Chapter 127: Extra Story 03

"What do you mean?" Jiang Yuan was very concerned about the Eldest Princess's thoughts.

Qi Daiyu thought for a moment and recounted something in a low voice.

Jiang Yuan: "Is that true?"

If so, then the Eldest Princess did have some feelings for Jiang Huai.

"Your Majesty should just know this in your heart. Please don't mention it in front of the Eldest Princess, or she'll be upset with me." If it weren't for the need to reassure the emperor, Qi Daiyu wouldn't have told him.

"Naturally, I understand." Jiang Yuan snorted, "She is indeed close to you."

Qi Daiyu raised her eyebrows proudly. It wasn't a boast, but all the princes and princesses in the palace liked her, especially the princesses, who were willing to share their secrets and worries with her.

"Eunuch Quan said Your Majesty summoned me because you had something to discuss. What is it?"

Mentioning this, Jiang Yuan handed her the top memorial on his desk, gesturing for her to read it.

Since he could show it to her, it certainly wasn't a confidential state document. Qi Daiyu opened it quietly but was startled.

The memorial was about tax revenues from the Jiang and Huai regions, and the person who wrote it was none other than her father, Qi Caishang.

Qi Daiyu didn't dare to read it in detail. "Your Majesty?"

Jiang Yuan: "This year's harvest in the Jiang and Huai regions is exceptionally good. Minister Qi's memorial also says the local people live in peace and contentment. I was thinking that since my accession, I have never embarked on an imperial tour. Perhaps this year we could travel to Jiang and Huai to see for ourselves if the people's lives are truly as good as described in this memorial."

An imperial tour!

Qi Daiyu's eyes lit up. If the emperor goes on a tour, he must bring consorts, right? Then she would have a chance to go along!

Having transmigrated into this world for so many years, she finally had a chance to leave the capital! And to go to the prosperous Jiangnan region!

Suppressing her inner excitement, she asked, "Has Your Majesty decided on the date for the journey, and what do you need me to do?"

After years of companionship, how could Qi Daiyu's emotions escape Jiang Yuan's notice? He smiled meaningfully, "Tentatively set for August. We'll travel down the Grand Canal, passing through Jizhou, Guanghai, Sunan, Jiangning, and Huaizhou."

And by boat! Qi Daiyu could barely suppress the smile at the corner of her mouth!

"With Elder Tang overseeing court affairs, there should be no worries. I plan to bring all the princes and princesses as well, so they can see the mountains and rivers of our Zhao Kingdom and experience the lives of the common people. As for the consorts, you will be in charge of the arrangements. However, the rear palace cannot be left unattended. You currently hold the highest rank..." Jiang Yuan deliberately dragged out his sentence.

The next moment, he saw Qi Daiyu's beautiful eyes widen in alarm.

Jiang Yuan chuckled, "I will have Nanny Lian oversee the rear palace." Nanny Lian was the emperor's former wet nurse, a highly experienced and respected nanny in the palace.

With her watching over things, nothing would go wrong in the palace.

"Your Majesty was deliberately teasing me!"

Jiang Yuan absolutely was, and he burst into hearty laughter.

Meanwhile, after leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Eldest Princess intended to go horseback riding at the South Garden riding grounds but encountered Jiang Huai.

The young man was dressed in blue robes, his posture tall and straight, his gaze clear and bright.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Eldest Princess." Jiang Huai bowed with his hands clasped.

The Eldest Princess walked slowly closer. "Didn't I tell you to return home? Why are you still in the palace?"

Although she was the one who struck Feng Yucheng, the incident ultimately stemmed from Jiang Huai. The Eldest Princess, worried the emperor might blame Jiang Huai, had told him to leave the palace first.

Who knew he hadn't left, and by the looks of it, had been waiting here for quite some time.

Jiang Huai smiled gently, "Your Highness stood up for me. It is only right that I express my gratitude."

The Eldest Princess pursed her lips, "I wasn't standing up for you. I just couldn't stand Feng Yucheng's arrogant manner."

Jiang Huai fell silent for a moment. "My apologies for misspeaking."

His response annoyed the Eldest Princess instead. "Jiang Huai, are you a blockhead? That there are still girls who like you like this... they must be blind."

She was referring to an incident during the Lantern Festival in the first month.

During the Lantern Festival, the capital traditionally held lantern fairs and temple festivities. The Eldest Princess, craving excitement, had left the palace.

Finding it boring to wander the fair alone, she thought of looking for Jiang Huai, but unexpectedly saw him walking with a young woman.

The Eldest Princess later found out that the young woman was from the Xue family in the capital and had a rather good reputation.

Jiang Huai explained helplessly, "Your Highness, I explained before. That night the streets were crowded, and it was dark. Miss Xue had become separated from her maid. Being alone was unsafe, so I merely escorted her back to the Xue residence." Moreover, knowing the Eldest Princess was leaving the palace, he had thought of the delicious yuanxiao (sweet dumplings) from a shop called Li's near the Xue residence, planning to bring some for her to try.

The Eldest Princess muttered, "What a coincidence that she got separated from her maid and just happened to run into you..."

Her voice was too soft. Jiang Huai didn't catch it. "Pardon?"

"Nothing." The Eldest Princess's mood unexpectedly improved. Noticing the food box in Jiang Huai's hand, she asked, "What's that you're holding?"

Jiang Huai lifted the food box. "Roast chicken from Wang's at the foot of Zhuqing Mountain."

