Princess Xiangsi - Chapter 162
Ultimately, it's all because he loves her too much.
The spring rain continued to fall gently, and this gentle spring rain seemed to carry a faint sadness.
On the other side of the Imperial Garden.
Qingyun strolled in the rain, holding a paper umbrella. Her complexion was rosy, completely free of the paleness of that day.
That night, after Situ Xingyun released her and Li Ge, Li Ge immediately treated her and took care of her all night. When she woke up the next day and saw the haggard Li Ge, her heart felt like it was being pierced by needles.
Thinking of Li Ge, Qingyun's eyes immediately filled with tenderness, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but turn up slightly.
After some time of recuperation, she has fully recovered her health. Now, even if she were to be caught in the rain all day, she wouldn't fall ill.
Qingyun smiled, looked around, but did not find Wuxia anywhere.
Her brows furrowed slightly. That girl, Wuxia, had clearly told her to wait for her in the Imperial Garden, but now there was no sign of her.
Volume 3: Truth and Falsehood in the Palace, Deliberate Flattery 2
Qingyun continued walking into the Imperial Garden, holding her paper umbrella, hoping to see Wuxia.
Spring rain falls incessantly, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of earth.
Suddenly, Situ Xingyun trembled as the slender figure he had longed for appeared before him.
She wore a light blue palace dress, with only a single pearl flower in her hair. Holding a paper umbrella, her eyes darted around, as if searching for something. Suddenly, she paused, then stepped towards him.
He watched in disbelief as the graceful woman walked towards him; in the misty spring rain, his Xue'er seemed so ethereal and unattainable.
Situ Xingyun's breath hitched, and his body froze in place.
He was afraid that if he reached out and touched her even lightly, she would vanish in an instant, just like before. It wasn't until he heard Eunuch Tao bowing behind him that he believed this was not a fantasy.
"Xue'er..." a suppressed and soft voice called out.
Qingyun raised an eyebrow, her long eyelashes fluttering, and asked, "Where is Wuxia?"
Situ Xingyun was taken aback and stared at her intently.
Instead, it was Eunuch Tao who replied, "I just met Consort Yu, but she said she was feeling unwell and had to go back first."
Qingyun pursed her lips, recalling the evasive look in Wuxia's eyes this morning. Looking at Situ Xingyun before her, she immediately understood. A sense of melancholy washed over her. What had Wuxia been thinking when she tricked her into coming to the Imperial Garden?
"In that case, I shall take my leave."
Qingyun turned around, preparing to leave.
Just then, Qingyun felt her wrist being grabbed, and then she fell into a cold embrace. A faint scent of ambergris wafted into her nose through the folds of her clothes.
The paper umbrella in my hand was released and fell to the ground, raindrops pattering on it.
Qingyun frowned involuntarily.
"Xue'er, don't be so cold to me."
Qingyun did not struggle; she was quietly held in his arms.
The rain was falling softly, and Situ Xingyun and Qingyun were shrouded in the rain, looking so warm and cozy. At least, that's how Eunuch Tao saw it.
After a long silence, she said softly, "Is it time to let go?"
Situ Xingyun froze, and he released Qingyun in a daze. He saw her eyes were calm as water and cold as ice. He began to panic, and sadness filled his eyes.
"Xue'er, what will it take for you to stop being cold to me?"
Qingyun blinked gently. "Being indifferent to those who have hurt me is a habit I've always had."
The sorrow in Situ Xingyun's eyes deepened. He looked at her, a hint of pleading in his voice, "Let me make amends. What can I do for you to stop being cold to me?"
Qingyun laughed. That cold, mocking smile cut like the sharpest knife into his heart.
Qingyun took a few steps back, and spring rain fell on her. She picked up the paper umbrella from the ground, and the spring rain once again kept her away.
Qingyun extended a slender, white finger and pointed to the plum garden not far away.
A cold, clear voice then rang out.
"If when I open my eyes tomorrow, the fifty-six plum trees in the plum garden are covered with pear blossoms, then I won't be cold to you."
Eunuch Tao gasped. He couldn't help but say, "Princess Xiangxue, you are making things difficult for me. It's impossible for pear blossoms to grow on plum trees. Besides, our climate here is not suitable for pear blossoms at all."
Qingyun did not look at Eunuch Tao. Instead, she raised her eyes and stared intently at Situ Xingyun, a hint of provocation between her willow brows.
Situ Xingyun smiled like a child and nodded emphatically.
"I agree."
Qingyun glanced at him sideways, turned around and took a step, gradually disappearing into the spring rain.
After Qingyun disappeared, Situ Xingyun instructed Eunuch Tao: "Send word to summon all the weavers and craftswomen of Fengxi to the palace, and collect all the silk from Fengxi. They must make pear blossoms that can be hung on fifty-six plum trees by tomorrow."
Tao Gonggong hesitated for a moment, but after seeing the resolute look in Situ Xingyun's eyes, he replied, "Yes, Your Excellency obeys."
When Situ Xingyun's decree was announced to the world, everyone was stunned and could not believe it. However, they had no choice but to reluctantly enter the palace because they could not disobey the imperial order.