Three days after Lu Fusu presented the real edict in front of everyone and ascended the throne as emperor, the funeral of the late emperor was held. Non-urgent government affairs were suspended for the next three days, and the palace became quiet.
Of course the palace concubines in the workshop do not need to practice, but can the young girls who have nothing to do stay obediently for three days?
Naturally, their mouths couldn't be idle. The court ladies who had good feelings gathered together and chatted about gossip in their respective residences.
After all, there are a lot of topics to talk about these days.
First, Cao Baoji, who was summoned by His Highness the Crown Prince and considered likely to become the new queen, turned out to be His Highness Lu Wuxian's lover and seemed to be planning to assassinate the Crown Prince.
His Highness Lu Wuxian, who made a big move to promote that he would become the emperor, was arrested. His Highness Prince Lu Fusu was still installed as the emperor. And he immediately officially announced the candidate for the queen, and it turned out that it was not any noble daughter, but a certain palace concubine.
Of course, there are also legends that the palace concubine was Shui Xinyuan.
Some palace servants said that the morning after the commotion, they saw Lu Fusu leaving the temple with Shui Xinyuan and Qing'er.
Some palace servants also heard that when the edict confirmed Lu Fusu's succession to the throne, the palace servant who performed the "Snow Moon, Wind and Flowers" dance was at the scene.
But almost no one took these seriously, thinking that they were just rumors after all.
After all, Shui Xinyuan is just a little civet cat from the countryside...
Among them, some palace maids went to visit Shui Xinyuan and told her that they had heard the rumor and wanted to confirm whether it was true or not.
"Do you think I am qualified to be chosen as queen?"
"Of course not."
The visiting court ladies spoke in unison.
"Look, it's just a rumor!"
"Who is it! You actually said that Shui Xinyuan is the queen?"
"If the little raccoon cat can become the queen, we can also become the queen, right?"
"Ah, I'm so bored... let's go..."
Seeing the court ladies leaving while laughing, Shui Xinyuan tilted her head in confusion.
...I'm just asking you if you think I'm qualified to be the queen...
I didn't say yes or no.
Shui Xinyuan sighed and looked out the window. The surroundings had darkened, and a half-moon was rising in the sky.
"Do you think I am qualified to be chosen as queen?"
This question has been on his lips these days, Shui Xinyuan muttered to himself.
...Although I seem to have been chosen.
"..."
Could that be just a dream?
Could it be that I just heard it wrong?
As everyone said, how could a little civet cat from the countryside be chosen as the queen? Even I think what they said is the truth.
Speaking of which, I don't have extravagant hopes, and I even feel that I shouldn't hold out hope.
But His Highness Lu Fusu told me... that he wanted me to stay by his side forever...
Where you can always see each other.
Within reach of the hand.
forever……
Shui Xinyuan's eyes searched for the moon.
A night when one person meets another person.
Perhaps in the chill of the cold wind, there is something in each other's hearts.
...I am very happy when we can meet each other at night, but so lonely at the dawn of separation...
Hate loneliness...
Because I don’t want to see your lonely expression.
Because I hope you can laugh.
I am not qualified...but if I stay by your side and you smile at me, I am willing to stay by your side forever.
In fact, I always really want to see you.
I never want to come back.
I have been holding back, I can't say it, I can't hope, but...
"..."
I don't know when Shui Xinyuan stood up.
A teardrop rolled down from the eyes looking into the distance.
...I really want to see you.
Now I really want to see Lu Fusu, I have an urge.
Although I am only a palace...
Shui Xinyuan ran out of the room.
The court lady who passed by her in the corridor asked her in surprise where she was going. Shui Xinyuan didn't answer and ran out of the workshop directly.
The moonlight helped light the way forward.
The sound of light footsteps on the gravel sounded softly in the silent night.
...I really want to see you...
When walking on this road, this is always what comes to mind.
And that's all...
I like you so I want to see you.
Don't ask for too much or expect too much, because none of that will come true, so I keep suppressing my heart, but there is actually only one thought buried deep in my heart.
Shui Xinyuan ran forward and lifted up the hem that was about to trip his feet with one hand.
...He is willing to extend his hand to me, I am so happy...
Although I was extremely nervous and couldn't respond well.
but……
I ran through the long walled road of Donghe Hall, turned the corner, and saw two forbidden soldiers in front of the door.
Normally Lu Fusu would send them away in advance, but Shui Xinyuan was not summoned tonight.
The Imperial Guards saw Shui Xinyuan who was startled and stopped.
"who is it?"
"It's a woman."
"Female?...Ah, by the way, that is His Highness the Crown Prince's..."
"Ah, palace concubine..."
The Imperial Guards stood at attention and saluted Shui Xinyuan.
"Sorry, please."
"Eh...is that okay?"
"Please, His Highness is in the palace."
"Many, thank you."
Shui Xinyuan didn't understand why the Imperial Guards knew her, but it would be troublesome to be driven back here, so she bowed her head cautiously and entered the palace.
