After Qingcheng arrived, Fu Ning became noticeably more proactive than before.
Chu Qianli confined herself to her room, refusing to interact with anyone. Consequently, for the entire morning, Qingcheng stayed by Fu Ning's side, assisting her with her tasks.
Although he couldn't speak and maintained a distant demeanor towards others, and even seemed incapable of doing any actual work, he was very diligent.
Whatever Fu Ning taught him, he would learn.
However, the moment Fu Ning saw his hands, she couldn't bear it.
"Miss, I believe he must be a young master from a wealthy family. His hands are so fair and tender, even more so than mine!"
Every time Fu Ning thought of Qingcheng's hands, her eyes would sparkle. "Miss, you don't know how beautiful his hands are. They are simply the most perfect and beautiful hands I have ever seen."
"Your hands aren't as beautiful as his."
"..." Chu Qianli lay on the long chair, utterly speechless. "Doesn't that further prove that he's definitely not a good person and is here to steal secrets?"
"No, no, no, I just mean that his family must have suffered some catastrophe, leading to a sudden downfall. But before that, he must have been a noble young master."
"So, you mean I shouldn't assign him any strenuous tasks?" Chu Qianli felt she had rolled her eyes enough for the day and decided to suppress her reaction.
"Not strenuous tasks, but..." Fu Ning's voice wavered slightly, but she pressed on, "I mean, Miss, you shouldn't let him do any work at all!"
"Such beautiful hands are not meant for manual labor."
"..." Speaking to the heavens in silence. "So, you're saying I should spend money to support him?"
"Yes, yes, yes... Oh, that's not what I meant." Fu Ning blushed, feeling a little embarrassed. "I just... I just meant... that..."
"I give you such a generous monthly allowance; you can support him yourself."
"Okay!"
"..." A woman whose head was clouded by love, or rather, by beauty. Talking to her would surely drive her mad.
Chu Qianli decided not to get angry anymore. "Do as you please."
Qingcheng's footsteps could be heard outside again. Fu Ning was more familiar with these footsteps than anyone else.
"Qingcheng, what is it?" She immediately went to open the door, afraid that a moment's delay would make Qingcheng impatient.
Qingcheng turned his head to look back, and Fu Ning immediately noticed.
"Miss, Prince Ling is here!"
Chu Lingyang seemed to be in a very good mood today.
He carried wine with him.
The moment Chu Qianli saw the wine jars, she started to get a headache. "Your Highness, I don't like drinking."
"It's alright, I like to drink. You can just have some fruit wine with me!"
Chu Lingyang ordered his servants to tidy up the pavilion.
Chu Qianli noticed that ancient people were very fond of drinking tea, eating snacks, and drinking wine in pavilions.
It was fortunate that the weather had been cool and even a bit chilly during this period. If it were the height of summer, could anyone bear to stay in a pavilion?
"Your Highness, what has put you in such high spirits?" She poured Chu Lingyang a cup of wine.
Chu Lingyang laughed heartily. "I just returned from my fourth imperial brother's place. My fourth imperial brother has finally woken up!"
There was no surprise in Chu Qianli's eyes.
She had treated the person herself, and it was within her expectations that Prince Jing would wake up at this time.
She just hadn't expected that there would truly be such pure brotherly affection within the imperial family.
It was evident that Prince Ling's current excitement and joy were genuine.
He truly cared about this fourth imperial brother.
"This is good news, truly worth a couple of drinks."
Chu Qianli poured herself a cup as well. "Come, Your Highness, I'll drink with you."
After Chu Lingyang had consumed a good amount of wine, Chu Qianli's gaze suddenly deepened, and she asked seemingly casually, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort is both beautiful and wise, appearing very elegant and noble. She must come from a distinguished family, but why have I never heard anyone mention her maternal family?"