The two looked at each other for a long time before Consort Chun finally spoke first: "Alright, since you're not feeling well, don't stand there. Come and sit over here!"
Upon hearing this, Yi Shangyun suddenly felt less nervous.
As she slowly walked over and sat down opposite her, Yi Shangyun realized that the tea that Consort Chun was brewing was also jasmine tea.
But the aroma of the tea, and the color of the tea soup, seemed so familiar.
Just as she was wondering what was going on, Consort Chun pushed a booklet that had been placed on the side of the tea table in front of Yi Shangyun.
Suddenly, Yi Shangyun snapped out of her daze, picked it up, and asked in confusion, "What is this?"
While continuing to brew tea, Consort Chun introduced the book, saying, "This 'Summary of Sand Control' is a complete record kept by a specialist during the late Emperor's reign when he ordered the control of sandstorms in the Northwest. It contains many valuable methods and experiences, as well as failures and lessons. Since you are determined to travel west this time, I hope it will be of some help to you!"
When Yi Shangyun opened it, she was surprised to find that it contained detailed records of various measures and methods for desertification control that had been taken previously, complete with illustrations and text.
Moreover, there are many examples of failures, along with analyses of their causes and improvement measures.
In addition, it records the specific time and location of sandstorms over the years, as well as the extent of their impact on people's lives each time.
Upon seeing this, she was indeed extremely excited: "This is wonderful! I had been worried that the descriptions given by the disaster victims might have some flaws, be incomplete, unclear, or inaccurate. Now, with this 'Abstract on Desertification Control,' many of my previous questions have been answered."
Yi Shangyun was overjoyed and expressed her deepest gratitude to Consort Chun: "Thank you, Mother Consort."
Consort Chun gazed at the booklet with an excited look in her eyes, which seemed to hold a treasure, and silently thought to herself, "Whether you admit it or not, and whether you are a descendant of the lost guardians of Western Qin or not, as long as it is beneficial to the people of Western Qin, I will do my utmost to help you."
Then, he praised her in his heart: "As a woman, you are indeed very good. My son is also very discerning."
But a deep sadness rose in her heart: "If only you were truly just the legitimate daughter of the Yi family!"
Just then, Xuanyuan Han hurriedly arrived at Zihexuan.
He waited for Yi Shangyun at Lin Yuexuan for a long time, but she did not return.
Helpless, he went out to look for her. When he arrived in the garden, he asked around and learned that Yi Shangyun had already been taken to Zihe Pavilion by Huan'er, a maidservant of Consort Chun. So he immediately followed her, extremely worried.
As soon as Xuanyuan Han arrived at the door, he anxiously asked Huan'er, "Is the Princess Consort inside?"
Huan'er curtsied to him and said, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort and the Imperial Concubine are talking inside!"
A cold glint flashed in Xuan Yuanhan's eyes, and he strode straight into the hall.
Upon entering, one sees Yi Shangyun and Consort Chun sitting quietly together, each holding a cup of tea.
He was somewhat surprised, but had no time to think about it. He first bowed to Consort Chun and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing the voice, Yi Shangyun, who had her back to him, quickly stood up and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness... why are you here?"
No one knows a son better than his mother. When Consort Chun noticed the hurried pace of Xuan Yuanhan as he entered, she said, "What's wrong? Why did Prince Qin rush to Zihe Pavilion in such a hurry? Are you afraid that I will give you, my new bride, another hard time?"
"Your subject wouldn't dare!" Xuan Yuanhan said, but he anxiously looked over and carefully examined Yi Shangyun, who was standing next to the tea table.
Seeing that he was smiling slightly at her, and that there seemed to be nothing wrong, she felt a little relieved.
Immediately, his only thought was to take her away, so he said, "I heard from the servants that the Princess Consort seemed to be feeling unwell this morning. I am afraid that the Princess Consort's old injury may have relapsed, so I came here to find her and take her back to see Physician Yue."
Consort Chun had already noticed Yi Shangyun's subtle movements and the pain she felt. How could she not understand that they were newlyweds, deeply in love and inseparable?
However, seeing that her only son, who had always been aloof from women and had been taciturn since childhood, was finally living a normal life, she was truly happy for him.
Then, with concern, she said to the two of them, "Your mother knows that you are newly married, and that the princess has recently stayed at Yanfu Temple for a while. Although separation makes the heart grow fonder, Prince Qin must understand that there is a long road ahead, and only a gentle stream can last. In any case, you must learn to restrain yourself and think more about the princess's health!"
Upon hearing this, both of them couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. Yi Shangyun immediately lowered her head, her face flushed red, and she remained silent in embarrassment.
Xuanyuan Han seemed to be no different from usual, saying, "Mother is right, I will take good care of the Princess."
Consort Chun glanced at the blushing face of Yi Shangyun, who was silent beside her, and finally took a deep breath and said, "Alright, I have said everything I needed to say, and I am a little tired. You may all go back!"
"Your subject takes his leave."
"Your subject takes his leave."
The two of them then left together.
