“Brother Xiao!” I called out as I rushed over to him, but I dared not touch him, my entire body rigid.

He coughed lightly, one hand supporting himself against the soft couch. Bright red blood seeped through his fingers covering his mouth, staining his sleeves and clothes, creating a stark and horrifying pattern.

“Your Majesty!” Terrified cries rang out from below, whether from Feng Wufu or the imperial guard who hadn’t yet risen.

His body trembled slightly as he raised his head, seeming to want to look in my direction, but suddenly bent deeply at the waist, swaying before his body began to fall outward.

My shoulders braced his chest, and before Feng Wufu and the imperial guard could rush over, I caught him in my arms.

In my embrace, his breathing was chaotic and rapid, his chest heaving violently.

“Don’t worry… Cang Cang…” Between light coughs, his voice was extremely low, “Don’t panic…”

Even after coughing up blood, he was only concerned that I would worry.

My throat too choked with emotion to speak, I shook my head desperately while holding him gently.

Closing his eyes as he leaned against my shoulder, he spoke softly to Feng Wufu and the imperial guard who stood frozen before the couch: “It’s just reversed blood flow… no need to call the imperial physician… don’t let word spread.” After finishing, he nodded lightly through his coughs, “Cheng Xiang, you may withdraw.”

“Your Majesty…” Feng Wufu came to his senses and called out anxiously.

The guard called Cheng Xiang still stood dazed, but after a moment knelt on one knee, kowtowed heavily, then rose and backed away.

“Wu Fu… you withdraw as well.” He kept his eyes closed as he spoke softly.

“Your Majesty, you…” Feng Wufu anxiously took two steps forward and called out, but finally stamped his foot and bowed, “This servant obeys.”

After Feng Wufu carefully closed the door, he leaned against my shoulder and bent slightly at the waist, coughing up the blood in his mouth.

I could no longer speak and didn’t dare put strength into the arms holding his body. In an instant, it was as if we had returned to that winter when he was gravely ill. In the bitter cold and snow of the Tianshan Mountains, I could only watch as he continuously coughed blood, his very life force seeming to fade away with each crimson spray. I could do nothing, could grasp nothing.

My trembling hand was grasped by his somewhat cold one. With some effort, he raised his head and smiled at me. Though his face was pale to the point of being almost colorless, his voice remained gentle: “Just got too worked up earlier… once it’s all out, it will be fine…”

I stared at him steadily, not answering.

He smiled again, slowly nodding and adding in a soft but certain voice: “It’s true…”

I still didn’t believe him, tilting my head as I spoke, only then realizing my voice was somewhat hoarse: “You’re not lying to me?”

“No.” He shook his head and smiled at me again, pressing his chest as he coughed lightly.

I immediately fixed my gaze on him, not daring to look away for even a moment, afraid he would cough up more blood.

Fortunately, this time there was none. After this bout of coughing passed, he closed his eyes again, his furrowed brows relaxing slightly as he smiled: “Cang Cang… get me the white medicine bottle from under that table over there…”

Hurriedly and carefully helping him lean against the couch, I ran to the small table, opened the hidden compartment underneath, and indeed found a very small white porcelain medicine bottle, just large enough to hold five or six pills.

Running back to give him the bottle, I followed his instructions to shake out one round vermillion pill – a medicine I had never seen before.

Seeming to notice my confusion, he laughed lightly and explained: “Left by Master Li, it protects the heart and invigorates the spirit… but the medicine is somewhat potent… best not to use it unless necessary.”

Gripping the pill tighter in my hand, I watched him: “Why are you using such potent medicine?”

As if he hadn’t expected me to suddenly ask this, he paused, then his smile faded somewhat as he furrowed his brow: “Cang Cang, are you worried that I… won’t live much longer?”

Although I had turned those four words over countless times in my mind these past few days, hearing them from his mouth was still like a thunderclap, making my head spin as I blurted out: “Isn’t that the case?”

He gently took my hand, looked up at me, and smiled: “I’m sorry… for making you worry. I won’t…” He looked into my eyes, “Master Li said I have ten years, but I don’t want that – ten years is too short…” He smiled again, “In ten years Yan’er will only be eighteen, and Ran’er and Can’er will only be ten… I need longer.”

Staring at him blankly, tears suddenly fell as I bent down to embrace him, burying my face in his collar.

He patted my back, consoling softly: “I’m sorry, Cang Cang…”

Feeling I had cried too much these past few days, I choked back sobs and my tone turned cross: “You should be sorry! Constantly fainting and coughing blood, you’ve scared me half to death.”

Looking at me apologetically, he smiled: “I truly am sorry, Cang Cang… for making you worry so many days.”

Still disgruntled, I let out a “hmph” before remembering he still needed his medicine, and hurriedly handed him the pill I was holding: “Brother Xiao.”

He smiled but didn’t take it: “Though this medicine is potent… if held in the mouth without swallowing, it can strengthen and nourish…”

“Mm…” I nodded, then immediately glared: “Who told you to leave sentences half-finished?”

With that, I held his shoulders and put the pill in his mouth. After doing so, I suddenly realized: “Too lazy to even take it yourself, you were just waiting for me to feed you!”

