Forget it, why am I worrying about it? Even if there are undercurrents, they won't affect me.
I guess I was incredibly bored, and I even put on a nice face and wasted so much time talking to them. I pursed my lips, ignored the twins behind me, and started walking away.
On the way back, I heard a lot of gossip, all about how weak and incompetent the city lord was, allowing people from other countries to come and go in the city so casually.
Not to mention during the day, sometimes even at midnight, that person might not be seen in the Nine-Story Tower, so it's not surprising that I didn't see him. I had Xiaoman make up a bed, and I lay down and fell asleep.
I slept until sunset, but when I opened my eyes, I was too lazy to get up.
“Madam,” Xiaoman peeked in, lifting the curtain, “His Majesty has sent someone to invite you to dine at Xianglong Pavilion.”
"I'm not going. Just say I'm not hungry." I ate too much earlier, and even after sleeping for a while, I haven't finished digesting it.
It's probably quite unusual that I don't eat, because in the evening, someone who hadn't appeared at the Nine-Story Tower for the past two days suddenly showed up.
"Eat less peach shortbread in the future, and don't keep missing your regular meals." That was the first thing he said when he came in, and he frowned when he saw me still lying in bed.
"oh."
"What's wrong with you lately? You're always so lethargic and listless. Have you gone back to winter again?"
"Yunzhi." I opened my arms, and he understood, coming over to let me hug him. "When did you become so docile? How can you remain calm when someone bullies you like this?"
“I’m not like you, someone who can just lift me up the mountain.”
"Go on, let me be serious. It's alright inside, but some people outside are swearing really badly."
He laughed, put his hand on my waist and patted it around, "You've gained weight again."
Okay, he just doesn't want to answer my questions properly and is using this to change the subject.
"Go back to your study and don't come back to sleep."
I pushed him away, and he actually stepped back a little to cooperate, but he still held my hand. His dark eyes stared straight at me, and suddenly he leaned in and kissed me, then let go and really left.
"Sleep well, don't think about me." He left without turning his head, waving his hand as he went out the door.
I stared wide-eyed. Only a ghost would miss you!
Chapter 109
As expected, he left and never came back. I was so angry that I was practically full from being hungry in the middle of the night. Suddenly, I realized a very serious problem: since we got married, I've been the one taking the initiative almost the whole time. Thinking about this, I pulled back the foot that had just stepped out the door.
"He Xiuqi died in Changbai Mountain? He hasn't returned yet?"
"Is Madam feeling unwell?"
As soon as I asked that question, Xiaoman rushed over nervously with a cup of tea in her hand.
“I haven’t been feeling energetic lately and I keep thinking about sleeping. I’m thinking of asking him for something to perk me up.”
"The medicinal cuisine hall has plenty of herbs; the Great Protector can prepare some for you."
"Hmph, he's devoted to his master, he has no time to care about me."
"Madam is joking. You know that Protector Qiong is an orphan, sold into the Nangong family at a young age and raised alongside His Majesty. Their bond is no less than that of blood brothers. His Majesty cherishes you so much, so naturally the Great Protector does too..."
"You took his money and you're always speaking up for him." She blushed, embarrassed by my gaze. "These guys have been busy following Yunzhi lately, do you really think they have three heads and six arms and don't need to rest? Besides, this isn't a big deal."
Xiaoman looked up with a hint of surprise, as if these words hadn't come from my mouth.
To be honest, I'm a little depressed myself. It's not that Yunzhi has become more docile; it's me who's lost my temper, I don't know if it's because I spent a long winter running around Jade Dragon Mountain.
He Xiuqi, when you're gathering herbs, do you really need to drag your son and daughter along? Didn't you even leave one for me to play with?
"I heard that the Wang Family Troupe of Da Liyuan has been rehearsing at the Goulan Garden these past two days. If you're really bored, Madam, you can go and watch to relieve your boredom."
"Xiaoman, I may have toned down my temper a bit, but that doesn't mean I enjoy watching dramas. I'm already not in much energy, and with it singing like that, you think I haven't slept enough?"
She bit her lip, but couldn't help laughing out loud.
"Where's Gemini Ann?"
"I was sent to the rice shop by the two masters early this morning."
"Oh. It's hot today, so go to Yuanhaixuan and ask someone to bring some ice from the ice cellar. Don't forget the cherries and plum juice too."
"Doesn't Madam love sweets? Why has she been eating sour things lately?"
"My mouth tastes bland."
As I was saying this, I took a sour jujube and put it in my mouth. I was still not satisfied with chewing it when I got to the door, so I simply carried the brocade box and ate it as I walked.
As I passed by the Biluo Palace, a group of people came out of it. It was quite unusual; there were actually ten Kings of Hell among them.
Ever since I made Yanmolu change out of his crimson python robe, he's avoided me whenever he sees me. At first, I was puzzled for a long time, but later I learned that the red robe represented Yama, the King of Hell. I just found it jarring, but he thought I was dissatisfied with this Yama, which is why he's been avoiding me so much.
