Chapter 303: Burning Hot
Their eyes met.
Li Zhao’s face was cold, his superior’s pressure unreservedly displayed.
“The strict rules of Shui Yue Nunnery, how can they permit you to show yourself in the street market, making such a spectacle…”
Xue Sui lowered her gaze, her breath subdued. Her eyes beneath the hood were calm and unruffled. Meeting his icy stare, she clasped her hands together and bowed slightly.
“My grandmother is gravely ill and has not recovered. This nun is worried and uneasy, so I specifically came to the market to procure some medicinal materials. I am about to return to the mansion to attend to her medicinal soup.”
“Heh.” Li Zhao let out a cold laugh. “Outsiders are meant to be detached from worldly desires, yet you are so consumed by the mundane?”
“Though ascetics sever worldly ties, filial piety and human relations are duties I dare not forget.”
The corner of Li Zhao’s lips curled into a smile devoid of warmth. The smile did not ease the atmosphere; instead, it intensified the chilling aura.
“Dare not forget? I see you have forgotten completely. In the past, you knew neither hierarchy nor propriety. Now, it seems you understand the rules even less.”
“Whoosh—”
These words were already extremely harsh.
A collective, suppressed gasp instantly rippled through the surroundings.
The Crown Prince, in the middle of the street, had spoken such unsparing words to a nun, especially a woman rumored to have had a past intimacy with him…
Countless gazes swept over Xue Sui, filled with fear, curiosity, and schadenfreude…
The few guards from the Five City Military and Horse Department standing nearby exchanged glances.
Xiao Zhao’s hands clenched into fists, her anger almost uncontrollable.
Xue Sui merely lowered her head further, her hood completely obscuring her eyes.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince’s admonishment is correct. This nun’s conduct was improper. Upon returning, I shall certainly reflect on my actions in seclusion.”
Li Zhao scoffed, his gaze lingering for a moment on her pale face.
“With your troublemaking nature, what kind of reflection can you possibly achieve?”
His tone was sharp, carrying an almost ruthless scrutiny, as if he were appraising an object.
The air around them was heavy.
“Enough.” The hand beneath Li Zhao’s wide, flowing sleeves moved infinitesimally. He took a deep, almost imperceptible breath of the cold air, then lowered the curtain, silently sealing his frost-covered handsome face behind the wind and snow, leaving only a cold, emotionless voice.
“A thankless wretch, I have no desire to deal with you. Let’s go.”
The coachman cracked his whip, and the black carriage started moving again, accompanied by the Eastern Palace guards, disappearing into the distance.
Only the onlookers remained, their gazes filled with unspoken implications.
Xue Sui remained in place, her head bowed, motionless.
The shadow of her hood concealed her entire expression.
After a moment, she slowly bent down, naturally adjusting the hem of her robe that had been ruffled by the cold wind. Without hesitation, she tightly gripped the handle of her bamboo basket and whispered to Xiao Zhao, “Let’s go.”
The mistress and servant walked on in silence.
On the street, undisguised discussions and whispers filled the air.
“Did you see? That’s the Xue family’s sixth daughter who became a nun! She’s been restless since childhood, quite annoying.”
“Didn’t people say the Crown Prince favored her? Why was she scolded like that in the street?”
“Favored? It’s clearly a joke…”
“Most likely, she’s still not content even after becoming a nun, trying to cling to him based on their past connection…”
“A nun should be chanting scriptures, not trying to get close to nobles. She deserves it…”
Those whispers were like tiny ice picks, densely pricking her back.
Xiao Zhao’s eyes reddened with anger, and she repeatedly wanted to turn back and retort, but Xue Sui calmly stopped her.
She pulled her cloak tighter, clutched the basket on her arm more firmly, and walked faster.
Snow covered the long street, former acquaintances now strangers.
But how could others know what surging undercurrents and unspoken affections lay hidden beneath this frozen, snow-covered surface…
–
Xue Mansion.
Inside Shou’an Hall, medicinal vapor swirled.
The clamor, cries, and shouts of the military on the street, separated by high walls and courtyards, became blurred and distant…
Third Madam Qian Shi paced back and forth by the warm couch, occasionally glancing worriedly out the window, then at Old Madam Cui who was sleeping with her eyes closed, and complained in a low voice.
