On August 20th of the year 780, Prince Li Luo of Meishan Luo was defeated and perished at Han River. On September 11th of the same year, Li Luo’s three sons and two daughters were executed for their crimes at Meishan’s Wutong Platform. Twenty-one of his most capable generals suffered the cruel punishment of waist-cutting. General Xu Su personally supervised the executions. After a single execution order was issued, dozens of wandering souls had no place to go.
That day, Mei Xiang came in from outside the hall with several snow-white flower petals on her clothes, her expression slightly dazed. Qiu Sui called her several times before she responded, saying absent-mindedly, “I just heard that Prince Luo’s secondary consort Lady Xu has been found.”
Lady Xu? Xu Su’s sister Xu Pei Ning?
Qiu Sui quickly patted her chest and said, “Thank goodness she’s been found. I heard that General Xu Su lost both parents at a young age, and he only had this one sister to rely on. He’s extremely fond of her. Now that he has established such great military achievements for His Majesty, it would be too unfortunate if Miss Xu had met with disaster.”
Mei Xiang frowned slightly, her expression seemingly shrouded in a layer of light smoke. The arm-thick candles emitted a dazzling light, making her face appear somewhat pale. She lowered her voice, like a young bird in windy weather, her voice thin yet deep: “I heard she was found on Mount Luofu, hanging from a withered tree. Both her legs had been taken by wolves.”
Qiu Sui let out a sharp scream when she heard this, her face instantly turning white.
Chu Qiao’s heart suddenly grew cold, a thread of chilliness surging from the depths of her heart, like the milky-white incense smoke from a censer, spiraling upward, wandering and twisting.
The moonlit night was frigid. In the distant Roufu Palace, singing and dancing had begun again, with music flourishing. Lady Zi Ming was now Concubine Rou, the most powerful and highest-ranked woman among Li Ce’s consorts. A few days ago, the Imperial Physicians confirmed her pregnancy, and in two more days, she would be going to the imperial villa outside the palace to nurture the fetus.
This long night, though noisy, had an undertone of deathly stillness, so very long.
Another half month passed this way. Summer departed and autumn arrived. After several drizzling cool rains, the air became cold and damp. The summer lotuses had withered, leaving a patch of black lotus leaves on the Taiqing Pool. Now in Jinwu Palace, no one had the mood to draw in hot springs to preserve the flowering season.
The Southwest had experienced great chaos. The Academy City was close to Meishan, and the student that Chu Qiao had carefully managed was also destroyed in the war, leaving only broken walls and ruins. Mei Xiang, Jing Jing, and others couldn’t help feeling sad when they heard this. Li Ce said he could rebuild it for her, but Chu Qiao had lost interest. After all, she wouldn’t be staying long in Xi Meng.
So Chu Qiao settled down in Jinwu Palace, day after day, watching the sunlight slide across the vermilion window frames, quietly waiting for the arrival of another day.
She rarely saw Li Ce. After the Prince Luo incident, although Bian Tang’s military power had been depleted, the complete elimination of southwestern clans had enriched the national treasury, making it increasingly prosperous. Li Ce seemed to have changed his nature, becoming extremely busy. Even the singing and dancing in the rear palace had not been heard for a long time.
Autumn waned, light and shadows floated, and another two months quietly slipped away. Chu Qiao got up early in the morning and pushed open the window to see a thin layer of clear snow outside. The few parasol trees outside the window had accumulated a layer of white snow on their branches. Having lived in the Academy, it had been a long time since she had seen snow. Mei Xiang and others were very happy when they saw it. Jing Jing led a group of young palace maids out to play, wearing red satin cloaks, and looking adorably charming.
Zhuge Yue’s letter arrived again. Over the past few months, due to the impact of the Bian Tang war, Li Ce’s pressure on the Great Xia border had greatly reduced, giving Zhao Yang a chance to breathe. Last month, Zhao Yang used military exercises as an excuse to quietly station the Southern Army at the Western Camp, thirty miles outside Zhenhuang City. At that time, the northern Hu region was experiencing a snowstorm, and Zhao Che had gone to Northern Hu and was not in the capital. Zhuge Yue seized the opportunity to lead five thousand Qinghai Imperial Guards to the Western Camp, facing off against Zhao Yang for more than three hours. If Wei Shuye hadn’t arrived in time, there might have been a major incident.
