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墨書 Inktalez
I originally intended to leave Fu Jingchen's sight with Li Jinxiu, but just as I stood up, he pressed me back down, saying that I had to accompany him to fulfill a vow.
"Though you are dull-witted, at least you are sincere. It is more appropriate for you to help me fulfill this vow."
"Huh?"
"You need not return home today; instead, stay here with me and fast for three days."
"Ah?"
"I will send someone to notify the Qin Family."
"What?" I wanted to ask why, but I really wanted to ask on what grounds? But I didn't dare.
"Keep your mouth shut. No one else besides you and me will know my identity, understand?"
I instinctively shook my head. "Did you forget to remind Jinxiu?"
He shot me a cold glance, and I obediently closed my mouth.
"You don't have to be so timid; I won't eat you!"
The tone of his speech was enough to make one tremble, yet he told me not to be afraid.
"If you want to say something, just say it openly. At least for these three days, you don't have to treat me like a prince."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then I'm going home. You're not a prince right now; what gives you the right to order me around?" I said boldly but quietly muttering.
"Qin Huazhi."
"I'm just joking! It's a privilege for me to help His Highness."
According to him, it was because he was weak and sickly at birth, and no matter how the physicians treated him, the prognosis was not optimistic.
Later, it was a Master of the Monastery from Puan Temple who secretly entered the palace and gave him an Amulet that led to some improvement.
Before leaving, the Master reminded him that before the prince's coronation ceremony, he must personally come to Puan Temple to fast for three days as a way of fulfilling his vow, and during these three days, he must clean the three thousand steps of the back mountain of Puan Temple once each day.
"Cleaning three thousand steps is so exhausting; how can His Highness do such a thing? Can't someone else do it?"
"This matter must remain confidential. The first person who recognizes him on the way from the city to Puan Temple can do it."
One day, the Crown Prince was high above, and even Li Jinxiu, who had entered the palace once, couldn't recognize him. I guessed that the old monk must have found a tricky excuse, and unfortunately, I didn't check the calendar before going out. I had stolen a glance at him during the coming-of-age ceremony and, for some reason, recognized him.
So, does that mean I have to start cleaning the three thousand steps from today? After all, I am a young lady of noble birth, not accustomed to manual labor. I was not happy about being asked to do such rough work.
"If we're going to clean, shouldn't we start from the top down?" I looked up at the seemingly endless mountain path and asked quietly.
"It seems you're not too foolish after all."
"Does that mean I have to climb up first before I can start cleaning?"
"What else would it be?"
I really wanted to hit him with a broom. Who talks like that when asking for help? Any woman who marries such a man will be in for trouble.
I climbed step by step, turning back occasionally to see him standing still.
"Why aren't you moving?"
"Since you can take my place, why should I go up?"
Damn it, he was so used to living in luxury that he dared to show such disrespect.
"Your Highness, the gods are watching. It is proper to be devout. You remain high above and cannot understand the suffering of the common people; how can you become a wise ruler in the future?"
Realizing I might have gone too far with my words, I decided to throw caution to the wind and tossed the broom down at him.
The broom rolled down step by step until it landed right in front of him. I then said, "You’ve had good fortune today by catching a scapegoat. I'm unlucky, and I accept that, but at least you should make the trip up and down these three thousand steps; otherwise, it would be a waste of your time."
These three thousand steps were no joke. Starting at noon, by the time I reached halfway, I was already gasping for breath.
I wiped my sweat and sat down for a moment. The soft golden light of the setting sun cast a beautiful glow on my face.
"You look delicate," he said as he picked up the broom and leisurely walked over to me. He then leaned on the broom and stood beside me. "And indeed you are delicate."
I remained silent, resting my elbows on my knees with my hands supporting my chin as I quietly admired the sunset, evening glow, green forest, and spring flowers.
"Others would gladly serve me like beasts of burden; why are you so unwilling?"
"Who would want to be a beast of burden?"
"Anyone with desires would. Aren't you here to make wishes?" He bent down and sat beside me. "So tell me what you want; perhaps if I'm in a good mood, I'll help you fulfill it."
"I want my parents to be joyful, healthy, and live a long life. Can you help me achieve that?"
"I want the Qin Family to enjoy prosperity and be remembered through the ages. Can you help me achieve that?"
"If you marry me as Consort Crown Prince, your parents will naturally be joyful, and the palace physicians will be at your service, ensuring their health. By becoming the only Empress of the Northern Dynasty, you will be recorded in the family genealogy, and the Qin Family will surely flourish, leaving a mark in history."
"..."
"You all are not so different; it’s just that the one from the Minister of Justice speaks plainly while you are a bit more subtle. In fact, it would be more pure if it were just for yourself!"
"..."
I found myself unable to argue back. Fine, I won't rest.
What infuriated me was that he followed me closely like a supervisor, his disdainful gaze urging me to keep moving forward. He claimed it was because I was walking too slowly.
I really wanted to turn to stone on the spot.
Fine, if you're trying to annoy me, then I won't walk anymore; I'll just stay here and see what he can do about it!
"Are you going to walk or not?"
I turned my head away and ignored him.
"Tired?"
I remained silent; compared to emotional exhaustion, this little physical fatigue was nothing at all.
He was silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "How about this: let's have a race. The last one to reach the mountain top has to do the cleaning."
"Really?"
"A gentleman's word,"
"Is harder to retract than a team of four horses."
After he said that, I suddenly felt energized and charged forward.
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