Chapter 79: Jin Jiu's Unresolved Feelings Remain
Wang Yuying immediately parted her lips as if to speak, but Xu Heng stood up and raised his hand to press her lips lightly: "You should focus on your postpartum recovery first, and we can discuss other matters later."
After speaking, he walked around the screen and left the hall, not giving her a chance to speak again.
Qingfu quickly summoned the female physician, handed the little princess over, and hurriedly chased after her. Xu Heng went straight into the imperial study, sat down behind the table, and solemnly issued an edict: "Summon Yuan Wancheng."
Grand Commandant Yuan soon came to see the Emperor. After performing the full kneeling ceremony, he immediately reported on the military situation of the campaign against the Northern Barbarians, starting from the first battle. His report was clear, detailed, and thorough, lasting nearly half an hour. When he spoke of the great victory, he showed no arrogance and attributed all the credit to the Emperor's divine grace.
As the emperor listened to his report, he sipped his tea—he no longer drank Sparrow Tongue tea, but only health-preserving teas such as Astragalus and Goji Berry.
After Yuan Wancheng finished speaking, the emperor smiled and said, "My dear minister, you have worked hard. This time you have pacified the Northern Barbarians and enhanced our national prestige. Your achievements are truly remarkable."
"Your Majesty flatters me; it is all thanks to Your Majesty's divine might." Yuan Wancheng replied fluently, "Your subject is willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty, even unto death!"
The emperor smiled and said, "Then tell me in detail what happened to her along the way?"
Yuan Wancheng was silent for a moment, then continued: "General Wang is brave and resolute, fearless of death, and has fought in countless battles, always charging ahead."
The emperor's lips curled up again; he had been speaking eloquently just now, but now he was sparing with words.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Yuan Wancheng lowered his head, his forehead touching the ground, and then said, "As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, I am mostly focused on the overall war situation, and I have indeed not paid much attention to the minor details of individual generals."
"Yuan Wancheng." The emperor parted his lips and slowly uttered the name.
"Your Majesty, please understand. I have been preoccupied with military affairs or have not been present, and I truly, truly do not know the details!" Yuan Wancheng looked up at the emperor, his brow furrowed with worry and confusion. After a while, as if he had suddenly remembered something, "Oh, right! When I left the Chuigong Hall today, I noticed that General Jing seemed a bit off, his face was gloomy. I thought it was because of his crippled right hand that he was so unhappy. I remembered that we had worked together in the camp outside the capital before, so I pulled him aside and comforted him with a few words of advice."
The emperor remained silent.
Yuan Wancheng raised two fingers: "I swear to Heaven that if I have uttered a single falsehood, I am willing to be punished according to military law!"
"How did he lose his hand?" the emperor asked calmly.
"In the midst of battle, he was accidentally struck by the Northern Di King, who severed his tendons."
After hearing this, Xu Heng pondered for a long time before finally instructing: "Report on the number of prefectures and counties the army will pass through and the post stations where it will stay on its return journey."
"Yes." Yuan Wancheng hurriedly went back to write a memorial, which was delivered to the Imperial Study an hour later. Xu Heng then followed Yuan Wancheng's memorial and ordered the relevant prefectures and counties, as well as the Court of Imperial Stud, to submit the logbooks of the royal army's stay during its transit.
Because the Imperial Stud was located in the capital, the records of the post station at the foot of Baozhu Mountain were presented that same day. Xu Heng took a look and understood the situation. When he finished compiling the records, he couldn't help but sigh.
After a moment, she asked again in a low voice, "Where is she? Is she settled in properly?"
Qingfu stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, we have already received the imperial decree to send Lord Wang home. Along the way, the carriage was covered with brocade curtains and carefully protected, so that the postpartum woman was not affected by wind and cold."
Xu Heng pursed his lips. He really wanted to see her right now, but he had to hold back and wait for her to come to him on her own initiative.
