Chapter Seventy-Four

  "Uh..."

  Upon receiving a much colder gaze from his master, Xiao Dezi felt as if an invisible knife had scraped across his entire body, and he couldn't help but shiver. He quickly covered his mouth with both hands and immediately fell silent.

  My heart couldn't help but feel a pang of regret, I really am a jinx, saying nothing was fine, but I had to bring up the Sixth Prince! You see, ever since that incident, our own prince hasn't been in contact with the Sixth Prince anymore.

  Moreover, later on the Emperor also didn't want to see the Sixth Prince, so he used the excuse of sending him to another courtyard to recuperate and take care of his body. In reality, it was because he didn't want to see the Sixth Prince, after all, the Sixth Prince had a mother like that...

  But in his mind, the Sixth Highness was actually the most innocent one...

  Alas, but these things are not what those slaves can discuss! After all, having stayed in the deep palace for a long time, I also know that inside the deep palace, although it is golden and magnificent everywhere, it is actually the most chaotic and dark. That's why others would say that the imperial family is the most ruthless!

  This is also not unreasonable!

  Xiao Dezi sighed inwardly, then looked up at the outside which was pitch black and had strong winds and heavy snow. When they came here, they also knew that there were no other inns around. If they didn't stay here, wouldn't they have to stay outside and be battered by the wind and snow?

  Just as Xiao Dezi was about to persuade him some more, Xun Xiang suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing Xiao Dezi to almost lose his footing and nearly crash into him, scaring him so much that he broke out in a cold sweat.

  He glared at Xiaodezi again with a stern expression, then suddenly turned around and strode into the inn.

  Maybe it's also because I've come to realize that there aren't any households around here for miles!

  Just as Xiao Dezi let out a sigh of relief, the originally disheartened Xuan Yanglie suddenly lit up with his sentimental peach blossom eyes when he saw Xuan Shaoran return, thinking that Xuan Shaoran had changed his mind and was making amends with him.

  The smile on his face was more of a relief and joy, but unexpectedly, Xing Xiao Ran simply passed by him, ignoring his enthusiastic greeting, and followed the shopkeeper to a high-end room. With a 'bang', he closed the wooden door again, leaving Xing Yang Lie eating another humble pie.

  Xiao Dezi on the side was also frightened, sweating profusely, and didn't dare to make a sound, fearing that this master would be in a bad mood and use him as cannon fodder.

  However, Yang Lie seemed to be used to it. He looked at Xiang Xiao Ran who silently shut the wooden door in front of him, let out a light sigh, touched his straight nose and smiled bitterly, muttering to himself.

  "It seems that Seventh Brother's anger has not dissipated yet!"

  Xiao Dezi thought he could be a transparent person and glanced at him sideways, but Xuan Yang Lie's sword eyebrows slightly raised and said.

  "Did you also receive the message and rush here?"

  "Ah, in response to Your Highness's question, yes, a few days ago, Your Highness received news that Miss Han had arrived in Baiyu Town, so Your Highness rushed over without stopping."

  Xiao Dezzi did not hide anything from Yang Lie's words and told the truth.

  "Oh, I see."

  Xu Yang Lie murmured to himself, then slowly left with a hint of sigh. Only Xiao Dezi was left standing outside the door, looking at the closed carved wooden door and the red-clothed man walking away in the distance, finally letting out a helpless light sigh...

  ……

  Because tomorrow is Xuan Mei Chen's birthday, time is extremely urgent, so this time, Han Xi Tong let Qing Mei gather all the people to help.

  Although everyone was afraid that their master would get angry, however, Qing Mei took it upon herself to bear the responsibility, and everyone could see that their master had a different attitude towards this girl in front of him. So, gradually they also opened up their hearts and happily prepared things for their master's birthday celebration.

  Moreover, everyone was very puzzled and incomprehensible about the proposal made by this girl, but felt very refreshing.

  Because here, when celebrating someone's birthday, they usually serve longevity noodles and red eggs.

  However, Han Xi Tong said to everyone that they should give Xuan Mei a special birthday!

  Apart from the red eggs, Han Xi Tong also personally made a birthday cake. Because there were no balloons, Han Xi Tong had someone use long silk ribbons to tie beautiful bows and flowers, hanging them around the courtyard, creating a colorful and festive atmosphere.

