After Becoming a Concubine, I Took Down the Princess - Chapter 48

When Liang Xiao awoke, Yan Heng was leaning by the bed. The moment she saw her eyes open, she immediately helped her sit up: “Is there anywhere on your body that feels uncomfortable?”

Liang Xiao shook her head: “I feel fine.”

Yan Heng slowly let out a breath: “That’s good then.”

Liang Xiao pulled up her sleeve, stared at the small mole on her wrist for a moment, and asked in a low voice: “Is this it? It’s done?”

Yan Heng took her hand: “This is it, it’s done. From now on, your lifespan will be as long as mine. We will grow old together, and die together.”

Liang Xiao gripped her hand back, a gentle smile curving her lips: “That’s wonderful.”

Those three simple words tugged at Yan Heng’s heart. She leaned slightly forward and placed a soft kiss on Liang Xiao’s brow.

Liang Xiao reached out and embraced her, resting her head on Yan Heng’s shoulder: “Now I can be with my A-Heng forever.”

Yan Heng nodded hard in her arms, her eyes unknowingly turning red.

**

It was almost the beginning of the fifth month. Although spring was a scene of flourishing vitality, Liang Shu’s health was deteriorating.

Liang Xiao returned from the palace, her expression very grim.

Yan Heng poured her a cup of tea: “How is the Emperor’s illness?”

Liang Xiao held the teacup and shook her head: “A chronic illness of many years.”

“Didn’t it used to only flare up in autumn?” Yan Heng felt puzzled and asked, sitting down next to Liang Xiao.

Liang Xiao’s brows were tightly furrowed: “It was supposed to flare up in autumn, but in recent years, Father Emperor’s health has been getting worse, so it has recurred even before spring is over.”

Yan Heng cupped Liang Xiao’s hand in hers, comforting her: “The imperial physicians are highly skilled. There will always be a way.”

Liang Xiao nodded, full of worry, perhaps not fully taking in Yan Heng’s words.

**

“Your Majesty, it is time to establish the Crown Prince.”

After the court session ended that day, Liang Shu kept a few trusted old officials to discuss matters. One of them brought up the matter of appointing the heir.

Liang Shu cleared his throat: “The reason I called you all here today is to thoroughly discuss this matter.”

“In my humble opinion, the Fourth Prince and Princess Yong’an are capable of taking on great responsibility.”

“I believe Her Highness the Princess is still lacking in experience, unlike the Fourth Prince.”

“Lack of experience can be remedied by further tempering in court; this is merely the appointment of the heir.”

“I also believe the Fourth Prince is a more reliable choice.”

The ministers discussed heatedly, the clamor giving Liang Shu a splitting headache: “Enough. I have my own decision as to who is more suitable for the position of Crown Prince.”

**

Yan Heng sat in the room that day, counting the days on her fingers.

Liang Xiao’s birthday was on the nineteenth of the fifth month. Today was already the tenth of the fifth month, only a few days left, but she still hadn’t figured out what to get Liang Xiao.

If she sent jewelry or clothing, Her Highness never lacked those things. If she made something herself, living together, it was bound to be discovered.

Yan Heng had racked her brains over this, but still couldn’t come up with a satisfactory item.

Hua Zi saw her looking troubled for days and finally couldn’t resist speaking up.

Yan Heng then told her about her worries.

Hua Zi listened: “Yan Guniang is preparing a birthday gift for Her Highness?”

Yan Heng nodded with a distressed face.

Hua Zi pondered for a moment: “If you want to send something novel, why doesn’t Guniang go browse the outside market? Her Highness grew up in the palace; what kind of precious object hasn’t she seen? On the contrary, some things from the common folk are quite interesting.”

Yan Heng’s eyes instantly lit up: “That’s a good idea! I’ll go out and have a look right now!”

As she rose to leave, she didn’t forget to turn back and instruct Hua Zi: “Just stay in the residence and don’t worry about me.”

The folk items outside were indeed interesting. Yan Heng loved almost everything she saw, and she stuffed many things into her Qiankun bag (a small storage bag, like a pouch of holding). She brought these things back to the Princess’s Residence and hid them, planning to take them out and give them to Liang Xiao on her birthday.

**

The nineteenth of the fifth month was the day Yan Heng had been looking forward to for a long time.

She woke up very early that day. While Liang Xiao was still asleep, Yan Heng tiptoed out of bed and took out the gift she had prepared for a long time from her Qiankun bag.

Liang Xiao was always a light sleeper, and had already woken up when Yan Heng turned over and got out of bed. However, she was curious about what this little fox was up to, so she pretended to be asleep.

She secretly opened her eyes slightly and watched Yan Heng place an object on the dressing table, then quietly crept back into bed.

Liang Xiao turned over and pulled her into her arms.

Yan Heng enjoyed Liang Xiao’s warm embrace and closed her eyes for another nap.

When it was time to get up, Liang Xiao opened her eyes and walked to the dressing table. She immediately saw a small wooden box placed there.

The box was not big, carved with lotus flowers. Liang Xiao opened the clasp, and inside was a delicate, small wooden comb.

The comb also had a lotus pattern, and four small characters were engraved on the back:  (Jì Qīng Xiāng Sī – Expressing love to you / Sending my longing to you).

Liang Xiao pursed her lips and smiled. She walked back to the bed and gently roused Yan Heng: “Time to get up.”

The extra sleep was extremely comfortable, but knowing it was Liang Xiao’s birthday, Yan Heng didn’t linger in bed. She immediately sat up, her eyes full of anticipation as she looked at her.

Liang Xiao smiled and stroked her head, saying softly, “I’ve seen the comb. I really like it.”

