Chengxu had been feeling indignant for some time. His lord treated the Madam exceptionally well, yet she seemed oblivious to his efforts, laughing and joking every day. However, holding the latest news from the capital, Chengxu’s expression was now complex.
The Emperor of Northern Wei had inexplicably grown close to the envoys of Western Liang. Not only did he purchase a large quantity of Western Liang’s weapons and provisions, but he also arranged for a general from Western Liang to marry Liu Yunlie’s sister. These events unfolded within a mere month, executed so swiftly that the court had no time to debate. The Western Liang general entered the capital, and after the grand wedding, he rushed to war-torn Pingling to take command of the troops, capturing five cities with the court’s forces.
This move indeed salvaged some face for Li Huailin during this critical moment. However, everyone understood that the Northern Wei Emperor was willing to invite a wolf into his home to suppress the feudal lords.
Previously, there were rumors that Eastern Jin lent provisions to Ziyang, but there was no solid evidence. Now, the entry of the Western Liang general into Northern Wei was known to all.
Chengxu suddenly understood why the Madam had previously done a favor for Baihua Jun.
“She is worried about you,” Chengxu whispered to his lord.
The Princess of Danyang had always acted without regard for her reputation, but this time, she cared.
Jiang Xuanjin was reading the war report. Upon hearing this, he paused, his eyelashes fluttered, and he glanced at Li Huaiyu in the inner chamber.
She hadn’t been sleeping well lately, with dark circles under her eyes. Eight months pregnant, she could only lie flat. Half-asleep on the soft couch, her brows were furrowed.
Feeling a stir in his heart, he rose and walked over quietly.
Li Huaiyu heard the movement and opened her sleepy eyes. “Hmm?”
Someone sat beside her on the couch, took a porcelain jar from the wooden cabinet, and asked, “Do you want some?”
The jar contained sour plums she liked to snack on. Smacking her lips, Huaiyu nodded, propped herself up, and yawned. Seeing him pinch a plum and offer it, she turned her head to bite it.
His long fingers withdrew, and Jiang Xuanjin leaned down, capturing her lips in a fierce kiss.
Li Huaiyu: “…”
He was usually not so forward, but today, for some reason, he held her head firmly, not allowing her to retreat. His tongue pried open her teeth, teasing her lips and tongue.
Her face inexplicably heated up. Huaiyu hummed twice, pushing against his chest to catch her breath.
“Didn’t you say… not to be affectionate in front of it?” She glared at him, pointing to her belly, and said aggrievedly, “Last time in the courtyard, I wanted to kiss you, and you dodged!”
Jiang Xuanjin murmured, holding the plum in his mouth, and kissed her again.
It wasn’t that he wanted to dodge, but there were too many people in the courtyard that day. He didn’t like being seen losing control.
Lately, whenever he got close to her, he found it hard to control himself. He had planned to endure for a few more months, but… sorry, he couldn’t hold back anymore.
“You…” Huaiyu was amused and exasperated. Just as she was about to complain, he half-embraced her, supporting her waist to ease her burden, then leaned down for a deeper kiss.
Huaiyu thought Jiang Xuanjin was acting unusually, but she found this unusual behavior quite nice and didn’t bother to argue. She wrapped her arms around his neck, mischievously biting his tongue.
Spring was approaching, truly a season for two people to be together.
The news from the capital included not only war reports and court affairs but also some news about Li Huailin.
Qingsi said, “His Majesty has sent Noble Consort Ning to the Cold Palace.”
Huaiyu, her long hair loose, half-reclined on the bed, frowned at the news.
Huailin was very fond of Noble Consort Ning. What was he doing with such an action? Could it be that because Ning Zhendong hadn’t achieved much lately, he was neglecting her?
But young people are like that, always thinking that emotions can be handled on a whim. Only when one reaches her stage does one learn to cherish, to maintain, to understand that anyone’s true heart is hard-won.
Long ago, in the court, when Ziyang Jun reprimanded the officials, he once asked Li Huailin, “Dare I ask Your Majesty, if Noble Consort Ning’s life were in danger and someone lurked in the shadows to harm her, what would Your Majesty do?”
At that time, Li Huailin said, “I would surely protect her, capture the villain, and punish them severely!”
And now, with Noble Consort Ning in the Cold Palace, Li Huailin held Consort Shu in her He Xi Palace.
“What is Your Majesty thinking?” Consort Shu asked with a smile.
Coming back to his senses, Li Huailin smiled faintly, “What else could I be thinking? Naturally, I’m thinking of my beloved consort.”
Consort Shu was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit awkward, but maintained a shy demeanor. “I am right here, Your Majesty. Why do you need to think? I made plum blossom cakes. Would Your Majesty like to try some?”
Suddenly feeling impatient, Li Huailin said, “The war in Pingling is tense, yet you have time to think about these trivialities.”
Consort Shu was startled and quickly knelt.