He closed his eyes slightly, laughing softly.

Then I remembered something else: “And another thing! Last night when you wore those flowing white robes, you deliberately dressed so ethereally to seduce me, didn’t you? You were supposed to wear crimson ceremonial robes for the banquet!”

With the pill in his mouth, he said something softly that I couldn’t hear clearly.

“What?” Fearing he was unwell, I quickly put my ear close to him.

His voice sounded by my ear, carrying a sigh: “I put those away long ago, such a garish color… did you think I would wear it forever…”

Soon after, I helped Xiao Huan lie down to rest, and he smiled without resistance. However, after he lay down, I stroked my chin and pondered for a long while, considering whether to carry him to the bed at the other end of the room. After estimating the distance – though not far, I couldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t drop him halfway – I had to give up the idea.

After settling him in and walking out the door, Feng Wufu was standing guard outside, immediately fixing his eyes on my face when he saw me emerge.

I had to lower my voice: “Nothing serious, he’s sleeping.”

But Feng Wufu didn’t relax, instead letting out a long sigh: “Are you satisfied now that you’ve reduced him to this state? I see you won’t be happy until His Majesty is completely ill!”

“I’m not happy at all!” It didn’t matter how he scolded me, but when it came to Xiao Huan I had to speak up, “Next time if something happens to Brother Xiao, I’ll faint along with him – how could I be happy about that?”

Glancing at me, Feng Wufu paused before speaking with another long sigh: “How many times must this happen before you learn? Don’t you understand why His Majesty hasn’t raised his voice to you even once in all these years?”

Having nothing to say to that, I just smiled at him.

Frowning, Feng Wufu was still somewhat angry: “That day when I saw you rush out of the room, I knew something was wrong. I hurried to the warm pavilion to check, and sure enough! His Majesty was so pale he was barely recognizable, leaning against the table unable to even speak, yet his first action upon seeing me enter was to shake his head repeatedly for silence. His Majesty feared you would hear and worry! And you – you just left him there and walked away, quite carefree!”

Growing more agitated as he spoke, Feng Wufu’s round face reddened: “Because of General Qi’s matter, His Majesty could barely sleep for several days. Finally, that afternoon when things were quieter, His Majesty rushed to Phoenix Pavilion to find you. And how did you greet him? Accusing His Majesty of playing mind games? Of using his health to manipulate you?

“Considering your feelings in everything is called playing mind games? Hiding his illness for fear of worrying you is called using his health to manipulate you. I’m not His Majesty – even I felt my heart grow cold hearing that! Your words are like flying daggers – this time even if His Majesty wasn’t ill, your sharp tongue would have wounded him sick!”

I nodded repeatedly as I listened: “You’re right, anything else you want to scold me for? Say it all at once.”

At this, Feng Wufu choked up, shaking his head repeatedly with sighs: “You!”

I smiled somewhat roguishly: “Master Feng, you’ve scolded me several times now, surely your anger has subsided?”

Feng Wufu let out a light snort: “That depends on whether I remember this incident again in a few days.”

Knowing he was concerned for Xiao Huan, I just smiled.

Finally sighing, Feng Wufu’s tone carried some resignation: “In any case, this old servant has nothing more to say. His Majesty has been entrusted to you – if you keep regressing and throwing tantrums… this old servant will run away with the little princess!”

“You dare take that girl away – even if I don’t chase you, her father will pursue you like a man possessed…” I smiled, then paused, “And speaking of entrusting – wasn’t that done ten years ago? That first day back from Shanhai Pass… didn’t Master Feng entrust Brother Xiao to me then?”

“Hmph, you!” Feng Wufu shook his head, but finally showed a hint of a smile, “Entrusted to you but you haven’t taken good care of him!”

Knowing I was in the wrong, I stuck out my tongue and grinned.

Still worried about Xiao Huan in the room, I didn’t chat idly further and turned to go back.

On the couch, Xiao Huan still had his eyes closed, but opened them when I sat down beside him, looking at me with a hint of a smile.

Bending down to hold his hand, I smiled and blew a breath by his ear: “Has my beauty regained some strength? Shall we go to bed to take care of what comes next?”

Following the path of my breath, he tilted his neck slightly and laughed softly, raising his hand to hold my waist as he spoke with some languor: “What comes next… what needs taking care of?”

Lowering my head to lightly bite the skin exposed beneath his collar, I smiled, licked my lips, and looked up with narrowed eyes: “What comes next… sleep!” As I spoke, I sighed while running my hands up and down his body in my embrace, “How miserable my fate, to have such a beauty before me yet only able to look…”

“Oh? Besides looking, aren’t you also touching?” he smiled faintly.

“Just touching isn’t enough either…” Still lamenting, I helped him up, “A beauty can’t be satisfied just by looking and touching…”

His eyes were already full of laughter as he looked at me smiling: “Then please continue looking and touching…”

“Many thanks, beauty – I won’t be polite then.” Bantering with him casually, I helped him slowly walk to the bed to sit down.

Though he said it was nothing serious, he still seemed tired, closing his eyes slightly after sitting.

Crouching before him, I rested my head on his knee and spoke softly: “Brother Xiao, do you know what I thought back then after you disappeared in the Tianshan Mountains?”

