Eventually, my elder brother happily went on a date with her, despite my sister and me urging him to exercise restraint.
Although the Eastern Palace’s handling of this was not entirely satisfactory, they did keep their promise. It was now my turn to fulfill my promise and paint a portrait of his dancing girl. When I told Que’er about this, she objected, stating that the Eastern Palace had obvious ulterior motives and warned me against walking into a tiger’s den.
I noticed she had been speaking to me increasingly rudely, likely due to my mistress’s dignity being overshadowed by An Jin. To maintain my dignity, I adopted a pose reminiscent of a high-ranking character: looking down and squinting to project depth and wisdom.
She stared blankly. “My lady, do you have sand in your eyes?”
It dawned on me that she wasn’t rude; she simply didn’t take me seriously. So, I decided to go all out.
I beckoned her closer and whispered. Que’er hesitated, looking uncertain. “Will this work?”
“Definitely.”
She pondered. “Maybe we should confess to the lord that you’re Yuan Xiang’s thirteenth son? No matter the issue, the lord will handle it.”
I tugged at my ear. “I might as well walk into the tiger’s den…”
Que’er’s eyes finally showed compassion. “It’s not easy for my lady to be so pathetic.”
“At least you understand. Face is fleeting.” I looked at her eagerly: “Que’er, don’t let my husband know until the last moment.”
The Eastern Palace inquired about my painting schedule. I requested to paint at White Crane Plain outside the palace, citing its crowded nature. The Eastern Palace agreed.
Entering the palace would be like stepping into his territory, where making me disappear would be simple.
But White Crane Plain was busy, and he had to restrain himself due to public scrutiny. I was familiar with the terrain and had a good chance of escaping if danger arose.
“Appearance is nothing more than a crude shell, Madam Feiwu need not mind.” Feiwu let out a cold laugh. “I didn’t expect the Thirteenth Young Master to be such a sissy, with a voice like a woman’s.”
I was angry, but my veil hat concealed my expression, allowing me to maintain my composure. “Voice is nothing but a passing cloud in the sky, Madam Feiwu need not mind.”
“Feiwu.” Xia Zhiyuan’s tone suddenly lowered. Feiwu spun around and returned to Xia Zhiyuan’s side, cozying up to him. Xia Zhiyuan reached out and grabbed her chin. Her bright eyes were smiling, but then filled with tearful pain.
Xia Zhiyuan had used force. She frowned, desperately trying to pry his hand away, but he contemptuously pushed her aside. I could see the red mark on Feiwu’s chin, gradually turning purple. I felt pain for her; such a beautiful woman, and he could do this.
Xia Zhiyuan’s smile remained unchanged, yet seemed somewhat sinister. “People who are too clever are very annoying.” Feiwu knelt pale-faced at his feet, barely holding back her tears, not uttering a word. Xia Zhiyuan turned to me and said: “Feiwu has offended the Young Master, I hope you can forgive her.”
I was frustrated because the Eastern Palace’s actions reminded me of the Seventh Princess—siblings sharing a capricious temperament.
I cleared my throat and said, “Your Highness, now is the most picturesque time of day. If we delay, it may hinder my performance.”
Xia Zhiyuan pulled Feiwu up, gently straightening her clothes and hair, contrasting his previous dark mood. Feiwu kept her head down, silent. After tidying her up, he kissed her face. “Alright, go.”
Holding the qin, I sat cross-legged on the fur carpet and plucked the strings. Liu Qi brought a tea tray for the Eastern Palace and offered me a cup.
Due to the earlier incident, Feiwu stood among the white cranes on the shore, attempting to dance, but her movements were stiff. I couldn’t paint, so I took a cup of hot tea to comfort her. She was having a hard time in her thin white gauze dress, turning blue-faced in the cool wind. After drinking hot tea, she gradually danced more smoothly.
I hurried to paint, completing the work in just one hour, breaking my fastest painting record. Xia Zhiyuan held Feiwu in his arms, looking at the painting I presented. “Very delicate.”
Xiao Wu looks beautiful in this painting, doesn’t she?” Feiwu nodded reluctantly. I explained that the painting still needed coloring and post-processing, and the Eastern Palace waved his hand, indicating he was willing to wait.
As dusk approached, white cranes returned to their nests while late-returning gray cranes prepared to depart. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the day was finally over. However, Xia Zhiyuan stood up and ordered the guards and concubines to retreat. sensing something was wrong, I tried to sneak away but was caught by two guards and thrown back.
Xia Zhiyuan looked at me with a half-smile. I smiled ingratiatingly, then realized my veil hat concealed my expression. I returned to an indignant look, allowing only my eyes to appear innocent. He stood by the shallow shore, seemingly not intending anything improper. I stood vigilantly beside him, ready to run, but he casually discussed trivial matters. I subtly asked him to stop pressuring the Book official registrar’s family, and he readily agreed. I wanted to ask about his grudge with An Jin, but fearing a violent reaction, I dropped the subject.
Sunset on the shallow shore, gray cranes spreading their wings – it was quite poetic, though standing beside me was not An Jin, making the scene feel like twilight. I yawned, continuing to chat with the Eastern Palace.
“Madam, only you and I are here. You might as well remove it,” he said, reaching out to pull my hat brim. I stared at him in surprise.
He laughed, saying, “I still remember the wedding night; you looked just like this.” His words were ambiguous, suggesting a shared past that was merely a misunderstanding.
I awkwardly replied, “Your Highness is quite humorous.” He then looked at me seriously, expression revealing infatuation.
“Why did Madam marry An Jin?” he asked suddenly. Dazed, I replied, “Childhood sweethearts, mutual affection, destined to be together – pick any answer.”
Lost in thought, he gazed at the setting sun with a melancholic expression: “I’ve wondered if the one I married that day was truly you, how perfect it would have been.”
With the shallow shore, setting sun, autumn wind, and the melancholic Eastern Palace, I could only think: Close the door, release the Lantern Festival!
Chapter Thirteen: Lantern Festival Wound
The Eastern Palace was still speaking, but my anger overshadowed his words. Was this what he had been waiting for? I couldn’t focus, only reconstructing the sequence of events in my mind. An Jin had once stolen the Eastern Palace’s love interest, leading the Eastern Palace to retaliate. You stole my beloved? Then I’ll make you wear a green hat! Thus, the deliberate approach and sunset confession unfolded. As I pieced everything together, it all made increasing sense.
I am a professional translator. I’m not a stunning beauty, but after tidying up, I can look decent, though not to the point of love at first sight. Aware of this, I saw through his conspiracy, which rendered the Eastern Palace’s sinister intentions ineffective.
Lost in thought and proud of my deductions, I was jolted back to reality by the Eastern Palace’s voice: “Well?”
Was he inquiring about my thoughts on his feelings? I responded seriously, “No.”
Xia Zhiyuan’s expression was enigmatic. “Really not want?”
Want? Want what? His “true heart”? I declared, “Absolutely not.”
He sighed. “In that case, I’ll have to give up.”
I didn’t expect my lady to be so noble, willing to paint for the palace for free, which truly moves me.”
I widened my eyes. So he had been talking about payment for the painting?
I was on the verge of tears. “Well… I can accept payment.”
