On the first morning after becoming Princess Consort Zhao, Xie Jing found himself waking up in Lu Lingcong’s arms with his body tightly embraced, his face buried in the other party’s chest, a position entirely different from his unilateral snuggling when he fell asleep last night.
He did not know what this moment predestined for the next few decades but for now, he just felt that the silver charcoal in the room was burning too fiercely, or perhaps Lu Lingcong had a strong constitution and high body temperature. In any case, a thin layer of sweat covered his body, clinging to his sleeping clothes.
Peering through the bed curtains, Xie Jing couldn’t make out the sky clearly, yet he figured it was still too early to rise; if it were later, the maid would undoubtedly be at the door by now.
He felt slightly suffocated, yet he neither wanted to nor dare to move, fearing that any shift might wake Lu Lingcong, and then the other party would no longer hold him like this.
He could feel the scent locket pendant pressed quietly between his body and Lu Lingcong’s, slightly uncomfortable, yet unmistakably asserting its presence.
Just as Xie Jing was groggily about to drift back into sleep, a loud, excited cry of “Audacious slave, why don’t you kneel down!” resonated over the entire inner courtyard.
Xie Jing snapped awake; his sleepiness vanishing in an instant. He jerked his head up abruptly, striking Lu Lingcong’s chin squarely, eliciting a muffled groan from him. He quickly backed away slightly and looked up at him.
Lu Lingcong was also woken by the parrot, but he was clearly used to it and wasn’t startled. Instead, he was solidly hit by Xie Jing and looked at him in a daze for a moment.
Xie Jing felt a bit awkward. He wanted to apologize, but his throat was dry, and the sound that came out was strange. In the end, he only managed a faint “Umm.”
But he still slipped his hand out from under the quilt and awkwardly rubbed Lu Lingcong’s jaw.
A rush of footsteps came from outside the window, followed immediately by a panicked female voice, deliberately lowered: “My ancestor! I’m kneeling now! Please stop wailing!”
It seemed the maid heard the commotion and hurried over to replenish the food.
Lu Lingcong naturally realized the position in which they had slept all night. The arm Xie Jing had been lying on was somewhat numb. He instinctively moved it. Xie Jing immediately propped himself up on his elbow before raising his upper body slightly, leaving enough space for him to withdraw his arm.
The young girl outside continued to chatter, “Go ahead and squawk. Waking us and His Highness is a small matter. But try waking up the Princess—be careful or he’s gonna throw you out of the mansion tomorrow!”
Xie Jing gave Lu Lingcong a cool, sidelong glance.
“I can quietly find you a good family and send you away, but don’t expect me to plead for you. I dare not disobey that one. I still need to make a living in this courtyard!”
Xie Jing frowned, whispering, “Does she know people in this room can hear her?”
Lu Lingcong was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned his head outwards and began to laugh silently with his lips curled up. His laughter was genuine, and the arm still tucked beneath Xie Jing’s neck trembled faintly with it.
Xie Jing maintained his propped-up position while watching him laugh for a while. He rolled his eyes and let out a soft breath, stirring a loose strand of hair by his temple so that it fluttered slightly, then without ceremony flopped back into Lu Lingcong’s arm.
Lu Lingcong took the opportunity to withdraw his arm before embracing Xie Jing, who was half-reclining in his arms. His left hand lifted naturally and began to slowly comb through Xie Jing’s hair with his fingers, gently stroking it.
Lu Ai stopped squawking, either appeased by the maid, intimidated, or simply full.
Xie Jing buried his face in the hollow of Lu Lingcong’s shoulder and grew still again. A faint sense of unease stirred within him. After all, he had already given Lu Lingcong the chance. It was the other party who chose not to move away, who laughed, who hugged him in return, and who stroked his hair.
But Xie Jing had to admit that this series of actions, while stepping into a completely new and utterly unfamiliar yet extremely special relationship, gave him an indescribable sense of security.
This meant that what he said last night, “At least in Prince Zhao’s Mansion, no one can force you to do anything”, had not been an empty claim.
Lu Lingcong possessed a peculiar ability: his words were weighty and resonant, making it impossible for people not to believe him.
Xie Jing didn’t know if this was the innate charisma of the imperial family or due to his years spent in the military.
Someone like him would be well suited to serve as a commanding general, but with the Empress’s clan harboring such deep suspicion toward him, they would likely never allow Lu Lingcong to get his hands on the tiger tally or wield military authority.
It was a real pity not to see Lu Lingcong clad in military armor, Xie Jing thought, yet it was still better that he never set foot on the battlefield. Blades and spears show no mercy; in the end, it is no place for peace.