This was the first time in the years since his return that I had mentioned those events before him.

He paused slightly, then his cool hand gently covered the top of my head, stroking very slowly.

I continued speaking: “Back then I thought, I would never see him again, never hear his voice again, never be able to hold him, that person would never exist again. I thought this over and over, forcing myself to remember, forcing myself to understand. To understand that I couldn’t hope for your return anymore, understand that I had to walk the path ahead alone, understand that I couldn’t hold onto fantasies of turning around one day to see your figure again. I forced myself to remember this firmly, not relaxing for even a moment, otherwise, I didn’t know if one day, amid midnight dreams, I might suddenly remember that I could never find you again and completely break down… Brother Xiao, I promised you that even if you were gone, even if I was alone, I would definitely live on, live long and well, live until I became a white-haired old woman. Since I promised you, I had to fulfill it.

“I could have continued living like that, living on without you. But then you came back… I often think I must be dreaming – I had promised myself not to dream anymore, yet foolishly I dreamed a dream beneath the begonia flowers, dreamed so happily that I never even thought about when this dream would end.”

Raising my head, I looked seriously into his eyes, “Brother Xiao, you were the one who made me start dreaming again, you let me know I didn’t have to struggle alone anymore. Brother Xiao, if you leave again this time, I will follow you.” Looking at him, I emphasized each word, “I will follow you, very quickly.

“So, you must promise, Brother Xiao,” I looked at him, “promise that even if I’m momentarily willful, momentarily neglectful of you, you will still take care of yourself. Because I will regret it – when I come to my senses and see you again, I will regret it. So Brother Xiao, don’t let me regret like that.”

The hand stroking my hair had long since stopped, those eyes black and bright as the night sky looked at me quietly, as if they could no longer contain all the shining stars. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, his voice was still gentle: “I promise, Cang Cang, I will take care of myself. I won’t leave, not this time.”

Without any hesitation, I rose to embrace him, pressing my head against his shoulder, willfully tightening my arms.

He didn’t speak, only his fingers gently patting my back remained tender.

The next day there was no morning court. After getting up, I had Feng Wufu turn away several important ministers who were coming to have an audience at the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Unexpectedly, Feng Wufu was even more thorough, firmly refusing even the cabinet ministers who insisted on coming in the afternoon.

I forced Xiao Huan to rest for a day, making him laugh half-heartedly that I seemed to wish he wouldn’t even leave the bed. I rolled my eyes without ceremony, saying I didn’t just seem to wish he wouldn’t leave the bed – I truly wished he wouldn’t leave the bed.

The following days continued in the same fashion – no one was received for minor court matters, major court sessions were canceled, and I took leave from Phoenix Pavilion, not going to see Su Qian. Each day, besides watching Xiao Huan to ensure he rested, I only went with him to see the children, doing nothing else.

I didn’t care if state affairs piled up – anyway, these past few days Xiao Huan’s complexion had noticeably improved.

This afternoon, sharing a bowl of bird’s nest soup with lotus seeds as we nestled together on the couch, I was in good spirits and raised another spoonful to him: “Brother Xiao, shall we rest in our chambers today, or go to Wantong Garden for some fresh air?”

These past few days, with Feng Wufu and I taking it upon ourselves to postpone all state affairs, his face showed some resignation. Now he sighed lightly: “Anywhere is fine, Cang Cang, you decide.”

I looked up thoughtfully: “Wantong Garden isn’t really that interesting, and it’s on the outskirts, but staying indoors can get stuffy…” After serious consideration, I suddenly snapped my fingers, almost dropping the bowl, “Brother Xiao, let’s go boating on Taiye Pool!”

He was a bit surprised, smiling: “Boating on Taiye Pool?”

“Yes,” I forcefully fed him the spoonful of soup that had been cooling for ages, then scooped up a spoonful for myself, biting the spoon as I smiled at him, “What do you think? You’ve never been there, right? Taiye Pool is much more fun than the Mirror Pool in the palace – you can go boating, play in the water, fish, and even release flower lanterns at night. Many people in the capital have been there.”

He smiled: “Since it’s so fun, shall we go?”

“Yes, yes,” seeing him agree, I immediately became excited, but still remembered to raise the bowl in my hand, “I’ve eaten more of this soup than you – you have to finish the rest!”

Smiling and nodding, he agreed repeatedly: “Alright, alright.”

Though he agreed, prying open his mouth was harder than opening an oyster shell – it took almost an hour just to finish eating and take his medicine.

Then we had to change into casual clothes. When Feng Wufu heard we were going out, he waved for the young eunuchs to bring out several sets of light blue robes that Xiao Huan often wore. I waved for them to take those clothes back and bring several white robes instead, the more ethereal the better.

As a result, Xiao Huan had a faint smile while changing clothes.

I surveyed him up and down with satisfaction, raising an eyebrow at him: “Don’t laugh at me – who told you to appear before me so ethereal in white robes the other day? That’s when I discovered male favorites look best in white.”

Finally ready, we took a carriage from the palace with only Shi Yan accompanying us – I even left Feng Wufu behind in the palace using the excuse that too many people would attract attention.

