Chapter 97
In early summer, the imperial army vigorously pursued Wang Zhao's group. Wang Zhao, leading the remnants of the former dynasty, fled south in a sorry state and encountered the ambush set by the second prince, Li Yicheng, who had quietly returned to lead the troops back to the capital.
With nowhere left to turn, Wang Zhao, in despair, took his own life.
Two months prior, General Xu had rushed to the aid of the Northern Mansion from Meizhou, successfully repelling the southern advance of the Northern Di people.
The Northern Di people, who had been hiding in the Wusi grasslands for many years, had planned to take advantage of this opportunity to launch a southern expedition. However, after suffering heavy losses, they fled north in a panic, attempting to return to the safety of the Wusi grasslands.
But General Xu led his troops deep into the heart of the grasslands, killing the Northern Di prince, Huyan Yu, on horseback. Shocked and frightened, the Northern Di king had no choice but to submit a letter, agreeing to return the sixteen northern cities that had been occupied during the final years of the previous dynasty.
In recent years, every battle in the Dongli had been victorious, greatly boosting morale and showcasing the prosperous growth of the dynasty.
In late spring, Li Wenjian issued a proclamation for the Imperial Examination in Autumn, drawing countless scholars from all corners of the empire to the capital, eager to showcase their talents for the flourishing of the nation.
Yesterday, the sun was shining brightly, but at dawn, the rain began to fall lightly.
Outside the Chengming Hall, the rain fell in a fine mist, creating a hazy atmosphere. The sound of the wind blowing against the pearl curtains was crisp and clear, disturbing the sleep of Zhao Heng, who frowned and tried to bury herself in the blankets.
Her belly had grown larger, making movement difficult, even the simple act of turning over was a challenge.
As soon as she moved, she woke up. She groggily opened her eyes and before she could fully see the person in front of her, Li Wenjian was already holding her face, leaning in to kiss her on the lips.
"Ah Heng, are you awake?"
Zhao Heng's cheeks blushed slightly as she pursed her lips and bashfully replied, "I haven't washed up yet, don't kiss me."
He lowered his eyelashes, pinched her cheek with his slender and fair fingers, then expressionlessly squeezed the back of her neck, causing her to shrug and shyly avoid his touch before he chuckled lightly, "Look at me."
Zhao Heng stared at him earnestly, blinking her eyes lightly, and joyfully asked, "Is your face healed now?"
Li Wenjian nodded, smiling down at her from above, and replied, "Yes."
She raised her hand and cupped his face. She had never seen his scars and didn't know how badly he had been injured during that time. For some reason, a faint sense of pity arose in her heart.
"So good looking." Zhao Heng raised the corners of her mouth and asked, "Why didn't you let me see your face before?"
"With a face full of scars, what's there to see?" Li Wenjian pointed to the corners of her mouth that were slightly raised and said softly.
Zhao Heng blinked, "Are you afraid that I'll be disgusted by your appearance?"
"No, my Ah Heng is the most wonderful in the world, not someone who judges others by their appearance." He softened his voice, gently stroking her bright eyes, "I don't want your eyes to see those dirty things again."
During her years as a medicine subject, she had often suffered from ulcers on her face due to taking various medications.
And her injuries had worsened and festered on her face after not receiving timely treatment.
He wished he could go back in time and erase the shadows that had shrouded her life, never wanting to stir up her memories again.
After a pause, Zhao Heng lifted her hand to the back of his neck, kissed his eye, and then planted a lingering kiss by his ear.
"Your Highness, the reports sent to Qingzhou have returned."
The cautious voice of a messenger could be heard outside the hall door.
The sleeping chamber had been adorned with a new summer mosquito net, light and soft, allowing the daylight to filter in unobstructed. Zhao Heng could see the tips of his ears turning red.
She obediently nestled in his embrace, reaching out to hold him and nuzzling against him, "It's time to get up."
Li Wenjian held her in his arms, emitting a muted hum, tinged with restrained emotions and desire, "Do you have plans for today?"
"Yueli is leaving the palace, I'll go send her off."
He responded softly, reaching out to caress her head, "We'll have our midday meal together."
Zhao Heng watched him lift the curtain and walk out, then called for Lian Zhou to assist her in changing her clothes. After freshening up, she had her breakfast in the hall.
The rain fell gently, casting a slightly dreary hue over the bright sky. Birds perched on the eaves fluttered their wings, occasionally letting out a melodious chirp.
Yueli, dressed plainly, ascended the steps with an oil paper umbrella in hand. The edges of her skirt were dampened by rain, brushing against her shoes, staining the beautifully embroidered peonies on them with dirt.
Lin Mama silently watched her approach from under the eaves, taking the umbrella from her as she reached the shelter, "Miss, give it to me."
"Thank you, Lin Mama." Yueli nodded lightly, handing over the folded oil paper umbrella before making her way into the hall.
Zhao Heng sat behind the desk, pen in hand, writing a plan for opening a women's medical clinic. Just as she set down her pen, a palace maid came to report, "Lady, Miss Yueli is here."
Zhao Heng felt a surge of joy, walking with a light and brisk step.
"I heard you were unwell recently, but you're much better now?" Upon seeing Yueli, Zhao Heng couldn't wait to sit down, only expressing her concern, "I've been so busy lately, I haven't had the time to check on you."
"It was just a slight cold, I'm all better now." Yueli helped Zhao Heng sit down, her gaze falling on Zhao Heng's abdomen, and she smiled, "You're due to give birth in about two or three months, right?"
