Princess Xiangsi - Chapter 98
Volume Two: Fate Destined to Depart from the Palace, Finding a Good Match (Departing from the Palace)
"Cousin Wuhen, why hasn't Sister Qingyun returned yet?" Yu Wuxia skipped and hopped into the palace gate, her face full of anxiety. "Didn't you say you'd be back around this time? I've been waiting for so long."
Jun Wuhen's expression turned slightly displeased. "Wuxia, why are you out again? Didn't I tell you to practice the zither?"
"Oh dear! I haven't seen Sister Qingyun in so long! Cousin Wuhen, didn't you say Sister Qingyun was on her way back? Why isn't she back yet?" Yu Wuxia pouted her red lips and blinked as she asked.
Jun Wuhen frowned, looking at the darkening sky. His blue eyes showed a hint of worry. Just as he was about to say something, he caught a glimpse of a carriage rumbling towards them from a distance.
Wuxia exclaimed, "It's our carriage from the palace! Sister Qingyun is back!" She then happily went to greet her, "Sister Qingyun, Wuxia missed you so much!"
With the help of Ziyi, Qingyun stepped down from the carriage. Seeing Wuxia's cheerful face, a gentle smile bloomed on her own. "Wuxia."
Jun Wuhen was finally at ease. He smiled and looked at Qingyun with deep tenderness in his blue eyes.
Feeling Jun Wuhen's burning gaze, Qingyun returned a sweet smile, "Wuhen, something happened on the way, so I was delayed."
"Yun'er." Jun Wuhen strode forward and hugged Qingyun tightly. "I will never let you go back to your parents' home again."
The people around chuckled, especially Wuxia, who giggled.
"Haha, Cousin Wuhen is so domineering! Sister Qingyun is almost strangled to death by you!"
Qingyun smiled and gave a coquettish rebuke, and Jun Wuhen released her.
As soon as Jun Wuhen released Qingyun, Yu Wuxia immediately wrapped her arms around Qingyun's neck like a teddy bear, sweetly pleading, "Sister Qingyun, Wuxia missed you so much."
Jun Wuhen's face immediately darkened, his blue eyes flashing with a dangerous light, forcing Yu Wuxia to reluctantly let go, retreat behind Qingyun, peek out her little head, and mutter softly, "Domineering!"
Jun Wuhen glared at her.
Everyone smiled easily.
Qingyun smiled, her smile appearing quite relaxed.
It's warm and soft, it feels just like home!
Qingyun's clear eyes shone like pure stars in the night, and her smile was pure and happy.
Zi Yi stood beside Qing Yun, a hint of sadness in her eyes, but in the next instant, the sadness vanished, and her eyes remained calm and undisturbed. Zi Yi gave a relieved smile.
Woman, as long as you're happy.
Volume Two: Fate Leads to a Separated Palace, Yet a Happy Marriage is Born (Plum Blossom)
Plum Blossom Palace.
The Imperial Garden.
In spring, the Imperial Garden is ablaze with blooming flowers of all kinds, each vying for attention, much like the women in the harem scheming against each other for the emperor's favor.
Having just finished the morning court session, Situ Xingyun strolled with a smile in the Imperial Garden, admiring the flowers. Eunuch Tao followed quietly behind him, carefully observing his expression.
Since the anniversary of the Empress's death, the Emperor's temper has become increasingly volatile, and he frequently has people dragged out and executed. For the sake of his own head, he'd better be careful. However, today the Emperor seems to be in a particularly good mood.
“The plum blossoms have been blooming exceptionally beautifully lately. Their proud posture is just like…” Situ Xingyun suddenly fell silent, a hint of tenderness appearing in his eyes.
Eunuch Tao immediately understood why the Emperor was in such a good mood today.
"She looks just like Empress Wenshu," Eunuch Tao remarked at the opportune moment.
“No…” Situ Xingyun’s eyes softened further, and a bright smile appeared on his lips. “It is just like the Empress’s proud demeanor. How can the plum blossom compare to the Empress?”
"Your Majesty is right. I was blind."
Situ Xingyun glanced at the hundred flowers before him and snorted, "How could these vulgar flowers compare to my plum blossoms?"
Eunuch Tao nodded repeatedly and hurriedly said, "How could these vulgar flowers possibly catch the Emperor's eye? Your Majesty, why not arrange a carriage to the Snow Plum Garden? Yesterday, when I passed by the Snow Plum Garden, I found that every plum blossom was in full bloom."
"Oh?!" Situ Xingyun raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes gleaming. "Prepare the carriage for Xuemei Garden."
Xuemei Garden was built at the same time as Nianxue Tower. The name Xuemei Garden has two meanings: first, the plum blossoms in Fengxi bloom in snowy weather; second, Empress Wenshu's name contains the character "snow".
Situ Xingyun strode into the Snow Plum Garden.
The Xuemei Garden is full of plum blossoms, red plums, white plums... a variety of varieties that dazzle the eye.
Situ Xingyun took a deep sniff, his dark eyes instantly filled with profound joy.
Ah... his Xue'er...
Suddenly, Situ Xingyun's face darkened, and a sinister glint flashed in his dark eyes.
In the center of Xuemei Garden stands a withered plum tree, its fallen blossoms carpeting the ground, as powerless and pitiful as withered leaves in late autumn.
"Eunuch Tao—" The deep voice sounded like a death warrant from hell.
When Eunuch Tao first saw the withered plum tree, he was already pale with fright. When he heard Situ Xingyun's voice, which sounded like a demon from hell, he was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed desperately.
"Your Majesty, spare my life! I truly know nothing."