chsdbacks Chapter 231 Jiang Qingxue completely gave up on the Northern Territory!
Chapter 231 Jiang Qingxue completely gave up on the Northern Territory!
The door was pushed open.
A figure slowly walked towards them in the moonlight.
A moon-white cloak, a lotus-root-colored palace dress, a dignified yet weary face.
It's Xu Fenghua.
Jiang Qingxue's pupils contracted slightly.
Her fingers clenched tightly inside her sleeve.
Xu Fenghua.
Why is she here?
At this time?
Countless thoughts flashed through Jiang Qingxue's mind in an instant.
But she didn't show it at all.
He simply stood up slowly and went to meet them.
"Sister Hua Fei," her voice was soft and gentle, devoid of any emotion, "why are you here so late?"
Xu Fenghua walked up to her and stopped.
Moonlight shone in from behind her, casting a long shadow on her.
On that dignified yet weary face, there was a perfectly measured hint of concern.
"I've come to see my sister," she said gently. "I heard she hasn't been feeling well these past few days, so I brought some medicinal herbs with me."
As she spoke, she took a brocade box from Qiuyue's hand and handed it to Jiang Qingxue.
Jiang Qingxue took the brocade box and gently stroked the smooth brocade surface with her fingertips.
She could sense that something was hidden at the bottom of the brocade box.
It was very thin and stiff, like a folded piece of paper.
Another note.
Jiang Qingxue lowered her eyes, concealing the complex emotions that flashed across them.
She didn't say anything, but simply placed the brocade box on the table to the side.
Then, she raised her head and looked at Xu Fenghua.
"You're so kind, sister," she said.
The voice was still very soft and gentle, without any discernible emotion.
Xu Fenghua's gaze lingered on Jiang Qingxue's face for a moment. Her dignified face carried just the right amount of concern, but deep in her eyes, there was a hint of scrutiny that was hard to detect.
"How have you been resting these past few days, little sister?" she asked gently.
Jiang Qingxue lowered her eyes, concealing the complex emotions that flashed across them.
"I'm almost fully recovered," she replied softly, her voice calm and undisturbed.
Xu Fenghua smiled, a gentle and graceful smile, like that of an older sister who truly cares about her younger sister.
"It seems this medicine really works," she said. "Then, sister, continue taking it."
She reached out and pushed the brocade box back into Jiang Qingxue's hands.
The moment their fingertips touched, Jiang Qingxue felt Xu Fenghua's fingers exert a slight force, as if conveying some kind of silent signal.
Jiang Qingxue took the brocade box and gently stroked the smooth brocade surface with her fingertips.
She could sense that something was hidden at the bottom of the brocade box.
It was very thin and very stiff, like a tiny folded piece of paper.
Another note.
Jiang Qingxue's heart sank slightly.
But her face remained expressionless; she simply placed the brocade box on the table beside her and nodded slightly.
"Thank you for your concern, sister."
The two chatted for a few more minutes.
It was nothing more than trivial matters within the palace.
What reward has the empress of which palace received? The winter plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, and winter seems to have come earlier than usual this year.
Jiang Qingxue responded to each one, her voice soft and her posture respectful.
Xu Fenghua's gaze never left her face.
Jiang Qingxue remained calm throughout.
He simply sat calmly, answered calmly, and calmly saw her off.
Even after Xu Fenghua's figure disappeared into the night outside Yuxiu Palace, Jiang Qingxue remained standing in the same spot, motionless.
The moonlight shone on her, making her cool and aloof face appear almost transparent.
She stood there for a very long time.
So long that Qiuyue had long since gone far away with her lantern, so long that the night wind had lifted and lowered her clothes, so long that the brocade box in her hand had become slightly warm from being held for so long.
Then, she lowered her head.
Looking at that brocade box.
The brocade box is made of sandalwood, with exquisite intertwined floral patterns carved on its surface, and it gleams with a warm luster under the candlelight.
Jiang Qingxue reached out and gently opened the box lid.
Inside, several packets of medicinal herbs were neatly arranged—angelica, astragalus, and goji berries, all commonly used by imperial concubines to regulate their health.
Same as last time.
Jiang Qingxue's fingers gently moved across the medicinal herbs.
Soon, she touched the piece of paper hidden at the bottom.
It is very thin, very small, and folded into a neat square.
Jiang Qingxue took it out and held it in her palm.
The piece of paper was very light, so light that it had almost no weight.
But in her hands, it seemed to weigh a ton.
Jiang Qingxue held the piece of paper and slowly walked to the candlestick.
The candlelight flickered, casting her shadow long, long on the wall.
She stood there, gazing at the leaping flames.
Countless images flashed through my mind.
There are plum blossoms at the Listening Snow Pavilion in the Northern Border, and Xu Longxiang standing under the plum tree smiling at her.
The day she was sent to the palace, Xu Longxiang's eyes showed his resolute determination and he said, "Wait for me."
There were those humiliating nights after she entered the palace, Qin Mu's deep eyes, and the warm breath he whispered in her ear.
There was also a scene this afternoon in a side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where Zhao Qingxue was suspended in mid-air and beaten by that madwoman with a wooden stick.
Jiang Qingxue closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
When she opened her eyes again, there was a calmness in those clear, cold eyes.
It was as calm as a stagnant pool.
She reached out her hand.
He held the piece of paper up to the candlelight.
This time, she didn't even open it; she lit it directly.
The flames licked the edge of the paper, making a soft hissing sound.
The sound was very soft, yet exceptionally clear in the silent hall.
