Love and Crown

On the eleventh day of the twelfth lunar month in the eighth year of Virtuous Blessing, Minister of Revenue Zhao Mingde and Vice Minister of Works Li Linhai simultaneously submitted memorials regarding the dredging of the canal. These two memorials were subsequently forwarded to the Grand Secretariat for deliberation.

The three senior officials of the Grand Secretariat—Grand Secretary Ling Xuefeng, Second Grand Secretary Gao Zhongshi, and the highly respected three-dynasty veteran Yang Jiexing—had little disagreement on the matter. Citing the approach of year-end, they drafted a response proposing a temporary postponement and sent it back to the Imperial presence.

As usual, the Emperor wrote comments in red ink exactly as the Grand Secretariat had suggested. When the edict was issued to the Six Ministries, the straightforward Li Linhai angrily slammed the table and openly denounced the overreach of imperial relatives, lamenting that the state was no longer what it should be.

On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, during the routine morning court session, Supervising Secretary of Works Fu Jishan submitted a memorial impeaching Minister of Revenue Zhao Mingde for years of corruption and malfeasance. While the memorial ostensibly targeted Zhao Mingde, it was clear to all that the underlying accusation was directed at Zhao Mingde’s mentor, Grand Secretary Ling Xuefeng. Breaking precedent, the Emperor withheld the memorial without issuing a response, a move whose ambiguity sent ripples through the assembled officials.

The eleventh day of the twelfth lunar month marked my second day in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

In just one morning, I had seen numerous officials coming and going. Many were names I had only heard from my father and elder brother before, but now I could match them to faces—though few were particularly handsome.

Watching the comings and goings in the Hall of Mental Cultivation was certainly more engaging than reading books and dozing off daily in the Palace of Gathered Elegance. However, Xiao Huan treated me as nothing more than a personal maid, showering me with such "favor" that tasks like grinding ink, laying out paper, serving tea, or fetching snacks fell exclusively to me. Within days, the entire palace would surely know that a maid named Bai Qi had become the Emperor’s current favorite.

Too busy to even catch my breath, I darted in and out of the hall without a moment to spare for other thoughts. It seemed that all the scheming and rivalry over favor stemmed from having too much idle time on one’s hands.

The afternoon saw one group of officials depart and another arrive, though I had no idea what they discussed inside. It wasn’t until dusk that the last of them finally left.

At noon, Xiao Huan had been too occupied placating the quarreling ministers and vice ministers to touch the Imperial Cuisine sent from the imperial kitchens, which he then bestowed upon others. Having skipped breakfast as well, he hadn’t eaten a single grain all day.

Entering to replace the long-cold tea at his side, I asked, "Are you tired? Should I have a meal brought in?"

Lowering the arm propping up his head, he paused before looking up with a faint smile. "I’m fine."

Despite his words, his face looked pale in the candlelight. I couldn’t help saying, "Is it always this busy? Day after day like this would exhaust anyone!"

He smiled. "It’s year-end. Normally, it’s less hectic."

I sighed. "Judging by the demeanor of your high-ranking officials, I doubt it’s ever much lighter." Taking his arm, I added, "Don’t sit here any longer. Go eat something. How can anyone function without food?"

Leaning on me as he rose from his chair, he chuckled but said nothing, allowing me to lead him to the dining table.

After the evening meal, he resumed his usual routine of reviewing the backlog of memorials and documents by lamplight.

It wasn’t until deep into the night, when I insisted the hour was too late, that I finally forced him to retire.The following days weren't much different, but I became more observant. Whenever I encountered long-winded ministers who wouldn't stop talking, I'd team up with Feng Wufu to play little tricks like knocking over cups or dropping things to drive them out.

Whenever Xiao Huan noticed our antics, he would simply smile faintly without saying anything.

After my father's warning about paying attention to the memorials, I hadn't been particularly concerned. But that day, as I was delivering another batch of memorials to the warm chamber, I noticed one unusually thick document. Flipping it open casually, I was startled to see the signature "Shen Changliu" glaring up at me.

I hurriedly opened the memorial. Its lengthy contents were all direct attacks against my father—Shen Changliu's writing was truly sharp. Before I'd even finished half, cold sweat had broken out on my forehead.

After reading it through, I closed the memorial and carried the stack of documents into the warm chamber.

Xiao Huan was writing comments in red ink on another memorial without even looking up. "Just leave them there," he said.

I nodded and set down the documents, hesitating before speaking. "Brother Xiao, if two people are enemies, must it always be a fight to the death?"

He paused his brush, looked up at me, and smiled. "Not necessarily. In this world, there are no two people who will always be allies, nor any who will always be enemies. Rather than fighting to the death, I prefer turning enemies into allies."