I stood in a not-so-inconspicuous spot on the side of the hall, squinted, chewed a sour jujube, watched for a while, then turned around and left in the shimmering light fragmented by tree branches.
Instead of going to Yuanhai Pavilion, I went to Xinyan Pavilion. The eagle was still chained to the white marble railing with golden rings and silk ropes, its wings full and its spirit gleaming. I paused at the entrance, looked down at the brocade box in my hand, and frowned; more than half of it was gone.
The midday sun washed the clear blue sky over the river, and a rainbow stretched across the horizon, reflecting off the colorful beams painted with auspicious cranes treading on clouds, like a seven-colored veil covering the room.
Why don't you go in?
I was surprised to find someone there. I was startled by the sound and flipped the box in my hand. The dates rolled to the side of the newcomer's brocade shoes and stopped.
"No wonder I find this eagle so annoying."
"Why?"
"So it was Xiao Lianjue's eagle."
"Um."
He came over, picked up the box, put it on the table, and then brought me another plate of candied fruit.
"Has the poison from Guanghan Powder flared up again recently?"
"No, what's wrong?"
You don't look well, are you sick?
"No, not at all..."
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and it was Shaoyou.
"Your Majesty, the meal is ready. Where would you like to eat?"
"Bring it in." He habitually pinched the bridge of his nose, turned his head and asked me, "Have you eaten?"
"I'm not hungry."
He put his hand down, looked at me and then at the candied fruit in my hand, repeating this several times, his brows gradually furrowing.
“…Um, Shaoyou, go get another set of chopsticks and a bowl. I’ll eat here too. Take this away.” I stuffed the candied fruit into Shaoyou’s hand and pointed to the dates scattered all over the floor. “Clean these up too.”
The man then relaxed his brow, turned around, and sat down at his desk.
Ginger fish fillets are usually my favorite dish, but today, as soon as the fish arrived at the door, the fishy smell made me feel nauseous.
"Don't bring it in, take it out!" I covered my mouth, feeling like I was going to throw up.
Seeing my strong reaction, the person in front of the desk dropped the book, frowned, and strode over.
The waiter, holding the ginger fish slices, stood frozen at the door, thinking he had done something wrong. His face was ashen, and his eyes were filled with confusion.
These past couple of days, I've felt nauseous whenever I smell greasy food. I initially thought it was just the heat making me feel greasy, but it's been going on for several days in a row.
"Call Qionghua over." He gave the order, supporting me with one hand and patting my back with the other. "Where does it hurt?"
"Disgusting..." I felt a little better after smelling his cool fragrance for a while.
He took my pulse, his brow still furrowed. "Your Qi and blood are balanced, your pulse is strong... Do you feel nauseous?"
"Um."
He found it strange, but didn't ask anything more. He just carried me to the soft couch to wait for Qionghua to arrive.
After resting on the couch for a while, Qionghua arrived, travel-worn and covered in sweat, which made his beautiful face look disheveled.
"Her pulse is strong and her Qi and blood are in harmony. Apart from a smooth and flowing pulse at the Guan position, there are no other symptoms. But she feels nauseous. Could it be related to the hot weather?"
Qionghua was stunned for a long time after hearing this. He looked at his master, then at me, and finally took a breath.
"How long has it been since your last period?"
What? Did I hear him right? My face flushed instantly when I looked at him. I tugged at Yunzhi's sleeve and saw his expression change from astonishment to anger. I'd never seen him furrow his brows so tightly before.
“What I mean is that, judging from this pulse, it seems to be a pregnancy pulse. If menstruation is indeed delayed, then it is highly likely that Madam is pregnant.” Qionghua finished speaking in one breath, breaking out in a cold sweat.
The people around me didn't react at all after hearing this. They just held my hand tightly and asked Qionghua to come forward and take my pulse. After Qionghua finished examining me, she nodded in affirmation, and only then did he slowly smile.
I was still completely confused and didn't understand what expression I should make, but when I saw him smile from the side, my mind went completely blank.
Chapter 110
The fifteenth of August is the Mid-Autumn Festival. It should have been a good day to go out and enjoy the fresh air, but I was ordered not to step out of the inner city. The day that Nangong Lingyun had given me became a fleeting cloud on the horizon.
But today was quite lively. Not to mention the people on Phoenix Mountain, first of all, early this morning, a storyteller appeared out of nowhere.
After breakfast, I was enjoying the cool air on the Seven Star Tower when I looked up and saw a carriage speeding through the Guangdian Gate down the long street. It seemed to be heading straight for the Changsheng Gate to enter the inner city.
To my surprise, the gatekeeper, Ayu, only lifted the curtain and glanced inside before letting the carriage in. The people in the carriage didn't get off, so of course I had no way of knowing who was sitting inside.