Memories of the PalaceCh12 - Good Intentions, Bad Communication

Jin Xiyan lifted his cup of tea to his lips as he shared the news, “Li Changyu is expecting.”

He anticipated his Mother’s shock, but the look of alarm on his Grandmother’s face surprised him. His Mother nearly slammed down the cup of tea as he leaned forward. FeDzuR

“Are you sure of this?” He asked Jin Xiyan. He took a sip before responding to his Mother.

“His Mother confirmed it this morning.” He lowered his cup but held it between his hands. He glanced back at the Grand Empress Dowager, who looked off to the side and worried her lip. Jin Xiyan thought that since they had such a great relationship, his Grandmother would be ecstatic for Li Changyu. “Royal Grandmother…do you have any thoughts?”

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“Yes,” she snapped her eyes back to him, her face softening. “This is indeed good news. I will have to hurry and make preparations.”

“So kind of Her Highness to dote upon a Wife like that.” His mother’s tone was anything but pleasant. His next words dripped with sarcasm, “I hope that His Highness is aware of how very lucky he is.” qs07xw

“Hmph.” The Grand Empress Dowager rose in one smooth, elegant motion and looked down her nose at his Mother. “As this is His Highness’ first pregnancy and he’s an omega, a little doting is called for. He may very well be carrying an heir, afterall.”

Electricity crackled between the two of them as they openly glared at one another. Jin Xiyan sighed internally. Neither his Mother or Grandmother would see eye to eye on anything, apparently.

“Are first pregnancies that unsafe for omegas?” He wasn’t that naive – as a child living in the Inner Court with his Mother, he’d seen and heard his fair share of stories of miscarriages and Father Emperor lost two Wives before in childbirth. At the thought of losing Li Changyu or the baby, a cold hand wrapped around his insides and squeezed. He had children already, but only his youngest son Haoran came from an omega, and this was the first time he heard that it was a concern. Haoran’s Mother passed away after contracting an illness of the lungs.

In an unexpected show of affection, his Grandmother placed her hand on his shoulder and smoothed it down his arm in a comforting gesture.

“Childbirth itself is unsafe, Your Majesty. Omegas bodies are just taxed a little harder because they give birth in six instead of ten months. But this Grandmother has had many children and will be by the side of our family’s Empress.” She gave another little pat, then her gaze went ice cold as she straightened. She slid her eyes around the room at the servants. “I expect that this news will not leave this room.”

Even Su Ao, who was normally a level headed young beta, gulped loudly beside him. Jin Xiyan’s thoughts drifted back to Li Changyu’s request about not telling anyone yet. His Grandmother appeared to share the same sort of sentiments – but there couldn’t be anything wrong about telling his Mother and Grandmother such wonderful news. …Right?…

The Grand Empress Dowager bowed, “I will leave first. There is a temple not far that carries charms for a successful pregnancy. I will ask for some blessings and buy some for Zhen and His Highness.”

He stood up and bowed deferentially at his Grandmother. This was the most kind thing she had said to him in a long time, from what he could remember. The Grand Empress Dowager left with her small entourage of servants. When Jin Xiyan sat back down, his Mother huffed and waved his silk fan in front of his face. DZhMH

“She still thinks she’s in charge even though I have the Empress’ Seal.” The Empress Dowager examined his nails then said offhandedly, “It is safe to assume that all the Li’s will know about this pregnancy before the sun has even set.”

Jin Xiyan arched a brow at him, “Given that his Mother is acting as his physician, of course.”

“Erchen should stop that immediately,” his Mother lifted his gaze to level him with a hard stare. “If we appear partial to the Li’s like that, it makes us look like we distrust our esteemed physicians.”

“It is his Mother. If I was going through something, I would want you by my side.” SjUaWv

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

His Mother’s painted lips pouted and the frosty look he had in his blue eyes melted. He reached out with his free hand and stroked Jin Xiyan’s cheek with the back of his fingers.

“Erchen is most filial, and so compassionate. This Mother will not push that issue further.” He closed his fan and set it aside. “However, if Li Changyu does in fact carry an heir, the Li’s will have even more ruling power.”

This again. Jin Xiyan sighed and closed his eyes. “I already stripped Li Beidou of his military rank, and we refused the proposal to promote his other sons. I do not think we would have to worry about them for a while.”

“But he was a friend of Emperor Father’s, and many of the men they were chummy with are still in the Court. And he is showing up at Morning Assemblies.” A rapping of knuckles made Jin Xiyan open his eyes and look at his Mother. Their eyes met and he continued, “You need to tame that wild beast now, or the effort to keep the Li’s subdued will be wasted.” kWCp7R

Tame him? Jin Xiyan scoffed. You try doing that.

Li Changyu attended every etiquette lesson, and according to the teacher, he was a model student. Poised, practiced, and polite – those were her exact words. She was also confused as to why he needed the classes in the first place, because it appeared he knew how to do everything already. Did his Wife put this to practice when not in the classroom?

