517 I Swear (2/2)
Yu Zhen let out a small scoff. ”She has talent, I'll give her that.”
Li Xueyue tilted her head. ”What do you mean?”
Yu Zhen's features darkened. He scowled at the unpleasant memory of her chaotic bedroom. It took a few days after that to get everything in order. All of the furniture, decorations, and accessories were changed.
”Everything she destroyed was expensive. It was as if she only targeted the pricey items.”
Li Xueyue wryly smiled. It was certainly one way to make a statement. ”And then?”
”I scolded some senses into her,” Yu Zhen said. He lifted the teapot, ignoring the quiet protest of his servants, and poured chrysanthemum tea into a jade cup rimmed with gold.
Yu Zhen set the cup in front of her before pouring one for himself. ”From what I know, she has been a filial daughter lately.”
Li Xueyue waited for him to pour himself a cup of tea before taking a sip of it. She didn't want to be rude.
”How so?” Li Xueyue curiously asked.
Yu Zhen drank the slightly sweet, but bitter tea. ”Lately, she has been reading bedtime stories to the Emperor. I find it quite ironic.”
Li Xueyue stilled. It had been a while since she had heard any updates about the Emperor. Ever since she entered the palace, the number of times she saw the Emperor could be counted with one hand. She wanted to ask more, but didn't.
The Emperor and Empress were always a tricky subject especially when it came to Yu Zhen.
”I see,” was her only response.
”He stopped taking his medicine.”
She slowly nodded her head. ”Wouldn't that mean he stopped relying on the help of the merchants?”
”Yes,” he said.
Li Xueyue lifted the teacup to her mouth, only to halt.
”He's going to die soon.”
Li Xueyue could not bring the teacup to her mouth anymore. She was glad this conversation took place after their meal. Or else, she wouldn't have stomached the food whilst conversing about death.
”And, how does that make you feel?” Li Xueyue hesitatingly asked. She was careful of her wording, in case it might upset him.
Sneaking a peek at him, she was relieved that his expression did not change. He sat there with an aloof expression and a cold gaze. The tea was growing cold, all because of his icy presence.
Nothing seemed to humor or amuse him.
But when his eyes shifted to hers, winter melted, and spring came.
Yu Zhen affectionately touched the side of her face, stroking her soft skin with his thumb.
”I don't know how it makes me feel. I'm numb when it comes to him,” he said. There were no lingering notes of unhappiness in his voice.
Li Xueyue wasn't sure if she should be worried. Yu Zhen seemed genuinely alright with his father's death. Was he certain that this did not affect him at all?
”I didn't share a single good memory with the Emperor. He's a stranger to me,” he said.
Li Xueyue was at a loss for words. She had felt the same way towards Viscount Bai Sheng. At some point, the pain the Viscount inflicted on her turned into hatred, then anger, then numbness. She understood Yu Zhen's perspective.
”I wouldn't cry, even at his funeral.”
Li Xueyue lifted her hand and covered his hand that was resting on her face. He chuckled at her action. He slipped his hand away from her, just as hers fell.
”Don't look so worried, Sunshine,” Yu Zhen mused. He grabbed her hands and brought it to the warm teacup. It was mid-autumn, and he was concerned. What if she caught a cold?
”If I'm upset, I will let you know,” he concluded.
”Do you swear?”
”Only if you do.”
Li Xueyue slowly nodded her head.
”Then, I swear as well,” Yu Zhen mused. It would've made more sense to have said a promise was made. But promises did not suit their tastes. It never did. Never will. They were both content with that.