Chapter 21: To Place on a Pedestal, Yet Drag into Darkness
Xiao Li excused herself to change, claiming she’d had too much tea, but it was really just a chance to get some fresh air.
’If she could, she’d rather just slip away entirely.’
She found an empty pavilion to hide in, but just as she sat down, the Empress arrived unexpectedly.
Queen Wang was gentle and quiet, possessing the tranquil air of a rare orchid in a secluded valley. One glance at her was enough to put a person at ease.
It wasn’t an act. She didn’t intentionally wear simple colors; even when dressed in the magnificent phoenix robe, she exuded a sense of peace and tranquility.
She was frail and frequently ill, and with her dislike of commotion, she often went unnoticed.
’In any version of the story, she was never a major character. Her fate was simply to drink a cup of poisoned wine and be buried with the Emperor after he died.’
"Imperial Sister-in-law."
Xiao Li rose to greet her.
Queen Wang gave a slight nod. "Xuanyang, what are you doing here?"
"Just getting some fresh air," Xiao Li said bluntly.
Queen Wang hummed in acknowledgment before leading her retinue past Xiao Li. From the direction they were headed, they were going to the Empress Dowager’s palace.
Xiao Li watched her retreating figure for a long time. The eldest daughter of the great Wang aristocratic family, a noblewoman second only to the Royal Family from birth. After her coming-of-age, she married the Crown Prince. When he ascended the throne, she became the most honored woman in the empire.
’For someone like that to be so untroubled, it wasn’t out of compassion. It’s because she was born at the finish line. She’s already been given so much that she has nothing left to desire.’
’She has no children, but with her family’s backing, neither the Emperor nor the other concubines would dare to disrespect her. She doesn’t care who the Emperor takes into his harem, because no one can threaten her position.’
’As long as she doesn’t make a mistake and the Wang Family doesn’t rebel, her entire life is set to be one of noble simplicity.’
’With a status like that, as long as she doesn’t get swept up in some foolish romance, she’s practically invincible.’
The time was about right, so Xiao Li headed back. They would be eating soon, after all. Even though she had no appetite, she couldn’t just leave.
Just as she reached the entrance, Xiao Li ran into Lou Yan. He hadn’t been by the Emperor’s side earlier; he was only just arriving now.
"Princess."
Lou Yan bowed.
Xiao Li nodded and started to walk past him, but after a couple of steps, she turned back. A sly look in her eyes, she asked, "Lou Yan, does this princess look beautiful today?"
Lou Yan lifted his gaze, his deep, dark eyes fixed on her, but he said nothing.
’This is boring.’ She must have been bored out of her skull to be teasing a eunuch here.
"The princess is, of course, exceptionally beautiful. Unparalleled in this world."
His voice wasn’t the high-pitched tone typical of a eunuch, nor was it the resonant bass of most men. It was a unique, low, and clear timbre that was surprisingly pleasant to the ear.
’He’s complimenting me?’
Xiao Li looked at him, surprised, her gaze meeting his deep, somber eyes.
His features were well-defined but had an androgynous quality. The corners of his eyes held a wicked chill, giving him an unfriendly look to begin with. Now, with this cold, gloomy expression, he resembled a giant black python—dangerous and full of guile.
Most people would be terrified of a man like this. No one could feel the gaze of a Hunter upon them and not feel a sliver of fear.
A shiver ran through Xiao Li’s heart, but it wasn’t fear. On the contrary, she quite liked the feeling. ’There’s a reason I see him differently,’ she thought.
’Though separated by time, space, and even gender, they were two of a kind.’
She glanced down at a leaf she had plucked at some point and tossed it at his chest. "Such a sweet talker. A reward for you."
To everyone else, Lou Yan was a grim figure, radiating hostility, who remained stern even in the Princess’s presence.
But no one saw how he waited until the vibrant flash of her sleeve had vanished completely from sight before he looked down at the leaf in his hand.
’Of course the Princess was beautiful today. As beautiful as a viper, making one want to either place her on a pedestal to be worshipped or drag her down into the darkness.’
----
Chen Pingting was a restless sort. Ever since arriving in the Capital City, she’d been flitting about, making connections.
