Chapter 10

Her hands trembled in her sleeves, and she barely steadied herself to express her gratitude as she rose. She opened her mouth, recalling Guan Zhaojing's instructions, but swallowed her words back. One must ask to receive an answer; one cannot speak without being asked. However, Prince Chun remained silent, and she anxiously glanced at Guan Zhaojing, who wore a wooden expression. She could only hold her breath and wait in silence

The prince is a straightforward person, neither putting on airs nor inquiring how one came to seek him out, instead appearing willing to offer assistance. Ding Yi took a breath, not daring to look at him, and feeling it inappropriate to evade the question, chose a response that sounded less embarrassing: "In response to the prince, the Seventh Master’s dog was not tied up, and we encountered it, so we brought it back to our home."

Had I known it would turn out this way, I would not have let the dog suffer so much, and Hong Tao would not have made such a fuss. As a prince, he has now taken on such trivial matters. When Zhao Jing entered to report, he also harbored a good intention upon learning of it. It is true that he had once shown kindness to a minor official at Caishikou; originally, the matter had passed without much thought. However, today the person came knocking again, seeking another important request. If it were someone else, they might have been impatient, feeling burdened by the entanglement, but he did not think that way. It is indeed rare for people to be ignorant of social niceties; only when they are at their wits' end do they repeatedly seek help. Since he had done a good deed once, he did not mind doing it again. However, if he found out that the origin of the matter was not quite honorable, then there would be no need to get involved.

It seems that this prince enjoys gardening. Despite their high status and power, being the emperor's own brothers, they are actually subject to many restrictions. Members of the royal family cannot wander around Beijing without the emperor's command; their lives are quite limited, and they develop their own hobbies within the confines of the royal residence. Once the door is closed, they can engage in activities such as singing opera, raising dogs, and feeding pigeons, even finding amusement in holding their own funerals, and no one can interfere. However, going out is not permissible; when they do, they must carry the dignity of their title. Standing there, they represent the nobility of Great Britain, showcasing the grandeur and face of the empire. Once the door is closed, they can engage in activities such as singing opera, raising dogs, and feeding pigeons, even finding amusement in holding their own funerals, and no one can interfere. However, going out is not permissible; when they do, they must carry the dignity of their title. Standing there, they represent the nobility of Great Britain, showcasing the grandeur and face of the empire.

It is advisable to take a discreet glance; those who are excessively complete cannot articulate their merits, yet they exude a certain righteousness. She had always thought that the nobility were experts in indulgence and revelry, having long engaged in malicious acts. Unexpectedly, such character is the model among princes. Regardless of whether a person is genuinely good or not, as long as they can take action at this moment, in her view, they are undoubtedly a good person

He spread his hands and let Zhao Jing tie his belt, speaking softly: "I cannot go to work tomorrow; you cannot hide this from the adults."

Upon entering the royal residence, she was not allowed to look around. She understood the rules and restrained herself, focusing on her own toes. Following closely behind the young eunuch, she trotted along, passing through the narrow path and over a small bridge, when a wave of floral fragrance wafted towards her. Unable to resist, she lifted her gaze and was taken aback by the sight of a vast expanse of hostas! The flower buds were not flamboyant, but they excelled in their elegance and uprightness, clustered together in the flowerbed, occupying more than half of the garden.

Guan Zhaojing was quite frightened by him, and in a suppressed voice, he scolded, "This little brat, what did I tell you before entering the garden? Have you forgotten everything? Acting so recklessly in front of the prince, do you want to lose your life?"

The prince appeared indifferent, yet she dared not relax her vigilance. She stepped forward respectfully and performed a deep bow, saying, "I am Mu Xiaoshu, here to pay my respects to the prince"

The prince must have a clear understanding of the situation! Ding Yi felt awkward and thought to herself that the problem lay here; that dog had lost its appearance, and after being tampered with, it was now dazed and no longer recognized its old master. Even if it wanted to return, there was no way to do so. Her face was twisted into a frown, "That... returning it, I fear that the Seventh Prince may not recognize it..."

You are truly considerate, taking into account everything she thinks but does not dare to say. When you ask someone for help and they agree, you cannot rush or pressure them; it must be done at their convenience. If their attitude is indifferent, you can only wait. However, if you encounter someone with a crystal-clear heart, then the task becomes much easier, as there is no need for you to repeatedly lower your stance; they are just as thoughtful as you are.

Finally, a voice came from over there, "Your senior brother has offended the dog of Lord Qi. How did he offend it? Please explain clearly."

