By custom, the female officials were required to withdraw whenever Wei Yan came to examine Empress Xu.

At most, Empress Xu would keep Rui Lian by her side.

Though Qiu Shuang and the others quietly seethed with envy, there was nothing they could do. At that moment, as if by unspoken agreement, they each excused themselves and withdrew.

Empress Xu seemed to be in exceptionally high spirits today, for she smiled and said, “Imperial Physician Wei is only here to take my pulse as a precaution — it won’t take much time. The rest of you needn’t leave. Stay and wait nearby.”

“Yes, this servant obeys.”

Everyone answered in unison, yet inwardly they were all quietly bewildered.

What had come over Her Highness the Empress today? Why would she allow all of them to remain?

Ling Jingshu was somewhat surprised as well at first.

After a moment, she began to dimly guess at Empress Xu’s intentions.

Wei Yan stepped forward and carefully inquired about Empress Xu’s recent condition — trivial matters such as her meals and sleeping hours. Then he took her pulse.

Although Wei Yan’s manner was nothing but respectful, utterly devoid of any intimacy, the nature of the examination — the questions, the pulse-taking — required him to draw quite close to the Empress. Empress Xu gazed at the handsome young man right before her eyes, deeply pleased within her heart.

Wei Yan, oh, Wei Yan! No matter how reluctant you are, what can you do? With a single word from me, you must come obediently before me, offering solicitude and concern.

As for Ling Jingshu — she can only stand there and watch, waiting helplessly!

Empress Xu cast a meaningful glance toward Ling Jingshu, a self-satisfied smile flickering across her eyes.

No matter how lofty one’s standing, no matter how noble one’s status, Empress Xu was, at the end of the day, a woman. And in the presence of a “rival,” the urge to assert dominance was simply unavoidable.

From the corner of her eye, Ling Jingshu caught the self-satisfaction and arrogance in Empress Xu’s gaze. Wave after wave of revulsion and disgust washed through her.

Shameless old woman!

Poor Wei Yan! Truly, one could only wonder how he had endured and suffered through all these years.

……

After finishing the pulse examination, Wei Yan swiftly stepped back several paces and bowed with clasped hands to report: “Her Highness the Empress is in excellent health. There is not the slightest cause for concern.”

Empress Xu responded with an unhurried hum. “You have worked hard, Imperial Physician Wei. By the way, how much longer will His Majesty the Emperor need to rest before his health is fully restored?”

His Majesty had long since depleted his vitality through excessive indulgence, and had further compounded the damage by habitually consuming potent tonics. Even with complete rest and careful recuperation, such treatment only addressed the symptoms rather than the root cause. There was truly no prospect of a full recovery.

“In this subject’s assessment, if His Majesty rests for approximately another month, there should be no serious cause for concern regarding the imperial health.” The truth could not be spoken aloud, so Wei Yan stated the convenient falsehood that Empress Xu herself already knew to be a falsehood.

Empress Xu nodded and smiled. “These past days, you have kept watch over His Majesty day and night — you have truly labored hard. I shall reward you handsomely. I will have someone send it to the Imperial Medical Court shortly.”

Wei Yan expressed his gratitude and then respectfully asked to take his leave.

Empress Xu’s eyes flickered, and she granted his leave — then, quite out of nowhere, added: “Jingshu, go see Imperial Physician Wei out on my behalf!”

Both Wei Yan and Ling Jingshu felt their hearts leap.

What did Empress Xu mean by this? Was it a deliberate test? Or did she have some other intention?

Whatever Empress Xu’s purpose, an imperial decree had been issued, and Ling Jingshu could not refuse. She stepped forward, accepted the command, and escorted Wei Yan out of the main hall.

Wei Yan’s figure was tall and slender, his bearing upright, graceful as bamboo in the wind.

Ling Jingshu’s figure was willowy, her waist impossibly slender, her manner elegant and captivating.

Even viewed from behind, they were a remarkably well-matched pair.

Empress Xu fixed her gaze on the retreating figures of the two, and the light in her eyes dimmed ever so slightly.

