Chapter 19
Not long after Jixiang's figure disappeared, another slender figure arrived quietly with light, quick steps. Xiangmo slightly curtsied, offering a greeting more intimate than usual, her voice exceptionally gentle: "Greetings, Miss. The grand banquet in the manor has begun. The young master has specially sent me to invite you to the front courtyard to join in the festivities." Her words were carefully chosen, revealing a hint of barely perceptible caution.
Xi Xiao slowly withdrew her gaze, which fell on Xiang Mo's lowered eyelashes, and a knowing, sarcastic smile curled at the corner of her lips: "I wonder what orders you have now, young master?"
Upon hearing this, Xiangmo's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. She raised her eyes to look into Xi Xiao's cold gaze, sighed softly in her heart, hesitated for a moment, and finally whispered, "Miss, the young master's feelings for you are truly sincere..."
"Pfft—"
A sneer, undisguised, suddenly rang out, interrupting Xiangmo's unfinished words.
Xi Xiao's eyebrows and eyes were filled with undisguised sarcasm as she said distantly, "Please tell your young master that I understand. I will change into more suitable clothes later and then go."
Seeing the thick layer of frost in her eyes, Xiangmo knew that further words would be futile, so she could only swallow her unspoken words, curtsy once more, and silently retreat.
*
Behind the meticulously arranged rockery in the back garden of the Marquis's mansion, a spacious open area was set aside. On the table, all kinds of delicacies, seasonal fruits, and fine wines were displayed in abundance. The aroma mingled with the rich fragrance of the famous flowers blooming in the surrounding flower gardens, swirling in the wind and intoxicating the senses.
The servants, dressed in brand-new blue robes, moved swiftly yet orderly, silently flitting between the tables, adding wine and serving dishes, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
Courtiers dressed in various colorful robes gathered in small groups, some whispering in hushed tones, others raising their cups and laughing heartily. The air was thick with a subtle atmosphere of intertwined power and false joy.
Behind the screen, a different scene unfolded: noblewomen strolled along the garden paths with their young ladies, discussing poetry and painting, their laughter mingling with the occasional whispered conversation about everyday matters. Betrothed young men and women, separated by a sheer, gossamer screen, exchanged sweet, shy whispers, adding a touch of romance to this grand and lavish feast.
Xi Xiao, dressed in a simple dress, sat quietly in the most inconspicuous corner. Several delicate pastries were laid out on the table in front of her. She casually picked up a small, exquisite pink pastry and put it in her mouth. The sweet aroma of the pastry melted on her tongue. She chewed mechanically, calmly surveying the magnificent scene before her, like oil sizzling over a fire and flowers in full bloom.
A slender, upright figure silently parted the noise. Pei Yun stood beside her at the table, his gaze sweeping over the delicate pastries on the plate. He picked up a pink pastry that Xi Xiao had just tasted, and elegantly put it into his mouth. However, it only lingered on his tongue for a moment before his deep eyes narrowed slightly. He expressionlessly tossed the remaining half of the pastry back onto the plate with a barely audible sound.
He then pulled a snow-white silk handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped the crumbs from his fingertips. After doing this, he looked up at Xi Xiao, a rare faint smile appearing on his face, and deliberately softened his voice: "This pastry is too artificial, losing its natural flavor. The peach blossom pastry from Qiheju's small kitchen has a crust as thin as a cicada's wing, and a filling that is sweet and not greasy. It's much better than what that little girl next to you came up with." He paused, his gaze lingering on Xi Xiao's expressionless face for a moment, "I'll have someone send you some tonight."
Xi Xiao glanced at him coldly, her lips pressed tightly together, offering not even a perfunctory response.
Pei Yun paid no attention to her silence and sat down in the empty rosewood chair next to her. The two were only an arm's length apart.
"Young Master Pei," Xi Xiao finally couldn't bear the agonizing silence any longer. She turned her head, her voice filled with exhaustion and weariness, "When exactly will Young Master Pei make his move?" Xi Xiao was too lazy to deal with him; she was too tired and only wanted to stay away from trouble.
As her words fell, a layer of lingering gloom silently enveloped his face, making his already indistinct features appear even more obscured by a thick fog, with even the outlines of his facial features becoming dark and indistinct.
He did not answer her question, but slowly stood up, his gaze fixed on the commotion at the entrance in the distance. His voice returned to its usual indifference, devoid of any emotion: "Tonight, we have an important guest. Miss Xi, why don't we go and meet him together?"
The words had barely left his lips when the previously noisy courtyard seemed to have been struck by a boulder, instantly creating even larger ripples. The laughter and conversation ceased abruptly, and all the court officials present, as if drawn by invisible threads, rose from their seats, bowing in unison and chanting, "Welcome, Your Majesty! Welcome, Regent!"
Xi Xiao mechanically rose with the others, bowed her head, lowered her eyes, and curtsied. Looking down, she could only see the hems of countless magnificent robes and exquisite shoes. However, just as the bright yellow robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon was about to pass before her eyes, an extremely subtle yet strangely familiar bitter medicinal scent suddenly wafted into her nostrils like a ghost!
