First snow
The weather turned cold very quickly, and in just a few days, winter truly arrived.
Yan Shu woke up early that morning to find the light outside the window dazzling. Chun Tao brought in hot water, a smile on her face: "Your Highness, it's snowing! The first snow this heavy this year!"
Yan Shu, supporting her back, slowly moved to the window. Outside, everything was covered in white, with snowflakes fluttering down, and the crabapple tree in the yard was laden with white blossoms.
She stood by the window for a long time. In modern times, she lived in the south and rarely saw such heavy snow.
"Where is the prince?"
"The Prince went to the Ministry of War early this morning, saying he'd be back before noon." Chun Tao helped her put on a thick cloak. "Your Highness, please don't stand by the window for too long, or you'll catch a cold."
Yan Shu nodded, but was reluctant to leave. Snowflakes fell softly, the quiet bringing a sense of peace to everyone's heart.
Around noon, footsteps could be heard outside. Ling Yuan entered, shrouded in a chill, his black cloak covered in snow.
"Why are you standing in the wind?" He frowned and reached out to close the window.
"Just for a little while." Yan Shu brushed the snow off his shoulders. "Is it snowing heavily outside?"
"Yes, it's already piled up on the road." Ling Yuan took off his cloak, held her hand, and tested its temperature. "Your hands are so cold, yet you say you're not cold."
His palms were warm, and Yan Shu let him hold them: "Over at Qingfeng Gorge..."
"Work has stopped." Ling Yuan led her inside. "It's too cold; the cement mortar has frozen. We'll have to wait until spring to resume."
Yan Shu breathed a sigh of relief. It's good that work has stopped; at least this winter will be safe.
After lunch, the snow gradually subsided, and Yan Shu dozed off on the soft couch. In her hazy state, she felt someone tucking the blanket around her. She opened her eyes and saw Ling Yuan sitting by the couch reading a book.
"Didn't the Prince go to his study?"
"I'm not busy today." Ling Yuan put down her book. "Would you like to go for a walk?"
Yan Shu's eyes lit up: "Is that okay?"
"It's right in the courtyard." Ling Yuan took her cloak. "Wear something warm."
Chuntao quickly brought a hand warmer and helped Yan Shu put on thick snow boots. Lingyuan carefully tied her cloak belt before helping her out.
The snow in the yard hadn't been swept yet, and it crunched underfoot. Yan Shushen walked with uneven steps, and Ling Yuan steadily supported her the whole time.
"Slower."
"It's alright," Yan Shu bent down and grabbed a handful of snow. "This snow is so clean."
On a sudden impulse, she rolled a snowball and handed it to Ling Yuan: "Your Highness, would you like to try some?"
Ling Yuan chuckled, "Nonsense." But she still took it, her fingertips turning slightly red from the cold snow.
Seeing his unusually relaxed demeanor, Yan Shu had a sudden thought, so she made another snowball and gently tossed it onto him.
The snowball scattered on the cloak, leaving a white mark.
Ling Yuan paused for a moment, looked down at the snow stains on his body, and then looked at Yan Shu, who was laughing out loud.
"Getting bolder?"
Yan Shu laughed and backed away, "That's right, Your Highness!"
She took a few awkward steps in the snow, her body heavy and swaying as she ran. Ling Yuan quickly stepped forward to support her, but she stuffed a snowball into her collar.
The cold snow slid down his neck, and Ling Yuan couldn't help but shrink back.
"Really?" He raised an eyebrow, but his eyes were filled with amusement.
Yan Shu laughed so hard she bent over and started making snowballs again. Ling Yuan shook his head, bent down, grabbed a handful of snow, and gently tossed it at her.
The snowballs scattered softly on her cloak.
"Oh dear!" Yan Shu exclaimed in surprise, laughing as she dodged away.
The two started throwing snowballs at each other in the yard. Yan Shu, being heavy and clumsy, always managed to dodge them. Ling Yuan, on the other hand, was agile, but each time she gently threw the snowballs where she wouldn't get cold.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate. Ling Ying led Xuan Gui and Qing Feng towards the study, and they saw this scene as soon as they reached the courtyard gate.
Qingfeng suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide open.
"I...I'm not seeing things, am I?" He nudged Ling Ying. "Is that your prince?"
Ling Ying looked at the man throwing snowballs in the yard and couldn't help but laugh.
Hyun-gyu was also stunned, his mouth agape for a long time.
In the courtyard, Yan Shu threw another snowball, which hit Ling Yuan squarely on the shoulder. She laughed happily, not noticing someone at the gate.
Just as Ling Yuan was about to retaliate, he caught a glimpse of the three stunned people at the door and froze.
