After Becoming a Concubine, I Took Down the Princess - Chapter 39

These past few days had been spent tirelessly on the case, and in a blink of an eye, it was already the beginning of the twelfth lunar month.

Liang Xiao and Yan Heng squatted in the courtyard, building a snowman with the accumulated snow.

The weather outside was getting colder. Yan Heng breathed warm air into her palms a few times: “I didn’t feel how cold it was when I was in Liuyun Mountain. Now that I’ve arrived in Yandu, it turns out winter here is so freezing.”

Liang Xiao took her hand and stood up: “If you’re cold, let’s go back inside.”

Yan Heng followed behind her, and the two entered the house one after the other.

“I heard the Emperor has set up an ‘Ice Frolicking’ rink at the Royal Retreat and is going to play there soon,” Yan Heng said, holding a hot water bottle to warm her hands.

After warming her hands, she continued to ask, “What exactly is that?”

Liang Xiao took a sip of hot tea to warm herself: “Hard to say, you’ll know when you see it. It’s actually quite interesting.”

When her hands were warm, Yan Heng placed the hot water bottle on the table: “There wasn’t much to play with in Liuyun Mountain, but I have seen many interesting games in various places over the years. I’ll tell them to Your Highness later.”

Liang Xiao grasped her hand on the table and nodded.

A few days later, Liang Shu brought a group of consorts and concubines to the Royal Retreat.

This place, in essence, was for everyone to enjoy themselves. There were courts for ‘Ice Frolicking,’ Cuju (a football game), and Chuiwan (a ball game similar to golf). It was just that fewer people had come this year, which was why Yan Heng didn’t know much about these activities.

Standing there early in the morning, she didn’t see any sign of Consort Yu. Now, whenever Yan Heng thought of her, she immediately became infuriated.

This woman was venomous, but there wasn’t enough evidence yet to accuse her. Otherwise, Yan Heng would definitely take her down.

Most people were watching the ‘Ice Frolicking.’ Yan Heng watched for a long time. Although she now knew what it was, she didn’t find it particularly interesting.

Liang Xiao, as usual, was sitting in front of her. She whispered a few words to the Empress next to her, and then suddenly got up and left.

She turned her back to Yan Heng and crooked her finger.

Yan Heng understood the signal. She looked around and, finding no one paying attention to her, boldly left — after all, who would casually stare at a small maid next to a princess?

After only a few steps, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a tent used for warming up.

There weren’t many people around, so their movements didn’t alarm anyone else.

Yan Heng was pulled into an embrace and before she could react, the hand clamped around her waist tightened abruptly, forcing her to press close to the person in front of her, followed by an overwhelming kiss.

They actually saw each other every day, but intimate kisses were not a daily occurrence. This time, Liang Xiao had been holding back for quite some time, and her attack was extraordinarily fierce.

Yan Heng wrapped her arms around Liang Xiao’s shoulders and tilted her head back, passionately responding to her.

“Your Highness, this is…” Yan Heng asked, slightly breathless when they finally separated.

Liang Xiao released the hand that was on her waist: “I missed you too much.”

Yan Heng cupped her face: “But don’t we see each other every day and spend time together every day?”

Liang Xiao smiled and said leisurely: “A moment apart feels like three years.”

This made Yan Heng’s ears flush: “Me too.”

With that, she asked again: “Your Highness called me out, for what reason?”

Liang Xiao said: “I saw that you probably didn’t like watching the ‘Ice Frolicking,’ so I brought you to walk around this retreat.”

Yan Heng clapped her hands: “Your Highness truly understands me! I originally thought ‘Ice Frolicking’ was some interesting game. Upon seeing it today, it’s nothing more than a group of people dancing on the ice.”

“But being able to stand on that slippery ice surface is quite a feat,” Yan Heng continued, linking her arm through Liang Xiao’s.

“The scenery of this retreat is better in the summer; they planted a lot of rare flowers,” Liang Xiao said casually as they walked.

“The snow scene in winter is also unique, different from the red walls and white snow in the palace,” Yan Heng exclaimed, listening to the “crunch, crunch” sound of the snow beneath her feet.

“Such slow work!” Someone was scolding a servant and even slapped them across the face.

The clear, loud sound immediately caught the attention of Yan Heng and Liang Xiao. The two followed the sound, hiding and peeking. They didn’t expect it to be Consort Yu and her maid, Jixing.

Jixing knelt on the ground: “Please forgive me, Your Ladyship. The person sent was careless and let that person escape.”

Consort Yu withdrew her hand and clasped her hands in her sleeves: “Go and investigate properly again for me. You must silence them.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Heng abruptly stepped back.

Liang Xiao held her hand and patted it reassuringly.

Seeing that the two had finished speaking, Liang Xiao quickly pulled Yan Heng away.

They lost their interest in strolling and hurried back to the ‘Ice Frolicking’ rink in the front courtyard.

However, Consort Yu did not return with them, though Jixing came back first.

Because of the cold weather, everyone’s faces were flushed from the cold, so the mark of the slap she had received from Consort Yu was not visible.

Yan Heng secretly felt distressed, thinking that Consort Yu could even strike her closest maid. In contrast, other noble ladies and masters were quite kind to their servants.

Liang Xiao sat back down, and Yan Heng changed her mind, staring blankly at her back.

Suddenly, the people on the ice surface all left, and for a moment, it was empty.

The Music Bureau next to them changed to a soft and melodious tune, and amidst the faint shadows of red plum blossoms, Consort Yu slid onto the ice.

She danced a routine, following the rhythm of the music, presumably to please Liang Shu.

