Di Daughter's Strategy - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Luo Qian’s birthday was on the fifth day of the third month. After she was reborn, she had already missed her own birthday. In less than half a month, it would be the coming-of-age ceremony of the second young lady of the Marquis of Qi’s household.

Originally, it should have been a joyful event, but after the incident involving Luo Fu and Luo Qian last time, coupled with the fact that Second Miss Luo Fu and Concubine Qiu had yet to finish copying the hundred recitations of the Buddhist scriptures ordered by Madam Chu, they had not stepped out of their courtyard for nearly a month.

Since the palace banquet last time, Luo Qian seemed to have noticed the old madam’s dissatisfaction toward Madam Chu. Seizing the opportunity, once her confinement was lifted, she went to pay her respects to the old madam every day.

The Old Madam, seemingly also wanting to give Madam Chu a warning, simply indulged Luo Qian’s actions.

As for this, Madam Chu showed no reaction at all, maintaining the same respectful attitude toward the Old Madam as always.

At the bi-monthly greeting in the Cirong Hall, the old madam’s attitude remained lukewarm. The following day, Marquis Luo Yu’an entered Cirong Hall. No one knew what mother and son discussed, but the old madam’s attitude finally changed, she no longer gave Madam Chu a cold face.
However, she also did not stop Luo Qian from paying her daily respects.

Sometimes, Luo Yi’er wondered whether, in this era, the marquis’s feelings for Madam Chu could already be considered love. Aside from this matter, she had no opinion on Luo Qian’s actions and merely watched coldly from the sidelines.

By mid-July, the capital had gradually cooled down. Ice basins were no longer needed indoors, and maids fanning for their mistresses seldom entered the rooms.

Before the staggered windowsills of Yunxia Courtyard, a branch of gardenia hung askew, its faint fragrance sneaking into the inner room through the window.

Suddenly, a jade-like hand stretched out from the window, pinching a petal between delicate fingers, gently plucking a blossom. Through the window, Luo Yi’er’s beautiful face was fully revealed.

Her injuries had almost completely healed. With imperial physicians from the palace coming daily to check her pulse, and the Prince of Jing’s residence sending rare medicinal herbs every few days, even a severe wound could have been healed.
What’s more, her injury had only looked frightening, it was not actually serious.

From the courtyard came murmured laughter. After finishing their chores, the young maids had gathered in twos and threes, chatting and giggling.

The door was knocked. Hongdou walked in lightly, her face full of smiles. “Miss, there’s a guest in the front hall. Guess who it is?”

Luo Yi’er turned her head from the window, glancing at her with a soft smile, but said nothing. Linglong gave her a little glare. “Enough, just say it already!”

Hongdou stuck out her tongue, turned back to Luo Yi’er, and her eyes lit up as she said, “It’s the Prince of Jing!”

The room was instantly startled.
Luo Yi’er lifted her gaze slightly, looking faintly at Hongdou, who continued, “The marquis sent someone to say that if you’re feeling well, you can go out for a walk.”

Luo Yi’er loosened the petals in her hand, lowered her gaze, and said softly, “I understand. You may go.”

Hongdou bowed and retreated with a smile.

Pansi helped her to the dressing table, straightening the hairpin on her head as she asked with a smile, “Miss, would you like to change clothes?”

Luo Yi’er was only wearing a plain white blouse and skirt, which was not suitable for receiving guests. She lowered her head to glance at herself, nodded, and said, “Bring out that white pleated dress.”

She had always been fond of blue, but occasionally she liked wearing celestial white as well. By the time she had changed her clothes, nearly a cup of tea’s time had passed. Linglong carefully drew her fine brows and brushed on a light rouge, making her already beautiful face even more captivating. On her hair, she wore only a slanted white magnolia hairpin, her elegance like a lotus emerging from water.

With Pansi and Linglong in tow, she headed toward the front hall. The Marquis’s residence had many courtyards; after passing through two or three moon gates and walking along a corridor for a while, she reached the small garden. A light breeze stirred the bamboo grove, producing a soft rustle. She suddenly stopped walking, the smile at the corner of her lips fading slightly.

