Chapter 61
In the deep autumn, the night breeze of Xiao Su brushed through the window lattice.
The next morning at court, the Emperor suddenly announced that he would entrust the Qianji Camp to the Crown Prince. This news caused a stir throughout the court. On the day of the Crown Prince's enthronement, the Emperor handed over the defense of the Forbidden City to him.
Subsequently, the Yulin Guard and Shenji Camp responsible for the defense of the capital and the palace gradually fell into his hands. Today, the last defense of the capital, the Qianji Camp, also fell into his hands.
With this, the Emperor had completely entrusted the defense of the capital to the Crown Prince.
Discussions abounded in the court.
After the court session, returning to the Eastern Palace for discussions, Prime Minister Ye stroked his beard, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "By entrusting the Shenji Camp to Your Highness at this time, the Emperor aims to ensure that you have no worries and can focus on reforming the defense."
"Yes," Li Wenjian's eyes were cold. "Both my father and I see this as an opportunity to eliminate spies within the military, especially those former officials of the previous dynasty who are just watching from the sidelines. We cannot let them become a threat to us."
The details of the military reform had been discussed and agreed upon, and once Li Wenjian signed the decree, it could be implemented. This reform mainly targeted the former military commanders in key positions, and it was bound to be challenging.
The autumn wind rustled Li Wenjian's golden robes, the sunlight shining on the embroidered golden dragons, casting a luxurious sheen. He suddenly stifled a yawn behind his hand, his lips quirked. "Whether for personal gain or for colluding with the remnants of the previous dynasty, dealing with stubborn individuals won't be easy."
"In the past, due to practical constraints, the founding Emperor had to employ many former officials of the previous dynasty. After serving in the military for many years, it won't be easy for them to relinquish their power now," Prime Minister Ye remarked, noting the faint weariness in the Crown Prince's expression.
He raised his eyes and said, "This matter cannot be rushed. Your Highness must take care of your health, rest well, and avoid staying up late to handle state affairs."
Li Wenjian cleared his throat slightly, looking somewhat uneasy. "Understood."
*
Lian Zhou and Qin Zhu sat on the steps outside the bedchamber, threading a string of glass beads.
In a while, the palace was set to go hunting at Wanglong Mountain, and Zhao Heng planned to make a quiver for Xiao Ba using the glass beads, so she was stringing them ahead of time.
The glass beads refracted a dazzling light in the sunlight.
Lian Zhou, head bowed as she threaded the beads, occasionally glanced anxiously toward the movements inside the bedchamber. She found it strange that Her Lady was still sleeping so late.
Since she started attending the academy, she had not had a lazy morning.
"What's wrong? You seem preoccupied," Qin Zhu nudged Lian Zhou's arm.
Lian Zhou turned back, "Has our master not woken up yet? Is she feeling unwell?"
Qin Zhu lightly tapped her with her elbow, her lips curling into a smile. "When I brought her breakfast this morning, she said she was very tired and wanted to sleep a little longer, but she didn't mention feeling unwell."
"She doesn't want to trouble others, and sometimes she endures her discomfort without complaining," Lian Zhou felt increasingly worried as she rose from her seat, setting down the basket. "I'll go in and ask."
"You come back," Qin Zhu quickly pulled her back, lowering her voice. "Last night, His Highness came out twice asking for hot water."
After pondering for a moment, Lian Zhou blinked and asked, "Is our master's throat bothering her?"
Speechless, Qin Zhu grabbed her arm, pulling her close and whispering in her ear.
"Ah!" Lian Zhou gripped Qin Zhu's hand tightly, excitedly exclaiming, "Is that true?"
Before she could say more, Li Wenjian walked past the bedchamber. They stood up and greeted him as he approached.
Li Wenjian entered the bedchamber, the window lattice closed, no light except for a faint glimmer from the window gauze.
Pulling back the hanging curtains, clear sounds of jade clinking filled the room.
Approaching the bed, he brushed aside the curtains to behold the sleeping figure beneath the covers, her breathing steady. The sudden light caused her to furrow her brows, perhaps sensing the presence, she turned her head and caught sight of him standing by the bed.
"Have you finished court?"
"The morning court session in the Eastern Palace has concluded," Li Wenjian approached and sat at the edge of the bed, his tone carrying a hint of a meaningful smile. "Are you getting up or sleeping a bit longer?"
Zhao Heng, seeing the smile on his lips, nestled in the blanket and lazily replied, "Tired."
"I had Lian Zhou bring you some food, get up and eat before going back to sleep," Li Wenjian bent down, reaching out to lift both the blanket and her into his arms. "How about that?"
He lowered his head, noticing a faint bruise under her eyes, he gently caressed it with his fingertips.
However, Zhao Heng dodged his hand, burying her head in his chest, unable to meet his gaze. "I want to sleep a bit more."
"Alright, take a nap then," Li Wenjian patted her back as if soothing a child to sleep.
