Promises Under the Moon

Amidst swirling mist and fluttering scarlet silk, the candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows. The moonlight streamed through the open window, blanketing the floor in silver. Within the serene confines of the Weiyang Palace, silence reigned.Gong Shaohua lay on the outer side of the bed while Xianyue rested on the inner side, with Xu Momo dutifully waiting at the door.

As Xianyue turned over, Gong Shaohua, her eyes still partially closed, suddenly opened them, shifting slightly to gaze at Xianyue. "Can't sleep?" 

Xianyue responded with a soft sound, propping her chin on her hand. "Mother, would you tell me about Master Lan's childhood?" 

She fixed her earnest and expectant gaze on Gong Shaohua. 

"Xuan Er?" 

Xianyue nodded. "Has he always been this way?" 

Gong Shaohua reclined on the bed, her eyes drawn to the intricately embroidered canopy above. With her hands slipping from beneath the covers, she seemed to drift into memories before finally speaking, "He is the eldest son of the Lan Kingdom, destined to inherit the throne. He is taciturn and composed, seldom engaging in playful antics with other princes and princesses. Just like now, he wears a smile that invites warmth yet instills a sense of distance. He rarely approaches even his father and me; few understand his thoughts. Even at a young age, he commanded great respect from the palace eunuchs and maids, as well as from the ministers."

Xianyue lay flat on the bed, mirroring Gong Shaohua's posture, her hands cradling her neck. This was as she had imagined—just like her brother, he was mature beyond his years, and it was only natural for him not to play with the other royals. His demeanor and conduct were far beyond their comprehension.

"Were there no amusing tales?" 

Xianyue's voice took on a muffled tone as she suddenly chuckled, leaning closer to Gong Shaohua. "Mother, he must have wet the bed when he was little. How old was he the last time?" 

Gong Shaohua widened her eyes, focusing on Xianyue's close, cheerful face, shaking her head with a smile. "He was taken to the Xuelan Palace by the palace wet nurse shortly after his birth." 

The brightness faded from Xianyue's eyes, her energy waning as she let out a dejected, "Oh." She had not received the answer she desired and felt somewhat disheartened.

Royal customs were well established; each prince had a wet nurse chosen before birth, and she would care for him. If a mother was favored, they could often gather; if not, they would see each other rarely throughout the year. 

As the eldest son of the Lan Kingdom and born of the queen, he bore great responsibility. However, since his mother hailed from a lesser family without substantial influence, and coupled with the king's deep affection for her, it was likely that they had frequent interactions, fostering a close bond. Otherwise, he would not harbor such profound resentment towards Gong Shaohua, nor would that incident leave such a heavy shadow in his heart. 

She did not believe there was anything wrong with Lan Yi Xuan's aloofness towards the other royals; those within the palace were astute enough not to easily invest their emotions.

"Xue'er was very young when she took a liking to him. That child, so proud, looked down upon the other princes. During her time in the Lan Kingdom, she would cling to 轩儿's side, following him wherever he went. There was one occasion when he went outside the palace for a visit, and Xue'er secretly followed. To avoid her, he sought refuge in the renowned Zuiyue Tower, where several ministers recognized him immediately. He fled on the spot, bringing Lei An and Lei Yun back with him." 

In the tranquil Weiyang Palace, the sound of Xianyue's delightful laughter and the rhythmic thump of her hands on the bed reverberated. "Mother, this is hilarious! How old was Master Lan when he visited a brothel?" 

Gong Shaohua couldn't help but laugh. "He was only eight at that time." 

Xianyue clasped her belly, her laughter gradually subsiding. "Mother, why did Master Lan leave the Lan Kingdom?" 

Tilting her head, she rested her chin on her hand, looking down at Gong Shaohua. 

"I'm not sure either. On his tenth birthday, the king celebrated his birthday at the Xuelan Palace, and many ministers and their daughters came to congratulate him. The king had previously discussed with me selecting a few suitable candidates from among them as potential future consorts. During the banquet, the king asked Xuan Er what gift he desired, but he said nothing. After the banquet, the king summoned him to Huaihe Palace; I do not know what the two discussed. Two months later, he left the Lan Kingdom without a word, and it wasn't until recently that he returned." 

Gong Shaohua sighed, "After he departed, I inquired about Xuan Er's whereabouts from the king multiple times, but he never told me. Coincidentally, when Chen'er's mother passed away, the king allowed him to stay by my side. Chen'er is truly a well-behaved child. Initially, he accompanied me in the Weiyang Palace every day. After the Concubine left the palace, he would still come to greet me daily, sharing amusing stories from the common folk to lighten my mood. Though Xuan Er is my biological son, I did not raise him myself, so we are not close. Over the years, I have come to regard Chen'er as my own son. I never expected such a thing would happen." 

Gong Shaohua's voice trembled, and tears began to stream down her face as she spoke. 