He let his thoughts drift aimlessly for a while before drowsiness crept back over his eyelids. Without hesitation, and with perfect justification, he cast aside all other thoughts and closed his eyes, breathing in the faint scent of Lu Lingcong lingering around him.
When he opened his eyes again, daylight had already filled the sky. Lu Lingcong was fully dressed, having finished washing up, and had come to wake him up.
Xie Jing realized that, aside from yesterday’s wedding, nine times out of ten when Lu Lingcong met him, he wore this same outfit: long hair neatly pulled up and tied high at the back like a ponytail, a round-collared martial robe, snug sleeves, and black boots. This not only made it convenient for riding and archery but also made his figure appear tall, elegant, and unrestrained. This fellow certainly knew how to dress himself.
But regardless of whether Lu Lingcong did this intentionally or unintentionally, or if he was “showing off” to him, Xie Jing’s concern was whether he himself looked presentable or not.
After all, stepping into the palace today meant not just presenting tea and performing the rites before the Emperor and Empress, but also paying a visit to Noble Consort Wu in the Western Palace.
Setting aside the memory of him calling Lu Lingcong “gege” in his youth, he had only glimpsed Lady Wu from afar at the Dragon Boat Festival palace banquet that day and had never dared to look at her closely. Apart from the single sentence, “She likes people who are good-looking,” Lu Lingcong had not mentioned his mother to him much.
Xie Jing knew that Lady Wu must be very gentle and amiable; otherwise, she wouldn’t have raised Lu Lingcong to have a disposition so incompatible with the deep palace. Yet, just like an unattractive daughter-in-law, a beautiful one also feels nervous when meeting her in-laws, and he couldn’t help but feel a touch of apprehension in his heart.
“I wonder who it was that made the rule yesterday, declaring something like, ‘I will personally attend to His Highness’s daily life from now on,’ yet now can’t even get out of bed.”
Lu Lingcong was sitting sideways on the edge of the bed. The intimacy of their night had somewhat lessened the awkwardness between their bodies. Furthermore, Xie Jing’s body was as soft as water and very comfortable to hold, so Lu Lingcong was not too reserved as he hooked his arms under Xie Jing’s underarms and lifted him from the pillow.
Although the lovemaking between them last night was not short, it started early, so Xie Jing did not fall asleep very late. The current exhaustion did not stem from lack of sleep but primarily from physical soreness and fatigue, which was especially noticeable when Lu Lingcong was not holding him.
He reluctantly glanced around the room. No maid was waiting, so the “rule” he had established had clearly taken effect. However, the lacquered tray holding golden scissors and embroidered pouch on the table was gone. He guessed Lu Lingcong had handed it out earlier.
Xie Jing stayed composed, roused himself fully, slipped on his shoes, got out of bed, washed up, and then went straight to sit before the dressing mirror.
Lu Lingcong, however, followed closely behind him. He picked up the fine-toothed comb a moment before Xie Jing and asked with great interest, “Shall I tie your hair for you?”
He had completely forgotten who it was that had just complained about him not getting out of bed to “personally attend” to him. Now, he was quick and diligent to offer his services.
Xie Jing let out a scornful laugh from his throat while glancing at the person behind him in the mirror, “Just admit you’re coveting my hair; it’s nothing to be ashamed of anyway.”
Lu Lingcong’s hands were quicker than his mouth; he was already cupping a lock of black hair and agreed, “Why don’t you feel it yourself? I’m afraid it’s even three parts smoothers than this cloud brocade fabric.”
Xie Jing felt a little flushed from such direct praise. He had to look away with one hand unconsciously tugging at his collar. The scent locket pendant resting at his neck caught the light faintly, and Lu Lingcong noticed it immediately.
“Is there also a pendant? I didn’t see you wearing it last night.”
Xie Jing instinctively pressed it but immediately realized this was drawing attention to it. If Lu Lingcong asked to examine and play with it, the secret would certainly be exposed.
So, he simply used his fingertip to hook it out openly, gave it a little swing, and said, “It’s an incense sachet. I woke up thirsty in the middle of the night and drank a cup of tea. I saw it had fallen by the couch, so I just placed it on without thinking.”
Lu Lingcong didn’t suspect anything else, probably because he couldn’t imagine Xie Jing would actually secretly perform the hair-tying ritual. He merely said, “No wonder I felt some movement while half-asleep. I just thought you must have been exhausted and fell asleep first, so I didn’t get up to check.”
Xie Jing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Sure enough, his minor movements getting in and out of bed did not escape Lu Lingcong’s notice. He was only thankful that the other party didn’t look deeper.
