Chapter 111.1
Between heaven and earth, life passes by like a fleeting white horse.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, five years have passed.
During these five years, the Central Plains underwent earth-shaking changes. The former Wei dynasty collapsed, and the Li family led a rebellion to establish the Dongli Dynasty.
After ascending to the throne, the founding emperor, fell seriously ill and passed away half a year later, passing the throne to his son and changing the reign title to Xuanhe.
Upon Xuanhe Emperor's ascension, he appointed his eldest son, Li Wenjian, as the crown prince, and the following year, the crown prince began assisting in governance. Father and son focused on internal reforms, promoting agriculture and commerce, while reclaiming lost territories and expanding borders externally.
In the winter of the fourth year of Xuanhe, a heavy snowfall came early, covering the world in a vast expanse of white. The night before, the wind and snow raged, and in the morning, the frost covered the land as far as the eye could see.
When Yue Li woke up, the palace maids were already clearing the snow in the garden. The sound of bamboo brooms sweeping the ground filled the once silent garden, now even more tranquil.
As the maid with double buns swept the floor, she spoke in a hushed voice.
"Did you hear? General Wei is returning to the court today. The emperor is hosting a banquet in the Xi Garden to welcome him back, and all the civil and military officials of the court are attending."
The maid in the green outer garment nodded in agreement. "I heard that not only the civil and military officials, but also the noble ladies of the capital are almost all attending."
"Isn't that natural? General Wei is only twenty-two years old, both civil and martial, with a handsome appearance. He has achieved great feats in battles these past years. Yet, he remains virtuous and celibate, without even a confidante by his side." The first maid smiled with admiration. "A young general with wisdom and valor, who wouldn't vie to marry him?"
The maid in green sighed and muttered, "Wouldn't that make her jealous?"
The maid with double buns glanced ahead and replied nonchalantly, "What can she do? It's been so many years, and General Wei has never even glanced her way. He has never liked her, and yet she still stirs up so much trouble."
The maid in green seemed a bit upset as she furrowed her brows and pouted. "Don't pity her. Her situation is better than ours. Even if she's unbearable, she still has a father who is a second-rank official, higher than us."
"What's the use of having a second-rank official as a father? People are saying that General Wei doesn't even give her a second glance, but she still tries to get close to him."
"Does General Wei show favor to anyone?" The maid with double buns lowered her voice and continued, "I've heard that General Wei has a bad reputation with women and prefers a certain type."
"Ah?" The maid in green looked surprised. "Really?"
"He used to eat and sleep in the Duke's mansion with the crown prince, spending most of his time in the Eastern Palace. He's twenty-two and still unmarried, and the crown prince is almost twenty. The reports advising him to marry a crown princess have been rejected like snowflakes, you know..."
Yue Li stood under the eaves for a while, finding their conversation increasingly absurd, before finally walking away.
"Shh!" The maid in green quickly reminded her companion to stop talking. The maid with double buns tightly gripped the broom and quickly changed her expression to a smile. "Sister Li is going to the horse stable so early? The snow on the road is thick, be careful of your steps."
Yue Li glanced at their faces as if she had not heard their previous conversation, nodded politely, and continued on to the horse stable.
The maid with double buns kept smiling until her figure disappeared at the bend in the road before letting her smile fade.
The maid in green's mouth drooped slightly. "Oh no, do you think she heard us?"
The maid with double buns realized her mistake, lowered her head, and continued quietly sweeping the floor.
She entered the palace early, so she knew all about Yue Li's entry into the palace. She came from the general's mansion, almost considered a member of the Wei family. It was said that the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat pursued General Wei relentlessly, but he was cold-hearted and never spoke many words to her.
Two years ago, when General Wei went hunting, she followed and saw Yue Li among his entourage. She caused a scene, causing rumors in the capital that General Wei kept an unknown woman.
On that day, she said many hurtful things, tarnishing the reputation of these two individuals. Not long after that incident, the Empress selected female officials, and Yue Li entered the palace.
The Empress had high standards for the conduct of female officials she selected, and upon Yue Li's entry into the palace, the rumors about her and General Wei were debunked.
Although she had left the Wei Mansion, she was still considered part of the Wei family. If she spread their gossip about General Wei and the Crown Prince behind their backs, what would happen if it reached their ears?
*
Today, General Wei Zhan returned to the capital, and the Emperor and Empress personally went out of the city to welcome him back. After escorting him back to the palace, they hosted a banquet in the Xi Garden. Before all the civil and military officials, the Emperor appointed Wei Zhan as the Second-Rank Grand General.
Zhao Heng rarelly went to join in the festivities; she knew that in such gatherings, Crown Prince Li Wenjian, who was also a close friend, would surely be present.
