Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Sleeping - Chapter 34
Women are such a hassle! One minute they're setting me up on random dates, the next they want me to perform on stage, and they even say they'll find a matron to teach me palace etiquette. If it's a madam like Rong Momo, I'll be tortured to death! 5555, back in Longyao Kingdom, I was never this well-behaved! The fox never complained about my lack of manners. The fox is so good. I miss him so much, I miss the carefree days in Longyao Kingdom.
“Weimian, if you don’t want to go, then don’t go.” He stopped and smiled at me.
For a moment, I was suddenly confused. I felt that Tian Xilan's smile was the hardest to read, because he hid all his emotions within it, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts. Perhaps this smiling face was the best mask he could use to conceal himself. I stared intently into his eyes. Fortunately, they were still clear, containing both laughter and seriousness. I believe that a person's eyes cannot lie.
"Fine, I'll go then. I'd like to join in the fun, but performing is a bit of a hassle. It would be great if I could just sit and eat." I said to myself sheepishly.
"Does Wei Mian really want to go?"
"Yes, I don't want to be criticized by those ladies for not knowing the rules again. Besides, the Fourth Prince insisted on sending me. Even if I escape this time, he'll have other plans. How can I possibly escape? Rather than hiding, I'd rather face it." Although I was 100% certain that the Fourth Prince had no good intentions in inviting me to the banquet, and that tomorrow night seemed like a trap, how could I be sure that his scheming against me wasn't also giving me a golden opportunity to get close to King Tianqing?
"Don't worry too much, Wei Mian. We made a promise." His words were comforting, and he even winked at me.
I smiled. He'd already said that, how could I not believe him? No matter what happens in the future, at least for this moment, I was lucky.
"Xi Lan, what kind of performance do you think I should do?" Now that I've made up my mind to go, I might as well prepare for the challenge! Do you think if I told King Tianqing tomorrow night, during my performance, that I'm actually the Prime Minister and Negotiation Ambassador of Longyao Kingdom, he'd faint on the spot? Hehe!
"What does Wei Mian want to perform? What is she best at?" Tian Xilan smiled, but her eyes held a hint of curiosity and anticipation.
"Singing? Dancing? Playing the piano?" I can't exactly do a stand-up comedy routine! It would be awkward if the audience couldn't accept this new art form and the atmosphere became awkward. "Actually, what I'm best at is eating and sleeping."
I chuckled awkwardly; it was the absolute truth. But Tian Xilan just stared at me, and after several seconds, finally burst out laughing. I stared blankly at his radiant smile, then pursed my lips and walked straight ahead. Honestly, I thought this guy could only fake a smile.
"Weimian, Weimian, you can't exactly act like you're eating and sleeping, can you?" He hurried a few steps to catch up with me, but his face still wore that irritating smile.
"Xi Lan, I've made up my mind, but I need you to help me prepare some things. Have them ready by tomorrow night, is that alright?" I stopped and turned back to give him the gentlest smile I could muster. You little rascal, just wait till I get my hands on you!
"Okay." He was probably startled by the rapid change in my expression from gloomy to cheerful, and it took him a long time to utter a single word.
"Then come with me. I'll tell you everything I need, one by one. Get it all sorted out by tomorrow night. You're a prince, and you have to keep your word, so don't make any mistakes." I turned around, head down, grinning mischievously as I walked towards my little white palace.
Tian Xilan, you dare laugh at me? Go ahead and do whatever you want, hmph!
The lamplight cast dappled shadows, making the night as bright as day.
I finally understand what "attending the banquet" meant. Why didn't I think of that before? What is my status now? A commoner! How could I possibly have a place at such a banquet? Let alone having no relation to Tian Xilan, even if we were to actually get together, I'd have to overcome countless obstacles and barely survive to climb to the throne of the Princess Consort before I could even dine at the same table with those nobles and royalty. This so-called banquet is basically just asking me to perform a show on stage, like a theatrical performer. Ugh.
"Xi Lan, hurry up and go. Everyone's taken their seats. Don't dawdle here. Go quickly. Remember to come pick me up after the party." I pushed Tian Xi Lan out forcefully.
"I'll stay here with you." He glanced behind me, a hint of unease on his face. What was behind me, you ask? A few large trunks and a small room, that's all. For now, I can only stay here and prepare for my performance, then when it's my turn, I'll foolishly run out and give it a go. This treatment is pathetic!
"Get out!" I was so angry that I lost my temper and my bad habit of speaking without thinking relapsed.
Tian Xilan had probably never received such treatment before. After a few seconds of stunned silence, she touched her straight nose and finally slunk away.
