Chapter 974 Reunion of Husband and Wife (Xiao Ji VS Xinyang Fan)
Every New Year's Eve, people stay up all night, but it's unlikely that they'll actually stay up all night. After midnight, the sound of firecrackers in the capital gradually subsided, and the princess's residence also fell into tranquility.
After Gu Jiao finished washing up and came out of the bathroom, Xiao Heng was still awake, sitting on the bed reading a book.
When the princess's mansion was first built, fire channels were dug underground in the ground of each courtyard, connecting to the outside entrances. Every winter, firewood was burned at the entrances, allowing heat to enter the houses through the fire channels.
Commonly known as ground heating.
The room was warm. Xiao Heng leaned against the headboard, one leg stretched out lazily, the other leg bent casually.
He was only wearing a thin white nightgown, the neckline of which was not specially arranged and was slightly loose, revealing his delicate collarbone and above it his sexy Adam's apple.
Even her Adam's apple is so beautiful.
He looked so focused that one couldn't help but feel an aura of asceticism.
Gu Jiao stared intently.
Xiao Heng turned a page of his book, seemingly unaware of her presence, and continued posing.
Unaware of the situation, Gu Jiao's mouth was practically watering. Her husband was so handsome all the time; she wanted to pounce on him!
etc.
There is a baby in the house.
Gu Jiao glanced at the cradle beside her.
Huh?
Empty.
"Where's the baby?" she asked Xiao Heng, stunned.
"Oh, you're done washing." Xiao Heng seemed to only then notice her arrival, gracefully and calmly closing the book. His slender, jade-like fingertips landed on the book, turning the fine water-patterned paper into shavings.
Gu Jiao swallowed hard.
Xiao Heng turned his head slightly, the angle was perfect, and looked at her gently, saying without changing his expression, "Jingkong said he wanted to sleep with his nephew and niece, so I took the baby over. There's a wet nurse on night duty, so don't worry."
My husband's voice is so beautiful, so soothing and tingling, it makes my ears want to get pregnant.
Gu Jiao came to the bedside, bent her knees and climbed onto the bed. She supported her small body with one hand, leaned close to him, and with the other hand, she swiftly took his book.
Xiao Heng looked at her helplessly, smiled, and asked knowingly, "What's wrong?"
Gu Jiao said earnestly, "I want to eat you."
Xiao Heng's lips curled slightly, suppressing a smile, and he looked at her calmly: "Didn't you say you were sleepy in the carriage?"
Gu Jiao shook her head like a rattle-drum: "I'm not sleepy anymore."
Xiao Heng gently pressed his cool fingertips against her moist lips, his voice low and husky as he said, "You said it yourself."
"Mmm!" Gu Jiao opened her eyes wide and nodded!
Xiao Heng stroked her delicate cheek, then rolled over and pinned her beneath him, lowering his head to kiss her lips: "You're not allowed to sleep tonight."
...
The intimate sounds didn't stop until almost dawn.
Gu Jiao, like a contented little cat, nestled in his arms and fell into a deep sleep.
Xiao Heng looked at the person in his arms with affection, and couldn't help but kiss her swollen lips before holding her and falling asleep together.
The two slept until the sun was high in the sky.
Xiao Heng was the first to wake up. In his half-awake state, he vaguely felt someone pressing down on the blanket. He moved his body and slowly opened his sleepy eyes.
But what I saw was an adorable little head.
He was startled on the spot, and instantly became fully awake!
"Yiyi?"
He recognized his younger sister.
Little Yiyi sat cross-legged on the two of their blankets, holding her own little pillow in her arms, propping her chin up with one hand, and staring intently at her older brother.
Seeing this scene so early in the morning terrified Xiao Heng that he broke out in a cold sweat.
He hurriedly lifted the blanket to look inside. Thankfully, he had dressed himself and Gu Jiao before going to bed, fearing they would catch a cold.
