Di Daughter's Strategy - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Nowadays, the days were still sweltering hot, and several ice basins were still placed in the room. On the previous day, Luo Yi’er had just been scolded by Madam Chu for using too much ice, as excessive ice usage was not good for women.

After agreeing, Luo Yi’er had the servants remove two basins, but she still felt stuffy and hot in the room. In the end, she thought about her health and didn’t indulge herself.

On this day, in Yunxia Courtyard, several maids had just finished their tasks and gathered in the courtyard, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, they saw Hongdou running quickly into Yunxia Courtyard. The maids looked surprised and quickly dispersed.

Hongdou didn’t look at them and ran straight into the room. After paying her respects, she couldn’t help but say excitedly, “Miss, Miss, this servant just heard that the Prince Jing will soon return to the capital after completing his military campaign!”

Luo Yi’er had just looked up at her when she heard the news. Her action of drinking tea paused slightly, and the water in the cup rippled. She blinked her eyelashes and asked with a smile, “Where did you hear this news?”

Hongdou’s face was full of excitement, “It’s all over the place outside!”

Luo Yi’er’s pale fingers tightened slightly, and she remained silent, her lips pursed. Linglong secretly glanced at her, having served Miss for many years and being able to read some of Miss’s thoughts. However, when it came to the Prince Jing, she couldn’t guess what Miss was thinking at all.

If it was said that Miss had no interest in the Prince Jing, then when the imperial edict was issued, Miss showed no reaction and still smiled as she accepted it. But if it was said that Miss had developed feelings for the Prince Jing, she hadn’t heard Miss mention a single word about the Prince Jing in the past three years.

After a while, Luo Yi’er put down the teacup, and the smile on her lips faded slightly. Her eyes glanced at the hidden box on the dressing table, and she lowered her gaze, instructing softly, “Let’s go to Fang Yun Hall.”

Hongdou looked innocently at Linglong, wondering if she had said something wrong. Why did it seem like Miss’s emotions were a bit off?

Linglong shook her head slightly at her, signaling her not to say anything more. She supported Luo Yi’er as they walked out, and someone had already prepared an oil-paper umbrella.

Linglong followed behind Luo Yi’er, feeling that Miss’s footsteps seemed faster than usual today. She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination.

When they arrived at Fang Yun Hall, she paused for a moment before stepping forward. As soon as she entered, she saw Madam Chu smiling at her, waving her over, “You’re here? I was just about to send someone to call you.”

Luo Yi’er’s footsteps paused, and seeing Madam Chu’s expression, her emotions, which had been a bit chaotic just moments before, instantly cleared up. She walked forward slowly with a gentle smile in her eyes, “Mother, what’s going on? You wanted to see me about something?”

Madam Chu took her hand and had her sit down beside her on the couch. She glanced at her and said with a smile, “What else could it be? The Prince Jing is returning to the capital!”

Hearing the news from Madam Chu’s mouth, Luo Yi’er’s eyelashes trembled slightly again. She smiled unnoticeably, “Is this news confirmed?”

Madam Chu patted her hand, “Of course. Today, during the morning court, the Emperor personally issued an imperial edict for Prince Jing to return to the capital.”

Luo Yi’er’s eyes darkened momentarily, but it was fleeting. Her eyebrows showed a hint of a smile as she said softly, “That’s good news. Eldest Brother should be coming back with him, right? It’s almost Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Mentioning this, the smile on Madam Chu’s face grew even wider, “Yes, your eldest brother hasn’t been back in three years.”

As she spoke, the smile on her face faded, and she sighed. Luo Yi’er immediately furrowed her brow and asked, “Mother, what’s wrong? Why are you suddenly unhappy?”

“I didn’t agree to him joining the military back then, but no matter what, parents can’t win against their children. In the end, I still let him go. Over these years, I don’t know if he’s suffered any hardships.”

Luo Qiheng was Madam Chu’s first child, and the bond between them was unlike any of her other children. Moreover, it was this child who had helped her regain her footing and persevere in the inner courtyard.

Luo Yi’er gently bit her lip and leaned in close, nestling into Madam Chu’s side. She rubbed against Madam Chu’s shoulder and softly coaxed, “Mother, don’t worry. Eldest Brother must be safe. Besides,” she looked up at Madam Chu, her eyes full of smiles, “Eldest Brother must have been happy these years and missed Mother terribly.”

Madam Chu’s nose turned slightly sour, and she turned her face away, wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. When she turned back, she smiled and stroked Luo Yi’er’s hair, her voice tinged with helplessness, “You…”

After a while, Madam Chu suddenly said, “Prince Jing is returning, and after the imperial edict was issued, you two haven’t met yet.”

Luo Yi’er lowered her gaze, unsure how to respond, so she remained silent.

Madam Chu glanced at her before continuing, “When the Emperor issued the decree, Prince Jing had already left the capital for the frontier, but…”

“What does Mother want to say?” Luo Yi’er looked up, her lips pursed in a slight smile, and asked with some confusion.

“Prince Jing is the Emperor’s most beloved prince. If he didn’t want to, the Emperor wouldn’t have issued such an imperial edict. Yi’er, do you understand what Mother means?”

Luo Yi’er’s eyelashes trembled slightly. It was precisely because she understood that she was surprised.

At the border, in the mansion of the city lord of Xian City.

Wei Feng hurried in from outside and knocked on the door of the study, “Prince, a letter has arrived from the capital.”

