Chapter 14: Epidemics

  The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consorts' incense offerings and prayers did not gain heaven's sympathy, and the imperial hospital's treatment was also like a drop in the bucket, unable to alleviate the urgent crisis. The number of people infected with the epidemic grew more and more, and the number of deaths also increased day by day. Under the pressure, Xuan Ling's body gradually became thinner.

  The precious incense that was burning in the Tongli Palace suddenly disappeared, and the pungent smell of wormwood and mugwort filled the air everywhere. The palace gate was sprinkled with strong liquor, and later even vinegar was placed in various corners of the palace to boil and drive out the plague.

  Unfortunately, Mei Zhuang, who was confined in Cuihudong, also contracted the terrible plague.

  When I arrived at Feng Shuyi's Yunzhao Hall, Feng Shuyi was already very anxious, pulling my hand to sit down and saying: "Yesterday she was fine, but this morning Fangruo came to report that everything she ate had been vomited out, and her fever was severe. By noon, she began talking nonsense."

  "I asked in surprise: 'What about the imperial physician? Has he been summoned or not?'"

  Feng Shuyi shook her head and said, "Shen Chang has been under house arrest and has been neglected for a long time. With the epidemic raging on, which imperial physician would dare to come and treat him? I've already sent someone to invite them three or four times, but not one person has shown up. What can be done?"

  Fang Ruo was so anxious that she didn't know what to do, her voice already trembling with tears: "The slave has done her best, originally wanted to go ask the Emperor, but they said the Emperor is busy, no one can see him; The Empress Dowager, the Empress and several princesses are all in Tongming Hall praying for blessings, not even a single person who can make decisions is present."

  I turned around and walked towards the Cuihudang, but Feng Shuyi was even more frightened when she saw me, and hastily pulled me saying: "Are you crazy? What if you contract the plague?"

  "I said, 'No matter what the situation is, we have to go and take a look.' With that, I made an effort to break free and went over. Feng Shuyi was also afraid of the severity of the epidemic and didn't dare to come and pull me back."

  I rushed in with a gust of wind, and no one stopped me again. When I reached the door of the inner room, Fang Ruo refused to let me go any further, only allowing me to take a glance through the window. She cried: "Chang Zai is already like this, Master, you must take care of yourself, otherwise there won't be anyone left who can speak."

  My heart skipped a beat, and I said, "Okay, I'll just take a look."

  The indoor light is dim, with only a charcoal brazier emitting a faint warmth. In the past winters, she would bring me charcoal to keep warm, but this year it's my turn to do these things for her. The curtains are low and dusty, always looking dull and blurry, behind which lies a figure who has become extremely thin, no longer with the plump and beautiful appearance of before. Her eyebrows seem to be furrowed as if she had slept very restlessly, repeatedly coughing without stopping.

  I couldn't bear to look at it anymore, so I hastily turned around and left, throwing out a sentence: "Trouble Auntie to take care of Mei Zhuang, I'll go ask for the emperor's decree."

  However, I didn't see Xuan Ling. After waiting for half a day, the one who came out was Li Chang. He forced a smile and said: "Young Master, please don't take offense. The epidemic is spreading among the people, the Emperor is anxious and can't calm down. He's currently discussing with the cabinet ministers and really has no time to see you."

  "I asked again: 'How long will it take for Your Majesty to see me?'"

  Li Changdao said: "This slave is also unclear. Military and national affairs, slaves dare not make random guesses."

  I knew I couldn't see Xuan Ling, and going to ask the Empress would also require Xuan Ling's consent. Rushing over like this would be futile. Taking a deep breath, I turned around and left, holding onto Liu Zhu's hand as we quickly walked out of the long corridor. Seeing that there was no one coming or going under the red walls, I finally let out tears - Mei Zhuang, Mei Zhuang, how could I not come to save you? Are you going to die unjustly in Cui Hua Hall?

  Just then, I heard footsteps approaching, and hastily wiped away the tears on my face, continuing to walk slowly as usual.

  The footsteps were getting closer and closer, suddenly knelt behind me and said in a low voice: "Wei Chen Wen Shi Chu pays respects to Concubine Jie Yu."