  As winter approached, plum blossoms stood out alone, and Han Xi's eyes were even more let people pick some peach blossoms back to decorate the surroundings of the other courtyard. In an instant, the entire other courtyard could smell the faint scent of plum blossoms.

  This is still not enough! Han Xi's eyes are even more prepared with some fresh pork, beef, chicken and mutton, planning to hold a unique barbecue party tomorrow, so that everyone can have fun too!

  Everyone was delighted with Han Xi Tong's proposal!

  Adding to that, the servants and maids working here are all diligent in their work. Moreover, the masters here mostly don't bother with them, and it's a case of "the mountain is high and the emperor is far away", so everyone just does as they please. They quickly became close friends with Han Xi Tong.

  Maybe it's because of Han Xi Tong's easy-going personality! So everyone genuinely likes her and has also determined in their hearts that she is the future mistress of this place!

  Moreover, everyone was planning that after worshiping Ru Fei Niang Niang in the morning, they would celebrate his birthday when Xuan Mei woke up.

  As for what Qing Mei said, Han Xi's eyes were somewhat puzzled. Moreover, although she had been here for two days, she felt that Xuan Mei Chen's body seemed to be in very poor condition, constantly resting.

  Even the time spent with him was particularly short, and he was extremely prone to fatigue. Moreover, his pale and sickly beautiful face would give her a feeling of Lin Daiyu...

  It seemed that Han Xi had noticed something, and taking advantage of the fact that everyone was busy, she quietly approached Qing Mei's side, asking with a puzzled expression.

  "Green plum, there's something I don't quite understand, can I ask you about it?"

  "Yes, young lady, what's on your mind? If Qing Mei knows, she'll tell you."

  For this beautiful girl in front of him, Qing Mei still had some jealousy hidden deep down, but it was no longer the same as his previous dislike for her.

  Because her greatest hope in this life is only to see the lord of her own house walk out of the depths of sorrow, to make herself a little better, at least to live like a normal person, not just a walking corpse.

  And all of this can be done by this girl in front of me alone.

  Moreover, this girl in front of me seems to have a kind of magic power that constantly attracts everyone to get close to her. Even if they initially disliked her, as they interacted with her, their dislike would gradually fade away and turn into affection for her...

  For a woman like you, Qing Mei has admitted defeat!

  Unaware of Qingmei's change in heart, Han Xi only slowly expressed her inner doubts in a soft voice after hearing Qingmei's words.

  "I've noticed that your Highness seems extremely drowsy, is he ill or something? His complexion also looks somewhat unhealthy..."

  In response to Han Xi Tong's words, Qing Mei's face slightly stiffened, and her eyes flickered for a moment before she turned away, seemingly intentionally avoiding the question.

  Although Qing Mei wanted to hide something, she couldn't escape Han Xi's eyes.

  My heart skipped a beat as I thought of Xuan Mei Chen, who always had a gloomy and sorrowful face, and his pale complexion. It seemed that he was really ill...

  I don't know how serious this illness is!

  "Green plum, did I say it right? Is your Highness suffering from a serious illness?"

  Although Qing Mei didn't say anything, Han Xi's eyes still saw the faint sadness between her eyebrows and the slow emergence of mist in her eyes, enough to know that what she said was extremely close, and a wave of unease immediately surged up in her heart.

  It's as if someone had grasped his heart tightly with their hand...

  And even more so for that man with a cold exterior but an extremely kind and fragile heart inside.

  Her eyebrows furrowed tightly, and her bright eyes dimmed, casting a gloomy shadow over her originally lively little face.

  Knowing that she was concerned about her own Highness, Qing Mei tightly suppressed the sadness and heartache in her heart before speaking in a light tone.

  "Don't worry, miss, and this matter, I'm afraid I can't tell you."

  Because she knew that Han Xi Tong didn't know about the prince's physical condition, perhaps it was because the prince had never told her, or perhaps he just didn't want to see others' sympathy and pity for him.

  Moreover, in this separate palace, the only person who knows what's really wrong with Your Highness's body is myself.

  The other servants and maids only knew that their master was in poor health, often needing to sleep and rest, but they didn't know that the master had actually been poisoned and only had two years left to live...