But he didn’t mention any of this in his letter. Chu Qiao only learned of it from the mouth of the Iron Guard. Thinking of the danger of confronting thirty thousand Southern Army troops with only five thousand men, she felt her back grow cold, and tiny beads of sweat formed.
The Emperor of Xia didn’t have much time left. He hadn’t attended court for more than two months, and the struggle for imperial power in Great Xia was becoming increasingly intense. With the slightest misstep, there was the danger of defeat and death. In her idle moments, Chu Qiao would go to the Buddhist hall to copy two volumes of the Peace Sutra and the Orchid Sutra—firstly to pass the time, secondly to find inner peace, and thirdly, because she now had someone she wanted to pray for.
Sandalwood incense curled up in the Buddhist hall. Looking through the swirling smoke at the dignified Buddha statue, Chu Qiao suddenly remembered the Empress of Great Tang whom she had met only once. That afternoon, she had awakened from her sleep to find the gentlewoman quietly watching her, calmly asking her to persuade Li Ce not to demolish this Buddhist hall that enshrined the Joyful Buddha.
At that time, Li Ce was still the mischievous Crown Prince of Great Tang. Now, he had become the Emperor of the Great Tang, who could decide life and death with a laugh and a command.
Qiu Sui was now the head matron of Mihe Residence. Having grown up in the palace since childhood, she was sharp-eyed and quick-witted, sensitive to subtle changes. From time to time, she would look at Chu Qiao with puzzlement, frowning slightly and saying softly, “Meeting Miss this time, I feel you have changed again from before.”
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, “Oh? Changed how?”
Qiu Sui smiled gently, using an ox-horn comb to pass through Chu Qiao’s black hair from top to bottom, and said quietly, “Last time when Miss returned from Yan Bei, your whole being was like a lotus at summer’s end. Now, it seems you have passed through winter.”
“Is that so?”
Chu Qiao turned her head, her snow-white fingers passing through her thick hair. The face in the mirror resembled willows by a lake shore that had endured the winter. The sharpness in her eyes was gone as if those ten years of military campaigns had been nothing but an illusion of moonlight reflected on the water. Now residing in Jinwu Palace, she waited with a vigilant heart. Time flowed like water, eventually giving her a few moments of peaceful time.
At the end of the year, she met He Xiao.
In the biting winter wind, wearing a silver fur cloak, she was passing through the Baizhe Pavilion in Shanglin Garden with Mei Xiang when they happened to encounter He Xiao, who had just come out of Yixin Hall.
He was now the Minister of the Military Department of Bian Tang’s Southern Camp, holding a third-rank position and highly valued by Li Ce. Even in the inner palace, he was a frequent visitor.
Since Chu Qiao’s departure without farewell, this was their first reunion. After this sudden meeting, both felt somewhat awkward. He Xiao’s lips moved slightly as if wanting to call her “Commander,” but the words froze on his lips, and he called in a low voice, “Miss Chu.”
Dismissing the servants and bringing only Mei Xiang, they went up to Baizhe Pavilion.
He Xiao wore a dark blue court dress, looking steady and handsome, with a dignity and bearing forged through hardship and trials.
Mei Xiang stood outside the pavilion. The wind had risen, blowing up the hem of Chu Qiao’s cloak, making it float lightly like a wisp of smoke. She remained silent for a long time, just standing facing the wind. The pavilion was very high, below was the outlet of Taiqing Pool, which had been transformed into a stream of running water. The clear water flowed down, making a rustling sound. He Xiao’s voice sounded from behind, quiet and undisturbed.
“The wind is strong here, Miss is frail, you should go back early.”
“Isn’t the wind in Yan Bei even stronger?”
Chu Qiao turned around, her expression very calm, her eyes seeming to be covered with a layer of rippling light, making it impossible to see through them.
“He Xiao, are you blaming me?”
He Xiao lowered his head and said, “This subordinate wouldn’t dare.”
“When you say you wouldn’t dare, it means you are blaming me.” Chu Qiao smiled bitterly, the smile lines sliding across the corners of her mouth and vanishing in an instant. “Whether you believe it or not, after years of fighting side by side, I have always considered you my best friend. I left, not because I abandoned you all.”
“I understand.”
