"You and Xuan'er must be together."
The authoritative command left no room for discussion.
Xuan Yue felt no surprise at Gong Shaohua's insistence.
"Then Mother must at least give me a reason. Why must we be bound together like a rope, merely for a brief separation? Why can't it be otherwise? Surely, Mother should provide a convincing explanation."
Their gazes locked in a tense standoff; Xuan Yue's bright and piercing eyes bore down with undeniable pressure, reflecting the faint light of the stars—like a mirror that revealed even the deepest secrets hidden within her heart.
Reasons? Certainly, there were, but they must remain concealed from her. Before the tragedy struck, she would ensure that this secret became a lifelong agony for her.
Did Xuan'er still desire to be with her? How deeply must he love this woman who stood opposite him?
"The army of Lan can only follow the orders of its sovereign; how could they heed the commands of the Queen of Feng? Our nations are not the same; women in this realm cannot easily intervene in governance."
Was this a threat? Xuan Yue scoffed inwardly. Indeed, Lan and Feng were different. If she recklessly led an army into battle, someone would surely incite unrest in Lan, causing a tempest. Hence, she had come to confront Gong Shaohua; had the late king possessed the power, he would have acted similarly. If Lan Yixuan could indeed dominate here, she wouldn't be standing before Gong Shaohua today, forced to abandon her obsessions for a more significant matter.
"Is this truly how Mother shows her affection for me?"
Xuan Yue's smile was icy. "After over thirty years of experience, you should know what kind of person I am. If you, like the other ministers, doubt my feelings for Lan Gongzi, then I am powerless to change that. It was the late king's wish for you to remain here; if Lan Gongzi openly defies it, that would be unfilial. Yet, the decree did not specify that you must supervise or restrict me. I was just considering the idea of withdrawing the Yu Lin army upon my return."
"Yue'er."
Xuan Yue's words pleased Gong Shaohua, who was proud and unwilling to be imprisoned in her own life. If those soldiers were merely ordinary Yu Lin troops, it could be manageable; due to her status and esteem in Lan, she would have some leeway. However, those troops were personally chosen by Lan Yixuan, loyal to him above all else.
"I traveled thousands of miles from Feng to marry into Lan at your personal invitation. My mother passed away early, and my master was exceedingly harsh with me. I have always held you in deep affection, yet I have also stated that if forced to choose between you and Lan Gongzi, I would undoubtedly choose him. If you were ever to harm Lan Yixuan, I would show no mercy."
Xuan Yue spoke earnestly, her gaze unwaveringly fixed on Gong Shaohua.
Even amid hatred, disgust, and loathing, all her frustrations had to be secretly buried. Her emotions stemmed solely from the injustice faced by Lan Yixuan; she remained unaware of the various malevolent acts committed against him. Therefore, she had to suppress her resentment and express her views like an outsider.
"Mother knows of your affections for Xuan'er. Since you both love each other, why not embrace that love?"
Gong Shaohua grasped Xuan Yue's hand, and Xuan Yue bowed her head. In the stillness of the night, only the sound of dripping echoed, as crystal-like droplets fell onto her hand, cold enough that, if kissed by the wind, they might freeze into delicate frost.
A chill surged from her feet, and as Xuan Yue gazed at her dampened hand, she felt a profound disgust at the sight of human tears.
"If Lan Gongzi were to join me on the battlefield, what would become of Lan? What of its citizens? Who would manage the court full of civil and military officials?"
Before Xuan Yue could finish, Gong Shaohua interrupted, "I will. Is there not still a mother for Lan?"
As the words left her lips, Gong Shaohua sensed a discomfort, patting Xuan Yue's hand as they returned to their previous positions. "What I mean is, Xuan'er is my son; in his absence, I will safeguard Lan."
Xuan Yue brusquely shrugged off Gong Shaohua's hand. "Did you not just say that Lan and Feng are different, and women cannot easily meddle in governance?"
Xuan Yue turned to face the vast, dark night. "This Lanyin Temple is far from the imperial city; how do you intend to protect it?"
Before Gong Shaohua could respond, Xuan Yue placed the hand warmer heavily in front of her, looking down at Gong Shaohua from her elevated position, her voice as cold as the winter night. "I do not trust you, Mother."
Gong Shaohua looked up, and Xuan Yue smirked, laughing lightly, innocently blinking her eyes. Yet the action betrayed a maturity beyond her years, and her lively gaze was far from naive. "Does Mother truly believe I can trust you?"
Gong Shaohua wanted to nod and reassure her, of course, because she was the birth mother of that man. She wished to convey that her actions were all for Xuan'er, stemming from unavoidable circumstances. Yet under the weight of Xuan Yue's icy glare, the words stuck in her throat.
"Lan Gongzi has been away from Lan for over a decade, unlike other princes who have established, deep-rooted influence. It's difficult to discern one's true heart. At this time, placing Lan in anyone else's hands is inappropriate; everything must be managed personally. A birth mother cannot compare to a nurturing one. Though you carried him for ten months, you seem to hold no genuine affection for him. The Second Prince has barely been gone long, and you must still feel grief and anger; your heart likely harbors resentment against Lan Gongzi. Those ministers in the court are no mere trifles. I've heard you have always been in poor health, and you should focus on recuperating rather than allowing those people to disturb your peace."
"Is that truly how you see me, Mother? Where does such animosity between mother and child arise? I was simply overwhelmed with anger at the time."
Gong Shaohua's hands clenched into fists beneath her sleeves, her lips trembling slightly.
