Love and Crown

I wasn’t sure if it was because I had caught a chill on the way back, but my forehead ached slightly. Moreover, when I had lowered my head earlier, I noticed that my skirt and shoes were also soaked with tea.

The skirt was one thing, but these shoes embroidered with colorful lotuses and mandarin ducks were Xiaoshan’s handiwork. If she found out, who knew how much she’d nag.

In a foul mood, my steps became heavier, thudding loudly against the floor. Just as I turned the corner—bang!—this time, I really did collide with someone.

Clutching my forehead, I couldn’t help but reveal my true nature, blurting out, “Don’t you have eyes? Go play at your own home!”

A faint hiss came from the other side—likely from pain—followed by laughter. “Empress, what a coincidence.”

It was Li Hongqing again. Perhaps because my words had been too casual, he didn’t bow as usual this time. Instead, he took a step back, smiling. “This is the second time, isn’t it? It seems Your Majesty and I are quite fated today.”

This Li Hongqing—if someone with ulterior motives overheard his words, who knew how they might twist them.

Well, there was no one around, so I didn’t mind being informal. I laughed. “Quite fated indeed. Though I’ve also learned just how hard Vice Commander Li’s head is.”

“I wouldn’t dare claim that. Your Majesty’s phoenix crown is as unyielding as metal and stone. Truly enlightening,” he teased back, refusing to concede even a little.

Both of us looked at each other, still clutching our foreheads, and suddenly burst into laughter.

After the laughter, the atmosphere grew even more relaxed.

Li Hongqing glanced at me and asked, “Has Your Majesty just returned from His Majesty’s side?”

I nodded with a smile. “Indeed. Are you a gossipmonger, Vice Commander?”

He chuckled but then lowered his head and said quietly, “You’re not the type for such things, Empress. Don’t force yourself too much.”

Without even a proper farewell, he simply waved casually and walked past me toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Force myself? Not the type for such things? What things?

By the time he had gone some distance, I finally snapped out of my daze and turned indignantly to retort. But then Xiaoshan’s voice came from behind me. “Miss? Were you just talking to Hong Qing?”

I turned back. “Since when have you gotten so familiar with that loose-lipped man to call him ‘Hong Qing’?”

Xiaoshan shot me an unimpressed look. “Says the one with the loosest lips of all.”

I was left speechless. Sure, I’m your lady, but I’m the Empress now, aren’t I? Couldn’t you spare me some dignity?

Three days later, Xiao Huan kept his promise and sent Xian Xue out of the palace.

In the days that followed, I received occasional updates from outside the palace, learning that his injuries were gradually improving, which eased my mind.

Not long after Xian Xue left the palace, the empire’s situation grew tense.

It was late summer, and continuous heavy rains in the Jianghuai region caused the river to breach its banks. Once-fertile fields were now submerged, leaving tens of millions displaced. Reports of the floods poured into the capital without end.

The Grand Secretariat and the Six Ministries were in constant chaos. Courier horses carrying the latest disaster updates raced back and forth along Vermilion Bird Avenue outside the Great Martial Gate. Even deep in the rear palace, the dull thud of hooves could be heard late into the night.Misfortunes never come singly. Shortly after the disaster in the Jianghuai region, the Jurchen tribes near Changbai Mountain, long resentful of their subjugation to the Great Wu, seized the opportunity to rise in rebellion. Within half a month, the flames of war had spread to Shanhai Pass.

The empire had enjoyed nearly forty years of prosperity and peace, rarely facing both internal and external crises simultaneously. To handle the urgent disaster relief and military situation, my father remained day and night in the duty room of the Grand Secretariat. Those who saw him remarked that the Chief Grand Secretary had aged considerably in just a few days.

