CHAPTER 381: CHAPTER 378 DEPARTURE

In the Book Collection Pavilion, although she was clearly the only one there, Xie Liangchen felt as if she was being watched. She looked around and saw a eunuch carrying a lamp approaching.

"Princess Jia’an," said the eunuch, "though it’s daylight, the pavilion is somewhat dim. I’ll place a lamp on the table. If you find it hard to read later, you can move under this light."

Xie Liangchen nodded, "Thank you for your trouble."

The eunuch placed the lamp down and dutifully stepped aside, standing guard.

Xie Liangchen lifted her head to look around. The shelf in front of her was filled with medical books. She casually picked out one to examine.

The shelf blocked the text; indeed, it wasn’t very clear.

Xie Liangchen walked to the table, observing under the lamp’s glow.

The room was silent, and the young girl seemed entranced in her reading.

On the other side of the window, the Emperor squinted. The figure under the lamp was particularly vivid.

When the girl lowered her head, it revealed a long, slender neck, a faint hollow forming at its center, her shoulders gracefully balanced, neither more nor less by a fraction of an inch. As her arm moved, her shoulder and back gently rose, like a butterfly hidden with wings poised for flight.

This scene reminded the Emperor of the time after Prince Guangyang rescued him, when he was recovering in the military tent and Princess Guangyang leaned over the table, changing his prescription.

The serene expression, the features under the lamp’s glow.

Not quite a direct resemblance, yet undeniably consistent, because what was similar wasn’t the skin, but the essence.

In stark contrast to Beauty Huang from years past, where similar features might provide momentary amazement, over time they become tiresome, leaving that once admired face, in fact, loathsome, marring the cherished memories he held in his heart.

Xie Liangchen flipped through the book in her hand, selected two books, and then walked to the eunuch, "Eunuch, I’ve made my choice."

Xie Liangchen’s voice brought the Emperor back to the present. Glancing again, he noticed Xie Liangchen had already moved away from the lamp.

So quickly?

It didn’t seem like she’d discovered anything; otherwise, she wouldn’t have just taken a few books to check under the lamp.

"You’re finished reading?" the eunuch couldn’t help but ask.

Xie Liangchen replied, "While in Zhenzhou, to prepare herbs, General Song and County Magistrate Qu sought many medical books and sent them to Chen Family Village. We organized and transcribed quite a few. The medical books at the front of the shelves are rare, unrepeatable copies, arranged by year at the back. The ones I chose had been transcribed, and they’re exactly what I need."

The eunuch chuckled at this, "Let this old servant carry those books for the Princess."

Xie Liangchen nodded and turned, taking the lamp in her hand, "Let’s take the lamp too; open flames are forbidden in the Book Collection Pavilion."

As if fearing the lamp might set the pavilion ablaze, Xie Liangchen quickly departed with the lamp in hand.

The eunuch conducted a check, then carefully locked the pavilion door,

On the other side of the window, the Emperor slightly furrowed his brow. Though he hadn’t seen clearly, with this one glance, he was sure Xie Liangchen must be of Prince Guangyang’s bloodline, resembling Princess Guangyang from years before.

If a marriage hadn’t been arranged for Xie Liangchen, perhaps...

The Emperor’s gaze deepened, "Has Xie Shao Yuan left the palace?"

Du Zheng replied softly, "General Zhongwu left after expressing his gratitude."

The Emperor continued, "Has the Empress arranged a banquet?"

Du Zheng was briefly surprised, "There has been no such arrangement."

The Emperor hesitated for a moment.

Du Zheng added, "Holding a banquet to keep the Princess now isn’t entirely out of the question. We’d just need to inform General Zhongwu and Song Jiedu at the palace gates, telling them not to wait and to head home, given it started snowing outside. Standing for hours in the snow, regardless of attire, they’ll be frozen."

The Emperor looked outside. At an uncertain point, snowflakes indeed began to fall.

The Emperor then asked, "Is Song Xian still at the palace gate?"

"He is," said Du Zheng, "Servants under me reported several times that after General Zhongwu and Princess Jia’an entered the palace, Song Jiedu stood at the gate and hasn’t left. Even requests from the government office were declined. After General Zhongwu exited, the two waited together. If Princess Jia’an doesn’t come out, they likely won’t leave."

The Emperor coldly remarked, "Just how concerned are they, fearing Princess Jia’an won’t make it out of the palace?"

The Emperor squinted.

Du Zheng softly added, "Although there’s no order from your Majesty for Commander Xuanwei, waiting outside the palace seems harmless."

This meant there was no grounds to blame Song Xian.

Yet everyone knew Song Xian’s intentions.

The Emperor said, "In that case, there’s no need for a banquet." Ultimately still lacking, too young, too delicate; missing that grace and charm, needing a few more years to be more akin to her grandmother.

Finishing his words, the Emperor turned and walked out of the Book Collection Pavilion.

Du Zheng breathed a subtle sigh of relief. Accompanying the Emperor at the window, he too had been startled, as the image of Beauty Huang floated before him.

He naturally knew the kind of women the Emperor favored.

If Xie Liangchen weren’t Princess Jia’an, and not arranged to marry Song Xian, she might have been retained in the palace.

However, even if Princess Jia’an left now, in the future... as she grows older... Du Zheng did not continue his thought.

...

Empress Xu awaited Xie Liangchen’s return to the main hall.

The eunuch presented the books Xie Liangchen had chosen.

Empress Xu nodded, "All are books related to pharmacology."

Xie Liangchen said, "Diagnosing and observing symptoms aren’t my strengths. I prefer pharmacology more."

Empress Xu nodded with a smile, "If you need more in the future, you can return to the Book Collection Pavilion to check."

Xie Liangchen bowed to express her thanks.

"The hour grows late, and since snow has fallen, we won’t keep you," said Empress Xu, "You are free to leave the palace now!"

Xie Liangchen, Mrs. Meng, and Miss Xu bowed and took their leave.

The sudden snowfall quickly blanketed everything. Xie Liangchen followed the eunuch, leaving a trail of footprints along the palace path.

Just moments ago in the Book Collection Pavilion, there was a window half open, as if someone had been peering at events within, and she under the lamp had been fully enveloped by that gaze.

In a location beyond her control, it was only wise to depart swiftly, thus she rapidly scanned the books she held, using it as an excuse to exit the pavilion.

The palace gate was just ahead. Xie Liangchen quietly sighed with relief; today had been relatively smooth.

"Princess Jia’an," the eunuch brought a veil, "this was sent in from outside, please wear it before heading out!"

Seeing the item, Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but smile. It was clearly Song Xian’s handiwork. Truly, from the palace gate to the carriage was just a few steps. She could easily lower her head without such precautions.

Once the veil was donned, Xie Liangchen stepped out of the palace gate, glimpsing Song Xian’s tall figure through the long hanging gauze.

...

Inside Zhengyang Palace, a palace attendant reported to Empress Xu, "Princess Jia’an has left the palace safely."

Empress Xu nodded. Better for her to depart than remain, as someone like her would only endlessly complicate matters if she stayed.

Empress Xu murmured, "Troubles are multiplying; it seems adopting an heir should be expedited, even if it’s just bringing in a relative for education."

No more delays can be afforded; who knows what future waves lie ahead.

Through the Emperor’s current displeasure with Song Xian, perhaps this matter could be accomplished.