Capítulo 142: Secret Romance of a Stunning City
"Your Majesty, you were truly magnificent just now," Lei An said, pushing aside Lvzhu and Yilan as he followed closely behind Lan Yi Xuan. His words were filled with admiration and delight.
Xuan Yue took a seat by the table, and before she could even lift a hand, Lei An had already managed to outdo the others, pouring her a cup of tea with reverence. "Your Majesty, please enjoy your tea."
Xuan Yue smiled faintly, taking the cup from Lei An's hands, her lips curving in a knowing, ambiguous smile as she fixed her gaze on him. "Your Majesty?"
Lei An nodded, eyeing the empty cup she had drained. "Would you like more?"
Xuan Yue chuckled lightly, handing the cup back to him, her chin resting on one hand as she leaned closer and coughed gently. "A woman who does nothing but eat and sleep like a pig—is even someone like that worthy of admiration in Lei An's eyes?"
Lei An refilled her cup with tea, blinking innocently. "A woman who only eats and sleeps? Are you speaking of Her Majesty? How could that be? Her Majesty could never be such a person."
He let out a nervous laugh, placing the tea on the table when he noticed Xuan Yue wasn't reaching for it. His eyes widened in mock outrage. "Who said that? Who dared to insult the Queen of Lan? Let me tear his mouth apart!"
Before he could continue, Lei Yun, who had been silently following Lan Yi Xuan, nudged him. "You said it."
Lei An turned, glaring at Lei Yun, then smiling sheepishly at Xuan Yue. "That couldn't be. I would never say such a thing."
Xuan Yue gave a soft "oh" as she lifted the cup to her lips, taking a delicate sip before setting it down abruptly and clapping her hands. "Tasteless. Lei An, you know well that what your Queen enjoys most is wine."
Lei An glanced around, noticing Lan Yi Xuan standing at the doorway, his head tilted slightly upwards, gazing at the sky, lost in thought.
Xuan Yue followed his gaze, picking up the cup again, her long lashes casting shadows as she observed him from behind. His back, the serenity of his eyes—were they veiling a depth of melancholy? Her heart tightened unexpectedly.
"Bring the wine. I wish to drink."
She turned her gaze back to Lei An, issuing the command.
"Lei Yun, I haven't had breakfast yet," Xuan Yue added with a playful smile, batting her eyes. "Are you going to let me starve?"
She patted her flat stomach for emphasis as she spoke.
The Snow Orchid Palace was well-stocked with fine wine, as Xuan Yue's penchant for it was well known. Lei An swiftly returned with the chosen drink.
Upon his return, Lan Yi Xuan remained in place, still standing at the doorway, staring into the sky, the gentle curve of his lips exuding warmth, yet Lei An sensed an underlying sorrow.
"Master," Lei An called softly.
Lan Yi Xuan turned slightly, and the fleeting sadness Lei An had perceived was suddenly gone, as if it had never existed.
Sorrow? How could there be? The Queen, who had tormented him for so long, had finally left the palace and moved to Lanyin Temple. Xuan Yue was defying the ministers and preparing to lead the army into battle for his sake. She had done so much; surely he should feel relieved. The sadness must have been a trick of the mind. Yes, it was an illusion.
"Master, aren't you going inside?"
Lan Yi Xuan's gaze bore into Lei An, so piercing that it seemed to unravel his thoughts.
Xuan Yue, watching from the table, wasn't merely looking at the two men; her eyes were locked on Lan Yi Xuan. From where she sat, only his profile was visible, bathed in the soft morning light. The sight of him, so pristine and tender, wrenched her heart with the pain of separation. Was her brother, far away in Feng Nation, also suffering because of her?
As if sensing her gaze, Lan Yi Xuan turned. Their eyes met—yearning, reluctance, a love deep as bone, and a silent, repressed pain intertwined in the air between them.
Lan Yi Xuan's lips curled into a faint smile. "The Queen is waiting for her drink, isn't she?"
Xuan Yue snapped back to reality, slamming the table and standing abruptly. "Lei An, what are you dawdling for? Bring that wine here!" she shouted.
She quickly skirted the table and snatched the wine jug from Lei An's hands, pointing it at Lan Yi Xuan. Rushing to his side, she tilted her head back, gazing skyward as he had done, mimicking his serious expression. "Lan Gongzi, what are you looking at?"
Lan Yi Xuan cast a sidelong glance at her standing beside him. Her small, delicate face, the red mark between her brows accentuating her pale complexion, and her vibrant lips, parting as she spoke—those eyes, clear and bright, identical to the woman etched into his memory. His gaze drifted to the wine jug she held; even her mannerisms were just as he had imagined.
She wasn't an unparalleled beauty, yet her presence was unforgettable. Her vulgarity and wild, unrestrained nature made her impossible to hate. If she were to leave, where would he ever find another like her? Could anyone replace her? Could anyone ever take the place of this one-of-a-kind Feng Xuan Yue?
"Nothing."
