Сун Синчжи жил во времена правления императора Хуэйцзуна

Глава 80

Seeing the beautiful woman sighing at the moon, Xi Ri suddenly remembered something.

I remember that day, the four brothers gathered in their third brother's room, and their second brother, Nalan, brought up a matter concerning Suoge's rejection of Marquis Ning's marriage proposal to his sister, Princess Ningxiang. The reason this matter became so widely known was that Marquis Ning was dissatisfied with Suoge's reason for refusing the marriage and took it to the Emperor, hoping for his intervention. However, rumors circulated that Suoge's rejection was very firm, and the matter ultimately came to nothing.

After hearing this, the fourth brother, with a half-smile, sneered, "I think this Suo Ge has been obsessed ever since he rejected Tian Xiri's marriage proposal two years ago. He won't even let go of his sister's, rejecting one marriage proposal after another, regardless of whether it's from a wealthy family or royalty. I bet his eyes aren't even in this place." He pointed to his eyes, then to the top of his head, saying, "They're in here!"

Everyone laughed.

Fourth Brother was clearly mocking Suo Ge for being arrogant and looking down on everyone! Although Fourth Brother's words were somewhat sarcastic, they also made some sense.

She had heard a little about Princess Ningxiang. Ningxiang was the most renowned young lady among those born after her. Not only was she beautiful, but her demeanor was also elegant and graceful. She was also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and was especially skilled in the water sleeve dance. It was said that when Princess Ningxiang danced with her long sleeves, all who heard her were captivated, and all who watched were mesmerized. Noble young men in the capital who were not yet married all wanted to marry her, and she was even more sought after than she had been before she was engaged.

However, her brother, Suoge, refused several marriage proposals from prominent families in the capital. Some say it was because the Prince of Xi doted on his only sister, but others say that Suoge was simply arrogant and disdainful of others.

Interestingly, this incident actually vindicated Xiri.

When people mention Suoge's refusal of marriage, they naturally think of Tian Xiri, the second young lady of the Tian family, who was rejected two years ago. These days, whenever Tian Xiri is mentioned, few people in the capital speak ill of her anymore. On the contrary, some criticize that Prince Suoge's standards are indeed too high. Furthermore, since Tian Xiri has been betrothed to Prince Minglu as his principal wife, all the previous rumors have naturally been dispelled, and her reputation has actually improved.

Thinking of this, Xi Ri shook her head and smiled. It made sense that Suo Ge had high standards. Back then, Suo Ge didn't even look down on her. How could he marry his sister off to those playboys who had noble titles but no achievements? Also, the little white girl that Princess Ningxiang mentioned in front of the Matchmaker Temple this afternoon... Perhaps Princess Ningxiang already has someone she loves.

Pulling herself back to reality, she noticed that Ningxiang was still standing alone by the water, showing no intention of leaving. Xiri decided to leave quietly.

She hadn't gone far when she heard a "splash," as if someone had fallen into the water. Her first thought was of Ningxiang by the pond, and she stopped in her tracks. Then she heard a woman calling for help, and startled, she instinctively ran towards the woman's location.

Rushing back to the pond, they were astonished to find Ningxiang struggling in the water. Originally, the spot where she fell into the water was not far from the shore, but because of her erratic struggle, she gradually drifted further away.

Unfortunately, he couldn't swim and couldn't find a stick or rope for the time being. In his haste, he had a sudden inspiration. He tore off his cloak, tied a knot at one end, and threw it towards Ningxiang in the water, shouting, "Quick, grab it! Grab it!"

Ningxiang, already panicked after falling into the water, knew someone had thrown something at her, but she just grabbed at it haphazardly, failing several times. After struggling and seeing her strength waning, Xiri became even more anxious. She pulled back her cloak and swung it far away again, shouting, "Grab it quickly!" Her cry was shrill, perhaps from terror, or perhaps from the force she exerted; she almost lost her voice. Fortunately, this time the cloak, being soaked, swung further, landing right beside Ningxiang's flailing hands, which she finally managed to grab.

Seeing that she had grabbed him, Xi Ri was overjoyed and used all his strength to pull the cloak towards the shore. Ning Xiang was finally rescued and brought ashore.

Both of them collapsed by the pond.

Ningxiang was soaked to the bone and looked utterly disheveled. She lay weakly on the shore, coughing and vomiting up dirty water from her stomach. She felt terrible and seemed to have collapsed. In addition, the autumn air was chilly, and she was shivering uncontrollably from being completely soaked.

