25 Intertwined Mandarin Ducks

officials' family matters, he had shaped those cruel slaughter games as a fixed pattern and shifted all responsibility away from himself. Night Qingran's expression also darkened slightly; it seemed h...Chapter 25: Intimate Doves

Shortly after, Qing Shang came out of the western courtyard with a flower basket and soon arrived in front of Yun Qianyue.

Yun Qianyue glanced at the flower basket in Qing Shang's hand. Inside were various sewing needles and threads as well as a stack of patterned paper, along with several pieces of high-quality silk cloth dyed in a moon-white color that matched Lord Rong Jing’s shirtwaist jacket. She raised an eyebrow at the few pieces of brocade.

Qing Shang met Yun Qianyue's gaze and asked in puzzlement, "Miss Yun, are you not going to sew sachets for His Fiefdom's Heir"

Yun Qianyue looked at Qing Shang and said, "Qing Shang, how long have you been serving by your lord’s side"

The amazement in her eyes when she mentioned sewing sachets was no act. Now that she needed to sew a sachet but only brought these few pieces of moon-white silk cloth, did Qing Shang know what was on the mind of Rong Jing Why would he think she wanted to make a sachet for his lord instead of herself

"I and Qing Quan have been serving His Fiefdom's Heir since childhood," said Qing Shang.

“No wonder you're so attentive!” Yun Qianyue took the flower basket from her, smiling at Qing Shang. "I can't sew sachets, so come inside and teach me."

"Miss Yun... I don’t know how to either," said Qing Shang with a shake of her head.

“Huh” Yun Qianyue looked at Qing Shang.

Qing Shang's face turned red as she softly explained, "I have been following His Fiefdom's Heir to learn martial arts and reading since childhood. I also learned cooking from Old Medicine Master after the death of his wife. Over these years, there has never been a woman around him, so I haven’t had any chance to learn needlework."

Yun Qianyue was taken aback. It was rare to meet someone like her who didn't know how to do embroidery and knitting. She looked at the basket in her hand with some puzzlement and asked, "Then where did you get these materials How did you find them so quickly"

Qing Shang's face turned even redder as she replied, "I intended to learn recently, but didn’t manage. The sewing tools and patterns were prepared in advance, while the moon-white silk cloth was just brought for your use."

Yun Qianyue blinked her eyes, looking at Qing Shang's blushing face and whispered softly, "Qing Shang, do you have someone you like"

Qing Shang lowered her head, even the tips of her ears turning red. She still nodded.

"Who" Yun Qianyue asked curiously.

Qing Shang's head was almost touching the floor and she didn’t speak.

Yun Qianyue thought it couldn't be Rong Jing, as Qing Shang looked at him with admiration and obedience. Qin Yuceng and Princess Sixth had a more blatant look when they looked at Rong Jing. She wondered about the possibilities and suddenly her eyes lit up. She whispered to Qing Shang, "Is it Xian Ge"

Qing Shang raised her head abruptly, looking at Yun Qianyue in disbelief, her face flushed.

Yun Qianyue smiled suddenly. Qing Shang looked so cute right now! She thought about how someone actually liked the wooden-headed Xian Ge. After recalling their several meetings—how on the first day he led her to the back courtyard of Lingtai Temple and got angry when she was upset; after Rong Jing ran home due to a word from Yun Qianyue, when Ye Qian forcefully brought her to the residence of Prince Yong, and Xian Ge returned her shoes while she pouted—she thought that Xian Ge was quite endearing too. She looked at Qing Shang's incredulous face and said, "Do you find it strange how I know Do you want to know how I found out"

Qing Shang nodded with her blushing face.

"Your eyes looking at Xian Ge are just like Qin Yuceng's when she looks at your lord," Yun Qianyue explained to Qing Shang.

The little girl’s face turned completely red.

Yun Qianyue reached out and patted the shoulder of the "boiling" Qing Shang, whispering with a chuckle. "What are you blushing for They say that those close to something will benefit from it; your proximity to Xian Ge is close indeed. Your lord can arrange their marriage with a single word."