What he hadn’t expected was that Lu Lingcong’s hairdressing skills were just as remarkable as his cooking. He gathered the hair above Xie Jing’s ears and tied it up, letting the rest fall over his shoulders and back, with two slender strands left loose at the temples.
“I learned by braiding Zhenzhen’s hair. The styles for girls are much more complicated than yours,” Lu Lingcong explained. He then stroked the hair twice more, still unsatisfied, and clapped him on the shoulder, “Go change your clothes and have breakfast.”
However, he did not stay to help him change clothes but pushed the door open and left.
Xie Jing stared at the half-open door for a moment, feeling a subtle awkwardness.
They had already experienced such intimate cuddling and lovemaking and were likely second only to each other in familiarity with their respective bodies. They had no qualms about embracing each other naked in bed yet felt a twinge of embarrassment trying to avoid suspicion when changing clothes in each other’s presence below the sheets.
He rose, removed his sleepwear, and donned the court attire that the maid had laid out and neatly folded on the table.
Although Xie Jing knew that his fair complexion suited red, it was hard to get the shade’s right; too light would be frivolous, too dark would be dull. He would have to let Lu Lingcong give him a final check later.
Breakfast was set out in the flower hall directly across from the bedroom, the north-facing room of the square courtyard. Both doors stood open, with only the Xiang curtains half-rolled to shield against the wind. Sitting in the hall, one could take in the entire view of the courtyard.
The two semi-circular tables were normally placed against the wall. For meals, they were pushed together to form a single table. On either side, an embroidered stool was set for Prince Zhao and the Princess Consort to sit on, clearly maintaining a distinct separation between them.
The maid led Xie Jing along the covered corridor and into the flower hall. Lu Lingcong was sitting by the dining table with one leg crossed over the other, resting his chin on his hand while staring blankly at the white plum blossoms in the courtyard.
Xie Jing stepped across the threshold. The servants in the hall immediately bowed, their voices rising together: “Greetings to the Princess Consort.”
Lu Lingcong suddenly snapped back to attention before directing his gaze toward Xie Jing, who was wrapped in wide scarlet sleeves. Xie Jing froze for a moment, feeling somewhat at a loss, for the servants in the Xie’s Mansion were certainly not this ceremonious on an ordinary day. He could only raise his hand and say, “Please rise.”
Then he realized that in front of outsiders, he also needed to put on the appearance of respectful affection, adhering to the rules of a subject and a wife.
In any case, Xie Jing was never burdened by insincere formalities, so he also bowed and said, “Your Highness.”
Lu Lingcong had clearly forgotten that in the eyes of the servants, he and Xie Jing were far from being familiar enough to dispense with honorifics or the need for formal greetings. If he didn’t show enough regard—or to be blunter—”favor” for Xie Jing, the mansion would surely be filled with gossip, speculation, and discussion.
The spread of rumors was secondary. If it led the servants to fawn over the powerful and slight the less favored and fail to respect Xie Jing, that would truly be his fault. Although Xie Jing did not look like a pushover who would swallow his pride, Lu Lingcong had decided early on that the lone, extraordinary pearl of the Xie family of the Chen Commandery entrusted to him was not meant to be left at the mercy of others’ moods.
The story of Xie Jing setting rules last night was only known by a few maids, whose activities were confined to the inner courtyard. Even if the news could spread, it wouldn’t travel far in a short time.
However, the breakfast table was bustling with people, and several kitchen staff stood nearby, making it the ideal moment to send a signal to the entire household.
Lu Lingcong rose, approached Xie Jing, and personally took his elbow to help him stand upright, then directed a maid to bring the other embroidered stool and tableware closer. He pressed down on Xie Jing’s shoulder to ensure he was seated first before sitting himself.
He had noticed Xie Jing’s change of clothes but could only tell that the color was slightly different from yesterday’s ceremonial gown. He didn’t know the exact word to use to describe it, so to be safe, he turned his face slightly and said to Xie Jing in a volume that was intimate yet loud enough for everyone present to hear, “Red suits you.”
This also saved him from having to ask the question himself.
Xie Jing smiled submissively and warmly, replying dramatically, “As long as Your Highness likes it.”
Lu Lingcong caught the sarcasm in his tone but did not refute him as what he said was the truth.
The breakfast had clearly been arranged with care. It wasn’t all overly sweet porridge and pastries; several light, savory dishes and crisp cakes were placed nearer to Xie Jing, while Lu Lingcong’s chopsticks scarcely reached them.
