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"The girl's heart is truly with Long Yao." He coughed lightly as he said this, then looked away, half-lying on the bed with his eyes fixed on a certain spot.

"Yes." I readily admitted that back in Longyao, the fox said that he would write to Xiuruo. My temporary stay in Longyao and my final destination were not issues. So the old man already understood everything. Moreover, I'm afraid the old man already knew about my relationship with the fox a long time ago.

He didn't speak again, and lay there half-reclined for a while longer. I didn't speak either. After a while, the old empress brought the medicine over herself, and I realized that I hadn't had time to eat breakfast or lunch, even though we had made it in time.

"Yue'er greets Your Majesty." I quickly stood up and bowed.

"Girl, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." The old empress walked up to me with the medicine in her hands. She looked a little haggard, but when she looked at me, a smile appeared on her face, her kindness and gentleness tinged with joy.

I smiled at her, then turned and helped the old man up. The old empress approached, sat on the edge of the bed, and personally fed the old man the medicine spoonful by spoonful. The tenderness in her expression was touching.

After taking the medicine, I helped the old man lie down, and he closed his eyes to rest. I wanted to stay and watch over him for a while, but the old empress took my hand, patted the back of my hand gently with her other hand, and sighed, "Girl, you've been traveling so fast. I see you look tired, so go down and have something to eat and take a nap. Get some rest. Your royal grandfather understands your filial piety."

"Thank you, Grandma." I put my arm around her waist, snuggled closer to her, and as I stepped back and looked up, I smiled and said, "Grandma, don't worry too much. Grandpa will recover soon."

She nodded, and I bowed and took my leave. As I walked out of the palace towards the Drunken Moon Palace, I was surprised to see my uncle, the Crown Prince, and Old Man Yun coming towards me. I had no choice but to greet them and pay my respects.

"Yue'er is finally back." The Crown Prince was as elegant and noble as ever. He looked at me as if I were a loving elder looking at a favorite junior. He said with a kind smile, "Your royal grandfather has been thinking about you every day while you were gone. Now that you're back, have you gone to see your royal grandfather?"

"I came back from the Emperor's palace," I replied with a smile. Uncle Crown Prince was clearly asking a question he already knew the answer to.

"How is Father Emperor's health?" he asked with a gentle smile, as if it were a natural question.

"Hmm." I responded instinctively, and was surprised to see that not only my uncle, the Crown Prince, but even Old Man Yun looked at me with a different expression, as if deep in thought or pondering. So I smiled wider and said more frankly, "Grandpa Emperor is very well, really."

It couldn't be my imagination, could it? The Crown Prince and Old Man Yun's expressions changed twice after hearing my answer. This is too strange. Asking me about the old man's condition was already odd, but their reaction to my answer was even more unusual—though that reaction came and went quickly. And then there were the guards outside the old man's palace, Old Man Yun not following me into the palace, and only the Empress and Chen Shou inside… Good heavens, could this be so melodramatic? Could there be some hidden reason or ulterior motive behind the old man's illness? More importantly, what's going on now?

"Moon is tired from the journey and her appearance is not quite right, so I'll get off first." I bowed and hurried towards Drunken Moon Palace amidst their conflicted expressions.

Clouds Drunk and Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Four: A Hidden Melancholy and Resentment Arise in Prince Hao's Mansion

Chapter word count: 7409 Update time: 08-12-24 13:01

Prince Hao's Mansion

Back at Drunken Moon Palace, before I even entered, a group of people came to greet me from afar. Yao Yao leaped out, stopping abruptly in front of me, and licked my face three times with her tongue. That wet, sticky feeling, however, felt warm to me at that moment. I reached out and hugged her tightly, calling "Yao Yao," "Yao Yao," several times. Thinking of what I had experienced before, of Xi Lan now, of my identity and the secrets of the six kingdoms, of all the problems I would face, I was overwhelmed with emotions and tears welled up in my eyes.

"Princess, please come inside."

It was Wang An's voice, and not only Wang An's, but also Yan'er's, as well as the guards, maids and eunuchs of Zuiyue Palace. Apart from Wang An, the others only dared to stand at a distance, but they all kept muttering, "The princess is back, the princess is back."

I composed myself, released Yao Yao, looked Wang An up and down, and then nodded to him, saying, "Is everyone back?"

"Yes, Princess."

"How is Cui'er?" Mu Mo should have protected Cui'er well when I was attacked that day. I just wonder if she will be punished by the family rules, or even worse, after she returns to the Yun family because of my kidnapping?

"When the servant returned, she was still lying in bed."

"Lying in bed?" I repeated softly. Sure enough, although it had nothing to do with Cui'er, as long as Cui'er was by my side, and something happened to me, she would definitely be implicated and would have to take responsibility. "When you came back, was she alright?"

"Princess, rest assured, there is no danger to your life. You should have recovered by now," he replied, bowing slightly.

