A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting to be Appreciated 2

16

Concubine Li sighed before looking up at Chu Beijie and explaining in a defeated tone, "I met Pingting back in Gui Le at court. After the signing of the 5 year peace treaty, the King of Gui Le gifted me to the King of Dong Lin. I grew up in the Royal Residence, so how could I not know the famous Bai Pingting?"

Chu Beijie stared into Concubine Li's eyes, assessing the truthfulness of her claim.

If the Queen believed that Concubine Li and Pingting had a connection, then the unborn child was in grave danger.

"Duke, for the sake of this child, I beg of you to stay in the palace for a few more days. I fear the Queen will harm us. I will be giving birth very soon, can Duke not spare just a few days?" Concubine Li placed her hands protectively over her unborn child and broke down in tears.

Chu Beijie felt torn and sighed.

Should the Imperial Concubine Li be pregnant with a son, he would become the future King of Dong Lin.

Dong Lin had already lost two princes. If they were not careful, they may well lose their final hope.

That morning, the King received the requested command flag from General Linan and as agreed the King handed it over to Chu Beijie.

"Brother, preparations are complete, you can depart whenever you desire." Perhaps it is due to the joy of reuniting with family but the King's health improved greatly.

Chu Beijie hesitantly accepted the command flag. He never once hesitated over anything before. What is the correct decision? After what seemed like eternity, he turned to the King and said, "Brother, I still have some things to do so I would like to stay in the palace for a few more days."

It is already the fourth day since arriving at the capital.

In just six days it would be his birthday.

The secluded mountain residence was very peaceful.

The guards stood outside whilst the young maids worked inside, looks were exchanged as familiar faces greeted one another with occasional encounters. Love was in the air.

Hongqiang upon noting that Zuiju was accompanying Pingting, smiled as she slipped outside to play. Pingting and Zuiju did not mind.

There was little snowfall these days, and the sun shone brightly. Its warm rays melted the thin layer of ice and snow on the ground. Zuiju was always worried about Pingting slipping hence insisted on accompanying her every time she went for a walk.

"Please take care, the ground is slippery."

Pingting stood beneath the plum blossom tree, stretching to pluck the buds. She laughed, "Every single time I take a step you keep reminding me. If you're that worried, you may as well help me then."

Helpless, Zuiju could only move to help Pingting with her task by pulling down the plum tree branches, allowing her to pluck the buds.

"Didn't you wish to display these in your room?"

"No," Pingting mischievously replied, revealing a cheeky smile, "for cooking."

"Cooking?"

She could just imagine the fragrant smell of crane boiled in a mixture of herbs and plum blossom buds.

Pingting cheerfully placed the flower buds and blossoms into a small dish as she began, "I suddenly recall reading in an old text about the medical properties of plum blossoms. I plan to add these buds together with some sugar, salt, wine and winter vegetables and make some preserves in the traditional Gui Le style. When the Duke returns, we can enjoy some together."