Xiao Huan, who had always kept a low profile, now revealed his decisive and swift leadership. He issued several unexpected edicts, replacing the highly respected veteran general Chen Wei as the commander of Shanhai Pass with Qi Chengliang, the unconventional and unorthodox Fuzhou Regional Commander. At the same time, he dismissed the mild-mannered Minister of Revenue, Ren Qian, and exceptionally promoted Zhang Zhuduan, a compiler from the Hanlin Academy, to Vice Minister of Revenue to oversee disaster relief in Jianghuai.

Officials privately debated the merits of their young emperor’s actions, but I was secretly astonished.

Both Qi Chengliang and Zhang Zhuduan, whom Xiao Huan had promoted, were capable and efficient officials—and both had been favored by my father. Zhang Zhuduan was even my father’s protégé. At a time when it would have been ideal to weaken my father’s influence and cultivate his own faction, Xiao Huan instead appointed talent without regard for convention, displaying a breadth of vision and boldness that won the admiration of many courtiers. Moreover, in just a few days, every edict he issued was precise and well-considered, demonstrating an astonishing familiarity with the abilities and temperaments of the officials in court—a fact that surely did not escape the notice of the entire court.

However, no matter how turbulent the political scene became, the imperial harem remained relatively calm. Since Xiao Huan often worked through the night on state affairs and had no time to summon concubines, my days grew even more idle. I passed the time in the Palace of Gathered Elegance, playing Pai Gow with Xiaoshan and Li Hongqing.

After our two chance encounters in the palace corridors, I ran into Li Hongqing several more times. Our exchanges of sarcasm and verbal sparring gradually made us familiar with each other.

Finding him kindred in spirit, I impulsively invited him to the palace for amusement. He, too, was an idler who took advantage of his privilege to enter and exit the Forbidden Palace at will, never refusing an invitation and always arriving promptly when called.

Hongqing was an amusing man, skilled in all sorts of disreputable pastimes—Pai Gow, dice, finger-guessing games, drinking—he excelled at them all. Xiaoshan and I honed our skills under his tutelage every day.

"Once you graduate from my teachings, you’ll have no trouble making your way in the Martial World," he boasted smugly at the gaming table.

"Pfft, you’re just fooling us here," I scoffed while carefully flipping over the cards I’d been dealt. Good luck—it was a "Human Pair," enough to recoup my losses.

"Whether I’m fooling you or not, you’ll find out soon enough." Hongqing pushed all his chips forward. "I bet on the Heavenly Gate."

The Heavenly Gate was his own position, while I was the banker. Xiaoshan had long since lost all his chips and had come over to my side to watch.

Was he really that confident? Did he have a strong hand too?

I didn’t believe it. Most of the high cards had already been played, so the odds of a hand stronger than a Human Pair were slim.

With a smug chuckle, I pushed all my chips forward as well. "I bet on the banker."

"Good! Good!" Xiaoshan cheered from the sidelines. "Go all in and crush him! Hongqing’s always bluffing—his hand must be terrible. He’s just putting on a show."

Hongqing smiled leisurely. "Care to see the cards?"I began to doubt my own judgment, but at this point, it was too late to back out. "Show."

He grinned and flipped his cards. "Heavenly pair."

Xiaoshan and I let out simultaneous groans.

"Feints are necessary, but you’ve got to throw in a few real moves now and then, or you won’t last long," Hong Qing remarked smugly as he swept all the chips toward himself.

I gritted my teeth in frustration, finding his gloating unbearable.

"Again, again," I said, pulling off my mutton-fat jade bracelet. "I'm betting this."

"Isn't this a bit much? People might say I'm bullying two women," Hong Qing smirked.

"Like I’d be scared of you! I’ll wipe the floor with you!" I rolled up my sleeves and waved my hand. "Xiaoshan, deal the cards."

Just as I was gearing up for another fierce round, the palace maid Jiao Yan approached with a bowl of chilled watermelon to help us beat the heat.

Noticing the beads of sweat on her forehead, I called out, "Jiao Yan, come have a few pieces."

