The moment the man entered, he saw Lou Xiyan half-sitting against the cushion, her face darkening as she growled, "Lie down properly, why are you sitting up?""Where is the imperial physician?"In the spacious room, only Mobi and a maid were in sight. The man immediately erupted in anger, "Reckless fool, where could you have gone at a time like this?!"
Zhuo Qing gently scratched her ear, thinking, is this the so-called royal demeanor, the regal bearing? This emperor's temper seemed quite unpleasant; better to keep a low profile. Bowing her head, she closed her eyes to rest.
Lou Xiyan lightly pressed her forehead, smiling softly, "I just took my medicine, feeling a bit better now. Your yelling is giving me a headache!"Not only was he ill-tempered, but also loud! Staring daggers at him, Yan Hongtian snorted coldly, "Ungrateful wretch, the moment I heard your illness flared up, I rushed here without pause. And what do you do?"Throughout the entire Qiong Yue, or indeed the six kingdoms, probably only he dared to speak to him this way.
Lou Xiyan immediately straightened, clasping his fists with solemnity, "Your servant is deeply humbled, daring not to trouble Your Majesty."
"Lou—Xi—Yan!"
Lou Xiyan raised an eyebrow slightly. Yan Hongtian's cold gaze narrowed, and the two locked eyes. Zhuo Qing silently mused that their ruler-subject relationship was rather unconventional. Were they about to fight?But she was disappointed. Yan Hongtian suddenly plopped down on the bed. Seeing Lou Xiyan's complexion indeed improving, he whispered, "Are you satisfied with the gift?"
"What gift?" Lou Xiyan was taken aback."Qing Feng.""She..." Lou Xiyan glanced softly over Yan Hongtian's shoulder at Zhuo Qing, who stood obediently behind, and smiled faintly, "Very well."
Very well? Xiyan rarely praised a woman like this."Have you enjoyed it?"
Enjoyed!? Was she a mere dish of ribs and rice?! What did he take women for?! Zhuo Qing was left speechless.Her exasperated expression amused Lou Xiyan, who suddenly choked, suppressing a cough, "Cough, cough, cough!"
"Coughing again?" Yan Hongtian frowned, gently patting his back, "You're not young anymore. You should have a proper wife to continue the Lou family line! Your matter with Xuan'er..."Before Yan Hongtian could finish, Lou Xiyan sighed lightly, "In my sorry state, anyone who follows me will suffer. The matter of a lawful wife must wait."
Lou Xiyan's casual remark roused Yan Hongtian's slight ire, "Nonsense! If Xuan'er follows you, it is her fortune. If you dislike her, choose another."Unwilling to engage, Lou Xiyan shifted the topic, "The North Qi and Dinu nations have been warring for years. This time North Qi came to Qiong Yue to pay tribute—I suspect they seek aid."
"Good. If North Qi wants Qiong Yue to intervene, it depends on the price they're willing to pay. Don't trouble yourself with this."
Knowing Lou Xiyan did not wish to discuss Xuan'er, Yan Hongtian did not press further. Of all men, he could compel anyone but Xiyan.Patting Lou Xiyan's shoulder, he rose, "Rest well and regain your strength. I shall leave now. Do not attend court these few days."
"Mm."
Yan Hongtian walked toward the screen but suddenly stopped, glancing at the maid in the corner. Normally, only Mobi was by Lou Xiyan's side. When did another maid appear? The woman kept her head bowed; Yan Hongtian paid no further attention and departed.
Zhuo Qing sighed inwardly. His aggression was palpable—even a mere glance from those dark eyes carried lethal intent.Once Yan Hongtian left, Zhuo Qing immediately put down the tray. Lou Xiyan thought she might at least ask something, but she asked nothing, hastily moving toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Lou Xiyan called out.Without turning, Zhuo Qing's soft voice drifted back, "To find something to eat."
Lou Xiyan froze, recovering only after a moment, both amused and exasperated. She rushed out just to find food?!
A short while later, Jing Sa entered quietly, carrying a scroll, standing outside the screen and whispering, "Master, I've found it."A weary murmur came from the inner chamber, "Come in and speak."
Jing Sa entered, unrolling the scroll as he spoke, "The Qing sisters are famed far and wide. Many in the capital possess their portraits. This one was painted last year at the Bright Moon Poetry Gathering by the scholar Zhang Hanxi, depicting the three Qing ladies composing poetry."
The painting showed three women standing by a low table. The woman in blue held a fan in one hand and lightly ground ink with the other, graceful and serene, her smile elegant. The woman in purple was poised to write, eyes sparkling with confidence. Behind her stood a petite figure in green, holding a silk cloth, her face gentle and charming.
Each bore a distinct charm, all ethereal beauties. Even a mere painting captivated endlessly.By appearance, the central figure must be Qing Feng—aloof and self-assured, delicate and beautiful.
But the real Qing Feng was defiant and coldly proud. Lou Xiyan's expression grew colder still as he gazed at the smiling figure, his calm voice tinged with chill, "Who injured her face?"
Jing Sa and Mobi exchanged glances, surprise faintly flickering in their eyes. Their usually inscrutable master seemed unusually stirred tonight.Sensing this, Jing Sa bowed his head slightly, replying truthfully, "She did it to herself. The Qing sisters refused to be gifts for Qiong Yue. The Bright Moon King seized their parents as leverage, but unexpectedly, both elders perished in prison. Before setting out, the sisters mutilated their own faces and once attempted hanging themselves, but failed. They were rescued and directly brought to Qiong Yue."
Suicide? He could not believe Qing Feng would do such a thing. The calm, proud woman he knew would never choose that path in such circumstances.
Pondering, Lou Xiyan asked, "Do the Qing sisters bear any other marks?"
"Madam Qing is a famed tattoo artist in Bright Moon. Nearly all noble daughters invite her to tattoo a favored floral design between their brows upon reaching maturity. When the three ladies were one month old, Madam Qing tattooed the final character of their names on their bodies. So if she truly is Qing Feng, she should bear the character for 'Feng.'"
"Tattooing a 'Feng' on the body is hardly a distinctive trait."
Mobi frowned, "Anyone could find that out."
Jing Sa shook his head firmly, "This trait is unique to the Qing sisters. It is said Madam Qing possesses a secret technique: the tattoo remains invisible under normal conditions, only revealing itself when the bearer's emotions run high or body temperature rises. She only used this on her daughters."
"Verify if she bears the 'Feng' tattoo."
This woman's behavior was unusual. At minimum, he had to confirm if she was truly Qing Feng.
Jing Sa's face stiffened, silent for a long moment. Lou Xiyan sensed the change, asking softly, "Where is the tattoo located?"
"On the chest..."
The gentle morning light of spring poured warmly, caressing one's skin with comfort. Having missed the chance to observe the small courtyard last night, Zhuo Qing now looked closely, admitting Lou Xiyan's taste was exquisite.
The pavilion sat at the rear of the courtyard. Before it lay a small clearing furnished with stone tables and stools, perfect for enjoying the view and refreshing one's spirit.
Raising her eyes, she beheld an expansive, seemingly endless lake merging with the azure horizon, vast and serene.
Zhuo Qing sighed, a luxury indeed—who in the 21st century could afford to carve out such a vast lake at home? Yet Lou Xiyan truly knew how to savor life; waking to such crystal-clear, boundless waters must surely brighten anyone's mood.