Chapter 25 [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Leaving the Mansion.
Yu Jing was stunned for a long while, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down twice, before he finally spoke with difficulty, "Thank you, Lord Xie."
Her voice was soft, almost a sigh, but the room was quiet, and Xie Xuan heard it clearly. He didn't know why Sheng Hua was here, dressed in a maid's clothes. But even in maid's attire, she looked nothing like a maid. Her striking beauty, graceful figure, and most importantly, her aura—having spent so many years in the palace, she possessed a calm and serene presence that others lacked.
The room fell silent. Truly, utterly silent.
Yu Jing felt suffocated, as if she were standing in chest-deep water that was slowly rising. The appearance of the Night Wanderer was like pulling Yu Jing out of the water, and Yu Jing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Fairy Yu Jing, don't panic. After all, the Heavenly Lord is only your subject now, and he certainly won't ask you what you're doing here. On the contrary, Fairy Yu Jing can ask the Heavenly Lord to help you leave the palace," the Night Wanderer said, continuing to explain. "Now that you've revealed your true form before the Heavenly Lord, you absolutely cannot use your magic anymore. Fairy Yu Jing, take care. This is all I can do to help you."
Yu Jing blinked, as if in response. Upon seeing Yu Jing's response, the Night Wanderer immediately vanished.
"Thank you, Your Excellency," Yu Jing spoke again, "Could you help me return to the palace?"
As soon as Yu Jing finished speaking, Xie Xuan thought about many things. Given Sheng Hua's shrewdness and cunning, even if it was an accident that she entered the same room with him, how could she have gotten in but not been able to get out? Moreover, Sheng Hua was dressed like this; even if the Empress Dowager wanted to conceal her whereabouts when leaving the palace, she should have been accompanied by several people. But looking at Sheng Hua, it seemed as if she hadn't brought anyone with her.
Although Xie Xuan was suspicious, he wasn't stupid. No matter how much he suspected Sheng Hua, he couldn't ask her about it. She was the Empress Dowager, and he was just a subject.
"Yes," Xie Xuan replied. "Your Majesty, please sit for a while, and I will think of a solution."
"Okay." Yu Jing replied, feeling rather embarrassed, since it was she who had caused the trouble and Xie Xuan was the one to solve it for her.
Xie Xuan stood there, feeling a bit of a headache. Although not everyone had seen Sheng Hua's appearance, the guests at the Zheng family banquet today were all wealthy and powerful. It wouldn't be good if someone recognized her. Xie Xuan hesitated for a while, then walked to the door, turned around and said to Yu Jing, "I would like to trouble Your Majesty to go to the inner room to avoid us for a moment."
Upon hearing this, Yu Jing, though unsure of Xie Xuan's intentions, still got up and went into the inner room. Behind the silk tapestry screen depicting landscapes in ink and wash, a candle was lit. Yu Jing stood behind the screen, pondered for a moment, and then, feeling that the silk tapestry screen was too thin, turned and hid behind the drawn curtain.
"Squeak!" The door opened. Perhaps Xie Xuan hadn't closed it properly, because Yu Jing could vaguely hear voices outside, but she couldn't hear them clearly.
After a while, the door was closed again. Yu Jing couldn't help but peek over. Xie Xuan was about to speak to her when he saw half a head peeking out from behind the curtain. Sheng Hua was dressed as a maid, and although she was much older than him, it was impossible to tell. She even looked somewhat like a young woman.
Before Xie Xuan could speak, there was a knock on the door. Yu Jing heard the sound and hurriedly turned around, hearing an unfamiliar male voice outside: "Young Master."
"Ayi, go prepare a carriage." Xie Xuan paused for a moment, then added, "Something spacious."
There was no sound outside, and after a while, Xie Yi responded, "Okay, I'll go right away."
Once the commotion outside had completely subsided, Xie Xuancai continued, "Your Majesty, I believe that if I were to go out wearing a veil, it would only arouse more suspicion. I will first scout out the way and see if there are any less crowded paths."
"Okay," Yu Jing replied.
Xie Xuan's considerations were actually quite thorough. Even if they weren't, Yu Jing had no choice but to listen to Xie Xuan.
"Your Majesty, please wait here for a moment. I will be right back." Xie Xuan bowed respectfully, then opened the door to his guest room and went out. After leaving, he casually turned the red-lacquered plaque in front of the door around to examine it carefully before taking the oil-paper umbrella from the doorway and leaving.
There was a small path in the back corridor, lit with candles, but due to the rain, the damp and sticky air, combined with the breeze, extinguished many of them. Xie Xuan opened his umbrella, preparing to explore whether this path led outside the mansion.