The orange flames spread rapidly, engulfing the thin piece of paper.
The paper curled, turned black, and turned to ash in the flames.
The words Xu Fenghua wanted to convey, the information she painstakingly hid under the medicine packet, the anticipation she held for a response—
All of it dissipated into the air along with that wisp of smoke.
Jiang Qingxue watched as the ashes fell, landing in the copper dish at the bottom of the candlestick, scattering into a fine layer of black dust.
Her face was expressionless.
But deep within those cool, clear eyes, something was quietly changing.
Outside the window, the moonlight remained cold and clear.
Jiang Qingxue turned around and walked back to the soft couch by the window.
She sat down on the edge of the couch and gazed at the bright moon outside the window.
My mind is blank.
It also seems to be filled with far too much.
She didn't know whether she had done the right thing or the wrong thing.
I wonder what Xu Longxiang's expression would be if he knew she burned this note.
I wonder what Xu Fenghua will do if she finds out that she has stopped replying to any messages.
It's unknown what fate awaits her.
All she knew was—
She is tired.
I'm really tired.
I don't want to be a pawn anymore.
I don't want to live for anyone anymore.
I just want to—
To survive in this deep palace.
Live like a human being.
Even if this wish is as faint as the most distant star in the night sky.
At least, she still has this wish.
Jiang Qingxue slowly closed her eyes.
The moonlight shone on her face, making her cool and aloof features appear exceptionally soft.
A tear silently slid down her cheek.
The tears slid down her cheeks, dripping onto the moon-white hem of her skirt, leaving a small, dark stain.
It was quickly absorbed by the fabric and disappeared.
Like those burned pieces of paper.
Like those buried past events.
.......
Outside Yuxiu Palace, the night was deep.
In the shadow of an old locust tree, two figures stood silently.
Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on them.
Qin Mu stood with his hands behind his back, his moon-white robe fluttering slightly in the night breeze.
His gaze, through the carved window of Yuxiu Palace, landed on the slender figure sitting by the window.
From that angle, you can see Jiang Qingxue's profile perfectly.
I saw her open the brocade box and take out a piece of paper.
I saw her walk to the candlestick and hold the piece of paper up to the flame.
I watched as the orange flames devoured the paper, turning it to ashes that drifted down.
I saw her walk back to the window, sit on the edge of the couch, and gaze at the bright moon outside.
I saw her close her eyes, and a tear silently slid down her cheek.
A slow smile crept onto Qin Mu's lips.
Yunluan stood half a step behind him, her dark blue outfit almost blending into the night.
Her gaze also fell on the figure by the window, her cold face still expressionless.
"Your Majesty," she spoke softly, her voice clear and steady, "you arranged for Consort Xue to meet Empress Li Yang, just to see if she would tell Xu Fenghua this news, right?"
Qin Mu nodded slightly.
"Mm," he replied, a hint of a smile in his voice.
Yunluan was silent for a moment, then her gaze fell on Jiang Qingxue again.
"Now it seems," she said, "that Consort Xue's heart has completely turned to our side."
Qin Mu's smile deepened.
He didn't speak, he just stared at the figure by the window.
Gazing at that profile, softened by the moonlight, at that silent tear, at that lonely yet stubborn figure huddled by the window.
"Let's go," he turned around, his moon-white robes drawing an elegant arc in the night, "Let's go see Consort Hua first."
Yunluan was slightly taken aback.
"Consort Hua?" she asked, "At this time?"
Qin Mu smiled but offered no explanation.
He simply took a step and walked towards Huaqing Palace.
The pale figure gradually receded into the moonlight, soon disappearing at the end of the winding palace path.
Yunluan followed closely behind, her dark blue outfit making her appear like a silent shadow.
Behind them, the lights of Yuxiu Palace were still on.
The figure by the window was still curled up on the edge of the bed, gazing at the bright moon outside.
I don't know how much time has passed.
It may be just a moment, or it may be a long time.
She finally moved.
She slowly stood up and walked back to the inner hall to begin washing and grooming.
Tonight, she will have to serve the emperor.
.......
The inner hall of Huaqing Palace was brightly lit by candlelight.
After returning from Yuxiu Palace, Xu Fenghua sat in the rosewood armchair by the window.
She held a cup of hot tea in her hands, but the tea had gone cold, yet she was completely unaware of it.
His gaze fell on the bright moon outside the window, empty and blank.
Jiang Qingxue...
She kept pondering the name in her mind.
Just now at Yuxiu Palace, she carefully observed Jiang Qingxue's every expression, every movement, and every word.
But you can't see anything.
That once innocent and easily understood girl has completely changed.
It made her unable to understand it.
It made her panic.
Did she actually see the note?
Will she reply?
What exactly is she...?
Xu Fenghua closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
The breath she inhaled was slightly cool, but it couldn't extinguish the unease churning within her.
Just then—
The sound of the palace doors being pushed open was exceptionally clear in the silent night.
It's very light, very light.
But it was like a thunderclap that exploded in Xu Fenghua's heart.
She suddenly opened her eyes and turned her head.
Moonlight streamed in from outside the palace gates, casting a long shadow on the floor.
The shadow stretched longer and closer.
Then--
A figure in moon-white appeared at the entrance of the palace.
Qin Mu.
He stood there in the doorway, the moonlight shining in from behind him, gilding him with a silvery edge.
A moon-white robe, a languid posture, and a half-smile playing on his lips.
Those deep eyes were fixed on her.
With a smile.
Meaningful.
Xu Fenghua's pupils suddenly contracted.