In this lifetime, she had never met someone as shameless as Xiao Heye. When she mentioned kissing, hugging, even sleeping together, or going further to include those intimate matters between a man and a woman, Su Tiyue could mostly imagine what it might be like.
But she had never imagined that Xiao Heye would actually… kiss her feet!
It gave her the illusion of a young, innocent, and pure girl being completely devoured by an experienced, unclean, and cunning old fox.
Clearly, between the two of them, Su Tiyue was the one who took the initiative. Clearly… everyone said that Xiao Heye was indifferent to worldly desires and kept his distance from women.
Xiao Heye looked at the little thing before him, her expression panicked, her round eyes darting around as if she were plotting something extraordinary. He thought Su Tiyue was foolish, timid yet pretending, playful yet restrained… In short, she was utterly fascinating.
Since she was so timid and restrained, what was the point of playing? Xiao Heye narrowed his eyes and pondered for a long while but couldn’t figure it out.
Xiao Heye could play along with her, but Su Tiyue was too pure, too naive, and her eyes were too clear and bright. He feared that once he got serious, she would surely flee in tears.
“Your Highness, sometimes this servant cannot fathom your thoughts and intentions.” Xiao Heye bent down to pick up the shoe from the floor, lowering his head as he carefully helped her put it on. He said, “But there is one thing this servant has already guessed, and I wish to remind Your Highness once more.”
He still kept his head lowered, as if speaking of something trivial and unrelated to him. “As I’ve said before, if Your Highness wishes to have someone to rely on in this palace, this servant is more than willing to be that person who supports you. As long as Your Highness listens obediently, serves the bed dutifully, and keeps that old fool thoroughly charmed.”
From beginning to end, this was Xiao Heye’s goal. It was what he had always hoped for.
“But what if I want… Chief Eunuch Xiao’s heart?” As she spoke these words, Su Tiyue hesitated for a moment, utterly lacking confidence. “I want the Chief Seal Keeper to be good to me, even just a little would be enough.”
Xiao Heye was so formidable, so powerful. If, if she could receive just a little of his care, it would be enough. It would be sufficient to make Su Tiyue happy and carefree in the palace, unafraid of anyone.
He did not speak. What responded to Su Tiyue was a long silence and the faint sound of Xiao Heye helping her put on her shoes. In that moment, the air seemed to freeze.
After helping her put on her shoes, Xiao Heye gently placed her feet on the floor, then stood up and went to the clothes rack to fetch Su Tiyue’s pale pink cloak.
“This servant is not a good person.”
At this moment, Su Tiyue sat on the edge of the bed, her face filled with disappointment. She seemed to know the answer as she stared blankly at Xiao Heye. She watched as he held the pink cloak, leaned forward, and wrapped the thick cloak around her. Then, he half-knelt and carefully tied a beautiful bow for her.
He said, “This servant is dull-witted. Although I do not understand matters of love, there is one thing this servant can be certain of: wanting to possess someone is never an easy task. Wanting mutual affection is even more difficult than reaching the heavens. What Your Highness desires, this servant cannot give… Love, that laughable, pitiful, and extravagant thing, this servant does not have it. Moreover, everything in this world is unpredictable. It is not as if Your Highness’s willingness to give will always be rewarded, is it?”
“Accompanying this servant to sleep, eat, play… these things are actually very easy. Besides you, others could do them too. Could I then give my heart to them as well, and share what you call affection with them?”
Xiao Heye paused and said, “If this servant really did that, I’d become the living Bodhisattva of Yong’an City, and wouldn’t be reviled by everyone like I am now.”
Su Tiyue lowered her head, looking down at Xiao Heye crouching before her, and suddenly her eyes reddened. She bent down, cupped his face with both hands, and pressed her forehead against his. Disappointed, she said, “Actually, you know everything, understand everything, don’t you?”
Xiao Heye swallowed and coldly replied, “Mm.”
“Chief Eunuch Xiao, but the path you chose for me—I don’t want to walk it. The path I want to take, I want to choose myself… is that alright?” Her voice choked slightly; if she continued speaking, Su Tiyue might start crying again.
