Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Sleeping

Chapter 38

I ignored him and continued singing my song with a smile. I thought of Brigitte Lin's portrayal of Dongfang Bubai and imagined a fox dressed in red holding an embroidery needle. I sang even more happily.

The zither music suddenly stopped. I looked up at Tian Xilan and saw that he wasn't playing the zither but bowing to someone.

"This humble woman, Yue Weimian, greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings." Upon recognizing the visitor, I hastily jumped down from the flower stand and, in my haste, performed a curtsy while clutching my pipa.

"Rise. It seems I've disturbed your good mood." His expression was unreadable, but his voice was quite calm. He seemed unfazed by my reappearance of my true form, as if I was born to look like this. From this, it's certain that he and Tian Xilan are father and son.

"I didn't expect the Emperor to come. I hope Your Majesty will forgive my crazy behavior." I lowered my head and got up, secretly relieved. Luckily, I was just sitting on the swing playing the pipa and singing "A Laugh in the Vast Sea". If I had sung something as "outrageous" as "Give Me a Kiss", I probably would have been like "I love taking a bath, the turtle fell down".

"The song is interesting, but it's even more interesting that you, a frail woman, managed to attract everyone's attention from Longzhou to Tianzhou, while the real Prime Minister of Longyao Kingdom, Yun Xiang, avoided everyone's sight and must have arrived safely in Tianzhou." His eyes seemed to see through everything, leaving no place to hide and no place to look directly at him.

I felt lighter than ever before, because from King Tianqing's words I confirmed two things: First, Tian Xinrong had confessed to his father; second, I had been worried that someone in Longyao Kingdom was deliberately leaking my whereabouts, but now I can be fairly certain that the people who saw me off at Qianzui Residence that day, the ones I trusted most, were all cleared of suspicion. That night I sang after drinking, how could they not have guessed that I was actually a woman? If they had betrayed Longyao Kingdom, how could King Tianqing and the Fourth Prince have not considered me the same as Yun just because I was a woman?

"It was a near-death experience, with the luck of a commoner, but also the blood and lives of others." We shouldn't beat around the bush in front of an honest man, especially since this honest man is the ruler of a country, and I can't afford to play dumb.

"Such courage and boldness are rare indeed. Xi Lan's judgment is indeed excellent." His words sounded like they were full of praise, but why was his gaze cold and calculating?

"This commoner thanks Your Majesty for your praise." I bowed respectfully, but I was extremely unwilling. I didn't understand why everyone in the palace wanted to pair me up with Tian Xilan. Was it because he brought me back to the palace, and coincidentally, he arranged for me to live in Zhilan Palace, where his mother had lived before her death?

"I find your pipa playing quite well, so there's no need for such rewards. Why don't you play a piece for me to hear? Your dance is fresh, your song is fresh, so I imagine the piece you play will be quite fresh as well." As he spoke, he walked straight to the wooden table and stool where Xi Lan had been sitting and casually sat down. Tian Xi Lan followed him and sat down as well.

This place must hold their warmest memories, right? Like the fox, Xi Lan lost her mother at a young age, and her father had too many women. The difference is that the fox stayed in the palace to fight for everything she deserved, while Xi Lan chose to find solace in nature and enjoy life. Thinking of the fox, my heart softened. I intended to play "Ambush from Ten Sides," but the notes flowing from my fingertips changed to "Spring River Flower Moon Night."

I sat on the flower trellis. When the piece ended, I looked up at King Tianqing and Xilan. Xilan's eyes were filled with complex emotions, while King Tianqing seemed somewhat dazed. However, it was only for a moment before they both regained their composure. Xilan spoke first, her voice clear and gentle: "Weimian, what is the name of this piece? I've never heard it before."

King Tianqing glanced at Tian Xilan, who was speaking, and then looked me up and down, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"This piece is called 'Spring River Flower Moon Night'." I always felt that the Prince of Tianqing was plotting something. Moreover, he locked me in the dungeon yesterday and said he would keep a close watch on me. In addition, there was the conversation I heard outside the dungeon and the Fourth Prince's confession. Could it be that just because Xi Lan pleaded for me, he would not pursue the matter at all?

