The Times Spent in Pretense

“This official’s daughter greets Your Highness,” said Hua Liuli, slowly entering the main hall with a hand pressed to her chest after noticing that the men were almost done talking. She saluted everyone present. “Now that the noble guests have arrived, please excuse this young girl for not coming out to greet you all until now. May the noble guests forgive me.”

“Younger Sister, why have you come?” Hua Changkong stood from his seat, looking at her with worry in his eyes. “Didn’t I tell you to rest in your room?”　　

“Third Brother, it’s just an old ailment. Even if I stay in my room, what use is it?” In a weak manner, Hua Liuli made her way to a seat and sat down. She smiled in an apologetic way toward everyone present.

Prince Ying noticed that her footsteps had been unsteady. And his face paled to the point of being transparent. He couldn’t help but feel anxious as he said, “Has Commandery Princess taken your medicine yet?”　　　　

“Many thanks, Your Highness, for the concern. This official’s daughter has taken it already.” She flashed a small smile his way, pale and bloodless lips resembling a white peach blossom, inciting pity from one’s heart.　　

Since Tian Ruidong’s little fairy had fallen ill to this state, he was already feeling guilty and worried. He lowered his head, not daring to look at her.　　

“May Your Highness not worry. My silly sister has always been sickly. She’ll recover after a few more days.” The more magnanimous and unwilling to blame the Tian family Hua Changkong was, the guiltier Sir Tian felt. Particularly when he heard Commandery Princess Fushou often covering her mouth to cough lightly, which made him even more restless. And he itched to move the good medicinal ingredients of his estate here now.　　　　

Compared to the coldness of Princess Shunan’s estate, the Hua family were cordial and treated their guests with much hospitality.　　

Sir Tian recalled being suspicious that the Hua clan would assemble their personal army, and thus prove a challenge to the court. Now, he felt very ashamed because of that thought. To be able to raise such a kindhearted and gentle daughter, General Hua must be a noble and benevolent person. 　　

How could he use his vile heart to form a conjecture on a general who defended their country? It was truly too shameful.　　

Before he left, Prince Ying shifted his gaze to the sickly-looking Hua Liuli. He could not help but say, “Commandery Princess, please absolutely take care of yourself.”　　　　

Never had she expected him to say something like this. After a moment in a daze, she smiled. “Many thanks, Your Highness.”　　

After brother and sister sent off Prince Ying and the Tian family members, they shared a look. Following that, they reclined on their chairs in a lazy manner.　　

“Third Brother, you’ve tricked people out of many things again.”　　

“Little Sis, it’s very expensive to raise handsome male pets. I am working hard to earn money all for your sake.” Hua Changkong wagged his index finger. “What’s more, how could this be considered tricking others? The other party is perfectly happy and willing to send us these items.”　　

After saying that, he cupped one fist in the other hand toward Hua Liuli. “I still have to thank you for your help.”　　

Hua Liuli opened up her handkerchief and covered her face with it. A shy smile. “Third Brother, what are you saying? I don’t understand.”　　

After returning to the Tian estate, Sir Tian glanced at Prince Ying, who had accompanied them there, a few times in a hesitant manner. “Your Highness, everyone likes beautiful women. Commandery Princess Fushou is as beautiful as a spring blossom, but your honored self is already engaged to Lin Zhou’s daughter. If you have any other thoughts, you must remove them.”　　　　

“Uncle, what are you talking about?” Prince Ying laughed in spite of himself. “The Hua family’s girl is pretty, but thin and frail. She looks like a child. How could I have any intentions toward her?”　　

Sir Tian cast a glance at him. They were both men. He had been a young man once too. How could he not know that type of woman young men were fond of?　

“It’s this humble official who overthought,” said Sir Tian, changing his tune. “Ruidong, that child, likes this kind of young girl, so this humble official thought your honored self was of the same preference.”　　

“Huh?” said Tian Ruidong.　　　　

Didn’t he always like enchanting and alluring beauties? In the past, his father even regarded his tastes as vulgar. With disdain. So why did his father change his opinion now?

After all, he was a block of brick. Wherever he was needed, he’d be pushed in. And once he was no longer of use, he’d be tossed aside?　　

