Chapter 6, An Unexpected Rescue Sparks Initial Feelings (Part 2)

The Crown Prince has arrived? Jinxi felt a headache coming on, resenting her elder brother's autocratic behavior to the point of grinding her teeth. Does he really think she is a weak woman who only knows how to read and do needlework in the embroidery room? Jinxi wanted to stage a full-blown fight, but then she remembered that the Crown Prince had seen Xie Feilan riding and shooting, while her elder brother was unaware of this. What to do? She anxiously paced around the garden.

Jin Xi? Zhu Shouqian did not understand what she intended to do

"Go, go, it's nothing!" Zhen Bei was driven away, and Zhu Shouqian rubbed his ears and said softly, "Jin Xi, how could I dare to take you to such a place?!"

Zhu Shouqian sighed, knowing that no matter what, Jinxi would never come to like him; she merely regarded him as an older brother. Perhaps she did not yet understand love. Zhu Shouqian was aware that once he took a consort, it would signify his coming of age, and he would have to go to his fief in Guilin. As a prince, he could not return to the capital without an imperial decree, and he would truly be unable to see Jinxi again. The thought of this filled him with indescribable sadness. "Jinxi, it seems that our days of playing together are numbered. If you have the chance, please spend more time with your cousin, alright?" Zhu Shouqian was aware that once he took a consort, it would signify his coming of age, and he would have to go to his fief in Guilin. As a prince, he could not return to the capital without an imperial decree, and he would truly be unable to see Jinxi again. The thought of this filled him with indescribable sadness. "Jinxi, it seems that our days of playing together are numbered. If you have the chance, please spend more time with your cousin, alright?"

Thus, after a month, Zhu Shouqian came again: "Jinxu! His Highness the Prince of Yan invites you for his birthday!"

Xu Huizu believed that Jinxi's rejection of the Crown Prince was due to Zhu Shouqian. Seeing Zhu Shouqian's compliant demeanor, he felt relieved and looked at Jinxi, slowly speaking: "Your Highness, the Prince of Yan's birthday is at the end of this month. Jinxi, you have not yet seen the world since your return, so you should go then."

"Jinxi, you must not entertain such thoughts," Zhu Shouqian said with rare seriousness. "Your uncle is the renowned Duke of Wei in the Ming Dynasty, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has married the daughter of General Chang Yuchun; the Prince of Tan has married the daughter of a Grand Secretary; the Prince of Lu has married the daughter of General Tang He; the Prince of Qin has taken the sister of Wang Baobao, the King of Yuanhe, as his primary consort, and General Deng Yu's daughter as his secondary consort. You do not yet know which prince you will marry in the future. Rather than marrying someone unknown, why not marry me and strengthen our ties! I will cherish you!"

Upon reaching the age of fifteen in autumn and completing the hairpin ceremony, she would be able to establish her name and marry. She gazed outside. The garden was vibrant and full of life, yet it now seemed increasingly bothersome. Suddenly, she yearned to return to the mountains, to be with her master, and in the future, to travel the world and truly appreciate the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty that her father and uncles had fought to establish.

Zhu Shouqian has always been a person who drinks to his heart's content today. Seeing Jinxi happy, he also felt joyful. He both threatened and bribed to silence Zhenbei, leading Jinxi to sneak out of the residence through the side door.

Jinxi lazily replied: "It was Xie Feilan who returned to Fengyang, not me"

I... sigh, well then. Zhu Shouqian felt helpless; he regarded Jinxi as if she were a celestial being. Thinking about the need to establish a consort and embark on a journey, he now had no desire to go against her wishes. Moreover, he was also curious, so he immediately agreed.

Isn't it just about enjoying delicious food on a beautiful flower boat by the river and listening to good music? What is there to it?