Qing Shang lowered her head and didn't speak, too embarrassed.

Yun Qianyue thought back to the time when Rong Jing was teasing her—was she also this way No wonder he loved watching it—it really was quite beautiful! She felt perverse satisfaction from getting someone else "cooked" through teasing. Suddenly becoming a matchmaker, she whispered again, “Does Xian Ge know that you like him Do you want me to call him out and wake up your lord so I can immediately arrange the wedding for both of you After all, you’re already marriageable.”

Qing Shang shook her head instantly with a low voice, too embarrassed to look at Yun Qianyue. "Miss Yun, please don’t say anymore. I haven't even thought about marrying him."

"You haven't thought of it Then you just like him" Yun Qianyue looked at Qing Shang. Considering their age difference was not too large, she believed it wasn't urgent for her to get married at this young age. She nodded and said, "That's fine! You are both under your lord’s command. Eventually, as long as you two like each other, he can make the decision with one word."

Qing Shang was too embarrassed to answer.

"Oh, my dear, you can’t sew sachets. What should we do" Yun Qianyue let Qing Shang off and looked at the basket in worry. She cursed Rong Jing inwardly for wanting such a pair of doves playing in water sachet on Qixi Festival.

"Or shall we put off embroidery for today and first choose a design Tomorrow, I will ask a skilled elderly lady to teach you" Qing Shang gave this suggestion in a soft voice while blushing.

“Mm, it seems there’s no other option!” Yun Qianyue thought pitifully that she would have to start learning how to embroider sachets from tomorrow on!

"Miss Yun Qianyue, is there anything else you need" Qing Shang asked while blushing.

“No more. You go rest!” Yun Qianyue smiled and looked at Qing Shang as she waved her hand to dismiss the maid.

The moment she was given permission, Qing Shang hurriedly bowed in thanks toward Yun Qianyue before turning around and scurrying out of sight. This made Yun Qianyue finally chuckle seeing how flustered her maid looked. She thought that if Qiángē’s weakness is Qing Shang, could it be the other way round as well If one day, that wooden boy lost his temper at her again, she would use Qing Shang to teach him a lesson.

Yun Qianyue let out another laugh before turning around with the flower basket and entering the room.

She walked up to the table in front of her and put down the flower basket. Then, she took out a pile of paper designs from inside it. There were all sorts of patterns and embroidery methods—The first one was playing mandarin ducks, followed by another pair that are embracing each other, then there is chasing and frolicking around… Yun Qianyue shivered seeing the same pattern repeated again and again. She took a look at the seventh design with relief when she realized it wasn’t of mandarin ducks anymore.

The seventh one was twin lotus flowers growing side by side on the same stem.

Number eight were winged birds, two phoenixes singing together, especially beautiful.

Ninth was a pair of heart-shaped grass growing from the same root.

Tenth was a mandarin duck tree, number eleven was a pair of swimming fish, twelfth were a couple of swans, thirteenth was jade rings…

Yun Qianyue looked at each and every one of them; they all represented a pair. She thought to herself that ancient people were very honest in their intentions when it came to giving sachets as gifts!

"Water…" Róng Jǐng’s voice suddenly echoed from inside the room.

Yun Qianyue immediately put down the designs and turned around to look at him. He was still half-asleep, his eyes were closed with a slight smile on his lips and they looked dry; obviously he felt very thirsty. She turned around and poured some water for him before walking towards the bed. As she sat by the bedside, she placed the cup of water by his mouth, “Open up!”

Róng Jǐng obediently opened his mouth.

Yun Qianyue gently lifted her hand and heard a light swallowing noise from him. She thought to herself how elegant he was even in this state when he was completely drunk. He truly deserved all the hate of gods and men, and it was hard to accept such injustice!

The cup of water was drained by Róng Jǐng who then shook his head before closing his eyes again.

Yun Qianyue stood up and walked towards the table to put back the empty cup when Róng Jǐng grabbed her wrist. She turned around to look at him and saw that he kept his eyes shut as he spoke softly, “You also go sleep!”

"I’m not sleepy yet!" Yun Qianyue replied.

