Xie Chichun - Chapter 23

**Consort Wan**, compared to her brothers, was a rather intelligent woman. Otherwise, in a palace full of beauties, she might not have risen to the rank of *Noble Consort* solely by virtue of bearing a princess as her daughter.

Xie Xuan didn’t know whether Consort Wan’s timely arrival was due to a message sent from the Xie residence to help her out of this predicament. Seeing the palace maid invite County Princess Chanyuan and Han Caiyi to leave at their leisure, Xie Xuan also prepared to depart, but the maid said, “Miss Xie, please wait a moment.”

Xie Xuan had no choice but to halt her steps. After what felt like an eternity, the two consorts finally emerged, and Xie Xuan bowed once more to Consort Wan.

By now, the two consorts were conversing as if nothing had happened. When Consort Wan saw Xie Xuan, she mentioned something like, “Fifth Princess has been missing you.” Seizing the opportunity, Consort Yu remarked, “Among all the sisters in the palace, you and I are the closest. It seems your niece from the maternal family is just as clever as you. I’d heard before that Fifth Princess enjoyed playing with Miss Xie, but I hadn’t paid it much mind. Now I see this child is truly quick-witted and eloquent—even I find her delightful.”

Consort Wan seemed slightly surprised. “This child can be quite mischievous—it’s just that you haven’t noticed.”

Consort Yu brushed it off. “Last time, Prince Weiliang took Fifth Princess out of the palace, and when they returned, he couldn’t stop talking about a girl with a remarkable affinity for Buddhist teachings, someone he found deeply congenial. Seeing her today, I realize it was her. Ah, it’s just that Weiliang has been so unlucky lately, suffering such an injury that he can hardly move for the next two or three months.”

At the mention of the injured Prince Jin, the smile on Consort Wan’s face dimmed slightly as she waited for what would come next.

“In the palace, Weiliang only enjoys spending time with Fifth Princess. But Fifth Princess is lively, while Weiliang has been depressed since his injury—they might not be able to meet often. I was thinking that Miss Xie is clever and quick-witted. I wonder if I might impose on you, Sister, to have her visit the palace more often in the coming days. If she could help cheer Weiliang up, I would be endlessly grateful.”

Since Consort Yu had invoked the wounded Prince Jin, Consort Wan couldn’t very well refuse. Moreover, she had heard about yesterday’s events—Consort Yu had likely failed to extract any useful information from the girls. If she declined now, it might arouse suspicion.

“Weiliang is injured, and I can’t do much to help—of course, I hope for his swift recovery. Since you don’t find her dull-witted, I’ll summon her a few more times.” Consort Wan beckoned Xie Xuan closer and relayed the message.

Though Xie Xuan had no desire to grow closer to Prince Jin, she had no grounds to refuse and could only agree.

Fortunately, Fifth Princess wasn’t present, and Consort Yu had no reason to detain Xie Xuan alone, so she was allowed to leave.

After exiting Leyang Palace, Xie Xuan was taken by Consort Wan to her own palace. They exchanged some casual conversation, shared a midday meal, and after a few more instructions, Xie Xuan was finally escorted out of the palace.

By afternoon, the sun had been obscured by clouds, and dark, rolling storm clouds loomed in the distance—rain was imminent.

Xie Xuan quickened her pace. Just as she stepped out of the palace gates, she spotted a familiar, tall figure standing beside her family’s carriage. Drawing closer, she saw Han Jie, his face slightly weary, waiting for her by the carriage with an umbrella already open in his hand.

A thunderclap roared across the sky—the weather had turned in an instant. The moment the clouds rolled in, a downpour unleashed.

Han Jie hurried forward, shielding her beneath the umbrella.

Xie Xuan looked up. “Brother YuJie?”

“I heard you were detained by Consort Yu. I was worried, so I waited. Get in the carriage first.” Han Jie guided her to the carriage, handed the umbrella to the coachman, and, seeing the rain was now torrential, placed a hand lightly at Xie Xuan’s waist, effortlessly lifting the small girl into the carriage before climbing in after her. He smiled faintly. “I didn’t expect the rain to come so suddenly. Mind if I take shelter in your carriage, Xuanxuan? You won’t kick me out, will you?”

“Of course not.” Xie Xuan lowered her head to adjust her skirt, which had already been dampened by the rain.

Opposite her, Han Jie’s tall frame forced him to bend his legs slightly in the carriage designed for noble ladies. He was dressed in the Qilin uniform of the Imperial Guards, his *Yuehua* blade set aside beside him. His noble bearing carried a hint of lazy indifference, yet the emotions in his eyes were different from usual.

“Is this about Prince Jin?” Han Jie cut straight to the point. Noticing the carriage curtain flapping wildly in the wind, he used his blade to weigh it down.

Outside, thunder rumbled, and the rain poured down in sheets, splashing into the moat’s deep waters and lashing against the weeping willows along its banks. The world was filled with the sound of rushing rain. Inside the carriage, it grew dim, cocooned within the storm, as if they were in a secluded haven.

Xie Xuan nodded. “Yes.”

“His Majesty has already sent men to investigate. Consort Yu is just overly anxious, which is why she summoned you girls to the palace. Xuanxuan, you didn’t say anything, did you?”

