Robe blanche

Chapitre 77

Shen Zexuan released my hand, gently wrapped his arm around me, and whispered in my ear, "Shall I write you a letter?" His lips lightly brushed against my ear.

I blushed and nodded almost imperceptibly. Shen Zexuan then said, "Remember to wear the jade pendant I gave you next time."

I was a little confused, but Shen Zexuan smiled mysteriously and said, "You must remember." He only left after I nodded in agreement. After he was out of sight, I went back into the plum grove and picked a few more plum blossoms before leaving the plum garden and returning to Qiufeng Garden.

A few days later, as I was building a new snowman in the courtyard, a young servant I rarely saw approached me with a bow. Judging from his attire, he must be someone who tends the flowers in the greenhouse. The servant handed me a small envelope and said, "My name is Alu. If you need anything, young lady, you can find me in the greenhouse." After saying this, he quickly withdrew.

I held the letter with some suspicion, thinking to myself: Shen Zexuan wouldn't have written to me so soon, would he?

He went back inside, took out a plain white paper from the envelope, on which was written only one line of poetry: "Tonight the moon is bright again, who will stand in the wind and gaze at the moon?"

He chuckled inwardly. Could he really have written such words? He picked up his brush and wrote: "The clouds weave patterns, the stars convey sorrow, the Milky Way stretches vast and silent. A single meeting in the golden autumn breeze and jade dew surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world. Tender feelings flow like water, the auspicious day is like a dream, how can one bear to look back on the magpie bridge's return path? If two hearts are truly bound for eternity, why should they be together every morning and evening?"

Is it about the depth of feeling? I won't lose in terms of writing skills. After finishing, I went to the flower room to find Ah Lu and asked him to deliver it.

Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 61

Chapter word count: 3554 Update time: 09-08-15 15:20

With Shen Haoyu absent, the Princess's birthday celebration this year was rather somber, without the grand banquet and invitations to guests as in previous years. This was one aspect. On the other hand, there had been a slight change in the personnel within the Prince Qing's residence. Although minor, there was a vague sense that something was different.

I never saw Shen Zexuan again, but every few days Alu would send me a letter, usually containing only cryptic words. I replied to each one in his style. The rest of the days were spent either with Yinyan or strolling around the rare bird garden. Time flowed by day by day in this seemingly peaceful atmosphere.

The weather was getting colder and colder. After the first snow, the sky was almost never clear. Often, before the previous snow had melted completely, the second snow would fall and cover the whole world. If this continued, what would the scene be like in the more distant north? Fortunately, Zi Nuo and the others went to the Golden Sparrow Kingdom, not the Xuan Kingdom.

That day, I took a small heater and went to the pigeon coop again. I helped Shi Nan take care of the pigeons and chatted with him, hoping to catch up on what was happening outside. Shi Nan was very discreet; he didn't reveal anything he shouldn't have told me, and I wasn't interested in finding out. Knowing that someone would report on Zinuo and the others' situation every day, this was the only thing I cared about.

"Shi Nan, do you know when Brother Song and the others will be back?" Two days ago, I learned that Zinuo and the others had entered Youjing territory. With only half a month left until the New Year, I don't know if they can make it back in time. I also don't know if Song Zhixuan and the others who were sent out can come back to celebrate the New Year together.

Shi Nan shook his head and said, "The master summoned them back and they came back. We don't know the situation now."

I sighed in disappointment, increasingly regretting my promise to Zinuo. Now I was all alone. If it weren't for my weak martial arts skills and the fear of becoming a burden to them, I would have insisted on going with them.

After feeding the pigeons in the cage, I was about to ask Shi Nan if today's letter had arrived when I saw a pigeon flutter in, its feathers stained with blood. A sense of foreboding washed over me. I watched intently as Shi Nan removed the bamboo tube from the pigeon's leg, checked it to make sure it wasn't injured, and fed it some food. Only then did I tremble and ask, "What happened?"

Shi Nan glanced at me, said nothing, and turned to stride away. I jogged after him, asking, "Wasn't it their news?"

"Yes!" Shi Nan said, and headed towards Qinzhu Garden.

I stood there, bewildered. What did that "is" mean? Did it mean their message, or that I had said it?