Zhao Heng tried to wriggle into bed, but he held her firmly, his arms around her.
"Don't move, there's a wound on my arm," Li Wenjian reminded her in a low voice.
She turned back to glare at him upon hearing that, apparently still upset about last night's incident.
"You still remember the wound on your arm?"
The wound had opened last night, dripping blood all over her legs, almost scaring her senseless.
"Thank you for your hard work," Li Wenjian observed her for a moment before solemnly speaking.
Still groggy from sleep, it took Zhao Heng a moment to realize what he meant by 'hard work,' blushing, she said, "You're becoming less like a gentleman."
"We are husband and wife," Li Wenjian reached out to touch her face. "Between husband and wife, why adhere to the principles of a gentleman and a lady?"
He raised his eyes, a hint of joy sparkling in his deep gaze, then lowered his head by her ear, "Ah Heng, do you like my ungentlemanly ways?"
Zhao Heng looked back at him, seeing his bright smile, her face flushing almost to the point of bleeding, she raised her hand to cover her ears, refusing to listen to his playful words.
"No more," Zhao Heng's long eyelashes fluttered, her voice soft and gentle as she said, "Go handle your state affairs."
Li Wenjian's lips curved slightly, a hint of a smile on his face as he held her close, leaning into her chest.
"I have to go to the Shenji Camp now, I can't have a meal with you, I'll come back to be with you tonight."
Zhao Heng lifted her gaze to him, her face reddening even more, and she lowered her voice, reluctantly pushing him away, "Your Highness, please go now."
Li Wenjian embraced her, gently kissing the faint red mark on her neck, his chin touching her collarbone, saying, "Hmm, I'm leaving."
Zhao Heng curled up in the blanket, listening to his footsteps fade away, the sound of the beaded curtains diminishing, before cautiously peeking out like a turtle.
She lowered her eyes, shaking her slightly sore wrist.
*
The grassland stretched for miles, the setting sun casting a faint glow where it met the sky.
"Aunt, you need to learn quickly," Ning Wan Zhi walked slowly across the dry grassland, holding the horse's reins and looking up at Zhao Heng on the horseback. "I'm about to leave the capital."
"Why? Where are you going?"
Ning Wanzhi scoffed lightly. "Why else? The noble women in the capital are so annoying, always eyeing unmarried girls like me. My family's door has been trampled by people trying to introduce suitors to me all the time."
"I'm going to Meizhou. My father said the Crown Prince is preparing for war with Yan Chi and he wants me to help him."
Zhao Heng's eyes sparkled with a touch of envy. "Will Xiao Ning still be able to fight?"
"I'll just follow my father's lead when the time comes."
Ning Wanzhi tilted her face upwards, bathed in the golden rays of the setting sun.
"Xiao Ning, don't you want to get married?" Zhao Heng asked.
Ning Wanzhi shook her head. "I only want to marry Xiao Silang. I liked him when I first saw him at ten years old, it's been six years. Aunt, I've always wanted to marry him. But he doesn't like me, and I can't force the issue."
"Is it only him for you?" Zhao Heng inquired.
Ning Wanzhi thought seriously for a moment, then nodded. "Maybe I won't like him in the future, but for now, I do. When I like someone, it's only them for me. If I have to settle and marry someone else, I'd rather not get married."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng didn't know what to say. She had thought Ning Wanzhi's feelings for Xiao Silang would gradually fade, but she didn't expect her unwavering affection for him, to the extent of not wanting to marry anyone else.
She was usually very open-minded, not fond of dwelling on overly melancholic emotions. She asked Zhao Heng, "Do you also think I'm going against convention?"
Unconsciously, Zhao Heng touched the vine bracelet on her wrist. "No, Xiao Ning. Everyone has their reasons, you don't have to conform to others' expectations. Whether to get married or not is your own choice. Maybe in the broader horizons of Meizhou, you'll achieve something extraordinary. Your life shouldn't be judged by others."
Ning Wanzhi looked surprised, having heard others criticize her for going against convention lately, even some claiming her father didn't teach his daughter manners properly.
Originally thinking that Aunt Zhao Heng, being so gentle and meticulous, would hope she would soon discuss marriage proposals, she was surprised to hear her say these words.
No wonder.
Ning Wanzhi stared at her silently, her eyes slightly moist, before saying, "Aunt, it's great to know you. I want to be good friends with you for a lifetime."
Zhao Heng turned her head, took the reins, and faced the wind on the grassland, the tassels on her temples swaying gently. "Okay."
She tightened her grip on the reins, legs clasped around the horse's belly, urging the horse forward.
Ning Wanzhi's expression changed. "Aunt, you're not skilled at riding yet!"
"You can't always lead my horse, I have to learn to ride on my own. Isn't that what you said? You learn after falling a few times." With a lift of its hooves, the horse pranced unsteadily beside her.
On their way back to the palace from the grassland, they stopped by the street to buy Eight-Treasure Cake to take to the Third Princess' residence.
