The Lunar New Year was fast approaching, and Xue Zining entered her busiest period.
When she finally looked up, the sky was already bright. The door was pushed open, revealing Xue Yan’s joyful expression. She looked at Xue Zining and said, "Your Majesty, it’s snowing..."
The Desolate Marsh was different from the Snow Country; it was difficult to see snow.
She walked a few steps to the window and pushed it open. What greeted her eyes was a vast expanse of white.
"Your Majesty, it really is snowing," Xue Yan said, standing beside her.
Xue Zining nodded. The snow meant that the New Year was drawing near.
"Your Majesty, Xue Song secretly told this servant that His Highness the Crown Prince will come on New Year's Day," Xue Yan whispered into her ear.
Xue Zining froze.
Xue Yan smiled slyly. "Your Majesty, aren't you very happy?"
Xue Zining smiled too. "Yes!"
Since their last parting, she and Yan Zhao had not seen each other for almost a year.
Although he sent her things every month, he himself had never appeared.
All she heard were reports of where he had fought and where he had conquered.
Pushing the door open, Xue Zining stepped outside. Her feet sank into the thick snow, which was exceptionally soft.
The snowflakes landing on her face were cool.
Soon, a thick white fox fur cloak was draped over her shoulders. Xue Yan said, "The fox fur cloak sent by His Highness the Crown Prince finally has a use."
Xue Zining seemed to recall something and said, "Xue Yan, pick one and send it to the Li Residence."
Xue Yan was taken aback. "Your Majesty, this is His Highness the Crown Prince's token of affection."
"Go. Madam Li just had a miscarriage. She needs it more than I do."
Xue Yan had no choice but to nod. "This servant will pick one and have it sent over."
Li Residence
"Madam Li, this is Your Majesty's compassion for you, specially bestowing a fox fur cloak."
Madam Li said nothing and did not have a servant take it.
Seeing this, Xiu'er quickly stepped forward. "Please don't be offended, Auntie. Madam is still immersed in the pain of losing her child and is indifferent to everything. Madam is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness and will have Master express his gratitude later."
As she spoke, Xiu'er took out a thick purse and handed it over. The aunt did not even glance at it, but merely looked coldly at Madam Li kneeling on the ground. She said coldly, "His Majesty's bestowal is Madam's unending beauty; Madam should cherish this blessing."
With that, the aunt left.
Xiu'er turned to Madam Li and stepped forward to help her up. "Madam, the aunt from the palace has left. This servant will help you up."
Madam Li raised her eyes and looked at the fox fur cloak in her maid's hand. It was blindingly white. She suddenly rushed forward, snatched the white fox fur cloak, threw it on the ground, and then stomped on it fiercely with her foot. Soon, dirty footprints appeared on it.
"Madam, what are you doing? This is an imperial gift," Xiu'er said, startled, and quickly stepped forward to pull Madam Li away.
However, Madam Li's strength was immense at this moment. She pushed Xiu'er away and continued to stomp on the white fox fur cloak.
When Li Chenxuan returned home, he saw Jiang Xinqin with her hair dishevelled, standing on the white fox fur cloak with a ferocious expression.
He recognized the white fox fur cloak she was trampling underfoot. He had seen the Empress wearing it that day, and she had told him she was sending a similar one to his wife.
Now, she was trampling an imperial gift underfoot.
"Jiang Xinqin, are you mad?" He strode forward a few steps, shoved Jiang Xinqin aside, picked up the white fox fur cloak from the ground, and began to pat it, trying to restore its original cleanliness.
Jiang Xinqin plopped onto the ground. The bone-chilling coldness spread from her backside to her limbs, making her shiver, but her heart was even colder.
"Madam, are you alright?" Xiu'er quickly went to help Jiang Xinqin up.
Jiang Xinqin looked up and saw Li Chenxuan meticulously brushing off the white fox fur cloak.
"You still haven't forgotten the Empress. Why did you marry me?" she asked word by word.
Li Chenxuan's hands, which were brushing the fox fur cloak, stopped. He looked up, his eyes filled with a chilling clarity. "Jiang Xinqin, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Nonsense? What nonsense am I talking about? You've always loved the Empress, and I'm just a substitute!" Jiang Xinqin shouted, her voice tearing her apart.
"Jiang Xinqin, some things can be said, and some things cannot be said." Li Chenxuan stood up and handed the fox fur cloak to the maid behind him.
Jiang Xinqin pushed Xiu'er, who was supporting her, away with one hand. She staggered step by step towards Li Chenxuan. "But I'm saying it. What can you do about it, Li Chenxuan?"
Li Chenxuan's eyes were as dark as the night, an unresolvable depth within them. "Xiu'er, take Madam back to her room. No one is allowed to let Madam out without my permission."
"Li Chenxuan, are you trying to put me under house arrest?" Jiang Xinqin looked up at the man before her.
Li Chenxuan's expression was indifferent. "Madam is speaking wildly. It is likely that the miscarriage has caused Madam to temporarily lose her senses. When Madam regains her senses, she will naturally be released."
"Li Chenxuan..."
"Someone, take Madam back to her room," Li Chenxuan said coldly.
"Li Chenxuan, you are always deceiving yourself. Do you know that when you are with me, you call out the Empress's..."
Xiu'er beside her suddenly covered her mouth and shook her head. "Madam, you can't say..."
Jiang Xinqin looked up, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Xiu'er trembled all over. "Madam, you..."
Jiang Xinqin walked into the room and said coldly, "All of you, leave!"
Xiu'er sighed and walked out of the room.
Jiang Xinqin collapsed on the ground, tears falling drop by drop, until finally, her face was streaked with tears.
"Hate?"
A voice slowly sounded.
Jiang Xinqin trembled all over and looked around. "Who? Who is it..."
A figure walked out from the inner room. She recognized her as the person who had invited her to Jufu Teahouse that day.
"What are you doing here? To laugh at me?" Jiang Xinqin wiped the tears from her face and said coldly.
"Hate her?"
Jiang Xinqin turned her face away. "I don't know who you are talking about."
"Xue Zining."
"Don't tell me you also hate the Empress?"
The person chuckled lowly and looked up. "Madam Li, how about we cooperate?"
Jiang Xinqin sneered and turned to look at the person opposite her. "A person who doesn't dare to show her true face. Why should I cooperate with you?"
The veil was removed, and the woman said faintly, "Madam Li, I am very sincere."
Jiang Xinqin looked up at the woman, frowning. "You..."
"Madam Li, you have seen my face. Regarding our cooperation..."
"No hurry. I want to know what you want."
"I want her to wish she were dead," the woman said through gritted teeth, her voice filled with pain as if deeply hurt.
"No, that's not the main thing. You want her position and identity," Jiang Xinqin said slowly.
"Madam Li is indeed clever. After this is accomplished, Madam Li, your reward will be substantial."
"If this matter is exposed, I will also die a horrible death."
"No, Lord Li will protect you."
Jiang Xinqin sneered at this. "He would be the one to uphold justice by punishing his own kin."
"In that case, Madam agrees?"
"I have no other choice. I still don't know the young lady's name."
"Nangong Yue."