The letter was handed over, and the man at the forefront took it, opening the envelope. His eyes darkened slightly. The study fell silent, and Wei Feng glanced up at him furtively. Seeing him with his eyes half-lidded, concealing the expression in his eyes, one hand holding a corner of the letter, his demeanor seemed nonchalant but was subtly surrounded by an icy chill.
Wei Feng felt a jolt and quickly lowered his head.

After a while, Fang Jinling put down the letter. His indifferent eyes glanced at the Hu Hu symbol on the desk, and his eyes darkened slightly before he spoke in a low tone, “Prepare to return to the capital.”

Wei Feng was taken aback, “Prince?” Previously, the Empress had urged several times, but he hadn’t seen His Highness plan to return to the capital. What had changed?

He wondered if the Empress had sent someone again. Thinking this, he felt that the Empress’s actions over the years had become increasingly unpredictable. She relied on Your Highness, yet each time she acted, she pushed the boundaries.

The Empress wanted to send someone to the mansion, and he wasn’t sure if she was dissatisfied with Miss Luo or wanted further control over the Prince Mansion.

Wei Feng shook his head inwardly. Regardless, he feared the Empress wouldn’t get what she wanted this time.
Fang Jinling lightly tapped on the desk, casting a faint glance at him with indifferent eyes, “The imperial edict will arrive at the border in three days.”

Wei Feng was startled and dared not ask further, responding softly.

As the room fell silent, Fang Jinling suddenly asked, “Has there been any movement from the Empress recently?”

“No,” Wei Feng shook his head.

Fang Jinling narrowed his eyes slightly, “Western Liang has proposed a peace negotiation this time, and previously suggested sending the Western Liang Princess to the capital for a marriage alliance. Pass this message up.”

Wei Feng was somewhat surprised. Hadn’t this proposal been suppressed by Your Highness? Why bring it up now?
What was Your Highness trying to do?

Fang Jinling didn’t concern himself with Wei Feng’s thoughts, but instead thought about the news mentioned in the letter just now.

The flower appreciation feast, Fang Jinyu?

He thought of the assassination attempt a few days ago, and the expression in his eyes deepened.

Wei Feng saw his master’s expression and felt uncertain, with a hint of schadenfreude. Who was going to be unlucky this time? However, he dared not show it and quickly bowed his head and retreated.

The study was silent for a while, and Fang Jinling put the letter away. Suddenly, he instructed outside, “Summon Luo Qiheng to see this Prince.”

Someone outside responded, and the footsteps gradually faded away.

About the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, a man still wearing armor walked quickly towards this side. A servant beside him trotted and said, “General Luo, slow down!”

Luo Qiheng glanced at the servant and furrowed his brow, “Do you know why the Prince summoned me?” He was in the middle of training soldiers when he was suddenly called away. Upon hearing it was the Prince’s order, he mounted his horse and came as quickly as possible. It wasn’t until now that he remembered he hadn’t asked what the Prince wanted.

The servant looked troubled, “General, aren’t you making things difficult for me? How would I know what the Prince wants?”

Luo Qiheng didn’t bother with him and walked quickly towards the study. As soon as he appeared, someone reported to Fang Jinling. When he arrived, the servant said, “The General may enter.”

Luo Qiheng nodded to the servant and stepped into the study. Upon entering, he immediately paid his respects, his voice strong and clear, “This subject pays respects to the Prince!”

Fang Jinling nodded expressionlessly, pointing to a bench aside, “No need for formalities, sit down.”

Luo Qiheng wasn’t overly polite either. After sitting down, he asked with some confusion, “What instructions does the Prince have for this subject?”

He looked at Fang Jinling a bit more intently. They were of similar age. Three years ago, the Emperor suddenly decreed that his younger sister would marry the Prince.

At that time, he was surprised for a while. However, he had already followed the Prince to the frontier.
He wanted to ask how the Prince felt about this marriage, but every time he wanted to bring it up, he was busy with tasks.
Over time, he forgot about it.

Fang Jinling looked at him, his expression faint. The Marquis’s wife had given birth to two sons and a daughter. The youngest son and daughter were known throughout the capital for their refinement, but the eldest son, Luo Qiheng, preferred martial arts over literature. It was said that when he wanted to join the military, he knelt in the Marquis’s mansion for a day and a night before gaining his mother’s consent.

Fang Jinling’s expression turned serious, and he asked indifferently, “Do you want to return to the capital?” Although the imperial edict ordered him to return to the capital after completing his military campaign, someone still needed to stay behind to guard Xian City.

Luo Qiheng’s eyes lit up slightly, “What does the Prince mean?”

Fang Jinling saw his expression and understood. He continued, “It’s almost Mid-Autumn Festival, and Qiheng, you haven’t been home in three years. This time, go back and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival properly.”

“This subject thanks the Prince!”

Fang Jinling’s eyes darkened slightly. He could still see some resemblance to Luo Yi’er in Luo Qiheng’s features. His fingers tapped silently on the desk, and he lowered his voice, “Alright, you may withdraw.”

Luo Qiheng bowed and retreated, feeling happy but also somewhat puzzled. The Prince had summoned him just to ask if he wanted to return to the capital?

Luo Yi’er came out of Fang Yun Hall, supporting herself on Linglong’s hand. She suddenly stopped, and Linglong looked at her in confusion. Luo Yi’er spoke softly, “Let’s not go back yet. Let’s just walk around.”

Linglong nodded and supported her towards the rear garden. Luo Yi’er sat down in a pavilion, leaning against the railing and watching the fish swimming in the water below.
Her eyes seemed distant.

… Prince Jing.