"While I hold deep affection for you, Mother, I still feel unsettled about that incident. If we were both to go into battle, and anything were to happen to Lan, how could we fight with peace of mind when our rear base is unstable? So, even if Lan Gongzi desperately wants to go, and the court's ministers oppose it, and you disagree, I will proceed as I must. Lan Gongzi will handle the affairs of Lan, while I shall lead our troops as Feng's representative. Is that not fighting side by side? Surely, you know how much I love Lan Gongzi; compared to you, my trust in him runs deeper. I am not one who relishes taking risks."
"So, you have made your decision, then?"
Each word seemed to suppress an ocean of fury; she would never allow Xuan Yue to face the battlefield alone.
"Yue'er understands Mother's concerns, but I ask for your forgiveness."
Everything would never unfold as she had envisioned; she and Lan Yixuan must never become bitter enemies who despise each other.
Xianyue approached Gong Shaohua and crouched down, rubbing against her in a moment of vulnerability. The heaving of her chest, her rapid breaths, and her rigid body all declared her simmering anger and dissatisfaction.
"Mother," she said, a smile playing on her lips as she gently patted Gong Shaohua's back. "I do this because I wish to fulfill your wishes."
Gong Shaohua pushed Xianyue away, the affectionate smile on her face now visibly strained. "A mother's greatest wish is for you and Xuan'er to live together in eternal happiness."
Xianyue stood up, turning her back to Gong Shaohua, fighting the impulse to laugh. If she could choose again, would she still resolutely marry into the Lan Kingdom? If she had known that both her brother and Lan Yixuan could not coexist in her life, would she have traveled so far from the Feng Kingdom to this place?
Staring at the pitch-black sky, Xianyue noticed how each cloud seemed to shift and draw closer, as if to envelop her in an unfathomable abyss. She had once vowed never to regret her decisions, yet in this moment of introspection, even she was uncertain of the answer.
"Didn't Mother always send someone to seek the stone mill that blossoms with lotus flowers year-round? After that day, I entrusted Bai Zhanting to look for it. Just a few days ago, I received his letter. He mentioned that this is a secret of the Bai family. The stone mill was taken over twenty years ago by a man of noble demeanor, who is blind. It seems that Old Master Bai had some arrangement with him. Moreover, given the remote location of Liancheng, this matter was suppressed, and few know of it."
"Where is that man now?" Gong Shaohua suddenly stood up, grasping Xianyue's hand, her voice urgent.
"The man? The blind one? Bai Zhanting didn't mention him in his letter, so I'm not sure. Do you know him, Mother?"
Gong Shaohua waved her hand dismissively, collapsing weakly against the table. "Did the eldest son of the Bai family mention anything else?"
Xianyue shook her head. "I suspect that man is far from ordinary; otherwise, how could he have made a deal with Old Master Bai? Mother, could you grant me a request?"
Gong Shaohua was so consumed by thoughts of that man that she barely registered Xianyue's words but nodded nonetheless.
"If I can find that stone mill that blooms with lotus flowers year-round and present it to you, I hope you will treat Lan Yixuan with the same care and affection you showed the late Second Prince."
Gong Shaohua rested her forehead on the table, her gentle gaze lost in thought, her expression distant as if pondering something deeply.
After a moment, she rubbed her temples and suddenly stood up, looking frail. "I'm feeling a bit unwell all of a sudden."
Xianyue was startled and quickly helped her up. "Mother, what's wrong? Let me assist you back to rest."
Gong Shaohua waved her hand. "You've traveled a long way and must be tired. Just let Xu Mama take care of me."
Xianyue nodded and called Xu Mama over. "Mother is feeling unwell; she may have caught a chill. I really don't know how you've been taking care of her. Help her back for a proper rest, and if Mother feels worse, I will hold you accountable."
Xu Mama supported Gong Shaohua and repeatedly acknowledged Xianyue's instructions, daring not to contradict her in the slightest.
"Xianyue, don't blame Xu Mama."
"Mother, even if I can't be by Lan Yixuan's side day and night, nothing will change between us. I know your intentions are good, so I earnestly request your understanding and support for us. The opinions of those ministers do not matter."
Gong Shaohua's face turned pale as she patted Xianyue's hand. "Mother will think carefully about how best to care for Xuan'er."
Gong Shaohua pressed her forehead, leaving with Xu Mama's assistance. Xianyue watched her mother's frail figure recede, a confident smile gracing her lips.
"Princess."
"Princess."
No sooner had Gong Shaohua and Xu Mama left than Green Pearl, Ya'er, and the others rushed over.
"What did the Queen and the Princess just talk about?"
Yueying gazed at Gong Shaohua's departing silhouette, turning to Xianyue with curiosity.
"The Queen's expression was quite poor."
Xianyue smiled, sitting at the table and pouring herself a cup of tea. After such lengthy discussions, she felt a bit parched.
"She might not be feeling well; she kept rubbing her forehead. It could be a headache. Have you eaten?"
Ya'er rushed to Xianyue's side, nodding eagerly. "We have! The vegetarian dishes here are delightful. Princess, can we stay here a few more days?"
Xianyue playfully flicked Ya'er's forehead and smiled. "I'm not sure."
Afterward, she stretched and yawned. "Xu Mama should have prepared a place for us to sleep; let's go."
Xianyue set down her teacup, gazing after the already distant Gong Shaohua.
Revenge? Finding the lover she had sought for decades? Gong Shaohua, which is more important to you?
You will acquiesce, won't you? After all, you are so obsessively and frantically devoted to that person, aren't you?
Is he your Achilles' heel?
Xianyue smiled, as if she could already foresee the day when Gong Shaohua would fall into her hands.
Gong Shaohua, you will inevitably pay the price for your actions.