"What should we do then?" she asked, a little anxious. If something happened to Fengyun because of this, she would surely feel guilty.
"Where is the Ninth Princess now?" Song Xiuyuan asked.
Xue Xingyue pointed to a spot not far away. "Fengyun and I hid her in the Imperial Garden."
"Let's go see the Ninth Princess first."
Xue Xingyue nodded and followed Song Xiuyuan to the Imperial Garden. Behind a rockery, they found the Ninth Princess still unconscious.
Song Xiuyuan glanced at Xue Xingyue and then said, "You guard outside and don't let anyone in." With that, he entered the rockery.
"You... what are you going to do?" Xue Xingyue asked in surprise as she saw Song Xiuyuan enter the rockery. Was he going to take advantage of this opportunity to get close to the Ninth Princess? Heavens, they were in the Imperial Garden, and she was supposed to guard outside? Wasn't this kind of intimate scene making her blood rush?
"Don't overthink it. I'm just hypnotizing the Ninth Princess," Song Xiuyuan said, as if he could read her mind.
She was stunned, as if her thoughts had been exposed. She quickly said, "Don't misunderstand, I didn't mean anything else." Besides, if the Ninth Princess did have something with him, it would be normal, as the Ninth Princess was a potential candidate for his marriage.
"Whether you did or not, I need to explain to you," Song Xiuyuan said, looking at her, his eyes shining like stars.
She was taken aback, feeling a strange sensation in her heart. She turned away and said, "Hurry up. I'm afraid someone might see, and then it will be difficult to explain between you and the Ninth Princess."
Song Xiuyuan gazed deeply at her back. Even though she had her back to him, she could feel the depth of his gaze, as if it could penetrate her. This feeling made her heart feel heavy.
After a while, Song Xiuyuan's voice was heard, "Done."
Xue Xingyue turned around and saw that Song Xiuyuan's face was a little pale. She couldn't help but ask, "Why is your face so pale?"
Song Xiuyuan smiled faintly. "It's been a while since I've used it, and it took some effort."
"Is it done?" she asked.
Song Xiuyuan nodded and moved aside. The Ninth Princess was sitting there blankly, expressionless, her eyes vacant.
She was surprised. "This is enough?"
"Yes," Song Xiuyuan replied.
Xue Xingyue found it somewhat magical. "Can you make her do anything?"
"Yes, but it's only effective for another hour," Song Xiuyuan's voice became very soft.
She saw faint beads of sweat on his forehead and took out her handkerchief to offer it. "Wipe it."
Song Xiuyuan smiled, his eyes as dazzling as starlight, exceptionally bright. "Thank you, Niangzi."
"Song Xiuyuan, you're doing it again." She glared at Song Xiuyuan.
Song Xiuyuan chuckled. Because of those bright starry eyes, his otherwise ordinary face looked unexpectedly like a celestial being. She felt a flutter in her heart and quickly lowered her head.
Suddenly, a slight weight pressed on her shoulder. She instinctively turned her head and saw Song Xiuyuan leaning his head on her shoulder. His breath, his scent, all enveloped her nose. For a moment, she didn't know what to do.
"Song Xiuyuan, get up quickly," she said nervously.
"Niangzi, let me lean for a while. I'm so tired." His voice was much softer, and she could hear a trace of exhaustion in it.
The words of refusal that she was about to utter never left her lips. After a while, he seemed to have fallen asleep. She turned her head and saw his long eyelashes. She suddenly recalled that day when she saw his face beneath the mask, so astonishing. She understood why he wore a mask. If he were this eye-catching, and possessed such an extraordinary appearance, she believed more people would flock to him.
He seemed very tired and weary, so he slept deeply. Even when the wind rustled his hair, he didn't move, as if he were a figure from a painting, so serene that one longed for him.
She suppressed her breathing. She didn't know why she was doing this, only that she didn't want to wake him. He must be very tired, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to sleep in this situation.
She stood there quietly, not knowing how much time had passed. She saw his long eyelashes flutter.
She quickly turned her face away.
The weight on her shoulder was gone, and for some reason, she felt a hint of loss in her heart.
"At this time, Fengyun has probably revealed a weakness. Let's go!" Song Xiuyuan seemed to be in a good mood, and even his tone sounded cheerful.
"To the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters?" she asked.
Song Xiuyuan nodded. "Of course, otherwise how can Fengyun be rescued?"
"What about the Ninth Princess?" she asked again.
"Yu Yun, take the Ninth Princess," Song Xiuyuan suddenly said to the bushes behind them.
Xue Xingyue's body stiffened. She turned around and saw a figure emerge from the bushes. Judging by the figure, it was undoubtedly a woman. It seemed Song Xiuyuan had thought of everything. Since the Ninth Princess was a woman, finding a woman to escort her was not a damage to the Ninth Princess's reputation. Suddenly, she froze. Something wasn't right?
"Niangzi, why is your face red?" Song Xiuyuan asked caringly, seeing the blush on her face.
"It's... it's nothing." She quickly shook her head, but in her heart, she regretted it immensely. She didn't even know Song Xiuyuan had people behind them? Did this person see everything she saw of Song Xiuyuan just now?
Thinking of this, she felt extremely ashamed.
"Niangzi, let's go?" Song Xiuyuan turned back and looked at her.
She nodded and followed Song Xiuyuan. Yu Yun took the Ninth Princess to the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters.
Feng He Palace
At this moment, in the palace, several guards surrounded the Ninth Princess. The Ninth Princess looked astonished and asked, "Imperial Grandmother, what are you doing? I am your little Jiu!"