In the study of Qingxiao Palace, Yun Xiao was lounging back lazily in her chair.
Her five-month pregnant belly was already quite prominent.
At this moment, due to her good health, her complexion was rosy and tender, her eyes overflowing with radiant light. A soft, maternal gentleness had settled upon her face, adding a layer of tenderness to her usual sharpness.
Wan Wan massaged her shoulders from behind, while Qiao Er tapped her legs. She comfortably half-closed her eyes, reaching out to take a honeyed pastry and pop it into her mouth. It was blissfully sweet.
The study was utterly silent, not a sound to be heard. Who would dare to speak at such a time? His Majesty was attending to memorials.
He occasionally looked up at the Empress, his eyes filled with a tender gaze that could melt water. This made Wan Wan and Qiao Er tremble with a mix of awe and trepidation.
His Majesty likely only showed such doting affection to Her Highness. To everyone else, he always wore a cold, heartless expression. Their Mistress was truly fortunate.
The two maids were secretly conversing.
Fu Hai walked in from outside the study and bowed respectfully. “Reporting to His Majesty, Prince Lin has arrived. It seems something has happened?”
“Hmm, something has happened?”
Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao’s interest was piqued. She suddenly opened her eyes, their brilliance blazing, and fixed her gaze on Fu Hai. Fu Hai’s scalp tingled. Her Highness was already five months pregnant, what else could she possibly want?
He quickly lowered his head, gazing at the ground. Shangguan Yin cast a sideways glance at Xiao’er opposite him and then slowly opened his mouth.
“Summon Prince Lin to enter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Fu Hai retreated and soon led in a man, none other than Prince Lin. Behind him followed Zhi Qiu, her eyes red, seemingly upset.
The two entered, first paying their respects to His Majesty, then bowing to Yun Xiao. Shangguan Yin glanced at Zhi Qiu and then spoke leisurely, “Xiao’er, Zhi Qiu is here. You accompany her.”
Yun Xiao knew well that His Majesty was trying to divert her attention because he feared she would become interested in something. However, she always had her ways of finding out. The corners of her lips curled into a smile, and she stood up, smiling as she took Zhi Qiu’s hand and walked out of the study.
The weather was fine today. Yun Xiao, along with a few maids, led Zhi Qiu into the cool pavilion in the back garden to admire the flowers.
It was summer, and a myriad of colorful flowers swayed in the breeze, their fragrance drifting for miles. Not far away was a clear and beautiful lake. Within it, round green lotus leaves and budding flowers swayed in the gentle breeze, like graceful beauties.
Yun Xiao spoke softly, “What’s wrong, Zhi Qiu?”
Zhi Qiu had been staying at Prince Lin’s estate for over two months. Shangguan Lin had also helped her uncover her background, which indeed turned out as her master had predicted.
Her parents had been involved in trade between Dong Qin and Bei Chao. They were killed in the area of Guitou Mountain. At the time, people from the Nalan family believed she had also perished with her parents. Who knew she was saved by someone?
The current Nalan family was managed by her uncle and was a well-known merchant family in Dong Qin.
However, Zhi Qiu was not familiar with them, so she had been living at Prince Lin’s estate. Yun Xiao, seeing her simplicity, had privately asked for her wishes and knew that she had feelings for Prince Lin.
Although Prince Lin was always scolding or arguing with her, it was possible he also had some feelings for her. Therefore, they were preparing to arrange a marriage for them. Unexpectedly, today she saw Zhi Qiu’s red eyes.
Zhi Qiu looked up at Yun Xiao for a long while, making Yun Xiao feel somewhat bewildered.
“Sister, do you know? He likes you.”
Zhi Qiu’s sudden words startled Yun Xiao greatly. It took her a long time to realize that Zhi Qiu was referring to Prince Lin. To say she didn’t know would be a lie.
When she was still the Phoenix official, Shangguan Lin had already shown interest in her. Later, when she resumed wearing women’s clothing, she could vaguely detect something from his gaze.
But what of it? She only saw him as a friend, a brother, Murong’s younger brother, and thus her own brother. She thought this was their secret, never expecting it to be revealed by Zhi Qiu today.
“Zhi Qiu, what are you talking about?”
