Chapter 102

Sang Yao’s gaze carried a hint of seriousness, the kind of scrutinizing look one has when catching someone in the act.

She hoped Xie Yun would show a startled expression, but obviously, he wasn’t that kind of person.

His gaze moved calmly from the booklet in her hand to her face, as if he hadn’t noticed anything unusual, and he walked in leisurely, saying, “Why are you still not asleep?”

Sang Yao coldly snorted inwardly, thinking he was quite good at pretending.

“I wanted to check the account books, and then I found this,” she said, closing the little booklet and handing it to Xie Yun deliberately. “Xie Yun, what is this?”

Xie Yun didn’t answer, only asking, “Did you read it?”

Sang Yao didn’t want to admit that she had read the later part, so she said, “I only read the first two pages.”

Xie Yun nodded knowingly, then took the booklet and casually placed it on the desk, saying without changing his expression, “It’s written by Jinglian.”

He could say that with such ease!

Sang Yao stared at his stern face, but there was not a hint of guilt on it.

Sang Yao added, “Is that so? But the handwriting doesn’t quite look like his.”

Xie Yun replied, “His handwriting looks better when he’s in a good mood.”

Sang Yao had been somewhat angry before, but now she found it amusing to see him pretending like this.

She played along, saying, “It seems Jinglian is quite persistent about it.”

Xie Yun nodded and took Sang Yao’s hand, then said leisurely, “After all, in his eyes, you and I are the most compatible. Show some understanding.”

He led Sang Yao out of the room, where the moon hung in the bamboo forest, casting a serene light on the two of them.

Sang Yao still didn’t expose him. She looked up at him and asked, “Xie Yun, did you also read it? What do you think of Jinglian’s writing?”

Xie Yun pondered for a moment, then gave an approving assessment, “There’s been a significant improvement in his skills, much better than his previous work.”

Sang Yao listened quietly as he praised himself, then asked, “Specifically, in what aspects?”

Xie Yun pretended to give a conclusive answer, “In all aspects.”

Sang Yao couldn’t help but laugh.

She pointed at Xie Yun and said, “Xie Yun, you’re quite the actor.”

Xie Yun’s lips curled up slightly, but he didn’t look at her. He simply said, “Who’s acting?”

Sang Yao looped her arm through Xie Yun’s and whispered, “Alright, I won’t blame you anymore. Whether you wrote it or not.”

“….”

This response didn’t satisfy Xie Yun. He reached out and lifted Sang Yao by the waist, holding her tightly. He quickened his pace and said, “What are you doing?”

Sang Yao leaned against his chest, her face still smiling. She said, “I really liked that little book. I was actually thinking, if you wrote it, I’d give you something.”

Xie Yun slowed his steps. He became interested and asked, “What would you give?”

Sang Yao asked, “Did you write it?”

Xie Yun didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pushed open the door and carried the girl into the room, saying, “Guess.”

The door closed with a soft click.

A few dry leaves lay scattered on the steps, and the candlelight inside the room was gentle, spilling out through the wooden window.

The long night stretched on.

…..

In early December, as the weather grew colder, news arrived from the palace: the critically ill empress had finally succumbed to the winter cold, passing away in the Kunning Palace.

The harem couldn’t remain without a mistress for long. The emperor decreed that the Ningguifei would temporarily hold the Phoenix Seal.

Sang Yao was quite happy. Without her sister around, even when Lu Li occasionally visited, Sang Yao was much more enthusiastic.

But these days, the weather was cold, and Sang Yao, feeling the thick cotton clothes were cumbersome, didn’t realize how cold it was. She spent most of her time indoors, wearing thin clothes.

If she had to go out, she would put on thicker clothes and a cloak.

She didn’t think much of it herself, but after a few days, she caught a cold and felt dizzy all the time.

She had been frail as a child, frequently falling ill. However, once she became healthier, she rarely got sick.

This was the first time she had fallen ill in the past few years.

Wrapped in thick cotton clothes as ordered by Xie Yun, Sang Yao found it very inconvenient to move.

Sang Yao leaned against the window and sighed, “My sister-in-law should be giving birth soon.”

Huaimeng said, “Madam, don’t worry. There are eight midwives in the mansion, as well as two imperial physicians waiting.”

Sang Yao took a sip of hot tea, her voice slightly hoarse as she said, “I heard that giving birth is very painful. My sister-in-law must be very scared.”

“Hopefully, the baby will be small, then the birth will definitely go smoothly,” Sang Yao said.

As soon as Sang Yao finished speaking, there was a hurried sound of footsteps outside. Before Sang Yao could open the door, Rande was already outside, saying, “Madam, Madam Er has given birth!”

Sang Yao immediately stood up, not even bothering to put on her cloak before hurrying out.

Outside, many people had gathered, including Xie Yan, all anxiously pacing back and forth.

Because she was still unwell, Sang Yao didn’t want to risk infecting others, so she didn’t approach.

After a while, Xie Yun walked over. He draped Sang Yao’s cloak over her shoulders and then led her into a side room, saying, “Wait here.”

It was Sang Yao’s first time witnessing someone give birth. She grabbed Xie Yun’s sleeve and asked, “Will my sister-in-law be alright?”

Xie Yun nodded and said, “Don’t worry.”

