Dressed As a Consort in Ancient Times - Chapter 82

Because of the assassination incident, nearly a month had been delayed. In another month, it would be the New Year. 

Having been away from home for so long, Jiang Libai now only wanted to hurry back… It had been a long time since she had held her little Xingxing. She wondered if Xingxing still remembered her and Gu Yun, these two rather irresponsible mothers.

“Don’t worry that I won’t be able to handle the journey, look.” Jiang Libai lifted the hem of her dress and ran lightly through the snow towards Gu Yun. Tilting her small face up to look at her, she said, “I’m really fine now.”

Under the Seventh Princess’s pitiful and delicate act of coquettishness, Gu Yun finally relented and decided to set off in two days.

Worried about encountering danger on the road again, Gu Yun specifically went to the Governors’s residence to request that Governor Ming send some people to escort her and the Seventh Princess back to the capital.

“…Yes, yes, yes, even if the Consort had not requested it, I would have dispatched five hundred guards to escort you and the Seventh Princess, ensuring your absolute safety until you reach the capital…”

Governor Ming now only wanted to send the Seventh Princess away as soon as possible. After all, if anything were to happen to her again within his jurisdiction, his official hat would truly be taken away!

Two days later, amid swirling snowfall, Governor Ming finally saw off the Seventh Princess and her consort, who had made him anxious for days.

Watching the grand procession leave, he let out a heavy sigh of relief: “Finally gone…”

Inside the warm and comfortable carriage, Jiang Libai lay on her side, holding a hand warmer in her hands. When she spoke, wisps of mist escaped her lips: “Jiejie, I’m still a little cold.”

Hearing this, Gu Yun added a few pieces of silver-threaded charcoal to the foot stove and fanned it with a small fan. Seeing flames begin to rise, she moved the stove closer to Jiang Libai. “Still cold?”

Jiang Libai reached a hand out from the tightly wrapped blankets, pinched Gu Yun’s sleeve, and swayed it gently. “Still cold…”

Her beautiful eyes shimmered with mist, like a rippling lake dotted with starlight.

Gu Yun grasped her small hand, coughed lightly, then removed her shoes and socks, lifted the blankets beside Jiang Libai, and quickly slipped inside.

Jiang Libai’s lips curled into a joyous smile. Hugging Gu Yun’s firm arm, she snuggled into her embrace like a spoiled kitten. The familiar warmth made her squint her eyes as she rubbed against Gu Yun’s chest, murmuring softly, “Now I’m not cold anymore.”

—

From Guanzhou to the capital, they hurried along the way. Gu Yun and Jiang Libai finally arrived in the capital on the eve of New Year’s Eve.

Snowflakes drifted down, the weather was freezing, and everything was blanketed in white.

Instead of returning to their residence, the two instructed Muzhou to drive the carriage straight into the imperial palace.

Ming Tao had already received news and was waiting at the palace gates. As the Seventh Princess’s carriage slowly approached, her eyes instantly lit up.

“Princess.” She stepped forward, leading the carriage into the palace. With a beaming smile, she greeted Jiang Libai, who had lifted the curtain and was looking out. “We’ve been looking forward to your return! As soon as Her Highness heard the news, she wanted to come to the palace gates herself to welcome you…”

The palace remained largely unchanged, still as familiar to Jiang Libai as ever.

But at this moment, her emotions were in turmoil.

That day, she had sneaked out of the capital, leaving her three-month-old daughter in her mother’s care… She didn’t know if her mother would scold her, or if Xingxing still remembered her.

“Aunt, isn’t Mother busy preparing for the New Year’s Eve banquet?” She recalled that in the past, her mother would be so busy during this time that she would be utterly exhausted.

Had she disrupted her mother’s schedule today?

Ming Tao smiled and shook her head. “Since Her Highness has been taking care of the little princess, she has delegated many responsibilities to others.”

“As for the New Year’s Eve banquet, Her Highness has taken a hands-off approach, only overseeing the final inspection, so it hasn’t taken much of her effort.”

The carriage slowly entered Changchun Palace. As Gu Yun helped Jiang Libai down, she looked up and saw her mother standing at the palace doors.

