Chapter 164: How Utterly Absurd

Since he was acting so unusually, she decided not to hold back either. For more latest chapters, visit: XXX. See whether his tenderness is a disguise or if he has ulterior motives...

“Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news?” Upon hearing her question, Zuo Qiu Li Ye neither grew angry nor tried to hide anything; instead, he looked at her with a meaningful gaze.

“The bad news, then. If it’s bad news for the sovereign, it must be good news for me.” Xue Xue turned her head to look at him, a hint of inquiry in her eyes and a sly curve tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Though her words bore no provocation or hostility, they were certainly hard for him to accept.

Their eyes met; Zuo Qiu Li Ye’s gaze was remarkably calm. His eyes were strikingly beautiful, somewhat similar to Xiao Li’s, but with a craftier gleam. Xiao Li’s eyes, though fox-like, were purer and more endearing.

“Xue Xue always has a way of making me angry. But that’s fine. If even you lost your genuine ‘nature’ towards me, wouldn’t the Dance Kingdom become unbearably dull? If you weren’t the way you are, how could I possibly like you so much?” His words slipped out softly, tinged with entanglement and subtle mystery.

Xue Xue was startled by his words, but then she relaxed.

He must have been provoked by her words, which explained the baffling things he said.

As a proud and arrogant monarch, how could Zuo Qiu Li Ye tolerate his dignity being trampled into the dust? Even if she seemed somewhat different to him, how could a king like someone who was already married?

Even if he liked her, it was something he could never voice.

“What? The sovereign wants me to make a choice, and I have already done so. Shouldn’t the sovereign now keep his word?” Xue Xue said calmly, though lately she had lost some of her usual confidence when facing him.

But it was certainly not weakness or submission...

Seeing her so strong and composed, Zuo Qiu Li Ye suddenly leaned close to her ear. “It’s been a long time, and I still haven’t managed to drive Ji Wuqing out of the Dance Kingdom. That’s been quite a headache for me. I once vowed to unify the world, but now I’m cornered by Ji Wuqing. Tell me, isn’t that frustrating?”

“What does that have to do with Tong Taoxi?” Xue Xue raised an eyebrow, her expression unshaken.

“To me, that’s bad news.” Zuo Qiu Li Ye smiled shamelessly.

Is that so? Clearly, he was just teasing her.

Well, what common language could she possibly have with Zuo Qiu Li Ye? She was not surprised at all.

She turned to look at the beautiful scenery of Jade Flower Lake; the small boat was moored at the shore, gently swaying. Slowly, she stood up, the hem of her dress fluttering softly in the breeze.

“It’s getting late. If the sovereign has nothing else, I will take my leave.” With that, she walked away, leaving Zuo Qiu Li Ye sitting alone by the shore, his silhouette tinged with loneliness and solitude.

Back at Wangchen Pavilion, Xue Xue surveyed the still unfamiliar surroundings. Five days had passed; she could no longer afford to delay.

She had not been idle during these five days. By chance, she heard that to the south of Zuo Qiu Palace there was a forbidden area—perhaps it could be a new starting point. Now, she needed to consider how to act without alerting Zuo Qiu Li Ye and his people.

However, once she truly began to act, the atmosphere in Zuo Qiu Palace had completely shifted since her visit to Chenxi Palace. During this time, unexpected events had caught her off guard...

The next day, word came from Chenxi Palace that the Empress there summoned her for a conversation.

Xue Xue did not feel she had much in common to say with that Empress. On the contrary, Chenxi Palace seemed to be the most powerful and mysterious place in Zuo Qiu Palace besides Zuo Qiu Li Ye himself.

They did not ask if she was willing; the carriage was already waiting outside the gate of Wangchen Pavilion.

In the bedchamber, Dai Juan tidied her long hair into a neat bun—no longer as casual and simple as before.

“Mistress, you’re ready.” Dai Juan looked at the woman in the mirror and stood back, satisfied.

Xue Xue glanced at her reflection, not really scrutinizing herself. Her gaze grew calm and distant, as if contemplating something.

What exactly was Zuo Qiu Li Ye’s mother scheming?

Though the Empress gave her an odd feeling, there was some familiarity—after all, she seemed to be blind, just like her once was.

Just as yesterday, the path to Chenxi Palace was the same winding stone walkway.

