Xiao Li excused herself, saying she had drunk too much tea and needed to change clothes, just to get some fresh air.
Actually, she would rather slip away.
She hid in an empty pavilion and had just sat down when the Empress arrived unexpectedly.
Empress Wang was gentle and serene, possessing an aura of quiet orchids in a secluded valley, making people feel particularly peaceful just by looking at her.
She didn’t deliberately put on airs, nor did she intentionally wear plain-colored clothes; even magnificent phoenix robes looked harmonious and serene on her.
She herself was frail and disliked noise, often going unnoticed.
No matter the story, she was always inconspicuous, and the final result was always the Emperor’s death, followed by her drinking poison and being buried with him.
“Imperial Sister-in-law.”
Xiao Li rose to greet her.
Empress Wang nodded slightly. “Xuanyang, what are you doing here?”
Xiao Li stated directly, “Getting some fresh air.”
Empress Wang hummed in acknowledgement, then led her attendants away, heading in the direction of the Empress Dowager's Palace.
Xiao Li stared at her back for a long while. The eldest daughter of the prestigious Wang Family, she was born a noblewoman second only to the Imperial Family, and after marrying the Crown Prince, she became the most honored woman in the realm when he ascended to the throne.
A person like that, being so untroubled, isn’t due to kindness, but because she was born at the finish line, having received enough, and therefore desiring nothing.
She had no children, but her family did, and no one in the Imperial Court dared to disrespect her. She didn’t care who the Emperor favored, because no one could shake her position.
As long as she didn’t make mistakes, and the Wang Family didn’t rebel, her life would continue to be so noble and simple.
A status like that, as long as one doesn’t develop a love brain, is simply invincible.
It was almost time, so Xiao Li went back, after all, she still had to eat, even though she didn’t really want to, she couldn’t just leave.
As she neared the entrance, Xiao Li ran into Lou Yan, who hadn’t been with the Emperor earlier and had only just arrived.
“Princess.”
Lou Yan performed a bow.
Xiao Li nodded and started to walk past, but after a few steps, she turned back, looking at him playfully. “Lou Yan, do I look good today?”
Lou Yan raised his eyes to look at her, his deep and mysterious eyes fixed on her, without saying a word.
Xiao Li felt bored. She was truly bored out of her mind to be teasing a eunuch.
“Of course, the Princess is exceptionally beautiful, unparalleled in the world.”
His voice wasn’t the high-pitched tone typical of a eunuch, but it wasn’t the deep resonance of a man either; it was a particularly low and cool timbre, quite pleasant to the ear.
He complimented her?
Xiao Li looked at him in surprise, and their eyes met, his dark and brooding eyes meeting hers.
His facial features were sharp yet feminine, with a coldness at the corners of his eyes. He didn’t look benevolent to begin with, and now, with that gloomy and cold expression, he was like a black giant python, dangerous and eerie.
Anyone who saw a person like that would be terrified, the feeling of being targeted by a hunter was enough to instill fear in anyone.
Xiao Li’s heart skipped a beat, but she wasn’t afraid. Instead, she rather enjoyed the feeling, confirming that her different view of him wasn’t without reason.
Although separated by time and gender, they were kindred spirits.
She lowered her head and looked at a leaf she had picked up without realizing when, tossing it into his arms. “Sweet-talker, here’s a reward for you.”
In the eyes of others, Lou Yan had a gloomy expression, radiating hostility, and was unsmiling even when facing the Princess.
But little did they know, he waited until the vibrant sleeves had completely disappeared from his sight before lowering his head to look at the leaf in his hand.
Today, the Princess was exceptionally beautiful, beautiful like vipers and scorpions, making people want to offer her on a high platform, yet also drag her into the darkness.
Chen Pinging was restless and, after arriving in the Imperial Capital, she wandered around, building connections.
Relying on her status as the niece of the Empress Dowager, she enjoyed the flattery and ingratiation of others.
Some knew she would become an Imperial Concubine, while others thought she was the mistress of the Chen Family.
Chen Pinging had sent several invitations, all for gatherings of noble ladies, to admire flowers, taste tea, and compose poetry, but Xiao Li had no time for such frivolous activities.
Gu Ling was reduced to skin and bones, and Lu Yanzhi’s death should also be put on the agenda.
“Imperial Sister, do you want to go hunting?”
Xiao Jingyi poked his head in. Xiao Li was practicing archery, and the arrow was pointed directly at him, startling him into raising his hands.
“Imperial Sister, don’t do that! I just wanted to find you to go out and have fun. It’s not a capital offense, is it?”
Xiao Li turned around, shooting an arrow at the target. “Where are we going hunting?”
“The Hunting Ground in the South Mountain. There are rabbits and deer. A group of young masters and daughters of martial generals are going. It will take about ten days. You can come back whenever you get bored.”
Xiao Li wasn’t very interested in hunting. “How long does the trip take?”
Xiao Jingyi said, “A carriage takes a day, while a fast horse takes two hours.”
Xiao Li suddenly looked at him and smiled. “Let’s go!”
Xiao Li had someone prepare things and set off. Lu Yanzhi came again.
“Is the Princess going on a long journey?”
Xiao Li couldn’t stand him. He disliked her, and previously wished to be as far away from her as possible, but now he always appeared before her.
“It’s none of your concern!”
Lu Yanzhi was about to approach when Xiao Li raised an arrow and pointed it at him, warning, “I said before, Imperial Brother doesn’t allow divorce, but that doesn’t mean we can reconcile. Don’t come near me.”
Lu Yanzhi’s appearance was indeed exceptionally handsome, but his actions destined that she would never soften her heart towards him. In her eyes, he was merely a corpse that could still walk, and his death was already sealed.
Xiao Li’s coldness and disdain were without a trace of pretense. Lu Yanzhi was rooted to the spot, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He loved Xueyin, and approached her to take revenge on Xiao Li.
There were many people going to hunt in the South Mountain, but everyone left at different times. It wasn’t until they reached the Hunting Ground that Xiao Li saw Chen Wang and Liu Xueyin had also come.
And Chen Pinging with a group of noble ladies.
Xiao Li: “…”
She suddenly didn’t feel like hunting anymore.
Xiao Jingyi was best at reading people. Seeing that Xiao Li disliked someone, he quickly explained, “Imperial Sister, I didn’t tell them. I didn’t even know they were coming.”
Xiao Li didn’t make a fuss. “It’s fine. They came, we came. We’ll each do our own thing.”
Xiao Li didn’t have friends, but Xiao Jingyi did have many acquaintances among the young masters of prominent families, though their quality was questionable.
“Zhao Yuan, Qian Yu, Sun Buwu, Li You pay respects to Princess Xuanyang!”
Xiao Li’s mind went blank. Weren’t these fat Zhao Yuan and skinny Li You the two ruffians who had harassed Liu Xueyin and were then severely beaten by Gu Ling that day?
“Ahem!” Xiao Jingyi also remembered the incident, and immediately felt that his friends were somewhat unsuitable. “They are the sons of meritorious families, and are best at eating, drinking, and having fun. Princess, if you need anything, you can just tell them, and they will definitely deliver.”
The round, fat man immediately patted his chest. “Princess, just give your orders.”
The skinny man added with a smile, “It is our honor to serve the Princess.”
Xiao Li was speechless for a long while.
The four of them, with their varying heights and builds, were quite a sight to behold.
Fortunately, their facial features were still decent, at least they didn’t look ugly, passable.
Ah ah, I want to write tension, I hate my feudal brain, I must write~~~~