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墨書 Inktalez
Summer has arrived, and the Imperial Garden is filled with blooming flowers, competing in beauty. Yun Kexin, dressed in a Peach Blossom Embroidered Tassel Palace Skirt, stands gracefully among the blossoms, her beauty rivaling that of the flowers.
“Commander, you all wait here,” the Crown Prince said, his gaze fixed on Yun Kexin's cheek, which resembled a peach blossom. “I would like to take a walk alone with Seventh Sister in the Imperial Garden.”
“Yes.” Feng Yinxiao glanced at Yun Kexin, her feelings complex as she softly replied.
Yun Kexin quickly exchanged glances with Feng Yinxiao, then followed after Qin Ke, who had already started walking.
The two strolled through the Imperial Garden, enjoying the flowers under the gentle breeze and warm sun, stopping by the lakeshore.
“Crown Prince, you seem to be in a good mood,” Yun Kexin said with a smile. “That’s wonderful.”
Qin Ke smiled noncommittally, turning to look at the shimmering lake, and said softly, “It’s hard for me to feel bad because there will be more people bothering you.”
Yun Kexin chuckled lightly. “Crown Prince, you smiled.”
“No, I did not smile,” Qin Ke turned back to look at Yun Kexin, letting out a light sigh. “It’s just that being in the palace comes with many helplessness. Bearing the title of Crown Prince makes it even harder for me to express my struggles.” He paused and suddenly asked, “Yun Kexin, will Zhen'er blame me?”
Yun Kexin’s smile faded as she asked with concern, “Crown Prince, are you still troubled about Zhen'er?”
“She drank poison in front of the Civil and Military Officials, and I…” Qin Ke pressed his lips together, as if trying to suppress his anger. His face turned pale, and his expression became cold. “I watched her die before my eyes and didn’t even dare to send her off for the last time,” he choked on his words, pain etched on his face. “Because I was worried that those old officials wouldn’t even leave Zhen'er’s complete body…”
“Crown Prince, this is not your fault,” Yun Kexin couldn’t help but step in front of Qin Ke, gently comforting him. “Even if you are still a Crown Prince now, even as a king there are many constraints… Some tragedies cannot be prevented by one person alone. So you must let go a little and forgive yourself.”
“I have dreamt more than once of Zhen'er's final moments,” Qin Ke seemed not to hear Yun Kexin’s words, his gaze drifting across the lake to the opposite shore, his eyes filled with unspoken melancholy. “I dreamt of her drinking the poison and collapsing; her gaze fixed on me at that moment—I can’t forget it… Zhen'er, she must hate me; she must hate me…”
“Why are you so sure that Zhen'er hates you?” Seeing Qin Ke becoming increasingly agitated, Yun Kexin felt that comforting him might not be effective at this moment; it would be better to talk about what was on his mind.
"Of course," the Crown Prince's bright eyes instantly dimmed, "Zhen'er often expressed that the gap in our identities made it impossible for us to be together. However, my stubbornness and unwillingness to let go ultimately led to her withering away in her prime. Yun Kexin, how could she not hate me?"
"Why not think of it from a positive perspective?" Yun Kexin blinked her wing-like eyelashes. "Before closing her eyes, Zhen'er looked at the Crown Prince; perhaps she was conveying another meaning—she had no regrets."
Qin Ke forced a smile. "I hope everything is as you say."
"Crown Prince, I believe Zhen'er was a wise woman and must have been mentally prepared for today's outcome. That’s why she died so calmly and composedly. I believe her only regret was not being able to voice it herself—no regrets in this life."
"Thank you for patiently listening to me," Qin Ke felt his impression of Yun Kexin deepen due to her gentleness and understanding. His pale face gradually showed some color. "Could you listen to a few more of my 'ramblings'?"
"I came here to be a listener," Yun Kexin said with a charming smile. "Crown Prince, I know there are many unresolved issues in your heart. If you don’t express them, it will only weigh you down."
"Let's go ahead." The Crown Prince walked forward while gesturing for her to follow, and Yun Kexin trailed behind.
The two walked along the lakeside, where the water reflected the lush greenery on both sides. The faint fragrance of leaves mingled with the lake's surface, refreshing and soothing.
"You, along with everyone in the royal family, must think that my desire to settle down stems from Zhen'er's death," Qin Ke walked shoulder to shoulder with Yun Kexin. At this moment, his emotions had calmed down, and his tone was no longer so harsh. "In fact, who can understand what it feels like to be the Crown Prince yet unable to protect your own woman... What pains me even more is that such things are likely to happen repeatedly in the future; countless Zhen'ers may perish while I remain powerless." He turned back, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yun Kexin. "A Crown Prince like this is nothing but a puppet; I don't want that!"
"Crown Prince!" Yun Kexin exclaimed in shock, her expression serious. "Some words should remain in your heart forever; please do not speak them carelessly. In the depths of the palace, you must remember that 'disaster comes from the mouth'!"
Qin Ke was momentarily taken aback by Yun Kexin's sudden wide-eyed warning and realized he had nearly crossed a line. After a pause, he softened his gaze and said, "Yun Kexin, you asked me to express my frustrations; otherwise, I would feel stifled. What I just said was precisely the knot that has entangled my heart for so long..."
