Chapter Eighty-two: Burning the Lute and Cooking the Crane

  Thank you for the rewards from Lan Xiang and Shi Bi, thank you to Lan Xiang, Zi Chuan Niu Niu, and Perfect Little Fish for the pink votes. Thank you to Yu Hou Tingyuan for 3 safe symbols and Mo Xiyan for 1 reward. When I was feeling down, receiving such lovely encouragement from all of you really warmed my heart.

  When Qingjin said that so readily, Yang Wenhua's eyes flashed with surprise, then changed to a calm expression, and sighed: "So it was him, no wonder Second Sister Gu was willing to arrange the engagement early, Second Sister Gu's elder cousin is really an outstanding person!"

  When Yang Wenhua praised Junmu Xi, she thought of the Lantern Festival that day. Junmu Xi said some words to her, and Qingjin nodded slightly: "Brother is indeed an excellent person."

  "I heard that Gu Er's marriage was arranged before the news of her third uncle's meritorious rescue reached the capital?"

  "Yang sister seems very interested in my marriage?"

  Upon hearing Qingjin's words, Yang Wenhua's eyes narrowed and then smiled: "How could Gu Ermei have such thoughts? I was just casually asking, by the way, Gu Ermei, are you really willing?"

  "What did sister Yang mean? What am I not satisfied with?"

  "Spare me the act, Second Sister Gu. I heard from my father that the Emperor himself intended to arrange a marriage for you, Fourth Sister, with one of his princes as your husband. If not for your prior engagement, this honor would have been yours. In the future, you'll be bowing to someone who is currently lower in status than you. Are you willing to accept that?"

  Upon hearing Yang Wen Hua's words, Qing Jin didn't even look at Yang Wen Hua: "What if I'm willing? What if I'm not?"

  When Qingjin said that, Yang Wenhua smiled and tempted: "If Sister Gu Er is willing, then I'll pretend nothing happened. On the contrary, if Sister Gu Er has any ideas, I'm willing..."

  "Yang is very kind." Before Yang Wenhua could finish speaking, Qingjin raised her head and said faintly to Yang Wenhua.

  Yang Wenhua heard Qingjin's words, narrowed her eyes. She knew what Qingjin meant by this sentence was referring to herself. "No one offers kindness without a reason." She put away the smile on her face and looked at Qingjin with a serious expression.

  Qing Jin ignored her sinking face and looked up at the distant view. It turned out that they had unknowingly arrived at a place surrounded by plains, with layers of green hills stretching far and wide, the scenery was magnificent.

  The vast expanse of the view lifted Qingjin's mood, and as she gazed at the lush green grass around her, she couldn't help but think of the scene: the sky was vast, the fields were endless, the wind blew gently, and the cows and sheep grazed peacefully.

  Yang Wenhua looked at Qingjin with a comfortable and carefree expression, ignoring herself, and couldn't help but speak again: "Doesn't Second Sister Gu want to..."

  "I don't want to." Unfortunately, before she could finish speaking, Qingjin interrupted her.

  Yang Wenhua was about to speak again when Qingjin interrupted him. Yang Wenhua looked at Qingjin deeply, feeling a bit displeased in his heart, but still maintained a smile on his face and said: "Since Miss Gu has no such intention for the time being, I won't disturb her. However, Miss Gu, if you change your mind, you can come find me anytime." He turned his horse's head, preparing to leave.

  Qingjin turned around and said to Yang Wenhua: "Sister Yang, slow down!"

  Originally thought Qingjin was Yang Wenhua who had changed her mind. After hearing Qingjin's words, he couldn't bear to whip the horse under his seat fiercely and said a sentence before leaving: "I'll wait for Gu Ermei to change her mind."

  Seeing Yang Wenhua leave, Qingjin didn't mind what Yang Wenhua said to her. She smiled and waved goodbye to Yang Wenhua's back, not caring about whatever idea Yang Wenhua had come up with, she wasn't interested.

  Waiting until Yang Wenhua's back was no longer in sight, Qingjin dismounted and walked on the grassland of early spring with the horse behind her. Occasionally, a gust of wind would blow by, lifting up Qingjin's wide sleeves and hem. She leaned against the horseback, standing lazily on the spot, feeling the fresh air all around her.

  Lowering her head to gaze at the fresh green grass beside her, if this weren't a royal villa, it's likely someone would pop out, Qing Jin couldn't help but want to lie down on the ground, if only this were her own home, she could do as she pleased.

  Thinking of this, suddenly something flashed in her mind, right, if she didn't remember wrong, not far from here there was a place that was relatively secluded and had beautiful scenery, why not go there for a stroll.

  Thinking of this, my heart couldn't help but feel a little moved, but thinking of something else, I hesitated. Because there is another person who knows about this place, and that person is Long Han Yuan. The first time she came to this place was also thanks to Long Han Yuan, it was when she married Long Han Yuan in her previous life, at that time their relationship was still good, Long Han Yuan took her to Xishan to clear her mind, this place was where Long Han Yuan brought her back then, the scenery was very beautiful.

