Xi Xingjiang looked at the tall tower slowly as a Qi Tian lantern flew by, reflecting the figures on the top of the tower. He had been practicing martial arts since he was a child, so his eyes and ears were more developed and sensitive than those of ordinary people— his trained vision confirmed that there were indeed two people sitting on the top of the tower.
Although he could only see two mysterious figures, Xi Xingjiang felt that the slightly more slender silhouette among the two seemed a little familiar.
No way?!
He downed his glass of wine in one gulp and walked toward the window to look closer, but he couldn't see anything that he hadn't figured out yet.
With that glance of his, Xi Xingjiang became a little distracted, and the wine he once enjoyed began to taste a bit unsatisfactory, so he simply got up and left. His companions behind him shouted, "Shizi, why are you leaving now?"
Xi Xingjiang didn't look back as he just waved his hand towards them.
He left the restaurant and went all the way to the palace. The palace gate was closed at this moment, so when the guards saw someone standing aside, one of them came over vigilantly. After realizing who it was, he breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "It's quite late. Is Lord Shizi going to enter the palace now?"
Xi Xingjiang leaned against the wall, "I'm not going in; I'm waiting for someone."
The guard didn't ask any more questions as he went back to stand guard at his post.
In fact, Xi Xingjiang felt that he was most likely wrong, but there would always be a small clump of thoughts that instigated him to verify the facts himself personally. Xi Xingjiang looked up at the bright moon in the night sky and felt that it was ironic to confirm things personally, proving that he indeed had nothing better to do.
After waiting for about half an hour, he yawned and laughed at himself before he was about to leave.
As soon as he made a few steps, he heard the sound of a carriage coming over the slate, gradually approaching. Xi Xingjiang stopped in place and did not hesitate even when the carriage came to him before he gritted his teeth and said, "Didn't you say that you wouldn't attend the Qiqiao Festival?!"
He had great listening skills from his early exposure in martial arts, so he could hear Lin Feilu, who was in the carriage, urging in a low but hurried voice, "Hurry, go, don't bother about him!"
Xi Xingjiang, "…"
He was so angry that he jumped in from the carriage window swiftly, shocking both Song Jinglan and Lin Feilu who were inside.
After she was able to react, Lin Feilu scolded him, "Xi Xingjiang, are you insane?!"
Xi Xingjiang stared at her gloomily, "Were you the one who was on the top of the tower just now?"
Lin Feilu didn't change her facial expression, "What tower? What are you talking about? I don't understand your words at all. Hurry up and get down. I'm going back to the palace!"
Xi Xingjiang stared at her for a long time, but he couldn't see the slightest oddity from the face of the Oscar-worthy actress, so he couldn't help but feel a little discouraged.
Lin Feilu threatened, "If you don't get down, I will summon the guards!"
Xi Xingjiang was so angry that he reached out to try and poke her head, but Lin Feilu flexibly avoided it. He gritted his teeth for a while before taking out a folded paper lantern from his arms and handing it to her, "This is the lantern I got from guessing the lantern riddle tonight. It took me quite a while to guess it right, so take it."
Lin Feilu replied, "I don't want it since I have one already."
Xi Xingjiang wasn't having it as he placed the paper lantern in her hand, "You have to take it!"
After speaking, he stretched out his hand and smacked the top of her head again before jumping out of the same window.
Lin Feilu looked at the paper lantern in her hand. Recalling the gloomy way he said, 'it took me quite a while to guess it right,' she felt sad for him.
After the Qiqiao Festival, the atmosphere reverted to its normal state, and the surrounding temperature gradually lowered with every day's passing. Hence, Lin Feilu no longer went out of the palace often. In addition to that, with the approach of late autumn, the Crown Prince's marriage was getting closer and closer. There were too many people entering and leaving the palace daily, so she consciously didn't want to add to the inspection unit's burdens.
As the first Prince in the royal family to marry a wife, Lin Qing seemed very calm. For him, this marriage was just a bargaining chip to stabilize his position. He didn't care whether he married Si Miaoran or Shi Miaoran(2).