She shook her head hurriedly. "That wouldn’t be proper, this servant—"

I’ve always been casual, and with Xiaoshan, the head maid, being rather lax herself, over time, the other maids in the palace had loosened up. Though they didn’t go as far as Xiaoshan in being outright cheeky, they were no longer as timid and reserved as before.

"Don’t stand on ceremony. The Palace of Gathered Elegance doesn’t have so many rules," I said, pulling her down onto a small stool nearby. "It’s sweltering, and you’ve been working hard. Have some to quench your thirst."

Jiao Yan didn’t refuse again and perched gingerly on the edge of the stool.

I held her hand, not letting go immediately, and traced the calluses at the base of her thumb. Smiling, I asked, "Did you practice martial arts before entering the palace?"

"How did Your Majesty know?" Jiao Yan seemed flustered, her clear eyes darting nervously.

"Whether someone’s trained in martial arts is easy to spot," I chuckled.

Meanwhile, Xiaoshan had already dealt a new hand. Consumed by the game, she ignored all decorum and shouted, "Miss! Stop chatting and come look at your cards!"

I gave Jiao Yan a smile and returned to the game.

Even amid the heat of the game, I could feel someone’s gaze lingering on me.

The late summer nights were still unbearable—not just the mosquitoes, but also the occasional cricket or cicada chirping from the trees or corners like sleep-talking murmurs, jarringly loud in the quiet.

One such night, I was awakened again by the noisy cicadas. Unable to fall back asleep, I noticed Xiaoshan fast asleep on the outer couch. Not wanting to disturb the other maids, I slipped out of bed quietly, intending to stroll in the courtyard to cool off.

As I reached the corridor, faint sounds from the front hall caught my attention. Curious, I moved closer to investigate.

Moonlight spilled like water over the stone steps, illuminating a slender figure practicing palm strikes.

Her arms moved fluidly, her figure like swirling wind and snow, tracing graceful arcs in the air. The sleeves of her robe fluttered, and faint gusts of palm force echoed around her.

"Impressive technique," I murmured, clapping softly.

"Who’s there?" The figure immediately shielded her chest with her palms, her voice hushed. Moonlight revealed her delicate profile—it was Jiao Yan.

Her bright eyes flickered uncertainly before she finally lowered her arms and whispered, "Empress."

"Practicing so late—aren’t you tired?" I walked over with a smile. "Your palm technique is excellent. Did your master teach you?"

Jiao Yan shook her head. "My father did." She bit her lip. "Empress, you’re a good person."I couldn't help but laugh. "So quick to think I'm a good person? Then who's the bad one?"

Jiao Yan lowered her head, fiddling with the hem of her clothes. After struggling for a long time, she suddenly blurted out: "His Majesty!"

Her voice was louder than expected, startling me. After making sure no one else had heard, I smiled at her. "Why do you say that?"

Jiao Yan hesitated again before finally gritting her teeth. "My father wandered the Martial World in his youth, but after marrying my mother and having me, he settled down to farm near the capital. Our family lived peacefully. But two years ago, some palace officials came to confiscate our land. My father had a fiery temper and knew some martial arts—how could he submit? He argued with them, and those people immediately started beating him without asking questions, accusing him of treason and threatening execution of nine generations if he resisted further."

"Father was getting old and couldn't fight so many. The beating left him bedridden, and he passed within half a year. With no land and no father, our family couldn't survive. Later, when the palace recruited maids, my mother sent me in."

Tears glistened in Jiao Yan's eyes. "Those officials always claim to care for the people like their own children, to understand our hardships—what nonsense! They drove us to ruin without a shred of compassion. I hate these high-and-mighty lords!"

I listened carefully. When she finished, I held her hand and patted it. "Jiao Yan, you've been practicing martial arts even after entering the palace... do you intend to take revenge on His Majesty?"

She froze, lowering her head in silence.

