11 TEN (1/2)

”Wang Fei, when nu prepared a night snack for wang fei in the kitchen. The kitchen servants asked nu what was happening inside the central hall after wang fei left. They were curious as wang ye still there with the rest of the senior attendants of the fu. It seems Wang Ye is taking this matter seriously.”

Ru Ming cannot wait to report to Jiang Xi Yu the moment she was back inside the chamber. Her hands still held the silver tray which was full with Jiang Xi Yu's favorite snacks. After refusing to see the dinner menu that the head kitchen gave her, Jiang Xi Yu laid back on her lounge area. With a soft blanket to warm her, Jiang Xi Yu gazed at Ru Ming lazily.

”All of them still at the central hall?!” Asked Jiang Xi Yu while her hand stretched out to take a pastry from the tray.

Quickly helping Ru Ming serve the snacks on the side table, Ru Qing tactically arranged it as the mood was good enough to distract Jiang Xi Yu to eat something.

”When nu passed the central hall, they were all still there.” Ru Ming answered.

”Ding mama is still there? Maybe wang ye is preparing for the funeral.” Jiang Xi Yu straightened her back and then sighed. She played with the pastry in her hand.

Knew their master was still sad over Anle duolun gege, Ru Qing tried to distract her mind. ”Wang fei, this pastry is Wang Ye's favorite snack. Later when wang ye arrive, wang fei can serve this pastry while nu would ask the kitchen to serve dinner. Wang Ye must be hungry after taking care of this matter the whole day.”

Jiang Xi Yu threw the pastry back on the plate. ”Wang Ye would not come here tonight and any other night in the future.” She said in annoyance. ”That cold heart person spent a night at Qing Yu Fei's place even though he knew that woman is a snake.”

”This cold hearted person did not spend a night with Qing Yu Fei.”

His voice shocked the entire room. Like getting struck by the lightning, Ru Ming and Ru Qing's knee touched the ground and bowed as low as they could. Jiang Xi Yu's eyes met with his with her mouth open wide.

Li Fei Long touched Jiang Xi Yu's chin. His face seemed tired but he smiled at her. Jiang Xi Yu could not say anything as her annoyance disappeared quickly. She caught sadness inside Li Fei Long's eyes even though he gave her a little smile.

”Ben wang heard Wang fei did not touch any meal today.” Li Fei Long glanced at the side table and back looking at her.

Facing up, Jiang Xi Yu stunned.

Lowering his face, Li Fei Long stopped just a few inches in front of Jiang Xi Yu's face. ”To ease wang fei's jealousy, ben wang did not do anything more besides listening to Qing Yu Fei's statement last night. Ben wang stayed in the study room and by the time ben wang concluded the truth, ben wang returned to this room just to find wang fei was in deep sleep with Ru Qing and Ru Ming on the other side of the room.”

Jiang Xi Yu blinked a few times. ”Wang ye...here? Last night?” She did not believe what she heard.

”Wang fei, nucai is the witness. Wang ye came here to rest after investigating the case but wang fei has already fallen in sleep. Therefore, wang ye returned to his own chamber.” Ming He helped his master in his defense.

Since his grip on her chin was not much tight, Jiang Xi Yu easily slipped from Li Fei Long's hand. She took a good look at Ming He and Qian Chang Xin then back on Li Fei Long. Her sour face hid her relieved feelings.

Subsequently Li Fei Long fell on top of her. He snuggled on her as if he was overflowing his fatigue.

”Wang ye…” The weight that suddenly pinned her down made her complain. A weak complaint.

She ended up with her half upper body leaning on the wall while the half was crushed by Li Fei Long's weight. His head was laid comfortably on her chest. With eyes closed, Li Fei Long was enjoying his moment with her.

He had lost a daughter, he got Jiang Xi Yu's sympathy. Sighed, Jiang Xi Yu started to rub her hands slowly on his back. Slowly, her eyes got closed and they both enjoyed each other warmly without any intimacy.

***

After a close sixty days traveling around a few big cities around the empire, finally Pan Xi Yin and The Grand Chancellor returned to Chang'an. By The Grand Chancellor's order, Pan Xi Yin resided a quarter right next beside Han Yao Ying's. The yard was as big as Han Yao Ying's yard. The interior detail was grand enough to Pan Xi Yin's taste. And before The Grand Chancellor left her to report to The Emperor about his return, he granted Pan Xi Yin so she could do anything she pleased to make sure she was comfortable with her new life.

”Bai Xia, do The Grand Princess and Han Hong Yuan know about our arrival?”

Leisurely fanning herself while she was enjoying the view of her yard, Pan Xi Yi could not wait to have a duel with The Grand Princess. She was too excited to see what The Grand Princess looks like. She was too eager to replace the old hag's dominance in the fu.

The maid seemed hesitant to answer. ”My Lady, our existence is widely known around the fu. Young master Han Hong Yuan is still staying in the north state. No further news when he will return to the fu. The Grand Princess and Han Yao Ying gong gege are attending a gathering hosted by Shu Guì Fēi at Zhao Xiang Palace. But nubi believes both are aware of our arrival.”

”A gathering inside the palace….” Pan Xi Yin pondered. Soon after she groaned. Turning back inside her chamber, Pan Xi Yin threw her fan on the tea table and then sat down. ”Jiang Xi Yu must be there too.”

”Duan Wang Fei, my Lady?” Bai Xia confirming.

Irritated by the title, Pan Xi Yin stared at her maid in anger. The one thing she lost from that bitch was just a title.

