Her relaxed tone seemed to have eased completely from the moment she received her leave, no longer avoiding him, and even requested him to stay a little longer.
Jiang Xuanjin pursed his lips, his grip tightening on his sleeve.
Was she asking him to stay to oversee the opening of the moat, or to witness her marriage to Lu Jingxing? It would be better if he left; he couldn’t guarantee what he might do if he stayed and witnessed it firsthand. Was this some form of revenge as well?
A chill seeped in from outside the window, making him shiver. Yet, the woman before him seemed to notice something, pushing the window open and exclaiming, “Wow!”
It was snowing!
For the first time in many years, the city, once parched, was now adorned with fine snowflakes. She reached out to catch some, then turned to him with a beaming smile, holding it out for him to see. “Look!”
For a moment, Jiang Xuanjin felt as if he had returned to the main house of Mo Residence. The long separation felt like nothing more than a terrible dream, dissipating upon waking. She was still by his side, laughing and playing, urging him to enjoy the winter snow with her.
He hesitantly extended his fingertip, lightly touching the glistening white on her sleeve. But as soon as he touched it, the delicate snowflake vanished.
His eyelashes trembled, and Jiang Xuanjin pressed his lips together, his eyes swirling with ink.
You couldn’t touch it, for once you did, it disappeared.
He withdrew his hand, clasping it behind his back, jaw tensing. He wanted to coldly say, “Your Highness, please return.” The words lingered on his lips, but he swallowed them back.
He had a lifetime ahead to be reserved; for now, what harm was there in indulging himself a little?
Li Huaiyu, seemingly unaffected by the cold, stood by the window, catching snow for quite some time. Unsatisfied, she even attempted to climb onto the nearby soft couch, reaching further with her hands.
Jiang Xuanjin resisted, but eventually, he couldn’t hold back any longer. He stepped forward and held her back. “Don’t move!”
Li Huaiyu raised an eyebrow, turning to smile. “What’s wrong? Afraid I might get hurt? Didn’t you say I’m the innkeeper’s child? What’s there to worry about?”
With a stern face, Jiang Xuanjin coldly remarked, “There are many sharp corners on the low table by the couch. If Your Highness gets hurt, the innkeeper will surely hold me accountable.”
“It’s fine,” Li Huaiyu waved dismissively. “He can’t touch you.”
“Even if he can’t, there’s still Wu, Chi Jin. And there’s your entire mansion full of people. I can’t afford to offend them,” Jiang Xuanjin replied.
“His Highness is modest,” Li Huaiyu teased, her almond-shaped eyes glimmering. “You truly have your concerns. Don’t even mention my mansion; you wouldn’t be able to protect the entire city of First Line.”
With that said, she attempted to move again.
But before her knees could touch the soft couch, a jade-colored sleeve robe suddenly obstructed her path.
Jiang Xuanjin’s movements were restrained. His arm crossed in front of her collarbone, gripping her shoulder and pulling her back.
With a smirk, Li, the audacious one, stepped back a few paces, pressing against his chest.
A faint tremor passed through his back, and she could hear his soft intake of breath, gone in an instant. His posture straightened, and his hands fell to his sides.
“Your Highness, feeling unsteady?”
“Mm.” Li Huaiyu sighed heavily. “Ever since my belly started swelling, my feet have been swelling too. I’m sore and aching all over every day, often feeling unsteady.”
If Qingsi heard this, she’d probably be speechless. Feeling unsteady? Who was the one running faster than a rabbit on the street last time?!
Jiang Xuanjin listened, tightening his jaw, looking down at her, wanting to reach out and help her, yet unsure where to place his hand.
Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Ah!” He felt a jolt of worry and furrowed his brow. “What’s wrong?”
Clutching her stomach, she sat on the soft couch, looking oddly serious, furrowing her brow in silence.
“Speak!” Jiang Xuanjin stood before her, maintaining a calm expression, but fear crept into his voice despite his efforts to conceal it.
Li Huaiyu slowly lifted her head and pointed to her stomach.
Jiang Xuanjin, without much thought, reached out and tentatively touched it.
The belly seemed much firmer than he imagined, heavy and swollen. With his touch, something inside stirred slightly, a small sensation that landed right in his palm.
Jiang Xuanjin recoiled, hastily pulling back his hand, forcing himself to say calmly, “I’ll have a physician sent immediately.”