As soon as I opened the oil-paper umbrella, I heard a commotion at the entrance of the corridor. A woman's voice sounded angry, and her voice was urgent and fast.
"We must investigate this thoroughly tomorrow. There's such an ignorant maid in the small kitchen, daring to tease the young lady of the house. She's truly wicked. Greenie, tomorrow you must inform Granny Shi and summon all the servants in the mansion. We really need to discipline them properly!"
"Qingyun," a gentler, calmer voice replied, carrying a hint of reproach and scolding. It was probably the girl's name, because the girl immediately fell silent.
Xie Xuan felt strange and subconsciously glanced to the side. The three women, mistress and servants, had already seen him and were standing a little distance away. It was immediately obvious that the one in the middle was the mistress of the main family. She wore a light-colored robe with a subtle lotus pattern from the Yunmen sect, the hem of which was also the same color. Her hair was styled in a simple single bun, adorned with a hairpin that swayed slightly, perhaps because she had just stopped moving. Although her appearance was somewhat plain, she was undeniably beautiful, which made her even more charming and graceful.
Judging from what the maid next to him said, Xie Xuan could guess that the young lady of the main house must be Zheng Junshan's daughter, Zheng Leqing.
Xie Xuan had heard of Zheng Leqing before. He was one of the five noble sons of the capital, and Xie Xuan had met many of them when he was the Crown Prince's study companion, including Zheng Leqing. However, he was still young then, and his appearance had changed a lot since then.
Xie Xuan thought for a moment, nodded slightly to Zheng Leqing, and then opened his umbrella and headed down the path.
The two maids, still stunned after being scolded by Zheng Leqing, turned around and saw Xie Xuan. Dressed in a dark purple robe, he stood under the eaves, tall and handsome, with a slender, well-defined hand holding a barely open oil-paper umbrella. After nodding to them, Xie Xuan walked away.
Qingyun was the first to react: "I wonder which family's young master he is, he is quite handsome."
Green replied, "Yes, she seems to have a gentle and refined personality."
The two maids had served Zheng Leqing since they were young, so they naturally didn't speak as reservedly as the other servants. Zheng Leqing wasn't interested; she glanced at them through the rain and said, "Let's go."
Xie Xuan walked along the winding path, which was dimly lit. After a while, he saw a covered walkway ahead with a small door. It looked like a side door or a gate.
"Who goes there?" Two guards were still standing at the small gate. They asked when they saw the person who came in.
Xie Xuan was startled and quickly made up a lie: "My wife is drunk and accidentally got her clothes wet. There are many guests in the front hall, so she came looking for a shortcut. I hope you two can help me."
The path was dimly lit, and Xie Xuan was half-hidden in the shadows. Although his face wasn't clearly visible, his attire and demeanor certainly didn't suggest he was a thief or assassin. Furthermore, the Zheng residence was hosting a banquet today, with guards more than doubled; everyone allowed in had an invitation. Since he was a distinguished guest, and Xie Xuan had spoken so earnestly, there was no reason to make things difficult for him.
"Alright." The two guards exchanged a glance and agreed.
"Thank you," Xie Xuan replied, then asked, "Excuse me, can the carriage go to the back alley?"
"nature."
"Thank you." Xie Xuan thanked him again, then opened his umbrella and turned to go back. Just as he reached the corridor, closed the umbrella, and gently shook off the water, he heard Xie Yi's voice in his ear.
"Young Master! The carriage is ready." Xie Yi jogged to Xie Xuan's side.
Xie Xuan pondered for a moment and said, "Go and drive the carriage to the small gate in the back alley. Then have someone tell the steward to prepare a set of women's clothes and a veiled hat."
Upon hearing the last few words, Xie Yi asked in disbelief, "Young Master?"
Xie Xuan did not respond, but simply glanced at Xie Yi. Xie Yi understood and replied, "Yes."
After Xie Yi withdrew, Xie Xuan placed his oil-paper umbrella in front of the door. He had been standing on the veranda for a while; although there weren't many people there, they were constantly coming and going. The two guards at the back door were also quite troublesome. He did have an idea, but it was rather disrespectful. Thinking of this, Xie Xuan sighed deeply, knocked on the door, and then pushed it open to go inside.
Yu Jing waited in the room for a long time, but Xie Xuan still hadn't returned. She couldn't help but worry that Xie Xuan might have run into the Third Princess, after all, this was the Zheng residence. Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door, and her heart jumped into her throat, pounding rapidly.
Hearing the footsteps approaching, Yu Jing called out in a low voice, "Xie Xuan."
