The Times Spent in Pretense

Prince Ying did not know that he had just sped past his fiancée.　　

When he caught up with the crown prince, he said with a strange tone, “Crown Prince, where are you heading?”　　

The crown prince glanced at the civilians behind him who had tried to avoid Prince Ying’s speeding horse, whose expressions of panic had yet to disappear. He arched a brow. “Has Eldest Brother not slept well lately?”　　

“What?”　　

“Since you slept well, why did you forget that one mustn’t race a horse in the city center?” The crown prince pointed a whip at the court eunuch riding a horse behind Prince Ying. “Come down and lead your master’s horse by the reins for him.”　　

The eunuch felt awkward. Should he do it or not?　　

Prince Ying’s expression grew cold. “May Crown Prince rest assured. This prince’s equestrianism is great. Harming the civilians would not occur.”　　

“Your Highness.” Hua Liuli, who sat on a horse, cupped one first in the other hand as a greeting. “Your Highness rode very quickly just a moment ago and scared the commoners.” Following that, she covered her mouth, light coughs spilling from her lips.　　

In a flash, Prince Ying recalled the following: Hua Liuli was a sickly and delicate woman. One who had fallen ill due to being frightened by a few hedonistic young nobles speeding through the city center on horses. He was afraid that she would suddenly topple over. Not to mention, he had also become a rotten prince in the eyes of the civilians, who would not even let off a three-year-old child holding a stick of candied Chinese hawthorn. And so, he swallowed the indignance bubbling from the pit of his stomach.　　

“Commandery Princess is right. It was this prince’s fault.” Prince Ying shifted his gaze to the crown prince. “Where are Crown Prince and Commandery Princess planning to go play? Eldest Brother is free right now, so would Crown Prince mind if one more person joins?”　　

After he had heard that the crown prince intended to pull the Hua clan to his side, Prince Ying suspected that the crown prince wanted to revolt with the Hua clan. As such, he needed to keep a watch on them.　　

“Alright,” said the crown prince with a smile that did not quite touch his eyes. “If Eldest Brother can come along, that would be great.”　　　　

Although Prince Ying did not quite understand what he meant by such words, he did soon after.　　

Bookstores, cloth shops, makeup shops, jewelry stores…　　

How could he know whether square-shaped ones or round-shaped ones were better?　　

How could he know whether the poems of the same poet were good or bad?　　

And then there were the skirts. They were all a light red. So what’s the difference?　　

And the crown prince just had to seem like he was purposely making things difficult for him, helping Commandery Princess Fushou on one hand, while on the other asking him for his opinion?　　　　

A bracelet is a bracelet. Why does he insist on asking me which looks better?　　

“This prince thinks they all look good and will purchase them all.” Prince Ying had finally had a breakdown. He pressed a hand against a box, an ominous look on his face as he said to the shop assistant, “Pack all of these things up. This prince will pay for them.”　

“How could I be so shameless? I said I would buy things as an apology to Commandery Princess Fushou today. So how could I allow Eldest Brother to foot the bill?” The crown prince smiled. “Eldest Brother is too polite.”　　

This jewelry shop was famous in the capital; its products were expensive and they also offered custom-made jewelry. The aristocracy were quite fond of the shop. The artisans who crafted the jewelry were renowned in the entire country. Thus, the prices were frightening.　　

“Since I am the elder brother, it is only natural that I should pay.” Prince Ying smiled in an insincere fashion. As long as you people stop asking me which things look good, I’ll thank the Heavens.　　　　

After the price of that small box of jewelry was calculated, even a person like Prince Ying found it painfully expensive. Why were the little things this girl liked so expensive?　　

“Commandery Princess, may you not take to heart whatever Crown Prince did to upset you.” Curiosity sprang in Prince Ying’s heart. What did the crown prince do wrong that he had to apologize to Hua Liuli?　　

“Responding to Your Highness, it actually wasn’t a big deal. A few days ago, my mother wanted to head to a Daoist temple and thank the gods for the fulfillment of a wish. By chance, we ran into His Highness the crown prince. Who would have thought that shortly after, groundless rumors would spread through the public? This official’s daughter did not care about such a trivial thing, and what’s more, His Highness was also a victim. Yet, His Highness insisted that he must apologize to me.” Hua Liuli also had not expected the crown prince to take her shopping at all these large stores when he mentioned taking her on a stroll in the city. So when she saw Prince Ying approach them, she came up with this excuse.  　　　　

These imperial princes all had their own thoughts and intentions. It was better to make things clear.　　

At the very least, she could not let the crown prince fall into the other princes’ traps.　　

“So that’s how it is.” Prince Ying recalled that his own mother had been the one to start the rumors, and the birthmothers of the other imperial princes had added fuel to the fire. Thus, he felt awkward looking at Hua Liuli.　　　

He had always found the crown prince unpleasant to the eye. But because of the crown prince, a delicate young lady had been implicated. Such a thing caused him distress. His Highness Prince Ying’s method of expressing his remorse was very straightforward: He purchased another entire set of jewelry for her.　　

