Chapter 5.2

As soon as they got into the carriage, Yuan Buqu immediately embraced her tightly, inhaling her faint fragrance.

“You smell wonderful.”

The white neck he kissed felt ticklish. She laughed and pushed him away. “You promised I could catch up on sleep, but now you’re making a fuss!”

They laughed and played until the end, with him resting his head on her lap, his hands gently encircling her slender waist, and his deep, affectionate gaze never leaving her.

His eyes, filled with tender affection, seemed to be unable to look away, as if he could never get enough of her.

“What kind of husband did you imagine you would have?” His voice was soft and low, as if afraid of startling her. His gaze was intense, always fixed on her.

Bingyan pondered for a moment, her face breaking into a blooming smile, though tinged with a hint of helplessness. “Who’s allowed me to think about what kind of husband I want? Women are only chosen; they don’t get to choose. Since I was young, I’ve only been able to learn some domestic skills and the virtues required of a woman to make myself a more suitable candidate for marriage. No one ever let me ‘think’ about it.”

“But you must have thought about it. You’re intelligent but not blindly obedient.”

“How can you tell?” She raised her crescent-shaped brows and lifted her beautiful chin defiantly.

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so conflicted.” He toyed with her silky hair and continued, “You love everything that etiquette forbids, yet you force yourself to conform to these rules. But you also disdain all unfair teachings.”

He truly understood her! Du Bingyan’s eyes widened in surprise, and she sighed, “How can you read people’s hearts? This is something I’ve tried so hard to hide; I thought I had concealed it well.”

“I don’t have the time to understand the thoughts of unrelated people. But you are my dearest, and I care about you, so I naturally want to understand you better. It’s not difficult to understand you; it just requires investing all my attention.”

“But… why would a man be willing to devote all his heart to a woman?” She asked with a trembling voice, moved almost to the point of being overwhelmed by the sincerity of this man, afraid that she could not reciprocate his passion equally.

“Because—he loves her, and that woman is worth his love!”

His rebelliousness came from his resistance to societal norms. For such a proud and exceptional person, how much affection would she need to weave a web of emotions to make him stay? She was so ordinary and bound by traditional etiquette; how did they come together as a pair? He loved her! Such intense happiness was enough for her to be completely satisfied and disregard everything else for him!

“Ziren, no matter what the future holds, with your words today, I could die content.” She sighed, thinking that with such a husband, how could she selfishly desire to keep him all to herself and envy the beautiful women who might come in the future? He deserved the love of all the beauties in the world! She felt she was absolutely unworthy of him!

The future is the future, and the present is the present. She only wanted to enjoy these carefree four days…

Yuan Buqu held her close, feeling heartache for her sorrow, but he said nothing. At present, he just wanted to hold her tightly, to feel her complete presence; having her all to himself was enough!

The “Jingchan Temple” in Luoyang was bustling with activity, with a steady stream of worshippers, especially during the spring and summer seasons when the flower-viewing crowds were continuous.

The “Jingchan Temple” boasted over four hundred varieties of blooming flowers, divided into four main areas centered around the temple. The front courtyard featured a lotus pond, with a Nine-Bend Bridge leading to a hundred flowers and butterflies playing around. At the back of the temple, the left side was the plum grove, the right side was the willow garden, and in the center was a narrow path paved with pebbles, flanked by yellow chrysanthemums. These four areas covered the vibrancy of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Beyond its religious significance, it was also a popular destination for leisure.

On the second day in Luoyang, they set off early to visit the “Jingchan Temple” to avoid the crowds and enjoy a quiet visit.

Du Bingyan was particularly fond of the willow garden, as willows were common in her hometown and felt very familiar! While Yuan Buqu was arranging the carriage, she went ahead. The sky was just brightening, with some mist lingering in the woods. The cool, refreshing air tempted her to run and play among the willow trees, laughing with joy. Her flowing sleeves startled the early birds, causing a commotion in the once tranquil morning!

Feeling tired from running, she rested against a willow tree, catching her breath and feeling like an eccentric madwoman, but she was so happy. Ziren had always told her: do what you want and don’t worry about others’ opinions! She must have been brainwashed by him! She was becoming more and more unruly!

“Who are you?”

A delicate female voice came from the side.

Du Bingyan turned to see a pair of curious almond-shaped eyes, clearly defined in black and white. The young girl’s face was charmingly beautiful with a hint of petulance. She looked about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in luxurious silk clothing, appearing very precious. Her jewelry, even one piece, was worth a fortune, but it didn’t look vulgar; instead, it made her seem even more noble. She was likely a distinguished young lady with a significant background!

