Chapter 20 (1/2)

This chapter was edited by Din2.

At dusk, the most beautiful moment of the day, fragments of the golden light pierced the clouds, adding a red color into the sky blue horizon to cover an equal colored of sunrise and sunset. With the exception of the fragrance in the garden, the rugged stone mountain, was also having a smile on his face, Lou Xi Yan’s mood was extremely good.

Walking to the outside of Hua Ting pavilion through the front door of the courtyard, Lou Xi Yan stopped his footsteps. In a low voice, he said: “Mo Bai, watch her properly.” According to her character, she would certainly not be well-behaved staying at the Prime Minister’s manor. She had too many elusive matters that had not been handled clearly before, he would absolutely not let her leave outside of his control.

“Yes.” Mo Bai’s voice barely left and the shadow of the person suddenly disappeared between the stone mountain. One big person disappeared in a flash just now, whoever saw it would feel frightful. Lou Xi Yan was accustomed to it, lightly straightened his lapel, the corner of his mouth was raised softly, there was no smile in his eyes and he raised his steps to enter Hua Ting pavilion at the side of the courtyard.

Lou Xi Yan entered the interior of the courtyard. Sitting at the master’s seat above, Yan Ru Xuan saw him right away with one quick glance. The sunset came from behind his reflection and he seemed to step on the coming golden ray. Putting on a white jade Dijon’s hat, dark golden robe set off his increasingly majestic presence and handsomeness. Especially the corner of his mouth seemed to have no lack of smile, feathery light, warm, shallow and faint. Every time she saw him, her heart would jump violently and incessantly.

Lou Xi Yan had not entered the room yet, Yan Ru Xuan already got up slowly to wait for him to come in. A light golden long skirt following her movement softly, Fushun’s hairstyle (the original words used were 抚顺的发丝-Fushun de fasi, I googled it trying to see what this was but couldn’t find anything related to this) was also slightly raised, quietly standing at that place, quiet and dignified temperament so much so that it could bewitch any person, not to mention that the appearance of the bright moon was pouring on the face.

Yan Ru Xuan suddenly got up, Xue Xian Xin also hurriedly stood, following her line of sight to look, just to see Lou Xi Yan was walking slowly, smiling clearly, waiting for Lou Xi Yan to enter Hua Ting pavilion. She impatiently and immediately pretended to complain and said: “Xi Yan had returned, Princess Chao Yun waited for you for a long time.”

Lou Xi Yan simply nodded lightly towards Xue Xian Xin, faced Yan Ru Xuan, he greeted and clasped his hands and said: “Greetings to Princess.”

Yan Ru Xuan advanced one step and urgently said: “Yan gege (the words used were 颜哥哥-It can be translated to elder brother Yan but it sounds weird so I’m going to keep the pinyin) does not need to be so polite.”

Xue Xian Xin rejoiced covertly in her heart, Princess Chao Yun’s heart was tied up to Xi Yan. If the two of them advanced to forge an alliance, that would be good, that the Lou family’s authority would not collapse in the imperial court, she was trying to hide her true intention!! (Original words used were 一手遮天-yi shou zhe tian, an idiom that literally means to hide the sky with one hand). Wishful thinking (original words used 如意算盘-ru yi suan pan, another idiom that literally means counting one’s chicks before it is hatched), Xue Xian Xin got up to attend to the guest and said: “You chat first, I will go to take a look at how things are for the evening meal’s preparation.”

Xue Xian Xin left perfectly satisfied, Yan Ru Xuan faced Lou Xi Yan’s fluttering tiny eyes, her face was somewhat red-hot, hurriedly pointing at the medicine herbs on the side, with soft voice said: “Spring finally arrived, Xuan-er (Er means child and it is usually attached to the last character of a person’s name as an expression of affection in ancient China) is worry that Yan gege’s illness will once again reappear so I am delivering some medicine herbs. This medicine was searched and concocted by Imperial Mother’s famous doctor for you. You must take care of your body properly, do not work too excessively.” Every time she heard that Yan gege’s old illness recurred and could not attend the Imperial court, her heart was anxious incessantly.

Lou Xi Yan looked one glance at the medicine package on the desk, with clear voice said: “Many thanks to Empress Dowager, Princess’ grace, this subject will pay attention.”

Must he call her princess and himself a subject?! She had been chasing him this many years and he did not have any feeling at all?! She heard that Imperial Brother, bestowed him an exceptionally beautiful woman, he would despise her even more later, right?! Her heart was slightly in pain, concealing her tightfisted hands inside the wide sleeve of her garment, Yan Ru Xuan’s pair of eyes were filled with hope and stared at Lou Xi Yan, quietly asked: “On the 15th of next month, Bei Qi Country’s diplomatic envoy will come to make customary deferences to Qiong Yue, Imperial Mother and Imperial Brother will certainly not remember that day is also Xuan-er’s 16th birthday, at the time that Yan gege enters the palace, can you come to visit Xuan-er?”

Meeting her longing gaze, Lou Xi Yan quietly comforted and said: “Princess does not need to worry about this, the Emperor and Empress Dowager will not forget your birthday.”

“In that case, will you come to Qing Xuan’s palace hall to see me?” She definitely did not care that other people did not remember, she only cared that he would not forget!

Lou Xi Yan hesitated for a moment, but finally answered with a soft voice: “I am afraid that it will be difficult to leave the official business when the envoy pays a visit, this subject will send someone to deliver a gift to Qing Xuan’s palace.”

Gift… She was not a small girl anymore who would be happy and excited to receive a gift, he refused her request once again, this time was the 57th times.

“It is late, Xuan-er will return first.” Yan Ru Xuan was somewhat dazed and walked away from Hua Ting pavilion, Lou Xi Yan could not bear it in his mind, he sighed and said: “This subject will send Princess to go out.” Xuan-er was a kindhearted woman so she ought to receive a better treatment, but he could not give it to her.

“There is no need.” Faintly sighing and preventing Lou Xi Yan’s step to follow, his visual was directed at the beautiful picture of the meandering skirt away. Lou Xi Yan turned around to look towards the table where a large number of packages of medicine herbs were, his cold eyes flashed through chilly cold rays, no longer gentle and soft.

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