Knowing I'd struck a chord, I sighed, recalling Xian Xue's recent assassination attempt. "I advise you not to throw an egg against a rock... You stand no chance against His Majesty."

Jiao Yan looked up, surprised. "My father said this palm technique was taught to him by a reclusive master—rarely matched in the Martial World. Even with many Imperial Bodyguards, if I seize the right moment, couldn't I kill one pampered emperor?"

I smiled, stepping back. "Attack me with your strongest move. Don't hold back—give it your all."

Her shock deepened. "Your Majesty—"

I nodded. "It's fine. Go ahead."

Jiao Yan raised her palm with a sharp cry and struck.

Her move was indeed lethal—not only overwhelmingly powerful but layered with countless follow-ups. Before her palm reached me, its fierce wind already brushed my cheek.

As she attacked, I lightly raised my hand.

Jiao Yan stared in disbelief as I firmly caught her wrist, stammering, "H-how... impossible..."

I released her arm. "This is the gap between us. The gap between you and His Majesty would be far greater."

"His Majesty?" She began recovering. "He knows martial arts? How skilled is he?"

I paused, Xiao Huan's unfathomably dark eyes surfacing in my mind. "Bottomless."

Dazed, Jiao Yan stood frozen. I patted her shoulder reassuringly. "So even if you bypassed every Imperial Bodyguard and stood right before the emperor, you'd still have no chance."

Even Xian Xue, the world's top assassin, had ultimately failed—let alone a young maid with only modest martial skills."But..." Jiao Yan seemed to snap out of a daze, struggling to speak.

"Forget about this matter. If you can't sleep at night, you can still come here to practice. If anyone discovers you, just say I taught you the palm techniques." I smiled at her and turned to leave.

"Empress," Jiao Yan called out from behind me, "do you hate His Majesty?"

"Hmm?" I turned back in surprise.

"Do you hate him or not? You're so kind, yet he treats you poorly. Do you hate him?" Jiao Yan asked.

I'm so kind? Come to think of it, this was the first time someone had called me kind. If Xiaoshan heard this, she'd surely be the first to object, listing all the mischief I'd pulled on her since childhood.

I chuckled. "Jiao Yan, sometimes the human heart isn't as straightforward as we imagine. It's not always a clear case of love or hate. Often, we don't even know what we truly feel—whether it's love, hate, or perhaps neither."

I wasn't sure if this simple-minded girl understood. Standing under the moonlight, she frowned.

I smiled at her again and turned to walk down the long corridor. The corridor was dark, and my figure gradually faded into the shadows. After a while, I glanced back—Jiao Yan remained standing in the frost-like moonlight, her silhouette distinct.

The political situation showed no signs of improvement, and the leaves on the trees hadn't yet begun to yellow when Xing Yiyong sent an invitation for me to attend a banquet at Yikun Palace before dinner that evening.

Amused, I studied the respectful expression on the face of the palace maid she had sent, thinking this might well be a trap.

But as they say, every attack can be countered, and every flood can be dammed. I instructed Xiaoshan not to prepare dinner and set off with Jiao Yan.

The Western Six Palaces weren't far apart, and we soon arrived at Yikun Palace. Entering the spacious front hall, I found Xing Yiyong had already laid out a table of delicacies. Seeing me, she hurried over. "This humble consort greets Her Majesty the Empress."

I quickly helped her up. "Sister, what's this? There's no need for such formality between us, especially when there are no outsiders around."

Xing Yiyong rose with a smile. "Even if Her Majesty is close to this humble consort, the hierarchy must still be observed. Majesty is still Majesty."

I laughed. "Sister, you're too reserved. With the bond between us, why mention such things?"

Xing Yiyong continued smiling. "Truthfully, I've long wished to invite Her Majesty for a chat—first to thank you for the gifted books, and second because I admire your grace and virtue, always hoping to converse heart-to-heart."

I exchanged a few polite words with her, and we took our seats together.