Yan Shu followed his gaze, her face flushed red, and she quickly threw away the snowball in her hand.
The courtyard fell silent instantly, with only the sound of snowflakes falling.
Qingfeng leaned close to Lingying's ear and whispered, "I've followed the Prince for so many years, and this is the first time I've ever seen him..."
Ling Ying coughed lightly, interrupting him.
Ling Yuan straightened his clothes, his expression returning to normal: "What is it?"
Xuan Gui then came to his senses and quickly bowed: "Your Majesty, Imperial Uncle... the Ministry of Works is pressing for the budget again."
Qingfeng quickly followed suit and bowed as well.
"Let's talk in the study," Ling Yuan said calmly, then glanced back at Yan Shu, "Go back inside, don't catch a cold."
Yan Shu blushed and nodded, then quickly went inside with Chun Tao's help.
After her figure disappeared behind the door, Ling Yuan turned and walked towards the study. As he passed Ling Ying, he glanced at him.
Ling Ying's smile vanished instantly, and she immediately lowered her head: "This subordinate saw nothing."
Qingfeng nodded vigorously in agreement.
Xuan Gui was still in a daze when Qing Feng tugged at him, bringing him to his senses: "Oh right! We...we just arrived!"
Ling Yuan didn't say anything and walked straight to the study. Her ears, however, seemed a little red.
---
The charcoal fire was burning brightly in the study, making it much warmer.
Xuan Gui was still thinking about what had just happened and was a little distracted. Qing Feng nudged him, and he quickly got down to business.
"Uncle, the Ministry of Works is pressing us hard. The silver Xie Mingde embezzled can't be recovered; there's still a significant shortfall."
Ling Ying added, "My subordinates discovered that Xie Mingde was keeping a mistress in the south of the city, and we originally intended to find clues through her. But this morning we discovered... she's already dead."
Ling Yuan looked up: "Dead?"
"Yes. It looks like a robbery, but it's too coincidental," Ling Ying said. "The money box was empty, and no clues were left behind."
Xuan Gui sighed, "In this freezing weather, it's really..."
"We have to investigate, even if it's cold," Ling Yuan said calmly. "We must gather the money before spring, otherwise, if the construction is delayed, neither of us can afford the consequences."
"I understand, nephew," Xuan Gui said with a bitter face, "It's just that the end of the year is approaching, and money is needed everywhere..."
Ling Yuan didn't reply, but tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
Meanwhile, in the Prime Minister's study, Cui Chong was leisurely sipping tea.
An aide whispered, "Prime Minister, Prince Duan and Prince Chen are worried about money. Xie Mingde's mistress has been dealt with as you instructed."
Cui Chong blew away the tea froth and smiled slightly: "Let them worry. If they can't raise the silver before spring, let's see how they explain it to the Emperor."
"The Prime Minister is truly brilliant. He not only eliminated future troubles but also tripped up Prince Duan."
Cui Chong put down his teacup and walked to the window to look at the snow scene outside.
"This is just the beginning."
---
Lingyuan returned to Lingxiao Pavilion at dinner time.
Seeing the weariness on his face, Yan Shu ladled out a bowl of hot soup and handed it to him: "Is something troublesome?"
"It's alright." Ling Yuan took the soup bowl. "It's just a matter of money."
Yan Shu recalled the biography of Prince Duan that she had read in modern times, which mentioned that he even reduced the expenses of the Prince's Palace in order to raise money for water conservancy projects.
"Your Highness," she said softly, "we can cut back on expenses in the manor. I don't have any expenses myself..."
Ling Yuan looked up at her: "No need."
"But……"
"No buts." Ling Yuan's tone was firm. "You don't need to worry about these things."
Yan Shu knew she couldn't persuade him, so she changed the subject. Thinking about what happened that afternoon, her face flushed again.
"Wouldn't it be inappropriate if Hyun-kyu and the others saw us this afternoon?"
Ling Yuan placed a piece of fish on her plate: "It's alright."
He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips: "They wouldn't dare to say anything."
Seeing his rare smile, Yan Shu's embarrassment dissipated.
After the meal, as usual, Ling Yuan accompanied her for a walk around the house to aid digestion. When they reached the window, Yan Shu suddenly stopped.
"Your Highness, look, the snow has stopped."
The night sky was clear, and the moonlight shone on the snow, making the room even brighter.
Ling Yuan stood behind her, gently wrapping his arms around her increasingly thick waist.
"After the baby is born, I'll take you to see the snow in the Western Hills," he whispered. "The snow scenery there is even better."
Yan Shu leaned against him, feeling the warmth behind her.
"Okay," she replied softly.
Night fell, and the snow began to fall again. It swirled and danced, as if trying to cover up every trace of snow.
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