“Yes!” Xier had been away for some time, and seeing her mistress troubled every day was difficult. She observed quietly without speaking.
“It’s you!” Lan Ling’er was shocked to see the delicate woman walking in. Shouldn’t she be in her bridal chamber now?
“We met briefly last time and never spoke, which I regretted. I’ve come with a request,” Qing Cheng walked over slowly and spoke softly.
“A request? Please sit. What can I help you with?” Lan Ling’er asked, still polite despite her surprise.
“It’s about Dongfang Yu!” Qing Cheng went straight to the point.
“Hmm!” Lan Ling’er readily agreed.
“Xi’er, close the main gate! It’s cold today. Tell everyone to rest and give them extra quilts. Put more charcoal in their rooms to keep them warm! I’ll handle the evening matters in my own room,” she said, supporting Qing Cheng as they walked towards the back hall.
“You’re so kind to them. I’m sure they’re very grateful to you!”
“Her kindness was touching her and melting her hard heart.
“No, I’m different from you. You emphasize the master-servant system, while I believe in equality. People have different concepts!” Having come from the 21st century, she could not accept a master-servant relationship. Equality was her principle.
“Perhaps! Ling’er, I…”
“Don’t say any more. Tonight, I’ll let you sleep in my bed, but you must leave tomorrow, or I’ll truly get angry!” She was selfish, desiring complete love, not a divided, incomplete version. She would rather endure momentary pain than suffer a lifetime.
Feeling exhausted, Lan Ling’er opened the door as Qing Cheng walked in, then closed it behind them. After a long day, her heart also needed rest.
“Stop! Who are you? Stop!” Xi’er’s startled cry came from the main hall, prompting Lan Ling’er to run out.
“Who are you? How dare you break into my residence?” she shouted angrily at two men in fine clothing.
They stood silently, then an elegant middle-aged woman emerged from behind them.
Her? The so-called empress? Why would she come here?
“Are you Ruo’er? It seems Yu’er treats you well, giving you such a magnificent mansion!”
She smiled, her dimples visible. Looking at Lan Ling’er above, her face was friendly, but her heart felt differently.
“So what? This humble woman did not know of the empress’s visit. Please forgive me. If the empress has no important matter, please return to the palace. I need to rest!” The sight of such a self-righteous person made her uncomfortable. What was so great about her? In the end, she would die like everyone else and take nothing with her.
“How dare you speak to Her Majesty like this!” The eunuch beside her pointed at Lan Ling’er, shrieking.
“Shut your dog mouth! A man becoming a eunuch disrespected your ancestors and parents! Remove your disgusting feminine gesture, or I’ll bite you!” Lan Ling’er said, her face full of anger.
The eunuch quickly withdrew his hand, frightened and hiding behind the empress.
“This, I cannot promise! If that princess knows about Qing’er, the marriage alliance will be called off! Qing’er must also leave Yu’er!” She returned to her original state, seeking her own perfect vision.
“Then I’ll go find Dongfang Yu tomorrow and marry him!” Seeing her unwillingness to let go, Lan Ling’er replied angrily.
“Very well, I promise you, let Qing’er follow Yu’er, but Qing’er must be a concubine. This is tradition!”
“She invoked the ancestral instructions, laughing.
“Whatever! The rest is no longer my concern, let them solve it themselves! Anyway, I never belonged here.”
“Qingcheng, Ling’er can only do this for you. Remember, you must firmly grasp your happiness, don’t give up so easily!”
“Xi’er, go find Dongfang Yu, tell him Mu Rong Qingcheng is with me!” Her cold words were softly spoken as she pat Xi’er’s shoulder, her smile stiff as she turned her back.
“Miss, who is Dongfang Yu? Why should I call him?” Xi’er asked, concerned. “Your voice sounds different! What’s wrong?”
Seeing Xi’er’s worried eyes, Lan Ling’er chuckled, “I forgot! Go to Meng Jun Wang mansion, find Meng Jun Wang, and say Mu Rong Qingcheng is with me. Nothing more. Be careful!” After not sleeping all night, she made her decision at dawn. She might be sad, but she wouldn’t regret it.
“Yes!” Xi’er happily ran out. The air today is so fresh!
I’m sorry, Qingcheng, I cannot agree to your conditions. Perhaps one day you’ll understand, but none of that matters now!
She sighed softly, removing her forced smile, tears flowing as she faced the bronze mirror.
She had truly changed, once unaware of sorrow, now deeply suffering.
“Where is Qing’er?”
Dongfang Yu quickly approached Lan Ling’er, his anxious tone evident.
“Resting in my room! Dongfang Yu, before Qingcheng wakes, we must talk!” She sipped tea lightly, head down, smiling at Dongfang Yu while concealing her sorrow.
“Your Highness, please!” Although she was angry about the young lady giving Miss Mu Rong arsenic, she felt the prince was going too far by hitting their young lady. Indignant, she stopped him, saying, “How could you be so cruel as to harm a weak woman? Ruo’er, I will never forgive you!”
Gently picking up Qing Cheng from the bed, she walked past Lan Ling’er, her eyes filled with unerasable heartache.
“Do as you wish!” Lan Ling’er let out a light laugh, appearing indifferent.
“Miss, you…” She couldn’t believe the young lady would harm Miss Mu Rong’s life. Surely, she must have her own difficulties.
“Xi’er, you can go first. I want to be alone for a while!” As Dongfang Yu’s footsteps faded, Lan Ling’er fell weakly on the bed, listlessly saying, “Hmm!” Seeing her expressionless face, Xi’er didn’t dare to ask more and quietly closed the door behind her.
Autumn sounds untraceable, with maple leaves filling the stairs on a bright day.
Stopping her hurried footsteps, she sat quietly in the garden, appreciating the rare tranquility.
“Miss, it’s cold. Be careful!” Xi’er draped a pink coat over her and sat beside her, smiling.
“Xi’er, you don’t need to accompany me. Go back and sleep!” Recently, she had been so pessimistic she began to doubt if she had become a different person.
“Okay! But let me pour you a cup of tea before I sleep!” Xi’er was always thoughtful, not overlooking even the smallest details.
“Hmm!” Lan Ling’er raised her head to the sky; it was shrouded in darkness without a single star.
“Ruo’er!” The soft call from behind made Lan Ling’er retract her gaze. Hearing the footsteps getting closer eased her heart.
He was supposed to come!
“Ruo’er, thank you!” He walked to her side, a slight ache arising in his heart as he looked at her solitary figure.
“Hey! That sounds too polite. Who are we to each other? Don’t forget, I’m your imperial guard, responsible for your safety!” Lan Ling’er jumped up cheerfully.
“Ruo’er, don’t be like this. It’ll make me feel heartache!” He was drawn into her emotions, finding it hard to extricate himself.
Was he feeling sorry for her? He was saying he felt heartache, but this came too late.
If he had told her from the beginning, she would have thrown herself into his arms without hesitation. But starting over was impossible; he had Qing Cheng and would have a princess in the future. She would rather lose than accept this incomplete love.
“Oh, don’t be so mushy. I’m getting goosebumps! It’s so cold!” She set aside her pain and looked at him playfully.
“Your Highness, what do you want to do to our miss? Although our miss harmed Miss Mu Rong, Mu Rong isn’t dead! Your Highness, please spare her!” Xi’er rushed in, having dropped her teacup, to protect Lan Ling’er and plead for her.
“Xi’er, don’t worry. Your Highness has no ill intentions! Pour some tea for Your Highness first!” Xi’er’s arrival interrupted their moment of silence, giving her a chance to breathe.