“Alright. Your Ladyship is still young and likes to play… then this servant will accompany you in playing. Whether it’s a game or an act, this servant will keep playing along with you.” Xiao Heye looked up, his deep eyes fixed intently on her, and said, “This servant will accompany you for one month. Only… after one month, will Your Ladyship obediently listen to this servant?”
“No.” Su Tiyue stubbornly stared at him, fighting back the tears in her eyes. She didn’t want to listen, but if it truly came to that, whether she listened or not might not be up to her anymore.
“Tsk…” This answer seemed to dissatisfy Xiao Heye. He curled the corner of his mouth, his gaze icy: “Then let’s not play at all.”
Su Tiyue, also holding back her anger, choked out, “Fine, if we’re not playing, then we’re not playing.”
“Eat.” His face darkened as he squeezed out two words from deep in his throat.
Li Xun had been waiting outside the door with the meal for a while. Hearing Xiao Heye’s voice, he bent down and carried the dishes in, placing them one small plate at a time on the octagonal table.
After setting out the dishes, Li Xun cleared his throat lightly and said, “Supervisor, the Imperial Household Department just sent someone over with the menu and wine list for tomorrow night’s banquet, asking for your review. What should we…?”
Xiao Heye picked up a piece of stir-fried bamboo shoot and placed it in his bowl, pausing briefly: “No need. Let them decide. You may leave.”
Li Xun bowed and withdrew.
Su Tiyue looked at the table full of dishes—all vegetarian, without a trace of meat.
“Chief Seal Keeper, do you prefer vegetarian food?” She picked up a piece of tofu and put it in her mouth; it tasted like chewing wax.
“Mm.”
“Oh.” Hearing this answer, Su Tiyue’s expression remained unchanged. What did it matter whether Xiao Heye ate meat or vegetables? After today, she wouldn’t be eating with Xiao Heye anymore anyway.
Throughout the meal, the two of them each picked up their own food and ate without any communication. The atmosphere suddenly became awkwardly eerie.
Su Tiyue thought for a moment and broke the awkward silence: “Is there some celebration in the palace? Why is there suddenly a banquet, and… it sounds quite grand.” Xiao Heye had mentioned earlier that many people would be coming and going in the palace tomorrow night, and Li Xun’s serious demeanor just now suggested this banquet was of significant importance.
“The Crown Prince has returned to the palace.” He said flatly.
“What?” Su Tiyue widened her eyes, thinking she had misheard, and asked again: “The Crown Prince has returned to the palace? When did this happen? How come I haven’t heard even a whisper of it?”
“Mhm.” Xiao Heye nodded, glancing at her. “This servant only received the news during this morning’s court session. They say the person will arrive tomorrow afternoon.”
Hearing this, Su Tiyue suddenly lost focus, her chopsticks hovering in mid-air, unable to descend.
Seeing her strange expression, Xiao Heye thought Su Tiyue was reminded of the incident with Prince Rong last time upon hearing about the banquet, so he softly asked, “What’s wrong, Your Highness?”
Hearing his voice, Su Tiyue snapped back to attention. Lowering her head, she picked up the teacup on the table and took a small sip. “I was thinking, since this banquet is so grand, will my family also enter the palace?”
Xiao Heye nodded again and gave another “Mhm.”
“Really? Then can I see my father and mother?” Su Tiyue asked excitedly, already casting aside her earlier unhappiness.
“That is only natural.”
Su Tiyue’s eyes curved into crescents, revealing a row of small white teeth. “Chief Eunuch Xiao, I won’t eat anymore. I need to go back and decide what to wear tomorrow night…”
After saying this, she gathered her cloak and dashed out of the room in a flash.
Why is she so happy?
Xiao Heye picked up a slice of shiitake mushroom, placing it in his mouth to chew slowly, his expression inscrutable… Then he set down his bowl and chopsticks.
When Li Xun came in to clear the table, he noticed the food was barely touched. Glancing at Xiao Heye, who was flipping through a book behind the long desk, the situation didn’t look good.
Somehow, Xiao Heye seemed to be in a poor mood.
Although Xiao Heye had often been cold and aloof in the past, ever since Su Tiyue appeared… he had changed somewhat.
Li Xun was skilled at reading expressions, and he could clearly sense that his master had undergone a slight, very subtle change.
His joy and anger seemed more pronounced than before.