(T/N: Changing the way one's name was written— or changing the surname of someone's name— can be seen as unimportant. That means to the Crown Prince, it doesn't matter to him how the name of his wife is spelled because he doesn't care)
But Lin Feilu felt that since he was about to get married, he should at least have a little bit of expectation and joy for the marriage. Otherwise, his marriage would be completely reduced to a political union, which would be too pitiful of a fact for her to recognize, so she went to the East Palace to feed him some stories and anecdotes every day.
Lin Qing was annoyed by her constant bothering and deliberately frightened her, "If I had known that you were so keen on marriage prospects, I should have agreed when the Imperial Clerk came over and asked for your hand in marriage on behalf of his heir!"
It worked too well— Lin Feilu was instantly frightened, and her eyes widened, "What Imperial Clerk? What do you mean, 'my hand in marriage'?" She remembered something and said in surprise, "You mean Ran Ye?"
Lin Qing raised his eyebrows, "So you know who it is. It looks like the feelings are mutual, then?"
Lin Feilu shook her head violently, almost to the point that the neck would break off visually.
Now she finally knew why Ran Ye was beaten up badly in the Purple Jade Forest.
(T/N: I did guess something along the lines a few chapters ago, but yes, good to know that this was the real reason)
However, Xi Xingjiang was also a problem. Whenever she thought about it, she had a headache, so she went toward Lin Qing and used her coquettish technique, "Brother Crown Prince, if Xi Xingjiang comes to ask Father Emperor for permission to marry me, you guys must do everything you can in your power to reject it."
Lin Qing looked at her amusingly, "You don't like Xingjiang? He is now a young and promising Great General. Admired by countless women in the empire, whoever marries him would receive great treatment once they step into the threshold of his residence."
At times like this, the Little Fifth Princess could always make good remarks, so she retorted, "Since so many women adore him, why should I be the bad guy? Please give the majority of girls in our capital a chance to fight for their loved ones; We can't always limit the good things to the royal family members after all, as we must be kind towards our people."
Lin Qing, "…"
Lin Feilu begged for a long time before she got Lin Qing's assurance. Now that she had his word for it, she happily talked about his marriage again, "I heard that my sister-in-law would come to the palace in a few days to greet Grandmother Empress Dowager and Her Royal Highness the Empress. When the time comes, I will go and take a look. Is there anything you want to ask your wife? I'll help you out."
Lin Qing just smiled and shook his head, "No need for that, as long as you don't scare her off with too much enthusiasm."
Asking about their public or private issues would not be able to change the fact that their marriage was set, so why bother?
From summer to autumn, when the leaves of the palace fell in shades of amber, nature gradually intensified the atmosphere of autumn. The wedding date of the Crown Prince, which was of concern to the whole country, was finally approaching.
At this time, Lin Feilu heard the news that the Emperor of the Song Empire was seriously ill.
For the news of the Song Empire to already reach the ears of the Great Lin Empire, it couldn't have happened only one or two days before. Lin Feilu guessed that this must have occurred a while back by now.
The instant Lin Feilu heard the news, she had a hunch that Pretty Boy would return to the Song Empire. According to the rules, it was necessary to send a representative from the Song Empire to undergo negotiations for the royal hostage to return. The terms would also have to be approved by Emperor Lin.
Nevertheless, even though they waited till there were only two days left before Lin Qing's marriage, no one arrived from the Song Empire, and it seemed like Emperor Lin didn't intend to let Song Jinglan leave either.
Lin Feilu felt that the Song Empire had long forgotten that there was a Prince of theirs still held captive here.
Now that the Emperor was in bad health, paired with the chaotic situation in the Song Empire, perhaps the internal fights between the members of the Song royal family had begun.
The Crown Prince's wedding ceremony was very cumbersome, and every detail, both inside and outside the palace, must be carried out perfectly. With the severity and seriousness around her all the time, even Lin Feilu was starting to get nervous.
At this time, of course, there were no such things as groomsmen and bridesmaids causing trouble in the bridal chamber. The whole wedding process of ancient times was full of solemn and grave atmospheres.