The crown prince did not stop him. In fact, as Prince Ying fished out a large pile of banknotes, the crown prince revealed a gentle smile.　　　　

When the crown prince prepared to bring Hua Liuli to pick out some chinaware, Prince Ying was finally at his wits’ end. With a headache coming on, he bid them goodbye.　　

If he kept on going, he’d grow bald.　　

Once Prince Ying had left, the crown prince stopped in his tracks. “I suddenly recalled something. These chinaware aren’t that pleasant to the eye. Let’s go somewhere else.”

“Alright,” said Hua Liuli. She had the sinking suspicion that the crown prince had purposely set up a trap for Prince Ying just a while ago.　　

But who was she? The gentle, soft, kindhearted, and weak Hua Liuli. All she needed to do was silently follow behind the crown prince, picking up the spoils of his actions. 　　

The crown prince truly did bring her out to play. He not only brought her to taste culinary delicacies, but he also brought her to listen to beauties strumming zithers on the lake, sideshow performances with monkeys, and so forth, each activity more interesting than the last. Once the curtains of night had gradually fallen, the crown prince escorted Hua Liuli back to her home.　　　　

“When there’s a chance again, I’ll take you out to play once more,” said the crown prince to Hua Liuli, who was standing at the doorway. “The night is cold. Commandery Princess, go inside and rest.”　　

“Your Highness, this horse is yours.” Hua Liuli handed over the reins of the white horse to him. But the crown prince only smiled. “Raise it at your home for a while. Return it to me during the winter, once Commandery Princess cannot ride a horse anymore.”　

Just as she was about to decline the offer, she caught sight of the crown prince turning his horse around to leave.　　

“Your Highness.”　　

The crown prince turned to look at her. Before she could say anything, there was already a smile on his face. “Thank you, Commandery Princess, for accompanying me, making this such an interesting Lantern Festival.”　　

Such a smile was too beautiful. So beautiful that even after the crown prince had left, Hua Liuli couldn’t seem to remember the horse’s name.　　

“Fine,” said Hua Liuli, stroking the horse’s mane. “Come. I’ll take you back with me.”　　　　

When Wei Mingyue saw her daughter leading that horse home with her, she carefully sized said horse up. “This is a tributary horse from the northern Wuhu Country, a rare thousand-li steed. Only His Majesty has them. You…” Her voice started to tremble as she continued, “Daughter, did you steal an imperial horse?”　　　　

“Mother, I haven’t gone crazy.” Hua Liuli stroked the horse in a cherishing manner. “The crown prince lent this horse to me to play with.”　　

“Daughter, you should know the saying ‘horses and beauties ought not to be lent,’” said Wei Mingyue, cutting a solemn figure. “Speak, what did you do to the crown prince? Mother will see if I can protect you. If not, then I’ll go speak with the Imperial Court of Judicial Review and see if they can arrange a good bed for you in prison.”　　　　

“It’s probably because the crown prince has too many fine horses, so it doesn’t matter if he lends me one?”　　

“Mistress, the crown prince truly gave that horse to Commandery Princess,” blurted Yuanwei. “Ever since Commandery Princess has returned to the capital, she has been well-behaved, never provoking any trouble. Not only that, but she even put in order some hedonistic young nobles who were racing their horses on the main street. Now, no one dares to do so there anymore.”　　

“It’s better to be less conspicuous. I heard that for a few days after that A’Wa had just entered the capital, he kept shouting that he wanted to see you. The Imperial Court of Judicial Review starved him for a few days,” said Wei Mingyue. “His Majesty wants to hold a state banquet next month, inviting various peripheral countries to participate. At that time, don’t go outside too often. I fear that after the people from Jinpo Country hear everything that had happened from A’Wa, they would throw a burlap sack over your head and knock you out with sticks.”　　　　

“You can’t blame me for that,” said Hua Liuli, just and forceful. “He’s the one who infiltrated our Qinghan Prefecture first, and tried to get me to spill military intelligence using a honeytrap. I could only return the favor.”　　

Translated by Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com/ If you read it anywhere else besides Sleepchaser’s wordpress, that copy was stolen.

“That’s why after we captured him, you even dug out the precious stones inlaid in his shoes?” 　　

“It wasn’t me who did that. It was Yuanwei.” She sold out her servant neatly and nimbly.

Yuanwei raised her head. Gazed at the moon in the sky. “Commandery Princess, look at the moon. It’s big and round. Doesn’t it look like a wok?”　　

“There’s a crescent moon tonight,” said Hua Liuli, not once lifting her head.　　

Yuanwei’s expression proved indifferent. Yep, the moon isn’t round tonight. But the wok I’m carrying sure is large and round.　　

“Yuanwei has always been loyal to you. Isn’t everything she does according to your orders?” Wei Mingyue never argued with Hua Liuli. Because she could never win. “Just be more careful. Don’t let yourself get caught up in dangerous situations.”　　　　

“Don’t worry. Who in the capital city doesn’t know that I’m kindhearted, gentle, of delicate constitution, and cannot be angered or chilled due to my health?” Hua Liuli reached out to hold onto Wei Mingyue’s arm. 　　