“No.”

“Good. If Prince Jin hadn’t been lucky, that horse might have crushed his skull. His Majesty is furious. Some are saying the Crown Prince was behind it, but the Empress denies it—it’s a tangled mess right now. You mustn’t get involved,” Han Jie warned.

“Mm. Thank you, Brother Yujie. I didn’t see anything, and I didn’t say anything to Consort Yu either.”

“That’s the right approach.”

Silence settled in the carriage. Xie Xuan could feel Han Jie’s deep gaze on her, and for some reason, she grew restless, as if she didn’t know where to put her hands and feet. Though the early autumn weather was cooling, the carriage felt stifling. She couldn’t resist reaching to lift the side curtain for some air.

The moment her fingers touched the fabric, Han Jie pressed it back down, murmuring, “The rain’s too heavy—don’t catch a chill.”

Raindrops slipped through the gap in the curtain, but the back of her hand brushed against the scorching heat of Han Jie’s fingers. It felt like touching a branding iron, and Xie Xuan flinched instinctively, trying to pull away. But Han Jie turned his wrist, capturing her hand in his palm.

His hand was warm, like a brazier lit amidst the icy downpour, the heat spreading from her palm up her arm. It was a long-lost warmth, stirring memories of fleeting moments of comfort in her past life. In the cramped space, his body leaned closer, nearly trapping her in the corner.

Outside, the storm raged, but beside her ear was his breath, carrying an indescribable tremor.

Xie Xuan struggled briefly but couldn’t free herself. She turned her head to glare at him.

Han Jie didn’t retreat. Instead, he moved closer, his voice low. “Why the glare?”

“Let go!” Xie Xuan tried to yank her hand back, but his grip was unyielding. Frustrated, she struck his shoulder with her free hand. At ten years old, her strength was limited, while Han Jie was a trained warrior—her blows felt like mere tickles. Growing angrier, she hit harder, a dozen strikes in quick succession, until a wave of bitterness and sorrow welled up, and she turned her face away.

The carriage rolled on through the rain, Han Jie unmoving, yet he clearly saw the redness rimming Xie Xuan’s eyes.

“Xuanxuan, you’ve been avoiding me.” His gaze fixed on her. “You broke that jade pendant on purpose.”

“Yes, I’ve been avoiding you!” Xie Xuan blinked back tears, meeting his eyes with icy detachment. “I don’t want anything to do with you. Are you satisfied now?”

“If you hate me, then bite me. As hard as you want.” Han Jie spoke solemnly, so close that he could see the raindrops clinging to her bangs, likely blown in by the wind. He wiped them away with his sleeve, then offered his wrist. With his other hand, he tapped the blade at his waist. “Or use the *Yuehua* saber to cut me, if it’ll make you feel better.”

—Even if she hacked him to pieces, it would be no less than he deserved.

Xie Xuan only snorted, wrinkling her nose in disdain. “Your wrist isn’t even clean.” She turned away, facing the carriage wall.

Han Jie didn’t move. His hand hovered near her shoulder. “Then I’ll wash it first before letting you bite.”

Outside, thunder rolled, and though the rain seemed to ease slightly, the wind howled against the carriage curtains.

Xie Xuan felt increasingly suffocated. Trapped in the corner by him, the carriage seemed filled with Han Jie’s presence, stirring memories of her past life—

His visits to Xuandao Temple, accompanying her through long, lonely days. Her wedding day, dressed in phoenix coronet and red robes, the candlelight reflecting in his affectionate gaze as he kissed her—only for that tenderness to dissolve into fierce passion beneath the embroidered canopy. His departure for Yanming Pass, holding her tightly the night before as if he could merge her into his very bones. His return, his luggage stuffed with all her favorite snacks and exotic goods from the frontier, his skin roughened by wind and sand, the weight of his longing released in the scrape of calloused palms against her skin—

He had been her greatest warmth and joy in that past life, and also her deepest disappointment and resentment.

If he had loved her, why did he left her alone in the capital to face hardship after hardship?

In the end, his love for her had not outweighed his ambitions, his duty to family and country.

He had been a man worthy of admiration and affection—but not a husband to whom she could entrust her life. She no longer had the strength or the courage to love him again. All her hope and endurance had been exhausted during those four years of waiting and the deliberate torment from Lady Han.

In this new life, she only wanted peace and stability, to experience the familial warmth she had never known—even if the man by her side was not the one she had once loved.

Cold raindrops mixed with tears she hadn’t realized were falling, tracing paths down her cheeks. Xie Xuan’s bangs clung damply to her forehead, her clear eyes clouded with unshed tears. Curled into herself, she sat quietly, wordlessly weeping.

Han Jie’s heart twisted as if gripped by an invisible fist, stealing his breath.

Abruptly, he secured the curtain and pulled Xie Xuan into his arms, pressing her tightly against his chest. His hands, accustomed to wielding swords, clenched the fabric of his sleeves, trembling faintly.

He had crossed deserts and rivers, walked through fire and blades, endured agony that shattered bone and flesh—all for a chance to start anew. Yet none of that suffering compared to the torment now piercing his heart—

How could he make her as carefree and happy as she once was?

How could he ever atone for his regrets?