Ye Hua
Contrary to the Fox Princess’s description of modest living, Ye Hua’s temporary residence for the next three months was a large bungalow on a spacious private estate in a secluded part of Southern Qingqui.
Clearly, he and Bai Qian obviously used different size scales. It was far from being a small quaint cottage in the woods.
He was enveloped by abundant life and greenery. A wild, beautiful garden, overflowing with peach, apple, persimmon, cherry, and chestnut trees, surrounded the estate. Wild lavender filled the grounds, its sweet fragrance attracting bumblebees and colorful hummingbirds.
The charming rope swing hanging from the majestic oak in the front courtyard beckoned the young man, who’d never swung as a child. The gentle breeze, swaying the swing and carrying the scent of white tuberose from the bamboo gazebo, made him smile despite himself.
What Bai Qian called a tiny pond was actually a large lagoon. The scene’s tranquility was heightened by the gentle lapping of crystal clear water from the jade pool near the gazebo. Images of late-night swims appeared in his thoughts.
All of a sudden, three months of pretending to be her boyfriend didn’t appear so awful.
Unexpectedly, a novel thrill and eagerness overcame the young prince as he considered what lied ahead of him. What started as a chore for Bai Qian turned into an adventure.
Rushing inside, he was bathed in warmth. Sunlight streamed warmly into the large windows of the receiving room. He indulged in the sunlight, eyes closed, arms outstretched, soaking in the warmth and light. He was tempted to stay for hours, but his curiosity won, sparked by the memory of a nearby canvas.
Near a window, an easel displayed a canvas, with oil and water paints on a close table. The paintbrushes boasted a thick, luxurious feel. Besides that, a black leather binder displaying his dragon emblem held the best parchment he’d ever known.
His touch discovered the smooth and silky paper, with charcoal pencils waiting nearby. He pondered about taking a break to draw, but the rest of the house was still a mystery waiting to be revealed, like an unexpected gift that he found joy in receiving.
Although not cold, he knelt by the ornate fireplace, briskly rubbing his hands, but something else compelled his touch. It was a delicate, plush, fluffy white rug. When he rubbed it, it slipped through his spread fingers.
A chaise lounge, elegant with a high curved back and arm on one side, rested on the rug near a bookcase. The many bookcases filled with various books on the wall immediately caught his attention.
He loved reading, but free time was scarce, if not nonexistent.
Seeing these literatures, he thought of asking Bai Qian for an extra month in their sham relationship. He wished to lose himself and read for hours and hours on end, especially since many of these books he’d only heard of. This extraordinary collection before him could compete with Mo Yuan’s collection of rare and precious books.
Ye Hua pondered whether Bai Qian knew how valuable they were. It was strange and highly unusual to find such valuable things in a guest cottage, especially since they were the exact books he had been wanting to read when he had the chance.
A certain title instantly caught his attention, but he resisted the urge to grab the book and lay on the floor reading until he fell asleep.
There remained more to uncover.
Beyond the front receiving area, he discovered that the cottage was divided into two distinct areas. To the left, there was a dining nook, a bowl overflowing with a variety of ripe fruits was the centerpiece in a moderately sized wooden dining table.
Though he would be spending time alone, there were four chairs and in the kitchen pantry more than enough food. In fact, there was enough to feed a family of six for months easily.
Maybe he was imagining things, but the house appeared unrealistically perfect and tailor-made, defying possibility. How did Bai Qian quickly organize his living arrangements and meet all his needs without knowing what he liked?
Her meticulousness extended beyond the kitchen to his bathroom and bedroom, where her personal touches were also evident.
The bathroom and bedroom were on the right side of the house. As with the other rooms, the luxurious bathroom boasting an enormous bathtub; four adults could bathe in it at once.
Neatly folded fluffy towels sit near the tub on the wall partition. An array of candles, flower-petal infused soaps, and aromatic oils fill the cabinet and shelves.
At the very back of the cottage, his bedroom was considerably larger than the one in Nine Heavens. The scene that greeted him was opulent yet understated.
It was perfect.
He was drawn to the plush cherry wood canopy bed, promising restful sleep. Delicate pale blue curtains, light as a whisper, moved softly around the bed, producing a serene calmness that invited unproductive idleness, which was something the young prince was unfamiliar with.
Giving in to a sudden urge, he collapsed onto the bed with a sigh, only to make an astonishing discovery—the ceiling was made of glass or some superior, transparent material.
The cottage had held many surprises, but the clear ceiling was his favorite, for he imagined falling asleep while watching the stars.
To escape his humdrum life for three months, he felt that a three-month fake relationship with Bai Qian was a worthwhile exchange most definitely.