  I didn't call him up, coldly smiling and saying: "Your Excellency's noble foot treads on the humble earth, now I want to see you but it's very rare. Today, however, I don't know what good wind is blowing."

  He bowed his head and said: "The young master says so, I really don't dare to accept it. But no matter what happens, please put your mind at ease."

  I turned my face away, the early spring breeze had a hint of chill, mixed with the scent of herbs, blowing on my cheeks in a tight, cool sensation. I said softly: "Lord Wen, it's me being sentimental and muddled, don't mind it. Get up first."

  Wen Shi initially raised his head and said sincerely: "Your humble servant does not dare."

  I turned my mind and said: "Is Lord Wen still busy with the epidemic and has no time to spare?"

  "Yes."

  I quietly said: "If I ask Lord Wen for one thing, can Lord Wen spare no effort to help me when he is busy. I can tell the lord first that this matter may not be accomplished, and it's possible that even if it's discovered, it will still be a big mistake, which will affect Lord's career and even his life. But if it doesn't work out, I'm afraid my heart will always be uneasy. The lord can choose whether to help me or not."

  "So I dare ask, young master Zhen, if your humble servant is willing to go, will you feel more at ease?"

  I nodded, "If you're willing to help me, I'll naturally feel more at ease. Success or failure is in the hands of fate, but human effort must not be spared."

  He thoughtlessly said: "Good. In order to make the young master feel at ease, I will do my best. But please instruct me."

  I said in a low voice: "Shen Chang is infected with the plague in Cunjutang, and I'm afraid she won't last long. I beg of you to save her, but she's a palace maid who has been forbidden from leaving..."

  He nodded slightly and said faintly, "No matter who she is, as long as the young master orders me, I will do my best." As he spoke, he bowed his head and was about to leave. I watched him walk a few steps away before finally unable to bear it, saying, "You be careful too."

  He stopped in his tracks, turned around to look at me, and a look of surprise and emotion floated up in his eyes. He was silent for a long time. I was afraid he would misunderstand, so I quickly looked away and said, "Please go slowly, sir."

  When Mei Zhuang was infected with the epidemic, the guards and palace maids who were on duty were afraid of avoiding it, and they all found excuses to shirk their duties. The guard became even more lax. Fang Ruo arranged for Wen Shi Chu to go and treat her in secret at night.

  However, Wen Shi Chu could only secretly treat Mei Zhuang, with incomplete medication and poor food, Mei Zhuang's illness did not improve. Just when I was extremely worried, Xiao Lianzi came to report in the middle of the night, bringing me good news.

  I requested an audience with Xuan Ling that night, and when the intricately carved vermilion doors of the imperial study creaked open in the dead of night, the long, drawn-out sound made my heart tighten inexplicably - the success or failure of this matter was tied to whether Mei Zhuang could survive.

  Just as I was about to make a bow and withdraw, Xuan Ling grasped me with one hand and said: "What is the matter? Why are you in such haste to see me?"

  I fell silent for a moment, scanning the surroundings with my eyes. Xuan Ling said, "You don't need to wait on us here, I'll have a word with Consort Wei."

  Li Chang took people down at once, Xuan Ling saw no one and said: "You say."

  I clapped my hands twice, and in a moment, Xiao Lianzi brought someone in. The person was covered in dust, with disheveled hair and a beard, wearing clothes that were mostly dirt-stained, and knelt down trembling all over.

  I shot him a cold glance and said, "In front of Your Majesty, you still don't dare to look up?!"

  Xuan Ling gave me a puzzled look, I just didn't speak. The man shuddered and slowly raised his head, who else could it be if not Liu?!

  Xuan Ling saw him and was taken aback for a moment. In an instant, his eyes turned cold and he said in an icy tone, "What are you doing here?"

  Liu Dui was so frightened that he immediately fell to the ground and did not dare say another word.

  I gazed at Xuan Ling and slowly said, "I never believed that Shen Changyin would fake a pregnancy to compete for favor, so I secretly ordered someone to investigate the missing Liu Chu. After much hard work, he was finally found on the border of Yongzhou and brought back to the capital." I calmly continued, "Perhaps the only person who knew the truth at the time, Fu Ling, had already been beaten to death. As for Liu Chu, since Shen Changyin had been pregnant for a long time, there must be no one who understood the situation better than him."

