Le charme d'une femme puissante se répand à travers le monde - Chapitre 52
"Isn't that so? Don't tell me Father doesn't know what happened to Xiyue at the banquet last night. How could Father bear to inflict the pain and suffering you felt when Consort Duan passed away, making Xilan taste the same bitterness? You knew Xilan's feelings for me, yet you still used me, resorting to any means to achieve your own goals. Father, while you wanted to incite Xilan's hatred and make him crave power and ambition, did you ever consider that you would drive him to the brink of despair? Did you ever think about what Xilan would be like now if something had happened to me last night? Father only remembers that you are the Emperor of Tianqing, have you forgotten that you are first and foremost Xilan's father?"
"Would my son, the Azure King, be so easily defeated by matters of love and affection?"
"Haha, yes, back then, even though Father was in pain and suffering, he acted as if nothing was wrong and still doted on Consort Shu. So Xi Lan should be like that too, should experience the same heartbreak as Father, and then never feel any warmth again. Since that's the case, Xi Yue has nothing more to say." I turned to look at Xi Lan. He stared intently at me, his eyes bright and clear, so clear that I could see all the emotions contained within them. I smiled at him, then took his hand and said, "Xi Lan, let's go."
"Is Xiyue truly willing to give up everything in the Dragon Yao Kingdom for Lan'er?" King Tianqing's voice came coldly.
I stopped, turned around and smiled at King Tianqing: "Father, you shall make the decision on matters of state. Of the two alliance agreements, one will eventually be breached. Although Father is not a good father, Xiyue knows that Father is definitely a wise ruler and will choose the one that is most beneficial to Tianqing."
I paused, my smile widening, and said with an even more nonchalant tone, "If Father truly chooses Wangyue Kingdom, Xiyue dares to guarantee that within five years, Longyao will serve as a cautionary tale for Tianqing!"
Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Two: Where Does the Vast Sky and Water Lead as the Army Marches at Dawn?
Chapter word count: 3125 Update time: 08-12-21 16:26
At Dawn, the Army Marches with Flute Playing (Part Two)
Ignoring King Tianqing, Xilan and I left Zhilan Palace together and ate at Xilan Palace. Recalling my conversation with King Tianqing earlier, I couldn't help but cheer myself inwardly. Good heavens, even King Tianqing has moments of anger without losing his temper. I've managed to vent a little of my anger from last night.
Needless to say, Tian Xilan didn't say a word while I was talking to Tian Qingwang, and stared at me intently with unblinking eyes. I know that my performance was too brave and perfect, but Tian Xilan didn't have to look at me so blatantly and intensely.
Speaking of which, ever since I left those four brats from Longyao Kingdom, it seems like no one has looked at me with that kind of naked admiration anymore. I miss it!
"Xi Lan, that's enough." I stared at the mountain of food in front of me, and looked at Xi Lan's face, which was all smiles. Finally, I put down my chopsticks and slammed my hand on the table.
Actually, I'm a civilized person. When Xilan used her own chopsticks to put food on my plate, it seemed like she was indirectly being suggestive. But it seems like the fox and the fly did the same thing before, and I tolerated it because I was weaker. Why can't I hold back when it comes to Xilan? Sigh, I guess I just think Xilan has a good temper and is easy to bully.
“But you’ve only eaten a little. Eat more, Wei Mian is a bit thin.” He reached out his long hand, picked up the chopsticks on my table, and handed them to me.
My face flushed bright red instantly. Oh no! He really saw everything yesterday! How could this happen? This guy is always so gentle, humble, and polite. He should have closed his eyes and wrapped me in my clothes then! And he even said I was too thin! Is he kidding me? Doesn't he know that the perfect figure—"any more or less would be too thin"—is exactly what describes my current body?
"I'm full," I said listlessly, head down. The thought of being seen naked by Xi Lan made me feel like I was completely naked in front of him from then on, and it made me dizzy.