Lin Feilu glanced from a distance and only felt that the bride's Phoenix Coronation Robes looked heavy. She knew it would be tiring to wear such heavy clothes while walking up so many stairs, then kneeling three times before walking around with a dignified posture.
It was not until noon that the ceremony was over. The Crown Princess was sent to the East Palace. In the palace, there was a feast prepared for the Ministers. There were also 60 banquets prepared outside the palace to be shared with the people.
According to the Great Lin Empire's custom, the wedding banquet would last until the end of the evening. Only then can the Crown Prince enter the East Palace to meet the bride, sit under their newly shared home and enjoy some wine together.
After hearing this, Lin Feilu had only one thought in mind, the bride is already so exhausted, but she has to starve from morning to night?
This is too depressing to know!
The palace was more lively on this day than any other state or reunion banquet as the ever-so-strict-palace became a little more cheerful than it usually was. Both royal relatives and important officials in the court were invited to attend the ceremony as they presented congratulatory gifts. Even local officials from all over the country had already delivered gifts to the capital of the Great Lin Empire to congratulate the Crown Prince on his wedding.
Lin Feilu also saw Ran Ye at the banquet. Their eyes met before Ran Ye quickly and cautiously looked away, not even daring to take a second glance her way. What occurred last time with Xi Xingjiang left him with a lot of deterrence.
Lin Feilu was full after feasting and indulging in a myriad of delicacies. Taking advantage of the break, she ran to Noble Consort Xi and asked her, "Your Highness, can I go see the Crown Princess now?"
Noble Consort Xi devoted herself to peeling off a small lychee in her hand. Therefore, she replied, without raising her eyelids, "You can go if you want."
On the other hand, when Noble Consort Ruan heard this, she held her wine glass and said coldly, "I'm afraid it's not in line with the rules."
Only then did Noble Consort Xi tilt her head to look at Noble Consort Ruan and smile lightly, "It's the first time for me to hear that my sister knows how to obey the rules."
Noble Consort Ruan choked on her words and immediately wanted to show her true colors, but this was the Crown Prince's wedding banquet. She knew that Noble Consort Xi was already at odds with the Ruan family, so if she were to do something now to piss her off, she was basically digging a big grave for herself to jump into.
She could only endure the snarky comment with lowered eyes as she sneered.
Lin Feilu respectfully kept her gaze on the two Noble Consort's faces, but her fingers under her sleeves quietly gave a thumbs up to Noble Consort Xi. She didn't know if she saw it, but the furrows between her brows finally softened as she said softly, "Go ahead, just don't cause any trouble."
Lin Feilu responded with thanks and ran away happily.
When she walked outside the palace, Xi Xingjiang was sitting at the pavilion pool not far away, playing 'aim for the pot'(3) with a group of Young Masters with whom he shared good relationships. The pot was also placed very cleverly as it was actually on the back of a turtle. The turtle floated on the water and swam slowly whereas the people on shore hurriedly threw their arrows into the wooden barrel on its back.
(T/N: A traditional game where children would get a tall pot/ barrel/vase and stand at a distance from it. From the same starting point, each kid would aim and throw 3-10 arrows per turn, depending on the children, with the goal to make as many arrows precisely land into the pot as they could. Whoever could do the most wins)
Lin Feilu glanced at them and felt that the Xi family was genuinely going into decline. She couldn't see the heroic spirit and composure that belonged to the supposed young General!
Like seriously, at this rate, how is he different from a bunch of hooligans?
She shook her head sadly, ignoring them and moving on. Xi Xingjiang threw a bunch of arrows into the pot one after another. He was a little absent-minded, but not a single arrow missed its mark. He felt extremely bored after throwing a number of arrows effortlessly, so he glanced around randomly before his dry expression suddenly turned alive.
He caught up to Lin Feilu after taking a few steps. Xi Xingjiang ruffled her hair casually as he usually did and then asked with a smile, "Little Bean, where are you going? Why aren't you taking part in your brother Crown Prince's grand wedding banquet? How dare you sneak out."