But Sang Yao couldn’t help but worry. She sat by the window, watching the hustle and bustle outside, wondering how long the birth would take.

Giving birth was no easy feat—it involved carrying a child for ten months and then enduring the ordeal of childbirth.

Luckily, Yuzhi’s childbirth went smoothly. After her water broke, she started giving birth after just three hours, and the baby was born half an hour later.

Mother and daughter were both safe.

Sang Yao really wanted to go see them, but she was still unwell and couldn’t leave.

By the time she was able to go see them, several days had passed.

And so, as the year came to a close, the Xie family welcomed a new addition—a little miss.

Sang Yao hadn’t seen such a small child before, so she was fascinated. She visited Yuzhi’s room almost every day.

The baby seemed fragile, with a faint scent of milk. Sang Yao only dared to touch her gently, afraid of hurting her.

It wasn’t until the baby turned one month old that Sang Yao reached out to touch her chubby cheeks and soft little hands for the first time.

When the baby’s soft hand grabbed Sang Yao’s finger, she couldn’t help but feel that having a child with Xie Yun wasn’t so scary after all.

Snow began to fall from the sky.

Overnight, the entire capital city was covered in a blanket of snow. The green tiles and red walls were all covered in ice and snow.

Amidst the continuous sound of firecrackers, Sang Yao and Xie Yun spent their first New Year’s together since their marriage.

On New Year’s Day, the Emperor held a banquet in the Taihe Hall, where not only the imperial family but also ordinary officials could bring their families into the palace.

In previous years, New Year’s Day wasn’t celebrated with such grandeur. It was only a month ago that the Empress passed away, and the palace was filled with mourning. The celebration of New Year’s Day was meant to dispel the lingering gloom.

As one of the Emperor’s most esteemed ministers, Xie Yun couldn’t easily decline the invitation. Sang Yao saw this as an opportunity to visit her father and sister.

After getting off the carriage, a young eunuch led the way. Under the layers of heavy clothing, Xie Yun held Sang Yao’s hand as they walked side by side.

Sang Yao whispered, “Isn’t it inappropriate for us to be so close like this?”

Xie Yun replied in a low voice, “What’s inappropriate about it?”

“You’re too close to me.”

Instead of backing off, Xie Yun drew closer.

Sang Yao fell silent.

When Xie Yun married Sang Yao, it caused quite a stir in the capital. In the eyes of others, they were mismatched, and they rarely interacted with each other. Many people doubted their relationship.

However, six months had passed since their marriage, and Xie Yun, the once cold and unfeeling powerbroker, still held Sang Yao’s hand tightly whenever they attended gatherings.

This was the first time Sang Yao attended a palace banquet with Xie Yun since their marriage.

Xie Yun was a man of few words, maintaining his usual demeanor in public. Therefore, few people dared to approach Sang Yao for a conversation. Even if they did, it was only with cautious greetings.

Sang Yao was enjoying herself at the banquet, taking advantage of the moment when Xie Yun was engaged in conversation with others to go find her father.

Sang Yin had been in high spirits lately. With Sang Jie’s marriage secured and Sang Ji’s career progressing smoothly, he had never felt so relaxed before.

As Sang Yao approached, she heard a surprised voice nearby.

“Yao Yao?”

Sang Yao’s footsteps halted, and she looked over. The man was slim, with a gentle demeanor—it was Yang Wenchuan.

He seemed different yet the same as before.

Sang Yao stiffened instinctively and glanced at Xie Yun to see if he had noticed. She had become wary because of Xie Yun’s influence.

Seeing that Xie Yun’s back was still turned, Sang Yao felt relieved and greeted Yang Wenchuan, “Brother Yang.”

Yang Wenchuan smiled gently and said, “It might not be appropriate for me to call you that now, but I’m used to it. I might not be able to change it for a while, so please don’t mind.”

Sang Yao replied, “It’s okay.”

Yang Wenchuan relaxed and lowered his gaze. “Yao Yao, it’s been a long time.”

Sang Yao and Yang Wenchuan had hardly had any chance to meet. Sang Yao nodded and replied, “Yes, it has.”

After a pause, she asked, “Brother Yang, how have you been lately?”

Yang Wenchuan shrugged and said, “Same old, same old, just dealing with the matters in the Hanlin Academy.”

Yang Wenchuan didn’t inquire about Sang Yao’s well-being because it was evident that she was doing well.

The most noticeable change was in her appearance. Her already beautiful face seemed to be even more radiant, and she appeared to have gained some weight.

Sang Yao remarked, “It’s okay. That’s just how things are in the Hanlin Academy. You have to endure everything.”

Before Yang Wenchuan could respond, he noticed Xie Yun turning around not far behind Sang Yao.

When he glanced at Xie Yun, his brow furrowed slightly.

However, Yang Wenchuan smiled and said beside Sang Yao, “By the way, Yao Yao, I might be leaving soon.”

Sang Yao asked, “Where are you going, Brother Yang?”

Yang Wenchuan looked relaxed as he replied, “Back to Jiangnan.”

Seeing Sang Yao’s surprised expression, Yang Wenchuan explained, “I’ve been assigned there temporarily. I’ll come back in the future.”

Sang Yao inquired further, “How long will you be gone?”

Yang Wenchuan looked at her and said quietly, “Three to five years, I suppose.”