Since Xing Yiyong had invited me, the three talented ladies of her Yikun Palace were naturally present as well.

As the banquet began, Xing Yiyong and the three talented ladies took turns toasting me. When it was Lady Wu's turn, she first glanced at me swiftly before lowering her head and raising her cup. "Your Majesty, please."

Not long ago, I had given her a hard time. Though Xiao Huan had comforted her afterward, he no longer favored her as he once had. Without imperial favor, her days must now be difficult, and she had likely learned a few lessons.

I smiled faintly and asked, "Lady Wu, how have you been these days? Have you made any new clothes?"

Thinking I was teasing her again, Lady Wu shook her head in panic. "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare! This humble consort wouldn't dare!"

"Wouldn't dare what? Wouldn't dare make new clothes?" I laughed.

"Huh?" Lady Wu froze.Having teased her enough, I smiled and reached for the wine cup in her hand.

"Your Highness, you mustn't drink this." Jiao Yan, standing behind me, suddenly snatched the cup away and examined it closely. "It's poisoned."

"Jiao Yan knows how to identify poison?" I was somewhat surprised.

"Your Highness, when I was young, my father taught me some tricks for navigating the Martial World," she said, showing me the cup. "This wine has a phosphorescent glow—clearly, it's been poisoned."

With a slight change in angle, I could indeed see a faint blue phosphorescence reflecting off the clear wine. I nodded. "So it's that simple."

Meanwhile, Lady Wu had already fallen to her knees with a thud. "Your Highness, I didn't poison it, I didn't! I wouldn't dare, Your Highness..." Her voice trembled with fear, on the verge of tears.

"How audacious! The other day, Her Majesty the Empress merely disciplined you lightly, yet you dared to attempt poisoning her? Truly, your heart is as venomous as a serpent's!" Xing Yiyong, usually composed and magnanimous, suddenly slammed the table and stood up, her face filled with anger. She turned to me and said, "Your Highness, after you disciplined Lady Wu in the imperial garden, she came to me in tears, complaining that Your Highness was narrow-minded and vindictive. I reprimanded her harshly at the time and didn't inform you, not wanting to trouble Your Highness with such trivial matters. Who would have thought she would dare to harm you today? She knows no bounds!"

Xing Yiyong spoke with righteous indignation, but I understood her true intent. Knowing that Lady Wu had offended me, she was pushing her forward to curry favor with me. As for the poisoning attempt, I didn't believe she had the courage to directly harm me. Even if Jiao Yan hadn't noticed, Xing Yiyong would surely have stopped me before I drank it.

It was slightly odd. Xing Yiyong had gained the Empress Dowager's favor and was increasingly influential in the palace, so there was no real need for her to deliberately flatter me, the Empress.

Moreover, I'd heard that her father, Xing Yu, had recently reversed his long-standing political stance and had been making overtures to my father.

This father-daughter pair—who knew what they were scheming? Their maneuvers extended from outside the palace all the way inside.

I sighed inwardly but put on a magnanimous expression. "Then, Sister, how do you suggest we deal with Lady Wu?"

"Of course, we must report the truth to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and grant her three feet of white silk. Attempting to harm Your Highness is a capital offense!" Xing Yiyong declared resolutely.

Lady Wu, who had already collapsed in fear, cried out at the mention of "capital offense": "Consort De, how cruel you are... You..." She broke into sobs.

I tapped the table lightly with my fingertips, watching as Lady Wu wept uncontrollably on the floor, her plump shoulders trembling. Finally, I looked up and said, "Sister, though Lady Wu is despicable, I didn’t actually drink the wine. Why don’t you do me a favor and let this poisoning matter pass? As for Lady Wu, I’ll speak to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager another day and say I dislike her. Let’s just demote her to the Cold Palace. What do you think?"

Xing Yiyong was taken aback—she likely hadn’t expected me to spare Lady Wu. "Your Highness is so merciful, making this treacherous wretch seem all the more vile."