“No need,” Li Huaiyu said, her expression returning to normal. “It’s just the baby moving. It’s normal.”
Normal? Then why did you make that expression?! Jiang Xuanjin turned his head, glaring at her.
Li Huaiyu grinned playfully. “I’m always scared whenever the baby moves. Afraid it might suddenly burst out of my belly.”
If she felt that fear, then he should experience it too, for her peace of mind.
Jiang Xuanjin fell silent, exhaling slowly after a moment.
Truly vexing.
The urgent message covering eight hundred miles reached Ziyang’s capital in less than a day. Lu Qing was pulled out of bed, thinking something monumental had occurred, and hastily accepted the letter, tearing it open.
But after reading it, his mouth twitched, unable to hold back as he threw the letter to the ground. “Does he need to use an eight-hundred-mile express for a midwife? Does he think the horse won’t tire out?”
An underlying timidly reported, “His Highness uses a thousand-mile horse, he won’t tire out.”
Lu Qing shot him a cold glance, and the underling immediately fell silent.
“Tell that woman named Qi Jin to set off today. Find a few people to escort her and hurry over.”
“Yes.”
After giving orders, Lu Qing paced back and forth in the hall, so furious he almost stomped the floor tiles to pieces, muttering, “He’s pestering me every day. If he doesn’t come back, fine. But he acts like he’s going to settle in First Line City, even hesitating to move it under Ziyang’s jurisdiction. What is he thinking?!”
“Busy as he is, am I not busy? I want to get married too. Busy to the point where I can’t even leave the prefectural office gates. Who’s the Lord Ziyang anyway?”
The silent underling couldn’t help but speak again, “His Highness has prepared many portraits of young ladies from prestigious families for you, all placed in your study.”
Lu Qing glared, “What’s the use of portraits? He might as well just give me the women!”
The underling remained silent, thinking to himself that Lu Qing was just good at complaining. If he had women, with his temperament, he wouldn’t even dare to enter the door.
However, he was considerate enough to convey Lu’s message when the midwife, Qi Jin, departed.
Qi Jin trembled as she mounted the horse, her heart pounding with excitement. Counting the days, it had been six months since the lady’s pregnancy. She hadn’t received any news before, so she had prepared for the worst. But now, His Highness suddenly summoned her.
Midwives were everywhere. If she had to give a reason for her visit, it would be that His Highness knew about the lady’s pregnancy and called her to inquire.
Even if it was an inquiry! Qi Jin thought with reddened eyes. As long as His Highness could reconcile with the lady, she would endure any punishment.
However, knowing His Highness’s temperament, upon learning about his child, he might just be happy and even spare her from punishment!
Optimistically, Qi Jin followed the guards, urging her horse forward, and hastening the journey.
After a light snowfall in First Line City, the water in the moat grew larger and larger. People cheered along the riverbanks, some unable to contain their excitement, bending down to scoop water with buckets.
“We’re saved! Our fields are saved!”
“Quick, lend a hand! Come, fetch some water!”
“So much water!”
More and more people gathered by the river, some even jumping directly into it. Joyous cries spread from the direction of the city gate, awakening the entire city of First Line.
Huaiyu stood on the city tower, smiling as she watched. Jiu Wu and others reported beside her, “The construction of the Qu Lin River canal has begun. When completed, the remaining tributaries of Dongping County will also be cut off. Even if there’s little rain, First Line City won’t suffer from drought again.”
“Excellent,” Huaiyu nodded. Just as she was about to say something else, she noticed a group of people surrounding the base of the tower, each holding plates with steamed buns and pastries, seemingly intending to offer them. They were stopped by the guards. They shouted:
“Commander Jiu Wu!”
“Miss Xu, we’re here to offer our thanks!”
“Commander-in-Chief, let us through!”
Huaiyu understood and smiled at those around her. “Now you’re all beloved officials. You should accept the goodwill of the people. Go on, it won’t be considered bribery.”
Several officials felt a bit embarrassed and scratched their heads. Xu Chuniang saw an old lady struggling to stand and hurriedly went to meet her.
Huaiyu watched, finding the scene heartwarming. This was the treatment good people deserved—not being cursed by others but treated like family by the common folk. As they handed her food, she said, “Taste it. It’s made by our family, with extra sugar!”
