He Yu and Lingxi's attention shifted towards the door.
Mo Qinshan and Xiuyan emerged towards them. They both stood up.
"Your highness", Mo Qinshan said as both he and Xiuyan bowed in greeting. He Yu bowed in return.
"Father", Lingxi smiled.
Mo Qinshan smiled back at her before sitting down.
"Your highness, today's visit was unprecedented. If I had known of both your coming, I would have made some preparations", Mo Qinshan said after everyone had sat down.
"We wanted to give you a surprise. Lingxi said she was missing home so we decided to pay a visit today. I hope we did not intrude", He Yu said in a calm, respectful tone. His face had his ever easygoing gentle smile.
"Your highness, you flatter me. Her Highness is always welcome in her home", Mo Qinshan said.
The words 'Her Highness' were stated very clearly.
Lingxi glanced at He Yu to see his expression. His expression remained unchanged.
"It seems that Father is not quite pleased with me", he mentioned lightly.
"Your Highness must be joking", Mo Qinshan said in a straight tone.
"If Father is dissatisfied with me, it must be my fault", He Yu replied standing up.
He walked up to Mo Qinshan and picked the teacup.
Mo Qinshan stopped him, "what is Your Highness doing?"
"It is only right to make up on one's own fault", He Yu replied as he poured tea in both teacups. He picked one.
With a bow, he held the tea before Mo Qinshan, "Father, please accept this tea"
The room paused for a minute. Xiuyan watched the scene.
"Your Highness, your action goes against etiquette", Mo Qinshan reminded him.
"This tea is not from the Grand Prince but your son-in-law. Please", He Yu responded.
There was no response for a long while.
Lingxi noticed the tea was hot. He Yu's fingers were already burning up from holding it too long.
She cast a displeased glance at her father.
Mo Qinshan caught it and accepted the tea from He Yu. He Yu was relieved.
He picked the other teacup and handed it out to Xiuyan. Lingxi's gaze met his and he accepted it without hesitation.
"Your highness", Mo Qinshan called as He Yu sat down, "as far as I remember, today is the New Year's Eve. The imperial family usually organizes a family banquet to celebrate together. Today...." Mo Qinshan wanted to know if their presence was all right.
"Father, don't worry. I took permission from His Majesty before coming", He Yu assured him.
"That's a relief" Lingxi's attention shifted to her brother.
"Brother, did His Majesty also permit you to come back home?" she asked.
As the Commander of Imperial Guards, Xiuyan usually resided in the palace.
"The New Year is fast approaching. His Majesty granted me leave for the New Year", Xiuyan replied.
"I haven't seen Father for months now. Have you been well?" she asked Mo Qinshan.
"I've been well. You also seem well", Mo Qinshan responded with a smile.
Lingxi smiled back.
[Eastern Courtyard]
Lingxi was in her courtyard with Xin Xie and Xin Lan.
"Your highness, the view from here is quite nice", Xin Lan complimented as she looked at the view from the corridors behind Lingxi's bedroom.
Everywhere was surrounded by flowers. There was a small green pond with lotus and goldfishes.
Lingxi looked at the fishes in the pond. They were well taken care of since her departure.
Xin Xie also admired the view, "the view from here is elegant and peaceful", she commented.
"This was my favorite spot. I would sit here and embroider", Lingxi recalled.
She felt nostalgic for a second before telling Xin Xie to find Nanny Zhao.
Xin Xie bowed and went on to call Nanny Zhao.
Lingxi kept on watching the fishes, "Xin Lan, get me some fish feed", she said without looking away.
Xin Lan left and soon returned with the fish feed.
Lingxi took a handful of the feed and spread them into the water. The fishes swam forward to eat.
"How is what I told you to do?" Lingxi asked as she fed the fishes.
"You will receive news tonight", Xin Lan responded.
Meanwhile...
He Yu was alone accompanying Mo Qinshan as they walked together.
"Father, you told me to accompany you but you're not saying anything", He Yu said after a while.
