Stay calm, do not get angry.
Gu Zhaoyan repeated this to herself three times before she finally spoke: "Did I not tell you? This is this year’s new harvest."
"Eldest Princess, how long have we known each other?"
The question caught Gu Zhaoyan off guard. "Three or four years, perhaps?"
"In all the years I have known you, Eldest Princess, you haven't so much as given me a single fallen leaf. And yet, you suddenly send me new tea..."
Gu Zhaoyan understood. Qi Yelin was afraid the tea was poisoned. It was a fair assessment; after all, every time they met, they were at each other’s throats. His caution was not misplaced.
"Yesterday, I was the cause of you nearly being hit by that cold arrow. The tea is an apology."
"I sensed the arrow coming before you even threw yourself toward me. Even if I had failed to dodge it and been struck, that would have been a failure of my own martial skills, and had nothing to do with anyone else."
Though Qi Yelin’s tone was icy, Gu Zhaoyan caught the nuance: "So, even if I hadn't noticed, you would have saved me?"
"You are the Eldest Princess. Protecting you is part of my duty." Qi Yelin spoke coldly, like a block of ice constantly radiating a chill. "There is no need for you to beat around the bush. You might as well say what you mean."
She had to admit, his presence was unmatched in all of Dayan. Like a towering jade tree, his every gesture was imbued with an innate elegance and nobility, as if he were a masterpiece of the gods. It was just a pity that the moment he opened his mouth, he fired cold arrows.
"You seem to understand me quite well, or perhaps, you care a great deal?" Gu Zhaoyan tilted her head, resting her chin on her right hand, watching him intently. "We are constantly at odds—could it be that you are doing it on purpose? Is it to draw my attention?"
"Cough, cough, cough..."
For the first time ever, Qi Yelin choked on his own saliva. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Gu Zhaoyan laughed.
"Is the Eldest Princess so idle?"
Gu Zhaoyan heard the grinding of his teeth and nodded along, "Indeed. The Emperor has relieved me of my duties, so I am quite idle now."
Qi Yelin took a deep breath, his breathing noticeably quickening. "I am very busy. I do not have time to indulge the Eldest Princess's nonsense!"
"You haven't even asked what I came here for. How do you know I am talking nonsense?" Gu Zhaoyan leaned forward, her tone aggrieved.
Qi Yelin took another deep breath, glared at her, and scoffed, "Are you implying that the Eldest Princess has some serious business with me?"
"Of course!" Seeing the skeptical look in his eyes, Gu Zhaoyan stated her purpose. "Now that I finally have time to consider my life’s great event, I heard that Prince Shen is most familiar with the influential families in the capital. I wanted to ask you to help me vet a few candidates. It would be best if you could help me pick a few Imperial Son-in-law..."
"I must decline!"
Before she could finish, Qi Yelin’s face darkened. "If the Eldest Princess wants to recruit an Imperial Son-in-law, all it would take is one decree, and the matchmakers in the capital would wear down the threshold of the Princess Mansion!"
Seeing his expression grow more somber, Gu Zhaoyan realized he had misunderstood. "I wasn't comparing you to a matchmaker. I just thought..."
"Thought what? Every official in the court knows that the Eldest Princess and I are sworn enemies. Yet here you are, suddenly asking me to select candidates for your husband?" Qi Yelin sneered, his eyes dark, his voice filled with suppressed fury. "Eldest Princess, you truly have ulterior motives!"
*She* had ulterior motives?
Gu Zhaoyan nearly jumped up, but looking at Qi Yelin, she remembered the way he had once leaned over her, weeping. This man... he was truly a hypocrite.
"What if I insist?" Gu Zhaoyan smiled at him. "I can always issue a decree."
The smile she intended to be friendly looked like a naked threat in Qi Yelin’s eyes. "It wouldn't be the first time I've refused your decrees. Feel free to issue it."
His mouth was not only poisonous but stubborn.
"Then..." Gu Zhaoyan’s eyes darted. "What if I issued a decree for you to marry me?"
*CRACK!*
Qi Yelin slammed his hand on the table, startling Gu Zhaoyan. She met his livid face. "Does the Eldest Princess think I am so easy to bully? How dare you joke about such a life-altering matter!"
Gu Zhaoyan had only meant to tease him. She hadn't expected such a reaction. "Prince Shen, must you be so serious? I was just joking with you..."
"Joking?" Qi Yelin scoffed, interrupting her. "Is this how one jokes? From now on, my estate will not receive the Eldest Princess! Xueyu, escort—"
"Your Highness, Your Highness, the ceramic jar you ordered me to buy for the tea has arrived."
Before he could finish, Liufeng walked in, interrupting him. "You wouldn't believe how hard it was to find a jar in this shop. And we already have so many at home, I don't understand why you needed—"
"Shut your mouth!" Qi Yelin roared.
Gu Zhaoyan turned to look at Liufeng, who stood there unsure whether to advance or retreat, then back at Qi Yelin, whose face was flushed—whether from the guilt of his lie or the frustration of his subordinate’s blunder, she couldn't tell. She poured oil on the fire: "Didn't you say you threw away the tea I gave you? Why go through the trouble of buying a ceramic jar for it?"
"Don't flatter yourself!" Qi Yelin snapped, his eyes like knives, his face darkening further.
"Er... Your Highness is using it for the new tea he bought, not the tea the Eldest Princess gifted. The tea you gave, the tea..." Liufeng, recalling the irrepressible joy in his master's eyes when he received the gift yesterday, realized his lie was only making things look more suspicious.
"Pfft."
Gu Zhaoyan couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into laughter.
She laughed until Qi Yelin’s brow knotted and his knuckles cracked. "Eldest Princess, have you had enough?"
"I am in a good mood today, so I want to laugh. That is none of your business."
As soon as she said this, she felt the temperature around them drop to freezing.
"Fine, I will stop laughing. However..."
Qi Yelin remained silent, watching her with icy eyes.
"What I said just now was not a joke. You should really consider marrying me."
"Oh!"
Watching Liufeng nearly drop the tea jar, Gu Zhaoyan wanted to laugh again. "Prince Shen, your subordinate is quite adorable."
Liufeng, upon hearing this, felt like he might drop dead on the spot. "I suddenly remembered I have chores to finish. Eldest Princess, Your Highness, please continue your chat. I shall take my leave."
He was afraid that if he stayed a second longer, he wouldn't live to see the sun rise tomorrow!
"Eldest Princess, do not joke with me again."
Qi Yelin’s voice returned to a calm, cold state. "Even if you were the last woman on earth, I would not—"
"Then I shall pluck you, this flower from the high mountain, and keep you in my chambers to admire." Gu Zhaoyan stepped toward him, noticing his breathing grow heavy and his body tense up. "This face of yours... it truly captures my heart."
"Your Highness, the son of the Grand Tutor is here to see you!"
Song Hesheng, one of the three prospective Imperial Son-in-laws?
What could he want with Prince Shen?