Ch 5: Painting A Portrait

Meng Tingyue paused slightly, “Forgot what?”

Shen Yunheng’s gaze seemed much colder, and the expression on his lips also became cold and indifferent.

“Meng Tingyue, what do you think of me?”

Meng Tingyue’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Was the Crown Prince angry?

The Crown Prince was angry!

This is a golden thigh; hold on tight and everything will go smoothly.

To this end, Meng Tingyue began to rack her brains, pondering what she had forgotten.

Could it be that she had forgotten a memory, in which she had offended the Crown Prince? Or had spoken disrespectfully to him?

Her gaze involuntarily fell on Shen Yunheng’s exquisitely carved, sharply angular profile.

Shen Yunheng, dressed in a dark-colored brocade robe, stood in the peach orchard, his aura cold and extraordinary, like an assassin who had inadvertently stumbled into the orchard, exuding a murderous aura.

It was less like he was here to appreciate the flowers and more like he was here to burn down the orchard.

Meng Tingyue dismissed her guesses.

With the Crown Prince’s appearance, she would have avoided him before, let alone offended him.

Besides, if she remembered correctly, this should be the first time she had seen the Crown Prince.

So what exactly did she forget?

After a long while, seeing Shen Yunheng’s face getting darker and darker, Meng Tingyue simply went all out and rushed to Shen Yunheng.

She spread out her left hand, “Look, if I ever said or did anything, hit me a few times, and let’s call it even.”

Her sleeve slipped down with her movement, revealing a section of smooth, white and tender jade arm. Falling peach blossom petals gently landed on the jade arm, making her skin look even more delicate and smooth. Her slender arm was as if it would break with a single pinch.

Shen Yunheng looked down at that section of jade arm, his eyes filled with a deep black color, and the atmosphere around him became even colder.

Seeing this, Meng Tingyue extended her other hand, spreading both out in front of him, “Hit me; I won’t move.”

Meng Tingyue closed her eyes slightly and turned her head to avoid looking.

“Did you hit me? Could you be a little quicker? I don’t feel pain…”

Shen Yunheng’s eyes moved from the jade arm to the slender, fair neck, then to the delicate chin, his eyes darkening, his expression turning somber. Without saying a word, he turned and left.

Meng Tingyue heard the sound of footsteps leaving and looked in that direction, “Crown, Brother Shen, Brother Shen, slow down, wait for me.”

Meng Tingyue shamelessly followed Shen Yunheng; he strode forward, while she hurried along, holding up her skirt.

Meng Tingyue got tired after running for a while.

“This Miss and this Young Master are truly a perfect match, a match made in heaven…”

A voice came from the side, and Meng Tingyue looked sideways.

A dark-skinned young man was sitting cross-legged under a peach tree. In front of him was a small square table with drawing paper and brush and ink.

The young man’s eyes were as bright as stars, impossible to ignore.

Seeing them looking over, the young man grinned, “Would you two like a portrait?”

Those teeth are so white.

Meng Tingyue thought to herself.

Many people came here to enjoy the scenery, and there were also painters who came here to paint the scenery, so many people would give painters silver to have their portraits painted in the orchard.

However, most were portraits of individuals or sisters/brothers; portraits of men and women together were rare.

Meng Tingyue glanced at Shen Yunheng, who was expressionless, and said to the young painter, “Paint one for me.”

After finishing Meng Tingyue’s portrait, the painter looked at Shen Yunheng.

Shen Yunheng was listening to Ling Xiao’s report nearby.

The painter said to Meng Tingyue, “Would the Young Master like a portrait as well?”

Meng Tingyue pondered; Shen Yunheng was of noble status and probably wouldn’t appreciate an unknown painter outside the palace.

“He won’t.”

Meng Tingyue gave the painter the silver, and the painter gave her the painting.

“I wish you both a Centennial Union and a loving life together until old age,” the painter smiled at Meng Tingyue and the just returned Shen Yunheng, then left with his things.

Meng Tingyue looked at his departing back, sensing a sense of hasty escape.

She didn’t take it to heart; she opened the painting, having forgotten to look at it just now.

As soon as the drawing paper was unfolded, her cheeks flushed red, and she quickly closed it again.

Her gaze subconsciously turned to Shen Yunheng, meeting his gaze.

Did he see?

Seeing Shen Yunheng casually shift his gaze, Meng Tingyue sighed inwardly.

It’s a good thing the Crown Prince didn’t see.

How could that painter… how could he…

“I’ll have someone send you back later,” Shen Yunheng said calmly.

“Oh, good, good,” Meng Tingyue nodded repeatedly, subconsciously hiding the painting behind her back.

Shen Yunheng started to leave.