I paused before pressing further. "What if it's a very stubborn enemy who refuses to become your ally?"

He smiled again. "Then defeat them until they surrender."

I nodded, then after another pause said, "Brother Xiao, I want to ask you for a favor... There's an enemy—when you defeat them, could you show mercy?"

In the quiet that followed, he smiled. "I promise you, I'll show mercy."

Relieved, I unclenched fists I hadn't realized were tight and forced a smile. "Thank you, Brother Xiao."

He gave a slight nod.

I nodded too and turned to leave.

"Cang Cang," he called out. Behind the broad imperial desk, his gaze was gentle. "I've never considered Mr. Ling to be my enemy."

I turned back to smile at him again, but suddenly my eyes stung. Unable to hold back any longer, I ran back and hugged him tightly. "Brother Xiao, he's my father—no matter how much I want to hate him, I can't... When I was little, he always held me..." Tears streamed freely down my cheeks as I clung to him with all my strength.

He held me close against his chest, patting my shoulder and murmuring comfort. "It's alright, Cang Cang."

I buried my face in his robes as my sobs turned to hiccups, tears still flowing uncontrollably.

Xiao Huan lifted me onto his lap, gently patting my back until I gradually calmed down and rested my head against his shoulder. Only then did he hug me and smile. "Don't worry, Cang Cang. I won't let Mr. Ling come to harm. Trust me."

I nodded, then suddenly remembered something and grabbed his sleeve. "You too." Still clinging tightly to his waist, I added, "Brother Xiao, you need to stay safe too."

He chuckled and looked down at me. "I'll be safe... Are you going to keep wiping your tears on my clothes?"

Only then did I notice the large wet patch on his robe—all from my tears. I deliberately rubbed my face against his robes a few more times. "Stingy! I'll wipe if I want to—what are you going to do about it?""Nothing, I'll have to change this outfit anyway," he sighed.

I smirked triumphantly, still refusing to leave his embrace.

Just like the memorial from the Ministry of Works official Fu Jishan, Shen Changliu's petition had been withheld in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

As the year-end approached, the imperial court remained peacefully busy.

That day, when I strolled into the warm chamber, I saw Xiao Huan lightly tapping the table with his fingertips, slightly bowing his head as he looked at the memorial spread before him.

It was rare to see him so deeply contemplative, so I approached and asked, "Is it difficult to handle?"

As if just noticing my presence, he looked up with a faint smile. "A bit tricky," he said, pointing to the memorial before him. "This is a petition submitted today by Prince Liang. On the surface, it complains about the chaos in grain tax collection within his fiefdom, but the underlying target is the new tax law promoted by Mr. Ling."

I nodded. "Is the new tax law not good?"

He smiled. "The new tax law consolidates various complicated taxes and labor duties, simplifying them and reducing the burden on the people. I also support this tax law. However, the new law cuts many taxes, eliminating the profits previously enjoyed by landlords and gentry. As a result, Mr. Ling has drawn much resentment." He explained slowly, then chuckled. "I was thinking—Shen Changliu's memorial was withheld for just a few days, and now Prince Liang's petition arrives. Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"

"You suspect Shen Changliu was also acting under someone's orders?" I was slightly surprised. "I thought he was genuinely an upright official who feared no powerful figures."

He smiled. "It's just speculation. I'm not certain yet."

"And if it turns out Shen Changliu was indeed instructed by someone, what then?" I asked.

"In that case, there's someone behind the scenes trying to bring down Mr. Ling," he said, his fingertips slowly tracing the two memorials as he frowned. "What's strange is, I don't understand what benefit they would gain if Mr. Ling were to lose power."

So he already had someone in mind?

I chuckled. "Well, when soldiers come, we'll block them; when water rises, we'll dam it. Let things take their course—don't exhaust yourself over it."

He smiled in return. "True."

And so the matter was set aside for the time being.

The next day, the Lion Peak Dragon Well tea that Xiao Huan usually drank ran out, and I was sent to the storeroom to fetch more.

After retrieving the tea and exchanging a few jokes with the plump eunuch in charge of the tea storeroom, I carefully carried the tea casket out. Rushing along, I nearly collided with someone as I turned a corner.

I quickly shielded the tea casket—this was the last of the finest Pre-Qingming Longjing tea until next year's harvest. Without thinking, I snapped, "Don’t you have eyes? What’s the hurry?"

Only after shouting did I realize the person before me was neither a palace maid nor a eunuch, nor even an Imperial Bodyguard from the Escort Battalion. I took a step back, but the figure remained still. From behind the veil covering their face came a soft chuckle.

"Who are you?" I asked warily, eyeing them.

