Chapter 67
Outside the hall, a fine mist of rain was falling, as Li Wenjian sat at his desk and looked out the window. The rain created a thin layer of mist, enveloping the courtyard in a white haze.
The celestial charts sent by the astronomical observatory indicated rainy days ahead, unsuitable for hunting.
Lost in contemplation of the misty rain, Li Wenjian was suddenly brought back to reality by a pair of pristine white hands holding a sandalwood medicine box in front of him.
As he caught a whiff of the bitter medicine scent emanating from the box, he realized that he had become accustomed to this daily routine of applying medicine.
Meeting the cold gaze of Zhao Heng, he obediently extended his arm, placing it on the desk. Zhao Heng pursed her thin lips, squatting by his side, wordlessly untying the bandage on his sleeve and rolling it up to his elbow.
Carefully unwrapping the gauze on his arm, she used a bamboo stick to scrape away the dried blood and powdered medicine, before dabbing the wound with cotton cloth soaked in strong alcohol.
Li Wenjian couldn't help but inhale sharply, then glanced at Zhao Heng. She had just finished bathing, her body still moist and dripping water from her hair, which cascaded down the wide neckline of her robe, soaking the fabric on her chest.
With her head bent, tending to the wound, her neck formed a graceful arc.
Being thin-skinned, she was still upset over a joke from the afternoon and refused to speak to him.
However, upon hearing his sharp intake of breath, although she remained motionless, her eyelids involuntarily fluttered, and her actions became gentler.
Li Wenjian subtly smiled and bent down to examine her delicate face up close. Zhao Heng pursed her lips and said sulkily, "Your Highness, you're blocking the light."
"Are you still angry?" Li Wenjian's smile widened.
As Zhao Heng turned her head to grab a piece of gauze, she accidentally bumped into his chin, causing his soft, cool lips to brush across her forehead. Instinctively pushing back, she was a beat too slow as he grasped her slender waist, pulling her back onto his lap.
Li Wenjian hugged her from behind, his fingers curling around her waist, gently caressing her. Leaning in close to her ear, his voice deep and husky, with a hint of supplication, he said, "Don't be mad, Ah Heng."
In the dim daylight, he brushed aside her damp hair, cupping her face and lowering his head to delicately stroke her ear, whispering, "I was wrong. I won't speak night words during the day again."
Her eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, her fingers unconsciously curling as she gripped the edge of the table.
Struggling to push him away, Zhao Heng felt his palm against her lower back, and with a slight exertion of his arms, he lifted her onto the desk, holding her in his arms.
Her bedroom slippers still on her feet, they dangled in the air as he lifted her. Her embroidered cherry blossom shoes fell to the ground, revealing a pair of slender, snow-white feet swinging in the air, toes tightly curled.
Her wet hair continued to drip, and as she turned to reach for a handkerchief, she was caught off guard as he grabbed her hand, pulling her back towards him.
"Don't be angry." Li Wenjian pulled her into his arms and kissed her affectionately on the back of her head.
She couldn't escape his tender kisses, her toes curling tighter, her lips sealed, refusing to make a sound.
Sitting on the desk, Zhao Heng's pale skirt cascaded in layers in front of her.
Li Wenjian, patient and gentle, continued kissing her, his slender fingers smoothing out her skirt inch by inch.
His fingertips occasionally brushed against the embroidered cherry blossom pattern on her skirt.
With feather-light strokes, accompanied by delicate touches, he traced patterns on her silk-like fabric. Zhao Heng raised her hand to press on his assertive one, but he held her tightly against him, embracing her back firmly.
"Don't be angry," he whispered huskily.
Her damp hair pressed against his arm, thoroughly wetting his clothes.
With both of Zhao Heng's hands resting on his shoulders, the warm lamplight cast long shadows on the desk, casting a tall figure that enveloped her entirely.
She looked up but couldn't see his face clearly, only a pair of damp eyes reflecting the lamplight.
As they locked eyes, she suddenly scolded, "Rogue."
Lian Zhou was in the bedroom, the bedding was neatly arranged, the stove filled with smokeless silver charcoal, the window half-open, ready for bed. Waiting and waiting, but they still hadn't returned. Just as she was about to go to the study to remind her that it was getting late and time to sleep, she saw Li Wenjian returning with Zhao Heng in his arms.