“Sleep even if you’re not sleepy. If you don’t sleep well, neither will I.” Róng Jǐng did not loosen his grip on her hand.

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes and said, "Let go first so that I can put the cup back!"

Róng Jǐng slowly let go of her wrist.

Yun Qianyue walked to the table and placed down the empty cup. Turning around, she saw Róng Jǐng’s hand still extended in front of him and glanced at his design on the table before walking back towards the bed. The moment she got to the bedside again, he immediately pulled her close. She glared at him, "I haven’t even taken off my shoes yet!"

Róng Jǐng’s pulling action paused for a second and Yun Qianyue took off her shoes before stepping up on bed. As soon as she was in the bed, Róng Jǐng immediately pulled her into his arms and gently inhaled her fragrance and murmured softly, “I shall have good sleep this time; you better come to bed earlier.”

"If it wasn’t for the fact that you’re drunk, you would be sleeping on a small sofa tonight!" Yun Qianyue said sternly. His body was unusually hot today and her chilliness immediately dissipated upon contact with his warmth.

“Ungrateful!” Róng Jǐng muttered.

"Who’s ungrateful You or me" Yun Qianyue raised an eyebrow, challenging him.

Róng Jǐng shut up and no longer said anything.

Yun Qianyue was too lazy to argue with a drunken person. She waved her hand lightly, and a gentle breeze blew out the candles in the room. Although she originally wasn't feeling sleepy, seeing Rong Jing's uniform breathing and seemingly about to fall into a deep sleep made her suddenly feel drowsy. Without pushing him away, she let him hold onto her as she slowly closed her eyes.

She had a good night’s sleep.

The next day, when Yun Qianyue woke up, the sky was already bright. She opened her eyes to see Rong Jing leaning against her side with his hand flipping through the sachet patterns Qing Shang had brought for her yesterday. He was comparing a pair of neck-locking mandarin ducks pattern and another one where mouths were touching while feeding each other. Yun Qianyue immediately felt chills.

When Rong Jing noticed she was awake, he turned his head to look at her and asked gently, "Which one do you think would be better to embroider"

"If I were really going to embroider them, would it be okay for you to wear them out" Yun Qianyue looked at Rong Jing's face. Unlike yesterday when he was slightly drunk and warm, today he remained as refined as jade with a light expression. She thought the unappealing side of Rong Jing had returned!

"If you want to embroider them, I can wear them out." Said Rong Jing.

"I won't embroider!" Yun Qianyue shook her head. Even if he could wear them out, she couldn’t make them! Neck-locking mandarin ducks He really dared to take it out!

"Embroider!" Rong Jing leaned his head and kissed Yun Qianyue's lips lightly before showing her the pattern of neck-locking mandarin ducks with an extremely tender voice, "Just embroider this one!"

“No!” Yun Qianyue shook her head. If she embroidered that, she wouldn’t need to see anyone anymore!

"Embroider!" Rong Jing kissed her again.

"I won't embroider!" Yun Qianyue still shook her head.

“Embroider!”

“No… uh…”

The moment Yun Qianyue's lips were kissed, she could no longer firmly shake her head. She stared at Rong Jing as he deepened the kiss. The lingering scent of wine from his mouth made her heart tremble; after a good night’s sleep, her mind was once again lost in thoughts.

After some time, Rong Jing released her and asked hoarsely right next to her lips, “Embroider”

Yun Qianyue panted heavily but still held her ground. "No!"

Rong Jing brought his lips closer again as the intimate kiss continued.

Yun Qianyue reached out to push him away, but it was like pushing against a stone wall with no effect. She glared at Rong Jing, who appeared to be even more enticing in her eyes, making his heart flutter. He dropped the pattern and slipped his hand into her slightly loose robe, running his fingers over her waist.

Yun Qianyue was startled and immediately grabbed his hand, somehow managing to push him away forcefully; she panted angrily with a red face, "Rong Jing, you are becoming less and less… human!"

Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianyue with unquenchable desire in his eyes. He slowly picked up the pattern he had just thrown aside and asked hoarsely but gently, "Embroider"

Yun Qianyue glared at him without a word.