Wang Yuying began her postpartum confinement outside the palace. In fact, the day after giving birth, she felt she could move freely and didn't want to follow any of the rules. However, six or seven days later, she sat for too long and suddenly experienced unbearable back pain, so much so that she had to lie down for a whole day. After learning this lesson, she began to take proper care of her body. Unexpectedly, this had a double benefit: the injuries she had sustained from years of martial arts training were also being healed.
During this month, imperial gifts poured into her home, and colleagues she knew also sent congratulatory gifts. Wang Yuying only returned thank-you notes and did not receive a single visitor. During this time, she sent Chu Ying to inquire and learned that Jing Ye, Zhu Zi, Ding Man, and others were all detained in the imperial prison and had not yet been convicted or sentenced.
The emperor was waiting for her to bow her head.
Wang Yuying swallowed her anger and pain, and as soon as her postpartum period ended, she had to go to the palace to meet the emperor.
She was a little worried about her back pain, so she didn't ride a horse and took a carriage instead. When they passed a certain street, a carriage came from the opposite direction. To avoid a collision, both carriages slowed down. As they passed each other, she vaguely heard someone call out "Yingniang" from the other side. Wang Yuying opened the window a crack and saw that the other side also only had a sliver of light, revealing half of Zheng Yangzhi's face.
She suddenly remembered that a few days ago Zheng Yangzhi had sent a pair of gold-inlaid jade longevity locks as a congratulatory gift.
The carriages passed by and disappeared from sight.
Wang Yuying sat quietly for a moment, then raised her hand to close the window.
After entering the palace, she learned that the emperor was handling state affairs in the Imperial Study, so she went straight to see him.
An attendant outside the gate announced, "Your Majesty, General Wang requests an audience."
Xu Heng smiled when he heard the word "request," and immediately agreed: "Summon her in."
The door opened and closed again. Wang Yuying deliberately avoided the sunlight streaming in and bowed in the shadows, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
Xu Heng remained expressionless as he observed her. Her figure had almost completely returned to its original shape, becoming curvaceous once more, and her face now possessed an added touch of allure and gentleness.
This is a change that only comes with motherhood, but this change does not originate from him.
Thinking of this, Xu Heng felt a lump in his throat. He wanted to sip his tea first and then speak, to give her some space, but in the end he couldn't bear to: "Please take a seat."
As soon as Wang Yuying sat down, Xu Heng asked with concern, "Are you feeling better?"
Wang Yuying paused for a moment, then nodded.
Once she was seated, he lowered his eyes, glancing at the memorial, and asked seemingly casually, "Have you chosen a name yet?"
“We only gave him a nickname,” Wang Yuying replied, gazing at him.
Xu Heng didn't look up, but pressed on, "What's your name?"
She lowered her eyes: "Yinyin".
It signifies silence, tranquility, moderation, and peace.
"What do you think of the name Sui Sui?" Xu Heng suddenly wanted to change his nickname.
The ear of grain symbolizes a bountiful harvest and is too heavy; Xu Heng is testing her. She immediately refused: "Yinyin is better."
Xu Heng, sitting at the head of the table, had already raised his eyelids and was silently observing her. He noticed her vigilance, wariness, and even a hint of humility, but he did not hesitate. Alas, she had completely forgotten that in the year when their relationship was at its most intense, they had thought too much about the future, even discussing and deciding on the names of their children. To avoid arousing the late emperor's suspicion, their son could only be named Qian, but their daughter had fewer taboos and was named Zhaohui, with the nickname Suisui.
Xu Heng breathed normally, but his heart trembled as he inhaled and exhaled. After a moment, he changed the subject: "Did you misunderstand me because you drank saffron and burned musk at the inn at the foot of Baozhu Mountain?"
Wang Yuying looked up.
Xu Heng shook his head: "People in that area have a custom of drinking saffron during the hottest days of summer, which makes their faces as beautiful as peach blossoms. Musk is a precious substance, and this inn usually uses it to entertain distinguished guests. This is a custom left over from the late emperor."
She was being far too suspicious of him.
But it wasn't her fault; it was because they had misunderstood each other for years.
Xu Heng sighed, "I'll take you to Baozhu Mountain later, and you'll understand."
