The window on the west side of the second floor was still open, with the evening breeze occasionally blowing in.
Seeing my gaze constantly scanning the room, Zui’er couldn’t help but ask: “Madam, are you looking for something? If so, tell us, and we’ll help you.”
“I don’t know!”
I pursed my lips and shook my head. I didn’t know what I was looking for, just a feeling that something was waiting to be discovered!
On the bed, the bedding was neatly folded. The corner of the pillow faintly glowed. When I approached to investigate, I found an exquisitely carved dragon-patterned jade pendant under the pillow, with the character “Xuan” carved in the middle.
“Xuan?” I muttered, and Qi Chenxuan’s image immediately appeared in my mind.
Could this be something he left behind?
But leaving it on someone’s bed?
Seeing me standing motionless in front of the bed, Zui’er asked again: “Madam, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing!” I secretly tucked the jade pendant into my sleeve and turned around calmly: “Okay, we’ve seen everything. Let’s go back!”
Shui’er was stunned, slowly asking: “Huh, we’re going back already?
I raised an eyebrow and countered: “What, you want to stay here and spend the night?”
The girl shook her head, her fear still evident: “Of course not!”
“If not, then hurry up and leave!”
The girl rushed down the stairs. Just her expression made me want to laugh; she was truly a live wire!
The next day, when I saw Qi Chenxuan, he was as calm as ever, sitting leisurely in the flower hall eating.
I sat across from him, propping my chin with both hands, staring directly at him. He only put down his porridge bowl after finishing the last sip and looked at me, saying: “What’s wrong? Haven’t seen me for a night, did you find me even more handsome?”
I shook my head silently.
“No?”
He raised his eyebrows slightly, looking unconvinced: “If not, why are you staring at me without even having breakfast?”
I put down my hands, sat up straight, and answered seriously: “I’m just studying what kind of person you, Your Highness, really are!”
“Huh?” He responded playfully, calmly raising his eyebrows to ask: “And what conclusions did you reach?”
I honestly shook my head: “The more I look, the more I find you unfathomable!”
“Is that so?” He answered faintly: “That’s good!”
“Good?” I blinked in confusion: “Why?
I felt a gentle shake and opened my eyes to see Zi’er standing above me. “You can’t just sleep here! You might catch a cold!”
I stretched and yawned, brushing off her concerns. “I’m fine, really.”
“Please come back inside,” she insisted, her brow furrowed with worry.
“Alright, alright, lead the way.”
As I followed her back to the dining hall, my mind drifted back to Qi Chenxuan. There was something about him, a depth that intrigued me, yet he remained frustratingly distant.
While sleeping hazily, I heard Shui’er’s calling voice, coming from far to near.
She muttered: “Strange, I just saw Madam walking around here, how did she disappear? She couldn’t have run away again, right? Oh no! If something happens, how would I explain to the Prince?”
I opened my eyes, retorting unhappily: “Your Madam is fine, stop cursing her!”
“Who?” The girl was startled, looking around with wide eyes, seeing no one, and cried out in terror: “Who, who’s speaking?”
Her expression was amusing, and I scolded: “What, you can’t even recognize your Madam’s voice now?”
“Madam?” The girl was stunned, carefully looking around: “But, where are you, Madam?”
“Where? Right above your head!”
“Huh?” The girl looked up, seeing me half-leaning on the tree trunk, and exclaimed: “Madam, why are you climbing so high? What if you accidentally fall?”
I glared at her: “I told you, stop cursing me. I’ve been climbing trees for decades without incident. It’s your crow’s mouth, always saying bad things!”
The girl pouted, looking aggrieved: “I’m just concerned about you!”
“Enough, I know you’re not really concerned about me, you’re just afraid the Prince will blame you!” I rolled my eyes and asked impatiently: “Speak up! Why are you looking for me so urgently?”
…
I, why should I wait for you
“Ah!
“Shui’er exclaimed: “A palace eunuch just came to announce that the ruler of a neighboring country is visiting our country and will arrive today. You’re asked to accompany the Prince before the evening banquet.”
I smoothly slid down from the tree, straightening my clothes and asking: “Where is the Prince?”
Shui’er shook her head: “Don’t know. The Prince has been out since morning and hasn’t returned yet!”
“Shouldn’t the steward be sent to look for him?”
“Already sent. Madam, let’s go back to our room and prepare!”
I nodded lightly, and just as I reached the door of the room, a servant came back to report that the Prince had already gone to the palace and told me to prepare and come over by myself!
I heard that the newly crowned monarch of Jing Yue Kingdom from the west of Cheng Yun, Lan Qi Ye, is only twenty-five years old this year, making him the youngest and most valiant monarch in Jing Yue Kingdom’s history.
There are many rumors about him. They say he went to the battlefield with his father at eight years old, started leading troops at thirteen, became a king at fifteen, and helped Jing Yue Kingdom conquer a lot of territory, becoming a mythical figure in the kingdom.
On the way to the palace, listening to Shui’er’s chatter about his achievements, a figure who could make citizens of neighboring countries talk about him with excitement, I felt a bit interested but also suspicious.
After entering the palace, I planned to meet the Queen but unexpectedly encountered Qi Chen Xuan outside Yi’an Palace. He looked like he had something heavy on his mind.
I stepped forward and demanded, “Hey, I’m telling you, aren’t you going too far? Would it kill you to wait for me?”
He gave me a cold glance and replied indifferently, “Why would I wait for you?”
I puffed out my cheeks and glared at him, “We’re at least nominal husband and wife! How can you be like this, not caring about me at all?”
He coolly replied, “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
I got angry and blurted out, “Brat, what’s with that attitude?”
He narrowed his eyes, a dangerous light flickering in them: “I remember warning you before not to use the word ‘brat’ again, right?”
Seeing his expression, I unconsciously swallowed and tried to sound brave: “This is the Yi’an Palace. You’re not going to hit me, are you?”
His face grew even darker as he answered, “I said, I don’t hit women!”
I then breathed a sigh of relief: “That’s good, that’s good!”
“Good?”
“He hooked his lips wickedly and coldly said: ‘I said I won’t hit you, but I didn’t say I won’t punish you!’
‘Ah?’ I couldn’t help but look dejected, muttering softly: ‘Is calling you a brat really that serious?’
‘Do you have an objection?’ He raised an eyebrow slightly.
I gritted my teeth and boldly said: ‘Of course! The one who did something wrong is you, so why should I be punished?’
‘You?’
Just as he was about to lose his temper, they heard the Queen’s voice from behind: ‘Chen Xuan, Mo’er, you’re here?’
‘Mother!’
At this moment, seeing her was like seeing a savior. I immediately ran to her side, hooked her arm, and sweetly called out.
Seeing that the guy still had no intention of speaking, I guessed: ‘Your Highness must have heard how excellent the king of Jing Yue Kingdom is and is afraid of being overshadowed if they stand together, so he doesn’t dare to attend!’
‘Is that really the case?’ The empress looked at Qi Chenxuan, frowning slightly: ‘But our Xuan’er is not bad either!’
I maintained a serious expression and said solemnly: ‘Your Highness has always felt he is excellent, and now that someone who might be even more capable has appeared, he is naturally worried!’
