Jinyi Spring

Chapter 231 Heart Fluttering

The second princess was happy, as her father and grandmother still cared for her. She had scolded Empress Xiaoxian, but was only confined for half a month; she would be released in a few more days.

As for copying "Admonitions for Women," she copied it a hundred times herself, which was then presented to the Emperor. The other hundred times, she had eunuchs imitate her handwriting. The Empress Dowager turned a blind eye and didn't care too much.

Seeing Xiaodie rush in, he frowned and said, "You've been chased by a ghost. If you continue to be so unruly, I'll break your legs."

Xiaodie quickly recounted what she had just heard.

Hearing Xiaodie's words, the Second Princess became uncomfortable again. Not only because her grandmother, the Empress Dowager, had placed her behind Yong'an, but also because Sun Chengyu was so outstanding.

She asked curiously, "Is General Sun really that good?"

Xiao Die hurriedly replied, "This servant has only heard about it, but has never seen it."

The second princess's gaze then turned to Qin Lian.

Qin Lian hadn't expected this to happen. He cursed Xiao Die inwardly for being a gossipy woman and a troublemaker, but he had no choice but to tell her the truth about Sun Chengyu's situation.

"I've met General Sun of the Imperial Guards many times. His name is Sun Chengyu, and as they say, he became a fifth-rank general at a young age. He's also handsome and very shrewd in dealing with people..."

Previously, Shui Raofu had always been thinking about Shangguan Ruyu. But not only Princess Yanghe disagreed, even her grandmother disapproved. She hadn't been able to win her over while her mother was alive, and now that her mother was gone, there was no possibility left.

I heard that Sun Chengyu has such good conditions, why should he let that bitch Shui Chuchen get away with it?

Shui Raofu's heart skipped a beat. She lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously tracing circles on the table, her voice much softer.

"What do you think of her compared to Cousin Shangguan?"

Qin Lian had served the Second Princess for many years and was adept at understanding his mistress's thoughts. However, due to the hard work and worry, his hair had already turned gray and his back was no longer straight, even though he was only in his thirties.

He bowed slightly and said with a smile, "Young Master Shangguan is the only son of the Eldest Princess. He is highly skilled in medicine and is also favored by the Emperor, so he is naturally excellent. But General Sun is from a military family. He is exceptionally skilled in martial arts and has taken charge of the front guards at a young age. His future is limitless. The two are equally outstanding and have their own merits."

That's good?

Shui Raofu bit her lip, her blush deepening. She dared not even think about Shangguan Ruyu; how could such a desirable man be snatched away by that country girl?

"Since Eunuch Qin says so, it must be good. But... Grandmother wants to betroth him to Yong'an!"

She lowered her voice even further, "Once my confinement period is over, I'll beg my grandmother to tell her what he said to me. If I plead and beg, maybe she'll change her mind."

Qin Lian was terrified, rubbing his still-sore bottom. If the Second Princess dared to ask for this, all those who served her would be punished.

He softened his voice and cautiously advised, "Your Highness, you know the Empress Dowager's temperament. If you rashly go to ask her, I'm afraid not only will you not get what you want, but you will also displease her and punish you by making you copy scriptures and confining you to your quarters. Wouldn't that be a loss for you?"

Shui Raofu's face immediately darkened, her eyes flashing with resentment, and her voice rose, "Then what do you suggest we do? Are we just going to stand by and watch that bitch Yong'an get the benefit?"

Xiaodie had only been at the princess's residence for less than half a year and was eager to curry favor with the second princess. Seeing that the second princess had taken the news to heart, she was overjoyed and whispered her suggestions.

"If the Second Princess truly has this intention, perhaps she should first find a way to meet with that young General Sun and see what he thinks. If he also admires Your Highness..."

She paused, not daring to finish her sentence.

Shui Raofu's eyes lit up, then dimmed again. "What good would it do to see him? Even if I, the princess, am willing, he may still be interested in Yong'an."

Xiao Die bowed slightly, with a hint of defiance, "If the Second Princess doesn't like it, so be it. But if you do, he'll have no choice but to agree."

Shui Raofu was taken aback, then understood her meaning—to devise a clever scheme so that, regardless of Sun Chengyu's wishes, the Empress Dowager would have to grant them marriage. Her face flushed red, her fingers twisting her handkerchief, her heart pounding like a drum. She had never dared to dream of such a thing before, but with her mother gone and her Empress Dowager showing no concern for her, she had no choice but to fight for it herself.

No matter how biased the Empress Dowager was, she couldn't just stand by and watch her reputation be ruined.

She glanced at Xiaodie, her eyes filled with admiration. "Good girl, you have the same temperament as this princess. When it's time to go all out, you have to go all out! Eunuch Qin, reward Xiaodie with two gold ingots."

Xiaodie happily curtsied, "Thank you, Princess."

Qin Lian was so angry that he felt like he was about to vomit blood, but he couldn't. He could only take two gold ingots and toss them to Xiao Die, while secretly glaring at her.

Xiaodie thought he was jealous, so she pretended not to notice.

Shui Raofu stood up and walked around the room twice, her skirt swirling like a white flower.

Her lips curled up higher and higher, her eyes shone brightly, as if she could already see Sun Chengyu bowing to her.

“From childhood to adulthood, I have always gotten what I want. This time will be no exception!” She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, but she felt no pain at all.

Qin Lian lowered his head and replied with a "Yes," his face plastered with a smile, but his heart was filled with bitterness, as if he had swallowed a bitter herb.

He had served this mistress for almost ten years and knew her temperament all too well.

This is the Bodhisattva; worshipping her means death, not worshipping her also means death. Once she's made up her mind, she won't listen to anyone's advice. The more you try to persuade her, the harsher her punishment becomes.

She caused trouble, and they were punished. The servants around her changed one after another; some were injured or crippled, while others were sent to hard labor camps.

He was destined for greatness and eventually rose to the position of Grand Eunuch, but this time the matter was far too serious.

He shrank back, secretly calculating: when that day came, he would have to find an excuse not to go. If he wasn't there, and the Empress Dowager blamed him later, he would at most get a few lashes, which was better than losing his life or being punished with hard labor.

Of course, the Empress Dowager also truly loves the Second Princess. She hopes that the Second Princess can get what she wants and that the servants can also have a few days of peace and quiet.

The spring sunshine outside the window was beautiful, and Shui Raofu smiled. What she wanted, no one could ever take away from her, let alone that country girl.

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the day Shui Chuchen leaves the palace again.

After breakfast, she took Peony, Tangjian, and two eunuchs out of the palace to the clinic.

As the carriage passed the outer court, a clear voice rang out again, "This humble general pays his respects to the princess."

It was Sun Chengyu's voice.

Shui Chuchen lifted the carriage curtain, smiled at him, then, as if embarrassed, quickly lowered the curtain.

That smile, in Sun Chengyu's eyes, was like a spring breeze that opened a tree full of peach blossoms. He stood there, watching the carriage drive away, until the figures of that group disappeared around the corner of the red wall, still dazed, touching his face, unable to suppress the smile.

Inside the carriage, Shui Chuchen's smile vanished, a hint of coldness appearing in her eyes. (End of Chapter)