“Ruidong is still young. How could he know how to take care of a girl? Someone so delicate like Commandery Princess Fushou does not suit him,” said Prince Ying without even thinking. “You should give him a bride with a strong personality. Have her look after him well.”　　　　

At once, Tian Ruidong waved his hands. “Your Highness is joking. What qualifications do I have to take Commandery Princess Fushou as a wife?”　　

A little fairy like Commandery Princess Fushou must have already suffered greatly to descend to the mortal realm. He absolutely did not possess the qualifications to have her. To him, such a thought was blasphemous. 　　

“Your Highness the crown prince,” said one of the Eastern Palace’s officials, the picture of excitement. “Prince Ying and Princess Shunan had a falling out. Yesterday, people saw him leave her estate with a calm expression.”　　　　

The crown prince arched a brow. “Oh?”　　

So what if two stupid people had a falling out?　　

“Prince Ying is impulsive, chopping off an arm for the Tian family. But this humble official has heard that the Tian family sent gifts to the Hua family three times yesterday. Is it possible that they want to help Prince Ying pull the Hua family to his side?”　　

“No wonder after the period of Wu, the Third Young Master of the Hua clan sent a petition to the emperor pleading leniency for the Tian family,” said another official, expression grave. “Your Highness, if Prince Ying ropes in the Hua family, that would be very disadvantageous for us.”　　

“Do you two what you look like right now?” The crown prince shifted his gaze to these two officials who echoed one another. He threw the book that was in his hand onto the table. “Like those villains in operas who try to drive a wedge between people.” 　　　　

In the entire capital, are there just a few people who aren’t stupid? 　　

“Your Highness…” The two officials examined the crown prince’s expression from the sidelines.　　　　

“It was my idea to have the Tian clan look for Princess Shunan and the Hua family, and ask them to plead leniency for the Tian family in front of the emperor.” Once again, the crown prince arched his brows. “Are you unhappy with my idea?”　　

“Your Highness is indeed supremely clever in schemes, too wonderful for words!” blurted the officials. “This humble official knows this matter is rather complicated. Thus, not only did it cause Prince Ying to offend Princess Shunan, it also caused the Tian family and His Highness Prince Ying to owe your honored self. Defender General and his family are completely loyal and devoted to His Majesty, so how could they be enticed by the Tian family’s gifts? Your Highness’ scheme is truly matchless in this world.”　　　　

“Scram,” said the crown prince, pointing at the door. Expressionless. 

“This humble official will obey.” In a flash, the two officials of the Eastern Palace retreated with small strides.

“Send those two away for me.” The crown prince massaged his temples.　　　　

“Your Highness has already sent away three officials from the Eastern Palace,” said his personal attendant very carefully.　　

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“It’s already fewer people compared to last year,” he replied, aching a brow. “There are still eleven months left this year. Continue to work hard.”　　

The personal attendant fell silent. This wasn’t what he had meant. However, he feared that if he said any more, he would be the fourth official sent away.　　

The crown prince never found amusement from beating or scolding his people. Yet, as long as someone made him unhappy, he would kick them out of the Eastern Palace. In these past many years, the crown prince raised many trusted aides by his side.

Truly a strong-as-iron Eastern Palace, the turnover of its officials like flowing water.　 　

As such, it was inevitable that the personal attendant felt worried. There were too many loyal and useful people before the crown prince. In the future… what’s to be done?　　

“Right. I have some interesting toys here. Have people send it to the Hua estate.” The crown prince flipped to the next page of his book. “I pity the Hua family’s commandery princess for being sickly and unable to go outside. These things will be sent as presents to help relieve her boredom.”　　

“Understood.”　　

His Highness also knows to pull in the Hua clan. Our Eastern Palace will not lose. There’s still hope!　　

After receiving the all sorts of toys from the Eastern Palace, Hua Liuli felt surprised. That said, she had a great time playing with them. Because those toys had been so interesting, even if she played with them ten times, she did not think she’d grow tired of it.　　　　

“Little Sis, have you ever thought that the crown prince likes sending you toys and snacks because he sees you as a little child?” Originally, Hua Changkong thought the crown prince had romantic intentions toward his younger sister. But after seeing the full trunk of playthings, he knew he had overthought it.　　

