High-class Spring Joy

Qingyuan's fingertips gripped the pure white handkerchief tighter and tighter.

But the large hand that was holding Qingyuan's wrist gradually loosened its grip.

Chu Jingxian's fingertips loosened little by little, completely releasing Qing Yuan's wrist.

For some reason, even though Chu Jingxian had loosened his grip, Qing Yuan hesitated to remove the scar. It wasn't because she was frightened by those eyes, or because she was afraid of how gruesome the scars hidden under the pure white scarf were.

Instead, Qingyuan felt a sense of awe.

This awe was different from the gratitude and admiration I usually felt for the Third Young Master. It was a feeling of seeing that even the purest and most innocent thing in the world could have cracks, as if I were defiling something absolutely pure.

There are countless treasures in this world, some pure, some beautiful, some rare. As long as they are treasures, they will be cherished, pitied, and protected. But there is often something in this world that is even more pitiful and protected than them.

That is, a treasure with a slight crack will only highlight a rare sense of fragility and destiny.

Just like when you see a priceless treasure, people will think about cherishing and protecting it, putting it in a high place, and admiring it from time to time.

But if it is a priceless treasure, and it remains so priceless even after being damaged, then people will cherish it even more than before it was damaged. They will not only keep it on a high shelf, but also carefully preserve it, for fear that it will be damaged again.

Qingyuan's current feelings towards Chu Jingxian are probably like this.

In Qingyuan's heart, a gentleman like Chu Jingxian, who is selfless, devoted to the country and its people, and of noble character, is someone she respects, admires, and is grateful to.

What she found even more precious, more heartbreaking, and more destiny-like was that Chu Jingxian, after experiencing hurt and trauma, chose to serve his country and people selflessly, helping the world and saving lives.

This is often more valuable than a pampered young master who is raised to be a refined and elegant gentleman.

Just like when people look at the Buddha statue in the temple and see that there is a crack on its golden body, their first reaction is not to think about knocking down the Buddha statue, let alone wanting to destroy it. Instead, they want to repair it, improve it, and restore it. They often have more faith in that Buddha statue.

Some Buddhas are high above from the very beginning, shining their light upon all beings.

But some Buddhas, even after being tainted by the dust of the world and witnessing the harm of darkness, still chose to illuminate all sentient beings.

Because the scars were on the Buddha's body, they were considered to possess even more Buddha-nature.

Qingyuan steadied herself and slowly removed the pure white scarf tied around Chu Jingxian's eyebrows, finally revealing eyes that almost no one in the world had ever seen before.

Those eyes were open; they were extremely beautiful peach blossom eyes, long and deep, with pupils like an endless, dazzling deep sea. But their biggest flaw was that... those eyes were completely devoid of any sparkle.

Even the pupils were dilated.

The scar was on the upper left corner of those peach blossom eyes, extending all the way from the outer left corner of the eye to the middle of the left eyebrow.

There was a very small, bright red mole under the corner of his right eye.

It was this small vermilion mole that gave him a somewhat bewitching appearance, quite different from the Chu Jingxian that Qing Yuan usually saw with his eyebrows and eyes covered.

At least, they weren't quite the same as the eyes Qingyuan had imagined.

Qingyuan thought that Chu Jingxian's eyes, which were always covered by a pure white scarf, would be like his whole person—clear and bright, exuding a cold and aloof air.

But who would have thought that he had the typical flirtatious eyes of a charming young man, with a bewitching little vermilion mole under his eyelid.

These two individuals have completely different temperaments and seem extremely incongruous, yet for some reason, Qingyuan found herself increasingly unable to look away from them.

As if possessed, Qingyuan's hand slowly moved down from under the long scarf, clearing away the small, withered branches for Chu Jingxian, before sliding down to his left eyebrow.

Qingyuan's fingertips gently traced the raised scar from the middle of his left eyebrow, stroking it down little by little as if touching a sacred treasure.

Little by little, inch by inch, Qingyuan had never felt that time was so long.

As for Chu Jingxian, his eyelids trembled slightly when Qingyuan's fingertips lightly touched his scar.

When those warm fingertips gently stroked his scars, Chu Jingxian tensed up all over.

In fact, Chu Jingxian did not shy away from touching his eyes, nor did he shy away from the scar on his eyes. He might not want others to see it, but he was not so arrogant as to be afraid to touch it.

Even when Chen Sha and Zhe Ji cleaned his face on ordinary days, they didn't really avoid the area around his eyes, let alone the scar.

At least he felt nothing when he touched it, when he touched the broken halberd; it was no different from touching an ordinary scar.

