Manor Lord Wen agreed to have Fenglai Pavilion transport this shipment of goods, enthusiastically preparing horses and carriages to see us off. However, I could see that beneath his refined and worldly facade was undisguised fear and disgust. After all, sprawled across his manor’s great hall were the overlords who had dominated the Yangtze for over a decade, and those dismembered limbs belonged to the Twenty-Eight Assassins who once terrorized the jianghu. Now they had been wiped out as easily as specks of dust – in just an instant, the Seven Wu Faction of the Canal Transport Guild was destroyed under that flash of the sword. Such terrifying power would make anyone tremble with fear.

Xiao Huan and Su Qian ignored Manor Lord Wen’s unease, as if achieving their goal was all that mattered, paying no attention to anything else. Outside the manor waited the carriage Manor Lord Wen had prepared for us. Without waiting for Xiao Huan to speak, Su Qian commanded, “The Pavilion Master and I will take the carriage, everyone else rides horses.”

“I’m injured and dizzy. I can’t ride,” I quickly said.

Su Qian frowned. “So what…”

“Let’s all take the carriage,” Xiao Huan said quietly, bending down to enter first.

I immediately followed him into the carriage. Su Qian said nothing more. The remaining faction members mounted their horses, and our group set off again into the night.

After a night of turmoil, the eastern sky had begun to whiten. The manor gradually receded into the distance, with lush trees lining the fields outside the carriage. Xiao Huan leaned silently against the carriage wall, turning his head to watch the distant mountains and nearby trees flash past like an ink painting. In the dim morning light, the few spots of blood remaining on his pale cheeks appeared even more stark.

I pulled out a handkerchief from my sleeve and handed it to him. “Wipe your face.”

He paused briefly before reaching out to take it, carefully wiping the blood spots from his face.

I finally couldn’t help but ask, “Why did you have to kill them? Wouldn’t subduing them have been enough? Why did they have to die?”

He held the blood-stained handkerchief before his eyes, his pitch-black pupils devoid of expression, his tone calm and unwavering: “If they could have been subdued, there would have been no need to kill.”

I said nothing more. I knew what he did was right, but I couldn’t reconcile myself with his ruthlessness.

The carriage continued down the road, and we fell silent again.

After some time, there was a commotion outside. The driver pulled the carriage to the side of the road and stopped. Su Qian lifted the window curtain to look out and asked, “What’s happening?”

“Bad luck – seems someone in this village has died,” the driver replied.

By the roadside was a small village. A crowd had gathered in front of one household at the village entrance, all wearing grief-stricken expressions.

Xiao Huan, who had been staring indifferently out the window, suddenly frowned and said softly, “Qian, go take a look.”

Su Qian nodded and walked over after dismounting. She returned after questioning someone and said, “A woman in this household died in childbirth.”

Xiao Huan’s brows remained furrowed as he suddenly gripped the carriage wall to stand. “I’ll take a look.”

“Master…” Su Qian called out softly, but still said, “Alright.”

Su Qian ordered two disciples to notify the household, then followed behind Xiao Huan as they walked over together.

The family had thought the woman was beyond saving, but upon suddenly hearing a doctor was willing to examine her, they hurriedly came out to receive them.

Upon seeing Xiao Huan, a young man who appeared to be the woman’s husband hesitated, “Divine Doctor, you’re a man… this might not be appropriate…”

Knowing time was of the essence in saving lives, I stepped forward to stop him. “Which is more important – maintaining propriety or your wife’s life?”

Xiao Huan had already ducked his head and entered the courtyard. Fresh blood was scattered throughout the small yard, with a faint bloody smell lingering in the air. Xiao Huan asked someone beside him, “Where is the woman?”

The person quickly pointed to the side room. Su Qian went over and dismissed everyone else.

After stopping the husband, I hurried to follow. Entering the room, I saw the woman lying on a bed already soaked through with blood.

Xiao Huan stood before the bed, his fingers swiftly pressing the acupoints from her forehead to her navel. After a moment’s contemplation, he said, “The fetus is malpositioned. Bring surgical instruments.”

Su Qian stood to the side with slight hesitation and spoke again: “Master…”

Xiao Huan’s fingers were already flying, having pressed all the acupoints across the woman’s body. He nodded, “It’s fine.”

Su Qian said nothing more, finding suitable surgical instruments from a disciple’s supplies.

After sterilizing the instruments, they were brought into the inner chamber. The cotton curtain hanging at the door was drawn, and Xiao Huan and the midwife treated the woman behind it. Su Qian and I took turns bringing in hot water and carrying out bloody water. After a full hour, we finally heard faint groaning from the woman.

Another half hour passed before a weak cry emerged from within. The midwife came out carrying the newborn still wrapped in the afterbirth. Her blood-stained face was full of wrinkles as she smiled like a chrysanthemum: “A divine doctor indeed! In all my years, I’ve never seen anyone bring someone back from death’s door like this.”

There was still the matter of suturing the woman’s wounds. It was quite a while before Xiao Huan emerged, his hands covered in fresh blood, his blue robes even more filthy than before. Though exhaustion showed clearly on his face, his voice remained gentle as he told the family waiting at the door, “Her life is no longer in immediate danger. I’ll prescribe for her to recover gradually, and she should be fine.”

The midwife continued praising, “I’ve never seen anyone like the Divine Doctor. Most men fear being defiled by women’s blood and stay far away, yet such a refined person as the Divine Doctor neither avoided the taboo nor feared the filth.”

Xiao Huan didn’t respond to the midwife’s words. Amid the husband’s continuous thanks, he walked toward the desk by the window. He had barely taken a step when he suddenly stumbled, catching himself on the nearby wall.

Su Qian quickly stepped forward. “Master.”

He steadied himself against the wall and raised his hand toward Su Qian, indicating he was fine.

The woman’s husband and family poured in from outside, no one noticing this incident.

Xiao Huan made his way through the crowd to the desk. I quickly laid out paper and brush, handing him the ink-dipped brush.