The Emperor was unreasonable. When in a good mood, nothing would anger him, but in a bad mood, even a plate of plum blossom cakes could lead to punishment.
Consort Shu’s eyes reddened.
If not for the glory of her family, who would want to enter the palace? Especially with this emperor, whose moods were unpredictable and frightening. When she wasn’t favored, she envied Noble Consort Ning, but once in front of the Emperor, Consort Shu suddenly felt that being favored wasn’t pleasant.
Seeing Consort Shu’s expression, Li Huailin’s anger flared. “You may leave.”
Relieved, Consort Shu lifted her skirt and quickly retreated, as if terrified.
With a mocking smile, Li Huailin stood up.
His harem was vast, with many people. Anyone could serve him, but these women seemed so timid. A slight change in his tone, and they would kneel, trembling. No one dared to hold his hand to comfort him, nor did anyone sing him a little tune.
After wandering the harem for a while, Li Huailin pursed his lips and went to Consort He’s palace.
Consort He and Ning Wanwei were close friends. Despite being fellow consorts, they never competed. He circled, pretending to pass by, and stepped into the hall.
“Your Majesty,” Consort He greeted him, inviting him to sit, then asked, “What brings you here?”
“Just wandering,” Li Huailin glanced at her, sitting still.
No one in the harem would plead for Ning Wanwei, but Consort He would. If she mentioned it, he would give her face and visit the Cold Palace.
However, Consort He kept her head down, drinking tea with him, without speaking.
Li Huailin grew impatient. “Are you mute?”
Consort He trembled, lifted her skirt, and knelt. “Please calm your anger, Your Majesty.”
Why was everyone like this? Li Huailin couldn’t understand. “Can’t you learn from Ning Wanwei and vie for favor?”
Staring at the carpet with a complex expression, Consort He shook her head. “I dare not.”
“Why not?” Li Huailin’s anger grew. “Are all the consorts in my harem so detached and indifferent?”
“Not so,” Consort He whispered. “But Noble Consort Ning did nothing wrong and loves Your Majesty deeply, yet she ended up like this. How dare we act rashly?”
Finally, she spoke, even if her words were somewhat offensive. Li Huailin relaxed his brow and sneered, “She loves me deeply?”
“Noble Consort Ning’s devotion is known throughout the harem,” Consort He said, pursing her lips. “But being inexplicably confined to the Cold Palace, who knows how cold her heart has become.”
Would her heart grow cold? Li Huailin was taken aback, instinctively saying, “She ignored me first.”
If she hadn’t neglected to pay her respects for so long, he wouldn’t have suddenly lost his temper.
Consort He paused and said, “Did Your Majesty ask the eunuchs? Noble Consort Ning sent many desserts to Longyan Palace, all stopped outside.”
Li Huailin’s eyelid twitched, and he stood up. “What did you say?”
“She wouldn’t ignore anyone, least of all Your Majesty,” Consort He tried to remain calm but was somewhat angry, her tone slightly heavier. “It’s easy for Your Majesty to find her, but for her to find you is fraught with obstacles. Don’t you know?”
Of course, he didn’t know. Recently, he had been preoccupied with Pingling’s affairs, with no time for the harem. His attendants were newly appointed and hadn’t mentioned anything.
Realizing someone might be manipulating things behind the scenes, Li Huailin looked at Consort He several times, feeling uneasy. “Should I visit the Cold Palace?”
Consort He rose and bowed. “I bid Your Majesty farewell.”
Li Huailin was annoyed, annoyed by Consort He’s knowing expression and annoyed at himself for wronging someone.
Amidst his anger, there was a slight panic.
Would Noble Consort Ning be angry with him?
As night fell, Li Huailin had visited almost every palace today, finally stopping at the Cold Palace’s entrance.
The dilapidated palace was nothing compared to the splendor of He Xi Palace. Ning Wanwei sat by the palace lamp, dressed in plain clothes, her face pale. Hearing a noise, she thought it was a maid returning with food and said without turning, “You eat it. I don’t need it.”
Frowning, Li Huailin spoke harshly, “Not eating, waiting to starve?”
Her shoulders trembled. Ning Wanwei turned, seeing the familiar dragon robe, and paused before kneeling. “This guilty concubine greets Your Majesty.”
If he didn’t know the situation, Li Huailin would think she was well-mannered. But knowing she did nothing wrong and hearing “guilty concubine,” he felt uneasy, reaching to help her up. “Rise.”
Following his lead, Noble Consort Ning said nothing, only gently squeezed his hand on her wrist, frowning. “Your Majesty has caught a chill.”
No complaints, no grievances. Her first concern was still his health.
His throat tightened, and Li Huailin turned away, unable to voice the words he had prepared.
People are like this: the more gently they are treated, the more capricious and harsh they become, especially those lacking a sense of security. Feeling unworthy of such kindness, they instinctively test others to see how far their goodness extends.
“I want some soup,” he said stiffly. “Make me two bowls, and you can return to He Xi Palace.”