He Xiao suddenly raised his head, his gaze as calm as ever, no longer carrying the intimidating aura he once had on the battlefield. He quietly said, “I never blamed you. You were only thinking of us, arranging the best possible path for us. I understand all of this.”
This was the first time He Xiao had addressed Chu Qiao with “you” and “I.” His gaze rested quietly upon her as he slowly said, “All these years, I have watched you walk this path step by step. I understand all the pain in your heart. Sometimes I think perhaps I was selfish back then. If I had understood earlier, I would never have allowed the situation to force you into such a predicament. Even if the Southwestern Garrison became bandits and was eliminated, you should not have had to shoulder this responsibility, to oppose Prince Yan, resulting in the current situation.”
Chu Qiao shook her head. She wanted to say that between her and Yan Xun, there were already irreconcilable contradictions. Even without the Southwestern Garrison, there would have been other reasons. The problems would have erupted sooner or later; it was just a matter of timing.
But He Xiao didn’t wait for her to finish and continued directly, “After all, you were just a young woman, but at that time, we all overlooked that fact.”
He raised his head, smiled very gently, like an elder looking at his younger generation, and said quietly, “His Majesty said that only when you completely let go of the past can you find true peace. I no longer call you Commander, not out of resentment or estrangement, but hoping you can put down your burdens and live for yourself once.”
The dew stored on the leaves fell with a swoosh, splashing onto Chu Qiao’s soft white embroidered shoes. Her brow furrowed slightly, a touch of emotion rising from her heart, so sour.
“Although Bian Tang is warm, the climate is now cold and damp. Miss should return early.”
Having said this, he moved aside, intending to let Chu Qiao leave, but she suddenly called out, “Brother He.”
He Xiao froze completely, raising his head sharply to look at her.
Chu Qiao said quietly, “We have been together for many years, facing life and death together many times. To me, you are like a comrade in arms, and even more like family.”
The wind whistled through the trees. He Xiao’s gaze trembled slightly. After a long time, still maintaining that posture, he quietly stepped back and said in a deep voice, “I am about to leave for the Southwest to take up my post. Perhaps we will never have the chance to meet again.”
So he already knew.
Chu Qiao’s fingertips felt a bit cold. Looking at He Xiao’s silent figure, she felt a trace of sorrow lingering in her throat. She quietly nodded and said, “Take care of yourself,” then turned and descended from the pavilion.
After just a few steps, she suddenly heard a voice behind her quietly say, “Xiao Qiao, take care on your journey.”
She immediately turned back, only to see He Xiao still standing in the same posture, the wind blowing through his clothes. On his blue court dress were cyan-colored ocean and cloud patterns, and around his waist was a faded cyan sash, still the waistband from the former Xiuli Army. He stood there quietly, not even raising his head, as if the words just spoken hadn’t come from him.
Chu Qiao stood silently for a moment, and finally turned around, walking in a random direction.
After several turns, Shanglin Garden finally disappeared from view. Chu Qiao raised her head, only to find that she had inadvertently arrived outside the Flan Mountain near Roufu Palace. Named a mountain, it was just a pile of artificial rocks, the surface entirely carved and piled with white jade, appearing luminous and translucent, considered one of the great scenic spots of Jinwu Palace. But as Chu Qiao looked at this white artificial mountain now, she only felt a cold sensation spreading from the bottom of her heart, like a tentacled insect, ensnaring her circle by circle.
“Miss?”
Mei Xiang called with some concern.
Chu Qiao didn’t speak, her gaze slightly fixed, looking at the few winter plum trees on that artificial mountain, yet seeming to see through them, looking far, far away.
“Miss, in this world, everyone has different thoughts, but you only have one heart. You can’t accommodate so many people.”
Mei Xiang’s words sounded in her ears, but Chu Qiao seemed not to have heard clearly. The wind was so strong; that she suddenly felt a bit sad.
“Commander He has followed you for so many years. Given the time, he will surely understand. All gatherings must end in parting. Don’t be too sad.”
Chu Qiao turned her head, suddenly reached out, and hugged Mei Xiang’s shoulders, saying softly, “Mei Xiang, if you want to go, go with him.”
Chu Qiao felt Mei Xiang’s body stiffen suddenly, her back straight as a pen, like a rabbit startled by someone. After a long time, a pair of arms slowly encircled Chu Qiao’s back, and Mei Xiang’s voice quietly said in Chu Qiao’s ear, “I would miss Commander He, but I would miss you even more, Miss.”