He used the handkerchief Su Qian offered to wipe the blood from his hands, took the brush, and after a moment’s concentration, wrote on the paper: “Ginseng 6 qian, Atractylodes 5 qian…”

He frowned and shook his head, crossing out the characters to write instead: “Angelica 3 qian, wine-soaked and slightly stir-fried, Ligusticum 2 qian, White Peony 3 qian, Prepared Rehmannia 5 qian, wine-steamed.” Below he noted: “3 qian per dose, 1.5 cups water, brew to 0.8, strain and serve hot before meals on empty stomach.”

The vigorous regular script emerged one character at a time from his brush. As he wrote the final stroke, his wrist suddenly trembled, nearly bleeding the ink through the paper. Being closest, I quickly reached out to steady him. “Master?”

He set down the brush and stood up holding my arm, saying softly, “Let’s go.”

Before his words faded, he had already released my hand and walked toward the door.

Everyone inside was focused on the newborn and the bedridden mother – no one noticed us leave.

The morning wind outside was still slightly cold. Xiao Huan said nothing more, bending to enter the carriage with Su Qian and me following.

Since boarding, Xiao Huan had been leaning against the carriage wall with his eyes closed, as if asleep. Su Qian didn’t say a word either, sitting with arms crossed and eyes closed against the carriage wall. The atmosphere in the carriage was suffocating.

Exhausted from a night of injury and activity, my eyelids were already fighting to stay open. Now leaning against the carriage wall, I began to doze. The carriage rode roughly, and before long, my head bumped against something.

Startled awake, I realized I had hit Xiao Huan’s body. I quickly said, “This subordinate didn’t mean to…”

There was no response from his side. His body was slumped against the carriage wall, his forehead, and cheeks covered in a fine sheen of sweat, damp hair clinging to his skin. Perhaps disturbed by my collision, he coughed lightly, bending forward to cover his mouth with a handkerchief.

I quickly grabbed his shoulders. “Master?”

He didn’t answer but suddenly began coughing violently. When the handkerchief moved away, dark red blood spilled from his thin lips, splattering his clothes and sleeves, seemingly unable to stop.

As if my breath had been choked off, my body trembled. I could only hold his body and shout, “Stop the carriage, quickly stop!”

The carriage soon halted, but his coughing grew more severe, his body shaking uncontrollably.

Su Qian also moved closer, her face pale as she sealed the major acupoint on his chest. Her other hand pressed against the Lingtai acupoint on his back to channel internal force, but as soon as she began applying pressure, he violently coughed up another mouthful of blood.

“My cloak… pocket…” he finally managed between coughs.

Su Qian realized and quickly felt in his outer cloak’s pocket, pulling out a small porcelain bottle. In the confusion, the bottle fell, spilling pale golden liquid onto the felt carpet of the carriage floor. The compartment was immediately filled with an extremely sweet and fragrant aroma.

The scent seemed familiar. With a start, I blurted out, “Extreme Pleasure Incense!”

This was actually that nerve-numbing Extreme Pleasure Incense!

Xiao Huan supported himself on my shoulder, struggling to sit up. Those deep pupils grew brighter: “Give it to me… otherwise I… won’t make it to headquarters.”

Su Qian froze for a moment. Without hesitation, I grabbed the bottle of Extreme Pleasure Incense and threw it out of the carriage.

“You…” Xiao Huan coughed once, nearly fainting from anger.

I wasted no more time, shouting to Su Qian: “Knock him out!”

This time Su Qian didn’t hesitate. Her hand moved like lightning to strike the major acupoint on Xiao Huan’s neck.

His body went limp in my arms. I held him tight, finally able to breathe a little easier. “Where are his usual medicines?”

Su Qian quickly pulled a porcelain bottle from her clothes, shaking out several white pills and passing them over.

I held one pill up to examine it, bringing it to my nose to smell, and asked Su Qian, “Did the Master compound these pills himself?”

Su Qian seemed confused by my question but nodded, “Yes.”

I brought the pill to my lips and tasted it with my tongue: sweet.

I gave a cold laugh, my teeth aching with anger: I knew it – these pills were coated in sugar! Coating the medicine in sugar… I can’t believe he thought of this!

I continued asking Su Qian, “After taking these pills, does the medicine work very slowly?”

Su Qian nodded: “Sometimes when the Master’s internal energy is too weak and the medicine acts slowly, I need to use my internal force to help it take effect.”

Without another word, I put the pills in my mouth one by one, using my teeth to bite off the outer layer of sugar. Finally, I stuffed the now pitted black pills into his mouth, then took the water flask from Su Qian and carefully supported his head to help him swallow the medicine.

Whether because he couldn’t swallow or because even unconscious he feared the bitterness, his brows furrowed slightly as he spat out several pills along with blood.

I was drenched in anxious sweat. Supporting Xiao Huan’s head, I placed one pill at a time in his mouth and then helped him wash it down with water.

This worked much better. Though some water still spilled out, at least the pills went down. I slowly fed him several more pills this way.

After finishing with the medicine, I watched his face for a while longer. Though still pale, his ragged breathing seemed to have steadied somewhat.

Somewhat relieved, I looked up to ask Su Qian, “Where are we? What’s the nearest landmark?”

She pondered briefly: “We’re near Tang Mountain, about sixty li from headquarters.”

“Tang Mountain? The one with hot springs?” My eyes lit up. “He won’t last sixty li. We can’t return to headquarters – let’s go to the imperial villa at Tang Mountain.”

Su Qian quickly leaned out to instruct the driver to change direction.

Upon returning, she raised her head to look at me. “Who… exactly are you?” Her eyes moved to Xiao Huan’s sleeping face, and she continued thoughtfully, her voice tinged with bitterness, “Or rather, who exactly is he?”

I was taken aback. “He hasn’t told you?”

Su Qian’s eyes dimmed slightly. I quickly laughed it off: “It’s alright. If he hasn’t told you, I’ll tell you.”

Su Qian smiled faintly: “The Master has never mentioned his real name or background. I thought if he chose not to say it, he must have his reasons. Perhaps I shouldn’t know.”

I looked at her. “You’ve never asked him what his real name is, or what he did before?”

Su Qian smiled, a trace of melancholy crossing her beautiful face as she nodded slightly.

I sighed. “If you’d asked, he would have told you. Though he doesn’t want many people knowing his true identity, if you were to ask, he would probably tell you.”

Su Qian turned to look at me, her gaze flickering. “You understand the Master well?”

“Not really,” I answered honestly. “There are many things he does that I don’t understand. Often I can’t tell what he’s trying to accomplish. His knowledge and insights far exceed mine, and his aspirations and temperament differ from mine. We certainly couldn’t agree on matters of state governance. Thinking about it seriously, I don’t understand him very well.”

Su Qian turned to study my face intently, smiling gently. “Even so, you still know he would tell me his real name?”

I smiled. “Can’t help it, just feel that way.”

Su Qian smiled again and said no more.

I paused before speaking: “His surname is Xiao, given name simply Huan.”

“Xiao… Huan?” Even Su Qian’s composed voice trembled. “Emperor Deyou? Then you are…”

“Ling Cangcang,” I smiled. “I don’t like using aliases.”

“Empress… Ling?” Su Qian’s expression turned peculiar, and she burst out laughing. “You’re Empress Ling?”

The ice mountain had thawed – this was the first time I’d seen Su Qian laugh. Like the moon emerging from clouds or a pearl’s lustrous glow, her smiling face was radiant and captivating.

After laughing, Su Qian’s upturned lips quickly settled, though mirth still lingered in her eyes. “I never would have guessed. You know what they say? Everyone says Empress Ling is decisive and clever, with ruthless methods. I never imagined it would be you.”

Decisive and clever? Ruthless methods? Is that how they describe me? I felt my mouth twitch as I forced a laugh. “Word of mouth isn’t always accurate.”

“I’ve heard other rumors,” Su Qian said smiling. “Widely spread in the streets – they say Emperor Deyou was killed through a plot between Empress Ling and Prince Chu, the regent. They say the Empress and Prince Chu were already lovers, that they killed Emperor Deyou, forced the Empress Dowager into confinement, and colluded to seize power.”

Even such ridiculous stories are being spread? Three people spreading a rumor can make a tiger – how frightening public opinion can be. What nonsense!

“Well,” Su Qian’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me, “is it true?”

The ice mountain had finally shown a girlish side, now eagerly awaiting gossip… though, what was she hoping to hear?

“Nonsense!” I quickly exclaimed, holding Xiao Huan tighter as if to prove my point. “I only love Brother Xiao.”

Su Qian let out a breath, waving her hand languidly. “Alright, I understand.”

I blinked and asked her, “What about you? Do you love Brother Xiao?”

“Yes.” Su Qian replied immediately, unexpectedly directly. I hadn’t thought someone like her would speak so freely of love.

Su Qian raised her eyebrows with a faint smile: “I care deeply for the Master, perhaps no less than you do.”

I admired her courage to love and hate openly, nodding: “I understand.” After a pause, I added, “If you truly care for him, you should be more proactive. He’s too reserved – with his personality, you’ll wait forever otherwise.”

Seeing Su Qian’s brightening eyes, I suddenly wanted to bite off my tongue. Was I teaching her how to seduce Xiao Huan?

Seeing my regretful expression, Su Qian smiled radiantly.

The carriage continued swaying. I cradled Xiao Huan’s body against me, trying to minimize the impact of the carriage’s jolting on his condition.

Brushing away the strands of hair dampened by cold sweat from his forehead, I hesitated before asking, “Has his health always been this poor?”

Su Qian shook her head: “Though the Master’s health has never been robust, this severe illness is due to internal injuries he sustained a few days ago. He hadn’t fully recovered before setting out, which led to this state.”

“Injured?” I frowned. “With so many people in Fenglai Pavilion, how could you let him fight and get hurt?”

Su Qian glanced at me: “Haven’t you noticed the Master’s temperament during this trip? When facing enemies, as long as he can still fight, he absolutely won’t let his subordinates engage.” She smiled faintly. “Fenglai Pavilion has strict rules – those who kill innocently in battle have their martial arts crippled. The Master once told us to be cautious when raising weapons, that each life taken is a burden of sin. If you’re not prepared to bear that burden, better not to draw your sword to kill. So whenever we encounter situations like last night that require extensive killing, the Master usually handles it personally.”

“He handles it personally when extensive killing is needed?” Looking at Su Qian’s serene expression, I suddenly understood the implications. My arms unconsciously tightened around Xiao Huan as I took a breath and asked, “Who was he fighting when he got injured?”

“Jingqing, the Emei Sect Leader,” Su Qian snorted coldly. “A leader of a major sect using such despicable methods – no better than a common thief. That day Jingqing came to visit, saying she wanted a fair duel with the Master to resolve the grievances between Emei and Fenglai Pavilion. After the Master agreed, Jingqing somehow learned of his extreme sensitivity to cold and ambushed him with ice needles filled with cold energy. Though in the end, she didn’t fare well either – the Master forcibly dispersed all her internal power.”

“Outrageous! One day I’ll send troops to raze her mountain fortress and see if she dares touch Brother Xiao again!” I was so angry my head spun.

Su Qian gave me a bland look: “If only it were that simple.”

I could only fall silent… Indeed, jianghu fighters can never be completely eliminated – eliminate one group, another rises. Thus, martial arts matters can’t be solved with military might. Government intervention would only make things worse.

Looking down at my unconsciously clenched fists, for the first time in my life, I began to hate how powerless these hands were. If my martial arts were as advanced as Su Qian’s, I could at least do more for him, couldn’t I?

We soon arrived at Tang Mountain. The imperial villa was built on the eastern side, with ornately carved beams and painted rafters, surrounded by trees, occupying the best hot spring locations.

I presented Xiao Qianqing’s seal to the commander here, asking him to quickly notify the imperial guards. Meanwhile, Su Qian had the disciples who’d accompanied us return to Nanjing.

At the villa, we moved Xiao Huan from the carriage to a bed, where he remained unconscious.

I managed to feed him some more medicine pills and held his hand, counting the minutes. Fortunately, just that afternoon, two riders galloped in hurriedly, having arrived shortly after we reached the villa that morning.

Li Mingshang and Ban Fangyuan entered the room, their faces covered in dust from travel. Li Mingshang, knowing only that I had urgently summoned him but not why, casually dusted off his shoulders as he entered, smiling as he started to set down his medicine chest to rest: “Little miss, why such rush to summon us?”