"I understand," Yun Kexin glanced around subtly before speaking softly with a clear expression. "However, some frustrations must be swallowed down like bitter herbs. Crown Prince, do you understand?"
Qin Ke nodded with a faint smile and stretched his limbs. "Let’s not dwell on those matters anymore; let’s talk about something happy. Yun Kexin, tell me about your childhood stories, okay?"
Yun Kexin was initially taken aback but then smiled as she recounted the tale of pushing her half-sister into the pond using Spring and Autumn's style—
"What? You really pushed your half-sister into the pond?" Qin Ke laughed heartily for once, tilting his head back in amusement. "You were only three years old then; did you really have that much strength? You must have played some kind of 'trick,' right?"
Yun Kexin smiled apologetically and said, "Yes, I played a little trick. Who told Elder Sister Five to always bully people..." She was unwilling to reveal the true grievances and instead treated the matter as a joke to entertain the Crown Prince.
Qin Ke was amused by her playful and cute expression, momentarily at a loss for words.
"What about you, Crown Prince?" Yun Kexin asked without hesitation, continuing the conversation.
"Me?" The Crown Prince was taken aback; no one had ever asked him like that, not even Zhen'er. He pondered for a moment and said, "You know, life in the palace is very dull. Plus, as the Crown Prince, my father and mother have much stricter expectations of me compared to my other brothers." After saying a few words, he looked up and self-deprecatingly added, "It wasn't until I met Lord Tong that I started to study seriously."
Yun Kexin took a deep breath, seemingly lost in memories of better times, her eyes shimmering with light.
"Lord Tong is a great teacher..." She paused for a moment, suddenly recalling something and curiously asked, "Crown Prince, were you like this as a child? Why didn't you play with your strengths in horseback riding and cuju? I've heard that among all the princes of the Emperor, your skills in horseback riding and cuju are the best. You are also proficient in music and play the zither beautifully. Most of the lovely pieces performed at grand celebrations in the Palace were completed under your guidance..."
"How does Yun Kexin know these things?" Qin Ke felt a stir in his heart, his bright eyes shining with curiosity.
"The Crown Prince forgot that my father serves in court. I often hear him speak highly of your literary and martial talents—" Yun Kexin replied innocently and frankly, "You are our Great Harmony's Blessing."
Qin Ke felt his face flush from her praise as he lowered his gaze, the words "a kindred spirit is hard to find" echoing in his mind.
He suddenly realized that the gloom that had long been hanging over him had dissipated with their deep conversations. In an instant, what once seemed like an endless darkness was now bright.
"I never expected Lord Yun would think so highly of Yun Kexin," Qin Ke's fondness for Yun Yang deepened. "It must have been difficult for him; I know he has always been principled and does not flatter those in power."
Yun Kexin nodded in agreement: "Yes, my father either doesn't say anything or speaks the truth."
Then they talked about many topics—literature, geography, and their friendship—discussing everything under the sun. Afterward, the Crown Prince frequently invited Yun Kexin to the palace for gatherings or meetings. Sometimes Qin Ke even personally left the palace to find her, sending word that he was waiting somewhere. Their frequent interactions not only worried Feng Yinxiao but also caught the attention of the Empress Dowager.
One day, Crown Prince Qin Ke and Yun Kexin were walking near the Imperial Garden without anyone around them. This time they did not dismiss Feng Yinxiao or some palace maids and eunuchs but only kept them at a distance.
"What is that woman's name?" In a nearby pavilion sat the Empress Dowager along with several palace maids; she asked while looking in Qin Ke's direction.
"Return, Empress Dowager, she is the Seventh Sister of the Duke of E State Mansion," a palace maid said while fanning the Empress Dowager to cool her down.
"Seventh Sister? Is she the one who took Ke'er ten days ago?" The Empress Dowager, with her white hair and youthful face, brightened her eyes and nodded repeatedly, saying, "She is truly delicate and lovely."
"Empress Dowager has a good eye," a eunuch beside her seized the opportunity to flatter, "This Seventh Sister is the beloved daughter of the current Deputy Minister of Justice, Lord Yun. She is intelligent and well-educated."
"Mm, sounds good," the Empress Dowager said, her eyes fixed on the girl, nodding continuously but speaking cautiously, "However, I need to consult with the Crown Prince before making a decision..."
"Empress Dowager, your wisdom is evident." The eunuch bowed respectfully and stepped aside.
On the way back from the Palace to the Duke's Residence, Feng Yinxiao couldn't help but sound the alarm to Yun Kexin—
"Yun Kexin, don't you think you've been interacting with the Crown Prince a bit too frequently lately?"
"I do think so," Yun Kexin admitted generously with a nod, "But please rest assured, Young Lord, I have no other intentions towards the Crown Prince."
"Yun Kexin, I certainly believe you," Feng Yinxiao said, though he watched helplessly as the Crown Prince grew closer to the person he admired. His heart was in turmoil; however, what worried him more was her situation. "But you are currently in the Palace, and he is the Crown Prince. There are so many eyes watching you both."
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