Chapter 154.1 - Only as a concubine
“Qingwu didn’t suffer, but I didn’t manage to congratulate the second prince on his engagement, that was lacking in manners on my behalf.”
“Don’t worry about Rui’er, today is your big day. Originally, I didn’t want to torment you but Qingwu, child, you have to speak up if you suffer any grievances in your residence. Every time I think about it, my heart aches so I wanted to take this chance to invite you to the palace and personally bind your hair (for your coming of age ceremony) for you, okay?”
“Qingwu is afraid to accept.” Qingwu stood upright, her eyes beautiful as they were downcast and no hint of proudness appeared because of the empress’ invitation.
The empress just liked how she was clever.
If it wasn’t for her ruined reputation, such an intelligent child would’ve been the perfect match for her son.
So it was a pity.
Thinking to here, the empress’ eyes couldn’t help but fall on Xiahou Rui.
From the moment that Lou Qingwu had stopped into the hall, he’d kept staring at the ground.
But she knew her son well and he definitely wasn’t as calm as he looked on the surface.
Or maybe it from the hibiscus festival onwards, that he’d grown so taciturn.
She knew the reason but at this point in time, she could no longer go with what he wanted.
Shangguan’s young miss, was someone he couldn’t help but marry.
Even though Qingwu, that child, was great, but she could only be a concubine.
There was no way she could be fit to be a proper consort.
“Empress, it’s nearly time, we should begin with the ceremony.” The senior aide to the side gave a timely reminder.
The empress looked away, smiling in a dignified manner, “See, I only care about chatting with Qingwu and I’ve almost accidentally missed the time.”
“There wouldn’t be a problem.” Lou Qingwu replied gently but when her eyes accidentally fell on the doorway, she couldn’t help but frown.
Senior brother, hadn’t come …
Even though Feng Yege had only mentioned it once, Lou Qingwu knew that he’d definitely abide by his word.
But he still wasn’t here at this time, could he have gone to the Lou residence?
Or maybe something happened to him?
The latter thought was quickly rejected by Lou Qingwu.
She knew how strong and smart Feng Yege was, and then again, there was also Feng Shiyi and the others, so they definitely wouldn’t let anything happen to Feng Yege.
But she still felt uneasy.
“Qingwu?” The empress called her a few times and saw that she s.p.a.cing out so she went to hold her hands.
“En?” Lou Qingwu froze before turning to meet the empress’ worried eyes.
“What happened?”
“Nothing, I was just thinking of something. We can begin.”
“Okay -- tell the people to begin.” The empress ordered as her personal senior aide huried to being preparing.
Xiahou Rui’s eyes fell on Lou Qingwu and had just managed to capture the slight sadness in her eyes as she looked at the doorway.
His brows furrowed together: was she waiting for someone?
Just as he thought of this, he suddenly felt as if something was pushing against his heart, making it hard to breathe but he couldn’t do anything about it.
The coming age of ceremony was about to begin as the senior aid held a woven prayer mat, a sandalwood comb as well as a golden hairpin.
Lou Qingwu’s back faced the people in the main hall as she kneeled on the woven prayer mat.
The empress washer her hands and used a brocade handkerchief to wipe them clean before she split Lou Qingwu’s long and black hair.
She spread her hair against her shoulders as it cascaded in waves, like a waterfall.
Xiahou Rui’s eyes were glued to her as from his position, he coudl just make out her perfect and pale profile.
Sunlight hit her face like a wash of golden light, making her seem almost holy in her beauty.
It was definitely easy to lose yourself in her beauty.
From outside of the hall, a high pitched voice announced, “Night Prince has arrived ---”
Following this sound, Lou Qingwu’s original downcast eyes suddenly shot up, her eyes lighting up.
But in the next instant, they regained their usual stillness but Xiahou Rui had been watching her face and saw it before turning to look towards the Night Prince.
A man in a moon-white brocade gown strode in, his handsome face peerless as his dark eyes were bright like they were lit up from within.
When his eyes fell on Lou Qingwu, he clearly let out a relieved breath, laughter surfacing in the bottom of his eyes.
The gentleness in his face almost made Xiahou Rui emotionally moved, so how could it not affect the already expectant Miss Lou?
He turned to the side to see that Lou Qingwu had already, some time ago, moved to face him.
But she only took a look before quickly turning around.
The empress found this strange, “Night Prince, why are you here?”
*
TL note:
Lou Qingwu saying that she’s all cool without Feng Yege but actually high-key expecting him.
Pssh.
(late TFDC again but we got to see Feng Yege after a h.e.l.la long drought so yay?)
Leave a comment and Feng Yege to play it cool xx
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