Outside, the maids were embroiled in a heated argument, revealing each other’s secrets until none of them had the face to stay. They dispersed in a huff, leaving the two inside to enjoy the spectacle before returning to their rooms.
As Huaiyu stepped over the threshold of the main house, a low, hoarse voice sounded from the doorway, “Where have you been?”
Startled, she turned her head, clutching her chest, “Just at the gate. Where else could I go? Why are you here without lighting a lamp?”
Jiang Xuanjin scrutinized her closely, relaxing only after confirming she was unharmed. “I just finished reviewing some documents and thought I’d stop by.”
It’s already midnight. Just finished? Huaiyu frowned, reaching out to pinch his sleeve.
A chilling coldness seeped through his clothes, indicating he had been outside for quite some time.
“You,” Li Huaiyu said, half-amused, half-exasperated, “can’t even lie properly without changing your clothes?”
Jiang Xuanjin paused, glancing down as if unaware of his attire’s state. Just as he was about to inspect it, his fingers were grasped by the person in front of him.
Warmth spread from her palm, startling him. Jiang Xuanjin instinctively withdrew his hand, stepping back slightly.
The person before him seemed unafraid of the cold. As he retreated, she moved closer, pulling at the ties of his outer robe, opening his collar, and then embracing him.
“Cold,” Jiang Xuanjin protested, struggling.
Li Huaiyu held him tightly, laughing, “I know you’re cold, so I’m warming you up.”
“I’m worried you’ll be cold.”
“I’m not cold at all. There’s a brazier in the room, and I have hand warmers when I go out. Not a bit of wind touches me, but you,” Huaiyu looked up at him, her eyes glinting in the dark room, “why were you out in the cold wind for so long?”
Half-supporting her waist, Jiang Xuanjin didn’t answer. After a moment of distraction, he lowered his head and said, “Would you accompany me to Ziyang Border City?”
“Hmm?” Huaiyu was puzzled, “Why suddenly go there?”
“It’s close to Yixian City. And lively,” he said, his face unchanged, “There’s nothing much here now, so let’s consider it a trip.”
Huaiyu hesitated, “Is it okay to just leave? The imperial envoy will come eventually, right?”
“No worries,” he replied, “We can deal with it when he arrives.”
Hearing his relaxed tone, Li Huaiyu felt it wasn’t a big deal. After thinking for a while, she nodded, “Alright. They’ve suffered with me in Yixian City for so long; they deserve some relaxation.”
“Then it’s settled,” Jiang Xuanjin said, “We’ll have people prepare tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Huaiyu nodded obediently, sitting by the bed with his guidance. Seeing he intended to leave, she reached out and grabbed his hand, not letting go.
Jiang Xuanjin looked at her in confusion. Moonlight streamed through the carved window, making her eyes sparkle.
“Stay with me tonight,” she half-coaxed, half-demanded.
His body stiffened slightly, and Jiang Xuanjin shook his head, “Your belly.”
It’s so big now. If he shared the bed with her, what if he accidentally pressed against it?
“Because of this belly, I can’t sleep well,” Huaiyu pouted, “With you by my side, maybe I’ll feel better.”
Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips, staring at her belly, “Why can’t you sleep well?”
“It’s hard to position,” she pointed at her round belly, “A pillow is too high, it feels empty.”
He hung his outer robe on the nearby screen, gesturing for her to get into bed, then lay beside her.
Huaiyu giggled, hugging his arm, “Ziyang Jun is so agreeable now.”
He shot her a sidelong glance, “Was I not agreeable before?”
Huaiyu widened her eyes, “You were more than just disagreeable! You wouldn’t even let people talk to you! Remember when Baihua Jun came to Northern Wei in the fifth year of Daxing? We were discussing how to welcome him in court. I had just started speaking when you shut me down.”
Recalling the incident, Jiang Xuanjin said, “You suggested welcoming him with the highest honors.”
“Yes!”
The former princess, dressed in a grand palace gown, sat beside the emperor, smiling, “Baihua Jun of Eastern Jin holds an exceptional status. Our Northern Wei should show the grandeur of a great nation, with ten carriages and a hundred horses, opening the gates to welcome him…”
“Your Highness,” Ziyang Jun interrupted coldly from his position, “No matter how high Baihua Jun’s status, he is merely a titled lord, not the ruler of Eastern Jin. If we welcome him with such honors, what will we do when the ruler of Eastern Jin visits?”
