Volume 1, Chapter 11: The Agreement and the Departure

Seeing that he was only covered by a thin blanket, Mei Lingxi hesitated before asking with concern, "Heir, will you not be cold with only a blanket?"

Ye Jianxun, with his arms tucked beneath his head as a pillow, uttered a single impatient word through thin lips: "Hot."

Hot?

Mei Lingxi glanced around the bedchamber, only then noticing that there were two charcoal braziers placed on either side of the folding screen, whereas there had usually been only one.

However, because her body was frail and sensitive to the cold, she felt only a pleasant warmth and no heat at all.

Ye Jianxun, on the other hand, was a man in his prime, full of vigor and inner fire. Being baked by these two braziers, he felt an unbearable dryness and heat throughout his body.

He kicked the blanket aside and rolled over, closing his eyes to sleep once more.

Mei Lingxi had not yet fully recovered her strength, so she also lay down and closed her eyes to rest.

After recuperating for two days, Mei Lingxi finally regained her spirit—at least on the surface, she appeared neither sad nor sorrowful, and even found the interest to pick up an old hobby: wood carving.

The heavy snow had just cleared. That day, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the window lattice, casting dappled shadows.

Mei Lingxi unearthed a yellowing wooden box from a trunk, wiped it clean inside and out with a handkerchief, and took out a small piece of wood with a warm luster. Picking up a delicate little knife, she began to carve slowly.

Wood shavings fell like snowflakes, landing on her snow-colored skirt like brilliant stars.

When Ye Jianxun pushed the door open, this quiet and beautiful scene was what greeted his eyes.

Mei Lingxi sensed his presence the moment he entered, but she did not look up, remaining focused on her work.

Seeing her so concentrated, Ye Jianxun could not bear to disturb her. He simply sat down at the desk and began to read a book.

The sun slanted westward. The sky gradually darkened, the sunset glowing in magnificent, dreamlike shades of orange and red, woven like fine silk.

Only then did Mei Lingxi wipe the light sweat from her brow, blow the fine dust from the carving, and study it for a moment, her lips curving into a faint smile.

Ye Jianxun set down his book and walked over. Seeing the palm-sized figurine in her hand, he recognized the subject at a glance.

"Why did you carve Mother?" Ye Jianxun asked, curious.

"Just a casual piece, no deep thought put into it," Mei Lingxi replied calmly. She stood up, brushed the wood shavings from her clothes, and returned her tools to the box.

Ye Jianxun looked at her box—a small, yellowing square container with slight scratches on it—and paused for a moment. "Do you enjoy wood carving?"

"Yes." Mei Lingxi finished tidying the box, polished the carving, wrapped it in a new silk handkerchief, and placed it inside a sandalwood box.

It appeared to be a gift intended for the Princess.

Ye Jianxun suddenly recalled being pulled aside for questioning by the Princess of Ning the day before.

The Princess was usually warm and kind to him, but yesterday, she had been filled with fury.

"Xun'er, have you been going to the Moon Oriole Pavilion these past few days?"

Ye Jianxun paused before replying, "Yes, but it was for official business."

"I heard you often go to a girl named Yu'er, playing the zither and drinking until midnight. Is this true?" The Princess of Ning had not wanted to believe it, but after having her servants inquire, she found it to be true, forcing her to re-evaluate him.

Ye Jianxun remained silent for a moment before speaking vaguely: "I apologize for troubling you, Mother, but my official business is not something I can discuss with you in detail."

The Princess of Ning felt a wave of disappointment. She gripped her teacup so tightly she nearly threw it. "What kind of official business requires you to stay with a courtesan until late at night? Xun'er, I remember how devoted you were to Lingxi; how have you become so fickle?"

"Lingxi has been coughing up blood and fainting these past few days; she must have found out about this Yu'er and been devastated."

Ye Jianxun knew the Princess was confused again, mistaking Lingxi for Lingyi. In her eyes, he was now a complete scoundrel.

Feeling unfairly accused, he said helplessly, "Mother, you have misunderstood. There is nothing romantic between me and that Yu'er."

"Then promise me you will stop seeing her. Settle your heart and live a proper life. Although Lingxi seems cold, she is pure-hearted and deeply loyal. You must not fail her."

"I promise you," Ye Jianxun said solemnly, "I will treat Lingxi well."

He chuckled to himself; though the Princess was somewhat deranged, her intuition remained sharp. She knew exactly who was good and who was bad.

Mei Lingxi finished packing the gift and ordered Bishui to deliver it to the Princess of Ning.

She then walked up to Ye Jianxun and said calmly, "Heir, our marriage was not of our own choosing, correct?"

Not knowing her intent, Ye Jianxun paused and gave a slight nod.

Mei Lingxi continued, "Since that is the case, why don't we agree on a time to separate? Once we have parted ways, whether you go to win back Mei Lingyi or return to your confidante at the Moon Oriole Pavilion, you will be free to do as you please."

Ye Jianxun was silent for a long time before asking, "And what about you?"

Mei Lingxi turned to the window, watching the setting sun, and said softly, "I have my own places to go."

Ye Jianxun stood behind her, watching her silhouette framed by the fading twilight, a sense of profound loneliness welling up within him.

"Very well," Ye Jianxun replied. "In three months, we shall separate."

Mei Lingxi turned around quickly, a hint of joy brightening her eyes. She asked uncertainly, "The Heir truly agrees?"

She had originally intended to wait for an opportunity to escape. But as the Heir’s consort of Prince Ning, even if she escaped, she would likely be hunted down. She did not want to live a life in the shadows forever, so she had chosen to be straightforward with him.

She had not expected him to be so agreeable.

Three months from now would be March of next year—the timing was perfect.

Ye Jianxun raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with teasing. "Why, were you hoping I would refuse? Were you testing me to see if I would try to hold onto you?"

Mei Lingxi offered a genuine smile. "Thank you, Heir."

"However, you must continue to play the role of the Heir’s consort well for these next three months," Ye Jianxun added.

"Naturally," Mei Lingxi agreed with a nod.

Seeing her vibrant expression, Ye Jianxun masked the melancholy in his heart and said, "We are to go to the Wind and Cloud Altar for the sacrificial rites in two days. You shall accompany me."

"Very well."

The Wind and Cloud Altar stood atop Lingyun Mountain. The founding ancestor of Zhaode had established the new dynasty there, and every year at the end of the year, the Emperor led the royal family and nobles there to perform sacrifices to the heavens, praying for favorable weather and a peaceful, prosperous nation.

The first half of the year had not been smooth for Zhaode; the Northern Barbarians had launched sudden attacks, and General Zhenyuan, Yu Qiu, along with his son Yu Changming, had thrown themselves into the six-month-long struggle.

Only in the last few days had the great war between Zhaode and the Northern Barbarians finally come to an end. Thus, today’s ceremony was both a sacrifice and a celebration of victory.

Mei Lingxi sat in the carriage with her eyes closed to rest when Ye Jianxun reminded her, "We may see Yu Changming today."

"Oh?" Mei Lingxi remained indifferent, thinking to herself that she wondered if she would see Mei Lingyi. She presumed the other woman would be lying low for now, avoiding the spotlight.