"Is it that I misheard? I heard your maid call you 'Miss'," the voice asked me, its tone chilling and menacing.
I looked back at Xiaowu and saw that she didn't show any fear of being discovered; all she had were wary eyes.
She saw me looking at her, and her eyes seemed to ask, 'Do I need to explain?'
I shook my head and turned to look at Xingyi. "Xingyi, are you questioning me? Xiaowu calls me 'Miss' because she's used to it, so I didn't ask her to change it. I wonder if Xingyi is satisfied with this explanation?" I blinked and smiled mischievously.
Xingyi didn't answer me, but stared at me with bright and deep eyes, trying to figure out whether my words were true or false.
"Young Master Jue has arrived!" came the eunuch's scream from afar.
As Jue drew closer, the palace maids and eunuchs outside the pavilion all knelt down, greeting, "May Young Master Jue be blessed with good fortune!"
Jue walked into the pavilion, nodded slightly to Xingyi, pulled me up with a "ah," and hugged me in his arms.
"How did you get here?" she asked softly, gently tapping my cheek.
"It's too stuffy in the room, I'm coming out for some fresh air." I shifted uncomfortably and looked out of the pavilion. The palace maids and eunuchs were all trying to suppress their laughter as they watched me and Jue.
My face flushed red. How could I do this? How could I be so embarrassed in front of everyone? I struggled to get up.
"Don't move," she whispered softly, her breath brushing against my ear.
My face is as red as a boiled crab. Ugh, why did I have to be so ambiguous? All I want to do right now is dig a hole and bury myself.
"Young Master Jue and Zi Xue are truly in love, making everyone envious," Xingyi smiled like a fox, so cunning.
"Purple Snow?" she looked at Xingyi with absolute displeasure.
"It was Zixue who said I could call her that," she glanced at me and pushed all the blame onto me.
I glared at him and buried myself in Jue's arms. "He's the one who told me to call him Xingyi, so I think it's fairer for him to call me Zixue." Are you the only one who can push? I can too.
Jue didn't dwell on those things anymore, and was just talking to Xingyi about something. I ignored her and glanced at Jie'er, who was always behind Xingyi.
Actually, I find her very strange. Isn't she Xingyi's concubine? Why doesn't she show any affection for Xingyi when she sees her? Why is there only fear? Could it be that she doesn't like Xingyi? That's possible. There are three thousand concubines in the harem; who says that every one of them has to like the emperor?
Chapter Thirty-Four
I glanced at Jie'er longingly. Jie'er seemed to know I was looking at her and didn't look up.
When I finally snapped out of my reverie and realized it was pointless to just watch, I heard, "Is Young Master Jue about to depart?"
"Departure? Where are you going? Why didn't you tell me?" With a whole host of questions in my mind, I turned to Jue. "Jue, where are you going?"
Jue gently patted my head to signal me to be quiet, her eyes never looking at me, only at Xingyi across from me.
"Almost" is a concise answer to this question.
What? What is this talking about? I'm completely confused. Could you give me a hint?
"Then what about Lady Jue?" Xingyi gestured for Jue to look at me with a questioning look.
“She, you take care of her,” Jue followed his gaze to me, her eyes full of smiles, then suddenly her expression turned icy as she stared at Xingyi. “One less…” She didn’t finish her sentence, but a chilling glint flashed in her dark eyes, sending shivers down one’s spine.
"Hehe, that's natural." He met Jue's eyes without the slightest fear.
Having received a satisfactory answer, Jue Heng picked me up and, without even saying goodbye to Xingyi, headed towards the grand archway of the Hundred Gardens, with Xiao Wuwei following behind.
Passing over Jue's shoulder, I saw Xingyi still sitting there, smiling. That smile was inscrutable, ambiguous, seemingly both righteous and wicked—truly an unfathomable fellow. Even now, I still don't quite understand what he meant by appearing here today and asking me those questions. Indeed, no one in the palace is simple. As for Jie'er, I do have some goodwill towards her; at least so far, she hasn't done anything to disgust me.