Li Huaiyu clearly remembered Jiang Xuanjin’s tone back then—cold and ruthless, giving her no face.
Thinking of that scene, Jiang Xuanjin smirked slightly, “I didn’t know at the time.”
“Didn’t know what?” Huaiyu pinched his arm, feigning anger.
He turned his head naturally, placing his hand under her belly, his lips parting slightly, “I didn’t know the person sitting above was my future wife. My apologies.”
A firework exploded in her heart, painting the sky with brilliance. Huaiyu stared at him, dumbfounded, confirming the words came from his mouth, and her smile widened to her ears.
The dignified and elegant Ziyang Jun… said sweet words to her. Is there a way to preserve these words? She wanted to announce it to the world!
“Say it again,” she said, her eyes bright.
Jiang Xuanjin seemed to realize, pursing his lips, he whispered, “Sleep, it’s late.”
“I’ll sleep if you say it!” she insisted.
Covering her eyes with his hand, he said, slightly annoyed, “If you keep this up, I’ll return to my room.”
Pouting, Li Huaiyu couldn’t stop smiling, her eyes blinking, her lashes tickling his palm. She intended to tease him, but soon she grew tired, yawning long.
Perhaps it was Jiang Xuanjin’s presence, but she felt more comfortable sleeping on her side than usual, her belly no longer felt empty, and the scent of sandalwood filled her senses.
Soon, Huaiyu fell into a deep sleep.
Jiang Xuanjin dared not move the hand under her belly, breathing softly as he watched her face.
Recently, she had been well-nourished and free from worries, and her face had finally rounded out. Physician Qi said that if she maintained this until delivery, her body would recover, reducing the risk.
If so, Jiang Xuanjin thought, let her rest well. Anything that might disturb her pregnancy would be kept out of her sight.
In the past, he didn’t know she was his wife and had offended her many times. Now, he had plenty of opportunities to make it up to her.
Huaiyu slept soundly, and when she awoke, Jiang Xuanjin was gone. Qingsi stood respectfully by her bed, “Mistress, everyone has started packing.”
“Hmm? They all know we’re going to Ziyang Border City?” Huaiyu asked, yawning.
Qingsi nodded, “The Lord informed everyone early this morning. Qingxian and Bai’ai will leave later, but the rest will depart afternoon.”
So urgent? Huaiyu nodded, not asking further, and got up to wash and see what needed to be packed.
The princess’s residence was peaceful, but the entire Yixian City was in turmoil.
A large number of soldiers poured into the city, escorting the elderly, women, and children to Ziyang Border City. Among the able-bodied men, those willing donned armor to join the army, while those unwilling followed the women and children in retreat. Everyone knew that the imperial court had sent troops to Yixian City, and staying would inevitably lead to disaster.
Jiang Xuanjin sent messages to Pingling, Changlin, Nanping, and Gongyi, warning them of the emperor’s intention to forcibly seize territories. Each place grew tense, watching the situation unfold.
Since the battle at Wuzixiagu, he had been withdrawing his troops, now encountering Jia Liang’s rear guard, forming a pincer movement with the defenders of Yixian City.
Jia Liang was panicked! He carried the emperor’s decree, yet hadn’t even entered Yixian City’s gates before a battle was imminent. But Ziyang Jun’s murderous intent was blatantly clear, and seeking peace was futile. If he couldn’t break into Yixian City, he’d be besieged outside its gates.
After much deliberation, Jia Liang ordered his army to enter the city. At least breaking the stalemate would ensure his survival.
“Attack—” The cries outside the city gates were deafening. Jiang Xuanjin stood atop the city wall, watching as he asked the person beside him, “Have you seen enough?”
The scout, drenched in cold sweat, repeatedly bowed, “I’ll report to the lords immediately.”
The court struck first; the evidence was clear! If Ziyang Jun and the princess couldn’t hold Yixian City, how could the other lords protect their territories?
The people of Yixian City fled, scattering to surrounding areas. Thus, the news of the court’s attack on Yixian City quickly spread across half of Northern Wei.
