Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Sleeping

Chapter 130

I quickly became certain that the stinky fox was definitely a fox spirit reincarnated. He not only personally greeted me—from the moment I entered the borders of Longyao—but also had the Imperial Guard clear the way, and along the way, he ensured that we received the reverence and blessings of the people. Although the marriage decree had been issued, the wedding had not yet taken place, yet he "willfully" treated me with the highest honors beforehand. I don't know how much preparation he had made beforehand, but wherever we went, the people of Longyao knelt on both sides of the street, kowtowing and shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

I thought it would be "Long live the Empress" to show that the fox was of higher rank, but everyone just shouted "Wanfu" (a Chinese greeting), which left me no chance to find fault. Shen An smiled at all of this, while Yun Feng looked rather annoyed, but his traditional older brother ultimately held back and didn't say a word, which was quite rare.

Or perhaps in Yunfeng's heart, although he did not approve of the fox doing this, the fox was showing his feelings for me. For me, Yunfeng, who loved his sister more than himself, wasn't this a reassuring and reassuring treatment?

Upon entering Longzhou, the scene was unprecedentedly grand. All preparations were already in place. Even in broad daylight, the city gates were adorned with festive red lanterns. As Fox lifted the curtain of my carriage and helped me down, I saw that from where I stepped down, a long, crimson carpet embroidered with dragons and phoenixes in gold was laid out. The carpet stretched as far as the eye could see, with officials of all ranks kneeling on both sides, each dressed in court robes. The atmosphere was one of profound solemnity and reverence. A kilometer away, the kneeling citizens of Longzhou had come spontaneously. Fox gripped my hand tightly, gesturing for me to follow him forward to receive the obeisance and blessings of the officials and the people. I felt a slight pang of anxiety. At that moment, I forgot the expected feelings of excitement, emotion, and romance. All I could think about was whether this red carpet stretched all the way to the palace. Even taking a shortcut from the city gates to the palace would be a long way; if I had to walk the entire length of the red carpet, my legs would surely break!

As soon as I took a step, I heard the kneeling crowd shout "Long live the Emperor!" three times and offer three blessings in unison. I glanced at the people on both sides and immediately saw that the one kneeling at the head of the left was Xiaobai. He was wearing a purple embroidered dragon and cloud pattern court robe, which was the quasi-official robe of a prince. His hair was tied up high with a jade button, clean and neat.

"Big brother?" I turned my head to look at the person who was holding my hand tightly, expressing my question with my eyes.

He turned his head to look at me, and a rare warm smile appeared on his perfect face. He nodded slightly at me, his peach blossom eyes as warm as the spring sun, just like the light source in the blue sky above.

I sat on the dragon and phoenix bed in the central palace, listening to the seemingly endless noise coming from outside, and finally couldn't help but reach out and lift the bridal veil.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" The matchmaker beside me, her face pale, hurriedly picked up the bridal veil I had thrown on the bed, clasped her hands together, held the veil between her fingers, then turned halfway around, facing south with her back to the north, closed her eyes, and muttered some incantations.

I took the opportunity to remove the phoenix crown, which weighed at least ten kilograms, from my head. I twisted my neck left and right, and thankfully, I could still move it. Good heavens, after carrying such a heavy thing for most of the day, I suspect my neck has been shortened by several centimeters. Sigh, whoever came up with this phoenix crown probably doesn't know how important a neck is for a woman. Putting aside physical health, the neck is a crucial component of a woman's overall appearance. Whether someone is beautiful or not isn't just about their face and S-shaped figure. People with short necks don't look good in anything, and their entire aura instantly disappears.

Just as I put down the phoenix crown, the wedding attendant who had been muttering incantations with her back to me turned around, extending the bridal veil towards me as if to cover me again. But when she saw my current state—my face as white as paper, my expression as if I might faint at any moment—she disregarded the veil, leaped towards the phoenix crown, and cried out, "Your Majesty..."

"You can go down now." I gently rubbed my neck with my hand; it was so sore, swollen, and painful.

"Your Majesty..." The matchmaker's face was still deathly pale, but she was holding a phoenix crown in her hand and reached out to put it back on me.

"Xiao Ye!" I leaned back on the bed, tilted my head back, and shouted into the air.

As soon as she finished speaking, the night wind appeared like a ghost, and the matchmaker stared wide-eyed and opened her mouth, momentarily forgetting to move or speak.

