Chu Qiao did not ask him why he had extraordinary skills but did not show any of them in the battle in the jungle. She also did not ask him why he was a good flute player but asked an old man to pretend to be a flute player to seduce those girls. She also did not ask him why he did not come to see her once in the past few days, but instead spent every night drinking and making trouble.
Everyone has their own thoughts and a side that they don't want to show to others, especially the royal nobles, who carry too many heavy burdens under their bright yellow silk. The reasons were too heavy, she couldn't bear to uncover them, nor could she understand them.
The moonlit night was cold, but the breeze was gentle. They walked quietly, and no one spoke.
This night is destined to be a sleepless night. That night, Chu Qiao had a dream. She dreamed of the snowy night of that year. The Yongxiang of Shengjin Palace was so long and so quiet. The singing from the front hall was blown by the wind, lively and gentle, the tune was bright, and the luxurious chimes resounded throughout the palace.
The man in the dream stood in front of her, bright red blood flowing from his severed finger, but he smiled awkwardly and said to himself: "It's okay, it doesn't hurt at all."
That smile was like spring water, enveloping her heart and making her feel comfortable and safe for many years.
When I woke up, most of the pillow was wet with tears. Shallow water marks moistened the soft rose-colored pillow, as red as blood-stained rouge.
Chu Qiao sat there anxiously for such a long time, and suddenly she felt that she could not wait any longer.
Even though the palace maids were busy holding umbrellas until half the night, they were unable to stop the lotus leaves from withering. The autumn rain brought a chill down the spine. In the morning, all the green lotuses in the pond had withered. Their black branches and leaves were tangled together, bumping against each other, and even the water in the pond seemed to have become turbid.
The golden chrysanthemums bloomed too early, but due to the continuous rain, the weather was cool and windy, and the ground was covered with yellow flowers, looking extremely withered.
While having breakfast, I heard that the newly appointed palace maid had become arrogant due to her favor, violated Li Ce's taboo, and had been sent to the cold room. Although Li Ce did not order the execution, because this woman had been in favor for a few days and was quite arrogant and domineering, the ladies of several palaces joined forces to do something when she was in trouble this time. It is autumn now, and the room is cold and remote without any lights or candles. After all the trouble, I feel sad and worried. I think it will be difficult for me to survive.
The palace maids only discussed the matter for a while and did not pay much attention to it. Apparently, this kind of thing was commonplace here, but Chu Qiao felt a little sad. She didn't know much about Li Ce, and most of the time she saw him, she saw him smiling. Although she knew that he was no simple man, she couldn't help but take him lightly.
After all, he is the crown prince of Bian Tang and the future king of a country.
After breakfast, Chu Qiao wanted to find someone to let Li Ce know, but before Qiu Sui left, Chan'er came running back, panting and shouting, "Princess Da Xia has entered the city!"
Chu Qiao was stunned, but Qiu Sui had already said, "The princess of Da Xia who is to marry into the alliance? Didn't she say she would come at the wedding? It's still more than a month away."
"Who said it wasn't true?" Chan'er said, "And there was no guard of honor. The princess came alone on horseback and has already arrived at Qin'an Palace. The emperor and the prince have also rushed over."
"This Ninth Princess is quite capable. I heard she is only thirteen years old this year. How come she is so brave?"
"It's not the Ninth Princess, it's the Eighth Princess, the biological daughter of Queen Muhe. They said their Ninth Princess fell ill and died, and this princess came to replace her sister."
When Chu Qiao heard this, it was as if something broke in her heart, and she couldn't help but tremble slightly.
Could it be that the delicate and weak princess of the past has become so brave today? Suffering is indeed the best catalyst for all growth in the world.
Time has passed, and the girl with bun on her head in the past has grown into a graceful young lady. Her sharp and noble face today is like the mist and clouds in a painting, so dazzling and bright that it makes people dizzy.
However, who could have remembered that a long time ago, she was also pure and kind, with a bright smile, wearing a lotus-colored long skirt, holding a rabbit tail in her hand, and smiling coquettishly, "Brother Xun, thank you, Chun'er is so happy..."
Time flies so fast, and the past is gone like smoke. Some things will eventually become the past; some feelings will eventually be buried in bones; some blood will eventually flow between heaven and earth; some love and hatred will eventually be eternal in death. For two whole days, Li Ce did not set foot in the harem. Because of Zhao Chun'er's arrival, the drama of Li Ce's wedding became heated in advance. Now the wedding ceremony is getting closer and closer.
Just as Chu Qiao expected, Daxia's guard of honor and marriage delegation arrived soon after, only one day later than Zhao Chun'er. Although Da Xia changed her mind before the marriage and replaced Zhao Chun'er, the princess's noble bloodline meant that she did not suffer too much trouble. After all, for Bian Tang, who attached great importance to bloodline and the distinction between gentry and commoners, Zhao Chun'er's identity as the only biological daughter of Queen Muhe of the Great Xia Dynasty still won her considerable attention.
The officials of Bian Tang were obviously surprised by Zhao Chun'er's arrival. Hundreds of writers in the Censorate cheered and praised the historical significance of the marriage between Bian Tang and Daxia. The cowardly civil servants spoke eloquently and wrote a brilliant article, making the friendship between Daxia and Bian Tang seem to date back to ancient times. They completely forgot who had broken down Bian Tang's national gate, taken away the eighteen states of Hongchuan, forced the Bian Tang royal family to retreat in panic, and trapped the emperor at the national gate, losing the entire northwestern barrier.
But there is one thing that no one else knows. Chu Qiao frowned slowly, and her slender fingers gently pinched the green gauze of the curtain. A gold foil flower between her eyebrows added a bit of elegance.
