Hearing her relaxed tone, it seemed as if she had completely let go from the moment she received the divorce letter. She no longer avoided him and even invited him to stay a while longer.
Jiang Xuanjin pressed his lips together, his hand gripping his sleeve tighter and tighter. Was she asking him to stay to witness the opening of the city moat, or to watch her wedding with Lu Jingxing? It would be better if he left; if he stayed, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t do something rash. Was this her way of revenge?
The chill seeped in from the window, freezing him to the bone. The person in front of him seemed to sense something, pushed open the window, and exclaimed, “Wow!”
It was snowing! The city, which hadn’t seen rain or snow for years, was now experiencing a light snowfall. The crystalline white flakes fell on the windowsill. She caught some with her sleeve and turned to show him with a bright smile, “Look!”
In a daze, Jiang Xuanjin felt as if he had returned to the main building of Mo Residence. The long separation and tearing apart seemed like a nightmare, and upon waking, she was still by his side, laughing and playing, wanting to enjoy the deep winter snow scene with him.
He reached out, touching the white on her sleeve lightly, but as soon as he did, the delicate white melted away.
His eyelashes trembled, and Jiang Xuanjin pressed his lips together, his eyes swirling with dark emotions. He couldn’t touch it; once touched, it would disappear.
Retracting his hand behind his back, he tightened his jaw, wanting to coldly say, “Your Highness, please return,” but the words stuck in his throat, and he swallowed them back.
He had a long life ahead to be reserved; for now, why not indulge himself a little?
Li Huaiyu seemed unafraid of the cold, standing by the window catching snowflakes for quite a while, still not satisfied. She wanted to climb onto the nearby couch to reach further.
Jiang Xuanjin couldn’t hold back any longer and stepped forward to stop her, “Don’t move!”
Huaiyu raised an eyebrow and turned to smile, “What? Afraid I’ll get hurt? Didn’t you say it was Manager Lu’s child? Why are you worried?”
With a stiff face, Jiang Xuanjin replied coldly, “There are low tables on the couch with many sharp corners. If Your Highness gets hurt, Manager Lu will surely blame me.”
“No worries,” Huaiyu waved her hand nonchalantly, “He can’t do anything to you.”
“Even if he can’t, there’s still Jiu Wu and Chi Jin. And all the people in your Princess’s residence, I can’t afford to offend them.”
“You’re too modest,” Huaiyu teased with her almond eyes sparkling, “If you put your mind to it, not just my Princess’s residence, but the entire city wouldn’t be safe.”
After saying that, she continued to move. However, as soon as her knee touched the couch, a greenish-blue sleeve suddenly blocked her path.
Jiang Xuanjin’s movements were restrained, his arm across her collarbone, holding her shoulder, pulling her back.
With a smile, Li the Rascal took a few steps back, leaning against his chest. A slight tremor passed through her back, and she could hear his soft intake of breath, which disappeared in an instant. He stood straight, his hand dropping away.
“Can’t Your Highness stand steadily?”
“Mm,” Huaiyu sighed, “Ever since my belly grew, my feet have been swelling. My back aches every day, and I often can’t stand steadily.”
If Qingsi heard this, she would surely be exasperated. Not standing steadily? Who was the one running faster than a rabbit on the street last time?!
Jiang Xuanjin listened, his jaw tightening, looking down at her, wanting to support her but unsure where to place his hands.
Suddenly, the person in front of him exclaimed, and his heart skipped a beat. He frowned, “What is it?”
Holding her belly, she sat on the couch, her expression strange, frowning in silence.
“Speak!” Jiang Xuanjin stood before her, maintaining a calm expression, but his voice betrayed his fear.
Huaiyu slowly raised her head, pointing at her belly.
Jiang Xuanjin couldn’t care about much else and reached out to feel it. Her belly was firmer than he imagined, heavy and round. As soon as he touched it, something inside moved, a small sensation landing right in his palm.
Jiang Xuanjin was startled, quickly withdrawing his hand, forcing himself to remain calm, “I’ll have Chengxu call a doctor.”
