Xiao Huaijin hooked his arm around Shen Yunjiao, and before she could react, he held her tightly and nimbly flipped over the vermilion wall, landing steadily on the ground.
“Just one palace away from Huaqing Palace is Feihua Palace, where I am,” Xiao Huaijin explained calmly. He released his hand, and Shen Yunjiao immediately took several steps back, a slight blush creeping onto her beautiful cheeks.
Could Xiao Huaijin please tell her in advance next time he hugs her?
No! Next time, I'll just not let him hug me.
Shen Yunjiao silently pursed her lips and subconsciously looked around.
Is this the courtyard of Feihua Palace, the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace?
But the surrounding area was completely bare.
It looks incredibly empty, devoid of any poetic or picturesque charm.
Shen Yunjiao, who has a natural love for planting flowers and trees, couldn't help but ask, "Why doesn't Your Highness decorate the courtyard? The more beautiful the house is, the happier people will be living there."
Xiao Huaijin looked over with his clear, handsome eyes. "Do you think it would be better to plant some flowers and plants in this yard?"
“Yes, the flowers are in full bloom right now.” Shen Yunjiao looked at the empty courtyard, already having eight hundred different ways to decorate it in her mind.
What a waste!
Doesn't Xiao Huaijin have the innate Chinese gene for growing flowers and vegetables?
The next moment, Xiao Huaijin led her from the corner of the wall to the middle of the courtyard and asked casually, "What flowers do you think are good to plant, Madam Chen?"
"You can plant a big tree in that corner first, also called a main feature tree."
"Then plant some small trees, and finally some brightly colored flowers, such as peonies and tree peonies." Shen Yunjiao walked and planned with great interest. When she turned around, she noticed that Xiao Huaijin was smiling.
"Then I'll do whatever you say." Xiao Huaijin's eyes softened unconsciously.
This statement sounds strange.
Shen Yunjiao quickly shook her head and said, "Your Highness should decide on your own courtyard. I was just making a suggestion on a whim."
She followed Xiao Huaijin into the Feihua Palace. This time, she stopped looking around and sat obediently in a chair.
Shen Yunjiao actually wanted to ask why there wasn't a single maid or eunuch serving in such a large palace.
But after thinking about it, she decided against it, since she and Xiao Huaijin weren't that close yet.
"You just asked why there aren't any flowers or plants in the courtyard," Xiao Huaijin suddenly said. Shen Yunjiao was taken aback for a moment before looking up.
His features were delicate, and his expression remained gentle, yet tinged with a hint of sadness. "The East Palace courtyard used to be decorated by my mother. I heard from the servants that she loved flowers and plants, especially lotus flowers."
“My mother passed away when I was three or four years old, and after that, no one suggested decorating the courtyard.”
Shen Yunjiao looked at Xiao Huaijin, her heart feeling as if it were stuffed with cotton, a bittersweet ache.
Like Xiao Huaijin, she was a child who lost her mother at a young age.
"The dead are gone, the living must go on." Shen Yunjiao stood up and patted Xiao Huaijin's shoulder to comfort him.
She suddenly realized that when she stood up, she only reached Xiao Huaijin's shoulder. What did he eat to grow up like that?
Xiao Huaijin's gaze inadvertently fell on Shen Yunjiao's cheek. Just now, a cool breeze had been blowing in the courtyard, and strands of her hair were fluttering in front of her eyebrows. He wanted to help her smooth them down several times, but in the end, he refrained.
Shen Yunjiao disliked being touched suddenly; if he acted rashly, he would only frighten her again.
"Your Highness, I should go now." Shen Yunjiao glanced out the window at the bright sunshine, worried that Xiao Anle might come looking for her if she didn't return soon.
Xiao Huaijin nodded. "I'll see you out."
Just then, a clear and delicate girl's voice rang out at the door.
Is my cousin home?
Shen Yunjiao was so frightened that she almost lost her soul. Fortunately, Xiao Huaijin reacted quickly and pulled Shen Yunjiao behind the screen before the girl entered the room, and then held her in his arms.
"Cousin, you—" Chu Xiyue had just clearly seen her cousin talking to a woman, but in the blink of an eye, how did the two of them end up behind the screen?
Chu Xiyue wanted to get closer and see through the screen to see who the woman in her cousin's arms was.
"Chu Xiyue, what brings you here?"
Xiao Huaijin spoke coldly, and Shen Yunjiao in his arms didn't dare to utter a sound.
Who is Chu Xiyue, this noble lady in the palace? If she discovers my identity, I'll be utterly disgraced.
Shen Yunjiao became increasingly nervous at this thought, and buried her face in Xiao Huaijin's arms.
Feeling the person in his arms trembling slightly, Xiao Huaijin placed his hand on her back and patted her gently to comfort her.
"Cousin, my grandmother sent me to find you. She said the lotus-picking banquet has already started and you're still nowhere to be found." Chu Xiyue looked at the woman in Xiao Huaijin's arms, a hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes.
“Tell your grandmother I’ll be there soon,” Xiao Huaijin said in a deep voice. “Go quickly.”
"But cousin, in your arms—" Chu Xiyue wanted to ask more, but Xiao Huaijin interrupted her directly.
"It's none of your business."
Chu Xiyue's expression changed, but she gritted her teeth, performed a polite greeting, and left.
Shen Yunjiao then stepped out of Xiao Huaijin's embrace.
Her forehead had been pressed against Xiao Huaijin's chest with a little force, leaving several marks from his clothes.
Xiao Huaijin felt a tickle in his heart and couldn't help but reach out and touch her forehead with his fingers.
Shen Yunjiao was startled and quickly pushed Xiao Huaijin away, her heart pounding.
"Shen Yunjiao".
Xiao Huaijin stared at her stunning face, somewhat lost in thought. "Has anyone ever told you that you look like an animal?"
A fair-skinned, delicate, and timid little rabbit.
Shen Yunjiao awkwardly wiped her face and said, "Your Highness is joking. I am a human being, how could I act like an animal? Besides, Your Highness should be going out now. There are many beautiful women waiting for you in the Imperial Garden today."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaijin unconsciously revealed a hint of tenderness in his eyes as he replied, "Of all the waters in the world, I only drink from one. No matter how good other people are, I won't be interested in them."
Shen Yunjiao was at a loss for words after he said that.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Huaijin's next words were even more solemn.
"From the first time I saw Madam Shen, I felt that she was the most gentle and considerate person in the world. Later, I discovered that Madam Shen was a married woman, and I—"
He took a deep breath and said slowly, "I couldn't get rid of my delusions either."
Shen Yunjiao's pupils constricted sharply in shock, "You—"
What about your values?
“I know, I originally wanted to let you go.” Xiao Huaijin smiled bitterly, “but you suddenly developed a fever, and while you were sick, your husband was showing concern for another woman.”
"He's not a good husband. You've suffered so much for him; it's not worth it at all."
Xiao Huaijin moved closer and whispered in her ear, "Shen Yunjiao, life is short. Why don't you give up Pei Zhixuan and try with me?"
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