Inlaid With Jade - Chapter 107

Chapter 107
Extra 1
Lin Wan X Zhu Xi

In winter, the sky darkened early, the moon rose, the wind and snow didn’t stop, and it got colder at night. The vast and magnificent palace was shrouded in snow, like a sleeping stone beast at night.

In Renshou Palace, the maid picked up the copper tongs and added charcoals to the stove. The charcoals collided, and sparks flew and extinguished like stars flashing in the night. She poked the red charcoal and was suddenly shivered by the cold wind from behind. She turned her head and saw Lin Wan standing in a thin coat at the door that could not resist the cold, looking toward Wuying Palace through the bright moonlight.

The maid threw down the copper tongs, hurriedly took the fox fur coat on the couch, and put it on Lin Wan: “It’s late at night, and the weather is cold; the Empress Dowager must not catch a cold.”

Lin Wan gathered the fox fur around her neck and said worriedly: “Didn’t we send someone to Wuying Palace to invite the Emperor back? Why hasn’t he come back yet? Mi’er asked her brother when he would return to sleep with her.”

The maid covered her hands, which had become cold quickly, and handed her a newly loaded sleeve stove: “Empress Dowager, don’t worry. The nurse has gone to coax the princess. King Chu knows his limits, and I think he will send the Emperor back safely later.”

It would have been better if the maid had not said this. When she said this, Lin Wan became even more anxious.

Zhu Xi had clearly promised her that he would let Zhu Yu come back to rest earlier, but now it was almost midnight, and he still didn’t let him come back. Did he want to keep the Emperor in Wuying Palace overnight? He retained him later and later every day, so unreasonable.

Lin Wan was worried and said, “Go get the umbrella. We’ll go to Wuying Palace.”

The palace road was long and wide, and the cold night wind swept past her body with fine snow, wisps of coolness seeming to penetrate into the bones.

The Wuying Palace was bright with candles, and the imperial guards outside the hall were on duty with swords. Lin Wan looked around and saw that everyone inside and outside was Zhu Xi’s people, and there was not even a little eunuch to report. It only taught the Emperor a lesson, but the scene seemed like someone trying to usurp the throne.

Lin Wan found this scene a bit strange and suspected that she was being too suspicious. After thinking for a while, she said to the maid, “Wait for me outside the door.”

Wuying Palace was where the Emperor was in charge of affairs, and ordinary people were only allowed to enter with permission. The maid didn’t think much about it and nodded and said, “Yes.”

Lin Wan walked to the door and looked at the imperial guard standing upright at the door. She didn’t know his name, but she recognized this face. This person was always with Zhu Xi and was his confidant.

Lin Wan’s eyes were full of affection no matter who she looked at. Her expression was light, but the man felt uncomfortable when she looked at him. He lowered his head to avoid her gaze and said respectfully, “Greetings, Empress Dowager.”

Lin Wan nodded slightly and pushed the door open. Strangely, the lights inside were not brighter than those outside. There were only a few oil lamps along the wall and half-burned candles in various places. It was dark everywhere, and it wasn’t easy to see clearly.

With a “creak,” the door closed behind her. Lin Wan looked back and frowned slightly.

The palace was strangely quiet. Even the maids were nowhere to be seen. Lin Wan walked a few steps inside and saw Zhu Xi sitting in a wheelchair with his back to her. He was still wearing the red dragon robe, leaning against the dying stove as if warming himself or watching the fire slowly burn out. The window was wide open on his right, and the cold wind poured into the palace. The bright moon outside the window reflected the snow, and the bright moonlight fell on Zhu Xi, who seemed a bit sad for no reason. Lin Wan frowned and walked over to close the window.

The window closed with a muffled sound, and the person behind her suddenly chuckled. Lin Wan turned around and saw Zhu Xi looking up at her.

The dim firelight shone on his slightly pale face, and he said slowly: “The fire is about to burn out. I thought that Mother would not come tonight.”

These words were ambiguous. Lin Wan did not answer. She looked around the empty space and asked, “Where is the Emperor?”

Zhu Xi pointed to the door leading to the side hall: “He was sleepy and went to bed early.”

Lin Wan was probably too suspicious, but she always felt uncomfortable talking to him alone. She stood by the window without approaching and asked: “Since he was sleepy, why don’t you take him back to Renshou Palace to rest?”

Zhu Xi looked at her with burning eyes: “If I send the Emperor back, will Mother come tonight?”

Lin Wan was stunned, and she pursed her lips. “Do you know what you are saying?”

“Why do you ask me this, Mother? Do I look like I am drunk? Cough, cough…” Zhu Xi didn’t finish his words, and suddenly, an unbearable itch appeared in his throat. He frowned and coughed a few times. Before he could breathe smoothly, a white and beautiful hand suddenly stretched out in front of him, and a delicate red sleeve stove lay in her palm.

“Take it.” Lin Wan seemed admonishing and complaining: “Since you are not in good health, don’t stay under the cold wind by the window late at night.”

Zhu Xi looked at her and slowly stretched out his hand, but he didn’t take the sleeve stove in her hand; instead, he held her wrist.

Lin Wan’s fingers trembled, and she subconsciously looked at the side hall door, “Let go.”

Zhu Xi didn’t listen and tightened her hand a little: “What if I don’t let go?” As he said that, he pulled Lin Wan’s body, making her fall on him.

The wheelchair rolled back a few inches, and Zhu Xi stopped it with one hand holding the wheel. Lin Wan was anxious to get up from him, but he retained her waist. She would be annoyed no matter how good her temper was. She stretched out her hand to push him and said in a low voice: “Zhu Xi!”

Zhu Xi seemed unable to hear the anger in her tone. He lowered his head and rubbed her cheek: “Mother, you called me the wrong name. You should call me King.”