As dusk fell, a drizzling rain began to patter. The moon rose above the willow branches—a mere silver sliver weaving through faint clouds, delicate as the graceful brow of a beautiful woman.
Physicians from the Imperial Hospital departed Mihe Residence in groups, their blue umbrellas swaying in rows. Their wide, azure court robes trailed across the ground, while their pale blue boots splashed through shallow puddles, stirring fine sprays of water. Medicine apprentices, bent under large medical chests, followed attentively in light blue robes, resembling supple banana leaves adrift in the rain.
Outside the window, the withered lotus blossoms finally scattered in this rain, churning the last clear pond into disarray. A young maid tiptoed into the outer chamber, the hair at her temples already damp. Qiusui softly called out to her, and the two young girls gathered beneath the corridor, whispering. Though hushed, their voices faintly drifted into the inner room.
"The withered lotuses are all beaten apart, and the rain is icy. Auntie Xia says the Crown Prince loves lotuses most, so she’s sending us all to hold umbrellas over them."
Qiusui sighed with premature world-weariness, "What’s the use of shielding them? What must fade will fade. Those from Jinse Palace are surely too obsequious."
"Exactly. It’s already September—autumn has set in."
…
The maids departed together, their voices fading into the distance until they became indistinct. Beyond the ebony window, a band of lingering sunset glow hung tenderly over the treetops, steeped in the cold moonlight, gleaming like silver. All around was silent, save for the occasional bird flitting by, soon crying out strangely as it flew far away.
This room had long stood vacant. The hall was vast, slightly echoing with emptiness. To the north stood an enormous sandalwood bed draped with layers of blue gauze, embroidered with golden phoenixes. When the wind stirred, it seemed as though broad lotus leaves swayed in the breeze, or like layers of misty towers, drifting and coiling.
The south-facing windows were wide open, beyond the railings lay a pond full of green lotuses. Now, with the sudden urgency of wind and rain outside, the lotus leaves trembled in the wind, already hinting at the decline that follows peak splendor. Servants eager to please their masters rowed small boats, holding large umbrellas aloft in great clusters to shield the last pond of green lotuses from the chill rain.
Li Ce sat in a chair, his fingers lightly tracing the seat. The red lacquer, adorned with the Five Blessings and Longevity motif, had grown mottled. The servants had hastily prepared this room, yet clearly there had been no time for repainting; his fingertips felt the uneven, bumpy surface. Li Ce paid it no mind. His eyes seemed both closed and open, narrowed to slits as he gazed intently at the woman lying on the bed.
Chu Qiao wore a light blue gown patterned with phoenixes, lined with white silk. The blue gauze was embroidered with small, pale gray daisies, each blooming delicately and demurely, quietly unfurling. Her face was exceedingly pale, her brow tightly furrowed. Her small face, no larger than a palm, tapered to a pointed chin as she curled up, appearing somewhat pitiable.
The physicians from the Imperial Hospital had already left, having repeated their reassuring words countless times. Yet the air still seemed to thrum with tension, stirring restlessness in the heart.
Moonlight spilled across the floor, making the spacious hall appear all the more hollow. There was no furniture here, no decorations—only a large bed and a single chair. The floor, made of ebony, felt solid and hard underfoot.
In such a place, even speaking seemed to summon echoes from all directions—so empty, so desolate and decayed.Yet this place was the closest to Crown Prince Li Ce's Eastern Palace. Many years ago, Li Ce had grown up right here, and Mihe Residence had once enjoyed bustling prosperity. But at some unknown point, it became sealed off layer by layer. Vermilion ribbons barred the doors, the rose emblem upon them symbolizing imperial dignity. From then on, these gates never opened again.
In the blink of an eye, over six years had passed.
Chu Qiao stirred slightly. As the breeze brushed past, she seemed to feel a chill.
Li Ce rose to his feet. His embroidered boots trod upon the slightly damp floorboards as he walked to the window and closed it, then returned to the bedside. With slender fingers, he drew back the layers of cyan bed curtains, and the woman's face gradually came into clear view.
