“Thank you.”
The ethereal female voice suddenly rang out from the depths of her heart. Xiao Qianyin started, uncertainty and alarm flickering across her face.
“You needn’t be on guard. I am a remnant wisp of the original Xiao Qianyin’s consciousness. I came especially to thank you for living on in my place, and for properly showing filial piety to Grandfather. I made him grieve.”
“For the sake of a man—was it worth it?”
“Worth it?” The woman’s voice carried a trace of bitterness. “I don’t know myself. In any case, I will soon disappear. Whether it was worth it or not no longer has any meaning to me. As you said, all that was yesterday is as dead as yesterday; all that is today is as born today. Now, you are Xiao Qianyin. How you live from now on is your freedom. My only request is that you please take good care of Grandfather.”
“I would do that even if you didn’t say it. He is a worthy grandfather. I will be filial to him.”
“Then I have nothing left to linger over.” Gone was her usual domineering arrogance; in her tone was only a faint desolation. “From this moment on, you are Xiao Qianyin. Please live on in my place, and do your utmost.”
“I will.”
The female voice in her heart sighed softly and spoke no more. Only then did Xiao Qianyin confirm that she had already left. She released the restriction and gazed at the bright moon on the horizon. The moonlight was like water, spilling across the ground as though casting a layer of frost. She closed her eyes, then opened them again, silently telling herself that she would one day stand at the pinnacle above all others!
Southern Tang Guesthouse—
“She truly said that?” The man’s lips were pressed tightly together. His features were incomparably handsome, with swordlike brows reaching toward his temples, a face of peerless elegance. Yet at this moment, his expression was dark and sinister, ruining his original refined air.
“Yes. She said that Your Highness the Crown Prince was no good thing, and even said you were like two pigs—that one pig alone was no longer enough to describe your stupidity.”
The man was still dressed in scholarly robes, but his face was mottled blue and purple, as if a palette of colors had been overturned on it. After returning, he had washed himself three whole times before finally getting rid of that smell. Venomous resentment showed in his eyes. Xiao Qianyin, just you wait!
Bei Wuxuan glanced at him and said, “Was it also at her command that the servants beat you into this state?”
“Yes. She said she had no need for your apology, said you were a cat crying over a mouse, feigning mercy, and in the end had this subordinate beaten out with random strikes of the rod.”
“Well done, Xiao Qianyin! It’s one thing for her to pester this Crown Prince at every turn, but this Crown Prince gave her face by apologizing, and she still dares put on airs? Is she trying to play hard to get? This Crown Prince would like to see exactly what she’s scheming!”
His eyes were dark, and his entire body radiated coldness. That useless young miss—did she never look at what sort of goods she was? She could not compare to even one of Nangong Wei’s toes, yet she still dared fantasize about becoming his crown princess? Was she even worthy?
“Your Highness…” The man carefully observed his master’s expression and said, “Do you need this subordinate to do anything?”
“No need. This Crown Prince will handle it myself.”
Bei Wuxuan waved a hand, signaling him to withdraw. A cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Sooner or later, she would go to Lushan Academy. He wanted to see how she would deal with his revenge then! Anyone who offended him could forget about coming to a good end!