klisemfg Chapter 114: In the End, It Was All a Dream
Chapter 114: In the End, It Was All a Dream
"Your Majesty, what's wrong? Don't frighten me!"
Seeing Liu Baiyi's strange behavior, Chu Chun was anxious and wanted to help her, but Liu Xingxing stopped her again as if she had eyes in the back of her head.
"It's early spring, I'm fine, you don't need to panic."
She didn't even turn around to look at her.
Liu Xingxing raised her hand and clenched and unclenched her fists several times, then shook it vigorously a few times, as if she was confirming something. Chu Chun watched her strange behavior from behind helplessly.
After a long while, Liu Xingxing finally stopped, turned around with an unreadable expression, and asked Chu Chun, "Look at me, am I any different now?"
Chu Chun looked at her with a puzzled expression: "This servant does not know which aspect of difference Your Highness is referring to?"
Liu Xingxing paused for a moment, then sighed silently, "Never mind, you won't know even if I ask."
Just as she collapsed, Liu Xingxing suddenly felt something flowing through her meridians. Yes, that familiar feeling was definitely spiritual energy.
It was as if her blocked meridians were suddenly opened. She couldn't withstand the impact and her consciousness was momentarily scattered. However, she only felt the presence of spiritual energy flowing for a moment. She still couldn't find anything, as if a crack had been opened unintentionally.
The only thing Liu Xingxing could think of was that Lu Xihan had made a move.
But it's been more than half a month and there's only been this little movement. It shouldn't be the effect of her letter. So what is it, and why is it so sudden?
"...In early spring, go and take a few pieces of jewelry that I have stored away and send them to Lu Jiu'er's mother. Consider it a thank you gift for saving her back then. Remember, it's only for your mother, don't say anything else."
"Also, carefully observe Lu Jiu'er's condition. Don't ask any questions or say anything more. Go now."
"Yes."
Although she didn't understand what Liu Baiyi was going to do, Chu Chun only needed to follow her instructions.
Chu Chun understood that the main purpose of this trip was to get Lu Jiu'er, so she hurriedly went down to make preparations.
The Empress has changed a lot lately. In early spring, I often can't understand her behavior, but she is much better than before. Perhaps it is related to the thing that was taken from the Empress a year ago.
……
Half a day passed, and Liu Xingxing waited idly in the palace for Chuchun, who had already left the palace, to return and report on the situation. However, Chuchun did not arrive, but Jing Yizhi came to visit instead.
When Liu Xingxing heard Qiao'er come to report, she thought she had misheard.
"Are you sure it's His Highness Prince Qi?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am not mistaken. Prince Qi is already waiting in the main hall."
Why is he here?
Liu Xingxing couldn't recall ever having any real relationship with him, yet this visit seemed quite formal.
"Help me change my clothes."
"It's the lady."
Qiao'er then called in two more maids to help Liu Baiyi change her clothes and do her makeup. They finished quickly and didn't keep anyone waiting too long.
Liu Xingxing rarely stayed in the main hall; most of the time she would stay in the side hall or her room.
Lanshu Palace is indeed large. Even after living here for so long, she is not familiar with every part of it, especially the main hall used for receiving guests. She has only been here two or three times.
"Your Highness, I've kept you waiting."
Liu Xingxing walked gracefully from the side of the main hall with a group of palace servants. Only Jing Yizhi and the servant he had been with earlier remained in the hall, forming a stark contrast with the others.
As Jing Yizhi was drinking tea, he stood up and bowed to the person who came out, saying, "Your Highness, Imperial Concubine."
Liu Xingxing walked straight to the head seat and sat down, putting on a fake smile and saying politely, "Your Highness Prince Qi, there's no need for such formalities, please sit down."
Seeing that the man had sat down, she then asked, "I wonder what business the Prince of Qi has with me?"
Jing Yizhi glanced at the group of palace servants she had brought, then turned to look at the scene outside the door, and said with a smile, "I wonder if Your Highness would be interested in going out for a walk?"
Liu Xingxing raised an eyebrow slightly, noticing his actions; he seemed to have a secret to tell her.
"Judging from the sky outside, it's almost evening, and the scenery should be quite nice. It's perfect for going out for a walk. Since His Highness Prince Qi has invited me, how could I refuse?"
After sitting for a short while, Liu Xingxing got up again and walked to his side, saying, "Let's go, Your Highness Prince Qi."