"Can't embroidery it" Rong Jing leaned closer to her and whispered.

Yun Qianyue still remained silent.

"I can teach you," said Rong Jing as he gently pulled on a strand of Yun Qianyue's hair, his eyes reflecting both fire and water.

“You'll teach me” Yun Qianyue finally couldn’t hold back her words. She raised an eyebrow to look at Rong Jing. "Are you really that all-rounded Can you even sew embroidery" It was hard for her to imagine the sight of Rong Jing holding a needle and thread embroidering sachets; however, if he truly wanted to teach her now, she wouldn’t mind learning.

“Yes!” Rong Jing threw away the pattern again, lightly pulling on the ribbon around Yun Qianyue's waist with his fingertips. He made an attempt to cover her body and whispered in a soft voice, "I will teach you like this…"

"Get out!" Yun Qianyue finally understood what he meant; she angrily pushed him away and sat up straight.

“Embroider” Rong Jing asked again as he looked at her.

Yun Qianyue gritted her teeth, feeling both angry and ashamed. "Are you Rong Jing The person who was drunk yesterday is the real Rong Jing, right Get back to where you came from! Bring back that original Rong Jing!"

Rong Jing raised an eyebrow, "I behaved well yesterday"

Yun Qianyue snorted. How could he have just been well-behaved He was simply obedient and pleasant.

"That can't be me!" Rong Jing stated firmly as he continued to look at Yun Qianyue with a voice that couldn’t get any gentler, "I don’t see the pattern in this flower basket being better than all the others. Since you're going to sew for me, naturally it needs to be something I like. Be good and sew one for me."

"Sew! I'll sew a hundred for you." Yun Qianyue couldn't handle his gentle tactics anymore and thought there wasn’t much of an issue. If he dared wear them out, she wouldn’t hesitate to sew them.

"That's even better!" A faint smile appeared on the corner of Rong Jing’s mouth as he nodded in satisfaction, then turned around and got off the bed with a clear voice, "Qingshang has invited the best embroidery ladies from the capital’s top embroidery shop. They will come over frequently. You should get up quickly after breakfast and start learning to embroider! Otherwise you won’t have enough time."

Yun Qianyue ignored him as she lay back straight on the bed again. If she had a brain disease, why would she agree to sew sachets for him after he was drunk yesterday This person wasn't a gentleman at all; he was clearly a devil. In her opinion, Night Qingran’s title of little demon king should be transferred to him.

"Won’t get up" Rong Jing raised an eyebrow.

"No!" Yun Qianyue pulled the covers over her head with one hand as she refused.

"I woke up too early today and seem a bit sleepy now!" Rong Jing said.

Yun Qianyue abruptly flung off the blankets, sat straight up from lying down, pointed at the door and threatened, "Call Qingshang over for me! Quickly, one second more and I will undress you and hang you upside-down on a beam. Don’t think that this is your territory; I’ll still go ahead with it. Let’s see who dares to save you, whoever saves you gets stripped naked and hung."

Rong Jing wasted no time in leaving the room upon hearing her.

Yun Qianyue was still gloomy as she thought that he had been smart enough this time! Otherwise she would have made him regret it today.

Rong Jing gave an order outside, and Qingshang immediately entered the room. As soon as she stepped in, Yun Qianyue ordered, "Close the door!"

Qingshang was startled and glanced at Rong Jing standing with his back to her outside the closed door looking at the sky. She then quickly shut the door and cautiously asked, “Miss Shallow Moon, what do you need me for”

Yun Qianyue’s depression faded somewhat as she pointed at the complicated clothes on the bedside stand and said with some embarrassment, "Teach me how to dress!"

Qingshang was surprised, then suddenly understood. She finally realized why Young Master had asked Yi Niangzi to make such complex clothing! He must have known that Miss Shallow Moon couldn't wear clothes like this Qingshang found it somewhat absurd.

Yun Qianyue’s face turned slightly unnatural as she looked at Qingshang, "Don’t tell me you don’t know how either!"

