faded away. The craftsmen who manufactured them would wrack their brains every year to develop new types. However, how often could the people sitting here sincerely admire their work?　　

Hua Liuli held a handheld brazier in both hands, head raised to see the fireworks bloom and die, gaze betraying her serious intention to admire them. It wasn’t until the fireworks display ended that she looked away, wishing for it to continue. She turned her head and noticed that the crown prince and Fifth Prince were still standing where they had been earlier. “The fireworks in the palace are truly beautiful.”

“Is the border station lively during new year’s eve?” The crown prince took in the young girl’s dark, clear, and bright eyes, feeling a sliver of pity for her. She was born from a wealthy and honorable family, yet because her parents were talented generals, she was born in a bitter and cold place. Even if her family members spoiled her, her life wasn’t as comfortable compared to if she were living in the capital.　　

“Very lively.” Hua Liuli nodded. “Everyone would get together to sing and dance. Eat meat and chat. The members of the army and the civilians would enjoy the time together.”　　　　

Alcohol was forbidden in the army camp. However, the civilians at the border station felt sorry for the soldiers’ exhausting work. So at the end of every year, they would try their best to stuff food and drinks into the arms of the soldiers. Fearing that the soldiers would not accept these gifts, they would usually put down the items before leaving.　

The army was bound by strict rules. The soldiers must not disturb the civilians, must not damage farmland, and must not take things belonging to the civilians. But on new year’s eve, if a young lady delivered a gift to their boyfriend in the barracks, the senior officers would turn a blind eye, feigning ignorance.　　

Her daddy once told her that it wasn’t only just the officers and soldiers defending Qinghan Prefecture. The civilains were defending it too.　　　　

Before she had come to the capital, Hua Liuli knew the significance of her and her third brother’s early arrival.　　

This represented the Hua clan’s trust and loyalty to the imperial clan.　　

The Hua clan must not fall. If they did, the ones affected would not only be themselves, but also countless high-ranking military officers and soldiers. And even the innocent civilians at the border station.　　

She tilted her head for a glance at the crown prince, then continued to talk about the scenery at the border station, the people there, and the soldiers guarding the city gates.　　　　

“The roast meat at the army camp is so fragrant…” Hua Liuli’s eyelids trembled ever so slightly. “What a pity that my family never lets me eat too much. This official’s daughter could only resign myself to sitting by Father’s side, watching the soldiers play loudly.　　

“There was an Assistant Regional Commander that was extremely impressive. In ten minutes, he could patch up two pairs of pants. After that, he was banned from the stitching and mending competitions.” Hua Liuli smiled, her eyes becoming crescents. “With him around, no one else could get first place.”

Every year, the court would dispatch officials to the border station for inspections. Qinghan Prefecture was Great Jin’s most strategic region. Its climate was nasty and it was inconvenient to travel there. The most difficult place to live. Although the crown prince never went there, he read the memorials that each official had written after they had returned from their inspection. As such, he more or less understood the specifics regarding Qinghan Prefecture’s circumstances. 　　　　

He had expected Hua Liuli to complain about all the bad aspects of Qinghan Prefecture. To his surprise, she described it as a lively and beautiful place of her memories.　　

As the crown prince looked at the girl whose eyes were full of smiles reminiscing the past, his gaze grew softer and more gentle. Then he looked away from her. “After the matters with Jinpo Country are settled, the court will slowly allow trade to happen between Qinghan Prefecture and the small countries near it. Then the lives of the civilians there would get better and better.”　　　　

Hua Liuli widened her eyes. She understood what this represented, and could not stop herself from smiling until her eyes became crescents again. “Many thanks to His Majesty and Your Highness!”　　

“Because Great General Hua defeated Jinpo Country and captured their second prince alive, they gave up land and signed a treaty with their surrender. Only after peace and stability returned to Qinghan Prefecture would the court dare to open up trade again.” The crown prince found her smile contagious as he looked at that brilliant expression. He lifted his head, unable to stop smiling. “Imperial Father and I should thank the Hua clan.”　　

Great General Hua’s whole family guarded Qinghan Prefecture. If it fell under enemy hands, the entire Hua clan would all perish.　　