Yan Heng couldn’t appreciate it and secretly complained in her mind: “So flashy.”

Liang Xiao looked at Consort Yu’s figure, pondering her words just now.

Who was Consort Yu trying to kill?

She hadn’t heard of her having any recent feuds with anyone. It must be some old score.

The dance made Liang Shu stare intently. When Consort Yu finished, he immediately stood up and embraced her: “My dear consort, you are thoughtful.”

Consort Yu curtsied: “As long as His Majesty likes it.”

Liang Shu laughed heartily: “Of course I like it!”

**

“Hiss—” Liang Xiao picked up a handkerchief and pressed it against the wound just made by the carving knife.

Yuehua quickly brought the medicine jar and treated her wound: “Your Highness, this is your first time doing this kind of work. You must be careful.”

Liang Xiao nodded: “Don’t worry, Aunt.”

With that, she picked up the carving knife again and began to focus on the object in her hand.

Yan Heng was lying on the bed, flipping through the storybook that Eunuch Qian had secretly brought back from outside the palace.

“Miss,” Huazi walked in through the door, holding a fruit plate, her tone somewhat puzzled, “Why don’t I see Princess’s shadow very often lately?”

Yan Heng lazily looked up and glanced at her: “Her Highness is busy. You worry too much.”

Huazi walked up to the bed, fed Yan Heng a grape, and then asked, “Miss, I’ve actually always wondered, why didn’t you leave after you decided not to become a concubine?”

Yan Heng’s chewing motion paused for a moment, then she continued: “I, I have similar interests and felt like I met Her Highness too late, so I want to stay with her longer.”

Huazi nodded thoughtfully: “So you are interested in Her Royal Highness.”

Yan Heng was momentarily speechless, choked by Huazi’s words, and coughed repeatedly.

Huazi was absolutely right.

She quickly played dumb to smooth things over: “How wonderful Her Highness is! It’s not a bad thing to interact with her often, right?”

She tumbled off the bed and ushered Huazi toward the door: “You just worry about the daily meals and such. I know what I’m doing about the rest.”

Huazi was pushed out the door, and just as she was about to say something more, the door slammed shut with a “bang.”

“Oh, Miss…” she sighed leisurely and went to busy herself with the meals.

The ninth day of the twelfth lunar month was a very clear and sunny day. Yan Heng had completely forgotten it was her birthday. However, Huazi was thoughtful and even sent Yan Heng a Yingluo (a necklace or decorative collar), which wasn’t anything valuable but was meaningful in sentiment.

“I arrived late, I missed out on being the first to give a gift,” Liang Xiao couldn’t help but tease when she saw Yan Heng playing with the Yingluo.

Yan Heng ran over, hugged her arm, and swayed it: “It’s never too late, no matter when Your Highness arrives.”

Liang Xiao smiled brightly and waved her hand, signaling Yuehua to bring over a box.

The box was small, about a dozen inches long. Yan Heng joyfully accepted it and opened it.

Inside was a jade bracelet. The bracelet was decorated with patterns of jasmine and lotus flowers, with a small fox in the very center.

The fox was so lifelike that Yan Heng couldn’t help but be astonished.

She put the jade bracelet on her wrist and held it up to the light to examine it closely: “This fox is too adorable. Where did Your Highness find such a craftsman?”

Yuehua, standing behind Liang Xiao, chimed in: “Isn’t he right in front of you?”

Liang Xiao gave Yuehua a reproving look: “You promised not to tell her.”

Yan Heng grabbed Liang Xiao’s hand in surprise: “Your Highness can carve jade?”

“I was interested when I was little and learned a bit,” Liang Xiao cleared her throat after hearing Yan Heng’s praise, and continued, “It’s not difficult.”

Yuehua shook her head helplessly behind her. For this bracelet, Her Highness had been completely absorbed in her work, even forgetting to eat and sleep, and now had many scratches on her hands.

She glanced at the deeply affectionate pair, silently closed the door, and withdrew.

Yan Heng picked up Liang Xiao’s hand and held it in front of her, examining it for a moment: “It’s easy to say, but Your Highness has injuries on your hands.”

Liang Xiao smiled and shook her head: “This is nothing.”

She led Yan Heng to sit on the small couch: “I originally wanted to give you something else, but I felt those things were too common.”

Yan Heng shook her head: “I will love anything Your Highness gives me.”

The two enjoyed each other’s company in the room for a long while. The sound of Huazi and Huazheng having a snow fight came from outside. Yan Heng lightly squeezed Liang Xiao’s hand: “Shall we go out for a stroll?”

Liang Xiao held her hand: “Good.”

The two added some layers of clothing and walked outside.

The snow was particularly heavy today, scattering and falling. After standing outside for only a short time, their heads were completely white.

Yuehua saw them and came over with an umbrella: “Do the two of you want to shelter from the wind and snow?”

They exchanged a look and both smiled and shook their heads.

“Your Highness,” Yan Heng softly called Liang Xiao’s name at her side.

“Hmm?” Liang Xiao turned her head to look.

“Will we always be together?” Yan Heng looked into Liang Xiao’s eyes, where her reflection lay.

“Of course.”

“Your Highness, Miss, it’s time for lunch.” Huazi jumped over, shaking the snow off her body.

The two nodded, preparing to walk back inside.

Huazi looked at Yan Heng strangely.

“What is it? Is there something on my face?” Yan Heng touched her face and asked.

“Nothing, it’s just that your lip rouge is smudged. Did you sneak a snack inside?” Huazi shook her head.

Yan Heng silently turned her face away: “Yes, I snuck a snack.”

Support After Becoming a Concubine, I Took Down the Princess