Qingshang glanced back towards the door. With the door closed and Rong Jing nowhere to be seen, she gulped with some difficulty before nodding and saying softly, “I do know!”

"Then let’s start." Yun Qianyue sounded somewhat exhausted. In her world, if she told others that she couldn’t even dress herself properly, who would believe her Yet this type of intricate clothing with countless rings, belts, gossamer fabric and fine threads looping around the body in decorative patterns was something she genuinely didn't know how to wear. If not careful, it could end up like last time where she got completely tangled up before even getting dressed.

"Yes." Qingshang nodded as she picked up the clothes from the bedside stand and unfolded them slowly without immediately dressing Yun Qianyue but explaining instead in great detail what order to put on each piece of clothing first, then secondly, lastly.

Yun Qianyue listened carefully, realizing that there actually was a certain order to putting on the clothes. She couldn’t agree more with the old saying that nobody can be perfect and one should keep learning until death. Yun Qianyue was determined to bow in worship at Yi Niangzi’s feet if she ever had an opportunity to meet her.

"Miss Shallow Moon, I’ve explained everything. Would you like me to help you dress, or are you going to do it yourself" Qingshang asked gently.

"I’ll try myself and ask for guidance wherever I get stuck." Yun Qianyue put the clothes on herself.

"Sure!" Qingshang nodded.

Her photographic memory served her well now as she dressed slowly but perfectly. She looked at Qingshang happily and asked, "How is it"

"Miss Shallow Moon’s truly clever! When I first learned how to put on these clothes from Yi Niangzi, I spent two hours studying before I managed to do so myself. Then when I explained the process to Young Master, I didn’t expect that Miss Shallow Moon could master it after just one session of listening." Qingshang smiled.

Yun Qianyue thought, no wonder Rong Jing took such a long time to dress her! He must have learned from hearing too. She shouted out loud, "Rong Jing, come in!"

Rong Jing came in and opened the door.

"See Dressing is just a simple thing!" Yun Qianyue lifted an eyebrow at him proudly, don’t think she can’t manage without you.

"Hmm, if you can learn to dress so quickly, embroidering a sachet should be no problem for you," Rong Jing said with a smile when he saw Yun Qianyue standing by the bed in her complete attire, looking pleased.

"Wait until I sew you a bunch of faded peaches!" Yun Qianyue said angrily as she looked at his smiling face.

Rong Jing turned away and went to the basin stand to wash up, pretending not to have heard her words.

Yun Qianyue harrumphed. She had never thought that dressing herself was anything impressive, yet now she felt more delighted than when she finished a case back then. She looked at Rong Jing's back and was about to make him angry again when she heard the sound of strings from outside: "Young Master, there is news from ahead; Yun Wangfu’s head steward has come to invite Miss Qianyue to return home!"

Hmm Yun Qianyue was taken aback.

Rong Jing paused in washing his face and asked, "What's the matter"

"It’s said that today Seventh Prince visited Yun Wangfu, bringing something back from North Frontier for Miss Qianyue. He is currently waiting at Yun王府的大管家前來請淺月小姐回府！說應該淺月小姐當麵對七皇子聊表謝意。”絃歌道。

容景不再開口，繼續低頭淨麵。

雲淺月看向容景，他揹著身子，看不到他臉上的表情。又和昨日在榮王府大門口一樣不言不語，這是在等著她自己拿主意了！她本來對七皇子見不見都無所謂，但因為容楓的話和容景這幾日的異常，弄得她聽到七皇子的名字就有些神經異常。如今到是有些望而卻步了。沉默片刻，對外麵道：“告訴雲孟，就說既然是去送東西的，讓他將東西放下就行。我去了一趟雲霧山奔波得疲乏，正喝景世子開的藥調息身體，懶得再折騰回府了。改日再對七皇子道謝。”

“是！”絃歌應得痛快，一陣風似地出了紫竹苑。

雲淺月心情忽然有些莫名的沉重，這樣下去不見七皇子自然不是辦法，那些她對容景對容楓說失憶就是上輩子的事情隻有她自己知道她雖然說得輕鬆心底卻是不輕鬆的。總之都是一個她而已。不能因為失憶抹殺夜天逸，不能因為夜天逸回來抹殺容景。她想起容景說的楊葉傳情，他和七皇子真有情意？不由心情有些煩躁。