  Xuan Ling was silent for a moment, then coldly said to Liu Fu: "I won't subject you to severe torture and interrogation, but if one day I find out that what you said today is even half false, I will make you suffer more than death."

  Liu's body trembled slightly, and he shivered all over.

  I suddenly smiled warmly and said to Liu Fu: "Lord Liu can say nothing. But if you don't speak now, I will have you expelled from the palace. I suppose by the time you leave the capital, your head will already be separated from your body."

  Liu's head bowed down, leaving a faint sweat stain, reflecting the bright candlelight in the hall. I unconsciously covered my mouth and nose with a handkerchief. It is said that Liu was found to have disguised himself as a beggar to avoid pursuit, one can imagine how desperate he was. Now he was drenched in cold sweat, and the unpleasant smell became even more pungent.

  I couldn't help it and casually added a large spoonful of incense into the censer, only then did I feel much better.

  Liu's voice was hoarse and he trembled as he said: "Shen Ronghua really didn't have a child."

  Xuan Ling impatiently said, "I already know this."

  He knocked his head twice and said, "Actually, Shen Chang didn't know that she wasn't pregnant." He raised his head, and a faint dark red light of fear flashed in his eyes: "When I was feeling the pulse for the young master to calm the fetus, the young master indeed had no menstruation, and there were symptoms of dizziness and vomiting, but it wasn't a joyful pulse, rather it was the result of taking medicine. However, before I felt the pulse for the young master, I had already been ordered that no matter what kind of pulse the young master had, I had to report back that it was a joyful pulse."

  Xuan Ling's eyes had a cold glint, his voice low and even: "Following orders? Whose orders?"

  Liu hesitated again and again, swallowing his words without daring to speak. I sneered twice and said, "Since she wants to kill you, how long do you want to cover up for her? Do you want to swallow it in your belly and take it with you when you become a ghost?"

  Liu's face turned pale with anxiety, and he finally spat out two words: "Hua Fei."

  Xuan Ling's face changed drastically, his eyes fixed and unblinking as he stared at Liu Xian: "If you utter even half a word of falsehood..."

  "I dare not, I dare not. Your humble servant knows he is guilty. On that day, the Empress Dowager gave me silver and ordered me to leave the capital to avoid danger, saying someone would meet me outside the city. Who knew that as soon as I left, there were people chasing and killing me all the way, forcing me to be like a homeless dog."

  I exchanged a glance with Xuan Ling, his face was slightly pale, and in his eyes, there seemed to be two dark flames of anger burning. I knew he was furious, so I lightly waved my hand for Xiao Lianzi to take Liu Chu down, then handed a cup of tea to Xuan Ling's hands and softly said: "Your Majesty, calm your anger."

  Xuan Ling Dao said: "Will Liu Xiu's words be entirely true?"

  "I said in a loud voice: 'Your Majesty, think carefully, there are many doubts about what happened that day with Shen Changyin. It's just that we didn't have any evidence at the time. Now that I think back, if Shen Changyin really came to the palace a few days ago, why would she wait until Your Majesty and the empresses were all present to throw away those bloody clothes? Wouldn't it be too conspicuous? And Shen Changyin once mentioned a prescription given by Imperial Physician Jiang that was supposed to help with pregnancy. Why did she suddenly lose it when she needed it? If there really wasn't such a prescription, wouldn't Shen Changyin be foolish to mention it for no reason?' I spoke out the doubts that had been in my heart for a long time, and got a bit breathless from speaking too quickly. I tried to slow down: 'Your Majesty may not believe me, but I have actually seen that prescription before. I took a look at it, and there was nothing unusual about it.'"

  His voice was cold and menacing, saying: "Empress Hua - very good! That piece of evidence that could prove Shen Chang's innocence has probably been stolen, and it's likely that the palace maid named Fu Ling is also involved." He slowly lowered his voice, revealing a hint of regret: "I killed her in a fit of rage back then, but if I had investigated carefully, things might not have ended up like this today."

  I said in a low voice: "What does Your Majesty plan to do?"

  He didn't continue the conversation, but only sighed: "I wronged Shen Shi - let her out and restore her position."

