Chapter 12: Drunken Spring Breeze (Part 1)

  The deafening cheers rose and fell continuously, Xia Ziyou looked at the crowd in front of her with some confusion, from afar to near, through the dense flow of people, his figure gradually became clear in her eyes, Xia Ziyou stood far away on the periphery of the crowd, staring tightly at him.

  At last, he rode a brown horse through the crowd not far from her, and at that moment, the enthusiastic cheers were deafening, and at that moment, Xia Ziwei held her breath, her eyes fixed intently without daring to shift slightly.

  A tall and handsome young man on a brown horse, with an air of elegance and refinement. His black boots were covered in dust, and apart from his darker skin tone, he looked almost the same as six months ago. His sharp facial features now exuded maturity and stability. He rode a crimson horse, its hooves trampling blood. Drinking dew at dawn, entering the sea at dusk.

  Tens of miles of wind and sand. It must be very hard for you, Xia Ziying... This man has truly deep feelings for you, but now, are you still clinging to the emperor's favor, entwining yourself with that so-called "Son of Heaven" on the dragon bed, displaying a loving affection?

  A gust of wind blew by, horse hooves splashed up dust and sand, the wind and sand blinded her eyes, she couldn't bear it, half-closed her eyes, a loud shout in her ear, so familiar yet so painful, as if a knife had cut through her heart, his figure rushed past from not far away, in an instant, leaving only a back view that seemed to be about to disappear.

  Xia Zi quickly ran a few steps and tripped over something.

  "Miss, you won't be able to catch up——"

  Zi'er grasped her with one hand

  "Zi'er, isn't that direction the Imperial Palace——"

  Xia Zi stood still in a daze, her eyes gazing longingly in the direction of his departing figure.

  As expected, Brother Hao, in your heart, she is still the most important one, right?

  So what am I still expecting with all my heart? I'm just a stone's throw away from you, but you can't see me or feel me.

  Your heart has long since had no place for Yu'er, so, Brother Hao, just quietly come back like this.

  Amber-colored eyes gazed into the distance at the end of that road, where the dust raised by horse hooves still lingered, and tears welled up.

  From now on, we will no longer have anything to do with each other.

  Zi'er stood still for a moment, then looked up and shifted her gaze, with a hint of brightness in her eyes.

  "Miss, that's Mingzhu. Mingzhu..."

  Mingzhu? Xia Zikui's personal maid who followed her into the palace, shouldn't she be in the palace? Xia Zikui's fixed gaze shifted over.

  The people who had just been in a state of frenzy slowly dispersed, and from the scattered crowd emerged a slender figure with a green dress, without any elaborate hairstyle, wearing only an ordinary girl's clothing. Her small face was half-hidden in the shadows, her head lowered, and a pale green earring hung diagonally across her cheek, as she hastily walked along the edge of the street.

  That's right, it's Mingzhu...

  "Mingzhu shouldn't be attending to the noble consort in the palace, so why is she dressed like this outside? Looking at her, she seems sneaky and suspicious, what is she up to? Miss, let's go take a look..."

  Xia Zi hesitated for a moment before finally nodding her head.

  She followed all the way, and the green figure in front seemed to be in a hurry, not paying attention to her surroundings at all. She walked straight to a magnificent crimson building, where several young servants stood at the entrance. Mingzhu leaned over and whispered something into one of their ears, then slipped inside.

  "Miss... shall we go in?"

  Xia Zi stood far away at the street corner

  "I'll just go in alone..."

  "Miss——"

  She ignored Zi'er's gentle calls, not allowing her to enter. The people inside this place were still unclear to her. This building was magnificent and majestic, with a powerful atmosphere, heavily guarded outside, it was obvious that ordinary people did not dare to enter. In case of danger, at least one person would not be involved.

  As she walked closer, the thick scent of makeup wafted out, causing Xia Zilu to furrow her brow.

  High and majestic is the horizontal inscribed board, shining golden characters are lively and dynamic, moving with life and spirit.

  "Drunken Spring Breeze"

  This name sounds so familiar... what kind of place is it exactly?

  The little servant at the gate eyed her up and down before finally stopping her with one hand.

  "Miss, you can't go in——"

  Xia Zi stunned for a moment, took off the crystal clear flowing light bracelet on her right wrist. She didn't know how much these things were worth, anyway, they were all from the Wang Fu, and every time the servants dressed her up, it seemed like they had seen them before, with an air of taking it for granted.

  But as soon as she raised her head, she clearly saw that the young servant's limbs were trembling violently, his eyes fixed tightly on her jade bracelet like a dead fish.

  While Xiao Shuai was still in a daze, she put the bangle into his hand and stepped across the vermilion threshold without hesitation.

  As soon as she entered, her entire body stiffened at the door, as if nailed to the spot, with a stunned expression. The next moment, she immediately regretted it.

  What's worse, the veil that had been hanging on her face fell off at some point, and a stunningly beautiful face suddenly appeared before everyone's eyes, shining brightly like the sun and moon in an instant, illuminating the entire hall. Although it was a lively and extraordinary Spring Breeze, for a moment, whether it was the clients of the brothel, or the singing and drinking prostitutes, even the old madam leaning against the balcony, all stared with wide eyes, not daring to breathe.