The Emperor seemed somewhat surprised, and his searching gaze settled on Wei Yan’s face. “Are you well acquainted with Lady Official Ling?”

Wei Yan’s expression remained composed, and he smiled mildly. “Before Lady Official Ling entered the palace, she once brought her younger brother to the Returning-Spring Hall seeking treatment. This subject spent nearly half a year treating young Lord Ling’s eye condition and curing it entirely. This subject and Lady Official Ling do have an acquaintance — though to call it close would be overstating it.”

The Emperor hummed casually, then with equal casualness said, “Lady Official Ling is refined in appearance and intelligent in manner, and quite beautiful — easy to captivate. If you find yourself drawn to her, feel free to say so plainly.”

To speak plainly would mean no good ending awaited either him or Ling Jingshu.

Given the Emperor’s nature, having specifically kept Ling Jingshu here in the Palace of Purple Dawn already conveyed the sense that he regarded her as something reserved for himself alone — how could he permit another to covet her? Those generous words were nothing more than a test.

Wei Yan laughed with cold contempt inwardly, while outwardly letting an amused smile show. “Your Majesty, please do not tease this humble subject. Toward Lady Official Ling, this subject has never harbored the slightest other thought. The reason this subject brought her up before Your Majesty is that there is a private and important matter he wishes to raise.”

“Oh? What private and important matter?” The Emperor pressed, his expression betraying nothing.

Wei Yan let out a soft sigh and, in a tone of genuine regret, recounted Ling Jingshu’s strange ailment.

The Emperor listened at first with only half his attention, but very quickly his expression grew grave. “Is everything you say true? Can there truly be such a peculiar illness in this world? This is something I have never in my life heard of or seen.”

“Not to mention Your Majesty — this subject has spent many years studying medical texts and has never once heard of such a strange affliction.”

Wei Yan let a trace of rueful smile show at the corner of his lips. “To be candid with Your Majesty — before Lady Official Ling entered the palace, this subject had already attempted to write prescriptions to treat her condition. But the time had been too short, and no visible effect had yet appeared. After she entered the palace and was assigned daily duties in the Palace of Pepper Fragrance, the difference between men and women made frequent contact inappropriate, and treatment had to be suspended.”

The Emperor’s brow furrowed even more deeply.

In his eyes, Ling Jingshu was a tempting flower just barely beginning to bloom, right there within his reach — waiting for him to pluck at his leisure whenever the mood took him. He had never imagined that Ling Jingshu could not, in fact, come near a man at all.

Was she not, then, a flower reflected in a mirror, a moon glimpsed in water — something to behold but never to touch?

Wei Yan’s voice sounded again at his ear. “This subject wishes to continue treating Lady Official Ling. Would Your Majesty grant permission?”

Indeed!

If there is illness, it can be cured.

And besides — he needed to cultivate his health and still his desires for several months anyway. During that time, could Wei Yan not simply cure Ling Jingshu of her ailment?

The Emperor’s expression brightened suddenly, and he said at once with a smile, “You truly have a healer’s heart — never forgetting to tend to the sick and relieve their suffering. Very well. This Emperor grants you permission to treat Lady Official Ling.”

Ling Jingshu was right here in the Palace of Purple Dawn. Wei Yan came and went through the palace frequently, so treating Ling Jingshu would be very convenient. Right here under his own watchful eye — he supposed Wei Yan would not dare play any tricks.

Wei Yan quietly exhaled in relief and expressed his gratitude with a respectful bow.

After leaving the Palace of Purple Dawn, Wei Yan went to the Palace of Rippling Waves.

Following the dethronement of Empress Xu, Noble Consort Li and Wei Jieyu — who now jointly oversaw palace affairs — had become the most formidable figures in the inner court. Wei Jieyu especially, young, beautiful, and deeply favored, had risen with the tide. The number of consorts coming and going through the Palace of Rippling Waves each day had grown ever larger.

Securing an audience with Wei Jieyu was far less easy than it had once been.

Wei Yan waited outside the palace hall for roughly half an hour before Wei Jieyu found a moment to see him.

