Chapter 73.3 – One Dance Shocks the World (3)
T/N: Chapter sponsored by Mochakat9 and Kim! Thank you for sponsoring!
While far from home, far from one’s family, one’s most proud of talent getting kicked down a notch by someone
else, one’s heart naturally would feel deeply hurt, yet there was no one to accompany her.
But, if it weren’t for her picking a fight tonight, she wouldn’t have such a wound either.
“Du Xiao Li, you’ve danced quite well! This emperor was just thinking what would be good to reward you with,
then suddenly remembered your stake. Since that’s the case, just take Ding Wang back with you then.” Han Ming Ze
half-jokingly and half-seriously said.
(T/N: Everyday I wonder how this Emperor is full brothers with Ren Wang—-)
Sweat—-
Du Xiao Li didn’t know how to reply to Han Ming Ze’s words. At this time, her old man actually stood out and
saved her, “Your Majesty, Xiao Li just won a mere competition, no need for your Majesty to reward! Having your
Majesty’s praise is already her greatest fortune.”
“En, although it is so, this emperor can’t really not reward either. Just have that night pearl from last time’s tribute
bestowed to her.” Han Ming Ze said.
“Thanking your Majesty for the bestowment.” Du Xiao Li took the night pearl and returned to her own seat.
Afterwards, she let out a long sigh. Attending banquets, really is quite tiring.
“Tired?” Du Xiu Heng looked to Du Xiao Li, feeling somewhat worried for her.
“I’m alright.” Du Xiao Li had the grape wine in front of her downed in one gulp, and then continued, “However, a
few more of these banquets and I’ll certainly exhaust to death! This kind of occasion is just too stifling.”
“En, in the future, there probably won’t be too many of this kind of occasion.” Du Xiu Heng said, consoling her.
After Du Xiao Li returned to her seat, the Grand Empress Dowager announced that she was tired and returned to
rest. Originally, there were still some other arrangements, but because the banquet started late, and then there was
this incident afterwards as well, the time was already somewhat late and everyone were all somewhat tired. Thus the
Emperor allowed for everyone to all scatter, each returning to their respective homes to rest.
Du Xiao Li followed Du Yun Han and the others out of the imperial palace together. While leaving the palace gates,
she felt the air momentarily change. The originally stifling feeling instantly disappeared all at once.
“Finally out!” Du Xiao Li exclaimed.
“Tonight, go back and properly rest, look at how it’s exhausted you.” Du Xiu Heng stood by her side and said,
knowing why she was this tired.
“En, tomorrow I’ll be going to the estate to stay for a period of time!” Du Xiao Li said.
Speaking of the estate, she recalled that the Grand Empress Dowager wanted to go. She really hoped that Grand
Empress Dowager and Meng Old Madam were joking.
But, her imagination may be abundant, but reality was very slim. This was Du Xiao Li’s second heartfelt sigh today.
“Come on, we’re going back.” Du Xiu Heng said, and then watched Du Xiao Li get on the horse carriage, before
getting on his own horse.
After Du Xiao Li got on the horse carriage, she saw Du Ke Xin’s gloomy face.
“You sure know how to pretend! To have actually hid from everyone’s eyes!”
Du Xiao Li mockingly laughed and said, “I’ve never said anything about what I know and don’t know, wasn’t
everything all spread out by you all on your own? Now you’re blaming me?”
“You—–”
“I’m really tired right now, so be quiet. Else, I can’t promise whether or not it’ll be the same as this afternoon.” Du
Xiao Li coldly said, and then closed her eyes to rest. The whole way back she never said another word to Du Ke
Xin, even if she used daggers to glare at her the whole time.
After arriving back at the Du Manor, Du Xiao Li went to look for Du Yun Han and told him that she was going to
the estate. The Grand Empress Dowager didn’t say that she couldn’t tell her old father. These following days where
she won’t be attending school, she still needed Du Yun Han to request a leave of absence for her!
When Du Yun Han heard her say this, his heart almost jumped out from shock.
“Daughter ah, let me tell you, that estate of yours although appears very good, but if the Grand Empress Dowager
and them really wants to go, this won’t be a small matter!”
Du Xiao Li shrugged her shoulders and said, “I know! But grandma Meng said it like that to the Grand Empress
Dowager, and she just clapped her hands and decided. I didn’t even have the time nor authority to say no. What
could I do?”
“Hai, this matter is too significant. Tomorrow, I need to go look for his Majesty to discuss.” Du Yun Han said.
“If you think it’s useful, then go ahead.” Du Xiao Li said, “Anyways, I’ll have you take care of the matter over at the
school. Tonight has depressed me to death, it’ll be perfect to go to the estate to relax a little. I’ll be going back now!”
Du Xiao Li said, and then left Du Yun Han’s study, returning to her own courtyard. Standing in the courtyard, she
looked to the round moon in the sky. Another year of mid-autumn has passed, this was already the seventh midautumn she’s celebrated since coming here.
“Miss, you’ve finally returned, how was it tonight?” Seeing Du Xiao Li having returned, Xia Yuan and Ying Ge thus
went up to greet her.
“Xia Yuan, Ying Ge, your miss is about to die.” Du Xiao Li looked to Xia Yuan and pouted.
“Ah? What’s wrong miss? Did you get injured? Quickly let Ying Ge have a look.” Hearing Du Xiao Li say this,
Ying Ge quickly rushed forward.
“Aiyooo, I’m not injured!” Du Xiao Li felt ticklish getting touched all over by Ying Ge and quickly stopped her.
“If you’re not injured, then how are you dying?” Ying Ge asked.
“Must have been uncomfortable in the imperial palace.” Xia Yuan rather understood Du Xiao Li’s personality and
knew that she definitely must have felt uneasy in the imperial palace.
“Is that so miss?”
“Sigh, more or less. You all go prepare some food and wine. We’re going to have guests in a bit.” Du Xiao Li said.
“There’s still going to be guests at this hour?” Ying Ge skeptically asked.
“En, go prepare. I’m going to rest for a bit inside first.” Du Xiao Li said and returned to her own room.
Ying Ge was still muttering about who would be coming this late, while Xia Yuan headed to the kitchen to begin
preparing food and wine. And just as Du Xiao Li said, right when they’d just finished preparing the food and drinks,
two shadows landed down from the roof one after another.
“You’re here.” Du Xiao Li looked to the two of them, not the least bit surprised.
“How did you know we’d be coming?” Luo Qi looked to the already prepared food and wine, and asked.
“Intuition.” Du Xiao Li replied.
Han Ming Yi sat down next to Du Xiao Li and said, “This is specially made to welcome us?”
Du Xiao Li nodded and said, “Wait a moment, big brother’s coming in a bit.”
A moment later, Du Xiu Heng under Xia Yuan’s lead, arrived in Du Xiao Li’s courtyard. Seeing the other two that
appeared in her room, he blanked for a moment and said, “How come you two are here?”
“Big brother, come sit down for a chat.” Du Xiao Li beckoned towards Du Xiu Heng.
Du Xiu Heng glared at the two that appeared in his younger sister’s room, and then sat down next to Du Xiao Li.
