Chapter 68

In the middle of the night, a crescent moon hung in the treetops, swaying in the light breeze.

The empty east wing was like a battlefield after the war, silent and still, with only the smell of gunpowder lingering, invisible yet tangible.

Yiling paced back and forth, unable to shake the voices in her mind.

“Then why can’t there be me?”

“Of course not! Even if all the men in the world die, there still won’t be you!”

She had felt a sense of relief when those words were spoken, but now, recalling them, it seemed like she had trapped herself in an impossible situation.

Wasn’t that just stepping all over Xie Hengzhi’s dignity and face and then spitting on them?

Thinking of the look in Xie Hengzhi’s eyes when he heard her words, Yiling really broke into a cold sweat for herself.

Even though he ultimately just left without asking why.

But the expression on his face was one Yiling had never seen before dark and gloomy.

Feeling distressed, Yiling couldn’t help but walk to the window, gently opening the small crack in the window and gazing outside toward the bedroom.

It seemed that Xie Hengzhi hadn’t slept yet.

In the tranquil courtyard, his figure remained at the window for a long time, unmoving.

What was he thinking?

As Yiling let her mind wander, his figure suddenly moved, and it seemed he looked over in her direction.

Yiling shuddered and quickly closed the window.

She hurriedly sat back down on the bed, pulling the mosquito net down.

As her heartbeat slowed, Yiling looked at the fluttering curtains and suddenly felt very silly.

Xie Hengzhi hadn’t said a word, yet she had frightened herself like this.

If he truly had any plans, wouldn’t it all be in his control without him lifting a finger?

Thinking about it, Yiling smiled bitterly at herself.

What was done was done. There was no turning back. Why should she keep worrying now?

At that moment, if she hadn’t said those words, did she have a better solution? Clearly not.

Reaching this point was inevitable, and she could only resign herself to fate.

As for what to do tomorrow, she would think about it when the sun rose.

Yiling looked up at the sky, closed her eyes, and let out a long breath, then extinguished all the candles and lay down in the quiet room.

Perhaps it was because she hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in over a month, but Yiling thought she would toss and turn the entire night. To her surprise, once her eyes closed, she fell unconscious quickly, without even dreaming.

When she opened her eyes again, the sky was already bright.

The busy whispers of the maidservants mixed with the birdsong of early spring, and everything seemed just like any other morning.

Before long, Mama Cao entered with a basin of water.

Seeing that Yiling had already sat up, she was quite surprised. “Madam, you’re awake so early?”

Yiling didn’t answer; she simply lifted the mosquito net and got out of bed.

The bright sunlight streamed through the window, casting warmth across the floor, making everything feel normal, as though there wasn’t a storm waiting to break.

Even the breeze that entered was warm, almost as if it were soothing Yiling’s unease.

She looked out the window, but before she could speak, Mama Cao said, “The master has already left.”

He has already left?

Yiling blinked, then suddenly realized.

Wasn’t that nothing at all?

She had been overthinking it. Xie Hengzhi, who held all the power, probably didn’t have the time to dwell on these love affairs.

Perhaps his actions in the past few days were just to pass the long journey with some entertainment.

Now that he had entered the palace today, he would return to his busy daily affairs, maybe even forgetting what happened last night.

Thinking this way, Yiling felt the last trace of her unease dissipate.

After getting washed up, she changed into a new spring robe.

Mama Cao continued to serve her as usual, with everything in perfect order.

It wasn’t until breakfast was served that Yiling noticed the empty table and suddenly slapped her forehead in frustration. “The kitchen didn’t know Madam was sleeping in the East Wing, so they must have sent it to the main bedroom.”

She quickly made to leave. “I’ll go ask them to bring it over.”

“No need to trouble yourself.”

Yiling waved her hand, “I’ll go there myself.”

She couldn’t stay in the East Wing forever.

When she reached the main bedroom, Mama Cao opened the door, and Yiling saw that breakfast had already been set on the table.

But why were there two sets of chopsticks?

Yiling paused, looking around the room.

There was no sign of Xie Hengzhi, so it seemed he must have left before he had a chance to eat.

With that thought, Yiling sat down herself.

The milk drink and sweets were her preference, while the porridge and side dishes on the other side were clearly prepared for Xie Hengzhi.

But since he was already gone, wouldn’t it be a waste if no one ate them?

So, Yiling decided to share the food, reaching for the bowl of porridge on the other side.

