15 FOURTEEN (1/2)
The property has a natural hot spring pool. The air was fresh and some wild birds embellished the barren trees. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful.
”Where is wang ye?”
Jiang Xi Yu sat on the pavilion facing the camellia garden. The only flower plant there that blooms throughout autumn to spring. The colorful camellia with a natural pond in the center made her forget how long she has been there. She was just staring blankly and listened to the birds chipped. A very tasteful way to waste time.
”Wang ye is in the back of the main hall with Ming He gonggong and Qian Chang Xin gonggong. Over there, wang fei.”
Ru Ming and Ru Qing sat close behind her. Ru Ming pointed to one side so Jiang Xi Yu could notice where Li Fei Long was.
”Wang ye always make sure wang fei always in his sight.” Ru Qing giggled playfully. Then followed by Ru Ming which ended up making Jiang Xi Yu blushed. The trio switched their eyes towards the building across their seat.
An idea came across her mind. Abruptly standing up, Jiang Xi Yu walked towards the hall. ”Let's check what he is doing there!”
Ru Ming and Ru Qing ran to follow her. Her steps were light and her mood suddenly filled with excitement. They walked along the bridge, passed one garden after another until they reached the main hall.
Ru Ming and Ru Qing chose to stop by the door and waited outside. The moment Jiang Xi Yu entered the back side of the main hall, Li Fei Long was ready to welcome her. He stood in front of his working table that was installed there in an instance on the first day they arrived. Some books were left opened on the top of the table. Both Ming He and Qian Chang Xin bowed silently and retreated outside.
”Why did wang ye not join me, enjoy the fresh air and listen to birds chirping outside? What's the point of this retreat if wang ye still working on something with those two…” Jiang Xi Yu cannot find the perfect word to describe the two personal taijian.
Li Fei Long pulled her closer. His strong hands held her waist right in front him. He gave her his cheeky smile and waited with his eyebrow lifted high.
”I want to say some bad words for Ming He and Qian Chang Xin but I cannot.” Gave up too easily, Jiang Xi Yu touched Li Fei Long's arms and enjoyed his muscle tone there. She enjoyed Li Fei Long's body as she enjoyed his loud laugh.
”Serve us?”
Lucky Jiang Xi Yu realized the bait. She might almost throw herself into the gutter. Quickly, she grabbed Li Fei Long's head with both her hands. She pulled his head closer and landed a kiss. Then she added one more small kiss. And after they both smiled, she gave him a long, wet, sensual tongue battle.
They both panted when they broke free from each other. Jiang Xi Yu still has her hands clawed on Li Fei Long's chest while Li Fei Long's both hands were still on her waist.
”Each day I feel wang fei getting brighter.” Li Fei Long looked very much satisfied with her condition. ”Without you knowing it, you are back talking informally towards me.”
Jiang Xi Yu's face turned sour. She just realized that and she was also annoyed because Li Fei Long pointed that out. It was difficult to maintain formality for almost the entire time. All the titles, the names, and families she needed to remember.
She did not even realize when she started to feel comfortable near Li Fei Long. It just flew naturally and she acted more relaxed and more like real her.
”I was not telling you to stop.” Li Fei Long secured her as she was going to break free from him. Struck by the confession he made, Jiang Xi Yu looked up and their eyes locked.
It was strange for Jiang Xi Yu as she felt some kind of emotion that was new for her. The bond between them was there. Invisible but she could feel it. Grew slowly as she underestimated their fate. In the beginning she knew she hated him. Then lust made her enjoy what they shared in bed, or in other places they made love. And here she was, with a strange feeling. Comfortable, safe, and wanting.
Li Fei Long put his hands on the side of Jiang Xi Yu's face. Covering her ear, not too tight, not pulling her closer. The light touch made Jiang Xi Yu's heart pounded faster. Their intimacy stepped up above lust ever since they knew they lost their child. For Li Fei Long, it increased dramatically since he knew he almost lost her.