Walking quietly with Dai Juan, the gentle breeze stirred the surrounding vines, casting a somewhat chilling atmosphere.

Upon entering Chenxi Palace, everything was as she had seen the day before.

“Miss, please follow me. The Empress awaits you over there.” It was the same stout, kindly-faced nanny from yesterday.

“Thank you. But please address me as Madam Ji.” She corrected firmly, her tone calm but strong and unyielding.

The nanny seemed momentarily taken aback by her reaction, then resumed her smile. “This is Zuo Qiu Palace; everything must follow its rules. I wonder if you understand what I mean.”

Though smiling, her words carried a hint of disdain.

“I am well acquainted with the customs of the Dance Kingdom, but I never expected you, nanny, to be even more formidable.” She countered without a flicker of emotion.

“Pray tell, what makes you say that?” The nanny’s smile suddenly stiffened. Was this young lady implying she was rude?

“Do you treat all guests this way? Or are you trying to erase something?” Though alone and far from home, she was by no means weak or easily bullied.

“If I was too blunt just now, please forgive me if I offended you.” The nanny realized this young lady was not someone to belittle. Though aged, she still had a keen eye for people.

Still, before their Empress, no matter how formidable this young woman was, it would be of no use.

Soon, the nanny led her to the Empress. This meeting was not in the bedchamber but in the palace’s garden.

This garden was unlike any other in the palace; it did not grow flowers, but various green vines. Tall trellises, each with different patterns, stretched upward, vines climbing to create a verdant landscape.

Among the greenery sat a woman in a pale lotus-colored robe, her eyes covered with white silk. Her gaunt, fragile frame looked almost frighteningly delicate...

“Has that young lady arrived?” The woman seemed to hear her voice and turned her head slightly in Xue Xue’s direction.

“It’s me, Your Majesty,” Xue Xue stepped forward.

“Sit down and chat with me.” She gestured to the empty seat opposite her, her tone gentle and warm.

“May I ask why Your Majesty summoned me?” Although somewhat puzzled, she sat down.

“My dear girl, don’t look so burdened. Although you will have to spend some effort dealing with this old woman, you might gain unexpected benefits from me.” She appeared gentle but was a shrewd woman.

Truly befitting the mother of Zuo Qiu Li Ye.

Their conversation held a subtle similarity, tinged with a playful confidence.

“Oh? Unfortunately, I only trust what I hear—whether what I hear contains information useful to me. So, can Your Majesty satisfy that?”

“Perhaps you have noticed my Li Ye’s intentions towards you,” the Empress said straightforwardly. “But I don’t mean he wants to use you...”

“What does Your Majesty mean?” Xue Xue raised an eyebrow. What exactly was the Empress trying to say?

Zuo Qiu Li Ye’s intentions towards her, but not to use her...

Or was it more than just using?

“You don’t know, do you? Li Ye still has no queen. Since childhood, he has despised those self-righteous women—be they noble families, prestigious clans, or high-born ladies—all appear false and boring to him. And indeed, those people are skilled at shifting with the wind, eager to belittle the former crown prince. Alas, they never imagined that Li Ye would one day ascend to the throne.” The Empress said, “My Li Ye endured their mockery. Whenever I recall how those noble ladies changed their attitudes, I feel immensely satisfied.”

“Your Majesty, those old grievances have long faded with time.” This Empress seemed to hold grudges deeply, to the bone.

Perhaps because of past suffering and torment, she appeared sometimes normal, sometimes erratic.

“No, listen to me.” The Empress shook her head. “Now that the queen’s position in the Dance Kingdom is vacant, Li Ye is thinking it’s time to find a queen he truly desires.”

“That is indeed a good thing.” But what did it have to do with her?

“Young lady, do you still want to play dumb? Face reality and seek a way out for yourself.” Suddenly, the Empress propped her chin on her hand and looked at her. Her gaunt face was no larger than a palm.

“I am Madam Ji. These matters have nothing to do with me. Please do not mislead me further. How absurd.” She was not ignorant of the Empress’s meaning but strove to remain composed.

“It is absurd, indeed. But it seems you haven’t received the news. Li Ye truly wants to keep you here, forever.” The Empress’s tone softened. “My Li Ye has suffered too much, and as his mother, I have no reason to oppose him. I only wished to warn you in advance, so you can prepare yourself mentally.”