Le charme d'une femme puissante se répand à travers le monde

Chapitre 37

"I can accept praise from others, but let's skip Xi Lan." Being praised so blatantly by someone as beautiful as a celestial being, I felt absolutely no joy. I must be out of my mind. Thinking of Mu Qinglin, aside from that flute-playing incident on the night boat, his usual behavior perfectly matched his identity as a mere martial artist. Someone as outstanding as me was completely ignored by him. For over half a year, he didn't utter a single word of praise, admiration, or even love. As for Long Huli, although he received plenty of material rewards, emotionally... well, let's not even go there. That narcissist of his, how could he possibly praise others? You see, in a narcissist's mind, praising someone is equivalent to belittling oneself. So, poor me, he got all the credit, and he never once complimented me on being pretty, cute, beautiful, charming, or stunningly beautiful. The distance and differences between people are always so obvious!

"Xi Lan," I was about to ask him if there would be any bad consequences if the Emperor heard what I said, but I saw him leap out of the door.

"The fox's dove!" I was startled and rushed towards Tian Xilan, who was holding the dove. Damn it, why did the dove appear at this time?

"Is this for you?" He handed me the little black dove, his face bearing his usual smile.

I hesitantly took the dark pigeon, stealing a glance at Tian Xilan. Why was he still so calm? Did he see the dark pigeon fly to me last time, or was his heart, hidden beneath that smiling face, actually unsettled?

I bent down and pulled out the note the fox had tied to the little black dove's leg. Rather than denying it and letting Xi Lan see what the fox had written, it was better for me to read it myself and then figure out a way to cover it up or explain. Unfolding it, there were only two sentences: "Don't leave Night Breeze alone. Wait for me to come." My heart trembled violently. The fox must have known about my attack when he wrote this letter. So what did "wait for him to come" mean? Was he also coming to Tianqing Kingdom? Was it alright for him to run away from Longyao Kingdom like this? That idiot, what does he want to do here?

I blinked hard, trying to wipe away the tears welling up in my eyes. I looked up and smiled brightly at Tian Xilan: "Xilan, is there anything you want to ask?"

"Why would he let Wei Mian put herself in danger?" Tian Xilan asked softly as I tore the note to shreds and threw it into the basin of water to soak it, the ink fading as it did so.

Yes, why? This question has been swirling in my mind for days, but I haven't dared to think about it too deeply, haven't dared to ask myself. Even if the fox hadn't anticipated things would become so complicated, seemingly involving every single one of the six kingdoms, he had foreseen the dangers and difficulties. Why did the fox ultimately agree to let me go abroad to lobby? And since he agreed, why does he keep nagging about my safety, telling me to prioritize safety above all else, as if the success of the lobbying effort has become less important?

"Does Xi Lan know who he is?" I shook my head, temporarily setting aside my question. Over the past few days, I've gotten somewhat used to his ability to see through things. If he were to tell me now that he already knew my identity from the very beginning when he intervened to save me, I don't think I'd be too surprised.

"I've heard about the origin of these pigeons." He looked straight at me. I forced a smile, while his eyes held a hint of worry.

"So, has Xi Lan also guessed my identity?" I lowered my head. This question had been in my mind since the first day I arrived at this palace, but because of my previous disguise and my inexplicable wariness of Tian Xi Lan, I had never asked it.

"Go and rest first, or it will be dawn soon." He didn't answer my question, but just looked at me and smiled. "Don't think too much. Zhilan Palace is your palace now, and you are its master. Your mother is the kindest, gentlest, and most beautiful person in the world. Don't be afraid, I'll take you back."

I remained silent. Since he didn't want to answer, I couldn't press him for an answer. I followed behind him, watching his back. His white robes seemed like a veil of mist; I could never truly see what he was thinking. I had never really known or understood him, and our hearts had never truly been close.

It was already late at night, and I couldn't care less about the bed anymore. I just felt so tired that I fell into a deep sleep soon after. In my dream before falling asleep, I only had one thought: the fox told me to wait for him to come obediently. So, could I stay here quietly for the next few days and not think about anything?

I woke up at noon.

I watched the maids running in and out, bringing me water and clothes to help me get up, and then I looked at the little black pigeon that seemed to have stayed on my bed all night without flying away. I felt a little lost. Wasn't this Zhilan Palace always just for me? At most, my classmate Tian Xilan would occasionally wander over and take a peek.

"Who sent you here?" I let them help me change my clothes and comb my hair. I couldn't believe that Tian Xilan had sent them, so I had to ask them.

“Reporting to Miss, it was Eunuch Yang who personally selected a few of us to serve you well,” one of the older-looking servants replied.

"Eunuch Yang?" What is this? Can I eat it? All I know right now is that I'm so hungry!