Zhao Heng was wrapped in Li Wenjian's cloak, the long cape covering her from head to toe, the fox-fur hat shading her face.
"What's wrong, My Lady?" Lianzhou approached with a lantern, looking puzzled.
Li Wenjian nonchalantly replied, "Nothing, just accidentally spilled a bucket of water and got wet. You can go rest now."
Lian Zhou shot a questioning glance and couldn't understand why he would carry back wet shoes.
She didn't understand.
As the night grew late, Lian Zhou bid farewell with a bow, yawning as she made her way to the side room.
Li Wenjian carried Zhao Heng into the bedroom, sat her on the bed, and removed the cloak that exuded a masculine scent before tucking her in.
He held her ankle, looking down at her with a smile, "Go wash up before sleeping."
Feeling embarrassed, Zhao Heng bit her lip, her face still flushed, her feet feeling both cold and warm. She weakly said, "Please let go of me first."
"Sit still like a good girl." He released her and tousled her hair.
Li Wenjian turned to the cabinet to fetch clean clothes, bending down to unfasten Zhao Hrng's robe.
Her heart pounding, Zhao Heng widened her eyes, looking at him as she nervously said, "I can do it myself."
Meeting her guarded gaze, Li Wenjian found it amusing. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered softly, "I caused this mess, so I'll handle it. Otherwise, someone might get angry again."
She lifted her eyes slightly, while he lowered his head, his lips slightly flushed.
Blushing, she weakly retorted, "Who, who would be angry?"
His kiss landed on her lips.
He was already skilled at this, clouding her mind, causing her to grab his shirt helplessly, struggling to withstand the weight of his passionate kiss.
His head rested against her shoulder, his breath soft and warm. As he caught the scent of her perfumed exhale, he leaned in and kissed her cheek, his voice a hushed whisper, "No more sulking."
Zhao Heng turned her head away, her hands entwined around his neck, she hummed softly, "I wasn't sulking."
"Then why did you stop talking to me?" His eyes, bathed in the warm glow of the room, held a gentle, captivating tenderness.
Zhao Heng pursed her lips, her forehead pressed against his chest, she mumbled, "Who told you to tease me?"
Li Wenjian gathered her long hair, placing a kiss on her neck. Zhao Heng straightened up abruptly, her soft hands hastily covering his mouth, her eyes wide with a warning as she shook her head.
Then, suddenly remembering what those hands had just done, she quickly pulled them away from his face, rubbing her palms together self-consciously.
Li Wenshan touched his nose, chuckling, "Who's teasing whom now?"
Zhao Heng's gaze darted away, then met his eyes, her voice barely a whisper, "Then... we're even."
She rubbed her still burning palms once more.
"Very well, we're even," Li Wenjian's voice held a hint of huskiness.
Zhao Heng detected the unusual tone in his voice, grabbed the clothes placed nearby, slipped on the slippers by the bed, and made her escape. "I'm going to bathe first."
A fine drizzle fell, the sound of water a gentle murmur.
When Zhao Heng emerged from the bath, Li Wenshan had already finished his own. Clad in a loose-fitting robe of the color of mountain mist, the collar slightly unbuttoned, revealing a beautifully shaped collarbone on his right shoulder, adorned with a neat row of bite marks. He stood by the wardrobe for a while, carefully selecting his attire.
"What are you looking for?"
Li Wenjian didn't answer, turning to look at her sleepy figure, he couldn't help but reach out and stroke her head, "Are you feeling tired?"
Zhao Heng nodded, admitting that she was a bit.
"Have you washed properly?" Li Wenjian pinched her earlobe.
Zhao Heng, exhausted, gave him a sideways glance, crawled onto the bed, wrapped herself in the covers, and turned to face the wall.
A glimmer of amusement flashed in Li Wenjian's raven eyes. He blew out the candle on the bedside table, followed suit by removing his shoes and getting into bed. Reaching out, he grasped her shoulder, gently turning her face towards him, making her lie on her side.
Zhao Heng covered her face with her hands, burying her head in his chest, not wanting him to see her flushed, burning cheeks any longer.
