Ningwanfei listened and thought that the palace attendants hadn’t taken care of him properly, hence his visit to the cold palace to ask her to make soup. She quickly smoothed her temple hair and said, “I’ll go right away.” After bowing to him, she followed the palace attendants towards the royal kitchen.
Watching her figure recede, Li Huailin knew he should say a few kind words, and treat her better, but seeing her indifferent demeanor, he felt it was unnecessary. She probably wasn’t feeling too upset.
With a heavy heart, he returned to the Hehe Palace.
The soup in the pot bubbled with creamy bubbles. Ningwanfei stood nearby, slightly absent-minded.
“Which mistress in the palace would personally come to make soup?” murmured the kitchen servant outside.
Another kitchen maid replied softly, “I heard it was His Majesty’s order for Noble Consort to make soup before she can return to the Hehe Palace.”
“Isn’t this just another way to humiliate her…”
Indeed, it was quite humiliating. Without any explanation, her favor was revoked, and she was sent to the cold palace. Ningwanfei still didn’t know what she had done wrong. She could only think that the emperor was venting his anger on her. After all, with the Eldest Princess and the court officially at odds, she, who had been favored because of the Eldest Princess before, was now implicated because of her.
As the time approached, Ningwanfei took a handkerchief and wrapped a sand jar, removed it from the stove, and ladled the soup out.
“Lady.” A kitchen maid cautiously spoke from behind, “Let me do it, your hands…”
Ningwanfei smiled gently, shook her head, and picked up the soup, following the palace attendants towards the Hehe Palace.
The Hehe Palace was quite far from the royal kitchen. By the time she carried the steaming soup over, it had cooled considerably. She entered the hall, bowed first, then poured the soup and tried it, frowning slightly.
Li Huailin leaned on the soft couch, feeling inexplicably relieved, his expression much softer.
“How is it? Not tasty?” he asked.
She shook her head. “It’s a little cold.”
The emperor sat up, took the spoon from her hand, took a sip, and glanced at her hand inadvertently.
There was a bright red blister on her delicate finger, with pus already accumulated inside.
Li Huailin’s expression stiffened. “How could you be so clumsy?”
Ningwanfei’s face turned pale. She pulled her sleeve over the hand, explaining softly, “It’s a bit cold, and my hands aren’t very nimble. I didn’t used to be like this.”
Li Huailin was speechless.
He felt sorry for her, but why did his words sound like he was blaming her?
Turning his head, he instructed a palace maid to bring ointment for the burn. Li Huailin held the half-warm soup and drank it slowly. He said softly, “Apply the ointment yourself.”
“Thank you for your mercy!” Ningwanfei bowed and avoided his gaze, lowering her head to apply the ointment.
Although it was still the same Hehe Palace, her presence here was completely different from that of Shufei. Li Huailin couldn’t quite pinpoint the difference, but watching her figure, he felt his body, which had been tense all day, relax.
With a slight movement in his heart, Li Huailin put down the bowl. He reached out and pulled her over.
Ningwanfei was still applying the ointment. She accidentally leaned into his arms. Instinctively, she raised her hand high, fearing the ointment would stain his dragon robe.
Li Huailin snorted lightly, opened his mouth, and bit her neck.
“Don’t…” She panicked. “This servant hasn’t bathed or changed clothes!”
“What does it matter?” he muttered.
Ningwanfei was stunned, and blinked extremely slowly, feeling his warmth, her nose slightly reddening.
“According to the rules, palace consorts must bathe before attending…”
“In this palace, I am the rule,” he interrupted.
Her body trembled slightly. Ningwanfei lay down on the soft couch, instinctively reaching out to comfort him with her hands sliding down his back.
Sensing her movements, Li Huailin didn’t calm down. On the contrary, his movements became more violent, like a suddenly irritable beast, roughly tearing open her clothes. Ningwanfei followed his lead, allowing him to do as he pleased, her eyes showing a mix of drowsiness and slight confusion.
The emperor’s thoughts were really hard to guess. One moment, he was in the cold palace, the next moment, he favored her. Had he missed her after not seeing her for a few days?
Lost in her hazy thoughts, Ningwanfei was swept into the quilt. She had some hope and a little unease.
The next day, the emperor went to court. Ningwanfei flipped through the imperial calendar, her gaze falling on yesterday’s date. After a slight pause, she suddenly understood.
On the nineteenth day of the twentieth month, it was the birthday of the Eldest Princess of Danyang. It wasn’t that Ning Wanwei missed her; it was that she missed the Eldest Princess.
Ning Wanwei stood silently for a long time before smiling to herself. It was fine. At least, when he missed his royal sister, she could still offer some comfort.
During the morning court session, the courtiers noticed that His Majesty’s mood was unusually good. Though he often seemed distracted, there was a constant smile on his lips, a stark contrast to his cold demeanor of previous days.