”Nubi thinks Duan Wang Fei might not be invited.” Bai Xia shook her head.

A thin speculation that lifted Pan Xi Yin's mood. ”How come?”

Bai Xia noticed the changing mood. She moved a white ceramic hand warmer closer to Pan Xi Yin. ”Shu Guì Fēi is in charge of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The purpose of today's gathering is to organise the festival. Han Yao Ying gong gege will wed Ruì Qīn Wáng by the last day of Spring Festival. Knowing that Duan Qin Wang once put his heart for gong gege before the imperial edict was announced and how Jing Guì Fēi and Shu Guì Fēi compete with each other. So, nubi does not think Duan Wang Fei was invited.”

”Duan Qin Wang once put his heart for Han Yao Ying gong gege?” The gossip successfully made Pan Xi Yin excited.

Bai Xia felt out of place. ”But the love story about how Duan Qin Wang rescued Duan Wang Fei washed away the rumour. They seem very much in love.”

Pan Xi Yin sneered at her. ”It is only rumour. Nobody knows what happened inside Duan Wang Fu. Who knows after Duan Qin Wang meets Han Yao Ying at the Mid-Autumn Festival, their feelings rekindle. When will the Mid-Autumn festival take place?”

”Next week, My Lady.” Answered Bai Xia.

”Hmmm… a palace festival.” Humming, Pan Xi Yin's mind was all over the place. ”Would Lao ye grant me a title by then? Could I be attending the festival and finally blend in with the royals?” Her daydreaming was exaggerated.

***

Jiang Xi Yu was never invited because it was not a gathering. Shu Guì Fēi only invited The Grand Princess and Han Yao Ying to prepare a special performance that they believed would steal the show.

While they prepared thoroughly, on the other hand, Jiang Xi Yu got ready with the new design for her appearance for the festival. Ignoring Ru Qing and Ru Ming's worries, Jiang Xi Yu waited for Li Fei Long to see what she was wearing before they jumped in the grand carriage and entered the palace.

The loose and transparent sleeves were as long as her dress. The collar of her dress was changed to a U shaped collar which gave her a sexier look. A short outer with short sleeves has a contrast color with her dress. The embroideries on the lower part of her dress were full of peonies. Her hairstyle was a simple bun on top of her hair with the rest of her long hair being folded short, just good enough to warm her bare neck. She replaced all the hair accessories with fresh peony and added huadian with a shape of peony between her eyebrows.

From where she got the inspiration? Of course from all the ancient movies that she watched before. Jiang Xi Yu thought every royal woman who attended the festival would dress just like her. But when Li Fei Long frowned at her, his eyes scanned her from top to bottom twice, Jiang Xi Yu confused.

”Does wang fei plan to provoke mufei or me?” With a lifted eyebrow, Li Fei Long admired the beautiful view in front of him.

She did not plan to provoke anyone. Originally just wanting to be comfortable and to gratify her own inspiration on wearing ancient costumes, Jiang Xi Yu chose to ignore Li Fei Long.

They rode the grand carriage and entered the main palace gate. Ignoring Li Fei Long's stares, Jiang Xi Yu could not help not to feel nervous.

This would be her very first time attending a palace banquet. The event will be filled with all the royal families. Her manner needed to be on point. Her confidence swung fast and she started to feel nervous.

”Do not feel nervous, my dear.” Li Fei Long chuckled. He pinched her cheek as he loves seeing her changing mood so quickly. ”To see so many expression changes on your face, make me flustered each time.”

They looked each other in the eyes as the words that were said by Li Fei Long sounded soft and warm.

”Wang ye, Wang fei, we have arrived.” Ming He's soft voice disturbed their moment.

Li Fei Long came out first from the grand carriage. Ru Ming took a stance to help Jiang Xi Yu but Li Fei Long stayed still on the spot. He turned his face and gave his hand out for Jiang Xi Yu.

”I got you.”

A simple sentence that made Jiang Xi Yu feel tranquil. A grip on her hand that made Jiang Xi Yu feel secure. And a look on his face that made Jiang Xi Yu feel like she was the only one.

”Wang fei, the palanquin is ready.”

Jiang Xi Yu turned her face and tried to act usual. She did not Li Fei Long to notice her face getting warm because of him. She tried to check the palanquin that she will ride to reach the main hall with Li Fei Long's hand still grop her hand. Turned out they were not alone.

Behind their grand carriage was a grand carriage belongs to The Grand Chancellor. With many servants and guards between the two grand carriage, even though the distance was not too close, Jiang Xi Yu still can see who just came out from there.

Han Xiu Wen smiled and nodded politely towards Li Fei Long. His status was well portrayed in his calm manner. On his side, Jiang Xi Yu immediately guessed that she wasThe Grand Princess Li Liang Rong. She was about the same height as her husband. Her upper body was obviously fit. Li Liang Rong has the perfect jaw for a woman but has the perfect build for a man.

And then came Han Yao Ying, gracefully came out with the help of a yahuan. Along with her finest hair accessories on her perfect updo. Dressed in a soft pink long dress, with thick makeup and a pastel color lip coloring, Han Yao Ying stepped down slowly and then turned her face to check who was being greeted by her parents.

In Jiang Xi Yu's opinion, Han Yao Ying got her father's manner and her mother's face in her genes. That made her beautiful. Just like a small fox.

Jiang Xi Yu took a glance at her husband. The latter was smiling at the family far from them. Suddenly feeling irritated, Jiang Xi Yu pulled her hand from him. She grabbed Ming He's hand instead of Ru Ming's out like a light.