Clad in white fur-lined robes, their elegance was almost surreal. Most suspiciously, they wore a hood trimmed with silver fox fur, with a thin veil hanging down to obscure their face.

They laughed, the veil fluttering slightly with their breath. "Are all young palace maids this domineering nowadays?"

Clearing my throat awkwardly, I pressed, "Who are you? Why are you wandering around the palace? It’s a capital offense for an outsider to trespass into the inner court—don’t you know that?""I got lost," the person before me answered with surprising bluntness. "I came to see the Emperor, but after the audience, I couldn't find my way out."

With the New Year and Xiao Huan's birthday approaching, envoys from various vassal princes had been arriving in the capital to offer congratulations. Since I'd never seen this person in the Forbidden Palace before, they were likely an envoy from one of the imperial clan's princes.

Thinking this, I pointed in a direction. "Go west, turn left at the gate, then follow the corridor north until you reach the Qianqing Gate—that'll take you to the front court." I added casually, "The Forbidden Palace isn't like the outside world. If the Imperial Bodyguards mistake you for an assassin, it'll be trouble. Be more careful next time and don't wander off."

The veil before their face fluttered slightly as they nodded. "Thank you." Only then did they turn to leave.

Clutching the tea caddy, I remained rooted to the spot. There was something indescribable about this person's voice—like drinking a strong rose syrup after eating too many salty pastries. Overly sweet, yet comfortingly pleasant.

How could such a strange feeling arise from just a few words exchanged?

The Hall of Mental Cultivation still needed the tea. Hugging the caddy, I hurried back.

As soon as I entered, Feng Wufu urgently pulled me aside. "What took you so long? His Majesty is calling for tea. Hurry up and brew it!"

This damned fatty, just like Xiao Huan, had long treated me as a palace maid to order around. I quickly acknowledged him, then thought of that person and asked offhandedly, "Who just came for an audience with His Majesty?"

Feng Wufu looked puzzled. "Who came for an audience? No one's visited recently." He kept urging, "Why aren't you making the tea? How long must His Majesty wait? No sense of propriety!"

No one had come? Then who was that person? With Feng Wufu's incessant nagging, I had to rush to prepare the tea.

Water from Jade Spring Mountain had already been boiled and cooled by other maids. Selecting tea leaves and utensils, I quickly brewed a clear cup and brought it to Xiao Huan.

The room was dimly lit. Rounding the bookshelf, I saw Xiao Huan slightly bent by the window, his vermilion brush moving gently—a silhouette floating in that pool of white light.

My heart swelled with pride: My man is always so handsome, no matter how you look at him.

Approaching, I set down the teacup and nestled beside him on the daybed. Smiling, I asked, "What are you writing?"

He glanced at me, a faint smile touching his lips as his brush continued moving. "The budget for river dredging, along with some other instructions."

"Shouldn't this be the Ministry of Works' responsibility? Why write it yourself?" Peering over his arm, I saw neat vermilion calligraphy filling over half a foot of white paper.

"The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works don't get along. Whatever budget the Ministry of Works proposes gets rejected. If I write it, both sides should accept it without dispute." He chuckled, then pointed to several large spread-out sheets nearby. "The Ministry of Works already drafted several budgets—I'm just compiling them."

Surveying the densely packed documents, I sighed softly. "I keep thinking your ministers will eventually be spoiled rotten by you."

"Who says?" he replied absently while writing. "I'll handle what I can for them, but they must follow the rules I set. If anyone forgets their duties, they'd better watch their heads."His voice remained calm, yet I couldn't help shivering before laughing: "Brother Xiao, I think it's better for you to stay gentle like this. If you ever put on a stern face in court one day, I'm afraid the ministers might die of fright."

He paused his brush slightly, turning his head with mild amusement: "Would they?"

I nodded vigorously: "Absolutely."

He raised an eyebrow: "Then I won't put on a stern face. The gallbladder stores essential essence—it would be terrible if it ruptured."

I laughed harder, nodding like a chicken pecking at rice: "Yes, yes, you must never look stern..."

I had wanted to ask if he'd seen the man in white earlier, but noticing the faint weariness at the corners of his eyes, I held back. Instead, I bent down to place a light kiss on his forehead before grabbing the tray and darting out.

As the New Year approached day by day, time passed in this manner.

I stayed mostly in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, running errands for Xiao Huan while bantering with Feng Wufu for amusement—a rather carefree existence.

Occasionally returning to the Palace of Gathered Elegance, I had Xiaoshan and Jiao Yan continue spreading word that the Empress was unwell, refusing all visitors and even exempting herself from daily greetings at the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility.

One afternoon, while sunbathing in the corridor, I decided it was time to change the tea and brought in a fresh cup.

