Good people? Were there any truly good people in this world? Qiqi sneered inwardly. She saw Long Xiyue surrounded by the crowd, beautiful as a flower, poised and gracious without losing her noble elegance. Most of today's guests held great power in their own territories, yet none could steal her radiance. Even Qiqi herself paled beside Long Xiyue's peerless splendor.
Long Xiyue's gaze met Qiqi's again, as gentle and warm as before. Qiqi thought to herself, Perhaps it was her gentleness that Hu Xiaotian loved. What man in this world wouldn't want a woman to be tender toward him?
Long Xiyue parted the crowd and walked toward Qiqi. "The banquet is about to begin," she said softly. "Why don't we go over together?"
Qiqi looked at Long Xiyue, pressed her cherry-red lips together, and said, "Aunt!"
Long Xiyue shuddered, her lovely eyes turning toward Qiqi in surprise. She had long known that Qiqi had discovered her identity, but she had never expected Qiqi to address her this way.
Qiqi smiled. "You were the one who loved me most in the Imperial Palace. When I heard that tragedy had befallen you, I grieved for quite some time."
Long Xiyue said nothing. She simply watched Qiqi, her gaze full of tender affection.
Qiqi said, "From beginning to end, you've always been the one Hu Xiaotian loved. After all that bitterness, you two have finally tasted sweetness." As she spoke, she could not help feeling a pang of sourness in her heart.
Long Xiyue said softly, "He endured so much hardship and injustice for me. I don't care about status or position. Being able to spend my life by his side is my greatest wish."
Qiqi sighed. Perhaps the greatest difference between her and Long Xiyue was that one was content to be