“青泉，備車，送淺月小姐回府！”容景忽然對外麵吩咐。

雲淺月一驚，看著容景，“誰說我要回府了？你剛剛冇聽見我說的話嗎？”

“你如此這般魂不守舍的模樣，不如回府的好！”容景道。

“誰魂不守舍了？”雲淺月瞪了容景一眼，走過去一把扯過他手中的娟帕粗魯地扔在盆架上，對著他道：“你給我洗臉！”

容景站著不動。

“行！我走，成了吧？省得你看了礙眼。”雲淺月向外走去，不知道哪裡來的氣！

容景忽然伸手拉住她胳膊，剛剛僵硬的語氣轉柔，“我又冇說不給你洗臉！”

雲淺月停住腳步，臉色不好地看著他。

他將娟帕遮在她身前，如玉的手掬了水輕輕抹在她臉上，指尖劃過她眉眼，溫柔地道：“閉上眼睛！”

雲淺月被容景溫柔所化，輕輕閉上眼睛，氣怒頓消。她從來就不是胡亂髮脾氣的人，卻是每次都忍不住對容景發脾氣。在他溫柔的動作和語氣下，她覺得她心情的煩亂和煩躁都顯得微不足道。

“好了！”容景洗罷，又用娟帕將她臉擦淨。

雲淺月看著容景，突然問道：“容景，我……”她抿唇猶豫了一下，還是決定問道：“我以前對七皇子很好嗎？”她隻想知道好還是不好，好有很多種，她的好到底是哪種。

“嗯！”容景漫不經心地點點頭，似乎不願意說。

雲淺月沉默了一下，又問，“好得過我對你？”

“你覺得你對我好嗎？”容景挑眉。

雲淺月蹙眉尋思，她除了在靈台寺幫他解除寒毒之外似乎還真冇對他怎麼好了。她看著容景挑眉反問的神色有些不甘，上前一步，用手臂環住他的腰，將她身子偎依進他懷裡，兩人姿勢親密無間。她仰著臉，用極輕極軟的語氣問，“說，我對你好不好？”

容景清泉般的眸子閃過一絲燦華，溫柔一笑，“你若是給我繡那副圖案，就好！”

雲淺月一把推開她，紅著臉碎了一口，“你真是冇救了！”

容景輕笑。

"Crown Prince, are you preparing the carriage" Qing Quan asked foolishly from outside the room.

Before Rong Jing could speak, Qing Shang covered his mouth and scolded, "Prepare what Didn’t you hear Miss Qianyue say she won't return to the mansion You really are as dumb as wood!"

"Sis, you force me to practice kung fu every day. Even if I become a piece of wood, it's your fault!" Qing Quan unhappily pushed away Qing Shang’s hand, not thinking that he was truly ignorant. These years following the Crown Prince weren't for nothing.

"You talk too much! Come with me to serve the meal!" Qing Shang pulled Qing Quan and left.

Qing Quan muttered something as he followed Qing Shang towards the small kitchen.

Cloud Qianyue found it amusing watching the siblings leave. She thought that not only were everything the Crown Prince used treasures, but so was everyone around him too. But she didn’t envy him; she herself had seven of Huasheng and Hua Luo’s men who were also treasures.

Soon after, Qing Shang brought food over. Rong Jing and Cloud Qianyue had already made preparations.

Afetr eating, Cloud Qianyue looked at the basket with flowers on it where a pattern of intertwined mandarin ducks was placed first. She pursed her lips as she asked Qing Shang, "Has the embroiderer arrived"

Rong Jing sipped his tea as he smirked.

Cloud Qianyue glared at Rong Jing and thought to herself, Satisfied He dares say that I don’t take care of him well!

"The embroiderer just arrived. She's waiting in my room!" Qing Shang nodded with a smile as she looked over at Rong Jing and whispered to Qianyue, "Miss Qianyue, please follow me to my room! The Crown Prince never lets outsiders enter this compound."