You can see the light at the end of the garden.
Isn't Lu Fusu still asleep?
After running here with a rush of energy, Shui Xinyuan suddenly began to hesitate whether to visit without warning.
The Imperial Guard behind her thoughtfully helped close the door.
"..."
...It’s okay that you don’t have to go back, after all, you are already here.
Taking a breath, Shui Xinyuan took a step.
I jogged past the plum tree, walked across the small bridge and flowing water, and passed by the pond pavilion.
The strong wind blowing in an instant blew through her long hair, as if even the hesitation was blown away.
I saw the warm-colored lights... and I also saw the back of a person sitting on a chair where two people usually sit side by side, admiring the garden.
I don't know why, but my eyes feel hot.
I couldn't even reconcile myself to not being there just now.
The mouth calls out naturally.
Looked up.
The face that turned around was full of surprise.
"Shui Xinyuan...?"
Lu Fusu stood up and leaned out of the railing with his upper body.
"...is it the water girl?"
"it's me……"
It was natural that he would be surprised. Shui Xinyuan never visited Lu Fusu without his own initiative.
No, I came here once, but I never took the initiative to speak.
"..."
"What's wrong? What happened?"
"Nothing happened..."
Shui Xinyuan shook his head.
"I'm sorry...because I want to see you."
"..."
"Just because I want to see you..."
Lu Fusu's eyes stayed on Shui Xinyuan and walked around the railing to the stairs.
"...want to see me?"
"I want to see you, Your Highness Fusu."
Shui Xinyuan didn't know what his expression was at this moment.
But Lu Fusu stared at Shui Xinyuan for a moment.
"This seems to be the first time you have said this proactively..."
"Yes, this is the first time I say that."
Clenching his fists, Shui Xinyuan nodded.
"Actually, I've always wanted to say..."
"..."
Lu Fusu walked down the stairs, stopped and stretched out his hand towards Shui Xinyuan.
"Come here, Shui Xinyuan..."
The feet moved.
Her knees were shaking slightly, but she still approached Lu Fusu step by step.
After climbing the last step, Shui Xinyuan stood in front of Lu Fusu.
"I'm just a palace concubine..."
"Um?"
"I don't think I'm suitable to be a queen."
"..."
"But……"
Not only my knees, but my whole body, including my voice, was clearly not cold.
The voice was trembling.
Still, she still had something to say.
……I……
"If His Highness Lu Fusu were the emperor... I want to be... the emperor's proudest queen..."
...just like he did to me.
Fingers clasped his outstretched hand.
...Just like what he did to me before, this time I took the initiative to put my lips against his hand.
Warm and gentle hands.
...This hand exists for me, I want to experience this illusion of happiness.
"I... like... you..."
It was a sound as subtle as breathing.
I couldn't even look into his eyes, I could only hold his hands tightly in prayer.
Maybe it was just a moment of silence, but it felt so long... At this time, Shui Xinyuan was hugged tightly by a strength that was so strong that it was about to be broken.
"Shui Xinyuan...Miss Shui..."
"Your Majesty... Your Highness..."
Shui Xinyuan, who was gradually unable to stand, collapsed on the spot, and Lu Fusu, who was hugging her tightly, also fell down together.
...I said it...
Finally able to respond...
"Shuixinyuan."
When he raised his eyes, Lu Fusu was smiling in his moist eyes.
Shui Xinyuan responded with a stiff smile, and Lu Fusu's fingers gently wiped the corners of her eyes.
She blinked her eyes, trying to hold back the tears that had flowed out unknowingly, at this moment.
The lips were lightly pecked.
What happened in an instant made Shui Xinyuan a little confused and tilted his head.
Lu Fusu smiled bitterly and raised Shui Xinyuan's face again.
……ah……
This time Lu Fusu slowly pressed his lips to hers, and Shui Xinyuan closed her eyes unconsciously.
While kissing repeatedly, Lu Fusu murmured something.
After his mind was blank for a while, Shui Xinyuan finally noticed that it was calling his name, and Shui Xinyuan opened his eyes.
"Your Highness..."
Lu Fusu's smile is Shui Xinyuan's favorite expression.
Shui Xinyuan also smiled.
"...Can I stay here until morning?"
"Until morning?"
Seeing Lu Fusu with a surprised look on his face, Shui Xinyuan thought he had said something wrong.
"Did you originally plan to return to the monastery?"
"Eh, uh..."
"Unfortunately, your room has been arranged here. There is no need to go back!"
This time it was Shui Xinyuan's turn to be surprised.
"I don't have to go back?"
"I have no intention of letting you go back in my whole life."
"..."
Lu Fusu looked at Shui Xinyuan with a happy smile.
Shui Xinyuan lowered his head, blinked two or three times, then raised his head again and laughed.
"I am so happy……"
"Yeah?"
"Um!"
Lu Fusu once again brought his lips close to Shui Xinyuan in his arms.
Shui Xinyuan closed her eyes... with love, she gently put her hands around Lu Fusu's back.