Six years ago, Li Wenjian had brought her home from Xuejia Village, raising her single-handedly. Their relationship had always been good until just ten days ago.
Ten days ago.
On that day, after attending the Empress's birthday banquet, the Emperor was pleased and specially rewarded her with a piece of sticky rice lotus root paste cake. Since she started changing teeth, Li Wenjian forbade her from eating overly sweet or sticky foods, which made her crave them even more.
That day, she indulged in the cake, leading to some indigestion. Unable to sleep at night due to discomfort, she felt a sudden heat between her legs.
Sticky and uncomfortable.
As she sat up, the candlelight revealed a bright red and alluring bloodstain on the silk bedding.
Unaware of her menstrual cycle's arrival, the sudden experience of seeing the glaring red spot left her mind blank. After calming down, she thought she was sick, reminiscent of the unexplained bleeding before the previous Emperor's death.
With a healthy body, she reassured herself that she would soon recover and become well again.
Huddled in the bed, clutching the soft bedding to ease her fear, she trembled, wrinkles forming on the soft sheets as tears and sweat dampened the Yun brocade brought as tribute from the Western Regions.
Unknowing of how long had passed, she felt a gushing flow beneath her and sharp abdominal pains.
Suffering, she tightened her breath, thinking her condition had worsened and that she was nearing death.
Outside, darkness prevailed, and snow fell heavily.
Listening to the sound of falling snow, she became increasingly melancholic. As daylight approached, unable to bear it any longer, she got out of bed, braving the intense pain, and draped a cloak over herself to run to Li Wenjian's sleeping quarters.
Since moving to the Eastern Palace, she had always lived in the East Annex Hall, connected to the West Annex Hall where Li Wenjian resided by a long corridor shaped like the character "å."
Li Wenjian had just laid down after discussing the affairs of the northwest with his subordinates last night. In his former life, the eighteen cities in the northern border were only recovered after his ascension, recalling the scene of welcoming the soldiers returning from the western expedition while standing on the majestic city tower in the capital.
In this life, utilizing the experiences of his previous life, he gathered all the favorable conditions, determined not to leave this hidden danger for the future.
Their discussion was spirited and lasted until dawn.
As Li Wenjian had just settled down, he heard a knocking at the door of his chamber.
At this hour, it couldn't be a palace attendant. In this palace, only Zhao Heng would dare knock at this hour.
Thinking she had another nightmare, he lifted the covers and got up.
Opening the thick palace doors, snowflakes fell heavily outside, and a girl stood in the snowy night, crying with tears in her eyes.
"Another nightmare?" Li Wenjian reached for her hand.
Standing in place, she bit her lip and remained silent for a moment, staring fixedly at him with her dark eyes filled with glistening tears, appearing especially poignant under the dim palace lamp.
"What's wrong?" He touched her head gently and said, "Come inside, you can tell me here."
Still frozen, she looked at him pitifully, as if each glance held an element of farewell.
"If you still won't speak, I'll go ask Grandma," threatened Li Wenjian.
"Don't tell Grandma..." Zhao Heng finally spoke, suggesting, "After I die, tell Grandma that I went outside the palace to study, okay? She's getting old..."
Baffled by her mention of death, Li Wenjian was at a loss, "What's happened? How could you be in danger?"
Stubbornly persisting, Zhaoheng lightly shook his finger and uttered softly, "Promise me, Brother Shulan."
Li Wenjian felt his heart nearly jump out of his chest as he watched her standing in the cold wind, afraid she might catch a chill. He had no choice but to agree, "Fine, I promise you, anything you want."
Zhao Heng couldn't hold back anymore, sniffing and burying her head in his chest. Her nose rubbed against his thin clothing, making it sore. "I think I have a terminal illness and might be dying soon," she said.
Li Wenjian was stunned, his voice momentarily hoarse. "Wh-what?"
"I've been bleeding since last night..." She spoke while holding onto him tighter, pressing against his sturdy chest as her body moved against his, crying in distress. "My stomach hurts so much, I must have the same terminal illness as Grand Venerable."
Frowning, Li Wenjian's mind buzzed.
When he remained silent, Zhao Heng loosened her grip, rubbed her nose, and asked pitifully, "If I'm dying, aren't you sad at all?"
Li Wenjian's ears reddened as he saw the bloodstains on her light pink pants, realizing the type of terminal illness she was referring to. His throat turned hoarse for a moment as he gently stroked the redness under her eyes, smiled, and said earnestly, "I won't let you die."
The snow outside grew heavier as Li Wenjian fetched clean clothes and a towel for her, reassuring her and instructing her to wash the blood off in the bathing room and then put on the towel.
After washing up, she lightly tugged at his sleeve, her fluttering eyelashes showing her distress, "There's a big wound."
