Hearing Luo Zijing's worried voice, Ye Xiaowei snapped out of her thoughts and lay back in his arms. He reached out and hugged her again, and the two of them faced the clear blue lake.
"Heartbroken? Why should he be heartbroken? I did this simply so that he could be with the one he truly loves!"
Luo Zijing's bright golden eyes flickered slightly: "The one you truly love? Could it not be His Highness?"
Her? How could that be? If it were her, she wouldn't have suffered such an end in her past life.
Framed by the person they trusted and loved most, they were ultimately pushed into an abyss of no return.
If he loved her, how could he be so ungrateful, and how could he be so cruel to her!
Whenever she thinks about her past life, her heart still aches as if it's being scraped with a knife, making it hard to breathe. And that exquisitely beautiful child evokes memories she can't forget, no matter how hard she tries.
Tears rolled down his cheeks without warning, soaking his clothes, drop by drop, until they seeped into his skin, leaving a hot stain.
Luo Zijing was startled and hurriedly tried to lower his head to comfort her, but Ye Xiaowei turned around and pressed her face against his chest, blocking his view so that he wouldn't see.
Luo Zijin looked worried, her bright golden eyes filled with concern, and her slender, jade-like fingertips gently brushed through her long, satin-like hair.
"Your Highness..."
"I'm fine, no need to worry, let me rest a little longer..."
He gently stroked her silky long hair with his fingers, being extremely careful, afraid that if he used too much force, he would hurt her.
"Very well, Your Highness, there's no need to worry. I will stay here with you and watch over you..."
A string in my heart seemed to be touched, and my tears flowed even more profusely.
She was blinded by illusions, listened to the slander of others, and drove away all those who were beneficial to her. Yet she deeply loved a man who did not love her, giving him her heart and soul, only to receive death in return.
Now that I can start over, I realize that the most beautiful things have always been by my side, accompanying me.
She felt immense pain in her heart, both for her unfortunate past life and for the unrequited love she felt for Luo Zijin.
She reached out and hugged Luo Zijing's slender waist tightly. At first, she felt a little uncomfortable hugging him so tightly, but she quickly recovered, curled her lips into a smile, and her bright golden eyes were full of doting affection.
"Zijin, will you leave me one day...?" she suddenly murmured in a daze.
Zijing shook her head: "No, Your Highness, I will stay with you forever, unless Your Highness decides to dismiss me..."
Ye Xiaowei sniffed and muttered, "Even if you're told to leave, I won't go!"
Luo Zijin was surprised, then smiled gently and said softly:
"Fine, even if you send me away, I won't leave. I'll stay by Your Highness's side forever..."
"Call me Vera..."
His lips, which were already upturned, now curved even higher, his handsome face brimming with happiness and joy, his long silver hair dancing in the wind, making him look like a celestial being.
"Okay, I will always stay with Vera!"
Ye Xiaowei nestled against Luo Zijin's chest, pressing close to his smooth, jade-like skin, and murmured something before falling into a deep sleep.
Li Muyan had just come out of the East Palace when he saw Ye Xiaowei and Luo Zijin being very intimate, and Ye Xiaowei's cold attitude towards him made him very unhappy. He felt frustrated and had nowhere to vent his anger.
At this moment, a pretty girl, about twelve or thirteen years old, wearing a plain long robe and with her hair in two buns, walked towards him with small steps. When she was still some distance away from him, she quickly stopped and bowed.
"This servant, Meixiang from Biqing Palace, greets you, young master!"
Li Muyan raised his eyes, glanced at the little girl in front of him with displeasure, and said indifferently, "What do you want?"
Meixiang dared not be negligent and immediately replied, "My master invites you!"
Mei Xiang was a maidservant of the Third Princess, and Li Muyan had naturally met her before. However, because of what Ye Xiaowei had said earlier, Li Muyan was extremely displeased and therefore did not give her a friendly look.
Remembering Ye Xiaowei's words, Li Muyan immediately refused with a cold face:
"Go back and tell your master that I haven't been feeling well lately and can't visit him as often as I like!"
Mei Xiang looked troubled: "But...Young Master, the master said there is something important to discuss. If you don't go, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain it. I hope you can make the trip!"
Li Muyan stared coldly at Mei Xiang for a long time before finally following her to Biqing Palace.
The next morning, Ye Xiaowei ordered her maid to style her hair into a high bun, adorned with a gold hairpin inlaid with gemstones, and in the center of the bun, a bright red peony, vibrant and fragrant.
Then, the maidservant carefully applied makeup to her, drawing her eyebrows, applying powder, rouge, and dabbing her lips. Looking at the stunningly beautiful young woman in the bronze mirror, Ye Xiaowei smiled slightly.
"Jinmo, do you think I'm beautiful?"
Yin Jinmo stepped forward with a warm smile; his gentle and refined face always wore a heartwarming smile.
"Of course, Your Highness's appearance is absolutely unique and your beauty is unparalleled!"
After saying that, he took the pale yellow robe embroidered with cloud patterns from the maid beside him and personally helped Ye Xiaowei put it on.
Ye Xiaowei didn't stand on ceremony and let him dress her himself. A maid squatted down to help her with her clothes and tie her belt.
"Your Highness, do you truly not require my presence?"
Before leaving, Yin Jinmo couldn't help but ask one more question. Ye Xiaowei turned around and smiled meaningfully:
"What, are you afraid I'll be bullied?" Yin Jinmo smiled and said:
"Your Highness, please return as soon as possible. I will have lunch prepared for your return!"
Ye Xiaowei turned around and softly said, "Okay!"
☆、021 Treasure Map
Ye Xiaowei used to always like to wear those dazzling white long gowns. She was born with fair and translucent skin, and was so thin that she looked like she would fall over if the wind blew by.
