Chapter 7: Unconsummated
“Whether you meant that or not, I do not know, nor do I wish to.”
Li Xuanyue gave Lin Yue no opportunity to explain, rising to her feet. “However, since you are so concerned about my dear sister, why don’t you go serve her in Chaoren Hall after she is released from her solitary confinement?”
Whatever the case, she could not keep him here any longer.
“Grand Princess!”
Lin Yue stared at Li Xuanyue, his eyes filled with disbelief. Had he misheard, or had she misspoken?
He had been able to enter the Phoenix Clan and become her Attendant Lord only because she had insisted, going against the Empress Consort and everyone else to bring him from the Rabbit Clan to her side.
How could she let him go so easily?
Li Xuanyue’s decision stunned not only Lin Yue but also the five other Attendant Lords in the hall and Yin Xin, who had served her for many years.
Everyone in the Phoenix Clan knew how much Li Xuanyue had doted on Attendant Lord Lin for years. She had always treated him like a precious treasure, as if he might melt in her mouth or shatter in her hands.
Over the years, many Attendant Lords had come and gone, but only he had been treated with such special regard by Li Xuanyue. To this day, their relationship remained unconsummated, the reason being that Attendant Lord Lin was not yet ready.
“The fault was mine from the beginning. I knew you were unwilling, yet I forced you to stay by my side as my Attendant Lord. After everything that has happened, I have finally come to my senses.”
Li Xuanyue’s gaze fell upon Lin Yue once more.
“A forced relationship is never sweet. Since you are unhappy by my side, you should go to the one who makes you happy.”
Upon hearing these words, Lin Yue should have felt happy, liberated. But for some reason, he instead felt a trace of bewilderment.
The five Attendant Lords seated to the side exchanged glances. There was nothing left to misunderstand. Li Xuanyue was clearly making an example of him to warn the others. If they, like Attendant Lord Lin, were to always appear as though their hearts were elsewhere, their fates would likely be even more miserable than his.
“You may leave.”
In the end, Lin Yue didn’t even know how he left Fenghe Hall. He had originally thought that since Li Xuanyue and Li Qinghe were sisters, it wouldn’t be a big deal to ask her to plead on Li Qinghe’s behalf. He never imagined it would escalate to him being given away to Li Qinghe.
By the time the reality of the situation sank in, he was already outside the hall.
“Attendant Lord Jun, don’t you think our Grand Princess is quite different from the rumors?”
As the five Attendant Lords left Fenghe Hall, they began to discuss the matter on the path.
“All the clans say our Grand Princess is reckless and hot-tempered. But after seeing everything that has happened from last night until today, do you still think she is a person without a plan?”
The one who spoke was Attendant Lord Lang, a gift from the Fox Clan. Dressed in a red robe, his every move was graceful and elegant. A faint smile touched his eyes and the corners of his lips, giving him the perfect image of a noble young master.
The other Attendant Lords lowered their eyes, saying nothing. What Attendant Lord Lang had said was exactly what they were all thinking.
From the moment the princess had demanded they play a game with her last night, they had sensed that she was far from simple. For her to turn a dangerous situation to her advantage in such a short time, leaving her opponent with no room to resist or find fault—that was not something a reckless person could accomplish.
It was better to continue observing and see what other surprises the Grand Princess had in store for them.
In less than an hour, the news that Attendant Lord Lin had been given to Li Qinghe—on the grounds that Li Xuanyue was not the right person for him—had spread throughout the entire Phoenix Clan.
“My child, you’ve finally come to your senses.”
Inside Xihe Hall, the Empress Consort, Huashan, looked at his daughter and pulled her into a pained embrace.
“Look at you, you’ve gotten thinner recently. Come, eat a good meal with your Father Consort.”
After releasing Li Xuanyue, Huashan quickly picked up his chopsticks and began placing food into her bowl.
“Your Mother Emperor told me everything that happened last night.”
“From now on, you should avoid getting too close to that girl, Qinghe,” Huashan instructed while continuously adding more food to her bowl. “Your Father Consort can see that she is no good.”
“But you’ve always cherished the bond between you two as sisters… It’s just… you will easily be taken advantage of this way.”
Huashan sat across from Li Xuanyue, nagging endlessly, the very picture of a worried parent. His vivid and concerned expression made a wave of sorrow wash over Li Xuanyue’s heart.
“Father Consort.”
Unable to hold back the bitterness she felt, she knelt before Huashan.
How could I have been so foolish in my past life?
Her Father Consort had schemed and planned solely for her benefit, yet she had believed Li Qinghe’s slander, mistakenly thinking he had ambitions to usurp power. Not only did she fail to understand his devotion, but her words in return had been like daggers to his heart. How utterly heartbroken he must have been back then.
Huashan was taken aback. “My child, what is wrong?” He quickly rose and pulled her into his arms. “Why are you crying all of a sudden?”
“Alright, alright, Father Consort won’t nag anymore. I won’t say anything more about that girl, Qinghe, in front of you. Is that okay?”
The greatest regret of Huashan’s life was not killing that wretched girl Li Qinghe with his own hands. Otherwise, his daughter would not have repeatedly defied him because of her.
“Father Consort, from now on, I will protect you.”
Li Xuanyue looked up from his embrace, her expression firm as if she had made a solemn vow.
Huashan paused, not taking her words to heart.
“Alright, alright, from now on, you can be the one to protect your Father Consort,” he replied dotingly.
Though his daughter often went against him, she was still deeply filial at heart. It was because he recognized this that he was unwilling to give up on her.
“Empress Consort, Xiao Han has arrived.”
Just as they were speaking, Huashan’s confidant, Xiao Ce, walked in from outside the hall.
“Greetings to the Empress Consort and Her Highness, the Princess.”
Huashan straightened his robes. “You may rise.” His gentle, paternal expression was gone, replaced by the cold demeanor of a superior. His eyes were impassive, and his tone carried the authority of a ruler addressing a subordinate.
“From this day forward, you will serve Princess Xuanyue.”
“Protect her on my behalf.”
“Father Consort!”
Li Xuanyue was filled not just with shock, but confusion.
Xiao Han and Xiao Ce were Huashan’s most trusted aides. They had sworn a lifetime of loyalty to him. They would never leave their master unless it was a matter of last resort.
“My child, there is no need to be so surprised. Everything I do is for you.” Huashan took her hand, his expression grave. “After all that has happened, I’ve had time to think. Xiao Han is decisive and meticulous. I will only be at ease with him by your side.”
Moreover, last night’s incident was no accident. If Li Xuanyue had not had the experiences of her past life, she might have truly fallen into the trap.
Therefore, she did not refuse Huashan’s kind intentions.
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