Chapter 10 Searching for Him Since That Day...
Since that day they parted, the two had no contact for half a month. Although they lived under the same roof, they did not even have a chance encounter. Perhaps the Prince's mansion was too big, or perhaps someone was deliberately avoiding them.
Winter nights always come early, and the darkness is even thicker. The candlelight flickers by the window, lengthening Yan Yize's shadow. Her beautiful face is illuminated and dimmed by the candlelight. She sits loosely in the chair behind the desk, holding a book in her hand, looking serious as she slowly turns the pages.
"Thump—thump thump—"
The sudden knocking on the door amplified in the night, interrupting Yan Yize's thoughts. He frowned in displeasure, looked up, and turned his gaze to the doorway. His thin lips moved slightly, and he uttered a single word, "Come in."
The simple and elegant wooden door creaked open and closed again. Hui Xue quickly walked to the desk, intending to bow.
"What is it?" Yan Yize waved his hand to stop her from bowing. His light glance was like a sharp blade being drawn from its sheath, flashing with sword light and revealing obvious displeasure.
Hui Xue felt a chill run down her spine. She swallowed nervously, and after thinking of what to say, she spoke, "Your Highness, Young Master Shang left this morning and has not yet returned to the manor."
Shang Xu? Yan Yize was stunned for a moment. Forgotten memories seemed to have been turned on, and those wet and red eyes involuntarily appeared before his eyes again, fragile and pitiful.
A moment later, Yan Yize came to her senses. She put down the book in her hand, frowned, got up and walked to the window. With a gentle push, the half-closed window opened completely. The snow that had been falling for days had finally stopped two days ago, and the snow in the courtyard was beginning to melt, but it was still a vast expanse of white.
Against the backdrop of snow, the already pitch-black night seemed even thicker, like spilled ink, dark and proclaiming how deep the night had become.
Yan Yize stood by the window, his brows furrowed, his gaze fixed on the darkness in the distance, his mood inexplicably sour. "Did he say where he was going?"
"Your subordinate doesn't know." Hui Xue broke out in a cold sweat. Zheng Jun rarely went out, and even when he did, he would return quickly. This time, she had been careless and forgot to ask.
With a thud, Huixue knelt heavily on the ground, the impact so strong it made one's knees ache, but she remained unfazed. "Please punish me, Your Highness."
Yan Yize glanced back at her, his expression cold and devoid of emotion. "Later, go down and receive your punishment."
"yes."
Yan Yize put on his fur coat and strode outside.
——
The streets were deserted in winter, not a soul in sight. The once bustling street was unusually quiet at this moment, appearing even more desolate under the shadow of the night. The howling wind seemed to be telling the story of the street's bleakness.
Yan Yize searched the city but couldn't find any trace of him. The lanterns hanging under the eaves shone dimly, and she stood in the shadows, her emotions unreadable, making it impossible to discern her true thoughts. The cold wind blew her clothes, making them flutter and disturbing her peace of mind. She thought of another possibility.
If she's not in the city, then she must be outside. Yan Yize looked up at the sky, her brows furrowed. At this hour, the city gates would have been closed long ago. Leaving the city wouldn't be difficult for her, but it would inevitably expose her identity.
The night was calm, but countless eyes were lurking in the darkness. Given her current situation, it was best to keep a low profile. Was it worth exposing her identity prematurely for the sake of a nominal ruler?
Yan Yize fell into deep thought, suddenly recalling the scene she witnessed at the Shang residence during her homecoming visit. He endured the beatings and scoldings without uttering a word, as quiet as a clay doll. If she hadn't gone to find him, he probably wouldn't have asked anything or uttered any complaints. She could have easily pretended not to know and chosen not to go.
But she is his wife. Although they have not consummated their marriage, they have still paid their respects to heaven and earth. Is she really going to abandon him?
The night is deep and the dew is heavy; I wonder if something has happened to him.
Time passed second by second. Although it hadn't snowed, the winter night was still cold. The occasional cold wind made one shiver. Although he was cold, his mind became clearer. After a few breaths, Yan Yize made his decision.
Yan Yize suddenly looked up, her dark eyes revealing no emotion. She looked at Huixue and quickly ordered, "Prepare the horses and leave the city."
Hui Xue's expression changed, and she knelt down swiftly, her expression solemn. "Your Highness, you mustn't!"
Your Highness has too many things to do. It is best to act discreetly and avoid attracting attention. Exposing yourself will only bring harm and no benefit.
Yan Yize rubbed his temples, gazed into the distance, and said coldly, "My mind is made up. Go and prepare."
Hui Xue was unwilling, and although she moved her lips, she did not try to persuade him further. Once His Highness made a decision, there was never any possibility of changing it. She could only reluctantly reply, "Yes."
Under the cover of darkness, a carriage sped through the streets and alleys toward the city gate. The guards at the gate stopped it as usual and were about to send it back when a corner of the carriage window was lifted, revealing a jade pendant.
The guard's expression changed, and he hurriedly knelt down to pay his respects, daring not to say another word. He waved to the people behind him to open the city gate.
The heavy, thick city gate required three or four people to pull open. The edge of the gate scraped against the ground, producing a deep, muffled groan that sounded like a phoenix's cry in the quiet night, making it hard to go unnoticed.
The carriage passed through the city gate and drove into the darkness. Yan Yize sat in the carriage, fiddling with the jade pendant in his hand, his eyes flickering with emotion. Tonight, someone would once again have a sleepless night.
——
On a mountain path, a green-canopied carriage stood quietly in the night. The coachman had gone to find someone nearby to help and had not yet returned. Only he and Qingzhu were in the carriage.
After several days of snow, it finally stopped. He had a habit of praying to Buddha, so he wanted to take this opportunity to do so. However, when he went up the mountain to burn incense, he accidentally twisted his ankle, which delayed him on the way down. To make matters worse, the carriage broke down on the way back.
Shang Xu leaned his head against the cold, hard car wall, his eyes slightly lowered, lost in thought. His gaze was as calm as an abandoned, dry well, seemingly indifferent to his current predicament.
He didn't return home all night, and probably no one would care. After all, he wasn't well-liked in either the Shang family or her household, and sometimes he felt quite like a failure.
It was only one night; dawn broke, the city gates opened, and we were able to go back.
A note from the author:
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