Mo Qinshan stopped walking and turned to look at him.
"Is Your Highness already tired from accompanying me?" he asked.
He Yu smiled, "that's not it. I just feel you have something you want to say to me"
Mo Qinshan scrutinized him for a second, "I do have something to say"
"What is it?" He Yu asked as they continued walking at an even slower pace than before.
"Does Your Highness know that you were not exactly my first choice of a son-in-law?" Mo Qinshan asked.
"Even right now, I'm still not your choice", He Yu responded lightly.
Mo Qinshan looked at him, "Your Highness sure has a good sense of humor"
He Yu smiled.
"But you are right. To be honest, I actually thought of having her marry Prince Ning. Despite his reputation, he was the only member of the Imperial family that would keep her away from power struggles", Mo Qinshan said.
"If you are concerned about that, there is no need to worry. Lingxi chose me because our goals align but presently, we have gone from shared goals to loving each other", He Yu said.
"Xiuyan has already told me about how much you love Lingxi. I have also seen it before but the thing is love is not what will protect her from the snakes in the inner court", Mo Qinshan said.
"Rest assured, I'll do my very best to care for her and protect her but the both of us do know that Lingxi is not someone who needs protection. Whatever she wants, I shall give it to her no matter what it is. I'll love and cherish her and do my very best to protect her", He Yu promised.
"Your Highness, I honestly don't doubt your words. The real question is - can you live long enough to do so?"
There was a long lingering pause in the air as Mo Qinshan looked into He Yu's eyes intensely.
A smile escaped He Yu's lips and his eyes were filled with sincerity, "my life may not be long, but one thing is for sure. Before I die, I will make sure to prepare enough protection for Lingxi so that her peace and stability is not threatened even after I die"
Mo Qinshan was satisfied by his answer.
He placed his hand on He Yu's shoulder, "then, I have no reason to be dissatisfied with you"
He had finally accepted He Yu.
Mo Xiuyan who was watching nearby was also silently pleased with He Yu.
*******
The evening quickly approached.
The family had a feast to celebrate New Year's Eve together. There were different dishes and wine served. Everyone ate heartily and chatted together. After everything was done, they went to get changed so as to watch the New Year together.
[Eastern Courtyard]
Lingxi undressed before entering the bathtub.
It was almost time for the festive celebrations of the New Year. She wanted to bathe and change her clothes before going out.
The water was warm and covered with rose petals. A refreshing scent lingered in the water.
Lingxi was fully relaxed in the water. As she closed her eyes, she could not resist taking a nap.
Minutes later, footsteps approached the bathroom.
He Yu opened the door and closed it behind him.
Walking behind the screen, he saw Lingxi asleep in the water. He smiled lightly at her carelessness.
However, instead of waking her up, he took a comb and started combing her.
Feeling the comb gently brushing through her hair, Lingxi became slightly conscious, "Xin Xie, she called slowly.
Xin Xie was her attendant so of course, she mistook He Yu for her.
He Yu leaned closer to her ear and in a whisper, asked, "is it comfortable?"
Lingxi was startled by his voice and immediately woke up.
She turned to him, "what are you doing here?"
He Yu smiled at her, "you were taking too long to get ready. The others are all waiting for you so I came to check"
Lingxi realized she must have slept longer than she thought.
She lowered herself slightly in the water, "where is Xin Xie?"
"She is helping Nanny Zhao with the decorations"
"And Xin Lan?"
"She is with them", He Yu answered.
He leaned closer to her face, "so right now, I'm the only one available to help you"
Lingxi stared back at him but shifted her gaze away, "get out"
She did not mind his presence. After all, they were husband and wife. However, this was the first time she had been in such a situation so she was still a bit embarrassed.
He Yu realized she was embarrassed and couldn't help teasing her a little.
He tilted his head in her direction and peered into her face. She looked away in another direction but he did the same thing.
She was flustered, "He Yu!" she couldn't help scolding.
However, she was cut short. He Yu's hand pulled her face closer to his and their lips met.