"Okay, stop standing and sit down to eat." After saying this, Ling Shumo sat down first.
Shangguan Xu knew that Ling Shumo meant she forgave him, and after several months, a smile finally appeared on his face again.
The meal was very enjoyable.
After the meal, Lu Jinshu used the excuse of going back to take care of the children, leaving Shangguan Xu with some alone time with Ling Shumo.
The servants placed fresh peach branches that had just been picked from the tree in the vase on the counter. The stamens of the peach blossoms were still sparkling with crystal dew.
Ling Shumo plucked a peach blossom from the root and inserted it into Shangguan Xu's hair beside his ear. "Looking at the peach blossoms blooming in your yard, I remember the time when you first married into the Eastern Palace. Time flies so fast."
Shangguan Xu took Ling Shumo's hand and held it to his heart. "Your Highness planted peach trees in the winter just to make me smile. Whenever I see the peach trees in the yard, I can't help but think of the little things I did with Your Highness."
Shangguan Xu leaned his head against Ling Shumo's shoulder as he spoke. As much as he loved the Princess, he hated Fu Yijing and Xue Wu. He couldn't think of a way to successfully retaliate against those two bitches, so he listened to Lu Jinshu's orders. Lu Jinshu said that Fu Yijing couldn't be touched for the time being, but Xue Wu wouldn't have a good life for many days, so they had to collect some interest from Xue Wu first.
…
May.
Blackwater City, the northernmost city of the Chisha Empire, has been frequently plundered and invaded by the neighboring Beilin Empire. The people are unable to bear the inconvenience, and the emperor plans to send troops to wipe out the bandit-like soldiers of the Beilin Empire in one fell swoop.
The Beilin Empire is now in the period of transition between the old and new regimes. After the old emperor died of illness, the Crown Princess ascended the throne only two months ago when she was pulled down by the Ninth Princess of Beilin. The Ninth Princess was unable to warm the throne and was assassinated in a brothel by the Regent who held an army of 100,000.
Over the past six months, no fewer than ten peasant uprisings have erupted within the Beilin Empire. Those invading the Chisha Empire's borders are, to put it mildly, soldiers, but in reality, they're just ordinary people desperate to make a living, grabbing their hoes and turning to plunder.
Meanwhile, the Chisha Empire had enjoyed good weather and abundant crops over the past two years, boasting a prosperous and powerful military. Sending a regular army would surely quell the unrest on the border. For the past two days, the court had been abuzz with debate, with everyone eager to nominate their own leader to lead the troops. They believed that no matter who took the helm, victory was certain. Such a free gift of political achievement was undeniable.
The emperor glanced at all the princesses. He originally wanted to give this task to the fifth princess Ling Shulan, who had the highest martial arts ability, but Ling Shulan recommended Ling Shumo to the emperor.
After the court session, the two sisters walked together on the palace road to Donghua Gate. Ling Shulan smiled and said, "I owed Her Royal Highness the Princess a favor, and this time I have repaid it."
Ling Shumo was stunned for a moment before remembering what Ling Shulan had said. Last year, when the emperor was seriously ill, the princesses and princes, out of filial piety, had been unable to eat or drink. Ling Shulan couldn't bear this, so she feigned hunger and went out to eat. She had mentioned to the emperor how Ling Shulan, worried about her mother's health, had preferred to starve to death rather than eat a single bite. The emperor had praised Ling Shulan, calling her a truly filial daughter.
Ling Shumo bowed to Ling Shulan and said, "I just casually mentioned the Fifth Princess back then, but I didn't expect her to remember it till today. You've more than repaid the debt you owe me. When I return from Blackwater City, I'll definitely host a banquet for the Fifth Princess at Yunqi Winery, the largest in the capital."
Farewell to the Fifth Princess.
Ling Shumo returned to the Eastern Palace in a carriage. News of her impending expedition to the battlefield spread back to the Eastern Palace.
Guangming Hall.
Shi Qi walked in and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess has brought some homemade jujube flower pastries to see you. Do you need me to take him back?"
Ever since Xiwu was drowned, Ling Shumo has been cold towards Fu Yijing for a month. No matter what means or excuses Fu Yijing used, Ling Shumo never met him.
Ling Shumo put down the brush in her hand. "He's already five months pregnant. Instead of staying in his own palace, I wonder what he's been doing all day long?"
Shi Qi was just about to go out and tell Fu Yijing that "Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess is busy with something" and then send the Crown Princess back.
Ling Shumo said, "Let him in."
A moment later, Fu Yijing walked in, carrying a round ivory food box with eight treasures. His abdomen was slightly more bulging than when Ling Shumo last saw him, but his cheeks and limbs were thinner. He was obviously not happy these days because of Ling Shumo's neglect.
Fu Yijing placed the round food box on the table and took out a colorful glass bowl of jujube flower pastry. "I heard that Your Highness will be going to the northern border to fight soon. For the next two or three months, I will naturally take care of the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace so that Your Highness has no worries..."
He was interrupted by Ling Shumo before he finished speaking. "Your health is getting worse and worse, and you are not suitable for further hard work. Before you give birth, the power of the Eastern Palace will be handed over to Lu Cejun."
Fu Yijing hadn't expected Ling Shumo to say such a thing. His originally bright red lips were bitten white. "Your Highness, I am the Crown Princess. It is my duty to manage the Eastern Palace. If I don't find it tiring, there is no need to trouble Lu Cejun to help."
If he loses his power as the head of the family, he will become a mere figurehead with only the title of Princess Royal, which is absolutely unacceptable.
Ling Shumo's voice was extremely cold. "I'm sitting in the East Palace, and a murder could happen in broad daylight. If you continue to be the head of the household, when I leave for Blackwater City, who knows what irreversible things might happen in the East Palace."
Fu Yijing wrinkled his originally smooth sleeves, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Your Highness, I really know I was wrong. You ignored me for this month, and I have been reflecting on myself every day. Every time I think of the stupid things I did, I just want to slap myself." As he said this, he actually raised his hand and slapped himself. The left cheek quickly swelled up.
Ling Shumo, who had been calm at first, stood up immediately. She stopped Fu Yijing, who was about to hit her again, and asked in a reproachful tone, "What are you doing?" As soon as she finished speaking, Ling Shumo realized her tone was too harsh and said to the attendant beside her, "Why are you still standing there like an idiot? Go get an ice pack for the princess's face."
Fu Yijing suddenly covered his stomach with his hands, a look of pain on his face, "It hurts..."
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