Interestingly, the little girl’s white silk shoes were covered in mud, and her skirt hem was torn in several places, looking somewhat shabby.

“How dare you! I’m asking you a question, don’t just stare at me!” The girl placed her hands on her waist, looking somewhat displeased. But her big eyes still couldn’t leave Du Bingyan’s graceful and elegant face.

“Why do you want to ask me something?” Du Bingyan smiled at the young girl, who was about her height but several years younger. Though innocent and young, she was trying to put on an adult demeanor. How cute!

“You look very pretty. Where are you from? Are you poor? Why don’t you have any jewelry? Your husband must not treat you well, right?” The little girl noticed Bingyan’s hair was styled in a bun, unlike her own loose hair.

Bingyan looked at her plain attire and didn’t think there was anything wrong.

“What use is jewelry when you’re out? To show off?”

The little girl, still dressed in splendor, generously took off a sparkling jade bracelet and offered it to her. “Jewels are for beautiful ladies. You have nothing, it’s such a waste! Please take it.”

“No! I can’t accept it. Little girl, not only are we strangers, but we haven’t reached the stage of giving precious gifts to each other. Also, I already have a husband; accepting your bracelet would be an insult to him!”

The little girl, evidently unaccustomed to rejection or lectures, was somewhat confused and could only awkwardly withdraw.

“No one would dislike good things.” She pouted.

“Yes,” Bingyan replied.

“Is it fun to be married?”

“It depends on who you marry!” She smiled.

The little girl propped her cheeks and stared at her. “Your eyes are very beautiful, and they sparkle.”

“Thank you.” Du Bingyan asked curiously, “Don’t you have any family with you? Aren’t they worried?”

The little girl pouted again. “They’re so boring! I finally managed to escape from them; I don’t want to go back until I’ve had some fun on my own.”

It seemed that the young ladies from the capital were very different from those in Jiangnan! In Yangzhou, no young lady would dare to be so rebellious. Their days were filled with embroidery, and their youth passed in that way.

“Bingyan,” Yuan Buqu approached them.

“He—” The little girl seemed startled and stammered after just one word!

Bingyan thought she was frightened by Yuan Buqu’s rugged appearance.

“He is my husband; he’s very kind and won’t be harsh with anyone.”

Yuan Buqu had already come up to her, putting his arm around her waist, and said softly, “The crowds outside are increasing! Let’s have breakfast first, then we can go to other places.” He hadn’t even glanced at anyone but his wife.

“I want to go too!” The little girl responded loudly, tugging at Bingyan’s sleeve.

“Her?” Yuan Buqu frowned; he didn’t need a follower.

“I’m Li Cuiyu, and I got separated from my family. How pitiful!” Her clever face didn’t show a hint of pity. Her big eyes blinked continuously but couldn’t match Bingyan’s watery, captivating gaze.

Yuan Buqu frowned deeply, his face looking quite frightening, making the little girl instinctively hide behind Bingyan and stick out her little tongue.

“Where do you live? We’ll take you back.”

“I’ve forgotten! It seems to be somewhere in Chang’an. I got separated from my family here while they were worshiping. How about this: I’ll go with you, and you can take me back here in the evening?” She had finally revealed her true purpose!

“No way. You should stay here and wait for your family to come and get you. A thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl shouldn’t be so familiar with strangers. If you want to have fun, you should have your family with you.” Yuan Buqu refused sternly.

“I’m fifteen this month! I’m already grown up!” The little girl retorted with a hand on her hip, clearly sensitive about her age.

Du Bingyan gently said, “Miss Li, if you insist on joining us and your family can’t find you, it would be very worrying.”

“It’s okay, I just want to have a fun day. Sister, you’re so kind; let me come with you.” Li Cuiyu showed her charming little dimples, focusing her attention on Du Bingyan. Apart from being a bit spoiled, the girl was very sweet and likable. Moreover, it seemed impossible to shake her off.

“Ziren, we have a little guest now.” Du Bingyan didn’t mind; she had no female companions since childhood, so having this little one calling her “sister” and clinging to her was something she couldn’t refuse. Moreover, the little girl was dressed in splendor and had no one to accompany her, which meant she was vulnerable to bad people. It wouldn’t be good if something happened to her!