Xiao Huan was bent over his desk writing something. Hearing me enter, he didn't look up, merely saying, "Set it down."

I placed the new tea by his hand and removed the previous cold cup.

Seeing he still hadn't looked up after the exchange, I hugged the tray and turned to leave. After two steps, I suddenly heard a loud "clang" behind me—the sound of a teacup shattering on the floor.

I whirled around to see him bracing against the desk, the broken teacup at his feet, tea leaves scattered across the floor.

He lifted his head with a strained smile: "It's nothing, just an accident."

I nodded and approached, setting down the tray to grasp his icy hands: "Rest for a moment."

He nodded, closing his eyes as he leaned against my shoulder with several low coughs. His shoulders trembled slightly, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Within moments, cold sweat had dampened the hair at his temples.

Holding him carefully, I stood motionless, waiting for his breathing to steady.

After a while, his respiration finally evened out, and he opened his eyes with a faint smile.

Seeing his frightening pallor, I asked, "Would you like to lie down?"

He gave a slight nod but coughed again when trying to speak.

This time the coughing wouldn't stop. He bent over as if unable to support himself, fingers spasming against his chest as he slid from my shoulder.

Panicked, I caught him in my arms, only to feel his entire body icy cold. Drawing a sharp breath, I said, "I'll call the physicians."

With effort, he caught my wrist and shook his head weakly: "Don't... alarm others..."

Though his face remained terrifyingly pale, his deep eyes were calm. Taking another steadying breath, I nodded and sat down to support him.

He closed his eyes to regulate his breathing. After some time, he opened them with another faint smile, whispering, "It's nothing... just looks frightening when it happens. Rest will help."

I buried my face against his shoulder before looking up with a smile: "Sleep awhile. I'll fetch bedding and a pillow."

He smiled in agreement. Helping him lie down on a nearby daybed, I noted his breathing remained shallow and irregular, punctuated by occasional soft coughs.I bent down, took his hand, and smiled. "Sleep now." He smiled back and closed his eyes.

After tucking the fleece blanket around him and picking up the shattered pieces of the teacup from the floor, I closed the door behind me.

Feng Wufu and Shi Yan, having heard the sound of the teacup breaking, were already waiting outside. The moment Feng Wufu saw the broken porcelain in my hands, his face paled slightly. He stamped his foot lightly and whispered, "Minister Shang from the Ministry of Rites still requests an audience. I’ll go tell him His Majesty is unwell and cannot see him."

I nodded and added, "His Majesty said not to alarm anyone. Just tell the outside that he’s tired and has retired to rest."

Feng Wufu sighed softly and left to carry out the order.

After disposing of the broken pieces, I returned to the western Warm Chamber. Approaching the couch, I saw Xiao Huan was already deep in sleep, his breathing much steadier now.

I sat down, holding his hand, and dozed off by the edge of the couch. Waking intermittently, I opened my eyes again to find the room bathed in the dim glow of dusk.

Raising my head, I saw Xiao Huan looking at me with a smile, as if he had been awake for some time.

Stretching, I smiled back. "Feeling better?"

He nodded gently and smiled. "Much better."

I leaned over and lightly kissed his thin lips, gazing at him with a smile. "Would you like something to eat? Should I go arrange for a meal?"

He paused, then smiled. "Something light, if possible."

Letting him rest a little longer, I stepped out to instruct the servants to prepare the meal. Just as I was about to return, I heard the eunuch at the courtyard gate announce, "A thousand years to the Noble Consort."

Du Tingxin walked in slowly, clad in a plain white fur coat, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, serene and beautiful like an ink-wash painting.

I stopped and waited for her to approach. Recalling the look in her eyes during the last banquet, I saw no need for pleasantries. "A thousand years to the Noble Consort. What brings you here?"

Du Tingxin looked at me and suddenly said, "Ling Cangcang, do you know how lucky you are?"

The courtyard was so quiet that the sound of the wind rustling through the trees could be heard. She smiled—a smile I had never seen on her face before, peaceful yet tinged with faint sorrow. "You don’t know how lucky you are… You don’t know how he loves you. The way his eyes soften when he speaks of you—it’s so tender. Just because of that look, I never even had the chance to speak my heart."

The corners of her lips lifted slightly. "I’ve loved Brother Huan since long ago, and I’ve never stopped. But I understand—someone like him will only love one person in his lifetime. You’re truly fortunate to have met him before I did."

"I don’t understand what you’re saying," I frowned. Wasn’t she the one who grew up with Xiao Huan as childhood sweethearts? How could she say I met him first?

The smile on Du Tingxin’s face grew even more elusive. "You don’t understand… So you really don’t understand. That’s why I say you’re so lucky—so lucky it’s almost hateful."

