Tan Hua - Chapter 73

 

Xiao Di covered her reddened cheek, tears welling up in her almond-shaped eyes but not falling.

 

“You… you hit me…” Xiao Di said angrily. “Even when the Crown Princess was here, he never punished me!”

 

Hu Yue’er laughed disdainfully. “That Crown Princess? She’s not around now, is she? Are you still expecting a dead person to support you?”

 

Xiao Di could not swallow this humiliation and argued back. “But I served the Crown Princess; I’m a first-class maid of the Qilin residence! I’m not your servant!”

 

“From now on, you will be.”

 

Hu Yue’er walked past Xiao Di.

 

“Don’t forget, from today on, I am the Crown Prince’s person. Once I move into the Qilin residence, you will be my maid. As a servant, I can punish you as I please.”

 

Xiao Di wiped away a tear with the back of her hand and grabbed Hu Yue’er’s arm.

 

“Stop! This room is where the Crown Princess lived! It’s reserved for him; it’s my… and the Crown Prince’s memory!”

 

“I heard that the Crown Princess wasn’t favored by him when she was alive and was publicly divorced. How many people even remember her now? It’s a shame to occupy such a nice courtyard for nothing.”

 

Hu Yue’er tried to swat Xiao Di’s hand away, but Xiao Di held on tightly and refused to let go.

 

“Let go of me, you wretched girl!”

 

“I won’t!”

 

Xiao Di and Hu Yue’er were locked in a heated argument, neither willing to back down, causing quite a stir among the maids and servants nearby.

 

“Xiao Di.”

 

A deep but authoritative voice interrupted, and both Xiao Di and Hu Yue’er stopped tugging at each other and respectfully bowed to Jun Qiyu.

 

“What’s the commotion here?”

 

Jun Qiyu furrowed his brows, but his tone remained steady; he didn’t fly into a rage like before.

 

“Your Highness…”

 

Xiao Di felt a wave of grievances and anger, ready to complain, but stopped herself.

 

What good would it do to say anything?

 

Song Liqing had been gone for more than a year. The Crown Prince hadn’t shown any trace of longing for her except on certain commemorative days.

 

Most likely… he had almost forgotten her by now.

 

From what Xiao Di knew of Jun Qiyu, he was inherently indifferent.

 

Only Song Liqing had genuinely cared for her, this inconspicuous maid, and now that she was gone, Xiao Di had lost her support and reliance.

 

Looking at Jun Qiyu, it seemed he quite liked this newcomer, or else he wouldn’t have kept her around. It was possible she would become a favored concubine or even a new wife in the future.

 

Xiao Di swallowed her grievances.

 

Seeing her silent, Hu Yue’er spoke up first.

 

“Your Highness, you told me I could choose any room in the residence. I wanted to take a look at this courtyard, but this maid is blocking me and speaking rudely to me. Your Highness, you must make a decision for me…”

 

As she spoke, Hu Yue’er began to cry, pulling at Jun Qiyu’s hand. He slightly turned to the side, avoiding her grasp.

 

“Don’t disturb the peace here over such a trivial matter.”

 

Jun Qiyu said indifferently.

 

This place was his and Song Liqing’s; he didn’t like outsiders encroaching.

 

Given his previous temperament, he would have driven people away quickly. Keeping Hu Yue’er around was merely a way to shield against Emperor Xuan’s repeated marriage pressures.

 

Yet, Jun Qiyu always felt that Song Liqing hadn’t truly left him, so he couldn’t afford to lose his temper in front of her; he had promised her that.

 

Moreover, today was a significant day, and he didn’t want any trouble.

 

Hu Yue’er’s heart leapt with joy, thinking that the Crown Prince hadn’t stood up for this maid, which showed his bias toward her!

 

It indicated that what Xu Governor said was right; the Crown Princess was not that important after all.

 

Men are all fond of new things and tired of the old; she was the one who could gain the Crown Prince’s favor in the future.

 

“So, Your Highness, does that mean I’m allowed to stay in this courtyard?”

 

Hu Yue’er asked with a smile, her eyelids painted with thick blue powder, blinking to appear more lively and beautiful.

 

“Not this place.” Jun Qiyu replied flatly, his expression unreadable but unyielding. “Choose another room.”

 

Hu Yue’er didn’t dare contradict Jun Qiyu, reluctantly nodding.

 

“Well… then Hu Yue’er wants to choose a room near you, how about the courtyard next to the study?”

 

“Suit yourself.”

 

Jun Qiyu said two words and turned to leave.

 

Compared to Song Liqing, these flirtatious beauties were nothing but unworthy, superficial adornments.

 

One by one, they were short-sighted, fighting over trivial matters.

 

Jun Qiyu didn’t even want to spare them a glance.

 

In the end, Xiao Di led Hu Yue’er to the small courtyard next to the study. She remained silent throughout the walk, no matter how Hu Yue’er called out to her, only doing her duty.

 

“Everything’s settled; I’m leaving.”

 

Xiao Di said with her head down, preparing to walk away.

 

“Stop.”

 

Hu Yue’er called after her.

 

Xiao Di paused, and Hu Yue’er walked up to her.

 

“Who are you making faces at?”

 

“I’m not.” Xiao Di retorted indignantly. “Who would I dare to?”

 

“Not yet? You’re putting on that sour face on purpose to make my life difficult, aren’t you? Do you believe me? Tomorrow I’ll ask the Crown Prince to make you my personal maid, serving me tea, running my baths, and wiping my feet every day?”