The afternoon sunlight shone white on the ground. The sky was so high, not a trace of clouds visible.
“Please don’t worry about others anymore, Miss. Young Master Zhuge is not a completely good person, but he is the only person in the world who is wholeheartedly devoted to you. For your sake, he is willing to kill, set fires, sacrifice himself to become a demon or put down his butcher’s knife to become a Buddha. Such a person cannot be found again even with a lantern.”
Mei Xiang suddenly smiled: “As for Commander He, he will come to understand eventually, just like me. These things cannot be forced. Each of us will have our fate.”
The freedom of the blue sea and sky was what she had prayed for many years.
She raised her head, and in the haze, she seemed to see that person’s clear eyes. In the biting cold wind, with the Great Xia court in turmoil, was he still well? The new year had come again. This year had been full of turmoil. Perhaps to dispel the depressing atmosphere after the great war, at the strong request of the court officials, Li Ce ordered lavish preparations for the spring banquet, sparing no expense in luxury.
On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Li Ce entertained the hundred officials in the National Academy Grand Hall, holding a year-end assessment to high praise those with outstanding political achievements, granting the honor of dining at the same table to officials of the third rank and above, and personally composing a millennium poem, ordering the inner attendants to make copies to present to each court official.
The inner palace was also decorated with lanterns and festive ornaments. Banquets stretched from Yixin Hall to Shangqing Palace. Colorful arches were endless, and countless lanterns were hung. Auspicious patterns like “Longevity Without Boundaries” and “Eternal Mountains and Rivers” were formed with colorful silk lanterns and pasted on the vermilion walls and green tiles, creating a scene of gold and jade splendor, brocade and magnificent lanterns, with dance and music everywhere, presenting a grand and majestic appearance.
Li Ce had invited her several times to attend the banquet, but Chu Qiao did not like such grand festivities and politely declined. She stayed in her palace with the palace maids and servants, cleaning and preparing, holding her banquet, and preparing materials for staying up on New Year’s Eve.
On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, several blue cloth carriages drove through the main gate of Jinwu Palace. After being announced, they headed directly toward Mihe Residence. However, when the carriages arrived and box after boxes were unloaded, the entire inner palace was in an uproar. All the palace maids and servants rushed to Mihe Residence to see what was happening. Even some impatient ladies hurried over.
There were twenty carriages and two hundred boxes of various sizes made of nanmu wood. When the boxes were opened, everyone’s eyes lit up at the dazzling sight of jewels. Jade, mother-of-pearl, rubies, cat’s eyes, white jade, oriental pearls, brocade gauze, Su embroidery silk, precious furs, antiques, calligraphy, and paintings—almost every luxury imaginable was concentrated before their eyes. Not only that, but there were also things that girls liked, such as vermilion hairpins, jade ornaments, palace clothes, jade shoes, and jewelry, everything one could want. Premium flowers, complete coral over three zhang tall, rare orchids, curtains, and screens inlaid with oriental pearls, self-illuminating jade that could glow at night, and some rare items from overseas such as matches, telescopes, glass ornaments, simple self-striking clocks, foreign women’s dresses, as well as precious specialties from the Hu region, and various medicinal materials as valuable as gold, and so on.
What was even more amusing was that there were also several boxes of very crude local products that looked like sweet potatoes. Chu Qiao held one and studied it for a while before suddenly realizing that these were the Qinghai earth melons he had described in his letter. She held it to her nose and smelled a slight fragrance, her heart suddenly filled with sweet happiness, feeling that all the jewels put together were not worth these few ugly earth melons.
The local people must have put their hearts into it when they heard that the King of Qinghai wanted these items. Not only were they very large, but each earth melon was also tied with a circle of red string, carefully wrapped with red celebration steps, looking rather incongruous.
A small note was placed among the melons. She picked it up, her delicate white fingers untying the gold thread. Inside, she saw a large paragraph written in extremely thin and flowing handwriting.
He was always like this. Even when writing letters, his tone was awkward, talking at length from the weather to politics to the development trends of the local economy, like a cordial meeting between two heads of state. Only at the end of each letter would he carefully remind her with one sentence: pay attention to your doors, be careful of windows before sleeping, and be vigilant against villains.
