Chapter Thirty-Six: Traces and Threads

Xue Fanzhi had no idea what about her attire had offended the prince. Yet, after over a decade of acquaintance, she knew Xiao Yi was not one to act without reason. Perhaps there was something wrong with her clothes. But then again, what if she was being played for a fool?

She decided to investigate. Turning to glance at her maid, she followed the girl’s gaze and saw a row of cherry trees, beneath which performers played music to enliven the scene.

If someone sought to harm her, surely they wouldn’t choose a place so crowded?

After Wen Xian and the others left, and seeing that Xue Jiaoyue paid her no mind, she quietly told Sixth Lady that she needed to use the restroom and stood up without drawing attention.

She made her way swiftly toward the cherry trees. There, beneath a tree blooming in splendid profusion, stood a handsome youth with his back to her, hands clasped behind him. He wore a robe in the current fashion—wide sleeves and a flowing sash. His garments fluttered gracefully, and his face, untainted by the dust of the world, seemed almost ethereal in the gentle breeze.

It really was Xiao Yi. Xue Fanzhi breathed a sigh of relief.

She then gave a self-mocking smile. He was, after all, her mortal enemy, yet he was the only person in the world whose presence brought her a sense of safety.

She strode over, and, being straightforward by nature, once her mind was set, she harbored no further inappropriate thoughts about Xiao Yi. Her words and actions were candid and bold. She asked directly, “Why did you have me change my clothes? Or is it that Your Highness has already decided what you want me to do?”

Xiao Yi beckoned her with a finger.

Xue Fanzhi was speechless.

Still, as before, Xiao Yi never acted without reason. So, when he walked deeper into the grove where there were no people, she felt no fear and followed.

Under one of the trees lay a large stone, and in the waning light of evening, Xue Fanzhi saw a pale yellow dress placed atop it.

Xiao Yi said, “In occasions like this from now on, never wear red. Do you understand?”

Xue Fanzhi was still bewildered. “May I ask why?”

Prince Shou was Xiao Yi’s uncle, a full brother to the emperor and thus indulged in his outrageous and cruel conduct. As a nephew, Xiao Yi could hardly criticize him openly.

His expression grew solemn. “Don’t question everything. Since I’ve chosen you as an ally, I won’t let you suffer loss. I’ll look out for you until you’ve fulfilled your use—then you’re on your own!”

The words, though meant well, sounded rather harsh.

Xue Fanzhi asked no more. She picked up the dress and turned to leave.

Watching her small, determined figure, Xiao Yi felt uneasy and called after her, “Do you know where you can change?”

She shook her head. “I don’t!”

Xiao Yi nearly exploded with frustration. If only Minglan had come today, but she’d been afraid someone would propose marriage to her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be fumbling about by himself.

He beckoned Xue Fanzhi over once more.

She was speechless.

When would she stop being treated like a lackey?

Xiao Yi led her out of the grove and found a maid for her.

With the maid guiding her, Xue Fanzhi headed toward the guest dressing rooms in the Xie family’s garden.

After she left, Xiao Yi, having his own matters to attend to, did not follow. This gave others an opening.

Wen Xian had been watching Xue Fanzhi closely. When she saw Xue Fanzhi and Xiao Yi enter the grove together, her anger would undoubtedly smolder for days.

She secretly sent a guard to eavesdrop and learned that Xiao Yi had told Xue Fanzhi to change her clothes. This only inflamed her further.

She had arrived first, yet now Xiao Yi’s affections were drawn to the still-childish Xue Fanzhi.

As a woman confined to the inner chambers, Wen Xian rarely had the chance to encounter Xue Fanzhi. This time, she resolved to eliminate her as a rival.

Thus, the dress in Xue Fanzhi’s hands became crucial—it must not be changed.

But, recalling how she had previously framed Xue Fanzhi in the woods, Wen Xian knew Xue Fanzhi wouldn’t trust her. After searching for a while, she thought of another girl, smiled slyly in the direction Xue Fanzhi had left, and sent the girl after her. That way, Xue Fanzhi would surely not be able to change.

…

Xue Fanzhi and her maid were walking quietly when suddenly footsteps sounded behind them, and a voice called out, “Eighth Lady, wait!”

The voice was unfamiliar. Xue Fanzhi turned and saw it was the same girl who had earlier criticized the Xue family women’s conduct.

She had clearly been hostile at first, but now she smiled as if nothing had happened—who could believe she meant well?

Xue Fanzhi stopped with a calm, cold tone. “What do you want?”

The girl caught her hand, smiling. “Eighth Lady, do you really not remember me?”

Xue Fanzhi studied her. She seemed familiar, but Xue Fanzhi could not recall where they had met.

She pulled her hand away. “No, I don’t know you. I don’t remember.”

Her answer was blunt. The girl looked awkward for a moment, then quickly regained her composure and dismissed the maid.

But Xue Fanzhi would not let the maid go. “If anything happens, how could I explain?”

The girl laughed. “What could happen? We’re only going to change your clothes. I’ll go with you.”

Even so, she insisted on sending the maid away.

Xue Fanzhi did not object, and the maid obediently withdrew.

Now, only Xue Fanzhi and the girl were left on the path.

As the daylight faded and the garden grew emptier, the girl turned, her face twisted into a sinister expression. “You—”

“Shh!” Xue Fanzhi suddenly raised a finger, staring ahead.

The girl, young and inexperienced, followed her gaze and saw another lady, dressed in a dark gown, walking along a nearby path.

The Xie family was wealthy, their gardens complex with many winding paths. The woman’s face was clear in the open, unobscured by trees. The girl beside Xue Fanzhi whispered, “Who is that?”

Xue Fanzhi wished she were mistaken, but there was no doubt—this was none other than the young lady of the Kong family.

Qin Jianyu’s future wife.

In her previous life, out of guilt toward Qin Jianyu, Xue Fanzhi, as empress, had summoned his wife, this very Lady Kong, and gifted her a jade ruyi. She could not be mistaken.

Yet she distinctly remembered that only after her own misfortunes did the engagement with the Qin family fall through, and Qin Jianyu, being older and betrothed, had been forced to marry a concubine’s daughter. Otherwise, Xue Fanzhi would not have felt indebted to him.

That concubine’s daughter was not meant to appear for two years—how had she arrived in Jiankang now, and why at the Xie residence?

Xue Fanzhi hushed the girl beside her again and watched as Lady Kong quickened her steps toward the men’s quarters. She followed suit.

The girl with her, reining in her malice, also followed.

After little more than a hundred steps, Lady Kong stopped amid pink-flowered thorns, gazing tenderly ahead where a young man had appeared.

Xue Fanzhi tried to see who the youth was, but only caught his back.

She strained for a better look, but Lady Kong, as if sensing something, suddenly turned. Xue Fanzhi pressed the girl’s head down and they ducked out of sight.

After a quiet moment, Xue Fanzhi looked again—the figures of both Lady Kong and the young man had vanished.