When a man had intentions toward a woman, he would send her hairpins and jewelry, books and bolts of cloth. Who would send the object of his affections toys that children were fond of? It was clear the crown prince saw his younger sister as a child. Once he heard she had fallen ill, he had those things delivered to make her happy.

“What’s bad about being thought of as a child?” Hua Liuli dismantled a mechanical mouse, wanting to know how it worked. What a pity that dismantling it proved easy, but putting it back together was very difficult. No matter how she tinkered with it, more wooden nails appeared. By accident, she snapped off a leg of the wooden mouse.　　　　

“Alright, our little Liuli is still a five-year-old baby.” Hua Changkong handed over a letter to her. “Father and Mother will arrive in the capital in two days. Are you happy?”　　　　

Hua Liuli threw away the toy in her hand. Took the letter and read it.

“Daddy and Mother are really coming here?” In a cheerful mood, she held the envelope tightly with her fingers. Then she called for a servant girl to prepare to receive them.　

The entire Hua estate bustled with excitement.　　

After the lunar new year celebrations, the spring chill was up in the air. The pedestrians on the road still wore thick clothes meant for the winter, making their way in a haste.　　　　

Lin Zhou lifted the window curtain of his carriage. Took in the towering city gate of the capital, excitement on his features.　　

After being away for ten years, he finally returned to the capital.　　

The capital was a flourishing place and should be very populated. So he found it strange to see the vicinity of the city gates devoid of a single civilian.　　

“My Lord,” said Mistress Lin. She knew excitement flowed through his veins. Fearing that such exultation would be detrimental to his health, she said in a soft voice, “We have arrived at the capital at last. Once we arrive at our estate, you should rest well. There will be many things to worry about in the future.”　　　　

“Mistress has worked hard these many years.” Lin Zhou held his wife’s hand and was about to say something, when his ears caught the sound of orderly hoofsteps. 　　

Why were there so many hoofsteps sounding in the capital?　　

He let go of Mistress Lin’s hand. Disembarked from the carriage for a look. A squadron of orderly cavalry far away came to view, rushing toward the city gates. At the back of the squadron followed a long procession of carriages. One could not see the end of it with just a look.

It’s…　　

Defender General, Hua Yingting!　　

All of a sudden, the sound of drums at the city gates. Imperial guards left through said gates in formation, and soon after, the emperor’s procession did as well.　　　　

Following that were the five imperial princes on a horse each, every one of them donning splendid attire. Attractive and intelligent. Expressions solemn.　　

“Hurry and yield the way,” said Lin Zhou, rushing to have the driver move the carriage to a corner. Then, in a respectful manner, he bowed with his hands held in front of him.

At the gates, the sound of drums remained. The imperial guards blocked Lin Zhou and his people from going through. He watched as Hua Yingting quickly jumped off his horse, running toward the emperor’s procession. From time to time, he would wipe at the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand, emotions too stirred, unable to stop shedding manly tears.　　　　

“Your Majesty.” Hua Yingting knelt before the imperial procession. He choked with emotion as he said, “This most humble general was fortunately able to accomplish the mission, and as such preserved my life to be able to see Your Majesty again.”　　

“Yingting.” Emperor Changlong was rather emotionally moved. He rushed out of the imperial chariot and personally supported Hua Yingting up. “You have suffered these many years.”　　

The year Hua Yingting had left the capital, he told him to return alive.　　　　

During these many years away, Hua Yingting had accumulated innumerable and outstanding military service. To put it to words, it was his promise of that time.　　

Seizing vast lands and accumulating immense military achievements could not move Emperor Changlong as much as  the phrase “preserved my life.”　　

“It is this most humble general’s fortune to vow loyalty and devotion toward Your Majesty.” Then, such a tall and large man suddenly burst into sobs, unable to continue speaking.　　　　

It was if he had wandered for many years outside, finally finding something to rely on. Finally able to let go of all his worries.　　

“Your Majesty.”　　

“Beloved Subject.”　　

Ruler and subject held hands as they looked at one another, incredibly moved.　　

As Lin Zhou watched this scene, his emotions were not stirred. In fact, he was somewhat absentminded.　　　　

He had heard of a type of dog who loved to lick its master. As such, people coined it a licking dog.　　

The current Hua Yingting resembled such an animal.