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墨書 Inktalez
As dawn broke, Sima Rui found himself unable to sleep through the night. For the first time, he allowed his mind to go blank, devoid of any thoughts, simply staring into the emptiness. When the time came, the palace maids and eunuchs entered in a steady stream, carrying a new Dragon Robe and preparing to assist him with his morning routine. Upon seeing the disarray around him, their faces remained expressionless, as if they had long grown accustomed to such scenes. Sima Rui couldn't help but glance back at the Dragon Bed where she had once lain. The sheets were stained with blood, resembling blooming Dodo flowers—vivid and strikingly ironic, much like her smile when she left, filled with disdain and contempt. It was also hauntingly beautiful.
It felt like a scar that constantly throbbed in Sima Rui's heart, transforming his perception of her from the shrewd and masked individual he usually was into something else entirely. For the first time, his world felt real. Had he fallen in love? He would never admit it.
He could still feel her warmth lingering in his hands, her faint yet elegant scent clinging to his nostrils, making it impossible for him to forget. He remembered the hatred in her eyes and the resoluteness in her heart. Every smile and frown of hers was etched in his memory, including her rare tears.
Sima Rui's usually sharp thoughts became muddled as he pondered what he had gained and what he had lost.
Morning court.
The Chancellor stepped forward boldly. "Your Majesty, Xie Family's Fourth Daughter has tarnished the Four Virtues and Five Constants, failing to uphold her duties as a consort..."
Other senior officials followed suit.
"Your Majesty—"
"Your Majesty—"
"Your Majesty—"
"…"
Sima Rui rubbed his forehead, which throbbed from last night's lack of sleep, casting a cold gaze at the group of pedantic old officials as they criticized her transgressions—some of which had never even occurred. Were those women in the harem stirring up trouble again? Or perhaps they had seen him leave with her yesterday and felt fear, thus alerting their fathers in court? Yet, regarding the typically upright Chancellor, Sima Rui believed he genuinely cared for the court's well-being, fearing that Sima Rui might become infatuated and neglect state affairs. Or was he simply being narrow-minded?
Hmph! Even if he couldn't decipher his feelings for Xie Weiying right now, he would never treat her differently. To him, she was just like any other woman in the harem; even if favored, it would merely be a fleeting indulgence or a whim for a few days.
Beauty and power were indeed alluring; however, power took precedence.
With that thought in mind, Sima Rui interrupted the incessant petitions from the officials and lazily asked, "So what do you think I should do?"
Except for Chancellor, who looked slightly doubtful, Right Chancellor Xie Yushi remained silent, while the others spoke in unison: "Expel the consort to become a nun."
Sima Rui raised his eyes. "Isn't this a bit too harsh on my Consort?" Just as they were preparing to persuade him further, Sima Rui casually interrupted, "How about demoting her to Frostfall Palace? This matter is settled." He turned and called out, "Gao Lu—"
Gao Lu understood immediately and shouted in a sharp voice, "If there are matters to report, do so promptly; if not, withdraw."
The ministers listened; Frostfall Palace was just another name for Cold Palace, wasn't it? This was nearly equivalent to becoming a nun. It was said that their emperor had never favored any consort who entered Frostfall Palace again. Those who went into Frostfall Palace either went mad or became foolish, posing no threat whatsoever. Therefore, Xie Weiying posed no threat to his daughter in the harem.
The ministers knelt and praised, "Your Majesty is wise."
They withdrew from court.
Wealth and favor often change overnight; this fluctuating affection was something I had long grown accustomed to. As for going to Frostfall Palace, it felt the same. Frostfall Palace and Jiu Nian Xuan were likely similar—secluded and tranquil, a good place. I remembered I had told Yun Ying that the harem was merely a facade; Cold Palace was the safest place where I could live out my remaining days in peace. However, what had changed was that my remaining days would not be spent in Cold Palace but rather in the home I had built myself. I would have to leave. Yet, it felt as if something intangible lingered, an attachment that kept me hesitating.
I instructed Xiao Quanzi to gather my few belongings—mostly sketches I was still working on, design drafts, various notes, and a secret diary that recorded every true story of my journey from the modern world to this ancient one. For some reason, I had developed a particular fondness for documenting everything. Perhaps it stemmed from a fear of forgetting everything from my modern life due to the passage of time or from becoming an authentic ancient woman without realizing it. Maybe it was the dread of suddenly dying one day without anyone remembering me or knowing who I was. Whether in ancient times or modern times, no one would miss me; all that I was would fade into oblivion with the flow of history. I would be submerged in the river of time when I couldn't swim.
As I walked toward Frostfall Palace, I encountered faces filled with schadenfreude among those women. Only a few wore complex expressions; Huan Shuangshuang looked at me with a haggard face while Consort Huan smiled with regret. Consort Wang's eyebrows already hinted at joy. The myriad of human emotions played out vividly in this small harem—it resembled a miniature world filled with too much.
Yaya hid behind the crowd, her gaze complex and uncertain, looking quite desolate. I couldn't tell if her sorrow was for me or herself.
I smiled at the still indignant Xiao Quanzi and said, "Why the long face? Look at this—it's like getting a free glimpse into the myriad aspects of life! Joys and sorrows, madness and sanity—all beautifully displayed on these women's faces. What’s there to be angry about? Smile a little—come on!" I tugged at my face to make him laugh.
"This time it's true; my new home is in Frostfall Palace. Do come visit often," I said lightly as Li Jiu.
Seeing him silent, I lifted my bowl. "Come on! To celebrate my move into my new home—let's drink!"
He looked at me with some pain in his eyes. "Do you really not mind? The emperor treating you this way."
"Mind?" It seemed like the most unbelievable thing I'd ever heard. I looked up at him and asked, "Why should I mind? Why would I?" Gazing into the distance, I continued, "Being an emperor's woman isn't something everyone desires. Li Jiu, do you know? There's a place where not only men and women are equal but everyone is equal—no distinction between rich and poor or high and low; the country is centered around its people, meaning everyone is a master of their own land. The people there live harmoniously and happily together. Marriage is free; love leads to marriage. Do you understand?" I smiled at him: "If a man likes a woman and wants to marry her, he must go to great lengths to please her and win her love so that she willingly marries him—with romantic proposals too! Ha ha! It's really interesting and happy—but now it feels so far away." A slight sigh escaped me.
He looked at me in confusion. "Love?! Romance?! What are those? Firefly, sometimes I really don't understand why your mind is filled with so many different things."
I laughed. "You must have heard that Fourth Miss Xie is not well-loved, and when I was young, hardly anyone knew that the Xie Family had a Fourth Young Lady. So, I took this opportunity to travel around and see various countries; those are just things I learned while passing through some small nations." I made it up.
He nodded in understanding and then asked, "Did you learn the dance we performed that night on your travels as well?"
"You were there?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
"I was fortunate enough to be invited by the Emperor."
"Oh." I smiled lightly and said nothing more.
"Firefly, although I've always known you were different, it's never been as pronounced as it is now—"
"What do you mean?"
"Unmatched. Firefly, sometimes I wonder if you truly belong to this world."
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