Chapter 69 Do you like Master Xue? It rained earlier, and...
It had rained earlier and stopped at dusk. The golden osmanthus blossomed a little later this year. Lanterns were lit on the vermilion palace walls, and the damp air after the rain was mixed with the faint fragrance of osmanthus.
The path in the palace was smooth, and under the light, one could clearly see a pin drop on the bluestone slab. Yun Yang had something on his mind, so he followed the palace maid silently, and even accidentally fell.
The maid looked at her scraped hands and knelt down in fear. Yun Yang tried to pull her back, saying, "It's just a scrape. It's nothing serious. I won't tell anyone."
The noble lady's fall was a near-catastrophic event for her. The maid, pale, apologized profusely. Seeing her mistress seemed unperturbed by the incident, she felt slightly relieved. She choked out a sob and said, "I will take you to the princess's palace. Please follow me closely."
Yun Yang responded.
She had tried her best to avoid meeting Xue Yu these days. It was really awkward when they met, and the window paper was broken for him.
But for her, she had to hide her feelings for him carefully and must not let him realize that she also had feelings for him.
Otherwise, what would it be?
But you can't escape the fate of the princess. Her wedding is approaching and foreign envoys are coming to welcome her. A banquet is being held in the palace and Yun Yang is on the princess's invitation list. She has to meet him when she arrives at the palace.
Yun Yang lowered his head and followed the palace maid forward. When they arrived at the princess's palace, they found that the floor had been cleaned and could reflect people's reflections like a mirror.
Yun Yang thought that Princess An Ning must have a sad face, but unexpectedly, the princess had white hair and fair skin, a very beautiful appearance, and was covered with bright pearls. Her complexion was even better than the previous times he had seen her. When he saw her coming, he happily invited her to come over and serve him.
The palace maid handed over ginger milk tea, "Miss Yun, it's cold outside, drink something hot to warm yourself up. This ginger milk tea was brought from your hometown by your husband."
Yun Yang took a sip of the ginger milk tea. It was spicy, yet mild with the flavor of milk. It was delicious. After finishing it, he couldn't hide his curiosity and whispered, "Your Highness, have you seen the King of Nanzhao?"
The princess recalled the appearance of the King of Nanzhao, and a blush crept into her face. She said shyly, "I saw him... but it's not what I expected."
"How is it different? Doesn't it look scary? It is said that they are used to raising poisonous insects and some kind of poison. Is it true?" Yun Yang asked.
An Ning hurriedly defended the Nanzhao King, "Well, these are just folk rumors. He is very handsome, somewhat similar to your brother-in-law, but more heroic."
"Looks like my brother-in-law? How is that possible? My brother-in-law is so handsome that he is unique in the world." Yun Yang frowned.
The princess was stunned for a moment, then her expression became intriguing. She pretended to be calm and mature, "Yun Yang, tell me the truth, does Lord Xue like you?"
As soon as these words came out, Yun Yang was so shocked that she almost fell to the ground. If it weren't for the palace maid's quick eyes and hands to help her up...
"Princess, no, no, don't guess!" Yun Yang was confused and said anxiously, "Master Xue and I..."
The words came to her lips but she couldn't finish them. The image of him kissing her with a frown that night suddenly emerged in her mind. His lips were thin, soft and tender, like a patient hunter, prying open her lips and teeth little by little, prying open her heart.
It's really not innocent.
"Look, look! So it's true?" Princess An Ning smiled, covering her lips. "Who can't see it? Lord Xue protects you like crazy, almost choking when he speaks! Can't you see his feelings for you? I suspected it before, and what do you think? I was right!"
Yun Yang's scalp tingled, and she immediately knelt down. "Your Highness, Your Highness, please do not publicize this matter. I will wait for some time, and when Lord Lu's matter is settled, I will return to Youzhou on my own initiative. I will no longer have any ambiguity with Lord Xue in the Xue Mansion."
An Ning was bewildered. What was there to kneel for? Only after meeting the King of Nanzhao did she understand what love at first sight was. She realized that her previous obsession with Xue Yu was like an obsession with a favorite object, a youthful dream, not true love.
After going through this, although they did not get married, they had the insight of someone who had experienced it. Looking at Yun Yang and Xue Yu, it was like a bronze mirror that had been polished, and they could see things more clearly.
"Hurry up and get up! What are you doing? Why can't you be with Master Xue?" Princess An Ning stepped forward and helped Yun Yang up. "Don't you like him? Tell me the truth. You're not the type to beat around the bush."
Yun Yang pursed her lips and her face became calm. Even if she liked him, there would be no result. Now she was known as his sister-in-law. Did two women have to share one husband?
Earlier, during her relationship with Song Fanghe, she had said she didn't allow him to have concubines, but she was concerned about the Yun family's wealth and the peace of the harem. And with Xue Yu, the thought of him taking a concubine in the future filled her with rage, her heart sinking, as if he already had seven or eight. She thought she was watching over him for her sister, but since when, the thought of Xue Yu and her sister together, harmonious and harmonious, like in a painting, has made her heart ache like needles.
