Chapter 46
A hint of annoyance flashed across Ruo Zhen's face as he was still not fully healed from his injuries. Having to see Wei Wanyu, this foolish person, made the pain in his body even more intense, causing his head to ache.
"Stop wasting time!" Ruo Zhen turned to look at Zhao Heng, impatiently saying, "I will take her out and kill her now!"
"Are you insane?!" Wei Wanyu's eyes widened in fear.
Zhao Heng coldly stated, "You arranged the mountain bandits, and you came to Daxiangguo Temple on your own. It has nothing to do with me, so what do I have to fear?"
Wei Wanyu suddenly widened her eyes, frozen in place.
"You forged the crown prince's handwritten letter to deceive me into coming to Daxiangguo Temple!" She suddenly realized, turning to look at Ruo Zhen. The sense of confusion in her mind was replaced by intense fear. She felt like a small white rabbit stepping into a hunter's trap, with Zhao Heng as the wild wolf baring its fangs.
"Believe it?" Zhao Heng calmly smiled at her.
Wei Wanyu immediately reached for the letter from her waist, but upon unfolding it, she found that the words on the letter had been completely erased, leaving only a crumpled piece of blank paper.
"Where are the words? What happened to the words?" Wei Wanyu frantically examined the paper, her heart sinking. "What have you done?"
Zhao Heng glanced at Ruo Zhen.
Wei Wanyu suddenly understood and looked at him in disbelief. "You replaced the letter with a blank paper."
Ruo Zhen nonchalantly said, "It wasn't me, it was your maid."
Wei Wanyu's face turned pale, devoid of any color. "You, you..."
Zhao Heng didn't want to pay any more attention to Wei Wanyu as Xiao Ba was still asleep and would wake up looking for her later.
She slowly turned, lifted her face, and stared quietly at Wei Wanyu. "You always like to stir up trouble. Even if you tell the crown prince that I harmed you, do you think he will believe you or despise you even more?"
Every word she said hit Wei Wanyu's weak spot accurately. Arrogant and unruly as she was, no matter what she said now, the crown prince would no longer trust her.
Wei Wanyu shivered, filled with hatred and almost trembling in fear. She charged forward, ready to slap Zhao Heng's face.
But before her hand could land, A Ruo Zhen's strong hand held her arm like a vice grip.
Furious, she cursed, "Ruo Zhen, you scoundrel!"
A Ruo Zhen retorted, "You're no better."
Zhao Heng's lips curved into a gentle smile. "You know the answer without me saying it, right?"
Ruo Zhen sighed, realizing that Wei Wanyu was too foolish to challenge Zhao Heng.
Wei Wanyu's lips trembled, a mix of anger and fear evident. She looked up at Zhao Heng, asking, "What do you want from me?"
"I'll give you two options." Zhao Heng calmly looked at her. "First, continue to be stubborn, and I'll have A Ruo Zhen take you to the mountains and feed you to the wolves."
Wei Wanyu hardly hesitated. "No - and the second option?"
Zhao Heng replied, "I know anyone with a brain wouldn't choose that option, so I've prepared a second choice for you. Write a confession, detailing how you brought me to Ruo Zhen and conspired with him to abduct people. Once you've written it clearly, I'll let you go."
"You!" Wei Wanyu was shocked.
"I have no grievances with you in the past, no grudges in recent days, and I don't want to put you in a desperate situation. I just want to have a few days of peace and quiet. As long as you behave yourself in the future and stop causing trouble, I won't report you," Zhao Heng said, looking at her sternly. "Otherwise, you can expect to end up in prison, abandoned by everyone."
Wei Wanyu trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.
Ruo Zhen was irritated and drew out paper and pen from her pocket, slamming it in front of Wei Wanyu. "Stop crying like a baby. Your courage seems to shrink when it's time to come up with bad ideas."
Wei Wanyu sobbed, "It's all because of you?! Why am I getting all the blame in the end?"