I don't know how long we walked, but I know I stared intently at Jue, my dissatisfaction undisguised. Jue, completely unaffected, carried me back to the Jade Sound Palace, not even glancing at me the whole way. I said, "Jue, am I really that invisible? So much so that you didn't even glance at me? Are you carrying a block of wood?" Oh, no, I'm not a block of wood. Ugh, what am I thinking? I smacked my head in frustration.
Once inside the Jade Sound Hall, Jue placed me on a reclining chair and then casually drank tea.
Throughout this process, I stubbornly stared at him, demanding an explanation. One second, two seconds, three seconds... a minute passed, five minutes passed. Damn, this guy's self-control is incredible! My eyes were getting sore, but he completely ignored me, just leisurely sipping his tea. Was the tea more attractive than me, the real person?
I really wanted to foam at the mouth and scream to the heavens. Anyone else would have been unable to withstand my burning gaze.
I couldn't hold it in any longer, and pouted angrily, "Jue, aren't you going to tell me?"
Jue glanced at me, sighed, walked over, sat down beside me, and pinched my flushed cheeks. "Hey, Xue'er, how can I leave in peace if you keep acting like this?"
Why does it sound like I'm about to die? Ugh, how could I curse Jue like that? But Jue, what do you mean by saying that? Have you been testing my willpower from the beginning until now? Could you at least give me a heads-up next time? But that's not the problem right now.
"Leave? Where are you going?" Hearing that he was leaving, I screamed and jumped up, standing on the recliner, looking down at Jue.
Jue pulled me down, grabbed my fidgeting hands, and said seriously, "Xue'er, I have to go out for a few days. You have to be good these days and don't cause any trouble. Xuanwu and Lengqing will stay here to protect you."
"I don't want to!" I vehemently objected, hands on my hips, with an air of absolute certainty.
"Xue'er, you must be obedient," Jue sighed helplessly, cupped my face in his hands, and said seriously to me.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, I stopped arguing. I hurriedly grabbed Jue's clothes and pleaded, "Why can't you take me? I won't cause you any trouble."
Perhaps it was the panic in my eyes, but she no longer looked at me with a serious expression; her face softened considerably. "Xue'er, I'll be back soon."
I didn't say anything, and just hung my head.
Just as Jue was about to comfort me, I looked up and smiled at him, saying, "Then you must come back soon, I'll be waiting for you here." I knew I couldn't be willful; I had to put Jue at ease. Since Jue hadn't taken me with him, there must be a reason.
Jue was startled by my sudden change of heart. Only when I waved my hand in front of him did he come to his senses, tap my nose, and smile slightly, saying, "My troublesome girl is still here? I'll be back as soon as possible."
"No way, I didn't cause any trouble," I pouted and argued.
A gust of wind blew by, carrying the noise inside to the outside of the hall; the noise was sweet and warm.
The palace maids and eunuchs outside the palace peeked into the palace, exchanged glances and smiled. It seemed that this autumn was not so bleak, and perhaps it even brought happiness?
These past two days, Jue has been by my side constantly. I haven't asked him why he's not busy, because we both know we're cherishing these two days together. I haven't asked where Jue is going either; if he wanted to, he would tell me. I've also reminded myself not to ask, because I know waiting is painful, and I don't want to spend each day like a resentful woman counting down the days, waiting for my lover. Sometimes, I can't help but want to ask, but the thought of looking like a resentful woman makes me shudder, and I give up the idea.
Jue seemed to know what I was thinking, and he didn't tell me anything about leaving the day after tomorrow. Telling me would only make me sad. He just played with me, made fun of me, pampered me, and protected me, making me feel like Cinderella who found her prince.
After that encounter in the Hundred Gardens, Jie'er began to visit my Jade Sound Palace more frequently.
"Wow, wow, look how high I've flown!" I shouted excitedly as I turned back to Jue, pulling the kite along.
"Okay, Xue'er, be careful," Jue said, watching me from behind, afraid I might accidentally fall flat on my face.
"It's alright, it's alright," I waved my hand to reassure them.
But then I accidentally stepped on a stone on the ground and fell backward.
I closed my eyes, expecting the pain to come, but instead I collapsed onto something warm.
I looked up and saw Jue nervously catching me. "Xue'er, I told you to be careful!"
"Hehe, I knew Jue would protect me!" I smiled mischievously.
