The door of the bedchamber was gently pushed open,
Zhao Hua raised her eyebrows and looked over to see Xiao Jingheng entering with a beaming smile, appearing in a very good mood.
She rose to greet him, and feigned annoyance, saying:
"The servants outside truly don't know how to properly serve, they didn't even announce when Your Majesty arrived?"
As she spoke, she bent her knee to kneel, but as expected, Xiao Jingheng supported her and helped her up,
"I ordered them not to announce it, so you wouldn't have to go to the palace gates to welcome me."
As he spoke, his gaze naturally fell upon the conspicuous purse placed on the small table by the warm seat,
He reached out to take it, but saw Zhao Hua swiftly grab the purse and hide it behind her back,
"My prince, you mustn't look. This is something I intend to gift you during the Longevity Festival."
"But I've already seen it."
Xiao Jingheng smiled mischievously, and then began to tickle Zhao Hua's sides,
Zhao Hua, laughing uncontrollably from his teasing, could only try to fend him off, which gave Xiao Jingheng the opportunity to snatch the purse.
He held the purse in his hand, examining it carefully, admiring every stitch and thread, and occasionally praising:
"How exquisite, I love it."
Zhao Hua pouted, "My prince has seen so many fine things, how could my humble work compare to those from the Imperial Workshop?"
Xiao Jingheng laughed heartily, "It's the thought behind it that surpasses many others."
Seeing that Xiao Jingheng had arrived in such a delighted mood, Zhao Hua changed the subject and asked him,
"My prince, ever since you entered my chamber today, the smile hasn't left your face. Has something wonderful happened?"
"You and I share the same heart, my dear. Indeed, something wonderful has happened - or rather, the citizens and subjects of the Qi Dynasty have encountered an excellent turn of events."
Xiao Jingheng spoke as he took Zhao Hua's hand and had her sit down,
"Ada Kehan of the North Tribe has voluntarily led his troops through the Shanhai Pass. After passing through, the North Tribe's army has become an inseparable part of the Qi Army. Ada is a wise man - the North Tribe currently lacks resources, and the people are starving and unclothed. If he continued as their Kehan, he would be powerless to save his people from this plight.
Therefore, he has decided to have the North Tribe fully submit to the Qi Dynasty and become a vassal state. In doing so, the people of the North Tribe will become citizens of the Qi Dynasty, and the Qi Dynasty never allows its citizens to suffer hardship without aid. So I will also do my utmost to resolve the current difficulties faced by the North Tribe."
This predicament was indeed caused by his own actions toward the North Tribe,
Yet in his present words, he portrayed himself as a great benefactor to them.
Although Zhao Hua felt disgusted inwardly, she still followed Xiao Jingheng's cheerful demeanor and said:
"With Your Majesty's protection, the people of the North Tribe will no longer have to worry about food and clothing, and will surely be grateful to you and the Qi Dynasty."
Xiao Jingheng also felt self-satisfied as he mused:
"My late father tried for so many years, yet could never make the North Tribe fully submit to Great Qi. But under my rule, not only has the North Tribe submitted to Great Qi, they have willingly become a vassal state. As the emperor, I have not disappointed my father's expectations."
Zhao Hua's smile did not falter as she flattered:
"I have always known that it is a great fortune for the citizens to have such an enlightened ruler as Your Majesty."
But in her heart, she saw clearly,
The reason her late father-in-law could not subdue the North Tribe for years was because he ruled with benevolence and put the people first, never allowing innocents to suffer for the sake of an objective.
Xiao Jingheng, however, was different.
The methods he used against the North Tribe could only be described, euphemistically, as "strategic maneuvering" - but to put it bluntly, they were simply shameless.
And the shameless do often achieve their aims most readily.
As Zhao Hua and Xiao Jingheng chatted idly, he continuously played with the purse in his hands,
The gentle swaying motion released the faint fragrance from the purse, which wafted into Xiao Jingheng's breath,
He inhaled deeply, remarking with appreciation:
"Zhao Hua must have put so much effort into making this purse that she could hardly bear to let it go, to the extent that it has taken on her own scent."
As he spoke, his fingertips brushed against Zhao Hua's tresses, caressing the fragrance of her hair,
"It is this very scent that I find so soothing whenever I catch a whiff of it."
Zhao Hua blushed and said, "My prince is just teasing me again."
With tender banter, she found herself embraced by Xiao Jingheng, resting quietly in his arms.
The light, delicate fragrance of the purse lingered around Zhao Hua,
She held her breath slightly, a gentle smile on her face, while inwardly pondering Xiao Jingheng's earlier words.
The scent from this purse brought him a sense of serenity?
Hah,
Some live in a way that disturbs the peace of all around them.
Only the dead can truly find 'serenity'.
However, since Xiao Jingheng desires serenity,
Then this purse, a symbol of love between emperor and concubine,
If he wears it every day,
I believe his 'wonderful' wish will soon be fulfilled.