Not far away, in the pavilion where Luo Yi’er often gathered with a few sisters from the residence, there were already several people seated today. Among them was someone she knew well—the eldest young master, Luo Qiheng. If he was here, then naturally the Prince of Jing, who had come to visit the Marquis’s residence, would also be there. But there was one person she had not expected to see, she actually happened to be here as well.

A faint smile flickered in Luo Yi’er’s eyes. After seeing the scene inside the pavilion, Pansi frowned slightly. “Miss?”

Luo Yi’er raised her hand to stop her words and said softly, “It’s fine. I suppose Second Sister has already finished copying her Buddhist scroll. Let’s go over.”

The woman in the pavilion, speaking with sweet words and laughter, was none other than Second Miss Luo Fu, who at this moment should have been in the Hibiscus Courtyard copying her Buddhist scroll. The corners of Luo Yi’er’s lips curved into a smile that was neither quite real nor false as she gradually approached the pavilion.

Inside, three people were seated around a stone table. Luo Fu wore a bright yellow dress, her face tinged with a hint of shy smile. She was slowly filtering tea, and amid the curling steam, her features took on a touch of allure. Her whole demeanor was docile as she held the white jade teacup in both hands, lifting it toward the indifferent man before her, and softly said,

“Prince Jing, please have some tea.”

Fang Jinling remained unmoved, but lifted his gaze toward the approaching figure in the distance. The fingers casually resting on his knee could not help but curl inside his sleeve, grasping the jade pendant hanging from his waist.

Seeing that he did not take it for a long time, Luo Fu subconsciously bit her lip and called again, “Prince Jing?”

Luo Qiheng, watching coldly from the side, caught the look on her face, and a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard a gentle voice behind him,

“Your subject’s daughter greets Your Highness the Prince of Jing.”

Relieved, Luo Qiheng turned and saw his legitimate younger sister, hands folded at her sides, lips curved in a soft smile, bending gracefully in salute. At that moment, the sound of tea spilling came from nearby.

He glanced over coldly to see that his second sister, who had just been fawning over the Prince of Jing, now showed a flash of panic on her face. She had accidentally knocked over the tea and was hastily standing up.

Fang Jinling had already nodded, the dark and calm depths of his eyes warming slightly. “There is no need for such formalities.”

Such a difference in treatment made Luo Fu’s heart sour, and she bit her lip tightly.

Luo Yi’er straightened and walked lightly to sit beside Luo Qiheng before smiling at Luo Fu. “Second Sister also found the time to come out today. Did you first go to pay respects to Mother?”

Her eyes held a gentle smile, as if she did not mind Luo Fu being here at all. But Luo Fu could no longer sit still. She stood with a pale face, her cheeks flushed red, her expression awkward and tinged with something unreadable as she said, “I just finished copying the Buddhist scroll. I haven’t been out for a long time, so I thought I’d come out for a walk today. I haven’t had time yet to pay respects to Mother.”

As she finished, she glanced at the Prince of Jing, almost imperceptibly. That glance only made her more embarrassed, for beside the stone table, Linglong, who had come with Luo Yi’er, had already poured away the tea she had just brewed.

In no time, she had quietly steeped a new pot, poured three cups, and pushed them toward the three seated guests. The Prince of Jing, who had remained motionless before, now accepted this tea and took a light sip.

Luo Yi’er lifted her eyes and glanced at her with a half-smile. Though no one present had spoken a word, she could sense a great deal of mockery in the air. Luo Fu’s face flushed red, then turned pale, then red again. Her intentions had been rebuffed, and her eyes grew faintly moist.

Clenching her hands, she forced a smile and said, “Second Sister just made a scented sachet and was thinking of bringing it to Third Sister in a few days. I never thought I’d meet Third Sister here today by such coincidence.”

Luo Yi’er imperceptibly raised her brows, not knowing when her second sister had developed such feelings toward the Prince of Jing. Lowering her gaze, she took a sip of tea. If she could help it, she naturally would not want her future husband to have other women by his side.

