Qingqing, not understanding his meaning, laughed, “Your Majesty, I know the Crown Prince didn’t mean to say those things about me… But… I was a bit impulsive back then.” But which woman would want to be called “ugly” to her face? This last thought, Qingqing kept to herself, and the Emperor did not pursue it further. They continued walking, leaving shallow footprints behind.
The Emperor seemed on the verge of speaking several times but, seeing Qingqing’s innocent gaze, he restrained himself. Qingqing, too, did not ask, fearing that the Emperor’s invitation to “enjoy the snow” might not be as simple as it seemed. After much hesitation, Qingqing couldn’t bear the suspense any longer: “Your Majesty, I know you have something to tell me. You…” The Emperor patted her shoulder, earnestly saying, “Qingqing, if you were to become the Crown Princess, I would rest easy even in my afterlife…”
Despite Qingqing’s lack of worldly experience, she understood the Emperor’s intention to marry her to the Crown Prince, and in her panic, she knelt in the snow, earnestly looking at the Emperor, saying, “Your Majesty, I know you value me, but I beg you not to consider this.” The Emperor helped her up, smiling wryly, “I understand, the Crown Prince is superficial, first considering a woman’s appearance, like with Yafu…”
Qingqing remained kneeling, thinking his words had merit. After all, which man wouldn’t prefer a beautiful woman? Who would want to wake up next to someone as plain as Zhong Wuyan? But… Qingqing said, “Your Majesty, it’s not that I mind this, but…” The Emperor looked at her with approval, smiling, “But, you want the Crown Prince to truly like you?” Qingqing’s cheeks flushed instantly, “That’s just one point, but it also has to be when I truly like him too.”
The Emperor helped her up again, saying, “It’s cold on the snow; you can stand and talk.” His demeanor was so gentle and kind that Qingqing felt both surprised and fearful, wondering why she didn’t have such a benevolent father. The Emperor continued, “I know well your temperament; you wouldn’t try to please the Crown Prince. But I hope you’ll try to like him; he’s actually a good boy. Young men often have their eyes on young, beautiful girls.”
