Chapter 71
Yue Li leaned on the White Tiger's neck, dismounted, shaking off the snow, and walked into the wooden house.
The warm firelight instantly melted the snowflakes on her head, reflecting a faint white glow in the red flames.
In the moonlight and firelight, Concubine An saw the scar on her face, resembling the twisted roots of an old tree, filling her with fear.
"Are you done?" Yue Li asked Zhao Heng.
Zhao Heng nodded. "You may leave first."
Yue Li glanced at Concubine An, then turned and left. Putting a finger to her mouth, she let out a short whistle like a bird call. The horse that had wandered off moments ago returned, and Yue Li mounted it, riding off into the snow dust.
Concubine An recognized the horse as Xiao Liu's, almost shouting, "That's Liu'er's horse. What have you done to him?"
"He's dead," Zhao Heng lightly smirked. "Just like my grandmother, he was thrown off a cliff and turned into a pile of flesh."
Concubine An turned pale, staring at Zhao Heng, repeatedly stammering, "No, how could you kill him? He's just an innocent child."
"Innocent?" Zhao Heng sneered. "Who isn't innocent? Isn't the Crown Prince innocent? Isn't the Fourth Prince innocent? Isn't my grandmother innocent? In the underworld, when you reunite with your son, you must tell him he died because of you."
Concubine An felt desolate, trembling all over. "I have nothing left, only Xiao Liu and Xiao Qi. How could you treat me like this?"
"Isn't this what you asked for?" Zhao Heng looked at her coldly. "You've walked this path step by step. Who can you blame? The Emperor and Empress are kind people. They don't question why you stayed in the palace, but deep down, don't you know? You weren't content, possessing things you once admired from afar and couldn't touch. Yet, you still jeopardized it all and harmed many innocent people."
"Zhao Heng, I come from humble beginnings. I clawed my way to this position by fighting against fate," Concubine An's voice was hoarse. "If it was you, would you willingly endure hardships in the frigid desert? I worked so hard to integrate, but they could accept Concubine Meifei and Concubine Guifei while treating me with indifference. Can you tolerate such neglect? Is my son inferior to Li Wenjian in knowledge and character? Why didn't I fight?"
"An Lingyu just had better luck than me. She was born into the scholarly An family, with renowned and distinguished scholars as elders, and outstanding children. She had a powerful maternal clan backing her, while I had nothing! I had only myself!" Concubine An's eyes were burning as she stared at Zhao Heng. "Zhao Heng, now you are in your prime, of course, you can't understand my feeling of fighting and resisting. When Li Wenjian has his Crown Princess and Empress in the future, and you can only watch from afar as he grows fond of other women, then you'll understand."
"We are in the royal family; these things are inevitable."
Zhao Heng took a deep breath. "I won't covet what isn't meant for me."
"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you something," Zhao Heng nonchalantly said, "The Crown Prince already knows that the Xie family controls Xi Garden and trafficks barbarian slaves. Soon, your entire family will join you. I've heard that the underworld is cold and harsh, but with your loved ones by your side, you won't walk alone."
"How is that possible?" Concubine An's voice trembled with fear and despair.
In one night, she lost everything. The son she cherished as life itself and the family she worked tirelessly to maintain were all gone.
Zhao Heng coldly watched Concubine An's despair, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
Concubine An felt a chilling emptiness she had never experienced before. When her parents tragically died, she still had her brother by her side. But now, she was alone, tears and snot streaming down her face, crying out for help, "Someone, save me!"
Zhao Heng pounced, grabbing her throat. Concubine An felt a searing pain, instinctively trying to push away Zhao Heng's hands.
"Do you see?" Zhao Heng crouched down again, pointing to the fur-glistening White Tiger under the moonlight, "That's where you belong."
The White Tiger yawned, baring its sharp teeth.
Her words pierced Concubine An like a cold snake slithering up her spine. She gasped for air as Zhao Heng's grip loosened.