Although she was otherwise well, the recent fright had left her drenched in a cold sweat. Recalling Ningxiang's struggle between life and death, where life and death seemed to be separated by only a moment, she felt a lingering sense of dread. Her limbs felt weak, and she sat down by the pond, panting. She didn't care that her hair and hairpins were disheveled and askew, or that her clothes were covered in mud. She sat on the ground in a disheveled state.

Of the two, Xi Ri was the first to recover. Seeing Ning Xiang in front of her, her expression was sad and delicate, like a pear blossom after the rain, pale and fragile, making her pitiful. She couldn't help but ask softly, "Are you alright?" She took out her handkerchief and handed it to her.

Ningxiang had stopped coughing. She turned to her and gave her a weak smile, a hint of fragility flashing in her eyes after the shock. She took the handkerchief Xiri offered and said softly, "Thank you, Sister Tian."

Xi Ri wasn't surprised that Ning Xiang recognized her. Although they had never actually met before, they had heard of each other. Besides, since this afternoon at the Temple of the Matchmaker... they were already acquainted.

Just then, footsteps came from not far away, presumably from the palace guards patrolling nearby who had heard the sound and were rushing over.

Sure enough, a short while later, the guards appeared, among them was Xu Yi, the captain of the guards who was on duty in the inner court that evening. She recognized Xu Yi from the past; she had seen him from afar with her fourth brother on the veranda at her third brother's residence. At that time, she didn't recognize him, only knowing that Xu Yi might be visiting her third brother. But because she had seen Xu Yi in a white robe, with a tall and upright figure and outstanding temperament, she couldn't help but take a second look. Her fourth brother thought she was wondering who he was, so he told her some things about him. She remembered that her fourth brother had said that Xu Yi came from a good family, with a ancestor who was a general, and that his martial arts were from the same lineage as her third brother's, making him, in fact, her third brother's senior brother.

Xu Yi looked to be in his early twenties, but he was a calm and composed person. When he saw the two women in such a disheveled state, his expression did not change at all. He glanced at Xi Ri with his eyes before respectfully stepping forward. He first paid his respects to Princess Ningxiang before asking her questions.

Xi Ri knew perfectly well that although Ning Xiang hadn't actually fallen into the water and she had only tried to rescue her, the matter had become much more complicated once it reached the ears of others in the palace. Especially considering the delicate relationship between her and Suo Ge... Many members of the royal family were present at the time, and if the matter escalated and reached the ears of the Emperor and Empress Dowager, even a simple matter would become very complicated.

Ningxiang was, after all, a princess, while Xiri, though the daughter of the emperor's brother-in-law, had no official rank or title and could not interrupt her. However, seeing that Princess Ningxiang was only hanging her head and not responding, Xiri guessed that she must have been frightened and was still in shock and at a loss. Knowing that things had to be explained, Xiri could only give Xu Yi a slight bow and smile, saying, "My lord, I have a favor to ask, and I would be grateful if you would grant it."

Xu Yi turned away to refuse the courtesy, knowing full well that it must be because of her engagement to Ming Lu that he was so respectful to her.

Xu Yi said, "Miss Tian, please speak."

Sure enough, he knew who she was.

Xi Ri smiled faintly, "Please pretend you didn't see Princess Ningxiang and my disheveled state tonight, sir." Xi Ri paused, carefully observing Xu Yi's expression. Seeing that he remained unchanged, she secretly sighed at his profound nature. Xi Ri continued, "Sir, to be honest, my sister and I are actually meeting for the first time tonight. Although it's our first meeting, we hit it off immediately. We drank and chatted together at the banquet, reminiscing about the fun we had as children playing in the water. In our drunken state, we wanted to relive those childhood memories, so we boldly came here to play around. We didn't expect to disturb you, sir. I have a favor to ask. On the one hand, I ask you to understand and consider our dignity as young ladies. On the other hand, I hope our drunken folly won't spoil the Mid-Autumn Festival enjoyment of the Emperor and all the imperial relatives. Please, sir..."

Before Xi Ri could finish speaking, Xu Yi interrupted, "The two young ladies are playing here. Please forgive my intrusion and I will take my leave now."

Xu Yi retreated quickly, leaving with the others in the blink of an eye.

Only after Xu Yi and the others disappeared did Xi Ri turn around and see Ning Xiang's gaze fixed on her face, flickering with complex emotions, one of which Xi Ri perceived as: affection. Xi Ri's heart tightened slightly.