Again, Hua Liuli remembered the words her daddy had once said.　　　　

“His Majesty is willing to allow our entire family to stay here, and not keep behind any woman or child in the capital. This could only mean that he has never doubted the Hua clan’s loyalty. Since His Majesty trusts us sincerely, then the Hua clan should repay this with our blood and devotion.”　　

“Your Highness is too serious,” said Hua Liuli. “If it weren’t for His Majesty, even if there were ten Hua families, we would be unable to defeat the Jinpo Country who had rushed over in attack.”　　　　

“Crown Prince. Commandery Princess.” Consort Xian made her way to their side, a smile on her face. “It’s full of excitement over there. Why are you two standing here by yourselves?”　　

By ourselves? Hua Liuli arched a brow. Does Fifth Prince not count as a person in Consort Xian’s eyes? She looked back at where Fifth Prince was standing just a moment ago. Where’d he go?　　　　

How could Fifth Prince be so pragmatic? After listening to her wrack her brains to flatter him, he’d just leave without a sound? She praised a mountain that resembled a lump of ink, water that resembled lines, clouds that resembled balls of string. Did he know how much she had betrayed her conscience to say that? How difficult it had been?　　

Since Hua Liuli stayed silent, Consort Xian continued, “It’s good for you youngsters to talk to each other more.” It’s fine for the Hua family’s daughter to wreak disaster on any of the men in the capital, so long as that man wasn’t her son. Then that girl would be a little fairy that dropped out of the sky in her eyes.　　　　

“Your Highness Consort Xian,” said the crown prince, turning his head to her. “Does Your Highness feel you are getting on in years, and want to interact with the youngsters?”　　

Consort Xian was speechless.　　

“That’s also good.” The crown prince exposed a smile of gratitude. “I heard an old imperial physician say that those with young hearts age slower.”　　

It took Consort Xian a moment to realize what he had meant. Consort Xian, who thought her appearance to be outstanding, hated the word “old” the most. She looked at the crown prince, who appeared deeply concerned. And she almost could not maintain her amiable smile.　　

“Your Highness Consort Xian?” Not batting an eyelid, the crown prince approached her one step, just happening to block Hua Liuli’s entire body from view. “Did I say anything wrong?”　　

“No, Your Highness the crown prince is right.” Consort Xian did not bother with Hua Liuli, the crown prince monopolizing her attention. “This palace will remember.”　

Once my son seizes the position of crown prince, this palace will have you cry as you call me “Imperial Mother!”　　

Today’s Consort Xian was as ambitious as always.　　

“That’s good.” The crown prince did not intend to leave Hua Liuli alone with the imperial concubines. He had a court eunuch give her a new handheld brazier. “The palace banquet is almost finished. I will escort you to find your esteemed older brother.”　　　　

Silent, Hua Liuli looked back at Consort Xian, whose smile had warped. Then she quickly looked away.  　　

She sensed that Consort Xian disliked her and rejected her. So when she heard the crown prince mock Consort Xian, Hua Liuli felt… really happy!　　　　

He truly deserved to be His Majesty’s favorite son. Even his skill in angering others was at the point of perfection.　　

A young woman not too far from Consort Xian, who had originally been walking one way, stopped in her tracks. “Young Miss, what’s wrong?” asked her servant girl.　　　　

Her long, shapely eyebrows furrowed, as if she felt unhappy with the sight just a while ago.　　

“If one does not have courtesy, then one is merely a brute.” With a melancholic expression, the young woman looked at the crown prince’s departing figure. “Although Her Highness Consort Xian is only the crown prince’s concubine-mother, as the heir apparent to the throne, he should be more polite to her.”　　

“But this slave thinks that Her Highness Consort Xian’s words earlier were a bit…”　　

“As a gentleman, how could he be so discontent because of the words of his elders? Let alone, he is the crown prince.” The young woman turned and continued in her previous direction.　　

She sat down next to a married woman, gazing from afar at the crowd that was dancing in a lively manner. Expression tranquil, she said, “Mother, the crown prince is not a gentleman. Daughter… and him are unsuitable for one another.”