I nodded, turned and walked inside, with Wang An carefully following beside me. The fact that I had been killed by the Holy Blood Chrysanthemum was probably already public knowledge, so I heard that everything in the Drunken Moon Palace had been blessed beforehand. My bedchamber even contained a peace charm that the old empress had personally prayed to the spirit of Xiu Ruo. I first bathed and cleansed myself, changed my clothes, and then Imperial Physician Jiang carefully examined my pulse. After confirming that I was merely weak and fatigued and otherwise unharmed, I was finally able to catch my breath.

"Wang An, how is my brother doing in Xiuruo?" I had already returned to Xiuruo, but I still didn't know how my brother had been doing there for the past few months. Actually, I should have known without asking. I learned from Zhang De this morning that my brother had moved in, and although there was a formal ceremony to recognize his ancestors, his status wasn't even that of an illegitimate child. According to the rules of Xiuruo's ancestors, the imperial surname hadn't been bestowed upon him. So, my brother was only recognized as the eldest son of Prince Hao, but he was still called Yunfeng. I found Xiuruo's rules strange, but the strangeness of the rules was secondary. The important thing was that under such rules, it wasn't hard to imagine what my brother's life would be like here.

"Everything is fine, Lord Yun tells the princess not to worry."

“My brother is always like this,” I sighed softly, more to myself than to Wang An. Although everyone knew that Yun Feng had once been the Prime Minister of Longyao Kingdom, a capable and accomplished ruler, he was now merely a fourth-rank Court Judge in Xiu Ruo. Perhaps Yun Feng didn't feel wronged, but I felt it was unfair to him. The Second Prince, Yun Laotou, mainly handled two tasks: punishment and revenue collection. He could have arranged a better position for my brother, but he didn't. A fourth-rank Court Judge meant he wouldn't even have the opportunity to attend court, and was undoubtedly under Yun Laotou's watchful eye and control.

Yunfeng and I are siblings, born of the same parents. In terms of personal talent, Yunfeng far surpasses me. Yet, our situations in Xiuruo are worlds apart. I arrived as a princess with a fiefdom, an exception to the norm, residing in the Zuiyue Palace, closest to the old man's residence. Later, I became a censor. To outsiders, though a pampered princess who appeared out of nowhere, I am the most favored by the Emperor and Empress. The old man and Empress tacitly allow me to act as I please in many matters and according to many rules. Everyone in the palace, whether master or servant, openly fawns over me. Yunfeng, on the other hand, lives in an awkward position, likely enduring much coldness and criticism. His official rank is low; even entering the palace requires imperial permission. I don't know how Yunfeng negotiated with the fox after giving up everything in Longyao Kingdom, or what his plans are in Xiuruo, but I know that Yunfeng's actions are undoubtedly because of me. Thinking of this, my guilt deepens.

After eating something and resting briefly, it was nearly evening. I first went to the old man's palace to pay my respects. The old empress was keeping watch, and the old man was asleep. Apart from Chen Shou, there was no one else in the large palace. My mind became clearer, and I asked the old empress for permission to visit my brother at Prince Hao's residence and also to see my father's family. Since arriving in Xiuruo, I had never actually set foot in Prince Hao's residence. Although I am a princess, I am still Prince Hao's daughter, and it is only right that I go home to visit. The old empress looked slightly tired and nodded, only saying to take the guards, and then urging me to return to the palace early. I nodded in agreement, returned to the palace, and had Wang An prepare a carriage and gifts. I took only Wang An and two guards to drive the carriage, and then left the palace.

I know that Ye Feng and Mu Mo are definitely in the shadows.

The Prince Hao's residence was very close to the palace, and taking a shortcut made it even faster. After exiting the outermost palace gate, the carriage stopped in about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. The Prince Hao's residence was grand in scale, with high walls and deep gates, its imposing presence tinged with an air of opulent wealth. I gestured to the guards at the gate that there was no need to announce my arrival, and then asked if Yunfeng had returned. After receiving an affirmative answer, I entered with Wang An.

Although I didn't want to disturb anyone, I ended up having to trouble others after only a few steps inside the manor. There was no other way; the Prince Hao's manor had many gates, courtyards, and small parks, and it was getting dark. I couldn't tell which way was which, and I didn't know where Yunfeng lived. How was I supposed to find him? When the steward came running up breathlessly and knelt down to pay his respects, I simply waved to him and said, "I've come to find my brother. Please lead the way."

Following the butler through the winding paths, I realized that while the Yun residence was luxurious and extravagant, it still paled in comparison to the Hao Prince's residence. Old Man Yun was indeed an incredibly wealthy man; the Hao Prince's residence was not only larger than the Yun residence, but also more resplendent and imposing. Yet, in comparison, I still preferred the Yun residence, for it was more refined and gentler.

