Double Queens GL - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

“Why have you come, Your Highness?” Although Ye Guichen was feeling quite unhappy, she maintained her surface persona of gentleness and virtue—a posture that appeared harmless and a tone that was soft as silk.

“Only one day has passed, and why are we so distant again? Didn’t you already call me ‘Hening’ yesterday?” Seeing Ye Guichen emerge, Liu Hening immediately greeted her with joy, though she was clearly dissatisfied with the formal way Ye Guichen addressed her.

“I simply haven’t adjusted to the change yet,” Ye Guichen said with a gentle smile.

“Then it’s not too late to adjust now.” Liu Hening looked at the smiling, gentle Ye Guichen and thought to herself: It would be so much better if Huachao were smiling at me from the bottom of her heart.

“Then, does Hening have some business with me?” After being forced to change how she addressed Liu Hening, Ye Guichen asked her question once more.

“Indeed, it sounds much more intimate this way,” Liu Hening said, satisfied. She reached out to take Ye Guichen’s hand.

Ye Guichen’s smile faded slightly. She loathed this hypocritical intimacy from Liu Hening but found it impossible to refuse. As the “virtuous” former Empress, she couldn’t simply rebuff Liu Hening’s active show of goodwill; doing so would damage her reputation if word got out. False sentimentality—who doesn’t know how to play that game? So, Ye Guichen suppressed her revulsion and allowed Liu Hening to hold her hand. Since Liu Hening had just come from outside, her hands were icy. In this freezing weather, who would want to hold a block of ice in their palm? She figured Liu Hening felt her own hands were cold and was intentionally using her to warm them up.

Liu Hening held Ye Guichen’s hand. It was exactly as she had imagined: soft and warm. She was reluctant to let go; it was far better than any hand-warmer she had ever used.

Watching this, Ye Meng thought to herself: This woman is truly shameless. My mistress is clearly not close to her, yet she acts with an intimacy that no ordinary person could pull off.

Yu Zheng and Liu Yan, however, were used to Liu Hening’s behavior. Liu Hening seemed passionate toward everyone; she was just particularly enthusiastic toward Ye Guichen.

“Next time Hening comes out, you must wear more layers. Look how cold your hands are.” Ye Guichen spoke with apparent sincerity, rubbing Liu Hening’s hand between her own as if they were truly close sisters. Before Liu Hening entered the palace, Ye Guichen never knew she was capable of such duplicity. It wasn’t hard to do, but it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Huachao’s hands are so warm. I just want to hold them like this and never let go,” Liu Hening said happily. She truly loved the feeling of Huachao rubbing her hands.

Seeing that Liu Hening had no intention of releasing her, Ye Guichen wondered if this woman really planned to stay like this forever. Somehow, she felt Liu Hening was exactly the type of person to do something so absurd.

“Hening is joking. If you are still cold, I will have the servants add more charcoal to the fire.” Fearing that Liu Hening might actually never let go, Ye Guichen withdrew her hand as she spoke.

Liu Hening felt a wave of disappointment as that soft, warm hand was pulled away. She could only stare blankly at Ye Guichen.

Seeing the disappointment in Liu Hening’s eyes, Ye Guichen’s lip twitched. She thought: This person has woven hypocrisy into her very bones; she makes it look so real.

“What has Hening come to find me for?” Ye Guichen asked again, straining her patience but keeping her tone gentle. Every time she spoke to her, Liu Hening would ramble about nonsense instead of answering the question. It was a good thing she had a good temper!

“After meeting Huachao, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I had nothing to do, so I came to see you. Indeed, as soon as I see Huachao, my mood improves,” Liu Hening said with total sincerity and honesty.

If Liu Hening were a different gender, these words would sound exactly like a lover professing his longing for his beloved. Consequently, everyone present—except for Liu Yan—felt that the statement was quite strange.

Ye Guichen looked at Liu Hening with a bizarre expression.

Ye Meng once again felt that Liu Hening was utterly shameless, saying anything regardless of whether the status or situation was appropriate.

See? I knew Miss would say something that causes misunderstanding and embarrassment, Liu Yan thought. She felt she knew her mistress all too well.

Yu Zheng, observing the odd expressions on Ye Guichen and Ye Meng’s faces, thought: Her Highness’s words are indeed strange and somewhat improper.

Seeing Ye Guichen’s strange look, Liu Hening wondered if she had said something wrong. She really did want to see Huachao, and she really was happy to see her. She wasn’t lying!

“Did I say something wrong?” Liu Hening asked with a spirit of “if I don’t know, I’ll ask.”

“Not at all. It’s just that Hening and I have only met once or twice; I am quite surprised to be the object of such concern,” Ye Guichen replied. On the surface, it sounded reasonable, but the underlying implication was a jab at Liu Hening’s perceived insincerity.

“It wasn’t just once or twice. We’ve met three times already. Adding today makes it the fourth,” Liu Hening corrected, remembering perfectly.

“Hening certainly remembers clearly.” The first two times were mere glimpses; in Ye Guichen’s view, yesterday was their first real encounter.

