Chapter 23.2
Thinking back to the past, it seemed like just over half a month had passed, yet it felt like lifetimes had gone by.
As soon as Li Wenjian entered the room, he saw Zhao Heng sitting by the bed with paper and ink spread out in front of her. Her chin resting on her hand, she gazed absently out the window.
The spring sunlight danced, casting her silhouette onto the screen, her eyelashes long like feathers, fluttering gently with every blink.
With a creak sound of a door being pushed, Zhao Heng's thoughts were interrupted, and she turned to see Li Wenjian at the door. Rising, she approached him with grace, offering a respectful greeting.
Li Wenjian observed her.
Having recently lost her grandmother, he had not let the palace servants prepare colorful spring attire for her. Instead, she wore a simple green dress today, adorned only with a large pearl hairpin in her dark hair, giving her a seemingly modest appearance.
Yet, the simple elegance exuded a ethereal charm, resembling a fairy among the spring blossoms.
"What are you writing?" Li Wenjian's gaze landed on the paper on the table, reaching out to pick it up.
"Your Highness!" Zhaoling instinctively reached out to grab it, but Li Wenjian was faster, holding the paper before she could. Her hand ended up gripping his wrist.
Li Wenjian glanced down at their intertwined hands, where her delicate green sleeve slipped back, revealing a slender, jade-like forearm.
Zhao Heng quickly released Li Wenjian's wrist, somewhat embarrassed as she whispered, "I asked Lin Mama to teach me how to write."
Li Wenjian unfolded the paper in his hands, revealing the crooked, childlike strokes reminiscent of beginner's calligraphy.
Zhao Heng watched him carefully examine the paper, her face suddenly blushing, like a blooming crabapple outside the window.
Embarrassed in front of someone as distinguished as Crown Prince, she couldn't help but feel inadequate.
Zhao Heng lowered her head, whispering softly, "I just started learning to write... not that good..."
"Not bad," Li Wenjian's gaze shifted to her. "Much better than when I first started."
Feeling even more self-conscious, Zhao Heng wondered how old Li Wenjian was when he first learned to write, maybe three years old? Or two...
"Someone may be exceptionally gifted and achieve fame at a young age, while others may struggle and toil in their studies. The key is not speed but consistency in effort. Though you began late, progress in learning is not achieved overnight, but through steady dedication," Li Wenjian smoothed out the paper and placed it back on the table.
Zhao Heng stood there, her gaze meeting Li Wenjian's. His words flowed like a gentle stream, soothing her embarrassment and awkwardness, while also strengthening her resolve from within.
"Your Highness, are you ready for your meal?" Lin Mama asked quietly from the doorway.
It was time for dinner, and with Lin' Mamas reminder, Li Wenjian suddenly felt a bit hungry. He turned to Zhao Heng and asked, "Can I dine here with you?"
Zhao Heng nodded firmly, "Of course."
Lin Mama hurriedly went to arrange the meal in the adjoining room.
Once the table was set, they were ushered in to dine.
The table was filled with delicacies Zhao Heng had never eaten before.
She picked up her chopsticks, scooping up some vegetables and eating slowly.
Li Wenjian glanced at her.
Zhao Heng ate slowly, taking a sip of white porridge and then, Li Wenjian picked up a crystal dumpling and placed it in her bowl.
Zhao Heng looked up at him with a grateful surprise, a hint of confusion and gratitude in her eyes as she softly said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Li Wenjian smiled faintly, "This one is vegetarian."
Zhao Heng lowered her head.
As the savory dumpling touched her lips, memories of her recently deceased grandmother surged back. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly composed herself, presenting a calm and collected demeanor.
"Your Highness." Zhao Heng recalled Lin Mama's words from the afternoon and blinked slowly.
Li Wenjian took a sip of chicken soup and gently said, "Speak your mind."
Turning her head towards the room, the partition blocking her view of the two lamps, Zhao Heng placed down her chopsticks and said, "The Emperor and Empress have bestowed many gifts. Shouldn't I go to express my gratitude?"
"No need," Li Wenjian replied decisively.
Zhao Heng looked at him bewilderedly, contemplating for a moment. It made sense; the Emperor and Empress were busy with affairs of state, and as an insignificant person like her, they probably wouldn't even remember if she didn't go to thank them.
Li Wenjian's gaze slowly rose to meet Zhao Heng's eyes, lingering on the shimmering light in her gaze. After a moment, he spoke again, "Wait until you have completed your mourning period next month before you go."
Zhao Heng was slightly surprised. Had the Prince actually figured it out?
She wanted to complete the traditional mourning period of forty-nine days for her grandmother. With their sparse connection after a decade of separation, all she could do was shed tears, keep a vegetarian diet, and fulfill her filial duties.
Li Wenjian gently smiled, "Please, eat before the food gets cold."
She nodded in acknowledgment, expressing a sense of gratitude.
Her decision to mourn and embrace simplicity without adornments was her personal way of honoring her grandmother and maintaining her own principles.
Li Wenjian understood her intentions and did not impose the formal rules of the royal family regarding mourning.
