Zixia paused, looked at me again, said a few awkward words, and turned to leave.
I asked Lou Xiyue, "What are you doing here? Where did you go just now?"
He stroked his chin and said with a smile, "Is it because you haven't seen me for a while that you've started to appreciate my kindness?"
I said to him with regret, "I wanted Zixia to take her to meet this princess, but she was unavailable."
Lou Xiyue paused for a moment, then said, "It's late, let's go back soon."
I walked a few steps with him and suddenly felt a little hungry; I don't know where I threw the half piece of dried milk that Zixia had startled me earlier.
So he suggested to Lou Xiyue, "We haven't had dinner yet. Let's grab something to eat while the market is so lively before we go back."
We found a stall and sat down. The stall owner cheerfully served us a pot of wine and a few small dishes.
I drank some wine, ate a couple of bites of food, and asked him, "When do you plan to present that piece of jade with the mythical beast Xie Zhi?"
Lou Xiyue picked up some food with her chopsticks, seemingly lost in thought, and said calmly, "Let's pick a suitable time."
I suddenly felt unwell, my head was a little dizzy, and I composed myself and said to him, "This wine is probably a bit strong, I'm not used to drinking it."
He frowned slightly and asked, "What's going on?"
I said, "I feel dizzy."
I don't know if it's because I'm usually too concerned about the country and its people, but I actually fainted.
I woke up at noon the next day. Lou Xiyue looked at me without saying a word, and with a very serious expression.
I sat up from the tatami mat, poured myself a cup of tea, and as I drank it, I realized that the atmosphere in the room was very heavy and profound.
I racked my brains trying to figure out if I had done something bad to offend Lou Xiyue after I felt dizzy yesterday.
"Qi Xiang," Lou Xiyue suddenly spoke, "you've been poisoned, haven't you?"
I grinned and said to him, "No, it's probably just from the long journey these past few days. I was just a little dizzy, nothing serious."
He glanced at me, his tone somewhat indifferent, "We're going back to the Central Plains today. You go back to Medicine King Valley and rest."
"No, I haven't met Qi Xiao yet. I haven't figured out if she's really a princess."
Lou Xiyue frowned. "Even so, so what?"
I said urgently, "If so, she must know the antidote for wolfsbane. My master is still under the influence of the poison..."
"Heh," he suddenly chuckled, looked at me quietly for a long while, and then spoke softly, "Alright, Qi Xiang. Go and find out what happened, go and heal him. Nothing can compare to your master, can it?"
I was speechless for a moment, lowered my head, and stammered, "I'm really fine, I was just drunk."
Lou Xiyue chuckled twice, got up and walked outside. "Have you ever seen anyone who gets drunk and vomits blood? You're really doing great right now, willing to risk your own life to find an antidote for your master. Anyone who sees this would be moved to tears."
I paused for a moment, then looked up and called out, "Where are you going?"
He said casually, "Your sister is Lian Ji. With your status, you might be a princess in a couple of days. I don't need to do anything; you'll find the antidote yourself, won't you?" Then, without looking back, he strode out.
[May 1st] Dark Sands (Part 2)
Inside, green tea was steaming. Although it was past the depths of winter, a light snow had still fallen.
Lou Xiyue hadn't returned for half a day, and no one knew where he had gone. His bamboo-ribbed silk fan remained on the table, half-open, with a peach blossom branch on it looking somewhat disheveled.
I could faintly hear the sound of the main hall bell, which, accompanied by the gentle spring snow, struck my heart heavily, one note at a time.
The window frames are embroidered with intricate patterns, and a corner of cyclamen peeks out from the courtyard, swaying gently in the breeze.
I got up and brewed a pot of tea. Holding the teacup, I walked to the window to watch the slanting rays of the setting sun. My mind was filled with images of Lou Xiyue's cold and aloof expression.
There was the sound of sparse footsteps crunching on the snow, followed by a knock on the door behind me.
I was startled, quickly put the cup down on the table, and ran to open the door. "Lou Xiyue, you..."
The words were abruptly cut off. The person standing before him was not Lou Xiyue, but a black-clad, sword-wielding guard from the East.
Upon seeing me, he knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "Your Highness, I am Zhuo Shang. By order of the Emperor, I request that you come to the main hall to meet me."
Looking up, he saw a group of people behind him kneeling on the ground with their heads bowed.
I paused for a moment, took a step back, and waved my hand, saying, "I'm still waiting for someone. Come back later."
Zhuo Shang bowed his head and replied, "His Majesty instructed me to take Your Highness back at all costs. I humbly request Your Highness to make the trip."
I turned and went back into the house, but Zhuo Shang followed me in.
I said helplessly, "Before I can see the Emperor in the palace, I should at least be allowed to comb my hair."
He replied expressionlessly, "Your Highness, I will comb your hair."
I sighed and said, "I need to change into an outer robe."
He said, "Your Highness, I will help you undress."
I paused for a moment, then pointed at Dafeng, who was sleeping in the room, and gritted my teeth, saying, "He's my son. Before I leave, I want to give him a good kiss." I then glanced at Zhuo Shang, "Or, you can do it for me?"
He said, "..."
While Zhuo Shang was waiting outside, I wrote a note to Lou Xiyue, telling him that I had been kidnapped by men in black. I woke Dafeng up, stuffed the note into his beak, and watched as he rushed out with dazed eyes, startling the birds in the courtyard into scattering in all directions.
The guards waiting outside were shocked by the appearance of the strong wind and drew their swords.