Showbiz Scandal: The Official Announcement of My Ex and Myself-Chapter 192: Everything I Want Will Eventually Be Mine
Song Zhuozhi took delicate steps, her skirt subtly swaying, bringing the embroidered orchid shoes into Lu Jiu’s view.
"You haven’t responded to me — why, do you no longer like me?"
Her voice was gentle and charming, her words accompanied by a light frown, and though she had no tears, she seemed always on the verge of tears.
Lu Jiu bowed his head, doing his best not to look at those delicate embroidered shoes.
Then Song Zhuozhi directly reached out and placed her hand on his chest, slowly stroking towards his shoulder, causing him to tense up.
"Jiu, while I still have some patience, talk to me, hmm?"
Lu Jiu brushed away her hand, lowered his eyes, and said formally: "Miss, you could go for a walk; it’s snowing outside."
"Snowing?" She withdrew her hand, removed the hairpin from her hair, and tapped the back of his hand. "Go, open the curtains for me to see."
Following her command, Lu Jiu moved his wrist encased in a tight black sleeve slightly, lifted the heavy curtain, and a wave of icy cold air rushed in.
Song Zhuozhi shivered from the cold, then looked at the illuminated white snow on the peach blossom tree in the courtyard, her eyes somewhat entranced.
"Indeed, it’s snowing."
Snow fell in the capital; at the frontier, might it be knee-deep already? If her father and brother were still around, they’d be worried about the soldiers’ comfort during battle with the Barbarian Tribe, affected as it always was this time of year.
At the frontier, the sound of chattering teeth would be louder than the silk and bamboo music in the palace, while the king they protected lived in indulgence and oblivion in his lustful paradise — how ironic.
— Is there still a need for such a royal family? Since she possesses the talent to govern the world, why cannot she take its place?
The haze in her eyes was replaced by clarity, and Song Zhuozhi suddenly turned to Lu Jiu and said:
"Jiu, shall I dance for you? My grandmother didn’t do much good but at least hired a teacher for me, ensuring I was not caught short of the skills needed to surpass a commoner. Would you like to see?"
Lu Jiu tried his best to be like a block of wood, not answering her questions.
She seemed not to care about his answer either, casually tossed aside her golden hairpin, and walked towards the courtyard.
The maidservants and matron guarding outside cautiously reminded her: "Madam, it’s cold outside..."
"It won’t kill me."
She casually dismissed them, slowly walked beneath the peach tree, and lightly touched the flower petal on the branches beside her with her jade-like fingers, causing the fine snow to fall off, disappearing upon her skirt’s fluff.
"Qiao Lv, play a tune at random; I want to dance."
The snow fell harder, gradually covering the footprints she had made, until they were no longer visible.
Song Zhuozhi danced gracefully under a tree of peach blossoms, her supple waist forming many difficult poses; when she kicked, her toes were pointed, drawing an arc beside her, and her legs along with the skirt spread out like a flower, dazzling the eyes.
Her arms were also supple; after a flowing motion, her fingers gently rested at her chin, revealing a delicate, beautiful peach-like face.
Before one could take in the sight, she turned, bent backward, her lips just brushing a single peach blossom on a drooping branch.
She bit off that flower, rose and spun, the white snow on the tree fluttering down upon her, like a rain hiding her expression.
The peach blossom enhanced her peach-like face, the pink blending with fiery red, blossoming gorgeously, a stunning sight amidst the white snow on earth.
Unbeknownst to himself, Lu Jiu became entranced while holding his sword, standing tall, with a gaze that usually remained calm, briefly flashing with amazement.
It truly was too beautiful.
The hibiscus flowers of the former General Mansion transformed into the magnolias of the Marquis Yongcheng’s Mansion, finally becoming vivid peach blossoms embedded in the snow — the constant being an enduring beauty, indescribable in its loveliness.
No matter how she changed, as long as this face persisted, there would always be those who surrendered to her.
Just like...
"Was it beautiful? I danced it specially for you." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Lu Jiu thought, just like him; even the coldest heart couldn’t resist her few lines of "specially for you," "I really like you," "I have only you."
His armor was splitting inch by inch.
Facing her pale lips from the cold, yet eyes full of anticipation, he couldn’t help but nod, softly saying: "Beautiful."
Song Zhuozhi thus smiled radiantly, pulling him into the inner room.
"It’s actually very cold outside; I need a bath. Will you pour me some water?"
Lu Jiu fell silent, calling people to fetch water, and returned with the maidservants, then stood outside the screen, shutting off his senses.
It wasn’t his first time shutting off his senses, Song Zhuozhi was already experienced with it.
As the maid attended to her back, she leaned on the edge of the tub, gazing at the tall silhouette cast on the screen by candlelight, contentedly and joyfully spoke to the attendant matron:
"See, what I want, no matter what it is, eventually comes into my possession."
The maidservants were too scared to respond, while the matron, thinking she’d shared quite some time with her, cautiously spoke: "Madam, speaking of which, isn’t the Master supposed to return in three to five months?"
Song Zhuozhi showed a puzzled expression, then recalled something, replied plainly: "Really? Then remind me then."
"And, the Shadow Guard..."
"What’s with the Shadow Guard? He’s mine; no one else dare command him but me."
In the end, it sounded like a veiled warning.
The matron quickly agreed, not daring to anger her.
Song Zhuozhi softened her expression once more, continued gazing at the silhouette on the screen, soon softly added:
"Marquis Yongcheng is no match for my Jiu."
Lu Jiu, just about to release his senses and leave, froze for a moment.
...
"Cut!"
"Stagehand! Assistant! Get clothes over to Yu Xia!"
As soon as the director called out, Mei hadn’t yet rushed over, Xie Qingci casually grabbed a cloak from the bed and handed it to the person behind the screen.
He only extended his hand backward, his gaze fixed forwards on a cluster of candles.
"Put this on first."
A hand reached out from inside and swiftly grabbed the cloak. He withdrew his hand, pressing it to his lips with a cough, eyes brimming with restrained joy.
Instantly, everyone on set ceased their actions and turned to him and the silhouette behind the screen.
Exchanging glances, they pretended to resume their tasks, though their eyes lingered on their movements.
The director shook his head with a sigh.
How could a young man endure this? Yu Xia distanced herself so much off-screen, making it hard for anyone to maintain affection for her for long, yet in the scene she had to seduce him — it’s impossible for him to let go just like that.
The new actor is indeed troubling, too easily caught up in the emotions of the role.
At that moment, Mei finally sprang forward to assist Yu Xia out, both pretending not to see the crew’s knowing glances, politely thanking Xie Qingci, then "hobbling" to the rest area, shivering as they sought her chaise lounge.
Xie Qingci donned an overcoat as he passed by them, footfalls slowing, handing his heated scarf to Mei.
"Yu Xia, I don’t need this for now; you can layer it for extra warmth."
Yu Xia looked up to meet his embarrassed and shy smile, feeling slightly tingling at the scalp for no reason.
