"Get out."
The fool seemed not to understand, instead pressing closer, eagerly presenting what he considered a treasure, holding it out to Shen Yue as if offering a prize.
It was a small turtle, quite ugly.
Shen Yue flicked her eyelashes, and after a long moment, raised her eyes. Within them was undisguised disgust.
Shen Yaojin, as if he hadn't sensed the disdain and chill radiating from Shen Yue, looked at her with innocent, fervent eyes.
"I caught it by the lake today. Does Imperial Brother like it? Isn't it very cute? As cute as Imperial Brother."
Her ink-black hair was loosely tied with a hairpin. The lines of her brow bone were noble and exquisite. Those dark, moist eyes were very placid, gleaming in the bright sunlight filtering through the wooden window, yet within them lay indifference.
She pulled Shen Yaojin towards her. Shen Yaojin stumbled and sat at Shen Yue's feet. Her soft, cool fingertips pinched Shen Yaojin's chin, and she said to him:
"Take this ugly creature and get out. And didn't I tell you to stay away from me?"
"Fool, why are you so disobedient?"
Her voice was languid and magnificent. Her eyes were opulent, exuding an inherent loftiness.
The pinch on his chin hurt, and Shen Yaojin vaguely sensed Shen Yue's aversion.
Dangerous and relaxed, she treated this fool like a dog, perhaps amusing herself with it when in a good mood.
His chin hurt from the pinch. Shen Yaojin grasped Shen Yue's wrist with one hand, his eyes reddening. "Imperial Brother, it hurts."
A tear dropped onto the back of Shen Yue's hand. She slightly furrowed her brows and released her grip, picking up a clean silk handkerchief and vigorously wiping her hand. The fair, thin skin on the back of her hand turned a large patch of red.
Utterly disgusted, as if touching this fool made her feel tainted.
Shen Yaojin looked at Shen Yue's actions blankly, but Shen Yue's expression was icy, making him timid and somewhat afraid to approach.
The small turtle in his hand seemed to feel wronged, nudging with its tiny claws.
After a while, the fool leaned closer again, holding the small turtle in his hand, and whispered coaxingly, "Imperial Brother, the turtle is very cute. It can crawl. Look, it's crawling."
Shen Yue's brows had not yet relaxed. Her eyelashes, like butterfly wings, trembled. She truly found the fool in front of her annoying, even wishing he would shut up forever.
Her fingertips twitched, and her voice drawled, "Aren't you afraid of me?"
Did the fool really not hold grudges?
Last time, she had almost choked him to death, yet this fool still stuck to her like a patch of sticky plaster, impossible to shake off.
Shen Yaojin's eyes were very clean. His clear pupils reflected the youth's opulent and beautiful face. "I am."
Shen Yue glanced at him. Shen Yaojin's face was full of innocent delight. His expression held only joy, not a trace of fear. He was afraid, but he also liked her very much.
Even though Imperial Brother was fierce, she would protect him, so he wasn't so afraid anymore.
The little turtle was still crawling slowly in his palm. Shen Yaojin's eyes were bright. "But Imperial Brother is different from them."
As if a hint of interest had been sparked, she lowered her gaze slightly, resting her chin in her hand as she lazily observed the person before her. Meeting his gaze, she provocatively lifted her eyelashes. "Then tell me, how are we different."
The fool's world was one of clear likes and dislikes, extremely simple. He didn't understand, he just liked her, she was just different.
He wanted to burrow into Shen Yue's embrace, but was afraid Shen Yue would be unhappy. So he carefully tugged at Shen Yue's sleeve, slowly tightening his grip, his handsome, flushed face beaming with a smile that rippled like gentle sunlight.
His arm swayed unconsciously, with a hint of coyness.
"You're just different. The turtle can be my witness."
Shen Yue's gaze condescended to fall upon the turtle. Her long, dark lashes trembled, like cicada wings. The sharp, delicate line of her jaw always gave an impression of loftiness.
Her gaze lingered on the turtle for two seconds. The corners of her eyes flicked up slightly. The fool before her was brimming with anticipation.
As if bestowing a favor, her cool, soft fingertips gently touched his flushed chin, as soft as a feather.
Her expression was indifferent and cool.
Her magnificent voice was faint.
"Does it hurt?"
Shen Yue's sudden gentle demeanor and tone caught Shen Yaojin off guard. He nervously swallowed, shaking his head like a rattle drum. "It doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt."
He wanted to project an image of a man in front of Imperial Brother.
Shen Yue had merely asked casually, but soon lost interest. She waved her hand dismissively. "Send the Seventh Prince back."
Shen Yaojin didn't want to leave, crying and throwing a tantrum like a little madman.
Shen Yue felt her ears ache from the noise, so she had someone simply throw Shen Yaojin out.
Finally, silence returned. The carved lattice window was pushed open, and sunlight rushed in, scattering golden rays across the floor.
Fuan, after cleaning up the vase that Shen Yaojin had broken in his tantrum, was about to leave when he caught sight of something crawling.
He went closer and saw it was a small turtle.
Fuan found it curious. He teased it a bit and picked it up. He looked up at Shen Yue and said with difficulty, "Your Highness, this turtle..."
Shen Yue put down her brush. Her sleeves carried a hint of ink. Her lips were vibrant, and the tear mole at the corner of her eye was like cinnabar.
Her slender, white fingers tapped rhythmically on the sandalwood table. Her beautiful eyes were as deep as two dark magnets.
Fuan thought Shen Yue would refuse, but to his surprise,
"Keep it."
Fuan was surprised but did not ask further questions.
The glass tank was transparent, the water clear to the bottom. Small pebbles lay at the bottom of the tank, and the little turtle swam slowly in the water.
—
The dim sunset glow spread faintly over the red bricks, green tiles, and brightly colored pavilions and beams, adding a touch of haziness and poetic charm.
Seated high above, she was dressed in profound black, her sleeves trailing on the ground like cascading night. Her features were as exquisite as a painting.
The dancers moved with graceful, winding waists, their lotus-like steps light. The fans in their hands were closed and held, resembling a dragon in flight painting an azure landscape.
Melodious echoes, sweet voices, captivatingly pleasant.
Shi Wei stared intently, gently nodding his head to the beautiful and melodious music. Indeed, as the top performer of the renowned Miaolou Pavilion, she was unlike ordinary people.
He enjoyed himself, feeling lazily relaxed, his collar disheveled, a far cry from the "peerless jade among men" image he projected to others.
The wine was rich and delicious. A drunken flush colored Shi Wei's fair face, but his eyes were exceptionally clear.
As he happened to glance up, Shi Wei finally noticed the person seated high above, her forehead resting on her hand. Her fingers were slender and fair like jade.
Her long, dense eyelashes drooped casually. Her skin was extremely pale, and she favored wearing darker clothes. Thus, the exposed skin was like creamy milk, her expression aloof, and she seemed not to be in high spirits.
Her eyelids were slightly lowered, the tear mole conspicuous. Her lips were exquisitely thin and ruby-red, slightly pursed. The lines of her jaw were perfect, leading down to her neck.
Her striking, vibrant beauty was so overwhelming that one dared not look directly, yet could not help but feel a surge of impure, obscure thoughts.
Shi Wei looked at the dancers again, but they now seemed somewhat uninteresting.
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