【Chapter Two: What, Are You Worried About Me?】
Li Luo quickly regained her composure, calling in the attendants waiting outside to dress Xie Hengwu, succinctly stating, "The Emperor wishes to see the Meiren, hurry up."
The palace attendants immediately became as if facing a formidable enemy, and in no time, Xie Hengwu was ushered into the Phoenix Carriage.
Listening to the silver bells at the four corners of the Phoenix Carriage tinkling, Hengwu felt as if she were in a dream.
What exactly… had happened?
Xie Hengwu held a bright palace lantern, standing still within the bedchamber of Zichen Palace.
Before entering the bedchamber, two female court officials once again examined her body, removing all the not-so-sharp hair ornaments from her head, leaving only a Blunt Jade Hairpin to secure her hair bun.
Such caution, considering his actions, must have attracted countless assassination attempts.
Xie Hengwu walked a few steps and then stopped.
Xiao Yanzhou's bedchamber was almost entirely paved with dark-colored bricks and jade stones, making it pitch-black after nightfall. Apart from the faint glow illuminated by the lantern in her hand, Xie Hengwu could hardly see anywhere else.
Her brow twitched, cursing him inwardly for being insane.
Being summoned late at night was already enough, but not even lighting a lamp, forcing her to search for him in the dark?
Afraid that wandering around might anger this Emperor, she had to stay where she was, calling softly after a moment, "Your Majesty?"
In the darkness, a male voice, cool as jade, casually replied, "I am here."
"…Your Majesty, it's too dark here, I cannot see where you are." Xie Hengwu softened her voice, symbolically shifting her feet forward a few steps.
Xiao Yanzhou practiced martial arts, his senses surpassing ordinary people, able to see in the dark even without lighting lamps. At this moment, he leisurely sat on the couch, watching the delicate beauty timidly hesitate, barely moving a few inches, gradually losing patience.
If his head ailment hadn't suddenly worsened, he wouldn't have thought of summoning her to try.
He waved his hand, and the candle flame on the table suddenly lit up, flickering light and shadow dancing on his face.
The sudden brightness made Xie Hengwu uncomfortably squint her eyes, then she bowed her head in greeting, "Your Majesty."
Xiao Yanzhou focused his gaze, examining the beauty before him.
Different from their daytime encounter, the person before him had removed her makeup and hair ornaments, dressed in plain clothes, loosely tied cloud-like hair bun, truly fragrant as jade bones, graceful and elegant. Xiao Yanzhou paused, beckoning to her, "Come closer."
Xie Hengwu obediently stepped forward a few steps, but did not hear Xiao Yanzhou speak again.
She was puzzled inwardly, yet dared not look up at him.
Xiao Yanzhou's brows slightly relaxed, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
As Xie Hengwu approached, a subtle fragrance dispersed, and Xiao Yanzhou clearly felt the unbearable headache gradually easing.
It seemed that encountering her earlier was not his illusion.
Her body fragrance indeed had an effect.
His gaze lowered, stopping on Xie Hengwu's hands folded before her.
As the former third daughter of a noble household and now a princess sent for marriage alliance, Xie Hengwu had always been pampered, her hands especially fair and tender, ten fingers slender as jade, almost without fine lines.
Xiao Yanzhou pursed his lips, his voice raspy, "Do you know how to massage?"
Xie Hengwu was startled, saying, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I only served my parents when I was young, my technique crude, fearing… to neglect Your Majesty."
"A little is enough." Xiao Yanzhou lowered his eyelids, hooking his finger, "Come here."
His manner seemed as if calling a cat or dog, Xie Hengwu lowered her eyes in response, slowly walking behind him, gently placing her ten fingers on Xiao Yanzhou's temples on both sides.
Being so close to Xiao Yanzhou, Xie Hengwu involuntarily held her breath, her hand movements extremely gentle.
Thus, Xiao Yanzhou discontentedly clicked his tongue.
"Did the palace attendants neglect their duties, failing to have the Meiren take her evening meal?" Xiao Yanzhou's cold tone, paired with his sarcastic words, carried a rather comical sense. Yet Xie Hengwu dared not laugh, obediently increasing the pressure of her massage.
The fragrance from her sleeves, with the gentle sway of her arms, gradually diffused into the surrounding air.
With the scent beside him and her delicate hands, it was somewhat acceptable, so Xiao Yanzhou paid no mind to her clumsy massage technique.
Xie Hengwu continued until her fingers ached, yet Xiao Yanzhou showed no intention of letting her stop.
