When Wang Dequan returned to Chengqian Palace, he saw the Emperor sitting alone in the great hall, appearing as if asleep.
"Your Majesty..."
He cautiously approached, "Are you...?"
The Xuanwu Emperor slapped the table and asked him, "Has the snow stopped?"
"It should stop soon."
Wang Dequan replied truthfully, "Your servant has already admonished Consort Jiang, and she should no longer be so harsh to Concubine Li."
"The snow will stop soon..."
He completely ignored Wang Dequan's latter statement and stood up, "Tell the Imperial Household Department to send all the craftsmen who can carve to the entrance of Hexi Palace, quickly."
What was the Emperor up to now?
In the warm chamber—
Empress Zhu sipped plum blossom wine warmed by palace maids, feeling her whole body grow warm.
A young palace maid entered from outside, and the chill she brought in with her was evidence of how cold it was outside.
She whispered something in Consort Liang's ear, causing her to laugh, "Now that is quite extraordinary."
As the young maid quietly retreated, Empress Zhu looked at Consort Liang with a smile, "What amusing thing has Consort Liang heard? Do share it with all of us."
"It's about Concubine Li..."
She leaned back in her chair, with all the airs of Concubine Li's former days of favor, "Didn't we invite Consort Jiang from Xihuo Palace and Concubine Li to join us today? It's not unusual for Consort Jiang to decline, as she's been unsociable since her release from the Palace of Exile. Concubine Li also declined, citing poor health. But guess what happened?"
She covered her mouth and laughed heartily, "She... she went to 'accidentally' encounter the Emperor at the entrance of Hexi Palace."
That was truly a desperate move, using every trick in the book.
Who in the harem didn't know of the Emperor's infatuation with Concubine Zhen?
How could he possibly be seduced by Concubine Li at the entrance of Concubine Zhen's palace?
If the Emperor really went there, wouldn't he be deliberately upsetting Concubine Zhen? What's the point of seeking forgiveness then? He might as well elope with Concubine Li!
"Oh my! When I think of how Concubine Li used to be, I can hardly remember what she was like. The last time I saw her in the Imperial Garden, I thought she was just some palace maid!"
"With her arrogant behavior, I always thought she would fall out of favor one day."
"Although she's now a Concubine, I find her far less dignified than Concubine Zhen. To have fallen to such a state, it truly shows how fortunes can change."
However, mentioning Concubine Zhen didn't bring them any joy either.
The Emperor not only disregarded Concubine Li, but all the women in the harem combined were not as important as Concubine Zhen alone.
Concubine Li had misjudged the situation, thinking the Emperor still had feelings for her. She thought if she took the initiative, there might be a chance for her and the Emperor.
They had just realized faster than Concubine Li that when it came to competing for the Emperor's attention, no one was a match for Concubine Zhen.
As everyone was using Concubine Li as a topic for ridicule, Jiang Xinyue had just woken up from her afternoon nap.
"Tap tap tap tap..."
The sound of chiseling accompanied by tinkling noises came from outside, disturbing the peace.
"What's going on outside?"
She had eaten hot pot for lunch, extremely spicy. Occasionally indulging like this made Jiang Xinyue feel quite good.
So she had slept a bit longer and more deeply for this nap.
Xi Que came in from outside, rubbing her hands, her eyes shining with excitement, "My Lady, come out and see, it's so beautiful!"
Nanny Xiang and Nanny Li helped Jiang Xinyue dress, bundling her up from neck to ankle. In an all-white banner gown and cotton pants, along with a white floor-length fox fur cape, she looked just like an adorable white rabbit.
Opening the door revealed a world of pristine white snow. She walked through the long corridor to the front hall, pushed open the carved wooden doors of the flower room, and looked out to see what appeared to be the ice and snow city of Harbin from the future.
Outside the tall palace walls, an ice bridge extended inward, landing inside the walls of Hexi Palace.
Craftsmen-like figures kept crossing the high ice bridge, and many were already busy in the courtyard.
It was as if all the snow in the capital had been gathered here, creating an ice and snow landscape in the courtyard.
There were artificial mountains, flowers, plants, trees... and even small figurines carved to resemble Xi Que, Shuang Jiang, Jiang Chuan, Xiao Xuanzi, and others. They were placed throughout the courtyard, the craftsmanship so exquisite it rivaled the wax museums of the future, incredibly lifelike.
In the center stood statues of the Emperor and Jiang Xinyue, hand in hand, intimately close, smiling happily.
From Jiang Xinyue's feet all the way to the entrance of Hexi Palace, a red carpet had been laid out, guiding her forward.
Nanny Li smiled, "The Emperor feared you might slip, My Lady, so he had us lay this out. Go take a look, My Lady!"
At the end of the red carpet stood the ice sculptures of the Xuanwu Emperor and herself.
They were about life-size, looking quite magical. Jiang Xinyue happily took Xi Que's hand and walked step by step towards the ice sculptures.
"Tap tap tap..."
As they got closer, they could see a tall craftsman chiseling something on the ground.
"You..."
The back view was too familiar. Just as Jiang Xinyue was about to speak to him, the man suddenly stood up. His tall figure was so imposing that it startled her, causing her to take two steps back.
"Careful!"
The Xuanwu Emperor dropped his ice-carving tools and reached out to support her waist. Because his fingers were icy cold, he dared not open his palm to touch her, instead using his wrist to bear her weight with a clenched fist.
"Your... Your Majesty?"
Jiang Xinyue first showed a delighted expression, but then frowned and angrily pushed the Xuanwu Emperor away, "What is Your Majesty doing?"
A shower of fiery red plum blossom petals descended from the sky, the extreme contrast of white and red both romantic and passionate.
The Xuanwu Emperor approached pitifully, and Wang Dequan, knowing the Emperor was about to make a grand gesture, quickly ushered away all the palace servants who were watching.
The Emperor's moment of vulnerability was not for them to see.
It had been over two months now. If Concubine Zhen didn't forgive the Emperor soon, life in Chengqian Palace would become unbearable.
By now, Concubine Zhen had become the second most important person not to offend in Chengqian Palace, with the Emperor himself being the first.
Two young eunuchs under Tang Shiliang found solace in their misery by starting a betting pool, wagering on how long it would take for Concubine Zhen to forgive the Emperor and reopen the doors of Hexi Palace.
A large portion bet it would happen within three days, while Wang Dequan, after scolding the young eunuchs for setting up the pool, secretly placed ten gold pieces through Tang Shiliang, betting on within three months.
Those who bet on three days had already lost, and only a few clever and daring individuals, hoping to win big by going against the grain, also bet on within three months.
Thinking of the odds, Wang Dequan couldn't help but hum a tune.
The Xuanwu Emperor walked resolutely towards Jiang Xinyue. Her figure under the cape was a bit rounder than before, but it didn't make her look bulky. Instead, it added a touch of snow-white adorableness to her beauty.
"My beloved, I know I was wrong. Will you forgive me this once?"