Zhao Heng lowered her eyelashes, her eyes filled with tenderness, "Yes, the imperial physician said around the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival."
Yueli looked at her smiling face, overflowing with happiness and joy, causing her to also lift the corners of her mouth, "It's a pity, I won't be able to see him."
"Have you made a decision?" Zhao Heng asked softly.
"I dreamt of him recently." Yueli sighed lightly, "He said the ones who harmed him have met their punishment, Ge Siqi has also met his demise, he told me to let go of the burden on my heart, to travel while I'm still young."
"To go see the ice and snow in the Northern lands, the grasslands and herds in the borderlands, the flowers and rain in the Southern rivers. That year, before he left for war, he made a promise with me."
That year, under the scorching sun, she was just fifteen years old but already the most skilled beast tamer in Beast Garden. Any wild creature in her hands would obediently listen to her commands. This included the fiery chestnut horse that he had brought.
That morning she rode the yet unknown Liefeng, galloping in the horse training grounds, and at the end of that dusty fenced area, she collided with the renowned young general, Wei Zhan.
She held the reins of her horse, sweating profusely under the scorching sun, barely able to see Wei Zhan's face clearly from atop the tall horse.
"You're really skilled."
She heard the young man's clear and soothing voice.
She was overjoyed, having been a servant in the palace for so long, to receive genuine praise from someone made her elated.
Later on, this person shamelessly frequented Beast Garden, sometimes seeking advice on taming beasts, sometimes claiming his family's cheetah was ill, asking if she could help... In short, he came up with many odd reasons.
He was quite talkative, but most of it was nonsense.
At first, she was filled with confusion and unease, how could two people from such disparate backgrounds be together?
She harbored a suppressed admiration that she rejected countless times.
It wasn't until that day she was taming a tiger, and it broke six of her ribs with a single kick. The imperial physicians said there was no cure.
She thought she was going to die, but he somehow found a miracle healer for her. He stayed by her side as long as she was ill, and when she woke up, seeing tears in his eyes and his haggard appearance caught her off guard.
But this rash man blurted out, "Don't think you can get rid of me by dying. Even if I have to chase you to the underworld, I'll bring you back."
"Okay."
For the first time, she boldly raised her head to look him in the eyes, meeting his gaze with firmness and clarity as she said, "Then you have to take care of me."
She knew what that "okay" meant to him.
At that moment, Zhao Heng's heart was full of mixed emotions. She stood up, walked to Yueli's side, looking at her with soft eyes, and said, "I wish you a safe journey. Come visit me when you return to the capital."
Yueli shook off the pain brought by memories and ventured out into a wider world.
She should be happy for her.
"I also wish you a lifetime of smooth sailing," Yueli said with a smile, looking at her sincerely.
What was the Northern lands like?
And the Southern regions?
Alone on the soft couch, Zhao Heng flipped through travel notes for a while, unknowingly drifting off to sleep.
In the midst of deep slumber, she felt a blanket gently covering her body. Subconsciously, she reached out to push it away but was stopped by a hand. Drowsily opening her eyes, she saw Li Wenjian's face inches away, the small hairs on his nose clearly visible.
Blinking her eyelashes, Zhao Heng covered her chest in confusion, "When did you come back?"
"Just now." Li Wenjian picked up a soft pillow from the side and placed it behind her, helping her sit up, "If you're still sleepy, you can nap a bit more. We can have lunch later."
Only then did Zhao Heng realize she was hungry. Shaking her head, she said, "I can't sleep anymore. Let's set the table first and eat before I go back to sleep."
Li Wenjian set aside what he was holding, reaching out to assist her.
Watching his actions, Zhao Heng asked, "What is that?"
"It's a royal decree." Li Wenjian picked up the clothing laid nearby, draping it over her.
Raising her hand, Zhao Heng allowed him to guide her arm through the sleeves.
After the elimination of Wang Zhao's faction, Li Yicheng learned that Fu Yu had given birth to a daughter on her way to the capital. Without even returning to the capital, he headed north to meet her. Judging by the time, she was likely to return in a few days.
Not long after he left, Li Wenjian drafted a royal decree to be sent to Qingzhou for the emperor's approval.
"The second prince being ennobled, His Majesty must be very happy," Zhao Heng smiled, gently swinging her legs hanging off the bed.
Li Wenjian lowered his eyes, a faint smile appearing in his dark eyes, "Indeed. However, this royal decree is not for Ziren."
"Then who is it for?" Zhao Heng asked, absentmindedly adjusting her hairpin.
"It's for you." Li Wenjian handed her the decree. "Take a look."
Indeed, the royal decree was for her. The Emperor mentioned that she bore royal blood and thus elevated her to the position of the prince's noble concubine.
"Crown Prince's noble concubine, Liang Di." Zhao Heng joyfully exclaimed as she held the decree. "I never dared to imagine being a crown prince's noble concubine before..."
"You only dared to think this much?" Li Wenjian interrupted her. "There's also the prince's concubine, and the crown prince's consort."
"What?" Zhao Heng widened her eyes. "Can I also become the crown prince's concubine and consort?"
Li Wenjian remained silent beside her, and as she held the decree, turning her head to face him, she met his clear and tender eyes.
He lightly brushed her nose with a kiss, earnestly answering, "You can."
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Author's note:
Ah Heng: The baby is almost here, and they just promoted me. Not happy~
Li Gouzi: It's fine. It's coming soon, just like promotion and advancement.