But today, when the girl in front of him gently touched him, Chu Jingxian strangely felt a slight burning sensation around his eyebrows for the first time in more than a decade. The more Qingyuan touched him, the hotter he felt.

The sensation of those fingertips touching his scars felt like tiny grains of sand rubbing against his heart.

It's so agonizing... it makes your heart soften, and you feel an irresistible itch.

For some reason, Qingyuan couldn't help but feel a pang of pity when her fingertips lightly touched the scar.

The scar looks gruesome, and given that it's on the eye, it's clear the injury wasn't minor. For a six-year-old child to suffer such a serious injury, especially to their eye, must have been in so much pain…

Qingyuan didn't know why she had such feelings for him. How could an ordinary person like her feel a little pity for a high-and-mighty young master?

This is too unreal.

But Qingyuan couldn't help but ask, though when she got to the tip of her tongue, it came out as something else entirely:

"Such a long scar, it must have taken a long time to heal, right?"

But when Qingyuan asked that question, her wrist was grabbed again.

Before Chu Jingxian could speak, Qingyuan reacted first, quickly pulling her hand back and taking two steps back. She immediately explained, "Young...Young Master, that small withered branch has been removed. Just now, it was...it was me...I overstepped my bounds. But your eyes are so beautiful, I couldn't help but look at them a few more times...Now that the withered branch is...it's all taken care of, since you don't need me to escort you back to your courtyard, then...then I'll go back first."

After saying that, Qingyuan tried to run away in a panic with a tense face, but as soon as she turned around, her wrist was grabbed for the fourth time.

Qingyuan was completely numb.

But there was nothing she could do; her wrist was gripped tightly, and she couldn't escape. She could only turn to look at Chu Jingxian in front of her: "Is there anything else, young master?"

"have."

Chu Jingxian grabbed Qing Yuan's wrist, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down:

"I didn't want you to keep touching me earlier because it was a little itchy, and I couldn't bear it if you kept touching me. As for your question about how long the healing process took, I don't really remember. It took me several years to get used to not being able to see. Now that I've adapted, I don't think it's a big pity that I can't see. But today, I do feel a little sorry for it."

Chu Jingxian didn't give Qingyuan a chance to ask questions or speak, but directly changed the subject: "As for the third point, we have been out of Bianjing City for several days now, and we should be setting off from Xiangguo Temple back to Bianjing City in a few more days. At that time, you will no longer need to follow the maids and servants. Princess Jing'an will be riding in the same carriage as the Empress Dowager. Just come and find me then, and I will make the arrangements for you."

After saying that, Chu Jingxian slowly loosened his grip on Qingyuan's wrist.

Qingyuan's heart was pounding. Chu Jingxian's warmth radiated through her hand, making her incredibly nervous. After finally hearing Chu Jingxian's words, she didn't think twice and immediately turned and ran away.

Chu Jingxian looked up in the direction Qing Yuan had gone, but alas.

He can't see.

pity.

I really want to see her clearly, to see what she looks like, what her eyebrows look like, what her eyes look like, what her lips look like, what she looks like when she speaks, what she looks like when she cries, what she looks like when she laughs? Isn't she beautiful? What color clothes does she like to wear?

What does he look like when you look at him? What kind of light shines in his eyes?

Also, what was your expression like when you stared into his eyes just now?

But all these thoughts and ideas could only be suppressed in Chu Jingxian's heaving chest and hidden in his hands that gripped the armrest tightly.

-

the other side.

Jiang Qingge came out of the Buddhist hall, supported by her maid Fanghua, her gaze fixed on the distance: "Miss, what about Miss Song the Second?"

Within sight was Miss Song, who was being punished.

For four hours, they carried Miss Song to the wooden plank from the left and right, and from the front and back, tightly controlling her hands and feet.

The other two servants each held a wooden board about half a person's height and half a finger's length thick. They held the thick boards high, almost above their heads, and slammed them down again and again.

With each blow, Miss Song Er let out a piercing scream. Her miserable and bloody appearance made everyone around her unable to bear to look and felt a chill in their hearts.

The nanny supervising the execution was from the Empress Dowager's side; what kind of punishment scene had she never seen before?