"Don't worry," Zhao Heng glanced at her. "No one will be left out."
Zhao Heng's words struck a nerve with Ruo Zhen. He resented being dragged into trouble by her from the start and, feeling the itch of anger, he reached for the knife at his waist, making a threatening sound. "Stop the nonsense. If you don't write, I'll drag you up the mountain."
"I'm already writing!" Wei Wanyu wiped her tears in despair.
Being from the Wei family, women were well-educated and talented. A tear-stained confession letter was quickly written.
Ruo Zhen showed it to Zhao Heng, who glanced over it briefly, neatly folded the paper, and tucked it into her sleeve.
"Alright, let's leave it at that. Miss Wei, you go your way, I'll go mine. If you ever cross me again, don't blame me for turning my back on you," she said as she turned to leave.
"The letter!" Wei Wanyu sniffed and stopped Zhao Heng. "How did you write in the crown prince's handwriting?"
Zhao Heng lightly smiled, "The crown prince personally taught me."
Wei Wanyu burst into tears.
Ignoring her, Zhao Heng lifted her skirt and walked towards the door.
She couldn't help but think that Wei Wanyu was a bit foolish.
She had a good life, with a grandfather who served as a Minister of the Imperial Court, a father in a high position, a brother who was a renowned general, and the care and love of the crown prince.
She originally had a life that many would envy but had brought herself to this point.
It was truly a pity.
She reminded herself to cherish her blessings, to appreciate the beauty within reach, and to not be greedy like Wei Wanyu.
Zhao Heng's thoughts were interrupted by Ruo Zhen's footsteps as he caught up to her, asking, "Are you really not considering coming back to the Moon Palace with me?"
Frowning, Zhao Heng glanced at him and said, "Ruo Zhen, do you want to die?"
"No, no, that's not what I meant," Ruo Zhen quickly clarified. "I just think that you are much more beautiful, intelligent, and daring than Wei Wanyu. You are perfect to be the Yue Tribe princess with me."
Speaking softly, Zhao Heng said, "Let that fortune be for Wei Wanyu. I just want to be a good person and not be a princess of the Yue Tribe."
Ruo Zhen patted his chest and assured, "That was my mistake in the past, but not anymore. Come with me, it's better than being with that skinny crown prince of yours. When I become the King of the Moon Tribe, I'll make you the Queen."
Zhao Heng couldn't help but laugh at that.
"What? What makes me inferior to your prince?" Ruo Zhen frowned.
With a sunny smile, Zhao Heng replied, "There's nowhere you fall short."
*
Returning to her quarters, Zhao Heng found Li Nanxi still asleep. The nanny of the third princess came to inform her that they wouldn't be returning that night. The afternoon monk had read an unlucky hexagram, so they needed to perform a ritual to avert disaster and would return to the palace the next day.
Without hesitation, Zhao Heng agreed. A wedding is a joyous occasion that should be celebrated fully and happily.
While Li Nanxi still slept, she visited the third princess.
Troubled by the hexagram, the princess sat in her room with a distracted air, comforted by her sisters An Shi and An Qinghan.
An Qinghan soothed her, saying, "Don't worry. I'll write a letter to my fourth brother. He's currently in Jinzhou, and there's a Temple of Matchmaking there with powerful marriage symbols. I'll ask for a symbol of lasting love for you and Zheng Hanlin to ensure your safety and happiness together."
The third princess rolled her eyes at her, being a young girl with a thin skin, and pushed her arm shyly.
"Spirits exist if you believe in them. When I was young, a wandering monk said I wouldn't live past twelve, but here I am safe and sound," Zhao Heng gently reassured her. "Third Princess, don't dwell on it."
Her words brought some relief to the princess, who gradually regained her spirits.
*
Walking through the long corridor to the study, Mu Gui held a letter recently received from the Daxiangguo Temple and stood at the entrance to report, "Your Highness."