However…

She lifted the corners of her lips slightly, the curve of her brows and the tilt of her eyes filled with gentleness. “It is indeed true that I haven’t seen Second Sister for a long time.” After saying this, she showed a hint of surprise.
“Why doesn’t Second Sister sit down?”

Fang Jinling was seated to Luo Yi’er’s left. All he had to do was lower his gaze to see the jade pendant hanging at her waist. At first, he was merely listening indifferently to her so-called second sister’s self-talk, but when Luo Yi’er asked her to sit down, a faint glimmer passed through his eyes, along with a trace of anger that was hard to notice.

She had been clever since childhood. He didn’t believe she couldn’t see her second sister’s intentions. And yet, she still invited her to remain, should he praise her as truly gentle and courteous?

He suddenly lifted his eyes, casting her a fleeting glance before turning to look at Luo Qiheng. Luo Qiheng froze for a moment, then quickly caught on, as if something had suddenly come to mind. He stood and cupped his hands toward the Prince of Jing.

“Your Highness, this humble official suddenly recalls that my mother sent someone to summon me earlier. I must excuse myself for a moment.”

Luo Yi’er raised her head in confusion, only to hear Fang Jinling’s voice, “Qiheng, go take care of your matters.”

Luo Qiheng seemed relieved. He instructed Luo Yi’er, “Yi’er, you entertain His Highness for a while. I’ll be right back.”

Luo Yi’er pressed her lips together, her brows faintly furrowing as she quietly glanced at Fang Jinling. Very soon, she retracted her gaze, but in that brief moment as she turned her head, the tips of her ears seemed to flush red. Still, she smiled gently. “Elder Brother, rest assured, Yi’er will properly entertain His Highness.”

At the last words, she seemed a little shy, lightly biting her lip as a trace of pink spread across her cheeks, her gaze lowering softly.

Luo Qiheng nodded. As he turned to leave, he caught sight of Luo Fu still standing there. He frowned and said coldly, “If Second Sister is unoccupied, you can come with me to pay respects to Mother.”

Luo Fu’s expression shifted. She turned toward the Prince of Jing, clearly wanting to stay, but unable to find a good excuse.
She could only bow and say, “Your Highness, I take my leave.”

In her heart, she still held a trace of hope that His Highness might speak to keep her there, but to her disappointment, he only gave a cold nod, his gaze never lingering on her for even a moment.

After the two of them left, the pavilion grew quiet, leaving only Fang Jinling and Luo Yi’er.

Luo Yi’er seemed somewhat at a loss. Though her face still held a gentle smile, the way her fingertips tightly twisted her handkerchief betrayed her.

Fang Jinling’s eyes paused briefly on her pale-pink fingertips, emotions stirring in his gaze before he covered them without a trace. The woman before him suddenly moved. Lifting the wide embroidered sleeves patterned with clouds and rosy light, her slender, delicate hand curved slightly as she picked up the teapot and filled the cup before him. Through the curling steam, he caught sight of her crystal-clear nails.

Unlike women who enjoyed staining their nails with crimson powder, her nails bore no color at all, clean and seeming to gleam with a moist, jade-like luster, making it impossible to look away. Fang Jinling’s eyes flickered ever so slightly.

Perhaps after three years apart, he had been left only with a hazy silhouette in his mind. Now, it felt as though he had recovered something once lost, gradually restoring that shadow into the person before him, the one hidden deep in his heart now slowly becoming her, part tenderness, part distance.

“Your Highness, please drink tea.”

The gentle tone of her voice pulled his thoughts back. He suddenly lifted his gaze, seemingly startling her, her teacup trembled slightly, and the tea inside nearly spilled out. Fang Jinling swiftly took the cup from her, his gaze brushing lightly, almost imperceptibly, over the back of her hand. After confirming that she was unharmed, he withdrew his eyes without a change in expression.

Luo Yi’er tightened her palm slightly before slowly withdrawing her hand, letting it rest casually atop her knees. Her pink lips pressed together, the look in her eyes shifting as though she wanted to say something, yet because there seemed to be little familiarity between them, she did not know how to begin.

Fang Jinling was never a man of many words. Though the two sat side by side, neither spoke, and the pavilion quickly grew quiet. Pansi and Linglong exchanged a glance, both caught off guard by the scene before them.