Concubine An freed herself, dragging her injured leg to a corner, looking at Zhao Heng with terror.
Rubbing her sore wrist, Zhao Heng activated the sharp blade hidden in her bracelet, the icy edge shimmering as it approached Concubine An. "My dear Niangniang, I indeed have not used a knife, because not every murder requires one."
The night wind wrapped in snowflakes blew in through the doorway, chilling to the bone.
As Zhao Heng approached Concubine An, she felt a shiver of fear, reminiscent of the terror of her grandmother when she was pushed off a cliff. With each step, she walked steadily and resolutely.
"No!" Concubine An screamed.
A faint smile appeared on Zhao Heng's slender face, the sound of flesh being cut by the blade echoing heavily.
The White Tiger caught the scent of blood and leaped towards Concubine An with sharp intent.
Tears fell like broken beads, but she forced herself not to tremble. She watched as the tiger tore into Concubine An in the corner, committing her desperate final moments to memory.
Outside, the cold wind howled, causing Zhao Heng's ears to numb. Tears welled in her eyes as she gazed at the blood-stained mountain cabin, then turned to the swirling snow mist outside.
Grandmother, can you see this?
The one who killed you has received their deserved punishment, you can rest now.
The sound of galloping hooves in the snow caught Zhao Heng's attention. She wiped away tears, clutched her dress tightly, and ran out, igniting a signal flare and tossing it.
The brilliant fireworks exploded in the silent sky. The snowy ground was slippery, and she stumbled and fell.
Raising her head, she gazed at the sparks in the sky, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Fluffy snowflakes drifted down on her, and the sound of hooves approached her. Looking up, she saw Li Wenjian, covered in snow, his clothes sparkling like shattered gold. His white jade belt accentuated his slim waist, his whole being exuding a cold radiance.
The prepared words stuck in her throat as she saw him.
"Your Highness."
Li Wenjian dismounted, heading towards her at her call, extending a hand. "Stand up."
She hesitated for a moment, then slowly offered him her bloodied hand.
He was draped in moonlight, exuding a cold aura, but his hands were warm. The warmth from his palms spread to her body as he embraced her delicate waist. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling his breath close, tears flowing down his neck into his collar.
Seeing the signal flare, the Imperial Guards immediately rushed over, raising clouds of white dust in the snow.
At the sight of Li Wenjian, everyone was shocked. Li Wenjian's cold voice cut through, "Why were there no guards with Concubine An and Lady Liangyuan? A tiger intruded the forest guards' cabin, and Concubine An was injured and couldn't escape."
Zhao Heng clung to Li Wenjian's neck, trembling uncontrollably.
Li Wenjian placed her on the horse, then wrapped her tightly in his cloak, shielding her from the wind. With most of her face covered by the thick brim, ensuring no chill could seep in, he held her close as they rode back to the camp.
The horse struggled through the snow, and Zhao Heng held onto the reins tightly, feeling nauseated and sick, not just from the snow.
Covered in Concubine An's blood, her mind replayed the gruesome scene of Concubine An being torn apart.
Li Wenjian encircled her with his arms, enveloping her in his embrace.
Inside the tent, Lian Zhou boiled hot water, anxiously waiting for Zhao Heng's return. Hearing footsteps outside, she hurried out and saw Li Wenjian carrying Zhao Heng towards the tent.
A gust of snow wind startled her awake, and she stood frozen in place, stuttering out, "Y-Your Highness."
Li Wenjian entered the tent and placed her on a chair, instructing Lian Zhou, "Prepare some hot water."
Lian Zhou snapped out of her daze and nodded hurriedly before running off.
Li Wenjian moved the charcoal stove closer to Zhao Heng, the warm embers emitting a comforting heat. As she heard Lian Zhou's hurried footsteps fade away, her senses slowly returned. She looked up at Li Wenjian, her pale lips trembling slightly. She tried to speak several times but couldn't get the words out, reaching up to undo the cloak around her.
