C47

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, it was already noon.

Ever since the last time she was ambushed, Xue Luoyun had always taken the opportunity to recuperate in the manor. It was rare to have a bit of free time when she was not disturbed. How could she easily let it go? On the other hand, because the Zhao Clan and Xue Lian had received a warning from Xue Duan Sheng, the disturbance from last time hadn't passed, so they didn't dare make any big moves against Xue Lao Yun in the short term. Occasionally, he would try to play some tricks, but they were all easily avoided by Xue Moyun.

Watching the weather gradually turn warm, Xue Luoyun gradually adapted to the life here. Occasionally sparring with Mu Sheng on trap mechanisms, but he had also secretly learned a lot of martial arts from her. And when the people in the residence saw that Xue Muyun gradually received the emperor's attention, the powers also looked at her with a bit of respect. Unlike before, when everyone saw her, they all wanted to take the chance to suppress her and use that to claim credit from the Zhao clan.

Ever since the last time Xue Luoyun went to congratulate Xue Shaoli, it was hard to tell if it was on purpose or from the heart, but the two of them had actually become closer and closer. This was especially true for Xue Shaoli. She always liked to ask Xue Ruyun out for a stroll when he was free. Because Xue Ruoyun had heard that the Rain Pavilion was filled with traps, he would not easily invite anyone to be his guest.

Xue Shaoli had revealed his thoughts of strolling around the courtyard several times, but he had always been rejected for various reasons by Xue Ruoyun. It was because she felt that Xue Shaoli was unfathomable and not as simple as he looked. Thus, even though he had a good relationship with her on the surface, he was still secretly on guard against her. After all, he could not have any intentions of harming her, and he could not let his guard down either. He would normally talk to her about trivial things and wouldn't pour out all of his heart to her.

The weather was very good today, and Xue Shaoli invited Xue Ruoyun out to admire the flowers.

"The Dragon Boat Festival is coming in a few days, and the weather is gradually getting hotter."

"Yeah, there's no heat here. "Hey, I'm really worried about how I'm going to spend the summer."

"Oh right, the palace will hold a lunchtime feast in a few days. Elder sister, do you know how to go?" Xue Shaoli caressed a stalk of grass as she asked Xue Ruoyun carelessly.

"Well, I'm not sure."

"Why?" Xue Shaoli saw that Xue Ruyun was hesitating, so she quickly asked.

"Could it be that the Emperor didn't invite you?" Xue Shaoli asked tentatively.

"Your majesty, you've actually told me a few times that I must attend this Emperor's Hall's banquet in a few days' time. It's just that I don't like liveliness and there are a lot of etiquette within the palace, so I need to be extra cautious. "I'm just worried that when the time comes, my lack of etiquette will ruin the Xue Residence's reputation." Xue Luoyun replied perfunctorily. In fact, she was worried about something else.

During this period of recuperation, the Emperor had come to the Xue Estate many times to visit Xue Luoyun. However, because of what happened last time, there was inevitably some enmity in his heart that couldn't be let go. She remembered that day, when the Emperor invited her to take a walk outside, he had asked her why she had changed her attitude. Why was he so distant from her now?

Xue Luoyun was momentarily at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond. He could only look at the peach blossoms falling beside him. This was probably the scene when they first met.

"I know that you are complaining about me and your mother because I hid it from you, right?" Mu Zheng looked at her affectionately with a sorrowful expression.

"No." How could she say that? Could she say that it was because he was with Mu Zheng, that he treated his as a substitute for his mother? This was something Xue Ruoyun couldn't say, why would he want to compete with his dead mother?

Mu Zheng looked at her, his incomparably handsome face covered in bruises, causing him to feel heartache. He walked up to Xue Luoyun and earnestly looked into her eyes, "I truly want to be together with you. In the days I've been with you, I felt an incomparable amount of relief and pleasure, but why is it that these kinds of days are just like Ephemeral Flowers, suddenly disappearing?" Ever since he lost Xiao Die, Mu Zheng had never been this happy. He tried his best to grasp this feeling, but could only watch as she walked further and further away.

"I know. Initially, I also sincerely wanted to make a friend with you. "But …" She paused, but said nothing.

"Is it because I gave you pressure, because I made you a target? "If so …"

"No!"

"Then why?" Mu Zheng was even more puzzled.

Xue Luoyun took in a deep breath, then suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, I have a question I want to ask you. Can you answer it seriously?"

"Speak, you can speak anything you want."

"You treated me so well, gave me so much tolerance, and took care of me in every way. Was it because I was Xue Luoyun, or was it because I was a little butterfly?" This matter had been hidden in her heart for a long time. As a mother, Little Butterfly had given birth to her, but she didn't want to be anyone's substitute. She didn't want to add the imprint of someone else to her actions and words.

Mu Zheng looked at her in shock, but was stopped in his tracks by her question. For so long, the only thing he knew was that he was very happy and relaxed with Xue Luoyun. Her world always made him feel new. But was it because he was attracted to her, or was it because he saw her as a substitute for her?

He loved Xue Luoyun because she was Xue Luoyun. She was innocent, innocent, and tranquil and elegant. Or was it because she looked similar to Xiao Die? As the two chatted, Mu Zheng did recall many memories of his life with Xiao Die. He also felt that the sweetness had returned, but he also vaguely felt that it was another kind of sweetness. He had never thought over this matter before, and even now, after being asked by Xue Ruoyun, he himself was not clear either. He was filled with emotion, and the emotions in his heart could not be described with words. It was indescribable.

Seeing him mutter to himself for a long time, and yet unable to give an answer of his own, Xue Ruyun instantly understood.

"I understand. It's getting late, let's go back." After speaking, Xue Muyun mounted a handsome horse and galloped away. Only Mu Zheng was left standing on the spot. Under the sunlight, he saw her figure disappearing into the distance.

After that, Mu Zheng didn't look for Xue Luoyun anymore. He wanted to calm down and listen to his own heart. However, a few days ago, Mu Zheng suddenly called for someone to come forward and tell him to attend the Dragon Boat Festival. However, the eunuch who sent the message also said, "Although the Emperor wants me to pass down the edict, he won't force you to go. Whether you want to go or not is up to you. He won't force you to do anything you want."

After the eunuch left, Xue Luoyun hesitated. It seemed that he was not wrong to be infatuated with Xiao Die. Whatever the reason, he was always really good to himself. It was not easy to find someone who truly cared for him in this place. As the ruler of a country, he could have just given her an order, but she didn't dare to disobey. However, he acted this way, condescending and tactful. Instead, it made Xue Muyun feel very apologetic in his heart.