He Yu did not mind her and stood up, "I'm going to bed".
"Okay", Lingxi responded.
"Aren't you coming along?"
"I want to stay here for a while"
He Yu looked up, "the weather is chilly and there is a curfew in the mansion. You should rest early"
Lingxi stood up slowly and turned to him, "you're right. I also have to pay my respects to the empress tomorrow".
He Yu stepped aside to let her pass. She walked into the room and watched as He Yu took off his outer garment and hung it. His belt followed and the next layer of garment was removed next. He hung them.
"Don't you usually have attendants doing this?" Lingxi asked.
"I'm used to taking care of myself", He Yu answered.
He walked closer and sat next to her. Lingxi was unsure of what she was expected to do or his intentions. She faced him but before she could comprehend his intentions, he laid down at the end of the bed. She was a bit confused but slowly laid down on the bed next to him.
"Anything wrong?" He Yu asked feeling her gaze.
"I believe Your Highness understands what is troubling me", Lingxi asked.
"The journey is long. There is no need to rush things - anytime you're ready", He Yu answered.
He was lying quietly with his hand folded on his chest and his eyes closed. Lingxi nudged closer to him.
She leaned slightly toward him, resting her chin lightly against his shoulder as she studied his face, "I never knew your highness was such a gentleman."
He Yu slowly opened his eyes to meet her gaze peering right through his eyes.
"Your Highness seems very comfortable all of a sudden," he said calmly.
His gaze briefly fell on the little distance left between them, "So the noble lady was only pretending?"
"Back then, I still had a reputation to protect. But now," she shifted even closer, "I have every right to behave like this."
She finished her teasing and lay back down to sleep.
He Yu watched her sleeping so soundly. 'She falls asleep as soon as she lies down,' he thought, and also went back to sleep.
*****
She woke up with the morning rays shining over her eyes. She looked to her left and couldn't find He Yu.
She stood up and six maids entered her room carrying trays containing clothes, shoes and jewelry.
They knelt down and greeted her, "greetings, Your Highness".
"Rise", Lingxi answered.
They stood up and Lingxi looked through the items.
"What are these?" Lingxi asked.
"The empress gifted you these clothes and jewelry. Since you are going to pay your respects to her today, we figured you would wear this", one of the maids answered.
The garments were excessively extravagant, far too conspicuous for a simple morning greeting.
Lingxi felt the fabric and immediately knew Shen Ruihua was purposely making things difficult for her.
"Take them away and bring another outfit from my dowry", she ordered.
"Yes", they curtsied and turned to go but something slipped into Lingxi's mind.
"Wait", she ordered.
They turned back. She walked up to the ornaments and picked a gold hairpin that had ruby and emerald stones designed in it.
"You may leave"
They curtsied and left.
Lingxi went on to bathe with the help of two maids.
"Which do you prefer, your highness?" two maids were carrying different outfits.
Lingxi pointed at the left one.
After bathing, the maids helped her put on her outfit and she had a light make up on her face.
She wore a flowing robe of pale moon-blue silk that deepened into lavender at the sleeves and hem. Long silk drapes hung gracefully from her sleeves, swaying like flowing water with every movement. Her hair was loosely styled behind her while her delicate earrings gave her a calm and elegant look.
She looked in the mirror satisfied with her look, "truly, grandmother knows me best".
She waved her hand dismissing the maids.
After they had left, Lingxi picked up the hairpin she had taken from the gifts earlier and wore it on her hair.
She stepped out and met Qin Yan standing outside the door, "Your highness", he bowed.
She walked on with Qin Yan following her behind, "why does the title sound so formal? You can call me Lingxi as you used to in private"
Qin Yan did not respond.
"We've achieved the first step. What is the next phase?" he asked after a while.
"Naturally, the next phase is to get past Shen Ruihua", she said.
She entered the main hall and met He Yu waiting for her.
She walked up to him and sat next to him.
"Your highness, sorry for keep you waiting", she apologized with a smile.
"Eat", he said.
Lingxi picked up her chopsticks and started eating. He Yu ate little but she ate enough.
"You sure eat a lot", He Yu noticed.
"Before going to war, you should build your stamina, isn't that so, your highness?"
A short moment of silence passed through.
"You are going to pay respects to the empress today. Do you need me to accompany you?" he asked.
Lingxi dropped her chopsticks.
"Aren't you going to court today?" she asked.
"I'm feeling unwell", he said and drank some water before standing up.
"Good luck", he said and left the room.
"He doesn't look unwell", Lingxi muttered but decided to mind her business. She had more pressing problems to deal with.
[Chiyun Hall]
"The Grand Consort has arrived!"
Shen Ruihua sat patiently. This was the moment she had been waiting for.
Lingxi walked in calmly and gracefully.
She knelt down and with her hands clasped in front and head slightly bowed, she greeted, "Greetings, Your Highness".
Shen Ruihua did not respond immediately but leisurely fiddled with the ring on her finger.
"It seems Grand Consort does not like the gift I sent", she said.
"How can that be? I liked the gifts very much but was afraid of not knowing how to use them so I decided to wear them bit by bit"
Shen Ruihua finally looked at her and noticed the hairpin on her head.
"That hairpin was my least favorite in the set. It does suit you perfectly", Shen Ruihua said, a hint of mocking in her voice but Lingxi did not let it get to her.
"I am flattered. The things your highness uses are all extraordinary. It is my fortune to receive your favor"
Shen Ruihua studied her carefully. She was truly perseverant. Her back was straight, her hands still clasped and her head remained bowed without a sign of defeat.
[The Palace]
"Greetings, Your Majesty", all the officials knelt down in greeting.
"Rise", He Jingcheng answered.
"Thank you, Your Majesty", they echoed.
"Is there any report today?" He Jingcheng asked.
He Yan gave a signal to Li Changsheng who immediately stepped out.
"Your Majesty, regarding the military authority that has been transferred to the grand prince, I'm afraid His Highness would not be able to shoulder such heavy responsibility", he started.
A sixth rank official from the Ministry of Justice, Xiao Han, stepped out.
"Your Majesty, I beg to differ. The grand prince grew under the late marquis' tutelage. He is no doubt able to shoulder the responsibility"
Another official stepped out, "you are a merely a sixth rank official. It's normal you don't have as much as understanding as the rest of us here, he said to Xiao Han before bowing to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, not only I, but many of the officials here think that His Highness is unsuitable for such a delicate and heavy responsibility"