The girl seemed much different from before. The second noble lady couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness in heart. Had it not been for not losing that child in that year, her daughter would be this old by now. Seeing her in a trance, Madam Hua lowered her eyes, a sigh inadvertently escaping her breath.
The new shy concubine with her doe like eyes, calculated inwardly, as she glanced at the annoyed face of the third lady. The only one of the youngest generation in this house, the most pampered by the old madam and the apple of the eye of the head of the house, if she could get on her good side, surely this old hag won't be able to dispose of her that easily right?
She flashed a smile sweeter than honey at Jiao Qingxiao, before speaking up in an even sweeter voice, "The color suits her well, Old Madam, the spring peach blossoms bring out her beauty even more. You truly have a jewel in this household."
The third lady's face immediately hardened. Who was this b*tch trying to fool? Did she think the old lady was a child and won't understand her trying to take advantage of his granddaughter.
At the same time, she felt a wave of satisfaction in her heart, preparing herself for the old madam's sharp words to slice this concubine apart.
However, much to her shock, the old madam merely smiled in delight.
"Grandmother, this granddaughter wonders if she can adopt xiao cui? I promise to take good care of her in my own chamber."
Her adorable voice paired with her respectful bow melted old madam's heart completely.
Just as Madam Hua was about to step in and forbid her daughter from taking in the creature known for its mischief, the old madam ordered her old maid to bring Xiao Cui in.
The ginger squeaky kitten kicked its paws in the air, trying to free itself from the maid's arms. The old madam took it gently in her arms, patting it on the back to calm it before handing it over to Jiao Qingxiao.
Xiao Cui continued to meow incessantly, as Jiao Qingxiao teased it playfully. Madam Hua had a headache coming up.
This child…she herself was troublesome enough and now another kitten to handle? But she couldn't even say anything given it was the old madam's prized possession.
"This granddaughter won't take anymore of grandmother's time then." Jiao Qingxiao spoke in a hurried manner despite her respectful words. Every single one there could sense her urge to get away.
As her footsteps faded the old madam shook her head lovingly.
"Ayia, what a selfish child, leaving the moment her work got done."
Madam Hua wondered how to take care of the newly added member to the courtyard. She surely couldn't trust her daughter with taking care of that young kitten. And if anything were to happen to Xiao Cui, it would be more grave than just the loss of an innocent creature.
—--------------------------------------
Tang Yunxiao's lips curled into a cold arch. The morning light slipped in through the silk curtains, casting faint shadows across the floor. Tang Yunxiao sat propped against the headboard, his hair slightly undone from the night before. His fingers trailed along the parchment in front of him, calligraphy inscribed carefully by a trusted hand.A cold smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Heh, the woman sure was thorough.
It's been seven years since that incident. No he had to reward Feijian. A mere incident of bribery through the back door of the East Guard Bureau was nothing unusual in the harem. Xu Zhen, had been in charge of overseeing the transport of flood gate construction funds. Weeks passed, yet the materials never arrived. Tang Yunxiao remembered it then. How a second consignment had to be ordered. At the time, he had chalked it up to mere incompetence.
He should have known better. But then again, he was young back then, unaware of how the politics of the castle also ruthlessly played with the lives of commoners.
The delay allowed the eastern province to suffer longer than necessary, worsening the rebellion. She was too eager to tie the loose ends. A house fire engulfed an entire family that night. But the more one tries to bury the past, the more uneven the earth becomes.
A cousin of Xu Zhen, long thought to have died during the winter riots, had survived. Fled north, married into a minor household, and lived quietly until last month. Feijian found him. Found the records. Everything fits too well now.
Tang Yunxiao folded the parchment. He leaned back slightly, the coldness in his smile fading away. His shoulders seemed to feel heavy.
He was tired. Tired of these webs.
His hand fell to the side, brushing against the wooden edge of the bed. A faint tapping followed, rhythmic and slow.
All he had wanted was to find her.
To see her again. Even that was unachievable for him now.
Give her a life without pain, without the chains that bound her to that man. In her past life, she had married Tang Fangxiao. A man with too many masks. Had he realised it himself back then, he could have been the one to be her home. Unlike now…When he no longer was worthy
He couldn't help but feel difficulty breathing remembering her lifeless cold body near his feet when he had entered the cold palace in a hurry.
Tang Yunxiao closed his eyes.
The system interface opened up in front of him again.
"Congrats host for completing the first clue.
REWARDS - 460 Points.
The host's balance is now -> 1230 Points
Would you like to buy anything host?"
The koi's chirpy annoying voice caused Tang Yunxiao to frown. He was about to say no, when the koi forcefully opened up the shop interface without waiting.
At the corner, a small 3d blue vase shone a bit too brightly. "Temporary Eyes" Written under it.
Tang Yuanxiao didn't dare hope, but a faint feeling of hope still took over his heart.