Ling Jingshu and Wei Yan were both startled!

The Emperor had been settled comfortably in the palace — why had he suddenly taken it into his head to visit the imperial retreat?

“Why would His Majesty suddenly want to go to the imperial retreat?” Wei Yan asked with a furrowed brow. “I took His Majesty’s pulse just yesterday and heard nothing of the sort. Yet today a verbal decree has already been issued — this is far too sudden.”

“Quite so! I also feel this matter is somewhat sudden, which is precisely why I rushed here to find the two of you and let you know, so that you might prepare yourselves mentally.”

Wei Xianfei’s brow also creased slightly, and she continued in a low voice: “His Majesty specifically instructed people to bring along extra clothing. From the look of things, he intends to stay at the imperial retreat for quite some time, and all the capable attendants he relies upon are to be brought along. A’Yan, you are His Majesty’s dedicated imperial physician — you will certainly be going as well.”

“I am simply deliberating over whether I ought to bring A’Shu along.”

By now, Ling Jingshu had become the most indispensable person at her side — a fact that even His Majesty was well aware of.

If she were to deliberately leave Ling Jingshu behind and His Majesty happened to ask after her, there would truly be no good explanation for it.

But bringing her to the imperial retreat would greatly increase her chances of appearing before His Majesty. What if His Majesty were to entertain other notions once more?

Wei Yan’s brow knitted tightly. For a moment, he could not reach a decision.

Ling Jingshu quickly gathered her composure and spoke up: “My Lady, please allow this servant to accompany you!”

What Wei Xianfei had done for her was already more than enough. She could not and would not allow Wei Xianfei to be placed in a difficult position on her account.

Wei Xianfei was taken aback. “You truly wish to go? The imperial retreat is nothing like the palace. Should you go, you will inevitably have to appear before His Majesty.”

Ling Jingshu replied calmly and evenly: “I cannot spend my entire life hiding away. Moreover, His Majesty has long since abstained from female company. Even if this servant were to appear before him, there would be no real danger.”

Wei Xianfei considered this for a moment before exhaling a soft sigh and relenting: “Very well — let us all make this journey together. With me and A’Yan here, even should anything untoward occur, we will be able to keep you safe.”

As the Emperor’s dedicated imperial physician, Wei Yan was more intimately acquainted with His Majesty’s physical condition than anyone. After a brief reflection, he spoke slowly: “Very well, then — let us all proceed to the imperial retreat together.”

If they were both to leave and Ling Jingshu were the only one remaining in the palace, he truly could not set his mind at ease. It was far better that they all depart together.

Once the matter was settled, Wei Yan’s expression grew grave and he said: “Elder Sister, I always feel this affair carries something peculiar about it. I do not know who it is that privately urged His Majesty to visit the retreat. I will carefully look into the circumstances of this matter after I return — and you should keep a close watch as well.”

Wei Xianfei gave a nod.

For the consorts within the palace, His Majesty’s decision to spend a spell at the imperial retreat for rest and leisure was by no means a trivial matter.

The opportunity to leave the palace was vanishingly rare. Those fortunate enough to be selected to go were naturally overjoyed beyond measure. Those whose names had not been called had no choice but to swallow their resentment.

As the inner palace could not be left without someone to oversee it, Wei Xianfei was appointed to accompany the imperial procession, and Li Shufei was naturally left behind to manage affairs within the palace.

Wei Xianfei made a point of visiting Li Shufei’s bedchamber and presented her with the phoenix seal: “For the days ahead, I must trouble Elder Sister Shufei to take charge.”

Li Shufei received the phoenix seal and offered a slight smile: “Younger Sister Xianfei need not stand on ceremony. You will have a great deal to attend to accompanying His Majesty. Leave everything within the palace to me.”

Wei Xianfei smiled her thanks, then inquired with genuine concern after Li Shufei’s health: “Elder Sister Shufei has been taking to her bed in illness these past several days, resting quietly. I trust you are somewhat better now?”