“Of course. Anything related to Huachao, I will remember very clearly,” Liu Hening said with a smile, once again speaking words that felt somewhat inappropriate.

Ye Guichen gave an awkwardly polite smile, treating Liu Hening like an innocent child who speaks without filters. She picked up her teacup and lowered her head to drink, refusing to continue the topic. This woman was shameless; she had no desire to play along with the farce.

Ye Meng thought to herself: Even the Emperor has never said such sappy things to my mistress. This woman is truly beyond words. In all my years, I’ve never seen anyone like her.

Liu Hening saw Ye Guichen drinking tea to avoid her words and gaze and thought Ye Guichen simply didn’t believe her. But it didn’t matter; the painting she brought would prove her words were true.

“When I came, I specifically painted another picture for Huachao.” Liu Hening brought out the Beauty Plucking Flowers painting.

“Could it be another portrait of Guanyin?” Ye Guichen’s tone held a hint of mockery. She thought: Does this woman think she’s a Sage of Painting, giving them away left and right? If Liu Hening had sent another Guanyin with her own face on it, Ye Guichen wouldn’t even be surprised.

“Guess?” Liu Hening shook her head, glad she had listened to Liu Yan and didn’t paint another Guanyin. Otherwise, it would have lacked novelty and been guessed immediately. Actually, she had thought about painting a Guanyin at first, since it was her favorite subject.

Ye Guichen had zero curiosity about what Liu Hening had painted, nor did she have the leisure to play riddles. “I can’t guess,” she said, shaking her head.

“You’ll know once you open it.” Liu Hening handed the scroll to Ye Guichen.

Ye Guichen took it and unrolled it. It was the scene of her plucking the flower branch that day. As she looked at the painting, a flash of irritation—barely perceptible—flickered in her eyes. She wasn’t sure if Liu Hening was truly ignorant or if she was pretending to be, intentionally creating this to mock her lack of favor. If it were the latter, it was incredibly arrogant and loathsome. Fortunately, the painting didn’t show her face or name her, so it wasn’t a total humiliation.

Liu Hening had been full of anticipation, hoping Ye Guichen would like it. She had no idea that after opening the painting, Ye Guichen seemed unhappy—perhaps even a bit angry. Liu Hening didn’t understand. Was the painting bad? Why would it make Huachao so angry? She was filled with confusion. Facing Huachao, she felt completely at a loss.

“Hening is skilled at painting; it is very well done,” Ye Guichen praised, rolling the painting back up and handing it to Ye Meng.

“Where is it not good enough? Tell me, and I’ll go back and change it.” Seeing that Ye Guichen didn’t like it, Liu Hening felt despondent but thought she could still save it.

“It is very good, I like it very much. There is no need to change it,” Ye Guichen lied through her teeth, saying the most insincere words possible. In truth, she wanted to tear the painting to shreds. Liu Hening had inadvertently captured her state of resentment, which was humiliating enough. Who would have thought Liu Hening would paint that exact moment? It was like rubbing salt in a wound. Whether intentional or not, she had provoked Ye Guichen. An unintentional act was annoying; an intentional one was hateful.

Huachao lied again. She clearly doesn’t like it. This time, Liu Hening didn’t dare call her out, fearing she would make Ye Guichen even angrier. She could only stare at her again, her eyes looking particularly helpless and pitiful.

Looking at Liu Hening’s innocent and pathetic expression, Ye Guichen didn’t feel the slightest bit of pity. She was only more certain that she hated this person and wished she would just vanish.

“This Palace has many affairs to handle. I’m afraid I cannot continue to keep Hening company.” Ye Guichen decided to stop pretending and issued a direct order for her to leave.

“It’s fine. You don’t need to mind me; I’ll just watch you handle palace affairs,” Liu Hening said, being quite oblivious.

“If Hening is interested in palace affairs, then I shall hand them all over to you to manage.” Ye Guichen couldn’t believe this woman couldn’t take a hint.

“Ah! I have no interest in palace affairs. I am only interested in Huachao. Since Huachao doesn’t want me disturbing your work, I will head back now,” Liu Hening said with a hint of grievance at being shooed away.

Ye Meng thought to herself: Miss really has a good temper. She had been standing by, unable to watch any longer, and had secretly rolled her eyes several times.

Yu Zheng thought: Our new mistress is indeed… quite thick-skinned. Although there was nothing technically wrong with the Eastern Palace Lady’s attitude, Yu Zheng could feel the disdain. She had even caught Ye Meng’s eye-rolls. Honestly, she could understand Ye Meng’s feelings; Liu Hening was quite annoying when you first met her. Yu Zheng had felt the same way, but after getting to know her, she realized Liu Hening was actually a very good person.

Liu Yan sighed inwardly. This Lady of the Eastern Palace is like a fortress wall. Miss is going to keep hitting her head against it until she’s black and blue. She thought it would be better for her mistress to play with Lady Zhang—whose heart was as thin as paper and could be seen through with a single glance. That would be much more fun and far less stressful.