Volume 1, Chapter 35: Coaxing the Wife

The atmosphere inside the carriage on the journey back seemed to have frozen solid.

Unlike the relaxed and pleasant mood of the trip there, the carriage was now so quiet that only the monotonous "rumble" of the wheels grinding against the imperial road could be heard. Xiao Ning-shuang sat with her back to Li Xuan, leaning against the window frame. The lines of her profile were pulled taut, like a beautiful yet lifeless jade carving. She had sealed all her emotions tightly behind that icy mask.

Li Xuan tried to speak several times, only to swallow his words each time. He scratched his head, feeling at a loss for the first time. In both his past and present lives, he had dealt with countless conspiracies and faced down vast armies, but he had precious little experience in handling this kind of "domestic fire."

He knew this trouble was a hundred times more difficult than the poisoned brush sent by the Second Prince or the crazed bear during the autumn hunt. That was because he was not facing a calculable enemy, but a woman's heart.

"Ahem," Li Xuan cleared his throat, deciding to take the initiative. "So... the weather is quite nice today."

Xiao Ning-shuang remained motionless, not even batting an eyelash. Clearly, she treated his words as if they were air.

Brushing off the rejection, Li Xuan did not lose heart. He switched topics: "The vegetarian meal at White Horse Temple was acceptable, though a bit bland. When we return, I’ll have Wang Fu-gui set up a private stove in the Eastern Palace's kitchen for you. You can have whatever you want to eat."

He was met once again with silence.

Li Xuan felt a headache coming on. He tried to explain, "Song Qing-wan and I are truly just friends who grew up together. Please, don't overthink it."

The moment the words left his lips, he felt how pale and weak they sounded. As expected, Xiao Ning-shuang finally reacted. She turned her head slowly, her cold phoenix eyes devoid of anger or interrogation, filled only with an unfathomable calmness—a calmness so profound it was unsettling.

"Your Highness need not explain to me," her voice carried as little ripple as her gaze. "The relationship between us was always a covenant. Whom you choose to befriend is your freedom; I have no right to ask, nor will I."

Having said this, she turned back slowly, resuming her pose as a jade carving.

Li Xuan was completely stumped. Her words were airtight, pinning their relationship precisely back to that of "political allies." Yet, it was this very "rationality" and "sobriety" that was the most painful. It was clearly saying: we are merely partners, do not be delusional, and I certainly will not be moved by you.

This iceberg wasn't just jealous; she was preparing to freeze over again! And even more solidly than before!

Li Xuan took a deep breath, knowing that ordinary explanations and coaxing were useless. Dealing with a woman like Xiao Ning-shuang required extraordinary measures. He suddenly leaned in, pressing almost against her back.

Xiao Ning-shuang’s body stiffened, her muscles tightening instantly. A chill radiated from her, and her voice carried a warning: "Your Highness, please conduct yourself with dignity!"

Li Xuan ignored her. Instead, he lowered his voice further, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe with an undeniable intensity: "Tell me, in military strategy, when the enemy manages to reach the very gates of your most important stronghold, what should be done?"

This sudden question took Xiao Ning-shuang by surprise. She did not understand what he was plotting, but military formation was ingrained in her bones. She answered instinctively: "Immediately fortify defenses, clear the surrounding area, and then... take the initiative to nip the threat in the bud."

"Well said," a hint of a smile touched Li Xuan’s voice. "Then let me ask you: is Song Qing-wan an enemy to you?"

Xiao Ning-shuang’s body stiffened again.

Li Xuan continued in that persuasive tone: "She comes from a prominent family, the daughter of the Prime Minister; she is exceptionally talented, the greatest scholar in the capital; she and I are childhood sweethearts with a shared past. From any angle, she is a 'threat.' Today, this 'enemy' has arrived at the city walls, reaching your very 'stronghold.' As the commander of my Eastern Palace, instead of thinking about how to consolidate your defenses or defeat the enemy, you are falling into chaos, shutting the city gates, and even trying to push your commander out. What kind of logic is that?"