Long eyelashes, a delicate nose, crimson lips, exquisite ears, a slender neck...
His hand reached toward her, as if to pull the quilt higher over her. But outside, the wind and rain suddenly intensified, pattering noisily against the window frames. The moonlight was faint and hazy, casting a thin glow upon the jet-black hair at Chu Qiao's temples, revealing a glossy yet cold sheen—so fragile, yet carrying a subtle, icy detachment.
His fingers halted an inch away, gradually stiffening before finally freezing into a motionless pose.
The moonlight was silent, casting a long, slender shadow beneath him—dark and gaunt.
The night watch drum sounded softly. In this picturesque capital of Biantang, even the night watch was announced with the elegant tones of a zhuqin, crisp and pleasant to the ear, like a gentle breeze.
No one knew how much time had passed—the moon rose, hung high, then began to set. The sound of rain gradually faded. At last, the man withdrew his fixed gaze, turned slowly, and stepped out of the secluded palace gate. His dark red brocade robes trailed heavily across the floor, like an aged hand turning the yellowed pages of a book, inch by inch, recalling so many bygone days.
The door opened. Sun Di stood leaning against a corridor pillar, arms crossed. Seeing Li Ce emerge, he suddenly looked up and gave a light laugh.
But Li Ce seemed not to notice him, walking straight ahead.
"Your Highness, Lady Yushu from the Yushang Pavilion has come twice. Hearing that you caught a chill from the rain, she specially prepared ginseng soup and is waiting in the palace."
Li Ce did not reply, continuing forward as if he hadn't heard.
Sun Di's voice grew even more cheerful as he chuckled and said, "Liu Liu, the dancer from the Liufu Pavilion, sent her maid to deliver many expensive medicinal herbs, saying they were for treating Miss Chu's injuries."
"Lady Tang from the Tangran Palace reportedly went to Nanfo Temple to pray for blessings for you and Miss Chu. Upon hearing this, the ladies from the other palaces followed suit. The monks at Nanfo Temple probably have no place to stand now. Such a spectacle—all these ladies suddenly turning devout."
"And also..."
The night breeze was cool, and the drizzle had subsided. A large entourage of guards and palace maids followed behind them, though they kept their distance, not daring to approach.
Sun Di suddenly seemed to remember something and exclaimed, "Ah, that's right! Minister He's daughter entered the palace this afternoon. Upon hearing about the events in the palace, she resolutely stayed in the Fourth Princess's chambers, saying she would wait to pay her respects when Your Highness has time."
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
A low voice sounded, devoid of its usual laziness and frivolity.Sun Di smiled, his eyes crinkling as he said, "What this subordinate meant to say is, with so many interesting things happening, doesn't Your Highness have any interest in taking a look?"
Li Ce remained silent, while Sun Di raised an eyebrow and said with a laugh, "Your Highness, this doesn't seem like you at all."
"Me?" Li Ce chuckled, though his voice held no trace of joy. "I can hardly remember what I'm like anymore."
Sun Di laughed heartily, as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world. "Such dispirited words don't sound like they came from Your Highness's mouth."
"Fingers that have caressed countless soft backs, a tongue that has tasted countless rouged lips. My Crown Prince, when have you ever been so dazed and disheartened?"
A gentle breeze blew past, carrying with it the scent of large, rain-darkened crabapple blossoms lining the road. Li Ce stood beneath the tree, his gaze suddenly becoming distant. There seemed to be struggle in his eyes, yet also tranquility. Finally, he turned around, all traces of dejection gone from his face, restored to the unrestrained and dashing Crown Prince of Great Tang. He laughed loudly and declared, "You're right! 'When life is good, enjoy it to the fullest, don't let golden cups sit empty under the moon.' Sun Di, summon all my consorts and dancers to the Crown Prince's palace to attend me tonight. Recall even those who are chanting Buddhist prayers. Tomorrow, tear down that prayer hall and build a new one - we'll enshrine... we'll enshrine a Buddha of Joy, haha!"