"You should come to the fourth prince's double celebration banquet in three days. It will clear up the misunderstanding between you two." King Tianqing said casually, ignoring my and Xilan's reactions, and then got up and left Zhilan Palace.

A double celebration banquet? I'm attending too? And they also want to clear up the "misunderstanding" between me and the Fourth Prince?

"Xi Lan, what did the Emperor just say? Did I hear that right?" Actually, what I really wanted to ask was: Xi Lan, is your father still normal?

What are Wei Mian's plans next?

"Huh?" The conversation between people of different kinds is probably similar to the current situation. I asked Tian Xilan this question, but she changed the subject to something completely different and asked me the same question. I could only pretend not to understand and laugh, "What other plans could there be? The Emperor has already told me to attend the banquet, so I can only congratulate the Fourth Prince."

"Father has agreed to form an alliance with Wangyue Kingdom. What are Wei Mian's plans next?" He stared intently at me, not giving me a chance to dodge. His eyes and expression were serious. This was the first time I had seen Xi Lan's face without his usual gentle smile.

As expected, King Tianqing agreed to form an alliance with Wangyue Kingdom without hesitation, even faster than I had imagined. I thought he knew that Longyao Kingdom also wanted to form an alliance, and that he would be a little curious and hesitant even though he hadn't seen the alliance agreement.

“As I said before, what I need to do must wait until Tianqing and Wangyue form an alliance and the Wangyue envoy returns to the capital as desired. Now, I'm adding another condition: what I need to do must not be known to the Fourth Prince.” If Tianqing truly forms an alliance with Longyao Kingdom, it will be difficult to keep such a major event a secret from the Fourth Prince. Not only do I need Xilan's help, but it also seems that my plan to leave the palace disguised as a man and openly seek an audience with King Tianqing can be basically ruled out.

"Does Wei Mian think Tian Qing will defect before the battle?"

I was startled, and looked at Tian Xilan with surprise and suspicion, or perhaps even some wariness. When did Xilan see through all my plans, including my true identity? Did he already know but simply choose not to expose me? If Xilan is unwilling to stand by my side in this matter, the Longyao Kingdom is likely in grave danger.

“If I didn’t want to help you, why would I save you? Do you know how dangerous what you did was?” He sighed softly, looked at my face carefully, and then said with some regret, “Weimian has been wary of me from the very beginning, and even now, she doesn’t completely trust me.”

There was a hint of hurt in his eyes, and his smile seemed somewhat self-deprecating. Since when did Xi Lan start to drop his mask and express his emotions so honestly? Or had I misunderstood him from the very beginning?

“Xi Lan saved my life. Even if one day Xi Lan wants to take that life back, I will not hesitate for a moment, and I have never thought of hurting Xi Lan.” I composed myself and answered seriously.

“That’s to repay a debt of gratitude.” He walked over, took the pipa that I had been holding, and gently placed it next to the guzheng on the wooden table.

Uh? It seems so. But I really never thought that, apart from the people I already knew, I could completely trust someone in this foreign land and entrust everything to them without hesitation, especially since this person was a prince of a country, a prince whose situation seemed unusual yet somewhat strange.

"Xi Lan, you're holding back too, aren't you? The secrets of Zhi Lan Palace, and why Xi Lan is helping me, are things Xi Lan doesn't want me to know. I have doubts in my heart, so how can I trust you completely?" If Zhi Lan Palace were simply the palace where Xi Lan's mother lived before her death, how could it be like this? Ye Feng's investigation of the princes' information also shows that Tian Xi Lan is not simple.

“Weimian, let’s be honest with each other. We have unresolved issues in our hearts that we can’t get over.” He turned to face me, his expression more serious than ever before.