“No need,” Huaiyu’s expression returned to normal, “It’s just fetal movement, perfectly normal.”
If it’s normal, why the expression?! Jiang Xuanjin turned back, glaring at her.
Li Huaiyu grinned mischievously, “Every time the baby moves, I get scared. I’m afraid it’ll suddenly break through my belly.”
She wanted him to experience this fear too, only then would she feel at ease.
Jiang Xuanjin remained silent for a long time before slowly exhaling.
What a mess.
An urgent letter was sent back to the main city of Ziyang within a day. Lü Qing was dragged out of bed, thinking something major had happened, hurriedly took the letter, and opened it.
However, after reading it, he twitched his mouth and couldn’t help but throw the letter to the ground, “Using an urgent letter for a female doctor? Does he think horses don’t get tired?”
A subordinate timidly reported, “The Lord used a thousand-mile horse, it didn’t die.”
Lü Qing shot a cold glance, and the subordinate immediately fell silent.
“Tell Qi Jin to set off today, find some people to escort her, and ride there.”
“Yes.”
After giving the orders, Lü Qing paced back and forth in the hall, almost stomping the floor tiles to pieces, muttering, “Always urging, never coming back. If he doesn’t come back, fine, but it’s like he wants to settle down in Yixian City. Even if he were to annex Yixian City to Ziyang, he wouldn’t be happy. What is he thinking?”
“He’s busy, but I’m not? I want to get married too, but I’m so busy I can’t even leave the county governor’s mansion. Who’s the real Lord of Ziyang here?”
The silent subordinate couldn’t help but speak again, “The Lord has prepared many portraits of noble ladies for you, all placed in your study.”
Lü Qing glared, “What’s the use of portraits? He should give me real beauties!”
The subordinate remained silent, thinking that even if there were real beauties, with your temperament, you wouldn’t dare enter the door.
However, he was considerate enough to have Lü Daren’s words delivered to the Lord when Qi Jin set off.
Qi Jin mounted her horse, trembling with excitement. Calculating the days, the Madam should be six months along. She hadn’t received any news before and had prepared for the worst. But now, the Lord suddenly summoned her.
There were female doctors everywhere. If there was a reason only she could go, it must be that the Lord knew about the Madam’s pregnancy and called her to account.
Even if it was to account, Qi Jin thought with teary eyes, that as long as the Lord and Madam could reconcile, she wouldn’t mind being punished.
However, knowing the Lord’s temperament, if he knew he had a child, he might be so happy he’d forget to punish her!
Thinking optimistically, Qi Jin rode swiftly with the guards.
After a light snowfall in Yixian City, the water in the moat grew stronger. The people cheered on the riverbank, and some couldn’t resist bending down to scoop water with buckets.
“We’re saved, our fields are saved!”
“Give me a hand, come on, let’s fetch water!”
“Water, so much water!”
More and more people gathered by the river, some even jumping in, their joyful shouts spreading from the city gate throughout the city. Yixian City finally came back to life.
Huaiyu stood on the city tower, smiling as she watched. Jiu Wu and others reported beside her, “The Qu Lin River canal has started construction. Once completed, the remaining tributaries of the three counties in Dongping will be cut off. Even if Yixian City has little rain, it won’t suffer from drought again.”
“Very good,” Huaiyu nodded, about to say more when she saw a group of people gathered below the tower, each holding a plate with Steamed Buns and buns, seemingly wanting to offer them, but were stopped by the guards. They shouted:
“Lord Jiu Wu! Lord Jiu Wu!”
“Miss Xu, we’re here to give thanks!”
“Commander, let us up!”
Understanding, Huaiyu smiled at those around her, “You are now beloved officials, you should accept the people’s goodwill. Go on, it won’t count as bribery.”
The men scratched their heads in embarrassment. Xu Chuniang saw an old woman unsteady on her feet and quickly led the way to welcome her.
Huaiyu watched, finding the scene heartwarming. This was the treatment good people deserved, not being reviled but cherished by the people like family, offering food and saying, “Try it, we made it, added extra sugar just for you!”
Retracting her gaze, Huaiyu stood alone on the city tower, continuing to watch the river below, a hint of envy in her eyes.
