Chapter 39: A Space for Two
While pretending to pet the cat, Jiang Xue was silently relieved.
Fortunately, the large white cat’s size was enough to block the view. Otherwise, from Ms. Wei’s perspective, seeing her holding her arm awkwardly would have led to questions.
“Did Xiao Luo come over today?”
Just as she thought this, she heard Ms. Wei ask.
After being lectured by Dr. Qi last time, Jiang Xue had been looking for an opportunity to explain everything to her two mothers.
It wasn’t difficult to explain. Just telling the truth would suffice. Her two mothers were very kind and liked girls. If a well-behaved and sensible little princess came along, they would probably treat Xiao Luohan like royalty.
…And precisely because her two mothers were so kind, after hearing Jiang Xue’s account of Xiao Luohan’s situation at the dinner table, Ms. Wei burst into tears, and Ms. Jiang frowned, putting down her chopsticks and falling into deep thought.
—”Our family has enough resources to support another person, but it’s best if she can come over soon. That kind of place… every extra day is another day of danger!”
These were Jiang Mommy’s words at the time. After that, Wei Mommy would also occasionally ask about the progress of the time travel.
After hesitating for two seconds, Jiang Xue stepped back and held up the Ragdoll cat. “She came as a cat. Just now, she was squatting next to Xixi, observing.”
Xiao Luohan instinctively wagged her tail at Ms. Wei, but then remembered that only people with “yin-yang eyes” like Xie Xitong, and cats, who were sensitive to “unclean things,” could see her. Her wagging tail drooped dejectedly.
“No wonder Xixi ran away so quickly.” Ms. Wei smiled, suddenly put down the white cat, and reached out to Jiang Xue. “So cute, she actually turned into a kitty. Can I hold her?”
Even though she couldn’t see anything, she still gently praised Xiao Luohan.
Jiang Xue’s nose tingled. She quickly handed over the Ragdoll cat.
Xiao Luohan found a secure spot in Ms. Wei’s arms, looked up at her silently, and then nestled her head against Ms. Wei’s soft coat.
For now… she would treat this as seeing the mother she missed so much.
The neglected white cat meowed and paced around Ms. Wei’s feet. Jiang Xue didn’t want it to disturb the current atmosphere, so she scooped it up and, ignoring its protests, walked back inside.
The sunlight in the courtyard was just right. Ms. Wei, holding nothing in her arms, sat on the swing, looking up at the sky.
“I still want to talk to you,” she began. “Xiao Luo, if you wake up, just leave. It’s okay.”
“Okay.” Even though she knew Ms. Wei couldn’t hear her, Xiao Luohan immediately replied.
She would listen attentively to anything her mother said.
“Our A-Xue has a straightforward personality. We spoiled her too much when she was little, and now she dares to say anything, without restraint.” Ms. Wei sighed. “If she says anything that offends you, I, as her mother, apologize on her behalf.”
“She hasn’t. A-Xue is very good to me,” Xiao Luohan murmured.
“You don’t have to feel burdened because you’ve accepted her gifts, and don’t be afraid of her. If you feel uncomfortable, just say it, even if it means arguing with her. She cares about you, and she’ll take your words to heart.” Ms. Wei continued. “But she’s a bit clueless and doesn’t always realize her own mistakes. She’ll only change if you tell her.”
“Okay, I’ll remember that,” Xiao Luohan said with a smile in her voice.
She felt cool fingertips stroking her back. Ms. Wei was brushing her fur.
Because she couldn’t see, some of the fur was brushed the wrong way, creating a few messy tufts.
But Xiao Luohan enjoyed it and even rubbed against Ms. Wei’s hand.
“And then… about your own situation.”
Ms. Wei paused. “This is just my personal opinion. Listen to what’s useful, and ignore what’s not, or what’s unpleasant.”
“Please speak, I’m listening,” Xiao Luohan nodded.
“Not every obsession has a resolution. Let go of what you should let go of. Staying alive is more important than anything else.”
However, Ms. Wei’s first sentence made her heart clench.
“I heard about your situation from A-Xue. The Crown Prince of Daying seems to be ignoring you, leaving you in the cold palace without a care, but remember, those in power have plenty of ways to monitor someone discreetly!” Ms. Wei’s voice lowered. “Perhaps when you think you’re safe, his ‘eyes’ are watching you from the shadows.”
“He knows your every move. His inaction might simply be because he’s preoccupied with more important matters, or perhaps he’s still observing you—once the observation period is over, and he’s made his judgment, you’ll be in danger!”
The following speculations and warnings made Xiao Luohan’s fur stand on end.
She had also considered Ms. Wei’s thoughts more than once.
—Her life after arriving at Wangmei Pavilion had been too smooth.
After reprimanding the palace maid who had mistreated her, she had been replaced immediately, and that maid had never appeared again.
Before the Crown Prince of Daying punished her by making her kneel in the snow, she had never lacked supplies. Food, hot water, and winter necessities were all readily available. Most importantly, she received decent treatment without having to bribe anyone.
And after the “ghost or spirit manifestation” and the incident in the emperor’s bedchamber, her life had become even more comfortable.
No withheld supplies, no difficulties… it was even more comfortable than her life in the cold palace in Beiliao.
She had been convincing herself that “the Emperor of Daying was satisfied with this marriage,” even though she herself wasn’t sure if this reason held water.