Taiye Pool was divided into two sections: the narrow section connected to the palace moat was part of the forbidden area that common people couldn’t approach. However, past the Mingjing Bridge with its twelve arches and sturdy iron railings below was a wide expanse of water open for public enjoyment.

Although it was already August, the weather was still warm, and there were quite a few people enjoying themselves on Taiye Pool.

After leaving the carriage, we rented a small boat with an awning, brought out snacks and sweet wine to set on the small table in the boat, and had Shi Yan steer us slowly toward the center of the lake.

The weather was beautiful, the water surface almost without ripples, smooth as a mirror and as clear blue as the sky. A pleasant breeze carrying moisture brushed against our skin, and besides the sound of oars moving through water, we could faintly hear laughter from other boats.

Leaning against the cushions of the boat, I held Xiao Huan’s hand and smiled at him: “How is it, Brother Xiao? Didn’t expect such a nice place so close by, did you?”

He smiled and nodded: “Indeed, I never thought of coming here to go boating.”

“Surprising, isn’t it?” I couldn’t help feeling proud, “I used to come to play here often with my brother when I was little – I even fell in the water catching fish!”

“Fell in catching fish?” he asked with an amused smile.

“Accidentally fell off the boat, and since my clothes were already soaked through, I figured I might as well catch some fish before getting back up…” I explained lazily.

He laughed harder: “Not bad, not bad, those fish were an unexpected bonus…”

As we were chatting casually, loud shouts suddenly came from nearby. Several small boats were crowded together having a water fight.

The people in these boats seemed to know each other, calling out names as they played with great enjoyment. Even other boats passing by couldn’t escape being drawn into the battle, and gradually a whole area of water was filled with small boats frantically splashing water at each other.

Our boat was heading in their direction, and it was too late to turn the rudder. In the blink of an eye, we had drawn close to them.

Seeing another boat approaching, someone from one of the boats didn’t bother with explanations and laughingly splashed a large spray of water our way.

The water came too fast to even think about what was being splashed – I quickly leaned forward to shield Xiao Huan, raising my hand and calling out: “We surrender, we surrender! Have mercy, heroes!”

Even in their excitement, seeing us like this, they stopped splashing and burst into laughter instead.

The young women with shoulder-length hair buns in the nearest boat laughed the loudest. They looked our way, then huddled together, seeming to exchange a few words before erupting into giggles. One of them, appearing the most bold and uninhibited, half stood up and called out with her hands cupped around her mouth: “Sister, your husband is so handsome!”

Amused by them, I also laughed heartily and called back with my hands around my mouth: “Thank you! He’s my male favorite! Quite handsome, isn’t he?”

Their giggles grew even louder.

By then Shi Yan had finally adjusted the bow and moved the oars to pull the boat away, while the people in the small boats managed to wave goodbye to us even amid their busy water fight.

Also waving back at them with a smile, I looked down at Xiao Huan whom I had half-pressed against the cushions: “Are you alright? Did you get splashed?”

He shook his head with a smile, reaching up to smooth my disheveled hair at the temples, his eyes crinkled with mirth: “Thank you for your concern, my lord, I didn’t get splashed.”

I raised my eyebrows and smiled: “What’s there to thank? Isn’t it my duty as lord to pamper my beauty…”

I suddenly stopped speaking – amid the gentle lapping of waves, his bright black eyes full of laughter drew closer and closer.

“Brother Xiao,” I smiled, lowering my head, my voice softening at a distance where I could feel his breath, “I’m very happy right now…”

In the end, we still released water lanterns, lighting the paper lanterns bought from lakeside vendors and slowly setting them adrift on the water.

Holding his hand, standing by the lake watching that bright red candle float into the distance, I looked up at him with a smile: “Brother Xiao, do you want to know what wish I made?”

The corners of his mouth lifting slightly, in the liquid moonlight, his eyes held laughter: “What wish?”

Grasping his sleeve, I stood on tiptoe and moved close to his ear.

Warm breath caressed both our skin as he lowered his head slightly, the corners of his eyes curving: “I wish the same, Cang Cang.”

Resting against his shoulder, laughing softly, what I had said was:

May this life always be like today?

In the warm pavilion that afternoon, the sunlight was gentle and a soft breeze brushed their faces.

“Star! Star! She’s trapped!” Bright black eyes stared at the black and white stones, and the player crouching behind the go board couldn’t contain their excitement, shouting to make their side’s momentum seem overwhelming.

“Even if you trap me you still can’t beat me!” The opponent immediately shouted back, unwilling to be outdone, returning the murderous glare with equally black, glass-like eyes.

Deaf to the two’s argument, the player sitting at this side of the board pondered for a moment before picking up a white stone and placing it among the crisscrossing pieces.

The player who had just fiercely shouted “You can’t beat me” suddenly stopped their cherry-red little mouth, but after studying the board for a moment, raised their head to call: “Father, Father, what should the next move be?”

The person standing on the other side protested: “Little Sister, why do you keep asking Father? Is this a game between you and Big Brother, or between Father and Big Brother?”

“You and Brother Lian are both playing against me alone – why aren’t you mentioning that?” Letting out a disdainful snort, the little player cast a sidelong glance with her large eyes.

