Noticing the contemplative Yiqing, he furrowed his brow, said something to her, then embraced and carried her inside.
“Wangfei, the lord…” How outrageous! While the Wangfei doted on her, she understood her place as a servant. However, the lord’s act of keeping a concubine in the inner courtyard was too much. If she were the Wangfei, she would have slapped the concubine and left gracefully.
“Let’s go!” Without another word, she lifted her dress and walked away from the inner courtyard.
“Woof! Woof!” Brought back to her thoughts, she looked down at the puppy that had appeared, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
“Little puppy, are you like me? Homeless? That despicable Dong Fang Che, why did he lie to me?…”
The wild wind howled as trees swayed in the gale, with branches lashing through the air. The pine trees stood emerald against the white snow, emitting a sharp whistle that mocked winter.
“Miss Yi Qing, are you asleep?” Leaving the warm fur coat, he gently knocked on the door and softly spoke inside.
“Not yet! Who is it?”
Yi Qing draped a coat over her shoulders, her delicate black hair cascading elegantly. Her eyes resembled a clear pool of water. Opening the door, she was slightly surprised to see Xi’er standing outside. “Miss Xi’er, what brings you here?”
“My master, my mistress asked you to come over. This is a gift from her to you; please accept it! The mistress also wants to have breakfast with you tomorrow. If there’s nothing else, I will take my leave!” Xi’er replied, shivering in the wild wind. After delivering the message, she prepared to return and rest.
“Please thank your mistress! Tell her I will definitely come for breakfast tomorrow!” Yi Qing responded, pulling her clothes together with her hands slightly at a loss.
“Then I will take my leave!” Xi’er hurriedly exited, feeling frustrated. The Wang Fei was overly kind, welcoming a concubine so generously. If it were her, she wouldn’t show such friendliness. Even if Wang Ye married Yi Qing, she was still just a concubine—how could the Wang Fei be so accommodating?
Touching the soft clothing, Yi Qing smiled faintly. This was the first precious gift she had ever received, filling her heart with warmth.
Pressing her cheek against the clothes and remembering Xi’er’s gaze, she furrowed her brow. Walking to the window, the wind grew stronger, and the moon hid behind the clouds with a few flickering stars.
“Good morning, Wang Fei!” Xi’er woke up early to serve the Wang Fei as instructed by the Wang Ye. Just as she picked up a towel, she saw the Wang Fei approaching in a white dress.
“Good morning, Xi’er! Is breakfast ready? Where is my husband?” She realized her husband was not beside her. Although breakfast with Yi Qing was not a big deal, to avoid suspicion about her identity, she needed her husband to introduce her.
“The meal is being prepared! Wang Fei, I don’t quite understand!” Having been frozen by the cold wind all night, she woke up early, hoping to ask the Wang Fei something while the Wang Ye was not around.
“Huier, check if the kitchen is ready for meals! Also, call Miss Yiqing! Remember to smile, don’t let her sense anything wrong!” Standing up, she brushed off the snowflakes from her skirt, glanced into the distance, then turned and left.
“Yes!” Although dissatisfied, Xi’er respected the Wang Fei and would never betray her wishes.
She could only force a smile and receive this “living Bodhisattva.”
“Ling’er Miss!” Yiqing arrived, her hairpin dazzling in the sunlight. Today she wore a pink-blue dress, her straight black hair hanging on her shoulders, her face slightly blushing. Her bright pupils, curved eyebrows, and long eyelashes gave her an enchanting look.
“Miss Yiqing, please sit here!” With a kind smile, she admired Yiqing’s beauty, realizing she seemed even more elegant today.
“Have you eaten?” As Yiqing sat down, Dongfang Ce followed, removing his sword and handing it to Huier before sitting beside the two women.
“Elder Brother!” Lan Ling’er called out awkwardly.
Elder Brother? Was the Wang Fei confused? How could she call the Wang Ye “elder brother”? This must be the concubine’s fault! Huier glared at the charming Yiqing.
Tianjie refers to the streets of the capital city, where the spring rain on Chang’an Street is smooth as silk. Early spring is the best season, far better than late spring when willows fill the city with smoke. Xier, how does this poetic sentiment compare to the previous poem?
She smiled calmly and asked, “Wang Fei, what’s wrong with you today? Your words are so literary that Xier is getting more confused!” Although it was early spring, the air was still cold. She stretched out her hands and blew hot breath on them.
“Really?” Another faint smile appeared as her long eyelashes fluttered in the gentle breeze, revealing the three characters “Hongyan Pavilion” again.
“LingEr!” She saw her approaching. The last time she accompanied the Wang Ye here had frightened her. Seeing LingEr’s rosy complexion eased her worry, and she hurried to greet her.
“Yanran, how’s business lately?” She held Yanran’s cold hands and asked.
“After the tacit understanding test you owed last time, business is booming! LingEr, are you free recently? My brother mentioned going on a spring outing. Perfect timing, come with us!” Yanran wore a pink dress with a white shawl. Although she had no dazzling hair accessories, a golden hairpin captivated attention. However, her complexion was pale, with dark circles under her eyes.
“Spring outing? You look exhausted! Why don’t you rest before going out? I have plenty of time to accompany you!”
She was ready to relax, but seeing Yanran’s expression, she couldn’t help but worry.
“Don’t worry! Brother, come out!” As soon as Yanran spoke, she felt a pang of regret. The last time LingEr got married, her brother had drunk all night. Now asking him to join LingEr on a spring outing might hurt his feelings.
“We’re ready! Shijie, Shixiong said he’ll be here soon!” A delicate hand, like white jade, lifted the curtain. Wearing a light green dress with a rosy complexion and a pearl hairpin like Yanran’s, she looked up and saw LingEr opposite her, somewhat surprised.
“Yu Shan? So you’re Yanran’s shimei. I didn’t expect this connection!” Putting aside her initial surprise, Lan LingEr stepped forward and smiled at Yu Shan.
“Yes! LingEr, thank you for saving me last time, otherwise…” Yu Shan paused, her eyes reddening, choking up. She wasn’t afraid of death, but of not seeing her shixiong one last time. That shixiong always remained hidden in her heart.
“Don’t move, any of you! And you, Young Master Luo Ran, if you dare take one more step, I’ll kill this beauty, and we’ll all die together!” Luo Ran’s actions had clearly enraged Sahte, who threatened like a mad dog.
“Luo Ran, stay where you are! Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!” At most, I’ll just die! Lan Ling’er thought to herself.
“Ling’er!” Luo Ran called out, somewhat dazed.
Ling’er slowly approached Sahte. When Sahte was sure he had grabbed Ling’er, he roughly pushed Yu Shan away.
“Move aside! Otherwise, I’ll kill her!” Facing the approaching Luo Ran siblings, Sahte held a knife to Ling’er’s shoulder and roared.
The siblings exchanged a glance and made way. Sahte and the bearded man stepped back, dragging Ling’er into the morning mist…
[Text: 045 Hatred]
“It’s you!” Ling’er was shocked, looking at the noble and dignified empress before her with a hint of evil.
“Long time no see, my daughter-in-law!” The empress laughed, her eyes flashing with malice as she sat high above, observing Ling’er.
“So it was all your scheme! What exactly do you want?” Ling’er’s angry gaze shot directly at the empress’s luxurious makeup.
The previous calm was turning into a turbulent storm.