The moment she appeared, Wei Jieyu smiled with an apologetic air. “Lady Beauty Wang and the others have been talking without end — it would not have been proper for me to send them away. I am sorry you had to wait so long.”

Wei Yan’s mind was heavy with many thoughts, and he had no interest in pleasantries. He lowered his voice. “My lady, there is something this subject wishes to speak with you about.”

Wei Jieyu nodded and instructed the palace women and attendants to withdraw.

“What has happened?” Wei Jieyu asked with concern. “Look at how grave you appear.”

In the presence of his eldest sister, who knew everything, Wei Yan had neither the strength nor the will to conceal anything. His expression fell into quiet bitterness, and he said in a low voice, “Elder Sister — A’Shu has been released from the imperial prison.”

“Really? That is wonderful news!”

Wei Jieyu broke into immediate delight, and smiled as she teased, “A’Shu being released from the imperial prison is a great cause for joy — and have you not been praying for her release all along? Now she has come out of the prison without you even having to exert any effort. You should be happy — so why are you wearing that long face?”

Wei Yan tugged at the corner of his lips, his smile growing more pained by the moment. “The Emperor himself issued a verbal decree releasing her. And furthermore, the Emperor has specifically kept her in the Palace of Purple Dawn to serve as a lady official.”

Wei Jieyu fell silent.

The smile on Wei Jieyu’s face froze in an instant.

After so many years in the palace, so many years serving the Emperor, she understood his nature better than anyone. To put it kindly, he was one who cherished delicate beauty. To put it plainly — he was a man of dissolute and lecherous tastes.

The Emperor had specifically kept Ling Jingshu in the Palace of Purple Dawn — what other reason could there be?

It was obvious. He had taken a liking to Ling Jingshu.

Just as he had once taken a liking to her, when she had been nothing but a palace maid.

Wei Jieyu clutched the embroidered handkerchief in her hand with all her strength, her fingernails pressing into her palm, the sharp pain surging in waves. Her pretty face gradually paled. “A’Yan — a small arm cannot overcome a thick leg. Since the Emperor has stirred his heart toward her, A’Shu’s fate may be inescapable. You must not do anything foolish.”

“Elder Sister…”

“I know you care for A’Shu. But in this world, there are many things over which one has no power. That is the Emperor — the supreme lord of all under heaven, above ten thousand people, brooking no defiance — and he is nothing like the Crown Grandson or Prince Yan. If you enrage the Emperor, no one can protect you. A’Yan, I beg you — do not act rashly or impetuously. In everything, make preserving yourself the first priority. You are the only younger brother I have. I cannot bear to watch you walk a road of no return…”

The more Wei Jieyu spoke, the more agitated she became. Without realizing it, she gripped Wei Yan’s arm tightly, her eyes filling with the shimmer of tears.

Watching his sister in such a state, Wei Yan felt a heavy weight pressing on his own heart. He kept his voice low as he comforted her. “Elder Sister, I understand everything you have said. Rest assured — I will not act rashly.”

Yet he would not give up on rescuing Ling Jingshu either.

He would use his own means to quietly guard over her, in the shadows.

Hearing the low, steady resolve in Wei Yan’s voice, Wei Jieyu’s panicked and helpless heart grew a little steadier. “As long as you know the weight of things.”

Before Wei Jieyu could breathe a sigh of relief, Wei Yan spoke again. “I prescribed the Emperor a formula for calming the heart and settling the spirit — with the herbs for clearing heat and quieting the mind weighted more heavily than stated. I also advised him to abstain from the company of women for half a year. And I told the Emperor of A’Shu’s condition. He has granted me permission to continue treating A’Shu. Within this half-year, A’Shu should be safe.”

Wei Jieyu felt her hands and feet go weak, a wave of dizziness washing over her. Her whole body swayed. “A’Yan!”

Wei Yan reflexively steadied her arm. “Elder Sister!”

Wei Jieyu steadied herself with his support, and then let out a bleak smile. “A’Yan — is this what you call not acting rashly? Do you understand what will await you if the Emperor ever realizes what you intend?”