I wasn’t particularly kind-hearted, but seeing a young woman in the prime of her life perish because of me—I couldn’t bring myself to be that cruel. Besides... Heaven values the preservation of life. Even here in the depths of the palace, where we are often at the mercy of circumstances.After all this commotion, I had lost my appetite despite the feast laid out on the table and was about to leave my seat to return to the palace. Just then, a young eunuch rushed in, so flustered he forgot to bow, stammering, "Y-Your Majesty... something terrible has happened..."

I was already irritated and snapped at him, "What do you mean by 'not good'? How dare you speak so carelessly?"

The young eunuch quickly knelt down, panting heavily, "It's true... truly not good... Someone at the Hall of Mental Cultivation saw His Majesty vomit blood and collapse... This is terrible..."

"What?" I stood up abruptly and turned to see Xing Yiyong also looking alarmed. We exchanged a glance before both of us rushed out the door.

Hurrying to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the scene there was already chaotic. With recent disasters and wars, people were already unsettled, and now that the emperor had fallen ill, several eunuchs and maids were running around like headless chickens in the corridor.

Furious, I planted myself in the center and shouted, "The sky hasn't fallen yet! What are you all running for?"

The eunuchs and maids, likely panicked, immediately knelt where they stood upon being scolded.

"Return to your posts at once! Anyone caught running around again will receive twenty strokes of the rod!" I said sternly.

"Obey Her Majesty the Empress's orders—everyone, return to your duties!" Hong Qing arrived with a squad of Imperial Bodyguards, bellowing before he even reached us.

Seeing Hong Qing, I quickly asked as he approached, "What happened to His Majesty?"

Hong Qing shook his head, his face also etched with worry. "I just heard about His Majesty's condition and rushed here from home." He glanced at Xing Yiyong behind me. "Consort De is here as well. There’s no need for alarm, Your Majesties. Please follow me."

Inside the inner hall, the chaos was even worse. The courtyard was packed with trembling old physicians from the Imperial Hospital, many of them disheveled, as if they had been dragged from their homes in haste. Hong Qing cleared a path for us through the crowd. As soon as we entered the hall, we saw Shi Yan standing guard with a stern expression, his saber drawn, blocking the entrance to the Eastern Warm Chamber. The door was closed, obscuring the situation inside.

By the lamplight, I noticed dark stains of blood on the cuffs of Shi Yan’s Imperial Bodyguard uniform. My heart skipped a beat as I recalled the day I saw Xiao Huan coughing uncontrollably, bent over the desk in the Western Warm Chamber. Had something truly happened to him?

Just then, the door to the Eastern Warm Chamber creaked open. Li Mingshang, the Chief Physician of the Imperial Hospital, stepped out, carrying his medicine chest and casually brushing dust off his shoulders.

Li Mingshang was perhaps the most carefree official in the court. Despite holding the prestigious rank of Chief Physician, he was rarely seen on duty at the Imperial Hospital, often disappearing for long stretches and spending half his time wandering the Martial World. Even he had returned now—Xiao Huan’s condition must indeed be serious.

I stepped forward to intercept him, calling out, "Mr. Li."

Li Mingshang had known me before I entered the palace and greeted me with a smile. "Little girl, you're here too?"

I cleared my throat and glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention before pulling him into a quiet corner of the hall. "Mr. Li, how is His Majesty really?"

"I’ve been asked that countless times today. What answer do you expect?" Li Mingshang chuckled leisurely, stroking the three elegant wisps of his beard.

"Mr. Li!" At a time like this, he was still playing coy. I was truly at a loss for words.

"Fine, I’ll tell you," he finally relented when he saw my frustration, though he remained unhurried, shaking his head. "Little girl, why are you so anxious to pry information from me? Are you afraid your tenure as Empress will end prematurely, and you’ll become the Empress Dowager before you know it?"He really had no sense of propriety—words that would be considered outright treasonous if heard by others, he dared to say to me and likely to others as well. If not for his unparalleled medical skills that could bring the dead back to life, he would have lost his head countless times by now.