Once Li Ce saw Zhuge Yue’s letter and was furious, cursing that Zhuge Yue was truly a villain who would slander others behind their backs. At that time, Chu Qiao looked at this man who secretly opened other people’s letters yet acted righteously indignant and felt that neither of them was lying.
Today’s letter was not very long. After a brief opening, the ink seemed to have become much thicker, suggesting that he had pondered for a long time, the ink had dried, and he had re-dipped his brush to continue writing:
“Matters keep me occupied, and I cannot spend the Spring Festival with you. When spring warms and flowers bloom next year, I will fulfill my promise. Wait for me.”
Around her was a chorus of exclamations and gasps, but as Chu Qiao held the thin letter, she felt calm and peaceful. The wind passed silently, startled swallows chirped, flowers were vibrant, and leaves were verdant. Despite the biting winter cold, her heart remained full of spring warmth and clear skies.
That evening, Chu Qiao gathered with Mei Xiang, Jing Jing, Duo Ji, Ping An, Qiu Sui, and a group of palace maids in Mihe Residence. Chu Qiao personally cooked. Although her culinary skills were ordinary, her modern cooking methods still amazed everyone. At first, everyone was somewhat restrained, but gradually they relaxed. There were few men in the palace. Duo Ji was handsome and gentle, while Ping An was quick-witted, constantly telling jokes that made the young maids laugh heartily.
At midnight, fireworks suddenly began outside. Chu Qiao and the palace attendants ran to the courtyard, standing under the osmanthus tree with their heads raised, watching the brilliant display of fire flowers in the sky. The bright colors sprinkled on their faces, creating an atmosphere of vibrant spirits.
Jing Jing, Ping An, and others set off firecrackers with the young maids. With the crackling sounds in her ears, Chu Qiao covered her ears as she was surrounded by everyone, her cheeks flushed, wearing a new fluffy padded jacket, like a child who hadn’t grown up.
How many years had she been here? This was the happiest New Year she had experienced.
Even though the person in her heart wasn’t by her side, time still passed peacefully and calmly.
Outside, there was still a chorus of cheerful voices. Chu Qiao bent over her desk, sketching a few strokes that became two vivid cartoon-like Q-version characters. Small bodies topped with big heads—one lively and handsome, the other serious and awkward. The two little figures stood side by side on a high hillside, staring blankly ahead, exuding a hint of adorable silliness. Before them stretched a vast grassland with herds of cattle and sheep, and in the far distance, a large expanse of blue-green sea.
With extremely serious handwriting, she wrote two characters at the end of the letter: “Waiting for you.”
No more reminders, no more inquiries. She thought she wanted to be completely selfish once, to be seriously willful once, and to believe once more.
Putting down the letter, she put on her cloak and ran out to find Mei Xiang and the others. Unexpectedly, just as she left the great hall, a handful of white petals came down on her head, like a handful of snow, fluttering and falling on her.
Everyone burst into laughter, the sound penetrating through the fireworks and festivities of Jinwu Palace, dispersing far and wide.
The winter in Bian Tang was always extremely short. In the blink of an eye, it was March.
A few days ago, news came from Huai Song that Prince Jin Jiang of Huai Song, using the Song Emperor’s ill health as a pretext, led some officials who supported him to demand the Imperial Medical Academy disclose the Emperor’s health condition. This was flatly refused by Nalan Hongye, causing quite a disturbance.
When Li Ce mentioned this matter, he frowned slightly and said lightly, “If there’s nothing wrong, why not silence those people?”
Chu Qiao didn’t respond. She vaguely guessed something. Presumably not just her, but countless eyes throughout the world were now fixed on Huai Song. How would that woman who had supported the Nalan clan’s great mansion for years with her strength now deal with these overt and covert attacks?
She couldn’t help but think of a somewhat hastily written letter she had seen many years ago in Yan Bei:
“The mountain has trees, and trees have branches; my heart delights in you, yet you do not know.”
Even those who appear as strong as iron ultimately have moments of heartbreak and sadness. Who can remain steadfast forever?
On the ninth day of the third month, Li Ce’s second son, Li Qiao’an, died of typhoid fever at the age of three. When Li Ce learned this news, he was inspecting the embankments at Xiang Lake. He rushed back hurriedly but only arrived in time to see the child’s corpse.
Li Ce now had two sons and one daughter. His eldest son was six, his daughter four. The child who died was the son of Lady Nan Yun. After the child’s death, Lady Nan Yun fell ill with grief and passed away three days later.