Yuan Buqu’s frown didn’t ease. The girl was dressed in valuable clothing and accessories, likely a noble’s daughter. He recalled a few prominent Li family officials, all civil servants who had no dealings with him. What could this little girl, claiming to be Li Cuiyu, be up to? He could see that the girl had ulterior motives.

Without rejecting her, they all got into the carriage and went to have breakfast.

Neither Yuan Buqu nor his wife were talkative, so the only noise in the carriage came from the little girl, Li Cuiyu, who seemed to have escaped from a golden cage! Her little face pressed against the window, fascinated by the scenery. She seemed a bit afraid of Yuan Buqu and stuck close to Du Bingyan throughout.

Yuan Buqu was naturally uncomfortable with the situation; their hard-earned honeymoon was being disrupted by an unknown little girl! However, he was pleased that Bingyan had made a friend. She had been so lonely! As long as she could be happy, he should let her explore various social interactions. He couldn’t always be by her side, and in the capital, the so-called upper-class social circles were often full of scheming and insincerity. Having a few genuine friends would be better for her future than mingling with the scheming wives of officials. So, he decided to play the role of a bystander today, letting the two women enjoy themselves without intervening—after all, it was only for today.

Holding a candied hawthorn stick and eating it with a red mouth, they arrived at the theater, sitting in a private box upstairs. The table was piled high with snacks—four types of preserved fruits, eight kinds of pastries, various candies, and chilled plum soup. All the treats were typical for children. The self-proclaimed fifteen-year-old Li Cuiyu had taken charge of all the snacks, eating them with no regard for manners, licking her fingers coated in sugar.

Yuan Buqu left them to watch the play and went out, giving them time to chat privately.

“Sister Du, your husband seems so fierce; how did you dare to marry him?” Li Cuiyu asked.

“He’s not fierce at all; he’s just a bit reserved. He hasn’t been harsh with you, has he?”

Li Cuiyu raised her brows and said, “He doesn’t have to be harsh for me to be scared! Although I’m an adult now, I don’t plan to get married immediately.”

“Oh? Have your family arranged a suitor for you?” Bingyan asked with a smile, looking at the young girl who still seemed to need to grow into her responsibilities as a wife.

Li Cuiyu’s eyes darted around. “Originally, my family arranged for me to marry a warrior, and I was so scared! I once hid behind a curtain and peeked at him. Wow! He’s tall, burly, and very stiff, treating those around him rudely. I thought such a man would be a terrible husband. But my family only has me left unmarried, and my father… my father is someone who values talent and wants to marry his daughter off to a promising man, so it seems I can’t escape it. However—” She smiled with her eyes narrowed. “Now I’m not worried anymore! I don’t have to marry him! I still want to have fun for a few more years!”

“In fact, marrying a warrior isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But you’re really too young, so there’s no rush to get married.”

Li Cuiyu rested her hands on her cheeks and said earnestly, “You’re a very beautiful woman, not just in appearance but in grace and kindness. Only someone like you could handle such a man. If it were me, I’d either be suffocated, frightened, or live a life of hardship.”

Du Bingyan could only smile. After all, she was just a child speaking with the maturity of an adult. She found it difficult to respond to her praise.

The day was spent enjoying various activities with Li Cuiyu. Yuan Buqu drove her back to the “Jingchan Temple.” Though he remained silent throughout the day, he displayed a tolerant demeanor.

Li Cuiyu jumped out of the carriage, still reluctant to part, holding Bingyan’s hand. “Sister Du, when you return to Chang’an, I’ll definitely come to visit you. Don’t forget about me.”

“Hmm, I won’t forget. Will your family be waiting for you at the temple?” Bingyan asked, concerned.

“They must be waiting at the temple; they can’t run away. I’m going in now.” Waving, Li Cuiyu skipped towards the temple, holding a food box with her favorite snacks. As soon as she entered the “Jingchan Temple,” a crowd rushed towards her. Li Cuiyu rolled her eyes.

“Princess, where have you been?”

“Princess, we were so worried. What if…”

The servants surrounded Li Cuiyu, fearful that their mistress would disappear again, and were prepared for the worst.

“Move aside; I need to rest now.” With a wave of her hand, the servants immediately stepped aside and stood in respectful silence.

She, Princess Changping, the emperor’s daughter, carrying her precious snacks, strode towards the attic where she was temporarily staying. Her face was beaming, as if she had solved a major life problem.

The relieved servants followed closely behind, no longer daring to make any mistakes.

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