Since ancient times, there has been a saying among the people: "When broad bean flowers bloom, one should not open one's eyes." In spring, when flowers bloom, all things revive, birds sing and flowers bloom, and the earth presents a thriving and prosperous scene.
In the Shaohua Pavilion of the Qin Prince's Mansion in the east of the city, after a sumptuous lunch, Mei Xiyuan was already showing signs of drowsiness, fatigue, eye strain, dizziness, and a general lack of energy – typical of spring lethargy. So, it was now her comfortable and peaceful afternoon nap time.
After having dinner with her, Lu Tianjiao returned to his room, but he did not seem to share the same comfort and ease as Mei Xiyuan.
At this moment, Lu Tianjiao was sitting alone by the window in his room, sighing with a melancholy expression and a heavy heart.
In recent days, she has been constantly reminded of everything she witnessed at Lin Yuexuan on New Year's Eve. And whenever she thinks of it, it is as if it just happened, brutally and mercilessly lashing at her already wounded heart.
Holding a book of poetry, I sat by the window with a cup of pure, bitter lemon tea in front of me, emitting wisps of steam.
She gazed absently out the window at the crabapple tree, its buds just about to burst into bloom, and the plum trees surrounding it, their blossoms clustered together in vibrant color. In this vast palace, she felt utterly alone and helpless. All of this was a choice she had willingly made; it seemed she couldn't blame anyone else. In truth, now that things had come to this, who could she possibly blame?
Suddenly, she sighed softly, then withdrew her melancholy and vacant gaze, blinking her round eyes slightly twice. Then, a delicate hand gently swayed, her gaze lingering on a page of the poetry collection in her hand, and she softly recited, "Do not waste your golden robes, but cherish your youth; pluck the flower while it blooms, lest you break a bare branch when there are no flowers left."
After quietly finishing reciting, she slightly raised the corners of her mouth and began to laugh to herself without saying a word.
A moment later, the smile on his lips gradually disappeared. He raised his cup and took a sip of the bitter lemon tea that he had specially brewed himself. His mouth was full of bitterness, but wasn't his heart the same?
She gripped the teacup tightly in her slender, fair hand, and said with a bitter smile, "This is truly a case of 'a mute eating bitter melon, unable to express the bitterness.' How could I, the dignified young lady of Xiqin Academy, have fallen to such a state? I swear, one day, I will take back everything that belongs to me."
Regarding what she inadvertently witnessed at Lin Yuexuan on New Year's Eve, she kept quiet despite her anger, as Xuan Yuanhan had personally instructed her not to reveal it, and indeed did not divulge a single detail to Mei Xiyuan.
But precisely because of this, the mountain of bitterness in her heart could not be vented, making her feel even more suffocated. She even regretted why she had gone to that courtyard to spy that night. If she hadn't gone, she wouldn't have seen everything that was causing her so much torment, and she wouldn't be in so much pain.
However, the moment this extremely depressing and negative thought surfaced in her mind, she immediately suppressed it, muttering fiercely to herself, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Now it seems that Brother Han already treats that girl very differently, caring for her far more than that arrogant princess. Since I, Lu Tianjiao, have chosen this difficult path for Brother Han, then no matter the cost, I will resolutely walk to the end. Until the very last moment, no one knows who the real winner will be, or who will be the one to stay by Brother Han's side in the end."
Not long after, Mei Xiyuan, who was in Shaohua Pavilion, had regained her energy after a short nap and got out of bed with her hair disheveled.
She sat upright before her dressing table, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Her face still seemed to hold that youthful glow.
She slowly reached out and gently ran her fingers across her face. Her skin was still fair and smooth, her eyes were still clear and bright, and her lips were still rosy.
Only that heart, no longer the one with such fervent passion it once was. This heart seems to have aged considerably, a sense of desolation long since seeped into its depths. That heart has been doused with cold water time and time again, yet it still yearns for that person to one day warm it again with their genuine affection.
The most pressing issue in order to wait until that day is to join forces with Lu Tianjiao to eradicate the woman who has completely taken over that man's heart, so that she will have a chance.
Having finished her makeup, and taking advantage of the moderate sunshine, Mei Xiyuan strolled slowly into the garden of Shaohua Pavilion. She then sent someone to invite Lu Tianjiao to keep her company, intending to sit at the stone table in the small garden, where they could enjoy the sunshine, play games, drink tea, chat, and discuss their important matters.
Soon, Lu Tianjiao, with a big smile on her face, passed through the archway and arrived at the garden of Shaohua Pavilion. She curtsied to Mei Xiyuan and asked, "Did you rest well at noon, sister?"
Mei Xiyuan smiled and said to her repeatedly, "Alright, alright, little sister, were you asleep just now?"
As Lu Tianjiao sat down next to Mei Xiyuan, he replied, "My sister isn't sleepy right now, she hasn't taken a nap yet, but she's been reading a collection of poems for a while."
Upon hearing this, Mei Xiyuan asked curiously, "Oh? I wonder what poem you read, little sister?"
