Luzhou-Mond - Kapitel 165
Shen Haoyu smiled slightly, a sly glint in his eyes: "We originally had a plan, but now we need to change it. Not only can we get the Golden Sparrow King to agree to the marriage, but we might also be able to clear your name."
I asked Shen Haoyu what his plan was, but he refused to reveal any details to me. He only gave me a few more instructions before returning to the residence with Mr. Qi.
In the remaining days, Shen Haoyu and Huangfu Xuan took turns coming here frequently. I wondered what the Golden Sparrow King wanted Zinuo to avoid. Princes from other countries could come to my place often, but Zinuo couldn't. What a lame excuse. However, no matter how bad the excuse was, it had an effect; at least the time Zinuo spent with me was greatly reduced. Now I understood why the Golden Sparrow King had entrusted so many things to Zinuo in the past. He wanted to cultivate him quickly, and another purpose was to subtly reduce the opportunities for Zinuo and me to be together. He wanted to use me to help Zinuo succeed, but he didn't want Zinuo to spend too much time on me. Was this because he was concerned about me being the daughter of the Marquis of Qiyun, or was he worried about my otherworldly soul...?
If it's the latter, why doesn't he just tell Zinuo directly?
Within a few days, memorials from Shen Tingxuan and Shen Zexuan also reached the Golden Sparrow King. If the Western Xia, the Prince of Qing, and the Golden Sparrow Kingdom successfully formed an alliance, the two smallest powers would be in the greatest danger. Since all the countries had expressed their desire for peace, the Golden Sparrow King sent a letter inviting Shen Tingxuan and Shen Zexuan to come and discuss the matter.
In October of the 381st year of the Holy Calendar, heads of state from various countries gathered in Jinque Hanyue City. Shen Zexuan was unable to attend in person due to illness, and only sent an envoy. Shen Tingxuan, having received a special invitation, came to Hanyue City with his princess consort. The invitation to Mu Hanyan was arranged by Shen Haoyu and Zinuo. No one was willing to tell me the specifics, only saying that someone would tell me the details once everything was arranged.
On October 18th, King Jinque hosted a banquet at the Divine Sparrow Palace to entertain distinguished guests who had traveled from afar and to discuss the so-called grand plan for peace. Having been recuperating at home for many days, I could not avoid attending such a grand event, whether because of my status as a Holy Maiden or because of Prince Qing's marriage proposal.
The thought of seeing many old friends at the banquet filled me with both excitement and nervousness.
Hanyue City has no winter; even though it's October, the weather is still as warm as spring. Ruosheng helped me put on the white dress that Zinu had made for me and put on the crystal crown. Looking at myself in the mirror, I clearly didn't have that youthful vigor anymore. I sighed inwardly. I should be twenty-two years old, in the prime of my life, but here I've been worn down as if I've already lived more than half my life.
After getting ready, Ruosheng took a soft blue-purple cloak and, along with Ganlin, accompanied me out to the carriage, heading towards the palace.
Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 143
Chapter word count: 5294 Update time: 09-09-23 15:57
Upon arriving at the Divine Sparrow Palace, one finds many people already inside, accompanied by the sounds of string and wind instruments, fluttering dance costumes, and the aroma of wine.
The eunuch led me to my seat and glanced around the hall. Huangfu Xuan, seated to my right, raised his wine cup and waved it at me. Below him sat a white-clad man with bright eyes and a gentle smile. That smile possessed a captivating beauty that could bewitch all beings. In that instant, I was reminded of a certain femme fatale in red.
I gave them a polite nod and smile, then sat down in my seat. The envoys of Shen Haoyu, Shen Tingxuan, and Shen Zexuan, and even Zinuo, hadn't arrived yet. Only Luo Chen and Luo Yang were drinking and chatting with some court officials opposite me. I glanced at them briefly before turning my head away, but couldn't help turning back to examine the white-clad man beside me again. A handsome man always makes me want to look a little longer. But I wondered what his identity was, that he could sit so close to Huangfu Xuan.
Noticing me looking at him, the man in white turned his head and smiled again, making my heart soar with his lips. I couldn't help but blush slightly, secretly wiping away the drool that was about to spill, and looked away for a moment. Huangfu Xuan, standing beside me, coughed lightly, but his eyes held a knowing smile.
To cover my embarrassment, I asked quietly, "Have you met with the young prince?"
Huangfu Xuan nodded slightly: "I met him the other day when I paid my respects to the King of Jinque."
"How did he react?" I asked cautiously.
"His expression was certainly not good, but he didn't say anything." Huangfu Xuan shook his head with a light laugh.
As we were talking, we heard the eunuch announce our arrival. Looking towards the door, we saw Zi Nuo, Shen Haoyu, and Shen Zexuan stride into the hall. The hall immediately fell silent as everyone bowed to them. Zi Nuo and Shen Haoyu sat down opposite me, gazing at each other from afar. Shen Tingxuan, however, was led to an empty seat next to the man in white.
As he passed by me, Shen Tingxuan paused slightly. I lowered my eyes, not daring to look at him at that moment.
Rumor has it that after my "death," he locked himself in his mansion for three days without eating or drinking, until Emperor Kangxuan passed away due to an incurable poison, at which point he hastily escaped from the Fourth Prince's inescapable trap in the capital. It's really not good for him to see me alive in this situation; I must at least see Mu Hanyan first.
Even without looking, I could feel Shen Tingxuan's gaze frequently falling upon me from his seat of honor. I lowered my head, furrowed my brows, and sat upright. At that moment, the white-clad man beside me gently tapped his wine cup with his chopsticks and slowly recited: "People have sorrow and joy, separation and reunion; the moon has its phases of waxing and waning, and nothing is ever perfect. May we all live long and share the beauty of the moon, even from afar."
