Xuan Yuan Yue was certain that Yi Shang Yun wouldn't dare to personally give the sachet to Xuan Yuan Han today, so she took it upon herself to act as a matchmaker between the two. Based on her meticulous observations of Xuan Yuan Han's unexpected behavior over the years, she was already certain that this aloof royal uncle's feelings for Yi Shang Yun were definitely extraordinary.
"Princess, Yun'er's actions were absolutely not what you think. Yun'er is just of humble status and really has nothing worth preparing. Moreover, this servant saw the King of Qin..." Yi Shangyun hurriedly explained to Xuan Yuan Yue, afraid that her pure intentions would be misunderstood.
Before she could finish speaking, Xuan Yuan Yue interrupted her, "Hmph, I have absolutely no interest in what you mean, and there's no need for you to explain to me now. Anyway, the item is in Qin Huangshu's hands. Who is Qin Huangshu? He's seen countless people; how could he believe that this carefully crafted and exquisite sachet was made by me? Yet he has gladly accepted it and even promised to wear it with him every day. If you have time, you can try to guess what he's thinking."
After speaking, Xuan Yuan Yue immediately turned her face away and covered her mouth, chuckling mischievously. A moment later, she turned back and sat up straight.
Upon hearing this, Yi Shangyun, who was already feeling anxious, became even more at a loss.
It was already night when they returned to the Prince of Qin's residence.
In the middle of the night, snowflakes actually began to fall from the sky.
As dawn approached, a thick layer of snow had already accumulated on the roof tiles, pine trees, and every corner of the Prince's mansion courtyard.
In the snow, the Qin Prince's Mansion, in addition to its usual air of nobility and solemnity, gained an even more captivating, static beauty.
The swirling snowflakes, like a pure white veil, covered every corner of the Prince's mansion. It seemed to shroud the Prince's mansion in mystery, while everything beneath the veil quietly awaited the arrival of a beautiful moment of rebirth.
Yi Shangyun had been sitting by the window for some time now, her hands supporting her chin as she gazed intently at the snow falling outside, unable to hide her joy and smiling to herself.
Women generally prefer two seasons: spring, because spring is a time of renewal, vibrant colors, blooming flowers, and fluttering butterflies; and summer, because it allows them to wear all sorts of novel and flowing dresses that make them look like fairies descending to earth, vying for attention with the flowers.
But perhaps she alone has always been fond of the snowy winter since childhood. She believes that winter is the cleanest and purest season, a time when one's mind is free of distractions and time seems to stand still, leaving only a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Suddenly, she slowly rose to her feet, tiptoed carefully towards the door, as if afraid of disturbing others. Once outside, she took light steps down the stone steps into the courtyard, and for a moment, the scene before her seemed like a fairyland.
She tilted her head and looked around to make sure no one was there. Then she stretched her arms and began to stroll freely into the depths of the courtyard.
In the snow, she unconsciously stretched out a slender, jade-like hand, palm facing upwards. Snowflakes gently fell into her palm, and she caught them, looking at them with great joy and a feeling of extreme comfort. She even twirled gracefully in place, her greedy and unrestrained hands playing with the freely falling snowflakes.
Just then, in the study of Chenghua Hall, Xuanyuan Han, who always had a regular schedule and was used to getting up early, was standing by the window, admiring the vivid and beautiful snow scene in the courtyard with a gentle expression.
He was dressed in a dark brocade robe and cotton coat, looking like a deity, his bright eyes fixed on the viewer, one hand behind his back. The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, indicating that he was in a very good mood.
Today, the King of Qin of the Western Qin Kingdom is marrying his principal wife. The wedding ceremony is also known as the twilight ceremony, and the wedding procession has already set off from the King's Palace in a grand procession to the post station.
"Your Highness, it's getting late, it's time to change your clothes," Vice General Cheng Liang reminded him as he entered, carrying an exquisitely carved wooden tray containing his master's wedding attire.
Disturbed, Xuan Yuanhan heard the noise but did not speak. Instead, he strolled into the courtyard on his own.
"Your Highness..." Cheng Liang wanted to say something more, but in the end he could only give up and watch him leave.
He followed Xuan Yuanhan's back to the window and saw the beautiful woman playing in the snow outside. He finally understood what had happened. A sly smile appeared on one side of his mouth. He placed the wedding dress on the table next to him and left quietly by himself.
Suddenly, Yi Shangyun sensed someone behind her, so she quickly turned around and saw Xuan Yuanhan standing behind her. Her smile froze instantly, and she was so startled that she almost slipped and fell backward. As soon as she regained her balance, she quickly bowed and greeted him, "Your Highness."
Seeing that she was startled by him, Xuan Yuanhan immediately reached out to help her up but missed. He finally gasped and asked, "Aren't you cold with all this snow?"
"Hmm? Oh, it is a bit cold, but I've loved snowy days since I was little, so I'm used to it. Your Highness, look, the soft, white snow is so beautiful!" Yi Shangyun replied to Xuanyuan Han in an extremely cheerful voice.
She was preoccupied with herself, seemingly still enjoying herself. But then she immediately clasped her hands together, gently exhaling two breaths of warm air, unaware that her cotton-padded clothes were already covered in snow.