……

Ling Jingshu had not turned back, yet she could still sense Empress Xu’s sharp and penetrating gaze bearing down on her. Her earlier suspicions grew clearer and more certain with every step. Empress Xu had summoned her into the palace — and it was indeed because of Wei Yan.

Empress Xu’s jealousy ran extraordinarily deep, and her possessiveness was extreme. Even if she could not have Wei Yan, she would not permit any other woman to draw near him, and she absolutely would not tolerate Wei Yan developing any affection for another woman.

Here in Jiaofang Palace, her every word and action lay beneath Empress Xu’s watchful eye. It was easy enough to surmise that the Empress had long since had people secretly monitoring her every move.

For the past month and more, she had been exercising exceptional caution and care in everything she did — precisely so as not to give Empress Xu the slightest pretext to seize upon.

Empress Xu had deliberately arranged for her to escort Wei Yan out. To accompany him too far would be improper; to stop too soon would only betray a guilty conscience. After a brief consideration, Ling Jingshu walked Wei Yan as far as the entrance of Jiaofang Palace, then halted: “Please travel safely, Imperial Physician Wei. I still have duties to attend to and must return.”

Wei Yan also stopped and turned to express his thanks. “Thank you for escorting me this far.”

Ling Jingshu smiled faintly. “I was merely following Her Highness the Empress’s command. If you wish to offer thanks, Imperial Physician Wei, it is Her Highness you should thank.”

Though there were a thousand things left unsaid, none of them could be spoken aloud.

This stifled, helpless feeling was truly painful to bear.

When their eyes met, the surge of emotion within Wei Yan’s heart came dangerously close to overflowing. Yet what he said aloud was entirely unrelated to any of it: “Her Highness the Empress has arranged a marriage for Princess Fumin. I have heard she is to leave the capital in April to wed far away.”

Ling Jingshu’s heart tightened.

Wei Yan’s sudden mention of Princess Fumin was not without purpose. It was a veiled warning — a reminder that Empress Xu was narrow-minded and ruthless in her methods. If she could act this way toward a princess, how much more would she do to someone like Ling Jingshu?

She must not let her guard down for even a moment inside Jiaofang Palace!

Ling Jingshu held his gaze for a long moment, then said softly, “I will take care of myself. And I hope you too will take good care.”

With that, she dipped into a curtsy, then turned and walked back into Jiaofang Palace.

Wei Yan did not linger. He turned and departed swiftly as well.

No one knew how much surging, turbulent feeling lay concealed beneath his calm and composed expression — emotion that had never once been allowed to show.

……

Ling Jingshu soon returned to the main hall to report. “Your Highness, Imperial Physician Wei has departed.”

Empress Xu curved her lips slightly and hummed in acknowledgment.

After that, the female officials followed their customary routine and reported on the day’s matters. No one dared to be verbose or long-winded — each delivered their report in a few concise words. Empress Xu said little in return, mostly offering a nod of approval. If she was dissatisfied, a frown would appear. And if Empress Xu’s expression grew stern and she began to reprimand someone, it meant someone’s misfortune was at hand.

In the month and more that Ling Jingshu had been here, she had only witnessed Empress Xu lose her temper once.

A maid had been careless while on duty and accidentally shattered the teacup that Empress Xu habitually used. The Empress’s expression had changed at once, and she ordered the maid dragged out and flogged with a cane.

Even being flogged had its rules in the palace. A cloth bundle was stuffed into the mouth, and no matter how heavy the beating or how many strokes were administered, not a single cry or whimper was permitted. To make a sound meant the strokes would be doubled.

That wretched maid had received thirty strokes and was confined to lying face-down for several days afterward. Once she recovered enough to walk, she would be reassigned to heavy menial labor and would never again be eligible to serve at Empress Xu’s side.

Serving the Emperor was like standing beside a tiger — but was serving Empress Xu any different?

No wonder everyone throughout Jiaofang Palace walked on eggshells, not daring to make the slightest error!

After reporting their matters, the female officials each returned to their respective duties.

Ling Jingshu excused herself as she normally would.

But Empress Xu unexpectedly detained her: “Jingshu, stay — I have a few things I wish to ask you.” Her tone was surprisingly warm and amiable.

The other female officials each shot her looks of unconcealed envy as they filed out.