Author's Note: This section was difficult to handle. It was a struggle to write. (Niubb Novel Reading Website)
frankly
The next day, Mo Xi went to Li Yi's room early in the morning. He had indeed left. On the table lay a fish-shaped jadeite of excellent quality, of the glassy variety.
Seeing Mo Xi clutching the fish pendant tightly and staring at the empty bed with an unreadable expression, Lü Yun said softly, "Miss, what are you doing... Why did you make me put medicine in the porridge?"
Mo Xi turned her head and said softly, "Even if he is an old friend, he is someone who doesn't remember me, or doesn't want to remember me. We must be careful. I certainly can't let him die, but I also want to do him a favor and establish a good relationship, so that if we meet again in the future, there will be room for maneuver." After a moment, her expression turned serious, and she asked again, "How is the investigation into yesterday's matter going?"
"Your guess is correct. Prince Rui and his entourage were indeed attacked yesterday afternoon. The attackers sent out only elite assassins who stormed the Ministry of Justice prison. On the surface, it was a prison break, but in reality, they were working with the prisoners inside to launch a counter-encirclement, catching Prince Rui completely off guard."
"Were those prisoners Bao Xiangyin's?"
"Not only that, recently, in order to curry favor with Prince Rui and make Jinling City appear to be peaceful on the surface, the head of the Ministry of Justice temporarily arrested a large number of local thugs and ruffians, but who knew that it would backfire."
"You mean the organization deliberately leaked the fire loss silver, exposing Baoxiang Silver, and lured Prince Rui to arrest the people who had the silver for interrogation. At the same time, they took advantage of the Ministry of Justice's crackdown on petty thugs to infiltrate a large number of people. Then, while Li Yi was in the Ministry of Justice's prison for interrogation, they gathered a large number of people and suddenly launched an attack?"
Green Cloud nodded and said, "That's right. Prince Rui's personal guards are all top-notch experts. They fought to the death to protect him and help him escape." She paused, then frowned with worry and said, "Miss, even Prince Rui fell for their trick. You must be very careful."
Mo Xi thought to himself: Such a big matter must have been decided by the organization's top leader. The Boss is so cunning; he managed to turn the tables so quickly!
She suddenly said, "Tang Ren told you all this. He should have been there too, and he was alright?" She paused, then continued with a smile, "I was just asking unnecessary questions. Judging from your expression, he must be perfectly fine."
Green Cloud blushed slightly and lowered her head, saying, "This fool, he himself is not injured, but he worries about Prince Rui all day long."
Mo Xi laughed and said, "He's quite the loyal constable. Didn't you tell him that I brought Prince Rui back?"
"How could that be? Don't worry, Miss, Green Cloud knows what's important." (Thinking to herself: The young lady's choice of words is so careless. He's a prince, after all; what does "bring him back" even mean...?)
After a short while, Mo Xi asked, "So many days have passed, why hasn't he written a letter yet?"
"Which 'him'? Who is he?" Green Cloud, no longer shy, turned mischievous and looked up at Mo Xi to ask.
"Tang Huan is one of the Four Young Masters of the Tang Clan."
Seeing that Mo Xi remained unfazed, Lü Yun couldn't help but feel defeated. "Lü Yun doesn't know either. Perhaps the letter was delayed on its way; it should arrive soon." She couldn't help but think to herself: The young lady and the Fourth Young Master are truly a match made in heaven. Otherwise, how could things be so different from others? The Fourth Young Master is the one who's shy, while the young lady is the one who's so boastful… The young lady asking about the Fourth Young Master's letter shows that she's thinking of him. Thank goodness.
Mo Xi left the Jiqiao Pavilion and headed home.
From afar, one could see a person dressed in a light blue robe sitting under the magnolia tree, which was as white as snow and as white as clouds. His face, which was so handsome that it was outrageous, was covered with dust. When he saw her, the corners of his eyes and brows seemed to melt away slightly in the warm spring breeze, and a faint smile bloomed on his lips.
Mo Xi was only stunned for a moment. Seeing him stand up to wait for her, she quickly stepped forward, reached out and touched his cheek, and said with a grin, "Are you lying to me? Where have you lost weight?" She thought to herself: No wonder I didn't believe him, so he's here.
