437: Warm and cozy

He thought of Jiang Yan's plain white lapels and her pinned-up black hair; if that jade hairpin were tucked into those dark tresses, it would surely be exquisite.

The pristine white jade hairpin against her dark hair, with the crimson glow reflecting off her fair cheeks, would certainly accentuate her ethereal and elegant temperament, making her even more captivating.

He carefully placed the hairpin into his Storage Pouch and picked up the Phoenix Flame Art Incomplete Manual to flip through a few pages.

The pages were yellowed and the paper coarse, but the handwriting was forceful, as if every character contained infinite power.

Although the Incomplete Manual only contained the first half, the refinement methods recorded within were exquisite, surprisingly sharing similar principles with the Yi Wood Heavenly Thunder Art he cultivated.

The Yi Wood Heavenly Thunder Art used wood to draw thunder, domineering and sharp, changing the very weather when unleashed. The Phoenix Flame Art used fire as its edge, capable of burning the heavens and destroying the earth by gathering the fierce flames of the eight directions; with a single move, all things would turn to ash.

If he could obtain the second half, the two would complement each other—wood fueling fire, and fire drawing thunder. Their power would surely double, and by then, even against a Soul Transformation Late Stage Cultivator, he would have the strength to fight.

As he was pondering, there was a soft knock on the study door, and a servant's respectful voice came from outside:

"City Lord, the ginger soup is ready. Shall it be delivered to Madam Jiang's Warm Chamber?"

Situ Jun closed the Incomplete Manual, placed it back on the desk, and said in a deep voice:

"Have the estate's maidservants deliver it. Also, go to the storehouse and take a Red Fox Fur coat to Madam Jiang's courtyard."

Red Fox Fur was a specialty of the Northern Frontier, made from the pelts of century-old red foxes. Its color was as fiery red as a flame, soft and warm to the touch, as cozy as the sun, and most suitable for warding off the piercing cold of the Northern Frontier.

He recalled Jiang Yan's cold fingertips from just now and her slightly trembling body. Frowning slightly, he added:

"Prepare some Spirit Medicine for calming the nerves. Have the estate's physician carefully formulate it, ensuring it is mild with no side effects, and send it to Madam Jiang to nourish her body. She has been under too much mental strain lately and needs proper rest."

"Yes."

The servant acknowledged and withdrew, their footsteps gradually fading away.

Situ Jun walked to the window and pushed open half a pane. The biting cold wind, carrying fine snowflakes, blew against his face. The bone-chilling cold made his mind even clearer.

Outside, the sky was filled with flying snow like willow catkins, wrapping the entire Northern Frontier City Lords Mansion in a layer of silver. The distant pavilions and towers were covered in thick white snow, appearing quiet and far-reaching.

Li Xuan's Decree to Depose the Empress seemed to cut off Jiang Yan's retreat and make her the laughingstock of the world, but in reality, it had pushed her completely to his side in a roundabout way.

To Jiang Yan, that decree was a humiliation and a shackle, but it was also a liberation.

From now on, she was no longer the Empress of Tianqi, nor was she Li Xuan's wife. She was simply Situ Jun's woman, the Madam Jiang of this Northern Frontier City Lords Mansion, and the person he was willing to spend his life protecting.

As for the upcoming Grand Ceremony for the Investiture of the New Empress in the Tianqi Imperial City... Situ Jun gazed at the snow-filled sky with an unreadable expression, a flash of coldness in his dark eyes.

While he was lost in thought, another set of soft footsteps came from outside. This time it wasn't a servant, but Li Danying's voice, carrying a hint of charming sweetness, coming through the door:

"Husband, the ginger soup in the Warm Chamber has been delivered. Sister Jiang drank more than half a bowl, and I had some too. Sister Yun and Sister Xuaner are still with Sister Jiang, chatting."

Situ Jun looked toward the sound and saw the study door pushed open slightly. Li Danying's head popped in, her lively eyes watery, much like a young deer in the mountains after a rain, radiating innocence and playfulness.

She wore a pink fox fur coat with a collar of snowy white rabbit fur, which made her cheeks, flushed from the cold, look even more delicate and lovely.

He hurried forward, pulled her inside, closed the door behind him, and shut the window tight. Then, with a hint of doting reproach, he said:

"You are pregnant, and it's windy and snowy outside. Why didn't you stay in the Warm Chamber a bit longer? Be careful not to catch a cold and harm the baby."

Li Danying naturally took his arm and leaned her cheek against his cool sleeve. Her voice was as soft as cotton, with a hint of playfulness:

"I was thinking of you, Husband. It was so lively in the Warm Chamber just now, and Sister Jiang finally managed a smile. I thought you must be busy in the study, so I came to see you."

She paused, then smiled with her eyes curving:

"Sister Jiang seems to be in a much better mood. Just now, she was even talking to Sister Yun about the snowy scenery of the Northern Frontier, saying the snow here is heavier and more beautiful than in the Capital. She had a smile in her eyes, and she looked absolutely stunning."

"That's good."

Situ Jun nodded, the coldness in his eyes completely dissipating, replaced by a soft warmth.

Li Danying looked up, her lively eyes blinking and her long lashes fluttering. She asked with a bit of curiosity:

"Husband, you and Sister Jiang... are you... are you together?"

Situ Jun looked into her clear eyes, which were full of sincerity and concern. Recalling Jiang Yan's flushed cheeks in the Warm Chamber and the faint dimple at the corner of her mouth when she smiled, he couldn't help but stroke Li Danying's hair and smiled slightly:

"Nothing can be hidden from you, you clever little thing. You won't blame me for keeping your sister-in-law... by my side, will you?"

"I don't blame you, I don't blame you at all."

Li Danying quickly interrupted Situ Jun, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled:

"Sister Jiang is so pitiful, trapped in that deep palace, facing someone who doesn't love her every day. How painful that must be. Now that she can stay in the Northern Frontier, stay by your side, and have us to accompany her, she will surely be happy in the future. I'm more than happy, so why would I blame you?"

Situ Jun felt a warmth in his heart. He reached out to pull her into his arms and whispered:

"My Princess is indeed generous and sensible."

Li Danying giggled and nuzzled into his chest, her tone a bit mischievous:

"Of course. Husband, when will you let Sister Jiang have a baby too? With a child for company, she won't be sad or feel lonely anymore. When the time comes, my baby and Sister Jiang's baby can build snowmen and have snowball fights together in the estate. How wonderful would that be?"

Hearing this, Situ Jun's face reddened. He couldn't help but flick her smooth forehead lightly and said with feigned anger:

"You're worrying about things that aren't your concern. Come on, let's go see them."

Li Danying rubbed her forehead in mock pain but smiled even more brightly. She took his hand and walked out of the study with him.

Her steps were light, her skirt swayed, and the fur on her coat gleamed softly under the light of the charcoal fire.

Outside the study, the snow continued to fall gently. The icicles under the eaves reflected the snowlight, crystal clear. At some point, the biting chill had faded, replaced by a gentle glow.

Inside the Warm Chamber, Jiang Yan was talking with Su Yunniang and Liu Xuaner. The charcoal fire burned brightly, and the cozy warmth filled the air, carrying a faint scent of incense.