This taste...
Xi Xiao's heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, she focused her mind and held her breath, trying to catch that familiar scent again. But the medicinal aroma, like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, quickly dissipated in the air thick with the aroma of incense and food, leaving no trace. A nameless sense of loss and bitterness instantly filled her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
"Rise." A clear, youthful voice rang out from above, breaking the brief silence.
Xi Xiao slowly straightened up with the others, still keeping her head down, eyes downcast and mind at ease.
“Your Majesty—” A deep, resonant voice, tinged with a hint of mockery, suddenly rang out, “Have you taken a fancy to this young lady?” The owner of this voice was none other than Regent Ling Zhouli.
Before she could finish speaking, Xi Xiao felt as if she were surrounded by invisible thorns. Inquiring, curious, and even scrutinizing gazes from all directions instantly focused on her. She frowned almost imperceptibly, suppressing the surging irritation in her heart.
She forced herself to lift her eyelids, and what she saw was the hem of a black prince's robe embroidered with a ferocious four-clawed golden python, not far ahead, swaying slightly with its owner's relaxed posture.
"Uncle, please don't joke with me." The young emperor's voice rang out again, clear and melodious, with a hint of helpless laughter.
Ling Zhouli chuckled softly, his tone revealing an air of nonchalant arrogance. He ignored the young emperor's "explanation," his gaze fixed intently on Xi Xiao. With a casual wave of his hand, he commanded, "In that case, it's fate. Which household's maid are you from? From today onward, pack your things and enter the palace to serve."
Imperial power is as imposing as a mountain, and the words of the emperor are as precious as gold. A single, casual remark can become an inviolable mandate of heaven!
Xi Xiao felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head. She bit her lower lip hard, using all her strength to maintain her composure. She took a small step forward, her head drooping almost to her chest, her shoulders trembling slightly, and her voice deliberately weak, carrying a clear sob and heavy timidity, as if she had been terrified by this sudden "favor".
"Your Highness... I am not a maidservant of the Marquis's mansion, but merely a humble country doctor. I am grateful to the Marquis's mansion for their kindness in allowing me to examine and treat Young Master Pei. I am but a frail woman, clumsy and unskilled, hardly fit for such a refined occasion... Moreover,..." Her voice choked with emotion, filled with endless shyness and fear, "I... I already have someone I love and adore. I dare not offend Your Majesty's eyes, much less... dare not defile the palace..."
A very soft laugh seemed to come from above. At the same time, the faint, familiar, bitter medicinal smell that Xi Xiao had been smelling seemed to grow stronger.
"Oh?" The young emperor's voice rang out with interest, "Who is the young lady's beloved...?"
Seeing that the Emperor seemed quite interested, even several senior officials stroked their beards and looked on with amusement, the atmosphere immediately relaxed. Someone joined in the jeering, their voices exaggeratedly teasing: "Who is your sweetheart? Could she... possibly be better than His Majesty?"
The clamor of voices was like a demonic cacophony. At this moment, she missed her senior brother terribly. The intense longing and disgust for this hypocritical occasion intertwined, shattering her last shred of caution. She blurted out, her voice carrying a defiant, reckless bluntness: "He's my senior brother. We grew up together, we're deeply in love, and once this is over, we'll...get married!"
In the courtyard, you could hear a pin drop in an instant!
The air seemed to freeze for a few breaths, everyone's expressions stiff. Ling Zhouli calmly propped her chin up with her hand, a playful smirk playing on her lips, showing no intention of defusing the situation or ending this farce. On the other side, several senior officials' faces had darkened. They felt this country girl was utterly ignorant of her place, daring to defy the emperor's will in such a way. They were about to speak up and rebuke her, to save face for the emperor—
"ha……"
A soft, pleasant laugh came from above.
The young emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, showed no anger whatsoever. Instead, he seemed to have heard something extremely interesting. His eyebrows relaxed, the corners of his lips turned up slightly, and even his voice seemed to carry a hint of pleasure: "So that's how it is. Since you already have someone you love, then... so be it." He casually waved his hand and leaned back in his chair with a relaxed posture.
The stagnant air instantly began to flow, and the courtyard was once again filled with deliberately amplified laughter and the sounds of string and wind instruments.
Xi Xiao's tense nerves suddenly relaxed. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief and slowly straightened up. However, before she could move her feet even an inch, a cold hand, as cold as an iron clamp, suddenly grabbed her wrist!
It's Pei Yun!
His strength was astonishing. Without giving her any chance to resist, he roughly pulled her away from where she was. Before Xi Xiao could react, she was pulled so hard that she stumbled.
Just as her body was being pulled, a gaze shot from behind her, locking onto her back!
Xi Xiao subconsciously wanted to turn around and look—
However, Pei Yun was faster. He pulled her forcefully, almost holding her hostage, and quickly slipped into a narrow, dark corner ahead!
The cold, artificial rock face brushed against her arm, causing a slight sting. The gaze behind her, filled with a certain inquisitive amusement, vanished completely the moment she disappeared into the shadows.
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