Just as she picked it up, she heard a familiar set of footsteps behind her.

Yiling seemed to have anticipated it, slowly turned around, and, as expected, came face-to-face with Xie Hengzhi.

The thoughts stalled for a moment, and Yiling immediately turned her head to look at Mama Cao.

“Didn’t you say he already left?”

Mama Cao stared back with innocent eyes.

“I didn’t know!”

While the master and servant exchanged glances, Xie Hengzhi had already entered.

He said nothing, sitting directly across from Yiling.

Then his gaze fell on the bowl of porridge in Yiling’s hand.

Yiling: “…”

She silently put the bowl back, then lowered her head and picked up her chopsticks.

All that could be heard was the sound of spoons scraping against the sides of the bowl.

Yiling kept her head down, eating, while the person across from her said nothing.

Mama Cao stood by, watching for a long time, almost thinking that the two of them couldn’t see each other.

Until their chopsticks collided while reaching for the same piece of cake—

“Come on, say something, even if it’s just to argue!”

Mama Cao’s eyes were nearly glued to their two sets of chopsticks.

But then, Yiling silently put down her chopsticks and picked up a cup of milk to drink.

Mama Cao: “…”

However, Yiling did take the opportunity to secretly glance at Xie Hengzhi.

His expression showed no trace of emotion, and his eating was slow and methodical. Even the silence seemed appropriate.

Only the faint dark circles under his eyes…

Yiling momentarily couldn’t remember if he had looked this tired yesterday or if it had been from the exhaustion of recent travels…

Lost in thought, a soft sound suddenly broke her reverie.

Yiling quickly looked up, only to see Xie Hengzhi putting down his bowl and getting up to leave.

Before she could react, he had already stepped out of the room, leaving only a chilly breeze behind.

After a moment, Yiling glanced at the untouched porridge, then turned to look at Mama Cao.

Mama Cao closed her eyes in despair.

As dusk fell, the last rays of sunlight spilled onto the palace’s yellow-glazed tiles, sparkling and warm, unlike the cold of winter.

The Crown Prince stepped out from Taiyi Palace and saw Xie Hengzhi standing under the eaves waiting for him, tall and elegant, his expression distant as if lost in thought.

“Jinxuan?”

Xie Hengzhi turned at the sound, bowing respectfully to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince smiled and asked, “I thought you had already left, but you’re still waiting for me.”

“No hurry for this moment.”

Xie Hengzhi followed the Crown Prince down the stairs and asked, “Has His Majesty retired for the night?”

“Mm, Father hasn’t been feeling well lately.”

He turned his head and continued, “But the tiger stone brought back from the sacrifices really made him happy.”

“That’s good.”

The two had not seen each other for a long time—one had gone to Songyuan County to address a plague, the other had left the capital for prayers.

Both were for the same purpose. Today, the Crown Prince had returned to report, so there was much to discuss.

They spoke as they walked, and before long, they reached the intersection leading to the Eastern Palace.

Xie Hengzhi gave a brief explanation, then noticed the Crown Prince seemed to be planning to leave the palace with him, so he asked, “Your Highness, are you not returning to the Eastern Palace?”

The Crown Prince hummed and replied, “I’m going to the villa today.”

Xie Hengzhi glanced at him, not needing to ask further—

The Crown Princess probably hadn’t been treating the Crown Prince well again, so he was going to the villa to stay, at least out of sight and out of mind.

So, it seemed, in this world, married couples—whether of royal blood or common folk—had their own share of troubles.

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess is after all the Crown Princess. Avoiding her like this every day may not be appropriate.”

Upon hearing Xie Hengzhi’s sudden advice, the Crown Prince was taken aback, then smiled lightly, saying, “It’s not what you think. It’s just that Shufang saw the flowers at the villa were blooming well, so she wanted to stay for a couple of days.”

Xie Hengzhi: “…”

Seeing his expression darken, the Crown Prince added, “What about you? If you’re not in a hurry to return home, come with me to the villa to enjoy the flowers and have some wine.”

Hearing this, Xie Hengzhi pressed his lips together in silence, looking ahead.

It was almost dark, the road was unclear, and he was supposed to enjoy flowers?

“Another day. Today, I have important guests at my home.”

Yiling had no idea about the important guests at the Xie residence.

As soon as Xie Hengzhi entered the palace in the morning, she left the Xie residence.

Having been away for more than a month, it was time to stay home and rest.