Wang Yuying didn't respond. Xu Heng thought to himself that she definitely wasn't interested in Baozhu Mountain: "I know you've always wanted to go back to Yangguan and Yumen to see them, otherwise why would you have taken the scroll of Snow and Frost? If there's a chance, I'll accompany you back."
Hearing this, Wang Yuying felt no emotion, only resentment. For Jing Ye's sake, she forcibly suppressed her anger, and Wen Qian continued, "Since it's a misunderstanding, then... could Your Majesty pardon the death sentences of my accomplices?"
Xu Heng, who had been sitting upright with his elbows on the table, smiled faintly upon hearing this, leaned back, and took his hands off the table: "Since I can forgive you, I can naturally forgive them as well. After all, we've already talked things out, and it was all a misunderstanding. You thought I wanted to harm you, and that your eagerness to protect your son led you to instigate others. I believe that neither you nor they had any intention of rebellion."
Wang Yuying had barely blinked when Xu Heng abruptly changed the subject: "But you have to grant me one request."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuying suddenly recalled what Hugu Xumi had once said: If someone does good to you and then demands something in return, what they give is not love, but a transaction.
She lowered her eyes, concealing her sorrow: "What are the conditions?"
Xu Heng had been considering this matter for a long time, so he spoke fluently: "To avoid making you disgusted, I will still not touch you, but from today onwards you must no longer fawn over foreign men, no longer engage in private exchanges, and are not allowed to have any physical intimacy."
He can be a monk, but she must also become a nun.
And he was truly tormented beyond endurance! Every time he witnessed it in person, or learned through reports that she was having an affair with someone else, he was terribly distressed. Especially on the day she went to see Hugu Xumi, he really wanted to tell her that he minded, minded very much.
But he felt a sense of helplessness, knowing that even if he said he minded, she would be unmoved and would still happily go off to seek pleasure. He was willing to bet that she wouldn't think of him for a single moment while she was with other men all day.
He'd had enough. He was the emperor, above all others, and he didn't want to be some honest husband who could only watch helplessly as his wife cheated on him.
"Their lives hang in the balance with your decision," Xu Heng reminded Wang Yuying again.
She listened, glancing at the ground where dust motes danced in the light. She felt like these tiny specks of dust, too rash, easily defeated by Xu Heng with a flick of his finger.
"I promise you." She finally agreed, but after saying that, a wave of nausea instinctively surged in her chest, which she tried her best to suppress.
Seeing that her expression was relatively calm, Xu Heng breathed a sigh of relief, tapped his index finger lightly on the table, and continued to ask her a few more questions before letting her leave.
On the way back, Wang Yuying leaned against the wall of the carriage, letting her strength drain away. The wheels spun around, and her body was jolted along with them. She felt dazed and confused, losing confidence in her own mind, and letting her dejected mood spread...
For a moment, looking at the empty carriage, she couldn't help but miss Hugu Xumi, and then immediately forced herself to stop this futile longing.
She's useless, but she still has to rely on herself.
When they arrived at Yongjia Lane, Wang Yuying finally mustered her energy before getting off the bus.
When Chu Ying opened the door for her, her sleeves were rolled up, and she was steaming. Smoke was rising from the kitchen. Wang Yuying glanced at both sides and asked softly, "Are you giving Yinyin a bath?"
Mentioning her daughter, she unconsciously curls up the corners of her lips.
"Not yet, just in time," Chu Ying said, explaining that she was busy fetching water, boiling water, setting up a screen, and the wet nurse looking after Yin Yin. Previously, they had dressed the little one too warmly, causing heat rash, which had only subsided a few days ago. Now, with her bath time, everyone was worried that Yin Yin would be cold, so they put a screen around her, but that wasn't enough; they even burned charcoal outside the screen for warmth.
After everything was arranged, Wang Yuying told everyone to get busy, and that she and the wet nurse could then wash Yinyin.