“In the past month, the court has deployed three thousand troops and secured seven cities in Pingling,” Minister Situ Jing reported below, “Conflicts have erupted in various regions of Ziyang and Danyang. Three days ago, there was a riot in the main city of Ziyang. Although it was quickly suppressed, it indicates discontent among the populace towards Lord Ziyang.”
“Excellent,” Li Huailin smiled.
Beside him, Liu Yunlie listened to Minister Situ Jing’s self-congratulatory tone without saying a word.
The uprising in Ziyang was orchestrated by their people, not driven by public sentiment. There was nothing to be pleased about. As for the battle in Pingling, they had been maintaining the upper hand due to the incompetence of the opposing commander. However, if Jiang Xuanjin took command, the situation could change.
Fortunately, with Li Huaiyu about to give birth, delaying Jiang Xuanjin’s actions, they still had time to prepare countermeasures. However, Minister Situ Jing seemed more interested in taking credit than anything else.
Liu Yunlie shook his head inwardly, refraining from reminding the emperor or challenging Minister Situ Jing’s words. His sharp eyes scanned the entire court slowly.
The spring breeze of the first line of cities in March brushed their faces. Qi Jin said, “Madam is about to give birth, probably in these next few days.”
Jiang Xuanjin stared at Li Huaiyu’s belly motionlessly for half an hour. Seeing his inaction, someone beside him couldn’t bear it and whispered, “Your Highness, there’s no need to be so nervous.”
Nervousness was futile!
“Which eye of yours sees this prince as nervous?” Jiang Xuanjin raised his chin indifferently.
Li Huaiyu chuckled, her finger hooking his damp palm, her eyes bright. “Indeed, even with thousands of troops and horses lined up, Your Highness remains composed. Why would you be nervous about such a trivial matter?”
With a teasing tone, she opened his palm, lightly wiping it with a handkerchief.
Jiang Xuanjin felt somewhat annoyed. “Leave me be.”
Though his demeanor seemed stern, Li Huaiyu giggled, drying his hand and intertwining her fingers with his. “Lunch hasn’t been eaten yet. How about having a little something? You’ve managed to remain calm even with all this, so why not eat?”
Feeling like a puppet whose strings were pulled, Jiang Xuanjin shook his head. “Not hungry.”
Li Huaiyu couldn’t help but smile wryly. “So, if I’m not in labor, you won’t eat either?”
“It’s not that,” he furrowed his brow.
His palm, just dried, began to sweat again. Li Huaiyu sighed, instructing Cheng Xu to bring the meal over, coaxing him softly, “I’m fine. You have a few bites first, and later, I’ll listen to you and rest for a while. How about that?”
She had been unable to sleep lately, the dark circles under her eyes becoming more pronounced. Jiang Xuanjin had tried everything to ensure she slept for more than an hour but to no avail. Now that she had spoken, even if he had no appetite, he nodded.
Murong Qi, sneaking a peek from the outer chamber, couldn’t help but click his tongue. “No wonder…”
It was no wonder Lord Ziyang had married Li Huaiyu. Although the Eldest Princess of Danyang might be harsh to others, she was genuinely gentle with Lord Ziyang. Even though she was uncomfortable herself, she still comforted him.
However, with the fierce battles in Pingling, Jiang Xuanjin still sat here with his wife, showing remarkable composure.
“Hey, why refuse celery?” Li Huaiyu teased, offering it to his lips, raising an eyebrow. “Is Lord Ziyang being picky?”
Jiang Xuanjin looked somewhat displeased at the green and white stalk. “It’s unappetizing.”
“No way, it’s delicious. Besides, Qi Jin said it’s good for you,” Li Huaiyu persisted.
“I don’t want it.”
Stubborn, Li Huaiyu pouted slightly, about to say something more when her stomach suddenly tightened.
Pausing, she realized something and turned to Qing Si. “Let Qi Yiniang come over.”
Jiang Xuanjin’s jaw tensed, gripping her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just let her check my pulse,” Li Huaiyu’s face relaxed, smiling at him. “But suddenly, I’m craving for some Jade Bean Buns.”
Those were only available at Lu Jingxing’s restaurant. Cheng Xu was about to offer to go buy them when Li Huaiyu tugged at His Highness’s hand. “Can you go buy them for me, please?”
Normally, Jiang Xuanjin would have left immediately, but now, he stared at her for a moment, his hand suddenly tightening, panic flashing in his eyes.
“Hey, hey, don’t be in a hurry.” Knowing she couldn’t hide it anymore, Li Huaiyu chuckled, “I’m fine I’m fine! Don’t worry.”
“… “
“Even if I’m about to give birth, you don’t need to make that face… Hey, I was wrong, I was wrong. I won’t ask for Jade Bean Buns anymore. Just hold my hand, don’t be afraid.”
“… “
“Jiang Jie, I’m giving birth, not going to die. As the dignified Lord Ziyang, you shouldn’t be scared like this!”
