87 He misses her

◎The little weasel can't stay hidden in its burrow forever◎

At the palace gate, the sky was gloomy, a north wind swept through, and snowflakes danced in the air.

As the carriage drove out of the palace, at the end of the passageway, a tall and slender figure stood under the arched gate, holding an umbrella. In the dim passageway, the sunlight spilled out from behind the figure, making him look like a jade statue with a cool and radiant glow.

The carriage drove out of the gates of Changyang Palace and stopped in front of the aloof figure. The umbrella was slightly raised, revealing a cool and handsome face beneath it.

Hongyan peeked through the curtain and saw Sima Langjun's face. She quickly lowered her eyes, closed the carriage window, and turned to Qi Gu, saying, "Your Highness, it's Lord Sima." No wonder several princesses and countless women in the capital are so captivated by Lord Sima's face.

Qi Gu frowned slightly, opened the carriage window, and saw Sima Hong standing in front of the carriage, wearing a white cloak and holding a jade-colored oil-paper umbrella. Even the snow seemed to favor him, dancing around him. He was noble and flawless, with an outstanding temperament. What a noble young master in the snow, like a snow fairy descended from the heavens!

Even though Qi Gu no longer harbored any ulterior motives towards Sima Hong, she was still stunned by the scene before her. Was this... still human?

Sima Hong boarded the carriage, calmly closed his umbrella, and placed it aside. His ease caught Qi Gu and Hongyan off guard.

Qi Gu muttered to herself, "Is she really some kind of immortal? She just floated up here like that."

Behind him, a gaze fell upon Sima Hong bending down to board the eldest princess's carriage.

Qi Gu was worried about her father's illness and was also shocked by the scene of the Jade Prince in the snow. She did not urge Sima Hong to get off the carriage.

Instead, he craned his neck and asked anxiously, "Sima Hong, why is my father sick? Does he have a fever, or is there anything else that's bothering him? What about his leg? Has his old ailment recurred?"

Seeing Qi Gu's eyes redden with anxiety, Sima Hong felt a nameless emotion welling up inside him...

He even had the thought that it was more likely that he himself was sick. He didn't want Qi Gu to worry so much about others, even if that person was Qi Gu's adoptive father. He said in a light tone, "Mr. Li is fine. He will recover after a few days of rest." His expression was a little cold.

"Liar! If Father is alright, why would you have the eunuch specifically tell me?" Back in Li Village, Father wouldn't let her know when his legs ached so much in the winter that he couldn't sleep. Now that she's in the capital, she can't watch over him all the time, and she feels very guilty. Hearing that Father is sick makes her even more anxious.

Father's legs need proper care, yet he continues to neglect his health. Aunt Qi made up her mind that when she saw Father, she would give him some serious advice, and it would be best to assign someone to take care of him.

When Sima Hong saw Qi Gu wearing a dark red cloak trimmed with white fox fur, her face buried in the white fur, her eyes glistening with tears, Sima Hong's heart softened like the first snow outside the window. The snowflakes drifted down and suddenly landed on his heart, turning into a drop of water that made his heart itch.

Knowing he was being impolite, he couldn't take his eyes off Qi Gu. They hadn't seen each other for so long—a whole month—and he couldn't bear the long period without seeing her.

Hongyan noticed that Sima Langjun's eyes were fixed on the princess without missing a single glance, but the princess was completely unaware of this dangerous gaze, only concerned about Mr. Li's health. She inexplicably thought of a deer in the forest with its back to the wolf, completely oblivious to the beast behind it that was looking at it with greedy eyes.

Suddenly, Sima Langjun glanced at her, and Hongyan immediately withdrew her probing gaze. Sima Langjun's gaze towards her carried a warning.

The carriage quickly came to a stop in front of Sima Hong's villa. Sima Hong got out of the carriage, opened his umbrella, and reached out a hand to Qi Gu, who was coming out of the carriage. Qi Gu was dizzy and was helped down from the carriage by Sima Hong.

She was dizzy again and shared an umbrella with Sima Hong. Their red and white clothes were intertwined under the umbrella. His long, strong arm was behind Qi Gu's waist, protecting her as she stepped over the threshold.

Hongyan glanced at the umbrella in her hand, then looked up and saw only the red and white streaks of her skirt intertwined on the ground, flowing down the steps and disappearing into the vermilion doorway.

Qi Gu was preoccupied with her father's illness and, wearing a thick cloak, was completely unaware that Sima Hong's hand was placed in an inappropriate position.

Along the way, the servants of the Sima family watched the two walk by under the same umbrella. Their young master embraced the princess with a clear protective and... possessive posture. The two looked like a newlywed couple returning from outside the mansion, intimately close.

The servants were all astonished, but they restrained themselves from showing any unusual expression. Only after the two figures had left did they dare to secretly look up at them. Their young master and princess, could this be a sign that good news was about to happen...?

Upon arriving at her father's courtyard, Qi Gu didn't knock but pushed the door open and entered.

Sima Hong felt a chill on his wrist, the soft fabric of the cloak brushing against his hand and taking away the fragrant warmth.