"I know you dislike me," I frowned and spoke coolly. "I dislike you too. That makes us even."

Du Tingxin let out a cold laugh. "Yes, I dislike you. I dislike you very much… Do you know how many times you’ve been self-righteous…" As she spoke, she suddenly turned and walked away.

"Du Tingxin," I called after her. "What do you mean by all this?"She stopped in her tracks and sneered, "What do I mean? Empress... dare I ask when you've ever truly trusted Brother Huan? Haven't you always condemned him as utterly wicked without even hearing his side? Have you ever sincerely placed your faith in him?"

My chest suddenly tightened, and I forced out a defense, "I would trust him..."

Du Tingxin paused, then scoffed, "Fine. Let's see how you'll turn against him next time..."

"Xin'er!" Xiao Huan's voice came from behind. He walked over, placed a hand on my shoulder to steady me, and smiled at Du Tingxin. "It's rare for you to visit, Xin'er. Why don't you come in and sit?"

Du Tingxin stared straight at him, her clear eyes suddenly glistening with unshed tears. She shook her head, but a sparkling droplet still escaped from the corner of her eye, vanishing midair in a fleeting glimmer. "I'm sorry, Brother Huan. That's not what I came to say. I just..." She bit her lip, then suddenly smiled at me. "My apologies." She turned and hurried out.

I watched her retreating figure disappear before turning back to Xiao Huan with a smile. "Why did you come out? Did you think I couldn't handle it?"

He released my shoulder and leaned lightly against the pillar behind him with a faint smile. "Xin'er... what she said—don't take it to heart."

"Why would I? You're standing here with me. What more could I want?" I teased, though the words came out strangely awkward, making the atmosphere even more uncomfortable.

A chilly night breeze swept past. He lowered his head and coughed lightly twice. I quickly stepped forward, reaching out to steady him. "With your health like this, why are you running around—"

Before I could finish, Shi Yan hurried around the screen wall. Seeing me, he paused briefly before clasping his hands toward Xiao Huan. "Your Majesty, we've found the Miss Zhao connected to Xian Xue."

Xian Xue? My outstretched hand froze midair.

Xiao Huan steadied himself and nodded to Shi Yan in acknowledgment before smiling at me. "Cang Cang, go back to your room first."

I didn't move. After a moment's hesitation, I spoke up. "Brother Xiao, you're keeping a lot from me, aren't you?"

He paused but said nothing.

"I know some things don't concern me," I continued, meeting his gaze, "but others matter a great deal."

He remained silent, coughing softly again.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed on. "Brother Xiao, I need to ask—did you order Xian Xue's death?"

A long silence followed. Finally, his voice came, quiet and measured. "Cang Cang, is this truly important to you?"

I hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."

He smiled faintly. "It was wrong of me not to explain. You don't need to leave—I'll tell you now."

Turning to Shi Yan, he asked, "Where was she found?"

"Following Your Majesty's orders, we've brought the young lady into the palace for safekeeping," Shi Yan replied.

Xiao Huan frowned slightly, considering. "How is she? Still not lucid?"

"She seems even more disturbed after another fright outside," Shi Yan answered.

Xiao Huan nodded. "Where is she now? I'll see her."

Hearing he was leaving, I quickly had someone fetch a cape to shield him from the wind and draped it over his shoulders.

Accepting it with a smile, he nodded to Shi Yan. "Lead the way."

Noticing his pallor, I moved to support him again. He paused, offering a faint smile. "It's fine." Then, releasing my hand, he followed Shi Yan out at a brisk pace.

I quickened my steps to keep up.

The palace walls twisted through the deepening night as Xiao Huan walked swiftly in silence.

Shi Yan guided us to a secluded courtyard guarded by Imperial Bodyguards. Entering a side chamber, he pushed open the door to reveal dim lamplight illuminating a white-clad figure curled on a daybed.When Xiao Huan entered, Shi Yan signaled the Imperial Bodyguards stationed at the door to bring in more candles, brightening the narrow room further and making the figure on the bed clearer.

It was a somewhat petite young woman with long, disheveled black hair that nearly covered her face. Her eyes were filled with wariness, like a frightened little animal.

Xiao Huan walked to the bedside, reached out to her, and said gently with a smile, "I'm here to check your pulse. Don't move."

The woman shrank back slightly, her gaze flickering, but she didn't move.

Xiao Huan took a breath and slowly bent down, cautiously reaching for her hand. The moment his fingers touched her skin, she suddenly screamed, flailing her arms to push him away.

Caught off guard, Xiao Huan staggered back.

I rushed over to steady him and, in my haste, ended up wrapping my arms around him from behind. Even beneath his cape, his waist felt slender. Trembling with anger, I snapped at the woman, "He's trying to check your pulse! What are you screaming for? Scream again, and I'll smash your head in!"

