Seeing Xu Qiu’er’s trembling eyelashes adorned with tears, the Empress Dowager shook her head. “Don’t think about things you shouldn’t. Don’t you know why Hao Li died?!”
Sometimes, you can’t fight head-on with certain people; instead, wait for the right moment.
Revenge is a calculated matter. If you want to harm someone, don’t injure yourself in the process. Sacrificing yourself for revenge is foolish.
Not all emotions are indifferent, and not all warmth is illusory. One might desperately want to protect such tenderness. Yet, the lives of others are not her concern; she observes their joys and sorrows coldly.
She said, “I’m not a good person. If I’m heartbroken, why not make the entire world cry with me?”
A seven-year-old walked emotionlessly through the corridor, her face expressionless and her eyes coldly vigilant.
Green trees lined both sides, with wisteria winding around the corridor pillars. Sunlight filtered through the gaps, creating halos on the glazed roof tiles. The surroundings were silent, with only occasional birds flitting between the trees.
Her small, frail shoulders moved quickly, head unturned, eyes downcast, as if everything around her simply did not exist.
As she passed through the archway and circled the pond, laughter grew louder. The child’s feet did not stop, continuing her silent walk.
She reached a clearing surrounded by peach blossoms, where children of various ages chased a colorful embroidered ball, playing joyfully.
The child lowered her head, quietly walking past them.
Under the peach trees, pink petals fluttered and scattered. A peach blossom touched the child’s long, curled eyelashes, trembling and falling on her rosy lips. Her eyelashes quivered, her eyes shifted, and a hint of a smile escaped her tightly pressed lips, brighter than the peach blossoms. It was as if a silent lake suddenly had a gentle breeze, rippling with life, willows swaying, flowers falling like rain—everything coming alive.
“Your Highness…” Cang Yue stopped and followed Xu Qiu’er’s gaze to Chang Xi. Xu Qiu’er looked at Chang Xi without speaking. Ning’er sighed; this was someone raised by the Empress, and there might still be an emotional connection.
