Just as Huo Yuan was about to reply, he was at a loss for words. After hesitating for a moment, he managed to suppress his resentful embarrassment and snapped, "You talk too much, now get out!"
"Yes sir! Your servant will execute your command immediately."
Sui Xi knew his master’s temper, and that he was not typically prone to anger. Knowing that his master’s rage indicated some significant matter was afoot, he dared not ask further and quickly backed off to duties.
At this time, Huo Yuan was truly very annoyed. A few days earlier, the palace had sent an invitation for the Shangsi Festival. He had planned to invite her to go to the suburbs for a sightseeing trip on that day, in order to cultivate their mutual feelings, and to bring up the engagement. Thus, he had returned the invitation.
Who would have known that she was also invited to attend the Shangsi Festival? If he had known earlier, he would certainly not have turned down the palace’s invitation. Now, he was not sure whether his sister could get another invitation from the Empress. If she could not, he - he would go mad!
Returning to his chair, he irritably picked up the tea cup to take a sip, only to find the tea had cooled. So, he called out, "Someone!"
After calling out, he suddenly smelled a strong scent of incense, followed by a soft voice.
"Cousin, do you need something?"
Huo Yuan looked up when he heard the voice and saw a charming young girl dressed in a light green Beizi entering the room. She curtsied, and with a melodious voice, gently asked, "Cousin, do you need anything? Can Bi Lian help you with it?"
Seeing Bi Lian, Huo Yuan’s headache got even worse. Controlling his temper, he intoned, "There’s no need for your effort. It’s getting late, you should go back and rest."
On hearing this, Bi Lian’s face flushed crimson. Lowering her head shyly, she stuttered, "Cousin, the old madame commanded me to...to wait upon you tonight, and forbade you to... stay alone... "
Huo Yuan, who was already upset, now became even more irritated. In the peak of anger, he lost regard for others and coldly responded, "Bi Lian, we grew up together, and you should understand my feelings towards you. I have always seen you as a sister, nothing more. As to why you would willingly disgrace yourself by becoming my concubine, I have yet to understand. But one thing you must understand; Huo Yuan has no romantic interests in you and can in no way engage in carnal affairs with you. As for the old madame’s order, it’s simple. You go tell her that I don’t like you and I kicked you out, now go!"
Saying so, he stood up. Ignoring the beautiful girl’s existence, he left without giving her a second glance.
Bi Lian, who had been humiliated by Huo Yuan, was on the edge of tears from feeling wronged. Covering her face, she stumbled past Huo Yuan and ran towards the backyard.
The two attendant girls and the nursemaid, who had endured efforts with the old madame to win her command for Bi Lian to wait upon the young master for the night, couldn’t believe their eyes when the young master ruthlessly dismissed her. Their hearts turned cold. Ignoring the sighs of regret for their mistress, they hurried off in pursuit.
Disgusted, Huo Yuan watched their retreating backs before he walked towards his own courtyard.
Crying all the way, Bi Lian returned to Wangqiu Court where she lived and fell into despair on the couch. As she pounded the edge of the couch, she wept in utter sorrow.
"Why? Why does he treat me ? What is wrong with me that he treats me like a plaything?"
Lady Peng, the nursemaid of Aunt Bi, quickly came forward and hugged her. She cajoled, "Don’t cry and ruin your health, young lady. The master probably didn’t have a chance to think it through and that’s why he treated you this way. Give the master some time. Once he reflects and understands your true feelings for him, he will surely treat you well."