Riding back and forth for a long while, they finally returned to the shade beneath the tree, where a thick felt mat was spread out.
Qingyang was surprised to find Third Brother Zhang Su lying on the mat, fast asleep.
Qingyang bent down and broke off a stalk of foxtail grass from the nearby grass, then squatted and gently rubbed it against Third Brother’s nose.
But seeing his handsome face so peacefully asleep, Qingyang softened and turned to Zhang Su: “Let’s go catch some fish.”
Zhang Su glanced at the hem of the Little Princess’s skirt.
Qingyang understood his meaning.
Since they had planned to play in the river before leaving, she had deliberately worn a pair of white silk pants under her skirt.
“I’ll go pack up. You should roll up your sleeves and pant legs too.”
After saying this, Qingyang went to Jie Yu and asked her to help loosen the complicated long skirt, while also rolling up the pant legs.
Jie Yu looked toward both banks of the river again, confirming that none of the Eight Guards were in sight, nor were any commoners running around breaking through the guards’ defenses.
Finally, she glanced at Zhang Su, who stood just a few steps away.
Though only fifteen, the young man was already taller than many adult men.
He had long turned his back, unwilling to disobey the Princess’s orders, tucking his sleeves into his waistband to reveal a pair of straight legs clad in white silk pants.
Qingyang looked back as well and urged Jie Yu, “Hurry up, don’t mind him.”
She already understood that distinctions between men and women were rules applied with outsiders.
Zhang Su, in her heart, was like a Third Brother to her—a chosen consort she had picked out early on. Playing in the water was nothing to be embarrassed about.
Jie Yu thought, “The Princess is only nine years old, still a child. Zhang Su is very proper and wouldn’t peek at the Princess when he’s not supposed to. There’s no harm in letting him accompany the Princess next time she goes in the water.”
After removing the chest-high long skirt, the Little Princess was dressed in a short pink top that covered her waist, paired with suitably thick white silk pants.
She rolled the pant legs above her knees, making it perfect for wading into the river.
The Little Princess had also prepared a small bucket and a fishing net—one in each hand.
Qingyang stood by the riverbank first, looking eagerly at Zhang Su.
As for whether Zhang Su’s legs were long or fair, the Little Princess, focused solely on catching fish, did not care.
But Zhang Su did not approach her. Without looking away, he stepped into the river directly opposite the Princess, inspecting the riverbed’s cobblestones.
Closing his eyes, he said, “This spot is suitable for wading. Please, Your Highness, come over.”
Without suspicion, Qingyang ran over, opening her arms.
“Hold me and carry me across.”
She wasn’t as timid as Third Brother but still knew the deeper parts by the shore were unsuitable for her to step in.
Zhang Su briefly opened his eyes but never let his gaze touch under the Princess’s skirt.
After placing his hands under her armpits, he closed his eyes again and carefully carried the Little Princess step by step toward the shallow middle part of the river.
Perhaps from being frequently carried by Duke of Wei Zhang Mei all these years, Qingyang paid little mind to how Zhang Su held her.
Excited, she looked at the flowing water beneath.
As soon as Zhang Su reached the place where she could safely stand, Qingyang urged him to put her down.
Zhang Su set the Little Princess down in the water.
Once sure she was stable, he stepped in front of her, back turned, to patrol the surrounding water.
Qingyang ignored him, filling her bucket halfway with water and bending over to search for little fish with her net.
When she couldn’t find any, she waded around, enjoying herself. Just this was fresh and fun enough.
Jie Yu watched clearly from the shore, seeing that Zhang Su truly did not glance once at the Little Princess, perfectly embodying the respectful demeanor taught by his noble father, Zhang Jiu.
“Caught one!”
“Escaped! Zhang Su, hurry and stop it!”
The Little Princess’s clear call awakened the Third Prince Qin Ren, who rubbed his eyes and sat up.
Seeing his sister so happy playing, he quickly gathered himself and called Zhang Su over to help him across the deeper water.
After the Little Princess had enough of playing in the water, Zhang Su lifted her once more.
This time Qingyang noticed and curiously asked, “Why are you closing your eyes?”
Zhang Su answered, “Your Highness, as a royal of noble blood, this servant must not be disrespectful.”
Qingyang looked down at her feet suspended over the water, and also at Zhang Su’s legs walking through the water.
Though etiquette was etiquette, Qingyang still didn’t understand why there had to be so many taboos between men and women.
Including what Third Brother said—that if she looked at his body, he would get a stye.
Like now, she saw Zhang Su’s legs—would her eyes not work properly?
The more Zhang Su tried to avoid offense, the more Qingyang liked teasing him.
She lightly stepped on just above his knee where the water didn’t reach.
Zhang Su’s brow twitched slightly, then casually quickened his pace, soon handing the Little Princess over to Jie Yu waiting on the shore.
When the Little Princess was wiping off and changing clothes, Zhang Su took a towel and walked to a distant spot alone.
When he returned, his robes were neat as before.
Qingyang said, “Don’t want cake. Let’s go back to the city and eat at the wine house.”
Qin Ren naturally followed his sister’s lead.
Qingyang also lifted the small bucket onto the carriage, watching the few little fish swimming around inside.
Qin Ren admired, “Finally showing a bit of a child’s side.”
Usually, his sister got up earlier than him, studied better, and practiced martial arts seriously and skillfully. Seeing this made him feel both ashamed and sweaty.
Only in caring for her little things did he find confidence as a brother.
Zhang Su knelt quietly to the side, not agreeing with the Third Prince’s words.
The Little Princess always had a child’s temperament; she was only clever and eager to learn.
If her personality truly matched her knowledge, she wouldn’t insist on riding horses together, placing flowers on his head, or deliberately stepping on him.