  Thinking that Long Hanyuan also knew the place, Qingjin hesitated and walked for a while longer on the grassland with her horse. Seeing no one coming over, Qingjin's heart began to stir with excitement. Although Long Hanyuan had also arrived, he should be following the Sixth and Seventh Princes on their hunting trip at this time, and many noble ladies had gone in that direction as well. The place she wanted to go was completely opposite from where they were hunting, so even if Long Hanyuan knew about it, he probably wouldn't have the time to come over anyway!

  With this in mind, Qing Jin's heart immediately made a decision, and she quickly mounted her horse, riding it towards the distance.

  When she reached the vicinity of that place according to her memory, Qingjin got off her horse and led it slowly along the path she remembered. After wandering around in the forest for a while, the front suddenly opened up, revealing a small stream.

  Qing Jin walked along the stream and finally found that place, where unknown trees surrounding the water source were blooming with fragrant flowers. Qing Jin led the horse to the edge of the stream, loosened the reins, stretched her hand into the water, and played with the water in a carefree manner.

  Facing the pool, tidying up some disheveled hair, looking at the unknown small flowers by the creek falling from the trees, landing in the stream, drifting downstream with the current, a truly beautiful scene of "flowers falling and water flowing".

  After tidying up her clothes and hair, Qingjin's eyes lit up when she saw the fish swimming in the stream, thinking of modern barbecue, she really wanted to eat roasted fish. She thought of a small package that Yuanyan had handed her before they set off, Qingjin took it out from her sleeve, opened it and found that there were indeed some seasonings inside. She remembered when Yuanyan gave these things to her to bring along, she was still laughing at Yuanyan for thinking too much, and was somewhat unwilling, but Yuanyan had insisted that she take them, so she casually stuffed them into her sleeve without taking up space, never expecting that they would come in handy at this time.

  Qing Jin was overjoyed and couldn't help but think that it was indeed a thoughtful idea of Yuanyang's.

  Seasoning is ready, look at the happy fish swimming around, Qing Jin looks around and sees a sturdy tree trunk not far away, after washing it in the creek, take out the dagger from his body and sharpen one end.

  Before long, several fish were caught, and at the creek side, she used a dagger to cut open the belly of the fish in her hand. After processing them, Qing Jin started a fire, threaded the processed fish onto skewers and began roasting them over the flames.

  Occasionally sprinkle some seasonings on it, and after a while, the roasted fish will emit an enticing aroma.

  Just as she was about to take a bite of the delicious food in front of her.

  "Burn the lute and cook the crane." A cold voice came from behind him.

  Qingjin's movement towards the food suddenly froze, stiffened and stood up, reluctantly turned around, and saluted the person behind her: "The minister's daughter sees the third prince, the third prince is a thousand years old." She wanted braised turtle.

  Long Han looked at Gu Qingjin in front of him, whose body was clearly emitting an aura of discontent, his eyes deep and profound.

  Qing Jin hastily lowered her head respectfully as she caught Long Han's distant gaze, her eyes thinking, when did Long Han appear here.

  "You're welcome." Half a beat later, Long Han withdrew his gaze and spoke faintly to Qing Jin.

  When Long Han-Yuan finished speaking, Qing Jin stood up, lowered her head and stared at the roasted food. Long Han-Yuan looked at Qing Jin staring at the roasted fish, also without saying a word, for a moment the atmosphere between them was somewhat awkward.

  After a moment, Qing Jin came back to her senses and looked at Long Han with a distant gaze, saying: "I didn't know this was the Third Prince's place, I'll leave immediately." She then started packing up the roasted delicacies, preparing to depart.

  "Will you still do this?" Long Han Yan suddenly spoke up at this time.

  Upon hearing Long Han's words, Qing Jin's movements under her hand paused for a moment before she regained her composure and said calmly: "It's just a trivial skill."

  "Really? Gu Erniang's way of eating fish is quite elegant."

  It was indeed a long time since Long Han had come, and thinking that she didn't have the appearance to be seen by Long Han, Qing Jin's somewhat embarrassed mood completely disappeared. She thickened her skin and said: "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I won't disturb you anymore, I'll take my leave." Qing Jin pretended not to understand the meaning behind Long Han's words, walked to the side, led the horse, and prepared to leave.

  "Is it really worth it?" Long Han's cold and slightly puzzled voice came.

  Qing Jin's footsteps paused, she didn't know the doubt in Long Han Yuan's tone, nor did she know what his expression was like at this moment. With her back to Long Han Yuan, she calmly said: "I don't understand what the Third Prince means."

  "Marriage is a lifelong matter for women, I just want to remind Miss Gu that she shouldn't rush into it blindly and marry someone without knowing who he really is."

  Upon hearing Long Han's words with ulterior motives, Qing Jin turned around and looked at him, saying: "Thank you, Third Prince, for your concern about my daughter. However, marriage is a matter of parental orders and matchmaker's words. My daughter's parents are still in good health." The underlying meaning was that the Third Prince should mind his own business and not bother with her daughter's marriage affairs.

  Upon hearing Qing Jin's words, Long Han Yan naturally understood the meaning behind them. His eyes immediately turned icy and sharp, with a cold and oppressive gaze that pressed down on Qing Jin, even the surrounding air was tinged with an eerie and desolate atmosphere.

  Qing Jin realized the inappropriateness of her words as soon as they left her mouth, and she met Long Han's oppressive gaze head-on, continuing to say: "However, thank you for the wise words of the Third Prince."