Yan Heng rubbed her head against Liang Xiao’s palm: “It’s nothing valuable. As long as it makes A-Xiao happy.”

According to the usual custom, Liang Xiao was supposed to enter the palace that day to dine with Liang Shu and the Empress, so Yan Heng was left alone during lunchtime.

She was bored, sitting on the swing and swaying, waiting for Liang Xiao to return.

Liang Xiao had Yan Heng on her mind. After finishing her meal and receiving her gifts, she went back to the palace again.

Yue Hua didn’t know why Her Highness returned to the palace, only that Her Highness went into the study and stayed for about half an hour, then secretly tucked something into her bosom.

Hearing footsteps, Yan Heng immediately jumped off the swing and turned around to give Liang Xiao a full embrace.

She coquettishly said: “I haven’t seen Your Highness for so long, I miss you dearly.”

Liang Xiao patted her back, released her, and took a piece of red paper from her bosom.

Yan Heng took it and saw the two words (Hūn Shū – Marriage Contract) written on it in neat handwriting.

Yan Heng was stunned for a moment.

The thin piece of paper contained a heavy love, catching Yan Heng completely off guard.

She stammered: “A-Xiao, this is…?”

Liang Xiao blinked: “A proposal.”

“A union of two families, a covenant formed in one hall, a beautiful bond forever tied, perfectly matched. We see today the peach blossoms in full bloom, suitable for home and family, and look forward to the future with endless prosperity and flourishing generations. This pledge of a lifetime together is hereby written on this noble paper, and this alliance of the red leaves is recorded in the Mandarin Duck Registry. This certificate.” (The lines are a traditional Chinese marriage pledge.)

Yan Heng gripped the marriage contract, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.

Liang Xiao took a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and gently held her hand.

“Although we have already promised to be together from now on, this ceremony must still be had.”

Yan Heng looked at her and said solemnly: “A-Xiao, I do.”

Although Liang Xiao knew Yan Heng would definitely not refuse, hearing her say those words made her nose sting.

She embraced Yan Heng again, branding a kiss of ultimate tenderness on her brow.

**

In the evening, the residence became lively. Everyone knew it was the Princess’s birthday, and their auspicious greetings made her happy, so Liang Xiao gave out many rewards.

When it was time to rest, Yan Heng tidied herself up and leaned against the headboard, holding a storybook and waiting for Liang Xiao to finish washing up.

The other person soon arrived, silently walked to her, reached out, and took the book from her hand, replacing it with a lingering kiss.

Yan Heng wrapped her arms around her neck and affectionately rubbed her nose against hers.

Liang Xiao took a lock of her hair and played with it in her palm, saying in a low voice: “Since we’re engaged, shouldn’t we do something else?”

Yan Heng looked at her in a panic, momentarily forgetting how to argue.

Taking advantage of the moment before she could react, Liang Xiao leaned forward and kissed her again, comforting her: “Don’t be afraid.”

Yan Heng blinked, the anxiety in her heart largely dissipated: “Does Your Highness even know how to do it?” Although Liang Xiao had comforted her, her heart still inevitably sped up.

Liang Xiao chuckled, casually took down the bed curtain, cupped Yan Heng’s face, and said: “How about I teach you? When our A-Heng learns, she will definitely like it…”

The gentle words bewitched Yan Heng. She unconsciously nodded and took the initiative to lean forward and kiss Liang Xiao.

The red candle flickered lightly, and the silk fabric lay scattered. Liang Xiao led her to explore step by step, patiently guiding her, and meticulously serving her first.

Once they became familiar, Yan Heng began to take the lead, and seeing her own Highness flushed with color, the sweetness in her heart went without saying.

**

When she woke up the next morning, Liang Xiao had already left for the morning court. Yan Heng slowly climbed out of bed, rubbing her head.

The fooling around last night had gone on too late, and she was still a little groggy. Liang Xiao actually had the energy to wake up early for court.

A clean set of clothes for changing was placed by the pillow, the begonia red that she liked, as usual.

She sat up. Hua Zi heard the movement in the room and knocked on the door.

“Is Guniang awake? Should I have water brought up for washing?”

Yan Heng was dressing, looking down at the marks on her body, a mixture of blue and red. She figured Liang Xiao wasn’t any better off.

She answered Hua Zi from inside the room and lazily pulled open the door.

The spring light outside was perfect, and the sunlight warmed her body.

She was only halfway through breakfast when Liang Xiao returned. She lifted her skirt as she entered the room, while Yan Heng was still drinking a bowl of congee.

She sat down opposite Yan Heng and motioned for Hua Zi and Yue Hua to leave.

“How did you sleep last night? We were up too late. Do you have a headache this morning?”

Yan Heng still felt a trace of embarrassment, only shaking her head silently, and then stared at her, slowly asking: “What about A-Xiao? Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?”

“No,” she pulled Yan Heng’s hand and held it in her palm, “Our A-Heng is very gentle.”

“That’s good then,” Yan Heng sighed in relief, leaned forward and kissed Liang Xiao on the cheek, and continued, “I love you more and more, A-Xiao.”

The sweet words against her ear made Liang Xiao’s heart beat faster. She reached out, pulled Yan Heng into her arms, and leaned in for a lingering kiss.

It was unclear whose hand couldn’t resist first, and soon the room was in disarray once more.

Now that everything was peaceful, though the days were ordinary, having someone by her side made the time feel less difficult.

Liang Xiao felt that her life before meeting Yan Heng had been too boring.

Thus, year after year, the longing remained constant.

**

Support After Becoming a Concubine, I Took Down the Princess