After Xuan Yuanhan left with Yi Shangyun, watching their figures gradually disappear, Consort Chun muttered to herself, "These two people should never have been together in the first place. Who knows whether this will bring them good fortune or misfortune in the future?"
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he raised his voice and ordered Huan'er, who was guarding the door, "Huan'er, go and call Granny Zhang here!"
Soon, Granny Zhang arrived at the main hall and asked, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"
Consort Chun thought for a moment and said, "Go there yourself and have Imperial Physician Yue prepare a proper prescription for the Princess..."
Zhang Mama asked, puzzled, "Is Your Highness feeling unwell?"
Consort Chun explained, "The Prince of Qin and the Princess Consort are newly married. The Prince of Qin is in the prime of his life. You can instruct Imperial Physician Yue to prepare some nourishing tonics for the Princess Consort to take after sexual intercourse."
Zhang Mama immediately understood and hurriedly apologized with a smile: "Your Highness is so thoughtful, it was this old servant's oversight!"
"Alright, go ahead!" Consort Chun waved her hand.
Yes~
Granny Zhang was overjoyed and went out to carry out her errands.
Not far from Zihexuan, Xuanyuan Han suddenly asked Yi Shangyun out of the blue, "Does it still hurt?"
Yi Shangyun was still engrossed in the pictures in the booklets she had just seen, and was momentarily stunned by the sound, failing to react: "Huh?"
Xuanyuan Han glanced at her abdomen and said, "I heard from Yan'er that your waist was..."
Seeing the strange look that she suddenly gave him, Yi Shangyun also looked in the direction of her gaze.
Before she could finish speaking, she immediately understood and blushed, saying, "Your Highness, please don't listen to Yan'er's nonsense. What does a little girl like her know?"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanhan stopped and carefully examined the alluring color on her face before moving closer to her.
She said mischievously, "Oh? Yan'er is just a little girl who wouldn't understand... Could it be that the Princess Consort means you do understand...?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Shangyun became even more embarrassed and extremely angry, saying, "Your Highness, what are you saying?"
After saying that, she left him alone on the spot, her face flushed, and slipped away on her own.
At night, the Qin Prince's mansion was brightly lit.
When Xuan Yuanhan finally returned to Lin Yuexuan after a long day, exhausted, the hall was empty. Yi Shangyun had indeed moved away.
Once again facing the cold, desolate bedchamber, he dragged his heavy steps over and slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, his face filled with melancholy.
At this moment, Cheng Liang walked in carrying a tea tray.
Xuanyuan Han casually asked, "Is the Princess Consort asleep?"
Cheng Liang thought for a moment and said, "It shouldn't be yet. When I passed by just now, I saw that the lights in Yunshui Pavilion were still on!"
After a pause, Xuan Yuanhan suddenly stood up and said, "Let's go, let's go take a look!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Liang hurriedly reminded him, "But didn't Her Highness say during the day that she had important matters to attend to tonight and forbade Your Highness from disturbing her at Yunshui Pavilion...?"
However, Xuan Yuanhan seemed not to have heard what Cheng Liang said at all, and walked out quickly, disappearing into the silent night.
Inside the Yunshui Pavilion.
Yi Shangyun was lying on the desk, comparing the "Summary of Desertification Control" he had obtained from Consort Chun, and making some particularly important annotations on his own "On Desertification Control".
When she saw a place that deeply moved her, she couldn't help but exclaim, "So that's how it should be."
Yan'er watched silently from the side, and couldn't help but marvel at how her little master had grown up to the point where he could do things that even many men couldn't match.
Suddenly turning around, he caught sight of Xuan Yuanhan entering and quickly curtsied to him: "Your Highness..."
Before he could speak, Xuanyuan Han quickly held up two fingers to hiss and stop him.
Then, while continuing to approach her, he waved his hand behind him, signaling Yan'er to step back.
When he arrived at Yi Shangyun's desk, Yi Shangyun was drawing a sketch that was full of squares and boxes that he couldn't understand.
Xuanyuan Han quietly reached out and suddenly snatched it away. He looked at it in his hand and asked in confusion, "What is this painting of, Your Highness?"
Yi Shangyun was startled and quickly hid the booklet on the table in his sleeve pocket. He stood up and said, "Wasn't Your Highness not allowed to come to Yunshui Pavilion tonight?"
"I'm sorry, it was my fault last night, I didn't take care of your health." Xuan Yuanhan slowly reached out and grasped Yi Shangyun's shoulder, looking deeply into her eyes.
He paused, then continued, "It's not that I don't want to listen to you, it's just that my heart can't control my body. I can't do anything about it. I can't live without you for even a moment. Yun'er, never leave my side again."
Yi Shangyun had never known how to say goodbye to him, and after hearing his words, she felt even more helpless and didn't know how to begin.
Taking this opportunity, Xuanyuan Han pressed on, "By the way, what did Mother Consort say to you at Zihe Pavilion at noon?"
"N-nothing..." Yi Shangyun pushed the booklet in his sleeve pocket deeper.
How could this be kept from Xuanyuan Han? Taking advantage of his unpreparedness, he snatched it away.
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