[Empress Hall]
[Chuyin Hall]
The sound of the clattering cups resounded in the hall. It was obvious that Shen Ruihua was not in a good mood.
"Your Highness, calm your anger", the servants in the hall knelt in fear.
It was terrifying to see the noble Empress of Daxia lose composure. Shen Ruihua having let her anger out a bit regained her composure and sat back down gracefully as though nothing had happened.
The first prince's arrival was announced from outside.
He Yan walked in gracefully, with a soft air of nobility.
"Greetings, mother", he bowed.
Shen Ruihua who was in a bad mood barely acknowledged his presence. He walked to her side, poured her a cup of hot tea and offered it to her.
"Mother, calm down. Anger is not good for your health", he said.
Shen Ruihua sighed and took a sip of the tea.
She felt a bit relaxed. "I feel much better"
He Yan smiled, "you shouldn't worry about such trivial matters or it will take a toll on you"
"Trivial? How is this a trivial matter?"
Shen Ruihua felt irritation growing in her body.
She closed her eyes in thought,
"Late Emperor, late emperor, you really prepared everything beforehand", she said.
He Yan did not interrupt her.
"The late emperor truly loved his son. Even the army became part of his inheritance. Next, you assigned him to study under the Marquis of Shanxi and now he has gained an extra forty percent of the army. I truly underestimated you"
She couldn't help but speak her mind.
A long pause followed through after her outburst. He Yan signaled the kneeling servants to disperse.
"Perhaps the situation may not be as bad as it seems", He Yan finally spoke when he felt Shen Ruihua had calmed down and was clear-headed.
"What do you mean?"
"Although Imperial granduncle may possess the token and hold the Wu army, he is sickly and cannot move around", he said as he served himself tea. Both their eyes met and Shen Ruihua understood.
"Therefore, I have no choice but to perform my filial duties to Imperial granduncle".
Shen Ruihua's lip parted followed by a rare gleam in her eyes while He Yan calmly took a sip of his tea.
[The Palace]
[Emperor's Chambers]
While Shen Ruihua and her son were picking their pieces, Gu Wenlan was not idle either. She was tending to He Jingcheng.
"Your Majesty must be very troubled", she said as she massaged his shoulders.
He Jingcheng was more at ease than before.
One of the reasons he had favored Gu Wenlan was because of her massaging techniques that would easily soothe his mind.
"I knew that this marriage would be a turning point for the empire but I never expected it would be this huge", He Jingcheng sighed.
"Your majesty worries too much. I trust that you always have a back-up plan capable of solving any problem"
"You are so glib-tongued. Speak, do you have anything to say?" he asked.
"Truly, your majesty knows me best but I'm afraid what I will say may offend your majesty"
"Say what's on your mind"
"Your majesty, as you know, He Rui has been working hard in the ministry of justice. He is always capable of sharing your burdens and has not failed you once. This time, he truly hopes to take care of your majesty's worries"
He Jingcheng lightly tapped her hand on his shoulder and she stopped massaging and sat next to him.
"How is the case with the Prime Minister going?" he asked.
Gu Wenlan knew immediately that her request might not get fulfilled, but she refused to give up.
"The case is indeed still tricky, but some clues have been found. Besides, Your Majesty only asked He Rui to assist with the investigation, which he did. He provided the clues which are now giving the case a direction and a closer answer," she tried reasoning.
It seemed to work, as He Jingcheng seemed to sigh in reluctance.
"What are you suggesting then?" he asked.
Gu Wenlan smiled and shifted closer, "He Rui has been focusing only on cases. I would like for him to gain some experience in the military".
He Jingcheng thought for a while and met with Gu Wenlan's expectant gaze, "I'll think about it".
Gu Wenlan had a satisfied smile on her face, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
[Grand Prince Residence]
QWhile everyone in the palace or noble houses were scheming and outlining their next steps, the bright moon illuminated on the bowl of water Lingxi had just washed her hand in. she gently wiped her hand with the towel a maid handed her. They had helped change her clothes to a loose outfit and loosened her hair from all heavy jewelry.
"You may leave", Lingxi ordered.
They bowed and left. Lingxi stood by the window staring for a long time. She couldn't help but feel that something different about the moon this particular night.
While looking up, she noticed the slight movements on the rooftops a distance away. Her hearing was exceptionally good.
"Those are the shadow guards", she heard a familiar voice.
She turned to see He Yu; her newly wed husband, the one she had just gotten married to, the one that she was entangled with till the end of the road.
He had also changed his outfit but to his usual daily wear. She gave a slight curtsy.
"No need for formalities", He Yu said walking up to her with the usual calm smile of his that Lingxi couldn't tell if was real or fake.
He stood opposite her and looked up at the moon, "don't you think the moon feels different today?"
"Of course, it is. The moon yesterday is different from the one today"
"How so?" He Yu asked.
"The moon yesterday felt unreal while the moon today feels like a dream"
He Yu was slightly bemused, "a dream?"
"Yes. Last night, your highness and I shared a surreal walk and all of a sudden, we are married, never to part. Doesn't it feel like a dream?" she asked looking into his eyes.
Her eyes were bright and dazzling while his was just unreadable to Lingxi.
"Let's drink the wedding wine", he said walking down to the table.
Lingxi did not hesitate. She sat down opposite him. They picked up the wine and had just linked arms about drink the wine when an idea popped into Lingxi's mind.
"Your highness, how about we enjoy this wedding wine while admiring the moon?"
******
They both sat in separate rocking chairs next to each other and a table full of nuts between them. Lingxi reclined lazily on the chair while He Yu, of course, sat up straight.
"Isn't the view beautiful?" Lingxi asked munching her nuts happily.
He Yu was slightly impressed with her relaxed nature.
"You are pretty relaxed"
"I'm always relaxed as long as I have good food or snack and fine wine by my side", Lingxi responded.
She turned to him and reached for him to open his mouth.
He Yu paused for a while deciding on what to do.
"Open your mouth. My arms are hurting", she complained. He Yu took it from her hand instead before eating it.
"Why did you choose to marry me?" He Yu suddenly asked.
Lingxi smiled and leaned closer to him from her chair and said with a smile as bright as the moon, "of course it's because I've been love with you since childhood. From the moment I set my eyes on you, I knew I wanted to be yours"
"Is that so?" he asked also leaning closer, their nose almost touching.
"I swear", Lingxi said lifting her hand up with finality but the both of them knew she was lying .
He Yu couldn't help but scoff a bit before sitting back down properly.
"Let's drink the wedding wine", he said.
"Okay", Lingxi said sitting back too.
They both lifted up the wine.
Before He Yu could completely lift is wine, Lingxi already clinked hers with his and drank the wine in one gulp.
He Yu let her do as she pleased and also drank his wine as well.
After setting their cups down, Lingxi looked at him, "I guess we are the first couple to share a wedding wine like this, don't you think?"