The Moon Falls into the Galaxy - Chapter 8

His voice was extremely soft, with not a hint of coercion or reprimand; rather, it sounded as if he were expressing a touch of indulgence toward a child.

Shishi’s round, almond-shaped eyes widened, and she looked up at him in disbelief: “Sev, Seventh Uncle?”

She felt as if she were in a dream, and her voice carried a sense of bewilderment, as if she could not believe she had encountered him again.

Li Yan’s expression shifted slightly. He said nothing but led her toward a nearby private room.

Ever since dreaming of those bizarre events, Shishi had been somewhat fearful of men. But as she walked beside him now, she felt only surprise and joy, and the heart that had been suspended in mid-air gradually settled. She knew she should be afraid of him; even the eunuchs in the deep palace who ignored the outside world knew what a terrifying existence Prince Yong, Li Yan, was. Yet, whenever she met him, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace. It was as if, with him there, there would no longer be anything in this world to cause her fear or anxiety.

After the door to the private room was closed, Shishi’s tight nerves completely dissipated, and she removed her veil and sat down. She secretly glanced at Li Yan. He was still wearing a mask, his glazed, jewel-like pupils hidden away, yet even the half of his face that was revealed was so handsome it made one instinctively hold their breath. Perhaps he had come out for leisure today, too; the moon-white outer robe made him look exceptionally elegant and refined. Just looking at him made one feel that the summer heat had diminished significantly.

Li Yan’s expression was not as cold and detached as usual; it held a gentleness akin to an elder treating a younger generation.

Shishi revealed a brilliant smile and greeted him: “Greetings, Seventh Uncle. Are you here for leisure today as well?”

As she said this, her gaze drifted to Zhou Yan, who was standing to the side. He smiled and answered for him: “No, His Highness is here today on official business.”

“Ah…” she said softly.

Today was not a day off. Seventh Uncle was a prince enfeoffed by the imperial court, so naturally, he had many busy matters to attend to. It was only a young girl like her, not yet married, who had the leisure to wander about all day. Realizing she had asked a foolish question, her cheeks flushed slightly.

Li Yan nodded slightly and asked in a low voice: “What happened just now?”

She had not expected him to speak personally, so she stammered: “I… I lost my way just now and forgot how to get back.”

She dared not tell him about the near encounter with the Grandson of the Emperor, and she immediately became nervous again. Li Yue was even better at concealment than Xue Yun. Everyone thought he was pure and filial, possessing the character of a gentleman from ancient times; no one would believe he would drown in carnal pleasures, or even commit evil deeds to entrap a noble lady because of it.

Li Yan was her uncle, but he was also the Grandson’s uncle. Everyone knew that he detested the Xie family, the Grandson’s maternal relatives, most of all. Yet, no matter what, the Grandson was still his own nephew. Even after experiencing such vivid nightmares, she still had not clearly grasped the relationship between Li Yan, the Crown Prince, and the Grandson. Why did Seventh Uncle suddenly become hostile toward my brother? Is it for power? It doesn’t seem to be entirely that… If he truly pursued power, he would have surely made himself Emperor long ago; why bother being the Prince Regent?

Shishi’s lack of guile was evident; her thoughts were displayed plainly on her face.

Li Yan took a small sip of tea and said softly: “Do not be afraid.”

She was slightly stunned, not knowing what to say. Was I actually afraid of Seventh Uncle? Shishi’s fingers slowly stroked the deep blue jade beads on her wrist. To have one’s thoughts seen through should have been embarrassing, but at this moment, she felt relaxed.

“If anything happens, you may send someone to deliver a letter to the manor,” Li Yan said in a low voice.

Shishi’s heart was enveloped in a wave of warmth, like winter-hardened flower branches suddenly reaching springtime, trembling as they shed petals of fragrance, splashing ripple after ripple into the sea of her heart. She pursed her lips and smiled: “Thank you, Seventh Uncle.”

Those vibrant, round, almond-shaped eyes fixed steadily on him, filled with trust and lacking even a trace of impurity. She looked like a little bird fragile, soft, and yet firm and fearless.

Li Yan’s fingertips lifted silently from his jade thumb ring, and he gently removed his mask. His eyes, light in color to the point of being almost otherworldly, were like glazed glass bright, clear, and harboring a shimmering, resplendent glow. When he looked over at her, Shishi’s breath hitched.

Li Yan’s eyelashes rarely fluttered; being watched by him made one feel a strange illusion, as if they were being observed with great earnestness. His appearance was handsome, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, his skin as white as fresh snow, yet he carried a refined beauty unique to the people of the Jiangnan region. It was as if he had inherited all the physical advantages of the royal family’s past generations. Such a face, even if a court painter used their entire life’s dedication, could not be captured.

The private room was silent; even the sound of the wind was completely blocked out. As if to help her relax, Li Yan said slowly and gently: “Regarding the matter last time, thank you, young lady.”

Shishi opened her eyes wide: “It was I who caused trouble for Seventh Uncle. Had it not been for me, you surely would have been able to handle the danger yourself.” Her eyes were clear and thorough, and her words were earnest and sincere.

