A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting to be Appreciated 4

10

"The news has already spread. Prince Consort should already knows." Yaotian sighed heavily. Gui Changqing was curious, "What's wrong, Princess? Bai Pingting died a premature death. Is this not to the benefit of Princess?"

Yaotian's smile was bitter. "If Prince Consort knows that Bai Pingting died, his mood must be terrible. If he's upset, how could I possibly not be either?"

Gui Changqing saw Yaotian deeply cherished He Xia and was secretly alarmed by this. He quickly changed the subject. "Come to think of it, last time Princess gave an Order to build the army a treasury and granary. I have temporarily suspended this Order."

Yaotian looked at Gui Changqing surprised. "Military affairs are urgent. Even if we hurry, it's still not quick enough. Why did Senior Official suspend it?"

"I think, this isn't quite right."

"He is a dignified Prince Consort. What isn't quite right about him being in charge of a single treasury and granary?"

"Princess, listen to my words." Gui Changqing stood up and took two steps forward. His tone was very warm. "The Prince Consort already has military power, and the only thing that can control him is grain and money. If he has both, what else does Princess have to rein back the Prince Consort?"

Yaotian sighed faintly. "I know Senior Official is thinking about me. However, I am already husband and wife with the Prince Consort. He has been working hard day and night for Yun Chang, however, we keep suspecting him and trying to hold him back. Senior Official, is that really okay? He and I are now one. Don't forget, his future son will become the master of Yun Chang one day."

From ancient history and even now, the feelings between man and woman had always been the most difficult to organise. Many people had fallen into its trap, and they could not be pulled out whatsoever.

If Yaotian was a normal woman, this kind of thinking was utterly perfect in every way. However, she was the representative of Yun Chang's Royal House.

Gui Changqing knew it would be difficult to convince further, but he had to continue. He coughed once before softly continuing, "Princess, do you remember the words you said to me on your wedding day?"

"My wedding day?" Yaotian's expression was one of recollection. She laughed shallowly, "How could I forget it? That day, Yaotian was feeling very uneasy and asked Senior Official into the room to have a private conversation with me."

"Princess wondered how it was possible to keep He Xia's heart and told me to think ways to do so." Gui Changqing bowed, "Back then, I promised Princess that I'll put my heart into it."

When Yaotian heard this, her gaze flickered beyond him. She slowly said, "Yet today, why do I feel that every action of Senior Official is to force the Prince Consort's person and heart further and further away from me?"

"Princess..."

"Senior Official doesn't need to say any more." Yaotian interrupted his word. She paused before revealing a solemn expression of determination. "I have already promised the Prince Consort to build a special treasury and granary for the military. This is beneficial to the citizens of this country, so please do not argue any further, Senior Official, and quickly approve of it."

Gui Changqing hesitated as well. Studying Yaotian's expression, he knew that it was impossible to change her mind. He could only lower his head to say, "I...Yes." He sighed.

Gui Changqing had been the official for many years and was considerate. Yaotian had always, since childhood, respected him as an elder. She never dismissed his opinions so abruptly before him. He seemed quite upset. She was silent for a long time before softening her voice, "Is there anything else Senior Official would like to tell me?"

Gui Changqing indeed have something he wanted to say.

"Ahem," said Gui Changqing, "there's something else."

"Hm?"

"I would like to ask Princess to give a person to the Prince Consort."

Yaotian was slightly stunned. She looked at Gui Changqing, "Who?"

"My newly adopted daughter, Huan Fengyin. Although she isn't particularly beautiful, she is very gentle and likes to play qin and can sing. She is loyal and dedicated to the Royal House of Yun Chang."

Yaotian processed what she heard. When she understood, her heart was very uncomfortable. She coldly replied, "Senior Official would like me to send a concubine to the Prince Consort Residence?"

"Yun Chang has prohibitions on expression, as a result Prince Consort and Princess do not live together. There must be at least one concubine in the Prince Consort Residence. After all, the Prince Consort almost raised Bai Pingting to a concubine last time. Now that Bai Pingting is dead, why doesn't Princess be a little open and give one to Prince Consort?"

Yaotian's expression was ugly. "Who says that the Prince Consort Residence needs a concubine? I am the Princess. If prohibitions can rise, then so can they fall."

Gui Changqing smiled, "Princess is wrong. Prohibitions can change, but can people's hearts change? Rather than letting the Prince Consort choose someone who Princess doesn't like, it's better for Princess to choose someone who can help Princess look after Prince Consort. With her there, the Prince Consort can't easily get another Concubine and, if the Prince Consort's heart is taken away by someone else, at least there's someone who can pass on the message."

The Princess' chest began to tighten. She shook her head. "No. Others can be discussedbbut not this."

Gui Changqing knew now was not the time to press on. He stepped back, "Since it's like that, I will depart. Please consider it, Princess. It's not too late to act after careful consideration." He bowed and left the room.

Yaotian watched the brief dazzle of the curtains. She was the only one left in the room. Her original good mood was completely ruined by Gui Changqing's various proposals. She couldn't help hate him secretly.

What reigning back in, when he actually dared to want her to send in another?

She thought of how hateful the Yun Chang laws were. When women marry, of course they should live together with their husband. Yet why was the utterly pitiful Princess had to stay in the Royal Residence? It seemed there were two stars on opposite sides of the silver river. One star was the Royal Residence, the other being the Prince Consort Residence, and the residents could only stay inside, watching the other miserably.

However...

He Xia was strong and handsome. His fame was enough to shake the skies. As a hero, he had had a great number of experiences in the world. Now that he was the Prince Consort, he had more power and fame. Just how many people secretly watched him from the darkness with red cheeks? How could she stop him from two-timing or even three?

What if the Prince Consort really fell in love with someone and begged to establish her as a concubine? People would be interested to see what she, the dignified Princess, would do. If she refused, everyone would be able to ridicule her jealous heart.

Yaotian looked in the mirror, unsatisfied. The jealousy in her eyes reflected in the mirror gave her a fright. She hurriedly fished out a scarf and covered the mirror.

Luyi was outside the curtains. "Princess, the dried flowers have arrived."

Yaotian's mood was irritable and did not want to be disturbed by anyone. She lifted her voice, "Take it away. If there's nothing major, don't report it."

Luyi heard the anger hidden in her voice and jumped back. She lowered her voice, "Yes." She secretly poked out her tongue, not knowing what the Senior Official said that made the Princess so angry.

When she was just about to take away the vase full of dried flowers and leave, she heard another order from Yaotian. "Luyi, just wait there."

Luyi suddenly stopped, relying, "Yes." She waited outside the curtain.

Why did she, as a Princess, have to stay in the Royal Residence? It was so unfair...

Yaotian thought about Gui Changqing's proposal, carefully pondered it and realised it wasn't unreasonable.