"Knock, knock, knock."
Three crisp knocks sounded.
"Xue'er, are you in there?"
Gu Qing's calm voice came from outside the door.
Hearing the voice she'd longed for day and night, Qian Renxue nearly burst into tears.
But the pride in her bones still made her grit her teeth.
"I'm not!"
She raised her voice, the words dripping with unmistakable petulance and pique.
Silence fell briefly outside.
Gu Qing stood with his hands behind his back in the corridor, gazing at the closed, carved wooden door before him.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
That girl had quite a temper.
He didn't push the door open.
"I've been in seclusion these past few days, consolidating my cultivation and dealing with some documents sent over by the Elder Palace."
Gu Qing's voice remained as calm as still water through the door.
He showed no anger at being refused entry by Qian Renxue.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Qian Renxue clutched the sheets tightly.
So he'd been busy taking care of things.
But even if he was busy, couldn't he have sent someone to pass along a message?
The hurt in her heart wasn't soothed in the slightest by his explanation.
If anything, she felt he was just brushing her off.
"His Highness the Holy Son has so many important matters to attend to. Why waste your time in my little courtyard?"
She snorted and turned her head even farther away.
"If you're busy, then go on and take care of your business."
"You're not welcome here!"
The moment the words left her mouth, Qian Renxue regretted them.
In truth, she desperately wanted Gu Qing to push the door open right now.
She wanted him to sweep her into his arms as domineeringly as he usually did.