The child was too young to be buried in a coffin and was cremated at the Nantian Temple, his remains were kept in the temple.
That night, Li Ce drank too much. It was the first time Chu Qiao had seen Li Ce drunk. Before, no matter when he always seemed sober; even if he could barely walk, his eyes remained clear.
That night, he grabbed Chu Qiao’s hand and repeatedly asked, “Have I killed too cruelly? Have I killed too cruelly?”
His grip was too strong, making Chu Qiao’s wrist hurt terribly. The great hall was extremely quiet. The cold wind blew in, raising a ground full of drifting dust. Frogs croaked incessantly among the willows, making the silence even more apparent. From the purple copper crane-topped branch candelabra, drops of red candle tears fell, resembling a woman’s clear tears rolling down her rouge-stained cheeks, quietly hanging and falling without sound.
The next day, Li Ce posthumously bestowed the title of Concubine Yun on Lady Nan Yun. She was laid to rest in the imperial tomb, allowing her family and brothers to enjoy the honor of mourning.
In the blink of an eye, it was May. Lady Zi Ming, who had gone to the imperial villa to nurture her pregnancy and give birth, returned to the palace and delivered a son. The entire palace celebrated grandly. Li Ce bestowed the name Qing Rong on the child and granted him a noble title, proclaiming him Prince Rong. Lady Zi Ming rose to become the first of the three concubines, holding the rank of Noble Consort.
The palace maids privately discussed this Noble Consort, saying that she had entered the palace for such a short time yet had a son and climbed to the position of consort, with the position of Empress within reach.
However, others said she came from a humble background, her family had declined, and her father was a criminal official. Even though her brother gradually showed his brilliance in court, his physical condition prevented him from reaching high positions. Without family support, Noble Consort Ming would find it difficult to achieve much.
Regarding these harem matters of Li Ce, Chu Qiao was unwilling to inquire and rarely paid attention. Suddenly remembering something, she asked Qiu Sui, “Why wasn’t the Empress Dowager seen at the Noble Consort’s investiture ceremony?”
Qiu Sui replied, “After the late Emperor passed away, the Empress Dowager left for Anyin Temple and hasn’t returned to the palace for many years.”
Chu Qiao suddenly understood, recalling this Empress Dowager’s difficult life, and couldn’t help but sigh.
Just after April, Bian Tang was already filled with gentle spring breezes. A few days ago, Zhuge Yue had sent her a pair of double-winged birds from the Hu region. They were very beautiful with bright plumage. It was said that these birds were born in pairs, and if one died, the other would not live alone.
Chu Qiao liked them so much that she fed them every day and renamed them “Pair-Winged Birds,” showing exceptional fondness. The female bird seemed to have a good relationship with Chu Qiao. Gradually, even when released from the cage, it wouldn’t fly far, only circling the great hall, occasionally landing on Chu Qiao’s shoulder and nuzzling her cheek with its neck. The male bird always became very angry at this sight, flying wildly around the room and making strange calls, amusing the young maids who laughed heartily.
Li Ce also seemed to like this pair of birds and often came to play with them.
One night, while Chu Qiao was sleeping, she suddenly felt as if someone was watching her. As soon as she opened her eyes and sat up in the darkness, she immediately fell into a hard embrace.
The man’s scent was familiar, his breathing somewhat deep, blowing onto her neck one breath at a time, carrying a hint of strong alcohol. He held her so tightly as if using all his strength, almost hurting her. She didn’t struggle. Through the cold clothes, she seemed to feel his loneliness and pain. She gently reached out to pat his back.
The desolate moonlight shone on them. The man’s clothes had fine dragon patterns embroidered with red threads. Those threads were so fine, seeming to merge into the layers of bright yellow, a vague trace like a blood-stained wrist.
Gradually, Li Ce released her. The alcohol surged, his breath filled with clear wine fragrance.
Chu Qiao carefully asked, “Li Ce, did you mistake me for her?”
Li Ce was startled, turning to look at her with slightly raised eyebrows.
Chu Qiao suddenly felt awkward, like a child who had inadvertently stumbled upon someone’s secret, and said softly, “I heard from the servants that Princess Fu used to live here.”
