Consort of a Thousand Faces - Chapter 413

Chapter 413

CHAPTER 413 (1): WHAT FLOWER

Su Xi-er didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry as she patted Situ Lin’s shoulder . “You’ve gotten a little more eloquent after studying diligently for these past few days . . Where did you hear this from?”

Although Su Xi-er was smiling, Situ Lin could discern that she was trying to sound him out .  I can’t possibly admit that I heard it from the palace maids, right?

Situ Lin quickly made up his mind to fabricate a lie . “I thought of it by myself . I didn’t hear it from anyone . ”

“Really? If you’re not going to tell the truth, I’ll tell your Imperial Uncle when he comes back . ”

Situ Lin’s heart wildly thumped in fright . Just as he was about to beseech Su Xi-er, he heard a familiar male voice accompanied by a strong presence behind him .  Oh no, it’s over for me . Imperial Uncle heard it!

“Tell this Prince about what?” Pei Qianhao asked as he looked at Su Xi-er .

Situ Lin desperately cast a meaningful and pleading look at Su Xi-er .  Imperial Aunt, you mustn’t tell him!

Su Xi-er laughed .  Of course I won’t tell him . Besides, it’s not appropriate to mention that sort of thing .

“What did you do today? Why did you come back so late?” She tried to act like she was fawning over him as she walked forward and took his hand .

Seeing their display of affection, Situ Lin rapidly left without waiting for his Imperial Uncle to speak .

Watching Situ Lin’s figure disappear, Pei Qianhao’s brows furrowed slightly before he turned to Su Xi-er who asked, “Did you send someone to retrieve the cloth bundle that I left in the Imperial Household Department after just entering the palace?”

Pei Qianhao nodded . “Yes, this Prince will help you safeguard it . ”

“Shouldn’t you let me have a look at its contents?” Su Xi-er smilingly asked .  I want to see the items that belong to the owner of this body .

“You said that you’ve left the past behind, and won’t care about your so-called relatives . How come you want those things again?” Pei Qianhao wrapped his arm around her waist, putting his forehead against hers .

“Can’t I just have a look? It’s been more than 10 years after all . ”

Seeing how persistent she was, Pei Qianhao eventually gave in . “Wu Ling, come in . ”

Wu Ling entered the hall . “Prince Hao, do you have any instructions?”

“Bring Princess Consort Hao’s things out . ” Despite Pei Qianhao keeping his voice even, being able to use the name, ‘Princess Consort Hao’ made him inwardly delighted .

Wu Ling took out the folded cloth bundle from his sleeve, but the paper that contained Su Xi-er’s origins had been burnt to ashes .

Pei Qianhao hadn’t initially planned to destroy the evidence of Su Xi-er’s background, but after finding out she was actually Ning Rulan, he changed his mind .

Su Xi-er took the cloth bundle and placed it on the table, beginning to look through its contents .

The cloth bundle was very small, but contained a tiny and exquisite pouch among other things . When she opened it up, Su Xi-er was stunned by what she saw .

They were three small stones that had been polished until they were extremely round and smooth . Su Xi-er was reminded of the children from farmer families .  Without enough money to buy their children toys, the most the kids could do was play with stones . The real Su Xi-er must have played with these stones from a young age, resulting in their current smooth appearance . She had carried them around and treated them like a treasure, even bringing them with her for safekeeping in the Imperial Household Department .

Currently, the colour of the three stones had faded after many years of neglect . Su Xi-er actually felt her heart aching in sorrow as she gazed at them for a long time .

Pei Qianhao came forward to see what she was looking at .

“Prince Hao, did you play with stones when you were young?” Su Xi-er couldn’t help but ask .

Hearing the melancholy in her voice, Pei Qianhao hugged her from behind before whispering in her ear . “It’s been too long . This Prince doesn’t remember . ”