"Replying to Miss, Eunuch Yang is the chief eunuch of the inner palace, in charge of the emperor's sleeping quarters and meals."

Oh, so he's a eunuch, and one who's similar to Li Fu, who serves the Dragon Fox. Looks like these girls were sent by the Emperor to spy on me? That shouldn't be the case. If he really suspects me of having ulterior motives, he should just kill them. There are plenty of beautiful women in the world; surely he, as the father, wouldn't have to consider his son Tian Xilan's feelings before killing a woman?

"Miss, everything is ready. The Sixth Prince is waiting for you in the outer hall to dine together."

"Okay." I rushed outside; if I didn't eat something soon, I thought I'd faint from hunger. Reaching the door, I suddenly remembered something and turned back to ask, "Um, what are your names?"

"Replying to Miss, this servant is Zisu." The speaker was the one who appeared to be the oldest.

"This servant is Xin Yi." She has two sweet dimples when she smiles.

"This servant is Xiangqin." This is a slender beauty.

I nodded, made a mental note of it, and went to find something to eat.

Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Two: Where Does the Vast Sky and Water Lead? The Trees Desire Stillness, But the Wind Never Ceases (Part Two)

Chapter word count: 3821 Update time: 08-12-21 16:22

The tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease (Part Two)

"Xi Lan, why did His Majesty suddenly send someone to serve me? Is it because of what happened yesterday?" After finishing a lot of food, I finally had the strength and space to speak.

"Are you worried, Wei Mian?" He didn't seem to have eaten much, he just kept looking at me. I didn't know if he had already secretly eaten, or if he just had a small appetite like a cat. "Don't worry, it's okay."

"Are you really alright?" I looked at Tian Xilan, puzzled. Although the Dragon Fox was as enigmatic as a mystery, and I often couldn't fathom his thoughts, I could at least easily sense his joy or anger. But Tian Xilan before me always wore that smiling face; I couldn't fathom him, much less discern his emotions.

After eating and drinking my fill, I ran to the park and climbed onto the flower trellis, with Tian Xilan following behind me. The so-called flower trellis was something I asked Tian Xilan to prepare for my dance the day before yesterday. It was actually just a swing hanging between two trees, completely covered in flowers. It was beautiful. I sat on it, dressed in flowing white, imagining myself as a carefree princess.

This is a rare moment, a long-lost tranquility. I really want to do as the fox said, cast everything aside, obediently wait for him to come, and then throw all my troubles back at him to solve. But it's just a thought. Having come this far, with the problem unresolved, giving up is simply impossible. I'm just temporarily tired, which is why I especially want to let go of everything and relax properly.

"Why don't you play a tune or sing a song to relax?" Tian Xilan suggested with a smile, handing me a pipa that she had somehow acquired.

He's always like this. Although I can't see through him, he always seems to see through me with ease. Just like before, when I told him I was from Longyao Kingdom, told him I had disguised myself, and told him what I was going to do next, he didn't show the slightest surprise, as if he already knew all along.

Alright, let's not think about these things for now. It's been a long time since I sang, so I'll sing one to relax. I picked up the pipa. When I'm in a bad mood, I should sing a powerful, grand, and unrestrained song, preferably sung by a man, so that my mood will be uplifted by the music. Uncle Zhan, I'm sorry to trouble you again, but please don't be furious in the afterlife when you hear a female version of "A Laugh in the Vast Sea"!

With a flick of the wrist, a string of musical notes flowed like moonlight; it would have been even better if I had a guzheng or a flute in my hand.

A hearty laugh echoes across the vast ocean, as tides rise and fall on both shores, leaving only the present moment in mind.

Heaven laughs at the chaotic world, only Heaven knows who wins and who loses in this turbulent era.

The mountains and rivers laugh amidst the misty rain and distant waves, washing away the dust and worldly affairs, how much pride remains?

A gentle breeze's laughter evokes a sense of loneliness; all that remains of heroic spirit is a robe bathed in the evening glow.

A hearty laugh echoes across the vast ocean, as tides rise and fall on both shores, leaving only the present moment in mind.

Heaven laughs at the chaotic world, only Heaven knows who wins and who loses in this turbulent era.

The mountains and rivers laugh amidst the misty rain and distant waves, washing away the dust and worldly affairs, how much pride remains?

The people's laughter is no longer lonely, but their heroic spirit remains, a foolish laugh.

She had only sung a short verse when the sound of a guzheng (Chinese zither) joined in. I looked up in surprise and saw Tian Xilan had somehow acquired a guzheng and was sitting on a wooden bench not far away. Her left hand was pressing the strings, her right hand plucking them; her fingers were long and slender. Dressed in white, she was noble and elegant, like a celestial being untouched by worldly concerns. The people of this era have such a profound understanding of music. Reading novels about it was one thing, but seeing it with my own eyes evoked a completely different feeling of awe.