Chapter 11 A Sweet Dream

He Xianzhiu remembered what had happened outside the palace gates that day.

At that time, Li Wu had clearly told Ling Yue not to appear before her again, meaning she no longer wanted to see him.

So, when he saw Ling Yue puzzled by his presence at the Princess’s residence, He Xianzhiu’s lips twitched slightly.

His voice was calm: “Her Highness sent someone to summon me from the Marquis of Xuanping’s residence.”

Then he thought, perhaps Ling Yue had also been summoned.

His brows drew together slightly.

Ling Yue, however, widened his eyes in surprise: “Her Highness sent someone to invite Lord He?”

He then glanced at Qingzhi, who had been preparing to lead He Xianzhiu inside, and instantly realized that He Xianzhiu was telling the truth. At once, a delighted smile spread across his face.

As if reassured, Ling Yue became calm, retreating a few steps to stand at He Xianzhiu’s side, as if ready to go in together with him. Yet he spoke to himself cheerfully: “Since Her Highness is willing to see Lord He and even sent someone to invite him, then surely she does not truly dislike seeing me. What she said that day must have been in anger. I wonder if her anger has cooled now…”

Listening to Ling Yue’s muttering, He Xianzhiu gave him a sidelong glance, realizing that Li Wu had not summoned Ling Yue at all.

Qingzhi also turned to look at Ling Yue.

When she first saw him arrive at the Princess’s residence, she had been puzzled. For before she was sent to the Marquis of Xuanping’s to invite He Xianzhiu, there had been no command to summon Ling Yue.

But perhaps that had happened after she left.

Only, Ling Yue’s own words now dispelled that possibility.

Qingzhi understood clearly that Li Wu had no wish to see him.

That being the case, the matter was simple.

She recalled Li Wu’s earlier instructions not to allow Ling Yue into her presence again. If he were to barge in now, it would undoubtedly be her failure.

The guards at the Princess’s gates had also been instructed.

So, with just a glance from Qingzhi, the guards knew her meaning.

The happy Ling Yue, about to enter the residence, was blocked without mercy.

Startled, he was forced to halt. Stunned, he turned his head quickly to look at Qingzhi.

She bowed respectfully and said, “Young Master Ling, Her Highness has said she does not wish to see you.”

Ling Yue froze.

Qingzhi, however, turned back, smiling as she gestured to He Xianzhiu: “Lord He, this way, please.” Her attitude was entirely different.

“Qingzhi girl…”

Ling Yue grew flustered, trying to rush after her, but was again stopped by the guards.

Qingzhi did not look back. She led only He Xianzhiu forward.

He cast a glance at the dejected Ling Yue, then smoothed his sleeve with composure, kept his gaze straight ahead, and followed Qingzhi into the residence.

Inside, the scenery was as familiar as before.

He had thought Li Wu would meet him as before, in the flower hall of Yueyi Pavilion.

But when they reached the flower hall, she was not there. Qingzhi did not stop, as though intending to lead him further in.

Yet further in lay Li Wu’s private chambers.

He Xianzhiu halted.

Qingzhi walked some distance before realizing he was not following, and turned back in puzzlement.

“Lord He, what is it?”

He frowned, looking past her as he asked, “Where is Her Highness now?”

Qingzhi answered: “Her Highness is unwell and resting in her chamber.

“Before I went to summon Lord He, Her Highness instructed that she would meet you in her outer room.

“I ask Lord He’s understanding.”

Hearing that she was unwell, He Xianzhiu was silent for a moment, then asked, “Has the imperial physician attended her?”

“Yes, the physician has already come.”

She did not say what he had diagnosed.

Instead, she smiled lightly: “Lord He, Her Highness is waiting.”

She continued to lead him forward.

He said no more, simply followed her quietly to Li Wu’s chambers.

At the door, Qingzhi stopped, asked him to wait, went in to announce him, and then returned to invite him inside.

But this time, she did not guide him further.

He entered alone.

The door closed behind him.

He paused for a few breaths before stepping deeper in.

The residence had changed little from three years ago.

So too her chamber.

With each step, the familiarity grew stronger.

Standing before the glass-bead curtain, he felt as though the past three years had been nothing but a dream.

As if she still lay upon his lap, clutching his hand, coaxing him to stay with her a little longer.

But she never would again.

She would not cling to him.

Would not smile at him as she once had.

Now, to outsiders, they were no more than the Princess and her discarded lover.

It was he who, unwilling to let go, sought vengeance and entangled her against her will.