They had thought that having their Miss and the  Prince together in private might help them develop feelings for each other, making it easier for her to have a closer bond once she entered the Prince’s household. But to their surprise, after bringing them together, they simply sat there in silence.

It was not only the two maids who felt anxious, Wei Feng, who had accompanied Fang Jinling to the Marquis’s residence, noticed the atmosphere in the pavilion and muttered inwardly. At court earlier, General Luo had casually said that His Highness should come sit at the residence. Wei Feng thought it was just a polite remark, but unexpectedly, his master had agreed without hesitation.

Wei Feng had been so stunned by General Luo’s expression that it took him a moment to react. Then, hurriedly, he coughed twice before quickly adding words of honor and courtesy.

Glancing at his prince’s calm expression, Wei Feng was inwardly surprised. Without a doubt, the Prince had come to the Marquis’s residence for Miss Luo. Yet now that they were sitting together, he still hadn’t said a single word.

Truly… Wei Feng shook his head in his heart, secretly watching them. After all, it was rare to see the prince in such a situation.

The mood in the pavilion was somewhat still. Luo Yi’er’s lashes trembled, as if she were thinking of something to break the awkwardness. She smiled lightly. “Your Highness has just returned to the capital, and must surely be busy with court affairs. How is it that you have time today to come to the Marquis’s residence?”

Fang Jinling had been glancing at her out of the corner of his eye for quite some time. He hadn’t expected that after all her thinking, she would only say this one line.
A faint, unnameable feeling passed through his heart. Lowering his gaze, he replied, “I had nothing to do today.”

Then he added lightly, “Is your health well?”

Half a month had already passed since she had been injured because of him. He had been busy dealing with rumors and, since she had not yet reached her coming-of-age ceremony, it had not been convenient for him to visit often. Although his hidden guards reported her condition daily, he still could not set his mind at ease.

Seeing that her complexion had a bit of healthy color, he finally relaxed.
Otherwise… Fang Jinling’s lips pressed together, a trace of emotion flickering in his eyes as though he wanted to say more.

Just then, he heard her soft voice, “Your Highness need not worry. Yi’er is already fine.”

“Mm.”

Luo Yi’er was momentarily at a loss. She pursed her lips, she hadn’t expected such a short answer and truly didn’t know how to respond. Her brows knit slightly, then as if thinking of something, she lowered her head and said softly, “Why was Your Highness with Second Sister just now?”

Fang Jinling lifted his gaze toward her, but all he could see was the pale curve of her neck beneath her bowed head. His eyes darkened slightly and he frowned. “She came on her own.”

Luo Yi’er still did not raise her head, lowering her voice without clear reason. “Your Highness is handsome and noble, naturally someone who inspires admiration.”

“Yi’er as well?” His eyes glinted at her words, his tone cool as he asked.

At first, Luo Yi’er didn’t understand what he meant. When she realized, her eyes widened slightly and a blush crept over her face. Lightly biting her lip, she tried to explain in a low voice, “Your Highness, I—”

Fang Jinling cut her off. “I did not pay her any attention.”

Luo Yi’er knew this was true, she had seen the scene for herself upon entering earlier, but she had not expected him to say it so directly.

“I know.” She turned her face slightly, leaving only the side of her cheek and the already flushed curve of her neck in his view.

A trace of a smile flickered in the depths of Fang Jinling’s dark eyes.
Luo Yi’er could feel that warmer-than-usual gaze fixed on her, making her a little uneasy. Pressing her lips together, she suddenly rose, smoothing the wrinkles at her sleeve’s edge.

In her affectionate eyes was a hint of shyness, a glimmer of moisture stirring in them as her soft voice trembled slightly,

“Your Highness, allow me to show you around the Marquis’s residence.”

The residence was large, but as a prince, Fang Jinling had seen countless grand scenes. What he truly wanted was simply to spend more time with her.

They walked along the small path beside the bamboo grove, attendants following behind. Fang Jinling and Luo Yi’er walked side by side. Since he had come to the Marquis’s residence with Luo Qiheng right after court, Fang Jinling was still wearing his court robes.