Qinglan had returned with Ling Xiao earlier; seeing this, she ran to Meng Tingyue’s side, holding a small box in her hand.

“Miss, the peach blossom petals have been collected.”

Meng Tingyue watched Shen Yunheng’s figure fading into the distance and nodded slightly, “Then let’s go back.”

“Miss, why not enjoy it a little longer? It’s rare to come out once.”

“The biggest flower isn’t even there anymore. What’s the point of admiring anything here?” Meng Tingyue sighed and turned to leave.

Peach blossoms are beautiful, but they get boring if you see too many.

Qinglan scratched her head and looked around.

The biggest flower is gone? Aren’t all peach blossoms the same size?

—

Meng Tingyue strolled through the streets with Qinglan for a while, buying some things before returning home.

As the carriage bearing the Crown Prince’s Mansion insignia slowly stopped at Meng Mansion, Mr. Meng happened to be finishing his official duties and returning home. He heard the gatekeeper’s voice and ran back.

Meng Tingyue was somewhat tired; she leaned against the carriage and dozed off on the way back.

“Your Humble Servant greets the Crown Prince,” Mr. Meng saw the Crown Prince’s carriage and knelt down in fear.

Meng Tingyue’s consciousness gradually returned.

She lifted the curtain and glanced out the window.

It really was her father.

Mr. Meng waited for a while without receiving a reply, cautiously raising his head to look in the direction of the carriage.

He saw a figure in purple get out of the carriage.

“Father, why are you kneeling here?” Meng Tingyue was surprised.

Mr. Meng looked around and asked, “Where is His Highness the Crown Prince?”

Meng Tingyue was bewildered, “His Highness the Crown Prince has gone back.”

“What?” Mr. Meng looked at Meng Tingyue in disbelief, quickly getting up from the ground, “When did His Highness the Crown Prince leave? Why didn’t you send someone to tell me?”

His brows furrowed. Thinking that he not only knelt for nothing but also knelt before his own daughter, he felt both angry and humiliated, and blamed everything on Meng Tingyue.

Meng Tingyue lowered her eyes, feeling wronged and innocent, “There was no one around me, and besides, Daughter didn’t know Father would be here…”

Mr. Meng was so angry that his face turned green and white. He glanced at the Crown Prince’s carriage still parked outside the mansion and went inside.

Meng Tingyue followed closely behind.

“The Crown Prince sent you to the peach orchard and then left?”

“Yes.”

“Then how did you come back in the Crown Prince’s carriage?”

“Bandits have been rampant recently, and the Crown Prince may have been worried that Daughter would be in danger alone, so he left the carriage to send Daughter back.”

Mr. Meng paused, “Did the Crown Prince say anything else to you?”

Meng Tingyue met Mr. Meng’s gaze, knowing what he wanted to ask.

“No, the Crown Prince left after sending Daughter to the peach orchard,” Meng Tingyue’s gaze dimmed.

Mr. Meng looked at Meng Tingyue’s face, seeming to confirm the truth of her words.

“The Crown Prince has a cold personality; he is not a good match for you. Cold-blooded and heartless, he won’t feel sadness for others and isn’t suitable for you. Don’t be too concerned about him. You should look for more opportunities to help Jiaojiao find a match.”

After a long while, Mr. Meng sighed and patted Meng Tingyue on the shoulder, “Father is doing this for your own good. You are weak, and the Crown Prince’s courtyard is not as clean as the Fifth Prince’s. If you went there, Father would worry about your health.”

“But if this is discovered…” Meng Tingyue worried.

Mr. Meng said, “If it’s discovered, we’ll just change it back. It’s just an accident. His Majesty is benevolent and won’t be too harsh. If we can make the best of a bad situation, it will be a good thing for you.”

“Your mother passed away early; she was most worried about you before she died. Only when you have a good home can she rest in peace, and I can rest easy.”

Meng Tingyue felt emotional, “I know.”

“There’s still a month until the wedding. Take Jiaojiao out more often and create more opportunities.”

Mr. Meng didn’t finish, but both of them understood.

Meng Tingyue pretended to be obedient and nodded, watching Mr. Meng leave, her expression instantly turning cold.

He really is her own father; even if it means disobeying the imperial order, he will still exchange the marriage.

All for Meng Qingjiao to have a smooth path to success.

One after another, they all want to pave the way for Meng Qingjiao.

Then she’ll see if Meng Qingjiao is willing to accept this “blessing”.

Meng Tingyue returned to her room, clutching her chest, her gaze falling on the drawing paper on the table, which was crumpled from her grip.

Thinking of its contents, her cheeks flushed red again, her eyebrows furrowed, seeming somewhat embarrassed.