Withdrawing her gaze, Huaiyu stood alone on the city tower, continuing to watch the river below. In her eyes, there was a hint of envy, just a hint.
She could help them, but she couldn’t help herself. In the eyes of the people, she was still the notorious Eldest Princess of Danyang.
A gust of cold wind brushed her hair, and Huaiyu reached to tuck a strand behind her ear, thinking generously, it’s okay. She had spent four years of arrogant and fearless days; it was inevitable to pay the price.
Irregular footsteps sounded nearby, and Li Huaiyu thought someone had returned but didn’t turn her head. However, after a moment, a pair of old hands held a plate of steamed buns and offered it to her side.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly turned her head.
The old lady had deep wrinkles on her face, and when she smiled, her eyes disappeared. Many of her teeth were missing, and she spoke unclearly, but Huaiyu still heard her.
She said, “Your Highness, my son, and daughter-in-law are busy watering the fields. I’ve come to thank you.”
Blinking, Huaiyu looked at the plate of steamed buns, her throat tightening. She smiled again and said, “Old lady, you should give it to whoever deserves it. You don’t have to listen to them and give it to me.”
The old lady hesitated and asked, “Are you the Eldest Princess?”
The guards nearby frowned, ready to reprimand her for her impoliteness, but Li Huaiyu reached out to stop them, slowly nodding her head toward the old lady.
“That’s for you,” the old lady smiled, revealing her gums. “You’re a good person.”
The plate full of steamed buns was handed to her, and Huaiyu looked bewildered. She even glanced at Jiu Wu and others below, suspecting they had arranged this to please her.
However, the old lady continued, “I came here from Jiangxi over two years ago. You saved my family once, and this is the second time.”
In the sixth year of Daxing, drought struck Jiangxi, and a plague spread across seven counties, threatening to engulf the entire province. If it weren’t for the decisive action of the Eldest Princess to seal the city, the ineffective medicine would have killed even more people.
The old lady didn’t understand court politics; she only knew her family was saved because of the Eldest Princess. This time, thanks to the Eldest Princess again, First Line City, which had been dry for years, now had water. They could irrigate their fields, plant crops, and continue to survive.
A plate of steamed buns was equivalent to a day’s food for a family. She had brought them all, looking a bit awkward, with patches all over her apron.
Li Huaiyu was stunned for a while, then reached out and took a steamed bun, taking a bite.
The texture was dry, nowhere near as good as the cuisine of Chijin, but she swallowed it and took another bite.
“Your… Your Highness?” The guard beside her wanted to advise, but Huaiyu shook her head, forcefully eating a large steamed bun and then, holding the plate, said to the old lady, “I’ll finish them all.”
The old lady smiled and nodded repeatedly.
Huaiyu asked, “Where is your home?”
“Not far, just outside the western suburbs,” the old lady pointed. “I should go back.”
Huaiyu nodded in that direction and motioned to the guard beside her. The latter understood and escorted the old lady down the city tower, carrying a few bags of rice to her house.
When Jiang Xuanjin came up, he saw Li Huaiyu holding a plate of steamed buns in a daze.
He didn’t understand, so he walked over and looked at it. The plate was rough, the steamed buns were rough, but there were crumbs on her fingers, showing she had already eaten one.
“Your Highness?”
Hearing his voice, the person in front of him raised her head, her eyes sparkling like stars.
She raised the plate in her hand like a child, widening her eyes to show off to him. “This was given to me by an old lady!”
Jiang Xuanjin didn’t understand. She hurriedly pointed to the group of people still surrounding below and then to the plate in her hand, grinning, “I have one too!”
Slightly puzzled, Jiang Xuanjin lowered his eyes. “You’re so happy over a plate of steamed buns.”
“You don’t understand!” Huaiyu couldn’t stop laughing, her eyes full of brightness. “She said I’m a good person!”
After so long, living amidst the intrigue of the court, she was accustomed to the insults of courtiers and the comfort of her companions. For the first time, someone praised her so sincerely and sincerely.
Someone with the high prestige of Jiang Xuanjin must be used to the reverence and adoration of others. Unlike her, who had waited eight years for such a plate of steamed buns?
The guard behind Jiang Xuanjin frowned, hesitating to speak.
How could the master not understand? If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have worked so hard to bring about this situation now.
“I don’t understand,” Jiang Xuanjin replied calmly.
