470 The Battle (1/2)

At the least, he had left a note by the nightstand. She clenched the parchment, glaring at how neat and perfect his handwriting was. It looked like the ones printed in books and shown to children as reference.

”You can yell at me for leaving you alone later, there was urgent business calling for me,” Li Xueyue read out loud. ”But I ordered the servants to prepare you a nutritious meal, more nutritious than usual. You'd need the energy, especially for later tonight.”

Her cheeks stung red with the last line. They had just finished making love all morning! And he wanted more? Just where exactly does he get all of this energy from?!

Nonetheless, she looked forward to it. Li Xueyue slipped her legs out of the bed, and for once, it didn't feel weak.

”Xiao Hua?” Li Xueyue called towards the door, wondering if the maidservants were just outside of the bedroom, or further out, where the guards were stationed. Knowing Yu Zhen's paranoia, it would be the latter.

When she was met with silence, Li Xueyue had her answer. She left the bed and slipped on the slippers. Wordlessly, she approached the closet but blinked in surprise. There was an extra closet.

”Am I seeing double?” she mumbled, rubbing at her eyes.

Li Xueyue blinked in surprise to see there were indeed two, large wardrobes. She wondered what was inside, thus, opened both of them. And to her surprise, a world of color greeted her. Both of these closets were hers.

”Oh, these are winter clothes,” she said. The closet on the left held spring and summer wear, whereas the other one held autumn and winter wear. But then, where did his clothes go?

Li Xueyue reached a hand out and touched the silk that was cool and smooth. ”There it is,” she pointed out upon turning her head and noticing the other closet to the other side of the room.

”It wouldn't be strange if we have an entirely new room just for storing clothes,” she said and laughed to herself.

Li Xueyue stepped back to admire the autumn and winter wear. Fancy accessories and dresses never interested her, but her lips parted. Her heart clenched at the gesture. She was surprised he had thought this far in advance and had this many hanfu made for her size.

”When did he even prepare this for me?” Li Xueyue asked.

Nonetheless, she pulled out a random layer of clothes and slipped it on, loosely tying the strings near her waist. Then, she walked towards the main door and opened it by the smallest crack.

”There you are,” Li Xueyue said with a slight smile.

”Good afternoon, Crown Princess,” Xiao Hua greeted with a deep bow, as the maidservants followed in line.

”Since you're awake, we will start preparing your meal whilst we help you into your attire, Princess,” Xiao Hua quietly said, her voice light and gentle.

Li Xueyue's shoulders felt at ease around Xiao Hua. She did not know if it was naivety, but she trusted this demure maidservant.

”Alright then,” Li Xueyue said as a few maidservants slipped out of the room, most likely to fulfill the given tasks.

When Xiao Hua stepped forward with a small basin of water, Li Xueyue knew the same routine was going to start again.

- - - - -

”An invitation from Lady Ge Beining?” Li Xueyue echoed Xiao Hua's words. She had just finished taking a bath, gotten dressed, and eaten her morning meal. Now, she was seated on the vanity chair, as Xiao Hua slowly braided her hair.

”Yes, Princess,” Xiao Hua said.