The moment the palace door opened, Xu Zhihuai was in a trance.
There is a faint scent of tea in the hall, which is familiar and friendly. It is the prince's favorite osmanthus oolong.
She moved lightly with lotus steps, kowtowed and saluted.
"Get up and talk."
"Thank you, empress."
Xu Zhihuai slowly raised his eyes.
This was the first time she met the legendary eldest princess Zhu Weizhen.
Dignified and beautiful, graceful and majestic, unrivaled in elegance... Countless gorgeous thoughts flashed through Xu Zhihuai's mind to describe her, but they didn't feel appropriate enough.
Her facial features are exquisite and three-dimensional, her eyebrows are as green as ink, and her cheeks are round, like the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Her eyebrows are quite similar to her brother Zhu Xuxing's, but she has a completely different temperament. She has a pair of eyes that are born to smile. However, if you look closely, you will find that there is an indescribable calmness and alienation behind her soft and luminous eyes, as if she is separated from everything in this world by a thin mist. , appreciate but not get close to.
Zhu Xiuxing is warm, she is cool.
They are compatriots, but not the same kind.
It turns out that this is the eldest princess who can make Wei Li feel in awe and dare not make mistakes.
While Xu Zhihuai was silently lost in thought, Zhu Weizhen was also observing Xu Zhihuai's frown and smile. She was not surprised by her beauty, but was very curious about her temperament.
Xu Zhihuai looked very well-behaved, sitting there quietly, with an indescribable charm. From the way she treats others, the tone of her speech and the way she drinks tea, it is obvious that she has learned the rules.
The empress had no interest in Xu Zhihuai, so she asked her to take care of herself after a few words.
Xu Zhihuai was also interested. After drinking tea, he thanked her and was about to stand up and leave. Unexpectedly, Zhu Weizhen was also about to leave, and seemed to want to go with her.
Xu Zhihuai was waiting respectfully in the corridor. When Zhu Weizhen came out with a smile, he hurriedly curtsied and said, "Zhihuai respectfully sees off the eldest princess."
Zhu Weizhen's eyes were bright and his tone was gentle: "It's sunny and refreshing today, let's go for a walk together."
The overly kind words surprised Xu Zhihuai.
Zhu Weizhen took Xu Zhihuai to Wenxin Pavilion and sat down. The two faced each other and could clearly see each other's most subtle expressions and demeanor.
Zhu Weizhen did not ask about Xu Zhihuai's family background, but instead cared about whether she could get used to being in the palace?
"I think you must have a lot of inconveniences when you first arrive."
Xu Zhihuai pretended to be flattered and nodded repeatedly: "Thank you for your concern, eldest princess. Everything in the palace is fine. It's great that Zhihuai can stay here to accompany Your Highness..."
Zhu Weizhen smiled interestingly as he listened.
Xu Zhihuai was speechless for a moment and blinked innocently.
Zhu Weizhen's eyes filled with emotion, he sighed softly, and then said in a gentle tone: "Today I just want to hear the truth, and I don't want to hear polite words. No matter what your background, origin, or background, it doesn't matter. What I care about is that you can let the prince hapiness."
Xu Zhihuai also didn't like to act stupid, so after weighing it, he stood up and bowed hurriedly: "What Zhihuai hopes most in his heart is that His Highness is safe and happy."
Zhu Weizhen put his eyes on her, his bright eyes hidden a bit of inquiry and a bit of sharpness: "Seriously? I hate lies the most in my life. There is a god three feet above my head, and I have to make a promise when I speak out." False.”
Xu Zhihuai nodded solemnly: "Zhihuai is absolutely true! For the sake of His Highness, Zhihuai has no hesitation and will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Zhu Weizhen smiled and nodded: "I like children who are affectionate and righteous the most. Serve the prince well and you will be rewarded in the future."
"Zhihuai will remember Her Royal Highness the Princess's teachings."
