Chapter Eleven: The Jade Pendant with the Phoenix Pattern

The red candle was extinguished by Taoxin’s breath, and she quietly left with the palace maid holding a lantern. Amidst layers of crimson gauze, there were two beds, each with its own coverlet. The two people lay neither too close nor too far apart, yet the large red quilt embroidered with love-in-idleness flowers was pressed snugly together, leaving no gap between them.

A hush filled the room, as if both had fallen into a deep sleep.

Xuexue slept on the inner side, a bit impolitely facing the gauze-draped wall. Suddenly, a strong arm, reaching across the thick brocade quilt, pulled her into a firm embrace.

Startled, Xuexue couldn’t quite comprehend the meaning behind the gesture of the person behind her.

Yet, being held made her feel much warmer, as though his warmth seeped through to her. But as she pondered further, she grew tense—after all, they were still newlyweds...

No matter how she tried to remain indifferent, some things were inevitable.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” came a drowsy, languid voice from behind her—so pleasant that she couldn’t help but relax.

He was actually rather amusing; before bed, he’d specifically instructed someone to keep watch at the door, as if guarding against some intruder. Now that she thought of it, it must have been because Xiaoxi had threatened before leaving to sneak in at midnight and drag this “old man” away, prompting such precautions from him.

That night, she slept better than ever, without even a hint of dreams.

As dawn broke, fish in the lotus pond swam quietly beneath the water, as if just waking from slumber. The lotus flowers drooped, with only a few scattered petals remaining in the pond, some resting on the leaves, others drifting in the water.

Gradually, the sleepers stirred. Xuexue, half-awake, blinked open her eyes. Still drowsy, she reached up to rub them, only to realize something was amiss.

Her head rested against something warm—namely, a broad, solid chest.

How did this happen? Hadn’t they each kept to their own covers?

Baffled, Xuexue tried to piece things together but found herself at a loss.

“Xue’er, are you awake?” Ji Wuqing, without moving, observed every fleeting expression on her face, evidently taking great pleasure in doing so.

All morning, a sour look lingered on Xuexue’s face, thanks to something Ji Wuqing had just said that left her deeply embarrassed.

“Xue’er, last night you slipped into my bed yourself—I didn’t do a thing.”

Did that mean she had grown lonely and crawled into his covers? The idea was hard for her to accept; her heart was blocked with discomfort and, more than anything, burning shame she could not hide.

The palace maids brought in a light and exquisite breakfast at the appointed time. Afterward, Ji Wuqing donned his stately dragon robe with Xuexue’s help, and she carefully hung a carved jade pendant with a dragon motif at his waist. It seemed to be his personal possession, the jade smooth and warm in her hand, radiating a cozy heat like a hand warmer.

“Why are you wearing such a stern face—are you angry?” Ji Wuqing watched as she bent to straighten his clothing, his gaze soft with affection.

“Your Majesty, I dare not,” she replied, straightening and maintaining the proper decorum between ruler and subject.

“So severe. Let me give you something—don’t be upset,” he said, not waiting for her reply. Leaning down, he hung a phoenix-engraved jade pendant at her waist.

It was a piece matching his own dragon pendant, the center carved with a vivid phoenix, highlighting its elegance and worth.

“I meant to give you this last night but forgot. You mustn’t sulk, Xue’er—it pains me,” Ji Wuqing murmured, drawing her into his embrace, his tone cajoling, as if coaxing a lover out of a pout.

Xuexue was left speechless—when had she sulked? His ability to twist things was far beyond her own.

“A royal gift from Your Majesty—I shall cherish it with utmost care,” she said finally, expressing her thanks.

“You’re not to tuck it away. Wear it every day—I’ll be checking,” Ji Wuqing replied at once, his tone brooking no refusal, having caught her hidden intent.

So he wanted her to flaunt his gift in public. What could he be plotting?

“Master, Consort Jin has sent a message inviting you to visit the Lotus Pavilion. The maid said if you’re unable to attend, the little princess will go in your stead, and she needn’t attend the Jade Hall today,” Taoxin reported breathlessly, clearly in a hurry, though she managed not to show it.

The young lady, who had been “reading,” merely tilted her head, her snow-white features coming into view. The red lotus hairpin in her chignon swayed gently. She turned a page, the lace-edged yellow robe shifting slightly, her expression unchanged.

“Xiaoxi hasn’t gone to the Jade Hall yet? She must be up to mischief. It seems we’ll need a strict tutor to keep her in line,” she mused, half to herself, a trace of helplessness and concern in her tone.

Taoxin was puzzled—why would her mistress say such a thing?

“Master, as far as I know, Consort Jin has been at the Lotus Pavilion all along and has not run into the little princess. I don’t know what method she used to lure the princess over. This invitation must be ill-intentioned—we should be cautious,” Taoxin whispered anxiously. Having spent time in the palace, she knew it was one thing to face matters openly, but underhanded schemes were harder to guard against.

“There’s no need for alarm; Consort Jin merely invited me for a stroll,” Xuexue replied serenely, closing her book.

The Lotus Pavilion, as its name implied, was not surrounded by blooming lotus ponds, but rather adorned with exquisitely carved lotus motifs. The raised carvings made it seem as if lotuses blossomed all around, lending the place a poetic charm.

Yet, the pavilion was in a secluded corner of the palace, neglected and overgrown. Dense foliage and tangled vines surrounded it, creating an air of wild disorder. Still, the pink and blue blossoms near the pavilion added a touch of beauty to the scene.

When Xuexue arrived, Xiaoxi was happily picking flowers by the pavilion. Upon spotting her from afar, the child ran over at once.

She wore a jade-green jacket patterned with lotus pods, layered warmly against the chill, her little body plump and round, a soft green dumpling.

“Mother, you’re finally here!” Xiaoxi cried, rushing into Xuexue’s arms, her voice sweet and spoiled. Her twin buns bobbed as she snuggled closer, irresistibly endearing.

A pair of pale hands stroked Xiaoxi’s back, then mischievously pressed her plump, warm cheeks. The cool touch made Xiaoxi burrow even deeper into Xuexue’s embrace.

“Master, there’s no sign of Consort Jin,” Taoxin murmured, surprised. Was Consort Jin toying with them, or was there an ambush? Xuexue nodded, unconcerned.

“So disobedient—no rest for you today until you finish copying ‘On Womanhood’ three times,” she said with a wry smile, holding the little one tightly, though the punishment was nonnegotiable.

...Author’s Note...

The early chapters are just like this—their relationship is courteous and restrained, but things will gradually change as the story unfolds.