The princess looked around, covered half her face with her round fan, and whispered, "Looking at you, it seems you have feelings for him, too."
Yun Yang said: "He can only be my brother-in-law."
"Where is your sister now? It's only been halfway through three years, right? It will be too late for her to come back, how can we still cultivate feelings? And I know that your sister didn't even enter the Xue family back then. The wedding sedan stopped as soon as it entered Shangjing City. Lord Xue got in the sedan, and I don't know what the two of them said, and then the sedan was carried out of the city intact. I don't know where the bride went, but it was your brother-in-law who returned to the Xue Mansion alone." Princess An Ning said.
Yun Yang said, "Your Highness, are you speaking as if you had seen it with your own eyes?"
Princess An Ning blushed as she recalled her angry peeping. "I did go and see. So, the Xue family can repay their favor by marrying either of you sisters, right? It doesn't have to be your sister."
After hearing what the princess said, Yun Yang still had a confused look on his face. So, his sister did not marry him, but the ceremony had been held, the business cards had been exchanged, and she had called him brother-in-law for almost two years.
In other words, even though he had not married his sister, in fact, everyone in the Xue Mansion, the palace, and many nobles in the capital all knew that she was his sister-in-law.
People's words are scary. She can't get involved with him, nor can she let her sister down.
The relationship between her and Xue Yu is no longer pure, and this shocking secret must not be known to others.
"Yun Yang, you used to be such a cool and carefree person. You came to the capital without hesitation, traveling thousands of miles alone. How come you have become so hesitant now?" The princess said, changing her tone to serious. "I heard that Lord Xue and the Crown Prince had a disagreement some time ago, and the Crown Prince was so angry that he broke several inkstones. You don't know that the Crown Prince likes to collect inkstones. Those inkstones are really precious!"
"Since Lord Xue entered the court as an official, he has been helping the Crown Prince and Consort Xue Lifei. Back then, the Crown Prince wasn't even the Crown Prince yet. It's been a difficult journey, but the two of them have never had a quarrel or exchanged anger."
"I heard...it's because the Crown Prince insisted on having you as his concubine."
Yun Yang pursed her lips and said nothing. She knew very well how Xue Yu felt about her, but since everything involved her sister, she couldn't help but hesitate.
She can't snatch her sister's marriage away.
"Marriage only happens once in a lifetime. It's so hard to meet, but if you miss it, it's gone forever." The princess said earnestly, "Before I met the King of Nanzhao, I didn't know what it felt like to like someone. You just couldn't live without them. Even if you knew the future with them wasn't clear, you were still willing to go through it together."
Nanzhao, located in the southern border of Dazhao and bordering Lucheng, was the garrison of King Hui. Wars had been raging for years, and King Hui had finally managed to defeat Nanzhao. However, it was said that the newly appointed King of Nanzhao was a man of deep ruthlessness and cunning. His request for a truce and a request for the princess' hand in marriage was widely dismissed as a temporary solution.
Now he is very bold and comes directly to the Zhao Palace to marry the princess. The emperor intends to entertain him well, hold a grand banquet, and use both kindness and power to let the monarch of this small country see the majesty of the Celestial Empire.
Yun Yang looked at the princess with her head down and a gentle smile on her face, feeling a mix of emotions. Before this, the princess had been making a fuss for a long time about not wanting to get married, but unexpectedly, after meeting each other, she actually fell in love with the other party. But is this political marriage with true love in it really a good thing?
Maybe it's a good thing. I just hope that the King of Nanzhao can truly submit to Dazhao because of the princess's feelings.
The princess had just applied a thin layer of powder on her face. Seeing that the time was almost up, the princess stopped talking to Yun Yang and sat obediently in front of the bronze mirror, allowing the maid to put lip balm on her lips.
The princess pursed her lips, then remembered something and said, "Yunyang, I heard you were running around for that Lu Tanhua? The Zhang family even broke off the engagement. Don't be afraid, Master Xue is very capable and will definitely be able to save Lu Tanhua. As for the Zhang family, it's better not to marry. I've seen that Zhang Qian from afar and don't have a good impression of him."
The princess picked out an extremely gorgeous shawl and twisted her body to look at herself in the bronze mirror, a shy smile on her face. "Do you think it looks good? Won't he think I'm too flashy? I can't bear to wear this. I only wear it when it's important."
"She's pretty. Among all the women in this palace, the princess is the most gorgeous. Even if she wears straw hairpins and plain clothes, she's pretty." Yun Yang said with a smile.
Suddenly she remembered that she also had to dress up nicely before meeting Xue Yu. Thinking further back, she was kidnapped by the human trafficker in Youzhou. When Xue Yu came to her, he said that she smelled stinky, so she didn't want to get close to him. They rode on the same horse together all the way, and she kept her body tense for fear of stinking him.
Now that I think about it, it turns out that all that caring was because of love?
