The person you like
Halfway through the twelfth lunar month, the temperature drops to the bottom.
A thin layer of snow fell on the blue brick floor of the East Palace. The palace maids held brooms and swept the fallen leaves in the cracks between the bricks along the corridor.
Fuyao stood in the corridor and saw the embroiderer from the Shangyi Bureau coming over with a new piece of green and blue silk with dark patterns. This was to make her a padded jacket to wear during the first month of the lunar year.
"Princess, His Highness has sent someone to deliver ginger tea."
Qing Ning came forward holding a gilded teacup.
"They said you were reading in the study and caught a cold."
Familiar footsteps were heard outside the courtyard. Song Chenyu had changed into a dark blue round-necked robe and was holding half a volume of "Zizhi Tongjian" in his hand.
He glanced at the embroiderer in the corridor, then looked at Fuyao.
"The color of this silk suits you. I'll have them embroider two peony branches on the edge of your dress.
Don't be too proud of your beauty, you are the Crown Princess, you should be a bit noble."
Fuyao pursed her lips,
"Your Highness knows more about needlework than I do."
"That's it."
Song Chenyu pulled her to sit on the couch and took out a book from his sleeve.
"Yesterday when we were discussing the Book of Rites, you mentioned the importance of women's virtue, appearance, and merit. I flipped through the book and happened to come across the story of this concubine.
Although she was born into the Jin Dynasty, she was able to persuade her husband to be frugal. Learning this would be more useful than memorizing the "Instructions for Women."
Fuyao took the book.
"Your Highness is so busy with all sorts of things, yet he still remembers these things."
She suddenly smelled a sweet fragrance. It turned out to be a maid from the Imperial Food Bureau coming in with a lacquer box.
"Princess, the jujube paste sesame cakes are ready.
Your Highness said the other day that you like it crispy, so I toasted it for half an hour longer."
Song Chenyu picked up a piece, blew on it and then passed it to her lips.
"Go slowly, don't burn yourself."
He took a bite himself, and the crumbs stuck to his beard.
Fuyao smiled and tried to wipe him with her handkerchief, but he grabbed her wrist.
"I'll wipe it for you."
He rubbed his fingertips across the back of her slightly swollen hand, his eyes as soft as the melting snow on the eaves.
In the afternoon, the eunuch came to report,
"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine has summoned the Crown Princess to Feiwei Palace for a conversation."
Fuyao stood up and straightened her clothes, and Song Chenyu straightened her collar.
"What does mother ask?"
"It's nothing more than prenatal education and New Year's etiquette."
Fuyao looked down at him,
"Your Highness is meeting with the Minister of Revenue this afternoon?"
"Well, the winter clothes for the soldiers in the northern border are being replenished."
Song Chenyu sent her to the gate of the courtyard and reminded her,
"Be careful, the road is slippery."
In Feiwei Palace, the imperial concubine held Fuyao's hand and sat on the warm couch, pointing to the New Year gift list on the desk.
"This is the jade hairpin prepared for the concubines. You are in a heavy state, so you don't need to worry about it.
As for you, how are you doing in learning from the ladies-in-waiting and maids?
Yesterday, the prince praised you in front of him, saying that you read very carefully."
Fuyao whispered,
"Your Highness praised me."
When I returned to the East Palace as dusk deepened, the lanterns under the eaves had already been lit one after another.
Song Chenyu stood in front of the steps waiting for her, holding a copper stove in his hand.
"Sinking incense, for pregnancy protection."
I glimpsed a half-rolled book from her sleeve.
"What are you looking at?"
"'Old Stories in the Wulin'."
Fuyao turned it over to him.
"It records the scene of Yu'an selling New Year's goods in the twelfth lunar month."
Song Chenyu took the book and stopped at the page about Nao'er.
"Next year during the Lantern Festival, let's take the children to see the lanterns.
If it is a little prince, teach him to set off firecrackers.
Little Princess..."
He smiled.
"Then I'll wear the most exquisite moth-shaped ornament."
The first snow began to fall outside the courtyard, and the eunuchs were holding the newly written Spring Festival couplets and pasting them on the door.
Fuyao looked at the prince's focused silhouette in the snow, and suddenly felt that the years in the deep palace were not cold at all.
He has a family and country to protect, she has responsibilities to study, and their children will welcome their first spring in such warmth.
Late in the night, when everyone was asleep, Song Chenyu finished reviewing the last memorial in his study and got up to go to his bedroom.
Fuyao was lying flat on her back, her hand still resting on the sunken incense burner he had given her.
