The Second Prince's sudden downfall was like a boulder thrown into a deep pool. The raging waves it stirred up in the capital gradually subsided, but the aftershocks still lingered in the shadows.
Officials who were loyal to the second prince were either purged or lived in constant fear and trepidation.
Meanwhile, the prestige of the sixth prince, Xiao Xun, was at its zenith, and he was extremely popular.
The prince's mansion was bustling with carriages and horses, and countless people came to pay their respects and express their loyalty and flattery, but You Ye coldly blocked them all from entering the imposing gates.
Inside the mansion, however, there was a sense of peace and warmth, as if the disaster had been averted.
Xin Jiuwei's heart was as bright as if the clouds had parted and the sun had finally risen. Although her father was still in a coma in Yuncheng, the daily reports from You Ye showed that his pulse was becoming increasingly stable, and the imperial physician said there was hope for him to wake up. The biggest weight on her heart had been lifted, and Xiao Xun's solemn promise of "following her heart's desire" made her radiate an unprecedented glow. The melancholy and caution between her brows had lessened, replaced by a brightness and tranquility befitting her age.
She still lived in the warm pavilion, but her status had subtly changed. The servants were more respectful, with an unspoken reverence in their demeanor. Xin Kui was beaming with joy every day, as if her mistress were about to become a prince's consort the next day.
Xiao Xun remained busy. The court's political landscape had drastically changed, creating a power vacuum that needed to be filled, and the subsequent government affairs were numerous and complex. However, he returned to his residence noticeably earlier each day, and even for urgent official business, he mostly handled it in his study. The warm pavilion had become his inevitable haven after dealing with the court's conflicts.
After the initial awkwardness was overcome, their relationship naturally progressed into a state of intimacy. Although Xiao Xun remained taciturn and his expression was mostly cold, that sternness would always melt away somewhat when he was with Xin Jiuwei.
On this sunny afternoon, Xin Jiuwei sat on a soft couch by the window, intently copying the "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" from the rouge-colored inkstone Xiao Xun had given her. With Xiao Xun's occasional guidance, her handwriting had indeed become much more steady and powerful, revealing a resilience within its elegance.
The door to the warm pavilion was gently pushed open, and Xiao Xun walked in. He seemed to have finished earlier than usual today, still wearing his princely robes, with a hint of relaxation in his eyes after dealing with numerous matters. He didn't disturb her, but simply walked behind her, stood quietly, and gazed at her flowing, elegant handwriting.
Xin Jiuwei sensed his presence, stopped writing, raised her head, and a gentle smile naturally appeared on her lips: "Your Highness is back."
"Hmm." Xiao Xun responded, leaning closer and pointing with his slender fingers at the "δΉ‹" character she had just written. "This stroke, could you finish it a little more neatly?"
His breath brushed past her ear, carrying the cool scent of pine ink. Xin Jiuwei's cheeks flushed slightly. She picked up her brush as instructed and rewrote the character according to his guidance. Sure enough, the characters were more spirited.
"Like this?" She turned her head to look at him, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
Xiao Xun looked at the noticeably improved handwriting, then at her beautiful face so close to his, filled with expectation. A barely perceptible smile flickered in his deep eyes. "Not bad," he commented casually, then his gaze swept over her hand. "Did you take your medicine?"
Xin Jiuwei's smile froze for a moment, and she glanced somewhat guiltily at the bowl of dark, long-cold medicine on the small table beside her. Lin Wanyi's prescription was so bitter it made her tongue tingle, and she always hesitated to drink it.
Xiao Xun frowned slightly, picked up the bowl of medicine, walked to the small copper kettle by the charcoal stove, and poured the medicine in to warm it up again. His movements were so practiced that it seemed he had done it countless times before.
"Drink it." He placed the reheated medicine bowl in front of her, his tone carrying an unquestionable command.
Xin Jiuwei looked at the steaming bitter medicine, her little face scrunched up, and she muttered softly, "It's too bitter..."
Looking at her unusually childlike demeanor, Xiao Xun's smile deepened. He didn't speak, but instead took out a small agate box from his sleeve, opened it, and inside were several crystal-clear, candied kumquats. He picked one up and held it directly to her lips.
Xin Jiuwei looked at the sweet-smelling kumquat at her lips, then at Xiao Xun's expressionless yet determined face, and her heart skipped a beat. She hesitated for a moment, then slightly opened her mouth and, using his hand, took the cool, sweet kumquat into her mouth. His fingertips inadvertently brushed against her lips, sending a slight shiver through her.
The sweet taste instantly melted in her mouth, easing her fear of the bitter medicine. Xin Jiuwei blushed, picked up the bowl, held her breath, and gulped it down in one go. The bitterness was still strong, but the lingering sweetness in her mouth slowly relaxed her furrowed brows.
Xiao Xun watched her finish drinking and placed the agate box beside her. "Take this after you finish your medicine next time," he instructed calmly, as if the affectionate feeding he had just given her was perfectly natural.
"Mmm." Xin Jiuwei responded softly, her ears turning bright red, but her heart felt as sweet as if it had been soaked in honey.
Xiao Xun sat down in the chair opposite her and picked up the travelogue she had placed aside, flipping through it. Xin Jiuwei picked up her pen again and continued practicing calligraphy. The warm pavilion was bathed in sunlight, the scent of medicine mingling with the fragrance of ink, flowing with a silent warmth. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, and without words, it spoke volumes.
Xin Yunzhou recovered quickly and was able to walk slowly in the courtyard without his crutches. Watching the natural intimacy between his sister and Xiao Xun, he, as her elder brother, was filled with mixed emotions. His worries remained, but he felt even more relieved. At least in this dangerous capital city, his sister had a strong and genuinely caring support. He privately expressed his gratitude and entrustment to Xiao Xun, who simply replied with two words: "Don't worry."
The days flowed by gently and warmly.
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