Chapter 82
"It's okay."
Li Wenjian's soft voice sounded as he raised his hand to stroke Zhao Heng's silky long hair, gently patting her back.
Without a word, Zhao Heng used her fingertips to wipe away the thin tears that had welled up in her eyes due to vomiting, then discreetly raised her eyes to gauge his expression. In the dim light, his straight lips drooped slightly, his features hidden in deep shadows.
Before Zhao Heng could discern his emotions, her discreet glances were all caught by Li Wenjian. The curve of his tightened lips softened into a gentle smile towards her.
The unexpected smile made Zhao Heng feel a bit caught off guard. She turned around and nestled into his embrace, reiterating, "I really didn't mean to."
She didn't know what was wrong, perhaps she caught a chill that night at the third princess's residence and hadn't fully recovered. Lately, she had been feeling a tightness in her chest, and when he leaned in just now, she couldn't hold back.
"I understand." Li Wenjian embraced her with his long arms, leaning down to whisper in her ear, "Go lie down on the bed, I'll send for the imperial physician."
With their proximity, his features were close enough for her to see clearly. Clutching the jade belt around his waist and twirling it between her fingers, she let her long, thick lashes fall as she softly said, "It's late now, you have to get up early tomorrow. Let's wait until tomorrow; I'll have Physician Zheng check my pulse then."
Li Wenjian, upon hearing this, revealed a slight smile, "You've always been thoughtful, I shouldn't worry about you, but as the departure draws near, I can't help but be concerned for you."
"I have food and drink in the palace, so you don't need to worry about me. It's you who will be away for ten days...," Zhao Heng leaned against him, her voice soft, "You won't even be able to spend the New Year in the capital."
He gently held her close, smiling at her words. Since she entered the Eastern Palace, they had never been apart for so long. From her slightly despondent tone, he sensed a tinge of reluctance, and inexplicably felt warmth in his heart.
"Are you going to miss me?"
Despite her delicate appearance, Zhao Heng blushed lightly at his teasing question. There was no need for embarrassment, she raised her head and the light fell on her profile, illuminating her rosy cheeks as if they were delicate peach petals after the rain.
Her clear, moist eyes looked at him earnestly as she nodded, "Yes, I already miss you even though you're still here."
Originally teasing her, Li Wenjian found himself feeling conflicted. In his youth, he was carefree, always ready to leave at a moment's notice. He seemed to have no deep attachment to the capital or to home.
Now, with this gentle and affectionate person by his side, it felt like she had captured his heart, making it hard to let go, even causing him to have some emotions of farewell.
He held her tightly in his arms, "Ten days will pass quickly. During the day, you can study with Grandpa, visit Princess Mansion to see Jun Ning, and keep an eye on Nanxi's studies. The New Year is approaching, and there are many details to take care of."
"You're right, maybe I'll be even busier in the capital than you."
She smiled, giving him a sense of peace and tenderness. Her small dimples and soft eyes made the dark clouds in his heart dissipate.
After a pause, she added, "But life in the military camp is too harsh. I'm afraid you won't have a good New Year."
Zhao Heng was clever; in recent days, most of those entering and leaving the palace were military officers. Li Wenjian's urgent rush to Tongzhou meant that he was mobilizing troops there.
Tongzhou was close to the capital, so regardless of the situation, the Tongzhou troops could quickly enter the capital to ensure loyalty.
"Thousands of soldiers leave their homes to guard the borders, not to mention the hardships they endure. I'm just missing out on a New Year, what's so difficult about that?" Li Wenjian whispered softly as he embraced her.
Their private conversation continued into the night, and Zhao Heng, overcome with exhaustion, fell asleep silently in his arms.
Li Wenjian turned to look out the window, where the moonlight shone brightly under the eaves, casting the tree shadows in a pale glow. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
As she lay in his arms, unable to find peace with the wind and snow outside, she couldn't help but cling to his clothes.
He seemed to let out a soft sigh.
*
The next day, when Zhao Heng woke up, Li Wenjian had already left early in the morning. There had been a silent snowfall overnight.
She sat up in bed, looking at the empty half of the bed, feeling a moment of bewilderment. She waited for the usual morning greeting from the man who was warm and tender, but only realized after a long wait that he had already left.
"Can't believe he just left like that..." Zhao Heng couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy as she murmured, feeling lost and unsure of what to do. She sat there motionless for a while before remembering that she had to visit Li Juning today.
She was not seriously ill and had been recuperating at the residence for several days. With Xiao Zheng Hanlin off to Lin County on official business, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to cope alone at the residence.
"My Lady, are you awake?" Lian Zhou heard the movement inside and pulled back the curtains as she walked in, carrying a copper basin and setting it on the shelf, ready to help with her grooming.
Turning her head to face Lian Zhou, Zhao Heng asked, "When did His Highness leave?"
Lian Zhou smiled and replied, "He left around the hour of the tiger, all prepared to depart. He didn't want us to wake you."
Zhao Heng nodded.
Seeing a hint of worry between her eyebrows, Lian Zhou chuckled, "Before His Highness left, he had Qin Zhu fetch Physician Zheng from the hospital. He's waiting in the side hall to check your pulse."
This person was always so meticulous, taking care of everything silently and attentively looking after those around him.
After washing up, she went to the side hall to meet Physician Zheng.
Before Li Wenjian departed, he specifically had Mu Gui fetch him over. At the break of dawn, in a rush of anxiety, he didn't know what had happened to Zhao Heng and hurried over.
