Despite feeling she should hate him, Xu Qiu’er found him pitiful. She realized Hao Li knew her elder sister. Gently pushing him away, she straightened her clothes and whispered, “Sister taught me.”
Hao Li laughed softly, though it sounded desolate. Xu Qiu’er hadn’t seen this side of him before, and it filled her with an inexplicable heaviness. He said, “Yes, it could only be her. You are her own sister…”
A quick flash of emotion crossed Xu Qiu’er’s eyes. Hao Li sat by the pillar and after a while asked, “Can you sing it once for me?” His usual arrogance was gone, leaving only desolation. Xu Qiu’er was confused about the relationship between Xu Xin’er and Hao Li. Was Xu Xin’er’s death linked to him? What about her mother’s death? Was Xu Xin’er still alive? A flood of questions overwhelmed her.
“If you don’t want to, just go…” Hao Li’s voice came from the darkness.
Xu Qiu’er hated herself for not being able to hate him.
What could she hate him for? Unknowingly, she began to sing…
One master and servant walked towards the sedan chair parked in the center of the great hall. The anxious eunuch in front scratched his head and cheeks, pacing back and forth while cursing: “All idiots, where is the lady? Why aren’t they following? The Crown Prince has been in the Fu Qiu Hall for a quarter of an hour, but the lady is still nowhere to be seen. The Crown Prince hasn’t said anything, but his expression says it all.”
Xiao Rong heard Xu Qiu’er’s voice, feeling gratitude that she had finally returned. Xu Qiu’er frowned and was supported onto the sedan chair by Xiao Rong. He called out: “Lift.” Xu Qiu’er was raised steadily, and Xiao Rong lowered his voice: “My lady, the Crown Prince is in the Fu Qiu Hall…”
Xu Qiu’er was surprised. “What time did he arrive?” Xiao Rong replied it had been a quarter of an hour. Xu Qiu’er was annoyed, realizing she had lost track of time. Xiao Rong asked: “Where did my lady go just now?”
The coldness in Xu Qiu’er’s eyes seemed to hurt Xiao Rong.
He wished he could slap himself; how could he ask about his master’s whereabouts? He said nervously, “This servant only needs to know my lady’s destination to ensure everyone says the same thing.” Xu Qiu’er nodded, “I went to the Xiang Zhen Pavilion.” Xiao Rong, understanding that Xu Qiu’er’s return direction was not from there, replied calmly, “My lady went to the Xiang Zhen Pavilion earlier, stayed for some time, and caught a chill. My lady goes to the Xiang Jie Pavilion every night.” Xu Qiu’er smiled faintly, thinking he was a useful talent.
All the palace maids were selected by Xu Qiu’er. Though not all were completely her own, those following her were tested. They remembered Xiao Rong’s words. Xiao Rong had waited outside the Fu Qiu Hall, not daring to enter or answer if the Crown Prince asked. Hearing the Crown Prince’s displeased expression, he ran out to find the sedan chair.
Xiao Rong signaled to Ning’er, who rushed back to the Fu Qiu Hall with several palace maids, shouting, “Someone, summon the imperial physician!”
Long Hanjie heard the commotion and frowned. She’s finally back. It seems our Crown Princess leads quite a busy life. He ordered the young eunuch, “Go see what’s happening.”
The eunuch returned, reporting that the Crown Princess had caught a chill at the Xiang Jie Pavilion. Long Hanjie was stunned.
Xu Qiu’er’s sedan chair stopped at the Fu Qiu Hall’s gate. Supported by Ning’er, she descended, and Xiao Rong quickly approached, whispering, “My lady, please let me keep your clothes.” Xu Qiu’er remembered Hao Li’s clothes and praised, “I will remember Xiao Rong.”
Ning’er supported Xu Qiu’er into the inner hall, where Long Hanjie awaited. She indeed caught a chill and had a terrible headache. As she entered, a warm current swept over her, and her headache worsened, leaving her pale.