I had no time for conversation, grabbing his sleeve to pull him toward the inner chamber. Li Mingshang was still swaying his head at first, but after entering the chamber, before even reaching the bed, he suddenly yanked his hand free.

In a flash, he crossed the ten-foot distance, his fingers finding Xiao Huan’s pulse. His expression changed several times before finally relaxing as he shook his head and let out a breath.

I carefully approached to ask, “How is he?”

Li Mingshang didn’t even look up: “As long as there’s still breath, he won’t die in my hands.” As he spoke, he suddenly applied pressure to Xiao Huan’s inch, gate, and cubit pulses. Even in unconsciousness, Xiao Huan’s brows furrowed. When Li Mingshang lifted his hand, that pale arm now bore several purple bruises.

Li Mingshang snorted coldly: “Feigning death is one thing, but to dare deceive even me and return in such a state – truly brazen beyond belief.”

The medicine would be very bitter for Xiao Huan in the coming days – extremely bitter, terribly bitter…

Though I knew better than to provoke Li Mingshang, it hurt to watch. I took Xiao Huan’s arm and gently stroked the purple marks. Suddenly remembering something else, I asked Li Mingshang, “Master Li, will Brother Xiao need to… um… be stripped naked like last time…”

Li Mingshang gave me a bland look: “This time the boy is too weak – that would kill him.”

“Oh.” I sighed in disappointment and surprisingly heard another disappointed sigh from Su Qian, who stood by the window.

She had been keeping watch in the room, but we had rushed in too quickly with Li Mingshang to notice.

Seeing we’d noticed her, Su Qian walked over gracefully and cupped her hands to Li Mingshang: “You must be the Divine Physician of the Silver Needle, Master Li? I am Su Qian, currently the Hall Master of Zhang Yue Hall under the Master.”

“Master?” Li Mingshang frowned.

I explained: “Brother Xiao now uses the alias Bai Chifan as the Master of Fenglai Pavilion.”

Li Mingshang made a sound of understanding, looking Su Qian up and down: “You’re the Mountain Hermits…” He suddenly stopped, shaking his head to say, “It’s good that you left Tianshan Sect to follow this boy.”

Su Qian smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Li Mingshang also fell silent, placing his fingers back on Xiao Huan’s pulses. I had never seen him take such care in checking a pulse – after the first reading, he checked again.

Li Mingshang’s expression was grave. I pulled Su Qian to quietly withdraw.

Not only was he careful with the pulse-taking, but this time Li Mingshang was also extremely cautious with the prescriptions, revising them multiple times and breaking into a full sweat while using acupuncture to promote blood circulation.

To help Xiao Huan recover his vital energy, Li Mingshang sealed his acupoints with golden needles. Thus, it wasn’t until the third day that Xiao Huan fully regained consciousness. Finding himself having lain in the imperial villa for three days, his expression was somewhat helpless, though he said nothing.

We stayed at the imperial villa for two more days. Li Mingshang continued to cover Xiao Huan’s entire body with needles daily, strictly ordering him to remain in bed.

Su Qian and I had little to do. She would disappear to practice martial arts each day, while I occasionally checked on Xiao Huan.

My concern wasn’t unfounded – Xiao Huan had a peculiar temperament. He generally disliked having people attend to him, and when ill, he liked it even less, often driving everyone away to shut himself alone in his room.

In his current condition, if I didn’t force my way into his room every so often to bring water, and medicine, and make him eat, I truly feared he might starve to death in bed.

That afternoon, a fine rain began to fall, making the weather cold and gloomy. I went to check if his bedding was sufficient against the damp chill.

Pushing open the door, I found he had already left his bed and was sitting at the desk, holding several letters that had arrived from Fenglai Pavilion headquarters.

Annoyed, I set down the porridge I’d brought and complained, “What did Master Li say? Who told you to get out of bed?”

He smiled but asked while looking at me, “How’s your arm wound?”

“Oh, that? It’s mostly healed.” I’d nearly forgotten about the wound these past two days. Though Li Mingshang had berated me severely when he saw the reopened, bleeding wound, after bandaging and applying the medicine, it hardly hurt anymore.

Hearing this, he reached out to take my hand, pushing up my sleeve to reveal the blood-spotted bandage. His expression darkened: “I told you not to strain your arm, and the wound still hasn’t closed!”

I laughed it off: “I’m in such good health, what’s a little wound like this? A bit of bleeding is nothing.”

“The drawbacks of blood and qi deficiency don’t show until you’re older. Don’t be careless just because you feel strong and vigorous when young.” He was genuinely angry now, coughing a few times before continuing, “You were the same at Shanhaiguan – the wound on your chest hadn’t healed, but you were already walking about.”

Not daring to argue, I stuck out my tongue: “We’ll worry about old age when we’re old. I’m still bouncing around just fine now.”

He furrowed his brows: “No excuses – you must take care of yourself!”

I was slightly taken aback by his unusually stern and serious tone.

I gave a soft “mm” in response. Just then, there was a commotion outside the door. Su Qian’s voice came from the entrance: “Who are you? Why are you here?”

“You ask who we are? We’re… imperial relatives. And who are you?” A clear, crisp voice responded.

That voice – it was Ying!

I hurriedly opened the door to find Ying and Hong Qing standing side by side, their clothes damp with rain. Seeing me, Ying was overjoyed and immediately took my arm, sweetly calling me, “Sister-in-law.”

I was startled. Beside her, Hong Qing gave her an approving look before bowing to me: “Your Majesty the Empress.” It seemed Ying’s addressing me as sister-in-law was Hong Qing’s doing.

I hugged Ying: “Good, sister-in-law is very happy.” Suddenly remembering Xiao Huan inside, I quickly blocked the doorway. “No more poisoning your brother, no killing him.”

Ying gave a mischievous smile: “Sister-in-law, what are you saying? My imperial brother’s spirit tablet is already in the Fengxian Hall – how could I kill him now?”

I was stunned: “You’re not going to kill him anymore?”

Ying smiled, seemingly disdaining further explanation, and pulled me along as she walked inside, calling out: “Brother? Are you awake?”

Seeing her, Xiao Huan seemed somewhat pleased, turning to nod: “I’m awake.”

I was completely bewildered, crossing my arms as I watched them: “You two siblings are really strange.”

