Jun Qi’s lips were curved in a smile from beginning to end, yet there was not a trace of amusement in his deep, unfathomable eyes.
Han Qi simply could not understand what his master was thinking.
Jun Qi casually tossed the chess piece in his hand onto the table, and with a sharp crack, it split into two pieces.
“Why bother killing her? She might not even live for a few more days. Who knows when she’ll die? Why waste the effort?”
Han Qi flinched at the sound of the chess piece hitting the floor. “Yes.”
Through a narrow gap in the window, Jun Qi cast another indifferent glance at the people sweeping the courtyard, seemingly recalling the scene from this morning.
He lowered his gaze, his eyes like an unfathomable dark river, growing deeper and more obscure in the dim light of the hall. His voice was equally ambiguous. “That little sickly thing, weak in body but surprisingly bold.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a sickly rabbit, barely clinging to life, hopping around in front of me.”
“It would be a shame if she died. When we return to the Jun Kingdom someday, if she’s still alive, we could tie her up and bring her back to keep. Observing when she’ll die day by day would be quite an amusing pastime.”
Han Qi wiped the sweat from his forehead once more. Who else would think of observing when someone might die? Only his master would…
Only his master…
Han Qi didn’t even know what word to use. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Princess Yun Xi. Of all people to provoke, why did she have to provoke his master?
Someone so frail, if she fell into the hands of his ruthless, merciless master, even if she didn’t die, she’d be stripped of half her skin.
In the depths of winter, the north wind howled fiercely.
Days passed one after another. From some point onward, heavy snowflakes like goose feathers began to fall over the entire palace, continuing for several days. The streets of the capital were also draped in silver, the entire city blanketed in white.
Over the course of more than a month, little changed in the palace, though two things were worth mentioning.
First, Consort Rong’s house arrest remained unresolved, while Princess Yun Xi’s health improved day by day. Because of this, all the palace servants believed that perhaps it was truly because Consort Rong bore a striking resemblance to the late empress that Princess Yun Xi, reminded of her sorrows, had taken so long to recover.
Second, Princess Yun Xi showed exceptional care for that Jun Kingdom hostage. In recent days, she had often brought gifts to visit him in his palace quarters.
As time passed, these activities naturally reached the ears of Emperor Chu and others.
But Princess Yun Xi had always been kind-hearted since childhood, and it was likely she simply couldn’t bear to see the hostage living in misery, hence her special attention. No one was particularly surprised.
As for Emperor Chu, although somewhat displeased, he was preoccupied with court affairs and had been tirelessly searching for folk healers to treat Princess Yun Xi’s illness. A mere hostage was not worth making a fuss over. Turning a blind eye, he refrained from reprimanding Gu Xi, fearing it might strain their father-daughter relationship.
After a winter snowfall, the weather gradually warmed.
On this day, as evening approached, the sun slowly sank behind the half-sloping mountains, casting a faint, lingering glow over the intricately carved and painted palace. That touch of red dyed the entire palace sky.
Inside the hall.
A cold breeze blew in through the window, dimming the candlelight. Jun Qi sat beside the table, his slender, well-defined fingers meticulously polishing a dagger.
The silver gleam of the dagger reflected on the floor, casting a heavy, distinct outline.
The Black Shadow on the ground was meticulously reporting the recent situation in the Jun Kingdom.
After an unknown length of time, the Black Shadow finished speaking, and the hall fell back into silence.
The Black Shadow bowed respectfully, “If there are no further orders, I shall take my leave.”
He turned to leave but seemed to recall something. Glancing at the newly arranged furnishings in the hall, he said, “Master, regarding Princess Yun Xi…”
“Princess Yun Xi has been visiting you daily during this period. Could it be that she truly… truly admires…”
Jun Qi paused, narrowing his dark eyes as a cold gaze fell upon the Black Shadow. “You seem to have quite a bit of free time lately.”
The Black Shadow wiped his sweat. “No, no…”
Jun Qi let out a cold laugh.
The Black Shadow hastily retreated, disappearing swiftly.
And speak of the devil.
At that very moment, Gu Xi’s sedan chair arrived outside the palace.
The sharp voice of the eunuch outside the door rang out, “Her Highness has arrived!”
Beside the desk, Jun Qi showed no intention of rising to greet her. He tossed the cloth he had used to wipe his dagger aside, his fingers toying with the blade as a shadowy darkness veiled his eyes.
In the courtyard, Gu Xi, draped in a white cloak, was supported by Tao Yao, followed by four or five palace maids carrying food.
The sound of footsteps drew nearer.
Only then did Jun Qi put away his dagger, rising unhurriedly and walking toward the entrance of the hall.
As the door opened, their gazes met.
Unbeknownst to them, both had already put on exceptionally gentle smiles, nodding politely to each other.
“Lord Qi.”
“Your Highness.”
Gu Xi’s voice grew even softer. “Has Lord Qi had his evening meal yet?”
Jun Qi’s expression was gentle, his dark hair shimmering with a faint warmth under the setting sun. “Not yet.”
Gu Xi’s eyes curved into crescents. “I brought an evening meal for Lord Qi. However, I haven’t eaten either and would like to share it with you. I wonder if Lord Qi would mind?”