527 Messenger Bird (1/2)

Servants surrounded Li Xueyue as they busied themselves to prepare her for the day. Xiao Hua was working on her hair, a few focused on her make-up that was always kept light whilst expert hands fastened the lavender ribbons of her hanfu. Everyone's hands moved like a blur.

”No,” he responded.

Li Xueyue was puzzled by this. She thought this was his usual schedule? Did something happen? When their eyes met through the vanity mirror, he winked. She hid her blush and glanced away.

Yu Zhen was fully dressed for the day, in navy and silver robes. His robes hugged his well-structured form, revealing his rippling muscles, and biceps that could kill.

”I have something to show you,” he added on.

Li Xueyue was thoroughly intrigued. But there were too many servants around her. Judging from his sly smile, she knew it'd be best if he kept it a secret. Her eyes landed on her reflection. Her lips parted.

Xiao Hua had placed wisteria flower hairpins into her hair. The hairpins gently dangled from her half-up, half-down hair.

”Do you like it?” Yu Zhen asked as he slowly approached her.

Instantly, the servants stepped back with their heads bowed and their hands tucked in front of them. They knew better than to block his path.

”I ordered new clothes for you a few weeks ago, for the weather is growing older and you're too thin,” Yu Zhen said. He warmly placed his hands upon her shoulders and squeezed it.

Li Xueyue leaned back into him whilst smiling. ”And these hairpins?” she asked, touching the crystal petals of the wisteria.

”Yes, everything in this vanity and the new chests that will come soon,” he informed her with a fond smile. He enjoyed seeing her in the clothes he bought for her. Especially when everything suited her so well that he wanted to buy her more.

”But I already have enough,” she murmured. ”It would be best to use that money for the Kingdom instead.”

Yu Zhen softly laughed at her words. She did not know the extent of his wealth, it was humorous. Often, there would be a large budget set aside to buy clothes for the harem, but since there was none, all of that money went back to him.

”Now that you're dressed, let's take you to my surprise,” Yu Zhen said. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. His eyes landed on her head, where a few stray strands of hair had escaped from the small bun that held her hair up. With his fingers, he gingerly tucked it back into the bun.

Li Xueyue always wondered where he learned to be this attentive. His fingers were rough and calloused, but his touch was sweet and careful. She unknowingly leaned into his caress.

”Is it far?” she whispered.

If anything were to happen to her, he'd blame himself first. It was a bad habit of his that could not be dropped as long as she was by his side.

- - - - -

”These hallways are so dark and dreary, even though it's day time,” Li Xueyue pointed out. She was surprised when the wooden hallways suddenly ended.

The gleaming red walls lined with green trims and the golden glazed tiles of the Imperial Palace slowly disappeared behind them.

Shortly afterward, they reached an open field a short distance away from the Imperial Palace, where there was a single stone, rectangular structure.