Lin Feilu angrily smoothed out her messed up hair and fiercely said, "Go away! Don't bother me, damn it(1)!"
(T/N: She didn't curse, but it's more of a term that's used by men. Women wouldn't really use it as it seems unladylike, but we all know how she is)
Xi Xingjiang, "?"
He suddenly burst into laughter, "What did you just say? That's great. Little Bean has also learned how to swear. See? How nice I am to not rat you out to your brother."
Lin Feilu said, "Are you still a little elementary chick(2)? 'Ratting out'— seriously?"
(T/N: Term used on someone who's childish and behaves like an elementary student)
Xi Xingjiang wondered, "What is a little elementary chick?"
Lin Feilu roared, "Xi Xingjiang is the little elementary chick! The little elementary chick is Xi Xingjiang!"
Xi Xingjiang, "…Although I don't know what that means, I feel like you're insulting me."
Lin Feilu quickened her pace, "I'm glad you understood that then! Go away, don't follow me!"
Lin Feilu quickened her pace, "I'm glad you understood that then! Go away, don't follow me!"
But no matter how fast she walked, Xi Xingjiang still followed her leisurely even though she used Qinggong at some point. He even praised her, "Your Qinggong has made great progress."
Lin Feilu lost her temper and gave him a dark look, "Xi Xingjiang, do you know that you will not be able to marry if you keep this up?"
Xi Xingjiang squinted at her, "Nonsense."
Lin Feilu said earnestly, "Look at your group of buddies who played with you all day— among them, who hasn't been destined to marry yet? Even if they haven't gotten a main wife, they've at least had a room of side wives and concubines by now. My brother Crown Prince is a year younger than you are, but he's already married as of now. Don't you feel embarrassed when you look at them?"
Xi Xingjiang's ears suddenly turned red, and he retorted, "What is there to be embarrassed about?! I'm doing this because I'm waiting for-"
But before he finished speaking, he pursed his lips and looked at her fiercely.
Lin Feilu waited for a long time without speaking before turning her head and asking in a low voice, "What are you waiting for? You can't possibly be waiting for me?"
His neck was now an even darker shade of red. As if his teeth were clenched, he choked out two words while she looked at him calmly, "Can't you?"
Lin Feilu said, "Don't wait for me. There will be no result."
Xi Xingjiang, "?"
As if he had gone slightly insane, his supposedly heroic facial features twisted and morphed into an expression of anger. He raised his head and said, "Then give me back my jade pendant! Now!"
Lin Feilu said, "Not now, it's not with me now…"
Xi Xingjiang gritted his teeth and interrupted her words, "You must give it back to me now! You are not allowed to give it back to me anytime else!"
Lin Feilu looked indifferent as she replied, "The jade pendant is with Noble Consort Xi; get it from her if you want to."
Xi Xingjiang's blushing face turned pale. The young man's intentions to bother her quickly faded away, leaving only a helpless and pale expression on his face.
Lin Feilu looked at him for a while with slight unberability in her heart. This was kind of like flirting with a high school student and then abandoning him, so it didn't really sit right with her conscience.
She sighed and lowered her voice, "Let's leave it at that then. Stop fussing over this in the future."
Xi Xingjiang pursed his lips and looked at her fixedly.
Lin Feilu was about to leave when she heard him say, "Little Lu, do you already have someone you like in your heart?"
A figure flashed in Lin Feilu's mind for a moment but she rejected the thought as quickly as it surfaced.
They're all young students; stop being a pedophile!
She replied, "No."
Xi Xingjiang asked in a rather hurt manner, "Then why did you reject me?"
Lin Feilu looked at him, sighed slightly in her heart, having no other choice but to take out the ultimate weapon of a typical green tea woman.
She blinked and said innocently, "I have always regarded you as my brother."
Xi Xingjiang, "?"
Lin Feilu added another verbal knife stab, "Brother Viscount is just like Brother Crown Prince, Brother Jingyuan and Brother Lin Ting; I have regarded all of you as my good brothers."
