Chapter 85
Dazzling fireworks painted the distant sky, their brilliance rivaling the countless stars that twinkled overhead.
Surprise flickered across Zhao Heng's face, then blossomed into a joyful exclamation. "Your Highness, you've returned?"
He strode into the room, his steps light with relief. Turning, he wrapped her in a warm embrace, his voice softening as he murmured, "Tell me, how have you been these days?"
Suddenly, it stirred her warmth, and Zhao Heng nestled in his embrace, saying, "I'm fine in every way, just missing you a bit."
He remained silent, stroking her temples, this kind of intimacy soothing his weary from the long journey.
Outside the window, the stars shone brilliantly, red plums swayed in front of the window, and the crystal bead curtains rustled in the wind, making a clear tinkling sound. His silver-white robe, under the starlight's glow, spun into a golden hue.
Holding her, he gently swayed her, lazily whispering in her ear, "I originally planned to come back after the new year. Knowing you'd miss me, I hurried back well before the New Year."
Warmth welled up in Zhao Heng's eyes.
"With a pile of responsibilities and a long journey, Your Highness must be exhausted, right?" She raised her face, her delicate brows furrowed, looking at him with a touch of concern.
"The journey wasn't tiring, marching three hundred miles a day with the army was nothing. It didn't feel difficult before, but now it's different. I just want to come home sooner." His cool cheek lightly brushed against hers.
His words were cryptic, half-revealing yet so captivating.
Zhao Heng tiptoed, holding him tighter.
He invaded her thoughts, his presence so overwhelming she was momentarily lost. Before she could react, he was there, one hand cupping the back of her head, the other gently tilting her chin. His lips brushed against her closed eyes, a soft, teasing caress.
Her breath caught in her throat as she felt the warmth of his breath against her skin. His touch was electric, sending shivers down her spine. She could feel his heart pounding against her own, a rhythm that matched the wild beat of her own.
As his lips moved closer, she closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment. His kiss was slow and deliberate, a dance of tongues and a battle of wills. She could taste the sweetness of his lips, the warmth of his breath, and the intoxicating scent of him.
The man's breath, accompanied by the cold snow wind, carried an uncontrollable affection.
Her body trembled beneath his touch, a response she couldn't control. She was lost in the moment, consumed by the intensity of their connection.
Just then, there was a light, graceful sound of footsteps outside.
As the footsteps approached slowly, the two embraced individuals regained their composure. Li Wenjian let go of Zhao Heng, cradling her face as she closed her eyes.
She slowly opened her quivering eyelashes, her gaze unfocused. Her snow-white soft gown had become loose from his caresses, a spot on her neck reddened from his kisses, resembling red plum petals scattered on layers of falling snow.
Li Wenjian's heart raced, the longing rolling in his bones burning him like molten lava. He was nearly unable to restrain himself from continuing on.
"My Lady, did you call for me?" Lian Zhou's voice came from outside.
Zhao Heng opened her eyes and looked at Li Wenjian. Her legs felt weak, her whole body tingling intensely. Leaning against his slightly cold body with the support of his arm, she took a slow breath and said, "Instruct the kitchen to prepare some food, His Highness has returned."
She glanced at Li Wenjian again. His deep, ink-like eyes were fixed on her, seeming displeased that she had allowed others to interrupt their tender moment.
Lian Zhou's footsteps disappeared outside the corridor once again as Zhao Heng gently stroked his back. "Your Highness is covered in snow, I'll go and prepare hot water for you to bathe and change."
He had promised verbally, but his actions remained the same. He continued to embrace her for a while before letting go.
Watching Zhao Heng's retreating figure, Li Wenjian couldn't help but smile. Thinking back to their intimacy just now, his ears gradually grew warm, and subconsciously, he touched his slightly hot ears.
Though well past the age of youthful passion, he still acted like a young boy at times. When he was teasing her by cradling her face, there was no trace of his usual cool composure. He was like a wolf cub encountering a little lamb.
Li Wenjian hadn't expected to have such sentimental feelings one day.
