Long Han Jie lifted the curtain, feeling displeased by the scene, though he felt some relief knowing it might please the Empress Dowager. Stepping out, he said, “Rise.”
Qing Ya rushed into his embrace, crying, “My Prince, I’ve almost missed you to death.” He patted her shoulder, searching for a certain person but finding no one, feeling dejected. He playfully teased the Second Prince. Xu Qing’er took the opportunity. “This concubine pays respects to the Prince, congratulating you on a safe return.”
Long Han Jie glanced at Xu Qing’er, noticing her sharpened chin. He sighed but still felt some affection. Let bygones be bygones. He helped her up. Xu Qing’er gazed at him tearfully. He said, “Let’s return to the palace.” With Xu Liang Yi and Qing Fei present, which consort would the Prince ride with?
“Prince, please ride with Qing Ya. This concubine will return with the First Prince,” Xu Qing’er smiled at Long Han Jie.
Long Han Jie was touched. “You and Qing Ya ride together.” He then entered the palace gates.
Qing Ya glared at Xu Qing’er, who was helped onto the carriage. Once the curtain dropped, her expression changed. “What, sister doesn’t want to ride together?”
Qing Ya sneered, “Who’s your sister?”
Xu Qing’er retorted, “I can’t be bothered with games. Do you really think Xu Qiu’er doesn’t know about the item in Ye Fei’s clothes?”
Qing Ya stiffened, “What are you talking about…” Already panicking.
Xu Qing’er laughed, “Such a flawed plan could only be yours. If I’m not mistaken, wasn’t it your maid who spilled Ye Fei’s teacup that day, splashing water and releasing a musk fragrance? If I can figure it out, wouldn’t she?”
Qing Ya suddenly laughed. Xu Qing’er looked puzzled as she leaned close and whispered, “Everyone says you’re stupid, but I don’t think you are. Even if Xu Qiu’er knows I did something, she still has to call me younger sister today. As long as the empress is here, Xu Qiu’er must kneel at our family’s feet.”
Xu Qing’er smirked, “I really don’t know if you’re foolish or stupid. Do you think Xu Qiu’er hasn’t taken action against you? Her informants are everywhere in the palace. The empress hasn’t dealt with her yet—ask your aunt if she dares to.”
Qing Ya’s expression changed. “What do you mean?”
Xu Qing’er laughed, “Little sister, you have a good brother who died in Fu Qiu Hall for you, right?”
A fire blazed in Qing Ya’s mind. She knew Xu Qing’er was trying to provoke her, but her confidant confirmed her brother’s death at Fu Qiu Hall. Qing Ya gritted her teeth. “What do you want?”
“How about we cooperate?”
Fu Qiu Hall –
“Your Highness…”
Long Han Jie wondered why Xu Qiu’er hadn’t come out to greet him. Even the emperor’s and empress’s confidants were waiting outside, but she was missing. He had learned from the emperor that Xu Qiu’er had been ill for over a month. Filled with anxiety, he wanted to see her. The emperor seemed to sense his feelings and had let him return early.
Xu Qiu’er was still asleep on the bed. Long Han Jie signaled to Cang Yue to be quiet and tiptoed to the bedside. Xu Qiu’er’s breathing was steady, bringing him relief. For days, he had been preoccupied with thoughts of her.
He sat down carefully, looking at her face, afraid she might disappear. He held her hand. Xu Qiu’er moaned softly and opened her eyes, her gaze slightly confused. Long Han Jie couldn’t help but kiss the lips he had been thinking about.
“Did you miss me, Qiu’er?”
“No.” “Yes.” Xu Qiu’er’s eyes avoided Long Han Jie.
The music lingered as charming dancers swayed, their graceful waists and delicate arms in motion. Their movements were enchanting, dancing elegantly in the hall.
Long Han Jie had drunk quite a bit that night. Every wife and concubine at the gathering was lost in their thoughts. Xu Qing’er had been staring at Xu Qiu’er, determined to seek revenge. After passing out, she had overheard Xu Qiu’er discussing a plan. Xu Qing’er narrowed her eyes, anticipating Xu Qiu’er’s strategies. But it didn’t matter; she coldly laughed to herself, just wait and see.
Long Han Jie reclined on a soft couch, sipping wine and admiring the dancers.
“Your Highness,” Qing Ya wrapped her arms around Long Han Jie’s neck, speaking softly, “It’s quite late. You should return to the palace to rest.”
There’s an early court session tomorrow.”
Many people lowered their heads to discuss court affairs, but their thoughts were focused on the Crown Prince and Xu Liang Yi. Although Xu Liang Yi seemed to have been sent to the Cold Palace recently, the Crown Prince’s treatment suggested something interesting was about to happen.
Gong Sun Jin Yu, drinking from her cup, thought, “Hao Li, you should see how a woman goes crazy for you.”
Long Hanxie approached Xu Qiu’er, his heart racing as he noticed her proud figure. Standing behind her, he saw her feet immersed in the clear green lake water, with white medical bandages scattered on the ground, emitting a medicinal smell.
Xu Qiu’er slightly turned her face, aware of someone behind her but remaining motionless, her cold gaze avoiding Long Hanxie.
Long Hanxie, feeling frustrated, coldly asked, “What are you doing standing here? You’re not thinking of jumping in, are you?” His concern for her had gone unreturned throughout the night and the past month.
Tonight, he could receive better care from Qing Ya or Qing’er, but he was unwilling to accept her indifference.
Not wanting to hear his unpleasant voice, Xu Qiu’er quietly glanced at Long Hanxie and jumped into the lake.
Xu Qiu’er sank beneath the surface, her black hair swirling in the water. Long Hanxie shouted, “Someone, rescue her!” Immediately, someone dove in, caught Xu Qiu’er’s sinking body, and surfaced, holding her with one hand.
The water was cold, and Xu Qiu’er’s long hair floated around the rescuer’s neck. Her faint breath brushed against his ear, bringing a cool fragrance from her skin and hair.
Xu Qiu’er opened her tightly closed eyes, with water droplets trembling on her eyelashes.
Long Hanxie’s lips moved, wanting to speak, but when he met Xu Qiu’er’s gaze – calm and proud – he was stunned. He gritted his teeth, rushed forward, and snatched Xu Qiu’er from Gongson Jinyu’s arms, then released her.
Xu Qiu’er sank into the lake once again without struggle.
Long Hanxie stared at the spot where she had disappeared, feeling his heart sink alongside her. The intensity of his heartbeat was almost unbearable.
As the wind rippled across the lake, trembling servants rushed to the scene and saw Gongson Jinyu emerging from the water with Xu Qiu’er.
“We are late and deserve to die,” the servants panicked.
Long Hanxie snapped, “Go away. No one is allowed to approach without my order.”
Gloomily, he addressed the drenched Gongson Jinyu, “Why are you here?”
Before she could respond, Xu Qiu’er’s low laugh echoed, “Jinyu was waiting at my request. I wanted to see if the lord would jump into this cold lake for me. It seems I was wrong; the lord doesn’t want me as much as I imagined.” She stood up and coldly passed Long Hanxie’s stiff body, thinking, because you hesitated, because you were considering, so I apologize, my lord, we can only be enemies.
Long Hanxie stared at her back, silent for a long time.
Xu Qiu’er swallowed the black medicinal liquid, frowning. Despite her accustomedness to taking medicine, she found it very bitter. Her body was weak, having been immersed in the winter lake, which caused a persistent high fever. Long Hanxie had sent imperial doctors to prescribe medicine, but with little effect.
