Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 181 Xinyue, I Want to See You
Princess Changqing was in a carriage, slightly lifting the curtain to observe the scene not far away. Song Ce, however, had already been placed inside the carriage and couldn't see his face clearly; he only saw the other two people openly embracing each other…

In the Great Yu Dynasty, there was no tradition of men and women embracing in the street. This was truly an insult to civility and a disgrace to the world.

However, it doesn't seem out of place for Xinyue to do this kind of thing.

Perhaps I've never really seen her as an ordinary woman.

Song Shi'an should be included as well.

Xin Yue was perfectly sober. His act of being drunk was obvious, and he was almost not even pretending anymore—he rested his head very precisely against his cheek.

Song Gan and the coachman, who were standing nearby, were both at a loss when they saw this scene.

Didn't you just say you were only slightly tipsy and didn't need help?
How did I get so drunk just by turning my head?

We all understand the logic; this is definitely an act.

But young master, you're being too direct!

"Alright, try not to get so drunk." Xin Yue gently patted his back, reminding herself that she still had some important things to say.

But she had no objection to being hugged.

There's nothing we can do; Song Shi'an is always like this.

"What you're saying... I can control whether I get drunk or not..."

After muttering something, Song Shi'an stood up with considerable difficulty.

Xin Yue, on the other hand, went from hugging his waist to supporting him on his shoulders.

Finally, we've parted ways.

"Could you ask your brother to come out for a bit?" Xin Yue whispered.

This question immediately aroused Song Shi'an's suspicion. He stared at her intently and asked warily, "What do you want to see my brother for?"

"What are you in a hurry for?"

Xin Yue couldn't understand why he was reacting so strongly.

"You've only met my brother once, why did you come all the way here to see him?" Song Shi'an asked.

So you're trying to get green (green)? Impossible.

"What are you thinking? Why would I want to see him?" Xin Yue was annoyed. She covered her mouth with her hand and whispered in his ear, "Princess Changqing is in the carriage over there. She wants to see your brother."

These two people...

Why are they kissing?
Even if Xinyue is not an ordinary girl, isn't kissing someone on the cheek outside the palace a bit against ancestral rules?

She usually seemed quite aloof, but the moment she saw Song Shi'an, she threw herself into his arms without any restraint.

You can know a person's face but not their heart.

"Oh, I see." Song Shi'an understood, and began to think, rubbing his forehead with his hand.

He stood up all by himself, without needing any help at all.

Moreover, he speaks clearly and his thoughts flow smoothly.

He wasn't drunk at all.

That's true. Drinking so much that he fell into the river doesn't mean he can't hold his liquor; it just proves he really loves drinking.

So, all I wanted was a hug.

The last time he got drunk with His Highness, he took him home himself, and the whole time he held her tightly around the waist...

He wasn't drunk at all.

Looking at this man, Xin Yue's feelings were complicated.

He's really not very serious; he always finds himself naturally making physical contact with himself.

Although Xinyue did not dislike such contact.

“Then I must refuse,” Song Shi’an said directly.

Xin Yue was quite surprised that the princess's request was so arrogantly rejected: "So decisive?"

“Jingming is completely drunk and out of his mind. He’s not in the best condition. What if the princess sees him and gets a bad first impression?” Song Shi’an said seriously. “We also need to consider the reputation of the Song family.”

"Alright, then I won't force you." Xinyue was able to accept it.

Suddenly, Song Shi'an thought of something and asked, "You brought the princess here, but she didn't see it. Won't you lose face in front of the princess?"

"Hmm..." Xin Yue didn't care too much about her own reputation, and she also felt that she should respect Song Ce's feelings. "Anyway, I have a legitimate reason, so I'll go back and explain to the princess."

"Wait a moment." Song Shi'an raised his hand and said, "I'll go ask Jingming if I can come down and say hello to you."

"Row."

Xinyue thought it was fine either way, since it wasn't her business anyway.

However, he was quite concerned about saving face.

Well, when this person is drunk, they really express their emotions directly, without any concealment. Such a straightforward personality is truly admirable.

"Jingming," Song Shi'an asked the dazed Song Ce after getting into the carriage, "Are you alright?"

Upon hearing Song Shi'an's voice, Song Ce slowly sat up. Although his cheeks were slightly flushed, he didn't look drowsy and was still quite handsome: "I didn't drink any more alcohol in the second half, I only drank hot honey water, so I'm fine..."

Song Ce rarely drinks, so he collapsed not long after the banquet began.

After that, I would fall asleep while being woken up, get up to chat with people for a bit, and eat a few bites.

“Princess Changqing is outside. Would you like to meet her?” Song Shi’an asked.

Ha, what do you mean the princess wants to see my brother?
What, are you trying to be a little more sophisticated that you need to check the model before getting married?
My younger brother is the legitimate son of a noble family and a newly appointed scholar. I'd like to see what your princess looks like.

"Huh? Now? Now?" Song Ce was a little nervous, after all, he wasn't exactly in a proper state right now.

"It's alright, you're very handsome, come down."

Before Song Ce could think, Song Shi'an grabbed his arm, lifted the back curtain of the car, and pulled him out.

Out!
Princess Changqing's heart suddenly raced as she peeked through a crack in the carriage curtain, but unfortunately, she only caught a glimpse of his profile. Moreover, Song Shi'an, standing beside her, blocked her view.

If you want to see your younger brother, move aside, older brother!

"Greetings, Lady Xinyue."

After getting off the carriage, Song Ce bowed to Xin Yue with great politeness.

"Jingming." Xinyue rarely showed a kind smile and nodded slightly.