Xie Jing had only managed to grab two hurried bites at yesterday’s banquet, and now he felt so empty that it was almost beyond mere hunger. He quietly focused on his meal, even tasting a piece of black rice cake. He found it palatable but still slightly inferior to what Lu Lingcong made.
After finishing their meal, they headed to the palace, riding in the same carriage that had once given Xie Jing a ride. This time, however, the curtains were crimson, and the character for “double happiness” was affixed to the shafts. Just like the sedan chair that carried him from the Xie’s Mansion to the Prince’s Mansion yesterday, it was now to carry him into the Forbidden City.
With this entrance into the palace, he could no longer return to being an outsider with no connection to these high walls.
Xie Jing sat upright for a while, but the carriage moved slowly, and boredom soon crept in. He poked Lu Lingcong with his finger and said, “I’m going to take a nap.”
He then tried to rest his forehead on Lu Lingcong’s shoulder as a pillow, but the curve of his neck was too great, and it wasn’t very comfortable.
Xie Jing shifted his position several times but couldn’t settle into a comfortable posture, and his drowsiness was on the verge of slipping away. Lu Lingcong suddenly lifted his arm, fully enveloping him, and let him rest his face sideways beneath his collarbone.
Before anyone could react, Lu Lingcong first rested his chin on the top of Xie Jing’s head before lightly rubbing the crown of his head with his jawbone. Then he lowered his head a bit more, took a deep breath of the scent lingering in his hair, and half-closed his eyes in enjoyment.
Xie Jing: “……”
He asked, “Do you also treat Yi Yun and Lu Ai by pulling their feathers like this every day? Is this Your Highness Prince Zhao’s unique way of showing affection to his concubines?”
Lu Lingcong thought about it and said, “Not every day. And they aren’t as fragrant as you.”
When Xie Jing was roused, the carriage had already stopped outside Shenlong Hall. He followed Lu Lingcong out in a daze, only to see Zhong Zhao standing at the door. Zhong Zhao reported that the emperor had dined at Linhai Hall after the morning court and was now returning with the Empress to receive the respects of Prince and Princess Consort Zhao, requesting that the two wait in the hall for a moment.
Lu Lingcong’s expression was normal. Instead, he exchanged a few polite greetings with Zhong Zhao, then produced a gold leaf, tossed it to him, and said, “Yesterday’s banquet was so crowded and hurried that I didn’t get the chance to offer you a cup of wedding wine.”
Giving gold again, Xie Jing thought to himself, wondering where Lu Lingcong kept it. He probably had it tucked away in his sleeve, always ready for such favors.
Zhong Zhao instantly beamed, knelt, and kowtowed repeatedly to both of them while profusely thanking them and saying a string of auspicious phrases like “May you enjoy a hundred years of harmony and lifelong devotion.”
Lu Lingcong cast a sidelong glance and noticed that the palace servants both inside and outside Shenlong Hall were all discreetly sneaking looks at him and Xie Jing. He was about to seize the opportunity to leverage the palace’s unique “word spreads fast” rumor mill when a report came from outside the hall that the emperor had returned.
But before they could go out to greet them and perform the ritual, the conversation between the Emperor and the Empress had already reached their ears.
“The Imperial Grandson’s status is extraordinary. It is best if he is born of the legal wife.” This was the emperor’s voice.
“Your Majesty speaks truly, but as you know, our little Princess Consort is a genuine, high-ranking court official. His temperament is arrogant and eccentric. If he truly has no desire to bear children, pressing the matter could appear inappropriate and might ultimately undermine your imperial dignity.” Lady Wang[mfn]Lady Wang was referring to the empress.[/mfn] answered softly.
“What is your opinion?”
“Chenqie[mfn]A self-address used by the women in the palace.[/mfn] suggests selecting a few girls from respectable backgrounds and sending them into the Prince’s Mansion. If a son is born later, he can be legally adopted by Princess Consort as his own. The birth mother can be generously rewarded and dismissed, thus resolving the matter entirely.”
Xie Jing lagged just half a step behind Lu Lingcong, yet it was enough for him to hear every word clearly.
He didn’t lift his gaze to meet Lu Lingcong’s eyes, instead staring blankly at the bricks and stones just ahead, unsure whether he should step forward or back.
The thick embroidered curtain hanging in front of the door was already being lifted by a palace attendant. Just a moment before the emperor’s bright yellow robe came into view, Lu Lingcong suddenly pivoted halfway, reached through the layers of his light red sleeves, caught Xie Jing’s pale wrist, and slid down a few inches to grasp his slightly damp hand firmly.