  "I fear it may be difficult to get out for a while."

  "He asked in surprise: 'Could it be that she...'"

  I shook my head, "Mei sister didn't take her own life. She just became weak and frail after being confined at home for too long, worrying excessively, and unfortunately contracted the epidemic. Now I don't even know what she looks like." By the end, I couldn't hold back the sorrow and choked with sobs.

  He was stunned for a moment, "I just banished her, but she also can't help thinking too much."

  I sobbed: "Your Majesty's punishment of Queen Mei is not a severe penalty, but in the palace, who does not follow Your Majesty's facial expression to act? Your Majesty dislikes Sister Mei, so those slaves even more bullied her."

  He took a slight breath of cool air and said, "I will immediately order the imperial physician to go and treat Shen Ronghua. I want Ronghua to live well." As he spoke, he was about to summon Li Chang.

  I grasped the emperor's sleeve and said, "Please forgive me for my great disrespect. I saw that Shen Ronghua was seriously ill and had secretly asked a physician to treat her."

  Xuan Ling turned back and looked at me, asking: "Really?"

  I nodded, "Please, Your Majesty, punish your servant."

  He helped me up, "If it weren't for your daring move, I'm afraid I would have let Shen Ronghua down."

  I hung my head and wept, "Not to do the emperor's affairs is a treacherous and cunning move to deceive the emperor's wise eyes." I was unhappy with Xuan Ling's anger that day, but he was the king, how could I openly accuse him.

  He was moved by the two words "treacherous person", and resentfully said: "Queen Hua actually dares to deceive me like this, it's really unbearable." He walked to the door and ordered Li Chang, who was waiting outside the palace: "Go to the Imperial Hospital and pass on the order to kill Jiang Mu-yi and Jiang Mu-yi. Demote Queen Hua to a lower rank and strip her of her title." However, after thinking for a moment, he said again: "Wait - strip her of her title and demote her to Noble Consort."

  Li Chang was shocked, almost thinking he had misheard. To strip the title from the imperial concubine was a great humiliation, far worse than demotion. Li Chang did not know why Xuan Ling was so angry and did not dare to show his frightened expression, so he could only use his eyes to secretly glance at me, not daring to move.

  I originally heard that the Noble Consort Hua was demoted to Concubine, stripped of her title, and then suddenly became Honorable Concubine again. I couldn't help but feel indignant, but thinking about the urgency of the southwestern war effort, I had to swallow my anger. Then I heard Xuan Ling say: "First go to Chang'an Palace and tell them that I am restoring Shen's rank and title as Noble Consort Hua, and have her treated for her illness with all due haste."

  Li Chang busily responded with a "yes" and quickly led several small inner attendants to transmit the edict.

  As it happened that no one was around, Xuan Ling's gaze lingered on my face for a few moments, almost hesitantly asking: "Xuan Xuan, wasn't Liu Chu arranged by you on purpose?"

  I was taken aback for a moment, "Huh?" I asked, looking at him and asking: "What?"

  He didn't continue speaking, just dryly smiled and said "Nothing?"

  I suddenly understood, my mind was clear and cold, and I couldn't help but smile coldly at him. "Does the Emperor think that I instructed Liu to falsely accuse Concubine Hua?" My heart was filled with indignation, and my tone was somewhat stiff. "Is it that the Emperor thinks I am someone who would falsely accuse a concubine in order to compete for favor? I dare not do such a thing, nor would I stoop to it. If I had instructed Liu to falsely accuse Concubine Hua in order to save Shen Ronghua, I could have done so long ago; there was no need to wait until today when Shen Ronghua's life is hanging by a thread." I knelt down and said: "If the Emperor does not believe me, Eunuch Li has not gone far, the Emperor can recall his orders."

  His face changed with my words, and he said, "Huan Huan, I was too suspicious. If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have punished the Empress."

  "My heart is overwhelmed with grief, and I blurted out: 'If Your Majesty trusted me, there would be no need for this question.'"

  His face suddenly sank, and he said in a low voice: "Xuan Xuan!"

  I let out a sob, and suddenly lifted my head to meet his slightly cold gaze. I forced a sorrowful smile, as if the corners of my mouth were sore from smiling too much, and turned my head away slowly to kneel down and say: "Your servant has misspoken..."

