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One day, Ji Xun sent someone to deliver an invitation, inviting Gongzi Qiulan to drink and celebrate.
At his residence, since Qing had already agreed, she had to go. She invited San Chun to join her, but San Chun was reluctant to move.
Qing smiled and said, "Don't you want to see Ji Xun?"
San Chun shook her head, "It's not him; I just don't want to see any man for the time being."
"Does that include me?"
"Not you."
Qing sighed lightly, "Then I really don't know whether I should feel lucky or annoyed." Lucky because she wanted to see him, but unfortunately, he didn't regard her as a woman.
San Chun smiled slightly; in her heart, he would always be the most special one, different from all other men.
Qing didn't press further and dressed neatly for the banquet. Before leaving, she confidently told San Chun that she would definitely teach Ji Xun a lesson.
She smiled but didn't take it seriously. What could he do? Could he really beat up Ji Xun to vent her frustrations?
She initially thought that avoiding everyone would allow her to live a few peaceful days. However, the master always disapproved of people being too comfortable and would seek out troubles to stir things up.
Three days later, Zhao Wang suddenly received a letter from the State of Yan. Yan Wang wanted to request a woman from Zhao Wang, and this woman was named San Chun.
Zhao Wang found himself in a difficult position. Chengyang Jun had asked him to take good care of San Chun when he left, so naturally, he couldn't make a decision lightly. But if he refused, it would offend Yan Wang. Although this Yan Wang was young, he was as ruthless as Zhong Xue. If he didn't comply, how could he explain himself to Yan Wang?
In his hesitation, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly; he truly was getting old. In the past, he wouldn't have been so cautious. It seemed it was time to establish the crown prince's position.
Because he had too many sons, he had been hesitating for years about whom to choose. However, the more he hesitated, the greater the disputes among the young masters became, and it had now escalated to the point of mutual slaughter. He had always favored his son Ji Xun, who possessed a kingly demeanor, was benevolent and charitable, and had a sense of responsibility. A few years ago, he sent him away for his safety, but now that he had returned, why not give him this position?
After much deliberation, he sent someone to summon Young Master Ji Xun to the palace.
After performing a grand salute, Ji Xun handed over the letter from Yan Wang. "This is a letter personally written by Yan Wang. What does my son think?"
Ji Xun took it and examined it carefully before smiling. "Does Father know who San Chun is?"
"Who is she?"
"She is the woman whom King Yan once sought in marriage, and also the daughter of Senior Official Ju Rong from the State of Yan."
Zhao Wang was astonished. "I thought this woman was from Wei Kingdom; I didn't expect her to be Yan Ren."
Ji Xun chuckled lightly. "Indeed." He then asked, "What does Father think about this?"
"I wish to send this woman back but fear offending Chengyang Jun. Can my son resolve this urgent matter?"
"There is only one way to solve it."
"What way?"
"To find a marriage match for Spring Princess."
Zhao Wang was surprised. "Which one does my son think is suitable?"
"I."
This surprised Zhao Wang; his son had always been aloof and never cared for any woman. In the past, when rumors circulated about him and Prince Dan of Yan being too close, it worried Zhao Wang that there might be something wrong with him. He had arranged multiple marriages for him, but his son had always refused. Now, he was actually interested in a woman he had just met?
"Why does my son fancy this girl?"
Ji Xun knelt and bowed, "To be honest, I have long been in love with Spring Princess. She traveled all the way from Yan to find me."
If San Chun was Chengyang Jun's sworn sister, then Ji Xun inheriting Zhao Kingdom would surely receive help from Chengyang Jun, which was much better than marrying a princess from another country. Zhao Wang pondered for a long time, "This matter is not impossible."
Ji Xun was overjoyed, "Does this mean you agree, Father?"
"This still needs to be reported to your Mother. As for how to respond to Yan Wang, that will also be a hassle."
"I will find a way to handle Yan Wang's matter. As for Mother, I hope you can persuade her."
Ji Xun repeatedly bowed in gratitude, his face showing uncontainable joy.
Seeing him so happy, Zhao Wang felt a great sense of delight as well. He never expected that this decision would bring such great danger to his son. But that was a matter for later.
Having received his father's approval, Ji Xun excitedly ran to find San Chun, eager to share the good news with her at once. As long as she agreed to be with him, the issue with Yan Qi would be easy to resolve.
His younger brother had always listened to her; as long as she told him not to act recklessly, he would definitely stop pursuing it further. The main issue now was how to propose to the woman he loved.
He returned home in high spirits, a smile lingering on his lips that could be seen from three miles away.
Ying saw the young master so happy that she couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, do you have good news?"
"Yes, I am getting married."
Ying exclaimed, "Are you finally going to marry Sister Zhong Ling?"
Ji Xun threw his outer garment to her and laughed, "It's not Zhong Ling; it's Spring Princess. My father has already agreed."
Ying was taken aback. If the young master were to marry Zhong Ling, she would still have a chance. But if it were San Chun, then she truly had no hope left. San Chun hated her and would definitely not allow her to get close to the young master.