(Editor: Yeah, it's the imaginary scene where a man gets imaginarily stabbed by imaginary knives which are formed by verbal statements, it hurts so bad that it feels worse than getting stabbed.)
Xi Xingjiang, "…"
How many good brothers do you have?
The two looked at each other for a few seconds, but after seeing Lin Feilu's innocent and harmless eyes, Xi Xingjiang left in a state of despair.
He had always wanted her to call him 'Brother Viscount', but he never thought that he would forever be haunted by the way she said it as he left her.
Lin Feilu was sure that he would not follow her any longer, so she let out a sigh of relief and continued to walk towards the East Palace.
At this time, there were people guarding both interiors and exteriors of the East Palace. Coming to see that the bride was indeed a little unruly for her as a Princess. So, in order to avoid causing unnecessary trouble, Lin Feilu flew into the palace from the back wall.
There were old maids and servants waiting outside the Crown Princess's room. She easily avoided them and threw two stones towards the main door of the palace. When they walked over to check on the stones, she quickly jumped down, pushed the door open, and slipped into the room.
The Crown Princess's bedroom was largely gorgeous, and the decorations in the room were filled with a bright red theme, making the room appear to be very festive. It was just that the room was quiet, and two long blessing candles were burning quietly on the table. Behind the beaded curtains, the Crown Princess in the Phoenix Coronation Robes was sitting on the edge of the bed. She sat motionless with the red veil embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water draped over her head.
Hearing the sound, she thought it was the nanny who came into the house to take care of blessing candles. These blessing candles would be lit from now until tomorrow morning, which symbolized a couple growing old together.
Lin Feilu walked over lightly, and when she reached the bedside, she bent sideways and looked up, only to see the bride's neck that was as fair as snow.
She whispered, "Sister-in-law."
Si Miaoran was startled and subconsciously wanted to lift the veil. However, she stretched out her hand halfway, and put it down in front of her cautiously before asking hesitantly, "Fifth Princess?"
Before, when she entered the palace to give her greetings to the royal family, only the Fifth Princess addressed her as 'sister-in-law'.
Lin Feilu smiled and said, "It's me."
Si Miaoran had met her twice and from those two meetings, she felt that the Fifth Princess had a very likable personality. The little girl was very affectionate towards her, so she had a good impression of the Princess. Hearing that it was Lin Feilu, her rigid sitting posture finally relaxed a little, but she still sat upright and asked softly, "Why did the Fifth Princess come here?"
Lin Feilu took out some dim sum(3) that she had wrapped in a handkerchief from her arms, "I'm worried that sister-in-law would get hungry, so I brought you something to eat."
(T/N: Different types of savory dumplings that have all sorts of fillings in them ranging from prawns to other kinds of meat and veg. Truly one of the Chinese's best inventions)
(Editor: Dim Sum also means "made from the heart". So, yeah.)
Si Miaoran said, "Thank you Princess for thinking of my well-being, but Miaoran shouldn't eat it as it's against the rules."
Lin Feilu sat down on the footrest beside the bed, "Brother Crown Prince asked me to bring it to you."
Si Miaoran asked in surprise, "His… His Highness, the Crown Prince?"
Lin Feilu said, "Yes, Brother Crown Prince was worried that sister-in-law would get hungry, so he specifically told me to bring them here!"
Si Miaoran didn't speak for a while, so Lin Feilu guessed that she was shy.
She took her hand and placed the handkerchief with the dim sum in her palm before she said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, eat quickly; just don't take off the veil! Anything you want to eat, I can go get it for you. Would you like some marinated pork legs?"
Si Miaoran was amused by her and she said softly, "No need for that, these snacks are enough."
After she replied to her, she took the dim sum and placed it within the veil, taking small bites of the delicacy.
Lin Feilu went to pour her a cup of tea.
Lin Feilu went to pour her a cup of tea.
Si Miaoran ate all the three dim sums slowly, savoring the taste of each bite, so it could be seen that she was famished. After drinking some tea, she took the handkerchief that Lin Feilu handed over to wipe her mouth. With that, she said very embarrassedly, "Fifth Princess, you must have worked hard to get all these for me, Miaoran is very grateful."
