That day, Shao Shang and Yuan Shen were uncharacteristically not bickering, instead politely bidding each other farewell. Later, Shao Shang reflected that it had been a good start, for from then on, she and Yuan Shen never again reached the 'grand spectacle' of quarreling upon meeting.
The palace and court returned to peace and tranquility. The Emperor reprimanded or demoted the mid-ranking officials who had criticized the Crown Prince that day. Moreover, aside from the grand ceremony next month for the Shangsi Festival, the Emperor also had the Crown Prince attend court to observe governance.
However, according to the Crown Prince, he would rather stay in the Eastern Palace reading and writing, leisurely sipping fine wine, painting serene peach blossoms, fishing by the lake, or admiring mountain scenery—far preferable to listening to the ministers' reports, whether veiled or vehement. As if to prove the reliability of his words, the Crown Prince promptly handed over all the Eastern Palace's seals and credentials to Ling Buyi.
The Empress remarked that the Crown Prince was growing more and more like her late father, Grand Duke Xuan.
Shao Shang finally met the long-renowned Yan Divine Immortal. Twenty or thirty years older than the Emperor, he now had white hair and beard, yet his face remained ruddy and spirited, his demeanor always warm and humorous. With the average lifespan being short in those times, people naturally revered someone like Old Yan, who exuded an immortal aura and longevity.
It was said that Royal Uncle, back when he had succeeded in farming, sold his harvest to pay for tuition and went to the former dynasty's Capital City to study, where he met Old Yan. Though they were ostensibly classmates and old friends, their relationship was more like that of mentor and student.
Seizing the rare reunion, Royal Uncle once again patted Yan Divine Immortal's plump belly and begged him to join the court as an official. At this, Yan Divine Immortal immediately pretended to wash his ears, prompting Royal Uncle to grab him and scold, "Must you always imitate the ancients? They drank river water and ate wild fruits—you’ve never lacked fine wine, meat, or music!" Yan Divine Immortal quipped, "Actually, I was flattering Your Majesty, suggesting you possess the wisdom of Emperor Yao."
Failing to persuade him, Royal Uncle could only ask Old Yan to stay a few more days for a heart-to-heart talk. But Old Yan ended up resting his leg on Royal Uncle's belly while sleeping. The Grand Historian angrily reported that a guest star had intruded upon the Emperor's seat, forcing Royal Uncle to rub his sore belly while pleading on Old Yan's behalf. Seizing the opportunity, Yan Divine Immortal tried to leave again.
The Emperor held the old man's arm and sighed, "Have you seen Zisheng? He’s the only remaining bloodline of my elder brother Huo Chong. At least stay until next month for his wedding. Remember that year when we encountered bandits? If not for Zisheng’s uncle rescuing us in time, what kind of divine immortal would you be? You’d be a ghost by now!"
Yan Divine Immortal sighed, "I clearly warned you not to take that road. The mountain pass was low and shrouded in mist—a dire omen in geomancy. But Your Majesty insisted it was shorter... Ah, fine, I’ll stay until next month."
Royal Uncle had begun preparing for Ling Buyi's wedding years ago. Gold, jade, pearls, incense wood, ritual vessels, brocade, and embroidery—everything was ready. From the moment his adopted son got engaged half a year prior, he had ordered the palace embroidery workshop to rush the wedding robes and instructed the Minister of Ceremonies to organize the ceremony according to imperial prince standards.
Some court officials voiced objections, but Royal Uncle made life difficult for anyone who complained—criticizing their lifestyle, nitpicking their relationships, or accusing them of being picky eaters and indulgent. Eventually, everyone fell silent—after all, it wasn’t a major issue, so they turned a blind eye.As the wedding date approached, Ling Buyi grew increasingly withdrawn and silent. He was either too busy to be seen or sat quietly for hours without speaking. On several occasions, when Shao Shang woke from her afternoon nap in the palace chambers, she found Ling Buyi sitting beside her, staring at her with an inscrutable gaze—somewhere between sorrow and reluctant attachment.
