For a while, Cheng Xu harbored resentment. His Highness treated the Madam too well, and she, in her carefree manner, seemed oblivious to His Highness’s hardships. However, holding the news just arrived from the capital, Cheng Xu’s expression turned complex.
For some inexplicable reason, the Emperor of Northern Wei had been in close communication with the envoy from Western Liang. Not only did they purchase a large amount of weaponry and provisions from Western Liang, but they also arranged a marriage between a general from Western Liang and the sister of Liu Yunlie. All of this occurred within a mere month, executed with such swiftness that it left no room for discussion among the courtiers. The general from Western Liang entered the capital, and after the grand wedding, hastened to Pingling, where the flames of war raged, to take command of the forces. With the courtiers in tow, they stormed into Pingling, capturing five cities in succession.
This move indeed salvaged Li Huailin’s reputation to some extent in this critical moment, but simultaneously, everyone understood—the Emperor of Northern Wei was willing to invite trouble into his own house just to suppress those feudal lords.
Previously, there were rumors of Eastern Jin supplying provisions to Lord Ziyang, but there was no concrete evidence. However, now that a general from Western Liang had entered Northern Wei, it became common knowledge among the courtiers.
In an instant, Cheng Xu understood why the Madam had bestowed a favor upon Lord Baihua before.
“She is worried about you.” Standing beside His Highness, Cheng Xu lowered his voice.
Princess Danyang had always been indifferent to her reputation, but this time, she cared.
Jiang Xuanjin was reading the battle report when he paused at Cheng Xu’s words, his eyelashes trembling as he looked towards the inner chamber where Li Huaiyu resided.
She hadn’t been sleeping well lately, with dark circles under her eyes, and her eight-month belly only allowed her to lie flat. At this moment, she was half-asleep, half-awake, frowning.
A pang touched his heart. He got up and approached her with soft steps.
Li Huaiyu heard the movement and opened her sleepy eyes. “Hmm?”
Someone sat down beside her bed, retrieved a porcelain jar from the nearby cabinet, and asked, “Want some?” Inside the jar were sour plums, her favorite snack. She smacked her lips, nodded, propped herself up, yawned, and as she reached out to take one, his slender fingers intercepted hers, taking the plum and then kissing her deeply.
Li Huaiyu: “…”
He wasn’t usually this forward, but today, for some reason, he pressed against the back of her head, not allowing her to retreat, his tongue pushing past her lips, teasing her teeth.
Her face inexplicably flushed, Li Huaiyu whimpered twice, her hand pressing against his chest, exerting some force to catch her breath.
“Weren’t we supposed to avoid this in front of it?” She stared at him, pointing at her belly, speaking somewhat aggrievedly, “Last time, in the courtyard, I wanted to kiss you, but you dodged!”
With a low “Hmm” of acknowledgment, Jiang Xuanjin took another plum, covering her lips again.
It wasn’t that he wanted to avoid her; it was just that there were too many people in the courtyard that day, and he disliked letting others see him lose control.
Lately, whenever he got close to her, he found it hard to restrain himself. He had intended to endure for a few more months, but… sorry, he couldn’t hold back any longer.
“You…” Li Huaiyu couldn’t help but laugh and cry. Just as she was about to whine about feeling uncomfortable, he half embraced her, his hand supporting her waist to relieve her effort, and then he lowered his head, kissing her even more deeply.
Huaiyu felt that Xuanjin was acting unusually, but she also thought it was rather nice, and she couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it. She reached out, hooking her hand around his neck, and playfully nibbled on his tongue.
Spring was approaching, truly a season perfect for two people to be together.
Aside from the reports on battles and court affairs, the news from the capital inevitably included some about Li Huailin.
Qingsi said, “His Majesty has relegated Noble Consort Ning to the cold palace.”
Huaiyu, her long hair scattered, half reclined on the bed frowned at the news.
Huailin was very fond of Noble Consort Ning, so what was the meaning of this action? Could it be because Ning Zhendong hadn’t accomplished much lately, so she was being neglected?
But young people were always impulsive, thinking that matters of the heart should be left to their whims. Only when they reached her stage did they realize the importance of cherishing, maintaining, and understanding that genuine affection was hard to come by.
In a court session long ago when Lord Ziyang was fiercely enforcing his policies, he had asked Li Huailin a question: “May I ask, if Noble Consort Ning’s life were in imminent danger, and someone lay in wait to harm her, what would Your Majesty do?”
At that time, Li Huailin had replied, “I would protect her and apprehend the culprit, without mercy!”
And now, Noble Consort Ning was in the cold palace, while Li Huailin sat with Concubine Shu in her Hehe Palace.
“What is Your Majesty thinking?” Concubine Shu smiled and asked.
Coming back to his senses, Li Huailin chuckled lightly. “What could I be thinking, naturally, I’m thinking of my beloved consort.”
Momentarily stunned, Concubine Shu felt somewhat embarrassed, but her face still showed coyness. “I’m right here, Your Majesty doesn’t need to think. I’ve made some plum cakes, would Your Majesty like to try them?”
Suddenly impatient, Li Huailin said, “The situation in Pingling is critical, yet you still have time for these trifles.”
Concubine Shu was startled and hastily knelt.
Emperors were unreasonable; when they were in a good mood, nothing you did would anger them, but once they were in a bad mood, even a plate of plum cakes might provoke punishment.
Concubine Shu’s eyes reddened.
