The next day, as expected, heavy snow began to fall from the gloomy sky.
Jiang Xinyue wrapped herself up tightly, huddling by the charcoal brazier to warm up.
"My lady..." Nanny Li sighed, "This old servant thinks the Emperor is almost turning into a snowman."
On this snowy day, the concubines in the imperial harem were gathered in their warm chambers, brewing wine around the brazier, admiring the snow and plum blossoms, and even playing drinking games when the mood struck.
The Empress had sent someone to invite the Emperor, but he had politely declined, citing busy state affairs and promising to join when he had time.
Having just refused the Empress, he now eagerly rushed to Hexi Palace, sending Wang Dequan to knock on the palace gates, saying the Emperor wished to invite Concubine Zhen to admire the snow.
Their lady hadn't said yes or no. After her afternoon nap, Nanny Li couldn't help but remind her: "My lady, the Emperor is waiting for you outside!"
If she didn't go soon, she feared another concubine might snatch the opportunity.
Jiang Xinyue stretched lazily: "I said before that if I don't want to see him, I won't see him. Let him wait as long as he wants, come as many times as he likes. I don't care, I just don't want to see him."
"My lady, you..."
"Enough, Nanny Li. Xique and the others are building snowmen in the courtyard! If you really have nothing to do, go play with them!"
Jiang Xinyue stroked her swollen belly and pulled out a book from the table: "Or if you prefer, you can read a story to our little Six."
No sooner had she finished speaking than the little one in her belly gave her several strong kicks. Though it didn't hurt, she still drew in a sharp breath.
No wonder so many women get stretch marks after giving birth. With the belly growing so large and the baby moving and kicking inside, it's already miraculous that the stomach doesn't burst open. A few stretch marks are perfectly normal.
The child in her womb was still kicking, as if protesting that his mother hadn't told him a story yet today.
Jiang Xinyue smiled and reached out to gently grab his restless little hands and feet: "Look, Nanny Li, little Six is unhappy."
Nanny Li's heart melted. She quickly sat down on the low stool at Jiang Xinyue's feet, cleared her throat, and picked up the storybook: "Alright, alright... Nanny will tell our little master a story~"
The sound of laughter and play from the courtyard made the Xuanwu Emperor and Wang Dequan seem even more desolate outside Hexi Palace.
Snow had piled up on the imperial yellow canopy, requiring two eunuchs to lift it.
In the distance, a slender figure in light purple approached slowly. As she drew near, the Xuanwu Emperor realized it was none other than Concubine Li from Xihuo Palace, formerly Noble Consort Li.
She used to go out surrounded by servants, in a luxurious carriage adorned with jade pendants. When had she ever looked so down and out, with just one maid and one eunuch following her, not even a sedan chair?
Her black hair was done up in a small bun, adorned with only a single small red plum blossom, making her look both elegant and alluring.
This simple attire didn't diminish her beauty; rather, it gave her a delicate, pitiful charm.
She suddenly looked up and saw the Xuanwu Emperor. She wanted to turn and leave immediately but seemed afraid of angering him. She shuffled forward to pay her respects: "This concubine greets Your Majesty."
Cold as ice, like a beautiful ice sculpture.
The Emperor grunted, "Rise."
Concubine Li's clothes were thin, and her exposed jade hands were swollen and purple from the cold. Looking closely, one could even see a couple of chilblains.
The Emperor frowned: "Hasn't the Internal Affairs Department given you coal and warm clothes? Going out dressed like this, won't you catch a chill?"
If that happened, those ministers would start gossiping again, saying he had killed Prime Minister Song and was now abusing his only legitimate granddaughter.
Concubine Li thought the Emperor was showing concern for her. Her eyes glistened with tears as she shook her head.
The maid behind her suddenly fell to her knees with a thud: "Please save our lady, Your Majesty! Consort Jiang in Xihuo Palace is bullying Concubine Li relentlessly. She snatches away the silver-thread charcoal sent by the Internal Affairs Department and the warm clothes from the Imperial Wardrobe. Whenever things get a little better for our lady, she comes to make trouble. Your Majesty, if this continues, our lady will..."
"Xia He!" Concubine Li called out sharply, "That's enough."
Another one of these routines.
Concubine Zhen had said that if you don't want others to speak about you, you would cover their mouth as soon as you notice, not wait until they've finished speaking before pretending to tell them to stop.
"Why won't you speak up, my lady?" Xia He's eyes reddened, "Are we just going to let Consort Jiang bully us like this?"
The Xuanwu Emperor's frown deepened.
Concubine Li's face now looked so bland and uninteresting.
Snowflakes melted on Concubine Li's shoulders, making her so cold that she couldn't help sneezing and shivering all over.
The Xuanwu Emperor touched the warm cloak he was wearing, then turned to Wang Dequan and said: "Take off your cape and give it to Concubine Li. Then take two men to Xihuo Palace and teach Consort Jiang a lesson, but don't go too far."
This statement was quite interesting... Don't go too far... What did that mean exactly?
It seemed to imply that a little bullying was acceptable.
Wang Dequan's face was full of reluctance, but how could he disobey the Emperor's order?
However, Concubine Li's body leaned backward, clearly avoiding Wang Dequan. She didn't want his cloak; she only wanted the Emperor's.
The Xuanwu Emperor rubbed his nose, pretending not to see Concubine Li's pleading gaze, and gripped his own cloak even tighter.
No! Absolutely not!
If Concubine Zhen found out, she wouldn't be hap...
Huh?
Something seemed to explode in the Emperor's mind, and his expression became quite remarkable.
He... was afraid of angering Concubine Zhen?
He feared Concubine Zhen?
He was the sovereign ruler of a nation, why should he fear a mere concubine?
This was so unlike him.
"Ah... Your Majes..."
The cloak on her body reeked of that dog slave Wang Dequan. Concubine Li suppressed her nausea and followed behind Wang Dequan, both resisting and hoping he would take people to Xihuo Palace to vent her anger.
Who did Jiang Yuan think she was?
Once just a vicious dog at her feet, now daring to bark incessantly before its master.
Wasn't it just because she no longer had her family's support?
The Xuanwu Emperor was now a bit flustered.
The imperial procession moved forward several large steps, then turned back towards Hexi Palace for two steps. Then, thinking of returning to Chengqian Palace, he repeated this back-and-forth six or seven times before finally gritting his teeth and quickly returning to Chengqian Palace.
Entering his own chambers, he drove everyone out and sat quietly behind his desk, slowly sorting out his thoughts.
First, when he saw Concubine Li, he felt no pity or tenderness towards her. He was only worried that her appearance in such a state would tarnish his image of being wise and mighty.
Second, he truly didn't want to give her the cloak he was wearing. The first thing that came to mind was Concubine Zhen's angry face. He really feared angering Concubine Zhen.
Finally, he could conclude that he seemed... perhaps... probably had developed genuine feelings for Concubine Zhen.
