Five

She quickly understood that this was a special residence of Li Yi, equivalent to an institution. The esteemed Crown Prince of Xieguo could not possibly lack a dedicated workplace and exclusive staff. She was not dressed as a man but rather in a purely feminine attire, which was already a sign of Li Yi's respect for her. However, Li Yi's taste in appearance and clothing was not much better than hers.

If Jing Yongfu were an inexperienced and ordinary girl who had never seen the world, it would be strange not to be infatuated upon encountering such an extraordinary man, a prince with exceptional martial skills. However, Jing Yongfu is not that girl. Although she cannot overlook the beauty of Prince Di, what she perceives more is his formidable prowess.

Jing Yongfu was taken aback. Could it be that Di Wang's intelligence and appearance were not comparable? Did he regard her as merely one of those who came to admire his beauty, only to dismiss her after the admiration? However, as she saw Li Fei turn around and flick her sleeve, the hint of amusement in her eyes made her suddenly realize that he was not merely brushing her off, but rather had fully engaged with her.

Alas... have I not yet inquired about the young lady's esteemed name?

After taking a sip of tea, he calmly said: "It is not us who are anxious now, but them. His Highness was also momentarily agitated; after all, it is hard for anyone to bear the loss of so many close followers at once. Fortunately, His Highness has now regained his composure. The deceased are gone; what we should consider is how to honor the spirits of the departed."

No one looked at Jing Yongfu's face, and she felt a bit gloomy. In order to meet the requirements, she had already shaved and plucked away quite a few eyebrows, applied a layer of powder to her face, and even pressed her lips against red paper several times... She touched her own face, perhaps her appearance really wasn't that great, even the bastard from Qiman was worried that she wouldn't be able to get married.

Di Wangfu features a formal layout typical of royal residences. Behind the grand main entrance lies a spacious courtyard, leading to an opulent front hall, an elegant rear hall, followed by a meticulously designed corridor with nine twists and turns, spanning across an artificially excavated lake, and culminating in a more magnificent and resplendent main hall

In the morning light, beneath the pink complexion of Di Wang, faint bluish-purple veins were visible, which belonged to the hand resting on the railing. His long fingers, adorned with long and pristine nails, silently conveyed a truth: the owner of the hand was, in fact, very powerful. If Di Wang were truly a pampered prince, his hands would be merely fair and tender, devoid of visible veins, and there would be no thin calluses between his fingers.

This statement contains a great deal of content. The most important point is that he has already understood that Jing Yongfu has brought Li Yi's instructions.

Leaving, leaving, let's go eat

The next morning, Jing Yongfu visited King Di as planned, while also taking in the grandeur of the capital of Xie Kingdom. The sedan chair moved leisurely along the wide and bustling streets, revealing the tall and solemn architecture of Xie Kingdom, as well as the calm faces of pedestrians and vendors. This led her to conclude that Xie Kingdom was indeed more prosperous and powerful than Jing Kingdom. To assess whether a nation is thriving, one only needs to observe the attire and demeanor of its people. Apart from the sparse population of the Ye North Plain, she had hardly seen any beggars along the way from the border town of Ziliu to the capital.

I knew it was you! Last time we parted hastily in Kuancheng, didn't you say you were going to Yebe?

Mr. Xue is being modest. Jing Yongfu pays his respects

This is Miss Ping," Li Yi's attendant introduced softly

Jing Yongfu approached, offered a slight bow, and was at a loss for words when he turned back and said leisurely: "Having seen much splendor, encountering this solitude and tranquility for the first time is quite pleasant."

You go tell him my surname is Ping

"Listening to Miss Ping's accent, she must be from Jing, right?" He suddenly changed the subject

Miss Ping, my name is Xue Tongyi. Since you have arrived at the Easy Mansion, you are the one chosen by His Highness. If you have any needs, you may speak to me. As long as it is not too difficult to fulfill, I will accommodate you.

Her intention in meeting Li Fei was originally to engage in idle chatter, and Li Fei merely omitted the tedious small talk. She went straight to the point, skipped the middle part, and concluded succinctly

Sima Qiudi changed into a new outfit, which was surprisingly an orange ensemble rarely seen in both the royal palace and among the common people. The amber hat, orange clothing, and red scarf accentuated his face, making it appear even more noble and handsome. He was, as usual, holding a fan, this time a sandalwood thin fan. However, in Jing Yongfu's eyes, he resembled a large orange with a toothpick stuck in it

On the way back, passing by the luxurious residence of Sima Qiudi, Jing Yongfu had a sudden idea to pay a visit to Sima Qiudi.