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No.

Restraining Li Changyu was like battling twenty tigers wrapped up in a 171cm package. Jin Xiyan wasn’t even sure tying him down could do anything. An image of a bound Li Changyu with a scowl on his face flitted across his mind, and he found it strangely…arousing. He brushed the idea away quickly, refusing to get worked up. Li Changyu had the uncanny ability to drive him to his wits end. Jin Xiyan found it hard to resist the omega, and he was pretty sure that he knew it too. Thinking about Li Changyu wrapped up in decorative rope stirred something in him, but Jin Xiyan couldn’t do anything with Li Changyu now. He was pregnant, and Jin Xiyan would be adamant about not jeopardizing anything. 7LATF

“Zhen will take this into consideration,” Jin Xiyan slipped into a more formal tone. “Royal Mother should focus on how to best support the Empress and let Zhen work on the other details in the Court.”

The Empress Dowager bowed his head before straightening, “This Mother simply wants the best for Erchen.”

“Zhen will leave first.” Jin Xiyan let the servants take his tea away first before rising. Everyone bowed as he left, then Su Ao scurried along behind him. He didn’t think he needed an excuse to see his Empress, so he made his way over to the Phoenix Palace. When they were far enough away from the Tranquil Lotus Palace, Jin Xiyan peeked over his shoulder at his eunuch. “Have you found any old servants that may know Li Changyu?”

“Answering Your Majesty, this humble servant has not found anyone. If it happened many years ago, the servants have vastly rotated over the years. There may not be anyone who knows Li Changyu’s connection to the Palace except for Her Highness the Grand Empress Dowager and the First Prince.” yw1afc

Hmm…Jin Xiyan worried that might be the case. Like Li Changyu, his Grandmother did not want to share any information. She explained that it was perhaps best to start off fresh with Li Changyu. His eldest Brother, the First Prince Zhao Lanhu, agreed with her, so he was left to try and figure it out on his own.

It annoyed him that his Wife felt both familiar but a stranger; safe, but also dangerous; easy to talk to, and infuriating the next. It made it hard to trust what was real and what was not. Jin Xiyan sighed to himself and turned towards the courtyard that led to the open gate to the Phoenix Palace.

A cry came from the garden to the left, “Huh!”

Jin Xiyan paused and when he heard another one, he realized it was Li Changyu’s voice. He hurried past the plum blossom trees towards a small alcove with benches. In front of it was Li Changyu and his guard…What was her name again?…who held a giant sack of something that Li Changyu was hitting. Seated on one of the benches was Li Changyu’s boy servant and Jin Xiyan’s own concubine, Song Rushen. GO5Zon

“And that!” Li Changyu huffed and brushed the back of his hand over his sweat soaked forehead. “Is how you throw a real punch!”

Li Changyu was flushed and smiling, not unlike how he looked during their more intimate moments. The servant and Song Rushen clapped lightly, obviously entertained by the demonstration. Jin Xiyan frowned and his concern grew.

“What is going on?” He asked, and all heads whipped towards him except Li Changyu’s. The guard lowered the bag and bowed, accompanied by Song Rushen and the young boy.

Li Changyu’s eyes angled towards him and his smile turned a little cocky. Slowly he turned to face Jin Xiyan, one hand on his hip and the other rubbing the back of his neck as he addressed Jin Xiyan. GkuFVi

“Three visits in one day? Be careful, Your Majesty, the others might really gossip about how I’m favored.” Li Changyu chuckled at his own joke, his high ponytail swaying. His martial clothes clung to him, leaving very little room for the imagination.

“You may rise,” he said to the others. Jin Xiyan pressed his lips together and looked back at his Empress, “You did not answer Zhen’s question.”

“I was practicing martial arts and your lovely Beauty Song Rushen visited,” Li Changyu motioned to them. “So I decided to give them a little lesson.”

Song Rushen meekly lowered his head, though his small lips had a slight smile. He wore a series of blue layers that ended with a sky blue outer robe that complimented his mousy brown hair done up in a bun. He didn’t have many adornments on, but his gold dangling earrings caught the sunlight and glimmered. His concubine stood in stark contrast to Li Changyu, and he struggled to think how they were getting along so well. rG6ZO0

His eyes lingered on Song Rushen before he looked back at Li Changyu, “And I suppose this is how you spend your time?”

“What?” Li Changyu held up his hands and shrugged, “You expect me to sit around all day and embroider purses all day?”

Chrysanthemum Garden.

Well…yes. He thought better of saying that out loud and just sighed instead. “Song Rushen, are you enjoying yourself?”

Song Rushen startled at being addressed and lifted his gaze, peering through his lashes. “Answering His Majesty, this humble servant enjoys His Highness’ company. This one finds that His Highness is rather…” Song Rushen paused a beat, then said, “Funny.” 8tg0DI

Jin Xiyan offered a small smile. Song Rushen was not a concubine he normally visited, and was once a maid to one of his others until he lifted his status as a Beauty and took him into the Harem. Maybe I should visit his court sometime.

