As the gates of the Prince of Min Nan's mansion slowly closed, leaves rustled on a nearby tree. A dark figure landed on the ground. Just as he was about to depart, he found someone standing before him.
"Brother, where are you off to? Perhaps you could tell me?"
The man in black was startled, then moved to attack the person before him. However, before his palm could connect, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his neck and lost consciousness.
Official Post House
Qi Yu Yuan sat in the courtyard, lost in thought. At that moment, footsteps sounded from outside. He turned to see Fan Yan approaching hurriedly. After bowing to him, Fan Yan whispered, "Your Highness, Hei Qin may have been discovered."
"I know," Qi Yu Yuan nodded slightly.
Fan Yan was taken aback. He pondered, "Your Highness, it seems you anticipated this?"
Qi Yu Yuan picked up his teacup and said lightly, "Who can predict what will happen next?"
The annual royal hunt began. Xue Xing Yue had no desire to attend. She knew that if she went, she would face the Crown Princess's deep-seated hatred from the front and the Ninth Princess's relentless pursuit from behind. Going would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den.
However, unexpectedly, an imperial decree arrived that evening. While officials could bring their families, a directive from the Ninth Princess also came, specifically requesting her attendance.
Thus, she had no choice but to go.
The next morning, all preparations complete, Xue Xing Yue left the Prime Minister Song's mansion. Since families were allowed, everyone who could go from the Song mansion did.
Looking at the carriages outside the mansion, Xue Xing Yue was at a loss. Which carriage should she take? She wasn't truly considered part of the Song family, as her engagement to Song Xiu Yuan was merely a betrothal, not a formal marriage. The engagement itself was even fabricated.
"Miss, the Third Young Master requests you board his carriage." A man approached. Xue Xing Yue recognized him as Song Xiu Yuan's shadow guard. She didn't really want to board Song Xiu Yuan's carriage, but she genuinely didn't know which one to choose. So, she followed Song Xiu Yuan's shadow guard to the carriage.
"Miss, please get in."
Xue Xing Yue nodded. Qin Er Niang had already lifted the carriage curtain for her. Upon looking inside, she found no sign of Song Xiu Yuan. She turned to ask the shadow guard, "Where is he?"
"My master is waiting for you in the palace," the shadow guard replied.
Xue Xing Yue frowned. What was Song Xiu Yuan up to?
Seeing her confusion, the shadow guard explained, "My master feared you wouldn't know which carriage to take, so he specifically sent me to fetch you."
Xue Xing Yue was surprised. She hadn't expected Song Xiu Yuan to consider even this. A sweet feeling bloomed in her heart, and she no longer hesitated. She boarded the carriage and said to Qin Er Niang, who was still standing outside, "Qin Er Niang, you come up too."
Qin Er Niang was startled and quickly shook her head. "No, Miss. You should ride alone!"
This carriage was prepared for Miss. If she were to sit in it, she couldn't bear Song Xiu Yuan's gaze. So, she would dutifully serve as the carriage driver.
Qin Er Niang looked at Song Xiu Yuan's shadow guard and asked, "May I sit on the side?"
Xue Ying's ears turned red at her words, and he nodded. "Of course."
Qin Er Niang sat down on the left and asked, "I've never seen you before. Are you new?"
Xue Ying nodded. "I was always in other places, so you haven't seen me."
Qin Er Niang nodded. As shadow guards, some protected their masters directly, while others were sent to different locations.
Xue Xing Yue sat in the carriage. She had never known a carriage could be so comfortable. It even had books, snacks, and tea. He really knew how to enjoy himself, she mused.
Little did she know, this was all specially prepared for her by Song Xiu Yuan.
While the others from the Song mansion went directly to the royal hunting grounds, Xue Xing Yue first entered the palace.
As she alighted from the carriage, Xue Xing Yue saw a palace maid standing there. She recognized this palace maid as Cui Lan, the head palace maid by the Empress's side.
Seeing her descend from the carriage, Palace Maid Cui Lan walked over and curtsied. "Miss Xue, Her Majesty the Empress has been waiting for you for some time. Please follow me."
Xue Xing Yue was surprised. Although she had a stomach full of questions, she remembered she was outside and nodded. "Alright. Thank you, Sister Cui Lan, for leading the way."
They arrived at Wutong Palace. Before even entering the main hall, she heard Song Xiu Yuan's voice. He was here?
"Miss, please!" Cui Lan stopped at the entrance of the hall. She nodded, and Xue Xing Yue entered the main hall. She saw the Empress lying on a soft couch, looking at Song Xiu Yuan, who was seated below, with a loving gaze. Anyone unaware would truly think they were mother and son.
"This commoner pays her respects..."
"Yue'er, you forgot again. What should you call me?" the Empress asked, smiling at her.
Xue Xing Yue's face flushed, and she lowered her head. "Imperial Aunt."
The Empress smiled, glanced at Song Xiu Yuan, and then asked, "When are you two getting married? I'm still waiting to hold my grand-nephew."
Xue Xing Yue's face grew even redder. She felt her cheeks burning.
"Imperial Aunt, please don't say such things. You'll scare Yue'er," Song Xiu Yuan said, his gaze intense.
"Alright, alright. I won't urge you anymore. It's just that A Jing's death anniversary is approaching. If you were married then, I believe A Jing would be very happy," the Empress suddenly said.
Xue Xing Yue knew who the Empress was referring to: Jin Ming Jing, the second daughter of the Jin family and Song Xiu Yuan's birth mother.
Xue Xing Yue looked at Song Xiu Yuan. His gaze remained calm, showing no trace of sorrow, which she assumed was all buried deep within his heart.
Just then, someone entered in a hurry. After bowing to the Empress, he whispered something into Song Xiu Yuan's ear. Song Xiu Yuan stood up and said to the Empress, "Imperial Aunt, the Emperor wishes to see me. I must leave. Yue'er, she..."
The Empress smiled upon hearing this. "Hurry along! With me here, no one can bully Yue'er."
Song Xiu Yuan nodded. He looked up at Xue Xing Yue, his gaze exceptionally bright, as if to say, "Don't worry."
She nodded.
Song Xiu Yuan departed.
"A'Yue, come," the Empress beckoned her. She sat down in front of the Empress.
"Imperial Aunt."
The Empress smiled, looking at her with a gaze that was somewhat unfathomable. The Empress reached out her hand, a hint of melancholy on her expression. "If Little Five were still alive, he would be able to take a consort by now."
Xue Xing Yue was startled. She knew who the Empress meant by Little Five – likely the Fifth Prince, who had died young.
"Imperial Aunt, please accept my condolences!"
The Empress smiled. "Don't worry. So many years have passed, I've grown accustomed to it. Now, all I wish to see is Zhao Yan married and with children. In this life, I am determined to protect Xiu Yuan and the Zhao family."