The Moon Falls into the Galaxy - Chapter 5

When the wooden door opened, the moonlight spilled in along with it. Shishi’s face was illuminated until it was snow-white, and her almond-like eyes appeared exceptionally round when widened.

She averted her gaze, her thick, curled lashes casting shadows like gold dust upon her porcelain skin. She was naturally not a silver-tongued person; when she felt nervous, she was even less sure of what to say. Despite being a noble lady of a high house, she appeared timid and shy, just like a little girl.

Li Yan preferred quiet and was habitually taciturn. Even his attendants were people of few words, yet they were all extremely sharp, understanding his intentions without him needing to speak. But Shishi was slow and naive; coupled with the fact that she was unfamiliar with him, she naturally didn’t know to take the initiative to speak.

Furthermore, he could perceive that she was afraid of him not out of dread for his status or power, but rather a reflexive, instinctive response one might have toward an elder. His heart stirred slightly; he simply found Shishi quite adorable. Much like facing a tender flower, even the coldest person would subconsciously wish to protect and cherish her.

Li Yan asked slowly, “Do you feel better?”

Shishi nodded. Her hair was messy from sleep and her face was flushed red. Only after a long while did she dare to look toward him. Her eyes were clear and bright, like a spring pool rippling with water.

“It is late. Rest here for tonight, and I will send someone to escort you back tomorrow morning, alright?” he said softly. Jueshan Temple was some distance from the Xie Manor, and given the assassination attempt today, it was better to be cautious.

Shishi softly agreed. she looked at him with the admiring gaze of a fledgling bird and asked in a small voice, “Are you leaving?”

This girl was far too gentle. Li Yan vaguely remembered how she looked when she was very young. Back then, the Xie clan was at its peak. As the legitimate eldest granddaughter of the Duke of Wei, her full-month banquet was even more grand than a state banquet. Such a precious girl even if she wanted the clouds from the horizon, someone would have plucked them for her.

His mind shifted slightly, and he silently touched his thumb ring. Li Yan patiently explained to her, “This matter is of great importance; I must return to the palace after all.”

He thought she was afraid, but unexpectedly, Shishi said, “The night is deep; you should be careful too.” After saying this, she tilted her lips into a soft, harmonious smile.

Jueshan Temple was quite far from the Imperial City; it would take half an hour even by fast horse, and because of his eye condition, he could only travel by carriage. Li Yan nodded and said warmly, “Sleep peacefully.”

The thumb inside his sleeve gradually relaxed from the jade ring, straightening out like a white scallion.

After Li Yan left, Shishi still couldn’t suppress the surge of emotion in her heart. Everything had happened so suddenly; it was almost like a dream. Just as she was calculating how to meet him, she had actually run right into him. He was so gentle—no matter how she looked at him, he didn’t seem like the ruthless and cruel Regent of the rumors. Was it only because he was her uncle?

Shishi was curious, but her father was an only child, so she had no biological paternal uncles. Perhaps his nature was simply that of a gentle person. But then she felt that something wasn’t quite right; she just couldn’t figure out what it was, and for a moment, she even confused herself.

Shishi took a deep breath, stepped off the bed, and used the fresh water in the porcelain basin to wash her hands. When she strained the wound on her arm, she discovered the blade wound had already been treated. Her sleeve had been sliced by the sharp edge and was soiled with blood. This was the new spring robe she had made this year, ruined the very first time she wore it.

It wasn’t because the dress was particularly precious, but she simply felt a bit sad. Thinking further about Xue Yun and the Imperial Grandson, Shishi felt even more frustrated. Once Li Yan left, her emotions caught up to her; her heart felt empty, as if something were missing.

In truth, she rarely felt this way, but Shishi soon found herself unable to stay sad.

The attendant named Zhou Yan returned after Li Yan had gone. Like someone presenting a treasure, he placed a large sandalwood box before her. Shishi held her spoon, eating sweet soup while peering over curiously. She didn’t pride herself on being overly noble, she was just a bit shy around strangers. After a moment, she blinked and looked at him. “Officer Zhou, what is this?”

“It is a gift of apology from His Highness,” Zhou Yan said with a smile.

He opened the locks on the sandalwood box one by one. Under the moonlight, the silks and satins gleamed with a faint silvery light, looking exceptionally soft and smooth as they grazed Shishi’s palm like clear water. She was briefly stunned for a moment. “Thank you, Seventh Uncle.”

She pursed her lips and smiled faintly; her already beautiful face gained a touch of snow-like elegance, as pure and beautiful as a pear blossom in first bloom.

This was Shishi’s first time spending the night in a strange place, yet she had sweet dreams all night, sleeping even better than she did at home.

The early spring morning still carried a bit of a chill. She selected a crimson gauze skirt from the finished garments and draped a snow-white fox fur cloak over her shoulders. Li Yan was meticulous; he had even provided hairpins, earrings, and other small accessories for her. She could vaguely tell that some were newly purchased, while others might have been retrieved from the Prince’s private storehouse.

The ends of the silver hairpins were hung with bells that made a delicate, crisp sound as she walked pleasant and melodious. Shishi’s delicate face was partially hidden under her hood. Seeing that she had woken up early, Zhou Yan took her for another walk around Jueshan Temple. To her regret, Li Yan had not yet returned by the time she was set to leave.

“You need not worry, Miss. Previously, whenever His Highness entered the palace, he would stay overnight there,” Zhou Yan laughed.