  His tone was slightly hesitant, "You know what's good, get up." He said, stretching out his hand to pull me.

  I subconsciously hid my hands in my sleeves and respectfully said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

  His outstretched hand stiffened for a moment, and his sigh was almost inaudible. "Muyong Guifei has served me for a long time, with meticulous care. Although she has always been somewhat unyielding, today... I am truly disappointed."

  I bowed my head silently and said after a moment: "Your servant understands."

  He just didn't speak, raised his head to gaze at the stars in the distant sky. Due to the chilly cold of early spring nights, a faint white mist escaped from between his lips with each breath, as if it were nothing.

  The palace lanterns swayed gently in the wind, like a faint and quiet ghostly shadow, making people's hearts feel chilly. He finally said: "It's cold outside, follow me inside."

  I followed him silently, just about to enter the western study. Suddenly, a woman's loud voice disturbed the quiet night. Such an imposing and arrogant tone could only belong to her, Empress Hua.

  I exchanged a swift glance with Xuan Ling, whose eyes showed surprise and annoyance. I was also surprised - logically, Li Chang shouldn't have gone to Mu Rong Shi Lan's place so quickly to deliver the edict, how did she get wind of it so soon? Was there some mistake on Liu Chu's part? Just as I was suspicious, Li Chang came in with a small run, saying: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Hua...Mu Rong Gui Bin requests an audience."

  Xuan Ling lazily didn't say much, and only asked: "What's going on?"

  Li Chang bowed his head and said, "I had just arrived at the Chang'an Palace to announce the imperial decree, but before I went to the Taiyi Hospital, I saw Murong Gui Bin bring Jiang Mu Yang and Jiang Mu Yi, two Taishi doctors, over and ask to see the emperor." He hesitated for a moment, "Murong Gui Bin seems to have an urgent matter."

  Xuan Ling Dao: "Did you tell her of My Imperial Decree?"

  Li Changdao said: "Not yet. Murong Guifei arrived in a hurry and didn't have time for the servant to respond."

  Xuan Ling glanced at me and said to Li Chang, "Since it's not yet time, don't call out 'Your Highness' just yet. You go bring them in first."

  Li Changzong left and soon brought them in, Huafei seemed to be still unaware of the situation, with a joyful expression on her face, but that joy looked extremely sinister to me.

  Xuan Ling instructed them to rise, still flipping through the memorial, without lifting his head, and said indifferently: "What's so urgent that you want to see me?"

  The Empress did not mind Xuan Ling's coldness and excitedly said: "Your Majesty will be delighted. I heard that the two imperial physicians, Jiang Mu Yi and Jiang Mu Yi, have developed a prescription to cure the epidemic, so I brought the two imperial physicians to report back to Your Majesty."

  Xuan Ling didn't listen at first, but once he did, his face lit up with great joy and surprise. He suddenly stood up, and the memorial in his hand fell to the table with a "thud". "Really?!"

  The Empress's smile became even more radiant and captivating under the illumination of the candles, as she smiled and said: "Yes. However, I am not very familiar with medicine, so please ask the imperial physician to explain it to His Majesty instead."

  Jiang Mu Yi said: "The four seasons, yin and yang, are the beginning and end of all things, the root of life and death. If you go against them, disasters will occur, but if you follow them, diseases will not arise. The six excesses - wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire - enter through the mouth and nose, and the evil qi can produce epidemic qi in four ways: 'not yet arrived but arriving', 'arrived but not arriving', 'arrived but not leaving', and 'arrived but excessive'. This invades the upper burner lung wei, collides with the five internal organs of the lungs, and causes seasonal epidemics. The epidemic qi rises and falls, and the clear and turbid mix together. If the evil qi transforms into heat, then dampness and heat accumulate in the middle, hiding and simmering; if it transforms into cold, then cold and dampness suddenly arise, and the spleen and stomach are confined and unable to function. The spleen yang is first extinguished, followed by the exhaustion of the original qi, leading to the loss of yang. If treatment is not timely, it can lead to the loss of yin and yang due to the depletion of body fluids." (1) He rambled on for a while, but Xuan Ling was impatient and waved his hand: "Don't spout nonsense, get to the point!"