In order to return early, he had been studying military defenses in the army today. On his way back, what was originally a five or six-day journey turned out to be only three days.
Thoughts of his soft pillow at home, his beloved parents, and unending love kept him strong throughout the long journey.
Before returning to the palace, he had already galloped on horseback for several hours. Still, not made of stone, he pressed his throbbing temple, walked to the bedside, and his gaze paused on the paper and pen on the table.
Spread out on the plum blossom letter paper, a beautifully written small cursive hand only contained a few words -
"Your Highness, your letter is as welcoming as your presence."
The ink had not yet dried, shimmering with a glossy black sheen under the dim yellow light.
It must have been written recently.
Li Wenjian felt his emotions relax, suddenly understanding that on this day of reunion for all families, she had also been missing him. After the reunion dinner and fireworks, back in their own little nest, she laid out the paper, slowly ground the ink, and began to write a long letter to him.
But he had suddenly interrupted her by returning. She had hastily dropped the pen, causing the ink to drip into large droplets on the paper.
What would she have wanted to tell him?
Li Wenjian couldn't help but wonder.
Was she going to wish him a happy new year?
Or discuss the trivial matters of these days as usual?
He smoothed out the letter paper, picked up the pen she had left, and added a line of small characters after her handwriting.
- "There's not a day I don't think of you."
Just as he finished writing, Zhao Heng pushed the bead curtain aside and walked into the room.
First, Zhao Heng went to the cabinet and took out his nightgown and a brand new towel, then lazily made her way towards Li Wenjian.
"Your Highness," she bent down, her disheveled long hair cascading down, brushing against Li Wenjian's ears before slipping off and landing on his clearly defined hand back.
Since Zhao Heng had opened the curtain to come in, Li Wenjian had already stopped his actions, leaning half against the soft bed, watching her step closer with each stride. When she finally leaned in, he raised his eyebrows, embracing her shoulders and continuing the interrupted kiss from before.
Zhao Heng's eyelashes fluttered like butterflies, and when she couldn't catch her breath fast enough, she pushed him away.
Feeling a sudden coldness in his palm, she lowered her gaze and saw a jade pendant in his hand.
The white jade was inscribed with the year of this year.
"Ah Heng, Happy New Year," he brushed her smooth forehead with the jade, speaking warmly to her on this cozy winter night.
With a gentle smile on her lips, Zhao Heng held Li Wenjian's hand on her waist and softly said, "Thank you for the gift."
She held his hand, leaned down, gazing at him with smiling eyes, gradually getting closer to his ear and whispering softly, "Go bathe quickly, I have a gift for you too."
The most precious gift.
She pressed her soft lips against his earlobe, adding in a soft murmur, "I've been preparing for a long time."
Li Wenjian agreed, gently caressing her cheek with his fingertips before letting her go, reminding her, "Put on your outer robe."
Zhao Heng nodded as she watched him head back to the living room, then she went to the wooden stool to pick up the crane cloak to put on herself, preparing dinner for him.
At this hour, most of the kitchen staff had already finished their work and could only hastily prepare some simple dishes. Organizing everything on the table one by one and setting the wine and dishes, she lazily leaned against the beauty couch. The fire burning in the stove stirred her hair at the temple, and she lowered her eyes, gazing tenderly at her small abdomen.
Lost in thought, Li Wenjian emerged from the living room, now clad in a frost-colored robe with a dark cloud pattern, exuding a bright and starry air wherever he went.
Zhao Heng observed Li Wenjian's features a little longer before walking to the table to serve him.
Due to the child in her belly, her appetite had been poor lately, feeling a sense of discomfort at the smell of cooking oil. She forced herself to finish the meal with Li Wenjian, then walked to the window, gently pushing it open.
The cool breeze on her face dispersed some of the tightness in her chest.
"Aren't you going to give me a gift?" Li Wenjian rinsed his mouth with green salt, hugged her from behind, burying his face in her neck.
Having not seen each other for over ten days, Zhao Heng had slimmed down a bit, but her complexion was excellent, as beautiful as a silver moon. She was dressed in a apricot nightgown, draped in a smoke-purple crane cloak, the skirt swaying lightly even without wind.