 Xianyue reached out with her other hand to wipe away the tears on her face. "The second prince's filial piety is evident; everything he does is to bring joy to you, Mother. Even now, though he may be gone, you should smile, for that is the best way to honor his intentions." 

Gong Shaohua nodded, retrieving a sleeve from beneath her pillow to dry her tears. "What about you, Yue'er? As a national princess, a legendary figure in both the Feng Kingdom and the Jianghu, what led you to leave the palace and venture into the world alone?" 

Her gentle voice was filled with warmth. 

"Me? A legend?"

 Xianyue smiled gently, "Everything I did was certainly for my brother." 

"My mother died in childbirth, and my father, who adored her dearly, believed I was the cause of her death. After abandoning me in the Snow Mulberry Palace, he completely neglected my well-being. The tedious concubines in the harem, seeing that I was not favored, often bullied me. At that time, it was only my brother who treated me kindly. He would let me choose from the gifts bestowed upon him by our father and would discipline those who tormented me, often clashing with our father over my matters. Every night, he would tell me stories and hold me as I fell asleep. All my joyful memories and warmth from childhood were given to me by him. At that age, I understood nothing, only thinking that I would protect him in the future, just as he had cared for himself; I would also safeguard him." 

"My brother's health was poor, and later, when he saved me from drowning, he was left with lasting afflictions. I loathed Concubine Li and resented my father's indecisiveness, which I saw as weakness. Thus, I took it upon myself to eliminate Concubine Li for harming my brother. Because of him, I had no choice but to leave the palace and spent the next ten years with Liu Xinyou." 

 Xianyue chuckled softly and fell back onto the bed, stretching her somewhat numb arms. "Perhaps you don't know who Liu Xinyou is, Mother." 

"The bond between you and your brother is truly admirable and enviable." 

宫少华 smiled, but deep within her eyes lay concealed malice and triumph, along with the exhilaration of all that she had planned. 

 Xianyue raised her hand, fingers splayed, peering through the gaps to glimpse the hanging curtains. "That is because my brother treated me well. He was aware of Sister Pingting's feelings for him and genuinely cared for her, yet fearing that she would be unaccompanied in the Lan Kingdom, he insisted on bringing her with him for my sake. He endured many hardships for me and even sacrificed the things he desired. Therefore, regardless of what transpires, as long as I am present, I will not permit anyone to harm him." 

"What if it is Xuan Er?" 

"Although the young master of the Lan family knows my brother's sacrifices for me and understands my brother's significance in my life, in the end, he still seeks to harm my dearest one. Is such love still love?" 

 Xianyue tilted her head, looking at Gong Shaohua, her bright eyes as unyielding as stone. "I trust the young master; he would never harm my brother." 

Gong Shaohua slightly raised her head to meet the unwavering gaze of Xianyue, nodding with a smile. 

"If he truly harmed my brother, I would never forgive him in this lifetime." 

Gong Shaohua remarked, "If Xuan Er were to hear this, it would surely sadden him." 

She chuckled lightly. "I'm tired; I shall rest now. You should also retire early, Yue'er." 

With that, she closed her eyes, the corners of her lips curling upwards, revealing no hint of sorrow. 

 Xianyue remained silent, motionless for a long while, until the steady sound of breathing beside her broke the stillness. She finally retracted her raised arm, glancing sideways at Gong Shaohua, her smile gradually fading, a chill settling in her heart. If only she were lying next to the birth mother of Lan Yi Xuan, perhaps she could truly cuddle into her embrace and share the thoughts of a little girl. Yet now, lying together, they each harbored their own secrets. 

Gong Shaohua kept her close to test which of Lan Yi Xuan or her brother was more significant to her. This woman, who was so passionately obsessed with love, must finally feel at ease, believing she had successfully placated her heart. The words she spoke were merely to satisfy her desires. Which of them were genuine, and which were laced with deceit? Perhaps they were all true, otherwise, how could she deceive this astute woman by her side? 

Once her purpose was achieved, she relaxed and drifted into a peaceful sleep, while Xianyue could not behave as she had envisioned, snuggling up to her. 

 Xianyue propped herself up, leaning over to nuzzle her chin against the earlobe of Gong Shaohua, gently brushing aside the loose strands of hair. In the chamber, the candlelight flickered, casting alternating shadows. Gong Shaohua remained with her eyes closed, entirely unaware, while Xianyue lowered her head, fixating on her left earlobe—small and exquisite, utterly bare. 

Suddenly, Gong Shaohua opened her eyes, causing Xianyue to abruptly shift her gaze to meet hers. 

"What are you looking at?" 

Gong Shaohua squinted slightly, inquiring. 

 Xianyue supported her chin with one hand. "I wanted to see if the young master resembles you, Mother." 

 Xianyue reclined once more. "The young master does bear some resemblance to you." 

It was merely a physical likeness, but their natures were worlds apart. Xianyue chuckled softly, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep.