Qingqing nodded and slowly stood up. Prince Four followed, and after she had composed herself, he suddenly tapped his head: “I’ll take you out of the palace!”
Qingqing turned around quickly, all traces of sadness gone, joyfully asking, “Never to come back?” Prince Four lowered his head, looking apologetic. Qingqing realized her misunderstanding, thinking he was going to take her away from this cage forever. “Although I can’t take you away for good, I can let you be Lin Qingqing for a day.”
Qingqing’s interest was piqued, her spirits lifting: “How?”
Prince Four took her hand and led her outside. Qingqing didn’t ask where they were going; immense happiness and sweetness filled her heart. They arrived at Prince Four’s usual study, where he casually tossed her an eunuch’s outfit: “Put it on.”
Qingqing, puzzled, took the clothes and looked at him.
“Put it on, I’ll take you out of the palace to the market, let you be Lin Qingqing for a day.”
So, he was taking her out to the market, even if just for a day, it was better than nothing. Qingqing, who had rarely left the Lin residence since birth, the only exception being when she met the late emperor outside the city, knew that women loved to stroll through the streets. Even if they had nothing particular to buy, they enjoyed the outing. The pleasure of walking through the market was a joy in itself for women. Eating a skewer of sour-sweet candied hawthorn for two coins from a street vendor was more delightful to them than being a queen, a natural inclination of women.
Thinking this, Qingqing didn’t hesitate and changed into the clothes. She followed Prince Four out of the palace with her head bowed. Whether it was because she disguised herself well or because the guards dared not question those Prince Four brought along, no one paid her any mind as she left the palace gates.
Chapter 154: Being Lin Qingqing for One More Day
This feeling was new to Qingqing. Before, she was extremely ugly, and later, extremely beautiful; both extremes made her impossible to ignore. But now, Qingqing was just an ordinary little eunuch.
