His body had long been chilled by the cold air, and he was extremely cold all year round.
*
Night fell.
After leaving the Bright Hall, Su Tiyue headed towards the Cining Palace.
When Yang Wanzhi entered the palace, she specially brought some glutinous rice dumplings that she had made herself, which are a specialty snack of Suzhou.
Yang Wanzhi made two boxes, one for Su Tiyue and the other for the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was also from Suzhou, and she had a special fondness for these unique snacks.
The Empress Dowager was ill and therefore did not attend the banquet that evening. Su Tiyue, fearing that she would be lonely, left the banquet early to visit the Empress Dowager.
Seeing her leave her seat, Zhou Tingyue casually made up an excuse and quietly followed her out.
Having followed her for half the journey, Zhou Tingyue already knew where Su Tiyue was going, so he took a shortcut and arrived at Cining Palace first.
Given their different social statuses, Zhou Tingyue worried that Su Tiyue might feel uncomfortable if he deliberately approached her to strike up a conversation.
So... Zhou Tingyue decided to wait for her at Cining Palace. Even if he could only look at her like this and say a few words to her, he would be content.
Everything was going according to Zhou Tingyue's plan. He had even envisioned the two of them meeting at Cining Palace, where he would simply ask, "How has Consort Shu been lately?" or "Is Your Highness settling in comfortably in the palace?"
These words don't seem quite appropriate.
But he just wanted to know, and wanted to hear her voice, that was all.
...
Su Tiyue and the other two arrived at the entrance of Cining Palace. Just as they were about to go in, they bumped into Liu Mama, who was coming out of the palace.
Su Tiyue casually asked, "Granny Liu, has the Empress Dowager already gone to bed?"
Liu Mama smiled and replied, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is in such a good mood tonight that she can't sleep at all... Just now, His Highness the Crown Prince came by when he returned to the palace, and now he's here again. He's talking to the Empress Dowager right now."
Su Tiyue was startled, her heart trembling involuntarily, as if she were muttering to herself, "Is His Highness the Crown Prince inside?"
"Yes, I've only been here a short while. Your Highness, please go in. The Empress Dowager will surely be even happier to see you. This old servant needs to go to the Imperial Wardrobe." After saying this, Granny Liu left Cining Palace and headed north.
Granny Liu had already walked quite a distance, but Su Tiyue was still standing in the same spot, not having moved an inch.
She had her eyes downcast, and it was unclear what she was thinking.
Seeing that she was still in a daze, Qingwu said, "Your Highness, what are you standing there for? Aren't we going in?"
Liu Wan was also puzzled; she didn't know what had suddenly happened to her master.
Su Tiyue snapped out of her daze, managed a weak smile, glanced at the small pavilion hidden behind the artificial rockery not far away, and said, "The Crown Prince and the Empress Dowager haven't seen each other for a long time, so they must have a lot to talk about. Let's go there and wait... Well, we'll go in after His Highness the Crown Prince leaves."
She spoke very softly in the second half of the sentence, as if she were talking to herself.
After listening, Liu Wan felt that what the Empress said made sense and didn't think much of it. She nodded, reached out to help Su Tiyue, and carried the lantern around the artificial rockery to the pavilion.
Qingwu was simple-minded. She didn't like to rack her brains to figure out complicated things, and just followed behind with a puzzled look on her face.
In the distance, the brightly lit Guangming Palace occasionally echoed with light and melodious drum music. The pavilion was surrounded by withered tree trunks, and the occasional playful noises of Qingwu and Liuwan could be heard.
Su Tiyue sat quietly in the pavilion, her mind in turmoil, yet she forced herself to remain calm.
She was so clever; how could she not know His Highness the Crown Prince's intentions? But she was also too clever and too rational, so when she learned that the Crown Prince was inside, she resolutely chose not to go in.
Su Tiyue didn't even know how to face the Crown Prince. Whether it was helplessness or guilt, she decided to avoid him if she could.
Su Tiyue could only avoid it, deliberately avoiding it.
Some people are not to be seen or thought about, so don't see them or think about them.
*
After waiting for a short while, a few light footsteps came from the other side of the pavilion on the dark path.
Under the cover of darkness, a figure suddenly appeared, tall and imposing. At first, they couldn't see who it was, only that the air around them seemed to freeze, giving them an eerie feeling.
As he slowly approached, the light from the lantern Liu Wan was carrying swayed and shone on his face.
The three of them finally managed to get a clear look at the face.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