The heavy snowfall nearly obscured her vision, but she could still make out the tears welling in her mother’s eyes.

She grasped Gu Yun’s hand and walked forward together.

“Mother, your daughter has returned…” Her throat tightened as she lifted her cloak and knelt before her mother.

Consort Yuan bent down and helped her up, carefully examining the daughter she had longed to see again. 

“Why have you lost so much weight?” She brushed the snowflakes from Jiang Libai’s hair. Not wanting her to endure the cold wind outside, she pulled her into the hall.

Inside, braziers burned in all four corners, filling the room with warmth, a stark contrast to the freezing outdoors.

“Are you fully recovered?” Consort Yuan pulled Jiang Libai to sit beside her and began removing her cloak.

Although she had read countless reports confirming that Jianing was fine, she could not set her heart at ease until she saw her in person.

Seeing her mother’s concern, Jiang Libai felt even more guilty.

She had thought she would be thoroughly scolded upon her return, but her mother hadn’t even mentioned her sneaking out of the capital.

“I’m mostly recovered, but my arm still can’t bear much force.” Jiang Libai slowly raised her injured arm and waved it in front of her mother. “Physician Zhao said it would take another month or two to fully heal.”

Consort Yuan gently held her arm before letting it go, her voice full of concern. “If you’re not fully healed, then take good care of yourself.”

Then, her gaze finally landed on Gu Yun, who had been quietly sitting in the background. She nodded to her. “Jia Ning’s injury must have been difficult for you to care for.”

Physician Zhao had already informed her that ever since Jia Ning was injured and unconscious, Gu Yun had tended to her personally, despite being unwell, never leaving the task to others.

Receiving such a warm acknowledgment from her mother-in-law, Gu Yun immediately stood and bowed. “The Princess is my wife. Taking care of her is my duty.”

Consort Yuan smiled, truly accepting Gu Yun as her “son-in-law.” She also realized that the love between Gu Yun and Jia Ning was genuine.

However, no matter how deep their affection, they still should not have abandoned Xingxing.

She cleared her throat, preparing to lightly reprimand them. “I understand, but—”

Before she could finish, the sound of a baby’s cries came from outside.

Then, a flurry of footsteps approached, and everyone turned to look.

Chunxi hurried in, carrying a small, tightly wrapped baby. “Your Highness, the little princess woke up crying and hasn’t stopped no matter how much the wet nurse tried to soothe her.”

Looking up, she saw Jia Ning sitting beside Consort Yuan. Momentarily stunned, she then beamed. “Princess?!”

The baby’s cries were loud, drowning out all other sounds in the hall.

Jiang Libai and Gu Yun, overwhelmed with longing for their daughter, instinctively stood up and rushed to Chunxi’s side.

Their daughter had grown. Jiang Libai cradled her in her arms, feeling how much heavier she had become.

“My sweet Xingxing, Mommy’s here, don’t cry, okay?” Her eyes were filled with tenderness and guilt. Seeing her daughter’s chubby, rosy face, she knew her mother had taken excellent care of her.

Xingxing’s cries gradually subsided. She gazed at Jiang Libai with teary eyes. Perhaps recognizing her, she suddenly nestled into her chest, her tiny hands grasping at her clothes.

Consort Yuan dismissed the servants, leaving only family in the hall.

Then she glanced at Gu Yun and cleared her throat. “It’s time to feed Xingxing.”

“The wet nurse couldn’t calm her, perhaps because she knows you’re back.”

Jiang Libai blinked. It had been a long time since she last nursed Xingxing, and she was momentarily dazed.

Seeing her hesitation, Consort Yuan frowned. “What are you waiting for? You haven’t weaned her, have you?”

Blushing, Jiang Libai sat on a wooden chair, turned slightly, and loosened her collar.

Smelling her mother’s scent, Xingxing eagerly latched on.

Jiang Libai was unused to nursing again.

And… she wasn’t sure if she still had enough milk. During their time on the border, whenever she became engorged and uncomfortable, Gu Yun would help her… 

Later, Gu Yun had mentioned that her milk supply had decreased. 

Well… even if it was less, it should still be enough for Xingxing, right?