As she had not yet awakened, he stood in front of the door, looking out, and when he saw her finally arrive in the corridor, he immediately greeted her with a bow, "Is Madam feeling unwell?"
Seated on a stool, Zhao Heng smiled and said she was fine, explaining her recent symptoms to him.
Upon hearing this, Physician Zheng's face showed a subtle hint of joy rather than worry, "Let me check your pulse first, Madam."
Sitting at the table, Zhao Heng placed her hand on the soft cushion, and Physician Xiao Zheng took her pulse through a silk handkerchief.
As Physician Zheng felt her pulse, he paused and asked, "May I inquire if Madam's monthly cycle has been regular for the past two months?"
The warm mist rising from the teacup lightly brushed her face as she softly replied, "My monthly cycle has never been regular. It often stops for a few months in winter, only to return with the arrival of spring. So, I wasn't concerned about the past two months when it didn't come."
Seeing Physician Xiao Zheng's expression, she suddenly realized something and her eyes widened a bit. After a moment of hesitation, she stuttered, "Could it be, could it be..."
Physician Xiao Zheng chuckled softly, "Congratulations, Madam, you're expecting."
Zhao Heng suddenly felt a surreal sensation, subconsciously looking down at her still-flat abdomen and her throat feeling a bit dry.
She longed for a home with many family members who could rely on each other. She loved children, their innocence and tenderness, but she also felt hesitant and afraid.
Afraid that she wouldn't be a good mother, and afraid of the superstitions about being a "lonely star."
"What happy news." Lin Mama was so ecstatic she was about to jump up, a rare sight for Zhao Heng to witness her so unsteady, "My Lady is expecting, quickly, Lian Zhou, send someone to inform His Highness."
Zhao Heng's eyes flickered, snapping out of her shock, she hurriedly pulled Lin Mama aside and persuaded her, "He's already worried enough, let's not tell him this news. He might have a lot on his mind out there."
She managed a faint smile at Lin Mama, "Let's not mention it for now, we'll wait until he returns."
Lin Mama naturally followed her instructions, nodding repeatedly, "Alright, I'll do as you say."
When he returned home for the New Year, that would be another special New Year gift.
She pursed her lips and smiled, now having new expectations for the New Year.
Zhao Heng hurried to the Duke's residence, realizing that the time she had arranged to meet An Jingliu was approaching quickly. She hastily instructed Lian Zhou to prepare a carriage to leave the palace.
Jian Ning chose a shortcut, but unexpectedly, the market square was bustling with people, with layers upon layers of crowds blocking the way, making it impossible for the carriage to move. Before Zhao Heng could make sense of the situation, she turned her head and saw a man in black robes on a high platform, holding a dark jar in one hand and a torch in the other.
His bloodied face was obscured by his tangled long hair, his features unclear. He poured the liquid from the jar and then threw the torch onto the platform.
As the flames licked the oil, a gasp rose from the crowd, and people hastily retreated in panic.
"The Li royal family, lavish with praise when in need, but disgustingly dismissive when not. Though I, Tang Meng, served in the previous dynasty, ever since joining the new dynasty, I have fought in numerous battles, leading by example to defend the Li family's rule."
The intense fire quickly ignited on the high platform soaked in tung oil, licking at the man.
He let out a painful howl, collapsing in the flames and shouting in agony, "The crafty rabbit dies, the hound is cooked. Now that the Li dynasty's rule is settled, they begin to purge the officials of the previous dynasty. Are they planning to exterminate all people of the former dynasty?"
With boiling anger in his eyes, Zhao Heng unconsciously gripped the carriage window, momentarily hearing a trembling voice beside her.
"Just because he served in the former dynasty, he's being driven to death?"
"This is a heinous act..."
"They can't tolerate officials from the former dynasty now, will they even spare the refugees of the former dynasty in the future?"
"This is outrageous."
Many voices added to the cacophony.
Soon, the imperial city's guards arrived, and someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "These are the emperor's lackeys, harming loyal subjects!"
This incited the crowd, with a few starting to create a commotion and fighting with the imperial guards.
Sitting in the carriage, Zhao Heng watched the layer upon layer of leaden clouds in the sky, hearing the sounds of chaos and violence in the air.
Jian Ning firmly held the reins of the carriage, saying, "Lady Liangyuan, I will first take you to the Duke's residence."
However, Zhao Heng raised the curtain and looked at the chaotic market square, with a continuous stream of people flooding in from the alleyways, the agents of the Shenji Camp and the imperial guards rushing in. Those blocked in the market square were trying desperately to push out, resulting in some being trampled underfoot, crying out in pain.
With the high platform ablaze, sparks flew, landing on several onlookers.
The situation was becoming uncontrollable if it continued like this.
After a moment's thought, Zhao Heng instructed Jian Ning, "There aren't too many people causing trouble now. Have the agents of the Shenji Camp block off a few intersections to prevent more people from pushing in."
Amidst the clamor and chaos of Marketplace, she felt a chill run down her spine. Tightening her cloak, she paused, then pointed towards a group of individuals within the crowd, addressing her trusted aide Jian Ning, "Apprehend those men."
Jian Ning followed her gaze, memorizing their faces.
As snowflakes danced in the swirling wind, intertwining like wisps of cotton, Jianning found himself breaking out into a sweat despite the frigid weather.
No sooner had the Crown Prince departed than these scurrilous rabble-rousers emerged, eager to incite unrest and sow discord among the populace.