If not for the glory of her family, who would want to enter the palace? Especially with this Emperor, who was capricious and unpredictable, truly terrifying. Before, when she wasn’t favored, she was quite jealous of Noble Consort Ning. But now, in front of His Majesty, Concubine Shu suddenly felt that this favor wasn’t easy to bear.
Glancing at Concubine Shu’s expression, Li Huailin’s anger softened. “You may withdraw.”
As if granted a reprieve, Concubine Shu hurriedly left, her steps quick, as if she were afraid.
He sneered mockingly. Li Huailin got up.
His harem was vast, with many women, so who couldn’t serve him? Yet, all these women seemed so timid; a slight change in his tone would make them tremble on their knees. None dared to come and comfort him by holding his hand, nor did anyone hum him a tune.
After wandering around the harem for a while, Li Huailin pursed his lips and ended up in the palace of Concubine He.
Concubine He and Lady Ningwan were close friends, and their relationship was always amicable. Despite both being consorts, they had never been jealous of each other. After circling for a bit, pretending to be passing by, he entered the hall.
“Your Majesty,” Concubine He greeted him with a bow, inviting him to take a seat, then asked, “What brings Your Majesty to this humble concubine’s place?”
“Just taking a stroll,” Li Huailin glanced at her sideways, sitting still.
No one in the harem would intercede for Lady Ningwan, but Concubine He would. As long as she spoke up, he would grant her a favor to visit the cold palace.
However, Concubine He poured tea for him with a lowered head, remaining silent.
Li Huailin grew impatient. “Cat got your tongue?”
Concubine He trembled, lifted her skirts as she stood up, and knelt before him. “Your Majesty, please calm down.”
What was with everyone? Li Huailin couldn’t understand. “Can’t you learn from Lady Ningwan and vie for favor?”
With a complex expression, Concubine He shook her head. “This concubine dares not.”
“Why not?” Li Huailin’s anger rose further. “The consorts in my harem are all dispassionate, uninterested in worldly matters?”
“Not so,” Concubine He whispered, “it’s just that Lady Ningwan never errs in her actions and loves Your Majesty deeply. Yet she still ended up in such a fate. How could we, the others, dare to act recklessly?”
Finally, someone spoke up, even if it was somewhat offensive. Li Huailin relaxed his brows slightly, sneering. “She loves me deeply?”
“Lady Ningwan’s devotion is well-known throughout the harem,” Concubine He pursed her lips, “it’s just that she was inexplicably sent to the cold palace. One can only imagine how desolate she must be feeling.”
Feeling desolate? Li Huailin was taken aback. “She ignored me first.”
If she hadn’t ignored him for so long without paying respects, he wouldn’t have suddenly lost his temper.
Concubine He paused, saying, “Has Your Majesty ever asked the eunuchs? Lady Ningwan had tried to send sweet treats to the Longyan Palace many times before, but they were always intercepted.”
His eyelid twitched. Li Huailin stood up. “What did you say?”
“She ignores everyone, but she wouldn’t ignore Your Majesty.” Concubine He wanted to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t help but sound a bit irritated. “Finding her is effortless for Your Majesty, but for her to find Your Majesty, it’s fraught with difficulties. Don’t you understand?”
Of course, he didn’t understand. He had been preoccupied with the affairs in Pingling lately. He barely had any time to visit the harem. The people around him were newly selected, and they hadn’t said much to him.
Realizing that someone might be manipulating things behind the scenes, Li Huailin glanced at Concubine He several times, feeling somewhat uneasy, he asked, “Do you want to go to the cold palace?”
Concubine He rose and bowed again, “I respectfully accompany Your Majesty.”
Li Huailin felt a bit annoyed, annoyed at Concubine He’s knowing expression, and annoyed at himself for wrongly accusing someone.
Amidst his annoyance, there was also a slight sense of anxiety.
Would Lady Ningwan be angry with him?
As the sky darkened, Li Huailin visited all the palaces today, but in the end, he stopped at the entrance of the cold palace.
The dilapidated palace was far from the splendor of the Hehe Palace. Lady Ningwan sat by the lamp, dressed in plain clothes, her face pale. Hearing movement, thinking it was a maid bringing food, she didn’t even turn her head as she said, “You eat, I don’t need it.”
Frowning, Li Huailin spoke harshly, “You’ll starve if you don’t eat?”
With a slight tremble in her shoulders, Lady Ningwan turned her head, seeing the familiar dragon robe, she was stunned for a moment, then knelt to greet, “Your Majesty, forgive your humble servant for not paying respects.”
If he didn’t know the situation, Li Huailin would have thought she understood etiquette. But knowing she hadn’t done anything wrong and still hearing her call herself a “humble servant,” he felt uncomfortable. He reached out to help her up. “Rise.”
As she stood up with his assistance, Lady Ningwan didn’t say anything, just lightly grasped the hand he placed on her wrist, furrowing her brows. “Your Majesty has caught a cold.”
There was no complaint, no sense of injustice. Her primary concern was still his well-being.
His throat tightened, and Li Huailin avoided the topic. The words he had prepared earlier were now difficult to say.
People were like this; the more they were treated kindly, the more they became capricious and harsh. Especially those lacking in security, feeling unworthy of such kindness, they would instinctively test others to see how far they could go.
“I want soup,” he said stiffly, “You make two bowls for me, then you can return to the Hehe Palace.”