Oh, that's not right, King of Nanzhao, Lucheng...
Yun Yang's eyes lit up, "Princess, can I, can I ask you for a favor?"
Lights were lit under the corridors, and when it was completely dark, Princess An Ning and Yun Yang went to Qiwu Palace together.
The officials had all arrived, and the concubines were sitting aside, dignified and elegant with pearls and jade on their heads. However, the old emperor's eyes were always on Concubine Xue Life, and he didn't even look at the concubines who were dressed like colorful butterflies.
Yun Yang sat with the officials' wives, many of whom were ladies of noble birth, and only one or two were as young as her. During the meal, the conversation flowed and they became familiar with each other. People of the same age chatted happily with each other, and Yun Yang was no exception.
"This must be the wife of the Left Jindu Censor, right? You look so young!" The young woman behind Yun Yang started chatting with someone.
Young women had common topics to discuss, from their husbands' official positions to marital harmony, mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and even parenting tips. After a while, Yun Yang felt someone poking her in the back, "Whose wife is this?"
Yun Yang was a little embarrassed, "I'm from the Xue Mansion."
"The Xue Mansion?" the young lady exclaimed in surprise. "You are the wife of Master Xue Yu? Seeing is believing. My elder sister always wanted to marry Master Xue, but he was already engaged, and she regretted it for the rest of her life. Your last name is Yun, right? Sister Yun, why don't you hang out with us? You must be so lonely in the mansion. We should hang out more often. Your waist is so slim, you must have never given birth, right?"
Yun Yang sighed silently. At a glance, she saw that all the people present were ladies of the imperial court. As Xue Yu's sister-in-law, she should not have come to such a banquet if it were not for the princess's invitation.
How could she explain this? If she did, it would sound like she was being too formal with someone she had just met. Yun Yang was struggling to find her words, her eyes darting around, trying to think of something she could use as an excuse to get out of this predicament. If she started chatting with them, she would inevitably be asked more questions.
The princess was sitting in the upper seat, blushing as she chatted with the King of Nanzhao.
Suddenly, she saw a familiar figure in the bright lights. He had a pair of narrow and deep eyes under his right-angled bun. He was looking at her with his thin lips raised. He did not blend in with the crowd of princes and nobles. Instead, just standing there, he had an unconcealable brilliance.
The imperial eunuchs were still looking at her curiously, "Why don't you say anything? Don't be so distant with us. We will have such banquets more often in the future..."
Xue Yu walked towards Yun Yang in full view of everyone. He saw her little face turn red, even her earlobes were red, and the pink jade earrings swayed, making half of her face a clear pink, which was very cute.
He sat down next to Yun Yang very naturally. When the ladies beside him saw him coming, they whispered to each other for a while and then fell silent.
It was not until the dancer started the Huxuan dance that the awkward silence was broken and laughter returned.
I hadn't seen him for a few days. When I saw him for the first time, my heart was beating wildly. Yun Yang picked up the cup and took several sips of tea before he felt his face was no longer so hot.
"Are you very thirsty?" Xue Yu asked.
"It's a bit hot." She calmly avoided his approach and whispered, "I've finished talking to the princess. Can I leave first? This banquet doesn't look like it will be over soon."
He did not answer, as if he had not heard it, and continued to toast with the adult opposite him, listening attentively to the political affairs he was talking about.
After a few seconds, Yun Yang felt her hand being held tightly, and his fingertips caressed her palm again and again.
The moon hangs in the sky like a silver plate.
It was a cold night as Yun Yang and Xue Yu walked one after the other in the palace corridor.
Yun Yang's mind was full of wanting to stay away from him. Xue Yu was no longer even pretending, exuding her irresistible charm anytime and anywhere.
The vague love was broken, and shame came more violently than joy.
Even the princess' words did not move her much. Yes, marriage only happens once in a lifetime, and it is not easy to meet someone you like, but how could she know whether her sister liked him or not?
If her sister also likes it, she will definitely not compete with her sister.
Xue Yu is a person with bright eyes and clear mind, and her sister is also a beautiful woman with graceful figure and clear mind, they are the perfect match.
But why, thinking of Xue Yu being with her sister, thinking of his tenderness and care being given to another person in the future, thinking of the image of another person in his beautiful eyes, even if this person is her sister, she still feels sad and wants to cry...
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she bumped into Xue Yu's back.
"What's wrong? You look distracted." Xue Yu turned around and said with a smile, "Could it be that Yangyang has also heard the legends in the palace and is afraid?"
"What legend?" Yun Yang asked.
"There was a concubine in the previous dynasty who lived a lonely life without a single day of favor. She was even buried with the late emperor. She was filled with resentment and her ghost would not go away. She would often walk along this road with her long tongue, scaring the little palace maids as they passed by." Xue Yu said.
Yun Yang: "...Are you lying?"
"I'm not lying to you." Xue Yu said with a smile, "If you don't believe me, just ask any palace maid."
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