Chapter 21: Holding Her in His Arms

Inside the main hall.

Upon learning that Song Junyao’s kneeling had been "coerced" by Xiao Xuanyin, Fu Xiangru and his wife, Yu Nanwan, were naturally filled with immense gratitude.

Previously, at the flower-viewing banquet, the Crown Prince had refuted the Grand Princess and stepped forward to protect A’He. Today, he had disciplined Song Junyao, inadvertently venting the grievances that A’He had suffered.

They hurriedly ordered the servants to serve tea: "Someone, bring tea for His Highness the Crown Prince."

A servant brought a cup of clear tea, bowing respectfully, "Your Highness, please have some tea."

Xiao Xuanyin nodded, his long, cool, pale hands taking the cup. His thin lips sipped the tea, his prominent Adam’s apple rolling as he swallowed.

The Crown Prince’s grace was cold, noble, and unparalleled.

Fu Jinxia stood quietly to the side, gazing at Xiao Xuanyin’s profile, his brows as if painted with ink. A subtle, indescribable emotion stirred within her heart, causing it to spasm with fine, dense intensity.

In both her past life and this one, she had already received far too much kindness from the Crown Prince.

Xiao Xuanyin’s gaze seemed to drift toward Fu Jinxia inadvertently. Her heart trembled, and she immediately withdrew her gaze, lowering her lashes.

The beauty’s flushed cheeks and lightly fluttering eyelashes scratched at his heart, neither too lightly nor too heavily. His rigid chest gradually began to glow with a scorching heat, breeding intense, dark, and obsessive desires.

The man’s expression remained as cold and indifferent as a mountain, though he quietly drew his straight legs together.

Bie Zhu, waiting on the side, took in this silent exchange of "amorous glances" and was secretly overjoyed. This subtle, hidden flirtation was truly intoxicating, hitting her right in the heart.

Her intuition was astonishingly accurate; the Crown Prince had indeed come for Song Junyao. With thunderous momentum, he had coldly rebuked the faithless scoundrel, inspiring awe in all who witnessed it. Surely, her young mistress must be touched by the Crown Prince’s actions.

The two of them exchanged silent cues, stirring up threads of affection. Ah, it was enough to make one blush, heart racing, body burning.

Fu Xiangru asked Xiao Xuanyin, "Your Highness, what brings you to the Grand Tutor’s residence today?"

Xiao Xuanyin lowered his eyes, masking the roiling depths within. "His Majesty has commanded me to oversee the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue, and I still find myself lacking in certain areas. I heard that the library here holds tens of thousands of volumes, so I have come to find books to take back to the Eastern Palace for study."

Fu Xiangru nodded repeatedly. The world knew the Crown Prince as aloof and proud, keeping others at a distance. Yet, as his teacher, he knew that the Crown Prince was diligent in governance, working from dawn till dusk. As a crown prince, he was sharp and eager to learn, never arrogant.

In time, the Prince would surely become a wise ruler for the ages.

Coincidentally, during breakfast today, A’He had also mentioned going to the library to look for historical records and books like the *Zizhi Tongjian*.

He said to Xiao Xuanyin, "Your Highness, my daughter happens to be heading to the library as well; let her maid lead the way. Bie Zhu, take His Highness the Crown Prince and the young mistress to the library."

Bie Zhu’s eyes lit up, and she replied, "Yes, Master. Your Highness, Young Mistress, please follow me." She kept her head lowered, her smile gradually becoming mischievous.

This was the perfect opportunity for the Crown Prince and her mistress to cultivate their feelings!

Once they reached the library, she would hide herself away. That way, her mistress’s reputation would remain untarnished, and the two would be left alone. A man and a woman alone in one room, feelings blossoming—if her mistress were to stumble, the Prince would surely rush to catch her, pulling her into his embrace.

Eyes meeting, hearts pounding. Ah, marvelous, simply marvelous.

A flash of crimson crossed Xiao Xuanyin’s eyes. Unsure of what images were surfacing in his mind, he took a deep breath. After a long moment, he gave a soft, affirmative sound.

Fu Jinxia flicked her fingers, brushing away an inexplicable tingling sensation, and followed behind Xiao Xuanyin.

Fu Xiangru and Yu Nanwan watched them—the young man like fine jade, the young lady like a blossoming flower. They looked as if they had stepped out of a painting, exceptionally harmonious.

