Mutual affection
A north wind is rising, blowing the last few withered leaves off the branches.
When Xiao Chengyan and Gu Jinghong's carriage slowly drove into the Prince Jin's mansion, the capital was already covered in snow and deep winter.
The journey was extremely slow, partly due to Gu Jinghong's recurring illness and the need for frequent rest, but also because of a tender and poignant story that was difficult for outsiders to tell.
After the Southwest region revealed their feelings to each other and became intimate, Xiao Chengyan finally understood what it meant to be deeply enchanted and soul-stirring, and what it meant that "the land of gentle pleasures is the tomb of heroes."
In the past, when he read history books, he found it absurd and incomprehensible that wise rulers would light beacon fires to amuse their concubines; when he heard the sages say "beware of lust" and "restrain yourself and return to propriety," he also felt it was a pedantic theory.
Only when he held her in his arms and felt her soft, warm touch did he realize that the ancients were right—this bone-melting tenderness was indeed more difficult to resist than the clash of swords, turning even the hardest steel into a soft touch.
After shedding her initial aloof exterior, Gu Jinghong's eyes naturally carried a touch of languid charm. She increasingly understood how a single glance or an unintentional touch could make the usually cold and self-possessed prince's Adam's apple bob and his eyes darken.
She was never good at these things, and Xiao Chengyan disdained women trying to seduce him.
But for some reason, Gu Jinghong seemed to have a special knack for dealing with Xiao Chengyan...
Along the way, Xiao Chengyan couldn't help but sigh to himself—as the saying goes, "everything has its counter," and she really did have a certain "subduing" effect on him.
Unfortunately, whether intentionally or unintentionally, she always seemed to fall ill at just the right time along the way.
She might cough softly a few times in the dead of night, or frown and gently touch her forehead when she gets up in the morning, looking frail and delicate.
Even though Xiao Chengyan was burning with desire, looking at her pale face and listening to her faint, weak breaths, he had no choice but to suppress his restlessness, leaving only a surge of unvented passion. In the end, it turned into a helpless yet indulgent sigh as he pulled her closer into his arms, using his body heat to warm her, but also making himself suffer even more.
He knew perfectly well that her illness was three parts real and seven parts fake. This little fox was probably just putting on an act so she could handle those "cabinet affairs" in peace at night.
But so what?
He looked down at the faint shadow cast by her long eyelashes, and the helplessness of being teased in his heart had long been overwhelmed by a surge of love and indulgence.
He knew it, of course, but he was absolutely enamored with her calculating, coquettish demeanor that she only revealed to him. He loved her so much that he willingly fell into the trap she had woven, cooperating with her in these "the king neglecting his morning court" dramas.
Besides, she didn't refuse every time.
Occasionally, when she "recovered" from her illness, her proactive enthusiasm and charm were enough to comfort all his waiting and patience, and even made him feel that the torment of waiting had become a kind of pleasure.
Therefore, for the two of them, there were not many real opportunities in these few months.
But the fewer opportunities there are, the more we must cherish them.
Whenever Prince Xiao had the chance, he would work exceptionally hard.
From Gu Jinghong's perspective, this is an even more important reason why she "feigned illness".
Because this Fourth Prince Xiao, who had been celibate for over twenty years, was simply... too energetic and too strong, often leaving her feeling weak and sore all over. If this continued every day, she would not be able to ensure the progress of those things around her.
Gu Jinghong was in contact with Xie Yan and Xuan Ru because she needed to understand the progress in the southwest; she was in contact with several trusted subordinates of Qianyuan Pavilion because she needed to keep track of the latest developments; she even had contact with Lady Liu of the Jinwang Mansion, and even bribed the steward while on the southwestern expedition... The abilities of the Pavilion Assistant Minister are evident.
...
Upon returning to the manor, he found that Eunuch Wei, who served the emperor, had been waiting for him at the Prince Jin's residence for quite some time.
Without pausing, Xiao Chengyan immediately changed his clothes and entered the palace to meet the emperor. In the imperial study, he reported to the emperor in great detail about the suppression of the rebellion in the southwest and the capture of Prince Zhao Qian.
After a long dialogue between the emperor and his ministers, and with all the important matters having been discussed, the sky outside the window was gradually brightening, and it was nearly dawn, time for the court assembly to begin.
Just as Xiao Chengyan was about to take his leave to attend the court assembly at Xuanzheng Hall, a slight noise came from outside the Imperial Study.
The head eunuch of Changshou Palace, accompanied by two junior eunuchs, stood respectfully outside the door with their heads bowed and smiles on their faces.
"Your Majesty, may you be well; Your Highness, may you be well. I have disturbed Your Majesty and Your Highness's meeting, and I deserve to die. However, the Empress Dowager is concerned about her great-grandson. Upon hearing that Your Highness was summoned by His Majesty as soon as you returned to the capital, without even having a cup of tea, she is deeply distressed. She has decreed that, regardless of court etiquette, the Fourth Prince must be invited to the Changshou Palace to see him first, so that she may be at ease."
Upon hearing this, the emperor behind his desk smiled with a hint of helplessness and understanding, and shook his head: "Grandmother is blaming me for hogging Yan'er for too long."
He looked at Xiao Chengyan and said in a gentler tone, "In that case, Yan'er, you should go to Changshou Palace first to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager and comfort her. The court assembly... can wait until later."
Xiao Chengyan's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately bowed and replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."
Inside the Longevity Palace, a warm and fragrant atmosphere prevailed. Accompanied by an old nanny, the Empress Dowager was pruning a branch of winter plum blossoms that had not yet bloomed.