Li Wenjian, feeling impatient, paused while warming her bed with a hot-water bottle. "It's not a serious issue; many people get it. Get some rest, and tomorrow morning, I'll have the royal physician come to examine you, okay?"
Staring at him, she softly asked, "What about you? Have you had it before?"
Li Wenjian finished warming the bedding, put away the hot-water bottle, and shook his head, "I have, but it's different from yours. I don't bleed."
"What do you bleed then?" Zhaoheng blinked her eyes.
Li Wenjian tucked her into bed and placed the warm hot-water bottle on her stomach over her clothes.
"No need to worry so much. Try to sleep." Li Wenjian tucked in the covers and whispered gently.
Helplessly, Zhao Heng held his hand against her cheek, closed her eyes, and said, "Please don't leave. I'm scared alone."
"Alright, I won't leave." Li Wenjian's calloused fingertips lightly caressed her delicate cheeks. He nodded and assured, "I won't go anywhere. I'll stay right here with you."
After a night of turmoil, Zhao Heng was indeed feeling tired. Though still fearful of the unknown, holding Li Wenjian's hand gave her some peace of mind. The turbulence that had gripped her all night slowly eased back to where it belonged.
She fell asleep at some point, tears and sobs disappearing into slumber. When Zhao Heng woke up again, the sky was already bright, and Li Wenjian's chamber was warm, fueled by a blazing fire.
He was no longer in the room; she inferred that he had gone to court.
Sitting up in bed, she felt the familiar sensation between her legs once again.
Her lips quivered, threatening to cry once more.
Just as she was feeling miserable, Yun Feng entered with fresh clothes, offering her congratulations and blessings. "Congratulations, young lady. Congratulations, young lady."
Looking at Yun Feng with misty eyes, Zhao Heng asked softly after a brief pause, "What?"
Pulling out a booklet from under the clothes, Yun Feng laid it on the bed and flipped through it in the dimly lit room, scented with the fragrant wood smell often used by Li Wenjian.
Finally, Zhao Heng understood that bleeding was not an illness but a sign of a woman's maturity, as well as one of her most discreet issues.
From that day on, she avoided Li Wenjian.
It wasn't so much avoiding as it was every time she recalled how she cried in the dead of night and ran to his chamber, seeking solace in his arms; she felt her scalp prickle, her body stiffen, and her breath constrict.
It was as if she had suddenly developed a sense of shame overnight.
She didn't dare attend the banquet welcoming Wei Zhan back to the capital, hiding in the chamber reading scrolls.
Whenever she heard a palace attendant call "Your Highness" outside, the first thing she did was put down the scroll, lie on the bed, and bury her head under the covers.
She listened intently.
The footsteps halted at the door, rustling lightly as he must be undoing his cloak, the sound of the Jinling cloud brocade rubbing together, rich and pleasant.
The items on the desk remained untouched, the scattered chestnut shells and the boiling milk tea left neglected on the table.
As long as she covered herself, it was fine.
As long as her face was hidden, it was fine.
Just as Zhao Heng pulled the blanket tightly around herself, she heard the steady footsteps landing on the Han white jade floor.
"Ah Heng," Li Wenjian called out to her.
Zhao Heng breathed slightly faster, closing her eyes tightly. Suddenly, the blanket covering her face was lifted, and the glaring light shone into her eyes. The one responsible threw down the blanket discontentedly, lifting an arrogant gaze, "Such an impolite little thing, how dare you skip the banquet for my appointment as Marquis and General."
Zhao Heng stared at Wei Zhan without blinking, apologizing sincerely, "I'm sorry, I caught a cold, and that's why..."
"Whether it was early or late, you managed to catch a cold just as I returned." Wei Zhan heard the aroma coming from the stove, crouched down, and retrieved the roasted chestnuts buried in the fire.
Sitting on the cushion, he leisurely peeled the chestnuts, "You've grown up, with elbows sticking out, not thinking about your elder brother."
Zhao Heng hurriedly refuted, "No, I haven't."
Wei Zhan popped a peeled chestnut into his mouth, chewed a few times, and continued with a disdainful hum.
"Don't believe me?..." Zhao Heng subconsciously glanced at Li Wenjian, who had been silently standing behind her. Seeing his face, she averted her gaze, her voice gradually lowering, "Last time, I went to Huguo Temple with Ah Li, and we even got you an amulet."
Wei Zhan's handsome brows arched with joy, "Really?"
"Definitely!" Zhao Heng nodded vigorously.
Wei Zhan chuckled and nodded, "Then I'll reluctantly believe you this time. In a few days, we plan to go to the mountains. Will you catch another cold?"
Zhao Heng shook her head, assuring him, "No, I won't."
Putting the chestnuts into his sleeve, Wei Zhan said, "That's good," and left gracefully.