Chapter 19: Moving into the Prime Minister's Mansion (5)

Lou Xiyan just nodded lightly to Xue Xianxin and bowed slightly to Yan Ruxuan, saying: "Greetings, Princess."

Yan Ruxuan took a step forward and said anxiously: "Brother Yan, there is no need for such formalities."

Xue Xianxin was secretly happy in her heart. Princess Zhaoyang's heart was tied to Xiyan; if the two of them were to form a marriage alliance, wouldn't the Lou family then hold power over the court and cover the sky with one hand! Calculating with her own wishful thinking, Xue Xianxin stood up and arranged: "You two talk first; I'll go see how the evening meal is coming along."

Xue Xianxin left with satisfaction. Yan Ruxuan met Lou Xiyan's slightly upturned eyes, and her face couldn't help but burn red. She hurriedly pointed to the medicinal herbs beside her and said softly: "Spring has arrived, and Xuan'er is worried that Brother Yan's illness will recur, so I brought you some medicine. This medicine was prepared by famous physicians sought out by the Empress Dowager for you. You must take care to recuperate your body and not overwork yourself." Every time she heard that Brother Yan's old illness had recurred and he couldn't attend court, she was filled with worry.

Lou Xiyan glanced at the medicine packets on the table and laughed aloud: "Many thanks for the grace of the Empress Dowager and the Princess; I will be careful."

Did he have to call her Princess? Did he have to refer to himself as a subject?! She had been chasing after his heels for so many years; did he have no feelings at all?! She heard that the Emperor had bestowed a stunning beauty upon him; would he look down on her even more in the future?! Her heart ached slightly, and her hand hidden in her wide sleeve tightened. Yan Ruxuan stared at Lou Xiyan with hopeful watery eyes and asked softly: "On the fifteenth of next month, envoys from the Beiqi Kingdom will come to Qiongyue to pay tribute. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor will surely not remember that that day is also my sixteenth birthday. When Brother Yan enters the palace, can you come to see Xuan'er?"

Meeting her eager gaze, Lou Xiyan comforted her softly: "Princess, you need not worry about these things; the Emperor and the Empress Dowager will not forget your birthday."

"Then will you come to Qingxuan Hall to see me?" She didn't care if others remembered; she only cared if he remembered!

Lou Xiyan hesitated for a moment, but finally replied softly: "With the envoys visiting, I'm afraid I will be tied up with official business and unable to go. I will send someone to deliver a gift to Qingxuan Palace."

A gift... She was no longer that little girl who would be overjoyed upon receiving a few gifts. He had rejected her request once again; this was the fifty-seventh time, right?

"It's getting late; Xuan'er will head back first." Yan Ruxuan walked out of the flower hall, somewhat dejected. Lou Xiyan couldn't bear it and sighed: "I will see the Princess out." Xuan'er was a kind woman and deserved to be treated better, but it wasn't something he could give.

"No need." A faint sigh stopped Lou Xiyan's following steps. Watching that beautiful figure trail away, Lou Xiyan turned to look at the mountain of medicine packets on the table, a flash of cold, sharp light crossing his eyes; the gentleness was no more.

The night was like ink, and outside the house, it was pitch black. Inside the house, the dim candlelight shone through the heavy curtains into the bed, already so faint that one could barely see. Zhuo Qing gently opened her eyes. Everywhere she looked, there were gauze curtains and drapes. She had a moment of trance, but soon, she remembered where she was.

The Prime Minister's Mansion was worthy of being the Prime Minister's Mansion—a high bed and warm quilt; this was the best sleep she had had since arriving in this world. Stretching, Zhuo Qing lifted the bed curtains and walked barefoot toward the outside of the screen. The floor was covered with a thick carpet, soft and very comfortable. Outside the screen was a round rosewood table, and further on, there was a soft couch. Beside the screen was a bronze mirror as tall as a person. She hadn't expected that bronze could be polished so smoothly; although it couldn't compare to a glass mirror, it was definitely enough for daily use.