They exchanged a glance. The Crown Prince was an ideal match in appearance, character, and status. It was only a pity that the Crown Prince was known to be indifferent to worldly desires and uninterested in romance. Furthermore, after the heavy injuries A’He had suffered, it was unlikely she would easily give her heart to another.

...

An incense stick of time later.

Xiao Xuanyin and Fu Jinxia entered the library. As for Bie Zhu, she had very considerately found a secluded corner to hide in.

Xiao Xuanyin swept a deep gaze around the library. There were many bookshelves, neatly arranged and exuding the scent of aged ink. His gaze landed on an unremarkable painting of plum blossoms on the wall.

Fu Jinxia followed his line of sight, and a painful memory from her past life flooded into her mind.

During the Qixi Festival, Jiang Manxue had stunned everyone with a painting of plum blossoms, paired with a peerless poem, causing countless young men in Chang’an to fall for her. Song Junyao was no exception. She had seen the burning affection in his eyes, and, consumed by jealousy, she had vowed to paint a similar piece to outshine Jiang Manxue.

After days of bitter practice, she had presented the finished painting to Song Junyao with great anticipation. Yet, he had laughed coldly, belittling her without mercy: "An ugly imitation, neither fish nor fowl. Forget a few days of practice—even if you spent your whole life, you wouldn’t be half as good as Miss Jiang!"

In that moment, her sincerity and self-esteem had been viciously trampled by Song Junyao. She had been heartbroken, feeling she had nowhere to hide.

She pulled back her thoughts and smiled self-deprecatingly. "This plum blossom painting was done by me. My technique is clumsy and cannot compare to the noble ladies of Chang’an. I have let Your Highness see something shameful."

"Not at all." Xiao Xuanyin’s eyes were very deep, his voice earnest.

Fu Jinxia stared at the man in a daze. His brows were high, his eyes deep, his face as refined as gold and jade. "I can see the heart you put into this painting, Miss Fu. The form of the branches, the thickness and lightness of the strokes—it is quite good."

"Everyone has their own strengths. As long as you have done your best, do not belittle yourself."

"You are who you are; there is no need to compare yourself to others."

In an instant, the very depths of Fu Jinxia’s soul trembled; her heart felt sour, astringent, and swollen all at once.

With just a few words, the Crown Prince had redeemed her from the endless decay of her past life. He did not belittle her like Song Junyao had; he saw the merits in her work. He said: no need to compare to others, she was Fu Jinxia.

Suppressing her surging emotions, she smiled radiantly. "This daughter thanks Your Highness."

"Your Highness, I will go to the other side to look for historical texts." She was afraid she would be unable to stop herself from crying in front of the Crown Prince.

Light and shadow filtered through the wooden windows of the library, casting a glow upon the young woman. With her jade-like face and willow-like waist, she was more beautiful than the pear blossoms of spring.

Xiao Xuanyin watched Fu Jinxia in silence. He knew this painting had been created to please Song Junyao. He had witnessed Song Junyao breaking A’He’s heart, insulting her with cruel words until she left in tears.

At that moment, the murderous intent in his heart had been terrifying, filling his mind; he had wanted to kill Song Junyao. But he could not, only because at that time, A’He had loved Song Junyao deeply.

How he longed to kiss the corners of her eyes, unable to bear her tears. How he longed to pull her into his arms, stroke her hair, and whisper into her ear: "A’He, in my heart, you are unique, beautiful in every way."

Months had passed, and A’He no longer loved Song Junyao. It was his great fortune that he could now quietly soothe the wounds she had been left with.

Deep, intense greed and infatuation boiled in Xiao Xuanyin’s eyes.

A’He would be his.

He would not allow her to shed tears for any other man again. He would grant her a lifetime of pampering, ensuring her smile remained constant. He craved her beauty, longing to savor every inch of her sweetness.

Tangled and lingering, like clouds and rain.

Suddenly, the wooden shelf above Fu Jinxia’s head cracked, and a dozen thick, heavy books crashed down toward her.

"Miss Fu, watch out!" Xiao Xuanyin’s pupils contracted, his jade-like face filled with urgency as he moved with incredible speed to her side.

The man was tall; he used one arm to block the falling books, while his other hand grabbed the woman’s arm, pulling her into his embrace.

Her body was soft and delicate, his muscles firm and powerful—the two collided.

He held the soft, fragrant beauty in his arms.

"Ugh!" A heavy, resonant sound escaped Xiao Xuanyin’s throat.