He pulled the corner of the quilt for her and took out a small porcelain jar and placed it on the dressing table.
It is a throat lozenge with lychee flavor, sweet but not greasy.
When I turned around, I saw the person who was sleeping suddenly opened his eyes.
"Did it bother you?"
"No, it's just that it's easier to wake up when sleeping alone."
Fuyao said confusedly.
Before she finished speaking, she felt his palm covering her bulging belly, and the warmth seeped in through her thin shirt.
"Your Highness, the child is kicking me."
Song Chenyu's voice suddenly became very soft.
"He was so well behaved just now, but now he's so lively."
Fuyao also calmed down, and sure enough, after a while, her belly began to rise and fall gently again.
Their eyes locked, and they both laughed out loud.
He stroked the beads on her wrist,
"In two or three months, we might be able to have a baby."
Fuyao tilted her head to look at him, the candlelight made the corners of his eyes turn red.
"Your Highness is looking forward to this?"
"I hope you're safe."
Song Chenyu suddenly stopped smiling and put his thumb on the back of her hand.
"I used to think 'The Crown Princess should understand this', but now I understand that what you want is not those empty etiquette and knowledge, but I can take some of the hardship for you."
Fuyao's nose felt sore, and she hooked her little finger with her backhand.
"I learned it originally so that I could stand shoulder to shoulder with you."
Song Chenyu stretched out his arms and hugged the person in his arms.
He was moved for a moment and lowered his head to find her lips.
"you.."
Perhaps she didn't expect him to do this.
"The imperial physician said it's okay now, as long as it's done gently."
His voice was hoarse.
Outside the window, snow falls silently and the fragrance of plum blossoms floats in the air.
In this Eastern Palace, because of the understanding between the two, even the years have become extra gentle.
The next day, when Fuyao just returned from Feiwei Palace, she saw Song Chenyu talking to Zhao Lingzhi in the main hall.
"Slow down."
He turned around and hurried forward to help her.
Zhao Lingzhi bowed.
"No need to be so polite, Madam Zhao."
Fuyao smiled.
She placed the heater in her arms on the table.
"Aren't you cold?"
Song Chenyu held her hands back with his big hands.
Fuyao calmly pulled his hand away and looked up at Zhao Lingzhi.
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Madam Zhao."
Zhao Lingzhi smiled,
"Seeing that Brother Chenyu and you have such a good relationship, I am happy for him too."
After sending Zhao Lingzhi away, Fuyao looked back at Song Chenyu who was reading a book.
"Do you know each other well?"
He looked up.
"Lingzhi?
Her mother and aunt were good friends, so they often went to the general's mansion."
So that's how it is. Fuyao lowered her head and brought the date paste sesame cake to her mouth.
Originally thinking that he would continue to ask questions, Song Chenyu looked at her quietly.
"No more questions?"
"What else?"
Fuyao curled his lips,
"Qi Zhaoyi thinks she can be your concubine."
Song Chenyu was silent for a moment, put the book in his hand back on the table, stood up and walked to Fuyao.
He leaned forward, resting his arms on the edge of the chair, looking down at her seriously.
"Fuyao, I know it's normal for a king to have three palaces and six courtyards.
But to me, Song Chenyu, you are my three palaces and six courtyards."
Before he finished speaking, Fuyao placed her hand on his lips.
"I know what you mean."
Slowly, a smile appeared on his serious face, and he moved his lips and kissed her little hand back.
Seeing this, Fuyao quickly withdrew her hand and pushed him out.
"Eating."
Song Chenyu, who was pushed away, straightened his back helplessly.
"And Lingzhi wouldn't agree to that either."
"Why?"
Fuyao continued to chew the date paste sesame cake in her mouth.
Looking at her indifferent look, Song Chenyu thought with dissatisfaction in his heart, she is really heartless.
When she first married into the general's mansion, she was thinking about taking a concubine for him. Now she discusses this matter with him so nonchalantly. He really wants to know how much he means in Fuyao's heart.
Seeing that he suddenly fell silent, Fuyao raised her eyelids.
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me. Your Highness can have his own secrets."
"What about the lady?"
Song Chenyu suddenly stepped forward and took her arm, looking at her inquiringly.
"Me too."
Fuyao glanced at him lightly.
Woo woo woo, I don’t know which sentence offended him first, but Song Chenyu kissed her regardless of anything.
Fu Yao reached out to push him, but considering that she was still pregnant, Song Chenyu didn't use much force and just pushed back.