*
The next morning, Zhao Heng awoke to the faint scent of Li Wenjian lingering in her nostrils. She opened her eyes, and as far as she could see, he was already out of bed.
Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she recalled the events of the previous night and remained in a daze for a while.
Rubbing her cheeks, she pulled herself away from those lingering thoughts.
Through the faint light filtering through the curtains, she glanced at the hourglass on the bedside table. It was getting late. Today, she had an appointment with Ning Wanzhi to go horseback riding in the grasslands. Ignoring the soreness in her legs, she threw off the covers and got out of bed.
On the table lay a set of clothes prepared by Lian Zhou. She unfolded the garment and put it on, only to discover it was a slim-fitting riding outfit with sleeves. Unlike her usual riding attire, this one had leather panels sewn onto the back.
Puzzled for a moment, she changed into the outfit and gathered her long hair. The riding outfit made her look quite spirited. She smiled at herself in the mirror.
She rubbed her sore wrist and then took a step towards the door. As she opened the door, Lian Zhou walked in with a bowl of milk soup in her hands, and then looked up at Zhaoheng, "My Lady is awake, this outfit fits so well, it fits your waist perfectly, not an inch off."
Zhao Heng had improved her health since autumn, and her waist had grown an inch since the summer when she had new clothes made. She blinked and asked, "When was the riding suit made? Am I that noticeably fat?"
"A few days ago, Aunt Wang from the Tailor's Office came to take measurements, it seems like it's for the winter hunting outfits for the palace ladies. You were at the academy at the time," Lian Zhou said cheerfully. "I gave Aunt Wang your measurements, and His Highness happened to hear and made some adjustments. It turns out the fit is just right."
Zhao Heng was momentarily stunned, realizing why he had been embracing her and measuring her body these past few days.
He had been measuring her size.
After washing her face and calming down the heat a bit, Zhao Heng put the towel aside and looked at Lian Zhou, "Has His Highness gone to court?"
"He disbanded court early today and has already gone to the Shenji Camp."
Zhao Heng nodded, hastily finishing her breakfast, planning to first go to the Pearl Mirror Pavilion to meet with Li Nanxi, and then leave the palace.
As she walked out of the Chengming Hall, she ran into Fei Yu, a young boy with a light gait, who greeted her cheerfully and walked past her into the hall.
Zhao Heng turned to watch his back, suddenly catching sight of a swift wind bird perched on the palace wall behind him.
Feiy Yu ran into the Chengming Hall, and the bird that had been perched on the wall flapped its wings to follow him, disappearing through the door.
She blinked slowly, wondering why the bird was following Fei Yu.
As the dawn light shimmered before her, she turned and headed towards the Pearl Mirror Pavilion.
Li Nanxi had been eagerly anticipating leaving the palace for a ride for a long time, getting up early to groom herself, have breakfast, and obediently wait for Zhao Heng to come get her. When she still didn't show up, Li Nanxi was so anxious that she almost rushed to the Chengming Hall to find out.
Finally hearing the palace maids report that Zhao Heng had arrived, she felt like she had heard heavenly music, lifting her skirts and rushing outside.
Like a fluttering butterfly, she threw herself into Zhao Heng's arms, complaining softly, "Why did it take you so long to come? I was getting impatient."
"It's all my fault, I overslept and kept Xiao Ba waiting for a long time," Zhao Heng said apologetically.
Li Nanxi had always been very understanding towards her, her eyes slightly curved as she said, "Don't do this next time, I worry about you."
"Okay," Zhao Heng took her hand and they walked out of the palace.
The Ning Wanzhi's mansion was very close to the grasslands, and when they arrived, Ning Wanzhi rode her horse over, the bells on her harness jingling in the wind.
"You're here," she giggled, still the carefree young girl she always was.
Zhao Heng had heard that the guards from the Xie Marquis' mansion had knelt in front of her gate for three days.
After three days, she finally opened the gate, holding the nine-section whip her father had specially made for her, and whipped the guards until they were bloody, then lightly told the Marquis Xie, "From now on, we are even."
Li Nanxi shook the paper kite in her hand and laughed with starlight in her eyes, "Your auntie made paper kites for us, Xiao Ning, let's fly kites together."