Li Shufei responded warmly with a smile: “These old bones of mine can still hold out for a few more years. You have been kind to keep me in your thoughts.”

The two exchanged pleasantries for a little while before Wei Xianfei took her leave.

Once Wei Xianfei had departed, the warmth in Li Shufei’s eyes slowly faded.

Of all the consorts within the palace, only a handful were truly held in the Emperor’s heart. That much could be discerned simply from who had been chosen to accompany him.

This Wei Xianfei had a firm and unwavering hold on the Emperor’s favor. With the once-dominant Empress Xu deposed, there was no longer anyone in this palace who could overshadow Wei Xianfei. It was not impossible that she might rise even further in time.

Li Shufei had given birth to Prince An — but unfortunately, Prince An had never won the Emperor’s affection, and had long since been dispatched to a vassal territory to live out his days as an idle prince with a fiefdom. She had held the rank of Shufei for years now. Though her position was lofty, she had always been outranked by someone.

In the past, the Empress Xu had kept her too suppressed to lift her head. Now even the young Wei Xianfei had surpassed her.

Wei Xianfei was kept very busy in those days.

Once the Emperor had issued his command, he had nothing to trouble himself with and simply waited in peace for their departure.

The list of palace maids and attendants to join the procession had to be drawn up one by one; the full complement of items to be brought along required someone to oversee and arrange. All these petty matters fell, as a matter of course, to Wei Xianfei.

As Wei Xianfei’s personal female official, Ling Jingshu was inevitably swept up in the bustle, running about inside and outside from morning to night. There was not a moment of rest to be had all day; even walking required something close to a trot. By the day’s end, her back ached and her legs throbbed, and she was so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open.

Bai Yu looked on with an aching heart, and that evening made a special point of preparing hot water so that Ling Jingshu might bathe and ease her weariness.

Ling Jingshu sat inside the steaming wooden tub, the warm water soothing away the fatigue that had settled into her body. With the rising heat enveloping her, drowsiness crept in and the tension wound tight within her finally began to uncoil.

Bai Yu gently worked through her long hair, murmuring softly into her ear: “Miss, this servant and Qiao Yun have already packed up the clothing.”

Ling Jingshu gave an indifferent hum of acknowledgment: “There is no rush. We set out on the twenty-eighth day of the first month — there are still a few days before we depart. Taking it slowly is perfectly fine.”

Bai Yu smiled in reply: “Understood. Oh — Miss, I wonder if you have heard: since His Majesty is going to the imperial retreat, the Crown Prince and the Crown Grandson have been left behind to oversee court affairs, while Prince Yan and Princess Anya have been summoned by name to accompany him!”

This was something Ling Jingshu already knew.

“His Highness Prince Yan has been living within the palace for the past six months attending upon His Majesty, his filial devotion praised by all. His Majesty is human, after all — it is only natural that he would be inclined to favor a devoted younger son, and entirely reasonable that he would bring his most beloved son along to the imperial retreat.” Ling Jingshu said lightly.

On that account, she could not but admire Prince Yan’s patience and his talent for performance.

Prince Yan had set aside all matters of court and gave no thought to the affairs of his own prince’s residence, living within the palace for a full six months. Each day he personally attended upon the Emperor’s clothing, food, and daily needs, delegating nothing to others.

Even if it was all an act, not just anyone could sustain such a performance to this degree.

The Emperor’s attitude toward Prince Yan had grown warmer day by day. Having Prince Yan accompany him on this excursion was not, by any stretch, a surprising development.

The mistress and her maid were still mid-conversation when Qiao Yun slipped quietly into the room and said in a low voice: “Miss, a palace maid has been sent over by Miss Xinyun, saying she carries an urgent message.”

Without hesitation, Ling Jingshu replied: “Tell her to wait a moment — I will be right there.”

At this late hour, for Xinyun to send someone specially with a message, it must be a matter of some importance.

Ling Jingshu hurriedly rose and dressed, and without even having time to towel-dry her hair properly, she went to meet the messenger maid.