GBP Chapter 129 The Princess's Request
Chapter 129 The Princess's Request
As He Lingyi was thinking, a person walked in like a whirlwind.
It was none other than Consort Qin's only surviving daughter, the Third Princess.
She was just a teenager, and her appearance was very similar to that of Consort Qin. Her round face was rosy and delicate, and she naturally exuded royal nobility due to years of pampering.
As for her personality, you can tell just by looking at the few steps she takes; she's a very enthusiastic person.
He Lingyi never felt any resistance to lively and interesting people like her. Seeing her made her feel relaxed, so she smiled and praised her.
"The Imperial Concubine has raised the Third Princess so well; she is bright and generous, truly a model princess of the nation."
Upon hearing the praise, the Third Princess turned around and saw He Lingyi.
He looked her up and down, then laughed loudly and asked, "Are you the Crown Princess?"
"Yes."
"Your Highness has excellent taste. The Crown Princess has also been well-nurtured by the great Confucian scholar of Nanzhou and has the demeanor of a future Empress."
Some of the compliments sounded insincere, but when the Third Princess said them, He Lingyi believed them. It was rare for someone to make such a good impression on a first meeting.
Seeing this, Consort Qin hugged her tightly as if she were her precious darling, and then pretended to be angry and said...
"Don't be silly. You should at least act properly in front of the Crown Princess. You're already thirteen, yet you're still so naive. It would be a laughing stock for the Crown Princess."
Upon hearing this, the Third Princess pouted, revealing a girlish shyness.
"The Crown Princess wouldn't laugh at me, right?"
He Lingyi was only a few years older than her, but for some reason she always felt that she was still a junior, so she imitated Consort Qin and said something to her.
"The fact that the princess has developed such a mindset is a result of Consort Qin's painstaking efforts. How could I possibly laugh at her? It's only because she is loved by her parents that she can be so innocent and naive, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Qin suddenly remembered that the Crown Princess was an orphan who had been raised by her grandfather. Fearing that this would touch upon her painful memories, she gently patted the Third Princess's back and then spoke softly.
"Get up and speak properly. What brings you here today?"
"Naturally, it's to pay my respects to my mother. There's also a small favor I'd like to ask."
The sly look made Consort Qin suspect that this matter was not simple, so she asked with some skepticism, "What?"
"After New Year's Eve, my brother the Crown Prince will be going to offer sacrifices to Heaven. May I go with him? I promise I won't bother anyone! I just want to see how that little dumpling cat is doing in the palace!"
Hearing the Third Princess's words, Consort Qin was also very troubled and refused on the spot.
"The Crown Prince is going to offer sacrifices to Heaven for the sake of the Great Long Dynasty. Why don't you go to the palace to see when that cat will go? Why do you have to go with him to the sacrifices? No, if anyone causes trouble because of this, it will bring disaster upon the Crown Prince! You are not allowed to go."
With just a few words, Consort Qin dispelled the Third Princess's idea of leaving the palace.
She was of noble birth and had accompanied the old emperor on several trips before, which is how she met a cat named Tuanzi at the imperial palace. Unfortunately, Consort Qin was allergic to cat fur, so she was not allowed to bring it back to the palace.
Over time, the cat became an indelible white moonlight in the Third Princess's heart, and she would always find an excuse to go and see it every now and then.
Upon being suddenly rejected, the Third Princess's eyes instantly filled with tears, and her coquettish and aggrieved appearance reminded He Lingyi of his own past.
Unfortunately, she didn't enjoy such good days for long before her mother hanged herself. Seeing this scene, she couldn't help but feel emotional and couldn't help but chime in with a comment.
"Since the Third Princess wishes to go, then so be it. However, the sacrificial ceremony is very important and should not be affected by other matters. Why don't you travel with me? We can depart a few days later and only stay at the imperial palace. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, a sparkle suddenly appeared in the Third Princess's eyes.
When she looked at He Lingyi, her eyes were filled with anticipation, and she asked uncertainly.
"Really? Can I really?"
"Of course, but I don't know if the Third Princess would be willing to travel with me?"
Upon hearing this, the Third Princess nodded excitedly, then grabbed Consort Qin's hand and said coquettishly.
"Mother, the Crown Princess has already agreed. I beg you! Please let me go!"
Persistently pestered by her, Consort Qin had no choice but to agree, and finally sighed as she spoke to He Lingyi.
"I'm sorry to trouble you. This girl is quite troublesome. I'll have my personal nanny go with you, and I promise she won't cause you any trouble."
"Your Highness is too kind. The Third Princess is lively and innocent, and we have plenty to talk about as we've been together all this way."
"Alright, you can come along then, but make this clear first: don't cause any trouble!"
Consort Qin repeatedly gave her instructions, and the Third Princess readily agreed. The fact that the Crown Princess took such good care of her on their first meeting made the Third Princess very fond of her sister-in-law.
After leaving the West Warm Pavilion, the two walked along the corridor.
The Third Princess, being a straightforward person, immediately retorted.
"Consort Tong has spoken ill of you, sister-in-law, in the palace. She's eager to pin the blame for Sixth Brother's death on the Crown Prince. She's also been quite critical of the Crown Prince. Sister-in-law, you should be careful. It's fine if you don't see her on ordinary days, but I'm afraid she might cause trouble at the New Year's Eve banquet."
Even without the Third Princess saying it, He Lingyi already knew, but she was still grateful that someone was willing to remind her.
"It's understandable that Consort Tong is upset about losing her child so suddenly. His Highness isn't a petty person, so he won't hold it against her. But the rumors outside are always a bit unpleasant. I'm worried that His Highness might take them to heart if he hears too much of them. That's why I'm concerned. You know His Highness always likes to keep things to himself. Sigh, since the marriage, he, who was already not very talkative, has become even more of a loner, locking himself in his study and refusing to come out."
"Really? Then I'll go see my brother the Crown Prince another day and bring him some of his favorite pastries."
Upon hearing this, He Lingyi smiled and nodded.
“It’s great that the Third Princess is willing to go. We’ll wait for you at the East Palace.”
"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I will definitely go!"
As they spoke, the two arrived at the palace gate, boarded their respective carriages, and parted ways.
When the curtain was drawn, it blocked out the chill from outside, but it also caused the smile on He Lingyi's face to vanish instantly. He whispered an instruction to Xingluo.
“Investigate the Third Princess and the people serving her thoroughly. I have a feeling that something is not quite right.”
"Does the Crown Princess mean that the Third Princess wants to go to the imperial palace with us?"
He Lingyi shook her head. She couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong, but she just felt something was off.
"It was her words that gave her away. Everyone in the palace would pretend to be saddened by the death of the Sixth Prince, but the Third Princess didn't sound like that at all in her words just now. I feel that she was too calm."