Lin Feilu said, "Sister-in-law is married to Brother Crown Prince as of today, which means that you're the Little Fifth Princess's family too. Hence, there is no need to express gratitude towards family members!"
Si Miaoran didn't speak and she just nodded lightly.
Since she was chosen to be the Crown Princess, though she was looking forward to it, she was anxious at the same time. It was said that the royal family was ruthless, and as soon as she entered the palace, it was as if she had breached the deepest depth of the seas. From then on, she had already been mentally prepared to not be loved by her husband and accepted the possible route of living in solitude.
But she never thought that the Crown Prince would care about her being hungry on the wedding day. Although she had never met the prince and had only heard of him being mature albeit young, at this moment, she already felt a tinge of slight affection for this arranged husband.
The royal family did not seem to be as serious and indifferent as she had imagined. Plus, the Fifth Princess was adorable.
Si Miaoran's anxiety that had built up steadily over the past few days had finally subsided a lot.
Lin Feilu chatted with her for a while, telling her a lot about Lin Qing's likes and dislikes before she slipped away when the nanny came in.
In the evening, the wedding banquet was finally coming to an end. When it was dark, Lin Qing also returned to the East Palace as he was accompanied by the palace attendants.
He drank some wine today, and although he was not drunk, he was still a little dizzy. After entering the bedroom, he saw the Crown Princess sitting by the bed at a glance. The old nanny waited by the sides, intending to guide the two to complete the final steps of the ceremony. Lin Qing was really tired, so upon seeing that the nanny still had things to say, he couldn't help but get angry, "Get out, this Prince will handle the rest."
The people in the room trembled and at the same time, the old lady hurried to take her leave, so only Lin Qing and Si Miaoran were left in the room.
Lin Qing looked at his Crown Princess and lifted the red veil straightforwardly.
Beneath the veil showed a gentle and beautiful face.
He had seen Si Miaoran long ago, so he was very indifferent at this moment. Instead, he brought a glass of ceremonial wine to drink with her. Seeing her quiet look, he thought about it and asked, "Are you hungry?"
Si Miaoran then raised her eyes and glanced at him. Her eyes were full of shyness and tenderness as she replied softly, "I have eaten the dim sum that Your Highness asked the Fifth Princess to send in the afternoon. Therefore, I am not hungry."
Lin Qing was stunned for a moment.
After reacting, he didn't explain anything else and just smiled, "That's good then."
When he smiled, his already handsome facial features showed a bit of the underlying tenderness as he did not seem as rigid and serious as he was before. Back then, when Si Miaoran saw the Crown Prince for the first time, she realized that her husband was a very good-looking person.
She pursed her lips and lowered her eyes before she mustered up the courage to look over at him again. Her cheeks blushed and she said, "It's already late. Allow this Princess help Your Highness to undress."
The shadows from the blessing candles that swayed in the room reflected in their eyes, a warm resonance emanating from both of them.
The little matchmaker Lin Feilu had already returned to Mingyue Palace in a rush.
The desserts at the wedding banquet today were very lavish and exquisite. Apart from bringing a few of them to Si Miaoran, she also took a few back home. After the skies turned dark, she ran to the Cuizhu Villa with the snacks in tow.
As usual, she scaled up the wall, and the courtyard was pitch black again.
Lin Feilu still remembered the last time she was bound by the sword intent of the Master, which was why she no longer dared to be reckless. She squatted on the wall and shouted in a soft voice, "Your Highness, Your Highness—"
Despite waiting for a while, no one answered.
She whispered again, "Ji…Uncle Ji? Master Ji, can I come in?"
Still, no one bothered to give her a reply.
With that, Lin Feilu jumped off the wall and walked towards the door vigilantly.
This time, there was truly no trace of the sword intent that once was going to kill her. She walked to the door with ease, and with a slight push, the door opened.
There was no one in the house—not even a single living being.
Lin Feilu suddenly had a bad premonition in her heart.