After saying that, he led the way out, followed by a group of palace servants.
Jing Yizhi then calmly put down his cup, stood up, and flicked his clothes: "Don't just stand there, let's go."
He said this to his attendant.
Xingwang then came to his senses and hurriedly followed.
"Your Majesty, isn't this Imperial Concubine putting on a far too high an air? She's practically putting it on your face."
Looking at the large group of people in front, Xingwang, who was next to Jing Yizhi, muttered something under his breath, his expression showing slight dissatisfaction.
Looking at the person in the most elegant clothes at the front, Jing Yizhi smiled and said, "You've known her for a long time, she's always liked this style."
Seeing his master's appearance, Xingwang sighed helplessly and shook his head.
All these years, that person has never even seen him, so why is he still so persistent?
Unbeknownst to her, Liu Xingxing had returned to the place where she first met Jing Yizhi, the shore of that man-made lake.
It seemed to be around dusk at that time, and even the time and date were similar.
As the sun sets in the west, its afterglow shines on the water, creating a beautiful, shimmering effect.
"Let's all go back."
Liu Xingxing casually gave an order, and the palace servants respectfully stepped back, making sure they couldn't hear what they were saying.
Jing Yizhi gestured for Xingwang, who was following him, to stay where he was, while he walked slowly forward to stand beside Liu Baiyi.
"I saw you in the same state that day, and I wondered who it was. You were just standing there, and the setting sun made you look exceptionally handsome..."
Looking at the dazzling afterglow of the setting sun, Liu Xingxing spoke calmly.
Jing Yizhi turned his head to look at her, his eyes filled with undisguised surprise. But as if he had thought of something, he turned back and said calmly, "You...you're not her, are you? She would never do this."
This time it was Liu Xingxing's turn to be surprised, but she didn't show it too much. Instead, she smiled slightly and said, "Oh? Why do you think that?"
"I feel... you give me a different feeling than she does..."
Liu Xingxing turned her head and looked at him calmly for a long time, then suddenly laughed out loud: "I didn't know that His Highness Prince Qi is also a romantic at heart~"
Neither of them offered any rebuttal, and they both remained silent, playing coy.
The April sunset was warm and inviting, and the surroundings were peaceful and serene.
After a long silence, Liu Xingxing spoke first.
"I wonder what business Your Highness has come to see me about?"
When will you leave?
Jing Yizhi turned his head and looked at her again, his eyes showing neither blame nor urgency, as if he were asking her very seriously.
Liu Xingxing looked at him with amusement: "Is this why Your Highness came?"
Jing Yizhi answered sincerely, "No, but it is now."
Liu Xingxing didn't show much expression on her face, just silently looking at him for a long time.
Finally, as if in resignation, he sighed softly and said calmly, "Do you want to know the truth? And this truth will overturn all your previous knowledge, all your understanding of the first half of your life. Will you still choose to know?"
Liu Baiyi's expression was very serious, yet it also revealed an air of mystery that he couldn't decipher, like a mysterious person detached from this world, proclaiming her final act of mercy.
"I…would like to know."
He made his choice.
She opened her mouth, paused, and then the sky, which had been clear and cloudless just moments before, suddenly became clouded with a strange and rapid gathering, accompanied by gusts of wind.
Looking at the sky, which had turned completely black in just a few seconds, Liu Xingxing gave a self-deprecating laugh.
Such a natural phenomenon that defies common sense—isn't this warning obvious enough?
"Look, even God doesn't want you to know, what else can I do?"
Liu Xingxing looked at him with an innocent expression.
Even so, it was enough to shock Jing Yizhi.
Does such a power truly exist in the world, that a single truth could cause such extraordinary phenomena?
As if God had made sure she wouldn't tell, the gathering dark clouds quickly dispersed, and the gale turned into a gentle breeze.
The surroundings remained peaceful, as if the strange phenomenon from earlier had never happened.
Jing Yizhi finally lost his composure, and a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes: "Who exactly are you?"
Liu Xingxing didn't rush to answer him. Instead, she bent down, picked up a pebble, and casually tossed it into the calm lake. The pebble created ripples that spread out in concentric circles before finally returning to stillness.
"Does it matter who I am? Your Highness, all you need to know is that I won't be staying long and will be leaving soon. I'm afraid that by then you'll be hoping that day comes a little later."
"The only thing I can tell you is, 'It was all just a dream.'"