Guan Zhaojing waved his hand and led her towards the lake. On the opposite bank of the lake stood a two-story building with upturned eaves, in front of which was a large open area that had already been covered with a canopy. Qi Ren had several treasures that everyone knew about—canopy, fish tank, pomegranate tree; the gentleman, the fat dog, and the chubby girl. The first three were inanimate objects and were essential. Every household would start looking for a carpenter in May to build a cooling shed according to the height and dimensions of the courtyard, which would remain until the end of summer before being dismantled. The canopies of the royal residence were different from those in the common folk; the latter were tongue-like, extending out to block the wind and shade from the sun, while the royal canopies were designed to match the shape of the building, covered with ramie fabric all around, with an opening in the front. Every household would start looking for a carpenter in May to build a cooling shed according to the height and dimensions of the courtyard, which would remain until the end of summer before being dismantled. The canopies of the royal residence were different from those in the common folk; the latter were tongue-like, extending out to block the wind and shade from the sun, while the royal canopies were designed to match the shape of the building, covered with ramie fabric all around, with an opening in the front, which could be lifted for people to enter and exit. When not in use, it would be secured tightly, preventing even half a mosquito or fly from getting in.

After passing through a corridor gate, Guan Zhaojing was waiting on the other side. She entered and stretched her waist. The eunuch Guan pointed forward, "The prince is in the Yangxian Study. I may have mentioned something to the prince, but I am not clear about the reasons behind your presence. You must respond on your own. Remember, answer only what is asked, do not speak out of turn, and do not deceive. The rules in the prince's residence are strict; do not let your senior brother down and then end up harming yourself."

One fact, two ways of stating it; this is certainly much better than saying, "We stole the dog of Lord Qi." She pondered and felt that her explanation was quite satisfactory, but a single remark from the prince left her speechless: "Return the dog and everything will be settled; there are no unresolved issues that need to come to me."

The prince has made his stance clear, and this is effectively an order to dismiss guests. Guan Zhaojing gave him a glance, signaling that he could kneel and take his leave, but to his surprise, the man remained dazed, his eyes fixed and unblinking, seemingly unaware of what he intended to do.

Ding Yi asked hesitantly, "How did the prince react to your words? What was the expression on his face?"

Prince Chun appeared calm and composed, asking, "What? Have you eaten?"

She must not ignore him, for she knows this is her last chance. If she misses it, she will be driven out of the royal residence, and it will be impossible for her to return. Therefore, she must muster the courage to plead, as Prince Chun is well-known for his kindness. A good-hearted person is soft-hearted; if she can persuade him, her life will be saved. With tears and snot, she babbled: "I have no father or mother. When I was young, I sought refuge under my master, who, along with my senior brother, raised me. Now my senior brother is in trouble, and I cannot save him; it would be difficult to explain to my master later. The prince is a great benefactor, known throughout the city of Sijiu. Please, have mercy and intercede for me. I will serve you diligently. As a peasant, I have no land to offer, so I can only offer my life in service. Although I may seem insignificant, I can protect my master in times of danger. I beg the prince to have pity on me and save my senior brother!"

The person feeding the fish put the fish food back into the box, raised their eyes, and said, "Let's get started!"

This is the second time I have heard him speak; without seeing the person, I can only hear the voice, which is somewhat indescribable. It is as if my fingertips are resting on the strings of a piano, plucking and strumming, producing a resonant sound that pierces the air and can cleanse the heart and mind

This prince is rare in the world, sharing the same surname of Yuwen, yet there is such a significant difference between the good and the bad. It is only appropriate to bow down repeatedly. "Your Highness, what can I say about your kind heart! I will remember your words and will certainly abide by the law and serve the public, never causing any trouble for Your Highness"

After all, it is the nest of a phoenix, and walking in the garden makes her feel tense all over. The deeper she goes, the more fearful she becomes. She is at a loss for words and does not know how to persuade the prince. Meanwhile, Xia Zhi is waiting for someone to rescue her, truly caught in a dilemma with no way out.

Before making a decision, she had prepared herself for rejection, but when reality hit her like a hammer, she found that crying was her only option. What could she do? She couldn't think of a solution. It is said that cats have their own ways, and dogs have theirs. In their line of work, they were not fortunate enough to befriend the powerful and influential. Nowadays, which noble in the capital is easy to deal with? The only card left was Prince Chun, but he was unwilling to help. She vaguely sensed that things were not looking good; this time, her life might be in jeopardy.