I opened the box, took out the contents, and carefully put them away. I stood there for a moment, lost in thought, then closed the door to the room and began to dress. The sounds of bustling crowds and singing and dancing drifted in from afar. Looking at my reflection in the bronze mirror, my hair piled high with effort, I felt as if I were in another world. The more cautious I became here, the more I missed the carefree days in Longyao Kingdom, and the more I longed for Dragon Fox and Mu Qinglin. Sometimes those days felt so close, as if they were yesterday; other times they felt so distant, as if I could never go back. I held the phoenix-orchid jade pendant in my hand. I wondered what Dragon Fox was doing now? Was she troubled and sleepless? Was she thinking of me? Did she still believe I would bring good news back to Longyao Kingdom?
"Who's there?" The door to the room creaked open, and a figure slipped in before turning back to close the door. I was startled, stood up, and backed away, clutching tightly the small dagger Qinglin had prepared for me, which I always carried with me.
That figure looks so familiar! But who could it be, appearing here at this time?
"Master." The man turned to face me, his face unfamiliar, but it was Yun Bai's voice.
"Little White!" I exclaimed, about to leap over, but then remembered something, hesitated slightly, and ultimately stopped. I asked hesitantly, "Are you really Little White?"
"Yes." His eyes showed a hint of doubt, but he answered without hesitation.
I thought for a moment, then walked over and took his hand. That familiar, cool warmth—it really was Xiaobai. This time, I hadn't mistaken him for someone else. My vision blurred instantly, and my voice choked with emotion: "Xiaobai, it really is you! Are you alright? Why are you dressed like this? What are you doing here? Where are Yun Yao and Yun Hui? Are they alright?"
"They're staying at the inn, awaiting your orders. How did you get to the palace? What are you planning to do?"
That brat always talks so rudely, like he's the one who's in charge. But hearing his arrogant tone now, I burst into laughter through my tears, feeling a sense of warmth: "Xiao Bai, you still recognize me like this? Aren't you surprised that I'm actually a girl?"
"I'm afraid you're the only one who thinks you can fool people by dressing as a man."
Damn it, I haven't seen you for days, can't this brat say something nice? Can't he stop making me angry? Fine, I have more important things to ask you now, so I won't argue with you: "Xiao Bai, what are you trying to do dressed like this? Are you disguised too? And wearing a wig?"
"I found you by disguising myself as an attendant of the envoy from the Moon Gazing Kingdom." This kid only ever answers questions that interest him.
The envoy's entourage from Wangyue Kingdom? Xiaobai's brain cells are quite active too; he must have followed the trail from the scarred man. There's definitely something fishy going on between the Fourth Prince and Wangyue Kingdom. I looked around; it was getting late, and it was almost my turn to go on stage. I pulled Xiaobai aside and whispered, "Xiaobai, it's good that you're here. It would be even better if you could blend in with the Wangyue Kingdom envoy. I don't have time to talk to you now. Come find me at Xiaobai's room in Zhilan Palace in Xilan Palace tonight; I have something to tell you. It would be best if we agreed on a secret code for easy communication. I have to go out and perform later, so hurry up and don't let anyone see you."
"Is this dress yours?" Xiao Bai seemed not to hear me. Instead, he leaned over to the dress I had laid out on the box. It was one of the things I had drawn yesterday and given to Tian Xilan to handle. I thought he would have a hard time, but he took the job without hesitation and delivered it to my door on time the next day.
"Yes. You'll be at the banquet later, right? You're lucky to get to see me dance." I pushed him away. Honestly, even the fox has never seen me dance, but those people outside are getting a free ride. I regret it, I'm losing out.
He stood at the door, gave me a strange look, but said nothing, and then disappeared.
Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Two: Where Does the Vast Sky and Water Lead? Mountain Rain Is Coming, Wind Fills the Tower (Part Three)
Chapter word count: 3547 Update time: 08-12-21 16:22
A storm is brewing (Part 3)
It was almost time, so I quickly changed my clothes. Just as I finished putting on my dress and sat down, the door creaked open again, startling me so much that I almost fell off the stool.
"Xiao Bai!" I was furious. What if this brat showed up uninvited? What if I had only changed half of my clothes? Wouldn't he have seen everything?
"Young master, it is your subordinate." A dark figure knelt down in front of me instantly.
"Night... Night Wind, it's you!" I was stunned for a moment. How could it be Night Wind? But I immediately snapped out of it and grabbed him. "Little Night, didn't you say you'd be by my side for twelve hours a day? How many days has it been? Even the Dark Pigeons have come looking for me, and you're only showing up now. Have you been so busy taking care of Ling'er that you forgot about me?"
Another heartless brat. He hasn't come to see me for so many days, making me think I'm all alone now. I can't find anyone to do anything for me, and I don't know where to look for them. I'm such a pathetic boss in name only. It seems like they have to come to me on their own, otherwise I can't find them at all.
"Please forgive me, young master. I failed to protect you properly and caused you to suffer. However, the Zhilan Palace where you stayed before was heavily guarded. I was afraid of implicating you and dared not force my way in. I only had the opportunity now. I deserve to die!" Ye Feng said, kneeling down again.
Zhilan Palace was guarded by layers of guards, and even with Ye Feng's skills, he couldn't easily avoid them.