"'When life is good, enjoy it to the fullest, don't let golden cups sit empty under the moon,'" Sun Di murmured for a moment before smiling. "Your Highness, what excellent poetry!"
Li Ce grinned broadly, shamelessly claiming another's work as his own.
Before long, the sound of revelrous music and dancing could be heard from the direction of the Crown Prince's palace - wanton and extravagant, with flowing sleeves and waists supple as water. The delicate scent of wine drifted outward, spreading to all the surrounding clear ponds and waterside pavilions. The soft songs and dances of women meandered along with the water currents, spanning the entire palace complex, swaying between every upturned eave and decorated bracket.
Flowers swayed on branches, golden cups were never empty - yet another night of song and dance in peaceful times.
Beneath a small pavilion in Mihe Residence, two elderly imperial physicians were on night duty. One stood by the window, gazing at the commotion in the Crown Prince's palace, and sighed, "I originally thought that since the Crown Prince reopened Mihe Residence and went to such lengths to summon all imperial physicians for consultation, he must care deeply about this woman surnamed Chu. But it seems that's not the case after all."
The other physician held a small hand warmer. Now that autumn had arrived, the nights were slightly chilly, and the old man was bundled up in thick clothing. Without looking up, he said quietly, "Still hoping for red rain to fall from heaven? Don't indulge in such fantasies. After Princess Fu passed away, ah..."
The physician by the window clearly understood and could only sigh helplessly.
The night breeze was cool, lifting layer upon layer of brocade curtains. This extravagant palace buried how many people's silent worries, and bore how many people's sorrows?
The sound of plucked strings pierced through the midnight haze, disturbing the jade-like dust of the brocade palace. Beneath the accumulated elegance of millennia lay overwhelming luxury flowing like water, and the loneliness of decaying dust.
**
It had rained for two consecutive days. After the rain, flowers and trees had fallen, but the air was refreshingly clear for the first time in a while.Due to this unforeseen calamity, Chu Qiao's journey was also delayed. It now seemed she would have to wait until after Li Ce's wedding for her injuries to heal sufficiently before setting out. Moreover, Li Ce's capricious expulsion of Zhao Yan that day quickly spread throughout the capital. Although neither Biantang nor Daxia had issued any official documents, the fact that Daxia's Ninth Princess had been driven out of Tang Capital by the Crown Prince of Bian Tang was undeniable.
Instantly, all eyes converged upon Daxia, with everyone quietly awaiting how Daxia would respond to this matter.
After recently suffering a heavy blow from Yanbei, how would this wounded tiger deal with an enemy who had boldly challenged its authority?
The wind sweeps through the tower heralding a rising storm in the mountains; people's breathing became cautious and quiet, afraid that a single misstep might disturb the tranquil surface of this lake.
The darkness before dawn remained terrifyingly still in this manner.
That afternoon, Chu Qiao was carried outside by her maids to bask in the sun. She had no internal injuries, only superficial wounds, but they still somewhat limited her mobility. Qiu Sui and the others made a great fuss, not even allowing her to walk, carrying her everywhere they went. This left her drowsy and lethargic all day, her body having grown noticeably plumper.
In truth, she wasn't so incapacitated that she couldn't walk at all, and she could very well set off back to Yanbei. However, since Li Ce didn't bring it up, she couldn't be the first to mention it. After all, she was still uncertain what chain reaction Zhao Yan's expulsion back to Daxia might trigger. If Li Ce were implicated because of her, she would find it hard to live with herself. Thus, until she saw the outcome of this matter, she couldn't convince herself to leave with peace of mind.
The sun outside was blazing. Chu Qiao lay on the recliner, drowsy and on the verge of sleep. Most of the cicadas in the trees had already died, leaving only a few stragglers chirping intermittently. She dozed lightly, drifting in and out of slumber.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the surroundings suddenly fell silent.
Startled, Chu Qiao abruptly opened her eyes and was immediately taken aback. A noblewoman around fifty years old stood before her, her face kind and her gaze serene, scrutinizing Chu Qiao intently with great focus.
Noticing Chu Qiao had woken and was staring at her in surprise, the noblewoman nodded in greeting and asked, "Would you like some water?"
