Chapter 23
Lu Dieqing felt that the Crown Princess was a little strange.
Not only was she not as unapproachable and difficult to get along with as the rumors suggested, but she was also full of concern for her.
She didn’t know if this was just her imagination.
—The Crown Princess held no malice towards her. In fact, the way she looked at her was somewhat special.
When she looked at others, the Crown Princess was the Crown Princess, perfectly matching Lu Dieqing’s past impression of Her Highness—high and mighty, with a cold and decisive aura. But when Her Highness turned her gaze back to her, or when it was just the two of them alone, the Crown Princess… she seemed to become more vivid.
She would be curious about the details of the puppetry tradition, ask her if she had made a doll, and want to borrow the little doll to observe. She would also give her a waist token to bolster her courage, and when she was caught red-handed trying to use the token to sneak out of the palace, Her Highness the Crown Princess didn’t expose her, but instead protectively escorted her out.
And now, she was asking her what kind of good life she wanted to live.
Lu Dieqing didn’t want to deceive the Crown Princess who had helped her. After thinking for a moment, she carefully chose her words.
“To be able to eat my fill every day, to let my parents eat without having to ration their food, and to not be bullied…”
After a pause, Lu Dieqing looked at the Crown Princess’s calm expression and, somehow seeing a hint of gentleness in it, she boldly continued, “If I can become a puppeteer, can I let my parents return to the Shan Kingdom?”
Every puppeteer becomes a guest of honor in their country, capable of fighting in place of flesh-and-blood soldiers, reducing casualties, and increasing the chances of victory. They are a rare and invaluable asset.
In the past, Lu Dieqing would never have said these words, but now she had met the Crown Princess more than once. Each time, the other had left her with a better impression than before, so Lu Dieqing inexplicably felt that Her Highness was a trustworthy person.
Zheng Xuening didn’t speak, only watched her with her eyes.
When they looked at each other, in the sunlight from outside, Lu Dieqing noticed that the Crown Princess’s pupils were slightly larger than a normal person’s. Her lashes were also longer and thicker.
If only my little doll could have such a beautiful face.
The voice that suddenly popped up from the bottom of her heart startled Lu Dieqing herself.
Only with comparison did she realize that the wooden doll she had carved before had truly crude features.
Everyone in the imperial palace rumored that the Crown Princess was moody and unpredictable, a future tyrant who couldn’t be offended. But no one had ever said that she was so beautiful, a radiant and stunning beauty.
Looking at the Crown Princess up close, Lu Dieqing really wanted to reach out and touch those long eyelashes. But thinking of her status, that little stirring in her heart was extinguished.
The Crown Princess didn’t speak, just looked at her, which made her feel more and more guilty.
Lu Dieqing glanced left and right, like a little hedgehog about to curl into a ball, and weakly stammered, “Should I not have said those things?”
“No.”
Zheng Xuening finally spoke, her eyes, as she looked at Lu Dieqing, filled with a trace of complexity.
The good life Lu Dieqing wanted was too simple, so simple that with just a little attention, Zheng Xuening could fulfill her wish, except for one thing—she didn’t seem to want to let this Little Princess of Shan return to her homeland.
“Can you ride a horse?” Zheng Xuening suddenly asked her.
Lu Dieqing froze for a moment.
“No.” She shook her head honestly.
Having been in the deep palace all her life, she had never had the chance to be around horses. An opportunity like today, to even hold the reins, was a first.
Zheng Xuening blinked and handed the reins to Lu Dieqing.
“Should I hold them?” Lu Dieqing thought the Crown Princess wanted her to lead the horse, so she obediently reached out and took the reins.
However, it seemed that was not all the other intended.
Zheng Xuening led Lu Dieqing to the side of the horse and raised an eyebrow at her.
“Give it a try. Get on.”
She said it so casually, but Lu Dieqing stood frozen, somewhat in disbelief.
The Crown Princess was letting her ride her horse?
Horses like this, exclusively for princes and princesses, were all rare and famous steeds that could travel a thousand li. Not all princes and princesses could get one of these famous steeds from the Western Regions; only the current Son of Heaven and a few favored royal children were allotted one. Usually, these horses were meticulously cared for by special horse officials. Even getting sick would result in punishment, let alone letting someone else ride them.
Lu Dieqing was now certain that the Crown Princess had a special regard for her, but she didn’t dare to touch this thousand-li horse.
What if she accidentally hurt the horse?
Or what if the horse didn’t like her, recognized its owner, and kicked her with its hoof?
Accidentally falling off a horse was no joking matter; it could be fatal.
Lu Dieqing was well aware of her situation in the Chaoying palace. How could she dare to let herself get injured? If something were to happen to her, they wouldn’t even be able to summon a doctor, and she would needlessly worry her parents.
Some things were not for her to touch. If she overstepped, she might have to pay a price.
In just that short moment, several thoughts passed through the little girl’s mind, and a look of indecision appeared on her face. Her fair, pink face looked timid. Though she didn’t say no, Zheng Xuening could already see that the girl didn’t dare to touch her horse.
Normally, if someone hesitated like this in the face of her rare kindness, rejecting her offer, Zheng Xuening couldn’t guarantee what she would do in her rage. After all, she had never considered herself a good person.
But she just couldn’t get angry at Lu Dieqing. She couldn’t even muster a trace of anger. After all, she had seen this girl at night, holding her and crying her heart out, pitifully recounting her grievances. No matter how cold-hearted Zheng Xuening was, she couldn’t become the villain in this girl’s eyes.
“Don’t worry. Since this Princess is letting you ride, I won’t let you get hurt in the slightest, nor will I blame you.”