With someone like him, gentle words were clearly ineffective. I pretended to leave: "Suit yourself."

"You really want to know?" Li Mingshang suddenly grabbed me, his expression turning serious.

I stopped and nodded.

"Fine, for the sake of our past friendship, I'll tell you. Apart from the Empress Dowager, no one else knows about this." Li Mingshang sighed and lowered his voice, "That kid's condition is quite troublesome."

I knew the "kid" he referred to was Xiao Huan, so I listened intently.

"The Imperial Hospital claims he suffers from a cold ailment. If it were just that, I would have cured him long ago." Li Mingshang sighed again, "What he has is Cold Poison—the most extreme cold toxin in the world, the Glacial Love Tribulation, carried from birth. If not for his martial arts training since childhood and my treatments, he wouldn't have lived past fifteen."

He shook his head repeatedly, slightly annoyed: "That kid is too reckless! His constitution is already much weaker than an average person's. Recently, he overexerted himself in a fight, damaging his internal energy, yet he didn’t call me back immediately—just prescribed some medicine himself to cope! And then he goes days and nights without a wink of sleep! Now look what’s happened! Is he happy with this mess? Now I have to stay in the palace to watch over him for a month or two, unable to go anywhere!" Probably thinking about being stuck in this dreary Forbidden Palace for so long without any freedom, Li Mingshang’s beard bristled with anger.

I murmured in agreement, feeling compelled to offer some consolation: "With so much happening recently, both internally and externally, it’s not like he could rest even if he wanted to."

Li Mingshang grunted, stroking his beard and falling silent, his temper likely cooling a bit.

Suddenly, he chuckled, stroking his beard and patting my shoulder: "Little girl, if you really want to become the Empress Dowager, you’d better hurry up and give that kid a son."

I was taken aback and laughed: "What kind of talk is that?"

"It’s the truth," Li Mingshang said with a smile. "If that kid keeps pushing himself like this, he might not have many years left. If you don’t produce a son soon, how will you become the Empress Dowager?"

Just then, the door to the Eastern Warm Chamber opened again, and Du Tingxin stepped out. In the candlelight, her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had been crying. She whispered to Shi Yan, "Brother Huan says it’s too noisy. He wants all these people to leave."

Shi Yan immediately barked at the crowd outside, "By His Majesty’s decree, everyone is dismissed for today."

Shi Yan was tall and imposing, his voice booming. At his command, a chorus of farewells rose from the crowd, and many dispersed. I glanced around and noticed Xing Yiyong and several other imperial consorts still lingering at the base of the steps outside the hall, not leaving immediately.

Now was the time for the consorts to demonstrate their devotion to their emperor-husband. Should I follow their example and stay here too?

But even though it was early summer, the night dew was heavy. Was I really going to foolishly stand on the steps like those women?

Before I could decide, Li Mingshang grabbed my arm: "Little girl, since you’re here, how can you not go in and see that kid?"

With that, he pulled open the door to the Eastern Warm Chamber and shoved me inside."No, Mr. Li, I wasn't summoned—" Before I could finish my sentence, I was already pushed into the warm chamber.

The door swiftly closed behind me. That old man! Feeling utterly helpless, I straightened my slightly disheveled appearance and tentatively took a step forward.

The warm chamber was empty and quiet, with dim lighting casting shadows on the drapes. The air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs.

After waiting a while and still hearing no other sounds, I slowly walked further inside.

Turning past the inner chamber's door, I could see the bed draped with blue curtains. Unlike the opulence of the rear palace bedchamber, this bed Xiao Huan usually slept in was unexpectedly simple.

"Xin'er?" Xiao Huan suddenly spoke from the bed, his voice very soft. "Didn't I say you didn't need to stay here either... Go back to your palace and rest."