Now that Ms. Wei had pointed it out, she couldn’t deceive herself any longer.
But… why would the Crown Prince of Daying do this?
Besides the “ghostly powers” from another world, she had no support, she was sickly, and at least when she first arrived, she looked like she was on the verge of death. The head eunuch by the Crown Prince’s side had even called her a “dying consumptive.”
If that was the case, what did the Crown Prince of Daying want from her?
“…Come over soon, Xiao Luo.”
The gentle female voice beside her ear was like a feather brushing past. “Until then, you must protect yourself.”
When Xiao Luohan woke up, she felt a soft fabric wiping her eyes.
She opened her eyes, and Shizhu was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a handkerchief.
“You’re awake, Your Highness!” Shizhu said quickly. “You were crying just now…”
“I dreamed of my mother,” Xiao Luohan whispered. “I miss her so much.”
Shizhu sighed deeply and patted her shoulder sympathetically.
Looking at her expression, Xiao Luohan deliberately sat up. “Can I lean on you for a bit?”
“Of course, Your Highness!” Shizhu immediately moved aside, letting her lean against her shoulder.
Their interaction was like that of a mother and daughter comforting each other, very close.
“…Can I still trust Shizhu?” However, Xiao Luohan couldn’t help but wonder.
If she questioned Shizhu’s true motives, everything she had done seemed to have a hidden agenda.
Picking the plum blossom branch when she first arrived, leaving a good impression; risking her life to write a message in blood and ask for help from the ghost or spirit when her life was in danger; immediately offering to die for her when she mentioned her future plans.
But these suspicious thoughts only flashed through her mind for a moment before being suppressed.
She had always been sensitive, and she could sense who was truly sincere towards her after a short interaction.
In any case, after arriving in Daying, the person who had tirelessly taken care of her and fought for her survival was Shizhu. The other servants had all chosen to avoid her.
She still hoped that Shizhu could live on after she left.
Jiang Xue hadn’t dreamed for four days.
Normally, this was a good thing. After all, dreaming consumed energy. Being able to fall asleep quickly and sleep soundly without dreams until morning was a sign of good sleep quality.
But since she had promised Xiao Luohan, she wanted to enter a dream and investigate as soon as possible.
“Is there any medicine that can make someone dream more?” She even asked Dr. Qi.
Dr. Qi: …
“Even if there was such medicine, I wouldn’t prescribe it to you,” she replied to Jiang Xue’s voice message, yawning. “Why don’t you try a different approach?”
“You’re not not dreaming, but someone doesn’t want you to go over there through dreams.”
She turned off her phone and went to sleep after replying, leaving Jiang Xue holding her phone, lost in thought.
The key was, Jiang Xue really felt this was a possibility.
She had promised the Third Princess two things. First, to investigate the relationship between the red fox and her elder sister in a dream. This involved investigating the true cause of Xiao Linghan’s death, or what had happened to her during and after her death.
Second, to frequently “make her presence felt” in front of Shizhu, to reassure her that the Third Princess was protected by ghosts and spirits during the crossing, and that no little ghosts would dare to interfere. This way, Shizhu might feel at ease planning for her own future, instead of sacrificing her life.
But the second task wasn’t difficult. Even if she couldn’t go over there, the Third Princess would find a way to persuade Shizhu.
Then the answer was obvious.
“It seems something bad really happened. Otherwise, why would the red fox Elder Sister prevent me from going over there to accompany the Third Princess?” Jiang Xue thought before going to bed.
But after falling asleep, she found herself in Wangmei Pavilion.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, and she could see a plum tree with unopened buds. On the windowsill were a vase with a plum blossom branch and a red Scream bottle.
Not far from the windowsill was a table and chairs. The “four treasures of the study” and the various books she had sent were neatly arranged together. On the right was a bookshelf, with Lessons for Women and Women’s Precepts standing out the most, but they probably hid other books inside.
…No, this wasn’t Wangmei Pavilion. The furnishings and arrangement resembled Wangmei Pavilion, but looking around, she would find that most of the space was white, only this corner had any content.
Jiang Xue rubbed her eyes. When she opened them again, she saw a woman sitting at the desk, her expression cold and frosty, her posture dignified, wrapped in a thick cloak, writing intently.
Without even approaching, she glanced at the table and saw her diary lying open, held down by a slender, frail hand.
The tip of the brush was moving across the diary page, but it stopped as she looked over.
Jiang Xue looked up and met Xiao Luohan’s gaze.
“Hi, pen pal!” Jiang Xue greeted her exaggeratedly, walked over, and sat directly on the table, sighing. “It’s really hard to see you in a dream on purpose!”
“By the way, where are we? Your dream? Why are we still in Wangmei Pavilion?”
“…I don’t know either.” Xiao Luohan put down her brush and stood up, her eyes level with Jiang Xue’s. “But I did fall asleep, so this should be a dream.”
Jiang Xue thought for a moment, then suddenly understood. “I get it!”
“Before I went to bed, I was wondering if it was the red fox Elder Sister… uh, your elder sister, who deliberately prevented me from coming over to accompany you. After all, I haven’t dreamed for four days, and then I dreamed of you tonight.”
“That means Elder Sister is willing to let me come and accompany you, but doesn’t want me to investigate her death.” She raised her chin, gesturing at their surroundings. “Look, that’s why she put us in this… space where we can be alone together.”