“What is all this commotion now? They won’t even let us have peace at the end of the year. Arresting people as if they were raiding homes, causing chaos throughout the city…”
The Five City Military and Horse Department was arresting people everywhere, city gates were strictly checked, and the flow of goods was obstructed. Qian Shi’s maternal family’s business was also affected, resulting in significant losses. Thinking of the Xue family’s precarious situation, her heart was even more unsettled, unable to find peace.
When they had wealth and power, their doors were thronged with visitors.
Once they lost favor, it was like a wall collapsing, with everyone pushing. Life became difficult.
Xue Yue Lou sat at the foot of the couch, holding a hand warmer. Hearing this, she also frowned and said in a low voice, “I heard it’s Prince Duan who is carrying out the imperial decree to clear up rumors… but this commotion is quite frightening. I wonder how many families will be filled with anxiety. How can we live in these times?”
Xue Sui sat on a low stool by the couch, her movements of stirring the medicinal broth unwavering, as if the commotion had nothing to do with her.
“Grandmother is weak and frail; any disturbance is most detrimental. Matters outside are handled by the court’s laws and the officials. Our duty is to guard the inner courtyard and attend to her medicinal soup.”
Old Madam Cui was disturbed by the voices, her eyelids fluttering slightly.
Her cloudy gaze slowly fell upon Xue Sui’s serene profile.
“Sixth girl… you speak the truth…”
After a serious illness, the old madam’s energy was somewhat depleted, but in her eyes, which had seen much of the world, the clarity of understanding life’s complexities remained.
“The wind is fierce and the snow is heavy outside… we should close our doors and live our own lives… It’s best to keep a low profile at this time… cough cough…”
Qian Shi quickly stepped forward to pat the old madam’s back and help her breathe.
“Old Madam, please drink your medicine. Sixth girl personally watched over its brewing…”
The medicinal vapor swirled, blurring Xue Sui’s eyebrows.
She scooped up a spoonful of warm broth, carefully blew on it to cool it, and then gently offered it to the old madam’s lips.
Jinshu stepped forward, half supporting the old madam.
The old madam took a small sip. After her breathing stabilized, she suddenly grasped Xue Sui’s hand, her gaze cloudy but urgent, filled with a complex worry.
“The prayer ceremony at Baohua Palace, be extremely careful… When you go there, do not touch anything… Inside that door, they devour people without spitting out the bones…”
Xue Sui looked up at the old madam.
When she was young and in the Xue Mansion, her grandmother had mostly been distant and cold towards her.
Now, with the Xue family in turmoil and facing many troubles, her admonishments by the sickbed revealed a genuine concern.
She nodded slightly, her voice softening further.
“Your granddaughter understands. Grandmother, please rest assured.”
–
Prince Duan’s Mansion, Ting Yu Xuan.
The air was filled with the elegant scent of agarwood, the room as warm as spring.
The warm fragrance wafted, isolating them from the wind, snow, and biting cold outside.
Princess Ruihe moved with graceful steps, offering a freshly brewed cup of Yuqian Longjing tea to Li Huan. Her posture was gentle, her eyes flowing with a perfectly measured admiration and concern.
“Second Brother, you work hard for the nation’s affairs and must also take care of yourself. Please have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself.”
Her voice was so soft it could drip with water.
Li Huan took the teacup and placed it on the desk. His gaze lingered for a moment on her meticulously made-up face, and the corner of his lips curved upward.
“Yuning, you are thoughtful.”
Though his tone was gentle, it carried an imperceptible distance.
“The household affairs are all managed by the Princess Consort, you don’t need to personally handle them… As a young lady, instead of sitting here idly with me, you might as well go join the Princess Consort for some lively company…”
“Second Brother…” Ruihe called out, wanting to say something.
Li Huan lowered his head, avoiding her gaze, took a sip of tea, and turned to Liu Yin, who was standing respectfully below.
“That’s enough. You go to the inner courtyard to chat with the Princess Consort. I have state affairs to discuss with Mister Liu.”
Ruihe glanced at Liu Yin, feeling a little wronged, but still managed a bright smile and curtsied.
“Yes, Yuning takes her leave. Second Brother, please don’t overwork yourself and take care of your health.”
Li Huan nodded, remaining silent.
After Princess Ruihe reluctantly departed, Liu Yin immediately stepped forward, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping in the direction Li Yuning had disappeared.