“What?” The woman’s expression changed ever so slightly. She looked at her daughter, a good while passing before she said, “Xiuying, there are no real gentlemen in this world.”　　

“But he is the crown prince.” Xiuying shook her head a little. “The other men in the world don’t have to be perfect. Yet this is a different story for the heir apparent to the throne.”　　

The woman stared at her daughter in a daze. As though she could not wrap her head around why her daughter would have such a thought. “Xiuying, I am truly regretful.”　　

“Mother?” Du Xiuying’s puzzled gaze fell upon the married woman.　　

“I shouldn’t have let your grandfather and grandmother bring you up.” Frustration entered Mistress Du’s heart as she looked at her daughter. “One day, you will understand.”　　

She was not of the opinion that her daughter should marry the crown prince. Rather, she worried about her daughter’s outlook on life.　　

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If a person lived their life bound by rules and protocol without the least bit of ego, then they were merely a perfect walking corpse.　　

“Mother, I’m fine the way I am.” Once again, Du Xiuying shook her head. “A gentleman is upright and gentle. The crown prince is not my match.”  　　　　

“Alright.” Mistress Du sighed. She did not attempt to advise her daughter again, knowing that it would be in vain. Her father-in-law was a senior official who had served for two eras of imperial reign. He had also been the teacher to the emperor. Now, despite the fact that he was in on his years, he still possessed immense prestige.

A few days ago, the emperor deliberately summoned her father-in-law to the palace. Sure enough, he had the intention of betrothing the Du family’s daughter with the crown prince.　　

Everyone knew that the men and women of the Du clan were knowledgeable of history, learned quickly, and were steeped in propriety. An inheritance of a hundred years’ worth of good breeding. As such, the Du clan was not too surprised that the emperor thought of making one of their females the crown princess consort.　　　　

But her father-in-law was not too fond of the current crown prince. And now, her daughter…　　

The Du clan and the imperial clan would not be able to go forth with this marriage. However, the emperor did not declare his position aloud. Therefore, the Du clan did not even have the chance to decline. 　　

After the palace banquet concluded, the imperial palace grew tranquil once again. In large strides, the crown prince entered Chenyang Palace. Following his salute to the emperor, he could not help but yawn. “Imperial Father, did you summon Son-Official here during the period of Zi to hand me new-year’s eve red packets?”　　　　

“You’re already this old, yet you still want Us to give you new year’s eve packets?” said the emperor. “We have something to discuss with you.”　　

The crown prince sat down, drank a sip of warm soup. His attitude made it seem like he was in his own residence.　　　　

“We are interested in having Imperial Tutor Du’s granddaughter as your crown princess consort. What do you think?” Emperor Changlong did not decide and act alone for his children’s marriages. Instead, once he had an initial idea, he would ask his children for their opinion.

“Imperial Tutor Du?” The crown prince placed the bowl of warm soup back on the table. In disbelief, he looked at Emperor Changlong. “Imperial Father, are you serious?”　　　　

“Du Songwen is indeed a bit stubborn. Perhaps his granddaughter isn’t the same.” Recalling past events, Emperor Changlong felt troubled. He had raised the crown prince by hand. Felt that his son was good in all aspects. Yet Du Songwen just did not feel the same way, so much so that he even found issues with what the crown prince ate. 　　

For a senior official with a temperament like Du Songwen, his greatest fortune was to meet two eras of broad-minded emperors. Yet, even broad-minded emperors had a small book in their hearts that recorded grudges.

The crown prince shook his head to decline. “Imperial Father, even you can’t bear to scold me. If the Du clan’s daughter becomes the crown princess consort, then wouldn’t that elderly man find issues with Son-Official every day?”　　　　

“You are Our beloved son, well versed in the pen and the sword, with a heart of benevolent integrity. Who can scold you?” As he thought of Du Songwen potentially criticizing the son that he had personally raised, Emperor Changlong grew upset at once.　　　　

Even if his son was no good, only he could scold him.　　　　

Besides, the crown prince was excellent. He learned to read and write at three, practiced martial arts at four. He was handsome, both loyal and brave, and filial and virtuous. Which youngster in the court could compare to the crown prince?

Even if there were occasionally some little problems, they were harmless. No one was perfect.