“Ma’am, as you have expected, the Prince has grounded Chu Qiao in Phoenix-Perching Palace because of Zhong Jinchun. And it’s extremely hard to get out of there. ”
The informant reported to Chu Jiao, who was still anxious at the moment.
Chu Jiao was dumbfounded by the good news she had been looking forward to for such a long time, then she burst into crazy laughter that didn’t seem to come out of her delicate body, “Chu Qiao, I don’t believe I still can’t get rid of you this time. Just wait for my surprise for you later.”
Even though the informant who had worked for her for some time and knew her true character as well as her dark side still felt scared.
From her point of view, Chu Jiao’s scheme was not smart enough, for it would also cause mutual destruction. If the Prince or Princess was smart, they would doubt her. But at the moment, she couldn’t let her thoughts out loud.
If it were in the past, she might still have the courage to speak up. But recently, Chu Jiao became so moody because Chu Qiao was once again favored by the Prince, and she had lost her demeanor of the past.
“Ma’am, is there anything else I can do for you? If not, I may as well leave.” If it wasn’t for the kindness of Chu Jiao’s mother, she would not have told Chu Jiao inside news from the Prince, but she had to pay her debt of gratitude, which made her sigh.
“You may leave now. And don’t forget to keep me updated. Be careful not to be caught by others, I will not save you should anything happen.”
She waved her acquiescence. Chu Jiao was taught well by her mother but not as well as Chu Qiao. If Chu Qiao were here, she would have paid off the right people at such a critical time. Interpersonal relationship is the most superficial thing in the world. Only when you can meet other people’s needs and give them what they need, your relationship may last long.
Apparently, Chu Jiao, who was “too well protected”, didn’t understand this at all.
The informant looked back at Chu Jiao’s room on her way out. In the dusky light, Chu Jiao’s room looked gloomy. This dreary place reminded her that it was time for her to deliberate over her way of escape.
In the Phoenix-Perching Palace, Chu Qiao was listening to the rain outside the window, while watching the sky covered by thick rain clouds and where the bright moon was before. She couldn’t help thinking about how to face the man she missed so much.
In her last life, she had always received passive training. Killing people was the only target in her life. She could talk to no one except for her colleagues and superiors. Most of the time it was discussions about how to complete the task effectively.
She thought that she would die alone. Even when she actually died, she only felt a little sorry that she had never experienced love in her life before death.
But who would know that her soul traveled to a different world? She met a man here who tempted her, but unfortunately, this man was not her true love.
There were too many things that he couldn’t do, neither was he insightful. Otherwise, how could he turn a blind eye to her evil intentions? He didn’t trust Chu Qiao either, for he didn’t even give her a chance to defend herself. He acted so cruelly maybe because he had never thought she was trustworthy at all. She felt a slight chill, which was not from the temperature in Phoenix-Perching Palace, but from what he did.
“Your Highness, it’s getting late, you may want to rest now”, said the old maid who was assigned here to take care of her. Although not physically strong, the maid was as wise as “the One”, who Chu Qiao used to know in her previous lifetime. However, “the One” was a strong woman, and in that lifetime, women would never play an subsidiary role to men.
“You, too, granny. Sleep tight. Remember to keep the fireplace warm in case you should get cold, for it’s raining outside.” Maybe because Chu Qiao felt lonely as a stranger in this unfamiliar place, she began to subconsciously care for and connect with people around her.
The granny smiled gently. She used to be in charge of taking care of the concubines in the Royal Palace, but later she was appointed to the Prince Palace when she got old and fell out of her masters’ favour. In her view, Chu Qiao was a kind person in nature, but her racing thoughts was unsuited to this Prince Palace. Like an eagle which was meant to soar freely in the sky, she wouldn’t live happily if she was confined in a cage.
“Alas, Your Highness. In my opinion, the huge Prince Palace is not suitable for you, for the Prince can’t guarantee you a safe and happy life although he is very nice to you. Is this really what you want? Please forgive me if I was overstepping.”
Although as a servant she really shouldn’t have said so, she did read Chu Qiao’s mind.
Chu Qiao squeezed out a smile to the old maid. She hadn’t given up her hope on Dantai Yunhan yet although she felt hurt. Instead, she expected secretly that their romantic relationship could lead to a happy ending.
“Granny, I understand what you said, but I don’t want to give up yet. I’ll blame no one even if I don’t end up well, for it’s my own choice and has nothing to do with others.”
The old maid closed the windows to keep them from the heavy rain. Chu Qiao didn’t notice when she left but only heard a faint sigh from outside.
Sitting in front of the mirror, Chu Qiao forced a smile when she found herself emaciated and she didn’t even notice that before. It seemed that she had fallen in love with Dantai Yunhan, who was always arrogant and stubborn but sometimes very gentle to her.
A sleepless night went by quietly.
Dantai Yunhan hadn’t come to Chu Jiao for a long time, and he didn’t come even after Zhong Jinchun was dead and Chu Qiao was grounded in the Phoenix-Perching Palace.
Chu Jiao was so angry at the thought of this that she almost crunched her own teeth. How could he be so heartless? She didn’t expect their relationship to be so fragile.
She had been waiting in vain the whole night for the man who exchanged romantic vows with her, only to find herself abandoned by him.
Chu Jiao shook her head and lied to herself: “No way. There must have been other reasons, for he does love me. Yes, it must have been Chu Qiao. Dantai Yunhan wouldn’t have been so heartless if she had not changed so suddenly. She must have charmed him somehow. It must be the primary cause. Chu Qiao, you should have been dead long ago. You have caused my misery and you will not get away with it so easily. You have to die so that no one would be in my way.”
The servant girl came in with a basin of warm water but was startled at seeing the sinister look on Chu Jiao’s face, who looked as if she had gone mad.
She hurried out immediately after she had helped Chu Jiao wash her face and rinse her mouth, for she dared not stay there any longer.
Chu Jiao’s yard seemed desolate for its lack of visitors. Like yesterday’s news, her golden time had gone, and she would wither sooner or later.