Chu Qiao frowned as she observed her. The woman's attire was simple, yet the fabric clearly indicated luxury. Her hairstyle was understated and elegant in color, but there were no accessories to reveal her identity. She resembled a high-ranking matron, yet carried an air of nobility that set her apart. However, if she held a position of power, she lacked the authoritative presence one would expect. A sandalwood prayer bracelet adorned her wrist—old and seemingly incongruous with her status.
When Chu Qiao remained silent, the woman walked directly to the shade under a tree, picked up a teapot from a small table, poured a cup of clear tea, and slowly returned. "Drink," she said. "Early autumn is the easiest time to feel parched. Young people should pay more attention to nurturing their health."
"Mm," Chu Qiao took a sip of tea and indeed felt refreshed. She glanced awkwardly at the woman a couple of times before cautiously saying, "I'm sorry, I've only recently entered the palace and am not very knowledgeable. May I ask how I should address you?"
"Me? My surname is Yao."Yao was a prominent surname in Biantang. From the Empress down to ordinary palace maids, ten to twenty percent bore the Yao surname. In just these few days, Chu Qiao had already met no fewer than seven or eight aunts surnamed Yao.
"May I sit down?"
The woman pointed to a nearby chair and asked very politely.
Chu Qiao quickly nodded and said, "Please, have a seat."
Noticing Chu Qiao looking around, the woman spoke up: "The Empress has arrived. Your maids have all gone out to welcome her."
Chu Qiao looked at her with a somewhat suspicious expression, clearly wondering: Then who are you? Why didn't you go welcome the Empress?
The woman, however, smiled faintly. She seemed like someone who rarely smiled - there weren't even wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and her smile appeared somewhat stiff. Looking at Chu Qiao, she said, "I'm fine. I just wanted to come see you."
Her speaking in such a disjointed manner left Chu Qiao at a loss for how to respond. The palace had many rules and complicated people; everyone spoke while holding back seventy to eighty percent, leaving the remaining twenty to thirty percent for others to guess. As Chu Qiao was pondering the woman's identity, the woman spoke again: "You're very good."
Chu Qiao smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for your praise."
"I'm not praising you. You are indeed very good, but I feel you're not suited for life in the palace."
Chu Qiao immediately understood - was this another envoy sent by some jealous person who mistakenly thought she was Li Ce's new favorite?
"Don't worry, I won't be staying here long."
"No, that's not what I mean." The woman shook her head and said, "Everyone is unsuited at first, but they gradually adapt. I think you're quite good. If you were to live here, perhaps this palace might see some changes."
Chu Qiao frowned, looking at the woman with confusion, unsure what she really meant.
"Ah, the Crown Prince wants to dismantle the Buddhist shrine in the palace. Did you know?"
Her speech jumped around quite abruptly. Chu Qiao was taken aback, shook her head and said, "I didn't know."
"He wants to enshrine the Buddha of Joy in the palace. Ah, I really..." The woman frowned deeply, seeming quite troubled. Looking at Chu Qiao, she said slowly, "If you have time, please advise him against it. After all, he is the Crown Prince of Great Tang - he shouldn't be too reckless."
"I'll take my leave now," the woman stood up and said to Chu Qiao, "You're injured, no need to see me out."
Then she slowly exited Mihe Residence through the side door.
This person had come unannounced, spoken a bunch of confusing words, then left. Chu Qiao couldn't help feeling somewhat strange about it.
After a while, Qiusui and the others returned. The young maids all looked peculiar, slightly uneasy.
"Qiusui, what happened? Did the Empress come? Why didn't you wake me?"
Qiusui said, "Aunt Xi came to inform us that the Empress had reached the palace gate. Seeing you asleep, she said since you're unwell, there's no need to welcome her formally, so we all went together."
"And the Empress?"
"We waited for quite a while but the Empress never got out of her carriage. Later she said she wasn't feeling well and returned."
"Oh."
Chu Qiao nodded, her eyes bright and perceptive, as if she had understood something.