Her heart started beating heavily and she rushed into the house. The furnishings in the house have not been moved, but upon closer inspection, there were some things missing. For example, the stove she gave to Song Jinglan. When it was not in use, he would always place it on the desk next to the inkstone.
The usual spot of the stove was empty at the moment and the ink in the inkstone was dry, leaving only a few sheets of white paper that were being blown away by the night wind.
He's gone.
Lin Feilu realized this as her hands and feet suddenly became cold.
She knew that he was going to leave, but with it happening this abruptly, she started to feel very sad.
The gentle boy who grew up with her had left so quietly without even leaving a single parting word for her.
Lin Feilu stood in the room for a while, feeling her eyes water slightly. She felt that she probably got too immersed in her role as a Princess as she never realized that the feelings she pretended to have were, at the very least, slightly real.
He should leave.
The Song Empire did not send a messenger, and Emperor Lin didn't intend to let him go either. Once the Song Empire's ruling monarch passed away, signalling the change of the dynasties, the apparent peace and stability maintained with the Great Lin Empire would inevitably be broken. By then, Song Jinglan's fate wouldn't turn out good no matter if he was labelled as an abandoned Prince or a royal hostage.
It was the Crown Prince's wedding today, so the attention was focused on the ceremony— this was the best time for him to leave.
Lin Feilu convinced herself.
She sighed in disappointment and put away those mixed emotions. Finally, she looked around the room before she turned and walked out.
As soon as she stepped out of the door, there was a sudden gust of wind in the night.
A black shadow jumped over the wall and landed lightly.
Lin Feilu stared at the boy dressed in black that landed in the courtyard, thinking that she was seeing things. It wasn't until he pulled off his mask and walked towards her that Lin Feilu took a deep breath and exclaimed, "Your Highness? You didn't leave?!"
Song Jinglan walked up to her but he did not speak. Instead, he took her hand and dragged her into the house.
Song Jinglan walked up to her but he did not speak. Instead, he took her hand and dragged her into the house.
The door behind him shut silently and the room was drowned in a sea of pitch black, the sole luminance coming from a sliver ray of moonlight.
Song Jinglan hugged her under this very light.
It was a very gentle yet possessive posture. He held Lin Feilu tightly in his arms, making her feel slightly suffocated.
She leaned on his chest and smelled a strange fragrance on him.
The scent was familiar, so Lin Feilu smelled it a bit more. She couldn't remember what it was at first until he let go of her and she suddenly reacted, "Irises? Your Highness, why would you smell like Iris flowers? Don't these flowers only grow in the Cold Palace?"
Although Song Jinglan had already let go of her, he still placed his hand on the back of her neck. He pinched the back of her neck with his fingertips and rubbed it lightly before making a 'mm' sound as a sign of affirmation.
Lin Feilu felt goosebumps rise on her skin inexplicably, "You…What were you doing in the Cold Palace?"
Under the moonlight, Song Jinglan smiled.
That smile of his still looked the same as it sported his gentle arc, but it revealed a coldness that she found unfamiliar and made her heart palpitate quickly.
He leaned closer and whispered, "Princess, this is the last thing I will do for you before I go."
His words were spoken in her ear as Lin Feilu stammered and asked, "What… what is it?"
He didn't say anything else; he merely held the back of her neck with his palm and tilted it upwards slightly. He then stroked the back of her head and pulled her closer to him.
Lin Feilu subconsciously grabbed the sleeves of his clothes, feeling a little weak in the legs. With that, he laughed and said softly, "After I leave, Princess, you should take care of yourself."
Lin Feilu looked up at him.
Those eyes that were always smiling were now full of an intense depth that she had never seen before.
The Song Jinglan before her now was someone that she had never seen before.
Lin Feilu was speechless for a while as she didn't know what kind of expression to make.
On one hand, she was sad that he was really going to leave; but on the other hand, she was glad that he didn't leave silently without seeing him again.
For a long time, Song Jinglan looked up at the sky outside the window and finally brought the little girl in front of him into his embrace once more
He bent down and leaned towards her ear. Then, he said with a chuckle, "Princess, we will meet again."
Lin Feilu had forgotten how she managed to return to the Mingyue Palace.