Li Ce stared at her steadily, his gaze so distant, like a deep ancient well, containing clear profound meaning and a trace of turbidity. At that time, Chu Qiao perhaps could not understand his gaze. She only felt uncomfortable being watched by him, with a slightly numb worry.
“Heh—”
Li Ce suddenly gave a light laugh, then said in his drawn-out, lazy tone, “Fu’er’s figure was much better than yours.”
That night, after leaving Mihe Residence, Li Ce went to Noble Consort Ming’s Roufu Palace. Just as he left the great hall, Chu Qiao noticed a translucent object on the table—it was Li Ce’s jade finger ring. She quickly ran to the window and called out, “Fox Li! Your finger ring!”
Li Ce turned back, flashing her a brilliant smile that was stunningly handsome in the moonlight.
“A moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold. I’ll come back for it tomorrow!”
With that, he headed toward Roufu Palace.
Chu Qiao held the finger ring, giving this playful emperor a hard glare. As she turned around, her toe accidentally hit a raised threshold, causing excruciating pain. She frowned and sat down, only to see that it was bleeding profusely, staining her white nightgown red.
A sense of panic suddenly arose in her heart.
Around the fourth watch of the night, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly approached. Chu Qiao, already feeling uneasy and not sleeping soundly, sat up abruptly. Just then, Mei Xiang and Qiu Sui rushed into the hall, their faces pale as death, saying:
“His Majesty has been stabbed!”
“Bang!”
In the darkness, the white jade finger ring suddenly fell to the ground. It didn’t break but lost a corner, rolling far away across the polished floor.
By the time she reached Yixin Hall, the entire area outside the great hall was filled with the sound of weeping. The entire Imperial Medical Academy was waiting outside, with several senior imperial physicians gathered inside. Blood-filled basins were constantly being carried out, like sharp knives deeply piercing into the bone marrow, causing intense pain.
Qiu Sui said Li Ce was stabbed while staying in Noble Consort Ming’s palace. The attacker was an elderly eunuch who claimed Prince Luo was his benefactor. After the deed, before the guards could question him, he bit his tongue and committed suicide.
Chu Qiao clenched her fists tightly. At this moment, she was not allowed to enter the inner hall, not even qualified to kneel and cry outside. She frowned in confusion. Putting aside the fact that Roufu Palace was heavily guarded and Li Ce always had top-notch bodyguards around him, how could an obscure old eunuch infiltrate the inner hall and successfully carry out an assassination? Furthermore, considering Li Ce’s martial skills, he would never allow a stranger to approach him without any awareness.
Looking far ahead, she saw a thinly-dressed woman kneeling alone in a small square in front of the great hall. Her hair was disheveled, and since she had her back to Chu Qiao, her face was not visible.
Qiu Sui said she was Noble Consort Ming, who had been kneeling there since the beginning.
Just then, the doors of the great hall suddenly opened. Sun Di, leading a group of loyal ministers, hurried forward and anxiously asked, “How are His Majesty’s injuries?”
The leading senior imperial physician wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, “His Majesty’s life is no longer in danger, but he still needs to rest quietly.”
Upon hearing this, the concubines simultaneously relaxed and burst into tears. Over at the square, Noble Consort Ming’s body weakened, and she fainted.
“Lord Sun, His Majesty wishes to see you,” said the senior imperial physician, then, turning his gaze around and seeing Chu Qiao, he suddenly added, “And this young lady.”
At once, all ambiguous and strange gazes converged on her. Chu Qiao took a deep breath, maintaining a calm expression as she stepped forward. After greeting Lord Sun, she walked into the great hall under everyone’s watchful eyes.
The great hall was stuffy, filled with the heavy smell of medicine. Sun Di entered first and came out after a long while, telling Chu Qiao, “His Majesty is not in good spirits. Keep it brief.”
“Understood.”
Chu Qiao nodded and walked into the inner hall, passing through layers of curtains. Li Ce was lying on what could almost be called a massive dragon bed.
His complexion was indeed very poor. Chu Qiao had never seen him like this—ashen-faced, with blue eye sockets and lips almost bloodless. He stared at her with a seemingly dazed gaze. Just as Chu Qiao began to panic, he suddenly revealed a strange smile and said in a hoarse but light-hearted voice, “Scared you all, didn’t I?”