Lan Yi Xuan withdrew his gaze and stepped inside, while Xuan Yue followed closely behind, cradling a wine jug in her hands and murmuring softly, "I won't say anything if I'm dragged into this."
Gazing down at the precious wine nestled in her embrace, she chuckled a few times, used her mouth to uncork the bottle, and then returned to her seat, extending the jug toward Lan Yi Xuan standing across from her. "Would you like some?"
Lan Yi Xuan declined, looking at Xuan Yue's earnest expression with a smile. "I'm not a drunkard."
Xuan Yue pouted in feigned indignation, her laughter growing more exuberant. "That just means I can drink more!"
Leaning in closer to the jug, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, a radiant smile blooming on her face as she exclaimed, "What a fine wine!"
Green Pearl, Yi Lan, and the others exchanged glances, silently amused but not daring to speak.
Their princess was truly easily pleased, and that smile was simply enchanting.
Standing behind Xuan Yue, Lei An chattered on, "I believe those people got off too easily. How dare they question the queen's orders? I've never liked them."
Unlike Lei Yun, who could tolerate everything like Lan Yi Xuan, Lei An had long been fed up with those who conspired with Gong Shaohua, those who flattered while plotting against him, and those who disrespected Lan Yi Xuan behind his back. If he weren't worried about causing trouble for Lan Yi Xuan, he would have taken matters into his own hands and given those people a good thrashing. Today, seeing Xuan Yue put them in their place filled him with indescribable satisfaction.
"She should handle them just like she did with Li Wei An from Feng Country last time, throwing out a mountain of evidence and exiling them to desolate places. As for those like Xu An, they deserve to be executed."
The more Lei An thought about it, the more exhilarated he became. He had already harbored such thoughts when Xuan Yue dealt with Li Wei An in Feng Country.
"At least no one received twenty or thirty lashes, forcing them to lie in bed for days."
He couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of those arrogant officials, weeping and wailing like children.
The room was filled with a rich aroma of wine, and Yi Lan stood at Xuan Yue's left shoulder, watching as she tilted her head back, the wine cascading from the jug into her mouth. The familiar yet beloved visage of her princess, with eyes gently closed and long eyelashes fluttering, evoked a twinge of sorrow. A few drops of wine fell like crystalline tears, prompting memories of her mother's sorrowful face in childhood.
After draining a jug, Xuan Yue wiped her mouth vigorously and bent over to glance at Lei An, smiling brightly. "What's it like to see the wealth earned through over a decade of hard work vanish into someone else's pockets overnight? That feeling of heartache and loss is far worse than the sting of a beating."
Pain from a beating is temporary; once healed, people easily forget the discomfort. Such punishment yields only short-term results. She wanted them to remember the piercing pain in their hearts.
"Those people..."
Xuan Yue chuckled, "They're all greedy. For such individuals, seizing their silver is the best punishment, isn't it?"
Unlike Feng Country, where she had prepared everything for Li Wei An's situation, things were different in Lan Country. Punishing so many officials overnight would surely breed discontent among both the court and the populace. After all, for over a decade, it had been Gong Shaohua, not Lan Yi Xuan, who had been in power. If she acted hastily due to instability, wouldn't it be akin to losing rice while trying to steal chickens?
"Do you understand now?"
Lei An nodded, looking down at Xuan Yue. Her bright, clear eyes resembled a deep pool, shimmering with a hint of inebriation.
"Good to know."
Yue Ying, observing Xuan Yue with the jug, glanced at Lan Yi Xuan seated opposite her. Seeing him unmoving, she quickly intervened. "Your Highness, drinking so much on an empty stomach will easily lead to intoxication."
Xuan Yue brushed her hand aside with a laugh. "I'm happy! When I'm happy, I want to drink!"
Yue Ying was about to insist further when Lan Yi Xuan stopped her. "Let her drink."
When Lei Yun brought in breakfast, Xuan Yue was already sprawled across the table, mumbling incoherently. The others, trying to assist her, were waved off.
"Master."
Lei Yun approached Lan Yi Xuan respectfully, casting a glance at the slumped Xuan Yue.
"She's drunk again."
Lan Yi Xuan looked at Xuan Yue, her face pressed against the table, her hands shielding her vision.
"Everyone, leave."
"Your Highness," Yi Lan and the others expressed concern for Lan Yi Xuan.
"Leave it."
Lan Yi Xuan pointed to the food box held by the eunuchs and maidens.
"Rest assured, the Master will take good care of Miss Xuan Yue."
Lei Yun stood up, addressing the group behind Xuan Yue.
"Let's go."
Lei An tugged at Yi Lan and the others, not forgetting to close the door behind them.
"Can't we stay together?"
Lan Yi Xuan stepped closer to Xuan Yue, gently stroking her hair.
"Did you not stop me because you wanted to stay with me?"
Xuan Yue, who had been resting her head on the table, suddenly opened her eyes, gazing up at Lan Yi Xuan, her voice barely above a whisper.
Suddenly lifting her head from the table, Xuan Yue opened her eyes and gazed up at Lan Yi Xuan, softly inquiring.
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