[New Year's Eve]
[Study]
It was the morning of the New Year's Eve. Lingxi was arranging different items in order.
"Is Your Highness preparing gifts for the Imperial family?" Xin Xie asked.
"It's the eve of the New Year. I will be going to my parents' home so I have to prepare everything before-hand", Lingxi replied.
She was writing the names of each person the gift belonged to.
When she was done, Xin Xie glanced through the gifts.
"Your Highness, you didn't prepare any gift for His Majesty?" she asked.
"His Majesty?"
"According to generational hierarchy, you are his aunt. You have to prepare a gift for His Majesty as well", Xin Xie reminded her.
Lingxi thought for a while, "what should I get for His Majesty?"
"I have an idea", she heard He Yu's voice.
He Yu was holding a scroll as he appeared from behind a shelf.
Lingxi gave a signal to Xin Xie and Xin Lan and they both left.
He Yu set the scroll and sat down beside Lingxi.
"What do you suggest?" Lingxi asked.
"Lately, I've heard His Majesty has been having trouble sleeping lately. How about making incense for him?" He Yu suggested.
Lingxi nodded, "that's a good idea. I'll go get one right away", Lingxi wanted to leave but He Yu held her in place.
Her look questioned him.
"I'm feeling bored. Stay with me", he said.
Before Lingxi could refuse, he placed his head on her thigh.
"I'm suddenly having a headache. Can Zhizhi massage my head for me?" he asked with a puppy face.
Lingxi did not refuse and began massaging his head.
"Zhizhi, what gift have you prepared for me?" He Yu could not resist asking.
"When the time comes, you'll naturally know", Lingxi responded.
He Yu understood that Lingxi was not going to tell him no matter what.
"He Yu..."
"Call me Fujun", He Yu corrected.
His eyes were closed as Lingxi massaged his forehead and had a smile on his face.
Lingxi smiled lightly as she corrected herself, "Fujun"
"Yes, Zhizhi?" He Yu felt elated by the title.
"What are you planning on getting me?" Lingxi asked.
"It's a surprise", He Yu replied.
"Never in my life have I seen such a grand display of affection", they heard He Xuan's voice.
Lingxi stopped with the massage but He Yu maintained his position unwilling to get up.
"He Xuan, don't you have any sense of propriety? You've interrupted my massage session. That's a big crime", He Yu said still not opening his eyes.
"What sense of propriety? Granduncle, why don't you set an example yourself?" He Xuan replied back.
"I'm a senior, you're a junior. Your actions are improper, mine aren't", He Yu replied.
Before He Xuan could say something, Lingxi spoke first, "Enough now. He Xuan, why are you here?" she asked.
"I heard both of you wouldn't be attending the banquet for the New Year's Eve. I was wondering if anything was wrong", He Xuan said.
"Did you just come to ask what was wrong? Everyone knows just how much effort it takes you to wake up much less visiting someone", He Yu said.
"I didn't come to check on you. I came to check on my grandaunt", He Xuan responded.
He Yu sighed and sat up, "you're being so courteous today, that's already unusual enough. Speak, what now?"
He Xuan sighed dropping the act. He slumped on the table, "was it that obvious?" he asked.
"Apart from the first line, the rest were unusual", He Yu responded.
He Xuan opened his folding fan, "you do know me best"
"You said you came to see me. Is there anything wrong?" Lingxi asked.
"Nothing, really, my mother just insists that I must find out Commandary Princess Anning likes so she could send her a gift. But I'm trying to avoid her at all costs so I can't ask her directly so I came to ask you", He Xuan revealed.
"Her Grace and I only spent childhood together. As for what she likes now, I have no idea", Lingxi answered.
"Hunh? What am I now supposed to do?" He Xuan cried.
"Just ask her. Aren't you usually a refined scholar? She won't read much into it", He Yu suggested.
"Grandaunt, could you ask her for me? I don't want to see her. My mother would beat me so hard if I don't find out", He Xuan exaggerated rubbing his palms together.
"Consort Feng would beat you?" Lingxi was amused by his reaction.
"Her nagging is the same thing as beating", He Xuan said.
Lingxi smiled, "I do remember Her Grace liked collecting pearls before. She can't look away from a pearl"
He Xuan was relieved, "really?"
"It was an old habit but I don't think old habits are easy to change"
"You're right", He Xuan agreed eagerly and rushed out but then paused halfway and turned back.
He Yu and Lingxi watched him not understanding what he was looking for on the table.
However, they understood as he picked up a gift box labeled 'Prince Ning' and rushed out.
He paused midway and then with his opened fan, turned back, "I thank granduncle and grandaunt for the gift. I won't trouble you to deliver it to Songhai palace", he gave a slight bow and walked out calmly and in a dignified manner expected of a territorial prince.
Lingxi couldn't help but find it funny. She wanted to say something to He Yu but found him resting his head on her shoulder.
She tapped him. "Didn't you sleep well?" she asked.
"I'm fine. What did you want to say?" He Yu asked.
Lingxi sensed he was avoiding her question so she chose not to press further.
"I was saying.... I'm done with the gifts. We can go to my home now", she answered.
"Let's go, then", He Yu smiled at her. Lingxi nodded with a smile.
The carriage ride was steady.
He Yu was unusually quiet in the carriage. Lingxi looked over at his hand. They were tightening.
She held his hand to his surprise. She did not say anything but instead rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. He Yu smiled and held her close.
While he held her close, Lingxi did not fail to detect his very cold hands once again.
Was He Yu's health okay?
[Mo Residence]
The carriage stopped in front of the Mo Residence and they both alighted from it.
Nanny Zhao who happened to pass by caught sight of them, "Second Miss?" She rushed up to see them.
"Your highnesses", she greeted.
"Nanny Zhao, no need for formalities. Is Father and Brother inside?" Lingxi asked.
"Yes, you didn't inform us of your arrival otherwise I would have prepared beforehand", Nanny Zhao said.
"I'll go call the Master", Nanny Zhao said and went on to call Mo Qinshan and Mo Xiuvan.
Lingxi and He Yu sat down in the main hall with their subordinates behind them.
"Are you nervous?" Lingxi asked.
"No, besides I've met your Father and brother before", He Yu responded. He was genuinely not nervous.
"Sometimes I forget that you're the Grand Prince, only next to the emperor. Also, you are not the reserved type", Lingxi teased him.
"You could say I'm just naturally comfortable when I'm with you", He Yu teased back.
The sound of approaching footsteps was heard.