Unable to hold back, Shao Shang asked him what was wrong. Ling Buyi replied with difficulty, "The men I sent to search for my uncle's former subordinates still haven't returned. It seems this will be another dead end."
Knowing this was a deep-seated concern of his, Shao Shang comforted him, "If they truly are no longer in this world, then their heroic spirits have surely moved on to rebirth—perhaps even into wealthy and peaceful families. We can only do our best and leave the rest to fate."
Ling Buyi shook his head and fell silent again before saying, "Mother's health isn't well either..."
Sighing, Shao Shang knew this was the real cause for worry. Huo Junhua's periods of drowsiness were becoming more frequent, and Cui Hou spent his days weeping and lamenting. As for Shao Shang, she now spent two days at the Apricot Blossom Secluded Residence for every day in the palace, tending to Huo Junhua's medicine. As the "niece-in-law who came to seek favor," her diligence had earned her repeated praise from Huo Junhua.
She said, "Spring has arrived, but the chill still lingers. By next month, when the flowers bloom in the warmth, perhaps Madam's health will improve."
Ling Buyi nodded, but the melancholy in his eyes remained as thick as the mist in an early spring valley, impossible to dispel.
While the Ling and Cheng households worried over Huo Junhua's condition, news arrived from Prince Ruyang's residence that the Old Princess seemed to be failing.
Yet the Old Princess refused to depart quietly. Even in her grave illness, she submitted a memorial beseeching the Emperor for a favor. She wrote, "...I do not worry for my other children, but Nuying is pitiable—she lost both parents at a tender age, and now the household will be managed by her uncle and aunt, who are one step removed. I implore Your Majesty, for the sake of Nuying's late father, to show her extra kindness."
Remembering his cousin who had died in battle for him, the Emperor sighed and granted Princess Yuchang two additional counties' worth of dowry income. He also bestowed upon her future son-in-law—Ling Buyi's stepbrother—the prestigious but nominal title of Cavalier Attendant.
The Crown Prince expressed deep sympathy: "Younger Sister Nuying has always been gentle and virtuous. I hope her future will be smooth and untroubled, like a young seed blown by the wind—though it may face storms early, it will eventually take root, sprout, and establish its own family."
The words were both heartfelt and poetic, moving the Emperor—until the Third Prince abruptly remarked, "Father should have waited until the Old Princess passed away before granting these honors. She is only gravely ill, not yet departed."
The Emperor's emotions were instantly stifled. He glared at his third son, but Yan Divine Immortal burst into laughter, pointing at the Third Prince and declaring, "This child resembles Your Majesty greatly!"
The Emperor's face darkened. After shooing everyone out, he snapped, "Nonsense! Your eyes must be failing you! In my youth, I was magnanimous—I never held grudges against those who bullied my orphaned siblings and me!"
Yan Divine Immortal patted his round belly, smiling cheerfully. "As long as Your Majesty is happy."It was unclear whether the Third Prince's ominous words had been too prophetic, but Old Princess Ruyang indeed remained 'critically ill' for seven or eight days without passing. This not only displeased the Emperor but also left the Ruyang Prince's household in an awkward position—not that they wished for the old princess to die quickly, but if she stubbornly clung to life for another three, five, or even ten years, what would become of the Emperor's 'deathbed kindness'? Would they have to repeat the 'kindness' the next time she was 'on her deathbed'?
Meanwhile, an urgent report arrived from the Apricot Blossom Secluded Residence: Huo Junhua was truly in critical condition.
When the news reached him, the Emperor was in high literary spirits, composing a poem for the Shangsi Festival with the Empress at the Everlasting Autumn Palace. Upon hearing the news, his fingers trembled, causing a large blot of ink to spread across the pristine silk—after a sigh of sorrow, he immediately ordered Ling Buyi to drop all his tasks and rush to the Apricot Blossom Secluded Residence. Shao Shang also hurriedly packed her belongings to attend to Huo Junhua.