This is the hurdle I'm facing? Remembering the calculating look in Tianqing King's eyes, the Fourth Prince's double celebration banquet in three days won't be simple! What exactly does Tianqing King mean by clearing up the "misunderstanding" between me and the Fourth Prince? 5555, Fox, I really wanted to stay in Zhilan Palace for a few days to relax and wait for you to come, but trouble has come knocking, and I can't just eat and pretend to be a fool!

Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Two: Where Does the Vast Sky and Water Lead? The Trees Desire Stillness, But the Wind Never Ceases (Part Three)

Chapter word count: 3345 Update time: 08-12-21 16:23

The tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease (Part 3)

I followed Tian Xilan northward, through the small garden of Zhilan Palace, until we reached the northernmost flower wall where there was no more path. I looked up at Tian Xilan in surprise. This kid said he would be honest, but he didn't say a word. Why did he bring me here? This flower wall is beautiful, but it's just a wall after all. I was squatting here a few days ago, studying problems and pondering things. Are you going to drag me into banging my head against this wall now?

"Xi Lan?" The boy stood in front of the flower wall, his eyes fixed on the colorful flowers blooming all over it, his expression quite suspicious. I nervously tugged at the corner of his sleeve, but before I could pull my hand back, he grabbed it firmly. I looked down at my hand in his, then looked up at Tian Xi Lan in surprise. He didn't even look at me, just held my hand and guided it to the flower wall. His long, slender hand covered mine, guiding my index finger forward. Feeling my fingers sink in, the flower wall silently parted, revealing a meter-wide passage. Soft light refracted from within. I opened my eyes wide, but before I could speak, Tian Xi Lan pulled me inside. As if sensing my presence, the flower wall closed instantly.

I walked forward step by step. Xi Lan had let go of my hand at some point. After a few steps, the passage suddenly opened up, square and wide, straight and long. The walls on both sides were inlaid with luminous pearls, making the entire passage bright and soft. My gaze was drawn to the wall on the left. The further I went, the more uneasy I felt. The wall was painted with depictions of a woman's life: standing amidst a hundred flowers, sitting quietly by a flower-filled lake, every smile and frown as serene as the moon, as radiant as the stars. From the initial innocence and shyness of a young girl, to the captivating beauty after marriage, from the joy and contentment of becoming a mother, to the tranquil happiness of being a wife and mother… I stopped, holding my breath. This must be Xi Lan's mother. Then the painter must be the Heavenly Azure King! What does this mean? Is this the secret of the Zhilan Palace? My heart inexplicably tightened, as if something was about to burst forth, my heartbeat so loud it seemed to echo within the passage.

Tian Xilan pulled me, who seemed dazed but was actually deep in thought, back to the entrance we had come from. I let him turn me around, so I faced the wall on my right. Looking up, it was still the same woman, but the clumsy lines revealed the artist's inexperience. Slowly, as I looked at it, it seemed that with the artist's growth, the woman under the brush gradually came to life. The lines were smooth and flowing, the expression lifelike, and the charm in the corners of her eyes and brows contained all the emotions of the painter. This must be Xilan's painting! Like the paintings on the left wall, the women in the paintings were all happy, blissful, and gentle. But what about this one? The portrait in front of me showed a woman smiling, but her eyes held tears, and a deep longing and reluctance. Those tears seemed to burn. I hurriedly walked forward, but there was no painting ahead. I stood in front of the blank wall, lost in thought. Was that painting the last image of Xilan's mother in her memory?