At the same time, he glanced at the carriage diagonally in front of him. He didn't know what was going on inside the carriage, but he saw a hand stick out from behind the curtain and wave slightly.

Oh, my view is blocked by Song Shi'an.

"Come here for a moment," Xinyue said to Song Shi'an.

"What's wrong?" Song Shi'an feigned confusion, without moving his body.

"Stand on my side, I have something to tell you."

"Can't you just say so directly?"

Song Shi'an's deliberate dawdling finally made Princess Changqing in the carriage unable to hold back any longer.

Because Song Ce couldn't see himself from this angle, he simply knelt on the silk cushions of the carriage, completely lifted the curtain, and stuck his head out.

"Come here quickly."

Seeing this, Xin Yue pulled Song Shi'an aside.

At this moment, Song Shi'an smiled and whispered to his younger brother, "Look back at your wife." Song Ce turned around in realization.

Their eyes met, and time seemed to stand still in that moment.

……

"How's it going? Are you satisfied?"

After helping his younger brother into the carriage, Song Shi'an asked.

Song Ce nodded with a subtle smile: "Princess Changqing is very cute."

"This can be considered the emperor's compensation to you; he chose the most beautiful daughter," Song Shi'an comforted him.

"I wonder what the princess thinks of me..." Song Ce looked at Song Shi'an and asked with a hint of expectation.

"Your face looks so much like your brother's, and he's the gentle and refined type. No girl wouldn't like you, so don't worry." Song Shi'an was full of confidence in his younger brother.

Hearing his brother say that, he felt much more at ease.

"Young master, shall we depart?"

At this point, the coachman asked a question.

"Wait a moment." In response, Song Shi'an smiled and said, "Sending the young master back is enough. I have other things to do."

……

"How dare you turn around at that time? Who told him I was there?" Princess Changqing complained somewhat spoiledly.

“Neither Song Shi’an nor I told him.” Xin Yue lied without hesitation. “Song Ce must have seen my eyes looking in His Highness’s direction, so he turned his head out of curiosity.”

That explanation makes a lot of sense.

But she was still incredibly embarrassed.

Doesn't that imply that she's already very eager to get married even before she's married?

Of course, even while feeling upset, a smile couldn't help but creep onto my lips.

As princesses, their marriages were almost always political alliances.

They never had any choice.

The age, appearance, and status of the person she marries are all like opening a blind box.

Song Ce is young, noble, and very talented, which is already quite remarkable.

Even her face is very pretty...

"Your Highness, I didn't lie to you, did I?" Xin Yue teased.

"Yes, yes," Princess Changqing replied shyly, then asked, "Take another look and see if they've left yet."

Xin Yue lifted the curtain and saw that the carriage had already left.

However, not far away, Song Shi'an stood there, waiting quietly.

"The Song family's carriage has already left, and the servants have all departed. Song Shi'an is still standing there," Xin Yue reported.

Princess Changqing chuckled gossipy and patted her shoulder: "Go ahead, I'll have my servants take me back to the palace."

"Yes."

Xin Yue knew that being coy would be very obvious, so she got off the carriage decisively, walked over to Song Shi'an, and asked, "Is there anything else?"

When asked this question, Song Shi'an's expression remained unchanged, and he continued to gently examine the girl in front of him.

When Xinyue raises her eyelashes, her eyes are as cold as a deep pool. The tiny mole at the corner of her left eye is like cinnabar splashed into a frosty river. The three-tenths of coldness that naturally lingers at the corner of her lips may deter people from approaching, but once you get used to it, you will only find it a little cute.

“It’s nothing,” Song Shi’an said without any hesitation. “I wanted to see you.”

"..."

Xin Yue was taken aback by this directness, but her eyes didn't flinch or dart away; that would be too much like a shy, delicate young girl. So, she continued, maintaining her composure, "I visited your residence a few days ago."

"So you can't think about it for the next few days?"

"..."

That's too straightforward.

The direct question left Xin Yue completely at a loss for words.

My heart is like spring water rippling, spreading in thousands of layers.

However, she couldn't respond to Song Shi'an.

I must kill someone. I cannot marry you. I cannot peacefully wait for my enemy to die of old age!

"you're drunk."

After a long silence, she forced herself to remain calm and uttered those three words.

But as soon as he finished speaking, the smile on Song Shi'an's face visibly changed. Maintaining only a polite smile, he nodded: "Mm."

This reaction made Xinyue panic for a moment.

She didn't mean to hurt Song Shi'an's feelings.

However, she could see the other person's disappointment.

Because of that overly heartless reply.

"Hey, shall we take a walk together?" Xin Yue invited.

Although his tone was the same as before, it was clearly disordered.

"Ah."

Song Shi'an responded meekly.

In the future, only a simple and elegant sunset will remain on the horizon of Xishan.

The Anhe River, which runs through Sheng'an, also emerges from the palace.

The two walked to the beautiful riverbank in the imperial city.

In the evenings of March, a cool breeze caresses the willows, easing fatigue and the effects of intoxication.

Song Shi'an, who was usually very talkative, just walked along without saying a word.

Xin Yue then realized that when the two of them were together, he was always the one talking and she was the one answering.

Even when they chat, he is the one who takes the initiative.

Now, all is silence.

Silence isn't necessarily bad, but she had just hurt him, and the fact that the two of them were now completely silent made her very uneasy.

But how can I apologize?

No, not as much as an apology.

I should have just said, don't wait for me.

Xin Yue looked up and saw his profile. Slowly, she lowered her head again.

The two walked forward in silence.

Suddenly, Xinyue touched Song Shi'an's hand with her finger.

It started with just one index finger, then progressed to several fingertips. Then, gradually, with a soft palm, I grasped his hand…

(End of this chapter)