In a good mood, Li Huaiyu smiled and asked, “Would Your Highness like to accompany me downstairs to take a look? We can also discuss the affairs of Danyang and Ziyang.”
“No,” he refused without much thought.
However, after two incense sticks’ time, a carriage slowly moved along the moat. The carriage was lined with thick quilts, and Huaiyu nestled in the corner, cushioning a pillow behind her waist, exhaling comfortably.
In front of him, the King of Ziyang knelt on the soft blanket, his body still sitting stiffly upright.
“Aren’t you tired?” Huaiyu raised an eyebrow. “This carriage is for lying down. Sitting like that is uncomfortable.”
“Just speak, Your Highness,” he said coldly.
Li Huaiyu chuckled, propping her chin on her hand as she looked at him. “Lu Ji is supplying goods to First Line City. The supply in the border towns of Danyang is insufficient, so some goods need to be transported from the border towns of Ziyang to Danyang. But Ziyang is strict with Danyang. If things can’t be taken out of the city, it would be convenient if Your Majesty could help.”
Was she riding with him just to plead for Lu Jingxing?
His heart tightened. Jiang Xuanjin sneered, “What if I can’t help?”
“Hmm,” Huaiyu replied with confidence, “If you can’t help, then I’ll…” She moved closer to him, reaching out to hook her fingers around his, smiling. “Then I’ll just have to ask you more.”
Her suddenly softened tone was like gentle hands, supporting the heart that had been sinking.
His chest ached terribly. Jiang Xuanjin stared at her hand holding his, silent for a long time before speaking again, his voice slightly hoarse. “Aren’t you afraid of angering Lu Jingxing by doing this?”
Huaiyu thought seriously for a moment before shaking her head. “He won’t be angry.”
“Indeed,” Jiang Xuanjin nodded. “After so many years, he’s been by your side all this time. He must have some extraordinary qualities.”
Of course. In terms of making money, Lu Jingxing was indeed exceptional.
Huaiyu chuckled inwardly. Seeing his reluctance to push her away yet his discomfort, she reached out, taking his hand in hers, intertwining their fingers just like they used to long ago.
Jiang Xuanjin’s expression was grim. “Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
As if finding it difficult to speak, Jiang Xuanjin stared at her hand.
“What’s wrong? Is something amiss?”
Everything is amiss! Didn’t they agree to annul the marriage contract? Wasn’t she supposed to marry Lu Jingxing? Why was she suddenly so intimate with him?
Sensing her teasing, Jiang Xuanjin felt annoyed, his lips tight, and his brow furrowed.
“Is this fun?” he asked.
Huaiyu nodded with a smile, squeezing his hand tighter. “It’s quite fun.”
“Stop the carriage!” he ordered coldly.
The horse outside neighed loudly. As Huaiyu’s body leaned forward, she immediately exclaimed, “Oh!”
Jiang Xuanjin wanted to get out of the carriage, but upon hearing the commotion, he stiffened for a moment, then turned to ask, “What’s wrong now?”
Holding her stomach and groaning, Huaiyu said, “I’m uncomfortable.”
The carriage was far from any village or shop. Jiang Xuanjin gritted his teeth and instructed, “Back to the Princess’s Mansion!”
“Oh, no need,” Huaiyu said with a smirk, “Just keep going.”
Jiang Xuanjin: “…”
Returning to his original position, he looked at her in silence for a long time, rubbing his temples wearily. “Your Highness, can’t you let me off?”
Since they were destined not to be together, why tease him like this?
Feeling the hand holding his move, Li Huaiyu sighed, “Your Majesty, I’m not very strong. If you don’t like it, you can easily break free.”
She was taking advantage of the fact that he wouldn’t break free, so she could play such tricks with him. Jiang Xuanjin was exasperated and laughed bitterly. “Forget it, Your Highness’s request, I’ll grant it.”
“Thank you!” Huaiyu laughed, but she still didn’t let go of his hand.
What was this person thinking? Jiang Xuanjin couldn’t understand.
In the Jiang family’s rules, if one’s wife was intimate with another man, they would be marked with a character on their forehead and expelled from the family. He knew very well that such behavior was contrary to propriety and norms. If he didn’t break free, he would be complicit in the crime.
Yet inexplicably, he didn’t move.
The smile on Li Huaiyu’s face grew wider, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on him, like a mouse that had successfully stolen a piece of cheese, unable to contain her laughter.