Still feeling uneasy, I thought for a while and then headed towards Qinzhu Garden. After waiting at the gate for quite some time without seeing Shi Nan emerge, I couldn't help but say to the guard at the gate, "If you see Shi Nan later, could you tell him I'm waiting for him outside?"

The guard glanced inside and said, "Guard Shi probably won't be able to get out anytime soon."

I could only nod and turn around to stand under a courtyard wall that was slightly sheltered from the wind to wait.

I waited for ages; although my hands weren't cold from holding the hand warmer, my feet were almost frozen. Just as I was getting anxious, I finally saw Shi Nan come out, walking hurriedly. I quickly went up to him and asked, "Is it news of the young prince and the others?"

Shi Nan looked at me with some surprise: "You've been waiting here?"

I nodded. Isn't it obvious?

"Didn't I tell you it wasn't?" Shi Nan looked at me amusedly, and I was a little annoyed: "You are 'yes'!"

Shi Nan shook his head helplessly: "You asked if it was 'no,' so I'll tell you you're right."

I argued with Shi Nan for a long time about whether it was true or not. Anyway, as long as Zinuo and the others were safe and sound, I was in a good mood and had the energy to chat with Shi Nan.

"It's all your fault, you couldn't even speak clearly!" I raised an eyebrow at Shi Nan.

Shi Nan sighed, "You're overthinking it, aren't you?"

This Shi Nan is much more cheerful and talkative now than he was a few years ago; he's no longer the timid girl who followed Lin Zhao around when we first met.

It was cold outside, but warm inside the blankets. I tossed and turned several times, unwilling to get up, even though my back and waist were aching. While I was still struggling with the decision of whether to get up or not, there was a loud knocking on the door. Yin Yan's voice rang out from outside, undisguisedly anxious: "Huai En, open the door quickly!"

I quickly put on my clothes and got out of bed to welcome Yinyan in: "What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Yin Yan closed the door and said urgently in a low voice, "Yu Ying just brought news that Master was attacked and injured."

How did Yu Ying find out?

"Isn't she with the Princess Consort right now? The Prince went to the Princess Consort early this morning to tell her. It was still early, and there weren't many people there. The Prince also instructed that this matter should not be made public." Yin Yan was very anxious, and her face was a little pale.

My anxiety was no less than hers. The news had probably just arrived. Shen Haoyu and the others should still be within the territory of Marquis Qiyun. Even with carrier pigeons, it would take at least two days. If Shen Haoyu was injured, wouldn't the accompanying guards suffer even greater casualties? Their forces were weakened these two days, and with five hundred Imperial Guards watching them like predators, many things could easily happen! Who told me their journey was safe? Was it Shen Zexuan or Shen Tingxuan? I can't remember. I only know they encountered danger as soon as they entered the country. How could they possibly make it back from such a long journey?

I hurriedly dressed and headed for the door, but Yinyan grabbed me and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Go find the Prince!" Yin Yan let go of my hand. I didn't even want to walk, so I used my lightness skill to go directly to Qinzhu Garden.

The same guard was at the door as yesterday. I stepped forward and said, "Could you please inform the Prince that someone from Qiufeng Garden is requesting an audience?"

The guard glanced at me and said, "It's you again?"

I said urgently, "Brother, please go and ask the Prince quickly. I really have something urgent to ask him." Afraid that he would not agree, I quickly took out the waist token that Shen Haoyu had given me to show him.

The guard glanced at the waist tag and said to another guard beside him, "I'll go and inform them."

I quickly said, "Thank you!"

Shen Haoyu originally intended for me to contact Shen Zexuan if anything happened, but I used it once to see them off when I left the mansion, and this time I used it to find Prince Qing. I haven't even contacted Shen Zexuan yet.

A moment later, the guard came out and said that Prince Qing wanted me to come in. I thanked him again before hurrying into Qinzhu Garden. This was my second time visiting Qinzhu Garden. The first time was when Shen Haoyu brought me here after the ban was lifted. At that time, Prince Qing and Mr. Qi were sitting in the hall drinking tea together. This time, only Prince Qing was standing by the window of the study, looking at something.

As I entered, I bowed to Prince Qing. Prince Qing turned around and asked, "What brings you to me today?"