The Times Spent in Pretense

“It’s the fault of this official’s daughter,” said Hua Liuli as she bit her lower lip, her long, shapely eyebrows furrowing just a hint. As if she were concealing boundless amounts of grievances. Yet, she staunchly kept them to herself. “There was miscommunication between this official’s daughter and Young Miss Lin, causing both of us some unhappiness. Then His Highness the crown prince came over and said a few words to her. Never had this official’s daughter imagined that Young Miss Lin would feel this remorseful, kneeling before His Highness and me to apologize.”

Then Hua Liuli’s little face grew pale. As though Young Miss Lin’s actions had frightened her. Despite this, she still said to Prince Ying in a considerate fashion, “Thank goodness Your Highness arrived. Please quickly persuade Young Miss Lin to stand.”

This wok was both large and round. If she let the crown prince carry it, it’d definitely cause a larger rift between the brothers. It was better if she carried it instead.

“So it was merely a misunderstanding,” said Prince Ying, realization striking him. He lowered his head to look at Lin Wan. “Then what are you still kneeling for? Do you think it’s good if people see you like that? Hurry and stand. In a little while, change your clothes. Consort-Mother has invited you to stay over at her residence for a couple days.”

“Many thanks for the leniency, Commandery Princess.” Lin Wan’s sleeves concealed her hands, fingernails digging deeply into her palms. Slowly, she rose to her feet, head lowered as she cast a glance at the muddy foot of her dress. Then she said in front of Prince Ying, “Your Highness, this official’s daughter will return home to change before entering the palace and paying Her Highness a formal visit. Is that alright?”

“Up to you.” Prince Ying glanced at the crown prince. “It’s raining heavier and heavier on the mountain. Commandery Princess is of poor health and should not remain on the mountain for too long. What’s more, if it continues to rain, the roads on the mountain will become slippery and hard to traverse. It’s better if Commandery Princess descends the mountain sooner.”

“Many thanks for the reminder, Your Highness. This official’s daughter will take it to heart.” Hua Liuli took note of Lin Wan’s cold and sharp stare.

She sighed at the bottom of her heart. Hid behind the crown prince. There were benefits to having someone tall standing by one’s side. At least it could block off other people’s stares.

Glancing at Hua Liuli, Prince Ying cupped his hands to the crown prince. “Crown Prince, I will leave first.”

“Take care, Eldest Brother.” Expressionless, the crown prince once again cast a glance at Lin Wan. Lin Wan was too afraid to meet his gaze, dropping her head even lower.

Once Prince Ying and Lin Wan had left, the crown prince said to Hua Liuli, “We should descend the mountain as well. There’s a lake near the outskirts of the capital city, and the scenery is the best during a rainy day. We can reach it by carriage. Do you want to have a look?”

“Yes, let’s go,” said Hua Liuli, nodding. With a beauty in accompaniment, admiring a lake and admiring flowers was no different.

Halfway on the road, they encountered Fifth Prince, who carried a cylindrical painting container. When Fifth Prince caught sight of Hua Liuli, his eyes brightened. He saluted the crown prince in a grand and well-behaved fashion. Following that, he gazed at Hua Liuli with luminous eyes. “Commandery Princess Fushou, I drew a new painting today. May Commandery Princess give some comments.”

Hua Liuli was speechless.

Youngster, I feel very awkward when you look at me with eyes like that.　　

“Then this official’s daughter will be so bold as to take a look.” Forget it, forget it, the other person’s an imperial prince. I still need to flatter him a little.　

Two little court eunuchs unfurled the painting scroll with care. Without delay, Fifth Prince held an umbrella over it, afraid that the merciless spring rain would soak his work.

Hua Liuli sucked in a deep breath. Steeled herself as she took a look at the painting.

What in gods is this?　　

A darker clump of ink and a lighter clump of ink mixed together. Since they’re close together, does that make them friends?

“Commandery Princess, what do you think of this painting of the scenery on Mount Qing?” asked Fifth Prince, looking at her with eyes full of expectation.

With a smile that did not quite touch his eyes, the crown prince glanced at Hua Liuli. Took a step back without a word as he pretended to look at the sky and ground, anywhere besides Fifth Prince’s painting.

