"Do you wear something similar?" He Xuan asked.
"I've always liked subtle fragrance", Lingxi answered.
He Xuan went back to concentrating on his work. There was a long moment of silence before Lingxi broke it.
"The girl you saw..." she asked slowly, ".....do you know who she is?"
"I didn't pay much attention to that", He Xuan answered.
Lingxi was silent for a while and he noticed, "anything wrong?" he asked.
"No, nothing"
[Evening]
[Duke Su's Residence]
Sang Xue'er watched the moonlight from her room corridors with Qingtong behind her. She had been standing there for over half an hour.
"Your Grace, you have been standing here for than half an hour. What are you thinking about?" Qingtong sounded worried.
Sang Xue'er did not answer for some time. Seeing the moon moving to hide behind the cloud she finally spoke, "I'm just thinking - does one really remain the same after experiencing a life changing event?"
Qingtong thought about the question before answering, "I believe there is hardly anyone that can remain the same"
"Then what about the one that is indifferent and has moved on?" Sang Xue'er asked.
"Isn't letting go...better?" Qingtong felt letting go was the best option.
"I guess it is", Sang Xue'er accepted her answer even though it didn't sound like she agreed with it.
There was suddenly a shower of rain.
"It's already raining. Your grace you should go inside lest you catch a cold"
"I'm not sleepy yet"
"Your grace has to pay respects to His Majesty tomorrow. You should sleep early", Qingtong advised.
It seemed to just cross Sang Xue'er's mind. She was going to the palace tomorrow. Her expression changed to something much bolder.
She was waiting to see what kind of battlefield she was entering and who would dare strike at her first.
[Channing Palace]
While the rain was yet to fall, Lingxi was looking up at the sky as well. She had the sky as well but in the garden.
She was seated with a jar of plum wine on the table in the open space. She seemed to be in thought as her attention was fixated on the sky.
The cup was on her lips when she felt drizzling rain on her. She quickly dropped the cup and lifted her sleeves to cover herself but the rain suddenly stopped.
She looked above her and saw an umbrella and her gaze fell on who was holding it, He Yu.
"Fujun", she called so softly that she didn't believe it was her voice.
"It's raining, you'll catch a cold", He Yu answered with a pleased smile at the title.
She looked at him for a while as if to ensure he was real.
Then her voice came through, "I don't want to walk"
He Yu looked at for a second as if to ensure she meant what she said. There was no change in her expression. He smiled. He recalled when she had asked him to carry her during her archery practice and he didn't. Well, it was the right time to make up for it. He bent towards her and in one swoop, picked her up. She rested her head on his shoulder.
He Yu felt the heat emanating from her body. Was she sick?
He Yu carried back to their room and gently laid her on the bed. He felt her temperature and found it hot.
"Why are you so hot?" he looked very worried.
"Let me get a physician", he said and wanted to go but she held his hand, "don't go"
She sat up with the support of his hand and he sat next to him, "don't call an imperial physician"
"But you're unwell"
She paused for a minute to take a breath, "Are you familiar with the cooling yin decoction?" she asked.
Few minutes later, He Yu was back with the decoction.
He had gone to Lotus Fragrant Hall to get the ingredients: honeysuckle flower, chrysanthemum, Rehmannia root and bamboo leaf. He carefully decocted the medicine with rain water.
He supported her by letting her rest on his chest and wanted to feed her the medicine but she took the bowl from him and drank it in one gulp. He dropped the bowl and helped her lie back down.
She lay back down on the bed. He Yu wanted to move but he felt his hand being held by hers.
"Your body is cool", Lingxi muttered.
She lifted herself to rest on his chest with both her hands holding his hand. He Yu noticed. He lay properly on the bed and put her arms round his body and firmly held her body against his to keep her cool.
[The Next Day]
Lingxi opened her eyes feeling that the bed felt quite different than usual.
"You're awake?" she heard He Yu's voice and realized who the 'bed' she was lying on was.
She sat up immediately and for the first time, her embarrassment was clearly written on her face.
"I...." she wanted to explain but He Yu had his palm on her forehead.
The worry on his face disappeared, "your temperature is back to normal. That's a relief"
Lingxi was quiet for a while trying to compose her next line, "last night, I didn't mean to lay down on you like that..." she tried to explain but He Yu interrupted.
"We are husband and wife, it's fine"
Lingxi did not answer for a while but she looked calmer and a thin smile was seen on her lips. Seeing her comfortable, He Yu decided to ask what had happened but was interrupted.
"Last night, you....." he was saying but Xin Lan's voice from outside the room interrupted him.
"Your highness", she called referring to Lingxi, "it's almost time for the banquet. You need to get ready"
"We'll talk about it later", Lingxi said and came down from the bed, "I'll go get ready now. You should also get ready, don't be late"
She left the room leaving He Yu wondering what she was thinking.
[Baohe Hall]
The Baohe Hall was prestigious for holding imperial banquets. Lingxi had chosen to hold the banquet there as it was less formal and still bore a high prestige.
The decorations were simple but carried an air of authority from the golden pillars to jade tables, everything read nobility.
Shen Ruihua and Noble Consort Su were seated at both sides of the emperor. Shen Ruihua by the left and Gu Wenlan by the right as per hierarchy. The two high consorts were seated amongst the princes and two princesses but within a higher space at the right while He Yu and Lingxi were seated at the left side. Nobles and high officials were seated behind.
"Commandary Princess Anning has arrived!"
Sang Xue'er walked in gracefully, her expression as the same, exuding an air of superiority.
She knelt down, "greetings, your majesty, empress, and noble consort"
"Rise", He Jingcheng said with a soft expression. Sang Xue'er stood up.
"Your father has been defending the Southeast tirelessly. Looking at you, you truly carry his bearing", He Jingcheng complimented.
"I am my father's daughter after all", Sang Xue'er responded but her response invited quiet murmurs.
A normal subject would either say, 'thank you for the praise' or 'you flatter me, your majesty' but she acknowledged the fact proudly.
He Jingcheng gave a laugh, "and you have his boldness too. Have a seat" Sang Xue'er curtsied and went to sit in the seat assigned to her.
Her gaze cut across the four princes seated opposite her. One had a woman by his side. She could guess he was He Yan, Prince Cheng.
"This time, Commandary princess Anning has come for a marriage with the imperial family. Have you decided which prince you want to marry?" He Jingcheng asked.