The manager then carefully scrutinized Jing Yongfu

Jing Yongfu expressed his gratitude and temporarily bid him farewell. For the conversation has reached its conclusion.

Oh, my name is Ping Dafu

She was lost in thought when the sedan chair came to a stop, but it was not at the destination; instead, it was blocked again, and the one blocking the way was surprisingly Sima Qiudi. Jing Yongfu saw from beneath the curtain of the sedan that he had changed into a snow-white silk robe, still holding a decorative fan—a white feather fan. Sima Qiudi gracefully entered a grand mansion.

Jing Yongfu has merely been deliberately dressed up; the shoes on her feet are from a renowned shoemaker in the capital, the phoenix hairpin adorned with golden flowers on her head is a gift from her current temporary master, and the clothing she wears has been specially tailored according to his taste, a shade of purple that is neither red nor blue, simply purple

The doorman asked with suspicion, "Do you know my young master?"

The capital of the Xie Kingdom, the Prince's residence "Rongyi Mansion"

Sima Qiudi suddenly realized after talking for a long time: "Ping... Ping Gongzi, why are you dressed like this?"

The gatekeeper of the Sima residence widened his eyes in astonishment. Seeing that more and more people were gathering at the entrance, Jing Yongfu quickly pulled Sima Qiudi away and left.

After getting off the sedan chair, Jing Yongfu was pleased to receive various captivating gazes. Since arriving at the Easy Mansion yesterday, she had already attracted attention. That young rascal, around eighteen or nineteen years old, was one of them.

It is very interesting..." Xue Tongyi smiled and said, "I will make proper arrangements for the young lady.

Jing Yongfu said with a smile: "This young lady has come to find Sima Qiudi!"

Perhaps there are indeed very few who dare to refuse him in this world, and at least Jing Yongfu neither dares nor can. Before Li Yi returns, she needs to create a false impression; it is precisely what she desires that Di Wang is willing to meet her. Therefore, she has no choice but to reluctantly instruct the servants of the Rongyi Mansion to inform Sima Qiudi to postpone their meeting to another day

She stepped into a man's world, where there was not a single woman in the entire Rongyi Mansion. Jing Yongfu did not dare to claim that she was the first woman to enter Rongyi Mansion, but she was certainly one of the very few. As she passed by, everyone turned to look at her, their expressions akin to that of the steward.

Jing Yongfu's sedan chair changed direction and went around from the side. She lowered the curtain, thinking that Sima Qiudi should not have returned to the capital later than her, clearly having gone somewhere else along the way. She was too lazy to think about where he had gone, nor could she guess. She could only be certain that the residence he entered must be an important mansion of the Sima family.

Yes, Your Highness

There were quite a few people near the Rongyi Mansion, and almost everyone was paying attention to her as she scanned the crowd one by one. The gatekeeper of the Rongyi Mansion showed her no respect, staring fixedly at her embroidered shoes. The steward who came to greet her wore a smiling face, yet occasionally cast questioning glances at Li Yi, her attendant, asking with his eyes: Who is this? The bystanders nearby quietly admired her attire, while a young ruffian, around seventeen or eighteen years old, had the keenest eye, staring intently at her head as if he were mesmerized.

He actually revealed his lightness skill

This performance was unremarkable, but what attracted Jing Yongfu were the various pieces of information collected by the government over the years, which she memorized in a haphazard manner.

A woman suddenly appeared in a man's world; it was already fortunate that she was not thrown out, and one should not be overly concerned about her attitude. This is what Jing Yongfu thought.

Court etiquette was not unfamiliar to Jing Yongfu; she quickly completed her studies. Dressed in her usual purple attire, equipped with the standard accessories, she applied a light touch of makeup and set off.

Yes, Your Highness

"Young Master Sima, can I not come to the capital after going to Yebe?"

After a long time, Li Fei finally spoke: "Miss Ping will come to my residence tomorrow afternoon."