He had an inexplicable fondness for her, an irresistible infatuation. And her response to his advances was always warmly reciprocated.
But this time was different; she held his hands resting on her belly and playfully said, "Not today."
Thinking she was on her monthly cycle and feeling unwell, he did not insist. He found solace in their proximity, but she suddenly turned around, hugging him tightly and called out softly, "Shu Lang."
Li Wenjian was slightly taken aback; she nestled against his chest and repeatedly called out his name as he chuckled. Holding her hair in one hand, he asked, "Why so clingy, just like a cat."
She closed her eyes and sighed, "Before, I saw the world as hell, but meeting you made me feel it was worth it."
Holding her tightly, he said, "Fool, if it weren't for me, perhaps there would be someone better to accompany you."
He added with a smile, "Xiao Silang is much better than me. Being with him would mean fewer scheming and cunning."
He didn't know that in her heart, he was already the best person. While Xiao Silang was good, they just lacked that bit of fate. Sharing a journey together was a blessing from the heavens. Now, she held no resentment, betrayal, or regret.
"But I only want you," she took his hand, placing it gently on her still flat belly, pressing her cheek against his chest, carefully listening to his heartbeat, and softly said, "Can you feel it? This is the gift I'm giving you."
Li Wenjian pondered for a moment before following her gaze down, she guided his large, warm hand to her belly.
"Are you pregnant?" Li Wenjian's eyes were fixed on her, fearing to miss any slight change in expression.
Seeing her blush and a flutter in her gaze, she slightly lowered her head, softly answering, "Physician Zheng said it's almost two months."
At that moment, he felt an inexplicable shudder running through his body, a strange and untimely sense of bitterness threatening to spill from his eyes.
"Why didn't you write to tell me?" Bending down, he held her shoulders, trying to make eye contact, to see everything in her eyes.
Smiling, Zhao Heng said, "I wanted to tell you in person when you came back."
Before she could finish, she noticed the mist forming heavier in his eyes, almost transforming into pale water droplets, hesitating to fall. Looking at his expression, she suddenly felt a sense of panic and asked, "Are you upset?"
He replied, "I just didn't expect to become a father so soon. When I was young, my father wasn't around, so I don't know how to be a father."
Grasping his robe, Zhao Heng looked him in the eye and earnestly said, "You will be a wonderful father."
"I will do my best, Ah Heng," Li Wenjian seemed to be saying to Zhao Heng, but also to himself.
Li Wenjian seemed even more nervous than Zhao Heng. After letting her go, he aimlessly paced around the room, touching the bead curtain and the long table, until the midnight tolling of the gong arrived.
Zhao Heng couldn't help but remind him with a smile, "It's time to sleep."
"Yes, I got carried away with excitement and forgot that you need to rest well now." He personally lifted Zhao Heng and carried her to bed.
Hooking her neck with his own, she leaned into his embrace and said, "Actually, I'm not that fragile. Back in the village, many pregnant women still had to work even when they were six months pregnant."
Li Wenjian laid her on the bed, looking at her with lowered eyes, "I can't control what others do, but I don't want you to overexert yourself."
He reminded himself that he would soon be a father.
The sudden change in his status made him feel a sense of unreality, hurriedly settling her in bed, tucking her under the covers, and staring at her belly for a long time.
His every move was noticed by Zhao Heng. Since they met, she had never seen him so flustered and at a loss.
She asked him, "Do you want to feel him?"
"Is it okay?"
"Lightly, not too often," Zhao Heng guided his hand to her belly.
It was truly unbelievable.
Her smooth and flat belly would soon bulge in a few months, with a little person growing inside, connecting their bloodlines, just like him and Ah Heng.
They had created a vibrant life in this world, a miraculous and touching continuation of their bloodline.
A hot tear inexplicably rolled down his cheek.
Zhao Heng smiled at his sentimentality.
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Author's note:
Li Gouzi: I'm so happy, I finally became a dad.