Twin Bonds

Everyone had already departed, and Lan Shaocheng's body had been carried away by the guards. Aside from Yilan and a few others waiting at the entrance, the once bustling hall of the Weiyang Palace was left with only Xianyue and Gong Shaohua. 

Xianyue helped Gong Shaohua to sit down, personally pouring her a cup of freshly brewed tea before taking a seat beside her. Gong Shaohua held the teacup tightly in both hands, continuously rubbing and moving it, much like someone clutching a hot water bottle in the winter, desperately seeking warmth. Her lips were pressed tightly together, trembling slightly, and her complexion had turned even paler, looking worse than before. She stared intently in the direction where the King and Lan Yixuan had vanished, her almond-shaped eyes resembling water, harboring deep-seated anger and resentment that burned like a hidden fire. Unbeknownst to her, her slender fingers pressed deeply into her pale skin. Xianyue remained silent, sensing her distress, knowing that she, too, could not find the appetite to eat at this moment. 

As evening approached, after soothing the emotions of the various ladies, Xu Momo returned to the Weiyang Palace, having sent them back to their residences. The golden afterglow of the setting sun poured into the room, and Gong Shaohua propped her chin on her hands, gazing blankly at the sky ablaze with sunset hues. Xu Momo approached her from behind, bowing slightly and respectfully calling out, "Your Majesty." 

Gong Shaohua turned around, startled as if doused with cold water, suddenly alert. "Momo, you're back." 

Xu Momo nodded, glancing toward Xianyue. "Has the young lady dined yet?" 

Gong Shaohua followed Xu Momo's gaze to see Xianyue pouring herself tea, lifting her head to meet Xu Momo's eyes and shaking her head. "Mother has not eaten all day. Momo, please send for dinner." 

After the recent events, Xu Momo no longer dared to act as though she were above Xianyue, feeling a measure of trepidation toward her, thus refraining from any reprimands. She turned to Gong Shaohua and said, "Your Majesty, you may not be feeling well, but please take care of yourself as well. I will fetch dinner right away." 

Gong Shaohua appeared lethargic, lacking energy, and nodded slightly. "Have the Imperial Kitchen prepare a few of the young lady's favorite dishes." 

"Just serve the usual fare." 

Hardly had Xu Momo exited when a stream of palace maids began to bring in the dishes. Gong Shaohua had little appetite and ate only a few bites before putting down her chopsticks. Xianyue, who hadn't eaten since rushing back from the western suburbs and enduring such a tumultuous scene, was genuinely hungry. As Gong Shaohua set down her chopsticks, Xianyue continued to eat heartily, commenting on the exquisite dishes even as she savored them. Xu Momo observed quietly, harboring dissatisfaction toward Xianyue but daring not to show it. 

With the table nearly cleared of the assorted dishes and pastries, Xianyue finally set down her chopsticks, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her round belly with a sigh, a look of contentment spreading across her face. 

The palace maids swiftly cleared the remaining food from the table, and soon another group entered with freshly brewed tea and dessert. 

Gong Shaohua remained silent, her hands resting on the table, lightly clenched into fists, her eyes reflecting deep worry and agitation. It wasn't until the moon rose high in the sky that she finally spoke, issuing an implicit dismissal: "Yue'er, it's getting late." 

Xianyue nodded but made no move to leave. Instead, she picked up a piece of pastry and popped it into her mouth, laughing lightly. Her sweet smile and bright eyes squinted playfully, like an innocent girl, her lips pouting in a mock display of pitifulness. "Is Mother blaming me?" 

Seeing Xianyue's bewildered and innocent expression, Gong Shaohua felt a surge of anger, almost losing control. Blame her? Impossible! Gong Shaohua longed to confront Xianyue, tearing away her smiling facade. If it weren't for the people she brought and their confrontation with her own, and if the King had not personally intervened, Lan Yixuan, no matter how capable, would never have been able to leave the Weiyang Palace. And what about Shaocheng? Hadn't she obstructed him from escaping? Gong Shaohua dared not reprimand Xianyue directly in front of her, fearing it would give her ammunition. Thus, her smile became pale and strained. "You think too much, Yue'er." 

Xianyue smiled innocently, grasping Gong Shaohua's hand. "If Mother does not blame me, then that is truly wonderful." 

She stood up from the table, lowering her head and squatting beside Gong Shaohua. "I know Mother harbors resentment towards me; you only say this to spare me further sorrow." 

Gong Shaohua looked down at Xianyue, who crouched on the floor, her lips curling into a smile. Deep inside, she mused: What trick is she playing now? Knowing full well that her words are dictated by her status, not out of concern for Xianyue's feelings. In truth, she would relish seeing her sorrow. If Lan Yixuan witnessed her distress, he surely wouldn't feel at ease either. 

"Over the years, it was indeed the Second Prince who remained by your side, but Lord Lan is your true son. The world is perilous, and he must have faced considerable hardships while alone outside. As his mother, the words you spoke were quite hurtful. I understand your feelings, but how can you place the blame on Lord Lan without any evidence?" 

