Outside the curtain, the autumn rain drizzled endlessly. The palace carriage's drapes were dampened by the moisture, rumbling softly as it emerged from the deep alley. The fine misty rain felt like cool tears. The majestic palace gates stood tall in the distance, resembling an ink-wash painting—light strokes and subtle colors, gracefully rendered.
The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a slender hand with pale, delicate fingers and crimson-painted nails. A cloisonné purple-gold bracelet adorned the wrist, accentuating the jade-like complexion.
"Your Highness."
An elderly palace attendant knelt by the roadside, speaking softly toward the slightly parted curtain. "Physician Sun is inside taking the pulse."
The curtain shifted, and a woman in a light blue palace gown stepped down gracefully. Her features were delicate and refined, her expression serene.
Two maidservants stepped forward from behind to hold umbrellas for her. A woman in her early thirties held the hand of a child about six or seven years old. Though young, the child was exceptionally handsome and grinned upon seeing her. "Mother, I've finished my lessons."
Yushu smiled faintly, gently brushing aside the stray hairs on the child's forehead. "Come with Mother to see Her Majesty the Empress."
The child frowned slightly, seeming reluctant, and pouted. "Can Yong'er wait here for Mother?"
"No," Yushu said sternly, shaking her head. "Yong'er is a filial child. Her Majesty is unwell—you must be obedient."
After a moment of silent thought, the child finally nodded reluctantly. "Alright then."
Yet his expression still betrayed a hint of unwillingness.
Four years ago, the Eldest Princess had bartered the kingdom as her dowry. With Yanbei's eight hundred thousand troops stationed beyond the pass, she secured a vassal title for the war-weakened Huai Song. Leaving her warm homeland behind, she traveled north by boat along the Chishui River, finally entering Zhenhuang City. And they, the imperial relatives, had followed the princess, leaving their native land to settle in Zhenhuang.
The Daxia Kingdom had fallen years ago. Now, the eighteen provinces of Hongchuan had been renamed "Yan." The new Yan Emperor renovated the state residence, expanding the Holy Gold Palace on its original foundation. He even designated the southeastern area to build a palace for the Eldest Princess of Huai Song, naming it the Southeastern Palace, and permitted the Empress to participate in governance, overseeing all affairs of the Huai Song vassal state. Huai Song officials of the third rank and below could be transferred without court approval, leading the outer court to nickname the Southeastern Palace the "Little Court of Former Song."
Yet over the past two years, as the Eldest Princess's health declined, the Southeastern Palace had grown increasingly quiet.
Yushu's father had once been an old retainer of Huai Song. In the early days of submission, he was a pillar of the Southeastern Palace. But over the years, the former Huai Song ministers gradually integrated into the court. The Emperor's inclusive policies slowly eroded the wariness of these foreign officials. Now, returning to the Southeastern Palace, one could even hear the drowsy chirping of autumn cicadas in the silence.
"The Consort of Prince Xuan has arrived."
Aunt Yun, now over sixty, had aged noticeably in recent years, her hair silver and her skin wrinkled. She approached with a warm smile, bending down to tease Prince Yong. "His Highness Prince Yong grows more handsome by the day. When he grows up, he will surely be as dashing as Prince Xuan."
Aunt Yun had served the Empress for many years and held a highly respected position in the palace. Even Yushu always treated her with utmost reverence. Smiling, Yushu asked, "How have you been lately, Auntie?"
"Well, very well, thanks to Your Highness's blessings."
"How is Her Majesty's illness?""Oh, still the same as always." Aunt Yun sighed. As people age, they tend to become more long-winded. She said to Yushu, "She eats very little and dislikes taking medicine. For someone so grown, she still acts like a child."
"Yong'er isn't afraid of medicine!"
Prince Yong, standing nearby, suddenly exclaimed loudly upon hearing this. Aunt Yun chuckled at his words and patted his head affectionately. "His Highness Prince Yong is a real man. Later, you must properly persuade Her Majesty the Empress, understood?"
"Her Majesty the Empress is awake and asking who is outside?"
A eunuch suddenly emerged. Hearing this, Yushu quickly nodded to Aunt Yun and led Prince Yong into Zhaoyang Hall.
Zhaoyang Hall remained unchanged—though magnificent and splendid, Yushu always felt it was too empty. Even the sound of footsteps echoed when walking.
The Empress preferred tranquility, so there were always very few people around her. Even in her bedchamber, only a few servants attended to her.
Two second-rank Huiren ladies lifted the Eastern pearls rain curtain for Yushu. The gleaming pearls clinked together, producing a crisp sound. Yushu led Prince Yong inside and knelt outside the warm chamber, speaking softly, "Your subject pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
After a moment, a calm voice slowly responded, with a hint of lingering breathlessness from her illness: "It's Yushu. Come in."
The hall was somewhat cool. A marble screen carved with lofty mountains and flowing water added an air of serene elegance to the already spacious bedchamber. The Empress, dressed in a bright yellow phoenix robe, reclined on the daybed. Her hair was meticulously styled, with few Hairpins—only a single green Lantian hairpin adorned her coiffure, and a fingernail-sized bloodstone graced the center of her forehead.
