Spring Breeze Crossing
A few days ago.
The news that Xu Qingyao had "come back to life" and was pregnant was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples among various forces in the capital.
The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.
Emperor Chu Huaiyuan looked at the secret report presented by his guards and tapped his fingertips lightly on the dragon table.
"The eldest princess personally examined her and confirmed that she is indeed from the Xu family, and she is pregnant..." He pondered for a moment, then looked at the fifth prince, Chu Huaijin, who stood with his hands at his sides, "Huaijin, what do you think?"
Chu Huaijin bowed and said, "Father, it is a joyous occasion that the Lady of Zhenyuan Marquis has returned safely. However... this story of 'faking death to avoid calamity' is a bit too mystical. I am worried that someone might be using this to create a mystery and plot something sinister?"
His words subtly implied that Xiao Zhouyan might be using his wife's "resurrection" to elevate his own status, or even harbor rebellious intentions.
The Emperor remained noncommittal, his gaze deep: "I know well of Minister Xiao's loyalty and courage. As for the Xu family... since the Princess has already spoken, let it be." He then changed the subject, "How are you managing the military affairs in the Northern Frontier for now?"
Chu Huaijin's heart skipped a beat, knowing that his father was warning him not to pay too much attention to the family affairs of his subjects. He quickly composed himself and began to report on military matters, but his apprehension towards Xiao Zhouyan deepened even further.
Inside the secret chamber of the Fifth Prince's residence.
"Useless! They can't even figure out if someone is dead or alive!"
Chu Huaijin swept the tea set off the table with a flick of his sleeve, his face darkening.
His trusted advisor, a middle-aged scholar with a goatee, Mr. Zhao, stroked his beard and said, “Your Highness, please calm down. The return of the Xu family is a foregone conclusion, and dwelling on it is pointless. The most urgent task is to seize real power in the northern frontier as soon as possible. Xiao Zhouyan’s use of his pregnant wife to stay in the capital is our opportunity.”
Chu Huaijin calmed down: "What are your thoughts, sir?"
A glint flashed in Mr. Zhao's eyes: "I've heard there's been some unusual activity on the border of Li Kingdom recently. We can use this as an opportunity to petition His Majesty to send more troops or adjust the border generals. Our people need to be placed in there. As for Xiao Zhouyan... since he cares about his wife and children, let him 'rest' properly."
His words were gentle, yet every word held a sharp edge.
Chu Huaijin nodded, unaware that the moment Mr. Zhao lowered his head, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, exactly like Shen Rou's.
*
The Regent's Palace in the Kingdom of Li.
Yan Zhan looked at the secret report in his hand, his fingertips lightly tapping the table. The report detailed the process of Xu Qingyao's "resurrection" and the Eldest Princess's statement.
"A peculiar fate? Fake death to avoid calamity?" Yan Zhan's lips curled into a cold smile. "Chen Rou, do you see? Your opponent is more interesting than we thought."
He looked out the window at the gloomy sky of the Le Kingdom, "The altar of Nanyue was destroyed, and you were severely weakened. Where are you now?"
From the shadows, a muffled voice rang out: "Your Highness, our informants in the capital of Great Zhou report that Xiao Zhouyan seems to be secretly investigating the Fifth Prince's forces. Should we...?"
“No need,” Yan Zhan interrupted. “Let them fight. We… can simply sit back and reap the benefits. Find Shen Rou and tell her that I need her to recover as soon as possible. Our time is running out.”
...
The Duke of Wei's Mansion.
Xu Qingyao's elder brother, Xu Zhiyuan, the Minister of Personnel, came to visit his sister.
He was a man of integrity and composure. Although he had doubts about his sister's extraordinary encounter, he could only keep quiet about it because Xiao Zhouyan took such good care of her and the princess had vouched for her. He repeatedly told her to focus on her pregnancy and not to concern herself with external affairs.
"Don't worry, brother, I'll take care of it."
Xu Qingyao responded obediently.
After seeing her brother off, she looked at the bleak winter scenery outside the window and understood that her father and brother's love was genuine, but in this arena of power, the Xu family also needed the stability of their marriage with the Marquis of Zhenyuan.
Her value seems to have increased again because of this "resurrection" and "pregnancy".