This place is not safe to stay any longer. Xi Ri helped the weak Ning Xiang up and hesitated, wondering what to do with them in such a disheveled state in the crowded palace. Suddenly, Ning Xiang spoke softly, "Ning Xiang thanks you for saving my life today, sister."

I smiled when I heard that yesterday.

Just then, a hand suddenly reached out and helped Ningxiang up. Xiri looked over and saw that it was Suoge. Seeing him suddenly appear, Xiri calmed down. Her intuition told her that Suoge hadn't just arrived, but she didn't know how long he had been there.

Upon seeing Suoge, Ningxiang could no longer hold back her sobs and said, "Brother... Xiang'er almost... almost never saw you again."

Xi Ri quietly let go of Ning Xiang's hand that was supporting her.

"Don't be afraid, it's alright now." Holding his sister, Suoge gently comforted her, but when he raised his eyes slightly, he met Xiri's probing gaze.

His gaze…seeing into her eyes, for a fleeting moment, no longer held the usual indifference and aloofness; it seemed to contain something she could understand. What was it?…Before she could figure it out, she noticed a faint smile in Suoge's eyes. She suddenly realized that she had been uncontrollably drawn to his gaze, and felt utterly embarrassed. She awkwardly looked away, turned, and walked away, faster and faster until she was almost running. She abandoned all the reserve of a well-bred lady, discarded all propriety and etiquette, and forgot that she was still in the palace, her hair disheveled. She charged forward recklessly, almost fleeing, just to sever the connection between their eyes that had never met before…

Afterwards, no one mentioned Ningxiang falling into the water, and the matter was naturally dropped.

That night, after running around aimlessly for a while, she realized her recklessness. Just as she was feeling lost, she was fortunate enough to encounter Tian Shuang, who had come looking for her. She didn't hear what Tian Shuang said or asked, nor did she answer. She only knew that Tian Shuang had helped her fix her hair, and they left the palace together. Later, she learned that the banquet had ended long ago that night, and seeing that Xi Ri hadn't returned, Consort Shu had sent people to look for her. Her third sister, Xi Yun, waited for a long time but didn't see her return, so she went to the Imperial Household Department to take a sedan chair out of the palace to return home. Tian Shuang had also been searching for her in the palace for a long time. A guard told her that Tian Xi Ri might be in this direction, so she came looking for her. Fortunately, when they arrived at the Imperial Household Department, the crowd had already dispersed, and it was dark, so no one noticed that her clothes were dirty. After getting into the sedan chair, they left the palace safely.

But! One day! For the next day, Xiri kept belittling herself! She couldn't forgive herself!

It's no use, she's really useless, she couldn't help but beat her chest and stomp her feet in frustration!

Why did she run? Why did she run? Why did she run? How did she start running? How far did she run in one breath? Did she step with her right leg or her left leg first? Did she swing her left arm or her right arm first? Which arm and which leg did she use?

Because of this, Xi Ri despised herself so much that she would sometimes suddenly stop and beat her chest and stamp her feet while walking, which caused Tian Shuang, who served her, to keep a distance of three steps from her to avoid being accidentally bumped into or hit by her waving fist. When the young lady suddenly stopped and beat her chest and stamped her feet, she would look at her from afar with a look as if she were possessed by a ghost.

That day, poor Tian Shuang was too lazy to ask, "Miss, what's wrong with you?" because the answer was always the same: "When I run away, which leg do I step with first? Left leg? Right leg?" Upon hearing this, Tian Shuang was dumbfounded for the first time, suspicious for the second time, sighed with her head down for the third time, ignored it for the fourth time, and for the fifth time... sorry, there was no fifth time. She wouldn't be stupid enough to ask a fifth time.

Actually, what Xi Ri regretted so much wasn't which arm or leg she had lost; what she regretted was not remaining calm at that moment, needlessly letting go of a golden opportunity bestowed upon her by heaven. She could have coldly, disdainfully, contemptuously, arrogantly, or haughtily told Suo Ge, "You owe me a favor!" and then coolly turned and walked away. Making that arrogant, haughty, and self-important Suo Ge feel indebted to her—that was what she wanted to do, what she should have done!

But not only did she fail to say those words, that very night she also... just... just... ran away in a disheveled state because of one look from that guy, oh my god!

The image of that smug, arrogant, and haughty fellow, Suoge, was vividly etched in her mind, like a tearful wound. And she… ah… just thinking about it made her chest tighten; so humiliating… so frustrating…