"Help me inside."
The young maids acknowledged, and then attendants came forward to carry Chu Qiao's soft couch back into the palace.Speaking of which, Chu Qiao hadn't seen Li Ce for two full days. These past few days, listening to Qiusui and others recount the events of that day—how Li Ce had flown into a rage, expelled the Daxia princess, executed over thirty of her attendants, and then summoned all the imperial physicians for a joint consultation—what stood out most was that he had actually reopened Mihe Residence, where he lived as a child, for Chu Qiao to reside in. The profound meaning behind this was clear to everyone in the entire court.
However, what followed left the servants of Mihe Residence somewhat disheartened. The Crown Prince, who had just shown signs of devotion, that very night recklessly gathered all the palace ladies to feast and revel in the Crown Prince's hall. It was said that as many as eight women attended to him that night. In the days that followed, he never set foot in Mihe Residence but instead hosted lavish banquets everywhere. Rumor had it that he was about to start large-scale construction to build a residence for a newly favored palace maid.
Ah, the hearts of these noble scions of the imperial family are truly hard to fathom.
Qiusui sighed as if she herself had been neglected.
But Chu Qiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, thank goodness it was Li Ce. She carefully recalled the scene of Li Ce rushing into the lakeside pavilion that day and couldn't help feeling a bit startled. What if? Never mind—fortunately, things hadn't turned out as she had feared. With her ordinary appearance, she probably wouldn't catch such a man's eye anyway.
She smiled self-deprecatingly as the young maidservants brought in an abundant spread of dishes and dinner. Chu Qiao glanced at it and suddenly laughed, saying to Qiusui, "You all spoil me like this—are you trying to make me lazy? What will I do when I return to Yanbei?"
"What's there to worry about? We'll be following you to Yanbei anyway."
Qiusui replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but Chu Qiao shook her head inwardly. Even with all of you, where in Yanbei would one find such exquisite delicacies? Perhaps the moment you arrive in Yanbei, you little girls will regret following me.
She smiled lightly and picked up a slice of lotus root.
After the meal, the sky outside had grown somewhat dark. Standing by the window, she suddenly heard the melodious sound of a flute drifting from afar. Across the misty waters, it carried a faint, lingering tenderness—mournful yet deeply moving, winding and turning like the lonely moon on a quiet night. It held no trace of youthful sorrow but instead carried a chill of solitude and an aloof loneliness.
Chu Qiao listened intently, then turned and asked, "Do you know who is playing the flute?"
The young maidservants shook their heads, saying they didn't know. Chu Qiao stood up, intending to go out and see, startling Qiusui and the others, who desperately pulled her back, fearing she might injure herself by moving around carelessly.
Chu Qiao had no choice but to agree and lay quietly on the couch. Only after everyone had left the room did she go to the window, nimbly climbing out. Her feet hurt a little when she landed, but it was nothing serious.
Wearing only her indoor silk slippers, she stepped onto the stone path, feeling a slight chill.
The flute's melody was graceful and soothing, its tone gentle. Under the clear, lonely moonlight, dewdrops glistened, light clouds drifted, the begonia remained unchanged, and in the distance, pear blossoms rustled—a scene of lush, splendid beauty.
She encountered no one along the way. Her white gauze skirt trailed softly on the ground, dampened by the dew but free of dust. Under the faint, clear moonlight, she gradually moved farther away from Mihe Residence.It was that same lakeside pavilion again, standing isolated over the water with eight sides open to the wind. A man in plain white robes stood against the breeze, holding a purple flute. His sleeves fluttered lightly as he played a melodious tune, his figure solitary under the cold moonlight. His tall frame carried a gentle tranquility rarely seen in him.
Chu Qiao stepped slowly onto the ebony bridge when the man turned his head. The music stopped abruptly. Seeing Chu Qiao, he showed no alarm but instead flashed a roguish smile. Playfully twirling the flute in his hand, he said, "Not sleeping in the middle of the night, no wonder people say you've been sleeping like a pig during the day lately. So you're obsessed with nighttime excursions, saving all your sleep for daylight hours."
