The crisp footsteps echoed through the drowsy, long corridor, reverberating among the ornate pillars and beams. Lian Huan’s throat tightened as he immediately became alert, looking towards the end of the hallway. A black silhouette appeared step by step, finally breaking through the dim light, materializing before Lian Huan like a deity. His eyes were pitch-black, unfathomably dark, with long hair wildly draped over his shoulders. Beneath the messy bangs was a ruggedly handsome face. With a low chuckle, he made the night seem even more dusky.
“Lord Qing!” The last time Lian Huan had seen him was just a fleeting glance. Now, seeing him clearly, Lian Huan’s hand resting on his long sword trembled, realizing he had lost his composure.
Qing Yun gave him a look without acknowledging him. His large hand pushed open the tightly closed palace door without hesitation, his tall figure striding in. Only when he heard the hollow sound of the door closing did Lian Huan snap back to his senses, pondering: So this is Na Xiu’s beloved.
At that moment, Huang Beishuang, holding a jade bracelet in one hand, had already fallen half-asleep on the bed. Qing Yun looked at her amusedly, thinking how utterly defenseless this woman was. He leaned in for a light kiss, then smoothly pulled the treasure from her hand. Huang Beishuang slowly opened her eyes to see Qing Yun sitting beside her.
“A gift for me?” he asked, toying with the jade bracelet.
Huang Beishuang leaned against his back and replied, “Mm-hmm!”
Pleased, Qing Yun took her hand and peppered it with kisses. Huang Beishuang pressed her forehead against his, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on him. “I’m here,” he said, tearing off her clothes with a single rip. Without removing his boots, he straddled the bed and left a trail of cherry-red kisses on her chest. Huang Beishuang offered no resistance, her hands roaming lovingly over his shoulders. His long hair spread over her body, as light and ticklish as a spider’s web.
Qing Yun propped himself up with one hand, using the other to slide the jade bracelet across her chest. “Have you been waiting for me?” he asked with a smile.
Huang Beishuang couldn’t help but let out a soft moan before answering, “I thought you’d come through the window. I’ve been sitting in the cold breeze all this time!”
Unexpectedly, his face darkened at her words. He sat up, somewhat angry. “I almost forgot, you’re Consort Shuang. Come to think of it, this could be considered stealing a tryst.”
Huang Beishuang hadn’t expected him to be angry. She adjusted her clothes and sat up, looking at him, wanting to say something but not knowing where to begin.
Qing Yun sat sullenly to one side, his heaving chest rippling with unspoken anger. After a long while, sensing her faint fragrance, he finally calmed down. He turned, raised her face with his hand, about to kiss her.
Just then, a shout came from outside, “Your Majesty! Consort Shuang has already retired!”
Hurried footsteps, seemingly more than one person approached. Dao Qiu followed closely behind the rapidly advancing Na Zhan. Seeing them less than ten paces away, Lian Huan quickly called out a warning.
This call interrupted the kiss that was mere inches away between Qing Yun and Huang Beishuang. Qing Yun smiled, pulling the bed cover over her body. He coldly got off the bed, tying the jade bracelet to his right wrist—his sword-wielding hand. He said, “Whatever Na Zhan can give you, I can give you too. Tomorrow night, you’re coming with me.” With that, he leaped out the window like a true philanderer, leaving behind a somewhat dazed Huang Beishuang wrapped in the quilt.
Before Huang Beishuang could ponder those abrupt words, she turned to see Na Zhan already standing at the door.
“Your Majesty!” She pulled the silk covers higher, unwilling to reveal even a hint of her state.
“Did I wake you?” Na Zhan seemed not to have noticed anything amiss and walked casually to the bedside. “Are you feeling better?”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I’m much improved,” Huang Beishuang replied, watching him warily.
Na Zhan looked at the large window, where the winter moon peeked through clouds and frost clung to bare branches. He frowned, “Why isn’t the window closed?”
Huang Beishuang smiled softly, “Why has Your Majesty come so late?”
Na Zhan sat on the edge of the bed. “I haven’t heard your flute for two days. I’m not used to it.”
Huang Beishuang looked at Na Zhan with surprise, unable to read his thoughts. It didn’t seem like infatuation, nor calculation, but rather a genuine loneliness, as if missing the nightly melody of a cool flute.
Seeing her silence, Na Zhan stood up. “Come to my study in the morning. I have something to discuss with you.” Then, he left as suddenly as he had arrived. The door opened and closed, footsteps rose and faded away.
That night was as deep and dark as a rain-filled pond…
Only ripples intertwine to form a lotus-like disturbance on the surface.
The next day, at dawn, the sleepless Huang Beishuang sat by the window as Ye Pei and the others brought a basin of water to help her with her toilette. Golden sunlight gradually tinted the icy window leaves, casting dappled shadows through the bare wooden beams into the room.
“Who’s there?” Suddenly seeing a dark shadow flash by, Ye Pei shouted sternly, leaning out to look. The tree shadows in the courtyard still swayed, and on the tea table by the window lay a crumpled piece of paper. Ye Pei picked it up and handed it to Huang Beishuang.
Without hesitation, Huang Beishuang opened it. There were only ten hastily scrawled characters: “Ma Sui destroyed, Fen Tian established if asking about the king!”
Seeing the message, Dao Qiu and Zai Ping behind Huang Beishuang cried out in fear, their hands trembling uncontrollably as they combed her hair. Huang Beishuang sighed, knowing how terrified they must be of Ruo Wen, who had once captured them.
“Don’t be afraid! This is Yunpei,” she comforted them, though her own heart was filled with unease. She dared not even recall Ruo Wen’s deep purple eyes.
Standing up, she smiled, “I’m going to see His Majesty. You all go have breakfast.”
Na Zhan had also been awake all night. After leaving Huang Beishuang’s room, he sat in his study waiting for daybreak and her arrival. Now, Na Zhan looked somewhat weary. Hearing the announcement at the door, “Your Majesty, Consort Shuang seeks an audience,” he let out a sigh of relief. “Let her in!” His voice sounded quite pleased.
Huang Beishuang walked in casually, looking at Na Zhan seated by the table. “Your Majesty, what matter requires my attention?”