He composed himself, sat up from under the covers, tucked the blankets around Gu Jiao who was still fast asleep, and asked Xiao Yiyi, "Why are you here? And why are you holding this?"
He was referring to her small pillow.
Little Yiyi said in her babyish voice, "Because starting today, I'm moving in with my brother and sister-in-law!"
He frowned strangely: "What do you mean?"
Xiao Yiyi stood up straight on the bed and bowed deeply to Xiao Heng: "Mother is going to find Father. I'll be in your care from now on, brother and sister-in-law!"
Xiao Heng: "...!!"
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, his mother, who had always upheld the rules, actually left her entire family behind and traveled thousands of miles to find her husband?!
What's wrong with this world?!
...
It rarely snows in the eastern part of Zhao Kingdom, but this year is an exception. Coupled with war, natural disasters, and man-made calamities, the lives of the people have suddenly become difficult.
Princess Xinyang traveled incognito. She sat in an unremarkable carriage and occasionally opened the window to look at the scenery along the way.
The closer they got to the border, the more desolate the streets became. Shops were closed, and beggars could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys. Some of them had even frozen to death.
"Princess, please stop looking," Yu Jin advised.
Princess Xinyang sighed: "Is this what war is like?"
She was a princess of the royal family, raised in the peaceful capital, and her fiefdom was the most prosperous and stable place in the Zhao Kingdom. She had never personally experienced the cruelty of war.
Yu Jin closed the car window for her. She knew that although the princess seemed aloof, she was actually kind-hearted. When she first encountered disaster victims, the princess would always give generously.
However, as the number of disaster victims increased, their funds dwindled, making it impossible for them to continue helping these victims.
Not wanting the princess to be downcast, Yu Jin quickly changed the subject, saying, "Princess, we have arrived at Li County. This is the county closest to the border. Thirty miles further east, we will reach the Marquis's military camp."
Princess Xinyang gave a nonchalant "oh".
Yu Jin smiled secretly.
The carriage continued its journey. It was almost noon, and they were hungry. Yu Jin asked the driver to stop at a small inn that looked fairly clean.
The conditions here are nothing like those in the capital. The water we drink has sand in it, the rice we eat is coarse, and even the salt used in our dishes is coarse salt, which has a slightly bitter taste.
Yu Jin placed a piece of green vegetable on Princess Xinyang's plate: "If I had known it would be this bitter, I wouldn't have persuaded you to come."
Princess Xinyang didn't say anything, but frowned and started eating.
Halfway through the meal, a commotion erupted from the street outside, followed by the cries of a woman and a child.
"Go and see what happened," Princess Xinyang said.
"Yes." Yu Jin left the inn and returned shortly afterward with a sullen face. She said helplessly to Princess Xinyang, "A beggar startled a horse while trying to grab a steamed bun that had fallen on the ground. The horse's owner whipped him a few times. The woman and child were passersby who were accidentally whipped."
"Are you injured?" Princess Xinyang asked.
Yu Jin said, "That beggar was beaten up and was seriously injured, while the woman and child suffered minor injuries."
No sooner had the words left her lips than a woman's aggrieved and indignant cries came from outside: "How can you beat someone in the street? Is there no law anymore?"
"Go and take a look." Princess Xinyang put down her chopsticks and promptly put her veil back on.
As soon as she stood up, a man in his early thirties at the next table leisurely advised, "Judging from your accents, you two must be from out of town, right? These days, it's rare to find people willing to come to Lixian County, except for government officials. I advise you two to mind your own business, lest you get yourself into trouble!"
An elderly man at another table also spoke up earnestly: "Yes, you can't afford to offend that person outside, so it's best to leave him alone."
Yu Jin asked politely, "Sir, do you know the origin of those people outside?"
The old man sighed, “They are not from Zhao, but from the Dongyi people.”
The world was divided into six kingdoms, but besides the six kingdoms, there were also many tribes and clans of all sizes, such as the Turks in the north of the Jin Kingdom and the Dongyi in the east of the Zhao Kingdom.