Ying glanced at me: “Never mind, there’s too much you don’t know – it would be pointless to explain.”

In just a few days apart, she’d learned to speak like an adult – all Hong Qing’s bad influence. I glared at her irritably, then remembered to ask: “By the way, was that Extreme Pleasure Incense in your brother’s possession something you made for him?”

Ying shook her head innocently: “Not me. I haven’t seen him at all – he probably made it himself.”

I looked at Xiao Huan in surprise: “How do you know how to make that?”

Before Xiao Huan could answer, Ying cut in: “You don’t know? Brother taught me everything I know. Though I created the Extreme Pleasure Incense, he only needed to see it once to probably figure out the formula.” She finished with a shake of her head and sighed, “Like I said, there’s too much you don’t know – pointless to explain.”

My face twitched as I maintained silence: It wasn’t that I knew too little, but that these siblings’ relationship was truly bizarre.

Hong Qing entered and stood in the room, smiling at me to say: “Your Majesty, Prince Chu also came with us.”

I started, looking toward the doorway. On the stone steps stood a figure in white robes, closing his oil-paper umbrella. He turned with a smile, his bare face pure as lotus petals – that smile seemed from another lifetime.

“Xiao Qianqing,” I called out, momentarily at a loss for words. I could only smile and say, “What brings you here?”

Xiao Qianqing handed his umbrella to a nearby attendant, smiling ambiguously: “Your Majesty asks such a strange question – am I not allowed to come?”

I quickly shook my head: “That’s not what I meant.”

Xiao Qianqing had already brushed past my shoulder to enter, smiling across the room at Xiao Huan: “Your Majesty, it’s been a long time.”

Xiao Huan nodded politely in return: “It has been long. How fares Prince Chu?”

“As Your Majesty can see, though not excellent, I manage,” Xiao Qianqing replied coolly. “I’m not as free as Your Majesty, who could simply leave six months ago without a word, making me truly believe Your Majesty had passed away – I was inconsolable with grief.”

Xiao Huan’s tone grew even cooler: “Is that so? I’ve troubled Prince Chu with worry.”

As soon as they began speaking, the room grew several degrees colder. I could feel sweat forming on my back. I pulled Xiao Qianqing to sit at the table, called for tea, and busied myself making small talk: “Xiao Qianqing, you came from the capital, right? You look travel-worn – should I have someone arrange for you to refresh yourself with a hot spring bath?”

He suddenly caught my hand, smiling languidly like a cat with ulterior motives: “Cangcang, why don’t you join me?”

My ears burned as I quickly pulled my hand away: “What are you saying?” As I spoke, I stole a glance at Xiao Huan, who had his eyes lowered, seemingly having paid no attention to this exchange.

“Ah, I forgot we’re in His Majesty’s presence,” Xiao Qianqing drawled lazily. “Of course, the Empress wouldn’t agree.”

I pulled my gaze from Xiao Huan with a murmured agreement. A moment of silence fell over the room.

Hong Qing, who had been standing to the side holding Ying since entering, suddenly came forward and knelt on one knee: “This humble servant dares to request Your Majesty step outside.”

Xiao Huan nodded, supporting himself on the table to stand. I quickly grabbed his outer robe to drape over his shoulders and supported him.

He didn’t refuse my help, holding my hand as he walked outside, suddenly stopping at the steps.

Below the entrance steps, densely packed imperial guards in black robes knelt, filling the small courtyard and spilling onto the stone path beyond.

Hong Qing also descended the steps to kneel in a row with Shi Yan and Ban Fangyuan at the front.

The clear ring of swords being drawn sounded as the kneeling imperial guards suddenly unsheathed their blades in unison. Shi Yan, Ban Fangyuan, and Hong Qing raised their swords above their heads with both hands, while the others planted their swords on the ground.

“We, Shi Yan, Li Hong Qing, Ban Fangyuan, of the eleventh generation of the Four Huaiyin Families, and our kin, hereby swear allegiance to the eleventh generation patriarch of the Zhuque Branch of the Northern Xiao Clan. In prosperity we shall assist, in chaos, we shall protect, the flames shall not extinguish, in life and death we shall not part.”

The unified voices of dozens of people resonated deeply in the misty rain, the echoes lingering long after.

Xiao Huan’s chest rose and fell several times before he spoke: “What are you doing?”

Hong Qing answered with a lowered head: “Since entering the two battalions of imperial guards, our loyalty has never been to the Emperor of Great Wu, nor to those who could grant us titles and salaries, but to the patriarch of the Xiao Clan’s Zhuque Branch. As long as the Zhuque Branch survives, we shall protect it to the end, or else we would shame heaven and earth, and have no face to meet our ancestors’ spirits after death.”

He paused before continuing: “During the palace coup six months ago, following the Empress Dowager’s orders, we raised our swords against Your Majesty. If this act has wounded Your Majesty’s heart, Your Majesty need not accept our oath, and we shall follow custom by taking our own lives in atonement.”

After a moment of silence, Xiao Huan said: “All of you, rise.”

Silence fell over the steps. Xiao Huan frowned, turning to say: “Shi Yan, tell them to rise.”

“I’ve often wondered why Your Majesty didn’t kill me that day,” Shi Yan, unprecedentedly disobeying Xiao Huan’s command, spoke hoarsely word by word. “Drawing my sword against Your Majesty, a thousand deaths could not atone. If Your Majesty truly refuses to accept our sword oath, Shi Yan has no choice but to die today.”

“You-!” Xiao Huan seemed to grow agitated, his chest heaving as he coughed lightly several times.

Without raising his head, Hong Qing continued: “We beg Your Majesty to trust us once more.”

“Your Majesty should grant their wish,” Xiao Qianqing interjected coolly from the side. “These people abandoned their posts and ran here as soon as they heard Your Majesty was here. When I said I’d strip them of their titles, they said go ahead – truly loyal indeed…”

“Naturally, we serve the Zhuque Branch of the Xiao Clan, not the other branches. Once we learned His Majesty was here, how could we continue serving others?” Hong Qing responded without hesitation.

Xiao Qianqing gave a cold laugh, crossing his arms and turning away without further comment.