“This painting…” After a moment of muttering to herself, Hua Liuli said, “As Your Highness started painting, at times there were deep colors, and at times lighter colors were used. When it comes to the darker colors, they resemble Mount Qing’s loftiness and spectacular sight. When it comes to the lighter colors, they resemble the wind among the mountains. The rain. Additionally, they resemble the mountain’s spiritual essence that cannot be seen or touched. When one looks at a painting, one can see the painter. This official’s daughter thinks Your Highness conducts yourself like a mountain, yet your frame of mind takes after the unrestrained, quiet, and comfortable white clouds. Fitting for an upright gentleman.”

“Commandery Princess is flattering me,” said Fifth Prince, cheeks pink. He had a court eunuch carefully store away the painting. “But Commandery Princess is correct. I want to be the clouds by the mountain, the wind that blows yonder. Not bothered by the matters of the vulgar world.”

Turning her head to the crown prince, Hua Liuli asked, “Your Highness, are the words of this official’s daughter correct?”

At a time like this, he couldn’t let her wrack her brain to think of praises alone.

“Indeed.” The crown prince smiled. “I find Commandery Princess very reasonable, and extremely approve of your opinion.”

“Crown Prince understands Younger-Brother-Official.” Fifth Prince grew even happier. “May the two wait a while. After I return, I will make two new paintings to send to you.”

Not a word escaped Hua Liuli’s lips.

No, that really isn’t necessary.　　

“Thank you for the trouble, Fifth Younger Brother.” The crown prince’s expression appeared normal. “Then you should return earlier to work on those paintings. I look forward to your work of art.”

“Younger-Brother-Official will definitely not disappoint Crown Prince,” said the perfectly graceful Fifth Prince. After he had heard the crown prince’s encouragement, he rushed the whole way down the mountain, not even bothering to use his umbrella.

Ever since they were little, the crown prince seldom praised him. Since he surprisingly praised and encouraged him this gently today, it must mean his painting was too artistically meaningful, garnering the crown prince’s appreciation.

Sure enough, he had a peerless talent in painting.

As Hua Liuli took in Fifth Prince’s cheerful and lively figure, her emotions grew complicated. Many of the sons and daughters of the imperial household… were very odd. But were the words Fifth Prince had said earlier, of wanting to be the clouds and wind or whatever, sincere? Or did he only say them for the crown prince to hear? She snuck a peek at the crown prince. Unable to discern his thoughts, she simply gave up.

Traversing the mountain path truly proved difficult in the rain: The crown prince slipped and almost fell. But Hua Liuli had quick reflexes and pulled him by his belt, dragging him back.　　　‌

The crown prince looked at her hand. All of a sudden, he smiled. “They say that under great concern, people could do extraordinary things. I didn’t expect that in order to save me, Commandery Princess could actually summon so much strength.”　　‌

Coughs spilled from Hua Liuli’s lips. She pressed a hand to her chest. “This official’s daughter is also surprised. From here, it can be seen that a person’s potential is limitless.” She received a pill from Yuanwei and swallowed it. “This official’s daughter feels relieved that Your Highness is alright.”

Once they reached the base of the mountain, the two did not ride in the same carriage. Reclining in her carriage, Hua Liuli finally let out a sigh of relief.

Beauties confused the person; why couldn’t she control her hand? The crown prince had so many servants by his side. There was no way they’d let him fall.

“Commandery Princess, it’s a good thing you aren’t the monarch.” Yuanwei shook her head. “If you were the monarch, the country would have long since toppled due to your love for beauties.”

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

“Yuanwei, if you say things so bluntly, then I’ll have no more face.”

“With beauties before you, would you still care about face?” said Yurong with a smile. “You obviously won’t.”

“Alas, this is called having tender, protective feelings for the fairer sex. How could you understand my frame of mind?” said Hua Liuli. Then she whispered, “What’s more, the person the crown prince liked already passed away, and his emotions for her have yet to fade. I was afraid he would be depressed, and could only console him more.”

If something truly happened to the crown prince, it would affect the whole country. Those suffering would be the common people. As such, what she saved just a while ago wasn’t a beauty, but  the future of Great Jin.　‌

As such, she was noble. Was worthy of great admiration.

The carriage traveled forward on the road before coming to a halt. Hua Liuli lifted the window curtain. Took in the surroundings. The scenery was quite commonplace. Where was that good-looking lake?

“We’re here?”