Her fingers trembled so much that she couldn't untie the ribbon. A hand with distinct knuckles reached over and held her hand, and Li Wenjian handed her a cup of hot water, saying, "Drink some hot water."
Zhao Heng glanced at him, shakily reaching for the cup. She was trembling all over, her hands stained with blood, trickling down her pale wrists and onto her forearms.
In the next moment, Li Wenjian furrowed his brow, moving her hand away and holding the cup to her lips. "Drink."
Zhao Heng buried her face in his hand and drank the entire cup of water.
Li Wenjian placed the cup on a nearby tray, then looked down at her, the snow melting on her head and wetting her hair, a few strands sticking to her temples.
He walked to the cabinet, took out a towel, and returned to her side. Gently, he removed her hairpin and began drying her damp hair, holding her wet strands softly in his hands.
Zhao Heng sat stiffly on the stool, looking up at Li Wenjian.
"If you're tired, you can lean on me," Li Wenjian said.
Zhao Heng lowered her head, the firelight flickering in her dim eyes. "I'm covered in blood and dirt. I'm dirty."
He, radiant like the moon, she didn't want her filth to soil him.
Yet, in the warmth of the tent, in a fleeting moment, he stopped his actions, bending down to take her hand and wrap it around his waist. Two dirty handprints immediately stained his clean robe.
"In the worldly dust, who can truly remain untainted? Ah Heng, it doesn't matter to me," he said.
He continued drying her hair.
Exhausted, Zhao Heng clung to him, her face against his, trembling as she confessed, "I killed Concubine An."
"Uh-huh," Li Wenjian said calmly, "She killed your grandmother and poisoned me multiple times. She had committed numerous crimes and deserved to die. You did nothing wrong."
"I thought about exposing her crimes, making her face justice," Zhao Heng lifted her head from his embrace. "But when I considered the law punishment she would receive, just a quick death by poison for the mother of the prince and princess, I couldn't agree to let her die so easily. That's why I planned tonight's events."
Li Wenjian looked at her in this state and nodded in understanding.
With a hoarse voice, Zhao Heng asked him, "Did you already know?"
"I didn't know, but I had a vague premonition," Li Wenjian said, bending down to tuck her hair behind her ear.
âI donât want you to worry about these things,â Zhao Heng's eyelashes trembled slightly, as she lowered her head and spoke in a weaker voice, "I've caused trouble for you after all."
Li Wenjian remained silent for a while before whispering, "No."
"Then why did you come through the snowstorm?" Zhao Heng pursed her lips and asked, "Are you afraid that I won't be able to handle the aftermath?"
Li Wenjian's fingers relaxed, his voice softened with a hint of hoarseness as he smoothed out the furrows on her forehead, "I don't know why I came. When I saw the snow falling this afternoon, I suddenly wanted to see you. So I came."
"Even though I know you can handle things well, comfort the Emperor and Empress, even if you don't need me, I still came."
Zhao Heng paused at his words, she lowered her swollen eyes, gazing at Li Wenjian's face.
"Your Highness, you are very kind," Zhao Heng cleared her throat, gripping the Empress's cloak tightly, "But, I hope you... hope you don't treat me too kindly."
She was afraid of receiving too much, becoming greedy and ugly like Concubine An Min. She had told her that one day she would understand her feelings, and now, at this moment, she seemed to feel it. The thought of him treating his Crown Princess and future Empress as gently as he did now made her heart ache.
Disasters often stem from greed, she didn't want to become like Concubine An .
Li Wenjian, unaware of her thoughts, waited for her to continue speaking, but she remained silent.
"What do you hope for from me?" he asked.
She had already decided what she wanted to tell him long before, that he shouldn't be too kind to someone who had been in the mud for so long, as it would be too cruel whether he took that kindness back or transferred it to someone else in the future.