“… “
Murong Qi, listening outside, couldn’t help but twitch his mouth. Who exactly was giving birth? Those who were pregnant were fearless, while those who weren’t were turning pale with fright.
“Baihua Jun, it’s not convenient here, please wait outside,” Cheng Xu hurriedly came out.
Murong Qi shrugged and followed, standing outside for a while, then saw people from the mansion coming one after another.
The female physician entered with a serious expression, holding a medical kit, while Qing Si and Xu Chuniang also brought things inside. Behind them trailed a group of midwives, with Lord Ziyang still inside, not coming out.
Leaning against a nearby stone pillar, Murong Qi looked at the silent crowd waiting in the courtyard and suddenly felt that the Eldest Princess of Danyang wasn’t so pitiful after all. While it might seem like she was subject to criticism by many, she had so many people by her side caring for her and supporting her. Compared to her, who was praised throughout the Jin Dynasty but had no one by her side, she was much better off.
He chuckled twice, looking at the figure standing at the forefront of the courtyard.
That seemed to be the Eldest Princess’s close friend, always dressed in a snowy white silk robe, though with different embroideries each time.
Some said he was a merchant, but Murong Qi couldn’t help but feel otherwise. Merchants usually wore ostentatious brocades adorned with coins, but this man looked like a refined gentleman straight out of a painting, like one of those “mounted on a bridge, adorned in red sleeves” young noblemen, with not a hint of vulgarity.
Now he stood outside, listening to the sounds inside the room, his face tense. After a moment of silence, he clasped his hands together and bowed towards the sky.
With his robes fluttering, he exuded an unparalleled charm, even with furrowed brows. Murong Qi couldn’t help but think he was damn good-looking.
Subconsciously, she mimicked his gesture of bowing towards the sky.
Even if she didn’t like the Eldest Princess of Danyang, she still prayed for the safe delivery of the child. As long as she survived, there would always be a chance for another fight.
Her grip on the sandalwood prayer beads around her wrist tightened as Li Huaiyu continued to soothe the increasingly restless Jiang Xuanjin in a low voice. But as the pain in her abdomen intensified, her face grew paler, and she found herself unable to speak.
Jiang Xuanjin pried open her fingers, taking out the prayer beads and placing his hand in hers.
Observing his actions, Li Huaiyu, despite conserving her strength as advised by the midwife, couldn’t help but say, “Are you doing this on purpose? Knowing I wouldn’t dare pinch you?”
“No.” His gaze tightened, emanating an aura of unease. Jiang Xuanjin forced himself to remain seated, unmoving. In a low voice, he said, “A few days ago, you had a nightmare.”
It was the only time she had slept for half an hour, murmuring continuously while leaning against the soft pillow, reciting the words she had said to him in the interrogation room. Tears flowed incessantly.
He felt distressed.
He didn’t want to keep track of what she owed him anymore, but what he owed her. He wanted to repay.
As her abdomen contracted more and more, Li Huaiyu gasped for air, following the midwife’s instructions to breathe, forcibly suppressing her fear.
She couldn’t panic. Although she had never given birth before and was indeed afraid, he was more frightened than her. If she panicked, he would go mad. But… as much as she tried not to, when the pain became severe, her pupils began to dilate.
“Your Highness, could you please leave for now?” The midwife, knowing the etiquette, urged repeatedly, “The delivery room is full of blood and filth, and… “
Coldly lifting his eyes, Jiang Xuanjin stared at her. “Where is it filthy?”
The midwife choked, frightened by his expression, and dared not speak again.
The time of childbirth was very long. Generally, it had nothing to do with men, and the masters of various families were usually outside drinking tea, waiting. Even the more indifferent ones would go out, stroll around, and then come back to hold the child. Lord Ziyang’s status was noble, and it was heard that he had quite a few taboos. Originally, she thought to give him an out, but who would have thought he would sit here?
“Master…” Seeing her growing more and more pained, her face wrinkled together, Qing Si’s eyes turned red, and she said softly, “Today is the twenty-seventh of March.”
On the twenty-seventh of March in the eighth year of Daxing, it was an appropriate day for funerals; someone drank poisoned wine, carrying a heart full of resentment, and went to the underworld.
But in the ninth year of Daxing, the twenty-seventh of March was extremely auspicious, with no taboos. Everything was suitable.
In a daze, Li Huaiyu heard these words, her lips curling into a faint smile, reaching out to grasp the person next to her tightly.
“I used to… I used to hate you a lot, so when I told you to live a long life, it was filled with resentment.” It seemed like she remembered something, murmuring to him, “But it’s different now. I don’t hate you anymore.”
Jiang Xuanjin’s pupils contracted.
The face before him was covered in sweat, so tired it was almost withered, yet it said to him, “Your Highness, you must live to be a hundred years old.”