Princess Xiangsi - Chapter 34
Above her fair arm was a striking red dot, an alluring red. That red dot was the cinnabar mark!
The Empress was taken aback. This virginity mark seemed different from any she had seen before…
Feng Xue turned her head away, pulled her long sleeves back, and said softly, "Mother, Xue'er is just not used to that kind of thing..."
"That kind of thing?" The Empress snapped out of her reverie, sighed, and said earnestly, "Xue'er, you are now Fengxi's only heir. If no other children are born, you will become the Empress of Fengxi, and with three thousand concubines in the harem, you..."
Before the Empress could finish speaking, Feng Xue immediately interrupted, "Mother, Feng Xi will absolutely not have only Xue'er as her heir!" Even if she did, she would not become the Empress.
The Emperor… she absolutely will not take on this responsibility!
"Xue'er...this is your fate! Being born into the royal family is your destiny!" The Empress sighed, stroking Feng Xue's head with pity.
Feng Xue looked up, her clear eyes devoid of any impurities.
The Empress shook her head again, "If that incident hadn't happened, my Xue'er would surely be a stunning beauty. We've consulted all the renowned doctors in the land, but they still couldn't find a way to heal the scars on your face. What a pity!"
"Mother, Xue'er has come to terms with it. Mother, please don't be sad."
"That's true. Let's talk about something happier, mother and daughter!"
"Mm." Feng Xue nodded.
...
Volume 1: A Woman of Noble Character, Qingyun, Enters the Palace (Part 4)
As dusk approached, Fengxue and the Empress had been talking all afternoon.
After leaving the palace, the night sky was already dotted with stars. Fewer and fewer people were on the streets, and many shops had already closed. At that moment, a magnificent carriage slowly made its way down the street.
Feng Xue sat on the soft, red cotton couch, leaning gently against the window, her eyes closed in repose. Suddenly, she felt a burning gaze fixed on her, making her quite uncomfortable. Opening her eyes, she met Situ Xingyun's intense gaze.
"Xue'er." A deep, resonant voice suddenly rang out, sounding somewhat alluring.
Feng Xue was taken aback. "Your Highness, you are not in the palace right now."
Situ Xingyun smiled and said, "Xue'er could call me Xingyun yesterday, so why can't I call her Princess Xue'er today?"
"casual."
"How can husband and wife address each other so formally? From now on, Xue'er, just call me Xingyun!"
With a gentle blink, Feng Xue said softly, "It seems that Father Emperor and Xingyun talked a lot today!"
Hearing her call him Xingyun, he smiled even more broadly. "It seems the Empress also had a long talk with Xue'er today!"
Feng Xue glanced at him indifferently and said, "It seems we'll have to make our act more real from now on."
"Does Xue'er think I'm putting on an act?" Situ Xingyun was inexplicably a little disappointed.
"Yes." The tone was firm and unquestionable.
Situ Xingyun gave a bitter laugh, "Even I don't know if I'm acting..." His self-deprecating tone startled Feng Xue slightly. "Even I can't tell if it's real... or fake..."
Feng Xue's heart skipped a beat. She had to admit that she felt a surge of joy at that moment.
Suddenly, Situ Xingyun raised an eyebrow and changed his tone, "Was Xue'er's soft call yesterday just an act? Perhaps sometimes Xue'er is moved without even realizing it."
"Are you so sure Xingyun will fall in love with me?" Fengxue's eyes held a hint of mockery.
Situ Xingyun lightly touched his eyes and said, "Based on my experience of seeing too many women."
Feng Xue simply smiled but did not reply.
Unfortunately, she was no ordinary woman!
She admitted that she was moved at one moment, but being moved does not mean being in love.
"We'll see." After a long pause, she finally replied softly.
Suddenly, with a "crack," one of the carriage wheels fell off, causing the carriage to become unbalanced and tilt to one side. Caught off guard, Feng Xue fell into Situ Xingyun's arms.
The delicate fragrance of crabapple blossoms immediately filled Situ Xingyun's nostrils, causing his heart to flutter. After Feng Xue came to her senses, she pushed Situ Xingyun away and said calmly, "Thank you, Xingyun." Then she got off the carriage. Situ Xingyun shook his head helplessly and followed her off.
"What happened?" Situ Xingyun asked.
"Your Highness, the carriage suddenly lost a wheel. It's probably because it hasn't been replaced in a long time and it's rotten."
Feng Xue frowned and walked a short distance away to look at the wheel that had rolled onto the ground.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up; there was a very faint scratch mark on the wheel axle.
It was man-made!
Suddenly, a chilling aura of killing intent surged around him!
Feng Xue was startled and prepared to make a move, but when she remembered that Situ Xingyun was not far away, she quickly concealed her aura and walked towards Situ Xingyun.
A flash of white light appeared, and a sword swiftly grazed Feng Xue's face, causing her veil to fall off.
Feng Xue's heart tightened, and the scene of the assassination attempt on her birthday flashed through her mind. Her pupils dilated, filled with fear. At that moment, a sword was aimed directly at Feng Xue, but she was caught up in the panic of the assassination attempt and was completely unaware of the approaching sword.
"Xue'er!" Situ Xingyun cried out, leaping to Feng Xue's side and embracing her. Just as he was about to fly away, he noticed her pale face and was immediately startled. A slight pain pierced his heart, and in that instant of surprise, the white light flashed past, causing blood to gush from his arm.