 

Xiao Di’s expression darkened.

 

She never wanted to serve such a willful woman; she thought of how Song Liqing was well-educated and never bullied her servants.

 

Hu Yue’er crossed her arms and ordered, “Apologize.”

 

Xiao Di swallowed her bitterness, enduring the humiliation as she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

 

“Say it with a smile.”

 

Xiao Di’s eyes brimmed with tears; she couldn’t smile, but Hu Yue’er was relentless.

 

“I said to say it with a smile! Don’t look like you’ve just lost your master!”

 

Xiao Di glared at her, tears streaming down her face, her lips stiff as she forced a smile.

 

“Sorry…”

 

Hu Yue’er raised her long eyebrows, somewhat satisfied.

 

“That’s more like it. Don’t think that just because you served the former Crown Princess, you can be disrespectful to me. From now on, whenever you see me, you have to smile like this, understand?”

 

Xiao Di bit her lip and ran out, crying.

 

Hu Yue’er felt a bit better, planning to climb into Jun Qiyu’s bed tonight. After receiving his favor, the Crown Prince would come to know her worth, and all those former Crown Princesses and Hu Nuo’ers would be a thing of the past.

 

So what if the main courtyard was where the Crown Princess lived? Sooner or later, it would be hers.

 

And everything in the Qilin residence, what the Crown Princess had, she would take over.

 

After Xiao Di left, she didn’t go anywhere else but directly to the main courtyard.

 

She leaned against the railing, sobbing uncontrollably, tears dripping to the ground. When she finally cried it out, she noticed a wet stain on the railing.

 

Not wanting to dirty the place, she took out a handkerchief and wiped away the tear stains.

 

“Master… if only you were here.”

 

Xiao Di continued to wipe the tear stains from her face.

 

“You would never scold me. Even if I broke something, you wouldn’t be angry… I love listening to you recite poetry and historical tales. Even if I sometimes don’t understand, I love watching you speak, sometimes gentle, sometimes animated; that’s when you look the freest…”

 

“Master, Xiao Di misses you so much…”

 

Xiao Di sat on the steps until dusk, her eyes never drying.

 

As the sun set and night fell, she finally gathered her sorrow, wiped away her tears, and left the main courtyard. She knew Jun Qiyu would come to the main courtyard tonight and that no one in the Qilin residence was allowed to disturb him.

 

Xiao Di went to the study to tidy up the writing utensils Jun Qiyu had used, putting everything back in order and cleaning the inkstone and brushes.

 

Just as she was about to close the study door and return to her quarters, she turned and bumped into Hu Yue’er.

 

“Move aside; I’m looking for the Crown Prince.”

 

Xiao Di stepped aside, letting her push the door open.

 

Seeing Hu Yue’er all dressed up, leaving a trail of fragrance wherever she walked, Xiao Di knew she had prepared herself to win favor.

 

The clothes she wore, similar to what Hu Nuo’er used to wear, were even more revealing, with nearly all of her skin visible except for a few private areas.

 

“If this were Jing Kingdom, she’d be drowned in a pig cage.”

 

Xiao Di murmured silently.

 

Moments later, Hu Yue’er emerged from the study.

 

“Where is the Crown Prince? Why isn’t he in the study? Where did he go?” Hu Yue’er asked Xiao Di.

 

“How would I know?” Xiao Di said, looking down. “The Crown Prince wouldn’t report to me where he goes.”

 

“You!”

 

Hu Yue’er was taken aback, raising her hand to slap Xiao Di but hesitated this time.

 

“Xiao Di, right?” Hu Yue’er sneered, “I’ve finally dressed up today. It’s easy to hit you, but if my makeup smudges or my clothes wrinkle, it’s not worth it. Do you see this? One gem on this dress is enough for you to serve in this residence for a year! Our days are long ahead; I have plenty of time to deal with you. You’d better keep acting this arrogant.”

 

Hu Yue’er brushed past Xiao Di and walked on.

 

“I’ll find the Crown Prince myself.”

 

Xiao Di originally didn’t want to bother with her, but thinking of today’s significance, she couldn’t help but speak up.

 

“Hey.” Xiao Di reminded her, “The Crown Prince won’t see you today.”

 

“What?” Hu Yue’er raised her hands confidently. “You think with my looks, any man could resist seeing me?”

 

“The Crown Prince doesn’t want to be disturbed, you…”

 

Xiao Di shouted from behind, but Hu Yue’er strode on, ignoring her.

 

Indeed, Jun Qiyu arrived at the main courtyard that night.

 

When he walked in, he carried some things and looked up at the bright moon hanging in the dark sky.

 

“Liqing, on this day in previous years, the sky was so clear; let’s hope it doesn’t suddenly rain again.”

 

Jun Qiyu spoke to himself, as if Song Liqing were right beside him.

 

“There aren’t enough lanterns. I remember that day, the entire Qilin residence was lit up brightly.”

 

He set down what he was carrying and began lighting the lanterns one by one. Before long, the main courtyard was bright as day, with red lanterns exuding joy.

 

Today was their wedding day.

 

On this day, under the witness of heaven and earth and their parents, they became a celebrated couple.

 

“It’s quick to say, yet it’s been two years in a blink. It’s slow to say; this past year and more, I’ve been in torment, each day feeling like a year. Liqing, since you left, I… have lived through a long night of unknowns for ten thousand years.”