La pluie printanière est comme du vin, les saules comme de la fumée

Chapitre 53

The woman in green was stunned, feeling somewhat bewildered. Looking at the princess's indifferent expression, she pondered for a moment before cautiously replying, "Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent, skilled in both literature and martial arts. Soldiers who have fought alongside you speak highly of you. However, Your Highness is very promiscuous." As she spoke, she began to grit her teeth, indignant on behalf of the princess.

Feng Xue chuckled, "Indeed."

Qingyi was slightly taken aback, staring into Fengxue's eyes, but her expression remained indifferent, without a trace of affection.

"...Does the princess like days like this?" After a moment's hesitation, Qingyi asked.

"Does Qingyi think I like it or not?"

She pursed her lips and replied, "I have accompanied the princess for many years and know that she loves tranquility, loves focus, and loves a simple life. But the princess once told me that the things you love have been impossible since birth. Rather than changing your environment, you might as well change yourself."

Feng Xue smiled and gestured for her to continue.

Qingyi blinked, as if she had figured something out, and said, "The princess is doing things she doesn't like now so that she can do things she likes in the future."

"Ah, Qingyi is clever now." Fengxue nodded approvingly.

Qingyi laughed happily, "Because I've read too many of Miss Qingyun's books!" Suddenly, her eyes dimmed, "But Miss Qingyun hasn't published a new book in a long time."

Feng Xue paused, staring at the book in her hands for a long time before letting out a soft sigh. "Yes! It's been a long time!" Her breath formed a thin mist in the air, masking the low sigh that only she could hear.

Suddenly, a pair of brown eyes appeared in her mind, and Feng Xue asked, "Qingyi, how much longer until the end of the month?"

Five days.

Closing the book, Feng Xue touched her forehead with the back of her hand, closed her eyes, and sighed softly—"Five days—it feels so long—"

Gradually, Feng Xue's breathing became even. Qingyi smiled gently and brought a quilt to cover her. The princess always did this; she would fall asleep while thinking about things.

Then, Qingyi brought over a brazier, reduced the fire inside a little, and finally left quietly.

The princess doesn't like anyone to be next to her when she sleeps.

Feng Xue slept peacefully on the chaise lounge, the brazier occasionally crackling; everything was so tranquil and harmonious.

After an unknown amount of time, the door was gently opened with a soft sound, and a pale blue figure darted in.

The figure cautiously approached Feng Xue's side. When he saw her serene expression, his thick eyebrows relaxed slightly. He gently stroked her face, and when his gaze fell upon the faint teeth marks on her lips, his dark eyes suddenly deepened, and he pressed his fingertip against the teeth marks.

At this moment, Feng Xue frowned slightly and turned around gently. He quickly withdrew his hand. His dark pupils reflected Feng Xue's back as she turned to the side. After a long while, he sighed softly, "Xue'er, I will still cherish you."

After saying this, he left a hairpin on the pearwood table and quietly left.

After the door closed, Feng Xue frowned and sat up from the chaise lounge, vigorously wiping her lips with the back of her hand, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes.

Suddenly, Feng Xue noticed a red bean ruyi hairpin on the pear wood table.

She opened her eyes wide in shock, the disgust in them gradually fading, replaced by a hint of excitement, a touch of shock, and a reduction in aversion, but ultimately all of it returned to the initial calm and indifference.

The flames in the brazier were still crackling. Feng Xue called Qingyi over and had her extinguish the fire. Finally, she glanced at the red bean ruyi hairpin on the table and said indifferently, "Qingyi, put the hairpin on the pear wood table into the box of jewelry that Situ Xingyun sent before, and lock it with a lock. No one is allowed to open that box without my permission."

"Yes, Princess."

The fire is out, the hairpin is locked, my heart is cold, and my love is gone...

Volume One: A female figure named Qingyun is worshipped among the common people.

The servants in the Pingyan Prince's residence had been on edge for the past few days. The princess's indifference towards the prince and her politeness towards the concubine were things no one had expected. The relationships between them seemed incredibly delicate, creating a deep sense of unease. It was like—the calm before the storm.

No one knows how long this peace will last.

For several nights in a row, the prince was refused entry to the Snow Pavilion by the princess. A servant once saw the princess calmly and indifferently refuse the prince entry to the Snow Pavilion, and instead tell him to go to the Butterfly Pavilion. At that time, the prince's expression was so dark and gloomy that it was appalling.

The servants in the mansion couldn't help but admire the princess's magnanimity. When the news spread outside, the common people also praised Princess Fengxue, but secretly they felt great sympathy for her. All sorts of books praising Fengxue kept appearing in the book market.

Feng Xue, however, did not show much interest. She simply spent her days leisurely reciting poems, painting, playing the zither, and reading books in the Snow Pavilion, enjoying herself immensely.

Situ Xingyun stayed overnight at the Butterfly Pavilion every night, spending intimate moments with the two butterflies.

Despite being two people who were supposed to be very close, the distance between Situ Xingyun and Feng Xue was growing ever wider, to an unbelievable degree.

Early in the morning, Feng Xue got up. Just as she was about to call Qingyi to bring the zither, she suddenly remembered that Situ Xingyun had said at dinner last night that he was going to pay respects to his parents today.

She raised the corners of her mouth and smiled somewhat mockingly.

She knew little about Situ Xingyun's family affairs since their marriage. She only knew that his parents had passed away early and that he had never talked about his family in the two years since their marriage. Now that he had taken a concubine, he couldn't wait to tell her.

Suddenly, she shrugged and pressed her lips together into a straight line.

This... has nothing to do with her, does it?

At this moment, Qingyi walked in carrying a set of clothes. Seeing that Fengxue had gotten up, she was somewhat surprised. "Princess, I have never seen you get up so early before."

Feng Xue rolled her eyes. "Qingyi, we're going to pay respects today." Suddenly noticing the dark circles under Qingyi's eyes, she said helplessly, "Qingyi, what time were you reading Qingyun's book last night?"

Qingyi scratched her head sheepishly and said softly, "It's almost cockcrow." Then she quickly changed the subject and said with a grin, "Princess, today Zhiyun Pavilion sent over a very beautiful dress."

Feng Xue glanced at the red skirt that Qingyi had unfolded.

A red brocade robe with a subtle floral pattern. The waist is adorned with intricate floral designs and gold trim, while the long, floor-length skirt is embroidered with lifelike silver-edged butterflies that seem ready to take flight at any moment.

She frowned, and when she saw the butterfly on the hem of her skirt, her brows furrowed even more. She asked, "When the clothes were delivered, did the person who delivered them say anything?"

"The one who delivered the dress this time was a girl in white. She only left a message: 'My master instructed that if the princess ever truly needs one, he will personally make her a wedding dress that is truly unique in the world.'"