Lu Tianjiao said, "I didn't pay much attention to it, but I casually picked it up and turned to a page, and it seemed to be the poem: 'A mother's thread in her hand, a traveler's clothes on his back. Before he departs, she sews them carefully, fearing his long absence. Who can say that a blade of grass can repay the warmth of spring?'"
Mei Xiyuan was about to place her first white piece when she heard the poem and was immediately reminded of her mother, whom she hadn't seen in a long time and who was far away in Dongning. An overwhelming sadness welled up in her heart, and she said, "This poem, 'Song of the Wanderer,' is truly a fine poem. Speaking of which, I haven't seen my mother for a long time either. I wonder how she is doing?"
Seeing that Mei Xiyuan was already moved and was wiping away her tears, Lu Tianjiao also looked sad and said, "Sister has only not seen Mother for a long time, but I will never see Mother again in this life."
Upon hearing this, Mei Xiyuan realized she had misspoke and said apologetically, "It's okay. From now on, I'll take good care of you. We won't be sad anymore, okay?"
Lu Tianjiao gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, then suddenly asked, "By the way, sister, why haven't we seen His Highness lately? The New Year isn't even over yet, could it be that he's already busy with official duties?" Lu Tianjiao also placed her first black piece next to the first white piece Mei Xiyuan had just placed. From the beginning, it seemed she was deliberately letting Mei Xiyuan win, as she asked this question.
However, Mei Xiyuan did not answer her, but focused on making clear and distinct moves.
After a long while, the two had played several rounds, with Mei Xiyuan consistently winning. Suddenly, she seemed to realize that Lu Tianjiao was intentionally letting her win, and she said angrily with a displeased expression, "What are you doing, sister? It was a perfectly good game, how come you were about to win, but then suddenly you look like you're about to lose? Sigh, winning all the time seems rather boring. Since you're not interested in this game, let's stop playing. Granny Zhao, stop!"
As Granny Zhao stepped forward to tidy up the chessboard, the two sisters stood up together. Lu Tianjiao quickly stepped forward to support Mei Xiyuan's arm and continued, "Sister, don't you care at all where His Highness has gone?"
"Hmph, so what if I care or I don't? I'm not someone he cares about, so what difference does it make whether I care or not?" Mei Xiyuan said, feigning helplessness.
"Sister, anything is possible with effort!" Lu Tianjiao's words seemed to be a reminder to Mei Xiyuan of some agreement between them.
Mei Xiyuan stared at her in surprise, then suddenly seemed to remember something and asked Zhao Mama, who was standing beside her, "By the way, have you seen the princess and the crown prince in the palace these past few days?"
"Your Highness, did the princess and the crown prince go to the south of the city with His Highness?"
Hearing Zhao Mama's words, Mei Xiyuan was very surprised. "South of the city? He just returned from Beishan a few days ago, why is he in the south of the city now? I really don't know what he's been up to all day during the New Year holiday?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Tianjiao thought for a moment and then reminded her, "Sister, tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. After tomorrow, that girl Yi Shangyun will be entering the Prince Qin's mansion. Have you thought about how to settle her?"
“I’ve already thought it through. Someone as intelligent, outstanding, and capable as her should naturally stay and serve the master of this mansion,” Mei Xiyuan said meaningfully.
"Sister, are you really planning to do this? Have you thought it all through?" Lu Tianjiao asked repeatedly to confirm.
“Wasn’t this your idea, little sister?” Mei Xiyuan asked back.
"I wouldn't dare, I'll obey your every command from now on," Lu Tianjiao said, feigning humility. But deep down, she was secretly eagerly anticipating the good days to come.
Although Mei Xiyuan smiled at her at this moment, she harbored untold hatred in her heart. "You think you're worthy to compete with this princess for a man? You're dreaming! One day, I will make you see your true colors."
Just then, a maid rushed in through the archway, and before she could even bow, she cried out, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
"You're rushing around so hastily and recklessly. Didn't Granny Zhao teach you any manners? Aren't you afraid of offending the masters and guests of the Prince's mansion?" Mei Xiyuan scolded her sternly while glancing at Lu Tianjiao beside her and giving her maid a wink.
"This servant was wrong, please punish me, Your Highness." The maid hurriedly knelt down to admit her mistake.
"Alright, consider yourself lucky to have run into me in a good mood today. You'll be spared punishment. What were you trying to say just now?" Mei Xiyuan gently touched the newly made gold hairpin on her head, freeing herself from Lu Tianjiao's hand, and approached the maid with a pleased expression.
The maid rose, softly calling out "Your Highness, Princess Consort," before placing her hand beside Mei Xiyuan's ear and whispering in her ear.
Lu Tianjiao strained his ears, but still couldn't hear a single word.
However, she vaguely felt that what the maid had reported must be related to her brother Han.
After the maid whispered something to Mei Xiyuan for a moment, she moved away from Mei Xiyuan's ear, and Mei Xiyuan was instantly stunned, like a wooden doll...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com