Chapter 20 A Simple Hairpin

Yun Su always looked so elegant, gentle, and harmless. For the first time, he saw Yun Xi being so lively, beautiful, and pure. She was as cute as a child. Now he had fallen in love so deeply. In the meantime, he felt uncomfortable with the two people who accompanied Princess Xi as pure as a fairy. These three people were still playing. They saw the Crown Prince, but they were not willing to stop the snowball fight. Yun Xi had never been so happy. They wanted to keep the smile on her face. Yun Su joined them with a smile. No matter what he had in his mind, he would never show it. He had always been as gentle as a spring breeze. His personal bodyguard Qi Yuan was also here. He thought it was inappropriate for the Crown Prince to do so, but he said nothing. He only did his duty to guard the entrance. Qi Yuan had to make sure no one saw the Crown Prince being like this. Actually, Yun Su sometimes really envied Yun Zhi who did not have to care about the problems and responsibilities of a crown prince. As the Crown Prince, he couldn't come to visit her at will. When Yun Su was a child, his mother had placed high expectations on him. He had to try his best to acquire all kinds of knowledge, so he could not enjoy his childhood. When his mother was wronged and then beaten to death by his father, he suffered a lot and knew how snobbish people could be. From then on, he had learned to hide his true emotions and try to be his father's favorite son. Over the years, he had grown to be stronger and now he could hide his true emotions perfectly. This was the first time that he put aside his identity and played like this. There were only some crazy people in the snow, not the Crown Prince, Princess, Senior General, and palace maid. This scene was so rare. They also made four snowmen. The four snowmen on the snow were like people who built them, being so cute, smiling, and waving toward the sky. A few people were being crazy and playing in the snow. Yuer was hiding in her room and peeking at them. She felt deeply hurt. The happier they were, the more uncomfortable she was. The Crown Prince had said that he was good to Yun Xi because she was a sacrifice. However, Yuer was a woman in love who could perceive the Crown Prince’s deep feelings for Yun Xi. She was envious. Because his affection was something she wanted but could never get. Besides, now she had been raped... her eyes were filled with intense hatred. ... The sun was setting in the west. It was almost dinner time. Two distinguished men, Crown Prince Yun Su and Senior General Yun Zhi, both had no intention to go back home. Of course, no one had the nerve to ask them to leave. Yue would not do it, and Yun Xi did not want to talk. Yue had planned to cook for Yun Xi personally today. Looking at the two people who didn't want to leave, Yue sighed resignedly and started to prepare dinner for everyone. Soon, a few homely dishes were served on the table. These dishes didn't taste better than the imperial food, but it was the thought that counts. In the afternoon, Yue had crossed the line. As a palace maid, he couldn’t sit at the same table with the masters to have a meal. He stood next to Yun Xi, watching her eating the food he prepared. He felt so happy that her appetite was better than usual. Yun Su gave Yun Xi a legendary luminous pearl as big as a fist. This legendary luminous pearl might be the only priceless treasure. It was the gift that his father sent him when he became the Crown Prince. The pearl was even brighter than a candle at night. Its light was not dazzling, but it could light up the whole room. Yun Xi still didn't utter a word. She took over it and then handed it to Yue. Yue put it into the wardrobe next to Yun Zhi's gift. They could notice the girl was not interested, but they had no idea what the girl liked. For her, their gifts were not as good as the meal Yue cooked for her. Compared with those expensive but empty things, the girl valued gifts with loving care. Going through so much, what she cared about was a man’s heart. It was silent at night. The moon was very bright, and the stars were twinkling. Yun Xi had been tired. She showed an impatient look. Although it was not obvious, the men who had been paying attention to her had known her very well. The Crown Prince and Senior General had to leave this quiet and peaceful place. Seeing them off, Yun Xi felt so relieved. She did not hate them to be around. However, she still didn't like others to be too close to her. Besides, she was really sleepy. Yun Xi washed up quickly and went to bed. She then lay in the arms of Yue. After the incident in the hot spring, the relationship between Yue and Yun Xi had been very subtle. Perhaps the girl did not realize it, but Yue knew it. Yue was not an innocent girl as he appeared to be. In his mind, Yun Xi had been his girl. The reassuring happiness made the two people feel so warm. Yue looked at the sleepy girl in his arms and he touched her little face. His mature and sharp eyes were filled with fondness for her. "Yinzhu, I have a gift for you too." The girl was about to sleep but she suddenly sobered up. She looked up at Yue. "Oh... what?” "It's nothing compared to theirs. I made it myself." "I want it." "Well." Yue took out a hairpin from his clothes. The hairpin was very simple with no ornament. However, Yun Xi felt very happy and put it on her head. "Do I look good?” "Beautiful. Yinzhu looks so beautiful. However, the