The woman was startled by my outburst and fell silent, shrinking further into herself.

After helping Xiao Huan steady himself, I noticed his pale complexion and quickly said, "Sit down and rest for a moment."

He nodded lightly and smiled. "Cang Cang, don't scare her... Later, help me hold her hand."

I nodded. "Piece of cake."

As I tried to guide him to sit on the bed, he paused. Shi Yan stepped forward from behind him, removed the sable cape from his own shoulders, and laid it on the bed. Xiao Huan sat down on the spread-out cape.

I cleared my throat and muttered under my breath, "When you disguised yourself as Zhao Fugui to feed the horses, you weren't this particular." While grumbling, I climbed onto the bed to grab the woman's arm. She didn't resist much when touched by another woman, and after my earlier scolding, she obediently let me pull her hand forward.

Xiao Huan placed three fingers on her wrist to check her pulse, then curled his lips slightly. "It's not that I'm too particular—it's just that this bed is too cold." He turned to Shi Yan and instructed, "Bring more bedding for this room and light a charcoal brazier."

I cleared my throat again, helping him hold the woman's still-fidgeting arm.

His lightly lowered eyes were right in front of me. Glancing at his absurdly long eyelashes, I muttered, "What 'this bed is too cold'? Just now, someone's face was colder than this bed..."

He chuckled softly on the other side, focusing on the pulse. Only after what felt like half an incense stick's time did he release her wrist and nod to Shi Yan. "Fetch some paper and ink, and summon Physician Yang from the Imperial Hospital."

Shi Yan cupped his hands in acknowledgment and left. I let go of the woman's arm, and she immediately retreated into the corner, curling up again.

Whether she saw it or not, I gave her my friendliest smile and casually asked Xiao Huan, "Are you going to prescribe her some medicine for recovery?"

He replied, "This Miss Zhao became mentally disturbed after a fright. Restoring her sanity will be difficult, so we'll start with some calming prescriptions to gradually nurture her health."

I nodded with an "Oh," then took a closer look at Miss Zhao under the candlelight.

Though disheveled and dirty, her delicate features and youthful appearance suggested she must have been quite a beauty before losing her mind. Was this the courtesan who was close to Xian Xue?As he spoke, Shi Yan returned with attendants who set up writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the table.

Xiao Huan picked up the brush and carefully wrote out the prescription before handing it to a nearby attendant. "When Physician Yang arrives, give this to him and ask if any additions are needed. From now on, this young lady will be under his care."

After giving his instructions, Xiao Huan remained seated. He glanced at me, rubbing his temples with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "You..."

I lifted my chin. "What about me?"

"Nothing..." He smiled faintly, then paused before continuing slowly, "Master Luo died by Feng Yuanjiang's sword at Phoenix Come Pavilion. Master Luo had been ordered to assassinate Xiong Qingping, the secretary of the Ministry of Revenue's Bureau of Affairs. His true identity was witnessed by Qiu Heshan, a prominent silk merchant present at the scene. Later, Qiu Heshan hired Phoenix Come Pavilion to eliminate him."

I nodded. Feng Yuanjiang was the Pavilion Master of Phoenix Come Pavilion, a rising star among the Martial World's assassin organizations in recent years. I had once seen him by chance—a refined, scholarly-looking man. No one would ever guess he was the leader of the largest underground assassin syndicate.

"Miss Zhao was also present when Master Luo was assassinated. She later lost her mind, so I instructed Shi Yan and the others to find and care for her," Xiao Huan continued. "But then the incident at Shanhai Pass happened immediately after. The Venom Battalion was short-handed, so it took this long to locate Miss Zhao."

He paused briefly, then smiled again. "By the time I received word of Master Luo's death that day, it was already too late to save him. I'm sorry."

I looked up at him and asked, "Brother Xiao, when Xian Xue infiltrated the palace to assassinate you and was captured by the Imperial Bodyguards, you struck him with a palm strike in front of me. But you were actually healing him, not trying to kill him, weren’t you?"

He seemed momentarily taken aback before nodding with a faint smile. "That’s roughly the case..." After a brief thought, he added, "The sword strike came too fast. His internal injuries were already severe by then. If I hadn’t seized the moment when his strength was pouring out with the Sword Energy to clear his meridians, waiting any longer would have been too late. So I didn’t have time to explain to you..."

I smiled, but a dull ache throbbed in my chest. Explain to me? The moment I saw Xian Xue collapse, I had lunged at Xiao Huan like a madwoman, striking his chest without hesitation. When had I ever given him a chance to explain?

