Chapter 26: Melancholy in the Eastern Palace, Casting Hooks into the Sea of Intrigue

The first light of dawn had barely spilled into the Eastern Palace when Xiao Feng rose from her bed, her heart heavy with discontent.

Lately, Li Chengyin had seemed shrouded in a mysterious fog, occupied day and night with some obscure matter, leaving him with precious little time for her care or company. Xiao Feng, by nature a straightforward and passionate soul, found her grievances and frustrations mounting until, this very morning, they erupted like a volcano.

She stormed toward Li Chengyin’s study, the rapid patter of her footsteps echoing through the empty corridor like the drumbeat of her own indignation. Bursting through the study door, she cried out with a mix of petulance and reproach:

"Hey, Li Chengyin! Why have you been so busy lately? You don't even have time to spare me a glance—have you forgotten all about me?"

Li Chengyin was seated at his desk, buried under a mountain of secret letters and intelligence. His brow was furrowed, deeply immersed in the tangled web of his revenge plot. Startled by the sudden intrusion and the sharp accusation, he felt a jolt of alarm, though he quickly regained his composure. Knowing Xiao Feng’s temperament, he realized that telling the truth would only draw her into danger, so he decided to brush her off for now.

He lifted his head slightly, forcing a faint smile, and said softly, "Xiao Feng, the affairs of the court are complex and require my full attention. Once this period passes, I will surely make it up to you."

Xiao Feng was not so easily appeased. Her bright eyes remained fixed on him, as if trying to pierce through his deception. She marched straight to the desk, her gaze landing on the paper he had been writing on, curiosity and suspicion intertwining in her mind.

"Are you lying to me? I intend to see what you are doing today." With that, she reached out to snatch the paper from under his hand.

Li Chengyin felt a tightening in his chest. He wanted to stop her but feared that doing so would only deepen her suspicion, so he could only watch helplessly as she picked it up.

Xiao Feng stared at the characters, her brows gradually knitting together. She struggled to decipher them, muttering to herself, "Something... middle... something... wait... something... court... Li Chengyin, are you writing memorials for the morning audience?"

She looked both adorable and endearingly ignorant, as her limited grasp of Central Plain characters allowed her to recognize only a few scattered words. Watching her, a wave of complex emotions stirred within Li Chengyin. On one hand, he found her as naive, foolish, and charming as ever—years had passed, yet her progress in learning the language remained slow. On the other, he felt a deep, doting affection for her innocence. The corners of his mouth curled into a slightly mischievous smile.

"Give me a kiss, and I’ll tell you," he teased.

Xiao Feng’s face flushed crimson instantly. She glared at him, exclaiming with embarrassed indignation, "You have no shame! You are just bullying me because I don't know the Central Plain script."

Before she could finish, Li Chengyin stood up abruptly and, with lightning speed, pulled her toward him and kissed her firmly.

Xiao Feng’s eyes widened in shock at the sudden movement. Her body went rigid, her hands instinctively clutching his sleeves, her heart drumming against her ribs. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, like the fiery clouds at sunset.

A moment later, Li Chengyin slowly pulled away. Looking at her shy and flustered expression, he felt a surge of triumph and love. After a brief moment of daze, Xiao Feng quickly regained her senses. She shot him a fierce glare, turned on her heel, and fled like a startled fawn.

The sound of her hurried footsteps faded away, leaving Li Chengyin alone in the study. The smile on his face gradually vanished as he sank back into deep contemplation of his revenge. He knew well that his path of vengeance was paved with thorns, and every step required the utmost caution to avoid the slightest error.

Though Xiao Feng’s presence brought him fleeting warmth and solace, it also heightened his fear for her safety. He swore to himself that he would protect her amidst this storm of power, while ensuring that those who had harmed him and his mother paid a heavy price. He sat back down at his desk, his eyes now cold and resolute.

He returned to studying the intelligence in his hands, pondering how to further advance his plans. He thought of the loyal officials and righteous men suppressed by Minister Gao and the Empress; their grievances and expectations weighed upon his heart like boulders. He had to quicken his pace and unite more forces if he were to contend with such formidable enemies.

Meanwhile, back in her room, Xiao Feng sat on the edge of her bed, her hands pressed against her burning cheeks, her heart a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She was bashful from his sudden kiss, yet perplexed and angry at his busyness and secrecy. She could not understand what grand scheme he was plotting, or why he refused to share it with her.

Her thoughts drifted back to the grasslands of Xizhou, where life had been simple and joyful, free from the courtly intrigues and complex disputes of the palace. She began to pine for the blue skies, white clouds, galloping horses, and grazing sheep of her homeland—that life of absolute freedom.

Yet, Xiao Feng knew that she loved Li Chengyin deeply; no matter what difficulties or dangers he faced, she could not abandon him. She resolved to be more proactive in caring for him and to try and uncover his secrets, even if it meant stepping into danger herself.

She stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the scenery of the Eastern Palace. Silently, she prayed that Li Chengyin would remain safe, and that they might soon weather these difficult times and find the happiness that belonged to them.