Seeing Xiao Chengyan enter, she handed the scissors to the old nanny and subconsciously walked towards Xiao Chengyan.
“Ayan,” she looked up at her grandson, who was more than two heads taller than her, her eyes filled with pure joy and concern, “You’ve finally come back. Let your grandmother see you.”
The Empress Dowager was once a renowned beauty in the capital, but now the years have etched deep marks on her face.
As he got older, his eyes seemed to grow smaller, but his gaze remained clear. He looked to be in good spirits, but his face was thinner and more gaunt than when he was seen at the New Year's Eve banquet, like a dried date pit in autumn.
She pulled him to sit down on the warm couch and chatted about everyday things.
The withered hand patted the back of his hand, muttering that his chin had become more pointed and the weariness between his brows and eyes was more pronounced, indicating that he must have suffered hardships on the road. The hand then inquired in detail whether his diet and daily life had been adequate.
Every word and phrase reflects the elders' most simple and heartfelt care.
As they talked, the conversation naturally veered towards the thing that concerned her most.
"...I think it's always good to have someone who understands and cares for you by your side. You're a good child in every way, but this important matter of your life—your indecisiveness—it always troubles me..."
Xiao Chengyan listened in silence until this moment, when he suddenly stood up, took two steps back, lifted the corner of his robe, and knelt properly on the brocade cushion in front of the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager and the old nanny were both taken aback.
“Great-grandmother,” he raised his head, his gaze calm, his voice clear and firm, “Chengyan has a matter to ask of you, Great-grandmother, for my request on this trip.”
He rarely addressed her so formally as "Great-Grandmother," always referring to her simply as "Grandmother." The last time he did so was ten years ago... He wanted to ask her for something, so he started with "Great-Grandmother," but then stopped talking about it.
The Empress Dowager's eyes gleamed with a different light: "Get up and speak quickly."
Xiao Chengyan did not get up, his back was straight, and his eyes were firm. "Chengyan is fond of a young lady and wishes to marry her as his principal wife. I ask my grandmother for permission and to inform my father on my behalf."
In an instant, the surprise on the Empress Dowager's face turned into immense joy.
She leaned forward, almost in disbelief: "Really? Whose daughter is it? Who could possibly enlighten you, this blockhead? Tell me in detail!"
Xiao Chengyan looked at the Empress Dowager with a calm expression.
“Reporting to my great-grandmother, she was an orphan from a collateral branch of the Gu family of Yingchuan who had been separated from her family. Although her family background was not illustrious, the Gu family was known for its tradition of poetry and propriety and its upright family values.”
"The Gu family of Yingchuan..." The Empress Dowager seemed to be muttering to herself, with a hint of worry in her eyes, "The family's status is indeed a bit low... and it's a distant branch that has been scattered outside... His Majesty and the court officials may have some objections."
Xiao Chengyan continued, "She is gentle and kind, well-educated and reasonable, and she and her grandson are very compatible."
Meanwhile, Gu Jinghong, who was studying the wrist-mounted hidden arrow at the Jinwang Mansion, kept sneezing.
Strange—I don't feel cold at all.
The Empress Dowager had rarely seen such a resolute expression on Xiao Chengyan's face, and she knew that no one else could resist it, not even his father.
In other words, Cheng Yan's respectful demeanor was simply a way of hoping that she could mediate between her grandson and great-grandson, preventing the conflict between the father and son from escalating.
It's alright. The Empress Dowager has always been very concerned about Chengyan, so she smiled and asked, "A mutual affection? I see you're quite fond of that maid in your household..."
"It's her! Yan'er only realized after extensive investigation that she is the daughter of the Gu family of Yingchuan."
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, then her eyes flickered slightly: "...What a coincidence!"
She didn't know about the other women, but Yan'er was definitely particularly interested in that woman.
This child is sensible and capable from a young age, yet also resilient. He never talks to others and only knows how to bear things on his own.
She never worried that he would lose his power without the help of in-laws, but if he could marry someone he liked and find some comfort in that, that would truly be what the old lady valued.
After a long while, she finally smiled, a smile that dispelled the weariness on her face and made her look warm and genuine.
"Good, good!" she said repeatedly, reaching out to help him up. "I thought you were destined to be a lonely widow with your cold and indifferent nature! You are actually a daughter of the Gu family... When I was young, one of the best female teachers in the palace was from the Gu family. Her scholarship and character were both top-notch. Good, your family tradition is excellent."
She looked at her grandson who had stood up, her eyes filled with satisfaction, and her tone became resolute: "I will speak to the Emperor. My grandson must marry the woman he loves."
Xiao Chengyan chatted with the Empress Dowager for a long time before thanking her and taking his leave. With one thing settled in his heart, his expression remained calm.
He stepped out of the palace gate, just as the court assembly was ending and civil and military officials were filing out.
From afar, I could feel murderous gazes directed at me from all around.
He looked up and saw Duke Sun Lie, dressed in a purple official robe, descending the white marble steps surrounded by two or three people. His face seemed to have a slight smile, but his eyes held a murderous intent that was not yet fully concealed.
Their eyes met, and there was a sound like the clash of weapons, but both of them concealed it perfectly, and no one else noticed anything amiss.
The Duke of Zhenguo even lifted the corner of his robe and walked towards Xiao Chengyan.
"This old minister greets Your Highness, King Jin." He lowered his hands, his posture respectful.
"Your Excellency, there's no need for such formality." Xiao Chengyan offered a gesture of support, but his posture remained perfectly upright, like a pine tree on a distant mountain, majestic and noble.
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