Chapter 15: They Wouldn’t End Up Together
“During these three months of reflection in Chaoren Hall, I have thought things through clearly. Shijun Lin, you should not come looking for me anymore in the future.”
“My older sister will summon you back sooner or later. If you need anything from now on, or lack anything, just go directly to Ruyue. I will have her arrange everything for you.”
Having said her piece, Li Qinghe was unwilling to speak with Lin Yue any further. She turned and left with Ruyue.
In contrast, Lin Yue’s face was deathly pale, his entire body trembling like a leaf in the wind.
Was Princess Qinghe blaming him with those words?
How could that be?
Princess Qinghe was perfectly clear about the relationship between him and the First Princess.
They would not end up together.
Why would she say something so chilling to him?
“Your Highness, are we being a bit too harsh with Shijun Lin?” Ruyue asked, unable to bear it.
Shijun Lin had previously gathered a great deal of information for them from the First Princess’s side. Now, just because he was no longer of use, they were casting him aside. No matter how she thought about it, their actions felt wrong.
Li Qinghe stopped in her tracks.
She glanced sideways at Ruyue.
“Are you blaming me?”
Her ambiguous tone carried an indescribable coldness and intensity. It was clear that Li Qinghe was already displeased with what Ruyue had just said.
Ruyue shivered under Li Qinghe’s icy gaze. Only then did she realize she had said something she shouldn’t have in front of her master. Her heart pounded with anxiety, and she quickly lowered her head and knelt by Li Qinghe’s side.
“This servant wouldn’t dare.”
Li Qinghe didn’t speak immediately. She just stared at her for a few seconds. And in those few seconds, Ruyue felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, wishing she could just drop dead on the spot.
After a long moment, Li Qinghe finally spoke slowly, “Ruyue, you are my person now. I don’t want to hear words like today’s from your mouth again, do you understand?”
She was not a benevolent person; when she was ruthless, she could even be cruel to herself, let alone a mere maid.
Ruyue naturally felt the killing intent emanating from Li Qinghe and nodded obediently.
“Yes, this servant will remember.”
She had indeed been too careless today. She had spoken without thinking, assuming Li Qinghe was the same as before.
Meanwhile, Lang Hua, bored in his palace, had brought his personal guard to the imperial garden. Unexpectedly, just as they reached the lotus pond, they saw the scene of Ruyue kneeling before Li Qinghe in the distance.
“It seems Princess Qinghe is disciplining her personal maid,” remarked Feng Yi, Lang Hua’s trusted aide. He was as tall as Lang Hua and wore a guard’s uniform. Though not as dashingly handsome as Lang Hua, his sturdy build was enough to make one feel a sense of security.
“My lord, should we go over and greet the princess?” As Feng Yi asked, he didn’t forget to observe the expression on Lang Hua’s face, implying that if he showed even a hint of reluctance, they would take another path.
“No need,” Lang Hua said, glancing in Li Qinghe’s direction and raising a hand.
Because Li Qinghe was already walking toward them. Even if they wanted to hide, it was too late.
“Shijun Lang.”
Finding this particular shijun in the imperial garden was quite unexpected for Li Qinghe. But since they had run into each other, she naturally had to step forward and greet him to avoid appearing flustered.
“Princess Qinghe.” Lang Hua raised an eyebrow, returning the courtesy with a raised hand.
To be honest, he did not like this Princess Qinghe. The way she looked at people was extremely uncomfortable, like a venomous snake staring at you from behind, making one feel cold and numb all over.
“Shijun Lang, have you just arrived at the imperial garden?” Li Qinghe took the initiative to invite him, “Would you like to accompany me to Fenghe Hall to see my sister?”
After three months, she had heard that her dear older sister’s health was getting worse by the day. It was a good coincidence that she was out today; she could go and see if she was truly as gravely ill as Ruyue had reported.
“Princess Qinghe is too kind.” Lang Hua refused without a second thought. “Her Highness is most likely still resting. I shall not disturb her.”
The implication was clear: You can go if you want. Don’t drag me along.
He had no desire to stand awkwardly in front of Princess Xuanyue. It was just too embarrassing.
Li Qinghe hadn’t expected to be rejected so bluntly. The smile on her face froze for a moment before she slowly spoke, “So, Shijun Lang has just returned from my sister’s place?”
Otherwise, how would he know that Li Xuanyue was still resting at this hour? When had she become such a heavy sleeper?
“No.” How could Lang Hua not know what Li Qinghe was thinking? He answered briskly, “I was merely speculating based on Her Highness’s usual resting schedule. As for whether Her Highness is actually resting, perhaps Princess Qinghe should go and see for herself.”
Why are you dragging me into this? Are we that close?
The forced smile on Li Qinghe’s face nearly cracked. She took a deep breath and said in a calm voice, “In that case, I shall visit my sister later. I will accompany Shijun Lang for a stroll in the garden…”
As it happened, she had a few things she wanted to discuss with this shijun.
“Please don’t…”
Before Li Qinghe could finish, Lang Hua cut her off again.
“This garden is so large, and Princess Qinghe is in high spirits. I wouldn’t want to spoil your mood. I will just go and sit in the pavilion up ahead. Farewell.”
Without waiting for her reply, Lang Hua led his aide straight toward the pavilion.
Li Qinghe’s dark eyes seemed to be laced with poison, her face turning pale with anger at Lang Hua’s attitude. This feeling of being unwelcome instantly transported her back three years to the days she spent with her Jun Fu in Taihe Hall. At the time, she didn’t understand why her Jun Fu would fly into a rage and smash things in the hall. It wasn’t until one day, peeking over the wall of Taihe Hall, that she saw the high and mighty Jun Hou, dressed in a magnificent red phoenix robe, slowly walk towards the Mother Emperor under the gaze of thousands. Only then did she understand why her Jun Fu had gone mad, why he had smashed things.
One was the exalted Jun Hou, revered by a hundred clans; the other was a noble consort cast into the Cold Palace, scorned by all. Such a vast disparity would drive anyone to madness.
And just now, this Shijun Lang had successfully made her experience that feeling all over again.
“Princess, where are we going next?” Ruyue asked cautiously from the side.
Since the First Princess was still resting, they would likely be given the cold shoulder if they went now. But Li Qinghe would probably be unwilling to simply return.
“Is Shijun Wen still in Fanghua Hall?”
Anger was anger, but Li Qinghe had not forgotten what she needed to do next.
“Send someone to secretly summon him for me. Tell him I have something to discuss with him.”
Since Li Xuanyue was still resting, she would start with the people around her. This Wen Shijun was an excellent choice.
Hadn’t he been infatuated with her before?
If so, she would give him a chance to prove it.
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