The white-robed man's voice wasn't loud, but it was just loud enough for me to hear in the hall. I was startled and looked up at him, only to hear him chuckle softly, "A few years ago, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, Aze returned from the Prince Qing's mansion and recited this passage to me. He said the beginning was too long and he only remembered this part. I wonder if the Holy Maiden still remembers it all?"
Aze? Could it be Shen Zexuan? How does he know this poem? "Could it be that you are the envoy sent by the Third Prince?" I looked at the white-robed man in front of me, somewhat speechless, but it's no wonder that he and Shen Zexuan have so many similarities. It's just a case of "birds of a feather flock together".
"Does the Holy Maiden truly not remember me? Speaking of which, the Holy Maiden still owes me a favor." The man in white shook his head, seemingly somewhat hurt. "Everyone else has a photographic memory for me, so how come the Holy Maiden has forgotten me so easily?"
He scrutinized the man in white again, and his face did indeed look somewhat familiar. Another white figure flashed through his memory, and he couldn't help but chuckle, "If you were to stand up and walk a few steps, I might remember you."
The man in white chuckled softly, "Holy Maiden, you've finally remembered. Aze will have Yu Jia ask you if you still like that jade lotus."
"Jade lotus?" I was a little confused.
Yu Jia sighed softly: "It seems that Aze really has no hope. The Holy Maiden doesn't even remember the jade lotus lamp at the Qizhou Lantern Market."
Qizhou, lotus lanterns. I suddenly remembered that lotus lantern that cost nothing because of the lines "May we all live long and share the beauty of the moon, though separated by a thousand miles," but I gave it to Ruosheng back then. What exactly did Shen Zexuan mean by doing this? He already knew about me back then.
Yu Jia didn't say anything more, only saying, "If Aze is healthy enough, he will definitely come here in person to ask the Holy Maiden for clarification. Yu Jia, you should mind your own business." As she spoke, she glanced across at the opposite side. I looked over and saw Shen Haoyu glaring at us angrily, his expression very unfriendly. Zinuo, you're barely more restrained than Shen Haoyu.
Seeing that she had gotten a little too close to Yu Jia because of the conversation, she quickly shrank back and moved a little further away.
So Yu Jia is Shen Zexuan's man. Was his help to me at the jade shop intentional or unintentional? But if they're really that close, why did Shen Zexuan say those things to mock him at the plum garden? Was he trying to distance himself from him?
The Golden Sparrow King finally arrived. His gaze swept over everyone, lingering briefly on my face. I had already put on my standard smile when he came in, and now I greeted him with a beaming smile. He slightly curled the corners of his mouth, then looked away.
Banquets are always the same banquets, with faces full of hidden thoughts, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, seemingly enjoying themselves to the fullest.
As usual, the table was set with dishes and mild fruit wine specially arranged by Zinuo. Yu Jia glanced at my table and smiled without saying a word.
Halfway through the banquet, Zi Nuo winked at me from afar. I stood up and asked Ruo Sheng to take me to a side hall to rest.
Unlike the customs of the Golden Sparrow Kingdom, the women of the royal family do not meet with foreign officials. Therefore, Mu Hanyan did not attend the grand banquet outside with Shen Tingxuan. To respect others' customs, the Golden Sparrow King held a separate banquet in a side hall. The women of the Golden Sparrow royal family stayed in the side hall this time, partly to keep Mu Hanyan company, and partly because they could enjoy themselves more without unfamiliar men present. Tonight, I am the only woman sitting openly in the Divine Sparrow Palace, which is rather abrupt.
In the side hall's lounge, a beautiful woman dressed in smoky silk was sipping a cup of tea. Beside her stood a tall maid; if I remember correctly, her name should be Xiaoyue, Mu Hanyan's personal maid.
She left Ruosheng outside and gracefully walked in. When she saw me, Mu Hanyan's delicate face showed a slight surprise, followed by disbelief and shock. She held a cup of hot tea in her hand and forgot to put it back.
"You are..." Xiaoyue took the tea from Mu Hanyan's hand. Mu Hanyan frowned and looked at me, seemingly very puzzled.
I smiled sweetly and said, "Sister Hanyan, this is the first time we've spoken face to face. It's understandable if you don't recognize me. Why don't you remind me, I'm your sister, Huai'en? Don't you remember me?"
Mu Hanyan's face paled slightly: "Impossible, impossible, you're already dead!"
"Can't I come back to see you even if I'm dead?" I chuckled. If I had a mirror to look at myself in now, that laugh would probably look a bit sinister. I must have practiced every expression for a long time.
"Who are you? Stop playing tricks on me!" Xiaoyue supported the swaying Mu Hanyan and said sharply, though her voice was loud, it still lacked conviction. No matter how arrogant she was, she was ultimately somewhat wary of "ghosts and gods."
"Who am I? Come here, touch me, and you'll know, won't you?" As he spoke, he walked step by step toward Mu Hanyan and Xiaoyue. Xiaoyue shielded Mu Hanyan with her body, looking at me warily, but she was very loyal to Mu Hanyan.
"Sister, when you had someone feed me the Soul-Severing Pill, did you know how much pain it would cause me? It still hurts terribly now." She covered her mouth with her hand as she spoke. "That blood...it seems like I can't stop spitting it out..." As she spoke, more blood trickled from between her fingers, dripping onto her snow-white dress, a vibrant, alluring red, like a red plum blossom blooming in the snow. Of course, that wasn't my blood; it was just a packet of chicken blood she'd been holding.
Mu Hanyan cried out in surprise; even the most exquisite makeup could not conceal her deathly pallor.