She leaned forward quietly to look and saw Xiao Yanzhou's eyelids lowered, as if he had closed his eyes and fallen asleep.
Xie Hengwu let out a soft sigh of relief, tentatively slowing her movements.
Xiao Yanzhou showed no reaction, remaining in that seemingly deep slumber.
After a while longer, Xie Hengwu confirmed that this difficult-to-serve emperor was asleep and finally stopped.
Rubbing her stiff and sore fingers, she wondered where she should go now that he was asleep.
The Candle Slave wept tears, nearly burned out. Fearing that Xiao Yanzhou might wake at any moment and look for her, Xie Hengwu dared not go too far. She could only curl up nearby, leaning against the couch, and sleep in her clothes.
Fortunately, the floor here was covered with a soft carpet, preventing it from being too cold and hard.
Exhausted, despite the discomfort, Xie Hengwu soon fell asleep.
The moment she sank into deep sleep, the young emperor beside her slowly opened his eyes, looking down at her with a lofty gaze.
His dark, narrow eyes were like ink that could not be diluted, concealing all his thoughts. After a brief glance, he slowly withdrew his gaze.
Xie Hengwu was awakened by light.
Squinting, she realized sunlight was streaming through the window lattice, shining directly on her face.
After the snow, the clear sky was rather dazzling. Instinctively, she shifted to the side, and the fabric draped over her slipped off.
Still half-asleep, it was only after turning over that Xie Hengwu sensed something amiss.
She seemed… to be in that tyrant's Zichen Palace…
Her gaze drifted downward, and she saw herself clutching a piece of black fabric in her hand, the very spot her palm held embroidered with a dragon pattern in gold thread…
And she herself was lying on that spacious Dragon Couch.
She suddenly jolted awake, sitting up as if startled.
While still in confusion, a familiar court attendant approached with a beaming smile.
Xie Hengwu remembered him—Zhao Quan, who served by Xiao Yanzhou's side.
"The Meiren is awake. Shall we prepare for washing and dressing?"
Zhao Quan was genuinely pleased. Heaven knew how long Xiao Yanzhou had been troubled by his head ailment, unable to sleep well. Last night, Xiao Yanzhou slept soundly, and this morning, he finally did not kill any attendants in a foul mood.
Xie Hengwu pursed her lips, using her posture to discreetly smooth out the wrinkles she had made on the Imperial Robe, while speaking softly, "Eunuch Zhao, you've worked hard. It would be best to escort me back to my palace."
"Meiren, that won't do. His Majesty has instructed you to accompany him for breakfast." Zhao Quan remained smiling, yet his tone was firm. "His Majesty will soon return from the morning court. It would be best for the Meiren to prepare quickly."
With Zhao Quan speaking thus, Xie Hengwu had no choice but to comply, allowing the swarm of maids to attend to her.
Yesterday, when she arrived, she wore Nanliang-style attire, which accentuated her gentle, water-like demeanor. Today, naturally, she was dressed in Beijiang garments, which instead highlighted a different kind of bright charm.
After being freshly groomed, she was half-led, half-urged by the palace attendants to a side hall.
Before long, Xiao Yanzhou returned from court.
The palace attendants in the hall knelt one after another, like reeds bent by a sudden gust of wind.
Xiao Yanzhou was accustomed to this, his gaze sweeping around before settling on Xie Hengwu.
The palace attire of Beijiang tended toward darker hues, yet on her, it did not appear oppressive or dull.
The deep cyan wide sleeves accentuated her skin, making it appear even more radiant than frost and snow. When she lowered her eyes, the upturned corners of her eyes curved like crescent moons, exuding a beauty that was both enchanting and imposing, akin to the mysterious snow fox of the northern lands.
He withdrew his gaze and sat down beside Xie Hengwu, glancing at her still standing form. "Sit."
Xie Hengwu softly thanked him, her shoulders tense as she sat beside him.
Although the Earth Dragon was burning in the hall, a faint chill seemed to emanate from Xiao Yanzhou, as if the cold he had brought in from outside had yet to dissipate.
The palace attendants quietly arranged the breakfast dishes one by one before withdrawing from the side hall, leaving only her, Xiao Yanzhou, and Zhao Quan inside.
The hall fell into silence, broken only by the faint clinking of silver chopsticks and bowls as Zhao Quan served the dishes.
Xie Hengwu even softened her breathing, her hands hidden in her sleeves twisting restlessly as she pondered how to break the silence.