And it was the same later. The moment I heard of Xian Xue’s death, simply because his body had been taken by the Venom Battalion, I immediately concluded that Xiao Huan had ordered his execution. I hurled cold, cutting words at him the moment he stepped out of court. From start to finish, I never once considered whether he might have been wrongly accused.

How many more things had I blamed him for without question, blinded by my own grief?

The ache in my heart sharpened. Suddenly, details I had overlooked before surged to the surface, vivid and clear, sending chills through my body.

Sitting on the edge of the couch, I took his hand and looked up at him. "Brother Xiao... that palm strike you used to clear Xian Xue’s meridians—did it drain a lot of your Inner Force?"

He seemed surprised by the question, hesitating before answering with a light smile. "It was manageable.""After you struck that palm strike, you came to pull me away from Xian Xue's side. I then struck you in the chest with another palm strike—one I always believed couldn't possibly hurt you because the difference in our strength was too vast." I spoke while looking into his eyes. "Later, when I went to see Xian Xue and asked about his injuries, he smiled and said his internal injuries were no longer serious. Then, almost casually, he asked, 'How is he doing?' That question never made much sense to me... Now I think about it, Xian Xue must have been asking about you, wasn't he?"

That day, my mind was entirely preoccupied with how to rescue Xian Xue and how to protect him from harm. I didn't notice any other abnormalities at all.

For instance, Xiao Huan's pale complexion after he stood up beside me, or his intermittent coughing the next morning when I knelt before the Hall of Mental Cultivation to pressure him into letting me see Xian Xue—and later, during lunch together. It wasn't until after I visited Xian Xue and returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation that I saw him, exhausted, slumped over the desk in a faint, coughing so violently he couldn't even sit up, lacking the strength to reach for the teacup right beside him... He was already severely ill that day, yet I turned a blind eye. I even used the tea he desperately needed as leverage to force him into agreeing to release Xian Xue.

He paused, then after a moment looked at me and smiled. "It's alright, Cang Cang."

How could it be alright? Shortly after that, Shanhai Pass was in crisis, and he spent days and nights in the Hall of Mental Cultivation without rest, until he could no longer suppress the blood he coughed up in front of the palace attendants.

I lifted his hand and pressed it against my cheek. His fingers were still cold, carrying only a faint warmth. Suppressing the surge of sorrow rising in my throat, I looked up at him with a smile. "Brother Xiao... When I asked you earlier if you were the one who sent people to kill Xian Xue, you were hurt, weren't you?"

He hesitated briefly before answering gently, "Why do you say that?"

"I just suddenly felt it..." I smiled. "Because when you're hurt, you become especially polite to me."

I paused, gripping his icy hand tightly. "Xian Xue was my dear friend... My greatest regret toward him was lying to you back then, saying that he was the one I loved..."

I gave him a small smile. "Xian Xue was murdered, and I want to avenge him. So, who killed him matters greatly to me... But the last person I'd want to be responsible is you—because you're also very important to me, Brother Xiao."

He looked at me, then averted his gaze and chuckled. "I suddenly feel... rather petty."

Taken aback, I laughed. "Hah, only realizing it now? You are petty—and you never say anything, so you deserve to stew in your own silence!"

As my laughter faded, I was about to say more when an Imperial Bodyguard with a sword at his waist entered. He knelt on one knee to salute Xiao Huan, then quickly stepped aside and whispered something into Shi Yan's ear.

Shi Yan's expression shifted slightly. He glanced at me swiftly before looking to Xiao Huan.

Xiao Huan nodded at him.

Even with permission, Shi Yan still hesitated before speaking. "Your Majesty, there has been an incident at the Palace of Gathered Elegance." He immediately added, "This matter need not trouble Your Majesty. Leave it to this humble official to handle."

Xiao Huan frowned. "Speak plainly."

Shi Yan trembled. "An unidentified assassin has breached the Palace of Gathered Elegance. There have been numerous casualties."Countless casualties? My heart tightened—Xiaoshan and Jiao Yan were there too! I quickly grabbed Xiao Huan's arm. "Let's go see."

He nodded, stood up, and took my hand, saying to Shi Yan, "Let's go."

Shi Yan kept his head lowered but said nothing more. Bowing in acknowledgment, he strode swiftly ahead, shielding Xiao Huan.

The place wasn't far from the Palace of Gathered Elegance, and we arrived quickly. Faint sounds of fighting echoed from within the palace walls.

At the palace gate, we saw several rows of grim-faced Imperial Bodyguards from the Escort Battalion standing before the brightly torch-lit Gate of Gathered Elegance. One of higher rank blocked the entrance with his blade. Seeing Shi Yan, his tense expression relaxed slightly as he called out, "Commander Shi." Then he noticed Xiao Huan behind Shi Yan and, without kneeling, urgently said, "It's dangerous here. Please withdraw, Your Majesty."

