"Yan Yue, thank you for seeing me home." Leng Yuanxiang said with a smile as she and Yan Yue arrived at the entrance of a residence.
"What are you saying, Xiangxiang? This is what I should be doing. Besides, it's so late, I wouldn't be at ease with you returning alone. Hurry inside!" Yan Yue's face, which was perfectly sculpted, still held its charming smile.
"Mhmm, then… see you next time!" Leng Yuanxiang, feeling a little overwhelmed by his passionate gaze, nodded shyly.
"Alright! Goodbye! Next time you visit, I'll play for you privately." Yan Yue had essentially become her personal musician now.
Leng Yuanxiang knocked on the door, and Chun Yue quickly opened it. She was about to say something when she saw Yan Yue and swallowed her words, offering a polite bow instead.
Yan Yue nodded and returned the bow, then left with peace of mind.
"Your Highness, stop looking. Let's hurry back to the Prime Minister's mansion!" Chun Yue urged, seeing her mistress staring at the retreating figure of young Master Yan Yue.
Leng Yuanxiang withdrew her gaze, entered the residence, and got into a carriage. She changed back into her women's attire in the carriage before instructing Chun Yue to drive back to the Right Prime Minister's mansion.
As Chun Yue drove, she worried, "I wonder what Her Highness is thinking? She's been so close with this young Master Yan Yue. But Her Highness is the Emperor's concubine, she wouldn't…"
Chun Yue dared not even think about what might happen next. She drove the carriage out of the back gate of the residence.
Meanwhile, Yan Yue did not return to Yun Ding Tower. Instead, he looked around, ensured he wasn't being followed, and slipped into another residence under the cover of night.
"How is it? Did the fish take the bait?" a man in black asked.
"Almost. The way she looks at me is quite telling," Yan Yue said, kicking his legs up and abandoning his previous gentle demeanor.
"Don't be careless. The General's intention is to ensure Leng Yuanxiang falls in love with you," the man in black cautioned.
"I know. I won't embarrass the General," Yan Yue said seriously. "I've thought about it. After some more time, I'll propose we elope!"
"She's a dignified first-rank concubine of the Emperor. Do you think she'll agree?" the man in black asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
"I have it under control. Even if she doesn't agree, we can let that dog emperor see the little moments we've shared. How could an emperor tolerate his concubine cuckolding him? Even if he doesn't pursue it, it will leave a thorn in his heart," Yan Yue declared confidently.
"Alright! If you need anything, contact me! Hurry up, the General will be back in the capital soon." The man in black then departed.
Yan Yue finished his tea and then slowly returned to Yun Ding Tower.
…
Meanwhile, Leng Yuanxiang in the carriage felt like she was falling in love again!
Ever since Situ Chuan Qiong had said he would visit her in a few days and then never did, she had been truly angry.
After waiting for almost a month, only an eunuch named Wang You arrived to escort her back.
Leng Yuanxiang naturally refused and wrote a letter for Wang You to take back. The letter essentially conveyed that she had lost all hope and wanted to break up with Situ Chuan Qiong.
Originally, Leng Yuanxiang thought that Situ Chuan Qiong would at least come to comfort her and win her back. To her surprise, he didn't come. He merely sent a message through Wang You.
"Little Xiang'er, stop throwing a tantrum. Since you don't want to return for now, stay home a while longer. Come back to the palace anytime when you're in a better mood."
This time, Leng Yuanxiang was truly furious. She decided internally that she was done with Situ Chuan Qiong. So what if he was the Emperor? A modern woman's independent spirit gave her the right to say "no" when she didn't love someone anymore!
After unilaterally breaking up with Situ Chuan Qiong, Leng Yuanxiang began her carefree life of disguising herself as a man and wandering around.
During this time, she visited teahouses, brothels, literary salons, and music halls. It was at Yun Ding Tower that Yan Yue caught her attention.
Yun Ding Tower was a place for appreciating music, featuring various instruments and resident singers. It was different from traditional restaurants, teahouses, brothels, and small inns, and had become a popular form of entertainment in the capital in recent years.
Yan Yue was the owner of Yun Ding Tower. He was proficient in chess, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and played multiple instruments. While he rarely performed publicly in the tower now, on the day Leng Yuanxiang visited, the regular zither player fell ill at the last minute, and Yan Yue stepped in.
Yan Yue was exceptionally handsome. At first, Leng Yuanxiang had thought he was the cool, arrogant type of handsome guy. Combined with his stunning zither skills and slender fingers, after a single piece, he elicited thunderous applause from his adoring fans.
Later, Leng Yuanxiang took the initiative to approach him and provided lyrics from her previous life's world, featuring ancient Chinese style, for Yan Yue to set to music.
Yan Yue was incredibly talented. After hearing it just once, he could roughly play the melody. Then, with his unique voice, he performed "Blue and White Porcelain," leaving the audience mesmerized.
And so, Leng Yuanxiang and Yan Yue met. Yan Yue greatly admired Leng Yuanxiang's talent, believing her lyric and composition style to be versatile, with every piece being stunning.
Initially, Leng Yuanxiang was captivated by Yan Yue's looks and talent, but gradually, she became intoxicated by his praise. Especially when his usually cool eyes looked at her with deep affection, how could she not be moved?
Thinking of Yan Yue, Leng Yuanxiang couldn't help but smile. They say women in love are the most beautiful, and her radiant face at this moment proved it.
"Your Highness, we've arrived," Chun Yue's voice broke Leng Yuanxiang's reverie.
She withdrew her lovesick expression and, with a stern face, got out of the carriage. Upon entering the residence, she encountered Leng Guang standing by her door, who seemed to have been there for a while.
"Father, you're not resting this late? Did you need me for something?" Leng Yuanxiang asked, startled.
"You know it's late? Then why are you only returning now?" Leng Guang's expression was not pleasant.
"I was in a bad mood and went out to listen to some music. What's wrong?" Leng Yuanxiang didn't hide it from her father, as he had already been aware of her recent movements. Even the residence was rented by her father for her to disguise herself, fearing any impropriety.
Leng Guang took several deep breaths, pushed his daughter into the room behind him, and after dismissing Chun Yue to guard the door, he lowered his voice to reprimand her. "Xiang'er, don't forget your identity! You have entered the palace and are the Emperor's concubine. You are the Emperor's woman for life, and you must not have any divided loyalties, do you understand?"
Leng Yuanxiang knew her father must have been investigating and following her for some time. She knew in her heart that her father meant well. But she couldn't accept this kind of well-intentioned concern!
"Father, I've already written a letter to Situ Chuan Qiong breaking up with him. If that's still not enough, then I'll send a letter of divorce! If he can't bring himself to do it, then let him divorce me. Anyway, I can't go on with this man!" Leng Yuanxiang stated righteously.