"Wenyuan, grant her a seat."
A first-rank Shuren lady official stepped forward to offer Yushu a seat. Yushu expressed her thanks and sat down. The Empress then asked, "How has your family been lately?"
Yushu replied respectfully, "Everything is well."
"I heard the imperial princes have new tutors. Is Yong'er still struggling to keep up with his studies?"
"Yong'er is young, and his natural aptitude falls short of the other princes. However, I have hired two tutors for him at the residence, so he is managing to keep up for now."
The Empress suddenly coughed lightly, her face pale with illness. "You come from a scholarly family, so you naturally understand how to raise a child. But don't be too hasty—Yong'er is still young after all. Children shouldn't be pushed too hard."
Afterward, the two engaged in casual conversation. Yushu's relationship with the Empress had always been peculiar. Though outwardly the Empress appeared warm and affectionate toward their princely household, their conversations always felt distant. Even though Yushu frequently brought her child to pay respects, their discussions never strayed far from the same few topics.
After chatting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, three ceremonial whip cracks suddenly sounded outside. Startled, Yushu quickly stood up, pulling her son with her. The pearl curtain was lifted, and the Emperor, clad in a dazzling bright yellow dragon robe, strode in.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. May the Emperor live ten thousand years."
"Yong'er pays respects to Your Majesty. May the Emperor live ten thousand years."
The Emperor raised his hand slightly, his tone deep and calm. "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Emperor casually seated himself on the daybed. The Empress, still ill, merely bowed slightly from her bed and asked with a faint smile, "What brings Your Majesty here with such free time today?"The Emperor said, "I heard from Physician Sun that you haven't been well lately, so I came to see you."
"Your Majesty attends to countless affairs of state yet still remembers this humble consort's health. I truly feel undeserving."
Yushu sat on the chair with her head lowered, listening to the distant and formal pleasantries between the Emperor and Empress. She couldn't help feeling somewhat awkward and remained silent, merely pulling her child closer while pretending to be listening attentively.
After exchanging a few words with the Empress, the Emperor turned to Yushu and asked, "How has everything been at home recently?"
"By Your Majesty's grace, all is well."
"The imperial princes have new tutors. Yong'er is still young - is he keeping up with his studies?"
Yushu was slightly taken aback, thinking how alike husband and wife could be, and quickly nodded, "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. He's managing to keep up."
The Emperor nodded and asked about other matters before suddenly addressing the chamberlain Cao Qiu, "Bring that Fran tribute bow and arrows. Yong'er will turn eight this New Year - it's time he entered military school. Xuan Mo was always fond of martial arts when he was here, particularly skilled with bow and arrows. Like father, like son - I believe Yong'er won't disappoint me."
Cao Qiu immediately hurried forward with a bow and presented a box. Yushu quickly stood up to express gratitude, though she felt somewhat uneasy. The Emperor had claimed to be visiting due to the Empress's health, so why had he brought a bow? Did he know she had brought Yong'er to the palace?
Over the years, the Emperor had indeed treated their princely household well, never excluding them from any rewards or honors despite the absence of a male head of household. This had already caused many court officials to speculate privately. Moreover, the Emperor always spoke of Prince Xuan in such familiar terms, though according to Yushu's knowledge, the Emperor and Xuan Mo had never met.
Various thoughts flashed through Yushu's mind as she received the box. Yong'er beside her was delighted and properly kowtowed twice, saying cheerfully, "Your Majesty is so kind to Yong'er."
The Emperor showed a rare smile and stood up, saying, "I have state affairs to attend to and must take my leave now. You may stay and chat with the Empress."
Amid everyone's respectful farewells, he departed.
After the Emperor left, the Empress began coughing and appeared somewhat fatigued.
Wen Yuan quietly inquired and helped the Empress remove her outer ceremonial robe, changing her into simple sleeping garments. The Empress made scattered conversation with Yushu until her evident exhaustion became apparent, whereupon Yushu rose to take her leave. The Empress didn't detain them, merely instructing servants to give Yushu the prepared rewards before having maids escort them out of the palace.
In the narrow crimson-walled alley, Yushu held Yong'er in the slowly moving carriage as autumn rain drizzled against the carriage curtains. Her thoughts grew somewhat distracted as she carefully reflected that she seemed to have encountered the Emperor during her recent palace visits. Each time she entered the palace, the Emperor would coincidentally visit the Empress. Actually, according to protocol, a widowed princess consort like herself shouldn't be meeting the Emperor at all.
She suddenly felt somewhat uneasy, recalling the Emperor's expression when mentioning her late husband today, and couldn't help growing suspicious.
Abruptly opening the carriage door, she asked Jiang Wu, "Jiang Wu, was His Highness particularly skilled with bow and arrows?"Jiang Wu was slightly taken aback, not expecting her to suddenly bring this up, and quickly replied, "Your Highness is naturally skilled in archery and horsemanship, but it is Your Highness's swordsmanship that is truly the best. Back in the capital, everyone knew of it. As for archery, Her Majesty the Empress is also quite proficient."
Yushu frowned, a thought flashing through her mind, but it was so fleeting that she couldn't grasp its tail.
She nodded and then closed the carriage door.
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