"Xiao Ye, take her out." I waved to Ye Feng, then turned around, climbed onto the bed, lay down on my back with my arms outstretched, and let out a long breath.

That sly fox even said he was considerate and understanding that I couldn't stand the long and boring wedding ceremony, so he streamlined the solemn and rigorous ritual as much as possible, trying not to torment me beyond the necessary procedures. But as it turns out, I woke up early this morning and it's already afternoon. Wearing a heavy phoenix crown, and an intricately designed red dress and bridal gown that's utterly overwhelming, I'm being pulled around, made to kneel and bow here and there. Most importantly, hours have passed, and I haven't eaten or drunk a drop of water. God, I'm starving!

I lay sprawled on the bed, grabbed a few peanuts scattered on it, peeled them with great effort, and stuffed them haphazardly into my mouth, chewing them incoherently. After only a few bites, I groped for a few longans, peeled them, and popped them into my mouth as well. Then I nibbled on a few large red dates. At least I had something in my stomach, and my heart slowly began to settle down.

Judging from the sky outside, I knew the fox was still a long way off, so I wasn't in a hurry. I had planned to wait a bit anyway. If it weren't for that stinky fox nagging about getting married quickly, I would have preferred to wait until Qinglin returned in triumph before holding the wedding. I felt a little regretful that Qinglin wasn't at my wedding banquet with the fox, but then I thought, perhaps the current situation was better for Qinglin.

I'd been having Ye Feng inquire about this and that, but I'd completely forgotten to inquire about myself. So, when I arrived in Longzhou to receive the blessings of the officials and the people, and then returned to the Yun residence with Yun Feng and the others, I almost rushed out of the Yun residence to storm the palace and strangle that damned fox when I heard from Cui'er that my experience of serving in place of my brother and my identity as the Young Master Qianzui were now common knowledge. Of course, I wasn't going to strangle the fox because my identity and experiences were completely and utterly exposed to the world. I was going to strangle the fox because in these rumors, he portrayed himself as an unparalleled, devoted lover—it was so incredibly moving, I'm almost embarrassed to repeat it. That fox is truly despicable and shameless! He makes it seem like he'd risk his life for me without batting an eye, when it's clearly me who's the one risking his life! It's too much!

Regarding Xiao Bai, when I asked the fox before, he only said that Xiao Bai was now the Prince of Huang, but he didn't mention a word about what happened after Xiao Bai returned to the palace with him. As for Consort Yu, he wouldn't say anything more. However, Ye Feng, who was by my side, wasn't just sitting there looking for trouble. The information Ye Feng gathered was that Consort Yu from back then was now living in the Prince of Huang's residence, and her public identity was that of the Prince of Huang's wet nurse. I can understand this. Consort Yu had a grand funeral back then, and the fox certainly wouldn't shoot himself in the foot by bringing Consort Yu "back to life." Xiao Bai's greatest hope in learning that his mother was not dead would probably be to be able to fulfill his filial duties in her presence. Even if he couldn't be officially recognized, he should still feel fortunate to be like this. Besides, the status of a wet nurse is different from that of an ordinary person.

I suddenly remembered the strange woman who appeared in the imperial tomb, the conversation between the fox and her, and how, though the woman was simply dressed and aged, her beautiful face and figure suggested she must have been a great beauty in her youth. I remembered her aloof expression and the venomous look in her eyes as she stared at the fox. At that moment, I felt a sense of déjà vu. A thought flashed through my mind: could the Jade Consort the fox spoke of, Xiao Bai's mother, be that woman? If so, wasn't it enough that the fox treated her like a palace maid? He even made this dignified former imperial consort a "tomb guardian" for several years? That's so unfair! 555.

Upon arriving in Longzhou that day, Xiao Bai was among the officials. Judging from his expression, though it was his usual aloofness, at least there was no hatred or resentment. From his being named Prince Huang, marrying Princess Tianqing, and later secretly bringing his mother back, I didn't believe these events alone could resolve the grudges between him and the fox. Unfortunately, no matter how I questioned the fox, he wouldn't tell me if there was anything I didn't know. I even had Xiao Ye investigate, but to no avail. I didn't have a chance to ask Xiao Bai alone, and even if I did, he probably wouldn't reveal anything. I was incredibly curious, yet still had no answers. As for Xiao Bai's marriage to Tian Jinyu, although I didn't know if the fox's agreement to the marriage was related to saving me, it was clearly, as I had guessed, that he made Xiao Bai the wedding envoy—a blatant scheme. Because of that, I soon discovered that Princess Hao, married just over two months prior, was pregnant. Pregnancy is normal, but less than three months into the marriage, almost four months pregnant, is very unusual. I don't know if it was a shotgun wedding, but it's certain that they got married first and then had the baby. And if I do the math, Xiaobai was set up on the way back from the wedding—of course it was set up, otherwise I just can't believe Xiaobai would do something so outrageous under normal circumstances. Moreover, analyzing the ultimate beneficiaries and my understanding of these people, this matter is 99.9% likely related to the fox.