"Is the food not to your liking?" He looked closely at my face and asked worriedly, "Or does the wound still hurt?"
I shook my head. The medicine that Xilan applied for me last night was very effective. When I woke up today, there was no abnormality on my left cheek, and the bite wounds on my palms and lips were healing very well.
"Has Wei Mian ever thought about what kind of life she wants to live in the future?"
I was startled. Xi Lan's eyes were so serious. Did he suddenly ask me such a question to make me face my feelings, or did he want to decide something from my answer?
"Xi Lan, do not agree to Father's request to go to war." I looked him straight in the eyes and said very seriously.
I believe King Tianqing is a wise ruler. As long as I don't do anything too outrageous that would enrage him to the point of recklessness, he will choose the terms most beneficial to Tianqing Kingdom. From beginning to end, I have never wanted Xilan to change anything because of me.
"Does Wei Mian like palace life? Like your mother, willingly confined in this prison-like place for someone, losing your freedom and your self. Even if he gives you the identity of an empress?" He didn't answer me. When he spoke, his expression was filled with sorrow and hope.
My heart skipped a beat. Why was Xi Lan suddenly bringing this up? Actually, I wasn't really aware of it at first. It was only after leaving Longyao Kingdom that I slowly realized I had fallen for the fox without even knowing it. I didn't know why, I didn't know the reason, I just liked him. And whenever I was angry, sad, happy, or facing difficulties, he was often the first person I thought of. But so far, all I've decided is not to run away from my feelings, not to miss this rare opportunity, and to have a proper relationship. Beyond that, I haven't thought much about it. The Phoenix Orchid Jade Pendant, and the fox's words yesterday, "I will personally dress you in the phoenix coronet and wedding gown," I've never really thought about them carefully. It's like someone who longs for love; when love suddenly arrives, you're so busy being overjoyed that you don't even think about practical things like houses and cars until you're talking about marriage. So I just liked him, decided to love him, but at the same time, I forgot that he is, after all, a king, and will eventually have a harem of three thousand beauties. Leaving aside the palace dramas I've watched before, this Tianqing Palace alone is already exhausting me. Is this really the life I want? If you can foresee an imperfect ending from the very beginning of a relationship, should you nip it in the bud?
It would be a lie to say I wasn't moved by Xi Lan's sacrifices and his dedication. I felt heartache for his efforts, for his persistence, and I was willing to do anything for him, yet I couldn't give him my heart. Ultimately, I was too late. The timing was wrong, the place was wrong. My heart already belonged to someone else, and I was wary when we first met. Love is a superstition of timing and circumstance, as Liu Ruoying's song goes. So, Xi Lan, no matter what happens between me and the fox, I'm destined to let you down.
But when did I start to forget even the thought of going home? It's as if I'm meant to live here. Will I wake up one day and find myself back in the 21st century?
I lowered my head, suppressing the pain in my heart, and remained silent. It's not the right time. Now is not the time to think about these things. It won't be too late to sort these issues out after everything has settled down.
"Xi Lan, don't change yourself easily. I don't want Xi Lan to become someone else because of me." I shook my head and said seriously to Xi Lan. All I can do now is to be completely honest with her. "As for feelings and future direction, now is not the time for me to think about them. Xi Lan, I am a greedy person. I hope to live an equal, free, and carefree life, but right now, I just want to do what I need to do and what I want to do well."
"So, is Wei Mian willing to go on this expedition with me? Because taking Wei Mian away from this place of trouble, helping Wei Mian fulfill her wishes, and protecting Wei Mian are all things I want to do right now."
He looked at me so openly, so frankly confessed himself, but I knew I still needed to confirm something, so I looked at him openly too, and asked frankly, "Anything else?"
"It's time for them to pay back what they owe."