“That is not so,” Zhou Yan explained patiently, “The situation was so critical that even His Highness’s personal attendants could not detect the anomaly. Had you not rescued him in time, I fear that villain would have surely succeeded.”

He said in a clear voice: “The true culprit has yet to be identified, so we must ask you, Miss, not to speak of this for now. His Majesty has already issued an oral decree; when the truth comes to light, you will certainly be given the highest reward.”

Shishi smiled brightly: “I am just happy to have been able to help His Highness.”

Li Yan made a gesture, and the attendant who had been hidden in the shadows stepped forward to present a small sandalwood box. He did not open the box but presented it directly to her.

“A gift,” he said softly.

When his expression was relaxed, he looked too handsome; his face, like fresh snow on a cliff, radiated a lustrous glow. Coupled with his wide-sleeved robes today, he truly looked like an immortal. She received it with both hands and politely thanked him.

However, as Li Yan turned to the side, his sleeve seemed to inadvertently brush against the teacup on the table. Tea spilled onto the floor, staining it with a dark, spreading mark. A few drops splashed onto Shishi’s sleeve as well; fortunately, she was wearing dark clothing, so it was not visible.

“It is fine, Seventh Uncle,” she said, subconsciously reaching out to support his arm.

In the flash of a second, Shishi did not even have time to wonder why there was not a single drop of tea on Li Yan’s sleeve. Looking into his clear, light-colored eyes, an indescribable sourness spread through her heart. In her childhood, she had heard people say that if his eyes had not been injured back then, he undoubtedly would have been the next Crown Prince. He was so good, yet fate had been so cruel to him.

Li Yan’s expression remained unchanged; he simply took a brand-new blue silk handkerchief and placed it into her palm: “Is your clothing wet?”

Shishi pressed the handkerchief against her forearm and said softly: “No, thank you, Seventh Uncle.”

She had not expected that in just a few days, she would have learned to lie. Previously, even a small, evasive remark would have made her nervous, yet now, in front of Li Yan, she dared to deceive him. A strange sense of satisfaction grew in Shishi’s heart; she wanted to become strong, too. She wanted to protect Seventh Uncle, even though she was currently just a fragile girl.

He put his mask back on and personally escorted her back to her private room, watching as she boarded her carriage and left before turning back.

As she stepped out of the corridor, Shishi still felt somewhat nervous, fearing that if she looked up, she would see Li Yue. But until she boarded her carriage, she did not catch a glimpse of him.

After she departed, Li Yan’s expression turned cold once more. His retinue of attendants closed in, shielding his figure from view, and simultaneously, soldiers in black arrived. The Jinming Pavilion, which had been filled with song and dance, was suddenly enveloped by an atmosphere of stern hostility.

Meeting Shishi today was actually an accident. At noon, he had left the Eastern Palace and only then learned that she had also come to the Jinming Terrace. His attendant had hurried back to the Prince’s manor to retrieve the pre-prepared sandalwood box and handkerchief. He leaned against the railing on the second floor; the warm spring breeze brushed against his face, and the girl’s sweet, soft laughter made him think of an old affair from ten years ago.

That had been the first palace banquet he attended after suffering his eye ailment. He had dismissed his attendants and was wandering aimlessly along the lakeside. Just as he was nearing the Linshui Pavilion, a little girl had suddenly run into him. Palace servants rushed over, looking with surprise at this child who had run out from behind the flowers, fearing she would offend the Prince of Yong and also fearing that the Prince might accidentally harm her. One had to know that everyone attending the Emperor’s birthday banquet was from a noble family of high standing.

Li Yan had been a bit at a loss; among the princes, he was one of the youngest, and the maternal Xie family had been an only-child line for generations, so there were no children around him either. She seemed to be crying; the little girl’s sobs were weak, sounding even more fragile than a kitten. He leaned in to listen and finally heard clearly that she was calling for “Mother.”

The only soft spot in Li Yan’s heart was suddenly touched. He gently picked her up and, mimicking the concubines in the palace, coaxed her in a soft voice: “Little one, do not cry.”

She was as light as a little bird, resting her head softly on his shoulder, and gradually ceased her tears. He had no experience in coaxing children, yet he still felt she was excessively obedient. By the time she fell asleep in his arms, the people serving her had rushed over, and the nursemaid immediately knelt on the ground. Only then did Li Yan learn that she was Shishi, his niece by marriage.

Not long after, her father arrived. The newly inherited Duke of Weiguo, Xie Guanyun, bowed and thanked him humbly, yet he did not spare even a single glance for his own biological daughter. This was what the attendant told him later. He remained silent for a long time after hearing it, and finally asked only one question: “What color was Shishi’s hair accessory? Was it blue?”

In an instant, the entire inner chamber fell silent.

Li Yan withdrew his thoughts and put his mask back on, covering those bewitching, glazed eyes.

“Where is Li Yue?” he asked nonchalantly.

The attendant was trembling, not daring to state the truth directly, and used relatively mild phrasing: “Replying to Your Highness, the Grandson is currently resting in a private room…”

But Li Yan’s brow still furrowed imperceptibly. Everyone knew he was the most detached and indifferent to carnal desires, disliking such debauchery.

He rested his fingers on his cane and said in a low voice: “Let us go see.”