hairpin I made was too ugly, and it’s not good enough for you." "Who said that? This is the best gift Yinzhu has ever received." "Yinzhu, you don't hate it?" "Well, Yinzhu will always wear it." "Haha... you don't have to do so. I am already very happy since you don't hate it and are willing to accept it." "I will wear it all the time. It is a gift from Yue." Yun Xi said that and kissed Yue on his face. She found a more comfortable place in his arms and fell asleep. Yue touched his cheek where the girl kissed. His heart was filled with joy, and he kept giggling. Yue held the girl tightly. At midnight, the next day was coming. Yue said to the sleeping girl gently, "Yinzhu, happy birthday. Yue wants to be with you on your every birthday for a lifetime." However, this promise could never be fulfilled. ... On a starless night, after Yinzhu fell asleep, Yue went to the edge of the phoenix tree in Xiyan Palace again. In his room, a man in black was waiting for him. "When shall we take action, master?" "Now I don’t get the chance to approach that man of the Kingdom of Yun. Just hold on." "Yes, master, but the lord can't be so patient." "I know. You guys can start to prepare for it. We will take action after the new year." "Aye." After the man in black left, Yue sat in his room and began to meditate. Now he had been playing for time. He couldn't let go of such special affection, but he also didn't know how long he could make it last. Not long after, it was New Year's Eve, a big day for a family reunion in the Kingdom of Yun. Yun Su was the crown prince of the Kingdom of Yun. Yun Zhi was the adopted son of the King. They both had to spend New Year's Eve in the imperial palace. The royal family banquet was bustling and luxurious. Something was different in Xiyan Palace. In previous years, Yuer always asked for leave beforehand to go home and spend time with her family. In the past five years, the poor girl had stayed under the phoenix tree alone, recalling the past and thinking of her hometown and parents. She spent so much time alone. Only the brilliant fireworks in the night sky could remind her that time was still ticking away. However, this time Yuer left, so there was no one to disturb the two people. They felt happy and relaxed. The sun had just come up. Yun Xi was still visiting her family in her dream when Yue woke her up. Yue was wearing a big red palace dress. It's always hard to tell if he was a man or woman from his face. Now he didn't wear any makeup so he was less feminine and more handsome. His mature sharp eyes also showed a man's elegant look. He knew that the girl liked to wear a white dress, so he had prepared a white dress of thick winter fabric for the girl. This dress was embroidered, so it was not as white as a shroud. Yun Xi put on the dress Yue specially selected for her. Compared with her usual pure white clothes, this dress made her look more beautiful and livelier. However, there was no ornament on her hair. She only wore Yue’s hairpin on a simple bun. Ever since her birthday, she had been wearing this hairpin every day. Although the hairpin was simple, it could not cover her pure beauty and it even made her look purer. Yue reached out his big hands to hold Yun Xi's small hand. "Happy New Year, Yinzhu." "You too, Yue. Happy New Year." "Yinzhu, may you be happy every day." "Well, so is Yue." These two people talked like two little fools. There were no other people to disturb them, and it was a kind of strange sweetness. "Yinzhu, is there anything special you want to do today?" "I don't know what to do. In the Spring Festival in the past, I stayed alone in the palace. When I was a child, father and mother were with me. Brother Li would play with me. Oh! Maybe we can watch the fireworks together at night." Well, for Yun Xi, she did not know what to do during the Spring Festival. In the past, she was a little girl who only loved to play around. Now she had grown up but she didn't know how to celebrate a new year. Yue felt so sorry. He touched the girl's head. "Then come and play with me all day, Yinzhu." "Nice." Yun Xi rarely looked so hopeful. Yun Xi joined Yue to make dumplings. It was the first time for the girl to touch the flour and some other things. She scattered all ingredients everywhere but failed to make an average dumpling. She had tried her best but still couldn't turn the flour into dough. Yue was skillful, rolling the dough and stuffing meat to make good-looking dumplings one after another. He lined up the dumplings he made in rows. The sizes of dumplings were almost the same, so they looked very neat. Yun Xi gave up. She mixed water with flour and began to make a small animal for fun. This princess had made a monster which no one could tell what it was. It had four legs of different lengths and sizes, a large head, two strange ears, and a strange tail. Actually, it looked pretty cute. Yue picked up the girl's work. He smiled and picked up the knife to make a pair of eyes for the little monster. He also picked a radish as its mouth. Now the little monster looked lovelier. "Yinzhu, we'll steam it for dinner later. This is the first time you've ever cooked something for me." "Good." Yun Xi said and blushed. She hadn't realized this could also be food. "Then do you want to make a companion for it? It looked so lonely." "Well, then I am going to make another dog." "What? This is a dog? I think this is a monster." "This is not a monster! It is a cat!"