While King Tianqing was basking in his newfound status as the fox's "father-in-law," the fox slapped him across the face. For the sake of his own daughter, King Tianqing not only couldn't retaliate, but he also had to put on a smiling face and thank the wicked fox for her magnanimous act of helping him achieve his goal. I imagine King Tianqing must have been incredibly frustrated inside.

Qinglin is still ahead. He conquered Wangyue in six months, but now, facing Ye Cang, that's impossible. After more than half a year, Long Yao and Tian Qing have only crossed half of Ye Cang's territory. The battle ahead will be even more arduous and difficult. I have no other wish but for Qinglin to return safely soon.

As for Xi Lan, thinking of Xi Lan, I couldn't help but close my eyes. In the Xiu Ruo Palace, Ruo Chen's attitude towards me, and Old Man Yun's words, "Actually, the Sixth Prince of Tian has paid more, as long as you don't regret it," I don't know why Old Man Yun said those words in the end. He only ever thought about using me and Yun Feng. Hearing such a sentence from him was indeed very unlike the usual Old Man Yun. But Xi Lan was able to win him over with those words. I think a lot must have happened to Xi Lan, things that I don't know and dare not know.

Xi Lan, Xi Lan, Xi Lan...

As I vaguely felt hands hovering over my face, I suddenly opened my eyes and was shocked to see a familiar white figure sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Xi Lan!" I grabbed his hand as he tried to pull away, sat up in shock, and threw myself into his arms, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist. For a moment, I couldn't believe my eyes and said, "Shouldn't Xi Lan be on the battlefield? Am I dreaming? Am I dreaming?"

His hand seemed to hesitate for a second, then he hugged me tightly, murmuring repeatedly, "Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy..."

Tears streamed down my face instantly, without warning. His voice held all the emotions I understood and didn't understand. Against the backdrop of my red attire and the surrounding red, his white robes appeared all the more pristine. Was it really Xi Lan? Although there was no warm smile on his face, no laughter in his clear eyes, and even his seemingly innate ethereal and otherworldly aura was replaced by weariness and shock between his brows, he really was Xi Lan.

"Why is Xilan here? Is the battle going well? Is Xilan alright? Is it alright for you to come all this way?" I pulled away from his embrace, wiped my face with my sleeve, forced a smile, then swept the longan, lotus seeds, red dates, and peanuts on the bed onto the floor and moved to sit down next to him.

“Weimian…” He turned his head away from me, only reaching out to hold my left hand, his thumb gently stroking the protective mark on my left little finger. Although I knew from the beginning that “Weimian” was a name given to me by the fox, and although I had already confessed to Xilan that I was Lin Qianqian, Xilan still insisted on calling me “Weimian,” and I, hearing “Weimian” from Xilan’s lips, never thought anything of it. It’s still a habit, huh? No matter what we’ve been through, no matter how much time has passed, this habit probably won’t change.

"Did Xi Lan agree to some condition from Father Emperor to save me?" Thinking of Ruo Chen and Old Man Yun's words, Xi Lan's behavior when I saw her again suggested she truly had amnesia. And for Xi Lan to have this kind of perception of me after her amnesia must be related to King Tian Qing. I don't know if Xi Lan has regained her memories now, or if she has remembered certain things, but since King Tian Qing took advantage of Xi Lan's amnesia to make her misunderstand me to this extent, would he turn a blind eye when Xi Lan wanted to save me, take me to the Heavenly Sacred Water Pool, and transfer her soul-protecting power to me?

Or rather, would King Tianqing, who already knew my identity and the secrets and rumors of the palace, easily let me go once he knew I had returned to Tianqing? Even when Xilan came to Longzhou as an envoy of Tianqing, King Tianqing must have had his own plans in mind!

