I alone am the Honoured One! - Chapter 641
Chapter 641: Flowers [2]
Zhao Tian walked through the large hallways of the Imperial Jade Palace with the bouquet of Starlace violets in his hand, searching for Zhou Hanyue’s room.
‘They did say she lives on the North East wing of the palace and she is always there, alone…’
The guards stationed along the hallways straightened upon seeing him approach, their gazes respectful.
No one dared to question his presence or his intentions… after all, Zhao Tian was now a member of the royal family through his recent marriage to Zhou Hanyue.
After several minutes of walking, he finally arrived at the part of the palace that seemed almost detached from the rest.
The hallway was quieter here, the air cooler, and the ambiance was also somber.
Pausing for a moment, Zhao Tian raised his hand and knocked gently on the door.
…
Inside the room, Zhou Hanyue sat by the window, a teacup cradled delicately in her hands.
The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow on her flawless features.
Her long, silken hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her robes of pale blue and silver shimmered faintly as she moved.
The unexpected knock at the door startled her and her brows furrowed as she set her teacup down on the table.
“Who could that be?” she murmured, her tone laced with irritation. It was rare for anyone to disturb her.
Her maid, standing quietly by her side, bowed and moved toward the door. “I will see who it is, my lady.”
The maid walked to the door and gently opened it to see who it was.
However, looking at Zhao Tian with a bouquet of flowers in his hands, she was startled “M-Master Zhao Tian.”
Huh? Zhou Hanyue’s eyes squinted “Zhao Tian?”
Pushing the door, Zhao Tian entered the room but the maid stopped him “Master.. you can’t enter.”
Hm? Zhao Tian raised an eyebrow “I am going to see my wife… so move away.”
He gently grasped her hand and moved it away, walking in.
The maid hesitated, glancing nervously at her mistress, but Zhao Tian’s presence made it difficult to protest further.
Looking at him, Zhou Hanyue’s gaze narrowed as she spoke in a cold tone “What are you doing here?”
With a carefree smile, Zhao Tian went and sat beside her on the couch “I just got married to you yesterday. So I came here to meet my beautiful wife.”
Zhou Hanyeu clicked her tongue “Leave. No one is allowed to enter this room without my permission.”
Zhao Tian leaned back, resting one arm casually on the backrest of the couch. “As your husband, I believe I have every right to be here.”
He gestured toward the flowers “And here.. beautiful flowers for my beautiful wife.”
The maid who was standing near the room squinted her eyes in thought ‘As I thought, they are Starlace Violets.. and this much of them? It must have been costly.’
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks ‘I have always wanted one… but they are too costly. I hope Lady Hanyue accepts the flowers, so I can take care of them.’
“I don’t need it.”
However, Zhou Hanyue was not impressed at the slightest and replied coldly “I don’t need your flowers. Get out.”
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Letting out a sigh, Zhao Tian spoke “Zhou Hanyue, you’re my wife now. Whether you like it or not, it’s my duty to take care of you.”
Zhou Hanyue’s gaze was cold as ever “Your wife? You don’t even know me. This marriage wasn’t my choice, and your grand gestures mean nothing to me.”
Her maid, still standing near the doorway, shifted uncomfortably.
The tension in the air was palpable and she glanced at Zhao Tian, hoping he wouldn’t be offended.
Yet Zhao Tian, unfazed by Zhou Hanyue’s sharp tongue chuckled softly “You’re right, I don’t know you. But I’d like to change that.”
Zhou Hanyue’s fingers tightened around the edge of her robe “I don’t need you to know me. I don’t need anything from you, Zhao Tian. This marriage might have been orchestrated by others, but don’t mistake it for something real. Just leave.”
The room fell silent for a moment.
Zhao Tian looked at her, his smile fading. “You’re not making this easy, are you?”
His tone was quieter now, almost thoughtful “I didn’t ask for this marriage either, Hanyue. But it’s happened, and I’m not the kind of man who shirks responsibility.”
Zhou Hanyue raised an eyebrow. “Responsibility? Is that what you call this? Showing up uninvited to my room with flowers I didn’t ask for?”
He shrugged lightly. “Perhaps. Or maybe I’m just trying to be a decent husband.”
