After a long silence of mutual staring, Huo Liuxing revealed an “I’m perfectly fine” smile: “How did you start listening to hearsay? Who told you I was in discomfort?”

“My lord, there’s no need to lie and act tough.” Shen Lingzhen sighed. “When playing cat’s cradle, you promised me you would only tell me the truth.”

Why was she forcing him to admit this? Huo Liuxing valued his promises, true, but he also valued his dignity.

From his flaring nostrils to his hesitant mouth, he struggled with nearly all his facial features between keeping his word and saving face.

This appearance of unspeakable suffering fell into Shen Lingzhen’s eyes, making her immediately realize she had perhaps been too aggressive. Some things were perhaps better left unspoken even when understood.

Shen Lingzhen contemplated for a moment, then waved her hand to let him off the hook, very considerately taking the matter upon herself: “Oh, then it’s not that you want to consummate the marriage—I’m the one who wants to consummate it. Is it convenient for you now? If it’s convenient, why wait for another day when today will do…”

“…”

Not understanding things wasn’t necessarily bad. What was bad was understanding half while not understanding the other half, just like Shen Lingzhen at this moment with her sincere eyes and determined expression.

Huo Liuxing gritted his teeth: “Do you even know how to consummate a marriage, yet you say why wait for another day? Knowing just a bit of superficial knowledge and already fanning the flames.”

Intimidated by his fierceness, her momentum weakened: “Just now Jianjia roughly, roughly explained a few things to me…”

“Then didn’t she tell you that you can’t consummate the marriage during your monthly cycle?”

Shen Lingzhen gave a soft “ah”: “There’s such a restriction? I didn’t know.” She felt somewhat embarrassed, lowering her eyes, then glancing at him. “Then after a few days pass, shall I discuss consummating the marriage with you again?”

Given Shen Lingzhen’s nature, if she said it she would do it. In a few days she would earnestly inquire again when he would consummate the marriage with her.

But Huo Liuxing’s failure to urgently pursue this matter actually had his own considerations.

Initially on their wedding night, he hadn’t planned to consummate the marriage with Shen Lingzhen because he viewed her as an enemy. Though he had long since changed his mind, he couldn’t change the most fundamental conflict between their two families.

Since coming to the capital, it wasn’t that he had never had romantic or passionate thoughts about her, but he had never indulged his impulses as he had that time in the broken thatched cottage with the Dingbian Army in Dingyuan.

Because he always remembered that night at East Valley Fort when Huo Qi said that as long as he lived, he would never accept this daughter-in-law.

If right now he consummated the marriage with Shen Lingzhen and she conceived his child, whether it was his father or Duke Yingguo and the Grand Princess, they would certainly be unable to easily regard such a union with joyful affection.

A child born without blessing—such an existence would surely be unfortunate.

Therefore now was not a good time to have children.

He was waiting—waiting for the situation in Bianjing to stabilize, waiting for progress in the cooperation between the two families in the court, waiting for his father and the Grand Princess to have an opportunity to speak face to face. Then he would consider these private matters.

And since he currently didn’t plan to have children, he wouldn’t consummate the marriage with Shen Lingzhen. Once that floodgate opened, it would be difficult to close again. He didn’t want Shen Lingzhen to have to satisfy his desires on one hand while avoiding pregnancy on the other, being forced to drink contraceptive medicine that would harm both her body and her heart.

Compared to such consequences, the occasional itch of desire now was nothing. He was by nature skilled at endurance. When passion stirred, thinking of the bigger picture would douse him like a basin of cold water.

But at this moment he didn’t know how to explain all this to Shen Lingzhen.

Originally when she understood nothing and wouldn’t bring up consummation on her own initiative, that was naturally best. Now that she had developed the intention, if he refused, it would hurt her feelings.

Facing Shen Lingzhen’s sincere proposal, he could only vaguely say: “Didn’t the physician say you have coldness in your body? This matter strains the body considerably. Wait until you’ve properly nurtured your health first.”

“Is it that serious?” She asked in surprise. “Then how do other people manage?”

