I beckoned her closer and whispered something. Que’er hesitated, looking at me uncertainly.
“Definitely.”
She thought for a moment. “Maybe we should just confess to the lord that you’re Yuan Xiang’s thirteenth son? No matter how big the issue, the lord will handle it.”
I dejectedly tugged at my ear. “I might as well walk into the tiger’s den…”
Que’er’s eyes finally showed a hint of compassion. “It’s not easy for my lady to be so pathetic.”
“At least you understand. Face is just a fleeting thing.” I looked at her eagerly: “Que’er, don’t let my husband know until the last moment.”
The Eastern Palace sent someone to inquire about my painting schedule. I sent a message requesting to paint at White Crane Plain outside the palace, citing the crowded nature of the palace. The Eastern Palace agreed.
Entering the palace would be like entering his territory, where making me disappear would be easy.
But White Crane Plain was busy, and he would have to restrain himself due to public scrutiny. Moreover, I was familiar with the terrain and had a good chance of escaping if danger arose.
“Appearance is nothing more than a crude shell, Madam Feiwu need not mind.” Feiwu let out a cold laugh. “I didn’t expect the Thirteenth Young Master to be such a sissy, with a voice like a woman’s.” I was angry, but fortunately my veil hat concealed my expression, allowing me to maintain my composure. “Voice is nothing more than a passing cloud in the sky, Madam Feiwu need not mind.” “Feiwu.” Xia Zhiyuan’s tone suddenly lowered. Feiwu spun around and returned to Xia Zhiyuan’s side: “Your Highness…” Xia Zhiyuan reached out and grabbed her chin. Her bright eyes were smiling, but the next moment they were filled with tearful pain. “Your Highness…” Xia Zhiyuan had clearly used force. She frowned, desperately trying to pry his hand away, but he contemptuously pushed her aside. From my angle, I could clearly see the red mark on Feiwu’s chin, gradually turning purple. I felt pain for her. Such a beautiful woman, and he could actually do this… Xia Zhiyuan’s smile remained unchanged, but seemed somewhat sinister. “People who are too clever are very annoying.” Feiwu knelt pale-faced at his feet, barely holding back her tears, not uttering a word. Xia Zhiyuan turned to me and said: “Feiwu has offended the Young Master, I hope you can forgive her.”
I was indeed unhappy, but not for Feiwu’s sake. Rather, I was frustrated because the Eastern Palace’s actions reminded me of the Seventh Princess. So I cleared my throat and said: “Your Highness, now is the most picturesque time of day. If we delay, it may hinder my performance.”
Xia Zhiyuan smoothly pulled Feiwu up from the ground, gently straightening her clothes and hair. Feiwu kept her head down, not daring to make a sound. After tidying her up, he kissed her face. “Alright, go.”
Holding the qin, I sat cross-legged on the fur carpet and plucked the strings. Liu Qi brought a tea tray, presenting it to the Eastern Palace and then offering me a cup.
Feiwu stood among the white cranes on the shallow shore, attempting to dance, but her movements were stiff. After drinking a cup of hot tea, she gradually began to dance more smoothly.
I hurried to paint, completing the painting in just one hour, breaking my fastest painting record.
Xia Zhiyuan held Feiwu in his arms, looking with interest at the painting I presented. “Very delicate.”
Xiao Wu looks beautiful in this painting, doesn’t she?” Feiwu nodded reluctantly. I explained that the painting still needed coloring and post-processing, and the Eastern Palace casually waved his hand, indicating he was willing to wait. It was near dusk. The white cranes were returning to their nests, while the late-returning gray cranes were preparing to depart. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the day was finally just a false alarm and the task completed. Who knew that at this moment, Xia Zhiyuan would stand up and order the guards and concubines to retreat. I knew something was wrong and tried to sneak away with the guards, but was caught by two guards and thrown back. Xia Zhiyuan looked at me with a half-smile. I quickly smiled ingratiatingly at him, then belatedly realized I was wearing a veil hat, so he couldn’t see my expression. So I returned to looking indignant, with only my eyes maintaining an innocent look, quite twisted. He walked a few steps, standing with his hands behind his back by the shallow shore, not looking like he was about to do anything improper. I stood vigilantly beside him, ready to run at any moment, but he just chatted casually about trivial matters. I subtly asked him to stop pressuring the poor Book Clerk’s family, and he agreed readily.
Sunset on the shallow shore, gray cranes spreading their wings – it was quite poetic, only a pity that standing beside me was not An Jin. I yawned boredly, continuing to chat with the Eastern Palace.
“Madam, only you and I are here. You might as well remove it,” he reached out to pull my hat brim, suddenly. I didn’t expect such a move and stared at him in surprise.
He was stunned, then suddenly laughed. “I still remember the wedding night; Madam looked just like this.”
The words were ambiguous, as if that wedding night was between us. In reality – it was just a misunderstanding.
I laughed awkwardly. “Your Highness is quite humorous.”
He no longer laughed, instead looking at my face seriously. On that beautiful face were written two words: Infatuated.
Of course, I’ve never believed words written on faces.
“Why did Madam marry An Jin?”
This question came quite suddenly. I was dazed and casually replied: “Childhood sweethearts, mutual affection, destined to be together, reunited lovers – pick any answer you like.”
He seemed lost in thought, then looked at the setting sun with a melancholic expression: “I’ve always wondered, if the one I married that day was truly you, how perfect it would have been.”
Shallow shore, setting sun, autumn wind, and an artistic tyrant-turned-melancholic Eastern Palace. I only had one thing to say. Close the door, release the Lantern Festival!
Chapter Thirteen: Lantern Festival Wound
The Eastern Palace was still rambling on, while anger blazed in my heart. So this is what he was waiting for? I couldn’t hear a word he was saying, only constructing the whole sequence of events in my mind. It seemed that An Jin had once stolen the Eastern Palace’s love interest, and the Eastern Palace, in a fit of anger, decided to treat him in kind. You stole my beloved? Then I’ll make you wear a green hat! And so came this deliberate approach and sunset confession scene. Connecting everything that happened before and after, I found it increasingly logical.
I was lost in thought. Just as I was inwardly jubilant, I suddenly heard a voice from the Eastern Palace: “Well?”
I forcibly pulled myself back to the present. Well? Was he asking about how I had considered his feelings? I said seriously, “No.”
Xia Zhiyuan’s expression was somewhat enigmatic. “Really not want?”
Want? Want what? I said solemnly, “Absolutely not.”
He sighed. “In that case, I’ll have to give up.
I didn’t expect my lady to be so noble, willing to paint for the palace for free, which truly moves me.”
I widened my eyes. So he had been talking about payment for the painting?
I was on the verge of tears. “Well… I can accept payment.”
“No. Such vulgar things must not sully the lady’s painting skills,” Xia Zhiyuan said with a solemn expression.
I looked at him pitifully. “This servant is not afraid of vulgarity.”
He smiled slightly. “It’s sunset now. The Ministry of Personnel office should be closing soon.”
“Very well.” He paused briefly. “Shall I escort you?”
“No need.”
At this moment, the gray cranes around us rose, spreading their wings to the sky, almost obscuring the sunset. Xia Zhiyuan pulled me close to him amid the gray fog.