"Okay," Ning Wanzhi smiled brightly, pointing to one of them and saying, "I want this one."
Li Nanxi generously handed out the kites to her.
There were people running horses on the field, and Zhao Heng took them to the back of the mountain to fly the kites.
"Xiao Ning, when will you go to Meizhou?" Li Nanxi looked up at Ning Wanzhi.
Ning Wanzhi sighed, "The household is already packing up, we will probably set off in a few days."
Zhao Heng twisted the kite string in her hand, looking at the kites floating in the sky, she turned to Ning Wanzhi and asked gently, "Xiao Ning, have you made up your mind?"
"Yes!" Ning Wanzhi nodded, "I have."
A gust of wind suddenly blew, causing Ning Wanzhi's kite to tangle with Zhao Heng's kite. Ning Wanzhi quickly tried to reel in the string, but it snapped, and her kite swayed and fell towards the mountain below.
"Oh, it broke," Ning Wanzhi exclaimed as she watched the kite plummet.
"It's okay," Zhao Heng handed her own reel to her. "Hold this for me, I'll go and retrieve it."
She walked down the hill along the path, and saw the kite stuck in the high treetops. An Xuzhi happened to be there and managed to retrieve it.
Turning around, An Xuzhi noticed the golden light filtering through the dense leaves of the forest, casting fragments of light on her golden skirt, creating intermittent splashes of golden hues.
Standing on the moist mossy steps, she seemed like a butterfly emerging from the depths of the forest, fluttering her beautiful wings, as if she would be overjoyed to see him as before, and would lovingly call him "Bai Yu".
This was a scene that had appeared countless times in his dreams as he traveled south. He returned from the south to the capital with his A Heng standing in the light.
However, Zhao Heng's footsteps came to a halt, neither of them had the right to move forward.
Her dark eyes gleamed brightly as she looked at him, her voice calm, "Xiao Silang."
An Xuzhi looked into her composed and flickering eyes, and simply acknowledged with a "mm".
They were both trying to adjust to their new identities.
"Are your injuries getting better?" Zhao Heng looked at him openly.
"Thank you for your concern, they are much better now," An Xuzhi replied, looking back at her. The title "Aunt" (Shenshen) was still difficult for him to say.
After a pause, he asked, "Is Xiao Ning here?"
"Sister Ah Heng!" Ning Wanzhi walked down the path with Li Nanxi. When Li Nanxi saw An Xuzhi, she sweetly called out, "Xiao Silang."
"Xiao Ba," An Xuzhi nodded, his gaze towards the young girl carried a hint of warmth, but when his eyes fell on Ning Wanzhi standing beside her, she immediately turned her head away.
"Xiao Ba, come over here," Zhao Heng smiled lightly, then said to Ning Wanzhi, "Xiao Silang has something to tell you, we'll wait for you at the foot of the mountain."
She led Li Nanxi down the mountain.
An Xuzhi glanced deeply at her, understanding her intention, he did not linger, and slowly walked towards Ning Wanzhi.
"Have your wounds healed?" Ning Wanzhi asked uneasily, her fingers tightly clutching the hem of her skirt.
An Xuzhi nodded, "Much better."
Ning Wanzhi smiled, "I'm glad you're alright."
The mountain path was quiet, with only occasional birds flapping their wings and soaring out of the forest, letting out short, piercing cries.
In the past, when they met, Ning Wanzhi would have endless things to say, but now she didn't know what to say. She tugged at her skirt for a while and said, "Aunt is waiting for me, I'll go first."
As she walked down the mountain, when she passed by him, his expression flickered slightly, and he called out softly, "Xiao Ning."
Ning Wanzhi turned to look at him, "Hmm?"
An Xuzhi was silent for a long time before raising his eyelashes to look at her, "Xiao Ning, would you like to marry me and be my wife?"
The weather was beautiful today, the sunlight was brilliant, it was a sunny and windy day after many days of continuous rain.
Ning Wanzhi was stunned, and after a moment she raised her hand and rubbed her face, it was real, not a dream.
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TNote:
[1] 婶婶 (ShÄnshen): This translates to "paternal uncle's wife." It refers to the wife of your father's brother (your uncle).