”I grant you permission to be who you are in front of me.” He whispered softly. His cocky grin made Jiang Xi Yu smile. ”I want you to be free in front of me. Without fear, without formality, with... love.”
Jiang Xi Yu found him sincere. The words were simple, the meaning was deep. But he was a royal blood. He might someday sit on the throne. His sincere and pleasant love towards her could change dramatically into something else.
”I wish I could freeze the time.” Whispered, Jiang Xi Yu gave him a smile. Without more to say, she pushed herself on him. Hugged and gave him a long kiss on his lips.
***
A group of taijian rushed back and forth passing the main quarter of The Grand Chancellor's mansion. They brought some flower pots, basins filled with coal, some thick blankets in and out Pan Xi Yin's quarter. The head taijian yelled here and there. Apparently the second lady of the household was busy making sure she would always stay warm through the winter.
Li Liang Rong sat down on her sitting space along with Han Yao Ying. Together, they were enjoying warm tea that was bestowed by The Empress Dowager to them. On each side of them, their trusted yahuan stood by solemnly. All of them have been silent ever since Pan Xi Yin started her scheme.
”Mother, it has already passed mid-day.” Han Yao Ying put down her tea cup and leaned back to the window. ”I am afraid I cannot hold any longer. That tart made me…”
”Make you become wiser each day.” Li Liang Rong cut her before Han Yao Ying could find the right word to describe her annoyance.
Quickly turning her body, Han Yao Ying watched her mother who sat still upright. Han Yao Ying admired her mother more than anyone else. Her strong build mother who was not only brilliant on military strategy but also in politics. Han Yao Ying believed that her mother would be brighter if she was a man and held the title as Grand Chancellor instead of her own father.
Her parents were a perfect pair of power and dignified. After her union with Rui Qin Wang, she adamant to be even greater than anyone in the empire.
”There would be small mice in between marriage life. If you cannot bear what is now, how will you manage your own fu in the future?”
The strict note in Li Liang Rong's voice made Han Yao Ying nod. After straightening up her back and continuing to be solemn. To have Li Qing Feng as her husband, she has to bear his appetite of beauty.
”Winter is always cold and boring.” Li Liang Rong added in a calm manner.
Han Yao Ying glanced and found her mother smiling slyly. She waited until Li Liang Rong continued. ”Let her enjoy her imaginary days as a peacock within our mansion. Isn't it entertaining to watch a brainless little mouse thinking itself as a beautiful peacock?!”
The mother daughter duo locked eyes and smirked at each other.
***
The only daughter of The Emperor and The Empress was looking at the beautiful view of the first snow of the year. Standing by the window, Li Xi Shi Gulun gongzhu watched as the snow drops slowly touched the ground. Holding the bronze hand warmer, she could not stop thinking her husband whereabout.
Lou Che Fuma was the first son of the main wife of one of the wealthiest families in the empire. His family line succeeded in trading business and possessed a low royal title before The Emperor granted marriage degree to the household.
The marriage arrangement was beneficial for both. The Emperor and The Empress did not have the heart to let their favourite delicate daughter be married for political purposes. Therefore, The Emperor and The Empress had carefully chosen the perfect household, Count He.
Came after the marriage degree, The Emperor elevated Count He to be Marquis He. His son, Lou Che, became the most favorite man within Yong'an Palace as he liked to share excellent quality of beauty and entertain products with the inner harem.
Lou Che liked to directly engage in his family trading business so this put him often travelling. His delicate manner towards Li Xi Shi made her fall in love right away. His generous side made Li Xi Shi think he was perfect. So much perfection on him until she started to believe she might be the one who was barren.
Days changed to months, changed to years. Li Xi Shi counted the days and wondered when she would be pregnant. She has urged Lou Che to take a concubine and make her pregnant so she could adopt the child but Lou Che refused.