Long Hanjie had been waiting with anger, but seeing Xu Qiu’er made him feel heartache instead. He thought about how she was alone in the palace, going to the Xiang Jie Pavilion every night.
Approaching her, he took Xiao Rong’s hand. Surprised, Xiao Rong and Ning’er quickly stepped back. Long Hanjie gently ordered, “It’s late. We’ll call the imperial physician tomorrow.” His voice dripped with kindness.
Xu Qiu’er nodded, “This servant is fine, just caught a chill.”
Crown Prince, it’s late. Let Xiao Rong light a lamp for you.” Unusually, there was no sarcasm or coldness in her words. Long Hanjie felt this was the first time they had spoken so well. He carefully placed her on the couch.
Xu Qiu’er had a headache and dizziness, closing her eyes. She heard someone removing her shoes and Ning’er’s voice: “Your Highness, let me do it.” Ning’er noticed Long Hanjie kneeling to remove the lady’s shoes, knowing this could cause controversy.
Long Hanjie looked at Xu Qiu’er, saw she was asleep but restless, and quietly told Ning’er: “You can all leave. I’ll stay here.” Ning’er, though reluctant, obediently retreated, thinking the Crown Princess would likely be exposed tomorrow.
Xu Qiu’er was actually awake, hearing every word, but pretended to be asleep. Her mind kept repeating: “Flower not flower, mist not mist. Arriving at midnight, departing at dawn…” Filled with a tear, she wondered for whom it was shed.
Long Hanjie covered her with a blanket, standing before the couch, examining Xu Qiu’er’s face. He realized he had never paid much attention to this fragile woman. He couldn’t believe he had done such unforgivable things to her. Was it just because she was Xu Qiu’er?
Thinking about her nightly visits to the Xiang Jie Pavilion, he sighed, “It’s all fate, predestined. Xu Qiu’er, I will make it up to you in the future.”
In a daze, Xu Qiu’er felt Long Hanjie holding her hand, and her tears fell on the bed. Long Hanjie kept looking at her. Xu Qiu’er slept uneasily, her dreams intertwined with Hao Li, Xin’er, and A’ma. Her heart ached, knowing it was too late; the story had already predetermined her path, regardless of Long Hanjie’s feelings of obligation.
Hao Li returned to the mansion and locked himself in the study. He knew he was about to go to war tomorrow but had no desire to sleep. He took out the blood silk handkerchief he always carried, and by candlelight, saw it had turned yellow. Today, Xu Qiu’er appeared before him in that dress, softly speaking her sorrow… Hao Li suddenly clutched his head, questioning himself. His heart had already lost its composure.
Xu Qiu’er covered her head and slowly awoke. Upon opening her eyes, she saw Long Hanjie sleeping against the bed pillar. Wondering why he was there, she put on the blue silk snow coat beside her and walked out of the inner hall with a furrowed brow.
Ning had been standing outside waiting and presented a blue and white porcelain bowl. “Your Highness must have a headache?” Xu Qiu’er took the bowl and drank, feeling thirsty. Afterward, she handed it back and asked, “Why didn’t he leave?”
Ning replied seriously, “This servant only knows that the Prince watched over Your Highness all night.”
Xu Qiu’er rubbed her temples and asked, “What time is it?”
“It’s almost the fifth watch,” Ning responded.
Xu Qiu’er nodded and returned to the inner hall. Long Hanjie was still sleeping, his brow furrowed in discomfort. She approached and gently pushed him. “Your Highness, Your Highness…”
Long Hanjie opened his eyes, feeling exhausted. As he tried to move, a sharp pain shot through his shoulder. He waited for the pain to pass. Seeing his condition, Xu Qiu’er, knowing he was suffering because of her, gently placed her hand on his back. He first stiffened, then relaxed as she rubbed and pressed, relieving some discomfort. Suddenly, Long Hanjie turned and grabbed her hand. Xu Qiu’er tried to pull away, but he pulled her into his embrace and whispered, “Qiu’er, don’t move. Let’s let the past go and start over. Okay?”