This sense of respect and understanding filled her with a sense of calm and gratitude.
With newfound confidence, she paused and said, "Your Highness, I would like to complete the mourning period for her with the proper rituals."
When she finished speaking, she felt a bit nervous. Private sacrifices were strictly prohibited in the palace for two reasons: first, the residents of the palace were all nobles and if a mishap occurred, the consequences would be unthinkable; second, they were afraid that private sacrifices would attract impurities and offend the nobles.
In the past, palace servants would quietly burn sacrifices in a secluded corner and that was the end of it. Bringing it up openly now made Zhao Heng feel embarrassed.
With her heart in turmoil, Zhao Heng heard Li Wenjian say, "Find a secluded place."
Zhao Heng's shoulders relaxed.
She had felt Crown Prince's kindness countless times before. Suppressing her trembling voice, she suggested, "I will go to the Qingliang Palace."
The Qingliang Palace had been abandoned for many years and was rarely frequented. It was also close to the lake, so if a fire broke out, they could quickly fetch water to put it out, minimizing the chances of a disaster.
Li Wenjian seemed momentarily stunned when he heard the words Qingliang Palace, but quickly adjusted his expression and softly said, "Let Lin Mama accompany you."
Zhao Heng stood up gratefully and thanked him, "Thank you, Your Highness."
After dinner, Li Wenjian did not linger and left after a brief pause.
Only when he left did Lian Zhou and Bing Tao, who were waiting outside, relax and enter the room.
Lian Zhou took deep breaths and asked nervously, "Is that the Crown Prince?"
Zhao Heng replied softly, "Yes."
"Your⦠Highness." The Crown Prince's imposing presence was so overwhelming that even though she had only stood outside the door, she still felt a suffocating pressure, as if she was having trouble breathing. "Aren't you afraid? I was just about to collapse from fright."
Zhao Heng asked, "Are you scared?"
The first time she saw him at the Jing'an Villa, she was so scared that her legs were trembling and she couldn't move.
Bing Tao asked softly, "Is the Crown Prince not staying overnight here?"
Zhao Heng raised her eyes and met Bing Tao's gaze. In that moment of eye contact, Bing Tao's eyes flickered with panic and she immediately looked away.
Zhao Heng also averted her gaze and shook her head, saying that he wouldn't stay overnight.
After dinner, Zhao Heng asked Lin Mama to take her around and introduce her to some basic information about the palace. Despite spending ten years in the palace, she had never truly understood it.
Even in the Eastern Palace, the only place she was familiar with was the damp and dark corner of the laundry room. After a brief tour with Lin Mama, she realized that the palace was much larger than she had imagined.
Returning to Changqiu Hall, it was already dark. Lian Zhou and Bing Tao had prepared hot water to help her bathe.
After coming out of the bath, Lin Mama brought her a bowl of soup and said with a smile, "Zhaoxun, the Prince said you didn't eat much tonight, so he specially sent over some clear soup with snow fungus."
Zhao Heng, still carrying a gentle moistness from the bath, nodded and took the bowl, drinking it quickly.
Lin Mama continued, "The Prince mentioned that you have been eating vegetarian lately, so starting tomorrow, we will prepare vegetarian dishes for you."
As Zhao Heng listened to Lin Mama's words, she began to feel uneasy. Perhaps because she had never been treated with genuine respect since childhood, the Prince's overwhelming kindness left her feeling at a loss.
Seeing her anxiety, Lin Mama reassured her, "The Prince has always been very kind to people. You don't need to be afraid."
Zhao Heng whispered, "I'm just⦠pleasantly surprised."
The Crown Prince's reputation was illustrious, shining like a bright pearl in the entire dynasty. Even when he was in her presence, Zhao Heng felt as distant as the moon; just as the moon's radiance nourished all things on earth, the Crown Prince's presence made her feel grateful and joyful, yet also stirred up tiny traces of uneasiness.
As for why, she couldn't quite explain.
Lin Mama said, "Our Crown Prince is wise and valiant, and although he may seem intimidating at first glance, he is benevolent and approachable. You have nothing to fear."
Zhao Heng knew that she wasn't afraid of him.
*
Li Wenjian returned to the Chengming Hall, heading straight to the study where he picked up a report that he hadn't finished reviewing. He instructed, "Send the 'Rhythmic Enlightenment' to the Changqiu Palace."
Jing Lin acknowledged, "Yes," and left to carry out the task.
In less than two moments, Jing Lin returned.
"The 'Rhythmic Enlightenment' from the study has been taken by Fourth Young Master and has yet to be returned," Jing Lin paused for a moment before continuing, "I have brought two copies of 'Mountain Man's Rhymes' instead. How does Your Highness feel about this?"
The 'Rhythmic Enlightenment' was a primer for children, and it was clear where A Lin had taken it. Li Wenjian finished reading the report with his vermilion brush, put it down, and then glanced up at Jing Lin, saying, "Send it tomorrow morning."
As Jing Lin turned to leave, Li Wenjian added, "Also, go to the storage room and fetch some rice paper and ink to send along as well."
"I will go right away!"