What does it mean? If the Crown Prince fails, will he drag the Prince of Yan down with him? A mocking expression appeared in Jinxi's eyes

As the two were tidying up and about to go out, Madam Xu and Xu Huizu walked in

"Miss, what are you looking for with your head down?" Zhenbei pursed her lips and smiled, thinking that Jinxu was shy and nervous

Jinxi was taken aback, seeing her usually exuberant and cheerful cousin Zhu Shouqian displaying a deep, contemplative melancholy typical of adulthood. Remembering his mention of marrying a concubine, Jinxi quickly understood that this straightforward cousin of hers would soon be heading to Guilin, Guangxi after their marriage. Her heart ached at the thought, yet a playful smile appeared on her face as she reached out and twisted Zhu Shouqian's ear, giving it a good tug: "Tie Zhu! I dislike you like this, take me out to have fun! I want to go to Yutangchun!"

Jinxi loves orchids the most, all of these are grown by her. Your Highness, please this way! Zhenbei, go invite the young lady!

It is said that way, after all, that is a pleasure boat

Why must her father insist that she attend the birthday banquet at the Prince of Yan's residence? Jinxi faintly sensed that something significant was about to happen in her life. Although she felt a bit flustered inside, she responded with her usual grace, saying: "Jinxi understands and will certainly not cause any trouble."

The elder brother supported their mother as they left. Jinxi and Zhu Shouqian stood there in a daze for a while, and then she stepped forward and walked out the door

The Crown Prince indeed did not know that Jinxi was Feilan. After arriving at the residence, no more gifts were sent, and my elder brother's expression was quite sour. Naturally, Jinxi's condition improved significantly within a few days as her mood brightened.

What are you doing here? Just play what you should play, be happy when you should be happy, and as for the future, we can talk about it when the time comes! We can't just stay cooped up in the house like this, can we? Remember, when we go out, I will be called Xie Feilan!" Jinxi's face once again radiated sunshine

She suddenly understood the master's compassionate gaze, which suggested that it would be best for her not to have any interactions with the prince... Marrying a prince, oh dear, would mean she would have to abide by the rules and stay in the royal residence, where even the slightest misstep could lead to trouble. For the first time, Jinxi understood her situation

Zhu Shouqian adjusted his expression and lowered his head in response

It is so boring, but I do not wish to attend the banquet at the Prince Yan's residence. Jinxi recalled the slap from Zhu Di and felt a surge of anger, realizing that she could not provoke the Prince Yan and no longer wished to have any interaction with him. "Tiezhu, my elder brother does not allow me to leave the residence, so I cannot play with you anymore." Jinxi did not want to leave the residence with Zhu Shouqian, fearing another encounter with the Crown Prince and the Prince Yan; she preferred to sneak out on her own.

Ah?!" Zhu Shouqian exclaimed.

She felt anger in her heart, always sensing that both her elder brother and father had the intention of using marital connections to solidify their positions. However, a crown prince troubled her even more, not to mention Zhu Di, who had even slapped her.

It was decided by the letter from my father. Xu Huizu's eyes dimmed slightly, but his words left Jinxi stunned on the spot

Jinxi's face grew paler as she listened, and she suddenly stood up, saying with a hint of excitement: "No! I do not want to marry anyone!"

Jinxi is about to have a sister-in-law with her smile! Look at Zhu Shouqian, who is unhappy and is circling around him: "Tie Zhu, what are you annoyed about? I'm about to have a sister-in-law, come on, tell me, is she beautiful? Is her embroidery skill good? Will she give me gifts?"

Shou Qian has already been betrothed, and Jin Xi cannot marry Shou Qian as a concubine under any circumstances. It is better to part ways now, to avoid the entanglement of deep feelings that would make separation more difficult in the future

Zhu Shouqian said with annoyance: "The Emperor is going to appoint a consort for me. The person has already been chosen."