Huo Liuxing made a “tsk” sound: “Others are others. With your delicate constitution, why compare yourself to them?”

Shen Lingzhen said “oh,” vaguely feeling his attitude wasn’t quite right.

When Jianjia spoke to her just now, she hadn’t mentioned such serious consequences. Moreover, those two personal maids of hers always treasured her like a precious object. If it truly was as Huo Liuxing said—something unsuitable for her—they simply wouldn’t have mentioned it to her.

Thinking of this, Shen Lingzhen hazily recalled Huo Liuxing’s attitude toward consummation on their wedding night. At the time she hadn’t understood, but looking back now, she could see he had clearly found an excuse to avoid it.

She vaguely understood what Huo Liuxing was considering and struggling with.

Just now Shen Lingzhen truly hadn’t thought much about it. She simply felt this was a ritual married couples should complete—a simple matter, so why let Huo Liuxing suffer? But now understanding the real reason, she felt both embarrassed and troubled.

But this time, she truly should understand without speaking it aloud. If she really spoke it openly, Huo Liuxing would only feel more troubled considering her emotions.

She laughed dryly, playing dumb, saying: “Then I’ll properly nurture my body first.”

But Shen Lingzhen couldn’t act. From her unnatural expression, Huo Liuxing discerned something and frowned: “Don’t overthink it, I…”

“You didn’t sleep at all last night, did you?” She directly interrupted him, patting the bed. “Quickly come up and rest. I’ve slept enough and will get up now.”

Saying this, Shen Lingzhen got off the bed and summoned Jianjia and Bailu to help her dress and wash.

Seeing her chatting and laughing with her maids as if nothing had happened, determined not to discuss this matter further, Huo Liuxing pressed his aching temples, could only sigh, and went to bed to catch up on sleep.

——

He slept until high noon. Huo Liuxing woke again to hear Shen Lingzhen calling him: “My lord, my lord.”

Before falling asleep he had been worrying whether the young lady was upset. He had a muddled dream where she ran away in sadness. Opening his eyes to see her sitting on the edge of his bed, looking at him urgently, he inexplicably felt a sense of relief at finding something lost.

“You’re awake?” She waved her hand before his eyes.

Huo Liuxing grasped her hand, humming acknowledgment: “What is it, were you bored alone?”

Shen Lingzhen, due to his eager gesture, thought of this morning’s matter and felt somewhat uncomfortable. The hand he was kneading in his palm stiffened slightly, but she quickly concealed it, allowing him to hold it, and smiled: “No, it’s that after you fell asleep this morning, someone from the Crown Prince sent an invitation saying he’s inviting you and me to observe a hunt at the imperial hunting grounds this afternoon. I see it’s about time now.”

Though called an invitation, saying they could come observe if they had time, ultimately the Crown Prince’s invitation was also an imperial command. Truly refusing would be improper.

So no matter how much Shen Lingzhen wanted to let Huo Liuxing sleep more, she had no choice but to wake him.

Hearing it was serious business, Huo Liuxing reined in his tender thoughts toward her, released her hand, and propped himself up on his elbow: “What time was mentioned? Who’s participating in the hunt?”

“Starting at the hour of Wei. It’s said that to express his apology for previously missing the welcoming banquet, the Crown Prince is hosting this time, having several sons of noble families accompany Prince Weiming and General Yeli in a hunt. Will you go?”

Zhao Chen was weak and not skilled at horseback riding and hunting. Deliberately arranging this performance, he must have a purpose.

Since that was the case, Huo Liuxing naturally wanted to see what Zhao Chen intended to do, and whether that suspicious General Yeli would play any tricks.

He nodded: “I’ll go.”

“Then I’ll go prepare now.” Shen Lingzhen was about to summon someone to attend to Huo Liuxing’s washing, when she remembered another matter. “However, the Crown Prince seems to know you were summoned into the palace last night, so he deliberately specified that this is just a private banquet. If you’re resting, it doesn’t matter if you don’t attend or attend late. Do you think the Crown Prince is simply being considerate, or hinting at something?”

Huo Liuxing thought for a moment, smiling and nodding: “This Crown Prince is quite interesting. Then I’ll follow his suggestion and arrive late.”