The child was still young and hadn't caused any trouble for the Third Princess yet, who was still energetic and talking with them in the courtyard.
Xiao Zheng Hanlin was also at the mansion today, taking a break.
Upon learning of the visit from Zhou Heng and Ning Wanzhi, servants were quickly sent to offer fruits and tea and then went to the study.
Xiao Zheng Hanlin rarely had time off, so Zhou Heng did not stay long and soon took her leave. Despite the third princess's insistence on staying, she eventually escorted them to the front gate.
As they approached the gate, the third princess faintly saw a figure standing with hands behind the back under the eaves. She pointed at him and teased Zhou Heng, "No wonder you couldn't stay, you had someone waiting to receive you."
Following her gaze, Zhou Heng saw the figure under the deepening twilight and the golden hues of the wutong trees. The figure, bathed in moonlight, wore a faint smile.
"I didn't ask him to come," Zhou Heng explained quietly, "He must have passed by on his way back from the Shengji Camp."
The Shengji Camp and the third princess's residence were in opposite directions, so how did he end up here? The third princess shook her head in amusement as she watched Zhou Heng approach the figure, her skirt swaying as she walked towards her brother.
Since the death of his sworn brother Wei Zhan, the crown prince had been burdened by self-imposed guilt. It was only after Zhou Heng entered the Eastern Palace that he started to smile more often.
"How come you're here?" Zhou Heng hadn't even approached yet when Li Wenjian extended his hand toward her.
Feeling awkward in front of the onlookers, Zhou Heng pretended not to notice and quickly climbed onto the carriage. Li Wenjian lowered his hand, but couldn't help but protectively touch the carriage door.
"You're back early today, aren't you? I thought you'd be back late," Zhou Heng poured herself a cup of tea and drank it in one go.
Sitting up straight, Li Wenjian replied, "I have to leave again tomorrow, so I heard you were at Jun Ning's residence on my way back."
Noticing the indifferent tone in his voice, Zhou Heng glanced at him. He was holding a book, reading under the dim light of the lamp. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and his slender fingers, illuminated by the warm yellow light, gleamed with a radiant whiteness.
Watching his distinct hand bones, Zhou Heng felt her cheeks flush.
"Your Highness," she called out.
"Hmm?" His gaze never left the pages.
Moving closer to him, Zhou Heng cupped his face, forcing him to meet her eyes.
They stood there, facing each other.
"Your Highness," she called out again, looking into his eyes.
Her hand was warm, and Li Wenjian met her gaze, seeing his reflection in her eyes. His lips curled slightly.
Zhou Heng leaned in and kissed his lips.
In the dim and warm candlelight, she heard herself say, "Why are you so stingy? A kiss to make amends, okay?"
Her cheeks were slightly red, her breath carried a hint of grass, and her long, thick eyelashes trembled.
"Okay."
Seeing him smile but not respond, Zhou Heng shook his face in her hands.
In the next moment, his hand firmly grasped the back of her head, somewhat forcefully, pressing her against the carriage wall, engaging in a passionate kiss.
"That's more like it," he said as he released her, their breath still mingling closely. Li Wenjian chuckled lightly, a hint of a smile dancing in his eyes.
Taking in a sharp breath, Zhou Heng rubbed her arms and furrowed her brows slightly.
"Did you hurt yourself while riding?" Li Wenjian freed his hand, pulling her into his embrace, and gently touched the bruise on her arm.
Showing him the marks left by the reins on her palm, Zhou Heng said, "I fell off a few times, not too serious. Just need a couple of days to recover. I can already ride at a trot today."
Curious, Li Wenjian rolled up her sleeve and examined the bruises on her arms.
Zhou Heng smiled softly, "I've always wanted to learn how to ride, but there were too many things to learn before. I'll take it one step at a time."
Seeing her covered in bruises from the fall, Li Wenjian felt a mix of pity and helplessness.
Falling off a horse was part of the learning process, and he wouldn't stop her. From his pocket, he took out a small bottle, uncorked it, dipped his finger in the powder, and applied it to her wound.
Feeling a slight sting as the powder touched her wound, Zhou Heng looked at the jade crown atop his dark hair, feeling a warmth in her heart, and reached out to hug his head.
"A Heng." Suddenly, Li Wenjian called her by her name.
The fur on his cloak tickled her neck as the wind blew, making her smile as she met his gaze and said, "What's wrong, Your Highness?"
Li Wenjian's eyes narrowed as he stared at her, asking, "Do you have any other injuries?"
Realizing what he was referring to, Zhou Heng's smile froze for a moment, nervously grabbing her dress. "N-no."
Li Wenjian nodded gently, moving her hand away from her dress, and said seriously, "A Heng, you have to get used to it. We are the closest people in the world. There is nothing we can't say to each other, nowhere... we can't look."
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Author's Note:
Lianzhou: What were these two up to last night that they're still not getting up?
Li Gouzi: Just a simple skill practice~