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

Chapitre 99

The emperor loved plum blossoms dearly and once decreed that no withered plum blossom should be seen in the palace during the winter and spring.

"Who is in charge of Snow Plum Garden today?" The voice was low and indifferent, but the anger contained within was enough to terrify anyone.

As if grasping a piece of driftwood in a vast ocean, Eunuch Tao quickly replied, "It is a robe from Chaohua Palace."

“Chaohua Palace… Luo Shang…” A beautiful smile curved his lips into a perfect arc, and a ruthless look appeared in Situ Xingyun’s eyes. “Drag him out and behead him.”

His voice was flat, as if it were just an ordinary meal.

"Yes, sir." As if he had been given a second chance at life, Eunuch Tao staggered out of the Snow Plum Garden.

Situ Xingyun gazed sadly at the plum tree before him, his hand trembling as he stroked the withered trunk.

A gentle breeze stirred, scattering plum blossoms across the ground. Situ Xingyun's dark hair danced in the air as his lips gently kissed the black tree trunk.

His Xue'er...

After an unknown amount of time, the wind gradually subsided, and Situ Xingyun regained his composure, his expression once again indifferent. He coughed softly and called out, "Dark Charm."

"Here." A black shadow appeared immediately, moving with lightning speed.

"How have things been lately?" Under the plum tree, Situ Xingyun looked up at the red plum blossoms that braved the frost and snow.

"Your Majesty, recently Minister Lan, Secretary Wen, Minister of Works, the Right Chancellor, and the Empress Dowager have been getting very close, and the Imperial Concubine is also getting very close to Eunuch Lan. It seems that a new force is emerging in the court. Your Majesty, we must nip this in the bud as soon as possible!"

Situ Xingyun snorted coldly.

"A force that has not yet grown into a significant power is not worth fearing. As for the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine, I will eliminate them sooner or later, but now is not the time." Situ Xingyun reached out and caught a falling plum blossom. "Anmei, make the arrangements. I will be traveling incognito for the next few days."

Anmei hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Where does His Majesty intend to go on his inspection tour?"

“Fengcheng.” He paused, then said, “Also, it’s time to arrange the selection of concubines; this ceremony cannot be abandoned.”

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Situ Xingyun gazed at the plum blossom in his palm, smiling faintly.

Xue'er...

Volume Two: Fate Destined to Meet in a Separated Palace, Auspicious Marriage Arrives in a Se

Departure from the palace.

The sun was shining brightly, and the whole earth was filled with the breath of spring.

Qingyun ran quickly along the path, lifting the hem of her skirt, her smooth forehead covered with glistening beads of sweat.

"Sister Qingyun, where are you?"

Qingyun quickly turned a corner, hid behind a towering tree, and held her breath.

“Miss Wuxia, it seems that Madam is not here. This place is too small to hide anyone. Should we go over there and look for her?”

"Alright." He paused, then added, "Sister Qingyun, are you there?"

Only when the footsteps and shouts faded into the distance did Qingyun finally breathe a sigh of relief, leaning against a tree and panting heavily.

After returning from Juechen Valley, Jun Wuhen's behavior became unusually abnormal. He and Wuxia would cling to her all day long, like two big children. Even when he was handling palace affairs, he would drag her along. He would be on official business on one side, while she would be writing on the other. Wuxia would also follow her around all day, asking her about practicing the zither or her new book.

In short, wherever she appears, there is bound to be Jun Wuhen or Yu Wuxia nearby.

There are reasons why he couldn't bother her. But there was no trace of it...

Qingyun closed her eyes and fell into the memories of that night.

That night was an ordinary night.

As usual, she and Jun Wuhen lowered the gauze curtains by the bed. Then Jun Wuhen channeled his inner energy into her to suppress the poison in her body, and then they slept fully clothed.

There's nothing wrong with any of this.

Just as midnight approached, she suddenly felt a tingling sensation on her lips, and abruptly opened her eyes to meet a pair of disheveled blue eyes.

"Wuhen..." she called softly, shifting her body slightly.

Suddenly, her waist tightened as Jun Wuhen held her tightly, pressing her head against his chest.

His body temperature was somewhat cold, but his heart was pounding fiercely in his chest, as if it were about to burst out of his chest.

Jun Wuhen's five fingers clenched so tightly they turned white.

Since Yun'er returned from Juechen Valley, she has often been absent-minded. Sometimes she would sit in a chair with a pen in hand, staring at a blank sheet of paper for an entire day. Her expression would shift between sadness, pain, joy, and sweetness. When he called her name, she was startled at first, then looked up and smiled at him.

Beneath that faint smile lay an aloofness as vast as the distance between heaven and earth.

All he knew was that her distant smile was like a sword piercing his chest, blood flowing uncontrollably, flooding his nose and causing him to suffocate in a sea of blood.

"Yun'er..." A low call, filled with pain and struggle.

Jun Wuhen held her tighter and tighter, so tight that she almost suffocated.

"Wuhen, what's wrong?"

Hearing Qingyun's gentle voice, Jun Wuhen gradually regained his senses and loosened his grip on her slightly.