Chapter 46 The Stars Are in His Highness's Palm
Regarding the matter of restoring her sight, Yan Xuecui never had much confidence. The so-called cure was just to please her mother.
Each time he removed his blindfold, all he saw was darkness. He didn't know when he would regain his sight, and gradually he lost all hope.
If you don't hold onto hope, you won't experience the pain of shattered hope.
He adapted to the darkness, rather than letting it sway his emotions and trap him in endless anxiety and despair, which would be meaningless.
But when that moment came, he stood frozen, his heart trembling silently.
A crack appeared in the darkness before him, and a surge of intense light flooded in, instantly filling every dark corner he could see.
In the bright, hazy light, the girl's dark, moist eyes suddenly came into view.
Although it was blurry and unclear, it still brought him an unprecedented shock.
Chi Ying also noticed his unusual behavior.
In the past, she would be forced to kiss him first, but this man would never be so calm. She was even prepared for him to take the initiative and wait for the burning entanglement between their lips and teeth, but she never expected that he would just quietly accept this light kiss.
Chi Ying was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously stepped back a little, looking into his gray and empty eyes, and her heart suddenly tightened slightly.
He used to "look" at her like that. At first, she would feel a strong sense of being stared at, but she gradually got used to it and attributed it to his habitual bias when talking to people. The staring gesture made him look no different from ordinary people. Otherwise, how could he have deceived Consort Zhuang for two years?
However, at this moment, she clearly felt a gaze, as if it were tangible, fall on her face and linger for a long time.
She felt a sudden pang of unease for no apparent reason. "Your Highness?"
Another loud boom came from outside the window, and dazzling fireworks, like clusters of shooting stars, illuminated the dark night sky as bright as day. Layer upon layer, the fireworks fell like rain, blooming across the entire sky.
A flash of golden and white light appeared before Yan Xuecui's eyes, and she also saw the girl's blurry face.
After a long silence, he heard himself speak in a hoarse voice: "The fireworks...were they beautiful?"
Chi Ying was stunned for a moment before belatedly realizing that his world was completely dark, and the dazzling fireworks in the sky only made his ears hear a series of unexpected roars.
The most beautiful moment of fireworks is the instant they burst into bloom, but for the blind, it is undoubtedly a deeper regret and pain.
He took her to see the most magnificent scenery in the world, but he himself could see nothing.
Chi Ying did not answer, but silently held his hand, their fingers interlocking without a sound.
Yan Xuecui continued to "watch" her.
Chi Ying awkwardly changed the subject: "Is Your Highness hungry?"
Yan Xuecui pursed her lips: "Not watching the fireworks?"
Chi Ying said, "We can see it from inside the house, shall we have our meal first?"
Yan Xuecui remained silent for a moment, her Adam's apple bobbing slightly: "Not going to continue kissing? Was the kiss just now abandoned halfway through a reward?"
Chi Ying said helplessly, "Your Highness kisses me every day, don't you get tired of it?"
Yan Xuecui: "You know we kiss every day, so a kiss doesn't count as a reward. Are you planning to think of something else?"
Chi Ying: "..."
She didn't know what kind of response she could give him.
The melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted from the painted boat. Chi Ying looked out the window and saw the city river shimmering with golden light. The painted boats and pleasure boats were covered with flowers and lanterns. Small boats swayed gently on the water, and some people sat idly at the bow, scooping up the moonlight in their hands and playing with the fragrance of flowers on their clothes.
A thought lingered in her mind. After a moment's consideration, she suggested, "Would Your Highness like to ride in a rowboat?"
Yan Xuecui: "You want to take a boat?"
Chi Ying nodded: "Hmm, I'm thinking of going to the ship, but it depends on Your Highness's opinion. It might not be safe on the ship..."
Yan Xuecui said directly, "Go if you want to."
After saying this, he summoned Cheng Huai and whispered a few instructions to him. Cheng Huai immediately accepted the order and left.
After a simple dinner, the two left the Hidden Spring Pavilion. Cheng Huai had already prepared a pleasure boat, which put Chi Ying at ease.
He has been assassinated many times, and today it is on the city moat again. It is always better to be prepared in advance.
Unexpectedly, before the two even reached the dock, Chi Ying bumped into someone she had never thought of before.
The man had just stepped off the painted boat. Chi Ying remembered his appearance and cautiously called out, "Your Highness Prince Xuan?"
Prince Xuan looked over with a hint of surprise, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment. Then he saw Yan Xue Cui reach out and take Chi Ying's hand, smiling as she said to him, "So it's Brother Prince Xuan."
King Xuan then looked away from Chi Ying's face and said calmly, "Seventh brother and sister-in-law are in high spirits today."
Chi Ying's face flushed slightly as Yan Xue held his hand tightly. After all, they were in front of others, yet he didn't hold back at all.
But when she thought about how he had held her hand like that at the banquet, and how it had been seen by others, and considering that he was blind, she had no choice but to let him hold her hand.
Yan Xuecui could see a blurry figure in front of her, and could vaguely make out that the person was wearing a dark blue robe. She couldn't help but ask, "Brother Xuan, are you alone?"
King Xuan neither confirmed nor denied it.
Chi Ying glanced unintentionally behind him, her gaze momentarily faltering.
Although King Xuan did not travel with his queen, a woman wearing a veil emerged from the painted boat behind him and was being helped forward by her personal maid.
This woman... even though her features were obscured, her figure alone gave her a vaguely familiar look.
Before she could examine it closely, Yan Xue urged, "Let's go, weren't you going to take me on a boat trip? By the way, would Brother Xuan Wang like to come along?"