Zhao Chun'er was insulted in the chaos of the army that day, and she is no longer a virgin. As the princess of Daxia, she might not need to verify her identity like other concubines before being selected, but once they had sex, it would be impossible for the experienced Li Ce not to notice.
Of course, even if Li Ce found out about this, it would be impossible for him to hold Daxia accountable afterwards. After all, the princess of Daxia slept with Li Ce, and if this playboy went out and said that the woman was not a virgin, no one would believe it. What's more, Li Ce has always been strongly opposed to this marriage. This incident might be regarded as another act of prank by Li Ce. With Li Ce's intelligence, he would not humiliate himself by going out and publicizing that he was cuckolded.
Perhaps Zhao Chun'er would be able to marry successfully, but as an unclean princess married for a foreign country, her future fate can be imagined. Given Zhao Chuner's personality, would she really voluntarily endure all this?
Chu Qiao was secretly cautious, but unfortunately, she couldn't express her worries.
The situation in Bian Tang became increasingly chaotic, but Chu Qiao carefully restrained herself and was no longer in a hurry to leave the palace. In this way, Chu Qiao stayed in the Tang Palace for another two days. Her body recovered to a large extent and her spirit became increasingly refreshed.
Li Ce found a lot of magical medicines for healing. All the wounds on Chu Qiao's body were now free of scars, and even her old wounds had healed by 70%. After many days of treatment, her complexion also looked much better. She was no longer as skinny and vulnerable as before.
At night, a cool breeze blew. Chu Qiao was wearing a soft shirt and sitting against the carved window. The night wind gently lifted the hem of her clothes, making her feel a little cold. Footsteps sounded slowly on the corridor outside, and there was only one person. There is no one else who can come here at this time. Sure enough, within a moment, Li Ce, wearing a navy blue gown, with a slightly red face and smelling of alcohol, stood at the door looking at her, but did not come in.
Chu Qiao looked back at him and saw that his steps were getting heavier and he seemed unable to stand. She quickly stood up and walked to his side to support him. Unexpectedly, as soon as she reached out her hand, Li Ce suddenly pulled her to sit on the doorstep, then lowered his head, rested his forehead heavily on her shoulder, and murmured tiredly: "Qiao Qiao, I'm so tired."
Chu Qiao was stunned for a moment, with her hands in the air, suddenly not knowing what to do.
The night wind blew, and the fragrance of Duruo drifted faintly between the breaths. Li Ce's sleeves were embroidered with light gold patterns, and the fine stitches were as smooth as water. Chu Qiao took a deep breath and asked softly: "Li Ce, what's wrong with you?"
Li Ce shook his head and said nothing.
Chu Qiao asked tentatively: "Is it because of the marriage with Da Xia? Don't you like Zhao Chun'er?"
Li Ce still didn't speak. Chu Qiao sighed helplessly, then sat next to him on the doorstep, letting Li Ce lean on her shoulder without saying a word.
At the beginning of autumn, the air is filled with the faint scent of sparse evening grass. The new moon outside the window is like a new eyebrow, shining faintly through the window lattice, and silvery light pours all over the ground. The palace lanterns are dark purple, flickering on and off, and candle tears drip slowly down the silver-white candlesticks.
The chirping of autumn insects made the room seem even more desolate; after all, this empty palace had not been inhabited for a long time.
"Qiao Qiao, did you send someone to look for me the day before yesterday?" Li Ce suddenly said, his voice a little low, but not as tired as before. He sat up straight, his eyes dark, as if the once soft man before was not him. Chu Qiao knew that his weakness was over, and now he was the invincible Prince Bian Tang again.
"Yes," Chu Qiao nodded, "I want to leave."
"Okay, I'll send someone to take you to Yanbei tomorrow." Li Ce nodded without hesitation and said in a deep voice.
"No, I don't want to go back to Yanbei for the time being. I have unfinished business here."
Li Ce's brows suddenly frowned slightly, and he looked at Chu Qiao steadily, with a hint of inquiry and thought in his eyes.
Chu Qiao said: "You don't have to guess, I'm waiting for someone, as for who this person is, you don't have to ask."
Li Ce smiled slyly and said, “You are probably going to have an affair behind Yan Xun’s back. Zhuge Yue is coming soon. Are you going to go find him?”
Chu Qiao rolled her eyes at him impatiently, "Just guess."
"You'd better be careful," Li Ce said, leaning against the doorpost. "I can still protect you under my nose, but if you go out, it will be difficult to protect you. The people of Daxia have entered the city. They have obviously learned that you are in the palace. I don't need to remind you how much the Xia people hate you."
Chu Qiao nodded, and suddenly thought of Zhao Song with a broken arm. Her face became dull for a moment, and she said softly, "I understand."
Li Ce looked at her with his eyes slanted, and when he saw that she was silent, he suddenly stood up, grabbed her hand, and said loudly: "Come on, I'll take you to a place!"
The night fog was gray, and the dim palace lanterns disappeared into the darkness, like balls of warm flames. Li Ce was wearing a plain robe and brocade clothes. He held her hand and ran with big strides. The night wind passed through their hair, making it light and fluttering, like the finest brocade curtain.
The two came to a courtyard that Chu Qiao had never been to before. They walked through flowers and willows, stepped on the dew of early autumn, turned a few small doors, and brushed aside a clump of green willows. A clear blue lake suddenly appeared before their eyes, filled with lotus leaves that covered the sky and blocked out the sun. The pure white lotus looked like snow sculptures under the moonlight, with a faint fragrance that made people intoxicated.