Despite the winding path, I felt a surge of excitement, knowing I would finally see my brother again. So when I saw Xiu Ruo Hengsong and Xiu Ruo Xitang—Old Man Yun's other two children—coming towards me, and I regretted it, I still managed a fake smile and prepared to at least say hello. After all, these two were my younger brother and sister—a brother and sister I had only met less than three times.

"Isn't this my elder sister? I didn't expect her to be back, and even to grace the Prince Hao's residence with her presence. Why didn't you send someone to inform us beforehand so we could prepare to come out and greet her?" The first to speak was Xiu Ruoxitang, who was only sixteen years old. She was a princess, and I was a princess. Moreover, I was three years older than her, yet she bowed slightly, which was not even a proper greeting. It was very impolite and lacked manners.

But here in Xiuruo, when no one is around, she's not the only one who's been rude and disrespectful to me. I'm used to it. Even if someone is polite and well-behaved in front of me, I know it's only because they're unwilling to accept it. Secretly, they're probably cursing and despising me a thousand times over. I don't care anymore. Avoiding trouble is my survival principle in the Xiuruo Palace, and it remains the same now that I'm outside. Besides, these people are just like random passersby to me. I have no interest in their attitudes or their thoughts!

"Sister, are you joking?" Before I could speak, Xiu Ruo Hengsong, who was only a year younger than me and Yunfeng and eighteen years old this year, immediately spoke up, "My elder sister is a princess, and the most noble princess in our Xiu Ruo family. Her status is much higher than ours. Her coming to our Haowang Mansion is an honor for the manor. Moreover, my elder sister is not coming to see us. If someone is to be notified in advance, it is not to inform us. I'm afraid only our newly emerged elder brother is qualified to do so."

He used the word "冒" (mào, meaning "to provoke"), and when he said "大哥" (dà gē, meaning "elder brother"), his tone rose slightly, as if mocking. Originally, I didn't care what they said about me, and from the beginning, I had made up my mind not to cause trouble. But when I heard these words, anger suddenly rose in my heart. What they said about Yunfeng was more unbearable to me than what they said about me. I even instinctively wanted to curse.

"Big brother? I don't know what's wrong with Father. He just says he's going to acknowledge our ancestors without even checking. We don't look alike at all!" I was about to speak when Xiu Ruoxi Tang spoke up again. She looked around to make sure no one was watching, and since she was on her turf, she spoke with complete confidence and without any restraint. Xiu Ruoheng Song, who was beside her, changed his expression slightly and gestured for her to shut up, but Xiu Ruoxi Tang still finished speaking and glared back at Xiu Ruoheng Song, seemingly dissatisfied with her brother's cowardice.

“Sister Xitang, you’re sixteen this year, aren’t you? You’re practically a little adult now, how come you’re still so outspoken and ignorant of manners? It seems Father has spoiled you too much, which is why you’re so rude and unruly, even spreading rumors!” Hearing her say that, I laughed, and it wasn’t a fake laugh, but a cold laugh. I continued, “Sister Xitang, how about I pass on your questions to Father?”

"You... even if you tell Father what happened, do you think Father will punish me?" She was so angry that she even skipped the honorifics.

"Does it matter whether it will or won't? I'm afraid if the investigation reveals the result you wish for, then it will be Father who is punished!" I laughed heartily, noticing her face, which had been flushed with anger, turn noticeably pale. I laughed even harder, slowly walking up to her and saying, word by word, "Xiu Ruoxi Tang, remember this: I am a princess personally appointed and announced to the world by my grandfather's decree. This is an unchangeable fact. Whether my brother looks like Father or not is unimportant; what matters is that he looks like me. Let's let today's matter go, but if I hear you speak so recklessly again, I'll see who gets punished then."

"Royal Sister..." As Xiu Ruohengsong's voice rang out, I saw a figure appear in the distance behind him, walking towards us. The figure was wearing a blue-gray robe and smiled at me from afar. It was Yun Feng. I smiled back at him, and Xiu Ruohengsong's voice still reached my ears, "Xitang is young and has always been willful. I hope Royal Sister will not blame me for my offense just now."

"We're family, we shouldn't speak like strangers. Xitang doesn't understand this, but Hengsong should." I looked away and smiled casually at him, not forgetting that his words hadn't been pleasant either. Perhaps I'd been too mild-mannered in our previous few meetings, and they thought I was easy to bully. Besides, Yunfeng's sudden return, recognizing his ancestors and returning to the clan, while the old man hadn't given an explanation yet, these two couldn't possibly be members of the Xiu Ruo family if they didn't have a sense of crisis. Whether they were testing me or it was their true nature, they should understand from now on that even if I were a pushover, they weren't qualified to mess with me, and as for Yunfeng, I think they were even less of a match for him.

"Royal sister, Mother Consort needs to see us, we should go now." Xiu Ruo Hengsong neither pretended to accept the lecture nor showed any further disrespect. He took Xiu Ruo Xitang's hand and hurried forward after speaking.