What should she do? What can she do? She was so lost in thought that Ji Xun called her twice without her noticing.
Ji Xun, seeing that she didn't respond, changed his clothes himself and said, "I won't be back for dinner today; tell the kitchen not to prepare anything."
Ying gasped and came back to her senses, hurriedly asking, "Where are you going, Young Master?"
Ji Xun didn't answer and just casually acknowledged her. Recently, Ying had been increasingly meddling in his personal affairs, which made him uncomfortable.
After he left, Ying paced back and forth in the room, feeling an overwhelming sense of panic. Once San Chun entered the door, she felt like she had lost everything. No, she couldn't just sit and wait...
She changed her clothes and went out; she needed to see Zhong Ling because only this Noble Lady could persuade Empress Dowager Hua to change her mind.
If she wanted to marry the young master, she had to see if her maid would agree. As long as she was in the residence, that woman would never be allowed inside.
Since San Chun entered the palace, she hadn't seen Princess Ying much. Princess Ying had been busy with embroidery and learning to make various dishes and pastries, seemingly determined to transform herself into a perfect wife. After days of tasting and sampling, her body had noticeably become rounder than before.
San Chun had mentioned to her twice that she should lose weight, but Princess Ying didn't seem to care much. She believed that being plump was a blessing, especially since the Queen had told her that being able to eat was the greatest fortune.
Though unsure of Zhao Empress's mindset behind those words, San Chun couldn't agree. No matter how good her culinary skills were, it would be hard to become the perfect wife in a man's eyes with such a figure. This world was like that; men valued women's appearances more than their inner qualities. If she were as ugly as the Unsalted Consort of Qi State, Zhong Xue might not even like her, and as for Ji Xun, he probably wouldn't want to kiss someone who looked like a monster.
After dinner, Princess Ying wanted to take her somewhere, and San Chun was quite willing. Feeling down lately and reluctant to move around, she hadn't properly explored Zhao Palace yet.
The night was beautiful as they walked along the path in the imperial garden, flanked by tall phoenix trees on either side. Breathing in the increasingly rich floral scent, they stepped into the tranquil woods, feeling as if they were floating on distant clouds, almost transforming into trees themselves, breathing alongside the surrounding foliage. Those miscellaneous worries seemed to drift away with the gentle breeze and fragrant flowers.
San Chun took a deep breath and smiled, "I didn't expect there would be such a nice place in Zhao Palace."
Princess Ying smiled mysteriously, "There's an even better place; do you want to go?"
"Where is it?"
"You'll know when you get there." She winked playfully at San Chun, reminiscent of a child.
They walked to the end of the path where a vast lake appeared before them. In the night, the lake looked deep and serene, its surface still without a hint of movement.
At some point, mist began to rise over the lake, enveloping it in a thin veil that pressed down on the quiet waters, making it seem quite mysterious.
Suddenly, bright spots appeared in front of them, moving slowly. At first indistinct, they became clearer as they approached—a boat gliding silently across the dark waters with two red lanterns lit. It moved at a leisurely pace; without those red lights, no one would have noticed it.
Gradually picking up speed, it quietly drew closer into her line of sight. The surroundings were silent; Princess Ying seemed to have disappeared somewhere, leaving San Chun alone to enjoy the night view.
She felt a sense of inexplicable confusion and was about to leave when suddenly, a melodious sound of a piano echoed from the ship. The music floated gently, accompanied by the hazy night and the cool night breeze, as if nothing mattered and everything could be set aside. Taking a light breath, she seemed to catch a faint scent of flowers, distant and subtle, yet refreshing.
This was Ji Xun's piano; no matter when or where, it always made one feel at ease and quite comfortable.
The sound of the piano flowed like spring water through the mountains, and then under the glow of red lanterns, she saw Ji Xun...
He stood at the bow of the ship, surrounded by many white Lily of the Valley, so pure and so beautiful. Against the backdrop of the flowers, his figure appeared noble and elegant, dressed in a pristine white robe that seemed untouched by dust, making his skin look even more porcelain-like. His hair was tied up high, smooth like satin, with a few strands brushing against his flawless forehead, adding an air of decadent beauty to him. His robe was slightly open at the collar, without a belt, revealing a glimpse of his snow-white chest...
She remembered how much she liked his unkempt appearance back then, especially when his robe was open just enough to show a hint of collarbone and his delicate chest; it made her feel as if he were a celestial being who had fallen to earth, making her want to tease him playfully.
At that time, he would smile faintly and lightly cover his collar, as if afraid she might come over and tug at it.
But today, within the palace, he stood before a woman dressed so lightly; this scene was hard to believe no matter how one looked at it. Especially since this person was Ji Xun, the Ji Xun who strictly adhered to etiquette and was always cautious.
When the music stopped, he stepped down from the ship and smiled gently at her. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
There was happiness indeed, but more than that was shock; she seriously doubted whether he had a fever that made him act so out of character.
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