Xue Xingyue's whole body trembled, and tears began to flow.
One drop, then another, fell to the ground. Even when she received the news of her imperial brother's death, even during her most difficult times in Lu, she had never shed a tear.
But this time, for some reason, she couldn't help it.
Ji Wuran was taken aback; he hadn't expected Xue Xingyue to cry.
"Princess Xingyue, you..."
"It will be alright in a moment," Xue Xingyue said, her voice choked with sobs.
After a long while, she reached for her sleeve to wipe away her tears, when suddenly a hand extended, offering a handkerchief.
She was slightly stunned. Ji Wuran said, "Here, wipe your eyes."
She took it. The handkerchief still carried his scent. She haphazardly wiped her tears and then handed it back. Ji Wuran didn't reach for it, instead saying, "Keep it!"
Xue Xingyue suddenly remembered that besides her tears, there was also snot. How could she give this back to Ji Wuran so casually?
With that thought, she put the handkerchief away and looked up at Ji Wuran. "I hope Young Marquis Ji hasn't been offended."
Ji Wuran pushed the tea he had just poured towards her. "Princess Xingyue, there's no need to stand on ceremony with me."
Xue Xingyue was startled and gazed absently at the tea in the cup.
"Princess Xingyue?" Ji Wuran called out.
Xue Xingyue came back to herself. "Since you've summoned me here, Young Marquis Ji, you're not just looking to have tea with me, are you?"
Ji Wuran looked at her, surprised by how the princess, who had been weeping moments ago, had now regained her composure and calm demeanor.
"Why isn't Young Marquis Ji speaking?" Xue Xingyue continued.
Ji Wuran looked up. His handsome face held eyes that shone like stars, and it seemed that nothing in the world could outshine the brilliance within his gaze.
"Princess Xingyue, I have come to pledge my allegiance," Ji Wuran stated calmly.
Xue Xingyue was taken aback. She looked at Ji Wuran, her expression turning cold. "Why?"
"I know Princess Xingyue may not believe me."
"Young Marquis Ji, please don't jest. Putting aside all else, the fact that I am now in a compromising position means I wouldn't be a good ally. Why would you choose me?" Xue Xingyue asked Ji Wuran coldly.
Ji Wuran replied, "In your eyes, perhaps in the eyes of the world, the Marquis of Ji'an's estate holds honor. But Princess Xingyue, do not forget that it was the Marquis of Ji'an who memorialized the Emperor, advising against appointing a crown prince too early. Otherwise, these subsequent events would not have occurred."
Xue Xingyue was slightly taken aback. She had heard whispers of those past events.
Her imperial brother had spoken to her about the matter of appointing a crown prince. At the time, she had agreed with her imperial brother that a crown prince should be appointed sooner. After all, her imperial brother's health was not good, and an early appointment would stabilize the court sooner.
However, appointing a crown prince early also had a drawback: it could lead to factionalism.
Therefore, after deliberation, her imperial brother postponed the appointment of the crown prince. But she hadn't expected that the Marquis of Ji'an's opinion was also involved.
"Young Marquis Ji, while the current Emperor is not yet mature, he knows how to use talent effectively. I don't understand why you would choose to pledge loyalty to someone who is already unquestionable, rather than to me, an unknown variable?"
Ji Wuran replied calmly, "His Majesty is already greatly displeased with the Marquis of Ji'an's estate. If I do not make plans soon, I fear His Majesty will strike first. Since that is the case, it is better to be prepared."
Xue Xingyue remained silent, contemplating the truth of Ji Wuran's words. In this sensitive period, with her hidden identity, having someone gather information for her in court would indeed be twice as effective. But could she trust Ji Wuran?
"Your Highness, you don't trust me?" Ji Wuran suddenly asked.
Xue Xingyue was slightly startled. "With my current identity, why have you chosen me?"
Ji Wuran smiled. "Your Highness need not be nervous. You have nothing that I can take advantage of at the moment."
Xue Xingyue was stunned. She knew Ji Wuran was speaking the truth; her current identity and status offered no leverage. The only thing of value was perhaps the fact that she was Princess Xingyue.
"Very well, I agree," Xue Xingyue said.
Ji Wuran raised his eyes, his gaze bright. "Since that is the case, then Your Highness and I are allies."
"Yes. However, Young Marquis Ji, I want evidence that Xue Tian colluded with Consort Jia to harm my imperial brother. As for anything else, I will not act nor interfere. You do not need to tell me what you intend to do. But there is one thing I must say: you may do anything, even subvert this dynasty, but you absolutely must not collude with enemies or betray the country. Otherwise, I, Xue Xingyue, will not let you go."
Ji Wuran was slightly taken aback, a fleeting glint in his eyes. She saw his gaze as dark as the deepest night, intensely so. "Rest assured, Your Highness, I will not."
"In that case, it's a deal," Xue Xingyue said.
Just as she finished speaking, a voice called out from outside, "I clearly saw Young Marquis Ji here, but Zhao Gongzi said he wasn't. What if I find him?"
Zhao Luoyan smiled and bowed. "Your Highness, you flatter me. How can I deceive anyone but you?"
"Zhao Gongzi, you don't need to say such things here. My people saw Young Marquis Ji here."
"Young Marquis Ji is indeed here, and there's no need for Your Highness to say so. I will tie him up and deliver him to you. However, Young Marquis Ji is truly not here."
"Not here? Fine, then I'll find him myself." With that, footsteps grew closer.
Xue Xingyue stood up. "Since someone is looking for Young Marquis Ji, I will take my leave!"
Xue Xingyue turned to leave, but her sleeve was suddenly grabbed. She tried to pull away, but a force yanked her forward, and she fell into an embrace, a clear, crisp scent reaching her nostrils.
Xue Xingyue was startled and quickly pushed Ji Wuran away. Unexpectedly, as she withdrew her hand, she accidentally snagged Ji Wuran's jade belt.
She froze. At that moment, the door was pushed open.
Xue Xingyue hastily tucked the jade belt back into Ji Wuran's embrace and retreated far away.
"What are you two doing?"
Xue Xingyue instinctively looked up, her eyes meeting a familiar face, a face she knew far too well.