After eating and drinking to their fill, it was usually time for the Little Princess to rest, but Qingyang was still lively.
After visiting several shops, she suddenly asked Zhang Su, “Where do you buy your Wooden Figurines? Take me to see them.”
Qin Ren, exhausted, eyes drooping: “After the woodcarving shop, can we just go back? I really can’t keep up.”
Qingyang nodded.
Both siblings were decided, so Zhang Su could only lead the way.
The woodcarving shop was quiet in the afternoon, with only one young Shop Assistant propping up the counter and lazily opening his eyes when footsteps approached.
But after recognizing the four’s faces and the silk robes they wore, he perked up and, with a flattering smile, came around the counter to greet them.
He addressed what was surely the brother among the siblings: “What would the young masters and young ladies like to buy?”
Qin Ren, thinking only about finishing the shopping and going to sleep, yawned while looking at his sister.
The Shop Assistant then glanced at the slightly shorter, wealthy-looking young lady.
Qingyang looked at Zhang Su, then back at the Shop Assistant, who seemed to have seen nothing unusual.
The Shop Assistant next looked at the young lady, whose youthful but commanding aura filled the space.
Qingyang continued staring at the Shop Assistant.
Shop Assistant: “…”
The young lady is truly pretty, but what’s with that look in her eyes?
Not finding what she wanted, Qingyang lost interest and said, “We’re just browsing. You can take a break.”
With that, she walked toward the nearest display counter, which held a dense collection of small wooden carvings.
Qin Ren and Zhang Su followed closely behind.
Jie Yu motioned for the Shop Assistant to wait aside.
Qingyang quickly found a row of small Wooden Figurines similar to the very first one Zhang Su gave her when she was four—simple craftsmanship showing only surface emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.
As for the features, the first Wooden Figurine didn’t resemble her much; even Third Brother’s compliments were about the smile’s feel.
But the later Wooden Figurines Zhang Su sent became increasingly like her. Their postures changed too.
There were five in total: the first three simply stood stiffly; the fourth sat on a small wooden stool holding a chess piece; the fifth was the most impressive, imitating her sword practice stance, holding a small wooden sword.
After examining all the cabinets, Qingyang found no similar Wooden Figurines, only more elaborately carved graceful women or various gods and elegant statues.
Exiting the shop, Qingyang looked at Zhang Su and said, “You lied. Your Wooden Figurines weren’t bought here.”
Zhang Su: “…”
Qin Ren: “Why do you say that, little sister?”
Qingyang glanced back at the Shop Assistant by the counter and explained to Third Brother: “First, if Zhang Su came here every year to buy Wooden Figurines, given his appearance, the Shop Assistant would definitely recognize him. It’s impossible to have no impression.”
Qin Ren gave Zhang Su an approving yet teasing once-over.
Qingyang continued: “Second, the counter has no Wooden Figurines like the ones Zhang Su gave me. Either this shop doesn’t make them, or Zhang Su orders them specially. If he orders them, the Shop Assistant surely would know him.”
Qin Ren was fully convinced, puzzled as he asked Zhang Su, “Where exactly do you buy them? Why not tell the truth?”
Both siblings stared at him. Zhang Su, unable to mention another shop, lowered his voice and confessed: “Your Highness wishes for a Wooden Figurine each year for your birthday, but I know the first one was not very satisfactory because it only resembled Your Highness’s smile.”
“I considered asking a Master Craftsman in the shop to carve a new one based on Your Highness’s appearance, but given Your Highness’s noble status, this servant dared not recklessly reveal your true face to others. So I learned the basics of woodcarving from a Master and practice carving myself in my spare time…”
Qin Ren was shocked: “You carved the later ones yourself?”
Zhang Su lowered his gaze: “Yes, my hands are clumsy, so they are simple. If Your Highness dislikes them…”
Qingyang interrupted, “I don’t dislike them. Yours are much better than those sold in the shop. They look more like me.”
Zhang Su replied, “That’s because the Masters outside have never seen Your Highness.”
Qingyang said, “I don’t want them to see either. What if they carve a few more and sell them? My Wooden Figurines can only be kept by me, at most shared with my family.”
Zhang Su said, “Your Highness can rest assured. I carve only one for you each year and never keep extras.”
Qingyang: “… You’re not an outsider. If you like, you could carve more and keep them yourself.”
Zhang Su: “This servant dares not.”
Jie Yu smiled, coming to the young man’s defense: “Third Brother wants to give Your Highness a unique gift every year. Carving more would lose the original meaning.”
Qin Ren added, “Besides, Zhang Su doesn’t have much free time. Carving one is tiring enough. If not for giving his sister gifts, he probably wouldn’t carve even one.”
He liked his sister but not enough to collect a Wooden Figurine of her. So why did Zhang Su carve extras?
Qingyang found Jie Yu’s words comforting.
Although Third Brother was right, she still felt a bit upset for some reason.
Zhang Su looked up and noticed the Little Princess’s displeasure.
He explained, “As long as Your Highness likes it, this servant doesn’t mind carving several. It’s just that my clumsy hands currently only manage to produce one decent piece each year.”
The Little Princess immediately smiled and praised him, “You’re not clumsy at all. You’re much more skillful than Third Brother.”
Qin Ren: “…”
Unwilling to be outdone by Zhang Su in gift-giving, after returning to the palace to rest, Qin Ren asked Fuan Gonggong to find a top-quality piece of Yangwood. Holding a special carving knife, he began carving little by little.
Wood shavings fell continuously. Before long, a one-foot-long piece of Yangwood had been transformed by the Third Prince’s hands into a sharpened Yangwood spear, thick at the base and tapering at the tip.
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