  At this moment, Qing Mei also didn't plan on telling Han Xi the truth, because these things were not suitable for a servant like her to discuss.

  Perhaps Han Xi Tong saw Qing Mei's difficulties and didn't ask further, but in her heart, it was as if a huge stone was weighing down.

  Although I don't know what's wrong with Jing Mei Chen, looking at Qing Mei's appearance makes her extremely uneasy and also feels a faint worry for that kind and good man...

  Although her heart was somewhat oppressed by this matter, Han Xi Tong still suppressed it and decided to first celebrate Jing Mei Chen's birthday properly!

  Then she devoted herself wholeheartedly to making her birthday cake...

  ……

  The next day was still a great day!

  As far as the eye can see, the sky and earth are a vast expanse of white, indistinguishable from each other!

  Early in the morning, the servants and maids from the other courtyard got up early because today was the anniversary of Rong Fei's death.

  However, everyone finished dealing with Rong Fei's memorial service in the morning because there was still something very important to take care of afterwards.

  As usual, Xuan Mei woke up at 9 o'clock in the morning.

  While he was still asleep, Qing Mei had already prepared everything for him to wash up.

  Seeing Qing Mei, Xuan Mei's expression was calm and serene, almost as if she didn't want to say another word. Between her eyebrows, a deeper look of worry and melancholy appeared.

  Qing Mei knew that Xuan Mei Chen was in a bad mood today. It can be said that every year at this time, Xuan Mei Chen's mood is always gloomy and more isolated and melancholic than usual.

  Although I knew it long ago, seeing Xuan Mei Chen being even more icy and calm than usual, almost not willing to say a word.

  Green plum saw, still very heartache. But she didn't say much either, just quietly helped Xuan Mei wash up for the morning.

  Xuan Mei sat quietly in front of the large round mirror, and in that bright and clean mirror, a man with long hair like a waterfall and a blue robe was reflected.

  Although his face was filled with sorrow, he still couldn't hide his innate elegant demeanor!

  His pale and sickly complexion only added to his charm, making him even more endearingly pitiful, like a lotus flower that had yet to bloom at dawn.

  Looking at the man in the mirror who was full of illness but handsome and pitiful, Qing Mei couldn't help but stare again.

  After all, such a stunningly beautiful face is simply irresistible, no matter how many years you've looked at it, it only gets more and more delicious to look at.

  As for Qing Mei's daze today, Xuan Mei didn't notice at all, because today he was deep in thought, sitting in front of the large round mirror, his eyes slightly closed, and his long eyelashes completely covering the expression in his eyes, casting two clusters of dark shadows on his pale eyelids, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

  It wasn't until after a long while that Xuan Mei slowly came back to her senses, and then she opened her mouth to speak in a light tone.

  "Where's Xi Tong?"

  "Uh... Oh, Your Highness said that the young lady had already woken up early today and had come by earlier, but at that time Your Highness was not yet awake, so she left!"

  When Qingmei heard Xuan's words, she suddenly woke up and finally remembered that there was still something important to do today! So, she quickly helped Xuan comb his soft and smooth long hair, but didn't help him tie it back with any hairband.

  Jing Mei Chen had always disliked tying up his hair, so he just let it all hang loose down his back. It had been that way for many years!

  While Jing Mei heard Qing Mei's words, her beautiful eyes fluttered, and she spoke again.

  "Where is she now?"

  "That must be over by the hall!"

  As soon as Qing Mei finished speaking, she saw that Jing Mei Chen, who had been calm and quiet all along, suddenly stood up from the stool and quickly walked towards the direction of the main hall, without even looking back at Qing Mei.

  Today is an extremely painful day for him!

  Every year at this time, his heart is extremely painful. Moreover, the unbearable past events will reappear clearly before his eyes, vivid and unforgettable.

  So every year on this day, he would choose a deserted corner, quietly savoring his own pain, silently, lonely...

  Because he was an ominous person, his birth was just a tragedy. No one would care about him anymore, this world made him feel cold and lonely...

  If it were in the past at this time, he would definitely be like before, quietly finding a deserted corner to lick his heart's wounds. However, today, he extremely did not want to be alone.

  Because at this moment, his heart and mind are filled with the beautiful girl who, every time he falls into darkness, seems to bring a warm ray of sunshine into his heart...