Just as she got back, she saw Lin Zhanyuan squatting in the yard playing with the Chang Er and Duan Er, so she squatted over and played with the pets for a bit.
Lin Zhanyuan had grown into a handsome boy, but his eyes were still full of innocence and clarity. He seemed to be able to sense that his sister was not happy, so he rubbed her head and coaxed her, "My little sister is doing good."
He had been with Lin Wei for so many years, which is why it didn't come off as surprising to know that his way of speaking was now very similar to hers.
Lin Feilu sighed in disappointment. She felt that her heart was suddenly really empty and she couldn't help trembling when she thought of the hug and the unfamiliar look in that final parting look just now.
Lin Feilu sighed in disappointment. She felt that her heart was suddenly really empty and she couldn't help trembling when she thought of the hug and the unfamiliar look in that final parting look just now.
Lin Zhanyuan tilted his head and looked at her for a while before he asked, "Why is my little sister sighing?"
Lin Feilu said, "Because your little sister is a bit sad."
Lin Zhanyuan knew the meaning of 'sad', so he immediately came over nervously and held her hand, "Sister, don't be sad; big brother is here! Here, let me show you some tricks!"
After speaking, he squatted on the ground. Shrinking his body into a ball, he rolled over on the ground a couple of times.
Lin Feilu almost died of laughter.
Seeing his sister laugh, he laughed too, showing his cute canine teeth in the process. Then, he rolled over two times more for comedic effect.
Lin Feilu laughed louder and louder before she finally burst into tears.
Lin Zhanyuan clambered up to her side again and used his sleeves to wipe her tears, "Is my little sister happy now?"
Lin Feilu sniffed before she hugged and kissed him, "Yes, I am happy now!"
Lin Zhanyuan blushed and became shy. He turned his head and whispered, "Then… I'll let you kiss me for today"
Xiao Lan's soft voice came from inside, "Lu Er, Yuan Er, it's time to go to bed."
Lin Feilu responded and pulled her brother up before they went into the house together. She looked back in the direction of the Cuizhu Villa and saw the moon shining directly above, glowing brightly. Silently, she spoke in her heart, goodbye, Your little Highness.
The road of return to the Song Empire was going to be long and difficult. She knew that he wouldn't feel like he was returning home— he was going to return to a lion's den.
There might already be traps and ambushes laid ahead of his journey, but she could only hope that he would be alright.
Lin Feilu knew that she wasn't going to sleep well that night. True to her thoughts, she only fell into a restless sleep before dawn.
The following day, she only got up when the sun was already high up in the sky, signalling that it was past noon. Xiao Lan didn't object to her daughter's habit as well as she never ushered for her to get up if she wanted to sleep in. Lin Feilu flipped over and sat up from the bed before summoning Songyu, "Has anything major happened in the palace today?"
Songyu asked strangely, "No, why would you ask about that, Princess?"
Lin Feilu recalled the cold fragrance of Iris flowers last night, but she just shook her head and got out of bed.
Today marked the second day for the Crown Princess to spend her time here in the royal palace. According to the rules, she was scheduled to greet the Empress and the two Noble Consorts. Lin Feilu felt that Si Miaoran was only fifteen years old and was technically still a young girl. Not knowing anyone here and not having others to show her around might just really get to her. Hence, after Lin Feilu had her lunch, she ran towards the East Palace that she had become so familiar with.
When Lin Qing was not there, but Si Miaoran was sitting alone in the bedroom as she was reading a book. She was very happy when she heard that the Fifth Princess had come to visit her, so she hurriedly called her in.
Ever since Lin Nianzhi got married, Lin Feilu had no sisters she could chat with. Lin Wei was getting more annoying than the boys and Lin Zhuoyu was too dull. As a girl, she still needed a friend who could talk to her about dresses or gossip. However, she realised that she could really hold a conversation with Si Miaoran.
Then again, she was a noble lady, proficient in all the arts like playing the Qin, chess, calligraphy and painting. Lin Feilu chatted with her for a while before even challenging her to a game of chess.