  "Jiang Mu-yi listened to Jiang Mu-yi's messy words and said: "The evil of the epidemic, from the mouth and nose, is mostly caused by unclean diet and damage to the spleen, stomach, intestines and other organs. We have studied countless ancient books and prescriptions and developed a prescription called Shi Yi Jiu Ji Wan. It is made with fragrant leaves, fragrant schisandra, sandalwood, wood fragrance, sinking fragrance, cloves, white angelica, thick tuckahoe, melon, Chinese angelica, red aconitum, mountain ganoderma, licorice, six spirits millet, ice sheet, lotus leaf, male turmeric, and thousand gold child frost. It is warm in nature, dispels dampness, warms the liver and kidney, and nourishes the original energy."

  Xuan Ling murmured and slowly thought for a moment before saying: "Have the various imperial physicians at Fangzi Hospital examined it and think it's feasible?"

  Jiang Mu said: "Yes. It has been given to several sick eunuchs and proven effective."

  Xuan Ling's face slowly floated with joy, and he clapped his hands repeatedly: "Good! Good!"

  Just as she was speaking, the Empress Hua let out a low "alas" and her body swayed, almost falling over. I stood behind her and couldn't help but support her with one hand. When Empress Hua saw it was me, a look of disgust flashed across her eyes, and she subtly pushed my hand away, forcing herself to curtsy and say: "Your subject has lost her composure..."

  The eunuchs beside him supported the Empress Huawho wanted to ask her to sit down, but she still refused. Xuan Ling asked: "What's wrong, where are you uncomfortable?"

  Jiang Mu Yi said, "Your Ladyship has heard that we mentioned in ancient books there may be prescriptions for treating the epidemic, and have not slept for several days searching for classics. I suppose this is why you are feeling weak."

  At this time, the Empress's face turned pale, with a layer of dark circles under her eyes, and indeed she had not rested well. Xuan Ling heard this and slightly moved, came over to support the Empress and pressed her down saying: "The beloved consort has worked hard."

  The Empress Hua grasped the sleeve of Xuan Ling, her beautiful eyes welling up with tears. "I know I'm dull and not worthy to serve the Emperor, all I can do is provoke his anger." Her voice was softer and more gentle, extremely moving, "So I can only think of ways to hope to alleviate the Emperor's worries."

  She gently wiped away the tears with her handkerchief, regardless of the presence of the two imperial physicians. Xuan Ling looked at her and called a few eunuchs to say: "Follow Jiang Taishi to deliver the medicine to Shen Ronghua's Cunkui Hall first, and then distribute it to all the palace maids who have contracted the epidemic."

  Jiang Mu-yi and Jiang Mu-yi were already in an awkward situation, but upon hearing these words, they felt as if they had been granted a great pardon, and hastily retreated.

  The Empress was taken aback and asked: "Shen Ronghua?"

  Xuan Ling said calmly: "Yes. I have already decreed that Shen's position be restored, and it was I who wronged her in the past."

  The Empress's astonished expression vanished in an instant, and she bowed her head to say: "That would be unfair to the Shen family's younger sister. Your Majesty should properly compensate her." As she spoke, she smiled at me: "It's also a great joy for Zhen Biyu. Sisters can finally put their minds at ease."

  I smiled faintly and stared straight into her seemingly lifeless eyes, "Thank you, Consort Hua."

  The Empress Hua gazed at me sideways, her voice becoming even softer and more alluring, making one's bones feel weak: "I dare not ask Your Majesty to forgive my past recklessness, but I beg of you, please do not get angry with me again and harm your dragon body. I am originally a humble person, insignificant and unremarkable. But Your Majesty's health is tied to the war in the southwest, and even more so to the fate of the people of the world."

  Xuan Ling sighed and said, "Alright. You have made great contributions today. If this method can really cure the epidemic, it will be a blessing for the world. I am not someone who is unclear about rewards and punishments." The Empress Hua heard this and cried even harder, almost falling into Xuan Ling's arms. Xuan Ling also comforted her in a low voice.