She leveraged her status as the Empress Dowager’s niece to bask in the compliments and flattery of others.
Those in the know understood she was a future Noble Consort; those who weren’t might have mistaken her for the matriarch of the Chen Family.
Chen Pingting had sent several invitations for gatherings of noble ladies—flower viewings, tea tastings, poetry readings, and the like. Xiao Li had no time to play house with her.
’Gu Ling is already nothing but bones. It’s about time I put Lu Yanzhi’s death on the schedule.’
"Imperial Sister, want to go hunting?"
Xiao Jingyi poked his head in. Xiao Li was in the middle of archery practice, the tip of her arrow aimed directly at him. He yelped and threw his hands up in surrender.
"Imperial Sister, don’t be like that! I just wanted to ask you to go out and have some fun..." ’It’s not a capital offense, is it?’
Xiao Li turned and fired an arrow into the target. "Where are we hunting?"
"South Mountain hunting grounds. There are rabbits and deer. A group of young scions and the daughters from military general’s families are going. It’s for about ten days, but if you get bored, you can come back whenever you want."
Xiao Li wasn’t particularly interested in hunting. "How long does it take to get there and back?"
Xiao Jingyi replied, "By carriage, it takes a full day. By fast horse, two hours is more than enough."
Xiao Li’s head snapped toward him, a smile spreading across her face. "I’ll go!"
Just as Xiao Li was having her things prepared for the trip, Lu Yanzhi showed up again.
"Is the Princess going on a long journey?"
’I really can’t stand him.’ He despises her. Before, he couldn’t wait to get as far away from her as possible, but now he’s always hovering around.
"None of your business!"
As Lu Yanzhi started to approach, Xiao Li raised an arrow and aimed it at him. "I’ve told you before," she warned, "the only reason we aren’t divorced is because my brother won’t allow it. That doesn’t mean we’re on good terms. Stay away from me."
’Lu Yanzhi was undeniably handsome, but after everything he’d done, there was no chance she would ever feel a shred of pity for him. In her eyes, he was just a walking corpse whose death was already set in stone.’
There was no faking the coldness and disgust in Xiao Li’s expression. Lu Yanzhi froze, a complex mix of emotions churning within him.
’The one I love is Xue Yin. I only got close to her to get back at Xiao Li...’
-----
Many people were heading to South Mountain to hunt, but since they all set out at different times, it wasn’t until she reached the hunting grounds that Xiao Li saw Prince Chen and Liu Xueyin were there as well.
And Chen Pingting, with a gaggle of noblewomen in tow.
Xiao Li: "..."
’Suddenly, I don’t really feel like hunting anymore.’
Xiao Jingyi, ever the expert at reading people, could tell at a glance that someone Xiao Li disliked was present. He quickly explained, "Imperial Sister, I didn’t tell them! I had no idea they were coming."
Xiao Li didn’t make an issue of it. "It’s fine. We have a right to be here, and so do they. We’ll just stick to ourselves."
Xiao Li didn’t have any friends, but Xiao Jingyi had plenty of buddies from various aristocratic families. The quality of said buddies, however...
"Zhao Yuan, Qian Yu, Sun Buwu, and Li You greet Princess Xuanyang!"
’Her vision swam for a second. Weren’t the fat one, Zhao Yuan, and the skinny one, Li You, the same two street thugs who got beaten to a pulp by Gu Ling for harassing Liu Xueyin the other day?’
"AHEM!" Xiao Jingyi remembered the incident too and suddenly felt his friends weren’t exactly the most respectable crowd. "They’re all sons of distinguished families, experts in all matters of leisure and pleasure. Imperial Sister, if you need anything at all, just ask them. They’ll get it done."
The chubby one immediately puffed out his chest. "Just give the word, Princess."
The skinny one added with a grin, "It would be our honor to serve you, Princess."
Xiao Li was speechless for a long moment.
The four of them were a complete set of tall, short, fat, and thin. Standing together, they were certainly a sight to behold.
’Fortunately, their features were all decent enough. At least they weren’t ugly. It’ll have to do.’