SWDnovel Chapter 226 Jiang Qingxue's Melancholy: Has She Fallen Out of Favor?
Chapter 226 Jiang Qingxue's Melancholy: Has She Fallen Out of Favor?
Inside Yuxiu Palace, all was quiet.
The afternoon sun streamed in through the carved windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
The light and shadow moved slowly with the passing time, from the east wall to the west wall, from the desk to the bed, and then from the bed to the rosewood chaise lounge by the window.
Jiang Qingxue sat there.
She wore a plain white dress with a moon-white gauze overlay. Her long hair was loosely tied up with a white jade hairpin, and the rest of her hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall.
Her face was bare of makeup, and her lips were pale, which made her cool eyes appear even more profound.
She looked out the window.
Outside the window is the small garden of Yuxiu Palace, where several wintersweet trees are in full bloom. The pink and white flowers are clustered among the green leaves, and occasionally a few petals drift down with the wind, swirling and landing on the bluestone slabs.
It's already early winter.
She remembered that it was early autumn when she entered the palace.
I never imagined that so much time would have passed in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Qingxue's gaze fell on the crabapple blossoms outside the window, but she saw nothing.
Her thoughts drifted far away, to things she didn't want to think about, yet couldn't help but think about.
Qin Mu has not been to Yuxiu Palace for five days.
Five days.
For the past five days, the first thing she did every morning when she woke up was to listen carefully to the sounds outside the palace.
Did you hear any footsteps?
Was there an announcement?
Did you hear that familiar voice calling her "my beloved concubine"?
There was nothing there.
The only sounds were the palace maids moving about quietly and the occasional birdsong coming from outside the window.
She should have felt fortunate.
Jiang Qingxue said to herself.
If Qin Mu doesn't come, she won't have to face the man she both hates and fears.
She doesn't have to please him, doesn't have to force a smile in front of him, doesn't have to pretend to be obedient, and doesn't have to endure those intimate moments that disgust her yet she can't resist.
This is a good thing.
This is fantastic news.
She should be happy, she should be relieved, she should breathe a sigh of relief.
But why—
Why can't she be happy at all?
Jiang Qingxue's fingers slowly tightened inside her sleeve.
She recalled Qin Mu's departing figure that day.
That day, he was wearing a black dragon robe, standing in front of the palace gate, and glanced back at her.
His gaze was gentle, as gentle as the spring sunshine.
He said, "I'm going away for a few days. You should rest well."
Then left.
He left so decisively and calmly, as if she were merely an insignificant presence in his life.
She never saw him again after that day.
On the first day, she told herself: It's best not to come, I'll be happy to have some peace and quiet.
The next day, she told herself: Maybe he was just entangled in political affairs; after all, he was the emperor.
On the third day, she began to feel a little empty inside.
On the fourth day, she began to pay attention to the conversations of the palace maids, trying to find out news about Qin Mu from them.
The fifth day, which is today—
She has been sitting by the window, gazing outside, for a full hour now.
What is she waiting for?
Waiting for someone who may never come?
Jiang Qingxue closed her eyes.
She recalled the questions she had repeatedly asked herself these past few days.
Where did Qin Mu go?
Why doesn't he come to see her?
Does he... no longer care about her?
The moment the thought popped into her head, she ruthlessly suppressed it.
not give a damn about?
Why should she care whether he cares or not?
She hated him, loathed him, and wished he would never appear in front of her again.
But why—
Why does the thought of "he doesn't care about her" make her feel so bad?
Jiang Qingxue's fingers clenched even tighter.
My fingernails dug deep into my palm, sending a sharp pain through me.
But the pain was nothing compared to the complex emotions churning within her.
She remembered all the good things Qin Mu had done for her.
Although he forced himself on her, although he treated her as a plaything, although he—
But thinking about it carefully, he actually did some things that surprised her.
But if he really cares about her, why didn't he come to see her for five days?
Not a single word was spoken.
Not even a single message.
Jiang Qingxue opened her eyes.
The crabapple blossoms outside the window are still blooming quietly, their petals trembling gently in the wind.
She suddenly felt ridiculous.
