Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 501 Koi Little Lucky Star 30

Ji Qingyuan was silent, his eyes as deep as water.

He was thinking, not about Lin Fubao's invitation, nor about the princess's old love, but about the structure and future of the entire court.

Yun Chu's words were like a key, trying to pry open those thoughts that he vaguely felt but had never touched deeply.

Ji Qingyuan slowly raised his head and looked at Yun Chu with a burning gaze: "You mean to let the Ji family... turn to Prince Ping's Mansion?"

"It's not about surrendering to the palace," Yun Chu corrected immediately, "but rather assessing the situation. My husband is in the prestigious Hanlin Academy, a close minister to the emperor, and a reserve of future think tanks for the crown prince."

"Your words and actions represent not only the honor and disgrace of the Ji family, but also the path of our future! We can't stay out of this for too long. Sooner or later, we will have to make a choice. Rather than being passively caught up in the storm, it is better to see where the wind is pointing."

She leaned forward, her voice low but resonant:

"Husband, don't you want to stop being just a small editor who copies and proofreads? Don't you want to truly realize your ambitions and do something that truly benefits the people?"

"Instead of being a pawn in this game, manipulated by others, or even sacrificed at any time?"

"There are undercurrents in the imperial court right now. With your husband's talent and character, if a wise ruler can appreciate and support him, he might be able to ascend to the throne, occupy a prominent position, and benefit the people!"

These words accurately tapped into Ji Qingyuan's long-held ambitions and concerns. He had studied diligently for decades, finally passing the imperial examinations and entering the government. Was he willing to stop there? Who doesn't have a desire to help the world and bring peace to the people?

He looked at Yun Chu, his eyes filled with shock, contemplation, and a kind of ignited light.

The wife's words were not only bold but also insightful.

After a moment, Ji Qingyuan let out a long sigh, and the calmness of the officialdom was replaced by a sense of determination.

He did not directly answer whether he would "take sides", but his tone was different.

Ji Qingyuan's voice was low and firm: "The waters of Prince Ping's Mansion are unfathomable. The princess's purpose in inviting you is unclear. But... it's okay to meet once."

He turned his gaze to the invitation on the table. "When you go to see the princess, whether you want to reminisce about the past or discuss women, be extremely careful with your words. Don't discuss state affairs, just talk about family matters. As for the inside and outside of the palace..."

He paused, his eyes sharpening. "Starting tomorrow, I will be paying extra attention to memorials, discussions, and even documents related to His Royal Highness Prince Ping in the Hanlin Academy. Is he a dragon, a flood, or... Qianyuan's true destiny? I must see more clearly!"

Yun Chu knew that this was the beginning of expressing his stance.

Ji Qingyuan did not rush to pledge his allegiance, but he chose to actively observe, think, and even intentionally collect information to confirm his judgment.

He took a crucial step - no longer avoiding it, but preparing to truly examine and evaluate the "dragon" lurking in the abyss.

This cautious decision is exactly in line with the character he should have as a future right-hand man.

"Okay," Yun Chu also breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Then I will go meet this old friend, the princess. Don't worry, my husband, the family will take care of things."

The flickering candlelight illuminates the silhouettes of the young couple. Dusk has completely seeped through the window screens, and their choices, like the night itself, will unfold, pointing to a future filled with both opportunity and thorns.

The waterside pavilion in the West Garden of Prince Ping's Palace is the best place to enjoy the coolness in summer.

Willows sway swaying, cicadas chirping, the emerald green lake reflects the carved beams and painted buildings, yet there is always a sense of alienation that penetrates the bones.

Today, this place was specially tidied up to be more exquisite, with brocade mats spread out and fresh fruits and vegetables kept on ice. Even the fishes in the pond seemed to have received instructions and did not dare to make too much noise.

Lin Fubao had been waiting there long before. She had chosen a palace gown in elegant colors and exquisite embroidery, which made her slightly round cheeks look as rosy as jade.

The baby growing in her belly made her move with a hint of caution. The girl's innocence between her brows had turned into the tenderness and subtle uneasiness of a new mother.

She kept looking toward the entrance to the pavilion, her fingers unconsciously stroking the delicate piping on her cuffs. Her heart felt like a lively little rabbit.

Chunying reminded her in her ear: "Your Majesty, you have to be steady, Madam Ji is coming soon." She then reluctantly retracted her overly eager gaze and picked up the ice cup on the table, but the temperature of her fingertips could not warm the cold jade cup.

Finally, the figure of a maid leading the way appeared on the path lined with flowers and willows, followed by a graceful woman.

coming!

At that moment, time seemed to freeze.

Lin Fubao stood up, and all her court upbringing and the dignity of a princess were swept away by an impulse that came from deep in her bones and blood the moment the figure of this old friend with a hometown accent came into her sight.

She was not the high and mighty Princess Ping. She was just a child who had been lonely for too long in a deep house in a foreign land.

Yun Chu's breath hitched as she stepped into the pavilion. She had also carefully dressed today, her embellishment austere and elegant in a smoky emerald silk dress. Her hair was adorned only with a white jade hairpin, showcasing the scholarly elegance expected of a Hanlin wife without overshadowing a princess—a decision she had carefully considered.

However, when she looked up at the figure in the center of the pavilion, all her plans and cautions were overwhelmed by the face in front of her that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

The Lin Fubao deep in my memory has been reborn under the splendor of the palace, and his whole body is surrounded by a pearl-like warm yet noble glow.

Her round face had lost its youthful immaturity, gaining the grace of a young woman. The contours of her eyebrows and eyes still showed traces of her past, especially her eyes, which now stared straight at her, the light in them complex and difficult to discern—was it surprise? Was it joy? Was it disbelief?

There is also a kind of...longing and...fragility, as if finally seeing land after wandering for too long?

"Your humble servant Yunchu pays homage to Her Majesty the Princess." Yunchu gathered herself, gathered her skirt, bent her knees, and bowed deeply according to etiquette. Her voice was steady and respectful, suppressing her turbulent emotions and maintaining a proper and respectful expression on her face.

"Yun..." Lin Fubao almost blurted out the long-forgotten nickname with a hometown accent, but his throat seemed to be blocked by something.

Madam Ji, wife of the editor of the Hanlin Academy... the shackles of identity fell heavily on her.

She saw Yun Chu's lowered brows and felt the respect that was in accordance with etiquette but with a sense of distance.

A strong sense of loss and grievance suddenly rushed into my heart, and my nose suddenly felt sore.

They clearly came from the same place, but at the fork in fate they headed for completely different paths. Now that they meet, even a single call to each other seems like a luxury.

"Please stand up quickly..." Lin Fubao's voice trembled slightly. She tried her best to maintain the demeanor of a princess. She even took two quick steps forward and personally reached out to support Yun Chu.

When his fingers were about to touch Yun Chu's arm, they shrank slightly as if burned, and finally just lifted them slightly under his sleeve, signaling Chunying to come forward and hold the person steady.

She took a deep breath, her eyes still glued to Yun Chu's face, trying to find more traces of the old days on that face that was equally delicate but had a completely different temperament. "It's been many years since we last met... Madam Ji... Do you, do you still recognize me?"