Chu Qiao responded with a carefree laugh, teasing him in return, "I'm not one to talk, but I've heard you've been reveling night after night, exhausting yourself. With such energy depletion, do you still have the strength to play the flute?"
"Haha," Li Ce chuckled, "You're a woman, yet you speak of exhausting all your mental efforts—how bold of you."
The deep autumn frost and dew were heavy, unknowingly soaking through their sleeves and robes. Chu Qiao hadn't brought an outer coat when she came out, and now the night breeze made her feel a bit chilly.
Li Ce stepped forward with a smile, naturally taking off his outer robe and draping it over her shoulders. "Silly, aren't you cold?"
Chu Qiao looked up and smiled faintly. "I'm giving you a chance to show off our fearless friendship."
Li Ce laughed, his eyes narrowing into slits like a happy fox.
The night breeze swept across the waterside pavilion, stirring ripples on the lake's surface. Chu Qiao sat beside him on a wooden stump and asked softly, "What about the marriage alliance with Daxia? What will you do?"
Li Ce scoffed, "What can they do to me? If Zhao Zhengde sends a decent beauty, this Crown Prince might let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, hmph..."
After saying this, he noticed Chu Qiao still staring at him intently, completely ignoring his nonsense. Li Ce couldn't help but sigh, "Qiaoqiao, you're so boring—you don't even know how to joke around."
Chu Qiao insisted stubbornly, "Because I'm worried this isn't a joke."
Li Ce grinned and leaned closer. "Qiaoqiao, are you worried about me?"
Ignoring his playful tone, Chu Qiao nodded seriously, enunciating each word clearly, "Yes, Li Ce, I am worried about you."
Such straightforward words immediately made Li Ce awkward. He gave a silly smile but couldn't think of any witty remark to lighten the mood. Finally, he raised his hands and said, "Alright, I surrender."
Seeing that Chu Qiao still wasn't smiling, he sighed helplessly, "You really don't need to worry. It's harvest season now, and Daxia relies on Biantang for thirty percent of its annual grain supply. In the past, we had to bow and submit because Daxia was powerful and Huai Song served as a counterbalance. But now, thanks to you and Yan Xun, Daxia's grain production this year is less than forty percent of normal. They'll depend on Biantang to survive next year. Picking a fight with us now would be digging their own grave. Given Emperor Xia's temperament and intelligence, he definitely won't antagonize me over a foolish daughter. Just wait—within five days, Zhenhuang City will send someone else for the marriage alliance. The wedding will only be slightly delayed; nothing will go wrong."
"Really?" Chu Qiao said worriedly, "By driving away Zhao Yan, you've essentially slapped Emperor Xia in the face. Will he really let it go?"
"In the past, of course he wouldn't. But now? Haha, Qiaoqiao, strength determines everything. Daxia no longer has the power, so he lacks the right to speak to me as an equal. Since Emperor Xia could tolerate his daughter being my concubine, he'll certainly swallow this insult."
Seeing Chu Qiao still frowning, Li Ce laughed, "Alright, Qiaoqiao, am I a fool? Do you really think I'd start a war with Daxia in a fit of rage over a beauty? Hmph, besides, you're not even my beauty. I have no interest in asking who's on your mind."
Chu Qiao couldn't help but laugh at his words. She turned and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "You're so unserious."Li Ce rolled his eyes. "Yan Xun is the only serious one, always keeping a straight face as if everyone in the world owes him money. I'm telling you, Qiaoqiao, are you really planning to spend your whole life with him? I guarantee that man has no charm in daily life. As a woman's lifelong matter, you should think carefully."
"You're so boring," Chu Qiao glared at him. "Only you have charm."
"Of course," Li Ce smiled proudly. "This Crown Prince is as graceful as jade, immensely learned, dashingly handsome, and peerlessly beautiful—the top young talent across the entire land of Ximeng. Wherever I go, unmarried maidens flock to me, married noblewomen cast secret glances, from three-year-old girls to eighty-year-old matrons, all are captivated and bow at my feet."