"Do you like snow?" Xuan Yuanhan asked with his still icy expression.
"Yes, I loved it when I was little. I would often play in the snow wearing very thin clothes and get scolded by my parents, but I still loved it. When I grew up, an old friend of mine told me that when it snows, I must ask the person I love to walk in the snow, because we will grow old together as we walk."
As Yi Shangyun reminisced, she fell into deep thought, a heavy weight of longing welling up within her—perhaps because she had left her parents at a young age in the 21st century, alone in a foreign land, and perhaps because her beloved Wei Mingxuan from the 21st century remained missing. And now, however…
Xuanyuan Han looked at her downcast and thoughtful face, and his gaze suddenly swept over the snow on her body. Many of the snowflakes had melted into water and were soaking her cotton clothes inch by inch.
Xuanyuan Han seized one of his sleeves and leaned closer to Yi Shangyun, extending his warm hand to gently brush the snowflakes off her clothes. He then touched her bangs, gently brushing them aside, which felt more like a comforting gesture.
Yi Shangyun lowered her eyes shyly. Standing so close to him, she could almost hear his strong, pounding heartbeat. Her thin, pale face was now flushed red all the way to her ears.
But she seemed to realize something in an instant, and quickly dodged and retreated, lowering her head and saying in a panic, "Your Highness, this servant can handle it herself." As she spoke, she haphazardly patted herself all over.
Seeing her shyness, Xuanyuan Han said, "That woman in the medicine, would you consider me to be walking with you in the snow now?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Shangyun was at a loss for words and hurriedly tried to think of a response.
Seeing that she was silent with her head down, Xuan Yuanhan continued to walk forward and forcibly took one of her slender hands, wanting to hold it tightly. It was unclear what his intention was.
Just as Yi Shangyun was in a state of panic, Xuan Yuanhan accidentally touched the seven-colored jade bracelet on her wrist. Instantly, the bracelet emitted a dazzling purple light, which slowly spread and expanded, tightly surrounding the two of them.
In the space surrounded by dazzling purple light, Xuan Yuanhan was amazed to see a world he had never seen before, while Yi Shangyun saw the 21st century that he knew all too well.
The purple light grew stronger and stronger, becoming extremely dazzling. The two of them could no longer resist it and finally turned their faces away. The moment Xuan Yuanhan had no choice but to let go, the dazzling purple light immediately disappeared.
Almost simultaneously with the disappearance of the purple light, Yi Shangyun fainted and collapsed heavily onto the cold snow.
Seeing this, Xuanyuan Han immediately reached out and scooped her up in his arms.
At this moment, Xuanyuan Yue saw it. She hurriedly stepped down the stone steps and asked anxiously, "Uncle Qin, what's wrong with Yun'er?"
Xuan Yuanhan was extremely nervous. He hadn't yet processed what had just happened and hurriedly shouted to Xuan Yuanyue, "Quickly summon the imperial physician!"
Seeing this, Xuan Yuan Yue hurriedly ran towards the Imperial Physician's Office, wondering to herself, "On this joyous day, what exactly is going on between the two of them?"
Inside the Yunshui Pavilion of the Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Your Highness, although Miss Yi is slender, her pulse is neither strong nor weak, but calm and gentle, with no abnormalities. This old minister truly does not know why the young lady fainted. May I observe her for a while while she rests?" The imperial physician of the Prince of Qin's mansion asked Xuan Yuanhan tremblingly, sweating profusely.
"No matter what, I want her... to live well." Xuan Yuanhan frowned upon hearing this, his face solemn and domineering, yet each word was cold and resounding, carrying a profound meaning.
Upon hearing this, the imperial physician looked up at him in alarm, then hurriedly wiped the sweat from his temples and gasped.
Xuan Yuan Yue was also greatly surprised upon hearing this. In all her life, she had never seen Qin Huang Shu give any woman a second glance, let alone witness him today holding Yi Shang Yun with a worried expression, and now uttering such ambiguous words. But Qin Huang Shu was getting married today!
Xuan Yuan Yue, who had been standing to the side watching for a long time without knowing what had happened, stepped forward and leaned against the couch, holding Yun'er's hand and calling her name softly with great concern.
On the occasion of the King of Qin's wedding, not a single prince or minister from the King of Qin's residence was absent. They all arrived at the residence early and waited for the auspicious hour to arrive.
At this moment, Xuan Yuanhan, who had just returned to his study in Chenghua Hall, stood with his hands behind his back, leaning against the window. He was tall and imposing, majestic and dignified, looking down on the world. His deep eyes were fixed on the direction of the pavilion where Yi Shangyun was.
With the auspicious hour fast approaching, Xuan Yuanhan still hadn't changed into his wedding attire. Cheng Liang had reminded him several times, but he always ignored him. Now, Cheng Liang approached Xuan Yuanhan again, looking at his master with a helpless expression. He had followed Xuan Yuanhan since childhood; how could he not understand Xuan Yuanhan's complex thoughts?
However, this marriage was bestowed by Emperor Jing, and he had tacitly approved it at the time. But now, it's clear that this ugly girl has completely disrupted this master's usual calm and rationality.
Left with no other choice, he could only...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com