Tang Huan said softly, "You started touching me right away, that's not like a girl." Despite saying that, she didn't dodge.
Mo Xi slowly withdrew her hand and placed it behind her back. She tilted her head, gazed into his eyes, and said confidently, "You don't like it? Then I promise to follow the rules from now on." After saying that, she ignored him and lightly leaped over the wall.
Tang Huan had no time to reply and could only follow her as she leaped up.
The two landed together, and seeing that Mo Xi was about to walk forward, Tang Huan rushed forward and grabbed her, embracing her from behind. After a moment, he whispered, "I like it."
He suddenly felt Mo Xi's body tremble slightly, and then heard her light, crisp laughter. He finally understood and laughed angrily, "You dare to tease me? I thought you were angry." As he spoke, he pulled her closer.
Mo Xi felt uncomfortable being held so tightly by him, so she had no choice but to beg for mercy, saying, "I won't do it again."
"It's alright. I'm willing to fall for your trick."
Mo Xi leaned back slightly, resting her head even closer to his chest, and asked, "Why are you here?"
Tang Huan loosened his arms slightly to make her more comfortable, and sighed contentedly, saying, "I always feel uneasy when I don't see you. As soon as the matters of the Tang Clan were settled, I rushed over." He paused, then added, "How can you be like this, going back to your own home without using the main entrance, but instead choosing to scale walls and rooftops?"
Mo Xi replied matter-of-factly, "It saves us from having to open and close the door again." In his mind, he added: This place is secluded, and it won't frighten the children.
"Where did you go so early in the morning? I've been waiting for ages."
Mo Xi gently pulled away from his embrace and asked softly, "Are you thirsty? Shall I make you some tea?" As she spoke, she took his hand and led him into the house.
Seeing that her home was simply furnished and the tea set she used was made of very ordinary coarse porcelain, Tang Huan felt even more sorry for her and blurted out, "How about I find you a place to stay?"
Mo Xi did not answer, her gaze involuntarily turning to the two clusters of crimson flowers in the courtyard, as beautiful as a sea of blossoms.
Long ago, they were just two cherry blossom saplings. It was a warm and breezy day. Under the sunlight, Gu An wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead, brushed the dirt off his hands, and said to her with a smile, "Don't you like cherry blossom trees? Let's wait for them to bloom together."
She took a moment to come to her senses and said softly, "No need. This place is just fine."
Tang Huan knew she had always been independent, so she didn't force her.
Mo Xi invited Tang Huan to sit down and started boiling water to make tea. Seeing that she was silently working without saying a word, Tang Huan frowned and asked, "Did something happen?"
Mo Xi hesitated for a moment before saying softly, "Do you still remember the day you tied the ribbon around my neck, when I said that someone had once promised me a lifetime together?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Huan's heart skipped a beat. Before she could reply, Mo Xi continued, "I saw someone who looks exactly like him."
Tang Huan remained silent for a long time before softly saying, "Are you telling me that you're leaving me?"
Mo Xi shook her head and said, "He doesn't remember me. Or maybe that person wasn't him at all." After a pause, she smiled slightly and said, "Even if it really was him, even if he could remember me, there's no possibility between us anymore."
Upon hearing this, Tang Huan abruptly raised her head, looked directly into Mo Xi's eyes, and asked, "Why is that?"
Mo Xi calmly replied, "Because this person is Prince Rui."
Tang Huan suddenly stood up, pulled Mo Xi into his arms, and gently stroked her soft black hair repeatedly, comforting her, "You still have me. You still have me."
Mo Xi said sullenly, "I can't forget him, and that's not fair to you."
Tang Huan said solemnly, enunciating each word clearly: "I don't care about your past, nor do I care if you still have feelings for him. I only ask you one question: do you have feelings for me, even just a little?"
Upon hearing this, Mo Xi instinctively wrapped her arms around Tang Huan's waist, nodded, and whispered, "Yes. I like you."
Tang Huan didn't want her to answer like that. She felt as if her heart had been struck by a hammer, and a surge of joy overwhelmed her, completely masking her previous bitterness. Overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn't speak for a long time.