Chapter 31: A Tangle of Hearts
"I will gain all your trust," Princess Hua thought as she stormed away, her anger propelling her toward Chen Xui's room.
"You know, young master, I think Princess Hua is sincere in her intentions," Bao remarked, watching her retreating figure.
"Hmm, don't ever let your guard down. Ensure the spy keeps a close watch on her plans," Wang Wei instructed, his tone serious. "I'm leaving now," he added, heading to his own quarters.
Once inside, he found the room empty and took a seat, pondering the day's events. Meanwhile, Princess Hua was with Chen Xui. "Xui, I'm sorry. You must have been frightened by what happened today," she said softly.
"I'm okay," Chen Xui replied, nodding slightly.
"Xui, please, no one should know about what happened in the palace today," Princess Hua said, her eyes searching hers for understanding.
"I won't tell anyone," Chen Xui assured her, but Princess Hua noticed something off in her demeanor.
"Are you okay?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice.
"Yes," she replied, but Princess Hua could sense the hesitation.
"Are you hiding things from me?" Princess Hua pressed, her curiosity piqued.
"I dare not, your highness," Chen Xui responded, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then tell me what's wrong," she urged, leaning closer.
"Princess, the thing is" she stammered, and Princess Hua could see the conflict in her eyes.
"Anytime I see Guard Bao, my heart races," she finally admitted, her cheeks flushing.
"Your heart races?" Princess Hua echoed, surprised.
"Yes," Chen Xui confirmed, her voice trembling.
"Is that a heart attack?" she joked lightly, trying to ease the tension. "You are really scared of him?" Princess Hua asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Heart attack?" Chen Xui replied, her eyes widening as princess Hua mistook her. "It's not that; I think I'm in love with him," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"In love?" Princess Hua echoed, she was surprised at the revelation.
Chen Xui nodded, a shy smile creeping onto her face.
"Oh, you mean your heart races, and you can't look him in the eyes?" Princess Hua teased gently.
"Yes," Chen Xui admitted, her gaze dropping to the floor.
"Then tell him," Princess Hua encouraged, her voice filled with warmth.
"But Lady Mei is his fiancee," Chen Xui said, a hint of despair in her tone.
"I don't think so. I believe she said that just to avoid marriage," Princess Hua replied, her conviction evident.
"Really?" Chen Xui asked, hope flickering in her eyes.
Princess Hua nodded firmly. "Follow your heart and confess your love," she said, giving Chen Xui's hand a gentle squeeze as she couldn't help the situation she is.
Chen Xui smiled, feeling a surge of courage. "Have some rest; I have to go now no need to see me off," Princess Hua said, standing up.
As she walked to her room, she found Wang Wei waiting for her.
"Why are you here?" she asked, surprised.
"Princess, are you kidding me? You told me earlier you wanted to sleep with me," Wang Wei said, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Oh, I forgot," she replied, approaching the bed.
"Where did you go?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Chen Xui is sick," she lied, trying to maintain her composure.
"She was fine when you left; how come she is now?" Wang Wei pressed, doubt lacing his words.
"She developed a fever when we got back," she lied again, settling onto the bed.
"Can you take off those clothes? They smell like ginseng," Wang Wei remarked, wrinkling his nose.
"You drank that earlier, didn't you? Now you're complaining about my clothes," she thought, rolling her eyes internally.
Meanwhile, Chen Xui stood up from her bed, unable to contain her smile after Princess Hua's encouraging words. She gazed at the stars until she spotted Bao walking by. Intrigued, she followed him to the library, where he was searching for the book Wang wei kept. She Summon the courage to tell him the truth.
(WANG MEI CHAMBER)
"Ruo Xuan, have you asked the kitchen to warm the soup?" Wang Mei inquired, her voice filled with purpose.
"Yes, this is it," Ruo Xuan replied, helping Wang Mei pack the soup into a wooden box.
"Do you think Bao would be in the library with my brother?" Wang Mei asked, her brow furrowed in thought.
"I think so," Ruo Xuan replied, her tone thoughtful.
"My lady, are you giving this to Guard Bao?" Ruo Xuan asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes, I saw him yawning earlier," Wang Mei said, determination in her voice.
"Have you packed it?" she asked, glancing at Ruo Xuan.
"Give it to me; I'm going alone," Wang Mei insisted, taking the box from Ruo Xuan.
As she walked toward the library, she found it empty and decided to turn back. But as she took a few steps, she heard strange movements behind the shelf and decided to check.
"Am serious, I think I'm in love with you," Chen Xui said seriously, though her heart was racing.
"Did you really want to give me this handkerchief you embroidered yourself as a token of love?" Bao asked, his voice low and sincere. "Miss Xui, I'm here for something else," Bao said, his eyes scanning the shelves in search of the book.
"Yes, are you really in love with Lady Mei? Were you dating?" Chen Xui asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Did Mei ever tell you I was dating her?" Bao asked, surprised at where Chen Xui had gotten that rumor.
"But you love her; you were dating," Chen Xui replied, her voice tinged with confusion.
"No, we aren't," he replied, his expression serious.
"If you truly are dating her, then I mean what I said: I love you. Did you think it was easy for me to tell you this?" Chen Xui said, her heart racing as she spoke. They both share a glance.
"Then can we..." Chen Xui began, her voice barely above a whisper. Before he could answer, he spotted the book he had been searching for on the shelf behind her. As he reached for it, his foot slipped, and in a hasty movement, he accidentally pulled Chen Xui into an embrace, their lips brushing against each other.
The wooden box with Wang Mei's soup fell to the ground, the sound echoing in the sudden silence of the library.