“Reasonable, without water nourishing the bi jade, how could it be so lustrous?” Xuan pinched her face. “Don’t think that just because you praise me a couple of times you don’t have to scrub my back. Quickly add some hot water, the water is getting cold.”
Knowing his temperament, she didn’t argue, carefully wiping his body clean, washing his hair, and then bringing newly made clothes, carefully serving him to put them on.
“It seems the size is still suitable.” She felt quite satisfied.
But Xuan suddenly frowned, reaching back to feel his back: “Chenbi, did you not pick up a needle?”
“Ah? No…” She was puzzled. She had carefully checked the clothes after they were made, how could there be a hidden needle?
“What ‘ah’ are you saying, quickly find it!” Xuan’s frown deepened.
To find this needle, Xuan took off his outer robe again, her hands gently tracing circles on his back, but still couldn’t find it. Then Xuan simply impatiently took off his inner garment as well.
“Maybe it fell on the bed, let’s look together.” She was just crumpling the clothes into a ball, trying to feel the needle’s location, when she was startled by two arms wrapping around her. With difficulty regaining her senses, she looked at Xuan, his face and body red from the hot water, like a piece of braised pork.
“Uh, it didn’t fall on the bed…”
“I said it fell, so it fell!” He held her arms tightly, not lessening his strength at all, leaving her no way to struggle, only able to watch as the bed came closer and closer.
“After searching for so long, where did the needle actually go?” Xuan’s tone was very satisfied.
She harrumphed, almost turning it into a muffled groan because she was held too tightly.
“Chenbi, do you think the needle might have fallen on the carpet? Should we look for it?”
Enduring the hands wandering on her back, she said softly: “If you want to look, look yourself, I won’t keep you company.”
This person was cunning, always using these underhanded methods… Her reputation as a consort during the day was now hopeless.
“I don’t want your needle, we’ll look together.” Xuan’s forehead pressed against hers as he said with a smile.
“Qiushui, don’t go too far.”
“What did you call this palace?” His voice was lazy, and his eyes also narrowed.
She shrank her shoulders: “Then you should also call me Chenbi…”
“Say it once.”
She shook her head, the anger just now didn’t count: “This concubine has…”
“I said say it once!”
“Qiushui…” Her voice became softer and softer.
“Omit the courtesy name.”
“Qiushui!”
“Mmm, so good, say it again, otherwise I’ll punish you.”
After much to-do, they were both tired, leaning against Xuan’s chest. She felt a little unreal. Xuan fell asleep, and she woke up, seeing him, her eyes widened, as if afraid he would run away.
“Where did you go for this past month?”
Regarding her arbitrary imprisonment, she couldn’t gather any information. During the New Year period, the Yan army suddenly attacked the Rong camp, killing the first two thousand troops, and then disappeared that night.
The Rong army didn’t see their banner flags, leading to suspicions that the Yan army was probing, Xuan noted. They had been cautiously on guard for the past month.
A sudden attack made her grip Xuan tightly, her body trembling. When two countries exchange hostages, tensions run high. With their armies facing each other, they were fortunate to be alive. Perhaps the Rong Guo Zhu spared them, fearing repercussions from the Yan and Di.
It’s fine now. It was confirmed to be the work of bandits. Otherwise, how could I still be alive? Xuan reassured her. He realized he couldn’t always protect her and that she needed to understand the dangers ahead.
Okay, nothing’s wrong. Let’s get up and eat. I’ve had Feng Shou prepare a welcome feast. The officials are probably waiting, and we can’t keep them, he urged, suppressing his fears as he stood up.
Chen Bi…
Hurry up and get ready. They’ll be here to escort you soon, he instructed, tossing clothes into her arms. Today, you’ll come with me.
But I’m just a woman…
You are a first-rank consort.
During dinner, she sat beside Xuan, smiling demurely and toasting the officials. She pondered whether the young officials, newly entering service with Xuan, had ever resented, feared, or regretted their positions.
Her contemplation was interrupted when her eyes met the beautiful phoenix eyes of Wang Ling, the only one at the banquet who spoke freely. He casually took a sip of wine, showcasing his bravery and insight as a top scholar from the Lang Yao Wang family. She hoped he might loyally serve Xuan.
After dinner, while considering how to approach Xuan, he praised Wang Ling’s strategy and Mu Fei Yun’s courage. She relaxed, realizing Xuan was clever and aware of what she noticed.
Following an upheaval, the entire residence was tense, with palace attendants appearing fearful, as if it were their last day. In this oppressive atmosphere, Xi Lin Xuan remained warm and gentle.
The grasslands of the Rong territory were beautiful, with vibrant flowers and blue skies merging with green grass, creating a sense of freedom from worldly troubles.
Unexpectedly, Wei Lin saw an old acquaintance—the calm young lady beside Tuo Bu Jing Shen.
Time passed quickly, and as Wei Lin enviously watched the horse-riding guards, dusk fell. Tuo Bu Jing Shen noted that the grassland was his territory and they could visit anytime, even offering a token. This delighted Wei Lin, who immediately thought about asking Feng to teach her horseback riding.
“I heard you’ve learned, let me test you,” Xi Linxuan said.
“Test? Okay, I’ll go for a run,” Wei Lin replied.
“Your Highness? You can ride a horse?” Wei Lin was surprised. “How could Xi Linxuan, who was previously unable to move, now ride a horse?”
Xi Linxuan gave her a strange look. “Don’t you know how to?”
Feng carefully helped Xi Linxuan onto the horse, and the master and servant exchanged nervous glances. “Your Highness, isn’t this inappropriate? What if something happens?” Wei Lin asked.
“What could happen? At worst, I’ll fall off the horse! Hurry up, or I’ll punish you,” said Xi Linxuan, sitting high and looking down at her.
Wei Lin mounted the horse, and Feng patted its head reassuringly. “Horse, you must be brave, run well for the prince and princess consort, and you’ll get good hay to eat.”
Her look seemed to say goodbye forever to the horse.
“Feng, later we’ll run a lap, and tonight you can chat with the horse to your heart’s content,” Wei Lin said with a laugh. But her smile froze when she felt hands gently pinching her flesh and a soft voice whispering in her ear: “So soft.”
Just as Feng let go, Wei Lin squeezed the horse’s belly and swung the whip. The horse obeyed and shot out like an arrow.
“Oh my goodness, the princess consort’s courage!” Feng exclaimed, patting her chest in fright.
As the horse ran, Wei Lin’s nervousness vanished, though she felt slightly uncomfortable due to the arms around her waist and the breath in her ear.
After a while, Wei Lin stopped the horse, worried about Xi Linxuan’s comfort. Her hair, once dancing in the wind, now hung by her cheek.
“Run more and you’ll become a female Kuafu,” Xi Linxuan said, his arm unrelaxed.
The orange-red sun set perfectly on the horizon like a large red ball.
“If we could chase the sun to the end of the sky and see its true face,” Wei Lin mused.
“Do you like this grassland, Wei Chenbi?” Xi Linxuan asked.
“I love it! Books say that in summer, if you part the grass, there are bubbles with shrimp and fish. In winter, there are roe deer. You’d be well-fed all year round; how easy!” Wei Lin replied.
Hmm, an ambitious idea. This palace will grant you a large grassland later, where you’ll catch fish, shrimp, and hunt deer for me. Xi Linxuan laughed, leaning on her shoulder.
