An Jingxin felt very disappointed that she couldn’t accompany her husband to the Imperial Garden, yet she did not let it show on her face; instead, she smiled and said, "Your Majesty has summoned you to discuss important matters, you should hurry over."
Seeing Xiao Changyi wanting to take her along, An Jing was both moved and delighted, but still shook her head and said, "Even if I went with you, I would just be sitting on the side, bored. You should go by yourself."
What place was the Imperial Study Room? How could she, a woman, have the audacity to interject on matters of the state? She was very clear on this point.
Better to be at ease by herself than to be a wooden pole there.
Xiao Changyi just looked at her, not saying a word, nor did he head to the Imperial Study Room.
Seeing Eunuch Fu waiting so anxiously it was quite apparent that the Emperor of Xiyun really had urgent matters to discuss with Xiao Changyi, An Jing had no choice but to speak again, "Husband, do you really want me to follow you and be bored?"
Only then did Xiao Changyi say, "I will go and come back shortly."
After Xiao Changyi disappeared from her sight, An Jing turned and walked toward the direction of the Imperial Garden, without bringing any palace maids or eunuchs, all by herself.
She had passed by the Imperial Garden yesterday on her way to the horseback archery field; she knew where it was but had not gone inside to look around. Now that her husband couldn’t accompany her, she decided to visit it alone.
Upon entering the Imperial Garden, the artificial mountains, exotic rocks, pavilions, waterside pavilions, and towers came into view. Since Xiao Changyi left, the flower beds in the Imperial Garden were no longer planted with vegetables but had been replaced with various kinds of flowers.
At this moment, many flowers were blooming in fierce competition, clusters of flowers in every imaginable color, a feast for the eyes that was too beautiful to describe.
Thinking back to when these flower beds had been turned into a vegetable garden by her husband, An Jing imagined a scene filled with cabbages and couldn’t help but find it particularly hilarious.
While An Jing laughed to herself, ambling among the flowers, she eventually stopped in front of the hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus flowers were bright and alluring, with beautiful blossoms that unfortunately fade quickly, blossoming at dawn and wilting by dusk, just like the ephemeral blooming of the night-blooming cereus.
As An Jing was amusing herself admiring the flowers, another group of people arrived at the Imperial Garden. Leading them were Consort Yu and the Pingjun Princess, followed by their attendants.
That day, bright and early, the Pingjun Princess had come to the palace to cozy up to Consort Yu. These past few days, she had been visiting the palace daily to chat with Consort Yu and lighten her spirits, all in hopes that Consort Yu would put in a good word for her daughter Linghe during the Emperor of Xiyun’s birthday banquet, to ensure that her daughter could successfully marry Xiao Changyi as a consort.
Consort Yu’s personal maid caught sight of An Jing and, pointing at her, whispered to Consort Yu, "Your Highness, that’s the Changsheng Princess."
The Pingjun Princess didn’t recognize An Jing either, but upon hearing the maid’s words, she realized it was An Jing and was immediately taken aback by her poise. Where did she look like a farmer’s daughter?
Consort Yu also took a look and then hummed softly to the Pingjun Princess, "No wonder the King of Eternal Victory doesn’t fancy Linghe. Just look at her; her temperament and appearance are both top-notch. In my view, Linghe really can’t compare to her."
The Pingjun Princess felt irritated in her heart that Consort Yu would compare her noble daughter, a Commandery Princess, to a country girl, yet on the surface, she spoke with respect and a hint of aggrievement, "Cousin, no matter how good her temperament and appearance may be, she’s still just a girl from the countryside. How can she compare with your niece..."
"That’s true," Consort Yu said, nodding her head, flattered by the compliment.
After giving An Jing another look, the Pingjun Princess then said, "Cousin, the last time your niece Linghe went to Hecheng County to find the Prince, she didn’t have it easy because of her. We let it go, but isn’t that also disregarding you, a noble Imperial Consort?"