Lingxi was sure that He Yu had been staring at her ever since she entered the study.
She was going through various shelves looking for a book. After marriage, her books had been arranged in He Yu's study but she had not once read since then and did not know where the book she was looking for was kept.
She paused for a moment only to find He Yu staring at her. She wanted to ignore him at first but she decided to ask if he knew where her book was.
"I'm looking for a book, 'The Wanderer's Chronicles'. Do you know where it is?" she asked him.
"The third shelf from the end, fourth row, sixth book", he answered.
Lingxi did not understand how he was so sure but went on to check anyways. Truly, she found it at the exact place he mentioned. She picked up and turned only to find He Yu still staring at her with lost eyes.
"He Yu, why are you staring at me?"
"He Yu?" he looked as though he was wronged.
Lingxi took a breath, "Fujun, why are you staring at me?"
He Yu smiled, "Zhizhi looks really beautiful today", he commented, "you look very good in a formal attire"
Lingxi looked down at her dress, "Is Fujun saying that I didn't look good before?"
"You look good in everything but this is mesmerizing"
Lingxi never knew He Yu paid attention to her clothing. She was about to say something when she noticed He Yu's outfit. The color and designs were the same.
She finally understood why Xin Xie had insisted on her wearing this outfit. It turned out that He Yu had purposely arranged it for her so they could have matching outfits.
She walked up to him and sat opposite him, "since Fujun loves watching me, I'll give you a proper view" He Yu placed both elbows on the table and leaned closer with his face supported by his hands.
Lingxi realized that he was hopeless, "your highness, when exactly did you fall for me? I just can't believe you suddenly liked me in less than two months of knowing each other", she asked genuinely curious.
He dropped one hand and leaned closer, "why don't you take a guess?"
Lingxi thought for a long while, "have we really not met before?"
She was starting to believe He Yu was testing her mental health. He Yu, on the other hand, chose not to help matters.
"Take a guess", he said again.
Lingxi chose not to bother with him but she was now sure of one thing - He Yu and her must had met long back. She just couldn't figure out when. But she was not worried as she was married to him. There was plenty of time to remember. She began reading her book with He Yu watching her.
Not long after, Xin Xie walked in with a tray in hand. She greeted them first before setting down the soup and cutlery down.
"This is....?" He Yu asked.
"Her Highness prepared this herself. It had been simmering on fire for six hours now. Her Highness said she wanted you to have this for lunch", Xin Xie explained with a smile before leaving.
He Yu felt touched as he looked at the soup, "you made this for me with your own hands?"
"Your eyes were set on the meal box this morning. Knowing your personality, how could I forget you?"
Lingxi paused for a second, "This is White Pepper Chicken Soup. The weather is getting chilly, it helps warm the body", she said without looking up from the book she was reading.
He Yu smiled at her, "hearing you made it with your hands has already warmed my heart"
Lingxi looked up at him, "are you eating or not?"
"I'm eating"
He tried the soup but he underestimated the spiciness. Just one spoon in, he almost choked and started coughing.
Lingxi was startled and she quickly stood up to rub his back, "are you okay?"
She was truly worried but He Yu only knew how to turn the atmosphere upside down.
"Seeing Zhizhi so worried about me puts my heart at ease", he said still trying to catch his breath.
Lingxi who was still patting his back could only sigh, "now is not the time to talk"
Lingxi who was sitting by his side as she tapped his back was wondering how He Yu could not handle spiciness meanwhile, He Yu used the opportunity to lean and rest on her body.
"Is it very spicy? I thought you could handle spicy food", she asked.
She remembered when he had Chef Zhou make her favorite foods and Laziji, a spicy dish was among them. She remembered she had fed it to him and he showed no reaction.
"I can't eat spicy food", he answered cuddling in her embrace.
She had held him in place when he rested on her and he took that as his go ahead to cuddle in.
"Then why did you eat the spicy dishes I gave you last time?"
"Whatever you feed me isn't spicy"
Lingxi realized there was no point talking to him. She pushed him away slightly and stood up to sit back opposite him. He Yu looked defeated.
He reached for the soup but Lingxi stopped him, "don't drink it"
"It was hot and I ate too fast - that's why I choked", he said holding her hands that were on the bowl looking affectionately into her eyes.
On the surface, it looked like he was insisting but Lingxi understood he was just trying to hold her hand.
She gave a short smile and withdrew her hand, "Let it cool then"
"Okay"
There was a short silence for a while and Lingxi decided to break it.
"I heard Vice Minister Cui would be taking over the Ministry of Revenue. You advocated for him, is he your person?" she asked.
"Yes", He Yu answered.
"You answered that so easily?"
"You're my wife and partner. You ought to know everything"
"Then why can't I know if we've met before?"
"You are the one with the suspicion, not me", He Yu said with his usual smile.
Lingxi chose not to answer him.
"Your cousin is coming to the capital. Are you excited?" he asked after a while.
Lingxi thought for a while before answering, "I don't know. It would be more of the feeling of seeing an old friend but I'm not sure I would count it as excitement"
[Fengyin Hall]
"Your highness, ever since yesterday your mood has not been particularly good", Lady Mao observed.
Shen Ruihua looked like she was having a serious headache.
"Everything is going wrong. How can I be fine?" Shen Ruihua asked though she did not want a reply.
"Prince Cheng's Consort came to pay her respects today but you did not see her. I'm afraid Prince Cheng would not be happy with your highness", Lady Mao said.
Li Min had come earlier in the morning to pay her respects to Shen Ruihua as per customs but was turned away. Everyone in the harem knew she was not favored by the empress.
"Her father almost jeopardized his future. My brother barely escaped the death sentence and is now in prison. My allies are withdrawing slowly. If he can't see his beloved consort is the root of the problem, he is not yet ready for court politics"
Lady Mao thought for a while before choosing her next words, "regarding the case, I heard it was Her Highness, the grand prince consort, that helped with the main lead"
Shen Ruihua had not yet forgotten that and she wasn't planning on letting it go either. She noticed Lady Mao's hesitation.
"Do you have something to say?" she asked.
"I wanted to give Your Highness a little suggestion"
"Go on"
"Commandary Princess Anning would be returning to the capital soon and there would be a banquet to welcome her"
"What are you suggesting?"
"Your highness has already told His majesty about being unable to host the banquet due to your current state of mind. Rather than giving this chance to Noble Consort Su, why don't Your Highness use this opportunity to get back at Grand Prince's Consort? You could use the relationship between her and Commandary Princess Anning as leverage to have her handle the banquet while we handle the rest"
Shen Ruihua listened attentively to Lady Mao's suggestion and it felt like an opportunity to deal with Lingxi for not only the case but for going against her when she had chosen to marry He Yu instead of He Yan.
"That sounds like a good idea. Go and invite the Grand Prince Consort over. Tell her I would like to have tea with her", Shen Ruihua ordered.
Lady Mao curtsied and went on to pass the message.