pdf-ebookys Chapter 1429 His Royal Highness Prince Jin seems to be a better choice
Chapter 1429 His Royal Highness Prince Jin seems to be a better choice
Some people gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing in low voices.
Some people, feeling drunk, would take advantage of the break to leave the table and stroll to the corridor by the water, or to the rockery to refresh themselves in the breeze.
The Prince of Jin also left his seat and walked slowly along a small bluestone path. The lotus breeze caressed his face, slightly dispelling the oppressive heat and the smell of alcohol from the banquet.
He stared intently at a lotus in the pond, but when he turned around, he bumped into a figure at the corner.
"oops!"
Accompanied by a low cry, a palace maid in light blue palace dress staggered, and the vermilion lacquer food box in her hand fell down with a "clang" sound.
The lid of the box was opened, and the ice cubes inside, which were emitting a hint of cold air, rolled all over the floor.
This palace maid had come here just to find an excuse, and was thinking in her mind whether she could "accidentally" meet Bing Qiao of the Holy Emperor.
She never expected that instead of meeting the emperor, she would run into King Jin first.
Bing Qiao was so frightened that her soul was about to be shattered. She didn't care about the mess on the ground and knelt down hurriedly, trembling, "This servant deserves death! This servant has offended the prince. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"
She lowered her head and looked at the pair of ink-colored boots embroidered with cloud patterns in front of her, her heart almost jumping out of her throat.
King Jin lowered his eyes and looked at Bing Qiao who was kneeling on the ground and shivering. He glanced at the scattered ice cubes, frowned for a moment, and then returned to his usual gentle demeanor.
He was not angry, his voice was calm: "It's okay, get up."
"Which palace are you from? Are you injured?"
Bing Qiao was still in shock and stood up as she was told, but she still didn't dare to look up. She just kept saying, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Highness. I, your servant, will be fine."
"My servant Bingqiao is from... from Yongshou Palace."
When he heard the words "Yongshou Palace", an elusive look flashed in Prince Jin's eyes.
The smile on his lips became more genuine. Instead of blaming Bingqiao, he said in a gentle voice, "She was originally from the Imperial Concubine's palace."
"But what does the Imperial Concubine want? Are you hurt anywhere from the collision just now?"
King Jin's sudden concern was like a warm current flowing into Bingqiao's heart.
She was very cautious in the palace, and had never seen a man so gentle towards her, especially the handsome and respected Prince Jin.
The face of Prince Jin, which was somewhat similar to that of the emperor but more gentle, was magnified in front of her eyes, making Bing Qiao feel dizzy for a moment.
She wanted to climb onto the dragon bed, not because she loved Nangong Xuanyu terribly, but because she wanted a chance to turn things around.
Compared to His Majesty, who is difficult to approach and has to compete for favor with so many concubines, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin seems to be a better choice...
Bingqiao's panicked face instantly blossomed into a flattered, yet somewhat shy smile. Her eyes flickered with warmth.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fine."
Her voice softened. She raised her eyes slightly, glanced timidly at Prince Jin, and then quickly lowered them again: "These are the lotus flowers used in the Imperial Concubine's banquet. We need to add some ice cubes to keep them fresh."
"I was just about to deliver it, but I didn't expect to offend the prince. I really, really deserve to die..."
There was self-blame in Bingqiao's words, but her posture looked even more pitiful.
What kind of person is the King of Jin? He has been immersed in political intrigue for many years.
Bing Qiao's timidity and enthusiasm, which she was hesitant to express, were almost as clear as an open book in his eyes.
She was just a palace maid who thought she was pretty and wanted to climb up the social ladder.
A hint of sarcasm flashed through his mind.
He has seen many women like this.
However... this Bingqiao is from Yongshou Palace...
Prince Jin's eyes deepened, and when his gaze fell on Bingqiao's pretty face again, it was filled with a hint of deliberate gentleness.
"I see."
A smile appeared on the corner of his lips, and he said softly, "How could I bear to blame such a clever and lovely girl like you?"
Prince Jin's gaze paused for a moment on Bingqiao's face, with a hint of admiration in his eyes, and his words were even tinged with a hint of ambiguity: "Good Bingqiao, go quickly, don't delay the Imperial Concubine's important business."
These gentle words were like a feather, gently scratching Bing Qiao's heart...
Her cheeks flushed red, even her ears felt hot, and her heart was pounding.
Bing Qiao hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to look into Prince Jin's smiling eyes. She whispered, "Thank you... Thank you, Your Highness. I'll take my leave."
She squatted down almost dizzily, picked up the ice cubes scattered on the ground that had not yet melted, put them back into the lunch box, and walked quickly towards Quhe Garden, her back revealing her uncontrollable joy.
Only when she reached Shen Zhinian's seat did Bing Qiao suppress her turbulent emotions, took a deep breath, and regained her respectful demeanor, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty."
"Since the weather is hot, I've brought some ice cubes to cool the bottle. This will prevent the lotus flowers from wilting and disturbing the pleasure of Her Majesty and the other nobles."
Shen Zhinian was slightly turning his head and talking to the young lady of the Xia family beside him.
Miss Xia's eyes were clear, and she responded calmly. The atmosphere between the two of them revealed a tacit understanding that was difficult for others to intrude upon.
Seeing Bing Qiao approaching and bowing, Shen Zhinian just glanced at her casually and nodded to show that he understood, then his gaze fell back on Miss Xia.
Bing Qiao calmed down a little, and deftly added the remaining ice cubes in the food box into the celadon porcelain vase on the table.
The icy cold air touched the warm wall of the bottle, condensing into a layer of fine water droplets.
After doing all this, Bing Qiao didn't dare to stay any longer and retreated with her head bowed respectfully.
She had come here today for the supreme emperor, but when she turned around and left, Bing Qiao surprisingly did not feel the slightest bit of loss in her heart.
She felt relieved before the Holy Emperor arrived...
Your Majesty's favor is like the bright moon in the sky, cold and distant, and you have to compete with the beauties in the six palaces.
And His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin... such a gentle person, if you can win his favor, it may be a shortcut to climb up the ladder more easily.
Having made up her mind, Bing Qiao returned the same way, with a secret expectation in her heart.
Sure enough, just where the wisteria trellis was about to end, the tall figure in the ink-black robe was still standing there leisurely.
The Prince of Jin stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly admiring the remaining lotus leaves in the pond.
Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned his head.
Seeing Bing Qiao coming back, there was not much surprise in King Jin's eyes. Instead, a faint smile of understanding appeared on his lips, as if he had already expected her to come back.
Bing Qiao's heart skipped a beat, her heart pounding like a deer, but she forced herself to remain calm. She took a few steps forward and bowed again, her voice soft and gentle: "Your Highness..."
Prince Jin turned around, a gentle smile on his lips: "It's you? Is it done?"
"Your Highness, it has been done."
Bing Qiao quickly glanced up at Prince Jin. Seeing that his face seemed slightly flushed from the alcohol, she didn't know where she got the courage from, but whispered, "Your Highness, please forgive me for speaking too much... Drinking too much is harmful to your health. Please take care of yourself and don't drink too much."
A hint of sarcasm flashed in the depths of King Jin's eyes, but his expression was one of great satisfaction. His tone became even gentler: "Thank you for your attentiveness. I will take note of this."