But her mother avoided it. “You stink like a horse. Don’t get so close to me.”　　

Just when these words had left her lips, Hua Liuli seized the opportunity to hug her.　　

Yuanwei watched her mistress act so seriously with their commandery princess for less than ten minutes, before their commandery princess coaxed her to smiles. Keeping calm in the face of the unexpected, Yuanwei led the horse by the reins to the stable. Then she instructed two stable lads to take care of the horse.　　

After Hua Liuli bathed and dressed, she sat cross-legged on her bed, laying the all sorts of jewelry on it. She beckoned over her closest attendants, Yuanwei and Yurong, and said their names.

The resplendent jewelry made Yuanwei and Yurong dizzy. They stepped back together.　　　　

“These are for you,” said Hua Liuli, separating some jewelry from the rest and giving it to the two maidservants. They had followed her since young and were accustomed to how she acted. Thus, Yuanwei and Yurong did not reject her good will in an insincere manner, calmly accepting the items.　　

The more she looked at the jewelry, the more Hua Liuli liked them. To the point that she even found the crown prince, who had given her these gifts, adorable.　　

No woman would hate that they had too many pieces of jewelry. No woman!　　

Right now, she was someone who had a residence, land, shops, and jewelry. She could start raising handsome pets now.　　

“Yurong, Yuanwei, go ask around about the more interesting musical troupes and opera circles in the capital.” Hua Liuli fiddled with a jade bead. “Especially those places with beautiful men. Don’t miss them.”　　

Yurong said, “Why don’t you see if there are any young noblemen in the capital that catch your eye?”　　

“That’s no good. Those young noblemen will marry noble young ladies. If in the future these noble young ladies discover that I’ve had a share of their husbands before, wouldn’t that hurt their feelings?” She shook her head. “That would be too horrible. Raising handsome companions is better.”　　

The night proved cold. Lin Wan could not grasp a wink of fitful sleep. She sat in her little courtyard, listening to her mother sigh.

Housing was expensive in the capital city. Her father had worked as an official for many years and had always been honest and incorruptible. He normally did not like his family living with too luxurious means. After they had returned to the capital, they lived in a residence with three little courtyards. Fourth Prince had even been the one to pay for the preparation of this little residence. 　　

Originally, Fourth Prince wanted to prepare a large and cozy residence for them. But her father said if they lived in such a nice place, the common people would suspect them of being corrupt. Thus, he rejected his offer.　　　　

Her father always said that one must not be too materialistic. That having a pure reputation was the most important. But she did not understand this: Why couldn’t they live in the big residence if Fourth Prince gave it to them?　　

It wasn’t as if the residence was a bribe. So what if they lived in it? They had a clear conscience.　　

“Little Wan, why are you still awake?” asked Mistress Lin after entering the courtyard and seeing her daughter sitting on a stone bench. “The night is cold. Hurry and return inside.”　　　　

“Mother.” Lin Wan stood and supported Mistress Lin to a seat. “Daughter cannot sleep.”　　

“Why not?” Then, noticing her daughter’s worried expression, Mistress Lin said in a concerned manner, “Our family has just entered the capital. Are the young ladies of other households bullying you?”

Lin Wan forced a smile and shook her head. “No. I just haven’t grown used to the weather here, so I find it hard to sleep at night.”　　

Yet, Mistress Lin did not believe her. “Is it because the Birthday of the Flowers is approaching soon, but you don’t have any suitable clothes or jewelry?” The Lin family’s ancestors were poor. It wasn’t until Her Highness entered the imperial palace and her husband placed first in the imperial exams that the Lin family’s circumstances improved with much difficulty.　　　　

Now her husband had been transferred to the capital city. Word had it that it was originally Prince Ying’s idea for him to hold a post in the Imperial Court of Judicial Review. But after so many days, there had been no word of the appointment. Just what was His Majesty’s intention? 　　

However, Mistress Lin kept these feelings to herself, not wanting to add to her daughter’s worry. “Tomorrow, Mother will accompany you to choose and buy some nice things.” 

Lin Wan shook her head. “The clothes and jewelry I have from last year are fine. Everything in the capital city is expensive. There’s no need to waste money.”　　

After a moment of hesitation, Mistress Zhuang stood and returned inside. Shortly after, she came back outside and placed a few banknotes in Lin Wan’s hand. “Mother knows you are a good and sensible child. Use this money.”　　

Lin Wan tried to decline a couple times. But after thoughts of those beautiful sets of clothing and pieces of jewelry entered her mind, she finally accepted the money.　　

Everything would be fine once she became Princess Consort Ying.　　　　

Everything would become better.　　

Once she saw off her mother, Lin Wan looked at the banknotes in her hand, each of them with a different denomination. And then she once again recalled the Young Miss Yao who had spent money like water today, as well as those other young ladies of noble families who had paid no attention to how much they spent. And her hands trembled a shade.　

Once she became Princess Consort Ying, she would possess everything. 　

And if the emperor started to disdain the crown prince…　　

That would be even better.