Xiao Huan finally steadied his breathing but turned away while holding my arm, his voice equally cold: “Do as you please.”

Before he could fully turn, a flash of cold light – Shi Yan, still kneeling at the front, moved without hesitation to draw his sword across his neck.

A blue shadow flashed before my eyes, my hand suddenly empty as Xiao Huan moved like lightning, barely managing to deflect Shi Yan’s sword with his finger. Even so, the blade still left a bleeding cut across Shi Yan’s neck.

Xiao Huan’s face was pale as he violently coughed up blood, his gaze shifting as he spoke word by word: “Are you trying to force me too?”

“Brother Xiao!” I rushed down the steps in panic to support and hold him.

Shi Yan’s body trembled as he stared blankly at the blood Xiao Huan had coughed onto the ground. This man of steel had tears welling in his eyes as he bowed his head deeply, his hoarse voice trembling: “Shi Yan… wouldn’t dare.”

Holding Xiao Huan, I felt his body shaking uncontrollably. Quickly trying to smooth things over, I said: “Since Commander Shi and the others have come and knelt for so long, why not accept their sword oath? As for whether they stay with Fenglai Pavilion afterward, we can discuss that later.” As I spoke, I quickly shot Hong Qing a meaningful look.

Hong Qing understood, immediately responding: “We don’t insist on staying at Fenglai Pavilion. As long as Your Majesty still acknowledges and trusts us, it means you’ve forgiven our previous actions… Otherwise, if Your Majesty is reproaching us for betrayal and disloyalty, we have no choice but death.”

Xiao Huan remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling crowd. After a long while, he slowly spoke: “I harbor no reproach toward you. I accept your oath, and after the sword-breaking ceremony, you may either stay with Fenglai Pavilion or return.” He paused before continuing, “Those who walk the jianghu path can only walk a blood-stained road. I hope you’ll consider this carefully.”

After speaking, he nodded somewhat helplessly to Shi Yan: “Raise your sword.”

Shi Yan started, suddenly lifting his head, his eyes already red as he responded in a trembling voice: “Yes.” He raised his sword above his head with both hands.

Xiao Huan formed his fingers into a sword seal, gathering his true qi, about to use his hand as a sword to mark Shi Yan’s blade.

A flash of blue light crossed the air as Xiao Qianqing tossed something toward Xiao Huan, saying with a smile: “Catch.”

Xiao Huan caught it, pausing slightly – it was the Wang Feng sword.

After that palace uprising, Xiao Qianqing had found the lost Wang Feng in the Yangxin Hall and had carried it with him since. Today he returned it to Xiao Huan.

“Don’t strain yourself using true force, use this instead,” Xiao Qianqing said coolly, leaning against a wooden pillar of the corridor. “Since neither battalion of imperial guards will serve me as master, what use do I have for this sword?” He glanced meaningfully at me as he spoke, “Besides, isn’t Yangliu Feng already broken?”

Uncomfortable under his gaze, I took the umbrella Hong Qing offered and raised it to shield Xiao Huan from the rain.

Xiao Huan gripped Wang Feng without further comment. Drawing the blade, he brought it down in one motion, marking Shi Yan’s sword with a single stroke.

Hong Qing and Ban Fangyuan knelt in turn, presenting their swords for Xiao Huan to mark.

This mark carved into their personal swords was the proof of the two battalions of imperial guards swearing allegiance to the current patriarch of the Xiao clan’s Zhuque Branch.

According to tradition, each new emperor had to receive the oath of the two imperial guard battalions before ascending the throne.

During the ceremony, the imperial guards would kneel on one knee before the new emperor and swear their oath. If the emperor showed a willingness to trust these guards, he would use Wang Feng to carve a mark on their swords – this was the “sword-breaking covenant.” After marking, the new emperor would grant complete trust to those whose swords were marked, and those marked would serve their new master with unwavering loyalty. However, if the emperor distrusted someone, he would not mark their sword, and by custom, that person would immediately take their own life with their blade to prove their innocence.

Though I’d heard of this ritual, because of its solemn and mysterious nature, it had always been conducted in utmost secrecy throughout history. Even palace officials, let alone eunuchs, rarely witnessed it. I never expected to see it today.

So the oath-takers were the Four Huaiyin Families, and the one receiving the oath was the patriarch of the Xiao clan’s Zhuque Branch. No wonder the two imperial guard battalions held such a special position outside the empire’s bureaucratic system – they were family retainers of the Xiao clan’s Zhuque Branch, not servants of the state.

After the three commanders’ swords were marked, the remaining imperial guards came forward in turn to receive their marks.

I held the umbrella beside Xiao Huan, watching as he finished marking all the swords. Sheathing the blade, his expression softened somewhat as he said to Hong Qing: “Using the sword-breaking covenant custom to force my hand – this was your idea, wasn’t it?”

Hong Qing’s face reddened as he chuckled: “I await Your Majesty’s punishment.”

Xiao Huan smiled with some resignation, lowering his head to cough lightly several times.

Hong Qing quickly said: “Your Majesty should return to rest.”

Looking up, I saw the worried expressions on the faces of the imperial guards standing in the rain. I said to Xiao Huan: “Are you tired? Let’s go back to your room.”

Xiao Huan nodded slightly but only took one step before pausing, his weight on my hand growing heavier.

Hong Qing moved over silently, taking his hand: “Is Your Majesty tired?”

Xiao Huan smiled at him: “Somewhat.”

Hong Qing then supported him toward the inner chamber.

Thinking to give them a chance for a heart-to-heart conversation, I stopped walking.

Suddenly, a cold laugh came from behind.

I turned to see Xiao Qianqing standing against a pillar, most of his body exposed to the corridor outside. The cold, persistent rain had nearly soaked him through, clear droplets continuously falling from his hair tips and sleeves.

I walked over to shield him with my umbrella, chiding him: “Standing here like this, aren’t you afraid of catching a cold in the rain?”

He raised his head, shaking his wet hair with a radiant smile: “I’m not so easily made ill. Everyone in the garden has been in the rain, yet how many will catch a cold?”

I sighed: “True, most people don’t fall ill so easily. I’m just used to worrying.”

He raised his hand to grip the umbrella handle right next to mine, half-joking, half-serious: “Yes, worried to the point where you see nothing but him.”