Yun Xiao’s voice softened. Had Zhi Qiu’s eyes turned red from crying? She couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. Zhi Qiu was a good girl, and she sincerely hoped she could stand by Shangguan Lin’s side and accompany him through life.
“Last night, he got drunk. I heard him say that the person he likes is you, Sister. So I want to go back and find my master. I’ve discovered that no one outside belongs to me, so I should stay where I belong.”
A pure girl suddenly seemed so melancholic, her large eyes clouded as if with mist that refused to dissipate.
Yun Xiao reached out and held her hand, speaking gently, “Zhi Qiu, how long have you known Shangguan Lin? I’ve known him for over a year. If you were to use the same amount of time, I believe the person he likes would surely be you.”
“Is that possible?”
It was clear that the events of last night had greatly affected Zhi Qiu. She lacked confidence, and besides, Shangguan Lin liked her sister.
In her heart, no one in this world could compare to her sister, including herself. She suspected she couldn’t even compare to a corner of her sister’s robes, so how could Prince Lin possibly like her? She no longer held out hope and thought it best to return soon.
“Zhi Qiu, how about this? Promise Sister one thing: give Prince Lin another two months. During these two months, accompany him through his tears and laughter, and do not mention anything. If after two months, he still doesn’t like you, then Sister will let you leave, alright?”
Yun Xiao wanted them to have a chance together, which was why she spoke this way. Zhi Qiu, fearing loneliness too much, and even though she knew it was unlikely, still wanted to try. She turned to Yun Xiao with a smile.
“Okay, Sister. If after two months he still doesn’t like me, I’ll return to the mountains and never come out again.”
Zhi Qiu’s expression was resolute, her eyes firm. Yun Xiao was taken aback. She had thought Zhi Qiu was a simple girl but hadn’t expected her to be so resilient. Knowing her parents had passed, she neither cried nor made a fuss.
Aside from sadness, she continued with her life. Knowing that Shangguan Lin might not like her, she remained outwardly calm. Perhaps it was because her sorrow was hidden deep within her heart, unseen by others. In this regard, she was remarkably similar to Yun Xiao.
She sincerely hoped the two of them would find their way together, and also hoped Shangguan Lin would not miss such a wonderful person. It was not easy to meet such a pure soul in life.
“Good.”
Yun Xiao agreed. Although her intentions were good, this was their life. She could only help, but she could not make the decision.
The two chatted for a while, and Zhi Qiu became cheerful again, no longer dwelling on what had happened earlier. Although her eyes were still very red, the smile on her face was radiant and bright as the sun.
Yun Xiao, recalling what Fu Hai had reported earlier, knew it was impossible to get the information directly from Murong. Therefore, it was more effective to glean it from others. With this thought, she looked at Zhi Qiu with a smile.
“Do you know why Shangguan Lin came to the palace?”
Zhi Qiu shook her head. After thinking for a moment, she said, “It seems someone came to Prince Lin’s estate early this morning to report something. The Prince’s expression changed when he heard it, and he rushed to the palace. I wanted to leave, so I begged him to come to the palace together.”
“His expression changed, so it must be something extremely serious.”
Yun Xiao’s heart sank. She stood up and took Zhi Qiu’s hand. “Come, Sister wants to know what happened?”
“Okay,” Zhi Qiu followed behind her, accompanied by Wan Wan and Qiao Er. The group headed straight for Qingxiao Palace.
Outside the palace gates, sunlight cascaded onto a tier of fragrant flowers, stirred by the wind, appearing like dancing colorful butterflies.
Shangguan Lin was dressed in elegant brocade robes embroidered with patterns, cinched by a black belt inlaid with jade. This attire accentuated his handsome and resolute features. At this moment, his entire face was stern. Yun Xiao led Zhi Qiu over, gazing at him with a smile.
Shangguan Lin was startled and respectfully called out, “Imperial Sister-in-law.”
With this greeting, his gaze inadvertently swept towards Zhi Qiu, his eyes full of unspoken meaning.
Yun Xiao pretended not to see and inquired calmly, “Shangguan Lin, what happened? Did something go wrong with the policy of suppressing commerce?”
Shangguan Lin was astonished. He quickly looked up and blurted out, “How did Imperial Sister-in-law know?”