The louder the boasts, the harder the fall.
Li Man'er, before the bridal chamber, had arrogantly dismissed any doubts, believing that as a modern person, she'd seen enough of the world to handle anything the ancients could throw at her. She figured her physical stamina, which never faltered in life-or-death situations, would easily handle the act of love.
However, after things naturally unfolded, Li Man'er realized her thoughts had been rather naive.
Qi Yihan's stamina was indeed at a level she could only look up to. This one night felt like an outpouring of his twenty-plus years of passion.
It was fortunate that the canopy bed gifted by the Ning family was sturdy. It had swayed all night and miraculously hadn't fallen apart. More importantly, it hadn't let out any embarrassing creaks during the shaking, saving Li Man'er some face.
The next morning, Li Man'er slept soundly until the sun was high in the sky. Since there was no mother-in-law in the manor to pay respects to, her eyelids felt heavy, and she simply indulged herself.
Qi Yihan, on the other hand, was refreshed and had already risen early to practice his spear, as if he had an excess of energy to expend.
"Princess Consort, it's time to get up."
Li Man'er grunted, not even lifting her eyelids, clearly not having had enough sleep.
Ziyan felt a bit awkward but still said, "Princess Consort, we need to go to the palace to express our gratitude. If you don't get up now, we'll be late."
Li Man'er yawned and opened her eyes. "What time is it?"
"A quarter past the hour of Si."
Li Man'er slowly sat up. "You two go prepare hot water. I need to bathe."
The two maids quickly got up to make arrangements.
Li Man'er glanced back at the disheveled bed, let out a silent cry to the heavens, and quickly dripped a few drops of spirit spring water on herself to relieve the fatigue.
She took a quick bath, then dressed and applied makeup. "Where is His Highness?"
As she spoke, Qi Yihan pushed aside the curtain and walked in.
"Awake?"
Li Man'er stubbornly refused to look at him. The two maids, seeing this, quickly curtsied and quietly withdrew. After all, the Princess Consort's makeup was almost done, and they would be in the way, so it was best they leave.
"Why isn't His Highness changing his clothes? Didn't you say we were going to the palace to express gratitude?"
"There's time," Qi Yihan sat down beside her, took her hand, and his eyes shone with brilliant light. "Are you still angry with me?"
Li Man'er pulled her hand away and cast him a sideways glance. "I wouldn't dare."
She rarely threw tantrums or acted petulant, yet Qi Yihan adored her in these moments, feeling a burning sensation in his chest.
"Are you hungry? Let's eat something before we go to the palace."
Li Man'er nodded. "The food in the palace isn't good." And one couldn't feast in front of royalty, making the experience unpleasant. One would be hungry all day.
Soon, food was laid out in the side chamber. The couple ate in silence, changed their clothes, and went to the palace to express their gratitude.
The Empress Dowager was currently under house arrest, with the public announcement being that she was ill and needed rest. Therefore, they didn't need to visit her.
They had to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress.
Fortuitously, when they arrived at the palace, the Emperor was with the Empress, which saved them some trouble.
The Empress appeared unwell, having lost more weight since their last meeting. The matter of the Crown Prince had taken a toll on her, and as a mother, she couldn't truly be indifferent to her son's fate.
However, the Empress's demeanor towards the Emperor remained as virtuous and magnanimous as ever, as if her son hadn't been exiled.
Li Man'er thought the Empress must be a truly magnanimous person, a lady of noble birth who believed in obeying her husband, or she wouldn't have been able to act this way.
The Empress was still pleased to see her. She had even bestowed many jewelry pieces upon Li Man'er to celebrate her wedding. Seeing her in good spirits and looking more radiant than flowers today, though a little weary, the Empress gave her a playful look.
Li Man'er felt her ears burn under her gaze, yet she had to maintain a dignified demeanor.
The Emperor, meanwhile, began discussing state affairs with Qi Yihan. Eventually, he simply returned to the Hall of Diligent Governance, leaving the Empress and Li Man'er behind.
"His Majesty is like this. Once he starts talking about state affairs, he forgets everything else. He doesn't even consider that you and the Ninth Prince have just gotten married." The Empress then added a touch of playful complaint.
Li Man'er blushed slightly. "State affairs are important."
"You don't need to feel uncomfortable. Right now, the only one residing in the capital is the Ninth Prince. His Majesty doesn't even wish to see others during festivals," the Empress's eyes flashed with a hint of sadness before quickly disappearing.
"His Majesty values the Prince, and they share a deep brotherly affection, so naturally, others can't compare." Li Man'er felt talking to women in the palace was exhausting, far less exhilarating than fighting on the battlefield. But as a Princess Consort, she had no choice but to endure.
The Empress smiled. "You must have heard that the Seventh Prince has been taken in by Noble Consort for upbringing."
There was only one Noble Consort in the current court, who was her own paternal aunt, Li Qingshu.
"Yes. When I first heard the news, I was also surprised. By custom, Consort Rong should be raising the Imperial Prince. Did she do something that displeased His Majesty?"
A sharp glint flashed in the Empress's eyes, and she chuckled. "Perhaps!"
"Your Highness, with your access to information within the palace, Noble Consort's situation should be fine, shouldn't it?"
Her feigned ignorance made the Empress feel a slight unease, but after years in the palace, the Empress had long learned to remain unfazed.
"Noble Consort has always been well," she said, her expression appearing somewhat melancholic for some reason.
"Your Highness, I heard your physical condition is not quite well. Perhaps I could examine you?"
The Empress was startled at first, then took a few breaths and clutched her chest. "I've been ill for over a decade. It's nothing major. You've just gotten married, so you should be more cautious."
Li Man'er lowered her head. "Indeed, it was my impertinence. I will heed Your Highness's teachings."
Seeing that Li Man'er was unyielding, the Empress lost interest and, citing indisposition, had her attendant escort the guest out.
Li Man'er offered her thanks and then, with Asai, proceeded to Li Qingshu's residence.
Li Qingshu, having taken in the Seventh Prince, found solace and her complexion had improved considerably in just a few days.
She was so hands-on with the child that anyone would think she was the Seventh Prince's birth mother!
The aunt and niece spoke in private, ushering out all the palace attendants and maids.
Even absolute confidantes like Wenxiu were not privy to their conversation.
No one knew exactly what they discussed, but Wenxiu could tell that the Noble Consort's mood had improved significantly with Li Man'er's visit.
As the couple left the palace, snowflakes began to fall.
It seemed the New Year was fast approaching.
But it was likely that this year's New Year would be an extraordinary and momentous one.
"Are you afraid?" Qi Yihan held Li Man'er's hand and asked with concern.
Li Man'er shook her head, her gaze firm. "Your Highness and I will face it together." Even if it meant walking through a sea of fire and a mountain of swords, even if the journey ahead meant certain death, she would never regret it.