There was a long moment of silence. He Yu wanted to hear what she wanted to say.
"That's longer than I expected", she said.
"Hunh?" He Yu did not actually trust his own hearing at this point.
How long had she estimated him to live?
"I've always known you wouldn't live long. Isn't that one of the reasons I chose to marry you?" she asked.
"How would I know?" He Yu asked.
"Don't pretend. I investigated your health conditions before marrying you. With your ability, I wouldn't have been able to find out anything so that means you let me know", she said.
"I never knew that in your heart I was so capable", He Yu replied.
"Capable? You secretly manipulated me into marrying you and showed me clear reasons. Everything that happened afterwards was clearly anticipated by you. When it comes to being capable, I am no match", Lingxi said looking at him directly into his eyes.
He Yu acted like someone who was caught stealing as he slowly reclined backwards. He let out a short sigh and looked at her.
"I am already this weak and Zhizhi keeps scolding me", his expression was saying he felt wronged.
Lingxi rolled her eyes and sighed at his words. When it comes to acting wronged, of course, He Yu was unmatched.
"Although I didn't expect your life to be this long, I had long decided that I'll try my best to take care of you and be a good wife to you", she said.
He Yu gaze shifted to hers. She meant every word she said.
He slowly sat up and looked at her directly with happy eyes, "you mean that?"
Lingxi nodded.
He Yu's hand reached for her hair and caressed it for a minute. He slowly shifted closer.
Just as he was about to kiss her lips, Lingxi placed her hand on his chest stopping him.
"You are unwell. Now is not the right time", she said.
"Okay", he agreed, "then wait for me to get better then"
Lingxi stared at him for a second. His words, though kind of frivolous, were not wrong so she had nothing to say.
"Go to sleep", was the only thing she could say.
He Yu smiled and lay down on the bed.
Lingxi watched him as he slowly fell asleep. She turned off the lights afterwards and lay down next to him.
"He Yu", she called after some time.
She felt him shivering. She lifted the blanket to cover him properly but that didn't help.
"He Yu", she called again.
"Lingxi..." he slowly answered but his voice was shaking due to the chill he was feeling.
Lingxi thought for a second then shifted closer to him. She turned him towards her and hugged him through the night to give him body heat. His shivers slowly reduced and his breathing slowed down.
Looking at him, Lingxi realized she found herself caring more about him than she thought she would.
[The Next Day]
The sun rays of the bright morning shone over the room.
Lingxi's lashes fluttered for a second as the rays hit her.
She opened her eyes slowly and suddenly realized she was resting on He Yu when instead he was supposed to be resting on her.
She slowly sat up as she was still a bit sleepy.
"You're awake", He Yu said opening his eyes.
"How do you always wake up earlier than me?" Lingxi asked casually as she tried to cross over him to get off the bed but He Yu held her hand and pulled her back into the bed making her lie back down.
"He Yu, what are you doing?" she asked.
He Yu looked at her with a dreamy smile. He reached for her face and helped arrange the strands of her that were in front of her face.
"I am staring at my beautiful wife", he answered her.
Lingxi stared back at him, "it seems your health has gotten a lot better"
"I owe that to you", he replied.
There was a short moment of silence. Lingxi tried to stand up to go but He Yu held her in place.
She sighed, "what do you want?"
He Yu's lip parted slightly in a mischievous smile, "I want..."
His face peered closer into hers and Lingxi felt his breath on her face.
She closed her eyes slowly but before their lips could touch, He Yu's head rested on her chest instead.
"I want to sleep a bit longer in your arms", he completed his statement with his eyes closed and a smile on his face.
Lingxi could not find her words for a long time. Did he just play her?
She pushed him away from herself and climbed down the bed quickly before walking off. She did not forget to glare at him before leaving.
She looked annoyed.
[Fragrant Lotus Pavilion]
"Your highness, you seem a bit angry", Xin Lan observed.
"Am I?" Lingxi was not sure.
"Did His Highness offend you again?" Xin Lan asked in a sort of whisper.
"You shouldn't say such things about His Highness", Xin Xie corrected.
"Got it", Xin Lan acknowledged her mistake before continuing, "looking at your highness, it seems my observation is right?" she added as though she was asking a question.
"What is different about me?" Lingxi asked.
"Your highness is normally unconcerned or focused on something. His Highness is the only one capable of making you annoyed, angry and even worried. He also makes you happy. Just like yesterday, you were smiling so brightly when you were with His Highness", Xin Lan explained.