Yu Jin asked suspiciously, "Aren't the Dongyi people colluding with bandits and fighting against the imperial army? Why are they able to run rampant in the county town of my Zhao Kingdom?"
The man in his early thirties said, "It's time to negotiate peace!"
Princess Xinyang frowned: "Peace talks? Who made that decision!"
The emperor did not issue this imperial edict!
Her aura was so strong that she momentarily intimidated everyone present.
The old gentleman was the first to come to his senses. He looked Princess Xinyang and Yu Jin up and down. The two were dressed simply, but had an extraordinary air about them. Given their simple attire, they shouldn't be nobles from the capital, right?
Impossible. Why would a nobleman from the capital come to a place like this?
He calmed down and said, "Of course, it's the Marquis of Xuanping's idea."
Yu Jin retorted, "How could Marquis Xuanping possibly make peace with a small barbarian tribe? Crushing their tribe is the way Marquis Xuanping would do it!"
The old man didn't answer, but the man in his early thirties spoke up. He sneered and said, "Isn't this because the Dongyi presented a beauty to Marquis Xuanping? She's said to be the pearl of the Dongyi, the most beloved youngest daughter of the Dongyi king. The little princess of the Dongyi tribe is sitting in the carriage being escorted by that group of people outside. Now you know why we stopped you from going to your deaths, right?"
Yu Jin looked at her mistress with concern: "Princess..."
Princess Xinyang's eyelashes trembled, and a chilling aura emanated from her body.
Yu Jin looked at the group and said solemnly, "Marquis Xuanping already has a wife. He would not do anything to betray Princess Xinyang."
The man laughed: "Marquis Xuanping is a womanizer by nature. His relationship with Princess Xinyang has long been a sham. Besides, that little princess from Dongyi is truly beautiful. No man could resist her charms."
Princess Xinyang left with a dark expression.
"Madam! Madam!"
Yu Jin took a small piece of silver from her purse, placed it on the table, and hurriedly chased after him.
The old man and the young man both looked at the silver, paused for three seconds, and then stood up at the same time to take it for themselves. The waiter, quick as a flash, darted over and stuffed the silver into his pocket before the two could do so.
He then pulled out a dozen or so copper coins and ran to the counter: "Shopkeeper, the bill is ready over there."
The old man and the man pursed their lips in disappointment.
The Dongyi people left, the women and children departed, and the injured beggar was helped away by his companions.
Princess Xinyang looked at the empty streets once again, and a nameless anger burned even more fiercely in her heart.
She lifted her skirt and boarded the carriage.
Yu Jin followed her with trepidation and sat down beside her, tentatively asking, "Princess, please don't take it to heart. They don't know the Marquis; it's all made up."
Princess Xinyang said coldly, "Does his temperament need to be fabricated?"
Yu Jin chuckled dryly, "Wasn't it because you and your husband didn't get along before, and you didn't want to be a real couple with him?"
Princess Xinyang said coldly, "I have never said that I want to start over with him."
Yu Jin whispered, "Oh. So, in that case, it's not too much for the Marquis to mess around outside."
Princess Xinyang glared at her.
Yu Jin's hair stood on end, and she quickly said, "But he would never do that!"
Princess Xinyang closed her eyes: "Let's go."
Yu Jin asked softly, "Are we continuing to the military camp?"
Princess Xinyang said calmly, "Return to the capital."
Yu Jin's expression changed: "Princess!"
Princess Xinyang leaned back against the cushion again, closed her eyes to rest, and said, "My mind is made up, there's no need to say more."
“...Yes.” Yu Jin replied, forcing herself to speak.
That's such a pity.
We were just one step away from meeting the Marquis, so why did this mishap happen?
The driver turned around and headed back.
Despite Yu Jin's repeated attempts to persuade her, Princess Xinyang remained resolute in her decision.
It's not surprising, really. It was already quite an achievement for the princess to put aside her pride and travel all the way to the border. Hearing such news all of a sudden, it's no wonder she had second thoughts.