  At this moment, he suddenly wanted to see her very much!

  Unfortunately, when Xuan Mei Chen walked through the corridor and arrived at the hall, he did not see the person he had been thinking of all along.

  The hall was empty and quiet, but Jing Mei Chen still noticed that something was different about the hall.

  The originally elegant and spacious hall was now decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, which were hung all around, filling the surroundings with a joyful atmosphere.

  There is also a faint scent of plum blossoms between the nostrils, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.

  Just as Xuan Mei was momentarily stunned by the scene in front of her, a strange singing voice suddenly came from behind.

  It's strange because the lyrics are very monotonous, and he had never heard of it before. However, despite that, it still sounds pretty good when you listen to it.

  After hearing the singing voice behind him, Jing Mei Chen was stunned for a moment before slowly turning around, with a puzzled and surprised gaze, which slowly fell on the woman he had been searching for just now.

  What made him even more astonished was that the girl's hands were holding a strange object at this moment, with candles burning on it. He didn't know what it was, but he quietly watched the beautiful girl who was walking towards him, singing and stepping in lotus steps, holding the strange object in her hands.

  The soft yellow candlelight swayed gently with her slow pace, casting a warm glow on her small face the size of a palm, adding an indescribable tenderness to her already delicate features.

  Her eyebrows are lightly painted, her eyes are full of spring, her skin is delicate and smooth like frozen fat, her cherry lips are tender and about to drip, but what moves people most is her pair of big eyes with a hint of smile.

  Under the candlelight, his gaze seemed to gather like the sun, moon and stars, twinkling endlessly. As if with a magical power, she gazed at him lightly, as if she could snatch away his three souls and seven spirits...

  And the song she was singing at this moment, her voice was so melodious and moving that it sounded like heavenly music to his ears, making his heart skip a beat, and he stood there foolishly, not knowing how to react.

  In his eyes, there was only the beautiful girl in front of him who was getting closer and closer to him with every step, and by his ears, he could hear the sweet singing voice that belonged only to her.

  "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear [name], happy birthday to you..."

  As the gentle singing of the young girl, gradually, there were also many servants and maids following behind her who started singing along.

  This is what Han Xi Tong taught them to sing last night. Although it felt a bit strange at first, the more they listened, the more interesting it became. The lyrics are simple and the melody is moving. Before long, everyone in the entire courtyard had learned this particularly nice birthday song!

  But at this moment, in Xuan Mei Chen's eyes, deep down, there was only the existence of the girl in front of him.

  And seeing the girl's strange behavior and the song she was singing, Xuan Mei Chen had already guessed what was going on.

  If it were in the past, whoever dared to be so presumptuous as to hold a birthday celebration for him would have been met with his thunderous wrath and unrelenting anger. However, now that the object of his attention is this woman before him...

  Looking at the woman's gaze towards her own beautiful eyes, such sincerity, clarity, like the cleanest spring water, without any impurities.

  And her face burst forth with a radiant smile, like the sunshine in March, so bright and clear, pouring directly into his heart...

  At this moment, Jing Mei Chen only felt that his throat was blocked and his nose was sour, for a while, he didn't know what to say.

  Until the girl walked up to him and smiled as she whispered a sentence in his ear.

  "Good morning! Happy birthday!"

  "Uh..."

  At the sound of the girl's gentle voice, Xuan Mei Chen's eyes flickered for a moment, and finally, she moved her lips, speaking in a low, barely audible tone.

  "Thank you."

  Three light words, but they made everyone present breathe a sigh of relief!

  After all, the people present were actually uncertain in their hearts. They had been taking care of Sixth Highness for a considerable amount of time now. Although Sixth Highness was a loner, he was someone who made one feel extremely distressed and want to cherish him.

  So everyone likes him to be happy. So at this moment, when they see that there is no anger on his face, the crowd can't help but let out a sigh of relief.

  While Qing Mei saw this, at the same time as she let out a sigh of relief, she was more filled with emotion and reflection.

  As expected, in Gongzi's heart, Han Xi Tong was indeed a different existence!

  Although I couldn't hide the sourness in my heart, however, it is truly delightful for Your Highness from the bottom of my heart.

  And his eyes sparkled with amusement as he heard Xuan Mei Chen's words, the corners of his mouth curling up even more.