He withdrew his hand dejectedly and followed them into the house.

As soon as Qi Gu entered the room, she felt that it was very warm. She twitched her nose and noticed that not only was the room warm, but she could also smell a faint aroma of wine.

"Hmm?" She walked around the screen and saw Li Shi, with a ruddy complexion, sitting cross-legged on a couch. On the table were peanuts, a plate of roasted pork, and two dishes of pastries. Most importantly, there was a small stove on the table, with a pot of wine being warmed on it.

Qi Gu was furious. She had been so worried about her father's health, but he was living a carefree life, even drinking alcohol while sick!

"Father, how could you drink alcohol!" Qi Gu plopped down on the other side of the couch.

Upon seeing Qi Gu, Li Shi's eyes lit up. He was bored in the winter and had recently fallen ill. Sima Hong had ordered people to watch over him and prevent him from going out.

He secretly went to the kitchen today and stole a pot of wine. He was just about to pour himself a drink when Qi Gu arrived.

He waved happily, "Aunt Qi, you've come at the perfect time. This weather is just right for a cat to stay at home and have a little drink."

Just as he was about to raise his cup, Aunt Qi grabbed his hand and said, "Father, you're sick, why are you drinking?" Turning around, she said, "Someone, take the wine away from me."

Li Shi watched helplessly as the wine he had painstakingly stolen from the kitchen was ruthlessly taken away.

He looked at Qi Gu accusingly, "I'll just have a little. It's cold and it'll warm me up. It's really nothing. Qi Gu, hurry up and have someone bring the wine back. Our father...?" He glanced at Sima Hong and changed his words, "Our master and disciple will drink to our hearts' content today."

"Don't even think about it!" Aunt Qi's attitude was firm. Her father dared to drink while sick; he was too bold!

"You, you're putting on such a princess act now!" Li Shi said deliberately.

"Hmph, it's good that Father knows."

Seeing that Qi Gu was adamant, Li Shi knew that he wouldn't be able to drink the wine. If he had known that Qi Gu was coming today, he would have gone to the kitchen to steal the wine tomorrow.

Aunt Qi sat to the side, scolding, "You can't be careless when you're sick. Your leg ailment is prone to flare-up in winter, so you need to take good care of yourself. Also, the weather is cold now, and things aren't peaceful outside lately, so you shouldn't go out unnecessarily." Although her father had nothing to do with the struggle for the throne, she still gave him her advice, not knowing what might happen.

Li Shi put his hands in his sleeves and tilted his head. "I know. He was in charge of me in Li Family Village, and he's still in charge of me in the capital."

Qi Gu laughed and said, "When Father is seventy or eighty years old, I will take care of him too."

Li Shi smiled, feeling even warmer than if he had drunk wine. This was the first winter the father and daughter had spent in the capital, and also the first winter since he came into this world without Qi Gu by his side.

That day, when he went to the outskirts of the city to check the land conditions, he sat alone in the carriage and felt that the carriage was empty, as if something was missing. In the past, he and Aunt Qi would inspect the land together, and he didn't think much of it when Aunt Qi chattered on the side. But now that it was quiet, he was indeed a little uncomfortable.

Now that Aunt Qi is right in front of me, this illness wasn't a complete loss, at least I got to see my daughter.

He glanced at Sima Hong, shrank his neck, and asked in a low voice, "I heard that the Emperor is going to appoint a Crown Prince. Recently, in the palace... are you in danger, Aunt Qi?"

It seems the struggle for the crown prince position has come to the fore, and even someone like Father, who doesn't care much about politics, knows the situation is tense.

"No, I'll be fine, Father, don't worry." In the previous life, before Mother and Sima Hong officially joined forces, my younger brother had already become the Crown Prince. In this life, Sima Hong joined forces with Mother early on, so the position of Crown Prince is my younger brother's destiny and will not change.

Li Shizai, though out of the loop, knew how dangerous the struggle for the crown prince was. Fortunately, he had repeatedly inquired with Sima Hong, both openly and secretly, and Sima Hong had assured him that Qi Gu was safe, which put his mind at ease.

Before coming to the capital, he made a deal with Sima Hong: Sima Hong had to protect Qi Gu's safety. He didn't care who sat on the throne, but Qi Gu had to be safe and enjoy wealth and honor forever.

Whether he's selfish or narrow-minded, Qi Gu is his daughter, so he has to plan for her sake.

When he saw Qi Gu today, she was the same as always. He noticed that she had even gained a little weight and become a little fairer. Not bad, Sima Hong had kept his word.

He popped a peanut into his mouth and said, "Aunt Qi, Father thinks you've gotten fatter. The food in the palace must be really good."

Aunt Qi clenched her teeth. "Father, peanuts and roasted pork are too heaty; I don't think they're suitable for you while you're sick."

Although neither father nor daughter said anything explicitly, they both knew that the other was still the same Qi Gu and the same father.

As Qi Gu watched her father drink the medicine, seeing him grimace and his face contort from the bitterness, she felt a sense of relief and warmth in her heart.