Watching them from the side, Xiao Huan and I couldn’t help but laugh. Pulling his arm around my waist, I looked back at him with a smile: “How about it, strategist? What move should you suggest for your little princess?”

He smiled and pondered briefly: “Fifth path, position eleven.”

Clapping her hands with delight, the previously serious little player immediately became excited, placing a stone without hesitation, then proclaimed proudly: “Your formation is broken now, didn’t I say you couldn’t beat me!”

While the seated player on the other side could still rest his chin in thought, the standing one wouldn’t have it, pouting at Xiao Huan: “Father, you always help Little Sister – we can never win any games!”

“Nothing to be done, your father plays favorites…” Looking at Lian and Little Xie sitting on opposite sides of the board, and Yan standing behind Lian with eyes shining brighter than when he plays himself, I took the opportunity to sigh, “Even I, your mother, dare not compete with your little sister, so you might as well give up…”

“But Little Sister always asks Father for help, it’s not fair at all!” Still dissatisfied, Yan widened his bright black eyes.

Little Xie, already quite pleased with herself, probably seeing her position was strong, actually waved dismissively: “What’s wrong with asking Father for a few moves? Big Brother Lian, and Brother Yan, you’re both being so petty! Fine! I won’t ask anymore! So you can’t say my victory isn’t earned!”

Looking lazily at the board, Lian, who had been quiet all this time, spoke languidly: “There’s no point playing just against you – go ahead and ask Father, otherwise I’d win too easily.” His manner was relaxed but his attitude provocative.

How could Little Xie stand such provocation? She immediately jumped up, and the three of them started bickering rapidly, nearly coming to blows.

Knowing these three little rascals would never stay peaceful together, I laughed while calling to them: “Hey, hey, are you here to play go or to argue?”

From outside, Feng Wufu walked in with a smile: “Your Majesties and young lords, would you like to rest? Today we have rose lotus tea, along with plum candy and almond cakes.”

Before he finished speaking, the quarreling youngsters had already run over cheering.

Watching them, I smiled and held Xiao Huan’s hand, giving him a sidelong glance: “These children of yours…”

He also smiled: “They’re as much yours as mine…”

Just then, Feng Wufu hesitantly approached: “Your Majesty, Minister Zhang requests an audience at the hour of shen today.”

His health had improved these past few days, and I wasn’t watching him as closely as before, so he had begun to resume handling the backlog of state affairs. He nodded to Feng Wufu: “I understand.”

Gripping his hand a bit tighter, I tugged at his sleeve: “Brother Xiao.”

He turned to smile reassuringly at me, his words teasing: “It’s alright, Zhu Duan isn’t that frightening.”

“Zhu Duan indeed, you’re quite familiar with him… I just don’t like him!” I snorted lightly, then added very quietly, “Should just keep you hidden at home as my male favorite.”

I don’t know if he heard the last part, but he gave me an amused look and took my hand: “Shall we have tea?”

Sticking out my tongue secretly, I nodded and went with him. The children had already started making a commotion at the table, and when they saw us approach, they swarmed over to pull us to sit down.

After tea, the three little ones were sent off to their calligraphy lessons, Xiao Huan went to meet Zhang Zhu Duan and several ministers, and thinking I hadn’t been to Phoenix Pavilion in many days, I changed clothes and left the palace.

At Phoenix Pavilion, I happened to find Mu Yan was out, and Su Qian sat alone behind a pile of clan records. Seeing me, her face was frost-like, her gaze sharp as knives: “So the Pavilion Master finally deigns to leave her love nest? Do you still remember this subordinate’s name?”

Making me sound like some emperor lost in sensual pleasures, I quickly cleared my throat: “Of course, I remember, Hall Master Su has worked hard…”

Thus caught by Su Qian to help her handle pavilion affairs, I didn’t notice the time passing until I rubbed my neck and looked up to see it was nearly dark. I quickly jumped up from my chair: “Sorry Su Qian, I need to hurry back.”

Glancing up at me, Su Qian amazingly didn’t scold me for being lazy: “If you’re going, go quickly. Don’t keep the White Pavilion Master waiting.”

Since she put it that way, I didn’t stand on ceremony – after a few more apologies, I hurried back to the palace.

It was almost completely dark by the time I reached the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Afraid of keeping Xiao Huan waiting too long, I walked in quickly, but just as I turned past the screen wall, I nearly collided with someone. Before I could even make out the person’s face, they had already bowed: “This humble minister greets the Empress.” The clear voice was somewhat deep – it was Zhang Zhu Duan.

Stepping back slightly to see his figure clearly, I smiled faintly: “Minister Zhang need not be so formal.” Then raised an eyebrow, “It’s been several days – does Minister Zhang’s household still have enough cabbage?”

Though I suddenly asked such an odd question, Zhang Zhu Duan showed no surprise, lowering his head to answer: “Thanks to the Empress’s concern, these days cabbage has dropped from three jin for one wen to seven jin for two wen, so my household has purchased quite a lot – still enough to eat.”

I smiled faintly: “Seven jin for two men, that’s quite cheap. So Minister Zhang truly cares for the people’s conditions, really concerned about cabbage prices.”