Not only did he show no reluctance or hesitation, but his face remained expressionless. Instead, upon hearing the screams emanating from Miss Song's mouth, he spoke sharply and sternly:

"Guards, gag her! Miss Song's conduct is improper. Not only has she committed heinous acts in such a pure and sacred place as Xiangguo Temple, but she has also hurled insults at others, defiling the temple's purity and sanctity, and offending all the deities within. If Miss Song's transgressions affect the Empress Dowager and the ladies' purpose of praying for the nation, and plunge the people of Song Kingdom into further suffering, then the sins she has committed will far exceed what thirty strokes of the cane can atone for! Gag her, and stop her filthy voice from continuing to offend the gods. After the punishment, give her a quick bandage, and have her sent back to Bianjing by carriage. Convey the Empress Dowager's decree to Lord Song word for word; I'm sure Lord Song understands the gravity of the situation!"

After the old woman finished speaking, no one dared to say anything more and could only watch from the sidelines, without even whispering among themselves.

Jiang Qingge remained expressionless, showing no change in demeanor, and said as if it were commonplace, "What should we do? Do we need to figure out what to do? Thirty strokes of the cane will probably leave her half-dead, if not dead. Besides, she hasn't explained herself now. Who will believe her later?"

As she spoke, Jiang Qingge glanced at the bloodied and mangled back of Miss Song's second daughter, then lowered her gaze to her own bright red nail polish, and chuckled lightly: "The Song family is just a mere seventh-rank official. Would she dare to tell anyone? Among all the ladies and young women here, Miss Song's second daughter and fifth daughter are the lowest of the low, the least worthy of attention. Although the fifth daughter is a coward, utterly useless and hopeless, at least that good-for-nothing knows to be careful with her words. But Miss Song's second daughter, even if she's spoiled rotten in that lowly seventh-rank official's family, it's still just the family of a seventh-rank official. Everyone here probably knows her behavior, personality, and temperament. Who would believe her?"

Upon hearing this, Fanghua laughed, "Yes, Miss is right. Who would believe someone who is habitually selfish and ruthless would claim to be innocent?"

The gazes of the young ladies and wives around them were indeed all fixed on Miss Song, who was being executed.

The nannies present all watched as the servant carried out the execution. Jiang Qingge and Fanghua did not stand directly in front of them, but kept a distance. Moreover, being as cautious as Jiang Qingge, no one around dared to speak out.

Jiang Qingge was unaware that in the corner of the corridor, the Fifth Miss Song, whom she called a good-for-nothing, a coward, and a hopeless case, was clenching her fists tightly as she listened to their conversation.

Song Yoon-ah was scared; she was indeed timid. But no one said that being timid meant being a fool, nor did anyone stipulate that someone who could accomplish something couldn't be timid.

Just like the cheerful smile that appeared on her face at that moment.

Her dear sister, she's finally met her match...

Father, her good father, no matter how much he wanted to protect her sister, he was only the head of the family in the Song family's small territory, and he was very important.

But in front of these people, it was nothing more than an insignificant straw.

-

Because of the example of Miss Song, Qingyuan faced far less targeting and ridicule in the following days.

Although those ladies and young women looked down on Qingyuan from the bottom of their hearts, it was their inherent nobility and arrogance that made them look down on not only Qingyuan, but on anyone of lower status than themselves.

But no one would openly oppose Qingyuan in front of the Empress Dowager anymore; everyone probably just kept a tacit understanding and did their job of putting on a show.

Qingyuan also knew that this battle would not make those people respect her from the bottom of their hearts or regard her as an equal, and that was not her goal.

Looking down on her or showing contempt is their business. As long as they stop trying to trip her up or dare not, and don't hinder her progress or cause her any trouble, Qingyuan doesn't care what other people's attitudes are.

There was one person who surprised Qingyuan.

During these few days in the Buddhist hall, besides Princess Jing'an showing her favoritism, there was another person who was also exceptionally friendly to her.

Miss Song the Fifth – Song Yun'er.

After the final Buddhist ceremony, Qingyuan once again offered her two remaining cups of lotus leaf dew tea.

The Empress Dowager took a sip of the lotus leaf dew tea and, in front of all the ladies and young women, asked, "Qingyuan, it's truly a pity that I'm returning to Bianjing tomorrow. Once I'm back in the palace, I'm afraid I won't be able to drink such a wonderfully refreshing lotus leaf dew tea as you brew. Do you have any secret recipe for making this lotus leaf dew tea? If so, please write down the recipe and give it to Mingfang. Or perhaps…"

The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, her gaze falling on Old Madam Dou beside her: "A girl as sensible and considerate as Qingyuan, with such a sincere heart, is truly likable. If she weren't a maid in your Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, we would have really brought her back to the palace to serve you. However, I've heard that she and your Fifth Prince seem to have a different story and connection. If I were to forcibly take her from your Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, that would be too forceful. I won't take what belongs to others, but your Zhenguo Marquis's mansion must treat her well, otherwise, I will have to take her from your mansion."

