The sunlight filtered through the window slits, casting dappled shadows on Jiang Xinyue's figure. With one hand propping her cheek and the other holding a book, she exuded an aura of gentle elegance and intellectual grace.
The half-open window let in a few refreshing breezes, causing her hair to sway gently. When the strands brushed against her face, she casually tucked them behind her ear, revealing her exquisite profile.
The Xuanwu Emperor set aside his own book and began to admire her beauty intently.
Xinyue's hair was pitch-black and glossy, like the finest silk. Her brows arched gracefully like slender willows. Her eyes were full of emotion, more than just simply beautiful.
Her nose was petite and delicate, and her lips were a bewitching red, making one want to kiss them after gazing for too long.
"Ouch—"
Yan the Imperial Physician had warned that those afflicted with the Gu of Lust must not be aroused, or the Gu worms would become overly excited, scurrying wildly within the body.
The handkerchief on his arm slipped off, and the Gu worm immediately tried to burrow into his abdomen, but he managed to pinch it tightly: "Wang Dequan!"
He shouted, and Jiang Xinyue immediately put down her book and turned around. By then, Wang Dequan had already picked up the handkerchief and re-tied it in its original place.
The Gu worm calmed down after being soothed by the fragrance.
"Your Majesty, the Gu worm has..."
"I'm fine!"
The Xuanwu Emperor interrupted Jiang Xinyue's concern: "I've been thinking, Xinyue, why don't you return to the ChuangChun Pavilion to rest? I really am fine, with Wang Dequan and the servants attending to me. Once Lord Jiang brings back the antidote and removes this disgusting Gu worm, I'll come to see you and the child."
He was reminding her that the child couldn't be away from its mother for too long, urging her to go back and be with the child.
He couldn't exactly say that with Noble Consort Jiang sitting before him, he kept losing control, involuntarily...
The Emperor's tone and mannerisms were unnatural. Jiang Xinyue's gaze shifted downward, noticing the suspicious...
The Xuanwu Emperor tightened his legs, trying to cover his inappropriate arousal, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
It was really strange—shouldn't Xinyue be the one feeling shy?
Why did he always become so...innocent in front of her?
Perhaps realizing his actions were a bit too obvious, he subtly spread his knees and sat up straight.
Now, it was completely clear.
Jiang Xinyue touched her nose. This time, she hadn't done anything mischievous! It was the Emperor who was overthinking.
Under the Xuanwu Emperor's expectant gaze, she blushed and whispered in response, covering her face with the book: "Then, Your Majesty, I...I'll come back when you're better."
With that, she "blushed" and ran off.
The Xuanwu Emperor smiled and shook his head. She truly loves me!
Once outside the Nine Continents Peace Hall, Jiang Xinyue closed the book, handed it to Xi Que, and her face showed no trace of shyness. She boarded the sedan chair and left without looking back.
After accompanying the Emperor for two days, she missed her son.
In the ChuangChun Pavilion, the atmosphere became lively again with Jiang Xinyue's return.
The little prince was three months old and could already babble sounds. His sleep time had decreased, and he often pestered Wet Nurse Lu and Nanny Xiang to play with him.
Everyone praised the little one for being exceptionally clever.
"Woof, woof, woof..."
The little white dog circled around Jiang Xinyue, wagging its tail happily. Jiang Xinyue kissed her son's cheek and stroked the dog's fluffy head.
Indeed, it was most comfortable to be back in her own place.
"Your Highness, your father left you a letter."
Xi Que hopped over on crutches: "Your father said everything has been arranged as you instructed."
Jiang Xinyue nodded, handed the sixth prince to Nanny Xiang, and opened the letter from her father.
His handwriting remained as elegant as ever.
The letter mentioned that he and Tang Shiliang had gone to Jingzhou. Following her advice, they sent Ma Yiyang on a different route. Their journey would certainly be perilous, so he left all the Emperor's assigned guards with Ma Yiyang.
He also advised Jiang Xinyue to show more concern for the Emperor during his vulnerable moments, to prevent other consorts from taking advantage.
There was also a reminder about Minister Pei of the Privy Council, who was vengeful. Since Jiang Xinyue had harmed his grandson's manhood, he would surely seek revenge. She should take extra care of her family during this time.
In summary: "While your father toils outside, don't let anyone raid the home."
The letter concluded with concern for Jiang Xinyue and the sixth prince. It was well-organized, clear in purpose, and managed to remind her without causing annoyance, making her feel it was necessary to protect the Jiang family.
No wonder he was a successful scholar from a merchant family—he was adept in speaking, doing, and managing affairs.
Jiang Xinyue crumpled the letter, along with the envelope, and burned them into ashes with a flint, then poured them into a melting ice basin: "Xiao Xiangzi, are the people I arranged for my mother still with her?"
Xiao Xiangzi immediately replied: "Yes, Your Highness."
She nodded: "Assign a few more to my brother and sister, as well as my two cousins and aunt. Keep it low-key, one or two will suffice, but they must be sharp and skilled."
Too many might alert Minister Pei, but with preparations made, she wasn't afraid of his moves, only that he wouldn't act.
Xiao Xiangzi complied and went to make arrangements.
"Your Highness, Noble Consort Ye has come to thank you."
Concubine Ye, who had been wrongfully accused of poisoning the Emperor, had been brutally interrogated by the Internal Affairs Department for days. Later, Consort Zhang confessed, revealing the Emperor's Gu affliction, and no one remembered her.
It was Jiang Xinyue who suggested that since it was a misunderstanding, Concubine Ye should be released. Considering her unjust punishment, she also requested the Emperor to grant her the title of Noble Consort.
Noble Consort Ye learned from the messenger that she was released thanks to the intervention of the Noble Consort Jiang. After recuperating for two days, she came to express her gratitude.
Xi Que, who had been recuperating for a month, had almost fully recovered from her leg injury. The scar was still prominent, but Yan the Imperial Physician said that as long as she didn't walk too vigorously and kept the wound from reopening, with some ointment, the scar would fade.
She was a restless soul and returned to serving Jiang Xinyue as soon as she could.
"Your Highness, why did you help her?"
It would have been simpler to just kill her.
"I'm not a bloodthirsty maniac. I didn't come to the palace to empty the Emperor's harem. If these women can be of use to me, their families will also serve my son."
Instead of killing these women, she preferred to build connections now and pave the way for her little prince.
When the child becomes a teenager or twenty years old and ascends the throne, he might have to endure some hardships, but his good days will come later.
She can't afford to wait that long—by then, she'd be an old woman on the verge of death.
Xi Que nodded thoughtfully: "Your Highness thinks far ahead."
It seemed that besides prioritizing the interests of the Empress, she also needed to consider how to maximize the benefits for the sixth prince.