The absurdity of this argument left Xiao Ning-shuang stunned. She had never imagined that the affairs between a man and a woman could be explained through military strategy.

Seeing her waver, Li Xuan pressed his advantage: "You and I are allies, and more importantly, our fates are bound together. The Eastern Palace is our city, and you are the Crown Princess, the undisputed mistress of this city. Your status is protected by national law and recognized by the royal family—this is your 'Heavenly Timing.' The entire Eastern Palace looks to you for leadership, and the Xiao family's military power is your solid backing—this is your 'Geographical Advantage.' And I, Li Xuan, your husband in name, am sitting right here beside you, laying my heart bare—this is 'Human Harmony.' With all three in your favor, what are you afraid of regarding a single Song Qing-wan?"

His words struck Xiao Ning-shuang’s heart like a heavy hammer. Yes, what was she afraid of? She was the daughter of a great general, the Crown Princess, and the ally Li Xuan had personally acknowledged. Why should she lose her composure over a Song Qing-wan and become someone she herself despised?

"As for my past with her..." Li Xuan’s tone softened, "It is indeed a time we shared that you were not a part of. I cannot change that, nor do I need to deny it. But so what? No matter how beautiful the past was, it is just the past. The future belongs to both of us. What we are about to face is the intrigue of the imperial court, the covetous eyes of the princes, and the shifting tides of this world. Song Qing-wan cannot participate in these things, nor is she worthy. Only you, Xiao Ning-shuang, are qualified to stand by my side and gaze upon this magnificent land with me."

He paused, his voice filled with unprecedented solemnity.

"So, put away your ridiculous self-pity. You are the Crown Princess of Great Zhou and my woman. I do not allow my woman to choose retreat or evasion in the face of any challenge. Whether it is an enemy on the battlefield or a rival in love, you must show the mettle of a general’s daughter and win for me!"

The carriage fell into a deathly silence.

Xiao Ning-shuang turned around slowly, inch by inch. Her eyes were slightly red, and the ice that had condensed in her cold phoenix eyes was cracking and melting rapidly. In its place was shock, emotion, and a trace of grievance she hadn't even realized she felt.

She had never heard such a way of "coaxing." There were no sweet nothings or groveling, only arrogance, strength, and even a reprimand. Yet, every word of it went straight to the bottom of her heart.

He did not deny the past, but offered her a more important future.

He did not belittle her rival, but ignited the pride of a strong woman within her.

He even... admitted she was his woman.

Watching her reddened eyes, Li Xuan’s heart softened, and his tone eased significantly: "I know, I was wrong. I was too caught up in reminiscing with an old friend and neglected your feelings. It was my oversight, and I accept the penalty. Tell me, how do you want to punish me? Should I kneel on an abacus or copy military texts? As long as the Crown Princess says the word, I will have no objections."

As he spoke, he genuinely put on a look of being prepared to "die heroically."

"Pfft..."

Xiao Ning-shuang looked at his comical expression and finally couldn't help but laugh out loud. That smile was like a brilliant snow lotus blooming atop a thousand-year-frozen mountain, instantly brightening the entire carriage.

Seeing her laugh, the heart that had been hanging in Li Xuan's chest finally settled. He knew this crisis had finally passed.

Xiao Ning-shuang cast him a reproachful glare and turned her head away, though the corners of her mouth could not help but curl upward. She picked up an orange from the small table, and mimicking Li Xuan’s earlier actions, she peeled it rather clumsily, then insisted on stuffing a slice into his still-chattering mouth.

"No talking while eating," she said stiffly, mimicking his earlier tone, though there was no coldness left in it, only an irrepressible shyness and a hint of imperceptible sweetness.

Li Xuan chewed the sweet and sour orange, laughing incoherently: "Sweet, truly sweet."

This time, he wasn't talking about the orange.

The ice inside the carriage had completely melted. Although the two had not yet pierced through that final layer of paper between them, something called "tacit understanding" had already quietly taken root and sprouted. They both understood that their relationship had long since transcended their initial covenant.

And just as the Eastern Palace’s carriage returned leisurely to the capital, another storm against the Crown Prince was quietly brewing.