An imperial guard replied, “Commandery Princess, there’s still a bit more to travel. In front is a quarry. The road is a bit uneven, so may Commandery Princess and the young ladies who serve your honored self please sit steadily.”

“Alright.” Hua Liuli nodded. “Thank you.”

“This one dares not accept the thanks,” said the guard, before allowing the coachman to resume driving.

A short while later, the carriage sure enough shook as it traveled. Curious, Hua Liuli lifted the window curtain for a look outside. Piles of bare stones lined both sides of the road. A crowd of convicts that had been working in the quarry found shelter from the rain in the form of an awning. They stood underneath it in a well-behaved fashion, not daring to make a sound and bother Hua Liuli’s group, who was passing by.

There was one other convict who crouched outside the awning. He didn’t seem to get along with the other convicts.

When this convict caught sight of Hua Liuli, he rose to his feet and said, “Commandery Princess, please save my life.” He appeared as though he wanted to rush in her direction, but once the jailor drew out his whip, the convict stopped in his tracks out of fear. Despite this, he still called out to Hua Liuli, shouting himself hoarse.

“Stop the carriage,” said Hua Liuli. Then she had the jailor bring the convict over. She took a few good, careful looks at him.

Hair a mess and face full of dirt. Who’s this?　

“Commandery Princess, I’m the musician Yunhan.” The convict wore straw sandals; short clothes made of coarse, dirty cloth covered his skinny and shriveled body. He appeared like someone who hadn’t had a full meal in a long while.

“You’re… Yunhan?” Hua Liuli looked him up and down. No wonder the elderly said that people were merely wooden clothes hangers. Now that this Yunhan wore worn-out rags, his immortal-like aura was nowhere to be seen. His filthy face was no longer as fair as it had been a few days prior, the beauty without a question a thing of the past.

“Commandery Princess, this jailor has been abusing me. May Commandery Princess save my life.” Although he had only stayed at the dungeon of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review for two days, he couldn’t endure it any longer.

“Please see things clearly, Commandery Princess. The convicts under the Imperial Court of Judicial Review are supposed to work as punishment for their crimes.” The jailor did not know which commandery princess was currently sitting in that carriage, but he dared not slight her. “This person is accustomed to scheming. He doesn’t work much yet eats a lot, and also doesn’t accept being disciplined. We have no choice but to whip him. It’s not that we’re deliberately targeting him.”

“Mister Yunhan, the Imperial Court of Judicial Review has its rules and regulations. Although I am a commandery princess, I cannot interfere in government affairs. The officials of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review are all talented in investigation. I am sure that they can discover the truth and give this case a beautiful ending.” Hua Liuli glanced at Yunhan’s dirty straw sandals. “Life in prison contains a bit of suffering…”

Hope rose in Yunhan’s heart.

“…But there are still many days ahead. After a while, you’ll get used to it.” From within the carriage, Hua Liuli handed over a deep dish of pastries. “Here. Eat more. Once you’re done, you will have the energy to work.”

As Yunhan stared at the deep dish of pastries, his hands shook as he received it. “Since Commandery Princess says this, I will believe it.”

“That’s good,” said Hua Liuli, nodding. “Reform yourself well, and work hard to be released early.” Following that, she dropped the curtain and said to the guard, “Let’s go.”

Once Hua Liuli and her entourage left, the convicts who had been acting well-behaved under the awning rushed out in a burst, snatching all the pastries from Yunhan’s hands and leaving them empty.

“And I thought this little white face could get himself out of here.”

“In the end, all he got was a deep dish of pastries.”

“Her Highness the commandery princess was right. Reform yourself well and work hard to be released early.”

The crowd laughed with abandon. Despite this, they did not comment on the commandery princess at will. Because when it came to those convicts worthy of being held under the Imperial Court of Judicial Review’s jurisdiction, each was as clever as a mouse regarding what could and could not be said.

In an extremely good mood, the crown prince leaned against a wall of his carriage in an indolent manner.　　　　‌

How could one leave a wonderful impression on another person’s heart?

Reveal the entirety of his rival’s ugliest appearance.

The most handsome, most charming musician?

Ha.

Author’s Note:

Hua Liuli: What’s this about loving and not loving? He’s just a swindler who coaxes people. He’s too afraid to even confront one of Fifth Prince’s paintings, but still has the face to say he loves me?

Crown Prince: One mustn’t show a hint of mercy when striking one’s rival in love.