"Your Majesty…"
"No talking during meals."
Before Xie Hengwu could finish, Xiao Yanzhou coldly interrupted her. With that, he picked up the white jade bowl before him, scooped a spoonful of porridge, and took a sip.
Xie Hengwu choked back her words, silently rolling her eyes inwardly.
Since there was no need to speak, Xie Hengwu was content to relax, turning her attention to the table full of dishes.
She had eaten little the previous night, and by now, she was truly famished.
Just as Xie Hengwu picked up a piece of Crystal Cake, she saw a maid enter from outside the hall.
The maid kept her head lowered, making it impossible to see her face clearly.
Xie Hengwu felt a flicker of suspicion.
Since Xiao Yanzhou had ordered everyone to withdraw, how could anyone dare to enter so abruptly?
Yet, seeing that neither Zhao Quan nor Xiao Yanzhou showed any reaction, she had no choice but to suppress her doubt.
As the maid approached the table, Zhao Quan stopped her with a sharp rebuke.
"What are you doing? Don’t you know His Majesty is dining?"
Xie Hengwu had just taken a bite of the pastry and, upon hearing this, instinctively glanced at Xiao Yanzhou beside her.
He was still holding the bowl of porridge, eating unhurriedly.
The hand holding the jade bowl was even paler than the bowl itself, the emerald jade ring on his finger making his hand appear all the more pallid. Beneath it, faint blue veins traced their way upward, disappearing into his sleeve.
Even the simple act of drinking porridge carried an innate air of nobility when he performed it.
Xie Hengwu quickly averted her gaze and silently chewed a few bites of the pastry.
"Your Majesty, this servant has urgent matters to report, which is why I intruded so improperly. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
The maid knelt and bowed, her voice soft yet inexplicably resolute, neither submissive nor arrogant.
Xie Hengwu glanced at the maid.
After all, since entering the palace yesterday, aside from Zhao Quan, she had not seen a single palace attendant who was not afraid of Xiao Yanzhou.
Even the Chief Female Historian who had come to escort her had trembled like a quail at the sight of Xiao Yanzhou’s sedan chair.
Her curiosity piqued, Xie Hengwu observed the maid closely, and for a moment, a flash of cold light seemed to flicker.
Xie Hengwu frowned slightly, thinking it might be an illusion.
Xiao Yanzhou set down the jade bowl, took the handkerchief Zhao Quan handed him, and wiped his hands, his tone indifferent. "Speak."
The maid complied, speaking slowly. "Your Majesty, it is…"
Suddenly, she lunged forward, a cold light flashing from her sleeve—it was a hidden dagger!
Her figure moved like a ghost as she closed in on Xiao Yanzhou, the dagger’s cold light tracing a silver arc through the air, aimed directly at his heart.
The maid’s expression turned sinister, her voice filled with hatred. "Die!"
Xie Hengwu froze for a moment, her body reacting before her mind could.
When she realized what she was doing, she found herself sprawled entirely over Xiao Yanzhou.
Yet the expected pain never came. Xie Hengwu turned her head and saw the assassin disguised as a palace maid lying in a pool of blood, the dagger intended for the murder still lodged in her chest.
The assassin’s eyes were wide open, her face etched with intense hatred and resentment.
Xie Hengwu’s heart trembled, and only then did she feel something trickling down her cheek.
She raised a hand and touched her fingers to a smear of crimson.
Staring blankly, she felt her limbs turn cold and her strength drain away.
No matter how composed she usually was, she was still a sheltered young lady raised in the inner chambers—how could she have ever witnessed such a bloody scene?
Suddenly, her waist tightened as a hand covered her eyes.
“Deal with this quickly.”
The man’s voice above her remained flat and unaffected, as though nothing had happened.
Xie Hengwu heard Zhao Quan hurriedly respond, followed soon after by scattered footsteps entering the room and the sound of something being dragged away.
Listening, she couldn’t help but imagine the scene.
Xiao Yanzhou lowered his gaze. The woman in his arms had blood staining her fair cheeks, adding an unwitting allure, while her body trembled lightly, like a frightened deer that stirred pity.
Unconsciously, he tightened his grip around her waist, idly thinking:
She’s grown a bit thin.
The palace servants were well-practiced in handling such matters. Soon, aside from the lingering scent of blood, the side chamber appeared as though nothing had happened.
Only then did Xiao Yanzhou remove his hand from Xie Hengwu’s eyes.
“What, were you worried something would happen to me?”