Under the escort of many guards, she boarded the carriage. They didn’t depart until they had brought her all the way to the main road. Shishi traveled toward the rising sun. By the time she reached the Duke of Wei’s Manor, the chill and thin mist had completely dissipated. The warm light was radiant, and the spring breeze had become gentle and soft.

Li Yan must have already sent word to the Xie family last night. The gatekeepers hurriedly welcomed her back. Her maid, Lüqi, carefully organized the accessories and clothing from the sandalwood box. When she saw the wound on Shishi’s arm, Lüqi’s brows knitted together tightly.

Shishi said with a light smile, “It doesn’t hurt.”

She took out the porcelain bottle from her sleeve—it was given to her by Zhou Yan before she left, reportedly crafted overnight by a miraculous doctor in the Prince of Yong’s manor.

Not long after applying the medicine, Qingluo came over in a hurry and said, “Miss, the third son of the Xue family is here.”

Shishi did not want to see him, but at this moment, she was even less willing to wait for her fate to be sealed. He was a hypocrite with a human face but the heart of a beast; his mouth was full of benevolence and morality, yet he could personally send his betrothed wife to another man’s bed to secure more interests. Just thinking of Xue Yun’s feigned innocence made her want to vomit.

She didn’t bother changing her clothes and went straight to the front courtyard to receive the guest. Her step-sister, Xie Erniang, was actually there as well. She was leaning on a soft couch, calling her “Sister” with a coy smile. Shishi didn’t want to be too close to her, but Xie Qingshu insisted on going against her wishes, forcing herself to sit in the same spot.

A string of soft, whispering words fell into her ears. Normally, Shishi would have proactively approached her, but right now, she didn’t want to be anywhere near her. Xie Qingshu’s expression gradually cooled, but it was Xue Yun who had come to demand answers—who played the peacemaker between them.

“Shishi, you are sisters after all. Erniang waited so long for you yesterday and said nothing,” he said, standing on the other side of Shishi. “She just wants to sit with you.”

Shishi’s vivid face remained somewhat cold. Her almond eyes fixed on Xue Yun until he began to feel a bit guilty. She tilted her chin slightly, and the silver hairpins in her hair made a crisp sound.

“But I don’t want to,” Shishi said softly.

The words of refusal she had rehearsed a thousand times in her heart came out so easily that she herself was somewhat stunned. Xue Yun’s expression turned sour as well. Shishi felt like laughing; the two of them really were a perfect match.

He stiffly changed the subject. “Speaking of which, Shishi, where were you yesterday? Erniang and I waited for you for a long time.” He feigned concern, but in reality, he was rebuking her.

Shishi sat down on a round chair of her own accord. When her expression grew cold, she looked very different from her usual self noble like a drifting cloud in the sky, making people only dare to watch from afar.

“Where I went what does that have to do with you, Third Brother?” Her fingers intertwined. “I didn’t go yesterday, but didn’t you and Erniang have a very happy time at Baiyun Temple? If I had gone… it would have been quite inappropriate.”

She didn’t know how such biting words had come out of her mouth, but she truly couldn’t think of anything nice to say to the two of them. In that nightmare, she had been reduced to being the concubine of the Imperial Grandson, Li Yue. Meanwhile, those two became a divine couple envied by all. Whether Xue Yun and her step-sister truly had discord, Shishi didn’t know; she only knew they were a match made in heaven.

When these thoughts appeared, she surprised even herself.

Xue Yun remained composed, showing not a trace of the embarrassment or shame of being found out. On the contrary, Xie Qingshu’s willow-leaf brows knitted together. she looked at Shishi imperceptibly, as if wanting to devour her with her gaze—an expression like a wolf or a tiger strangely appearing on a young girl’s face.

“Shishi, what are you saying?” He seemed to realize something and softened his tone again. “It isn’t what you think.”

Xue Yun said warmly, “Erniang only came over because she thought you had already set out. We were waiting for you all day yesterday; how could we have the mind for amusement?” He adopted that gentle and humble look again, trying to coax and deceive her.

“As long as Third Brother doesn’t have a guilty conscience,” Shishi said softly.

She spoke slowly, her bright and translucent eyes sweeping over the two of them, as if seeing right through their private affair. Shishi didn’t want to be too blunt, but seeing the white flower in her step-sister’s hand, she inexplicably thought of Li Yan in his white robes. The words that had been stuck in her throat suddenly gained the courage to be spoken.

She lifted her head slightly. “Shishi does not wish to destroy a fated marriage. If Third Brother truly loves Erniang, then marry her.” She said with a smile, “I suppose I can be considered a person who helps others achieve beauty.”

Xue Yun’s expression changed instantly. He seemed to be suppressing rage, yet he still tried his best to soothe her. “Shishi, what are you thinking? Did a servant tell you something they shouldn’t have?”

“Third Brother knows the truth himself.” Shishi didn’t want to continue the false pretenses with him. She stood up and walked straight out of the front courtyard, her crimson gauze robe trailing a beautiful arc. It wasn’t until she walked back to her own courtyard that she perceived a faint sense of happiness.

The weight binding her seemed to vanish suddenly the moment she spoke those words of refusal.

Not long after Shishi left, the few smiles on Xie Qingshu’s face completely faded away. “You truly are capable you managed to make my sister angry with just a few words.” She toyed with the flower bouquet in the porcelain vase, her voice cool. “The last time she was angry was either last year or the year before.”

Xue Yun smoothed his robes. His cheekbones were somewhat high, making him look a bit sharp once the humble mask faded. He said coldly, “Is all of this not because of you?”