Empress Xu had always adored lavish spectacle, and the birthday banquets of previous years had been held with great fanfare and splendor.

The Emperor had casually ordered that everything this year be kept simple — clearly having no wish to dwell on Empress Xu.

Consort Wei was the most gentle and perceptive of women. Having read the Emperor’s true feelings, she smiled and answered: “Your Majesty wishes to avoid lavishness and waste and conserve the palace’s expenditures — that is indeed a fine thing. This consort has never before presided over or arranged a birthday banquet, and if there are any deficiencies or oversights, this consort asks that Your Majesty show much forbearance.”

Hearing Consort Wei’s soft and gentle voice, the Emperor’s mood eased somewhat. He smiled and took hold of her well-tended, soft and smooth hand: “You are always careful and thorough in your conduct — we trust you. By the way — in these days of presiding over palace affairs, have you encountered any vexing matters? Has any consort been secretly obstructing or making trouble for you out of resentment? If so, tell us at once, and we will stand up for you!”

That Consort Wei had emerged from among the many consorts and enjoyed favor for many years was of course due to more than just her elegant and beautiful face.

She gave a slight smile, looking at the Emperor with a gaze of trust and admiration: “This consort possesses no exceptional virtue or talent, nor the backing of a powerful family at home — yet has had the fortune of becoming one of Your Majesty’s consorts, and now also manages the palace affairs on Your Majesty’s behalf. Your Majesty has been so good to this consort — who in the palace with eyes to see would not notice, and who would dare bully me?”

It was a gaze of wholehearted devotion and adoration.

In her eyes, he was not only the Emperor of the realm — he was also the man who cherished and loved her with his whole heart.

Under such a gaze, the Emperor’s pride and self-regard as a man received the fullest possible satisfaction. He tightened his grip on Consort Wei’s hand, and his voice grew especially gentle: “Among all the many consorts in the palace, what I love most about you is your perceptiveness and warmth. Be at ease — we will ensure you and An’ya enjoy prosperity and peace all your lives.”

Consort Wei’s eyes grew moved and reddened, brimming with tears: “This consort truly does not know what merit she accumulated in past lives to have earned Your Majesty’s favor.”

Yet inside, she was laughing coldly.

In this people-devouring palace, to believe that one was special in the Emperor’s eyes — that would be true foolishness.

Through so many years in the palace, for the sake of protecting herself, she had always kept a low profile, careful and cautious, never daring to act willfully or presumptuously, and never letting favor go to her head. It was precisely through this carefulness that she had survived safely to the present day.

The Emperor had been abstaining from his desires for several months now, and in these recent days felt that his body had grown considerably more robust. While exchanging warm and tender words with Consort Wei, he could not help but feel stirrings of desire.

With Princess An’ya present, it was not convenient for the Emperor to let this show. He simply held Consort Wei’s hand the entire time without releasing it, chatting idly while imperceptibly caressing her palm.

Consort Wei seemed to sense something — a faint flush rose to her pretty cheeks, making her all the more beautiful and captivating.

That very evening, the Emperor summoned Consort Wei to attend the night.

Though Wei Yan had given his instructions beforehand — once this desire was roused, no one could stop the Emperor. The ever-obliging Eunuch Ding had even quietly prepared a tonic.

After drinking the tonic, the Emperor did indeed feel his vigor greatly revived. With Consort Wei’s devoted attentiveness, that night was deeply satisfying and pleasurable.

The exhausted Emperor, just before drifting into heavy sleep, was still feeling self-satisfied.

Wei Yan had told him to recuperate quietly for half a year — but in fact, there was no need for it to take that long! Only three months had passed, and yet his imperial body was already without significant ailment.

What a pity that Ling Jingshu’s illness was not yet cured and she could not yet be touched.

But there was no need to be in any hurry. She was right here in Zichen Palace — once her illness was cured, he could favor her whenever he wished.

……

The news that the Emperor had summoned Consort Wei to attend the night was no secret in the palace.

The long-dormant inner court was instantly set abuzz by the news. Today it was Beauty Wang, dressed up in full splendor, who came to “visit” — tomorrow it would be Zhāo Consort Zhang, beguiling in every manner, who came to “pay respects.”

Ling Jingshu, performing her duties at Zichen Palace, was fully aware of all these developments, and quietly felt a growing sense of wariness.

Though she had the shield of her “ailment,” the Emperor’s gaze upon her grew hotter by the day — and that was truly unsettling.

On this particular day, it was again Wei Yan’s day to come and examine her.

Bai Yu and Qiao Yun, sharing a tacit understanding, withdrew on their own initiative after Wei Yan entered the room and stood guard at the door outside.

Ling Jingshu’s brow was lightly knitted; Wei Yan’s expression was also somewhat grave.

The two looked at each other, and both opened their mouths simultaneously: “I have something to say to you.” And simultaneously corrected themselves: “You speak first!”

Having said the same thing twice in a row — they were truly of one heart and mind. Even though both of them were weighed down with worry, they could not help but let out a wry laugh together. The tension that had been building in the air quickly eased.

Wei Yan composed himself and said in a low voice: “A’Shu — you have heard about the Emperor beginning to summon his consorts to attend the night, I take it?”

Ling Jingshu nodded: “I know. What I was just about to say was exactly this matter.”

She was before the Emperor’s eyes all day long and felt it most acutely.

If she were not suffering from a strange ailment, the Emperor would likely have been unable to hold himself back long ago.

Wei Yan’s heart was also heavy, but he let a composed and calm expression show on his face: “Don’t panic first — I have already thought of a countermeasure.”

Yet Ling Jingshu felt no relief, and instead looked over at him with a face full of worry: “Wei Yan — whatever you do, don’t do anything rash or foolish.”

Wei Yan offered a reassuring smile: “Don’t worry. The countermeasure I’m speaking of works in accordance with the Emperor’s own wishes. It will absolutely not bring any harm upon myself.”

He still had to rescue her from the palace, still had to live out his days with her — how could he be willing to risk his life recklessly?

Ling Jingshu studied Wei Yan with half-believing eyes and still refused to trust his words. She threw him a look: “You must be saying something pleasant just to coax me.”

She surely did not know how captivating she looked at that moment — that coquettish manner of a woman pouting at the person she loved.

That one glance of gentle allure stirred up the passionate feelings Wei Yan had long been suppressing at the bottom of his heart.

Wei Yan’s heart warmed, and he stepped two paces closer, looking down at her lovely face and saying softly: “A’Shu — believe in me. With you here, how could I be willing to speak carelessly of life and death?”

His ardent gaze lingered on her lips.

As though tenderly and urgently kissing her there.

A faint warmth crept up Ling Jingshu’s cheeks. She felt a kind of soft weakness throughout her body, a shameful tide of warmth rising within her.

What a pity — her illness was not yet cured, and she could not throw herself into his arms and hold him close. Much less rise on tiptoe to gently kiss his cheek.

She ought to step back a few paces and let them both calm down.

Yet her body had its own ideas and refused to move.

The two of them held each other’s gaze in an entangled, lingering silence for a moment, then each withdrew it by sheer force of self-control.

After a while, Wei Yan said in a low, hoarse voice: “In a few more days, it will be the Emperor’s birthday celebration. Eunuch Huang of the Bureau of Affairs has already prepared a special gift for the Emperor.”

A special gift?

Ling Jingshu was startled, and reflexively pressed further: “What is it?”

Eunuch Huang was Wei Yan’s man — the gift he offered was clearly given at Wei Yan’s instruction.