Xu Qiu’er captured Ning’er’s chess piece and asked, “Ning’er, you want to know why I jumped into the lake tonight, right?” Ning’er nodded. Xu Qiu’er then asked, “How do you think the Prince treats me?”
Ning’er replied, “This servant believes the Prince favors the Empress the most.” Logically, this was what the Empress wanted, but why push the Prince away?
The snow fell harder.
“You’re right – it’s favor, not trust,” Xu Qiu’er said softly. Ning’er was confused; could trust be more important than being favored? Xu Qiu’er explained, “You’ve seen how Xu Qing’er was favored, yet a small suspicion was enough to send her to the Cold Palace.”
“Isn’t that good?” Ning’er questioned.
Xu Qiu’er smiled faintly, “If Long Hanjie had truly sent Xu Qing’er to the Cold Palace, she wouldn’t have appeared tonight. Xu Qing’er holds a special position in Long Hanjie’s heart; he would never act against her unless absolutely necessary.”
Ning’er frowned, “This servant doesn’t understand. Why didn’t Xu Liangyi report to the Prince tonight when she had the chance?”
Xu Qiu’er gave a cold laugh, “She’s not avoiding revenge. She’s waiting for an opportunity.”
“An opportunity?”
“An opportunity to destroy me.”
Ning’er’s chess piece slipped from her hand. “Your Highness, doesn’t this push the Prince closer to Xu Liangyi?”
Xu Qiu’er withdrew her gaze. “Long Hanjie doesn’t trust me. Just a few words from Xu Qing’er or Li Qing’er could raise his suspicions. As long as he doubts me, I cannot sit securely.”
Ning’er lowered her head, increasingly confused.
Xu Qiu’er sighed softly, “A broken guitar string can be restrung; some things, once damaged, can never be repaired.”
In the Crown Prince’s Bedchamber –
“Your Highness,” Gongsun Jinyu, having changed her clothes, walked out of the bedchamber.
Long Hanjie played with a jade ornament. “How did you end up there?”
Gongsun Jinyu replied, “The Autumn Concubine knew I could swim and asked me to wait by the lake.”
“Wait?” Long Hanjie looked at her meaningfully. “When did you become Xu Qiu’er’s person?”
Gongsun Jinyu remained composed. “This servant belongs to no one. Many things have happened in the palace during Your Highness’s absence.”