  So brilliant and sweet, it's a sight that makes one's heart flutter with excitement.

  Looking away from that sweet smile, Zhen Mei Chen's eyes fell on the round pastries placed on the table by Han Xi, and she asked in surprise.

  "What is this thing?"

  Actually, he had been wanting to ask this for a while. He knew that this should be a cake, but isn't cake supposed to be eaten? But why was this cake covered in candles and topped with a lot of jam and fresh fruit?

  When he saw Xuan Mei Chen's confusion, Han Xi looked at him with a knowing glint in his eye, as if he had expected this question all along, and couldn't help but smile as he explained.

  "This thing is called a birthday cake, it's something that everyone in our place eats on their birthday. Before you cut the cake, make a wish first."

  "I wish?"

  When he heard Han Xi Tong's words, Xuan Mei Chen blinked his beautiful eyes like a curious baby and looked at Han Xi Tong in confusion.

  "Hehe, in our place, every year on birthday, you can make a wish, as long as it's sincere, it will come true!"

  "Hehe, did it work out as you wished?" Upon hearing Han Xi's words, Xuan Mei Chen couldn't help but find it amusing.

  Is there really such a thing as "be careful what you wish for" in this world?

  Although she was skeptical of what Han Xi Tong said, Xuan Mei Chen still chose to believe it. Because... those were her words...

  Han Xi Tong didn't know what Xuan Mei Chen was thinking, she just stood beside her with her hands clasped together, letting Xuan Mei Chen follow her actions to make a wish.

  Throughout, Xuan Mei followed Han Xi Tong's words obediently, and in her heart, she silently made a wish.

  In fact, before he met Han Xing again, his world was already in darkness. He lived one day at a time, barely clinging to life, just thinking about sleeping forever to escape.

  However, fate made him meet the person he couldn't forget again. If wishes really came true, then he hoped that every year on his birthday she would be with him to celebrate together until he was old and grey, a lifetime, never parting...

  Han Xi Tong naturally didn't know what Xuan Mei Chen had just wished for, but after he finished making his wish, she let him blow out the candles and then handed him a small knife to cut open the cake.

  However, for cutting a cake, this was the first time for Jing Mei Chen. Looking at the round thing in front of him called a cake, he couldn't bear to cut it now.

  Because this cake was made by Han Xi Tong's own hands for him...

  He thought about it often and would treasure it for a lifetime.

  However, Han Xi didn't know his thoughts and saw the man holding a small knife hesitating to make a move, thinking that Xuan Mei Chen didn't know how to cut the cake properly, so she decided to teach him personally.

  "Come on, I'll help you cut it."

  Han Xi Tong said, then proactively walked to the side of Jing Mei Chen, stretched out her hand and pressed down on his white and slender big hand, then together cut into that birthday cake.

  Han Xi Tong had only acted out of kindness and didn't have any other intentions, however, she was completely unaware that her proximity to the man made his heart skip a beat and his entire body tremble slightly.

  The originally calm lake of heart was like throwing a big stone, stirring up layer after layer of ripples...

  When Han Xi Tong was helping Zhen Wei Chen cut the cake, their skin must have touched. Zhen Wei Chen only felt that the small hand on his back was so warm, like radiant sunshine.

  Moreover, the spot where her palm touched his was scorching hot, like an electric current that kept transmitting from her palm to the back of his hand and then rapidly spreading throughout his entire body.

  It feels numb and tingling.

  Between her nose, she smelled a faint rose fragrance unique to girls, such a fragrance was so moving that it made one's heart skip a beat...

  Such a feeling, so strange, yet it makes his heart flutter. He wishes time could stand still at this moment.

  Moreover, even he himself had never realized that his gaze towards the girl was gentle, as if it could drip out water...

  Compared to Xuan Mei's thoughts, Han Xi Tong naturally didn't know that after cutting the cake and distributing it to everyone below, seeing their own lord without a hint of anger on his face, they also relaxed and slowly leaned against the side to eat roasted meat.

  At this time, Han Xi poured a piece of cake for himself and Xuan Mei Chen each, and seemed to notice that something was wrong with Xuan Mei Chen beside him, so he looked up.

  For a moment, their eyes met, and her puzzled gaze caught the infatuation and tenderness in his eyes...