"Your subject is here," Xie Xuan replied softly. Yu Jing's heart slowly calmed down. Xie Xuan's voice was also very low, as if it were being carefully ground from his throat, making it very pleasant to hear.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager," Xie Xuan said, his voice hesitant and worried.
Yu Jingxin tensed up and softly hummed in agreement.
"Your Majesty, everything is arranged. Your Majesty will have your clothes and veil brought in shortly, and then Your Majesty can leave with me through the back door." Although Xie Xuan said this, he was still somewhat uncertain in his heart. After all, the plan was not perfect, and he could not have foreseen any changes that might occur.
But at this point, there was really no better way; sending Shenghua back to the palace was the priority.
"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Lord Xie," Yu Jing replied.
"Knock, knock, knock." A moment later, there was a knock on the door. "Young Master?"
Xie Yi's voice.
Xie Xuan opened the door, took the large red lacquered tray from Xie Yi, and asked, "Is the carriage arranged?"
"Don't worry, young master," Xie Yi replied.
Xie Xuan was still worried: "Send the coachman away, you drive the carriage. I don't trust anyone else."
"Yes." Xie Yi had never seen Xie Xuan so cautious before, and he acknowledged and withdrew.
Xie Xuan took the clothes and carried them into the inner room. There was no one else there, but it wouldn't be proper for Sheng Hua to come out and get them herself. So he could only take the clothes inside.
Xie Xuan walked to the silk screen, hesitated for a while, and finally felt it was inappropriate, so he said, "Your Majesty, I have placed the clothes in front of the screen."
"Okay," Yu Jing replied, moving slightly forward.
When Xie Xuan turned around, he happened to see Yu Jing coming out from behind. Feeling a little uncomfortable, he turned his head away and walked to a corner, only feeling at ease when his back was to the inner room.
Yu Jing carried the clothes inside, feeling a little embarrassed. She glanced at Xie Xuan's seat and saw him sitting at his desk with his back to her, which reassured her somewhat. She slowly removed the maid's clothes from her body and picked up the clothes Xie Xuan had brought. The clothes had a very strong scent of incense, as if it had just been applied; the smell was a bit too overpowering. But at this point, she didn't have many demands.
Yu Jing was actually quite nervous. Not only was Xie Xuan sharing a room with her, but he had also... changed his clothes. Although he hadn't taken off his undergarments, there was still a hint of something more intimate about it. Yu Jing shook her head, trying to clear her mind of those thoughts. The clothes were hibiscus purple with acacia flower patterns, quite similar to the dark purple robe Xie Xuan was wearing. Without time to think further, Yu Jing quickly took out the clothes one by one and changed into them.
The rain outside had lessened considerably, and the noise had gradually subsided, becoming barely audible through the doors and windows. The room wasn't actually very large; it was essentially just a room for one person to rest in. The room was exceptionally quiet, with only the heavy rustling of clothes. Hearing the sounds behind him, Xie Xuan froze, his ear tips turning slightly red, and he nervously rubbed his fingers.
He had little contact with women, only two in total: his mother and his elder sister. Sharing a room with a strange woman was truly a first for him.
"Lord Xie, I'm all changed." Yu Jing came out after changing her clothes and called out to Xie Xuan.
Xie Xuan stood up in response and walked to Yu Jing. He reached out and picked up the veiled hat, handing it to Yu Jing. Yu Jing put on the veil, and the light gauze obscured her vision, making it difficult to see clearly.
"Your Majesty, once you leave, please do not make a sound."
Yu Jing nodded and replied, "Mm."
Xie Xuan opened the door a crack, glanced outside, and seeing no one else around, opened the door, picked up the umbrella, and let Yu Jing come over.
Yu Jing walked to the corridor. Although she was wearing a veil, Xie Xuan still covered most of the umbrella over Yu Jing's head. Yu Jing was nervous because of the veil, so she didn't notice and walked step by step.
The path was very dark; even with candles lit, many went out. The guests were all in the front hall, and no servants came to light any. Yu Jing put on her veil again and walked along the path, her heart pounding with anxiety.
Suddenly, Yu Jing slipped and instinctively reached out to grab Xie Xuan's arm, who was holding the umbrella. He was startled to smell a faint fragrance and felt a firm support on his hand. He quickly checked on Yu Jing and, seeing she was unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief and asked softly, "Are you alright?"
Yu Jing gently shook her head, which was taken as an agreement.
The air around them was sticky and humid, and the temperature in early spring was not cold. The surroundings were quiet and the lights were dim. The two of them were very close at this moment, and Yu Jing could clearly hear Xie Xuan's strong heartbeat.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