He didn't speak, but his grip on my hand tightened unconsciously. My heart skipped a beat, realizing my guess was pretty much right, and a growing sense of despair filled me: "What did Xi Lan promise? To go to war? To ascend the throne? What made King Tianqing spare me, a descendant of the Fengshen Kingdom's royal family, whose fate is so intertwined with the fate of the world?"

He remained silent, but his grip on my hand seemed to pull away.

"Xi Lan!" I grabbed his hand tightly, then got off the bed and knelt before him. My heart was filled with sorrow and pain, and my voice trembled as I said, "Xi Lan, didn't you forget me? Didn't you not remember me? Knowing that I used you like that, why did you still agree to your father's demands and conditions for me?"

Unable to finish speaking, I buried my face in his legs and wept bitterly. When Zhong Sheng Xueju learned that only Xi Lan could save me, I wondered what Xi Lan would have to sacrifice this time to save me. I had considered giving up, considered spending my last few days with the fox, and then peacefully closing my eyes and leaving this world. But in the end, Xi Lan still saved me. When I woke up again, because of Xi Lan's words, because of Xi Lan's changes, and because I still couldn't speak, I kept my previous questions buried deep in my heart. Perhaps subconsciously, I was afraid of knowing the price Xi Lan paid to save me, afraid that knowing it would prevent me from pursuing the happiness I believed in without hesitation.

"Weimian, I don't want to forget you, I don't want to forget you." His words from that time at the moonlit forest hot spring still echoed in my ears. I should have realized it then, I should have understood. How much bitterness, how much pain, must Xilan have endured when he said those words? How much did he bear that I don't know?

“Weimian…” he finally spoke again, but still only called my name, letting me bury my face in his legs and cry bitterly, but the hand I held in his hand trembled slightly.

Once I had finally calmed down a bit, I looked up at him, staring into his clear eyes, and asked softly, word by word, "Has Xilan regained her memories?"

“Weimian…” He lowered his eyes slightly, making it impossible to see the expression in them.

Xi Lan had previously suffered from amnesia, and the influence of his soul-protecting technique should have been greater than the effects of his severe injuries, coma, and persistent fever. So, is it possible that when Xi Lan transferred his soul-protecting technique to me to save me, the lost memories returned to him? I remember that time in the Heavenly Sacred Pool, with ice on the outside and fire inside, the stabbing pain in my chest made me gradually lose consciousness and slide heavily to the bottom. Xi Lan's expression at that moment was one of momentary daze, followed by a strange, intuitive shock and pain in his thoughts, his eyes filled with confusion. He, who had been standing at the edge of the pool only holding my hands to prevent me from sliding to the bottom, jumped into the pool without hesitation, holding me tightly. His half-open mouth seemed to want to shout something, but I couldn't hear him then. Could the similar experience in the Heavenly Sacred Pool have already stimulated or touched Xi Lan back then?

But if Xi Lan really made some kind of compromise with Tian Qing King because of saving me, and had the Imperial Guard clear the way when Xi Lan came out of Tianzhou to pick me up, then Tian Qing King must have known that I had come to Tian Qing beforehand. So, Xi Lan's negotiation with Tian Qing King must have been before I entered the Tian Sheng Water Pool, right? Whether it was Xi Lan before or after losing her memory, would she have been willing to do anything for me?

“Xi Lan…” If Xi Lan had regained her memories, how could things have turned out this way? So even if Xi Lan has memories of me, those memories must be incomplete, right?

"Weimian... do you feel happy?" He looked up at me, his clear, serene eyes, like black gemstones, seemed to ripple with water, making them even brighter. His gaze was focused and earnest, carrying a hopeful air, and perhaps even a touch of fervor.

Happiness? I looked at him, pondering those two words deeply. I was so grateful that I loved the fox. Although we had our ups and downs, these separations and reunions weren't due to any problems in our relationship. On the contrary, through these separations and reunions, our feelings for each other grew stronger. So, was it happiness? The answer was undoubtedly yes. The fox was, without a doubt, my happy ending in this alternate dimension.

I nodded at him, not denying it. It wasn't that Xi Lan was bad; on the contrary, Xi Lan was too good. But in the end, my heart still belonged to the fox. My feelings for him came a step too late, and I didn't even blush when we hugged. My love story with the fox seemed bumpy, but it was actually smooth. So Xi Lan was destined to be someone I had no chance with.

"From now on, Wei Mian will never be harmed again." He lowered his eyes again, his voice so soft it was almost a murmur, and a smile slowly appeared on his lips, but there was a hint of loss in the smile.