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

Chapitre 166

The heavy slam of the door closing weighed heavily on the hearts of every palace maid in the Snow Palace. They glanced furtively at Situ Xingyun, then quickly looked away. Ugh… The Emperor's face is so grim! Why does the princess always have to go back to her room after saying something unpleasant? It's always them who suffer…

That evening, Situ Xingyun, whether out of sullen anger or because of urgent court business, miraculously did not stay in the Snow Palace. Normally, Situ Xingyun would stay until Qingyun retired for the night before leaving.

Qingyun ate her dinner calmly, looking completely at ease and enjoying her meal immensely, seemingly oblivious to anything amiss. This, however, sent chills down the spines of the surrounding palace maids.

"Princess, you seem very happy?"

Qingyun nodded. It was a rare treat to have dinner tonight, and how could she not be happy without that burning gaze?

"Which imperial chef prepared tonight's dishes? I must give them a generous reward; they are absolutely delicious."

The woman in green was speechless. The princess was clearly only happy because the emperor wasn't there tonight. It seemed the princess truly didn't love the emperor.

The other palace maids all felt indignant on Situ Xingyun's behalf. Poor Emperor, his deep affection was wasted on the princess. Alas, it seems the princess doesn't love the Emperor, only the prince.

Just then, the voice of a eunuch came from outside the Snow Palace.

"The Jade Consort has arrived!"

The palace maids all bowed to Yu Wuxia as she gracefully arrived.

When Qingyun saw Yu Wuxia arrive, her smile widened, and her eyebrows arched. "Wuxia, it's been so long since I've seen you."

She didn't have time to cover her mouth and chuckle; every frown and smile exuded a captivating and mature elegance.

"Wuxia, have you had dinner?"

“I haven’t had much of an appetite lately, and I can’t eat anything.” Wuxia paused, looked up at Qingyun, and said softly, “I haven’t seen Sister Qingyun for a long time. I’ve been thinking of coming to see you, but…” Wuxia bit her lip, a hint of loneliness and sadness in her eyes.

Qingyun noticed, blinked slightly, and understood the reason for her loneliness and sadness.

She stood up and pulled Wuxia to sit beside her, teasingly saying, "Wuxia is getting more and more beautiful lately. Look, her hands are as white as cream, they're so lovely to touch!"

Her flawless face flushed, and she lowered her eyes, her brows furrowed with a girlish shyness.

Qingyun smiled, and an idea gradually surfaced in her mind.

"Wuxia, do you know what Sister Qingyun's favorite food is?"

Wuxia paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "When we left the palace, Ziyi once said that Sister Qingyun's favorite food is chestnut chicken."

"Wuxia truly understands my heart. Tomorrow, I will have lunch at Yuxuan."

Without a moment to spare, she nodded, "Yes. Tomorrow I will definitely instruct the imperial chef to make the most delicious chestnut chicken. Yuxuan, Sister Qingyun hasn't visited in a long time!"

"Logically speaking, you should have concubines visiting you at Yuxuan every day!" Once someone gains favor, the concubines will fawn over each other. Moreover, you're currently too busy to receive constant favors.

"Hmm." A hint of weariness lingered in her flawless eyes. The fake smiles of those concubines always annoyed her. But being in the inner palace, she had no choice but to force a smile for the sake of her future.

"You've worked so hard." Qingyun affectionately patted her head.

She didn't even have time to smile.

The next day, Situ Xingyun came to Xue Palace as soon as court was over, and Qingyun immediately stepped out of Xue Palace as soon as Situ Xingyun arrived.

"Xue'er, where are you going?" Situ Xingyun still had a smile on his face, and his long, narrow phoenix eyes were still filled with tenderness, as if the awkward conversation from yesterday had never happened.

Volume 3: Truth and Falsehood in the Palace - Candied Hawthorn 2

Qingyun, unusually, didn't maintain her usual indifferent expression. A slight smile played on her lips as she replied, "To Yuxuan." She paused, then raised an eyebrow. "Would Xingyun like to come along?"

“Okay.” Situ Xingyun’s eyes sparkled with a warm smile.

Yuxuan.

The table was laden with delicious food. Yu Wuxia sat at the table, quietly waiting for Qingyun, a faint smile on her face.

"Your Highness, is Princess Xiangxue coming later?" a palace maid asked from the side.

Yu Wuxia nodded gently.

"Wow! Is that Princess Xiangxue, who is as beautiful as a fairy descended from heaven?" Xiaomei's eyes widened in surprise.

Xiao Mei was formerly Consort Ning's personal maid. After Consort Ning was sentenced to death, Wu Xia felt sorry for her and took her to Yu Xuan. However, Xiao Mei was a quick-witted and sharp-tongued girl who often made Wu Xia smile.

Just then, a eunuch's voice came from outside the door—"The Emperor has arrived—Princess Xiangxue has arrived—"

Wuxia was first startled, then overjoyed. She quickly stepped forward to greet the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, I greet you."

The palace maids of Yuxuan also bowed to Situ Xingyun and Qingyun.

"You may rise, Consort Yu." Situ Xingyun smiled and helped Yu Wuxia up.

At this moment, Qingyun stepped forward and smiled sweetly at Wuxia, "Wuxia."

"Qing..." Suddenly realizing that Situ Xingyun was still beside her, she didn't have time to change her address and said, "Princess Xiangxue."

Qingyun's eyes flashed, and she nodded.

Knowing that Yu Wuxia and Qingyun had always been on good terms, Situ Xingyun said, "Consort Yu, there's no need to be too bound by palace rules."

Wuxia then smiled sweetly and said, "Sister Qingyun."

After a brief chat about everyday matters, Situ Xingyun, Qingyun, and Yu Wuxia took their seats.