Chapter 107

Yuan Qingling watched Prince Sun who claimed to lose weight devour two plates of pastries, a tray of fried lamb chops, two plates of stir-fried dishes and a bowl of rice. He even didn’t miss the sauce of meals.

“I can call for more servings if you need.” Yuan Qingling sensed his hunger from his pitiful gaze at the empty plates.

Prince Sun threw a grave glare at her. “No, I am on a diet. Don’t set me up.”

Yuan Qingling was really speechless. A prince claiming to go on a diet came here and ate like a horse, but then criticized her hospitality.

“Well then, you’d better stop,” she said.

Prince Sun raised his head slowly and turned an indignant expression. “They are just a bit of refreshments. Why are you so stingy?”

“I didn’t mean that...” Yuan Qingling cast a look at his disgruntled fat face, her shoulders slumping, and had to say, “I mean you can come tomorrow.”

Prince Sun took out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth elegantly. “What’s the menu for tomorrow?” he tried to ask casually but the expectation in his eyes was too obvious.

“Anything you like.” Yuan Qingling could do nothing with him.

“No, I can just grab a bite.” Prince Sun lowered his eyes, groping inside his pocket and hauled out a list.

“How weird! It happens to be my birthday in a few days and my wife is planning a celebration with a banquet. She has customized the menu specially for me. Why not let the royal cooks make some dishes according to it? It will be a good idea to foretaste before the banquet in case there might be any impertinence or disrespect to guests that day.”

“And tell the cooks not to cook too much as I am on a diet and can’t eat too much.” He put the list on the table.

Yuan Qingling fetched it to take a close look. She counted and became astonished.

“There are 38 dishes in all!”

“It may look extravagant but I can cut expenses elsewhere, such as an unnecessary theatrical troupe. My guests must be treated with a grand feast,”

Prince Sun said calmly.

“But the cooks can’t make all the dishes tomorrow.” Yuan Qingling was filled with compassion for the royal cooks.

“Three for tomorrow, three for the day after tomorrow, and so on. A couple of days will be enough.”

“If so, your birthday party will be over before you have tried all the dishes.”

“Then I will put it off!” Prince Sun replied curtly.

A foodie could always find various reasons just to eat.

Yuan Qingling had nearly no doubt that the reason why Prince Sun came to pay her a visit was that the emperor had sent two royal cooks to Prince Yu’s residence.

And then her suppose was proved to be true because Prince Sun left without asking her about the injuries at all.

The next morning, Prince Wenjun and his wife Princess Ji as well as Prince Wenqing and his wife Princess Qi called on Yuan Qingling together.

Yu Wenhao had a day off every ten days so he didn’t go to government office this day.

He was talking with Prince Wenjun and Prince Wenqing in the chamber while Yuan Qingling was chatting with Princess Ji and Chu Mingcui in the Phoenix Mansion.

Chu Mingcui was wearing a laurel-green brocade dress embroidered with patterns of branches of plum blossoms and butterflies. Her hair stacked high and sharp in Backward-Nanzhao style, only decorated with a clouding jade hairpin. Without too many decorations, she looked fresh and charming at the first sight.

She was beautiful. She had a rouged pink cheek and striking red lips, and was sweet as honey. Her eyebrows were long and slender, and the tips went up a little making her look gamine but aggressive.

While Princess Ji was dressed in a verdure brocade vesture embroidered with designs of composite flowers and clouds. Her hair was raised in a high bun decorated with a golden dangling ornament. Between her eyebrows was a mole. She had a plain face but a dignified temperament.

Princess Ji was born in a noble family and was well-educated. Therefore, when standing together, she appeared much more decent instead of being overshadowed by Chu Mingcui.

Compared with them, Yuan Qingling looked pale in a half new scarlet smock. Her hair was coiled causally into a knot. Even if she wore lipstick in a rush, everyone could find her wan and fragile.

Princess Ji looked at her and said in a fright, “I never thought Lord Huiding could be that brazen and unruly. How dare he commit those devil crimes here in the imperial capital! Are you all right?”

“I am fine. Thank you for asking.” Yuan Qingling was not acquainted with Princess Ji and didn’t know about her temper or characters. She had to respond politely.

Hearing Princess Ji’s words, Chu Mingcui was a little irritated. Although Lord Huiding was to blame, she felt that Princess Ji mentioned him to her face on purpose.

Chu Mingcui remained silence but stared at Yuan Qingling. They disliked each other so there was no need to socialize courteously but without sincerity. It was Prince Wenqing who wanted to come and she had no choice but to accompany him in case that he was set up by someone.

Princess Ji was a outgoing person. “I heard His Majesty has sent two royal cooks here. How about us having a meal together? We haven’t had a chat for a long time.”

Yuan Qingling nodded. “OK.”

They three actually had nothing to talk about but Princess Ji was quite a social butterfly, and thanks to her, the atmosphere was never frigid. She’d been asking Yuan Qingling for details all the time, questions ranging from affairs of the mansion to the care for Retired Emperor.

“What does Retired Emperor like? Was he easygoing when you were at the Qiankun Palace?”

Yuan Qingling became alerted but she smiled and said, “I just served him with medicine. Other things went beyond my usual duty and we barely talked. I think he isn’t hard to get along with.”

“Well. But I’ve heard that he took you with him to walk in the Royal Garden,” Princess Ji said with a grin.

“That’s true,” Yuan Qingling said.

She had merely accompanied Retired Emperor on his walk but attracted so many people’s attention. She felt really overawed.

“Why doesn’t Prince Sun come?’ Yuan Qingling thought.

“Retired Emperor seems to trust you very much as he hasn’t gone out to the Royal Garden for long. And I’ve also heard that you offered your arms to him while walking, didn’t you?” Princess Ji asked with a keenly interest.

Yuan Qingling kept her smile for so long that she felt her face turn rigid. “It’s just because he was in a good mood that day.”

Princess Ji spoke highly of her. “It should be ascribed to your nursing.”

Yuan Qingling was anxious. She thought, “Where is Yu Wendu on earth?’

Your Highness's Beloved Medical-skilled Princess Chapter 106 A Tactful Counterplot My Marriage to a Mute Girl Chapter 50 Hell to Earth Chu Mingcui was annoyed as well. She didn’t want to hear about these things which could be learned about easily by prying. She thought there was no need for Princess Ji to be so obsessed with Yuan Qingling and keep asking. What if it made Yuan Qingling feel proud?

She thought, “Princess Ji just won’t let any chance go.’

Chu Mingcui stood up promptly and said, “Why not go for a walk?”

Yuan Qingling followed her, getting up. “Sounds great.”

Princess Ji stepped forward and linked Yuan Qingling’s arms. “Watch out your wounds. Be careful.”

Yuan Qingling would neither laugh nor cry.

As a saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. Princess Ji looked decent and calm but behaved casually and frivolously as she was nagging even while walking.

Nurse Xi was discerning. She noticed that Yuan Qingling was unwilling to stay with the other two princesses, so she came forward and said, “Your Highness, it’s time for the doctor to change your dressing.”

Yuan Qingling turned to Princess Ji regrettably. “Excuse me. I will meet you at mealtime.”

“The change?” Princess Ji would have offered help but she found the bloody wounds disgusting. Thus she said, “OK. I’ll see you soon.”

Chu Mingcui had left early. She felt it quite boring to talk with these two women. Her heart had wandered to the chamber where Yu Wenhao was.

They hadn’t met for days.

She only took a quick glimpse at him in the distance when coming in a moment ago. There was no time to greet at that time because Princess Ji dragged her to the Phoenix Mansion.

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