"The one at the foot of Zhuqing Mountain?" Zhuqing Mountain was twenty li from the capital, a trip of several hours there and back.

Jiang Huai: "Yes." He had set out at Yin hour (3-5 am) this morning, arrived at Zhuqing Mountain by Chen hour (7-9 am), bought the first roast chicken of the day, and hurried back, even taking leave from his duties in the morning for this.

"You mentioned wanting to eat it a couple of days ago? This food box is specially made; the chicken is still warm."

When did she say she wanted to eat it?

The Eldest Princess was about to ask when she suddenly remembered she had indeed said something like that a few days ago, only...

"It was my Third Sister who wanted to eat roast chicken. She asked me to send someone out of the palace to buy one for her." The Eldest Princess laughed.

One year, she had taken the Second and Third Princesses fishing at a manor near Zhuqing Mountain. They had tried Wang's roast chicken at the foot of the mountain, and ever since, Si Yu had been unable to forget it. She had been mentioning it again a few days ago. As the eldest sister with a palace exit token, Si Yu had asked her for the favor.

Jiang Huai: "..." He looked at the food box in his hand. "I misunderstood."

Seeing a hint of disappointment between his brows, the Eldest Princess snatched the food box. "She's had an upset stomach these past few days and can't eat greasy food. I'll accept it on her behalf. Perfect timing, I feel like having some too!"

Jiang Huai's eyes brightened again, filled with a smiling light.

The Eldest Princess felt uncomfortable under his gaze. "Let's go over there!"

They found a pavilion to sit in. Naturally, someone brought bowls and chopsticks.

Zhu Yi helped dismantle the roast chicken, then withdrew with the others, leaving the two space to talk.

The Eldest Princess took a bite. It was the same flavor as before. It tasted delicious at first, but gradually she began to feel something was off.

She put down her chopsticks, her face slightly flushed. "Why do you keep staring at me?"

Jiang Huai's eyes held a smile. "Your Highness enjoys it so much."

"They say 'beauty is a feast for the eyes.' Do you find me more appealing, or this roast chicken?" Before Jiang Huai could answer, the Eldest Princess felt she had asked a silly question and her face grew even redder. "Never mind, don't answer that."

But Jiang Huai answered seriously, "Your Highness is very beautiful." Surpassing all things in this world.

The Eldest Princess stared at him, stunned. After a long while, she said softly, "Jiang Huai, Father is going to select a consort for me."

Jiang Huai's breathing instantly grew rapid. Under the stone table, his fists clenched tightly, yet his gaze dimmed. Given the Jiang family's current status and his own background, he was unworthy of the Yong'an Princess.

Jiang Huai forced a smile. "The candidate His Majesty selects for the princess will surely be the finest talent in the world."

The Eldest Princess said, "My late mother once told me that I am the most unfettered person in this world. My future husband need not be chosen for his family lineage, his abilities, or his appearance, but solely according to my own heart's desire."

Jiang Huai's heart leapt into his throat.

However, the Eldest Princess's words suddenly took a turn. "Jiang Huai, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Jiang Huai did not hesitate. "Your Highness is both the most exquisite peony in the world and a female eagle soaring across the vast sky." As dazzling as the sun and moon, yet as free as the gentle breeze—that was why he couldn't help but follow her with his eyes, and also why he felt unworthy in comparison.

The Eldest Princess extended her hand. Her fair skin was not delicate; her palms, the space between her thumb and forefinger, and her fingertips were all calloused. Some calluses came from practicing the zither, some from drawing the bow, and others from wielding a spear.

Looking at those hands, Jiang Huai's eyes held heartache, admiration, appreciation, and pride.

As the Crown Prince's study companion, he had many opportunities to see the Eldest Princess and naturally knew how diligently she pursued the things she loved.

The Eldest Princess declared, "Next year, I will ask my royal father to send me to the Red Tassel Guard. I will spare no effort to become a general of the Red Tassel Guard."

"Jiang Huai, five years. If after five years, my feelings remain unchanged, and your feelings remain unchanged, I will choose you to be my consort."

The Eldest Princess waited for Jiang Huai's reaction.

She saw clear delight and excitement flash across his face, but then he fell into deep thought.

The Eldest Princess suddenly felt anxious. Could it be that Jiang Huai was unwilling to wait even five years? That would truly disappoint her...

Noticing her change in expression, Jiang Huai hurriedly explained, "I was just thinking... the Red Tassel Guard is near the Tiger Warrior Camp. But the recruitment period has already passed. I need to figure out who to approach to get into the Tiger Warrior Camp..."

"You're going to the Tiger Warrior Camp?" The Eldest Princess raised an eyebrow. Jiang Huai was a scholar. Although he had studied martial arts for several years, his skills were average—he wasn't even a match for her.

Jiang Huai nodded. "I naturally want to be closer to you."

His gaze was so intense that the Eldest Princess felt her face begin to burn.

She stood up and walked towards the edge of the pavilion. "Feel like going for a gallop?"

Jiang Huai replied, "Yes!"

Zhu Yi watched the golden couple from afar, covering her mouth to hide a smile.

Then, a touch of worry crept in. If the Eldest Princess truly joined the Red Tassel Guard, she would have to endure many hardships. Later, she must go to the Palace of Eternal Spring to beg Consort Hui to prepare more hand salves and sun-protecting ointments.

Hmm, it was best to start preparing right away!