She had already discovered that her daughter had a natural love for water, so after bathing, she didn't rush to take her out of the cypress bathtub. Instead, she rolled up her sleeves, cupped Yinyin in her hands, and let her bounce up and down in the tub. Water splashed onto her body and face, her face reddened by the steam and the charcoal fire, and her heart felt warm. This was a brief moment of happiness.
Just as they were making a ruckus, Wang Yuying suddenly noticed someone coming. She turned around and, with a smile still on her face, saw Xu Heng walk alone behind the screen.
Wang Yuying quickly composed herself.
Xu Heng recalled her smile from just now in his mind and slowly walked closer. Wang Yuying glanced down, and the water overflowing from the bathtub flowed in all directions, reaching Xu Heng's feet and wetting the emperor's black boots.
Xu Heng didn't mind at all; he was simply too fond of the harmonious and peaceful scene he had just witnessed with his wife and daughter, laughing and joking around. He rolled up his sleeves and stretched out his arm to take over from Wang Yuying: "Let me give it a try."
Wang Yuying remained silent for a moment before handing over Yinyin.
The moment Xu Heng lifted the baby girl, his heart pounded powerfully, and he felt as if he were in sync with the little one's heartbeat, which was very comforting.
He lifted Yinyin and sank her into the bathtub, and he was indeed happy, his smile mirroring Wang Yuying's earlier smile.
But after lifting Yinyin to the surface, he immediately took her out of the bathtub: "Infants are delicate, and playing in the water for too long can easily lead to them being affected by wind, cold, and dampness."
The water dripped from Yin Yin's body onto his clothes, soaking a large area of his chest.
He took the dry cloth from the wet nurse's hand, dried her off himself, and gently pressed her joints with his hands.
Wang Yuying immediately squinted.
He didn't even look at it, keeping his head down and focused intently, but knowing that Wang Yuying was going to be suspicious, he explained, "Gently massaging the joints after a bath can improve blood circulation and is good for her."
He really read a lot of parenting books during those years, and he did forget them later, but now he is gradually remembering them again.
After a moment's consideration, Wang Yuying thanked her.
Xu Heng recalled the secret report from the Imperial Hospital that he had read a few days ago, which said that her health was fine, but her daughter had developed prickly heat. So he couldn't help but scan her face carefully. Fortunately, the little one's prickly heat had subsided, and her skin was no longer red. It was as fair as her mother's.
He dressed Yinyin himself, gently and carefully, and even softened his voice when speaking to Wang Yuying behind him: "Look, isn't this good? She needs a father."
Wang Yuying remained silent.
Xu Heng carefully wrapped Yin Yin, who was dressed, on the swaddling blanket, and said again, "General Jing did not come to force the emperor to abdicate. He heard that there was a disturbance in the palace and was afraid that villains would endanger my safety. He was anxious to save the emperor and came to protect me without even asking for permission. Don't you think so?"
He held Yinyin in his arms, then turned to look at Wang Yuying. He noticed that her gaze had been fixed on his temples, but as soon as he turned away, she quickly looked away, and their eyes met.
He knew it was the reappearance of gray hair that drew her attention.
He certainly minded looking older in front of others, especially her, but the rising steam also brought a sense of warmth and home, so he couldn't be critical.
Therefore, as long as both sides take a step back, he will not be harsh on Jing Ye.
After a long pause, Wang Yuying replied, "Your Majesty is right."
Xu Hengchong smiled at Wang Yuying, but just as his smile was at its peak, a sour smell suddenly filled the air.
Infant urination.
An awkward silence fell over the room, and the wet nurse had already knelt down silently.
After a moment, Xu Heng chuckled: "It's inevitable for a child."
He had to wash himself again, and he also had to bathe and change clothes at Wang Yuying's house. Wang Yuying stayed inside the room the whole time, only coming out to see the emperor off when he left.
In front of her, the emperor lowered his head and sniffed the lingering scent of soap on his collar.
That night, an imperial edict was issued, stating that Yin Yin was of imperial blood and belonged to the imperial lineage. She was given the name Xu Luan, the title of Princess Zhaohui, and her name was recorded in the imperial genealogy.
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