Standing in front of the mirror, Zhuo Qing finally had the opportunity to look properly at the body she had occupied for a few days.

Light willow-leaf curved brows, a high-bridged nose, a perfect oval face—what Zhuo Qing liked most were the eyes; they weren't too big, but they were crystal clear, like two pools of clear spring water. The slightly upturned diamond-shaped lips looked full and moist.

Modern information was developed, and there were countless stars and celebrities; Zhuo Qing could be considered to have seen many beauties. This woman's appearance could indeed be considered a rare beauty. If she were packaged properly, she could definitely be stunning, but it was a pity that the two knife scars on her right cheek ruined some of the aesthetic. After all, she was using this body now. Although Zhuo Qing didn't think it was very ugly, she had to say it was a pity. This face was surprisingly young—at most sixteen or seventeen years old. Zhuo Qing laughed at herself; it seemed she had profited, having become ten years younger for no reason.

Gently flicking her dark hair that reached her calves, Zhuo Qing gave a wry smile; such long hair really stumped her. Lightly hooking her collar, Zhuo Qing looked down and couldn't help but whistle. *Good heavens, what did this child eat to grow up? At least a 34D; isn't her development a bit too good... *

Zhuo Qing was still marveling to herself when, outside the half-open window on the other side of the room, several dazzling lights were somewhat blinding. She walked over and pushed it open to look. The courtyard where she was located was separated from a small building by a pool of water, living as neighbors. She didn't know what had happened on the opposite side; more than a dozen people were gathered outside, and the house was also brightly lit.

She had sent the maids away before sleeping, and now she was very hungry. One reason was to see what had happened, and the other was to find something to eat. Pushing open the door, Zhuo Qing walked toward the three-story building opposite.

It didn't look far, but the winding long bridge over the lake really tortured Zhuo Qing. It was only after much difficulty that she reached the front of the small building, only to see that everyone had an anxious look on their faces, staring into the inner room of the building. Zhuo Qing recognized the person standing at the very front—Lou Xiwu, whom she had seen in the afternoon.

"May I ask what has happened?" The cold female voice rang out idly, startling a group of people whose nerves were already stretched tight.

Lou Xiwu turned back, and seeing it was Zhuo Qing, said impatiently: "Go away, ugly woman; I have no time to deal with you right now."

Zhuo Qing raised her eyebrows lightly and replied nonchalantly: "Fine, I'll go in and see for myself." After saying that, she walked toward the small building with a swagger.

She, she, she... How bold!

Coming to her senses, Lou Xiwu hurriedly rushed forward, blocked Zhuo Qing, and scolded: "You are not allowed to go in. My brother's old illness has recurred, and the Imperial Physician is treating him; you cannot go in and disturb him!"

Zhuo Qing had long guessed that Lou Xiwu would come to stop her, but upon hearing that Lou Xiyan was ill, Zhuo Qing was slightly startled and asked: "What illness?" When he grabbed her in the afternoon, his strength hadn't been small, and his complexion and breathing were normal; he didn't look like a sick person at all. Was he playing some other trick?!

*Clang—*

A crisp sound—it must have been something being smashed. Immediately following that was a low roar from the inner room: "Get out!" The voice carried intense panting and was filled with suppressed yet strange coldness.

Zhuo Qing's heart skipped a beat; that was Lou Xiyan's voice!

Lou Xiwu's face turned pale instantly, and her hands trembled with nervousness. Looking at her, it didn't seem like she was faking it. Could it be that Lou Xiyan was really ill? What kind of illness would make a gentle and refined man—at least gentle and refined in front of others—become so manic?!

While Zhuo Qing was puzzled, the door to the inner room of the small building suddenly opened, and Mo Bai's tall figure appeared in the doorway. His already cold face now revealed a sense of chilling gloom. He somewhat rudely invited a woman in her thirties out of the door. The woman looked unwilling and kept looking back, but Mo Bai's broad shoulders blocked her line of sight. The woman glared at him fiercely and walked out angrily. Behind her, an old man in green also walked out of the small building with a face full of worry, and the door was tightly closed once again.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 20 =====