The Red Fades, the Fragrance Disappears; Who Will Pity It? (7)
Xie Fei sighed. He slowly said, "Although Liang Shao liked your beauty, he and you have only met a few times. Moreover, when he was ambushed and disappeared, he was first saved by Chen Bing"er. From then, the two of them were together from day to night, gradually there were feelings out of the ordinary. Your beauty was naturally replaced.
"Maybe Liang Shao had also had some hesitations before, but as soon as he thought of Princess"s n.o.ble ident.i.ty and how you are beautiful enough to cause the downfall of a city, while Chen Bing"er has nothing… In these times, human instinct is to sympathize with the weak. Expressed on a man, it is feeling of a pity.
"Moreover, Princess, you can"t satisfy Liang Shao"s vanity as a man. You won"t worship him like Chen Bing"er or think of him as your only support and see him as the heavens. So between you and Chen Bing"er, no matter what, Liang Shao will always choose Chen Bing"er. It"s just a question of when."
"Unexpectedly, it"s like this…" Xi Wen looked at Xie Fei disbelievingly. After a long time, she laughed bitterly.
"For the most part, the common people sympathize with the weak and envy the strong. To others, Princess is part of the strong, so Liang Shao"s disappearance after the attack obviously doesn"t concern you. And instead they spread rumors throughout the city that you were a husband"s death omen. This is because there are a lot of people who envy you. They are like poisonous snakes hiding in the dark, taking advantage while you are unprepared to slander you ruthlessly.
"They won"t sympathize with you because your body is weak and sickly or because your marriage was broken off. They would only sinisterly take up knives and rejoice— no matter what Princess does, it won"t match up to them."
Xi Wen widened her eyes, shocked, weak body swaying. Stupefied, she said, "What did… you say?"
Xie Fei looked at Xi Wen quietly. After a long time, he smiled slightly. He said, "So, Princess, you really don"t need to be upset. Being a husband"s death omen is fine, Liang Shao shifting his affections is also fine. None of these are your fault. These are all from human feelings causing mischief. Most people of this world are like this; men are even more like this."
Xi Wen"s eyes were blank, momentarily unable to accept these secrets. She slid down the pillar to sit on the railing, panting without any regard to her image.
For a moment, the pavilion was silent. Xie Fei didn"t disturb Xi Wen. He knew clearly how difficult it was for Xi Wen, such a simple and pure person, to understand these people"s sly beliefs.
After a long time, Xi Wen slowly recovered from the shock, eyes like pools of rippling water fixing on Xie Fei, as if wanting to see through his entire person. She said, clearly enunciating each word, "Then, Young Master is also like this?" The low sound carried a sliver of unsureness and faint hope.
"Me?" Xie Fei raised an eyebrow, laughing lightly. He said a.s.suredly, "I am not."
Hearing this, Xi Wen"s heart immediately relaxed. She secretly sighed, then again doubtfully said, "Why is Young Master so certain?"
"Because I am not the common people, I am me." Xie Fei laughed calmly, focusing on Xi Wen.
Xi Wen"s face unconsciously turned red. She hurriedly shifted her eyes away. After forcefully calming her emotions, she said with a face full of concentration and a bit of lamentation, "Many thanks for Young Master"s explanation today, I think I understood a little. From today on I will do my best not to let my imagination run wild. It"s just that I lived alone in deep in the palace for many years. To genuinely understand people, I fear it still needs much time."
"It"s a very slight effort, no need to mind." Xie Fei nodded.
The night became darker. From far away came the sound of fireworks bursting in the night sky, lighting up the sky outside of the palace. A little bird was scared off, flapping its wings and flying to land on the Nine Treasures Viewing Pavilion by the lake.
Xi Wen, face full of envy, watched that bird perched on the glazed roof tiles. She softly said, "Really nice, I want a pair of wings too."
Xie Fei rose and walked to the railing, looking at the little bird."What"s wrong?" he asked.
"The palace maids all say, standing on the roof of that pavilion, you can see the view of the lively main street outside of the palace. It"s a pity I"ve never gone up before." Xi Wen raised her pale little hands, slender forefinger pointing at the distant Nine Treasures Viewing Pavilion, delicate voice just like a spoiled little girl.
"Do you want to go? I"ll accompany you." Xie Fei slanted his eyes to look at her.
His light voice sounded from Xi Wen"s side. The tips of her ears suddenly reddened. She half shyly half regretfully shook her head: "Never mind, my body"s too weak, I can"t climb up."
Xie Fei was startled, eyebrows slightly knitting. He was silent for a long time before he opened his mouth: "You really want to see?" The words carried an indescribable touch of implication.
Xi Wen suddenly lifted her eyes, turning to look at Xie Fei. Though she didn"t know why he was like this, she still firmly nodded her head. "Really."
Xie Fei took a step forward, one arm looping around Xi Wen"s slim waist. Xi Wen startled, trying to struggle free of his hold, but from over her head came Xie Fei"s cold voice: "Hold me tight."
Xi Wen pursed her lips, hesitation flashing across her face. On the other hand, hers and Xie Fei"s relationship already not shallow. To bring up this small request didn"t completely count as overstepping his boundaries. Her bright little face flushed red. She slowly extended her arms to loop around Xie Fei"s waist, but she didn"t dare to use full force. His body had a light green bamboo scent that was also like a plum blossom"s delicate, sweet scent, lingering in her nose. In a second, her face became boiling hot. Her heart pounded, like a little deer jumping haphazardly in her chest.
