Princess Xiangsi - Chapter 84
Jun Wuhen stepped forward and gently stroked the mirror. "The Pear Mirror has a very magical power: it can know the wives of the Palace Master of Li Palace. Only women recognized by the Pear Mirror can bear children for Li Palace and continue its lineage."
"And the woman Ri Kyung admitted to was me?"
Jun Wuhen nodded, "Yun'er, come here. Touch these twenty pear blossoms one by one."
Qingyun did as she was told, running her hand across the carved pear blossoms one by one. The pear blossoms on the mirror were icy cold, but once they touched Qingyun's hand, they emitted a faint white light. Gradually, the smooth mirror surface was surrounded by a circle of white light, and the two characters "Qingyun" on the mirror surface gradually blurred until they disappeared. As the white light dissipated, the pear mirror became semi-circular, and the surrounding pear blossoms also vanished into thin air.
Qingyun was stunned.
Jun Wuhen explained, "After Li Jing comes into contact with a woman who has gained its approval and is already married to the Palace Master, it will retire and return to its original form until the next generation is born. Then it will decide on the next generation's wife again."
Qingyun stared at the half bronze mirror on the table, and suddenly a strange feeling welled up in her heart.
"Does this mirror have another half?"
Jun Wuhen was taken aback, his gaze deepening. He stared intently at Qingyun, afraid of missing any expression on her face. But her expression was one of genuine confusion.
Jun Wuhen's expression softened slightly, and he nodded in reply, "Indeed. Long ago, the Pear Mirror and the Li Mirror, which now resides in the palace, were a single, complete mirror. However, after Fengxi was established, the mirror split in two, gradually evolving into its current state." Suddenly, Jun Wuhen clenched his fist, a chilling glint flashing in his blue eyes, "Both the Pear Mirror and the Li Mirror should belong to the Li Palace!"
Unaware of the change in Jun Wuhen's tone, Qingyun pondered for a moment before asking, "Does that mirror in the palace also possess magical power?"
"The mirror in the palace can ensure peace and prosperity for the people."
Suddenly, Qingyun pursed her lips and turned to stare at Jun Wuhen. "Wuhen, if the woman recognized in the mirror is someone else, would you marry her?"
"Yes." The answer was firm and resolute.
"You said you love me." Qingyun's voice was very soft.
"Yun'er, this is the helplessness of being the Palace Master of the Li Palace. Can you understand me, Yun'er?" Jun Wuhen gripped Qingyun's shoulders tightly, forcing her to face him.
Qingyun gently bit her lower lip.
After a long silence, Qingyun asked, "If my interests conflict with those of the Li Palace, which would Wuhen choose?"
Jun Wuhen was taken aback, then chuckled, "Don't worry, Yun'er, I won't let that happen."
Qingyun lowered her eyes, concealing the turbulent emotions surging within them. A moment later, she raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright. She smiled, not responding to his words, but turning to look at Li Jing. "Wuhen," she said, "if we have children in the future, will he, like you, only accept the wife Li Jing acknowledges?"
"Yes."
"Is there no way to change this?"
“Yes.” Jun Wuhen’s gaze deepened. “If we can take back Li Jing and merge it with Li Jing, everything can change.”
Qingyun turned her head, raising an eyebrow, "Take back Lijing? Things from the imperial palace aren't easy to take."
"This is the long-cherished wish of the Li Palace throughout the ages. The place in the palace where the Li Mirror is kept is heavily guarded, and two special keys are needed to open the box containing the Li Mirror."
"key?"
“Yes.” A strange smile appeared on Jun Wuhen’s lips as he murmured softly, “A very special key.”
"Hehe..." Qingyun chuckled, "Wuhen understands perfectly well. Wuhen must have explored the palace many times. With Wuhen's skill, coming and going freely within the palace would be a very simple matter for him!"
Jun Wuhen unexpectedly shook his head. "Although I can come and go freely, I have only explored the palace once so far." Suddenly, his fists clenched, his body trembled slightly, and his eyes showed some sorrow and regret. But when he saw the shimmering tears in Qingyun's eyes, his blue eyes returned to calm, filled with tenderness.
Qingyun blinked and chuckled, "Wuhen doesn't really like the palace, does he? Although I haven't been to the palace, it's a terrifying place. It's all about power struggles; everything changes once you enter. The palace is a magnificent prison." Suddenly, Qingyun paused, then covered her mouth and laughed, "Hehe, I've written too many books; I tend to project the plots from them onto reality."
"Yun'er hasn't written a book in a long time, has she? People are eagerly waiting for your book."
"Oh?!" Qingyun raised an eyebrow. "Wuhen also reads my books?"
Jun Wuhen shook his head. "That little girl Wuxia is most fond of Qingyun. She's always talking about Qingyun in my ear. It's hard for me not to understand. Besides, who doesn't know how famous Yun'er is among the common people?"
"Flawless?"
“Yes! Wuxia’s parents passed away early, and they told me to take good care of her before they died. That little girl is now of marriageable age. Yun’er, could you help me find someone suitable when you have time?” Jun Wuhen’s face was full of helplessness. “Wuxia is too willful. She is spoiled by me 100%. Yun’er, you should be more tolerant of her sometimes.”
Qingyun smiled faintly and nodded, "Okay."
Two torches were stuck diagonally on the wall, their flames flickering and illuminating the dark basement. Suddenly, Qingyun's stomach rumbled, and she gave an embarrassed smile.
Jun Wuhen laughed heartily, put his arm around Qingyun's waist, extinguished the fire inside the room, and strode out. "Yun'er, let's go have breakfast. I believe everyone has been looking forward to seeing the Lord's wife for a long time."
Volume Two: Fate Leads to a Separated Palace, Yet a Perfect Match is Made in Jade Flawless 1
In the lobby.
Yu Wuxia sat alone at the dining table, her chin resting on her hand, her eyes vacant and lifeless, her delicate face looking somewhat haggard.
The maids and servants in the hall were whispering among themselves.
"I really want to see Miss Qingyun soon."
"Wait a minute! Now it's the Lord's wife. I love the Lord's wife so much! I thought I'd never see her in this lifetime, but I never imagined she'd become our wife. How wonderful!"
"I've heard that the Lord's wife is even more beautiful than the fairies in heaven! The lady is truly blessed; she is beautiful, talented, and deeply loved by the Lord. What woman in the world could be as fortunate as the lady!"
"No. Speaking of happiness, I think Consort Die is the happiest person right now."
"Oh! You've got the wrong name. Yesterday, Consort Die gave birth to Crown Prince Fengxi and is now an Imperial Noble Consort. I've heard that the Emperor dotes on her terribly these days."
“Madam is the happiest. Don’t believe me? Ask… Ask… Ah! Ziyi, you’ve come at the perfect time. Madam is very happy, isn’t she!” A maid saw Ziyi step into the hall and immediately pulled her over.