Seeing that Xie Fengran didn't reject him, Qin Junxing couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth. He tapped on the carriage and said, "Let's go back."
The carriage started moving.
Xie Fengran looked at him in slight surprise. "Where are we going?"
"To the teahouse!" Qin Junxing explained. "A few days ago, our people transported a batch of pickled goods from the northern lands to the south. A cook from the princess's mansion came to the capital on business and traveled with the caravan. Now he's staying at the teahouse. I've asked him to prepare a table of northern dishes for you to taste."
"I'll definitely give them a try." Xie Fengran was truly curious. "I once read a book named *Records of the Northern Frontier* written by a scholar of the previous dynasty. It says that 'the northern lands are desolate, with not a single blade of grass, sand flying and stones rolling, and the sky never seen clearly'. Is that true?"
Qin Junxing laughed and shook his head. "There are also those who say that the northerners eat raw meat and drink blood! Although the northern frontier is desolate, it's not that bad. It's just extremely cold in winter and summer is very short. When the snow seals the door, it's almost impossible to move. However, the snow scenery is extremely beautiful!"
Seeing that she was listening attentively, Qin Junxing continued, "Our dynasty is separated from the foreign tribes by the far - northern grasslands. In winter, there are usually no border attacks, and it's a truce period. Some of the soldiers go hunting in the mountains, while others break the ice on the river to catch fish."
"The northern frontier may not be as prosperous as the capital, but it's not as terrifying as people say."
Xie Fengran unconsciously became entranced. Her eyes fell on Qin Junxing's face.
At this moment, when this man talked about the place where he grew up, the cunning and disguise on his face faded away. His eyes were shining, and his high - spirited look made people seem to see an eagle flying over the desert.
Only then did Xie Fengran understand that the dissolute and unrestrained prince in the capital was just a disguise for this man. What he truly wanted to be was the unruly Qin Junxing from the northern frontier.
Noticing that the girl had been staring at him, Qin Junxing slowed down his speech, raised his eyebrows and asked, "Don't you like listening?"
Xie Fengran shook her head and didn't take her eyes back. She suddenly said, "I think you're more like yourself when you talk about the northern frontier!"
"Then, am I not myself on normal days?"
Xie Fengran shook her head. "Qingye and the others don't call you 'prince'. It's obvious that in your heart, what you really want to be is the lord of the northern frontier, the lord of the military camp, not the lord of the capital!"
A strange look flashed in Qin Junxing's eyes, but only for a moment. Then he changed the topic. "The second prince has already set his eyes on the Wang family. Just wait and see! There'll be plenty of excitement in the near future!"
...
In the private room of the Lingfeng Teahouse, Xie Fengran had the most authentic northern dishes in her life!
Actually, they were all common ingredients, but the cooking methods were different. They weren't as delicate and elegant. They were served on large plates, with a strong and bold flavor, just like the desert sandstorms described in the books.
Ordinary people might not be used to them, but Xie Fengran enjoyed them very much. She really liked them.
Eating meat and drinking wine heartily, she was just like the chivalrous women in her books.
Qin Junxing had already seen from Xie Fengran's writing that this girl had a restless heart, but she was born into a family that adhered to the strictest rules.
So she used a pen name and, with a pen unknown to others, wrote her heresies vividly.
When they returned to the Tingfeng Courtyard, it was already past Xie Fengran's usual bedtime. She was extremely sleepy. Nanny Shen and Lan Fang welcomed her in. They originally had something to report, but seeing Xie Fengran in this state, they both silently swallowed their words and served her to rest together.
"Miss Lan Fang, now that the eldest miss is asleep, what should we do with those two people?"
Lan Fang thought for a while and asked, "Nanny has seen more things than we have. In your opinion, what should we do?"
Nanny Shen was happy to see that Lan Fang sincerely asked for advice. She said, "Miss Lan Fang, we must follow the eldest miss's instructions precisely. To avoid any mistakes, I'll personally guard them tonight with some trustworthy people. You just take good care of the eldest miss."
Lan Fang thought for a while and said, "Let Zhuqing relieve you in the second half of the night."
Nanny Shen was about to decline, but Lan Fang continued, "You were the one who caught those two people. Tomorrow morning, you still have to go with the eldest miss to the Qingsong Courtyard to report to the old madam. You need to get a good rest!"
Nanny Shen thought about it and realized that it made sense, so she didn't decline anymore.
Early the next morning, Lan Fang woke Xie Fengran up.
"What time is it?"
"It's already the Mao hour. Miss, you still have to go to the Qingsong Courtyard and then to the academy. Have you forgotten?"
Xie Fengran rubbed her dizzy forehead, let out a groan, and lay back down.
Yesterday, she had a great time with Qin Junxing and drank two cups of wine. She didn't expect the northern wine to be so strong. Just two cups had made her dizzy.
After rolling around on the bed, Xie Fengran suddenly remembered what she had said in front of Madam Xie yesterday. She suddenly sat up and asked, "Did you get any results from what I told you to do yesterday?"
"Just as the miss expected, the person is now in our courtyard. Zhuqing is watching."
Xie Fengran perked up, got out of bed, and said, "Then it's settled!"
In the Qingsong Courtyard!
Concubine Yuan was serving Madam Xie for breakfast, being very attentive and careful while serving the rice and dishes.
Madam Xie thought that she had learned her lesson after being confined, so she didn't think much of it.
The reason Concubine Yuan was able to stand here today was because of Xie Fengran's suggestion yesterday.
Madam Xie was also afraid of delaying her from going to the academy, so she had someone inform the tutor and Concubine Yuan in advance. However, she was also cautious and only informed them early this morning.
She didn't expect Concubine Yuan to come directly with the messenger.
After serving Madam Xie for breakfast, helping her rinse her mouth, and removing the table, Concubine Yuan glanced outside the room. Not seeing anyone, she suddenly knelt down in front of Madam Xie with a thud.
Madam Xie was startled. "What are you doing?"
"Please, old madam, seek justice for me!" As soon as Concubine Yuan opened her mouth, tears streamed down her face. "Old madam, yesterday I sent my personal maid to deliver clothes to the second miss. But when she got to the garden, she was taken away for no reason by the eldest miss's people. She still hasn't come back!"
Madam Xie frowned. "What did Fengran want with your maid?"
"I don't know either. Maybe I've offended the eldest miss on normal days. I didn't expect the eldest miss to be so intolerant of me." Saying this, Concubine Yuan crawled forward a few steps while crying. "Old madam, if I've really offended the eldest miss, I'll accept being confined for the rest of my life. But I just beg the old madam not to take it out on the second miss!"
Seeing that she was talking more and more unreasonably, Madam Xie waved her hand and motioned for Nanny Su to pull her up. "Why would Fengran want your maid for no reason? There may be some misunderstanding. We'll find out once she comes.!"
Then, she glanced at the hourglass beside her. "Send someone to check. Why hasn't Fengran come yet?"
"Grandmother doesn't need to send someone. Your granddaughter is here!"
Madam Xie and Concubine Yuan both looked towards the door. They saw Xie Fengran wearing a light purple jacket and skirt, with a matching half - coat over it. There were two small oriental pearls hanging from her ears, and a white jade bracelet on her wrist.
With this simple dressing, against her bright little face, she had a charm that was hard to look away from.
Seeing the two of them looking at her, she first bowed to Madam Xie, then looked at Concubine Yuan, curled the corners of her mouth, and asked crisply:
"Auntie, don't you really know why I took your personal maid?"