However, recently she has stopped drinking the medicine that Wang Zhong prescribed for her, which was laced with drugs. Instead, she has had her servants prepare some nourishing tonics for her and has been taking them every day.
Compared to before, she is now not only more plump and radiant, but her complexion is also much rosier.
Li Changxi had gone to great lengths to please Emperor Mingde, and now that he was unwell, as his daughter, she naturally had to go and visit him.
Regardless of his inner ambition, Li Changxi gave the impression of being someone who greatly appreciated tranquility and simplicity.
His Azure Palace was mostly filled with plants, and even the peony, which blooms so beautifully and symbolizes nobility, was rarely seen.
Upon entering the park, one is greeted by a winding path paved with bluestone slabs, with slender green bamboo planted on both sides. The view is filled with greenery, and the thin bamboo stalks dance in the wind.
Li Changxi lived a secluded life in Biqing Palace, spending his days eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures, giving the impression of cultivating his mind and character, without any ambition for power or influence.
Moreover, not only that, Li Changxi usually treated the palace servants very well, was not harsh, and rarely punished them. The servants in the palace all secretly admired her, saying that Consort Li was truly a rare and good person in the world.
Of course, Li Changxi's disguise skills and acting prowess not only fooled the servants in the palace, but also Emperor Mingde and Ye Xiaowei from his previous life, who were all completely deceived.
A person who is pure of heart and has few desires, with no ambition? A gentle and refined person, an exceptionally good person?
Ye Xiaowei was still secretly sneering when she unknowingly arrived at the entrance of Li Changxi's palace.
A maid immediately went in to inform them, and soon came out again, leading Ye Xiaowei inside.
As soon as Ye Xiaowei walked in, she saw Li Changxi leaning against a soft couch not far away, with several eunuchs helping to massage and rub his legs.
Li Changxi's face was somewhat pale, and his black hair was simply tied up with a white jade hairpin to form a tall crown, with two strands of black hair casually falling to his shoulders, giving him an extremely lazy appearance.
Although Li Changxi was quite old, he still appeared exceptionally handsome and dashing. Even though he was pale and thin, he still possessed a unique charm.
No wonder Li Changxi was able to thrive in the harem. In fact, besides his superb acting skills and intelligence, his handsome appearance also played a big role. Who doesn't like a beautiful woman?
Just as she was pondering this, Li Changxi glanced in her direction, and Ye Xiaowei quickly went over and bowed.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty, wishing you boundless blessings and peace!"
Li Changxi smiled gently and waved his hand, "Your Highness, there's no need for such formality. Please rise!"
Ye Xiaowei stood up with a smile and walked to Li Changxi's side. Li Changxi waved to signal the palace maids beside her to leave.
He reached out and took Ye Xiaowei's finger, pulling him to sit on the soft couch with a kind expression and doting eyes.
Are you feeling any better?
"Father, I am now fully recovered!"
Li Changxi nodded, and after carefully examining the area, he said:
"Indeed, looking at your complexion, fair and rosy, it's quite good!"
After speaking, he lowered his eyes, a trace of guilt appearing in them.
"Alas! It's all my fault for misjudging people back then, allowing such a treacherous person as Wang Zhong to infiltrate your side and dare to frame you... If it weren't for the fortunate coincidence that I discovered him early and eliminated him, what would I do if anything happened to you in the future? Cough cough..."
Li Changxi became more and more excited as he spoke, his voice growing louder and louder, until finally he couldn't help but cough.
Ye Xiaowei sneered inwardly, "You're quite the actor. If it weren't for your backing, even if you gave him ten lives, he wouldn't dare to murder the Crown Princess!"
However, now that there is no evidence and Wang Zhong is under Li Changxi's tyranny, he keeps silent about who the mastermind is and was even beheaded at the Meridian Gate. It can be said that there is no way to verify the truth. Now whatever Li Changxi says is the truth!
Ye Xiaowei hurriedly reached out and gently patted his back, saying as she did so:
"It's all in the past now, and I'm fine. Father, since you're not feeling well, please don't get agitated, lest you harm your health. It would break my heart!"
A maid then brought over a cup of tea. Ye Xiaowei took it and personally offered it to Li Changxi's lips. Li Changxi lowered his head and took a sip, finally calming down.
Ye Xiaowei handed the teacup to the maid beside her, then glanced at Qiu Mei. Qiu Mei understood and stepped forward, carrying a dark red solid wood brocade box.
"Father, this is a thousand-year-old ginseng that Mother Empress brought back for me from her hunting trip to Yunshan a few days ago. Now that I am feeling better, I don't need to eat this ginseng anymore. However, because I was unwell a few days ago, you took care of me day and night, and now you are feeling unwell yourself. So, I'm offering this ginseng to you to help you recover!"
Li Changxi looked up, and immediately a palace maid stepped forward to take the ginseng.
"All these years, I have truly not spoiled you for nothing. You are so filial!"
Ye Xiaowei lowered her eyes: "This is what I should do!"
Having cut off so many of your henchmen and thwarted your attempts to frame you, how can a mere ginseng root possibly quell the resentment in your heart?
If you weren't so powerful and influential, she wouldn't be so careful and cautious. At least for now, it's not the right time to break ties with Li Changxi.
"Actually, I have something else to give to Father today."
Li Changxi looked puzzled: "Oh? What is it?"
Ye Xiaowei seemed hesitant to speak, and seeing this, Li Changxi quickly dismissed all the servants in the room. When only the two of them were left in the room, Ye Xiaowei took out a scroll from her wide sleeve.
Looking at the painting, Li Changxi's doubts deepened: "What is this?"