Chu Qiao covered her mouth and laughed. "Yes, your beauty rivals Song Yu, your spirit resembles Pan An, and your myriad charms are comparable to Long Yang."
"Who is Song Yu? And who is Pan An? Is Long Yang a person's name?"
Chu Qiao smiled. "They are famous handsome men. Haven't you heard of them?"
"Handsome men?" Li Ce snorted disdainfully. "I must meet them if I get the chance."
Moonlight flowed like water, spilling silver radiance everywhere. As the night breeze rose, Li Ce stood up and said, "Let me take you back. The night wind is strong, and you're still injured."
"Alright," Chu Qiao stood up.
Li Ce's gaze swept over her embroidered shoes—the soft silk slippers were already soaked. He frowned slightly and said, "Why did you wear these out? By the way, wasn't your foot injured? How could you come out?"
It seemed he only remembered this now, immediately furrowing his brows.
Chu Qiao said indifferently, "It's fine, it's not a serious injury."
"Qiaoqiao, you must remember—you're a woman, not a warrior."
Li Ce's expression instantly turned serious, his voice even carrying a trace of anger. "What's wrong with Yan Xun? Can't he do some things himself? You're a woman—why aren't you staying properly at home instead of wandering around? You don't care about your body at all, never mentioning how badly you're injured. When you're covered in scars someday, how will you ever marry? I'd like to see who would want you then!"
Chu Qiao retorted, "You're the one who can't get married! Mind your own business!"
"Hmph, you say mind my own business, but I'll meddle anyway!"
Chu Qiao frowned. "Hey, Li Ce, you really look down on women!"
"I do look down on them, so what?" The man glanced sideways, putting on a rogue's careless demeanor.
Chu Qiao walked ahead without paying him any attention. "I don't want to talk to you. I'm going back."
But as soon as she finished speaking, a wave of dizziness swept over her. By the time she regained her senses, she was already firmly held in Li Ce's arms.
"Hey! What are you doing? Put me down!"
Startled, Chu Qiao immediately pushed against him.
Li Ce half-squinted, glancing at her sideways, and snorted. "I won't put you down."
Small flames of anger flickered in the girl's eyes as she said crisply, "Will you put me down or not? If you don't, I won't be polite."
Li Ce looked unconcerned, stretching his neck forward. "You have knives strapped to your arms and legs—I know. Here, chop right here. If you don't cut through, I'll look down on you."
Chu Qiao puffed her cheeks angrily, her chest heaving. "Li Ce, why are you so shameless?"Li Ce shot her an impatient glance, as if to say, "You didn't just figure that out today, did you?" The night breeze rustled softly, lifting the edges of their robes like fluttering butterfly wings.
The night was cool, surrounded by clear lake waters. Li Ce walked across the ebony bridge with the woman in his arms, willow branches drooping low on both banks. Occasionally, a koi would leap from the water, stirring ripples across the pond.
As he walked, Li Ce hummed a cheerful tune—a melody as bright and lively as the smile on his face.
Chu Qiao didn't ask why he had hidden his remarkable martial skills during the forest battle, nor why he had hired an old scholar to impersonate him playing the flute to attract those girls when he himself was skilled with the instrument. She didn't even question why he hadn't visited her these past few days, instead spending his nights drinking and carousing.
Everyone has their own secrets, their own facets they prefer to keep hidden—especially those of noble birth. Beneath the brilliant yellow silk lay the weight of heavy burdens. The reasons were too profound; she couldn't bear to uncover them, nor did she fully understand.
The moonlit night was chilly, yet the breeze remained gentle. They walked in silence, neither breaking the quiet.
This night was destined to be sleepless—a restless tossing and turning over shallow heartaches lost atop the emerald lake pavilion.
However, by the very next day, startling news shattered the tranquility of Tang Capital. Like wind over horsehide, a woman in a bright yellow cloak submitted her documents and, under the stunned gazes of the city guards, slowly entered the ancient walls.
————Separator————
National Day holiday, family came here for tourism, so troublesome, exhausted to death, delayed upload time, sorry sorry.
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