“This minister wouldn’t dare claim so. Since that day when the Empress mentioned it at my residence, this minister specially asked the servants about market cabbage prices, to be prepared should the Empress ask again.” His tone remained neither servile nor overbearing as Zhang Zhu Duan maintained a solemn expression as if we were discussing matters of state rather than cabbage.

I smiled: “How thoughtful of Minister Zhang.” Then changed my tone, “These past days when His Majesty was unwell and didn’t hold court, Minister Zhang submitted quite a few memorials urging him.”

Zhang Zhu Duan’s expression didn’t change: “To urge the sovereign to diligence in governance is also a minister’s duty.”

Crossing my arms with a cold smile, I narrowed my eyes: “Today I learned that His Majesty isn’t diligent enough.”

“This minister wouldn’t dare.” Still answering respectfully, Zhang Zhu Duan lowered his head.

“Don’t say you wouldn’t dare, Minister Zhang. Memorials submitted daily, person waiting outside the hall daily seeking audience. Rest assured, your master in your hands dare not be anything but diligent.” With a cold smile, I stepped past him to walk inside.

Zhang Zhu Duan bowed behind me: “This minister respectfully sees the Empress off.”

I walked straight ahead without looking back.

Entering the room, sure enough, though the ministers had left, Xiao Huan was still bent over his desk reading memorials. I went up and snatched the documents from his hands, my eyes nearly shooting fire in anger: “Stop reading! Even if you work yourself to death, others won’t say a kind word!”

After a brief pause, Xiao Huan seemed to understand and smiled: “Cang Cang, you met Zhu Duan?”

Sitting beside him and holding his waist, I was still fuming: “Zhu Duan, Zhu Duan, you’re so familiar with him – why don’t you go live with him then!”

He immediately fell silent, his face showing a barely suppressed smile.

Days passed quickly as I rushed daily between the palace and Phoenix Pavilion. The children remained boisterous, and the weather stayed neither cold nor hot.

For once I finished early with nothing else to do, so I hurried back to the palace from Phoenix Pavilion. Just as I entered the door of the rear hall, Jiao Yan darted out from the side, seeing me with a somewhat panicked expression: “Empress, you’re back? This servant has been missing you.”

She had never been so warm towards me before – finding it strange, I looked her over: “Jiao Yan, do you have a fever?”

“No,” her cheeks flushing red, she shook her head repeatedly, “Empress, could you perhaps go see the young lords first?”

“Aren’t they having lessons at Jingyang Palace? Why should I go there?” I found this even stranger.

“Well, well…” Jiao Yan looked around with a red face, “It’s just that…”

While Jiao Yan was still stumbling over her words, Feng Wufu’s head appeared behind her, smiling so widely his eyes nearly disappeared: “Oh my, the Empress has returned? This servant has been eagerly awaiting your return.”

I stared at him for a moment, then shook my head: “Master Feng, too obvious…”

His features all dropped at once, Feng Wufu’s smile vanished faster than a face-changing performance. He first turned to glare at Jiao Yan: “Can’t even tell a proper lie!” Then looked at me with a worried expression, “Empress, could you perhaps have some tea before seeing His Majesty?”

Still watching him, I crossed my arms: “Stop being evasive, just tell me – who’s in there seeing Brother Xiao?”

Feng Wufu’s face nearly crumpled: “Miss Duan…”

Jiao Yan quickly poked her head out from behind him: “Empress, please don’t be angry – His Majesty doesn’t like Miss Duan at all, not at all!”

Looking at their nervous expressions, it was as if I was about to rush in and tear the roof of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

I rolled my eyes helplessly: “Alright, I’ll control my jealousy – I promise not to make a scene like a shrew, okay? Can you two please move aside?”

Jiao Yan mumbled: “I didn’t mean to say the Empress would make a scene, I just worried the Empress would be angry…”

Looking at her with amusement, I waved my hand: “It’s fine, I’m not blaming you,” then patted her shoulder, “Move aside, I won’t go behead His Majesty…”

Jiao Yan moved aside with pouting lips and a red face, while Feng Wufu also shifted his plump body.

What a mess – the path through the rear hall was narrow to begin with, and with the two of them blocking it from both sides, it had been completely sealed off. I couldn’t have forced my way through even if I wanted to.

Giving them another amused look, I could still feel their intent stares following me even after I passed.

I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: These two have come to see me as completely jealous.

Turning past the hidden door, I saw the scene in the rear hall.

Under the corridor shrouded in flowers, a young woman in pink clothing giggled as she opened her palm to show rose petals to the man in green robes who sat there.

In the gentle breeze, he raised his head to smile at her.

A perfect moment, a beautiful companion – a scene as pleasing as a painting.

I walked over slowly and stopped with a smile: “Miss Duan.”

Turning somewhat hastily, Duan Jingxue’s smile had already become a bit stiff: “Empress…”

Walking past her to Xiao Huan’s side, I bent down to kiss his cheek, then looked up with a smile: “Have you taken your medicine? Just coming out here to catch the wind?”

Looking up at me with a smile, his eyes also held amusement: “With Feng Wufu watching me so closely on your orders, how would I dare not take it?”