I froze, and he suddenly cupped my cheek with his cold hand: “Still, that you could see me at the end makes me very happy.”

I didn’t pull away from his hand this time. My face was directly opposite his – that countenance as pure and cold as jade snow, those pale ink-colored eyes as still as ancient ice.

Why did his face show no trace of joy even as he spoke of happiness?

Time seemed to stop. He suddenly broke into a smile, lowering his head to my ear, his voice carrying a hint of moisture: “Don’t look like you’re about to cry. It pains my heart.”

Did I look like I was about to cry? Why did I feel such a sharp pain at that moment? Whose heart had transmitted that pain to mine?

Through the patter of rain, his voice remained soft: “Why can’t you come to me? Cangcang, I love you too.”

He released my cheek and turned to walk away.

The white figure at the end of the corridor vanished silently. I lowered my head to touch my rain-dampened, cold cheeks.

Xiao Qianqing said he loved me.

I should have known earlier. From some point on, he had stopped calling me “Your Majesty the Empress” unless angered. From some point on, his gaze when looking at me had carried too many ripples.

My face was cold, and my heart seemed cold too. The love this man gave, when finally touched, was unexpectedly cold.

Following Xiao Huan’s wishes, he intended to return to Fenglai Pavilion immediately, but Li Mingshang refused to let him go.

Xiao Huan appeared good-tempered but was quite inflexible, and Li Mingshang was even more stubborn. The two argued several times over two days.

That day I again heard commotion and came to Xiao Huan’s door, only to hear Li Mingshang inside saying furiously: “Fine! You’re coughing blood because I angered you, and when you die one day, that’ll be my fault too!”

With that, he stormed out, his face practically blue. Without even glancing at me, he walked away with his hands behind his back, never looking back.

I entered the room to find Xiao Huan sitting on the bed pressing his chest, his face whiter than the sheets, the blue handkerchief in his hand stained dark red.

I hurried over: “Do you need to lie down and rest?”

He shook his head slightly, coughed a few times, and leaned against the headboard.

“Master Li means well,” I said, sitting on the edge of the bed, not knowing what else to say.

He paused, then smiled: “I know.”

“If you know, why argue with him?” I smiled. “Look at your condition – how can anyone not worry? Getting angry and coughing blood at the slightest provocation. If I were Master Li, I wouldn’t let you leave either.”

He paused, coughing lightly with a smile: “Nearly ten thousand disciples waiting there – how can I not worry?” He stopped, coughed several more times, and continued, “If I hadn’t been too lenient with Li Xiyan last time, the Zhong family incident wouldn’t have happened.”

He seemed always like this, prone to taking the blame upon himself.

I fell silent for a moment before smiling: “They’ll send urgent matters here for you to handle. Staying here to rest for a few more days isn’t a bad thing. If you wear yourself out, who will manage Fenglai Pavilion then?”

He smiled with a light sigh: “Even if I wanted to return to Nanjing, how could I?”

I smiled too: “Indeed. If you push Master Li too far, he’ll just knock you out with a strike.”  Then remembering how I had Su Qian knock him out with a hand chop to bring him here, I awkwardly cleared my throat.

After several days at the imperial villa, I thought of some questions I wanted to ask Ying.

When I found her, she was lying on the grass with Hong Qing, her head in his lap while he idly waved a willow branch in front of him, both looking completely at ease.

I walked up to them and patted Hong Qing’s shoulder with a smile: “Comfortable, aren’t you?”

Hong Qing looked up at me with a smile: “Your Majesty the Empress.”

Ying waved lazily in greeting, remaining on Hong Qing’s lap without bothering to get up.

I smiled and sat down beside them on the grass: “Ying, you’re quite close to Gui Wuchang, aren’t you?”

She nodded with a smile: “Yes, Little Chang often comes to see me.”

“Where is he now?” I continued asking. “That day in front of Taihe Hall, when he struck your brother twice, he wasn’t trying to kill him, right? He was the one who rescued your brother from the palace?”

Ying nodded matter-of-factly: “Of course, how could Little Chang kill Brother?” She looked up thoughtfully. “That day when Brother fell down the steps without any sign of life, everyone around thought he was dead. I thought he was dead too and was heartbroken. Then Little Chang picked him up and took him away.”

Hong Qing added from the side: “Afterward, when the Empress Dowager couldn’t find His Majesty’s body, she had an empty coffin placed in Fengxian Hall.”

I nodded and continued asking Ying: “So where is Little Chang now? Can you find him? I want to see him.”

Ying blinked her large eyes: “Sister-in-law, why are you looking for Little Chang?”

“To ask about some things I don’t understand,” I answered casually, then thought of other questions. “By the way, what’s going on between you and your brother?”

Ying smiled cheerfully: “Brother taught me how to make poisons. He’s my teacher. We had an agreement that when I could make an incense that could kill him, I would graduate.”

What kind of agreement was that? The people of the Xiao clan’s Zhuque Branch truly didn’t have a normal one among them. I shook my head helplessly.

Hong Qing laughed: “Though others don’t know, His Majesty cares deeply for Ying. Whatever materials she needs, he has us collect them.”

Ying nodded proudly: “Of course! When I told Brother I needed a quiet, large place to make incense where no one would disturb me, he gave it to me right away. Brother gives me whatever I ask for.”

So that was why she lived alone in Yinghua Hall. I had thought she was abandoned, but she was a pampered princess who got everything she wanted.

I shook my head helplessly: “And I went to bring you winter clothes… you already had them, didn’t you?”

“Those thick cotton clothes?” Ying nodded. “Yes, Brother had many made for me, but they’re not pretty. Not flowing at all – I don’t like wearing them.”

Hong Qing surprisingly added with a smile: “His Majesty always had the Imperial Wardrobe make pink clothes for Ying, but she never wore them even once.”

Ying nodded vigorously in agreement: “They’re so ugly!”

I was speechless… I vaguely remember loving to wear pink clothes when I was young…

Despite the casual conversation, Ying remembered the important matter, saying to me: “Since you want to see Little Chang, I’ll try to find him. Though he’s always drifting about, so I’m not sure where he is.”

