The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem-Chapter 538

A heavy rain after autumn washed the courtyard's trumpet vines, making them even more vibrant.

The rain fell like a painting, and the young man sat steadily by the window, gazing at the flowers through the rain. He was more captivating than the scenery itself.

The mist from the rain carried a faint floral scent, and upon closer sniffing, there was also a hint of mint.

It was just like the beautiful young man by the window—only the word "refreshing" came to mind.

"Brother Chenghui, every time I invite you out, I end up being pushed to the outskirts of the city by your admirers."

An old classmate who had just returned from his travels gathered with a few friends around a tea stove in a teahouse.

Although the teahouse was enclosed by a courtyard, Xie Chenghui's loyal fans still crowded outside the walls.

The trumpet vines were nearing the end of their blooming season, and those extending beyond the wall had been ruthlessly plucked.

Fang Heshi shook his head in fear, thinking that if Xie Chenghui ventured out alone, he might end up like those vines—snatched away by someone...

However, Xie Chenghui himself was well aware of his devastatingly handsome face and didn't find it particularly troubling.

He had seen worse, and this was just people tracking his daily routines.

"But..."

Fang Heshi leaned closer to Xie Chenghui with a gossipy expression. "I heard your father is arranging a marriage for you, and it's with a girl from the Jiang family. You're about to hit the jackpot!"

The Jiang family was the maternal family of the Empress. Once the Sixth Prince ascended the throne, as long as the Jiang family didn't rebel, unimaginable wealth awaited them.

Now, the unmarried girls of the Jiang family had become the most sought-after treasures in the imperial city, with everyone vying for their favor.

Only someone like Xie Chenghui, from a scholarly family, with noble character and a face that girls adored, could secure such a match.

Unfortunately, the Empress's younger sister had already been betrothed to Third Yan of the Cavalry General's Mansion, or she would have been a perfect match for Xie Chenghui.

The group of elegant young noblemen chattered on about the Jiang family's daughters.

"Enough!"

Xie Chenghui slammed his teacup down impatiently. "We pride ourselves as gentlemen, well-read in poetry and literature. Is this how we discuss others behind their backs?"

What the Jiang family's daughters were like was their own business.

No matter their qualities, they shouldn't be judged like objects.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

"Ah? Brother Xie?"

"We were just casually chatting among ourselves. Why is he upset?"

"That's just his temperament—a bit old-fashioned. Don't mind him. Let's drink our tea..."

After the outing, the carriage returned with half a cart of flowers, all thrown by young girls on the street.

Among them were trumpet vines.

Xie Chenghui sighed. Those who pursued him didn't bother to put in much effort. They carelessly plucked flowers, ruining the beauty he admired, and tossed them at him.

He felt like those trumpet vines.

The affection people had for him was as fleeting as a reflection in water—hollow and insubstantial.

So, he never grew arrogant or complacent over such superficial admiration.

No one understood the depths of his soul.

What they loved was merely his outer appearance.

"Chenghui, you're back! Come here. This is your Uncle Jiang, Aunt Jiang, and your sister Shu'er."

At the mention of the surname "Jiang," Xie Chenghui finally looked up.

With just one glance, Jiang Shu'er was struck by Xie Chenghui's beauty.

She considered herself a rare beauty. After all, since Jiang Xinyue became Empress, everyone in the Great Yan Dynasty knew the Jiang family produced stunning women.

But her beauty paled in comparison to Xie Chenghui's, leaving her feeling inadequate.

Her earlier confidence and pride now made her feel like a fool.

"Uncle Jiang, Aunt Jiang, greetings."

Xie Chenghui gave a slight bow. "I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

Throughout the entire encounter, he didn't spare Jiang Shu'er a single glance.

"Ah, this child..."

The Jiang family indeed had a daughter sought after by many, but the one he wished to pursue was already beyond his reach.

Why should he ruin someone else's life?

From then on, he kept his unspoken feelings to himself, finding a strange solace in his solitude.

The rain tapped gently on the eaves, its sound fading. A painting of a beauty with a melancholic expression after the rain came to life on paper.

Only by immersing himself in painting could he ease the ache of longing.

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‍figure in the painting wasn't Jiang Xinyue—just a beautiful woman.

Xie Chenghui's restraint was almost unbearable.

He didn't want to cause any trouble for the Empress.

The Emperor treated her well, and she seemed happy. She had become the most revered woman in the world, possessing everything ordinary people could only dream of.

The Crown Prince and the Third Princess were well-behaved and intelligent, and the twins took after the Emperor, precocious beyond their years.

"Lord Xie, the Fourth Prince is here again."

As the Empress's birthday approached, the Fourth Prince wanted to personally paint a portrait for her, so he had been frequenting the painting studio.

Over the years, to avoid his parents' pressure to marry and to ward off most admirers, Xie Chenghui had grown a small mustache.

On most people, it would make them look like an older gentleman, but on Xie Chenghui, it added a touch of refined elegance to his youthful beauty.

Now, even the little mustache he had was nearly gone from constant tugging.

"Tell him I'm not here."

Xie Chenghui abruptly stood up from his chair, ready to escape through the back door.

It wasn't that he didn't want to teach the Fourth Prince, but...

"Painter Xie!"

Too late.

He wasn't fast enough to escape.

"Painter Xie, where are you going?"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

The young prince was smiling, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, hinting at an underlying threat.

Everyone thought that among the Emperor's sons, the Fourth Prince was the only true innocent.

Xie Chenghui didn't share that view.

The Fourth Prince, like himself, had a controversial background and had been placed under the Empress's care, forcing him to play the fool.

Neither of them wanted to trouble the Empress.

"I remembered I have chicken soup simmering at home. I need to hurry back, or it'll boil over."

"No rush, no rush..."

The young prince smiled sweetly, but there was something unsettling about it, like a fox offering a chicken a gift.

"Today, I learned a new painting style. The Empress said it's called abstract art. Painter Xie, take a look for me."

The Fourth Prince waved his hand, and a servant immediately presented a large wooden box.

The prince opened it mysteriously, pulling out a painting as he said, "Even the Empress hasn't seen the finished piece. You're lucky today. Tell me, does it look like the Empress?"

On the white paper was a figure that was... somewhat... cute?

Xie Chenghui didn't know how to describe it. In all his years, he had never seen such an eccentric painting.

At first glance, it was almost unbearable, but upon closer inspection, it wasn't entirely without merit.

The Empress in the painting had an enormous head, a tiny body, and exaggerated facial features. She was holding a flower, placing it on her head.

Was it the Empress? Yes, in a way.

Wasn't it? The exaggerated features still bore some resemblance.

In any case, it was a unique style.

"I'm not good at painting scenery, Painter Xie. Why don't you add a few touches? I'll put in a good word for you with the Empress."