However, Jia Liang knew nothing. He only felt the city was too easy to enter, and there seemed to be few people inside. Puzzled, he began searching for Ziyang Jun, only to find he wasn’t in the city, and the princess’s residence was empty.
“Something feels off,” he muttered, “Wasn’t there talk of many defenders in the city?”
“Our forces must have been so intimidating that they fled in panic!” someone beside him laughed flatteringly.
“No,” Jia Liang shook his head, “Ziyang Jun wouldn’t fear us.”
Even if they entered the city, they wouldn’t dare harm Jiang Xuanjin. He had prepared to apologize, but now it was an empty city, and Ziyang Jun had vanished.
Jia Liang was uneasy, but his men were delighted, looting the city with officials as soon as they entered, seizing property.
“This is too much!” Changlin Jun fumed upon hearing the news, “Yixian City is isolated. If not for the princess and Ziyang Jun, everyone there would be dead. Now that there’s a glimmer of hope, the court wants to seize it, clearly robbing!”
“Indeed! Recently, the emperor promised to reduce taxes, but after reducing the salt tax, he added others. It hasn’t changed at all, yet he acts like it’s a great favor,” an advisor sighed, “Forgive my bluntness, but our emperor is quite greedy.”
“What about Pingling?” Changlin Jun asked.
“Pingling Jun is in a difficult position. The emperor wants to use his troops against Ziyang Jun, but he’s unwilling and is finding ways to resist,” the advisor suggested, “In my opinion, you could do Ziyang Jun a favor.”
“Oh?” Changlin Jun inquired, “How so?”
“Ziyang Jun currently has the strongest military among the lords. He isn’t fighting because he doesn’t want to give the court an excuse to accuse him of rebellion,” the advisor explained, “You could join forces with Nanping Jun to support Ziyang Jun. Suppress Pingling’s forces, giving Pingling Jun a way out and helping Ziyang Jun. With Ziyang Jun’s gratitude, wouldn’t he reward Changlin?”
It made sense! Stroking his beard, Changlin Jun pondered for a while and nodded, “It’s worth a try.”
Nanping Jun also wanted to help the princess, so he could hide behind Nanping Jun and make a move. He’d gain favor without any trouble falling on him.
They acted quickly. Changlin Jun sent a letter to Nanping, gathered over three thousand men, and joined forces with Nanping’s army, heading to Yixian City.
This decision wasn’t wrong. Jiang Xuanjin indeed prepared generous gifts for Changlin Jun, but once their forces reached Yixian City, they became “Ziyang Jun’s allies” in the emperor’s eyes.
Li Huailin, far away, wouldn’t know if they came to mediate or for another reason. He knew these lords not only petitioned for tax reduction but also protected Ziyang Jun, disregarding him as emperor.
The court was tense, aware that if the lords rebelled, it would spell disaster for the court. If one lord rebelled, there might be room for negotiation, but if many joined forces, it could topple Northern Wei.
Li Huailin was also anxious. He only wanted to bring his sister back, but now it involved Ziyang Jun and many others.
If he retreated, the court’s dignity would be lost. If not, he had to use both soft and hard tactics to show them the court’s power.
Li Huailin wanted to use Pingling’s forces, but Pingling Jun feigned ignorance, ignoring his orders. If even Pingling Jun sided with Jiang Xuanjin, Li Huailin was truly angry.
“Announce my decree: Pingling Jun defies orders, violating the law. Arrest him immediately and bring him to the capital for punishment!”
Unable to target Jiang Xuanjin, he had to make an example of Li Fangwu. He didn’t intend to punish him severely, just wanted to question his intentions.
However, Jiang Xuanjin’s letter reached Pingling before the imperial decree, warning Pingling Jun to be cautious, as serving the emperor was like serving a tiger.
Li Fangwu had hesitated about seeking favor with Ziyang Jun like Changlin Jun, but upon hearing the decree, he didn’t hesitate, immediately sealing Pingling’s border and contacting Changlin Jun.
“What are you smiling about?” Huaiyu stood in the courtyard, glancing at Jiang Xuanjin beside her, shivering, “Why are you suddenly smiling so strangely?”
Jiang Xuanjin curved his lips, adjusting her cloak, “Just thinking the weather is nice today.”