Li Wenjian was busy going through the final official documents, and he looked up slightly, saying, "Come in."
Mu Gui entered and handed over the letter, "The report from Daxiangguo Temple."
Li Wenjian finished the last word and put down his pen before taking the letter and scanning it, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Your Highness, is there trouble at the temple?" Mu Gui asked.
"No," Li Wenjian replied.
He carefully folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope, "The hexagram for the third princess is unfavorable. Tonight, they will perform a ritual at the temple to dispel any misfortunes."
"Ah," Mu Gui looked up at Li Wenjian behind the desk, "It shouldn't be a major issue then."
"Should I go up the mountain to check the situation?" Li Wenjian pondered, looking at Mu Gui.
Suddenly, Fei Yu stopped organizing scrolls and interjected, "Your Highness, you've always been skeptical of spiritual matters, right?"
Mu Gui ignored Fei Yu's comment and respectfully suggested to Li Wenjian, "Your Highness, as the third princess values your relationship greatly, a personal blessing from you at the temple would ensure her success."
Li Wenjian glanced at Fei Yu, nodded slightly, and got up to leave the study.
Fei Yu watched Li Wenjian's retreating figure and then glanced at Mu Gui, feeling a strange sensation that the crown prince's gaze was a bit peculiar.
*
In the mountains, the weather was much cooler than in the palace. The trees in the tea pavilion courtyard were filled with the buzzing of cicadas. The repetitive chirping of the cicadas, along with the croaking of frogs in the pond, created the background music for Li Nanxi's midday nap.
Li Nanxi slept soundly until the afternoon without waking up. Zhao Heng felt strange and touched her forehead, realizing that she had a slight fever.
Although it was not as hot in the mountains as it was down below, the heat was still unbearable by noon.
Just when Third Princess had her fortune told, Zhao Heng was worried about telling her about Xiao Ba's fever, fearing she would overthink it, so she kept it to herself.
Zhao Heng had the maidservants carry a bamboo bed to the backyard and keep the back door open, allowing the cool breeze from the alleyway to help cool down the heat.
After gently washing Li Nanxi's feverish body with freshly drawn well water, Zhao Heng laid her down on the bamboo bed to rest.
After the cool water wash, Li Nanxi felt much more comfortable, lying on the bamboo bed with her belly exposed, gradually drifting off to sleep.
Zhao Heng pulled down her clothes a bit, fanning herself slowly as she closed her eyes.
The bamboo beds in the temple were not wide, so the two of them sleeping together felt a bit cramped. Zhao Heng turned on her side and fell asleep.
Amidst the noisy chirping of cicadas in the mountain temple, Zhao Heng had a long-awaited dream.
In the dream, she was still a child about the same age as Li Nanxi, lying on a bamboo bed playing with two peach pits boringly. The sunlight outside was brilliant, the chirping of cicadas loud, and a hunched figure walked into the room.
It was her grandmother, carrying a basket of sea buckthorn. The sea buckthorn was ripe at this time of year, with bright red berries weighing down the branches and contrasting sharply with the elderly woman.
Zhao Heng opened her eyes slightly and in her drowsy state, mumbled, "Grandma..."
"Did I wake little Ah Heng?" Grandma smiled at her, sitting on the edge of the bamboo bed and gently touching Zhao Heng's forehead with her rough and warm hand. "You still have a bit of a fever. Grandma will make you sea buckthorn porridge to drink, and you'll feel better."
She blinked.
Being sick was really uncomfortable, she wished she wasn't sick.
With this thought in mind, Zhao Heng stood up from the bamboo bed and walked out the door, but the small courtyard seemed to stretch endlessly, with the chirping of cicadas growing louder and the sun getting hotter.
She furrowed her brow, feeling very uncomfortable.
Just as she was feeling miserable, a gentle breeze blew in, dissipating some of the nameless irritability.
When Zhao Heng woke up, she had a headache, probably from sleeping too long. She half-opened her eyes groggily, sitting up and reaching out to touch Li Nanxi's forehead next to her.