I entered the inner chamber and approached the bed, first performing a curtsy. "Your Majesty, it is your consort."

Silence followed on the other side. After a pause, Xiao Huan coughed lightly and chuckled. "So it's the Empress... You may rise."

I thanked him and stood up, only then noticing that Xiao Huan was half-sitting, propped up by his hands. His face was frighteningly pale, and his long hair was slightly disheveled, cascading over his shoulders.

Come to think of it, this was the first time I'd seen him since that night when I sneaked into the Hall of Mental Cultivation to plead for Xian Xue.

He looked rather disheveled, didn't he? After just a glance, I averted my eyes.

Perhaps sensing the awkwardness, Xiao Huan leaned lightly against the bed frame and smiled. "How did the Empress come in?"

"It wasn't my intention to enter. Mr. Li pushed me in..." I blurted out an explanation, then suddenly felt annoyed. Why was I so eager to explain myself to him?

Fortunately, Xiao Huan didn't seem to notice. He simply smiled and said, "I see."

After that, a long silence ensued. The dim candlelight at the bedside flickered and crackled, casting dancing shadows.

The atmosphere was unbearably stifling. After waiting a moment, I spoke first. "Your Majesty, how could you neglect your health like this?"

"This..." He seemed taken aback by my question, then smiled. "It's nothing. A young eunuch happened to see me and got so frightened he ran off screaming. I couldn't even call him back... and ended up alarming so many people."

Li Mingshang had mentioned that his internal energy had been injured some time ago. So ever since that night I saw him unconscious in the western warm chamber, his health hadn't been good.

I responded casually, "So, just like that night, if no one had stumbled upon you, this matter would have been kept secret?"

He paused again before smiling. "There have been many affairs of late. No need to add more trouble."

I laughed, my tone unconsciously laced with sarcasm. "Your Majesty is truly devoted to the realm, sparing no effort for your people."

He chuckled and raised his eyes to look at me. "Shouldn't the emperor of any dynasty spare no effort for his subjects? It is my duty. The Empress flatters me."

Those excessively dark eyes of his always held a deep chill that made one uncomfortable.

Avoiding his gaze, I suddenly felt impatient and spoke without thinking. "Mr. Li said he fears Your Majesty's life may not be long. The next time Your Majesty summons me, please don't disdain me. I wish to bear a Dragon Child for Your Majesty."

His gaze flickered sharply, shifting back to my face as he silently studied me.The words had been spoken, but a sudden shock ran through me. Matters of early death were usually taboo for emperors, yet I had blurted it out without thinking. Would he be angered?

Before my cold sweat could form, he chuckled lightly, his breathing somewhat labored, yet seemingly unoffended: "Good."

"Then it's settled," I quickly said.

"Mmm... settled," he replied with a light cough and a smile, likely exhausted as he leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes.

The courtyard had quieted down, leaving only the sound of his uneven breathing around us. I glanced at his face, which seemed even paler in the candlelight, then turned my gaze out the window.

Two people with nothing left to say—even sitting together, their words would only wound each other further.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke again: "The Empress may retire."

I stood and took my leave, stepping toward the door.

"Eat something when you return. Don't sleep on an empty stomach, or you'll have to get up again at night," he suddenly said from behind me after I'd taken two steps.

"How does Your Majesty know this consort hasn't eaten dinner?" I turned back in surprise.

"Your complexion isn't the best... I know some medicine too," he answered, seemingly smiling.

"Understood," I nodded, pausing briefly. When no further words came, I walked out.

Du Tingxin was waiting outside the door and smiled at me as I emerged. I returned her smile and passed through the main hall to the steps below.

The concubines who had been waiting here earlier had likely been dismissed by Shi Yan, leaving the entire courtyard empty. I looked up at the crescent moon newly risen to the zenith, listening to the faint chirping of summer insects in the corner of the yard, and suddenly wondered: How did I end up married to such a man?