Luo Yi’er, curious, let her gaze linger on him for a few moments. Noticing this, Fang Jinling looked at her and said mildly, “Yi’er, what are you looking at?”

He had always been a man of few words, but without realizing it, he was speaking more than usual when he was with her.

Luo Yi’er’s eyes curved faintly as she tucked the strands of hair by her cheek behind her ear before speaking softly, “It’s just that I rarely see Father and the others wearing court robes, so I was momentarily curious. Your Highness mustn’t take offense.”

The two walked to the back of the bamboo grove, where the faint outline of a row of plum trees could be seen. For now, they had yet to blossom, their branches were bare and brown. The plum grove lay behind Yunxia Courtyard, and every year at the turn of the year, lanterns would be hung in the courtyard. In the midst of cold winds and falling snow, the faint fragrance of plum blossoms would drift into Yunxia Courtyard, carrying a unique charm.

Fang Jinling withdrew his gaze from a nearby annex pavilion just as he heard the woman beside him speak with a smile. “That is a plum grove. Last winter, on a whim, I had the maids set a zither beneath the plum trees on a cold day. That one song left my fingers so frozen they were stiff. Later, when Mother found out, she was nearly so angry she wanted the grove cut down.”

As the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Qi’s residence, she was well-versed in the zither, and once, on the current emperor’s birthday, her playing had stunned the entire court.

Unfortunately, at that time he had still been stationed at the border and never heard that astonishing performance. A trace of regret seemed to flicker in Fang Jinling’s eyes, but then, hearing what she said next, he quickly furrowed his brows and said blandly, “Madam has always been prudent.”

The “Madam” in his words naturally referred to Madam Chu, implying he agreed the plum grove should have been cut down. Luo Yi’er, taken aback, bit her lip, turned to face Fang Jinling, and protested softly, “Your Highness!”

Fang Jinling, hands clasped behind his back, had not expected her to turn so suddenly, and nearly collided with her. Instinctively, he reached out, steadying her with a hand at her waist. A flush of red spread across Luo Yi’er’s cheeks, while Fang Jinling’s expression darkened; the delicate softness beneath his palm made his hand tighten ever so slightly.

They stood facing each other. Luo Yi’er tilted her head back, gazing up into his eyes, a faint shyness spilling from her own. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the servants nearby lowering their heads, and in that instant, she returned to her senses.
Placing her hands against his chest, she pushed him away, quickly turning to the side and lifting a hand to shield her heated cheeks.

Fang Jinling stood with his hands clasped behind him, his fingertips rubbing lightly inside his wide sleeves. A faint smile flickered in his eyes. Luo Yi’er, still lost in her own emotions, then heard his voice. “The Prince of Jing’s residence also has a plum grove.”

Luo Yi’er bit her lip, suppressing the shyness in her eyes, and looked up in puzzlement. “The red plum grove of the Prince of Jing’s residence, Yi’er has long heard of it. Princess Qingya once told me she wished dearly to see it on a snowy day.”

She tilted her head slightly, a faint emotion appearing in her gaze. “Only, since Your Highness was not in the capital in past years, Princess Qingya had to set that wish aside.”

Fang Jinling looked into her eyes, his hands behind his back curling ever so slightly. His voice was low. “If she wishes to go, you may invite her.”

Luo Yi’er blinked, then saw the dark depths of his gaze. Her cheeks flushed instantly. She… she was to invite Princess Qingya to the Prince of Jing’s residence? Guests were always invited by the host, how could, how could…

He lowered his gaze, his voice carrying a trace of warmth that was hard to detect. “Only one thing, you must not play the zither.”

Luo Yi’er’s face turned crimson in a rush. She lowered her head, her pale hands twisting together, though her eyes flickered faintly. His words… seemed to acknowledge that she, too, was a mistress of the Prince of Jing’s residence.

In a place no one could see, the smile at the corner of her lips thinned slightly.
How long could such favor last?

Fang Jinling looked at the top of her head, seemingly puzzled as to why her mood had dipped for a moment. His gaze flickered, but the words at the tip of his tongue were ultimately swallowed.