She suddenly noticed someone sitting on the bamboo bed, startling her awake, "Your Highness, when did you arrive?"
Li Nanxi was sitting on the bamboo bed, playing with a colorful jade bead brought by Li Wenjian. The brightly colored jade bead sparkled in the sunlight. The bead rolled to Zhao Heng's feet, and she picked it up with her elbow on her knee, bending down to pick it up and handing it back to her.
"My brother came early, he was here when I woke up," Li Nanxi blinked, "He didn't want me to wake you up."
Zhao Heng saw the fan he was holding and understood where the cool breeze from her dream came from.
Feeling weary, she asked, "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"What were you dreaming about? You slept so soundly," Li Wenjian placed the fan on the bed.
"I've forgotten all about it," Zhao Heng replied with a slight smile, bending down to put on her shoes.
She then went outside to wash her face with the ice-cold well water, feeling much better. Upon returning indoors, she found Li Wenjian holding Li Nanxi on his lap, picking up her shoes to help her put them on.
However, with a child in his arms and the shoes quite far away, he stretched his hand but couldn't reach.
Zhao Heng quickly walked over, picked up Li Nanxi's shoes, and knelt in front of Li Wenjian, holding her small feet to help her put on the shoes.
After putting on the shoes, Zhao Heng touched Li Nanxi's forehead and felt that her temperature had gone down.
Though she still felt a bit uncomfortable, eyebrows furrowed. Zhao Heng patted her head and said, "Let's go outside for a walk, some fresh air will make you feel better faster."
Li Nanxi's eyes brightened, nodding obediently.
Zhao Heng instructed the maid to change Li Nanxi into different clothes and put on long socks, as there were many mosquitoes in the mountains and she didn't want her to get bitten.
While the maid took Li Nanxi to change clothes next door, Zhao Heng used some wormwood to fumigate herself carefully.
"I'll do it." Li Wenjian reached out to Zhao Heng.
With her long hair pinned up, revealing a long and slender white neck, she hadn't fumigated with wormwood, so she would be prone to mosquito bites outside.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Zhao Heng handed him the wormwood and circled around the table and chairs to stand in front of him. Li Wenjian held the wormwood in one hand and placed the other on her shoulder, making her sit sideways on the couch.
"Why did Your Highness come?" Zhao Heng tied her hair behind her head, lowering it, her neck bending into a gentle curve.
Li Wenjian avoided her strands of hair and used the smoke from the wormwood to fumigate her skin. He smiled and said, "Jun Ning's fortune is not good, I came to pray for her."
Surprised, Zhao Heng's eyelashes flickered as she looked at Li Wenjian in disbelief, tilting her head, "I thought Your Highness didn't believe in spiritual matters?"
Li Wenjian gently pinched her cheek, softly saying, "Turn around, be careful not to burn your face."
Even though the wormwood didn't burn her, her face still flushed.
Ready to go out, Zhao Heng asked Li Wenjian, "Your Highness, do you want to go out together?"
Li Wenjian glanced at the sunset outside the door, saying, "Let's go."
Zhao Heng fumigated him with wormwood and then they went out.
In the evening, the sun on the mountain was exceptionally bright, with orange-red hues spreading across the sky, crowning the entire mountain forest with the same orange-red color as the sky.
They walked along the back mountain towards the woods, and by the side of the road, a pond, with large swaths of reeds sprouting reed flowers, still green. In a little while, these reed flowers would turn into white fluff, blown by the wind, sticking to one's clothes and body.
Li Wenjian picked a few reeds, quickly weaving them into a loop, and placed it on Li Nanxi's head, saying, "Just recovered from a fever, don't let the heat steam you."
Li Nanxi glanced at the odd-looking headpiece, contemplating taking it off and throwing it away, but fearing the threatening gaze of her brother, she pouted and stared at the reed loop.