"Pah! Nonsense. I have no intention of marrying so early. I still want to leave home and roam the world, how wonderful that would be!" Jinxi wished to fulfill her filial duties in the hall, spending more time with her parents, and then venture out as a wandering hero. She reminisced about the time spent on the mountain learning from her master, feeling free and unrestrained. Upon returning home, she had to feign illness and act like a proper young lady; was she truly going to let her martial skills go to waste? To marry and be confined within the household was far from her desire. She reminisced about the time spent on the mountain learning from her master, feeling free and unrestrained. Upon returning home, she had to feign illness and act like a proper young lady; was she truly going to let her martial skills go to waste? To marry and be confined within the household was far from her desire.

"Young Master, what is the matter?" Zhen Bei, now too afraid to leave even a step, walked in upon hearing the exclamations from outside the door

Indeed, it was not long before the elder brother left with the Crown Prince. Jinxi thought to herself that as soon as the Crown Prince saw the precious shell, he would understand everything. She imagined with delight what expression the Crown Prince would have, and she began to admire her own quick wit, laughing to herself in the room.

Finding a good way to deal with the enemy—Jinxu, feeling anxious, looked up at Zhenbei with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. She slapped her forehead, having come up with an idea, and instructed, "You just stay under the embroidery building. If elder brother asks, just say I am sleeping, suffering from a severe cold, and cannot get up. Remember!"

Young master, the young lady has just taken her medicine and is now in a deep sleep

"If you don't say anything, and I don't say anything, who will know that I went?" Jinxi said with a mischievous smile, "Don't you want to go?"

Jinxie quietly walked to the window, peering out through the window screen. In the distance, she caught sight of the Crown Prince looking up at the building, which startled her and made her shrink back. From the Crown Prince's perspective, he could not see her at all, yet Jinxie still felt a sense of unease in her heart. She recalled that Zhenbei was wearing the clothes gifted by the Crown Prince today, and she couldn't help but smile mischievously.

Then Zhenbei saw Jinxu lift her skirt, revealing a pair of delicate feet, and with a very ungraceful posture, she rushed upstairs like the wind into her boudoir. Zhenbei shook her head and muttered to herself that the young master could tire the young lady out every time she returned home, while His Highness the Crown Prince was even more formidable; the young lady was so frightened that she turned into a rabbit before even meeting him. She remembered Jinxu's admonition and patiently waited downstairs.

Not long after, Jinxi heard the voices of her elder brother and the Crown Prince coming from the garden below the embroidery building

Oh, that is true," Zhu Shouqian chuckled, "But Jinxi, have you been feeling bored at home for such a long time? If you are bored, you might as well take the opportunity to go out and have some fun.

Zhu Shouqian glanced at Jinxi; she had lost some weight after her illness, and the baby fat on her face had diminished, making her appear even more graceful. He blurted out: "Jinxi, will you marry me?"

Jinxi smiled to herself, reflecting on the ten years since leaving the residence. They all knew too little about her, seeing only the refined and gentle Xu Jinxi, completely unaware of her other side. Did they think she was so easy to manipulate? Only Zhu Shouqian, the rough and arrogant King of Jingjiang, who was not well-liked, truly regarded her as a sister. Jinxi looked at Zhu Shouqian's bright smile.

Zhu Shouqian also sighed: "Jinxu, it seems you won't be able to play with me anymore"

Oh? Is the illness not yet cured? Let the imperial physician come and take a look.

Shouqian, you are not young anymore, do not spend your days idly. The Emperor has already chosen the daughter of Xu Cheng, the Commander of Guangxi, as your primary consort. Alas, she is also from our Xu family, and the Emperor is mindful of your orphaned status since childhood. Xu Cheng will certainly support you wholeheartedly. Shouqian, you are to be married in August, and by next spring at the latest, you will go to Guangxi to take up your fief. Do not indulge in leisure any longer. Lady Xu looked at Zhu Shouqian with affection; in her eyes, Jinxi had been with Zhu Shouqian for over a year since returning home. However, the princes are all betrothed by the Emperor, and there is no way to separate them.

Jinxi rarely saw him looking so troubled, and she furrowed her brow and asked, "What is wrong?"