My heart sank. Had the Azure King's scheme succeeded after all? Over the years, Xi Lan had spent increasingly more time traveling abroad, and even when she returned, she ignored court affairs. Yet, the Azure King had still seen through Xi Lan's weakness at a glance, seized the opportunity, and successfully awakened the dormant hatred in Xi Lan's heart. Was I that opportunity? I was so unwilling. Although even without me, the Azure King would certainly have found other ways to force Xi Lan to submit, the fact remained that I had wronged Xi Lan.
"Has Xilan considered the consequences of doing this? Is that the kind of life Xilan wants?"
If he were simply going to war because I wanted to, I would stop him without hesitation. But if he wanted to avenge my mother, shouldn't I stop him? His constant questioning when we first entered the flower wall, his cold attitude towards the Prince of Tianqing, Consort Shu asking me to perform at the banquet welcoming the envoys of Wangyue Kingdom, and Xi Lan turning around and saying I could go if I wanted and not if I didn't—perhaps I should have understood the moment he saved me from the Fourth Prince's men that the hatred in his heart had never been completely let go.
"I said I would take Wei Mian away from here, but I don't know if Wei Mian is willing to go to the battlefield with me?" He asked instead of answering.
Deep down, we all know that I am now Princess Xiyue of Tianqing Kingdom. How can I simply leave the palace or Tianqing Kingdom whenever I want? At this time, I cannot completely break with the King of Tianqing and incur his wrath. If, after careful consideration, the King of Tianqing compromises with Xilan's condition of taking me along because of her expedition, it would undoubtedly be the best way for me to leave this dangerous place. Even if I run back to Longyao Kingdom halfway, as long as I corroborate Xilan's testimony and tell the King of Tianqing, "This person is dead; burn paper money if you need anything," everything will be fine.
"Will Father Emperor agree? Besides, I don't know martial arts, and I'm afraid I'll only be a burden to Xi Lan!" I spoke the truth. I was still self-aware. Once I went to the battlefield, it was no joke. I might accidentally end up drinking tea with God. Although the idea that I might run into flies if I went with Xi Lan was very tempting.
Speaking of flies, if Xilan goes to war, I can tell him the good news of the alliance. Also, I should find a chance to return this excellent silk armor to him, so I can feel more at ease when he goes to the battlefield. The silk armor is impervious to swords and spears, soft and elastic. I stretched it a lot last time, and it seems that even Qinglin could wear it if stretched to its limit.
"Father will agree. Besides, I'll only feel at ease with Wei Mian by my side." He looked at me with such expectant eyes, yet also with a hint of nervous caution.
In any case, I'm partly, if not more, responsible for Xi Lan's expedition. Besides, the Fourth Prince and his mother are not only Xi Lan's enemies, but now they're mine too. There's no reason to let those two bastards live a good life. If Rouge Man becomes the next emperor, I'm in for a rough time. And also, shouldn't I take some time to check on the flies? Besides, if Xi Lan just leaves, I'll feel too unsafe here. I can't just disappear suddenly, and I can't openly return to Longyao Kingdom. Considering all of the above, I think I have an answer: "After doing all this, will Xi Lan still live that kind of life of indulging in nature and finding joy in the world?"
If I could, I would want Xilan to always remain the ethereal, elegant, and refined Xilan.
"I will wait for Wei Mian amidst the mountains and rivers." As he said this, his eyes were clear and bright, as if a strange light flashed across them, and he smiled, but his expression was confident.
Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Two: Where Does the Vast Sky and Water Lead as the Army Marches at Dawn (Part Three)
Chapter word count: 3841 Update time: 08-12-21 16:26
At Dawn, the Army Marches with Flute Playing (Part 3)
The Azure King actually agreed to let me go to war with Xi Lan.
At dinner time, Prince Tianqing sent Eunuch Yang to announce that he would be coming to Zhilan Palace for dinner. I wisely ate something before he arrived, to avoid being hungry and indigestion. Then he really did come, and he really did say things that made me lose my appetite and have indigestion. The full quote is as follows: