Chapter 23

Wei Li Lian
Princess Elora
Lady Wei
Dragon Palace

It was always Yuwen Hong who held tightly to her during the nights, but not on this one. She snuggled him and coiled around every part of him she could get for herself.

Her body felt cramped as he had thoroughly copulated with her for most of the evening, making up for the many weeks he would be away at war.

“Li Lian…”

She couldn’t help tensing. The time she dreaded had come. He had slept all night as his even breath had nursed her into comfort that he was still around, and so in return she did not manage to sleep. She did not want him to go.

From the time Yu’er left for the morning court, there was a timer in her heart, looking forward to the afternoon where she would see him again when he came for his afternoon meal. Yet now with him so far away, it would be more than a few hours they would be apart. What would she look forward to during the day?

“Li Lian.”

She groaned.

“Loosen, my love.” He tried to untangle her hands from his torso.

“I don’t want you to go.” She was childish, she knew, but Yuwen Hong was more than her everything. "They can go without you."

"It boosts the morale of the military to have the leader present. And Gurio has a good military, we need to have everything in excellence to thrash them."

Of course. But who would she whine to? Who would worry over whether she ate or not? Who would make sure she did not forget to smile or be happy?

"I don't want you to go."

“Li Lian,” he sighed.

It was now irritating him because she had been this way since yesterday, following him like a child, and not wanting to part. She couldn’t help it. In her life, he was the first to love her. His love was selfless, unconditional, and non-compromising. Like no other.

“What if they kill you? What if you don’t come back?”

“I told you. That will not happen. Remember, this is not the first time I have gone to war.”

She nodded and reluctantly let him go.

Watching him get out and disappear for them to wash him, she wanted to follow and ask that she do it. What if it was the last time she was seeing his body?

It was annoying how she was so afraid. The fear was swallowing her up and leaving her in the tirade of delusional thoughts.

She looked at the window, it was still dark outside, but the first crow of the chicken sounded. Li Lian could already hear the war men chant songs to boost their morale. She picked the strewn garments she had worn yesterday as she had plans to escort Yu’er after he was done. Since it was cold, she went back into bed to warm herself afterwards.

When Yu’er and his entourage were done, they came back into his bed chambers and she pitifully hugged herself as she watched them dress him. There was a separate chamber where he was normally dressed, but he had probably asked them to have him dressed in his bedchambers on this day for her sake.

His clothing for battle was elaborate. Red robes with specific padding to relieve the weight of his armor.

“Please write... letters.” This was not the first time she was reminding him.

It was the insecurity that he would leave her forever. What if he never came back for her like her mother? But sense jogged her memory that Yu’er was the emperor and definitely, he would come back. This was his home.

“I will do it every chance I get,” he intently stared at her as they continued to dress him.

She always enjoyed watching them dress him every morning. Another thing she would miss enjoying.

When they were done, Yuwen Hong asked them to leave and give them some space. For a moment after they were gone, from across the room, he pensively observed her.

But why was she afraid? Yuwen Hong was so strong and courageous. He would win and come back home.

“I will be here waiting,” her voice was groggy as tears traced her cheeks.

He smiled and ambled to the bed. “I know you will be.” He pulled her to stand with him. “And you will be my courage whenever I feel like I cannot make it.” His thumbs dried her cheeks.

“You? Since when are you ever demotivated?”

He laughed. “You would be surprised.”

His eyes trained on hers, his expression softening. Moments like these, his eyes were always different. They drew hers and never could she look away at anything else. He could see into her soul, knew her fears, her worries, and the things making her anxious. No man could be like him. He was her only. Just like he always said about her.

“I love you, Li Lian. If you forget everything about us, these words only remember.”

She could feel the stiffness in her evaporate immediately, her muscles giving way and relaxing.

He opened her fisted hand and she felt something metal.

Surprised, she curiously held it up to discover it was a key.

“A key?” she questioned.

He grinned. “I have this pendant,” he exposed her pendant on his neck, “so in exchange you get access to my heart.”

Her eyes bobbed in disbelief. It was the key that could open the chest keeping his heart.

She hurriedly wiped her still oncoming tears.”You trust me that much?”

“I wouldn’t dare not to. At this point I have gone in too deep to look back.”

At this, she hugged him, overcome by emotions and her love for him. He trusted her, loved her, and had faith in her. It was beyond words.

“Don’t just hug me,” he chuckled. “Kiss me too.”

Oh, she loved him so much.

Outside, there were so many of his military men waiting. He stated that he was going to lead up to six thousand of them into battle. The rest, four thousand, would be led South by the other generals so that they could ambush Gurio from both sides.

All the concubines and royals awaited at the middle grounds besides the men ready for war. It was time to bid farewell.

Li Lian held onto Yuwen Hong’s arm, as if that way he would stay and not leave.

When they got to his black horse, he took her into a hug and again tears streamed, messing her up.

“Shh. I will be back before you know it,” he comforted. “Muqin is here to take care of you, Luo Meng will protect you, and you must just focus on preparing for your reign as the phoenix.”

The Grand Dowager had already announced that she was to be his empress. Yuwen Hong had been happy about it for days and no day passed without him mentioning how he looked forward to it.

Li Lian nodded as they parted and tried to wipe her endless tears.

“Yu’er, eat well, look after yourself, and come back soon.” The Grand Consort was by them, worrying as the mother hen she knew to be.

Yuwen Hong still stared at Li Lian with a slight concern on whether she would be all right. He took her hand and intertwined it with his before kissing her knuckles.

It sent tingles along her nerves that she did not care much about in her sadness of seeing him go. So much time spent together, yet it's only now she realised that he had become a part of her. Not just part of her life.

When he mounted the horse, cheered on with his men, his harem waving, Li Lian did not see much of it as she hid in the arms of the Grand Consort, weeping as one who had just lost her husband.

Soon.

Soon, he had to come back.

~Author's Note

This week I did a mass release, considering it is already 4 chapters and I 'may' do  one more during the weekend. Please vote to show your support. 😄💪💙

S.V