“Your Highness, an urgent secret report from the Longyou army has arrived. All is ready, awaiting Your Highness’s command.”
Li Huan’s brows furrowed deeply. “What is the disposition of the Capital Region’s defenses?”
Liu Yin cupped his hands, bowed, and reported in a voice lowered significantly.
“Everything is under control. The Five City Military and Horse Department is acting according to orders, and has detained three hundred and seventy-one individuals for spreading and discussing nursery rhymes. Among them, eighty-nine were implicated in the ‘Old Mausoleum Swamp’ matter. They have all been transferred to the Ministry of Justice for rigorous interrogation, and they will surely reveal something useful…”
He paused, his voice dropping even lower.
“As per Your Highness’s secret order, I have increased the number of hidden sentries around Shui Yue Nunnery for strict surveillance. However, to this day, Sixth Miss Xue and those around her… have shown no abnormalities.”
Li Huan’s fingertip paused, and a faint smile touched the corner of his lips.
“Her actions have always been flawless. If she were easily caught, it would be a waste of my… high regard for her.”
“Indeed. This woman is meticulous and her methods are unpredictable. Since returning to the capital from the Old Mausoleum Swamp, the assassination attempt at the West Mountain Imperial Palace, the Ping Le case, the Xiao Jing case, the military supplies case… various incidents, both overt and covert, have involved her… All indications suggest that this woman, if not an Imperial Envoy, is undoubtedly a core remnant of the Old Mausoleum Swamp…”
Liu Yin lowered his voice as he spoke.
“Currently, the Crown Prince is eager to distance himself from her, publicly humiliating her. This is precisely when she is most isolated and vulnerable, making it easiest for her to reveal a flaw. If we can find any clues, obtain any token or evidence of her secret communication with the Old Mausoleum Swamp, we could… at a critical moment, deliver a fatal blow to her and the Eastern Palace, or force her to comply, or… completely eliminate future trouble…”
Li Huan did not answer immediately, his gaze drifting towards the window.
On Moonlit Lake, the pavilion in the center of the lake was covered in thick snow, appearing like a slumbering beast under the dim, gray sky.
He admired the unusual scenery, as if watching a prey struggling in a net.
After a long while, he spoke slowly.
“The net is cast, and the fish has entered the trap. No rush, let’s wait a bit longer. Wait until she can no longer contain herself. Do not alert the snake. Also—”
He paused, his expression suddenly hardening.
“She is this Prince’s woman. Her life must not be harmed…”
Liu Yin’s body trembled slightly, and he bowed in assent.
Li Huan frowned and waved his hand.
Liu Yin respectfully bowed and took his leave. Li Huan was left alone in the warm pavilion.
After sitting in silence for a moment, he paced to the antique shelf and took down a purple sandalwood box.
Inside lay a long-faded scented sachet.
The stitching was fine, emitting a delicate Suxin orchid fragrance.
It was a calming incense sachet that Xue Sui had sewn for him when she was at the mansion.
At that time, she was his consort, with lowered eyes and a gentle, submissive demeanor, like fine white porcelain, ready for him to paint upon.
He had thought she was merely a concubine’s daughter with only beauty and shallow thoughts, unaware of the deep hatred and heavy secrets she harbored in her heart.
The period when she deceived him and used him as a stepping stone for her revenge was the greatest shame and failure of his life…
Yet, to be stabbed deeply by her and then abandoned, the hatred could not truly penetrate his heart.
Like this sachet, over the years, the spices inside had long since dissipated, but the cold fragrance was etched into his memory with bone-deep intensity…
It made him feel a trace of lingering attachment and possessiveness, which he himself detested… towards that false tenderness that was once within his grasp, but was now so unattainable.
–
Outside the window, a slender figure stood rigidly in the shadows.
Li Yuning, who had “forgotten” her hand warmer and returned, had seen and heard Li Huan’s words, “She is this Prince’s woman,” and the expression on his face as he gazed at the sachet.
A bone-chilling coldness shot from her feet to the top of her head.
Her heart pounded wildly, her hands and feet turned cold.
A sense of immense crisis, jealousy, and hatred grew wildly.
Xiao Zhao: Is there an order? I want to kill the Crown Prince. For bullying my young lady…
Li Zhao: Your young lady wants me to bully her.
Reader: Bah!