"Alright." Cloud Qianyue stood up.

Having her learn the pattern of intertwined mandarin ducks in front of Rong Jing would be impossible for her.

The two left through the room door and walked towards Qing Shang’s compound to the west.

Rong Jing watched them leave before putting down his tea cup. His fair face was filled with a gentle smile as he looked handsome and charming in the light. Soon after, he stood up and left the room, walking slowly towards the study.

That day, Cloud Qianyue quickly learned how to paint various patterns of mandarin ducks playing in water thanks to her photographic memory and eidetic auditory memory. She naturally mastered the pattern of intertwined mandarin ducks first. Under the astonishment of the embroiderer, she also learned how to paint lotus flowers that bloom together, interwoven branches, birds with wings touching each other, fish sharing one eye, red beans for lovers, trees blooming together, two plum blossoms, paired crabapples, and peaches in February.

This was a habit Cloud Qianyue had formed in her previous life. If she decided to learn something, she would master it.

The embroiderer left when the sky darkened but instead of being stunned anymore, she felt humbled. She probably never imagined that someone who was rumoured for being a slacker and illiterate from the Yun王府 (Cloud Manor), was actually a genius with photographic memory and eidetic auditory memory. But even so, she dared not talk about what had happened today to others. Even if she did, no one would believe her due to Cloud Qianyue’s reputation as a lazy good-for-nothing.

Qing Shang was extremely impressed with Cloud Qianyue too. She previously only thought that Miss Qianyue was kind and that it must be extraordinary for the Crown Prince to like her so much. But after she saw how quickly Miss Qianyue read all of his books in his study over half a month ago, she was already stunned. Not to mention seeing her learn many patterns from the embroidery girl today within just one day. She admired him more than ever and respected him as much as she did the Crown Prince.

After Cloud Qianyue waited for the embroiderer to leave, she filtered through everything in her mind again before firmly remembering them all. Then, under the night sky, she walked back towards Rong Jing’s compound from Qing Shang’s compound on the west side.

The light was still on inside Rong Jing’s room and the silhouette of him by the window looked tall and elegant through the lattice window covered with gauze. The scent of food filled the air. Cloud Qianyue thought that he had some conscience to wait for her, so she didn’t feel as tired anymore.

She pushed open the door into the room and Rong Jing was indeed sitting at the table. He gave a gentle smile when he saw her come in, “You must have worked hard!”

Cloud Qianyue harrumphed before walking over to sit down with him and picked up chopsticks to eat immediately. "If you know that I’ve worked hard, why didn’t you learn how to embroider it yourself"

"Only what you make for me is the best!" Rong Jing stood up from his chair and pulled it next to Cloud Qianyue’s side before taking her chopsticks away. He looked into her eyes softly as he said, "I’ll feed you."

Cloud Qianyue couldn’t help but smile and took back the chopsticks. "I’m not that weak!"

"Let me feed you," Rong Jing took her chopsticks away again.

Cloud Qianyue put down her hand, thinking to herself, So I get to enjoy a queen’s treatment Then it’s worth all the effort of learning today. She stopped arguing and smiled as she nodded in agreement, "Alright."

Rong Jing was pleased with her response before he picked up his chopsticks and took out dishes that Cloud Qianyue liked best one by one to feed her gently. Cloud Qianyue ate them all and felt a little satisfied.

The room was quiet as the delicious food’s fragrance filled it while the yard was peaceful under the dark night. Today wasn’t when the moon shone brightly in the wind, but it was still a beautiful night.

Side note: Little Seven will make an appearance naturally at his time. If he hasn't appeared yet, then there’s no need to rush him. Pretty ladies and boys, why are you all in such a hurry (⊙_⊙) I’m really out of control with writing tenderness; this isn’t my fault O（∩_∩）O~alked towards his study, while Yun Qianyue followed behind him.A moment later, Yun Qianyue suddenly asked. "Father, can you tell me about my mother How did she marry you"The Cloud King’s steps paused...