Lu Yingying nodded.
“The first time I saw you, I thought you were a spoiled noble lady. Later on, I realised that you were a good person. You helped me send the message to Chen Ji without asking for more. After that, you even saved me from the house in the forest. After you became Consort Liang, I saw that you grew skinnier and could tell that Grand Prince Liang was not treating you well. However, you are worried for him now.” Each time, she made Fu Rou see her in a different light.
“Everyone is innately kind and gentle. No matter how evil someone is, there are times when they are nice.” Lu Yingying remembered the good side of people.
Fu Rou was curious. “Have you ever hated and wished misfortune on someone?”
Lu Yingying thought of Yan Zifang. “Maybe I have hated someone. But I do not wish for misfortune to befall them. I just want them to be safe.”
Fu Rou could not help but laugh. “All the kindness in Duke Chen Residence is concentrated in you.”
Lu Yingying pouted slightly. “Why are you laughing? You shouldn’t be laughing at me. Look at this world, look at Chang’an and the Royal Palace. If everyone were the same, only caring about calculating their gains and losses, thinking about revenge, scheming to climb up, how scary would it be? There should be different kinds of people. More people like you, who are attentive to details and won’t step over others. More good people like me and the world would be more wonderful.”
“I highly agree with that.”
Lu Yingying turned serious again. “So do you have any way to help Grand Prince Liang out?”
Fu Rou thought for a moment. “Rather than saying it as helping Grand Prince Liang overcome this difficulty, how about finding Grand Prince Liang a new backing in the palace?”
Lu Yingying understood. “Are you referring to Imperial Concubine Wang? Will she be willing to speak up for Grand Prince Liang?”
Fu Rou was very confident. “As long as Grand Prince Liang helps Imperial Concubine Wang do one thing, Imperial Concubine Wang will definitely look at Grand Prince Liang differently.” She leaned in and whispered into Lu Yingying’s ear.
Delight shone on Lu Yingying’s face. “That is a good idea. You have helped us greatly this time.”
“I can only help him this one time. What about you? Do you intend to be his good wife from now on? Grand Prince Liang creates the most trouble. Can you always help clean up after him?” Fu Rou has seen Grand Prince Liang’s troublemaker side before.
Lu Yingying had no complaints. “I will help him however much I can. Since we are already husband and wife, I have to share hardships with him and live and die together.”
Fu Rou left first as she had something to do. Lu Yingying strolled back by herself. There had been a heavy snowfall a few days ago and the wintersweet flowers in Fu An Palace were emitting a beautiful and alluring scent. All of a sudden, a shadow across the flowers.
“Your Highness, I know that it is you. Come on out.” Lu Yingying had known that Grand Prince Liang was hiding behind a tree.
Grand Prince Liang was slightly awkward as he walked out. However, he lightly held onto Lu Yingying’s hand. Lu Yingying’s hand froze but she allowed him to hold onto her.
Grand Prince Liang did not look at Lu Yingying but kept his eyes focused in front of him. “You are my consort but you don’t allow me to get close to you. It is only natural that I get angry with you. However, since I am magnanimous, I have decided...decided…” He suddenly fell silent.
“What have you decided? Lu Yingying asked.
Grand Prince Liang halted and turned his head. He asked seriously, “Other men can find the women they truly love. As a prince, why don’t I have this blessing?”
“Because in order to gain another person’s heart, you first have to show your sincerity.”
“What if I have shown my sincerity but I still cannot get the woman I like to forget about another man and think only of me?” Grand Prince Liang never thought that he would need courage in his lifetime.
“I don’t know.” Lu Yingying did not want to lie. Grand Prince Liang’s eyebrows creased before relaxing. He then said stiffly, “Good.”
Lu Yingying froze. “What is good?”
“It is better than getting rejected by you.” Grand Prince Liang held onto Lu Yingying’s hand. “What good idea did Court Lady Fu give you?”
Lu Yingying laughed lightly, “So you were eavesdropping on us?” If time goes by, would she like him?
Grand Prince Liang was obstinate. “Who is eavesdropping? I happened to pass by. Quick tell me. What idea?”
As the two of them talked, they walked towards the main palace. The light fragrance of plum flowers that came after the bitter cold surrounded the air.
Chapter 77.2: Cold Plum
Fu Rou left the palace to visit her family. Unexpectedly, Yan Zifang came up to her as soon as she left the palace. Fu Rou spoke coldly, “What do you want now?” She thought that he had thought things through after he left her alone for a period.
Yan Zifang laughed bitterly, “After looking around, you're the only person that can accompany me while I drown my sorrows in this foreign city.” He then turned to leave.
Fu Rou thought about it and eventually followed him into a wine house.
Yan Zifang poured himself a drink and downed it. Fu Rou suddenly understood. His troubles with love had nothing to do with her this time. She finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had said whatever needed to be said, if he still persisted, she would have to cut him off. However, he was a good older brother to her when they were children and she had already lost him once.
Yan Zifang drank another cup. “It seems like I am always struggling with love. Back then when you fell for Sheng Chumu and disregarded our engagement, I was depressed for a long time.”
“What you were trying to catch was the illusion that was created from spending a long time out in the ocean.” As long as they resolved their engagement issue, she did not mind being friends with him. “But who are you drinking for today?”
Yan Zifang drank cup after cup. “I am not drinking for anyone.”
Fu Rou had no choice but to point out. “For Consort Liang?”
Yan Zifang’s face fell. “Don’t call her that. She has her own name.”
“So I am right.” Fu Rou had no intentions of digging out the secrets between the two of them. “Something that was obtained from nothing is not worth cherishing. Only when it is lost will men then understand what it means to them. Isn’t that right?”
Yan Zifang spoke fiercely, “A failure like Grand Prince Liang is not worthy of having her. But I don’t understand why she would help him? He was going to be banished to the feudal land. I had arranged everything to help her get rid of him and she would have nothing to worry about!”
Last night, during Imperial Concubine Wang’s banquet, Grand Prince Liang suggested adopting a child for Zhiyun. As Zhiyun’s mother, Imperial Concubine Wang was extremely moved. Lu Yingying then took the chance to mention that Grand Prince Liang was about to leave Chang’an. Thereafter, Imperial Concubine Wang then spoke to the Emperor for Grand Prince Liang. The Emperor promised to give Grand Prince Liang another chance.
Fu Rou was shocked. “Yan Zifang, you were a pirate and will always be a pirate. Before Lu Yingying was married, you did not care. Now that she is married and wants to stay by Grand Prince Liang’s side, you start to become greedy. Do you know how troubled she was because of Grand Prince Liang’s issue?”