The next morning, Xiaoxi was quietly packing her things when Liwei appeared at her side, concern softening his usual cheerfulness.
Liwei: "I've found a place where you can live for as long as you want."
Xiaoxi (nodding, gently smiling): "That's good… let me pack my luggage first, then I'll tell you when I'm ready to leave."
Liwei nodded understandingly: "Okay, take your time."
Unbeknownst to her, Haoran had been walking silently behind the pillar, listening. Each word pierced him like a sharp arrow. His chest tightened, and without making a sound, he turned and walked silently to his room.
On his way through the hall, the family called out:
Mingzhu: "Haoran!"
Grandma: "Haoran, wait!"
Empress: "Prince!"
Lianhua: "Haoran, don't ignore us!"
But he heard nothing. His mind was consumed with one thought: Xiaoxi… leaving him.
Once inside his room, he slammed the door and locked it. He sank to the floor, chest heavy, thoughts racing:
Haoran (thinking, voice low, heartbroken): She's going… going far away. That's not fair. Why? Why would she leave me? She… she can't just go… I…
The realization hit him like a wave. His chest tightened, breath uneven.
Haoran (voice almost whispering to himself): I… I'm in love with her. Deeply… more than she could ever imagine…
---
Later that evening, Xiaoxi entered the main hall, composed but with a subtle unease in her expression. Mingzhu noticed immediately:
Mingzhu: "Xiaoxi… what happened to you these days? I heard from everyone that you were lively and mischievous… what's going on?"
Xiaoxi smiled faintly, her voice calm but soft:
Xiaoxi: "Nothing much… I was just learning to be serious. I've learned a lot here—how to wash clothes, cook food, manage small things… and I'm very glad for all of that. Thank you, everyone." 🙏🏻
Before she could say more, Mingzhu teased, a playful glint in her eyes:
Mingzhu: "Oh… okay, that's good too. But I'll be going back tomorrow. Will you come see me off? You don't seem to like me that much, you know."
Xiaoxi blinked, caught off guard:
Xiaoxi: "No! Not like that… you're so good, how could anyone not like you?"
But even as she said it, a strange, uneasy feeling twisted inside her—something she couldn't quite name. It wasn't good, but it wasn't clear… and it all centered around Mingzhu leaving.
---
At that moment, Haoran appeared at the hall entrance. His expression was serious, almost somber, yet there was a sharp intensity in his eyes.
Lianhua (teasing, whispering to Grandma and Empress): "Haoran… are you sad because Mingzhu is leaving?" 😏
Haoran ignored the whispers, focusing solely on Xiaoxi. Every movement, every glance, was locked on her.
The family exchanged glances, whispering among themselves:
Grandma: "Something's definitely serious between them…"
Empress: "Yes… look at how he's looking at her."
Mingzhu (smiling softly, whispering): "Looks like Haoran has completely fallen for Xiaoxi." 🤭
Xiaoxi's eyes met Haoran's for a brief second. Time seemed to freeze. Her heart pounded, a mix of fear and longing.
Without thinking, Haoran strode forward, grabbed her hand firmly, and pulled her toward the door. The room spun slightly as he guided her to his chamber, shutting and locking the door behind them.
Outside, Lianhua, Grandma, Empress, and Mingzhu exchanged shocked and amused looks.
Lianhua: "Again… they're going to sleep together!" 🤣
Empress: "Maybe this time it will be peaceful… unlike last time, where he had dark circles under his eyes." 😏
Inside, Haoran held Xiaoxi close, her hand in his, his chest tight with emotion. For the first time, neither could deny what was between them—the teasing, the jealousy, the love that had quietly grown into something neither of them could control.
And the palace, once quiet, now buzzed with the silent tension of hearts that refused to let go. 💕