Zhou Hanyue still had an indifferent expression as she muttered “A decent husband would respect his wife’s wishes and leave her alone.”
Zhao Tian tilted his head, considering her words, and stood suddenly, causing the maid to step back in surprise.
Picking up the bouquet of Starlace Violets, he walked toward the far corner of the room, where a simple vase sat atop a polished wooden stand.
Carefully, he arranged the flowers in the vase…
“What are you doing?” Zhou Hanyue asked, her voice laced with irritation.
Zhao Tian turned to face her, “These flowers are a gift, and I’m leaving them here, whether you like it or not. They’ll brighten up the room, at least.”
He stepped back from the vase, taking a moment to admire the way the sunlight caught on the delicate petals.
Then he turned back to Zhou Hanyue, his tone softer this time “I’m not here to force anything on you, Hanyue. I know this marriage is… complicated.”
“But I’m also not going to pretend it didn’t happen. You can hate me all you want, but I’m not going to give up that easily.”
Zhou Hanyue stared at him, and for a moment, Zhao Tian thought she might lash out again, but instead, she said nothing, merely turning her gaze to the bouquet.
The maid, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up, her voice tentative. “Lady Hanyue, the flowers really are beautiful. Perhaps…” She trailed off, unsure of how her words would be received.
“Enough,”
She stood abruptly, brushing past Zhao Tian as she walked to the window.
Without hesitation, she reached out and grabbed the bouquet of Starlace Violets from the vase. The vibrant flowers, still glistening with dew-like shimmer, were now clutched tightly in her slender fingers.
Walking to the door, she raised her hand to throw it away in the hallway and glanced back at Zhao Tian “You think you can win me over with pretty words and expensive gifts?”
“You’re mistaken.”
She pointed at the hall and muttered “Now, get out.”
Seeing this, Zhao Tian’s gaze narrowed but at this time he remembered Qian Shi’s words ‘Don’t give up on her.’
Yeah….
With a soft sigh, Zhao Tian allowed his gaze to soften, though a trace of disappointment lingered in his eyes. Slowly, he turned and walked toward the door.
“Alright then, I am leaving.”
As he stepped out of the room, the maid standing nearby quickly followed, her expression filled with concern.
Zhou Hanyue closed the door with a loud thud so that Zhao Tian would know about her frustration.
Zhao Tian glanced at the scattered flowers on the ground and his gaze quivered.
At this time, the maid walked before him and glanced at the flowers strewn across the hallway.
She hesitated for a moment before crouching down to pick them up one by one.
As he stood there, the maid finished gathering the fallen flowers.
She stood and approached him, the vibrant bouquet cradled carefully in her arms.
“Master Zhao Tian,” she muttered softly, her voice tinged with hesitation.
Hearing his name, Zhao Tian looked up at her, his expression softening slightly.
The maid extended the bouquet toward him. “These… I picked them up for you,”
For a moment, Zhao Tian hesitated.
Then, with a faint, dry smile, he took the flowers from her hands.
Looking at them, he turned his gaze back to the maid and extended the bouquet back toward her.
“Would you like to have it?”
The maid blinked, taken aback by the question. “M-Master?”
Zhao Tian chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I know… it was scattered on the floor and is probably untidy now.”
He sighed and muttered almost to himself, “Haa, never mind.”
The maid’s eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. “N-No, Master! I would be honored to have them!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with urgency.
Lowering her gaze, she added shyly, “I-I have always wanted to have a Starlace Violet… but they are very rare and expensive.”
“So, if you don’t mind me having them…”
Zhao Tian’s gaze softened further as he listened to her.
With a gentle nod, he placed the bouquet back in her hands, his movements deliberate and respectful.
“Please, take good care of it,”
The maid’s eyes sparkled with overflowing joy as she clutched the bouquet tightly, her head bowing deeply in gratitude. “Thank you very much, Master,”
Zhao Tian offered her a small nod before turning away…
The maid watched his departing figure, her heart swelling with an unexpected warmth.
A gentle smile graced her lips as she clutched the bouquet closer to her chest.
‘He seems like a good person…’ she thought, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer.
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