“I worry precisely that you might stubbornly refuse, and Master Feng might slack off.” Holding his hand, only after confirming his temperature wasn’t too cool did I straighten up and place my hand on his shoulder, smiling at Duan Jingxue: “It’s good that Miss Duan comes to the palace occasionally to keep His Majesty company and relieve his boredom, but His Majesty’s health is poor. In the future when Miss Duan visits, please be mindful of the weather to avoid His Majesty catching cold, and don’t talk too long lest His Majesty tire.”

Staring at me in a daze, Duan Jingxue suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly bowed: “Jingxue will remember the Empress’s instructions.”

“That’s good.” I smiled, looking at the rose petals in her hands, “What are these for? Where did you pick them?”

As if not expecting me to ask this, Duan Jingxue hesitated again before answering: “In response to the Empress, these are roses from Jingxue’s home, called Crystal Gold. The flowers are twice the normal size, with translucent gold at the base of the petals, so although they are red roses, they are named Crystal Gold.”

Carefully examining the scattered petals in her hand and the half-intact flower, I nodded: “They’re truly large and beautiful, much prettier than the roses grown in the palace.” Looking at Xiao Huan with a smile, “No wonder Brother Xiao looked so pleased – the fragrance seems more intense than ordinary flowers too, I can smell it without even leaning close.”

“Indeed,” Xiao Huan smiled, “This plant was transplanted from Jianghuai and cultivated through grafting by Jingxue – there’s only one such plant in all of the capital.”

“Oh?” I smiled at Duan Jingxue, “So Miss Duan is skilled in floriculture – next time you must bring more rare specimens for His Majesty and me to admire.”

“Just a minor skill – I’m honored if it pleases Your Majesties.” Duan Jingxue answered with lowered head. Then she bowed again, “Your Majesties, Jingxue has stayed long in the palace and requests leave to withdraw.”

“Very well,” Xiao Huan nodded with a smile, “Jingxue may go.”

She bowed once more and withdrew.

Watching her figure disappear among the flowered corridors, I smiled and half-crouched down, taking Xiao Huan’s hand: “Brother Xiao, earlier Feng Wufu and Jiao Yan were afraid I’d come to scold you.”

He looked at me with a smile, saying nothing.

“I was a bit annoyed actually, my teeth were starting to feel sour,” I smiled at him, continuing, “But why should I be angry with you? It’s not her you care for…”

Resting my chin on his knee, I looked up with a smile: “Beauty, can you tell your lord who it is you care for?”

Still smiling, he slightly furrowed his brow: “That… let me think…”

“You need to think?” I widened my eyes, jumping up to pretend to grab his neck, “This requires thought?”

He laughed while dodging, and I naturally wouldn’t let him off so easily, simply lowering my head to bite his neck, leaving two rows of red teeth marks.

Perhaps it hurt a bit, as he drew in a soft breath, catching my hands, his voice carrying amusement: “Cang Cang.”

I cleared my throat, no longer teasing him, and gently rested my head on his knee. After a pause, I spoke: “Brother Xiao, you feel somewhat guilty toward Duan Jingxue, so you’re especially indulgent, right?”

Stroking my hair, he smiled: “Her sister… even until she was sent from the palace, I had never spoken a word to her.”

Chin on his leg, I said, “A few days ago Duan Jingxue mentioned her sister to me. I said then, it was her sister who tried to steal my husband – why should I feel sorry for taking him? That’s what I said, but still, I feel some sadness… after all, those women wasted their youth before my eyes, meeting tragic ends, while I could only watch.”

“But,” I paused, looking into his eyes, continuing, “Brother Xiao, I’ve never felt our happiness today is undeserved.”

Gently stroking my head, his arm around my shoulders, he remained silent for a long time.

When I thought he wouldn’t speak again, he quietly said: “Thank you, Cang Cang.”

“Hm? What are you thanking me for?” Suddenly feeling shy, I smiled, “Thanking me for being considerate and gentle, or for being magnanimous in not minding my male favorite chatting with other women?”

He also smiled, pretending to consider: “Well… perhaps a bit of both?”

Playfulness suddenly rising again, I persisted, climbing up to nibble his neck several more times: “Punishment for not being honest!” Then aimed for his collarbone beneath his collar for another bite.

“Cang Cang…” Drawing a deep breath, his voice suddenly carried some hoarseness, “Stop teasing, not now…”

Called back to my last bit of reason by his voice, not knowing when a blush had spread across my face – if we continued playing, it would surely ignite a fire.

I desperately controlled my increasingly heavy breathing, quickly looking up before that nerve in my brain snapped.

Before me, his face actually wore a layer of red too – since his illness, we had both practiced such abstinence these many days we’d nearly achieved immortality, yet unexpectedly just now we almost broke our restraint. Unable to help laughing with a “pff” sound, I asked him: “Can you manage?”

The faint blush not yet faded from his face, he gave me an amused look: “It’s fine, I can handle it.”

The boldness from teasing him earlier had all transformed into heat on my face, hot enough to half-cook an egg. I gritted my teeth: “Good, tonight!”

Never had the evening meal felt so long – quickly feeding and sending the children back to their rooms, then undressing and bathing, moving with unprecedented speed.