My lord, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just the will of Heaven.
However, just as the carriage was about to leave Lixian, something unexpected happened—when they went to the post station to change horses, they unexpectedly ran into the group of Dongyi people and even took a liking to the same horse as them.
The little princess of Dongyi stepped down from the carriage wearing a veil. The young girl stood tall and graceful, exuding youthful vigor from head to toe. She also had a pair of captivating eyes, bright and sparkling.
She truly deserves to be called the most beautiful woman in Dongyi.
Princess Xinyang wore a bamboo hat and a long veil, revealing only a faint outline of her face, making it impossible to see her features clearly.
The two women met unexpectedly at the post station.
The Dongyi princess said arrogantly, "I want this horse; you can choose another one."
Princess Xinyang said sternly, "Everything should be done in order of arrival. I wanted it first, so you can choose another horse."
The little princess of Dongyi chuckled and said, "Does that mean first come, first served? I have plenty of silver. Whatever you offer, I'll offer double!"
Princess Xinyang's gaze was icy: "So what if you're rich? So what if you're young? You have money, but do you think I don't?"
What does being young have to do with it? This person talks strangely.
The little princess of Dongyi looked her over suspiciously, stretched out her hand, and snorted coldly, "If you have any silver, then take it out!"
Yu Jin whispered to Princess Xinyang, "Princess, we've almost run out of interrogation time."
The little princess of Dongyi said to the post station manager, "Give her back her silver! I'll buy the horse!"
"Yes! Yes!" The postmaster couldn't afford to offend the Marquis of Xuanping's "beloved," so he hurriedly stepped forward and returned the two silver ingots to Yu Jin.
Princess Xinyang, exuding an aura of power, declared: "You dare!"
The postmaster was startled!
The little princess of Dongyi said angrily, "Why are you being so fierce! Do you know who I am?"
Princess Xinyang scoffed, "I know, the daughter of the Eastern Yi who's practically begging Marquis Xuanping is from a tiny tribe, yet she dares to call herself a princess. How presumptuous!"
"You!" The little princess of Dongyi was furious. "I don't hit women! Kneel down and admit your mistake, and I'll forgive you!"
Princess Xinyang said coldly, "You'd be more likely to kowtow and admit your mistake!"
The little princess of Dongyi stomped her foot in anger and shouted, "They won't listen to reason, so they'll have to suffer the consequences! Guards! Teach them a lesson!"
Eight Dongyi guards rushed forward and surrounded Princess Xinyang and Yu Jin.
The little princess of Dongyi laughed smugly, "Scared now? It's not too late to beg for mercy—"
Before he could finish the last word, a robust figure descended from the sky.
No one saw how he moved; in the blink of an eye, eight Dongyi guards fell to the ground!
The little princess of Dongyi stared in disbelief at the guards lying on the ground: "This is impossible, this...you...what kind of sorcery did you use! All of you, attack!"
The remaining twelve people also rushed towards Princess Xinyang and her companions.
But how could these people be a match for Long Yi?
Long Yi effortlessly beat them to a pulp.
Long Yi flashed in front of the Dongyi princess. The Dongyi princess looked at the masked man who was so fast that he was only a blur, and was so frightened that she could hardly speak.
Long Yi's eyes darted around, and he raised his finger and flicked her forehead lightly, causing her to fall to the ground with a thud.
Princess Xinyang walked towards her step by step, looking down at her: "Now, do you still want to steal other people's things?"
The little princess of Dongyi wiped away her tears and said angrily, "Who are you? What right do you have to bully me!"
Princess Xinyang looked at her sharply: "I am Princess Xinyang of Zhao Kingdom, the wife of Marquis Xuanping. So what if I bully you!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly felt two undeniable gazes fall upon her.
She subconsciously looked back and saw Marquis Xuanping standing in an open space not far away, staring at her in disbelief.
This is the word count for two updates.
(End of this chapter)
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