When Gong Sun Jin Yu arrived, he mocked, “I heard the lady caused a scene in Fu Qiu Hall again tonight?” Seeing Xu Qiu’er silent, he inquired about the young prince, his expression dimming as he forced a bitter smile.
Facing the window, Xu Qiu’er’s eyes took on a phantasmal color, appearing cold yet soft, absorbing every hesitation like a deep pool, with thoughts as fleeting as galloping horses.
Ultimately, her complexity remained beyond comprehension.
Years passed like arrows.
“Does Jin Yu know what it feels like to love someone?”
“Does Jin Yu know?” Xu Qiu’er asked.
He looked up, his gaze calm, “Though this official has never loved, I know what you are doing is not love.”
Xu Qiu’er lowered her eyes, “As expected from Jin Yu. How should I act to be considered love?” Her tone was icy.
Gong Sun Jin Yu bowed his head, “This official has overstepped.”
“When will the prince return to the palace?” she asked, deep in thought.
“In a day or two, but this official believes your current state cannot be hidden from the prince.” His awareness of her situation heightened the concern.
Xu Qiu’er stood up from the bed, “I have my own plans. You may leave.” Before Gong Sun Jin Yu could exit, she added, “Do not come to the palace so late next time. The prince is returning, and I cannot afford any mistakes.”
Xu Qinger gripped the edge of the bed tightly, vowing to avenge Xu Qiu’er. “Forget it,” she said. “Since the prince is not in the palace, we are like fallen chickens seeking help, which would only bring humiliation. Let’s just forget it.”
“Does Your Majesty want to let it go like this?” Binger asked.
“Do you have a good idea?”
Binger leaned close to Xu Qinger’s ear and whispered, causing a sinister smile to spread across her lips.
Even if I’m completely soaked, I won’t be led by anyone’s nose anymore. If I still clench my fist, I fear my dreams might fly away.
Love is not as almighty as you think; it cannot stop our wars. The deeper one loves, the easier to be sacrificed.
Let me still dare to dream, to be a hero with a great smile in my dream.
She turned her head, her gaze drifting from Hao Li’s worried face to the slightly frowning Old Buddha’s face, as if suddenly awakening to her situation. The corners of her eyes and brows relaxed, drawing out a smile that burst into laughter in everyone’s stunned gaze.
“Stop laughing.”
Some heartaches in this world are truly incurable.
Her smile was like a spring breeze caressing her face.
“I don’t love you, I don’t love you…”
A pair of bottomless black eyes suddenly crashed into hers, misty and indiscernible. When she lowered her eyes, her palm was covered in cold sweat.
Yes, no love.
Xu Qiuer woke up with a start, holding her head. The pale moon was still sleeping. Looking at it, she thought about how happy she was. She lowered her eyes and pulled out the dagger hidden under her head.
Could the small thing sliding across her wrist really end her life? She couldn’t bear it anymore, enduring the torment from heaven. She could deceive everyone, but not her own heart. Even if she killed Xu Qinger, her heart would still ache, a pain that would suffocate her, a pain that would rob her of her soul.
Gently sliding the blade across her hand, her long eyelashes revealed a deep sorrow. She lay down and smiled.
Hao Li, I’ve come to find you.
Cang Yue woke up feeling terrified. She opened her eyes, drenched in sweat. Wiping her cold hand, Cang Yue’s eyes widened, “Ah…”
The Rui Qiu Hall was shocked by the scream, and lights were lit.
“What happened?” Ning’er asked, stunned. Guan Yue, who followed, quickly tore a piece of cloth to bandage Xu Qiuer’s wound and glared at the dazed Cang Yue. With rising anger, she dropped Xu Qiuer and kicked Cang Yue off the bed. Cang Yue looked helplessly at the unconscious Xu Qiuer and bitterly smiled, “Guan Yue, I beg you, tell the master. Otherwise, she will really die. Please tell her.”
“Shut up, go call the imperial doctor!” Guan Yue shouted.
This scene would be unforgettable for her entire life.
Cang Yue tried to rush past Guan Yue’s restraint, but Guan Yue blocked her firmly. Cang Yue could only reach out, watching Xu Qiuer and crying, “Master, master, you must live. This world has the person you love most, he’s still waiting for you. Master, please survive.”
“Shut up.”
Ning’er, trembling, asked, “The young prince is still alive, right?” She grabbed Guan Yue’s hand, begging to let go of Cang Yue. The master’s only reason to live was the young prince; this cannot be happening.
Somewhere else—
How many dark nights had he awakened from regretful dreams, silently wiping tears and wondering if what he did was right? Every day, people reported palace details to him. If he could have one chance to start over, no matter the cost.
“Your Highness…” someone hesitated.
“Speak.”
“A message from the palace: the Imperial Concubine attempted suicide and has been rescued…”
That heart-wrenching experience was already more than enough.
Someone saw the silent, grief-stricken sorrow in Hao Li’s eyes, momentarily stunned.
No one would know that after stepping onto the wrong path, every step would be inseparable from despair, with a heart dying yet not dead in endless loneliness. Panic surged in the silence as Hao Li stood up and rushed towards the cold river water, running desperately and splashing water droplets on his upper body, punching the surface. Those days had been too beautiful for him to adapt to life without her. He had gritted his teeth and survived alone, yet the emptiness and loneliness remained locked in his heart.
And… intense longing.
“Ah… Xu Qiu’er… Ah… Xu Qiu’er…”
Xiao An, standing behind Hao Li, hugged his shoulders and buried his head in his knees, fearing he would soon break down crying and make the prince more sorrowful.
“Ah…”
Even if I’m completely soaked I will no longer be led by anyone If I still clench my fist Perhaps I fear my dreams will fly away
And love is not as almighty as you think Cannot stop us from warring But love doesn’t show much mercy The deeper one loves, the easier to be sacrificed
Let me still dare to dream To be the hero with a great smile in my dream [Feng Reborn: Prince Returns to the Palace 26]
The sky was brightening, the pale red sunlight reflecting off the golden tiles of the high palace.
This was the imperial palace, a cold and proud place where even birds refused to sing, yet she loved it.
Xu Qiu’er bathed in the clear jade pool, watching the steaming water flow from eight phoenix-shaped water heads, mist spreading throughout the bathroom. Flower petals scattered on the surface drifted with her movement. Palace maids bustled around her, and she felt almost intoxicated.
After her bath, Cang Yue draped a soft bathrobe over her. She wore it comfortably and returned to the Fu Qiu Hall.
It was a luxurious place, with thick, soft Persian carpets leading to her bed. Layer upon layer of pink curtains, embroidered with butterflies, hung above.
Various small ornaments decorated the bed canopy—sachets, pouches, colored balls, and bells that emitted pleasant sounds in the breeze. On both sides were blue-gray bronze beasts, releasing wisps of fragrance.
Approaching the dressing mirror with an array of cosmetics, Xu Qiu’er looked at herself in the bronze mirror set with a night-luminous pearl. She smiled at her reflection, which smiled back.
“When will the Prince arrive?”
“He’s probably already at the palace gates.”
Xu Qiu’er smiled. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
As the Prince returned, servants knelt outside the gates. Qing Ya held the Second Prince anxiously, while Xu Qing’er held the First Prince inside. Everyone’s face showed joy.
The sedan chair arrived, and with a swoosh, servants knelt. “Congratulations to the Prince on returning to the palace.”