Hair scattered over my shoulders, bathrobe lightly tied with a silk ribbon, I walked to the couch in the room, draping my arm over the shoulder of Xiao Huan, also freshly bathed in white robes, and whistled: “Beauty, your lord has come to see you.”

Looking up with a light laugh, he didn’t put down the memorial in his hand: “Oh? Please sit, my lord.”

Sitting down without ceremony, pulling his arm, and climbing onto his shoulder, I blew into his ear: “Beauty, your lord can hardly wait.”

Both our clothes and hair not yet fully dry, the clean scent of soapberry mixed with the fragrance of water crept into our nostrils. I lowered my head, following the method from the afternoon, gently nibbling at his neck.

Scattered red marks extended along the path of moving lips, finally stopping above his collarbone. I turned my head, extending my tongue across his skin, “Beauty… your lord is getting impatient, are you as eager as I am?”

His neck arching slightly with my tongue, his voice was deep, carrying amusement: “Perhaps… a little…”

“Perhaps…” My fingers slowly undid the sash at his waist, encountering his slightly cool skin, I looked up, eyes narrowed as I watched him, “Just perhaps… Brother Xiao?” My fingers traced circles from his chest down to his abdomen.

Drawing a deep breath, his palm caught my fingers, turning his head with a sigh, his eyes deep with laughter: “Cang Cang, too intense isn’t good…”

“Oh?” I very slowly licked my lips, “Too intense… what does that mean?”

Laughing silently, he lowered his head.

Cool lips covered mine, teeth and tongues entwining.

Arms unconsciously tightening around his waist, my body was laid flat amid waves of dizziness.

By my ear, his voice held both amusement and ripple-like tremors: “Here?”

Neck arching upward to nuzzle, my kisses fell upon our spread hair and his broad chest, hands intertwined with his long fingers, caressing like a spring pool, exploring along our touching skin.

Tongue moving slowly, beads of sweat gathering like pearls, sliding, scattering, quiet as a spring dream.

I laughed softly: “Brother Xiao…”

Arms extending, fingertips catching like firefly light, flashing for a moment before extinguishing in the air.

The darkness stayed in our eyes for just an instant, orderly spheres of light seeming to explode from deep within our skulls, like fireworks, shattering endlessly.

His scent, his fingers, and the warmth of his embrace, in that hazy moment, were incredibly clear.

Body floating as if in deep waters, consciousness drifting up and down.

“Brother Xiao…” The voice I made was barely clear even to myself, leaving only sighing breaths.

Fingers thread through his hair, black tresses flowing like cold springs between my fingers, my light kisses falling to trace the lines of his brow.

As if in response, his kisses likewise fell on my eye corners and lips, each touch warm as sun, dense as rain.

Palms moving to his waist, touching that supple smooth skin, caressing with slight pressure.

Lips meeting his cool soft ones again, mixed with the faint sweetness of herbs, between our tongues and lips, drawing silk-like threads.

Heat burning to the smallest corners, fingers tightening to pull away his last restraints, brocade tearing like white butterflies, settling to the ground.

Slight tremors extending from crown to toe, eyes closing involuntarily.

“Brother Xiao…” The third whisper, before clarity disappeared, merged between our lips.

Sunlight falling on eyelids, opening my eyes, the person beside my pillow still had closed eyes – being so close, I could even see the faint shadows beneath his long lashes.

I turned my head again to look at that skin showing a faint gold in the sunlight.

The chest whose clothes were torn away last night was lightly covered by the brocade quilt, revealing spots of dark red on the collarbone and neck.

Hmm… I seem to have bitten a bit hard…

Perhaps from being watched too long, his lashes fluttered slightly, those bright dark eyes opening, his voice low and languorous with faint amusement: “Cang Cang.”

Propping myself up on an elbow, I said very seriously: “Brother Xiao, I just thought of two lines of poetry…”

Not waiting for him to ask, I sighed softly, reciting with proper rhythm: “Spring night too short as the sun rises high, from now on the emperor comes late to court.”

Not surprisingly seeing the laughter in his dark eyes suddenly deepen, he chuckled: “Such sensual verses.”

“No matter how sensual, they can’t compare to the beauty before my eyes…” As I spoke, I pretentiously tried to trace his chin with my finger, but being already squeezed at the edge of the couch, with this movement my arm slipped and I nearly fell backward. Fortunately, he quickly reached out to catch my shoulders, barely pulling me back onto the couch.

Failing at flirtation and making a fool of myself instead, I looked up at him, and we couldn’t help but burst out laughing “pff” at the same time.

As we were laughing, several throat clearings came from outside the door, followed by Feng Wufu’s affected voice: “Your Majesties, it’s well past the hour of si, time for breakfast.”

Then came Jiao Yan’s reproachful voice: “Master Feng, stop calling – they’ll rise when they rise, I’ve never seen someone so unromantic…”

Feng Wufu immediately became exasperated: “Romance? What would a little girl like you know about romance?”

“More than you!” Jiao Yan retorted.

In their lowered bickering voices, Xiao Huan and I looked at each other, lowering our heads to dissolve into laughter.

Time flowing silently before our eyes was like a peaceful, beautiful painting scroll – in his gentle smile, in the children’s playfulness, in the busy movements of those around us, day after day, calm as water.