Chapter 38: What Should I Do?

The guards quickly withdrew, leaving only the two of them beneath the tree.

"Enough now, stop being angry! You only have yourself to blame for provoking her like that. She probably has no idea what this tree means to you!"

Mo Qianli looked at Xuan Yuan Juesi—he was truly furious, his face steely, his eyes sharp as blades. But things had already come to this point; what could be done now?

"She doesn't know, but does ignorance give her the right to do as she pleases? If it had been a person, would she have swung her axe just as carelessly? That woman has grown too bold. Senior brother, whatever happens next, don't try to stop me."

"How could I not stop you? Never mind your affection for her, you need her cooperation right now. You can't seize everything through violence. Truly, the only thing you can do is act as if nothing happened. Do you understand?"

"I understand, but I can't possibly pretend nothing happened. This tree was planted in the palace by my birth mother; I went through so much to transplant it here. Am I supposed to thank her for not cutting it down completely?"

Over twenty years of care, only to be ruined like this.

"Yes, you probably should. If she had cut it down, you'd have nothing left. Right now, you need her to face the emperor. Didn't you say the emperor wants to see you both the day after tomorrow? To handle all this, you need to understand much more. It's not simple for you, I know, but what choice do you have? Leave everything until after the meeting, all right?"

Looking at Xuan Yuan Juesi, Mo Qianli felt helpless. Si Nuosang was in real trouble now—why did she have to touch Xuan Yuan Juesi's tree? Even he couldn't speak up for her.

Si Nuosang, for her part, had no idea what had happened—she only noticed that Xuan Yuan Juesi had disappeared for several days.

When he finally returned, he told her he'd take her to the palace for a celebration. She had no choice but to dress warmly and follow him into the palace. But all the while, Xuan Yuan Juesi looked grim, and she couldn't understand why.

Was it because of the argument at dinner that day?

They took their seats and watched the performances—was this an imperial entertainment show?

There was dancing, singing, music. From those around her, she learned it was the empress's birthday.

"What is going on?" Si Nuosang wondered, noting Xuan Yuan Juesi's ashen face. He'd kept that expression for so long. She truly didn't understand what she'd done to offend him.

Why was there such hatred in his eyes? Si Nuosang was at a loss.

When the performances were finished, it was time for the princesses and consorts to present their own talents.

"Excellent, excellent!" The empress exchanged a glance with the emperor, clapping her hands lightly.

"I have heard that Princess Lingye is quite skilled with music. Would you honor us with a performance?"

What? Si Nuosang was stunned, looking instinctively to Xuan Yuan Juesi. He gave her a look, leaving the decision to her.

"Your Majesty, I am afraid Lingye is not versed in the instruments of this country," Xuan Yuan Juesi tried to defuse the situation.

"Is that so? What a pity," the empress replied, looking disappointed. Yet the emperor continued to gaze at Si Nuosang, making her deeply uneasy.

Was this some sort of test? But seeing all those instruments, she truly knew nothing about them.

"Your Majesty, why not let the princess dance instead? I hear the dances of Fusang are especially beautiful," one of the consorts suggested.

Clearly, she was not aligned with the empress's faction; still, why target Si Nuosang? It was so painful to be singled out.

"Is that all right? It doesn't have to be music, does it?"

The empress looked at Xuan Yuan Juesi, then at Si Nuosang.

Xuan Yuan Juesi had no way to intervene; he could only look at Si Nuosang, hoping she would dance.

"Then forgive my humble attempt," she said, moving slowly onto the stage, instantly becoming the focus of all eyes, her heart pounding wildly.

She hesitated, unsure what to dance, then recalled some old modern dance moves from her youth. She'd studied modern dance for a year—passionate yet restrained, her movements flowed like water and clouds.

The audience was astounded by the power and expressiveness of her dance—it was far more compelling than the delicate twirling that had come before.

The musicians accompanied her with lively drumming, matching her rhythm perfectly. Though they'd never seen such dancing, they adapted well.

When the performance ended, the emperor himself applauded, while the empress, seeing his expression, grew visibly displeased.

"Splendid, splendid! The dances of Fusang are truly unique. I have never before seen such a performance—an eye-opening experience!"

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. It is but a trivial skill, unworthy of the grand hall."

She offered the customary words of humility, though the emperor's continued gaze made her feel immense pressure. This time was different from before—his eyes had completely changed.

She could feel Xuan Yuan Juesi's gaze burning into her back as well; it seemed things were going very badly.

Returning to her seat, the celebration continued. Others presented their gifts, and Xuan Yuan Juesi's was particularly lavish. In the palace, appearances meant everything.

What else could be done? This was how things were. No matter what came next, Si Nuosang could only feel a splitting headache. Her body ached from the energetic dance, leaping and spinning through the air. But who among them could truly understand what she had performed? Probably no one. And still, Xuan Yuan Juesi's face remained as grim as ever. Even after helping so much, why did he still act this way?

She felt miserable—what should she do next?

After the festivities, she followed Xuan Yuan Juesi out of the palace. The moment they stepped outside, he seized her by the throat and pinned her against a great tree.

"What are you doing?" Si Nuosang gasped in pain, staring at the man who seemed utterly changed.

"Let me go... I can barely breathe. Let go of me!" she pleaded. "What madness has seized you? Let go, let go of me!"

She struggled with all her strength to push him away, desperate for air. His eyes were nearly bloodshot—full of unmistakable hatred. Yes, he truly hated her; it was plain to see.

"You destroyed what was most precious to me, and you still ask what you’ve done? Si Nuosang, have I indulged you so much you think you can walk over me?"

"What did I destroy?" she cried, terrified, fighting for her life.

Perhaps it was deliberate, but as she struggled, Xuan Yuan Juesi finally released her, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.