"You," he said, flicking my nose and looking at me helplessly.
The voice of "Your Highness has arrived" drowned out what I was about to say.
I looked over and saw Jie'er wearing a floor-length brocade dress in a mix of moon white and light pink, with silver trim on the hem and cuffs. The cuffs were decorated with delicate pale yellow patterns. A light pink gauze shawl was draped over her shoulders, and the dress was embroidered with large purple duckweed flowers, which was quite beautiful. A pink and white belt was tied around her waist, highlighting her well-proportioned figure. Strange patterns were densely distributed on the belt.
"Sister" Jie'er walked gracefully to me, bowed to me and Jue, and smiled as she took my hand.
"Jie'er, will you come and play with me?" I asked Jie'er, tilting her head in confusion.
As soon as Jie'er finished speaking, I left Jue's embrace and ran to pick up the kite.
Jue simply watched Xue'er's happy back, his eyes fixed on her retreating figure.
"Come here quickly!" I waved to Jie'er and called her over.
Jie'er glanced at Jue, and I always felt that glance was a bit strange.
Chapter Thirty-Five
These past few days, Jie'er has been coming to my Jade Sound Palace a lot, sometimes even bringing me homemade snacks. I never knew Jie'er before, but I never expected that she loves to play and laugh just like me, maybe I'm just a bit more crazy!
Jie'er has a beautiful smile; it's curved and dazzling like a crescent moon.
I was just curious, though. Sometimes she would get lost in thought, staring blankly at the white lotus hairpin that Jue had given me. I remember it was the day Jue told me he was leaving. I told him I liked white lotuses, and somehow he managed to get this hairpin the next day. I was so touched I almost cried.
I waved my hand in front of her to bring her back to her senses. "Jie'er, what's wrong?" My question brought her back to her senses, and she pointed to my hairpin, saying, "A very pretty hairpin."
I smiled happily, took the hairpin from my hair, and held it in my hand. "You think it's beautiful too?" I then looked at the hairpin with amusement.
She took a bite of the pastry, and smiled at me, saying, "Young Master Jue is so good to you."
I looked up abruptly, my eyes sharp as I stared at her. "How did you know it was Jue Song? I didn't tell anyone."
Startled by my gaze, Jie'er dropped the pastries she was holding onto the table. She said cautiously, "I was just guessing. Seeing how happy you are, I assumed it was a gift from Young Master Jue."
See? I judged you by my own petty standards. I chuckled awkwardly, "Hehe, Jie'er, I'm sorry, I misunderstood you."
Jie'er lowered her head sadly. "It's alright. Sister, being in the palace, it's inevitable that you'd have some suspicions. Jie'er won't blame you."
Ah, I just can't stand seeing other people looking so sad, as if I've done something heinous.
"Jie'er, your snacks are so delicious." Not knowing what to say, I could only use the snacks to avoid the question.
After I said that, Jie'er stopped feeling aggrieved and smiled gently, saying, "If you like it, I'll make it for you every day."
"That would be so embarrassing."
We didn't talk, we just ate our snacks in silence.
But looking back, Jie'er was right. If this were my time, he would be handsome, rich, capable, kind, a good man, a good husband, and a good boyfriend. He would be a perfect man. I would be so lucky to be loved by such a man!
This matter has come to an end, and it's time for Jue to leave.
I brought Xiaowu and Jie'er (she said she would accompany me) to the palace gate. Normally, people who are not from the palace are not allowed to go outside the palace gate at will, but because of Jue, I was an exception.
I didn't want to come at first because I was afraid I would miss it, but I didn't want to leave with any regrets.
"Xue'er, I'm leaving," Jue whispered in my ear as he hugged me.
"Mmm," I nodded, leaning against Jue's chest, feeling the warmth I wouldn't feel for a long time.
Jue let go of me, gave me a deep look, and I returned a bright smile.
Jue patted my head, then I got into the carriage. From inside came Jue's magnetic voice, "Let's go."
Leng Tian and the others mounted their horses one after another, while Xiao Qing stood beside me and exchanged a glance with his brothers, as if saying goodbye. Perhaps this was the first time he had left the organization, just to protect me.