In late autumn, the forest is brilliantly colored, and the exquisite pavilion is faintly visible within.
The pavilions on Le You Garden are sotis enclosed within private estates, while others are public.
Tang Xiaobai reined in his mount and looked up at the towering structure in front of him.
Though there was music and dancing inside the pavilion, and attendants all around, this pavilion was public, currently privately booked by nobility.
The scope of the private event wasn’t very large.
The place where Tang Xiaobai stopped was an area anyone could pass through, and from below, he could clearly hear the voice from the pavilion: "...The student has already given his heart, and dares not make any actions that would cause misunderstandings or sadness to the one he admires. I ask the Princess for forgiveness; though I appreciate the offer of this drink!"
The music inside suddenly stopped.
After a mont of silence, a woman’s voice sounded: "You have soone you like..." The tone was lost and regretful, "Which lady is it?"
The man’s tone softened: "She is not a lady from any household, she is only a servant girl."
"A servant girl..." The woman’s voice sounded sowhat wistful, yet indifferent.
"Though she is of servant girl birth, in the student’s heart, she is respectable, lovable, and beyond reach!"
Tang Xiaobai glanced at Cheng Zi next to him.
The girl’s feelings were clearly displayed in her expressions of sadness and joy.
After another mont of silence, the woman chuckled lightly, saying: "If you follow my lead today, I’ll help clear your servant girl’s indenture another day, how about that?" The tone was unexpectedly flippant.
Tang Xiaobai heard this and could listen no more.
Retrieving his whip, he said, "Second Miss Tang requests an audience with Pingyang Princess!"
Since she could hear the conversation upstairs, naturally, the people above heard her line loud and clear as well.
As soon as her voice fell, there were several chaotic noises upstairs, as if soone had stumbled.
Soon, the bamboo curtain on the second floor was lifted, revealing Pingyang Princess’s face.
Her hairpin was slightly askew, and her smile froze on her face: "Xiao Bai... Co quickly, invite Second Miss Tang up!"
Upstairs presented a typical scene of the Princess’s banquet.
Musicians and actors at the side, delicate youths and pretty maids standing by.
The only incongruous elent was the young man standing straight in front of the seats.
When the young man saw Tang Xiaobai coming up, his eyes fixed intently on her—
On Cheng Zi behind her.
His expression was anxious and uneasy, as if he wanted to explain sothing.
Pingyang Princess beside him was also quite nervous, as if a child caught red-handed by a parent, smoothing her perfectly arranged hair, laughing dryly: "Why have you co? Do you need to speak with ?"
Tang Xiaobai glanced at the young man and said, "I need to discuss sothing with the Princess privately."
Pingyang Princess imdiately complied with sending everyone away: "Leave the room!" without looking at the young man whom she had teased earlier.
Once the surroundings were clear of people, she leaned close to Tang Xiaobai, whispering, "Is that young man... yours?"
This statent...
Tang Xiaobai shook off the suggestion, explaining: "He’s a student from Huntian Academy."
"Is the servant girl he talks about Cheng Zi?"
Tang Xiaobai nodded: "It seems so... Was the Princess agitated today?"
After entering the path, Pingyang Princess had beco renowned for her frivolous ways, living lavishly and indulgently.
Yet this act of snatching a civilian man was unprecedented.
Especially after returning from the Palace, as she likely felt the currents at the court, her behavior had beco much more discreet.
Unless summoned by the Palace, she would stay tucked in Pingyang Temple, no longer engaging in the bustling social activities as before, not even inviting Tang Jiaojiao anymore.
Today, suddenly staging such a scene in the street was quite peculiar.
As chance would have it, the person Pingyang Princess tried to snatch was precisely Luo Xiong.
Duke Yan Mansion recognized Luo Xiong, knowing he had so connection with Cheng Zi, hence they spread the ssage that got him involved.
After hearing Tang Xiaobai’s questions, Pingyang Princess chuckled twice, picking up the wine cup from the table, bringing it to her lips to cover half her face.
Her little finger, holding the cup, lifted sowhat unnaturally, slightly trembling as she raised it.
Tang Xiaobai quietly watched her finish the drink.
After putting down the cup, she seed a bit steadier in her emotions, smiling and said: "What agitation? Today, I just wanted to co enjoy Le You Garden, and happened to see the handso young man on the way, so I invited him for a drink!"
Tang Xiaobai sat across from her, leaning slightly forward on the wine table, fixedly looking at her, asking: "Is the Princess afraid of ?"
Pingyang Princess’s gaze narrowed, smiling: "Afraid of you? Why would I be afraid of you?"
She seed amused as she reached out to pat Tang Xiaobai’s head but redirected her hand in mid-air, gently brushing Tang Xiaobai’s shoulder.
Like a dragonfly skimming the surface, she was about to withdraw.
Tang Xiaobai quickly caught her hand, sighing: "The Princess has grown distant from our siblings."
Pingyang Princess’s movent froze for a mont, then she withdrew her hand.
She opened her mouth, smiling as if to explain sothing but failed to speak, leaving the smile to cool on her face.
"On the first of August, when the Princess rushed back to the capital, she first sought out Duke Yan Mansion; at the ti, the Princess trusted us in her heart. Later, was it because of the real and false Crown Prince matter?"
Pingyang Princess said nothing, lowering her head to pour herself another cup, drinking it down, her motions sowhat rough.
"I only learned about the real and false Crown Prince situation on that sa day; does the Princess trust ?" Tang Xiaobai asked softly.
Pingyang Princess drank down another cup before hoarsely asking, "And what about Jiaojiao?"
"Elder sister learned of it even later than us."
"Are you sure?" Pingyang Princess laughed with an undertone of mockery.
"I’m certain!" Tang Xiaobai replied without hesitation.
Her sister wouldn’t lie to her, nor would her little ancestor deceive her.
Pingyang Princess laughed rrily, swaying from side to side, while attempting to pour wine.
Whether drunk or laughing, she spilled half a cup before barely swallowing the rest.
After putting down the cup, her eyes brightened astonishingly: "Do you still rember Zhao Jing?"
Tang Xiaobai frowned and nodded.
ntioning Zhao Jing usually didn’t bode well.
"Before Zhao Jing died, he told so inexplicable things," Pingyang Princess’s eyes were misty as she laughed, "He said he relived a life, and soone else did too, reliving it."
Tang Xiaobai’s heart pounded: "Is he talking about my elder sister?"
Pingyang Princess nodded: "He said Duke Yan Mansion was later confiscated and exiled; he ntioned Jiaojiao... was killed—" She suddenly covered her face and cried, unable to finish.
But Tang Xiaobai could guess: "He said my elder sister died unjustly, reborn to seek vengeance, didn’t he?"
She cried uncontrollably, offering no response.
Tang Xiaobai calmly continued: "Did he also say that Duke Yan Mansion, in order not to repeat past mistakes, will surely join forces with the Crown Prince against your father?"
Pingyang Princess suddenly slamd her hands down on the wine table.
The jugs and cups toppled, wine soaking her sleeves.
"Isn’t that the case now? At first... why would I believe Zhao Jing’s nonsense? How could Jiaojiao die... I’m still alive; how could Jiaojiao die?" Her eyes reddened, her voice hoarse with sorrow, "But now... now... how co Zhao Jing’s words co true?"
Tang Xiaobai steadied the jug, smiling gently at her: "Is it possible that the person reborn in Duke Yan Mansion is ?"
(No update tomorrow, it’s the festive New Year～)
Reviews
All reviews (0)