No more than that.

The thought grew sharper in his mind, bringing clarity.

His throat moved as he pressed down his emotions. He lifted the bead curtain and walked toward her figure.

…

Li Wu was reclining on her beauty couch, eyes closed in a light rest.

He Xianzhiu stopped a few paces away, quietly watching her.

She was still dressed in crimson, but not the same gown as before.

The golden light of afternoon streamed through the carved window, falling upon her. The finely embroidered skirts lay in folds at her feet.

From beneath the skirts stretched her bare, slender white feet.

Her dainty toes, tinted with bright red polish, were alluringly delicate.

His gaze lingered on them, then slowly rose over her slim waist, finally reaching her face.

Li Wu opened her eyes slowly.

She smiled lazily at him: “Lord He, please sit.”

But he did not move.

Unpredictable as always, she waited. He asked directly, “What does Your Highness command?”

Her eyes lifted, clear as though they pierced his thoughts. She curved her lips but did not answer. Leisurely, she sat up, her cloudlike hair tumbling loose, dark strands slipping over her shoulders. Her slightly disheveled collar revealed a glimpse of crimson undergarment, pale smooth skin at her collarbone.

He turned his gaze aside.

She laughed softly, adjusting her robe: “I ate ten skewers of candied haw, and now feel unwell. Forgive me for not rising.”

Those were, without doubt, the ones she had bought with him.

He pressed his lips together: “Your Highness should take more care of yourself.”

“But they were bought by Lord He.”

She said slowly, “I could not waste your silver.”

He said nothing.

Nor did he look at her.

His eyes rested on the vase of hibiscus flowers on the table.

Seeing them, recalling the events outside the city, his restless heart slowly calmed.

In a single day, he had left his mansion with her, shared a horse, bought her sweets, pursued her outside the city, even believed he was different when Ling Yue was turned away… Too many impulsive actions, too many delusions. She must have already noticed. But he could not continue like this. He could not always be at her mercy, bound by her false words.

The room was quiet.

He stared at the hibiscus; she, at him. Time passed slowly.

Until he turned his face to her.

“I did not know of today’s assassination attempt on Your Highness, nor have I met General Xi.”

Indeed, there had been such a reason for Qingzhi to summon him.

But still, without any explanation, he had already given her the assurance she wanted.

Was this his way of saying he knew her “tricks”?

A defiance from Lord He?

Her brows lifted, and her smile deepened.

But his expression remained calm. “If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

“Very well.”

She smiled, making no effort to keep him, and ordered Qingzhi to see him out.

He turned to go.

Behind him, she called, smiling: “Lord He, may you dream sweetly tonight.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

He paused slightly, then strode away.

…

When he left the Princess’s residence, Ling Yue was still there, still trying to persuade the guards to let him in.

Looking at him, He Xianzhiu thought: in Li Wu’s heart, what difference was there between him and Ling Yue?

The answer was plain.

There was none.

Both could be summoned or dismissed at her whim.

Even her wish of “sweet dreams” did not change anything.

That night, in the darkness of his chamber, drifting between dream and wakefulness, He Xianzhiu once more dreamed of Li Wu.

It was still as in the past.

She clung to his arm, coaxing him to accompany her to the temple.

They rode together on one horse to Baiyun Temple beyond the city.

In the great hall stood a golden Buddha, solemn and majestic.

For the first time in his life, he prayed with all sincerity, asking that they might be together for all lifetimes.

He did not understand the Buddha’s compassion.

Afterward, he left with a peaceful heart, only to see her waiting for him beneath the cloister. His heart had swelled with joy.

In the temple grounds grew a centuries-old magnolia tree, blooming heavily at that season.

She hid behind it, peeking out, waving for him to come.

And then—

Under that tree, in the intoxicating fragrance of magnolias, she kissed him secretly.

The sweetness and delight overwhelmed him.

Though flustered, he felt everything was perfect.

But most good things do not last.

“He Xianzhiu, from now on, let us not meet again.”

The cold face, the heartless words, erased all the sweetness, leaving only pain—like a dull knife cutting his heart, a pain that lingered still.

He woke with a start, breathless.

Pressing a hand to his chest, he slowly closed his eyes.

The dream replayed before him.

He thought again of that day at Baiyun Temple.

How foolish, praying for the Buddha’s blessing while harboring such irreverence.

Foolish still, that after so many years, he could not let go.

Since he could not, then he would have Li Wu return to his side, to sink with him into this sea of desire, until death.