Song Tangxue recalled the intricately carved mandarin duck embroidered fan from her previous life. It was indeed exquisite and ingenious, a real eye-catcher, and even among royal embroidered fans, it was second to none.
Later, Haitang personally pawned it. By then, they couldn't afford to eat anymore, and the embroidered fan was only exchanged for two stale steamed buns.
It's a pity I'll never see it in this lifetime. Song Tangxue put down the simple embroidered fan in her hand and looked outside. The open window faced the adjacent cubicle, which was the rest room where her personal maid served her.
Previously, Haitang was the one who rested inside.
After returning today, Song Tangxue ordered it to be locked up. She was afraid that the sight of it would trigger her emotions, but what could she do? She was already feeling uncomfortable even before she went inside.
Song Tangxue paused slightly, but still turned and went to the house. She had to see Haitang, even if it was the last time.
Pushing open the door, the sunlight streamed in from behind, instantly warming the small, square room.
The room was clean and bright. Song Tangxue couldn't help but choke out a sob. She closed the door and slowly sat down against it, her heart aching.
The door was closed, and sunlight streamed through the window, creating a sense of oppression. The room was desolate, and Song Tangxue immediately noticed a splash of bright red on the bed.
That was the only bright spot in the darkness.
Song Tangxue rushed over almost in disbelief, picked it up and saw that it was indeed an embroidered fan, exactly the same as the one from her previous life.
It turns out that Haitang had already started preparing.
Tears welled up uncontrollably, sliding down her cheeks and onto the embroidered fan. Song Tangxue stroked the fan, then took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped it clean. This was the fan Haitang had left for her, and she wanted to cherish it.
Sobbing, Song Tangxue carefully placed the embroidered fan close to her body and sat on the soft couch where she was temporarily resting. She looked around the room and thought of countless crabapple blossoms.
She could almost picture Haitang sewing embroidered fans for her in this very room before they were arrested; Haitang must have wanted to give her a surprise.
This embroidered fan is not worthy of her marriage to Li Zhaoxian.
Things seemed relatively calm around her; even the troublemaking Song family members seemed weak and listless, so she wasn't afraid.
But the capital city is a place that devours people without spitting out their bones. Even if Haitang could leave quietly, her own life was also precarious.
Those scoundrels behind your back would kill you with the slightest gesture.
The capital city is a cannibalistic place; if you're not careful, you could be the next one to die.
Song Tangxue already understood this principle, but Haitang's death made her even more determined that if she wanted to protect herself in the capital, she needed to be even smarter.
Don't get involved in things you can avoid; those who watch from the sidelines are the ones who reap the benefits.
In the evening, Song Tangxue was flipping through the account book when Cuixi came in and said, "Miss, you should rest early these next few days. The wedding is just around the corner."
Cui Xi adjusted the candlelight. Under the lamplight, the beauty's skin was as smooth as jade, and her slender shadow changed with the flickering of the light.
"Cuixi, you've worked hard these past few days taking care of the courtyard." Song Tangxue put down the account book and rubbed her head.
Cui Xi paused for a moment: "It's not hard work for you, Miss. It's all for you..."
"Is that so?" Song Tangxue's face appeared even more unfathomable under the lamplight. Cuixi's hand, which was holding the lamp, trembled slightly as she nodded. "It's good that Miss has returned safely."
“Yes.” Song Tangxue told Cuixi to turn off the light. “It’s good enough that you’re back. You can wait outside.”
Cui Xi walked over and put away the account book, but disagreed: "Miss, Haitang is gone. Let me serve you. It's inconvenient for you to be alone."
"I know you're very loyal. You can go now. I don't really want to talk about this right now." Song Tangxue waved for him to leave.
Song Tangxue had just taken off her clothes and lay down when the window creaked open, and someone climbed in from the outside. Startled, Song Tangxue pulled out a dagger from under her pillow.
"It's me." A familiar voice. Xie Qianzhong pulled down his hood and stood quietly under the moonlight, a smile spreading across his face: "Tang Xue."
Hearing his soft call, Song Tangxue reached out and hugged him with a touch of grievance, her voice soft and sticky. She had gone to Haitang's room again after returning today, and her heart was filled with even more sorrow.
Having been reborn, she didn't have many people around her, with Haitang and Xie Qianzhong being the first two she kept.
"Are you alright?" Xie Qianzhong stood by the bed, gently embracing her and patting her back. "How are your injuries?"
"It's all over now." Song Tangxue nuzzled her face against his chest, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "But I'm getting married."
Xie Qianzhong sat down on the edge of the bed as she moved, and Song Tangxue rested her head on his lap, lying down and watching the bed curtains being blown by the wind: "I'm getting married."
Song Tangxue emphasized it again. Xie Qianzhong's eyes were somewhat unfocused. He unconsciously reached out and stroked her back, knowing that Song Tangxue was not feeling well.
Even his chest was aching slightly, with an inexplicable itch. He didn't know why, but it was very uncomfortable.
"Will Lord Xie be jealous?" Song Tangxue suddenly got up from his lap and asked with a smile as she looked into his eyes.
It was as if all the moonlight had been poured into her eyes, making them crystal clear.
Song Tangxue looked at him with bright eyes, leaving Xie Qianzhong nowhere to hide, her burning gaze locking onto him.
"I..." The words were about to slip out.
Song Tangxue reached out and covered his mouth: "I don't need your promise, but I can make a promise to you."
"I won't let Li Zhaoxian touch me, I'll only let you touch me." Song Tangxue's eyes sparkled like moonlight, and Xie Qianzhong's heart softened completely: "There won't be anyone else in the future."
Xie Qianzhong knew why he had come today; he just wanted to hear those words, even though he had no right to ask Song Tangxue to do so.
Song Tangxue gave it to him; she gave it to him before he even asked.
"Crunch."
A faint sound came from outside, clearly unnoticed, but Xie Qianzhong, who was inside, immediately looked over alertly: "Who's outside?"
"Don't worry about it." Song Tangxue glanced casually outside. "I can handle it."
Upon hearing this, Xie Qianzhong loosened his grip, embraced Song Tangxue again, and affectionately pressed his forehead against hers: "I believe you."
"On the contrary, what are you doing here so late at night?" Song Tangxue held his hand in her palm, looking at him teasingly: "A dignified Ninth Prince, sneaking into the boudoir of a substitute bride in the dead of night..."
"Hmm."
Xie Qianzhong lowered his head and kissed Song Tangxue's lips, stopping her incessant chatter. Warm, moist breaths mingled between them.
Song Tangxue's eyelashes trembled a few times before she slowly closed them, responding to Xie Qianzhong. Both of them had a thousand words to say, but they tacitly agreed not to speak them aloud.
Cui Xi, with a strange look in her eyes, silently turned and walked outside.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