Knowing Li Nanxi's love for beauty and disdain for the unattractive reed loop, Zhao Heng discreetly pointed to a cluster of flowers on the roadside and said, "There are some flowers over there, pick a few to make it look better."
Encouraged, Li Nanxi perked up and cheerfully led Zhao Heng to the other side.
Meanwhile, Li Wenjian watched their backs, then reached out to pluck a few more reeds.
The mountain was abundant with wildflowers, with azaleas, jasmine, and various nameless flowers growing in the woods. Li Nanxi picked a bunch, while Zhao Heng utilized her knowledge from flower arranging class, using the reed loop made by Li Wenjian as a base to beautifully arrange the flowers in a full and rich floral crown, slowly taking shape in her hands.
In her hands, the wildflowers from the mountain exuded a fresh and vibrant beauty.
Li Nanxi proudly approached Li Wenjian with a head full of flowers, twirling her skirt, "Is it pretty, Your Highness?"
"It's beautiful," Li Wenjian said, but his gaze passed over Li Nanxi, straight towards Zhao Heng.
As Zhao Heng approached, Li Wenjian put a reed loop out of nowhere and placed it on her head.
Momentarily confused, she touched it, eyes half-lidded, "I'm not sick."
With a chuckle, Li Wenjian adjusted the loop on her head, saying, "It looks so good, don't want you to get tanned."
Zhao Heng blushed slightly as she watched Li Wenjian, quietly lowering her head.
Li Nanxi, seeing the reed loop, eagerly wanting to showcase her skills, so Zhao Heng handed it to her to practice flower arrangement. However, Li Nanxi found it challenging to manipulate the flowers as obediently.
Feeling defeated, Li Nanxi asked, "Am I a bit clumsy?"
Looking at the garish floral arrangement, Zhao Heng said against her better judgment, "It looks great, a riot of colors, how beautiful."
Delighted, Li Nanxi placed the floral crown on her head, then held her face in her hands, examining her, nodding earnestly, "It does look pretty."
Zhao Heng playfully flicked her forehead.
Continuing their walk up the mountain, the forest held many surprises. Zhao Heng noticed a large loquat tree laden with ripe fruit.
But the tree was too tall for her to reach even after several attempts, so she covered the flower loop on her head with one hand, jumping and reaching for the branches.
"Sister Ah Heng, what is this?" Li Nanxi asked, tilting her head.
"It's a loquat," Zhao Heng replied.
"What's a loquat?"
"It's edible, sour-sweet and delicious. We can make preserved loquats, they're so tasty," Zhao Heng patiently explained.
Excited at the prospect of eating, Li Nanxi happily directed her, "Higher, a bit higher. You'll reach it soon."
As Li Wenjian walked ahead with his hands behind his back, he realized the absence of their footsteps, so he paused, turned back, and saw Zhao Heng standing by the road, joyfully reaching for the loquats.
The setting sun cast a warm orange glow on her face, and her crimson dress appeared exceptionally bright in the forest. As she danced, the hem of her dress floated like clouds, light and graceful.
He turned back and walked behind her, embracing her waist, lifting her up firmly.
Startled, Zhao Heng gasped as she left the ground and realized it was Li Wenjian, understanding his intention, she hurriedly stretched her hand to reach for the branches.
One after another, she plucked several heavy loquats, then softly said, "It's enough, Your Highness."
Li Wenjian slowly lowered her back down, and when her feet touched the ground, she nearly lost her balance, instinctively reaching out to grab his arm for support.
Li Wenjian didn't let go, his hands resting on her lower back, assisting her in regaining her balance.
"This tree is too high," Zhao Heng murmured, lowering her head.
Li Wenjian made a sound of agreement, indicating concurrence.
Li Nanxi clapped her hands, praising Li Wenjian, "Brother, you're so amazing, able to lift Sister Ah Heng!"
Zhao Heng bit her lip, feeling the heat rise in her waist, she plucked a loquat and placed it in Li Nanxi's mouth.