The implication is still to take into account the ears of the prince, and it is advisable for Ding Yi to be aware of this. Bowing slightly, he said, "I have noted everything down, thank you, Chief Steward, for your guidance"

Prince Chun showed concern, stating that there was no need to wait until tomorrow to act, as it was already getting late. It would be better to have Guan Zhaojing bring a cloak to change into. Ding Yi should stand solemnly by the side, while Chi Dengdao remarked: "It seems that the situation is settled; I wonder if His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince has gone to bed..."

"That is not the case." Ding Yi said nervously, twisting his fingers, "My senior brother, in a moment of carelessness, wanted it to help catch a badger, so he made a few adjustments... He trimmed a bit off the tips of its ears and chopped off three inches of its tail. That dog has now become a badger dog. If Prince Seven could take it... catching badgers would indeed be quite good.

Ding Yi arrived at the front, where a eunuch responsible for the curtains allowed her to pass. She was preoccupied with thoughts of Xia Zhi and had no time to marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship of the canopy above. Beneath the canopy hung two glass lanterns, their brilliant light illuminating the figure in front of the blue-and-white porcelain fish tank. Unlike the last time when he wore official robes with an imposing presence, he was now dressed in a sky-blue robe, with a jade belt cinching his waist. Standing there, he had a slender silhouette, and his profile resembled that of jade.

"My master is not at home, and I have no one to turn to for help." She sobbed uncontrollably, realizing that clinging to the prince was a great disrespect. Releasing her grip, she knelt down and looked up at him, saying, "If you refuse to help, my senior brother's life will come to an end. He is only twenty and does not understand much. I beg you, Your Highness, grant him a chance to live. As long as you extend your hand, I will repay you by working like a servant in the future..."

Hong Ce was not particularly concerned about empty formalities, nor did he lack people to bow to him. Having made his point, he intended to return to his study. However, just as he turned around, the corner of his garment was tugged. Looking back, he saw the young boy gazing at him with a face full of earnestness, his large eyes brimming with tears. Previously, he had been focused on observing the boy's lip movements, and only now did he realize that this child was not like others. Perhaps due to his youth, he possessed a kind of beauty that straddled the line between boy and girl, making it difficult to distinguish between the two at a glance. Throughout his life, very few dared to cry openly in front of him, not for any other reason but due to decorum and propriety. Of course, he had seen palace maids weeping behind their hands or soldiers in the army wailing loudly, but none were like this. The boy's large, misty eyes, red-tipped nose, and pouting lips made him appear exceedingly pitiful. Of course, he had seen palace maids weeping behind their hands or soldiers in the army wailing loudly, but none were like this. The boy's large, misty eyes, red-tipped nose, and pouting lips made him appear exceedingly pitiful.

In today's world, even among brothers, there are those who secretly undermine each other. It is indeed moving to see fellow disciples reach such a level. Hong Ce nodded, "What the one who risks his life for the master said is quite right. I will not hide it; saving someone is not a difficult task, but the reasons behind it are chilling to speak of, and that is why I asked you to return. Now that you have spoken to this extent, I can hear your determination. In light of your sincerity, it is not impossible for me to help plead on your behalf, but there is one condition: this is a one-time exception, and it will not happen again. I do not want your life; return and continue to perform your duties well, keep a close watch on your senior brother, and do not create any more trouble."

Ding Yi was entering the royal residence for the first time, and her childhood memories could not compare to the grandeur here. The Censor oversaw the etiquette and architectural standards in various places; constructing a residence had to adhere to rank. For instance, the color of the decorative paintings on the beams and eaves, as well as the size of the roof beasts, all had strict standards. At that time, her father held a second-rank official position, and their residence could only use gray tiles, unlike here, where the main hall's entrance was covered with green glazed tiles. Therefore, the value of a place is indeed reflected in its tiles.

Guan Zhaojing glanced at her, contemplating their master, who was always a person of deep waters, unlike the Seventh Master, who stirred up waves with the slightest breeze. He murmured, "If you are unwilling, is there any need to summon you inside? Listen carefully, there are a few points regarding the prince that require special attention. When speaking directly to him, do not lower your head; if you do, he will not be able to see you. Speak slowly; if you just babble on like stirring beans in a pot, and only you understand, that is of no use."

He took two steps with his hands behind his back, "It is only natural for others to hold me accountable for not being able to control my hands. It is of no use to come to my Wangfu; it would be better to go to the Seventh Prince and bow to him a few more times. Once he calms down, the matter will be resolved."