But after yesterday’s confrontation with Xie Hengzhi, it was obvious to anyone that Yiling’s mood was down, so Mallow suggested she go out to take a walk to clear her mind.

With such beautiful weather, spending half the day on a boat ride on the lake was enough.

Then, they went to listen to music, have tea, and wander around the East Market. Before long, the sky had turned dark.

On the way back to the house, Yiling leaned against the carriage, her thoughts once again heavy.

Although it seemed that Xie Hengzhi wouldn’t do anything to her, they had definitely reached a breaking point.

Thinking of his cold expression from earlier today, Yiling still felt a weight on her heart.

When the carriage stopped at the Xie residence’s entrance, Yiling took a deep breath, trying to appear calm before stepping out.

To her surprise, as soon as her feet hit the ground, she saw Xie Hengzhi stepping down from the carriage as well.

Yiling: “…”

At the moment their eyes met, a cold wind seemed to blow through the air.

Especially when Xie Hengzhi saw Mallow holding several bags, his expression seemed to freeze even further.

It was already beyond repair…

Yiling sighed, adjusted her clothes, and decided to ignore him, walking straight into the house.

But as soon as she took two steps, Xie Hengzhi suddenly approached her.

Feeling uneasy, Yiling quickly took a step back.

Seeing her reaction, a mocking smile appeared on Xie Hengzhi’s face, yet he reached out and grabbed her hand.

Yiling widened her eyes in surprise, not understanding his intentions, instinctively trying to pull her hand away.

As expected, Xie Hengzhi’s strength was great, leaving no room for her to struggle.

“You…”

Before she could say another word, Yiling suddenly heard footsteps approaching from inside the manor.

She immediately turned her head, only to see a middle-aged woman, unfamiliar yet elegant and beautiful, hurriedly walking out.

Yiling was certain she had never seen this woman before, but for some reason, the woman’s face seemed vaguely familiar.

Before she could figure it out, the woman had already stepped across the threshold, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at Yiling and said, “Ling’er! Your mother has been waiting for you.”

Mother?

Mother??!!

With a “bang,” Yiling distinctly heard a thunderous noise in her head, and her limbs went numb.

Is, is that Mrs. Shang?

Is she… my “real mother” now?!

Yiling stared blankly at the woman in front of her, her mouth half-open, her legs that had just touched the ground stiffening, her pupils trembling violently.

It wasn’t until Mama Cao followed out and eagerly said, “Our young lady is so happy to see the madam!”

Yiling felt as though she had turned to stone, her mind buzzing, with only one thought repeating over and over—how did Mrs. Shang come to the capital, and how did she appear right in front of her?

“Ling’er, you’ve lost weight.”

Seeing Yiling’s stunned expression, Mrs. Shang wasn’t surprised, and with a tearful voice, she said, “Don’t you recognize your mother anymore?”

Her words were like a thunderclap, finally rousing Yiling. She quickly opened her mouth and said, “…Mother, how, how did you come here?”

Mrs. Shang wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to reach out to take her daughter’s hand.

But seeing Yiling’s shocked and helpless expression, she knew that her daughter might not have forgiven her yet. So she said, “It was Lord Xie who asked me to come. He said you were homesick, so he asked me to visit the capital and spend some time with you.”

Xie Hengzhi…

Only then did Yiling come to her senses, realizing that Xie Hengzhi was still standing beside her.

So, he had taken her hand to put on an act in front of Mrs. Shang.

She turned to look at Xie Hengzhi, her eyes filled with helplessness and shock.

But in an instant, she forced herself to put on a grateful expression.

However, her emotions were too forced, and she wanted to “thank” him, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Fortunately, Xie Hengzhi didn’t wait for her to express her thanks.

“You two mothers and daughters should have a good talk,” he said.

His cold, icy gaze suddenly softened into a gentle smile, and he looked at Mrs. Shang and said, “Mother-in-law, you’ve come from far away; please go inside and rest.”

With that, he handed Yiling’s hand over to Mrs. Shang.

At the same time, Mama Cao stepped forward and helped Yiling from the other side, saying, “The wind is strong outside; you should hurry inside. Madam has just arrived!”

Yiling stiffly nodded, and before taking a step, she glanced at Xie Hengzhi again.

“Th-thank you, my lord.”

Xie Hengzhi stared at her eyes without speaking and accompanied them into the manor.

Once they crossed the flower gate, he finally rubbed the palm of his hand.

It was covered in her cold sweat.