"Wow, it's so sweet!"
"Let's go, let's head up the mountain again," Li Wenjian smiled, giving her a deep look before walking ahead with his hands behind his back.
Quietly walking behind Li Wenjian with Li Nanxi in tow, as Li Nanxi finished eating the loquats, Zhao Heng quickly plucked another one and stuffed it in her mouth, trying to prevent her from speaking.
As the Third Princess was visiting the temple to pray today, the temple grounds were cleared out earlier, with no one in sight. The guards and palace maids were far away, and the seemingly endless mountain path appeared to only have the three of them.
Throughout the journey, Zhao Heng gathered quite a lot, picking loquats and spotting a large bush of sea buckthorn. She gathered a few branches, planning to make sea buckthorn porridge for Li Nanxi to cool off in the evening.
Unconsciously reaching the mountaintop, Li Wenjian stood by a large rock, overlooking the city.
From here, they could see the panorama of the entire city, including the palace they resided in, the East and West Markets, the South and North districts, and the moat surrounding the city - all visible at a glance.
Many years ago, he had also come to this spot to admire the city's view.
Back then, the war had just ended, and he was still a young adult. The city, recovering from the ravages of war, was in need of revitalization.
At that time, Wei Zhan was still alive, accompanying him to the high vantage point to gaze over the city.
Remembering Wei Zhan, he felt a sense of regret and sorrow, like a fleeting cloud and still breeze.
In those days, loved ones and friends were separated by distances near and far, some scattered across the world, others separated by life and death.
Zhao Heng picked up a tree branch, tore off a flexible vine wrapped around the tree, and made a simple slingshot, hiding behind a rock to shoot down a songbird for Li Nanxi.
Enriched by her childhood hunting experiences, her slingshot skills were quite impressive. She managed to hit several vibrantly plumed pheasants in a row.
With a twist of vines, she fashioned a simple cage and placed the birds inside.
The beautiful birds caught Li Nanxi's attention. She placed the birdcage on a large rock and squatted in front of the birds, happily gazing at them.
Seeing Li Nanxi's spirits lifted, Zhao Heng felt a sliver of relief. Turning her head, she noticed Li Wenzhi standing with his hands behind his back, lost in thought while gazing at the bustling capital city below.
Her gaze lingered serenely on Li Wenjian, and for some reason, she detected a hint of loneliness in his silhouette.
Whenever that melancholy aura enveloped him, her heart ached.
She watched him quietly for a while, noticing that he showed no intention of turning around. Glancing aside, she spotted a blue-feathered emerald bird perched on a thicket of sea buckthorn bushes.
Squinting slightly, she drew the slingshot without hesitation. The stone whizzed through the vines, striking the bird's leg with pinpoint accuracy.
With a cry, it tumbled into the bushes.
Li Wenjian's gaze remained fixed on the city as its night lights gradually illuminated, the myriad lights pulsating like stars fallen to earth.
The once barren land had transformed into a thriving metropolis.
"Your Highness."
Zhao Heng approached him, and Li Wenjian turned to face her.
Zhao Heng took his hand and placed the bird in his palm. The tiny creature, startled, curled into a ball in his hand.
"What is this?" Li Wenjian inquired.
Zhao Heng's voice was soft, "I shot it for your amusement."
Li Wenjian stared at Zhao Heng, momentarily frozen.
"Trying to entertain a child?"
Zhao Heng pursed her lips and smiled at him, her voice gentle, "I just know you're not happy."
Li Wenjian looked at Zhao Heng, her hair bathed in the soft glow of dusk.
He blinked and asked, "Can I kiss you?"
âââ
Author's Note:
Ah Heng: His Highness is not happy. Let me shoot a bird for him to play with.
Li Dog: Shooting a bird for me to play with is not as good as playing with my...
Mom: Illegal hunting is unlawful. Please do not emulate the outdoor survival expert Heng's wild bird-catching antics...