sbdcsierra Chapter 487 Leaving to Talk
Chapter 487 Leaving to Talk
Qian Zining was used to being casual, and she chatted with Prince Yu at ease, talking about some childhood anecdotes that made the Crown Prince laugh. "Sister Zining, did His Royal Highness Prince Yu really do something like this when he was young?"
Qian Zining nodded with a smile: "I wonder if His Royal Highness Prince Yu still remembers it?"
Prince Yu also laughed: "Back then, when you were living in Qingciyuan, two little girls started arguing with you, so I put a caterpillar in their bowl, scaring them half to death. Afterwards, you were afraid that I would be punished, so you took the blame for me in front of Madam Qian, and Madam Qian made you stand in the corner as punishment."
Qian Zining sighed, "I was so angry at the time, but now I think about it and it's so funny."
The King of Isle also nodded: "At that time, I felt that life was full of suffering, but now when I think about it, I feel that those days were very precious - I can never go back."
Qian Zining put away the smile on her face: "Are you leaving in a few days?"
If we say goodbye again, we may never see each other again!
Prince Yu clenched his fists tightly. "Yes! Those bitter but vivid days can never be returned. Returning to the Sea Kingdom, eradicating the pirates, pacifying the people and stabilizing the country, is my lifelong vision!"
Qian Zining came to her senses and raised the wine glass in her hand: "Let me toast you first!"
The Crown Princess looked at the Prince several times, wanting to speak but stopping herself. However, he remained calm and composed. The Crown Princess only muttered to herself, "His Royal Highness Prince Yu is a foreigner, he doesn't understand the rules and etiquette of the Dasheng Dynasty regarding sex separation! But Qian Zining is the legitimate daughter of a first-rank general, why is she so disrespectful as to have such an intimate conversation with a foreign man?"
The Crown Princess looked at the Crown Prince's expression and could only let things take their course and interject a word or two from time to time, acting very gentle, generous and considerate.
After that, King Yu was busy preparing to return to his country. When the arrangements were almost done, King Yu came to Qingciyuan with only two attendants.
Qingciyuan, which is the first home in King Yu's mind, is still different in King Yu's heart. He thinks he can finally say goodbye to this place properly. He will spend the rest of his life in Haiguo, and his life's ambitions will also be realized one by one in Haiguo.
Prince Yu had only intended to quietly come here to reminisce and say goodbye, even changing into Dasheng clothing to maintain a low profile. However, upon entering the small courtyard where he had lived as a child, he unexpectedly saw a woman sitting on a stone bench with her back to him. She was clearly lost in thought, her slender white fingers unconsciously rubbing the teacup on the stone table. She seemed troubled by some problem, her brow furrowed involuntarily.
Prince Yu raised his eyebrows. The woman was none other than Qian Zining. Prince Yu deliberately amplified the sound of his footsteps. Qian Zining was startled. She looked up and her eyes met Prince Yu's.
Qian Zining stood up: "Brother Ashan, why are you here?"
King Yu looked at the pair of bright black eyes and chuckled, "I want to take another look at my first childhood home. What about you?"
Qian Zining said, "I've always considered this place my second home. I've taken over some of the affairs of Qingciyuan. Today, a wealthy businessman from the south donated some money, as well as some rice and flour. I handed it over and signed the documents to ensure that the money and supplies are used where they are needed."
Prince Yu nodded: "It has been very difficult these past few years, hasn't it?"
"Yes! However, seeing the helpless and orphaned people find their own way in life makes me very happy. Brother Ashan, you know what? I really admire the Queen. She not only takes in the helpless, but also opens a school for the poor to attend. Even the orphans in Qingciyuan can go to school. Although it's only for a few years, it's enough for them to make a living when they grow up. It's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. The Queen's far-sightedness and noble character are admirable and amazing!"
Qian Zining hadn't said it yet. If there are orphans with outstanding literary talent, they will be trained as the focus and study hard for exams. If they have excellent martial arts skills, they will be selected into the Boy Scouts outside the imperial city and will also have a chance to become successful. Many of the prince's attendants are from Qingciyuan. They grew up together and have the highest sense of belonging and loyalty to Qingciyuan and His Royal Highness the Prince.
Some orphan girls would also learn embroidery, accounting, cooking, etc., so that everyone could have a skill to the greatest extent possible. Women could not engage in business or become officials. Only by allowing them to have their own specialties and their own value could they have a good future.
The corners of Prince Islet's lips curled up in a genuine smile: "The Queen is truly admirable! Xiaoguai, I'm about to leave here and return to the Sea Country, and I just want to ask you a truthful question: Has the Queen really been so carefree and favored all these years?"
The truth is that Prince Yu had seen his father many times being heartless, selfish and suspicious. Emperor Shenwu, as the emperor of the Dasheng Dynasty, was a great ruler who conquered foreign countries and made them submit to him and pay tribute every year. He also had three palaces, six courtyards and seventy-two concubines. It was normal for him to summon new people every day. How could such a queen and such an emperor not make people worry!
Qian Zining didn't know how to answer. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Brother Ashan, do you know my parents? They grew up together as childhood sweethearts. My father was born into a commoner family and was in love with my mother. When they got married, my father promised that he would only have my mother for his whole life! But as time went by, my father became more and more favored by His Majesty, and his official position became higher and higher. The environment he was in changed. My grandmother, my father's superiors, and his friends all sent singing girls and concubines to the general's mansion one by one. My mother loved my father deeply and could only accept it. Brother Ashan, tell me, was my father wrong? No, he just wanted to fit in as quickly as possible and not seem so eccentric. Then was my mother wrong? No, all she got was pain. When she no longer wanted to suffer, our family would be shattered."
"Brother Ashan must have wondered why my mother and I lived in Qingciyuan as children, right? I was only a few years old at the time, and my parents probably thought I was still young, but I was precocious and remember clearly my mother's endless tears, my father's hesitation about taking a concubine, my grandmother's harshness, and even when you and I disappeared in the imperial city. Brother Ashan, if even the deep love between my father and mother had so many twists and turns, how can we believe that a man who met halfway would have such deep feelings for a woman and spend their lives together? It's all about greed and the benefits to be gained!"
"As for His Majesty and the Empress, they are caught in an even more complex situation, both within the imperial court and the harem, and in the vortex of personal gain. Perhaps His Majesty truly loves and cherishes the Empress over the past decade, but because of this, the Empress's situation is even more precarious. I hope that no matter how the circumstances change in the future, the Empress will remain standing!"
The Islet King was stunned for a moment and said, "Xiaoguai, I didn't expect you to be so pessimistic about love between men and women. Is this the reason why you are reluctant to get engaged?"