Time seemed to rewind, years flowing backward in an instant. They seemed to return to their very first meeting, when the young Crown Prince was pulled off his horse by her and punched, his face beaten black and blue. He had whimpered “ouch, ouch” pitifully while giving her a strange smile, like a heartless rogue.
“Li Ce—”
She called out tremulously. A deep knife wound was visible across his chest; just an inch more and it would have pierced his heart. She looked at him with fear, her scalp tingling. She wanted to grab his hand but didn’t dare, only repeatedly saying, “It’s all right now, just rest slowly.”
“Originally,” Li Ce spoke intermittently, “I was planning to prepare your dowry myself these days. Now, that fellow Sun Di will benefit. I wonder if he’ll embezzle anything.”
Chu Qiao forced a smile and said gently, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“Mmm.”
He seemed very tired. After just these few words, his face grew even paler. Chu Qiao quickly said, “You sleep now, don’t talk anymore.”
“Qiao Qiao, stay by my side.”
“Alright,” Chu Qiao nodded immediately. “I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay right here with you.”
Li Ce fell into a deep sleep. During this time, the imperial physician came to change his medicine once. Chu Qiao saw the wound with her own eyes, deepening her doubts about his injury, but now was not the time to deal with these matters.
Three days later, Li Ce’s condition improved, and his complexion looked much better.
That morning, as Chu Qiao was fanning him in the inner hall, she suddenly heard a commotion outside. She raised her eyebrows and looked up. Qiu Sui hurriedly ran in and whispered in her ear, “The Empress Dowager has returned to the palace.”
Chu Qiao was startled and quickly walked out.
Before she even left Yixin Gate, she saw the Empress Dowager’s phoenix carriage approaching in a stately manner. She paid her respects to the Empress Dowager and followed her back to Yixin Hall. The attendant lifted the curtain. The Empress Dowager wore a plain blue single garment. When Chu Qiao looked up, she was shocked—in just a few years, the Empress Dowager seemed to have become a completely different person, aged beyond recognition. Her hair was completely white, her face deeply wrinkled, and her eyes, red and swollen, seemed to have sunk into her face.
As soon as she alighted from her carriage, tears flowed, and she cried sorrowfully, “Where is my Ce’er? How is my Ce’er?”
“Your Highness, His Majesty is out of danger and only needs to rest quietly.”
The Empress Dowager wept while scolding, “You lot of servants, how did you serve him? If the Emperor has even the slightest problem, you will all accompany him in death!”
With that, she walked toward Yixin Hall.
The servants were so frightened they all knelt on the ground, not daring to raise their heads.
No one dared to stop the Empress Dowager. Chu Qiao followed behind into Yixin Hall. Li Ce was still asleep at this time. As soon as the Empress Dowager saw him, tears fell. She tremblingly approached, as if wanting to touch his face.
A palace maid from the Empress Dowager’s side approached Chu Qiao, frowning as she said, “Who are you? Why are you here? The Empress Dowager has come to see the Emperor. All other unnecessary people must leave immediately.”
Mei Xiang frowned, about to speak, when Chu Qiao tugged at her sleeve and nodded, saying, “Understood.”
With that, she led Mei Xiang and the others out of Yixin Hall.
“Miss? The Emperor asked you to stay with him.”
Chu Qiao sighed and said, “His mother has returned. What reason do we have to continue staying inside?”
Qiu Sui said from the side, “I didn’t expect the Empress Dowager to care so much for the Emperor.”
At this moment, Lord Sun Di came from the front. Seeing Chu Qiao, he was slightly startled and asked, “Why isn’t the young lady in Yixin Hall?”
Mei Xiang quickly interjected, “The Empress Dowager returned and drove our Miss out!”
“The Empress Dowager?”
Sun Di was startled upon hearing this and strode quickly toward Yixin Hall, saying in a deep voice, “Who escorted the Empress Dowager back? The news of His Majesty being stabbed is not known outside. How did the Empress Dowager return?”
Just then, a violent scream suddenly came from Yixin Hall. Sun Di and Chu Qiao were both startled and immediately pushed open the doors of Yixin Hall, rushing in together!
They saw the Empress Dowager holding a dagger, her pale face covered in bright red blood, her expression tragic. Where was the gentle and kind woman from before? She stood by the bed like a demon, screaming, “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! I will avenge Luo’er!”
Chu Qiao’s mind became a blank expanse, like a northern wind howling across.