Lingxi thought for a moment but did not deny it, "he is only good at annoying me"
Xin Lan and Xin Xie laughed silently.
"Your highness, who are you making this for?" Xin Xie asked changing the subject.
Lingxi was making a sachet.
"It's for Brother Qin Yan", Lingxi answered.
Xin Xie thought for a second, "that reminds me. Guard Qin Yan is leaving for the Northwest with Prince Cheng today. You must want to prepare it for him"
Lingxi stood up with Xin Lan's help.
She opened a medium sized box filled with different bottles. She placed the sachet inside the box and closed it.
[The palace]
He Jingcheng had decided to hold He Ming's welcome banquet alongside He Yan's farewell banquet.
The imperial family was gathered for the banquet including Sang Xue'er.
"Today, this banquet has been held to celebrate He Ming's return. He has also retrieved the map which no one thought would be lost. Getting that news, I was shocked. I'm glad, he has done the empire a great favor. If you want anything, feel free to speak He Jingcheng said."I was only fulfilling my duty. I dare not ask for a reward", He Ming answered.
"I'll leave you to think about it. Whatever you want, as long as it's within my power, I'll grant it to you", He Jingcheng assured him.
"I thank Father for his grace"
Satisfied, He Jingcheng turned to Gu Wenlan, "you truly are an excellent mother. You've raised two outstanding sons. One is doing profoundly well in the Ministry of Justice while the other is an excellent general"
Gu Wenlan smiled, "as a mother, I was only fulfilling my duties"
He Jingcheng nodded pleased with her attitude, "you have also managed the affairs of the harem efficiently"
Gu Wenlan smiled in acknowledgement.
He Jingcheng's attention shifted to He Yan who was sitting quietly.
"You are to journey to the Northwest today. You must take good care of yourself", he advised.
"I thank Father for his concern", He Yan bowed.
"Imperial uncle, I remember the mentor selected to train Prince Cheng is Imperial aunt's guard, right?" He Jingcheng asked.
Lingxi stood up, "yes"
He Jingcheng nodded.
"Your majesty, I have a favor to ask of you", she said.
Everyone's attention was fixated on her.
"What is it?" He Jingcheng asked.
"My guard has a very disciplined personality and always follows the appropriate order of things", Lingxi started.
He Yan's eyes shifted as he did not know where this was going.
"His Highness is of royal birth and I'm afraid that due to his status, discipline may not be inferred properly without creating offense and when there is lack of discipline, poor results are often the outcome," Lingxi continued.
"What is your suggestion?" He Jingcheng asked.
"As Prince Cheng's grandaunt, I am, of course, worried about his future. Therefore, I would like to ask your majesty to grant Guard Qin Yan the 'Imperial Instruction Tablet'"
He Yan could not believe his ears.
The room went a bit quiet while He Yu looked at Lingxi quietly impressed.
Lingxi, however, stood maintaining her composure, completely unfazed.
The Imperial Instruction Tablet was no ordinary one. If granted by the emperor, one had the right to discipline a prince and could go as far as giving out punishments and also revoking a prince's order too.
Northwest was already a place with strict discipline. Asking for the Imperial Instruction Tablet was akin to digging He Yan's own grave.
He Jingcheng hesitated as he thought.
Gu Wenlan stood up, "Your Majesty, I also think Prince Cheng should avoid being lax in discipline at all costs. As far as what we can see from the former empress, we can only try our best to ensure that the apple falls as far as possible from the tree", she agreed with Lingxi.
A High Consort, Consort Ren, sipped her tea. She was the mother of He Wan and He Zhen.
He Jingcheng thought for a while about Shen Ruihua's conduct and also agreed that He Yan needed to avoid being his mother's replica at all costs.
"Okay, I shall personally grant him the token", he decided.
"Thank you, Your Majesty", Lingxi curtsied and sat down.
She exchanged glances with Gu Wenlan who smiled at her. Lingxi acknowledged her.
He Yu leaned slightly towards her, "you care so much about Qin Yan. You've already cleared all obstructions for him", he commented.
"He is like an older brother to me, of course, I have to secure his future and ensure all goes well for him", she replied.
He Yu smiled before sitting himself back in position.
"Commandary Princess Anning", He Jingcheng called.
Sang Xue'er stood up and curtsied.
"Due to the events that occurred right after your return, I did not have the chance to ask you - regarding your early return to the Capital without permission, what was your reason?" He Jingcheng asked.