Leng Yue’er walked out of the palace hall with her hands behind her back, her unruly aura undiminished. She completely ignored the fearful gazes of the surrounding palace servants.
At the entrance of the main hall, she happened to run into Pei Qingmin leaning against a pillar. He was looking up at the distant sky in a daze, lost in thought.
“You were waiting for me?” Leng Yue’er did not slow her steps and asked casually as she reached his side.
Pei Qingmin snapped back to his senses and turned to look at her. There was still lingering gloom in his eyes, along with a trace of worry.
“…Did she make things difficult for you?” he asked. He knew Consort Zhu Jing’s temperament all too well, and he also knew Leng Yue’er’s defiance. He feared the two had clashed and that she might have suffered.
Leng Yue’er let out a mocking laugh and brushed past him, tossing out lightly, “What do you think? Could she even make things difficult for me?”
The contempt and certainty in her tone instantly dispelled the worry in Pei Qingmin’s heart.
He watched her straight, unbending figure. Seeing her calm expression and thinking back to her skills and temperament, he could only feel a faint sense of self-mockery. His worry had indeed been unnecessary.
He quietly composed himself and followed behind her without a word.
After walking for about half a shangxiang of time, Leng Yue’er suddenly stopped and turned around, her gaze landing directly on him.
Their eyes met in silence. Pei Qingmin felt slightly uncomfortable under her stare and instinctively lowered his gaze. The gloom in his eyes deepened.
After a moment, he slowly looked up again.
“Do you think I am useless?” he asked, his voice cold but carrying a hint of hesitation.
Leng Yue’er blinked her peach blossom eyes.
“Worthless, even breathing is a waste of food… hehe…” he muttered, self-mocking and dazed.
“You already know the answer, why ask?” she replied, rolling her eyes.
“Just as expected?” Pei Qingmin stiffened. A chill spread from his chest to his limbs. He swayed slightly, staring blankly at the sky.
The sun was not yet fully set, and a thin crescent moon had already appeared above the branches, quietly reflecting his humiliation and unwillingness.
“But I refuse to let them have their way!” he suddenly raised his voice, his tone filled with resentment and self-mockery. “Even if I cannot cause them trouble, even if I cannot live well, I will not die. I will live a long life and keep appearing in front of them. Everyone in the palace has a mind full of schemes, otherwise they would have died without a burial place long ago!”
His words carried helpless grievance, yet also a stubborn refusal.
“Finished?” Leng Yue’er asked, expression unchanged. She rolled her eyes again and said flatly, “You talk too much.”
“…Yes.”
“I’m hungry,” Leng Yue’er said, completely ignoring his emotions and changing the topic as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Pei Qingmin was left speechless. His frustration and unwillingness were abruptly cut off, leaving him unsure whether to laugh or sigh. He shook his head helplessly.
She never comforted him, nor did she probe into his pain. She simply acted according to her own will, yet strangely, that was what made him feel at ease. At least she never schemed against him like everyone else.
Seeing the time, Pei Qingmin simply decided not to leave the palace. He ordered the palace servants to prepare dinner.
The palace food was refined but light, which suited his taste. Leng Yue’er ate without restraint, showing no trace of the restraint expected from a dark guard.
As night deepened, palace lanterns were lit along the walls. Warm golden light illuminated the blue tiles and dark eaves, while the faint fragrance of magnolia drifted through the air, serene yet solemn.
Pei Qingmin had his own residence in the palace, called the Qing’an Hall. He arranged for Leng Yue’er to rest in a side hall and returned to his main quarters for the night.
The next morning, he did not rush to leave the palace. Instead, he brought along the newly awakened Leng Yue’er. After breakfast, they strolled through the palace together.
They walked slowly along the palace path. Magnolia flowers bloomed along the way, and the clean stone slabs stretched into the distance. Occasionally, palace servants in neat attire would pass by and bow respectfully. In the distance stood grand halls of red walls and golden roofs, majestic yet cold.
As they walked, Pei Qingmin quietly explained the scenery and buildings. Leng Yue’er listened absentmindedly, occasionally plucking at flower branches along the roadside, relaxed and unrestrained.
“How is Consort Dowager Qu?” she suddenly asked.
“She has improved a lot. The root cause was found and she is being treated accordingly,” Pei Qingmin replied. After a pause, he added tentatively, “Shall we go take a look?”
“Fine,” Leng Yue’er said casually.
Since she was already here, she did not mind. She grabbed his wrist briefly, checked his pulse, then released him and casually fed him a pill from her waist pouch without explanation.
Before Pei Qingmin could even react, everything was already done.
“Let’s go,” she said, walking ahead without turning back.
The residence of Empress Dowager Qu was located in a remote part of the deep palace. The path wound through several turns before a palace finally came into view.
The surroundings were slightly desolate, with few attendants at the gate.
A palace maid recognized Pei Qingmin and hurried inside to report. Soon, an attendant came out to receive them.
Inside the hall, Empress Dowager Qu sat on a wide chair. She looked kind and gentle, her illness not too severe. Seeing Pei Qingmin, she smiled warmly.
After they were seated, tea was served.
“Why does Prince Wei have time to visit me today?” she asked.
“I heard you were unwell recently, so I came to check on your health and also to ask for a cup of tea,” Pei Qingmin replied politely.
“You are thoughtful,” she said, observing him carefully. “You seem to be in much better spirits.”
“Yes. I fell ill some time ago, but I was fortunate to meet a miraculous physician who adjusted my prescription. I have improved greatly since then,” he replied.
“That is wonderful news,” she said sincerely.
After a few more polite exchanges, Pei Qingmin excused himself and left with Leng Yue’er.
Once they were out of the hall, Pei Qingmin finally asked curiously, “Was there a reason we came here?”
“No reason. I was just bored,” Leng Yue’er replied.
She walked ahead again, then paused, stepped back behind him, and followed him loosely from behind instead.
“Your Highness,” she said lazily.
“Does it make any difference?” he asked, walking at an even pace while she subtly guided his direction.
Their route gradually veered closer toward the Empress’s residence. Palace servants along the way bowed respectfully, even acknowledging Leng Yue’er without hesitation.
“Are you tired?” she asked.
“It’s fine,” Pei Qingmin replied, wiping sweat from his forehead. Though slightly fatigued, he could still continue. More than that, he was curious about what she intended to do.
He offered his arm, and she naturally took it.
But before they had gone far, a suppressed laugh and hurried footsteps suddenly sounded ahead.
From behind a rockery at the side of a winding palace path, two guards rushed out.
“How dare you barge into the presence of Xun Junwang!”
Pei Qingmin turned his head toward Leng Yue’er.
At that moment, Leng Yue’er’s peach blossom eyes were shining brilliantly. Her expression was full of excitement.
As expected, her timing calculation was correct. She immediately stopped moving and stood still to watch the show.
Otherwise, she might get accidentally injured.