Chapter 427: So powerful

Ji Yuan felt that Yin Qing and Princess Changping’s situation was pretty much settled, given the current circumstances. Fortunately, neither of them seemed to have any objections; in fact, Princess Changping appeared to harbor a degree of admiration for Yin Qing.

However, Yin Qing was over thirty, while Princess Changping, though older than many other princes and princesses, was only eighteen. Yin Qing was definitely a case of an older man pursuing a younger woman.

The meal concluded with everyone enjoying themselves, and it was the perfect moment to press their advantage. Emperor Hongwu used his good mood as an excuse to stay longer at the Yin residence for more conversation. The Yin family naturally cooperated by sending Yin Qing and Princess Changping away, allowing them more time alone.

Yin Qing and Princess Changping weren't particularly resistant. Given the situation, the princess suggested that Yin Qing could paint her portrait directly. After Yin Qing agreed, the two, accompanied by two maids, went to Yin Qing’s study.

In the reception hall, warmed to a pleasant comfort by the stove, low tables were placed on velvet-covered couches. A chessboard rested on one, with Emperor Hongwu and Yin Zhaoxian sitting on either side, playing a game.

Empress Dowager De and Yin Qing’s mother chatted on another couch nearby, gleefully discussing Yin Qing and Princess Changping. They had already moved on to planning the wedding and even what color fabric to use for baby clothes, clearly progressing much faster in their thoughts than the actual situation.

Ji Yuan did not leave immediately after eating. Instead, he politely stayed for a while before excusing himself from the reception hall with Yin Chong, who was equally bored.

Outside, Ji Yuan led Yin Chong into a corridor, heading towards the garden and guest quarters. The guards outside merely glanced at Ji Yuan and dismissed him, as he clearly appeared to be a defenseless scholar.

Once outside, Yin Chong had no more reservations. He quickly asked Ji Yuan, not having walked far.

“Mr. Ji, do you think my brother is really getting married this time? Am I going to be an uncle? Princess Changping is quite pretty; I don’t believe my brother can resist her. After all, food and sex are human nature!”

Ji Yuan almost flicked Yin Chong’s forehead again.

“You little rascal, you’ve certainly picked up a lot of questionable knowledge. Qing’er was much better behaved than you when he was young.”

“I’m not as good as my brother anyway. And Mr. Ji, you don’t know this, but even though my brother looks like a scholar, he’s surprisingly strong. Oh, by the way, you haven’t told me yet, will my brother succeed this time?”

Yin Chong was extremely interested in whether Yin Qing would marry, or rather, in the prospect of having a future nephew. He seemed to think that once his nephew grew older, they could play together in the mansion. What he didn’t realize was that by the time his nephew was old enough to run and play, he himself would have probably outgrown the age for mischievous fun.

As he walked, Ji Yuan looked at the stars and moon in the sky beyond the corridor, answering with a smile.

“It won’t be as fast as you think, but Yin Qing’s marriage to the princess is almost certainly going to happen this time. After all, both the Emperor and your family wish to facilitate it, and neither Yin Qing nor Princess Changping feel any resistance.”

Yin Chong was delighted to hear this. If Mr. Ji said so, then it was practically a done deal.

“Mr. Ji, can we go see what my brother and the princess are doing?”

Ji Yuan looked at him.

“What else? Painting, of course. Didn’t you hear them when they left?”

“I know, I know! I just want to see how they’re painting. Mr. Ji, can you use some magic so we can see them without my brother finding out?”

“You’ve got a lot of crooked ideas, little one. I hope you’ll use that cleverness for military strategy in the future!”

Ji Yuan’s reply was tangential, but then he answered directly.

“Your brother has a sharp mind and is quite extraordinary. Few things can deceive or be hidden from him. Don’t try any tricks in front of him!”

Yin Chong made a pained face.

“I’ve learned that countless times since childhood. But aren’t you here, Mr. Ji? Can he see through you too?”

“Heh heh, I have no interest in that!”

Ji Yuan chuckled in response and said no more, instead quickening his pace towards the guest quarters. Yin Chong had no choice but to follow.

Inside Yin Qing’s study, he had already prepared the Four Treasures of the Study. There were several inkstones alone, with various shades of ink, as well as vermillion, ochre, and other colors.

Princess Changping watched Yin Qing prepare with a curious expression, then saw him unroll a blank sheet of Xuan paper on the desk.

“Secretary Yin, what should I do? Do I need to stand still until you finish painting?”

Yin Qing, who was pressing down the edges of the paper with paperweights, looked up at Princess Changping, meeting her bright eyes.

“No need. It’s tiring to stand for so long. You and your maids can rest on the couch over there, or play chess or ‘leaf games’ (a type of ancient card game).”

“Is that alright? I heard that it’s best not to move much when having a portrait painted.”

Yin Qing gathered his sleeves, picked up a fine brush, dipped it in ink, and tested the color on some scrap paper nearby, answering with great confidence.

“My painting style is slightly different from the ordinary. Your Royal Highness can be at ease. I’m not merely painting a static likeness, but rather capturing every expression and smile. Therefore, the more natural you are, the better!”

Princess Changping’s eyes widened slightly, then she smiled at Yin Qing.

“Secretary Yin, you can just call me Yang Ping. And, well, I’ll call you Yin Qing too, from now on.”

