Reborn To Be The Imperial Consort [BL]-Chapter 121: Dancing Daffodils — II

[Bonus Chapter 6]

At the abrupt action, Hu Lijing all but jolted as he reeled back, eyebrows raised in question as he looked between the delicately covered box and Li Xinyuan, frowning. "Just what in the world?"

Realising that he might have overreacted, Li Xinyuan cleared his throat, took a deep breath and without a word just simply shook his head.

Disbelieving, Hu Lijing looked at him, the box and then the beautiful, snow-white bird, taking in its delicate appearance and the long tail that swished about. "Who is it from?" He gestured at the box.

However, before Li Xinyuan could so much as think of how to answer, the bird perched on his forearm spoke up. Yes, it spoke. In human language, its voice, regal and calm.

"This gift is given to Doctor Li from His Highness the Crown Prince. I too am part of the gift," said the bird, bowing its head slightly.

Hu Lijing’s eyes widened, surprise colouring his face as he all but gaped at the bird. If the Divine Phoenix and the nine-tailed fox had any suspicion regarding the genesis of the bird it had now been dispelled by the very creature.

Without a doubt this beautiful bird was indeed a XueQiao.

Li Xinyuan took a deep breath, finally bringing his rapidly beating heart under control, the man let out a sigh upon feeling the questioning gazes of his aunt and the nine-tailed fox boring at his face as if waiting for an explanation of sorts.

Now, did the surgeon have an explanation? He did. He did have an explanation for the bird’s presence but he was not quite sure if the explanation he could provide them with was enough for this spectacle.

A beautiful white bird that spoke, an intricately designed blue jade hairpin, both of which were a gift from his betrothed, the Crown Prince, as well as the protagonist of the very fantastical world that the surgeon had now become a part of.

If he had so much as forgotten the fact that this world was a fantastical creation of an idle mind, this beautiful XueQiao had effectively reminded him of the fact.

The surgeon drew in a deep bracing breath as he bit his lower lip, golden eyes cast down as he gazed upon the small, rather conspicuous box resting innocently in his hands, he let out a sigh as he turned on his heels, making his way towards the carriage long prepared, his mind a whirl of emotions.

While the deep blush of his ears had yet to fade away, the surgeon quickly climbed into the carriage, the box clutched tightly in his hands. Once he was away from the gathering—especially his aunt and Hu Lijing—Li Xinyuan sighed a breath of relief, hugging the box in his arms and close to his chest and ducked his head, feeling extremely flustered at the moment.

In truth, the surgeon had indeed sent a letter to Liu Mingyun, briefly informing of his—possibly—prolonged trip to the dangerous whirlpool that was Jianghu, expressing his desire to converse with the youth over the letters and describing to him the world he saw.

For him, it had been just an attempt to deepen whatever relationship they had because in all the inevitabilities of the nature of their relationship, the surgeon really wanted to find a place they both found comfort in, even if they were friends at the moment.

But of course, who could have expected the Crown Prince to go above and beyond in reciprocation to Li Xinyuan’s intentions; going as far as to give him a parting gift and a messenger bird.

And that too not just any other bird but one that was canonically stated to be only possessed by the members of the royal family—and not just any member, but the Son of Heaven, the helm of this country, the Emperor: Liu Huangjun.

... Well, the Heavenly Dragon had only tamed the said bird to give it to the Imperial Noble Consort as a sign of his love for the man. What could the surgeon say? That man was such a romantic who had all the novel readers gushing over his actions.

Silently, as Li Xinyuan slowly reopened the brocade-covered box, he could not help but wonder if this move by the prince was influenced by the Emperor’s behaviour. Whatever it was... It was overwhelming to know that a man would go so above and beyond for his sake. Especially when the realisation sank in.

The surgeon shook his head, forcing himself to dispel that train of thought as he gingerly drew out the carefully folded paper that was tucked under the jade hairpin, unknowingly holding his breath as he unfolded it to read the content written on the paper in firm and unobstructed, penmanship that screamed of royalty.

Quite an eye candy if anyone asked him.

As he read it, Li Xinyuan could already hear the deep baritone of the Crown Prince’s voice, not to mention the regal yet gentle cadence of it. Liu Mingyun wrote:

"To This Prince your sudden letter was a surprise, an exceedingly pleasant surprise I must clarify. To think Xin’er would want to converse with This Prince over the course of your journey that Xin’er has chosen to embark—not alone, This Prince prays, for that would make him worried sick—has brought me joy that words alone shall be inadequate to express.

Nevertheless, This Prince cannot be happier that Xin’er has chosen to take the initiative to deepen our relationship just when he had thought you had forgotten me, quite foolish of This Prince, is it not?"

Li Xinyuan could almost picture the small, mischievous smirk on Liu Mingyun’s unfairly handsome face as his crimson irises that shone like priceless rubies shone with a gleeful light as he penned—or well brushed—this letter.

"Since Xin’er has given This Prince so much joy, he finds himself compelled to return that in like. Along with this letter, This Prince has sent you two gifts to commemorate the beginning of your long journey. One messenger bird that is the lauded bird—priceless they say—XueQiao. Before Xin’er begins overwhelming himself, allow This Highness to reassure you.

No, This Prince did not give you his own messenger bird. Nor did I face trouble capturing it. Have some faith in your betrothed, Xin’er. Yes, This Prine has been meaning to give this bird to you for sometime now, he would have held back till you were his wedded, however your letter pushed This Prince to give it to you now.

No, This Prince will not be taking it back. You are not allowed to return it.

Now that This Prince has—hopefully—put your worries to rest, allow him to move on to the next gift. The hairpin enclosed in this box harbours marks of wear and tear, does it not?

But make no mistakes, Xin’er... It is so—lacklustre in nature—for I have worn it quite a few times. This hairpin signifies my desire to share my life with you from this day forward just as I am giving the hairpin to you; I am also giving a part of me as well as my life to you.

Maybe, Xin’er is my destiny after all.

I pray one day I can see you wear it in your hair as you stand by my side, just as it was mine, it is yours too.

Have a safe journey, Xin’er. I will look forward to your return.

... And before I forget, that hairpin will always be my most cherished one. Much like yourself, and nothing in this world is as priceless as you.

Always remember this.

Yours truly,

Liu Mingyun."