——

The hunt began at the hour of Wei. Huo Liuxing and Shen Lingzhen arrived at the imperial hunting grounds half an hour late. Upon entering, they saw at the head of the spectator seats the Crown Prince and Crown Princess chatting and laughing while gazing into the distance at the hunting ground where several sons of noble families together with Yeli Chong and Weiming He were hunting wolves on horseback.

Below, several invited military generals and their female family members ate tea and fruit, discussing the situation in the hunting ground, occasionally applauding and cheering.

Huo Liuxing led Shen Lingzhen forward to apologize to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, saying they were late due to physical discomfort.

Zhao Chen waved his hand indicating it was no matter, as if he didn’t care whether there was one more or one less, having palace attendants lead him to his seat. Afterward, he continued watching the hunt with apparent great interest.

Shen Lingzhen had rarely attended such bloody occasions before, but having married a general, she couldn’t appear too delicate in public. Despite her discomfort, after taking her seat she still glanced at the hunting ground.

With this look, she saw that the tail sections of the arrows on everyone’s backs were painted different colors for distinction. Everyone seemed to be competing over who could shoot the most wolves.

Another cheer came from all sides. A female family member praised: “The young prince’s riding and archery skills are so outstanding—he’s sure to win first place today!”

Shen Lingzhen was pondering who this “young prince” referred to when she heard the Crown Princess at the head seat say modestly: “Xi’er is still young. He just has a fierce start but runs out of energy later.”

With these words, she understood. This “young prince” referred to the Crown Prince’s legitimate eldest son, Zhao Xi, who had just turned fourteen this year.

Shen Lingzhen was somewhat surprised. Zhao Chen shouldn’t be the competitive type by nature. Why today would he have his son stand out so prominently?

She endured her discomfort and focused on watching the situation in the field. Indeed, she saw that the number of wolves Zhao Xi had hunted far exceeded everyone else. In second place was Xue Jie, and third was Yeli Chong, not far behind Xue Jie.

The rest of the crowd, except for Weiming He who truly wasn’t skilled in martial arts and genuinely couldn’t hunt wolves, seemed more like they were accompanying the competition, deliberately yielding to Zhao Xi.

With the Crown Prince hosting today, it was quite normal for those present to flatter this young imperial grandson Zhao Xi.

Even Xue Jie, who harbored resentment from the previous arrow-throwing incident, worked hard to control his limits, only surpassing Yeli Chong while remaining behind Zhao Xi.

Shen Lingzhen knew there should be deeper meaning behind today’s situation. Wanting to discern some pattern, she kept her eyes fixed on those in the field drawing bows, nocking arrows, and chasing the wolf pack. Though the blood-soaked scenes made her complexion poor, she didn’t look away.

“If you’re uncomfortable, don’t watch.” Huo Liuxing turned his head and patted the back of her hand consolingly.

Shen Lingzhen looked at him, shaking her head to indicate she was fine. But unexpectedly, at the moment both their gazes left the hunting ground, everyone around suddenly cried out in alarm.

The two abruptly turned their heads back. With this glance, they saw Zhao Xi’s horse had somehow been startled and suddenly crashed through the barrier, charging out wildly. It looked like he was about to be thrown from the horse’s back.

Xue Jie, who was closest to Zhao Xi, immediately spurred his horse to catch up and rescue him.

But Yeli Chong came from behind, one step faster, suddenly hurling a rope coiled at his waist. It hooked Zhao Xi’s horse, then he spun and leaped into the air, somersaulting twice mid-flight before landing steadily behind Zhao Xi. With one fierce effort, he helped rein the horse to a stop.

As the greatly alarmed crowd exhaled in relief, Huo Liuxing froze in place.

Shen Lingzhen turned her head and found his expression unprecedentedly grim. Worried, she asked: “What’s wrong?”

Huo Liuxing stared fixedly at the hunting ground, saying nothing.

What was wrong?

That aerial horse-switching maneuver Yeli Chong had just performed was a secret technique created by Huo Qi many years ago and taught to the Huo Family Army.