The day had already gotten dark and the night had returned.Lingxi decided to sleep early because she was a little tired.
He Yu entered the room finding her already asleep but she kept the lights on. He knew she disliked leaving the light on whenever she was going to sleep so he deduced she was waiting for him to return. The thought warmed his heart. He lifted the blanket to lie down.
After lying down, he reached to turn off the lights but Lingxi's voice stopped him.
"You're back", she said.
He realized she was awake.
"Was Zhizhi waiting for me?" he asked.
Lingxi turned to face him. She looked slightly tired, "I heard your footsteps"
"So Zhizhi can recognize me through my footsteps?"
She didn't answer for a second, "What were you doing?"
"I was reading some files from the Phoenix Archive", He Yu answered.
Lingxi looked as though she was in thought for a while, "I went to have lunch with Li Min"
"I know"
"She wants to work with me. I agreed", she said.
He Yu was silent for a second then he leaned closer to her, "why are you telling me this?"
"Because you should know", she answered.
He Yu's happiness on his face was as clear as day for a moment before turning back to normal again, "you want to use Consort Cheng to foil Shen Ruihua's plan"
"It is mutually beneficial", Lingxi defended herself.
She wondered how He Yu understood her thoughts so well.
"Are you only telling me this because you feel I should know?" He Yu asked.
"You said I was your wife and partner. Likewise, you are my husband and partner. You ought to know everything", Lingxi answered calmly but seriously.
"So, Zhizhi considers me her husband?"
Lingxi looked confused by the question, "haven't I always did?"
There was silence for a while and He Yu's eyes gleamed as his lips parted slightly. He leaned close to her face and Lingxi instinctively covered her lips with her hand immediately. He Yu's lips kissed her palm instead.
Their eyes met and they stared at each other for almost a minute. Lingxi calmed her hear down and she sat up.
"He Yu, on our wedding night you had said we wouldn't rush things", she said looking at him.
Although she knew, more than a month later was not considered a rush, she couldn't help saying it as she was not yet ready.
Her gaze fluttered for a second as she met He Yu's steady gaze. He stared at her for a second longer.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked.
He Yu did not answer but suddenly leaned up towards her and kissed her forehead.
Before she could react, He Yu had already laid back down on the bed and closed his eyes with a mischievous smile that read success.
Lingxi did not even know how to react. She watched him for a minute before lying back down on the bed to sleep.
'He was getting bolder', she thought.
[Wei City]
[Weizhong Teahouse]
The morning was relatively cool and Sang Xue'er was sitting comfortably in an open pavilion.
Her fingers gently fiddled through the strings of a zither releasing a soft and melodious tone. Qingtong was standing behind her as she played.
Meanwhile, Lu Qian and Lv Chi had already entered the pavilion and was searching for her. An attendant in the teahouse directed them to the Eastern Courtyard reserved for highly distinguished guests. Sang Xue'er had booked the full courtyard.
They traced the sound of the zither to find her. They soon found her with the sound of the zither.
She was wearing a midnight blue hanfu designed with silver floral patterns and an inner white robe. Her hair was adorned with silver and sapphire hairpieces. Sitting up straight while playing the zither, she looked like a calm and intelligent noble lady.
They walked up to the pavilion and gave a bow and greeted her. She did not answer them.
Lv Chi spoke up first, "we are from the Ministry of Justice under the Criminal Investigation Unit", he introduced both of them.
There was still no response. He did not know how to react.
"We came to see Your Grace under Prince Jing's orders", he added.
Sang Xue'er paused for a moment but then continued playing till she finished her piece.
Lu Qian and Lv hi sat down patiently waiting. From Prefect Wen's account, they knew she was no ordinary Commandary princess. Sang Xue'er finally finished her piece and when both men thought she was about to speak, a new melody was heard.
"Prince Jing sent you here? Why?" she asked without looking up.
"His Highness said he was already on his way to pick Your Grace up but he hadn't expected Your Grace to take another route. He is turning back now and asks for your patience. He also hopes you won't take offense", Lv Chi asked.
"Patience? Offense?" she thought.
"Prince Jing was the one who failed in his duty. Why are you the one speaking to me?" she said so calmly that Lv Chi felt a bit intimidated.
"His Highness only asked us to pass the message"
"To me, one should be held accountable for one's actions. Prince Jing is no exception. If he wants to apologize, he should do so himself', she replied without looking up from what she was playing.
There was a short pause as Lv Chi didn't know what to say. Lu Qian broke it.
"His Highness also has another message for you", he said.
"Speak"
"His Highness hopes you'll return to the Post house to await him as per protocol"
"I won't", she said with a steady voice that carried a note of finality.
Lu Qian who always looked indifferent had a slight shift in his expression.
"Your Grace, that is going against imperial protocol and can also count as defying imperial authority", Lu Qian stated a very clear fact.
"I don't think I need you to lecture me on protocol", she replied with an air of indifference.
There was a long pause after her words.
"I also don't think I owe anyone, especially you an explanation", she continued and then gave an order to Qingtong without looking up, "See the guests out"
Qingtong turned her attention to them, "please"
They could not believe Sang Xue'er's audacity. Even if she was the Commandary princess, Prince Jing was an Imperial prince and also, the post house was a designated house approved by the emperor for accommodation. How could she say she won't go without a hint of fear and complete indifference?
Nevertheless, they bowed and left with the soft music seeing them out.
[Yanxue Palace]
"Sister, I'm so glad you came to see me today", He Fuxia, otherwise known as Princess Anle, said. She looked like a delicate easy going princess.
"I am glad you consider me your sister", Li Min said.
"Do not be offended by me not coming to see you. Mother had gave me some materials to study. I was not to leave my room till I finished it", He Fuxia explained herself.
She also resided in Yanxue palace but lived in separate quarters.
"You were studying. It would be unfair to blame you", Li Min said and dropped a book on the table, "His Highness told me liked reading storybooks on heroines. This is a newly released story. I hope you like it"
Fuxia picked it up and opened it. She smiled happily.
Closing the book, she turned to Li Min, "sister, you're the best. I love the gift"
Li Min smiled back, "I'm glad you like it"