I thanked her, and Hong Qing looked at me, suddenly saying: “Your Majesty, half a year ago, when Prince Chu entered the palace and used Ying’s life to threaten me, forcing me to harm His Majesty, I had no choice but to plot an ambush against His Majesty.”

I didn’t know why he suddenly brought this up, but I listened attentively.

Hong Qing continued: “At the time, I thought with His Majesty’s martial arts being so high, how could I possibly hurt him? So when I struck that palm, I used full force, never considering what would happen if I succeeded in the ambush.

“When I wounded His Majesty with that strike, at that moment, I truly wished someone would come to kill me with a sword. He was the person I had known since childhood that I was meant to protect. All those years of martial arts training, through summer and winter without rest, were all for protecting that person, yet I had hurt him with my own hands.

“For the next two days, especially after learning that my strike had left His Majesty at death’s door, it took tremendous effort not to take my own life. I had already erred once – even immediate death couldn’t atone for it. Someone as deeply sinful as me had no right to die by my hand. Danger still lurked, His Majesty still needed my strength. I couldn’t die like a coward – if I had to die, it should be a useful death, one that might slightly offset my crimes.

“Later when we fled to Taihe Hall, His Majesty stayed behind alone to block that person in black. I stayed too, having resolved to die, wanting only to die by an enemy’s hand to find some peace.

“But His Majesty still saved me. I couldn’t understand why he would save even a traitor like me. Wasn’t I someone who should die? But why didn’t His Majesty want me to die? I, whose crimes were beyond redemption by a thousand deaths, was completely unworthy of his intervention to save me.

“These questions haunted me for a long time afterward. Until one day I finally understood – His Majesty had never said I should die. The one who had always believed I must die was myself.”

Hong Qing finished speaking and smiled gently: “Your Majesty, His Majesty is someone who values ‘doing’ far more than ‘saying.’ He may not say anything, but his actions speak far more than words. He never spoke words of forgiveness, yet his actions forgave me. He may never speak words of concern for Your Majesty, but that doesn’t mean he truly doesn’t care for Your Majesty.”

I started, looking up to see Hong Qing’s smiling eyes, and let out a breath: “Thank you… Hong Qing…” Then I cleared my throat: “By the way, stop calling me ‘Your Majesty the Empress.’ I have a name – I’m Ling Cangcang.”

Hong Qing started, then broke into a smile, his lips quirking: “Then, no need for thanks… Cangcang?”

I winked at him, and we both laughed.

After chatting with them a bit more, I got up to return to my room.

I had barely walked a few steps when I ran into Xiao Qianqing under the corridor, lounging against a pillar on the railing with a wine flask, looking completely at ease.

Smelling the alcohol on him, I bent to look at the small flask in his hand. The strong smell wafting from its mouth indicated potent liquor: “What are you doing here alone with a flask of wine?”

“Can’t I drink away my troubles?” Xiao Qianqing was especially languid today, his white clothes somewhat wrinkled. After exchanging a few words with me, his Adam’s apple bobbed as he lifted the flask to take a long drink, not even caring when wine spilled down his collar.

Seeing something was off, I asked: “What’s wrong with you?”

He glanced at me coolly: “Throat’s itchy. Don’t want to cough, so I’m using wine to suppress it.”

I was at a loss with him, quickly asking, “Why is your throat itchy?”

“Caught cold from yesterday’s rain,” he answered self-righteously, lifting the flask for another heavy drink.

“Wasn’t it you who insisted yesterday you wouldn’t catch a cold?” I was too exasperated for words. Seeing not only his cheeks flushed, but even the skin below his neck had a reddish tinge, I placed my hand on his forehead. “You’re so hot! How can you be so stubborn with such a high fever? Have you seen Master Li?”

He raised his eyebrows: “That imperial physician has always disliked me. If I let him treat me, wouldn’t he take the opportunity to torment me?” He pointed at my hand on his forehead, smiling somewhat improperly, “If my imperial brother sees this, won’t he misunderstand?”

“Misunderstand what,” I raised my eyebrows too. “We haven’t…”

“Don’t say we have nothing,” he cut me off, no longer allowing my touch. He grabbed my arm and pressed me against the corridor pillar, smiling softly, “I don’t want to hear you say that.”

His face was very close to mine, so close I could see the fine blood vessels beneath his skin, flushed from fever.

His somewhat heavy breathing mixed with strong alcohol fumes wafted against my neck. I turned my face away: “Xiao Qianqing, don’t…”

“Just said if my imperial brother saw this he might misunderstand, and unexpectedly…” he suddenly interrupted me, looking up to greet someone ahead with a smile, “Your Majesty, what a coincidence.”

I quickly turned my head to follow his gaze. Xiao Huan was walking slowly along the corridor with Su Qian, speaking quietly about something.

Seeing Xiao Qianqing and me, he paused slightly in his steps and smiled: “What a coincidence.”

I quickly stood up straight, smiling as I spoke to him: “Why are you up? Shouldn’t you rest more?”

He smiled gently: “Some matters to attend to.” As he spoke, he passed by me, continuing with Su Qian.

“Seems there was a misunderstanding,” came a soft laugh from behind, followed by the gurgling sound of strong liquor being poured down a throat. Xiao Qianqing wiped the wine from his mouth’s corner, unable to suppress a cough. “Your Majesty the Empress, don’t you want to chase after him and explain that we haven’t…”

“Enough of your endless chatter,” I cut him off unceremoniously, grabbing his collar. “Come on.”

“Where to?” he stumbled from my grip but still asked lazily.

“To have Master Li examine you. Keep drinking like this and you’ll truly become a drunkard.” I dragged him by the collar as I walked.

Xiao Qianqing stumbled along behind me, somewhat disheveled: “Don’t grab so tight, I’ve lost all dignity. Hey…”

Without turning back to look at him, I said: “Xiao Qianqing, I’m sorry.”

He gave a dissatisfied grunt, not having heard clearly: “What?”

“I’m sorry, Xiao Qianqing, but I can’t come to you right now,” I lifted my face, letting the cool breeze brush away the loose strands of hair from my forehead. “Because that person is still there, waiting for me to go to him.”

Before me, the corridor was bathed in the brilliant afternoon sunlight, winding and twisting as it extended into the radiant colors.