“If Zhen remembers correctly, you embroidered something on Royal Mother’s dress for his birthday last year, yes?” He asked Song Rushen.

The concubine blinked and nodded, “Y-Yes, Your Majesty. Zhen humbles this servant by remembering.”

He gave a little bow, and Jin Xiyan caught the subtle pink to his cheeks. “Perhaps then you could share your knowledge of the skill with Li Changyu then?” sNza27

Li Changyu threw his head back and laughed. Jin Xiyan’s smile turned into a frown, and Song Rushen blushed even more. When his laughter finally died down, Li Changyu wiped a tear away and darted his eyes between them. Straightening, Li Changyu arched a brow.

“Oh…you were serious.” There was another momentary pause before Li Changyu shrugged yet again. He kicked the sack, “Shen Pei, pick this back up. I have a few more punches in me.”

His Grandmother’s warning about omegas and pregnancies echoed in his head and his heart felt like it was about to burst through his chest. Jin Xiyan stepped closer and pointed to the sack.

“You put that away. His Highness will no longer be practicing this.” y4YGf1

Li Changyu’s brows flew upward, “Excuse me?” His hand shot out to the guard. “Shen Pei ignore that order.”

A tic started in his temple and the guard – Shen Pei, it seemed to be – looked between him and Li Changyu like she didn’t know who to listen to. Now his Mother’s words about the Li’s influence invaded his thoughts, and the open insubordination stoked his temper.

He punctuated his command clearly and precisely. “Put. That. Away. Now.” Li Changyu opened his mouth, but Jin Xiyan cut him off, “You are pregnant and are forbidden from such activities.”

“Jin Xiyan!” His Wife cried out and his eyes went wide. Song Rushen’s head jerked up to look at them, his own face in a state of shock. “You aren’t supposed to say it!” VjXDhW

“Zhen does not care about who knows!” Jin Xiyan’s own voice rose, matching Li Changyu. “Zhen cares about you being safe. You are being thoughtless and reckless!”

Li Changyu threw his hands up, “I’m not one of your fragile dolls! Martial arts is perfectly safe and healthy, and I know my limits!”

Gritting his teeth, Jin Xiyan turned to Su Ao and the three guards behind them, “Search the Phoenix Palace and remove all martial items.”

Li Changyu’s face went from a glare to shock. The guards filed together and made their way towards the palace, and Li Changyu roared, “You can’t do this!” N5A7Iz

He ran over to block them off, but Li Changyu’s tall guard grabbed him by the arms and pulled him back. Li Changyu fought against the hold and his crestfallen expression tore into Jin Xiyan’s heart, but he had no other option. He had to keep Li Changyu and the child safe, and he knew that Li Changyu would not listen to him. Jin Xiyan wouldn’t be able to rest if he didn’t do something immediately, even if it upset Li Changyu.

“You,” he looked at Song Rushen, who’s dark eyes were round as saucers and looked much paler than before. Now he felt guilty for scaring another one of his Wives. Jin Xiyan put an arm around Song Rushen’s shoulders and guided him towards the pathway. “Walk with Zhen to Zhen’s garden.”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Jin Xiyan made it a few feet before something struck the back of his head and knocked his tight bun loose. He whirled around and Li Changyu stood with both slipper shoes missing from his feet. One was in his hand, and it appeared that the offending object was his other one that fell to Jin Xiyan’s feet. Li Changyu’s eyes burned with fury, and he raised his arm to throw the other one, but a movement behind Li Changyu caught Jin Xiyan’s attention.

“No!” He shouted and rushed forward, knowing that it was the Shadow Guard and that they would have considered this a threat. Jin Xiyan closed the distance between him and Li Changyu in an instant. He wrapped his arms around him just as the Shadow Guard approached with their swords drawn. He remembered his promise about not letting an official hurt him, and he meant it. “Stand down!” SJ42qo

Li Changyu didn’t make his rescue easy. His fists balled up and punched at Jin Xiyan’s chest until he let go. Though they stung, he knew that Li Changyu was barely putting any force behind it given what he witnessed Li Changyu could do to a bag. Immediately, he dropped his arms and stepped away from Li Changyu. The two Shadow Guards kept their distance and sheathed their blades.

As much as it pained him, Jin Xiyan knew he had to save face in front of the others. His fingers dug into his own palms as he issued an order in a flat tone, “Li Changyu, you will be confined to your quarters for two weeks. No one is to visit you except the physicians or servants.”

Shen Pei – he remembered now that was her name – quickly covered Li Changyu’s mouth from behind and made his body bend forward in a bow that matched her own. The servant boy popped up too, kowtowing while stuttering.

“Th-th-thank you for Your Majesty’s mercy!” LfuAXk

Li Changyu’s head lifted, casting one last glare at him before he pulled away from his guard and turned his back on Jin Xiyan. He bit his tongue to keep the apology from spilling out, then turned and walked away.