Jing Yongfu's successful entry into the Duke's residence can be attributed in part to Xue Tongyi, who sent invitations in advance of the banquet and made proper arrangements for the various matters prior to meeting the Duke. The other half can perhaps be considered luck

Li Yi's attendants added: "Your Highness has commanded that Miss Ping must not be neglected"

Just as she thought about why in both conversations she was the one responding with "Yes, Your Highness," the Duke's concluding remark arrived

Sima Qiudi had originally arranged to continue the outing with Jing Yongfu, who also felt that he had not yet fulfilled his duties as a host. However, official matters arose, and personal affairs had to be set aside.

Yes. Jing Yongfu elaborated once again on his half-true, half-false background

The style of the noble gardens in Xieguo is often characterized by the interplay of shadows and light, revealing hidden beauty, and the Di Wangfu is no exception. The attendant led her past several areas strewn with fallen blossoms, finally revealing a corner of the pavilion. It featured red lacquer and green tiles, with flying eaves and carved beasts. Taking a few more steps forward, she could see a young man in profile. He leaned against a painted pillar, adorned with a string of deep red agate on his forehead. His phoenix-like eyes were deep and slanted, and beneath his straight nose were two thin, cold lips. He wore a long robe of deep purple with subtle patterns, and beneath it, a light yellow silk shirt. The stark contrast of colors further accentuated his skin, which was as translucent and radiant as ice jade. Just from this profile, Jing Yongfu was certain that his appearance was indeed as renowned as rumored.

Then the figure paused, and the exquisitely serene presence vanished. In the moment before, I had seen him frozen in a dazzling purple glow; in the next moment, the flowers trembled and the person was gone, leaving only the wind as before

It is said that the itinerary of this day in Yongfu was recorded by many people, and later she saw this itinerary at Di Wang's place

After a long time, that cold and ethereal voice echoed once more: "You seek an audience with me?"

Oh? Xue Tongyi became interested, "Shall we meet the uninvolved Di Wang?"

In the State of Xie, not just any prince can be conferred a title of nobility. Even those who are not princes, like Jing Yongfu, cannot meet with individuals of high status at will. As for the Di Wang, he is certainly not someone that ordinary people can meet casually, for reasons that are well known. However, after the banquet, Xue Tongyi strangely informed Jing Yongfu that the Di Wang was willing to meet her, and the meeting was scheduled for the morning following the request. Time was tight, so Jing Yongfu got up early and began to quickly study the court etiquette of the State of Xie, which made her somewhat recall the benefits of Li Yi. Yet, as a common woman, how often had she ever behaved properly in front of him? She had certainly not lacked in being unruly. Li Yi's ability to endure time and again truly impressed her.

Jing Yongfu dismissed his distractions and said with a smile, "I would like to meet King Di."

When Jing Yongfu hurriedly arrived, the elegantly dressed Di Wang was quietly standing under the autumn trees. She could not help but sigh inwardly, for this man was born to win the hearts of women.

Finally, Jing Yongfu stopped in front of the back garden's circular gate and introduced her servant, saying: "Miss, please wait here while I go to make the announcement."

There were about ten steps left, and he slowly turned his face. A few strands of fine hair were brushed by the wind, creating an enchanting sight that was hard to look away from. Although his eyes were actually lazy and indifferent, the slanted corners of his phoenix eyes gave the illusion of a faint smile.

Once again, there was no further dialogue. He remained silent, and Jing Yongfu could only wait. During the time of waiting, Jing Yongfu could only admire his attire as one would appreciate a landscape. Di Wang was not only beautiful but also exceptionally skilled at dressing himself. If Sima Qiudi was rich in color, then Di Wang Li Fei was uniquely graceful. Generally, even if a man possessed his level of attractiveness, his attire would tend to lean towards the effeminate rather than the masculine. However, Di Wang perfectly showcased his masculinity and the dignity of being a prince.

Xue Tongyi was momentarily surprised, but his astonishment quickly dissipated. "Tonight, I will cleanse the dust for the young lady, and at that time, I will introduce her to the esteemed gentlemen of the residence."