  I can hardly believe that the majestic Empress Hua would be so gentle. I feel extremely embarrassed and heartbroken, watching Xuan Ling being so intimate with Empress Hua, my eyes sting, I forcefully turn my head away, unwilling to look again.

  I silently paid my respects and quietly withdrew, Xuan Ling seeing me wanting to go out, his lips moved, but ultimately didn't say anything. He just continued to hold Huafeng in his arms, softly comforting her. The soft and thick carpet underfoot was quiet and soundless, I lightly closed the palace door. Outside, Li Chang who had been waiting anxiously rubbed his hands together, seeing me come out as if he had met a savior, hastily said: "Young Master... this... His Majesty's decree to deal with the two Jiang Taishis and Huafeng Niangniang should be passed on or not?" Seeing my expression was not good, he quickly lowered his voice saying: "This matter should have been asked by me to His Majesty, but inside here..." He lightly nodded towards the western chamber: "Please pity this slave."

  I said in a low voice: "Looking at this situation, it's unnecessary for you to make another trip. If you still want to go, I'm afraid it will only lead to an imperial edict ordering your arrest."

  I suddenly felt a tightness in my chest, and an unbearable sense of unease in my heart. I took hold of Flowing Vermilion's hand and walked out. The night wind whistled past my ears, the intricate tassels on the jade earrings dangling from my earlobes clinking softly in the wind, the pearls and jewels colliding with each other making a piercing sound. For an instant, all I could hear was this sound, and I didn't want to hear any of the commotion around me anymore.

  Indeed he is right, or rather, he has never been wrong. He must consider his kingdom and victory. But even if he is always right, I can still maintain my inner dissatisfaction with what he does, despite my compliant and silent appearance.

  The next day when Xuan Ling came to see me, he only said one sentence: "I must consider the overall situation."

  I held a bowl of bird's nest and gently stirred it, saying: "Yes. I understand."

  I saw a similar dark circle under his eyes, and I secretly sneered in my heart. It's said that the Empress stayed overnight in the east chamber of Yiyuan Hall to serve the Emperor, it seems he didn't sleep well either.

  In the harem, a woman's future and favor are on a man's pillow, while a man's great cause is often related to the bed. Between the entwined emotions, perhaps the smoke of war has dissipated; or perhaps I shouldn't say this, concluding a tacit transaction.

  As expected, Xuan Ling yawned several times in a row. Finally, he himself felt embarrassed and said, "Don't worry. At this time when people are being used, there's no way to do things differently. I haven't forgotten about Shen Ronghua's matter, nor will I let it go easily."

  I smiled faintly and said: "Your Majesty's dragon body is safe and sound, I have nothing to worry about."

  For several days, Xuan Ling did not set foot in my Tongli Palace again. Chun'er accompanied me to stroll slowly in the Shanglin Garden, watching the newly bloomed apricot flowers. The flowers were in full bloom, shining brightly like flowing clouds and light mist, as if even the sky was dyed red by them. I still wore the same old clothes, the green lake-colored dress that matched spring, but now it seemed a bit out of place with the pink color.

  Chun'er pouted and said, "The emperor hasn't come for many days, I wonder if he's forgotten about my sister and me." Chun'er picked a apricot blossom and compared it to her temple, smiling at me and saying, "Doesn't it look good?"

  I pinched her face and smiled: "Don't forget, I won't forget you either, little clever ghost."

  Chun'er finally put the flowers in her hair, and as she walked, she kicked at the fallen petals on the ground. She smiled softly and said, "It's better that the Emperor didn't come. If he had, there would have been so many rules to follow, it would have been boring."

  I hastily covered her mouth, "You're getting more and more reckless, can you just say such things out loud? Be careful or you'll be accused of deceiving the king."

  Chun'er was busy looking around, after a while she realized there was no one else and patted her chest laughing: "Sister was just scaring me. Let's go see Du Liangdi, her belly has gotten a bit round now."

  I nodded and followed her away.

  At that time, the wind was blowing, and the red petals were falling like rain. It seemed as if the rainwater was shaking off, and in an instant, my mood was drenched. I looked up at the apricot blossoms filling the sky and thought to myself, another spring has arrived.

  Note: (1) Excerpted from "Su Wen - Four Qi Regulating Spirit Great Treatise", with slight modifications.