Footprints

  Baili Siqing gave him a sideways glance, genuinely disliking his frivolous and irreverent demeanor. In her opinion, yesterday's events were just the smallest of beginnings when they returned to the capital. If it weren't for Zhu Wei causing trouble at the South Study later on, this matter wouldn't have been worth her attention. "Shangguan Yue, you're quite idle?"

  Shangguan Yue was made somewhat uncomfortable by her words, as if he had become the gossipmonger. However, he also bore some responsibility for this matter. If it weren't for that day last month when he casually praised Zhu Youjun's daughter, saying that a commoner's daughter was delicate and charming, it wouldn't have led to the rumors about the son of the Jingzhao official forcibly occupying a good citizen's wife. Now that he thought about it, he was actually the culprit behind all this.

  But he wouldn't let Bailing Qing know about this matter.

  Seeing Ba Li Si Qing ignoring him, he tossed the short dagger between his fingers and leaned in close to her face: "Sister Qing, you've been away from the capital for so long, the Xiangjiang Building in the east of the city has come up with many new dishes. Why don't you go try them out with your brother Yu today?"

  In the past, the two of them often played horseback riding games in the capital city. Is there any land in the capital that doesn't have the footprints of Young Master Yue and Princess Gao Yang? What he just said has some truth to it - these past two years without her in the capital, even his hobbies have lost their appeal.

  A black robe lightly brushed against his cheek, and the faint scent of purple gauze on the man's body entered his nostrils, bringing an inexplicable sense of comfort.

  Baili Siqing quickly pushed open his lowered smiling face and replied: "Good."

  She agreed to listen, and Shangguan Yue was overjoyed, hastily pulling her out of the training grounds.

  Everyone knew that Shangguan Yue was a free spirit, but seeing him like this, pulling Baili Siqing out the door, they couldn't help but whisper to each other.

  "You say, will the young master Wang and Princess Gao Yang..."

  "Who knows! Calculating it, Young Master Wang and Princess Gao Yang can also be considered childhood sweethearts. I secretly heard Father say that Your Majesty seems to have this intention too."

  "I'm not so sure, when it comes to childhood sweethearts, General Sikong and Princess Gaoyang are the real deal. They're also cousins, I think General Sikong has a better chance, I heard that Your Majesty specially allowed him to return to the capital for an audience just the other day."

  "No way! It's said that it'll only take two more days for him to return. This back-and-forth, perhaps Your Majesty had already made plans long ago."

  "That makes sense, but I heard that the princess's heart belongs to someone in Yuexuan Garden..."

  "Get out! If such a lowly status can become the imperial son-in-law, I'll go home and have my father ask for an audience with Your Majesty to propose marriage! Besides, that broken garden was burned clean long ago! Not a single person was left inside. Is it possible that the crown prince of our great country is a ghost?"

  "Haha! That's right. But with your bear-like appearance, you dare to think of High Princess Gao Yang? Just now, the princess didn't even give you a glance!"

  "What's wrong with you! You're quite good-looking, but the princess has never given you a second glance?"

  "Alright! It's hard to guess the emperor's will. The fifth and seventh princes aren't coming today, and the eldest and fourth princes have returned to the palace, let's pack up and head back to our residence early!"

  "Hmm!"

  "Go!"

  ……

  Baili Siqing first returned to Bao Yi Palace with Die Xiang and Die Yi, who were waiting outside the training grounds, and changed her clothes before following Shangguan Yue out of the palace gate.

  Her feet stepped on the familiar soil of Jing, and Bai Lixi suddenly had a feeling that life was like a dream. The streets were crowded with horses and carriages, and people flowed like a brocade, each face floating with a calm and contented expression. Whether or not she resisted in her heart, her father emperor was indeed a diligent and loving emperor, and the country had been prosperous under his rule.

  "It's been a long time since I've seen so many people!" Die Xiang followed behind, looking around and said happily: "The capital is still more fun."

  Baili Siqing walked slowly forward, skillfully avoiding the unfamiliar crowds around her. Listening to Die Xiang's words, there was no extra expression on her face.

  Shangguan Yue turned around and smiled at Tie Xiang: "What? Isn't Lai Shan good enough?"

  Die Xiang thought for a moment and replied: "Lai Shan is good, but it's too boring. Every day facing the mountains and water, anyone would get annoyed!"

  Die Yi was not as lively and agile as her, silently following behind Baili Si Qing, occasionally helping her to open up a path through the crowded people.

  Shangguan Yue nudged Baili Siqing, who was standing beside her without a word, and said softly, "You see, even your maid thinks Lai Shan is boring. How can you stay there for two years?"

  The street was spacious, but there were too many people. Baoli Qing once again avoided the person who almost bumped into her and said lightly: "Is there a difference between good and bad? If possible, I would rather stay there for a lifetime."

  Shangguan Yue pulled her over, and even her smile turned cold, "Come on! Bailing Siqing, are you going to hide for the rest of your life?"

  The words fell, and he clearly sensed the sudden drop in temperature between his arms. He hastily retracted his cold words and accompanied a smile with: "Let's not mention it, let's not mention it! Are you hungry? I've smelled the aroma of Xiangjiang Building."

  Butterfly Fragrance sniffed carefully, "Is there?" How could she not smell anything?

  Baili Siqing turned down Shangguan Yue and walked forward with big strides, the streets gradually becoming empty and the crowd decreasing by a lot, gone was the previous congestion.

  "Green sister, look at you, why are you walking so fast?" Shang Guan Yue quickly caught up, complaining.

  Ba Li Si Qing doesn't blame him for speaking wrongly, but blames himself for being incompetent. Some things not being mentioned don't mean they don't exist; although seemingly covered up by time, once dug out, they are still bloody.

  Shangguan Yue followed closely by his side, but Baili Siqing suddenly ignored what he said behind him and went straight in the direction of Xiangjiang Building.

  Every step she takes, she realizes that the road under her feet is still so solid, not shaken by any past. After the rain and wind have passed, only she remains in place, lonely and desolate.