A concubine forcibly brought into the palace, a tool used as a pawn, a plaything that could be discarded at any time—
She's actually feeling anxious and uncertain here, wondering if that man cares about her.
It's ridiculous.
It's utterly ridiculous.
Jiang Qingxue's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile.
She thought of Xu Fenghua.
That woman has come by several times in the past few days.
They always brought medicinal herbs, saying they were "to nourish my younger sister's body."
Each time she came, she was followed by several palace maids and eunuchs who stayed by her side at all times.
They could only chat about trivial matters.
For example, the weather, flowers and plants, and rumors in the palace.
But before leaving each time, Xu Fenghua would slip a tiny folded piece of paper into the bottom of her medicine bag when no one was looking.
She read all those notes.
Then they were all burned.
The note simply inquired about her recent situation, Qin Mu's whereabouts, and her attitude towards Xu Longxiang.
After each reading, she would light it with a tinderbox and watch the small piece of paper turn to ashes in the candlelight.
Then, I didn't reply to anything.
It's not that there are no messages to reply to.
But -
I don't want to reply.
Jiang Qingxue's fingers gently traced the fine wood grain on the window frame.
She knew what Xu Fenghua wanted.
They wanted her to continue being a pawn of the Xu family, to continue passing on messages, and to continue serving Xu Longxiang's grand cause.
But she didn't want to.
She no longer wanted to think about it.
She had been thinking about this question repeatedly these past few days.
Does she still have feelings for Xu Longxiang?
The answer is complicated.
Perhaps there are more.
After all, he was the person she had loved for over a decade, the person she had made a vow to under the plum tree at Tingxuexuan in the Northern Territory, the person she was once willing to give everything to wait for and believe in.
But this feeling had long been worn down by reality, becoming weaker and weaker with each disappointment.
When he sent her into the deep palace, did he ever think about what kind of situation she would face?
When he was planning his grand scheme, did he ever truly consider her safety?
When he sent assassins into the palace to test Qin Mu's strength, did he ever consider that she was right next to Qin Mu and could be affected at any time?
And Chun'er—
She had entrusted Xu Longxiang with the care of her childhood playmate.
But when she asked about Chun'er's whereabouts, Xu Longxiang replied, "Chun'er? Which Chun'er?"
At that moment, her heart sank.
She entrusted him with the girl who had grown up with her since childhood, but he didn't even remember who she was.
Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trivial matters.
That's what he said.
Not bothered by details.
In her eyes, Chun'er was never a "minor matter".
But in his eyes, it was different.
Jiang Qingxue closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
When she opened her eyes again, her once clear and cold eyes now held a complex and clear understanding.
She didn't know what to do next.
She didn't know what her feelings for Qin Mu were.
She wondered how she should treat Qin Mu if he truly cared about her.
All she knew was—
At this moment, she really wanted to know where Qin Mu had gone.
She really wanted to know why he didn't come to see her.
I really want to know—
Is he thinking of her too?
The moment this thought crossed Jiang Qingxue's mind, a slight blush rose to her cheeks.
She quickly shook her head, trying to shake the absurd thought out of her mind.
But the blush just wouldn't fade.
Just then—
Footsteps sounded outside the hall.
It was light and steady, yet carried an undeniable rhythm.
Jiang Qingxue's heart skipped a beat.
She stood up abruptly and almost instinctively looked towards the palace gate.
The door was pushed open.
A woman dressed in a dark blue outfit and with her long hair tied up high walked in.
It is Yunluan.
The light in Jiang Qingxue's eyes dimmed instantly.
It wasn't him.
Yunluan walked up to her and stopped.
His gaze lingered on her face for a moment, as if scrutinizing something.
Then she spoke, her voice cold and clear:
"Your Highness, Consort Xue, His Majesty summons you."
Jiang Qingxue's pupils contracted slightly.
His Majesty summoned him.
These four words were like a stone thrown into the calm lake of her heart, stirring up ripples.
He is back.
He's finally back.
He summoned her.
Jiang Qingxue's heart began to race.
one more time.
So fast it almost seemed to burst out of my chest.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
"Now?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Yunluan nodded: "Now."
Jiang Qingxue asked no more questions.