The Empress Dowager didn't give Old Madam Dou a chance to speak: "I'm tired too. This Buddhist ceremony is over. Let's go back early today, pack our things properly, and return to the city tomorrow. Everyone, you may leave."

After giving Madam Gu a dressing down, he let the old nanny Mingfang help him back to the inner hall.

The Empress Dowager spoke in a relaxed tone, as if she were joking, but the ladies and young women around her frowned inwardly. The fact that the Empress Dowager could say such a thing in public meant that her affection for Qingyuan had reached a certain level, and was not just a simple feeling of goodwill at the beginning.

Among everyone present, Jiang Qingge's expression remained the least changed, but her grip on the armrest of the chair was the tightest.

Jiang Qingge truly never expected that this lowly maid Qingyuan would have such a bewitching ability. In just a few days at Xiangguo Temple, less than half a month, she had managed to win over the Empress Dowager's favor so much!

Jiang Qingge was quite intelligent, and she naturally understood the implied meaning behind the Empress Dowager's words.

The Empress Dowager said these words not only to express her affection, but also to specifically mention Madam Dou's name and even the entanglement between Chu Jingyu and Qingyuan, in order to remind Madam Dou that Qingyuan was not an ordinary servant or maid.

The fact that the Empress Dowager would publicly remind Old Madam Dou because of her fondness for Qingyuan shows that the Empress Dowager's regard and affection for Qingyuan had reached a certain level.

Even when Qingyuan was just an ordinary maid from a humble background, she was already able to thwart Chu Jingyu's plans time and time again by virtue of her position in Chu Jingyu's heart.

Now that Qingyuan has already shown her face to the Empress Dowager and even won the favor of Princess Jing'an and the Empress Dowager, wouldn't that further disrupt her plans?

That's really...

We can't keep her here.

She can't be kept here any longer!!

Qingyuan must die, preferably on her journey back to Bianjing.

Jiang Qingge's gaze didn't fall on Qing Yuan, but instead on the tips of her own shoes, staring intently with a cold and ruthless look that no one else could see.

All the ladies and young ladies had left, including Jiang Qingge. Only Princess Jing'an, Qingyuan, and Miss Song Wu, who came up from a corner, remained.

Song Yun'er smiled: "Miss Qingyuan, if you would be willing to share the recipe for lotus leaf dew tea with others, I wonder if I would have the honor of receiving a share? So, after drinking your lotus leaf dew tea that day, I had to say some things that were not good to you, but that lotus leaf dew tea was truly a very special tea that I had ever tasted, with a power that no other tea, no matter how precious, could compare to."

As Song Yun'er spoke, she took a wooden box from the maid beside her and then stuffed it into Qing Yuan's hands: "If you would be so kind as to give me a copy of the recipe, I would be extremely grateful. In return, this bronze mirror in the box is a gift for you. You must know something about my situation, so I can't offer you anything of value. I can only offer this bronze mirror that I polished myself. I hope you won't find it offensive."

Qingyuan did know something about Song Yun'er. Perhaps because they had both been coerced by Jiang Qingge, Qingyuan felt a bit of goodwill towards this Miss Song.

This is probably what they mean by sharing a common hatred against a common enemy, right?

"Miss Song, you're exaggerating. It's just a recipe for brewing tea. The process for making tea is simple anyway. Once I get back and write down the recipe, I'll have someone deliver it to your courtyard."

Qingyuan accepted the box without hesitation: "This bronze mirror may not be much money to you, Miss, but it is a very precious thing to me. Moreover, it was polished by you yourself, Miss, so it is an extremely rare item. I am flattered and overwhelmed."

Qingyuan and Song Yun'er smiled at each other, and Song Yun'er nodded with a smile before leaving with her maid.

Princess Jing'an chuckled beside her, "This mirror may be fine, but as for Song Yun'er, I think you should be more wary of her. Although Lord Song is only a minor official of the seventh rank, the situation in his household is quite complicated."

After the ladies and young women in the Buddhist hall had left, Granny Mingfang in the back hall finally spoke up and asked:

"Your Highness, it seems you really like that little girl? But this servant doesn't understand, there are so many truly loyal servants in the palace, why does Your Highness like this little girl so much?"

"Mingfang, don't you think this little girl's features sometimes look remarkably like...the same person?"

The Empress Dowager sighed, pausing the fiddle she was playing with her prayer beads. "Thinking back, it's been three years since Qingmei left, hasn't it? She left the palace three years ago, and hasn't come back to see me in all this time. I wonder how that heartless little girl is doing these days?"