But now, looking at him, she couldn't bring herself to say it, she was still too attached to the warmth in front of her.
"Your Highness," Lian Zhou stood outside the tent, "The hot water is ready."
Li Wenjian stood up and said to her, "Go take a hot bath to drive away the cold on your body. The bodyguards have returned, I need to go to see the Emperor and Empress."
Zhao Heng instinctively stood up, her throat stuttered, wanting to say she would go with him.
Li Wenjian chuckled softly, he used to like women like the Empress who could handle things on their own.
But this woman in front of him, who could clearly rely on him, even though she could ask him to take charge but was willing to refuse his help even if it meant getting her hands dirty.
At this moment, he wished Zhao Heng would rely on him more.
Li Wenjian carefully kissed her on the forehead and said, "I don't want you to remember the scenes from that room anymore, Ah Heng, wait for me here. I'll be back soon."
Zhao Heng's crimson eyes watched him, then nodded after a moment.
Li Wenjian patted her shoulder and then strode out of the tent.
Lian Zhou came in to help Zhao Heng go to the adjacent tent to soak in a bath.
The hot steam filled the tent, making it almost as misty as the cold mountain fog. Zhao Heng immersed herself in the hot water tub, dispelling some of the chill from her body. She took off the vine bracelet on her wrist and soaked it in the water, cleaning every crevice carefully to ensure there were no blood stains left by Xie Jian.
*
Zhao Heng dried off the water on her body, changed into clean and soft clothes, and returned to the tent as if reborn.
Her grandmother's tragic death, Xie Jian's death in the tiger's jaws, all seemed like things from a past life.
She sat on the couch, wrapped in a thick brocade quilt, yet she couldn't find any sleep. Closing her eyes, all she could see in her mind were the images of her face being torn in half.
She tried hard to push those images out of her mind, but couldn't do it.
So, how had Concubine An managed to sleep these past few days?
"My Lady," Lian Zhou brought a cup of hot water, "Would you like some water?"
Zhao Heng lifted her pale face, tucked the hair by her temples behind her ears, and nodded slowly.
The warm water flowed down her throat, soothing her restlessness just right.
Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt her eyelids getting heavier, leaning against the pillow, she closed her eyes in exhaustion.
Lian Zhou hadn't even put the cup down yet when she saw her curl up and close her eyes.
She looked at the cup in her hand, blinked, the calming medicine given by His Highness was really effective.
*
Zhao Heng opened her eyes, the orange-yellow firelight filled the entire tent, she absentmindedly gazed at the blue and white canopy, only slowly recalling what had happened last night.
She remembered Xie Jian's death, remembered the sudden appearance of Li Wenjian in the snow, how he brought her back to the tent and went to the Emperor and Empress's tent.
Turning her head, she saw the figure by the desk and called out, "Your Highness."
Li Wenjian paused his reading, immediately got up, picked up the candle on the desk, and walked over to her with determined steps.
He had changed into a star-lord-colored sleeping gown, standing tall like a snow cedar, his hand holding the candle showing prominent veins and clear muscles, exuding extraordinary strength.
"What time is it?" Zhao Heng's voice was slightly hoarse.
"It's still dark, if you're tired, you can go back to sleep for a while," Li Wenjian tucked the corner of her blanket.
She reached out to hold his hand, shaking her head, "You didn't sleep all night?"
The room was warm from the burning charcoal, she had only faintly heard the sound of the wind and snow in her dreams, not feeling the cold.
Surely, he had stayed by the charcoal fire all night.
"I'm used to staying up late, I don't feel tired," Li Wenjian lightly smiled at her, then asked, "Are you hungry? The Emperor said you didn't have dinner last night."
Zhao Heng looked at him from under the blanket, and blinked her eyes, she did feel a bit hungry, but she probably wouldn't be able to eat much.
"If you're hungry, get up and join me for something to eat, I didn't have dinner last night either," Li Wenjian brushed her hair.
"Okay."
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