She stood up, straightened her robes, and strode out of the hall.
He took two steps, then stopped.
She turned around and looked at herself in the bronze mirror.
The person in the mirror had a pale face, light lips, and loose hair.
She hesitated for a moment, then raised her hand and tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear.
The movements were very light and quick.
After she finished, she was stunned.
What is she doing?
Is she getting ready to see him?
A blush rose on Jiang Qingxue's cheeks again.
She quickly looked away and stepped out of the palace.
Behind her, Yunluan looked at her like this, a complex light flashing in her eyes.
But she didn't say anything.
He simply followed behind Jiang Qingxue, heading towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Outside Yuxiu Palace, the afternoon sun was shining brightly.
Jiang Qingxue walked along the long palace path, her pace neither hurried nor slow.
But her heart was beating faster and faster.
Why did he summon her?
Where has he been these past few days?
What expression will he have when he sees her?
Countless questions churned in my mind, but I couldn't find a single answer.
All she knew was—
At this moment, she wanted to see him.
Want it so so much.
This realization stirred up a complex and indescribable emotion within her.
There was tension, anticipation, and trepidation.
There was also a deep, unspoken feeling—
joy.
Along the palace road, the vermilion palace walls gleamed warmly in the afternoon sun.
A few birdsongs drifted from afar, clear and melodious.
Jiang Qingxue took a deep breath and continued forward.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation is just ahead.
And he-
He was waiting for her there.
Jiang Qingxue pursed her lips and pushed open the door to enter.
After entering the main hall.
Jiang Qingxue raised her eyes, her gaze passing over Sister Hong, over Xiao Yu, and over Yun Luan, landing on that moon-white figure.
Qin Mu.
He leaned back in the chair at the head of the table, one hand supporting his chin, his posture as languid as if he had just woken up from a nap.
Those deep eyes were fixed on her.
With a smile.
Meaningful.
Jiang Qingxue met his gaze, and her heart skipped a beat again.
At this moment, there was no one else in her eyes but Qin Mu.
She took a deep breath and walked up to him.
Then, she knelt down gracefully.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
Her voice was very soft and gentle, with a slight, deliberately suppressed tremor.
His forehead touched the ground, his posture impeccably submissive.
Qin Mu looked at her kneeling figure.
Watching her moon-white skirt spread out on the dark floor, like a flower suddenly blooming.
Looking at her slightly trembling shoulders and her back tense with nervousness.
He smiled.
"Get up," he said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Jiang Qingxue slowly stood up and stood with her hands at her sides.
Her gaze fell on Qin Mu's dark robe.
I didn't dare look at him.
But she couldn't help but steal glances at him out of the corner of her eye.
He's still the same as always.
A moon-white robe, a languid posture, and a half-smile playing on his lips.
only--
He seemed to have lost a little weight compared to five days ago.
The lines of her chin are more defined, and there seems to be a faint bluish shadow under her eyes.
Are you tired?
Jiang Qingxue's heart tightened slightly.
She quickly lowered her eyes, not daring to look any longer.
Looking at her like this, Qin Mu's smile deepened.
"Come here," he said.
Jiang Qingxue was slightly taken aback.
Then, she stepped forward and walked up to him.
They were very close, close enough to smell the faint scent of ambergris on him and feel the warmth emanating from him.
Her heart started racing again.
Qin Mu looked at her, reached out, and gently lifted her chin.
This forced her to look up at him.
Those deep eyes were right in front of her.
Very close, very close.
She was so close that she could see the emotions hidden deep within those eyes.
I appreciate it.
It's intriguing.
There was also a complex light that she couldn't understand.
"It's been five days," he said softly, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze, "Have you missed me?"
Jiang Qingxue's cheeks instantly flushed red.
The blush spread from the cheekbone all the way to the ear, then to the neck, and burned deep into the collar.
Her eyelashes trembled violently, her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter a single word.
Do you miss him?
miss you.
She thought about it.
I thought about him for five days.
She was so preoccupied with thoughts of him that she couldn't sit still. She kept asking herself where he was, why he didn't come to see her, and whether he didn't care about her anymore.
But how could she say these words?
She lowered her eyes, not daring to look at him.