As Xianyue spoke, traces of anger could be detected in her tone, her voice rising indignantly. 

Gong Shaohua glanced at Xu Momo beside her, sighed, and felt her anger gradually dissipate. Her lips curled upward as a malicious smile flickered in her watery almond eyes. "Do you hold deep feelings for Yixuan, Yue'er?" 

Xianyue abruptly lifted her head, her clear gaze reflecting the starry night sky, bright and resplendent. Her unblemished face revealed no trace of shyness as she nodded solemnly. "I do." 

Releasing Gong Shaohua's hand, she stood upright, her posture straight, and with the door ajar, the night sky and stars lay before her. "If I did not harbor such feelings, why would I marry him?"

Xianyue turned to face Gong Shaohua, smiling gently. "So, when I heard you say that he was responsible for the death of the second prince, I felt an immediate surge of anger. It's baseless, after all. You are still his mother. Though he may not show any signs of sorrow, I know he must be heartbroken. It's much like how, in the past, Father would unjustly place all the blame on me without inquiry; it left me feeling quite uncomfortable. Thus, I sincerely hope you can be kinder to him."

As she spoke, Xianyue settled back into her original position. "The moment I first saw you, I felt an inexplicable closeness and genuinely desired to bond with you. I understand that you are upset about what transpired earlier, but if given the chance to choose again, I would still act as I did. No matter the circumstances, right or wrong, I would stand by Master Lan. This is not solely due to our shared interests, but more so because I love him."

Gong Shaohua gazed intently at Xianyue, letting out a soft laugh—gone was the despairing hysteria of the daytime. This was a true smile, as she poured tea for Xianyue, her eyes sparkling with warmth. Xianyue's gaze drifted beyond her, towards the window where lanterns cast a soft glow. A smile graced her lips, curving in a serene arc.

The more Xianyue showcased her unwavering affection for Lan Yixuan, the more painful it would be for her if anything were to happen to her brother in the future. This would only deepen her resentment towards Lan Yixuan, precisely what Gong Shaohua desired.

As Xianyue raised the tea cup offered by Gong Shaohua to her lips, Gong Shaohua lifted her own cup and took a small sip. "I've heard that you share a close bond with your brother."

Xianyue looked up, nodding sincerely. Perhaps thinking of Feng Jiulan, her expression softened with warmth. "Brother is the kindest person in this world to me."

"If you could only choose between Lan Yixuan and your brother, whom would you select?"

Xianyue fixed her gaze on Gong Shaohua, her fair complexion suddenly drained of color. With a loud crash, her tea cup toppled, spilling its contents all over her. Startled, she lowered her head, her bright eyes clouded with confusion. In her fluster, she attempted to clean up the shards on the ground but inadvertently cut her finger. Biting her lip, the wounds she had been avoiding were suddenly exposed, blood flowing freely. She struggled to suppress her inner dread, haunted by Gong Shaohua's question: If you could only choose between Lan Yixuan and your brother, whom would you select?

Gong Shaohua remained seated, her smile more enchanting than a blooming camellia, pleased as she observed Xianyue's pale profile. She sharply commanded Xu Momo, who was standing nearby, "Xu Momo, what are you dawdling for? Get someone to come in and clean this up."

Xianyue raised her gaze, her eyes brimming with tears. She settled back into her seat, forcing a smile that barely masked her discomfort, her voice trembling slightly. "Why are you suddenly asking this question, Mother?"

In high spirits, Gong Shaohua replied, "I was merely curious."

Xianyue sniffed, responding with a soft "Oh," as a smile broke across her face. She patted her chest, appearing considerably more at ease. "Mother, please refrain from asking such questions; it leaves me feeling flustered and uneasy."

Her candid smile only served to heighten Gong Shaohua's satisfaction. She mistook Xianyue's reaction as concern for the two men, genuinely believing Xianyue remained oblivious to the underlying tensions.

"I was merely curious about what might happen if a dispute were to arise between the Feng and Lan kingdoms—"

Before she could finish, Xianyue interjected, "The Feng and Lan kingdoms are one; no matter what happens, there will never be any discord. I cannot bear to part with eitherMaster Lan or my brother."

"Is that so?"

The light tone could not disguise the triumph that swelled within her heart.

"Indeed."

Just then, palace maids entered to clean up the broken pieces, prompting Gong Shaohua to rise and take Xu Momo's hand. "I am weary; you should return to your quarters early, Yue'er."

With the previous coldness gone, she suddenly appeared much more approachable.

Xianyue rose to her feet and embraced Gong Shaohua from behind, standing on her tiptoes to examine her left earlobe. Yet, she still could not see anything, pressing her cheek against her back. "Mother, may I sleep with you tonight?"

Before Gong Shaohua could refuse, Xianyue stepped in front of her. "When I was very young, I wished that if Mother hadn't passed away, I could sleep with her, sharing whispered secrets at night."

With a playful wink, she took hold of Gong Shaohua's other hand. "Mother, let me assist you back to your quarters."