Crying While Filling the Pit I Dug - Chapter 46

Upon hearing this, Yan Yu and all the court ladies unanimously knelt down, “Princess, this is an order from His Majesty. Please drink it while it’s hot.”

Seeing the court ladies all kneeling, Yi Qing couldn’t remain standing, so he too knelt on one knee.

“Okay, okay.” 

That would only make her seem like an ignorant and uncultured person. Later, she might be accused of being inconsiderate towards her servants, an arrogant person who dared to resist the Emperor’s order.

However, Song Miaomiao couldn’t bring herself to drink the dark and pungent traditional Chinese medicine. She remembered that there might be candied fruit available in her courtyard.

“I’ll return to the courtyard to take my medicine.”

“Yes.” 

Everyone rose to their feet.

Not wanting to cause embarrassment, Song Miaomiao addressed Yi Qing, “Guard Yi, I’m returning to the courtyard.”

“Your humble servant will respectfully escort the princess.”

　　—————————

It seemed unlikely that Yi Qing’s appearance at the same place at roughly the same time was merely a coincidence. It was probably part of his regular patrol route.

Based on their last two encounters, Yi Qing seemed to patrol the Imperial Garden daily. The layout of the garden included a gazebo for resting, an open space for playing shuttlecock, and a tree where the shuttlecock could land. There were also rocks next to the tree trunk, making it convenient for Song Miaomiao to climb.

In summary, it was the perfect spot for her plan.

As a Princess, she needed a good excuse to climb the tree. Song Miaomiao “tactfully” came up with a plan, that was, shuttlecock kicking.

The Princess wasn’t skilled at shuttlecock kicking. She thought that while playing, she could accidentally kick it into the tree.

She had considered flying a kite as an alternative, planning to let it get caught in a tree so she could climb up to retrieve it. However, flying a kite alone wasn’t feasible, and she couldn’t control where it would land precisely, unless she threw it up herself. Additionally, her slightly chubby physique made it challenging to climb ladders regularly, as she had experienced in her previous world. Therefore, shuttlecock kicking seemed like a better option—it could be played alone, and the small shuttlecock was portable.

After lunch, Song Miaomiao took a short nap, then headed to the Imperial Garden for a purposeful “stroll”. It was nearly the same time she had encountered Yi Qing last time. She attempted to dismiss the maids, as their presence would hinder her plans. Otherwise, whenever the shuttlecock was kicked up, someone would retrieve it for her immediately, depriving her of the opportunity to climb the tree herself.

Moreover, she found it annoying to constantly have attendants trailing behind her. Regardless of her activities, she was always under watchful eyes, making her feel less at ease and free.

Song Miaomiao also strained her brain to dismiss the maids.

Song Miaomiao: “I’m thirsty and want to drink tea.”

Maid A: “I will go get it now.”

Song Miaomiao: “I’m hungry and want to have some snacks.”

Maid B: “I’ll go get it now.”

Song Miaomiao: “I remembered that I didn’t bring my handkerchief.”

Maid C: “I will go get it now.”

Song Miaomiao: “I want to read a book here.”

Maid D: “I will go get it now.”

　　…

There was only the last one left, so Song Miaomiao continued to work hard.

Song Miaomiao: “I’m feeling a little hot, go and fetch the fan for me.”

Palace Maid Yan Yu: “But… Princess, it’s late autumn now. You might catch a cold.”

Song Miaomiao: “…”

This excuse was too bad. But Song Miaomiao wasn’t going to give up just like that. She cleared her throat and said seriously, “I’m feeling hot, so please hurry and get it.”

Yan Yu carefully said, “Princess, can you wait for a while? I’ll wait for the palace maids to come back before I go. Princess, you’re here alone, and I’m worried…”

Song Miaomiao had to assert her authority as a Princess, otherwise, how could she send them away? She ordered in a deep voice, “Go now!”

Although Yan Yu was a little hesitant, seeing Song Miaomiao being so decisive, she dared not refuse. So she said “okay” and left.

Taking advantage of no one following, Song Miaomiao hurried to that location. However, just as Song Miaomiao turned the corner and walked to that place, she saw Yi Qing passing by.

As soon as Yi Qing saw the Princess, he immediately knelt down on one knee, cupped his hands, and saluted, “This official sees the Princess.”

She arrived too late that day; it seemed she would have to come earlier the next day.

Song Miaomiao imitated the demeanor of characters from costume dramas and commanded, “Rise.”

“Yes,” Yi Qing complied, standing up. Out of respect, he bowed his head, avoiding direct eye contact with the Princess.

Song Miaomiao kept reminding herself that this was a different world, a different story. Yet, seeing Yi Qing, whose demeanor mirrored that of Ling Qianyi, always showing her such deference, made her feel unsettled. Every time they met, he wouldn’t even meet her gaze, leaving her with a sense of discomfort.

“Raise your head,” Song Miaomiao instructed.

“Yes,” Yi Qing lifted his head slightly.

“Look at me!” Song Miaomiao commanded again.

“Yes,” Yi Qing hesitated briefly before meeting Song Miaomiao’s gaze.

As she stared into his deep eyes, Song Miaomiao found herself at a loss for words. After being mute for so long, she felt that she had lost the desire to express herself in words, so she wrote when she had to. Talking or not didn’t seem to be that important.

What was there to say? Should she greet him? But now he was a guard, a different person, with a vastly different background, having grown up in a loving and harmonious family. He was nothing like the Ling Qianyi she remembered, nor was she the mute Song Miaomiao anymore.

As the Princess remained silent for too long, Yi Qing grew puzzled. Feeling uncomfortable under her eyes, he asked, “Princess, do you have any orders?”

Orders?

She wanted to tell him to let her climb the tree, fall, and he would catch her! That was supposed to be the order.

However, in the end Song Miaomiao only said one sentence, “It’s okay, you can go to work.”