While she was still nervously letting her imagination run wild, suddenly, Xi Wen felt the arms around her waist tighten. It was already empty under her feet. She hadn"t understood yet, when the two people flipped over the railings and left the pavilion. There was no time to think. Immediately, Xi Wen hugged Xie Fei tightly, her heart pounding and hands shaking, squeezing her eyes shut, scared to the point she didn"t even dare to breathe.
Xie Fei stepped a few times on the tranquil lake surface, hugging Xi Wen. In a moment the two of them dashed far away, then with a slight effort, the two people in a second flew up with a teng sound.
The wind sounded in her ears, at her waist were Xie Fei"s strong arms, and the cool night breeze blew in welcome. Xi Wen"s nerves slowly calmed; she carefully opened her eyes. She took the entire imperial palace into her eyes— the beautiful and secluded lake was under her feet, the lakeside"s trees and flowers were lush, and buildings were scattered unevenly on all four sides. Everywhere in the palace was neatly situated at a distance. In a flash, the Nine Treasures Viewing Pavilion that originally felt tall and unclimbable was before her eyes.
Everything was too wonderful. Until her feet touched the ground, Xi Wen still hadn"t come back to her senses.
"We"re here." Xie Fei said lightly, looking at the dazed person in his arms.
Because of the excitement, Xi Wen"s cheeks were dyed lightly with a red halo, giving her entire little face even more moving beauty. She didn"t react until Xie Fei"s indifferent voice sounded. Her two hands clutching his brocade robe and pupils sparkling towards Xie Fei, she smiled, her voice filled with excitement: "Xie Fei…"
Suddenly seeing Xi Wen show such a bright and beautiful smile, Xie Fei was dazed for some reason. His eyes slightly darkened, the deepest parts of his eyes flashing with a sliver of doting.
For some reason only the demons and G.o.ds knew, Xie Fei extended his right hand to pat her head. He raised his eyebrows, laughing: "Not going to see your lively nightscape anymore?"
"Oh, right." Xi Wen blinked, laughing in an embarra.s.sed manner. She hurried to lean on the railings and face the outside of the palace doors. Her eyes sparkled, brilliant as stars. "Is that the main street outside the palace?"
Xie Fei"s cold gaze rested on Xi Wen"s back. His right hand lightly rubbed itself behind him. In his palm, it was as if he could still feel the remnants of the girl"s soft and silky head. Hearing her words, he finally turned his head to look outside the palace.
Perhaps it was because tonight was the Mid-Autumn Festival that the street was a group of lively, grand views. There was a crowd of people walking back and forth in the street. The continuous flow of lanterns illuminated most of the night sky, slowly investing directly in people"s hearts.
"En." Xie Fei said quietly in agreement, nodding.
The two people didn"t say anything. The viewing pavilion quickly became quiet. Xi Wen sprawled on the railing, looking at the main street, completely enraptured. After a long time, her two hands cupped her face and she lightly sighed, full of envy: "So lively. Just looking from this far, even if I can"t hear it, I still think it"s so lively."
Seeing Xi Wen"s little face full of envy, Xie Fei suddenly thought of the Autumn Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival that Tang You and the others had spoken about earlier. His heart suddenly softened. He blurted, "In a few days there is a chrysanthemum viewing festival in the countryside, want to go?"
"What?" Xi Wen turned to look at Xie Fei distractedly, eyes full of astonishment.
Xie Fei shifted his gaze away, shaking his head. He said coolly, "Never mind, it"s nothing—"
"Can… can I go?" Xi Wen timidly and hopefully asked. Before she even finished, Xi Wen looked at Xie Fei in excitement, the two hands gripping the railing slightly tightening. Her bright eyes burst with resplendent light.
Xie Fei"s right hand slightly rubbed itself again. His gaze slightly moving, he laughed slightly: "You can."
Xi Wen"s heart became happy. Her eyes curved, her face showing a pure smile. In the next moment, she frowned lightly. She shyly said, "But my empress mother…"
"Leave it to me." Xie Fei said slowly, a calm smile on his face.
"En!" Xi Wen nodded forcefully, smiling at Xie Fei. There were two little dimples faintly discernible at the corners of her lips.
About another fifteen minutes pa.s.sed. The bell in the palace rang. The guests started to leave the palace in succession. Xie Fei also sent Xi Wen to the doors of her palace. As he turned around, Xi Wen"s bright and tender voice sounded: "Xie Fei."
Xie Fei stopped, turning to look at her.
"Thank you. Tonight was the happiest day of my life." Xi Wen said sincerely. She blinked, eyes looking straight at Xie Fei.
Xie Fei lowered his eyes, looking at the lovable and gentle girl before him. His charming eyebrows held a hint of a smile. He took a step forward, extending his right hand to lightly cover her head.
Xi Wen subconsciously wanted to hide. In the end, she lowered her head, red little face obediently allowing him to pat twice.
When Xie Fei withdrew his hand, Xi Wen covered her face, wanting to leave. Who knew in the next moment, a small box would be pa.s.sed in front of her eyes. She lifted her hand to look at him in surprise, extending her hand to take the box.
"Meeting gift." Xie Fei smiled. He paused, then continued, "It"s quite like you."
Xi Wen blinked, bewildered. She was secretly very curious about what Xie Fei had given her, but her excellent upbringing didn"t allow her to open the box in front of him. She could only guess in her heart and smilingly say, "Many thanks to Young Master."
"It"s not early anymore, go back quickly." Xie Fei immediately said calmly, nodding.
Xi Wen nodded obediently, hugging the box tightly to her chest, and walked step by step into the palace doors.
T/N: When I got to the end of this chapter I was just like "wait, isn"t she drunk?" Still cute though. Xie "doesn"t know how to get girls" Fei who?