She gently hummed in response, not daring to look at him. He let go of her hand: “This palace will send you back and try this fragrance.”
Xu Qiu’er’s heart stiffened, and she nodded. Li Gong Gong followed from a distance, accompanied by Cang Yue. Their journey was silent, with moonlight and lamplight stretching their shadows long, seemingly intertwined for a moment.
Xu Qiu’er sighed. The Nine-Turn Lotus Heart was destined for another, but today it would be seized by Long Han Jie, leaving her disappointed and helpless. He decided to settle her in the Fu Qiu Palace, and she could only sigh silently. Fortunately, he had not harmed her, and she fell asleep in a daze.
Xu Qiu’er woke up before Cang Yue could call her, having slept well and being accustomed to early rising. Although the prince had stayed overnight, she was not in a hurry to get up. Yesterday was the fifteenth, and according to the Jin Tai custom, the morning court would be delayed until after noon. Feeling it was still early, she turned over to sleep a bit more.
As Xu Qiu’er slightly raised herself, she sensed something was amiss. She gently combed her hair and her heart skipped a beat. Their hair was entangled, with a strand from her side caught in his sideburn. Both had long hair, making tangles inevitable while sleeping. Normally, their hair would not form a dead knot, but this time it felt tightly intertwined, as if someone had tied several knots together.
Cang Yue and Guan Yue took turns sleeping on the couch outside the screen, alongside three palace maids, with four more maids stationed outside, all alert. When Xu Qiu’er stirred, Cang Yue noticed and checked the time—it was just past the hour of Yin. Assuming Xu Qiu’er needed more rest, she stayed still.
Soon, the curtain slightly swayed.
Cang Yue ascended the steps and approached the large bed, whispering through the curtain: “Your Ladyship, it’s just past the hour of Yin. Rest a bit more.”
Xu Qiu’er felt a wave of nausea and tried to address it. Inside the curtained bed, with only a dim reading lamp outside, she could barely see. Afraid of waking Long Han Jie, she steadied herself and softly said, “Cang Yue, bring scissors.”