Xi Lan remained silent, only taking my hand and walking several large steps forward before stopping again and gently turning me around. I looked up blankly, my heart clenching painfully, and what met my eyes was me, the one who had debated with Lu Cheng in the Lan Cai Pavilion that day! Not just this one, but I found myself involuntarily moving forward step by step. Before me lay countless images: my face, smiling yet with tears welling in my eyes, when I was stabbed by the fake Yunhui; the sweet smile I gave him when I woke up that day; the way I tilted my head, asking him questions in confusion; the way I pointed at him and loudly questioned him; the way I bowed my head in shame; the way I chuckled secretly; the way I feigned pitifulness to gain sympathy; the way I giggled like a lovesick fool in the garden; the way I gazed longingly at Tianshan; the way I squatted in the flowerbed with my back to people; the way I looked up at the sky, drooling as I fantasized about cotton candy; the way I looked cunning; the way I looked confident; the way I chuckled triumphantly when I tricked him; the way I looked angry when I said "get lost"; the way I danced; the way I twirled… The last image was of me last night, desperately blinking away tears and giving him a bright smile when I saw the note the fox had asked for. From the first image to the last, it was the same face, the same person. Those faces that should have been disguised were all restored by Xilan to their most authentic appearance.

I stood there, stunned, my heart filled with indescribable feelings—surprise, pain, bitterness, astringency, and many other inexplicable emotions. Xi Lan, had I misunderstood him from the very beginning? Had he already seen me back at Lan Cai Pavilion and known who I was? Yue Weimian, Yue Weimian—that was the name I used at Lan Cai Pavilion that day. No wonder he seemed to know everything. Did he recognize me the day he saved me?

“When my father and mother first brought me here, my father told me: ‘Lan’er, on this left wall, there is a painting of the woman I love and care about most. When you grow up, Lan’er, you should also paint the person you love and care about most on this right wall, okay?’” His voice was still gentle, and a warm smile appeared on his face, but his eyes were looking towards an unknown distance. “I still remember the smile on my mother’s face when my father said this, so happy and content. So, from the age of four when I started learning to read and draw, whenever I had free time, I would run here, stand on a stool, and paint my mother on the right wall. After finishing each painting, I would pull my father and mother over to show it off. After seeing it, my mother would always hug me and say: ‘Lan’er, the person you should paint on this wall is the person you love most in your life, the other half who will stay with you and grow old together. It’s not your mother. It will be another woman, the person you meet and fall in love with when you grow up.’”

He suddenly looked directly at me, his eyes filled with utter grief, his face etched with sorrow. He lowered his head, his gaze fixed on me, like a wounded child. His voice was also somewhat turbulent: "Wasn't Mother the most beloved and important person to Father? Why did Father allow that woman who killed Mother to live a life of glory and peace in this world for so many years? Why didn't he protect the person he loved most properly and prevent her from suffering any harm?"

I know he's not asking me right now. The information Ye Feng gathered indicates that the person who killed Consort Duan was the Fourth Prince's mother, Consort Shu—the younger sister of Prince Hanxing, Princess Shuyi. How could Xi Lan not understand the reason now? No wonder he indulged in nature after his mother's death, spending most of the year away from the palace, because he simply didn't want to face his father, the Emperor.

"Xi Lan," I called softly. It seemed something had changed since just now. The Xi Lan who had earnestly promised to be honest with each other outside was now revealing the pain he always hid beneath his gentle smile. Was his usual nonchalant attitude towards politics due to the wounds inflicted by political intrigue in his youth? But why did Xi Lan paint my image on this wall?

He didn't speak, but simply reached out and pulled me into his arms. I tried to break free, but he ignored me, only tightening his grip on me. After a long while, his voice, which had clearly calmed down, came from above: "Weimian, he put you in danger, so from now on, I will protect you."

I ignored him and continued struggling. But wait...wait, wait, moment please, cut, rewind, go back, you imposter, what did you just say? Are you referring to the fox by "him"? Don't tell me what you just said was that legendary confession? 555, how did things turn out like this? Things shouldn't be like this. I struggled a few more times and finally broke free from Tian Xilan's grasp. I quickly patted my face to clear my head and calm down, then grabbed Tian Xilan and led him to his mother's smiling, tearful portrait, giving him five seconds to carefully observe and contemplate it. Then I pulled him to my disguised, smiling, tearful portrait, giving him another five seconds to compare and contemplate it before asking, "Did you see it clearly?"

"What?" Tian Xilan asked me, unusually confused.