"You are the prince!"
A blush passed through Fuyao's face.
"Can you be more steady?"
Then he looked at Qing Ning who was standing on the side, but the latter had already signaled him to walk towards the outer room.
“So sweet!”
Song Chenyu smiled evilly, then licked the crumbs on the corner of his lips.
"Actually, Zhao Lingzhi has always had someone she likes."
He said as he sat back in his chair.
"The one you like?"
Fuyao suddenly became curious. What kind of man could make Zhao Lingzhi ignore the existence of Song Chenyu?
"Three years ago, she sent a letter to her brother, probably expressing her love.
But at that time my brother already had someone he loved and was getting married soon, so he was rejected."
Song Chenyu spoke softly, his mind flashing through the bits and pieces of his time with his brother Feng Chenlang, and his eyes became sad.
His brother brought him infinite warmth in his childhood, but now he is gone.
Because he was afraid that Fuyao would be bored, and seeing that she got along well with Zhao Lingzhi, Song Chenyu asked Zhao Lingzhi to come to the East Palace more often when she had nothing to do.
"Sister, are you feeling well these days? New Year's Eve is just three days away."
Zhao Lingzhi's cloak and pearl hairpins were all covered with snow.
As she spoke, the palace maid took off her beige cloak, and Fuyao stood up to help her wipe the snow off her head.
"I'm fine, but the snow is getting heavier."
"Sit down quickly, sister, and don't bother your younger sister."
Zhao Lingzhi was busy supporting Fuyao who was pregnant, and Qingning also came to help.
If the prince saw this, he would definitely say something bad.
Fuyao handed a hand warmer to Zhao Lingzhi and lay on the bed.
"It's snowing so heavily. My sister doesn't need to come to see me so often."
"My younger sister is bored and wants to talk to her elder sister."
Zhao Lingzhi said playfully, and as soon as she finished speaking, both of them burst into laughter.
Fuyao lowered her head and pulled down the thin silk blanket she was wearing. Song Chenyu always asked someone to cover him with a blanket. In fact, she always felt hot at this time.
"Sister, you have reached the age of marriage. Have you ever thought about marriage?"
Zhao Lingzhi lowered her head shyly.
"If you have someone you like, tell me and I'll let His Highness make the decision for you."
Fuyao took the bird's nest brought by Qingning.
Seeing her lower her head and remain silent, Fuyao couldn't help laughing.
"Silly girl, this is a major event in your life, there's no need to be so shy."
Then she changed the subject.
"So what do you think of His Highness?"
"Brother Chenyu is decisive, brave, and resourceful, and he has the demeanor of a wise ruler."
Zhao Lingzhi pondered for a moment.
"Furthermore, he possesses the dignity of a noble family, yet possesses the gentleness of a refined scholar. This is the appearance of a wise leader."
As she spoke, her eyes suddenly became clear, as if she was about to lift her long eyelashes.
Fuyao raised her head and wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.
"I heard from His Highness that my sister once had a crush on someone, but I think the person my sister loves is Your Highness."
When these words came out, Zhao Lingzhi was stunned at first, and then his face gradually darkened.
"Why do you say that, sister?"
Fuyao looked at her tender cheeks.
"I know you can't hide your feelings when you like someone, so why should I hide it, sister?"
Zhao Lingzhi turned her head to look out the window. The heavy snow had slowly stopped falling. She sighed softly.
“That year, I sent a letter to the General’s Mansion, but later I found out that the servant gave the letter that was supposed to be sent to Brother Chenyu to Brother Chenlang.
When I realized that the food was delivered to the wrong person, I was about to go to the general's mansion when I received the news that Brother Chenyu was sent to the front line to deliver food and fodder.
Later, my father was transferred to Gongxi for a post, and our family left."
As she spoke, she turned back, her eyes moist.
"Now I have returned to Yu'an with my father, but my brother Chenyu has already married and become the crown prince."
There was a moment of silence in the air, leaving only the sound of snow dripping down the window.
Fuyao never imagined that this was an emotional affair full of regrets.
"Sister, are you blaming me?"
Zhao Lingzhi came back to her senses, her eyes flickering.
Fuyao stood up and walked to her side.
"How could that be? I have no say in matters of the heart. Besides, everyone has the right and freedom to like someone else."
"I've seen that Brother Chenyu treats my sister very well. I guess there's only room for my sister in his heart."
Zhao Lingzhi's eyes turned red again, and the pearl hairpin on her head swayed gently like a flower in the wind.
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