Chapter 84: A Meeting Gift

With her mind in turmoil and Su Xin’s incessant chatter grating on her nerves, Hua Rong’s patience wore thin. Narrowing her eyes, she swept a careful glance around but found no sign of Hua Yue. “Perhaps she hasn’t arrived yet,” she murmured.

The others were preoccupied, whispering in pairs, admiring the scenery, or exchanging pleasantries about old times. Noticing Su Xin’s attention was wholly fixed on Jun Yeli, Hua Rong seized her chance. On tiptoe, she quietly slipped away.

Half running, half walking, she finally found a secluded spot. Leaning against the artificial rockery, she pressed a hand to her chest, gasping for breath. “I nearly got caught by those women. If they’d seen me, I’d have suffered their displeasure once again!”

The women of the inner palace, though outwardly calling one another ‘sister,’ harbored narrow hearts. Crossing paths with them was courting trouble.

She had barely caught her breath when a light, teasing laugh echoed nearby. “Oh? What’s the matter, Your Grace? Did someone bully you?”

The sudden voice startled Hua Rong so much that the color drained from her face. She looked up in alarm, searching the area, but saw no one.

“Who’s there, playing tricks? Show yourself at once!” Hua Rong gritted her teeth, one hand instinctively clutching a vine on the rockery, her posture tense and guarded.

But no matter how she strained her eyes, she could not locate the source of the voice. Testing her luck, she took two cautious steps forward, glancing left and right like a thief.

Just then, a shadow swooped down from above. With a thud, a figure landed directly before her, steady and poised.

“Ah!” Hua Rong stumbled back in fright, staring at him in shock. Her feet tangled, and she nearly fell.

As she braced for her fall to end with an undignified landing, the man reacted swiftly—his steps light and agile, he spun to her side and caught her by the waist, steadying her.

“Are you all right, Your Grace? How did you become so careless?” His voice was gentle, almost disarmingly so.

Hua Rong was taken aback. Looking up, she recognized him at last: Jun Yechen. “Second Prince, what are you doing here?”

“Perhaps, like you, I couldn’t bear the noise and sought out a quiet place to hide. It seems fate has brought us together once again,” he replied with a soft chuckle, leaning nonchalantly against the rockery. His long legs and tall figure made him a striking presence, impossible to ignore.

Though their meeting was awkward, Hua Rong, recalling past kindnesses, nodded politely in greeting. “So we are kindred spirits—fate indeed.”

Then both fell silent, unsure what to say. Hua Rong, unsettled, glanced away, trying to ease the awkwardness.

The hush around them was absolute, a world apart from the laughter and merriment echoing in the distance.

Jun Yechen yawned lightly, breaking the silence. Seizing the moment, Hua Rong spoke, “It really is rather dull here—there’s nothing at all…”

She trailed off, unsure what else to say, simply making small talk for the sake of it.

She had thought perhaps this would spark a conversation, but Jun Yechen had a knack for asking the very questions one wished to avoid. Glancing toward Jun Yeli, he teased with interest, “All those women are eager for their chance, yet Your Grace stands here, troubled and alone. Why?”

His words were so off-topic Hua Rong was momentarily speechless. She blurted, “It’s just vexing to watch, that’s all.”

As soon as she said it, she couldn’t help but glance in that direction again. The more she looked, the more infuriated she became, twisting the white handkerchief in her hand until it was nearly deformed, muttering under her breath, “Scoundrel!”

Jun Yechen, noticing her agitation, slyly unfastened the jade pendant from his belt. “Since fate has brought us together, let me give you something.”

His sudden offer surprised Hua Rong. She turned to see him holding a fine jade pendant, clearly of great value.

She thought he meant to give her the entire piece, but to her astonishment, Jun Yechen split the pendant in two, breaking it cleanly.

“Did you just break it?” Hua Rong swallowed, bewildered. Was the jade of such poor quality that it broke with a touch?

He chuckled. “You needn’t worry. This pendant was made to be in two parts. I give it to you because fate brought us together. I hope you won’t find it unworthy.”

Relieved by his explanation, Hua Rong nodded thoughtfully. Yet when he held out the pendant, she hesitated to accept it.

“A jade pendant that splits in two must carry special meaning. I’m not sure it’s appropriate for you to give it to me. Perhaps it’s best not to.”

Less trouble is better, she thought. Besides, she had no need of such things, and wearing half a jade pendant might invite misunderstanding.

Noting her wariness, Jun Yechen laughed a little awkwardly. “You’re very thoughtful, Your Grace. In that case, let me give you this sachet instead—it’s calming for the nerves.”

With no polite way to refuse again, Hua Rong accepted the sachet. After all, to decline further would seem ungracious.

Once she had fastened the sachet, a sudden burst of cheerful commotion drifted from afar, audible even in their secluded nook.

“The show is about to start! Everyone find your seats—today’s troupe is the most famous in the capital!”

At the sound, the crowd hurried off. Not wanting to prolong the awkwardness, Hua Rong laughed and said, “Let’s go watch as well. With such a grand occasion, who knows when we’ll get another chance?”

Together they made their way to the Moonview Terrace, where everyone was already seated. As Hua Rong glanced around, she suddenly spotted a woman waving at her.

Focusing her gaze, she realized with delight that it was Hua Yue, the very one she had longed to see.

“Sister!” Overflowing with joy, Hua Rong hurried over and settled into the seat beside her. She could not hide her happiness.

“Sister, it’s really you! It’s been so long!” It had been half a year since they’d last met. Hua Rong had nearly forgotten what it felt like to have family. Now, clutching Hua Yue’s hand tightly, she was overwhelmed to find someone she could trust and rely on within the palace. She was deeply moved, more than words could express.