"By the way, that painting "Smoke on the Huaihe River" by Wang Chuyu was given to me by you who reluctantly gave up your love. I really like it."
"The Picture of Smoke and Waves on the Huaihe River was my father's favorite during his lifetime. My father once said that swords are given to heroes, and paintings and calligraphy are given to good news. Her Royal Highness the Princess has traveled all over the world, and she is the best painter with outstanding talent."
When Xu Zhihuai said this, there was an inadvertent innocence and sincerity on his face.
Zhu Weizhen smiled sweetly: "You have a good mouth to coax people."
Xu Zhihuai didn't expect that he could make the eldest princess happy. He didn't know whether it was because she was too kind-hearted or because he acted too well.
In the afternoon, the eldest princess sent someone to deliver a gift.
It happened that Zhu Xiuxing was also there. He was quite curious and opened it with a smile. He was suddenly stunned on the spot.
Xu Zhihuai walked up to him with a smile, but was also surprised.
It is a dignified and kind image of Guanyin with flowing pleats. Guanyin's face is gentle and solemn. She is giving alms in her right hand and holding a lotus in her left hand. What's even better is that this picture is not painted, but embroidered stitch by stitch. .
Xu Zhihuai covered his mouth and sighed: "Oh my God, it's so beautiful...so shocking."
Zhu Xuxing was in a daze for a moment, then turned to look at Xu Zhihuai, surprised and puzzled: "Do you know how lucky you are?"
Xu Zhihuai shook his head in confusion.
While admiring the Avalokitesvara statue, Zhu Xuxing eloquently said: "The eldest sister has been clever and handy since she was a child, and she is even more famous for being a female beauty. The eldest sister got married with Buddhism when she was ten years old, and got the guidance and teachings from the abbot Jieyuan of Jinyuan Temple. Every day after that Every year, my eldest sister would embroider a statue of Guanyin by herself. The workmanship is so meticulous and requires a lot of time and energy, which is really not easy."
Xu Zhihuai was shocked and surprised, and hurriedly knelt down to thank him: "Your Highness loves you so much, how can I afford it?"
Zhu Xuxing carefully put down the portrait and hurriedly reached out to help her: "Elder sister gives it to you, it's yours."
Xu Zhihuai naturally did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly ordered Aunt Nan to hang this Guanyin in the hall.
For some reason, Aunt Nan's face froze, her movements were extremely cautious, and her gaze was even more avoidant.
Those who have committed too many sins fear the most karmic retribution.
She should be afraid.
Xu Zhihuai bowed to Guanyin upright, put his hands together, lowered his eyebrows and closed his eyes.
Zhu Xuxing watched her whole body bathed in the bright sun. Her pink and white skin was almost translucent, pure and flawless, and her beautiful face seemed to be glowing.
Avalokitesvara is compassionate, the beauty is pious, and she has a sense of purity and holiness, and everything around her also has a bit of Buddha nature.
Zhu Xuxing was in a daze, and for a moment he was fascinated by it.
Xu Zhihuai seemed grateful, but actually he was not at peace inside.
This sudden reward made her puzzled. Why did the eldest princess treat her so favorably? Is she doing it for His Highness? Or for something else?
Early the next morning, Xu Zhihuai woke up leisurely and saw Jinhua standing by the bed with a smile on her face, as if she was happy about something.
"What's wrong?"
Jinhua turned around and pointed at the candlestick on the table and then at the embroidered pillow with a smile.
It turned out that she didn't have a nightmare last night.
Xu Zhihuai's dark eyes drifted towards the burned out candlestick, and he naturally understood.
Jinhua ran out and kowtowed to the Guanyin statue again and again, as if she was fulfilling her wish.
Xu Zhihuai looked at her joyful expression without any disturbance in his heart.
Gods and Buddhas cannot overcome her suffering, nor can they suppress her nightmares.
Her long and miserable misfortune was destined to end with Wei Li.