Xiao Huan shook his head at him and walked forward.

Before the screen wall lay the corpse of an Imperial Bodyguard. Xiao Huan immediately frowned. "This severe? Who are they?"

The Imperial Bodyguard hesitated, seemingly unable to answer. "They're..."

Without pausing, Shi Yan slipped into the courtyard. Xiao Huan followed, and I walked beside him.

Inside, the torchlight revealed more bodies near the gate, mangled beyond recognition. The thought that these might be people I'd spent my days with made me nauseous.

The thick stench of blood hung in the hazy night air. Two palace lanterns still burned on the beams before the hall, casting eerie shadows across the courtyard. Amid the scattered corpses stood a figure drenched in blood. Hearing our approach, he pulled his sword from a body and looked up coldly.

Though the gaze was unfamiliar and his face was splattered with blood like a demon's, his silhouette and movements were unmistakable. I gasped. "Hong Qing!"

It was Hong Qing! The same Hong Qing who played cards with me, always grinning with mischief and teasing. I never imagined seeing him like this—sword in hand, standing among corpses, a bloodthirsty fiend.

Suddenly, a voice rang from above us, icy yet laced with amusement. "Heh, Empress, we meet again."

Perched on the double eaves of the Palace of Gathered Elegance's front hall, Ying sat in pristine white robes. Noticing my gaze, she added cheerfully, "Ah, right—this one isn't under the influence of my Puppet Incense, killing for me." She pinched her nose and waved a hand. "Such a disgusting way to kill—I'd never do it."

Dazed, I turned back to Hong Qing. Was this person, whose eyes held nothing but naked bloodlust, really the Hong Qing I knew?

My voice was hoarse. "Hong Qing... you didn't kill Xiaoshan and Jiao Yan, did you?"

Hong Qing turned to me, his frigid gaze devoid of warmth... Then he stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Xiao Huan, his voice eerily calm. "By Your Majesty's decree, all within the Palace of Gathered Elegance have been executed."

Xiao Huan ordered this? As if bitten by a viper, I instinctively jerked my hand from his and stepped back.The moment I stepped back, I realized my mistake. Hearing Hong Qing's words, Xiao Huan also looked astonished. Seeing me retreat, he turned his head urgently to explain, "No, Cang Cang..."

In that split second, Hong Qing suddenly raised his head. His left palm shot out with a gust of wind, striking directly at Xiao Huan's chest. Completely unprepared, Xiao Huan took the full force of the blow and was sent flying backward.

He crashed into the locust tree in the courtyard, its withered yellow leaves scattering like rain. The jade hairpin holding his hair snapped with a crisp "ding," his dark locks spilling loose. He clutched his mouth, swayed, and then dropped to one knee.

I had never seen him bend before. No matter how severe his injuries in battle, he always strained to keep his back straight. Yet now, he was kneeling on the ground.

Rooted to the spot, I opened my mouth but couldn't make a sound.

"Your Majesty!" Shi Yan roared, drawing his sword like a madman and charging toward Xiao Huan.

The usually composed and unshakable top imperial guard was now riddled with openings. A flash of white streaked past, and in the blink of an eye, Shi Yan's longsword was severed in two.

A white-clad figure, his face veiled, stood before Xiao Huan, holding the broken blade between two fingers. His laughter was light and distant. "Commander Shi, don't come any closer."

This man had been standing in the shadowed hall, his face obscured by a veil. Amidst the blood-soaked battlefield, his pristine white robes remained untouched—not a speck of dust, let alone blood. Amidst the carnage, he alone stood with effortless grace.

Yet with a single move, he had shattered Shi Yan's renowned Ying Light Sword between his fingers.

Shi Yan stood frozen, staring in disbelief at the broken blade in his hand.

The white-clad man turned leisurely, lifting the veil from his head. With a slight bow, he reached into Xiao Huan's robes and withdrew a short sword.

The blade was barely a foot long, its sheathed form now glowing with a steady, warm blue light under the lanterns. The man caressed the shimmering edge with his slender, jade-like fingers, his aloof demeanor giving way to a piercing brilliance. Slowly, deliberately, he spoke, "A king's sword belongs to a king. How about relinquishing this King Wind to me, Your Majesty?"

Only then did I finally cry out, "Brother Xiao!"

Xiao Huan, who had been hanging his head, slowly looked up. His deep eyes were still bright. He barely moved his brows—no more than that—but I knew he was telling me he was fine, that I shouldn't worry.

That stubborn pride, refusing to yield even now. I suddenly laughed, though my face was already streaked with tears.