King Xuan smiled and looked away from their clasped hands: "No, Seventh Brother and Sister-in-law, please go."
Yan Xuecui discovered that his mother had poisoned him, causing her to be demoted and confined to her quarters. She also exposed Bao Shan, whom he had planted next to Chi Ying. Now, she has even sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard to conduct a thorough investigation of the Ministry of Works. The two of them have long since broken off relations in secret. No matter how well Prince Xuan cultivates his composure, he cannot remain calm in front of him.
After they left, Chi Yingyue slowly stepped forward, her face full of disbelief behind the curtain: "That...that was Prince Zhao?"
King Xuan stared at the two figures leaning on each other from behind and said calmly, "Yes."
Chi Yingyue was so shocked that she couldn't speak.
She was feeling cooped up in the villa, and today she finally managed to beg Prince Xuan to take her out for a walk. Who would have thought that she would run into Chi Ying and Prince Zhao by such a coincidence.
Fortunately, because her relationship with King Xuan was kept secret, they did not dare to walk side by side openly, and she also wore a veil, so no one should have recognized her.
But... no one told her that King Zhao had such striking features, with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and a dignified and refined appearance!
He was not as cruel and insane as the rumors suggested. He was cheerful and talkative during the conversation, and apart from being blind, he seemed to have no flaws.
Even the way he held the bamboo cane still made him tall, elegant, and graceful, quite unlike the image of a cripple on the verge of death that she had imagined!
What kind of seductive tricks did Chi Ying use to coax a blind man into taking her out to stroll through the market and ride a boat? It's truly unbelievable.
King Xuan glanced at her and urged, "We've ridden the boat and seen the lanterns, let's go back."
Seeing his indifferent tone, and because of seeing King Zhao and Chi Ying, Chi Yingyue felt a little stifled.
King Xuan frowned: "Our relationship cannot be shown to others for the time being. The atmosphere in the court is tense lately. Bringing you out today is already an exception. Do you really want to be seen by others in public?"
Chi Yingyue gritted her teeth and agreed.
She rarely goes out, and today she was unable to enjoy herself to the fullest. She also had to hide and not be seen by anyone. Even on the carriage back home, she was still holding her breath.
Seeing that King Xuan was resting with his eyes closed, she tentatively asked, "Has King Zhao recovered from his serious injuries?"
Her memory was still stuck before Chi Ying got married. At that time, everyone said that King Zhao was seriously injured and difficult to cure, and that he was cruel. She was afraid that she would suffer all kinds of torment after marrying him, and that she might even have to be buried with him. She refused to marry him, risking the crime of deceiving the king and implicating her whole family. She went to great lengths to have Chi Ying marry in her place. But now she was told that King Zhao was fine.
Not only is he alright now, but he's also handsome and has a high social standing. Even if he were blind, he wouldn't be any less impressive! If she had known this would happen, why would she have bothered with all this effort!
Previously, Chi Ying wanted to switch back and said that King Zhao treated her well. She thought that was just to trick her into going to her death, but it turned out that what she said was true.
Chi Yingyue glanced at Prince Xuan discreetly. She wondered what was wrong with him lately; he must be preoccupied with matters of the court, and he wasn't as gentle and considerate towards her as before.
She clenched her teeth and stroked her lower abdomen.
Well, it's different after all. The emperor can't possibly pass the throne to a blind son. Prince Xuan is the most likely to win, and his child will be the eldest prince in the future!
It's still better than serving a blind person.
Meanwhile, Chi Ying and Yan Xuecui boarded a pleasure boat. The boatman who rowed the boat was one of their own. Tea and snacks were laid out in the cabin, and various lanterns of the twelve flower goddesses were hung in the four corners.
The oars sliced through the water, creating shimmering blue waves, and the boat swayed gently towards the center of the lake.
Chi Ying took Yan Xue Cui's hand and slowly walked towards the stern of the boat.
Looking out, the river is dotted with lights, the night breeze carries the fragrance of flowers, and lotus lanterns drift from the riverbank onto the water, their reflections flickering. In the distance, the sound of string and wind instruments drifts from the painted boats, the slow melody mingling with the sound of waves lapping against the boats and the creaking of oars, making one feel relaxed and at ease from head to toe.
Chi Ying had some thoughts, but seeing King Zhao dressed in a neat brocade robe, exuding an aura of otherworldly nobility, she feared he might not be willing…
Noticing her hesitation, Yan Xuecui asked, "What's wrong?"
Chi Ying pursed her lips and said, "Would Your Highness like to lie on the deck, listen to the sound of the water, and try to catch the stars?"
Yan Xue smiled and said, "Catching stars?"
Although he didn't quite understand, he still placed his hand in hers.
Chi Ying carefully took his hand, their feet creaking as they walked towards the deck.
Cheng Huai and the boatman watched this scene with bated breath. Although he had already confirmed that there were no dangers lurking in the water or in the distant forest, he could not guarantee that the princess would not choose this moment to make her move and push his prince into the water.
The two were only a step away from the water. Cheng Huai watched as the princess pulled the prince's hand and reached into the river, seemingly trying to catch something—fish or shrimp?
On the stern deck, Yan Xuecui reached out and touched the cool river surface. A soft, gentle voice, filled with laughter, told him, "Your Highness, did you touch it? The star is in your palm."
He could already see some blurry scenes.
Tiny specks of light floating on the river, lights flickering on both banks, lanterns hanging from the boat, and the smiling face of the girl beside me.
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Author's Note: 50 random red envelopes [shy][shy]
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