The attendants of Sima Qiudi opened the main gate wide to rescue the situation. As the spacious and luxurious carriage emerged, Sima Qiudi regained the demeanor of a noble young master, unfurling his sandalwood fan and saying: "Miss Ping, please get into the carriage"

Jing Yongfu smiled even sweeter: "He promised me that he would treat me to a meal"

The clear tea was served, and Jing Yongfu explained the events that had occurred in Ziliu one by one. He listened calmly and said: "In my opinion, it is also best not to return to the capital too quickly"

In the Easy Prefecture, there are many literati; most scholars, even if they have rolled in the mundane world and have been tainted by some dust, still cannot conceal the inherent pride in their bones. However, Xue Tongyi belongs to a very small minority.

Jing Yongfu did not wait long, as a servant quickly came out to lead her into the inner courtyard where flowers rarely bloom in autumn. She glanced around roughly, and before her were flowers typical of autumn, which suggests that the Di Wang residence also has gardens for the other three seasons

A withered leaf slowly drifted down, and he opened his hand, allowing the leaf to rest in his palm. Turning his face, a cool voice gently echoed in the courtyard: "Miss Ping, it is now my turn to see you again!"

The Easy Mansion does not possess the meticulously luxurious gardens of the Di Wang Mansion, but it has quite a few clean and tidy courtyards. It was to such a courtyard that Xue Tongyi sent someone to guide Di Wang.

Sima Qiudi, with a beaming smile, ran out of the house. Upon seeing only a single sedan chair behind Jing Yongfu, her smile diminished somewhat

Jing Yongfu longed to imagine a bleak young man waiting for the arrangements of fate beneath a few nearly leafless old trees. Unfortunately, the reality was not so.

The steward seemed a bit puzzled, but still respectfully bent down and said, "Miss, please follow me." After all, the doorway is not a place for conversation.

"Yes, Your Highness." Jing Yongfu suddenly realized that sometimes saying less made her mouth feel lighter, but her mind was even more fatigued. Should she be flattered by the Duke's unsolicited invitation?

Jing Yongfu gazed at him, feeling ashamed that she could not be considered a true strategist; the person before her was. Regarding the seventy-four lives lost, her first thought was one of guilt, while his was how to manage the situation.

"Then it is settled, see you tomorrow." Li Fei turned and floated away, leaving behind a person whose lips twitched slightly.

Entered the Di Wang Mansion at 2:15 AM and exited at 9:45 AM. Met Sima Qiudi at 12:00 PM, and at 2:15 PM accompanied Sima into the Ying Family Restaurant. Exited at 3:45 PM and spent some time at Rongguang Lake until 5:45 PM. Later, dined with Sima at the Pigeon Release Tower at 7:15 PM and returned to the Rongyi Mansion at 9:00 PM

Jing Yongfu sighed inwardly. Since Li Fei had guessed her intentions and had cooperated in a meeting, it meant that she tacitly supported Li Yi at present. Therefore, she sincerely said to his graceful departing figure: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

The day after Jing Yongfu paid a visit to King Di, King Di made a grand visit in return. Prior to this, Li Fei had given no notice and simply showed up at the door, as if she was certain that no one in the world would dare to refuse her.

Later, Jing Yongfu regretted this countless times. If provoking Di Wang was something that had to be done, then provoking Sima Qiudi was a self-inflicted calamity that could not be survived

The residence of Rongyi Mansion is completely different from the Yuwang Mansion where Jing Yongfu lived during his childhood. Not to mention the differences in architectural styles between the two countries, even the layout of the courtyards varies greatly. As she gradually stepped in, the reason why the steward looked puzzled upon seeing her also became clear.

"Yes, Your Highness," Jing Yongfu replied once again to his meaningless question. She wondered what her name was; it was written on the greeting card, yet she did not come to see him. What was the purpose of sending a greeting card? A normal person would ask her, 'Why have you come to see me? Is there something you wish to discuss?' But evidently, Prince Di was not a normal person.

Jing Yongfu heard the sound coming from between his teeth: "You call me Young Master Ping dressed like this?"

Thus, Di Wang seldom meets with guests, and is even less inclined to meet with female guests

She was received by Xue Tongyi, the most renowned strategist under Li Yi. He was in his thirties, dressed simply, with a down-to-earth demeanor, and his opening remarks were exceptionally eloquent

Li Fei did not immediately inquire further. A gentle breeze blew, and Jing Yongfu's gaze drifted away with the wind. She stood for a while, disregarding the breach of etiquette, and lifted her head to look at him. This Di Wang was very peculiar, astonishingly beautiful yet perplexingly strange.