With that, Princess Changping signaled to her maids, and they genuinely settled onto the soft couch directly opposite the desk. They took out chess pieces and cards from the study and, with the pre-arranged snacks and tea, began to pass the time playing. However, Yang Ping and her maids would occasionally glance at Yin Qing to see if he had started painting.

Yin Qing simply stood before the desk, observing the opposite side for quite some time. Only when he felt completely composed did he begin to paint, capturing the image of the person in his mind with each smooth stroke.

On the couch, one of the maids secretly observed Yin Qing while playing the leaf game, and couldn’t help but say to Yang Ping.

“Your Royal Highness, Secretary Yin is painting so intently!”

“Mm, play your card!”

Princess Changping urged the maid to play her card, while her peripheral vision was also fixed on Yin Qing. He would glance their way for a moment, then bend over his desk and paint for a long time, not painting stroke by stroke as he looked.

‘I wonder how the painting is coming along…’

Just as she thought this, she happened to meet Yin Qing’s gaze as he looked up. Yang Ping’s heart fluttered, and she quickly averted her eyes, returning to her leaf game.

On the beams of the room, a paper crane constantly observed the scene below, alternately watching Yin Qing, then Princess Changping, then focusing on Yin Qing’s painting, and then attentively watching Princess Changping and the maids playing their leaf game.

Behind the little paper crane was a fiery red ball of fur: a fox curled up tightly.

Hu Yun also crouched on the beam, watching below, occasionally sniffing the air.

“You’re amazing, little paper crane! This spot is perfect!”

Hu Yun’s voice was almost inaudible. Hearing this, the little paper crane tilted its head to look at Hu Yun, then turned back to intently watch the scene below.

Not long after, Hu Yun’s fox face showed a considerable grin, revealing his sharp teeth. However, his expression wasn’t scary; rather, at a certain moment, it had a somewhat lewd feel to it.

“Hehehe, the princess is smitten! This is only their first meeting. As expected of Yin Qing, that was fast!”

The little paper crane tilted its head to look at Hu Yun again, and this time it didn’t turn back for a long while, which puzzled Hu Yun. After a moment, he suddenly realized and replied in a very low voice, still clearly chuckling.

“Of course, I smelled it out! You’re a paper crane; you don’t distinguish between male and female, so you wouldn’t understand!”

Hearing this, the little paper crane turned its head once more, this time focusing intently on Princess Changping, Yang Ping.

About an hour and a half later, Emperor Hongwu was finally ready to return to the palace. However, when the messenger informed Princess Changping, Yin Qing’s painting was far from finished. This made Yang Ping anxious, as she didn’t want the painting to be affected.

However, Yin Qing was good at reassuring people. He told her with a confident smile,

“Your Royal Highness can rest assured and return to the palace. Every expression and smile is already etched in my mind; I will certainly not let the painting have any flaws!”

His smile successfully eased Yang Ping’s anxiety and deepened the budding affection in her heart, an emotion she hadn’t even fully realized herself.

“Then, I’ll await your good news in the palace. Oh, and call me Yang Ping!”

After saying this, Princess Changping left with her maids, and Yin Qing naturally accompanied them to see them off.

Emperor Hongwu’s imperial carriage had already departed from the Yin residence. Outside, guards jogged in the cold wind, while inside the two carriages, there were charcoal braziers, hot tea, and snacks.

In the second carriage, Princess Changping and Empress Dowager De sat together, mother and daughter whispering.

“Ping’er, tell your mother honestly, what do you think of Secretary Yin?”

Princess Changping avoided Empress Dowager De’s gaze, fidgeting with the tea and snacks. Her mind was on the painting, wondering how Yin Qing’s work was progressing. The phrase “every expression and smile is already etched in my mind” replayed in her thoughts, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

A mother knows her daughter best. Seeing this, Empress Dowager De’s heart blossomed with joy.

“So, it seems our Ping’er has taken a liking to him?”

“Mother, what are you saying? I haven’t…”

At the same time, in the guest quarters courtyard of the Yin residence, Yin Chong had already been sent back to sleep by Ji Yuan. Now, only Ji Yuan, the little paper crane, Hu Yun, and a group of “small characters” who had been given permission to roam after a stern warning, remained in the room.

Unlike usual, the room was not noisy at all; everyone was listening to Hu Yun talk.

When Hu Yun finished speaking, even Ji Yuan looked perplexed.

“Qing’er, that boy, is truly remarkable!”

“Exactly, I didn’t expect it either!”

Hu Yun excitedly waved a paw, then said very earnestly,

“I need to learn a thing or two from him. This skill will come in handy sooner or later!”

Ji Yuan smiled, agreeing for once.

“Well said. If he were to write a book about this, it might spread faster than Master Yin’s classical essays!”

“Hehe, Mr. Ji, are you going to learn it too?”

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

Ji Yuan flicked his sleeve, sweeping Hu Yun like a ball directly to the guest quarters’ doorway. The door simultaneously opened, sending Hu Yun tumbling out.

The small characters immediately flew to the doorway, giggling at Hu Yun.

“Scoundrel, Hu Yun is a scoundrel!”

“Hahaha, serves you right!”

“Scoundrel, daring to mock the master!”

“Scoundrel fox, little Hu Yun!”

“Rolling like a ball!”

“Hahahahaha…”

Just as Hu Yun was about to retort, the door slammed shut with a bang, and Ji Yuan’s voice drifted through.

“Go back to your own room and sleep.”