*
The Zhenyuan Marquis's Residence, Tingxue Pavilion.
Xu Qingyao lived a leisurely life, reading books, admiring plum blossoms, and occasionally keeping an eye on the developments of various parties through the system, playing her role of "resting and taking care of her pregnancy".
That evening, the sweet fermented rice balls served from the kitchen were exceptionally sweet, and Xu Qingyao couldn't help but eat an extra bowl.
Seeing that she liked it, Xiao Zhouyan instructed that it be made again the next day.
However, as night fell, Xu Qingyao began to feel unwell.
It wasn't the dizziness of being drunk, but rather a strange heat rising from my lower abdomen, quickly spreading to my limbs and bones, making my cheeks flush and my breathing rapid.
[Warning! If the host ingests even a trace amount of Spring Breeze Ferry, when combined with the fermented rice wine served at dinner, it will awaken one's true nature.]
The system's cold, impersonal notification sounded.
Spring Breeze Crossing?!
Xu Qingyao was startled. Who was it? How could they tamper with the food in the Marquis's residence? Was the target her, or Xiao Zhouyan?
She tried to get up and call for help, but her limbs were weak and sore.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and Xiao Zhouyan walked in.
He had clearly just taken a bath; his dark hair was slightly damp, and he was only wearing an undergarment, his body carrying a faint scent of water and soap.
"I heard you had two bowls of sweet fermented rice balls for dinner?" He asked in a normal tone, but as he walked to the bedside, he immediately noticed her unusual behavior.
Xu Qingyao's eyes were glazed over, her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were slightly parted as she breathed heavily. The collar of her silk robe opened slightly due to her twisting, revealing a delicate neck and exquisite collarbone.
"I... feel hot..."
She murmured unconsciously, grasped his hand that reached out to touch her forehead, and the cool temperature made her sigh comfortably as she pressed her burning cheek against it.
Xiao Zhouyan's body stiffened, and his eyes instantly darkened. He immediately understood what was going on, and he took her soft hand in his own, the heat from her fingertips burning him.
"Don't be afraid." His voice was low and husky as he bent down, picked her up, and carried her to the bed in the inner room.
Xu Qingyao sank into the soft brocade quilt. The remaining rationality made her want to struggle, but the surging tide of passion and the familiar and reassuring scent of the man beside her overwhelmed her.
The curtains were drawn, blocking out the spring light from the room.
Xiao Zhouyan's movements were initially restrained, his fingertips stroking her burning skin, causing waves of shivers to run through him.
But when she unconsciously clung to him, responding awkwardly yet passionately, all his self-control crumbled.
In the darkness, the senses were amplified. His burning lips landed on her brows, eyes, and the tip of her nose, finally seizing her slightly parted lips, which carried the sweet scent of wine, and exploring them deeper. Their clothes had been removed without their noticing, their skin pressed together, and heat ignited between them.
Consciousness was scattered; only the tangible warmth from the skin pressed against each other became the sole support in this turbulent state.
The ripples grew from subtle to turbulent, drawing her in and encircling her in a hazy state, like a small boat safely surrendered to the waters that held all her joys and sorrows. Occasional shivers, like ripples on a lake's surface, silently spread to every part of her body.
A warm touch landed on my eyelashes, wiping away some trace of dampness.
“…Qingqing.”
A soft, sigh-like call, carrying with it the familiar tenderness under the red candlelight of her memory, yet with a deeper, more irresistible power, gently pulled her into the depths of the vortex.
When the storm subsides, all things will return to peace.
Weariness washed over her like a tide, and she nestled closer to the source of warmth beside her. Before drifting into a deep sleep, she seemed to sense a gaze lingering on her for a long time.
The brocade quilt was carefully folded up, and a slightly cool touch lingered briefly on the old marks on her wrist, carrying a kind of indescribable preciousness.
What happened tonight was no accident.
That "Spring Breeze Crossing"...
A cold glint flashed in his eyes; it seemed the manor needed a thorough cleanup.
He lowered his head and placed a light kiss on the smooth forehead of the woman in his arms, then held her even tighter.
In any case, she now truly belongs to him.
This was not just an accident, but more like a destiny that bound them together even more tightly. He would investigate the scheming behind it thoroughly.
The night in Beijing is still long.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