She rarely had the patience to make such a promise to the anxious girl, an attitude that surprised even herself.
As she spoke, Zheng Xuening even bent down slightly, gently looking into Lu Dieqing’s eyes, her gaze conveying a trace of subtle encouragement.
Perhaps because the Crown Princess’s words were sincere, and she showed no signs of rushing her or being impatient, a warmth spread through Lu Dieqing’s heart. Like a little animal cautiously emerging from its burrow, she tentatively took a step.
“Then… then I’ll give it a try?”
She spoke softly. Though still apprehensive, her eyes had revived with some of the curiosity natural for her age.
It wasn’t that Lu Dieqing didn’t like horses; it was just that in her life, they were too far removed from her. So far that if she were to have any inappropriate thoughts, it would become a dangerous fantasy. So she simply extinguished the thought.
“Mhm. Try.” A corner of Zheng Xuening’s lips curved, offering a clumsy encouragement.
And so, the little girl who had just left the imperial city recovered some of her liveliness.
She eagerly patted the horse’s back, trying to mount it. But she was small and had never practiced martial arts. The horse was quite tall. She could touch its back with her hand, but her leg couldn’t reach.
After several attempts, Lu Dieqing still couldn’t get on.
On her tiptoes, fail.
On her tiptoes again, fail again.
Jump, fail.
Aiya, I can’t get on.
Zheng Xuening watched from the side, raising a fist to her lips to stifle a chuckle.
Watching Lu Dieqing hopping like this, she looked even more like a silly rabbit. Cute.
Lu Dieqing, who had been battling to mount the horse to no avail, heard the laugh. She turned around, annoyed and embarrassed, her watery eyes glaring, her soft, tender cheeks puffed out.
“Your Highness…” Her voice held an inexplicable sense of grievance.
The little girl was at loggerheads with the horse, and in her frustration, for a moment, she forgot that this was the Crown Princess of Chaoying who held the power of life and death over countless people, and even showed a hint of coquettishness.
Seeing that she had annoyed the little cat, Zheng Xuening coughed lightly. “Do you need help?”
Lu Dieqing bit her lip and didn’t speak.
Zheng Xuening took a step forward and placed a hand on the girl’s waist.
“You have to use a clever force.”
She lowered her voice, her other hand guiding the girl’s arm to grip the reins.
When she touched Lu Dieqing’s slender waist, she only just realized how delicate the other was. That fresh soap-bean scent once again drifted to her nose.
A strange feeling arose in Zheng Xuening’s heart, and Lu Dieqing also felt a little uncomfortable. The waist was a very sensitive area. Although the Crown Princess was slender, perhaps because she had practiced martial arts, she had an upright posture when standing beside her. When her hand circled her waist, Lu Dieqing had the feeling of being controlled by her, as if not only her life and death, but also something else, could not escape the Crown Princess’s grasp.
This made Lu Dieqing’s heart suddenly pound violently.
But the next moment, her attention was drawn elsewhere.
“Use this leg to push off the ground.”
Zheng Xuening suddenly bent down, one hand supporting Lu Dieqing’s calf, signaling for her to go up.
Lu Dieqing’s body trembled slightly. Biting her lip, she tried hard to climb up. She felt that she must look very unsightly right now, her body twisting and turning like a caterpillar, unable to exert any force, so clumsy. Sob, sob, sob. She really wanted to tell the Crown Princess that she didn’t want to ride anymore. But the Crown Princess was holding her up like this, and Lu Dieqing didn’t have the courage to call a stop.
“…Mmm… I can’t get on…”
The little girl was so anxious a cold sweat broke out on her forehead, but she was still only halfway there, unable to get onto the horse’s back.
Zheng Xuening sighed slightly.
“Forget it.”
Lu Dieqing immediately blinked with disappointment, her pearly teeth biting her lip, feeling a little sad.
Does Her Highness think I’m very clumsy?
Just as her nose began to tingle and she felt like crying, her body suddenly felt light.
Lu Dieqing almost cried out in surprise.
She was lifted into the air by the Crown Princess. The next moment, her body fell into a warm embrace, and she was already sitting on the horse’s back.
“Your Highness…” Lu Dieqing was both shocked and at a loss.
This was the first time she had sat so high up, looking at the scenery around her.
“Don’t move. If you fall, I’ll have to fish you up.”
Zheng Xuening’s cool, clear voice came from behind her.
Lu Dieqing’s heart began to beat very fast. Her originally fair, pink neck was now flushed red, like the evening clouds in the sky.
“Hold on tight.”
The Crown Princess behind her placed the reins in her soft little hands.
“Go wherever you want.”
“Buy whatever you want today. This Princess will accompany you.”
The Crown Princess’s tone had no fluctuation, sounding cold and indifferent, but every word was filled with tolerance.
Sob, sob, sob. She suddenly felt like crying.
Lu Dieqing’s heart was warm, filled with both gratitude and a complex sense of apprehension. At this moment, she suddenly really wanted to turn around and look at the Crown Princess, to see what her expression was like.
The girl thought it, and so she did it.
She held the reins but didn’t look at the road. Instead, she turned her exquisite little face and looked pitifully at the Crown Princess.
“Your Highness…” Her red lips looked extremely soft, and her eyes were sparkling.
Zheng Xuening’s heart skipped a beat at her gaze.
She had called her “Your Highness” several times today, each time softer and more delicate than the last.
Zheng Xuening suddenly understood a little why those fatuous rulers who neglected morning court became so muddle-headed after obtaining a peerless beauty.
“What is it?”
The Crown Princess’s voice was indifferent, but her eyes couldn’t help but drift to the girl’s face and red lips.
The girl looks so sweet. I wonder if a taste would be delicious.
damn???