Li Yi's attendant opened the car door for Jing Yongfu. After getting off the carriage and seeing this name, she couldn't help but grin. Rongyi Mansion? It truly is easy to accommodate someone like Li Yi!

Although Sima Qiudi had never traversed every mountain and tree of the Xie Kingdom, being born into a prominent family, she was influenced from a young age and could engage in endless conversations about the Three Rivers and Five Seas without feeling out of place. Moreover, since she was of similar age to Jing Yongfu, she felt quite at ease after leaving the Di Wang Mansion that day. The pressure brought by the Di Wang had completely dissipated. Men who are both exceptionally handsome and intelligent are truly annoying. Fortunately, she had a wealthy, interesting, and handsome young nobleman to accompany her, which made up for the loss of her sparse eyebrows. Originally, her eyebrows were already thin and sparse, and they had been plucked into an arch; thankfully, she noticed it early, otherwise, they would have turned into two delicate lines like willow leaves, and she would have had no time to cry.

The attendant bowed and withdrew. Jing Yongfu stood outside the pavilion, while Li Fei sat inside. Li Fei's gaze lingered on the top of Jing Yongfu's head for a moment, and then, with a voice that matched her beauty, she coldly asked, "Are you Ping Dafeng?"

The rich fragrance of flowers, the vibrant姿态 of blossoms, what kind of master could possibly match them? Long ago, in the Kingdom of Jing, I had already heard of the illustrious name of Prince Li Fei. It is said that Li Fei's mother, the noble Yang Huaying, possessed unparalleled beauty, and he inherited his mother's looks, being hailed as the most handsome man in the Kingdom of Xie at the age of fifteen, to the extent that the doors of the Yang family were frequently changed, the reason for which is self-evident.

Surely, the news of a young girl entering the Rongyi Mansion will soon reach all the princes, right? This girl went to pay her respects to His Highness Prince Di as soon as she entered the Rongyi Mansion, which must be quite interesting

"My apologies, my apologies..." A series of humble expressions, the fan swayed back and forth in front of Jing Yongfu's eyes, "Miss Ping, it is all because of my poor judgment regarding Qiudi, please do not be angry, Miss Ping. Qiudi is here to make amends to you."

Li Fei has lost her voice again. Although her gaze lingers not far away, she feels that he is not seeing anything. He is in a trance.

However, Your Highness will always return. Before he comes back, I wonder what Miss Ping plans to do

Jing Yongfu had witnessed Li Yi's impressive demeanor and could imagine that his brother was equally outstanding. She had also seen Sima Qiudi's exquisite elegance and could envision the refined temperament of the noble son of the Xie Kingdom. However, upon meeting Li Fei, she realized that both Li Yi and Sima Qiudi, as well as all the individuals she had encountered before, were far inferior in appearance to Di Wang.

"Who is the young lady looking for?" The gatekeeper, noticing her elegant attire and complete accessories, inquired politely

The light blue garment typically appears dull and unremarkable on most people, but the individual before me complements it with a jade hairpin, enhancing the blue hue with his own radiance. The long light blue robe reaches the ground, and over it is worn a sleeveless long coat with dark green patterns. A short sword is tucked at the back of his waist, and the entire person exudes an enduring elegance reminiscent of lofty green pines.

"Miss Ping..." Sima Qiudi broke free from Jing Yongfu's hand, her face slightly flushed as she said, "Miss, please do not hold onto Qiudi, for Qiudi fears it may affect your reputation... Qiudi will walk by herself..." Her voice grew softer and softer, leaving one to wonder who was the miss and who was the gentleman.

The doorman indeed asked clearly: "May I ask what business you have with my young master?"

After a long time, Li Fei concluded the summons, "Since you have already been seen, you may return now"

In the presence of such beauty, Jing Yongfu could only feel ashamed of himself. She was so beautiful that it made one hesitant to look too long, for things that are too beautiful are often beyond reach, and some can even be perilous. Moreover, she was not there to admire handsome men. With her head bowed and eyes lowered, she performed her greeting with decorum, and then fell silent.