She could help them, but not herself. In the eyes of the people, she was still the notorious Princess Danyang.
The cold wind blew, ruffling her hair. Huaiyu tucked it behind her ear, thinking generously that it was okay. She had lived four years of reckless days and had to pay the price.
Irregular footsteps sounded beside her. Li Huaiyu thought someone had returned and didn’t turn her head.
However, after a moment, an elderly hand held a plate of Steamed Buns, offering it to her side.
Her heart trembled, and Huaiyu turned sharply.
The old woman’s face was deeply wrinkled, her eyes disappearing when she smiled. She had lost many teeth, making her speech unclear, but Huaiyu still heard her.
She said, “Your Highness, my son, and daughter-in-law are fetching water for the fields. I’m here to thank you.”
Blinking, Huaiyu looked at the Steamed Buns on the plate, her throat tightening, then smiled, “Old lady, you should give it to whoever you want, no need to listen to them and give it to me.”
The old woman paused, asking, “Are you the Princess?”
The guard beside her frowned, about to scold her for her rudeness, but Li Huaiyu stopped him, nodding slowly.
“Then it’s for you,” the old woman smiled, her gums showing, “You’re a good person.”
The plate of Steamed Buns was pushed into her hands. Huaiyu was bewildered, even glancing at Jiu Wu below, suspecting they had arranged this to make her happy.
But the old woman said, “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, Jiangxi suffered a drought, and an epidemic spread across seven counties, threatening to engulf the entire region. If not for the Princess’s decisive action to seal the city, the disease, impervious to medicine, would have claimed more lives.
The old woman didn’t understand court politics; she only knew her family was saved because of the Princess.
And this time, thanks to the Princess, the long-dry Yixian City had water. They could irrigate the fields, grow crops, and continue living.
A plate of Steamed Buns was equivalent to a family’s daily ration, and she brought it all, wiping her hands on her patched apron, looking a bit uneasy.
Li Huaiyu stood in a daze for a while, picked up a Steamed Buns, and took a bite.
The dry texture was far inferior to Chi Jin’s cooking, but she swallowed it and took another bite.
“Your Highness?” The guard beside her wanted to advise, but Huaiyu shook her head, stubbornly finishing the large Steamed Buns, then hugged the plate and said to the old woman, “I’ll eat them all.”
The old woman smiled, nodding repeatedly.
Li Huaiyu asked, “Where is your home?”
“Not far, just outside the west suburbs,” the old woman pointed, “I should be going back.”
Looking in that direction, Huaiyu nodded, gesturing to the guard beside her, who understood and helped the old woman down the tower, taking a few bags of rice with her. They were sent back to her home.
When Jiang Xuanjin came up, he saw Li Huaiyu holding a plate of Steamed Buns, lost in thought.
He was puzzled and walked over to look, the plate was rough, the Steamed Buns coarse, but her fingers had crumbs, indicating she had already eaten one.
“Your Highness?”
Hearing his voice, the person in front of him looked up, her eyes bright as stars.
She raised the plate like a child, her eyes wide with pride, “An old woman gave this to me!”
Jiang Xuanjin didn’t understand. She quickly pointed to the people still surrounded by the crowd below, then to the plate in her hand, grinning, “I have one too!”
Slightly stunned, Jiang Xuanjin lowered his gaze, “A plate of Steamed Buns makes you this happy.”
“You don’t understand!” Huaiyu couldn’t stop smiling, her eyes full of brilliance, “She said I’m a good person!”
For so long, living amidst the court’s scheming, she was used to the ministers’ and people’s curses, and the comforting words of those around her. It was the first time someone had sincerely and simply praised her.
For someone like Jiang Xuanjin, who was highly esteemed, people’s respect and admiration were commonplace. Unlike her, who had waited eight years for a plate of Steamed Buns.
Behind them, Chengxu frowned, hesitant to speak.
How could the Lord not understand? If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to change the situation for her.
“I don’t understand,” Jiang Xuanjin replied calmly, his expression unchanged.
