"Like mother, like son," she thought.
Lingxi smiled.
"Your Highness must be joking. I will have to look up to you in the future. I hope you can take care of me."Gu Wenlan smiled, obviously impressed with her demeanor.
"The weather is currently cool. Let's appreciate the scenery outside together," she said.
Everyone rose and went outside to take in the view.
"Future Grand Consort," she called to Lingxi.
Everyone paused as Lingxi answered.
"Walk with me," Gu Wenlan said.
Lingxi obediently accompanied her through the garden.
"How are you enjoying the scenery?" Gu Wenlan asked.
"The imperial garden is truly beautiful," Lingxi complimented.
"I thought you would have seen more mesmerizing sights than this, as you have traveled far."
"I have indeed traveled far, but compared to elegant and beautiful flowers, I prefer the green colors of nature filled with the chirping of birds and other animals," Lingxi replied.
"Have you been to Xi Mountain? I heard that if you climb to the very top of the mountain, you can see the forests, cities, and bustling markets filled with people."
"Your Highness is right, but I would recommend going to the top of the Xishan tower to admire the magnificent view you just mentioned. Climbing up the mountain is very difficult and risky"
"Have you climbed the mountain before?" Gu Wenlan asked.
Lingxi paused knowing the real information Gu Wenlan was trying to get from her.
She smiled, "yes"
"Oh"
"But I'm not that capable to go on my own"
"How did you climb then?"
"I had some skilled martial artist climb before me and hand out a rope. There were ridges for me to rest when I got tired"
"That must have been tiring"
"Yes. It was tiring but fulfilling", Lingxi said as they both stopped walking.
"You truly are perseverant", Gu Wenlan complimented.
"Your highness, I hope I did not bore you with my story"
"Not at all", Gu Wenlan said and turned to look at the other noble ladies who were chatting away, "all right, I won't keep you. Go have some fun with the others".
Lingxi bowed as she left.
Seeing Gu Wenlan leave, Liu ying rushed up to Lingxi.
"Xi'er, nice see you again", she said with a bright sunny smile.
"Xi'er?" Lingxi looked surprised at the address.
"You don't like it?" Liu ying asked.
"Not really. It's just that only my father and brother address me like that"
"In that case, it does sound a bit childish. How about Xi'an?"
"Xi'an as in Xi'an City?" Lingxi asked, a little teasing in her voice.
Liu ying thought for a while and finally came up with her last resort, "Sister Xi", she suggested, "I remember my father saying you were born two years after the His Majesty's reign. I was born on the third year after. You are a year older than me so calling you 'Sister Xi' is a good idea", Liu ying explained.
"Okay", Lingxi smiled, accepting the title.
"By the way, I heard you have a handsome and stern bodyguard who always follows you around. Didn't he | come today?" Liu ying asked casually.
"This is a banquet for ladies. A man being here would be rather inappropriate. Moreover, this is the palace. It is heavily guarded. Who would dare hurt me here?"
Liu ying nodded, "you're right. No one can harm our future grand consort here. Besides, I'm here. I'll protect you", she said beating her chest reassuringly.
Lingxi almost laughed.
"Why are you laughing? Don't underestimate me. Although my martial skills may not be the best, I can take down at least four men in one go. I can protect you well. Rest assured"
"Okay, I'll be counting on you then", Lingxi said.
Lingxi and Liu Ying walked together viewing the peonies in that area when Liu Ying suddenly sighed.
"Is there something wrong?" Lingxi asked.
"Not really just that the Ministry of Justice is still trying to solve the Prime Minister's case"
"Has the Ministry of Justice not found any leads?"
"Just a few clues but at least we are getting somewhere"
"Then why do you look troubled?"
"It's all that damn second prince's fault"
"Second prince?"
"Yes. His Majesty appointed him to lead the case and he's been throwing his weight around giving us deadlines and threatening us to solve the case soon. Does he take us for his slaves?"
"Last time you spoke out of turn and almost angered the first prince. Now you are speaking against the second prince. From what I know, second prince may not be as easy going as the first prince"
"That's why I'm lowering my voice", Liu ying joked.
After a few walks, Liu ying stomach rumbled, "Sister Xi, my stomach is grumbling. How about I go eat something first and find you later?" she suggested.
"Go", Lingxi agreed and she ran off.
Lingxi wandered for a while and came across an open pavilion with a small stream in front surrounded by flowers. This place, of course, was not a part of the garden. She saw a familiar face and walked to the pavilion.
"Greetings, your highness", she curtsied.
It was He Yu. He was playing a game of weiqi by himself. He did not look up as he was focused on accessing the board.
"Is your highness stuck?" Lingxi asked looking at the board where both sides looked similar because both sides played similar moves.
"Can you help?"
Lingxi smiled, "does your highness usually play alone?"
"Sometimes"
"Why? Is there no one for you to play with?" she asked.
"No. it's just that I think the hardest game to win is the game against oneself", he said.
"Do you mind if I try?" she asked looking at the board with interest.
He Yu looked up at her, "sit"
Lingxi sat down and picked up her white piece.
She carefully analyzed the game and placed her piece.
"When both sides are equal, one should give the other a way out", she said.
He Yu smiled and placed his piece eliminating two of Lingxi's pieces. After the elimination, the game was open and easier to play.
"So you think it's better to lose a few things to achieve your aim", He Yu asked.
"I feel it's better to lose a few pieces than to lose the whole game. After all, only the final result matters"
He Yu smiled in interest, "that's an interesting view"
"What about you, your highness? What do you think?" Lingxi asked.
"I wouldn't lose anything. I would rather wait"
"Wait? How long are you willing to wait then?"
"As long as it takes because no matter what, I'll achieve my goal", He Yu answered.
"Then I guess you are more interesting. I don't have such patience", Lingxi said.
They kept on playing with no clear winner.
Lingxi was about to place her piece to eliminate two of He Yu's pieces when she heard Liu ying call her name.
Liu ying ran up to her, "what are you doing here? Noble Consort has called us back"
She did not seem to notice He Yu. Lingxi smiled and dropped her piece back in its container.
She stood up, "then, your highness, I guess I'll have to reclaim my two pieces another time", she said.
That was when Liu ying noticed He Yu. She quickly gave a deep curtsy, "greetings, Grand Prince". He signaled Liu ying to rise.
"Then, I'll wait till then", he said. Lingxi curtsied and left with Liu ying leaving the game unfinished.
As she walked on, she felt he was interesting but could not fully understand why.