By the time they arrived, the Apricot Blossom Secluded Residence seemed to straddle the boundary between life and death. Outside the house, shamans chanted and danced day and night, while inside, the heavy scent of medicine filled the air. Seven or eight Imperial Physicians crowded the room, and precious medicinal herbs and prayer offerings continuously arrived from the Capital City.
Cui Hou's eyes were shadowed with exhaustion, his expression one of deep sorrow as he silently wept by Huo Junhua's bedside. A'ao had cried until her eyes were dry and her voice hoarse, while Ling Buyi knelt rigidly beside them like a towering, snow-capped mountain—silent and icy.
"Little Junhua, little Junhua, wake up..." Cui Hou murmured softly, holding Madam Huo's hand, but the woman on the bed remained unconscious.
Everyone kept vigil in the room. As night enveloped the apricot grove, Shao Shang heard the patter of heavy rain outside.
Late into the night, Cui Hou suddenly felt a tightening grip on his hand. He straightened up and called out repeatedly—sure enough, Huo Junhua awoke without warning, clutching his hand tightly.
Over the past few months, Shao Shang had spent considerable time with Huo Junhua, but she had never seen such an expression on her face before—Huo Junhua was no longer the coquettish, willful girl of the past, but a woman weathered by years of suffering and hardship.
She stared fixedly at Cui Hou, murmuring deliriously, "A'Yuan, A'Yuan... have you brought the mulberries...?"
"You... you..." Cui Hou was at a loss, unsure whether Huo Junhua had regained her memories.
"...I want the highest bunch of mulberries, the darkest and purplest ones, they must be so sweet... Elder Brother, don't scold me, I didn't make A'Yuan climb so high, ask him if you don't believe me..." Huo Junhua lay quietly on the bed, large teardrops rolling down her cheeks.
"If you want mulberries, I'll pick them for you, I'll pick them, don't worry..." Cui Hou repeated urgently.
"A'Yuan, A'Yuan, I should have married you!"—Huo Junhua suddenly let out a heart-wrenching cry, just as a deafening spring thunderclap roared outside amidst the pouring rain.
"Junhua!" Cui Hou froze for a moment before throwing himself forward, embracing her tightly.
Huo Junhua lifted her pale, slender arms and wrapped them around Cui You's neck—
"I should have married you. I was blind, I was a fool, I should have married you long ago... A'Yuan, I should have married you, I should have married you... A'Yuan, I wronged you, the love you gave me... I can only repay it in the next life..." Her face streaked with tears, she wailed as if pouring out a lifetime of regret and suffering.Weeping until her voice grew hoarse, Huo Junhua slowly loosened her embrace and struggled to prop herself up, her eyes vacant as she gazed around.
Understanding her intention, Cui You called out loudly, "Zisheng, come quickly, come quickly!"
Ling Buyi approached the bed and knelt down, extending his trembling hands.
Huo Junhua seized them immediately, staring fixedly at him. The emotions blazing in her eyes were not the deep affection and remorse she had shown Cui Hou, but something fervent, intense, and impassioned—"A-Li... my A-Li, Mother has always remembered you... you, you mustn't forget either..."
These were Huo Junhua's final words before she collapsed back onto the bed, her breath ceasing entirely.
Cui Hou still couldn't believe it, checking again and again, until finally he embraced the gradually cooling body of the woman he had loved since childhood and wailed in grief. The servants inside and outside the room joined in the weeping.
That night, a heavy rain poured down, scattering the newly bloomed apricot blossoms. When the sun rose and the mountain wind blew, the delicate pink-white petals drifted like reed catkins in snowfall, covering the entire mountain in mourning white.
Author's note: Don't worry, everyone, I'm planning to merge some chapters. It would be great if I could finish this volume before Party Founding Day. If not, well, forget I said anything—after all, I never managed to join the Party anyway lol.
OpenNovel