Li Huaiyu, in a good mood, laughed and asked, “Would you like to come down with me to take a look? We can discuss the matters of Danyang and Ziyang along the way.”
“No,” he refused without thinking.
However, two incense sticks later, a carriage slowly traveled along the moat. Inside, thick bedding was laid out, and Huaiyu nestled in a corner, placing a pillow behind her back, and letting out a comfortable sigh.
The Lord of Ziyang knelt on the soft bedding, his body still straight.
“Aren’t you tired?” Huaiyu raised an eyebrow, “This carriage is meant for reclining, sitting is uncomfortable.”
“Speak, Your Highness,” he replied coldly.
Li Huaiyu chuckled, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him, “Lu Ji is supplying goods to Yixian City. The border city of Danyang doesn’t have enough supplies, some need to be transported from the border city of Ziyang. But Ziyang is strict with Danyang, the goods can’t leave the city gate, I ask the Lord to grant some leniency.”
Riding with him, just to plead for Lu Jingxing?
His heart tightened, and Jiang Xuanjin sneered, “What if I don’t grant this leniency?”
With a light hum, Huaiyu spoke with confidence, “If you don’t grant this leniency! Then I will!”
She scooted over, moving to his side, hooking her finger around his, Li Huaiyu smiled brightly, “Then I’ll just plead with you more.”
The sudden soft tone was like gentle hands, lifting his sinking heart.
His chest ached, Jiang Xuanjin stared at her holding his hand, silent for a long time, and when he spoke again, his voice was hoarse, “Aren’t you afraid Lu Jingxing will be angry?”
Huaiyu thought seriously, then shook her head, “He won’t be angry.”
“True,” Jiang Xuanjin nodded, “After all these years, for him to stay by your side, he must have his merits.”
Indeed, Lu Jingxing was exceptionally skilled in making money.
Huaiyu laughed inwardly. Seeing his reluctance to shake her off, she boldly reached over, intertwining her fingers with his, just like long ago, holding his hand tightly.
Jiang Xuanjin’s face darkened, “Your Highness.”
“Mm?”
Seemingly finding it hard to speak, Jiang Xuanjin glared at her hand.
Li Huaiyu looked innocent, “What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
Everything is wrong! Didn’t you ask for a divorce? Aren’t you marrying Lu Jingxing? Why suddenly be so intimate with me?
Sensing she was teasing him, Jiang Xuanjin was annoyed, his lips pressed tightly, his brows furrowed.
“Is it fun?” he asked.
Huaiyu nodded with a smile, holding his hand tighter, “It’s so much fun.”
“Stop the carriage!” he ordered sharply.
The horse neighed outside. Huaiyu leaned forward with the motion, exclaiming, “Oh!”
Jiang Xuanjin intended to get off, but hearing this, he paused, turning to ask, “What now?”
Holding her belly, Li Huaiyu groaned, “Uncomfortable.”
The carriage was by the river, with no village or shop in sight. Jiang Xuanjin gritted his teeth, instructing Chengxu, “Return to the Princess’s residence!”
“No need,” holding his hand, Huaiyu smirked, “Just keep going.”
Jiang Xuanjin: “…”
Returning to his original position, he looked at her for a long time, rubbing his brow wearily, “Can’t Your Highness let me go?”
Since they were destined not to be together, why tease him?
Moving her hand intertwined with his, Li Huaiyu sighed, “Lord, my strength isn’t great, if you don’t like it, you can easily pull away.”
Relying on him not pulling away, she played this game with him? Jiang Xuanjin was so angry he laughed, “Fine, whatever Your Highness asks, I will comply.”
“Thank you!” Huaiyu was delighted but still didn’t let go of his hand.
What was she thinking? Jiang Xuanjin couldn’t understand.
In the Jiang family rules, being intimate with someone else while having a husband was punishable by branding and expulsion. He knew this behavior violated propriety and ethics, and if he didn’t pull away, he was equally guilty.
Yet, inexplicably, he didn’t move.
Li Huaiyu’s smile grew wider, her almond eyes watching him like a cat that had caught a mouse, unable to hold back, she laughed out loud.