maidservant

Chapter 54: Li Song returns to the palace after his wedding to entertain Yunshan and end his longing for her

One month after her wedding, the eldest princess returned to the palace with her husband to pay her respects to the emperor.

It was almost noon, and sunlight filtered through the cracks in the glazed tiles, casting a shadow over every inch of the palace. The emperor had specially arranged a family dinner for the princess and her husband, Li Song, as a token of his imperial favor.

Those invited to the banquet included Lin Yu, his master and his servant. The eldest prince was still an infant and was being cared for by a wet nurse in Liuhua Palace, so he was unable to attend.

Also present were Concubine Hui and her daughter, the eldest princess. Concubine Cui, Concubine Yang, and many talented women and concubines in the harem were all dressed in their best to show the royal ceremony.

However, the Queen is not feeling well and cannot come.

The emperor, holding up a golden cup and smiling, extended his sincere blessings to his sister and brother-in-law. The princess and her husband, Li Song, quickly stood up and respectfully returned the greeting, their gestures elegant and royal.

Afterwards, each concubine also toasted in turn with sincere words, wishing the newlyweds a happy marriage and eternal love.

At the banquet, Yun Shanshen quietly hid behind Yun Jin, fearing that she would be caught in the sight of Li Song and the princess. Although she tried her best to hide herself, she couldn't help but prick up her ears and listen carefully to what Li Song was saying.

Once upon a time, this man occupied an important place in her heart, but now he has become a prince consort, and there is no possibility for them to be together in this life anymore.

At the banquet, the eldest princess took great care of Li Song, even condescending to serve him food and taking the initiative to talk to him many times.

Li Song never let the princess's words go to waste, but every reply he made would begin with the three words "Your Highness" in a respectful manner. It seemed respectful, but in fact it revealed a sense of distance.

After the family dinner ended, everyone stood up to say goodbye. Yunshan followed Lin Yu and slowly left the banquet venue.

The sunlight shines through the cracks in the palace walls, forming golden beams of light, as if weaving an illusory dream in this solemn palace.

Just as they were about to step out of the palace, Mingyan, Li Song's servant, hurried over with a box of exquisite pastries in his hand.

Ming Yan stopped Lin Yu breathlessly, bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, this is the pear paste that Madam Lin asked our son to bring to you. She said it was made by her own hands."

Lin Yu's heart moved. She nodded slightly, indicating Yunshan to open the box. When the box was opened, a sweet fragrance emanated from it. Beneath this fragrance, there was a small note hidden.

Lin Yu took the note and saw that it said: I have no intention of asking for your favor, can you trust me?
Looking at these brief words, Lin Yu frowned slightly. She subconsciously lowered her voice and said to Yun Shan beside her:
"I'm afraid you'll need to discuss this matter with your cousin face to face. You see, with the eldest princess's intelligence, and with Li Song's behavior at the banquet today, I'm really worried that trouble will arise."

After saying that, Lin Yu turned around, showed a gentle smile to Ming Yan who was waiting beside him, and said softly:
"I also have a fashionable embroidery pattern. I'd like to ask my cousin to bring it to my mother so she can make a pair of tiger-head shoes for his grandson based on it." After a pause, she added:

"I have a few words of personal concern to share with mother, cousin."

Mingyan quickly agreed. Lin Yu then ordered Yunshan to hurry back to the palace to retrieve the item. Yunshan returned shortly afterwards, holding the embroidery pattern.

Then, Yunshan and Mingyan walked together in the direction of Li Song. Along the way, the palace walls towered, the shadows of the trees were mottled, and the sound of their footsteps was as clear as Yunshan's heartbeat.

In a corner of the palace garden, sunlight shines through the gaps between branches and leaves, casting fine shadows on the ground.

Li Song stood with his hands behind his back, quietly standing behind an exquisitely carved Taihu stone, his eyes fixed on several orchids growing between the cracks of the stone.

The breeze blew gently, and the orchids swayed slightly, emitting a quiet fragrance, just like him, intertwined with the solemn and gorgeous palace atmosphere.

At this time, Ming Yan was following behind him. Seeing this scene, he understood what he meant. He gently stepped back a few steps and stood quietly not far away.

Yunshan's voice was gentle yet a little reserved: "Master Li."

Then, she respectfully performed a standard court etiquette, handed over an embroidery pattern with both hands, and continued,

"Her Majesty asks you to help deliver this embroidery pattern to the Marquis' wife." Li Song slowly stretched out his hand and took the embroidery pattern, but his eyes never left Yunshan's face, and his eyes were full of complicated emotions.

After a moment, his lips moved slightly, and with a hint of helplessness and guilt, he whispered:

"Yunshan, I cannot disobey your order." The voice was low and hoarse, as if carrying countless hardships.

Yunshan raised her head and happened to meet Li Song's eyes full of sadness. Her heart trembled suddenly, as if hit by something.

She subconsciously took a big step back, and after calming herself down, she spoke slowly, her voice trembling slightly.

"A few days ago, I saw a light green peony on the street. I stared at it for a long time."

"But it was bought by someone at a high price. That person loves it very much and will definitely take good care of it."

"I won't blame that person with good vision, nor will I blame that peony flower."

"I know that's not my peony."

“But at that moment, it did bring fragrance to me.”

At this point, her gaze returned to Li Song's face, her eyes flickering.
"Master Li, what I mean is that I will always remember your kindness in my heart, and I can never repay it. When I was young, I had a person as kind and noble as you in my heart, and it will be the warmth of my life."

"It's just that I've let it go. Master Li, please don't blame me for being ruthless."

Her voice slowly lowered, and then she said firmly,

“People will eventually be trapped by the things they couldn’t get when they were young, but they will also eventually be solved by a moment or a scene.”

She took a deep breath, as if mustering up great courage.
"I must first survive, and live with clarity. Li Xueshi should forget this love."

"Only by leaving each other secretly and saying goodbye can we both feel at ease and have no regrets. This will be good for you, me, the queen, and the princess."

"The princess is virtuous and intelligent. I hope you and Her Highness will live in harmony and have many children."

As soon as she finished speaking, she bowed respectfully again, then turned around and left in a hurry.

She turned around resolutely, and in an instant, a tear rolled down her cheek silently, hitting the cold stone sculpture heavily.

This tear, carrying all her attachment and reluctance, seemed so lonely in this quiet palace.

However, the scorching sunlight was merciless and swallowed up the tear in an instant.

It was as if the love between them had withered before it even blossomed, being ruthlessly washed away by the torrent of fate, as if it had never left any mark in this world.

And this result may be the best for Yunshan, who is caught in the complex vortex of the palace.

However, although the sunlight evaporated the tears, it did leave a faint white mark on the stone sculpture.

The eldest princess finally discovered the clue.

　Hug Yunshan, I really love this character and hope she is well.

　　(End of this chapter)