The cozy atmosphere inside the house softened the harsh winter chill.

Sima Hong smiled, his eyes following Qi Gu. Li Shi glanced at him several times, but he didn't notice.

Hehe, his daughter is so charming, she's completely smitten with the most handsome man in the capital. As her father, he's both proud and worried.

After taking the medicine, Li Shi felt sleepy. Qi Gu watched him go to bed to rest before she and Sima Hong came out of Li Shi's room.

A gust of cold wind blew by, making Qi Gu more awake. She looked at Sima Hong beside her. Her father's illness was not serious at all, but this man had specially sent a eunuch to tell her. She didn't know what he was up to, but his purpose was definitely not as simple as getting her to come and see her father.

"Please take good care of my father, Lord Sima. I'll be returning to the palace now."

Sima Hong called out to her, "Qi Gu, wait, Your Highness..." Sima Hong cast out his hook, waiting for the fish to take the bait.

Qi Gu stopped and turned to look at Sima Hong. She hadn't seen Sima Hong for many days. Sima Hong spent a lot of time in the palace, and if she wanted to, she would always be able to see him, just like in her previous life when she often used the excuse of paying respects to the Empress Dowager to see him.

But ever since Sima Hong made that astonishing move, she has made up her mind to avoid seeing him if possible.

So the two hadn't seen each other for a month. If he hadn't sent a eunuch to tell them that his father was ill, they wouldn't have met today.

"You did this on purpose." Qi Gu gripped her cloak, which was billowing in the biting north wind, and shivered. "Father's illness isn't serious, yet you deliberately sent a eunuch to inform him. You deliberately sent me out of the palace. What is your purpose?"

Seeing that her face, which had just been flushed by the heat in the room, was now fading from the blush as the wind blew, Sima Hong's tall figure stood in front of her, and he naturally reached out to adjust her cloak.

Sima Hong blocked the light in front of Qi Gu's eyes, making her feel oppressed. Before she could retreat, Sima Hong had already grabbed her cloak collar with both hands, both to prevent the cloak from being blown open by the wind and to forcefully restrain her from retreating.

"It's windy here, let's go to my study to talk, hmm~" He lowered his face so close to her cheek that his breath hit Qi Gu's eyelashes, making them itch. She had to tilt her head back slightly and turn her face to one side, otherwise his lips would have touched the tip of her nose.

"Sima Hong, you are despicable!"

Sima Hong chuckled softly, "Hmm, indeed. Can we leave now, or do you wish to stay here?"

He threatened to bring his face even closer, and Qi Gu retreated repeatedly, having no choice but to agree.

She followed Sima Hong to his study. She had been to this study in her previous life. It was here that she saw the occasional look of exhaustion on his face. At that time, she felt sorry for his hardships. He had to face so many government affairs and so many things to do every day, and he also had to face so many assassination attempts. She walked behind him, placed her fingers on his temples, and massaged him.

There are some fond memories here, but memories are just memories.

The room was warm, as if someone had specially added a heater. She found it strange, remembering that Sima Hong didn't like rooms that were too warm. He had said, "A room that's too warm can make people feel indulgent and confused. I don't like feeling confused."

Standing in the warm study, Qi Gu was unwilling to sit down. She said while standing, "Can you tell me now? What is it that requires me to come here?"

Unexpectedly, Sima Hong caught her off guard and pulled her into his arms. Qi Gu struggled, but he held her even tighter, resting his chin on her shoulder and letting out a comfortable sigh, "Qi Gu, Qi Gu..."

He missed her, longed to see her. He had never found winter so unbearable, not because of the cold—he wasn't afraid of the cold—but because the days without her felt too long.

Qi Gu punched Sima Hong hard on the back several times with both hands. "Sima Hong, what's wrong with you? Why have you become like this? You weren't like this before!" This different Sima Hong left Qi Gu at a loss and instinctively felt a sense of danger.

Sima Hong hugged Qi Gu with satisfaction. "Hmm, I'm despicable, shameless, and lewd. Sima Hong? If it's you, then call me that a few more times. I like it."

After returning to the palace, Qi Gu became like a little weasel hiding in a cave, cautiously watching the outside world.

He deliberately waited at the Empress's palace several times when she came to pay her respects, but she never appeared. He then realized that she was avoiding him, treating him like a monster, and even when she went to the Empress's palace to pay her respects, she would do so at a different time than him.

The little weasel is very cunning, but its weaknesses are all out in the open.

Mr. Li's illness was perfectly timed. He knew that Mr. Li also longed for Qi Gu. Since that was the case, why not grant Mr. Li's wish for his daughter, and also fulfill his own desires in the process?

During the long winter, the little weasel can't stay hidden in its burrow forever, can it?

[Author's Note]

Qi Gu: Sima Hong, you pervert!

Sima Hong (with a gradually twisted expression): That sounds really good. Shout it a few more times, I love hearing it.

I'm fixing the bugs. Even though I spent over an hour fixing it twice, there are still so many bugs. I need to be more careful.