On the nineteenth day of the winter month, Emperor Zhengyuan issued an edict posthumously conferring the title of Pacification Colonel upon Young Master Ni, who had killed enemy general Yelu Zhen in Yongzhou. However, no one knew Young Master Ni’s origins. Only Commissioner of Military Affairs Huang Zongyu learned from Ni Su’s mouth that his true name was Xu Jing’an.

Young Master Ni was merely an assumed name.

Whether he had relatives still living, where his native place was—no one in the court knew these things. Yongzhou Prefect Shen Tongchuan’s memorial also hadn’t mentioned them.

“The emperor says that since Miss Ni was betrothed to Young Master Ni and is willing to observe chastity for him for three years, the rewards from the posthumous conferral should also rightfully be received by you.”

The eunuch who had just read the imperial edict looked at the young woman before him with a smiling face.

“Yes.”

Ni Su held the imperial edict in both hands, bowing her head in acknowledgment.

After the imperial emissary’s party left, Ni Su finally straightened. The others who had listened together to the edict at the Imperial Medical Bureau dispersed. Old Medical Official Qin walked to the door, saw her still standing there, and called out: “Miss Ni, come in quickly—don’t freeze.”

“All right.”

Ni Su turned her head and responded.

She unrolled the imperial edict. Goose-feather snowflakes fell between the lines of ink.

Xu Jing’an.

She stared at this name.

After Ni Su received the edict and returned to the main hall, those apprentice physicians who had just been competing with her in pharmacology all fell silent. Old Medical Official Qin held a magnifying glass, examining the book scroll in his hands. “Now you’re after all the wife of an official, having just received the emperor’s reward. Naturally they don’t dare trouble you anymore. This is also good—you’ll have more peace at the Imperial Medical Bureau from now on.”

Among the apprentice physicians, some came from medical families where many looked down on female physicians, believing female physicians made many errors. Even worse, some established family rules forbidding female physicians from stepping through their doors.

She was the only woman in the Imperial Medical Bureau. Naturally she also faced much questioning.

“You’re right.”

Ni Su sat down by the charcoal brazier, wanting to dry the edge of her sleeve soaked by snow water. But her gaze fell on that ball of pale mist, and she couldn’t help but touch the gold hairpin at her hair knot.

The door curtain was suddenly pulled open. Cold wind made the tasseled curtain dance wildly. Ni Su looked up and saw a middle-aged man walk in, patting snow grains from his body, his face somber.

“Medical Commissioner Wang, what’s wrong?”

A medical commissioner sitting at the head of the long table saw his expression and couldn’t help but ask.

That Medical Commissioner Wang said nothing. The heavy door curtain was lifted again by someone—a palace maid. She entered and looked inside, suddenly fixing on Ni Su behind the tasseled curtain at the innermost side. “Miss Ni.”

That was a palace maid from the Imperial Noble Consort’s side.

Ni Su recognized her.

That Medical Commissioner Wang was packing his medicine chest. Seeing Ni Su lift the tasseled curtain and emerge, he glanced at her—his expression really wasn’t pleasant.

“The consort’s oral decree permits you to enter the Wu residence to diagnose the old master’s illness.”

Seeing Ni Su follow, the palace maid walked out and stood outside. “But the consort’s meaning is that you should treat the old master together with this Medical Commissioner Wang.”

Medical Commissioner Wang, carrying his medicine chest, had already walked to Ni Su’s side, yet raised his chin without looking at her.

“But let’s make this clear up front—if anything happens to the old master…” The palace maid, after all, personally attended the Imperial Noble Consort and spoke to them with some of her mistress’s bearing. “You two should both be careful with your own lives.”

“Yes.”

Ni Su nodded.

Once the Imperial Noble Consort’s maid left, Ni Su turned back to pack her own medicine chest. She divided the candy she and Xu Hexue had bought at the night market last night, giving Old Medical Official Qin a packet. “Eat less—give it to your granddaughter.”

Old Medical Official Qin didn’t know when she’d discovered his habit of loving sweets. He smiled and accepted the candy packet. “Be careful in your actions. Medical Commissioner Wang is narrow-minded. Originally he was treating the consort’s father. You’ve suddenly intervened—he won’t be happy. Don’t provoke him.”

“I’ll remember.”

Ni Su nodded, then left with her medicine chest.

The weather was cold and snow heavy. That Medical Commissioner Wang’s pace also wasn’t fast. Before long Ni Su caught up to him. He said nothing, only glanced at her and silently quickened his steps.

“Isn’t that Miss Ni?”

Zhou Ting had just stepped out of the palace gate when he heard Chao Yisong suddenly speak.

He turned back. Heavy snow rustled. Two figures walked toward the palace gate one after another. Walking in front was a medical commissioner in official robes—Zhou Ting didn’t recognize him. That person quickly passed by him. Zhou Ting only glanced once. Before the woman drew near, he called out: “Ni Su.”

Seeing Zhou Ting, Ni Su walked forward. “Little Lord Zhou.”

“What are you going to do?”

Zhou Ting knew she was studying medicine at the Imperial Medical Bureau.

“I’m following the consort’s command to treat her father.”

The consort?

Hearing this, Zhou Ting’s heart trembled. Which consort could it be? He frowned. “You’re going to the Wu residence? To treat Wu Dai?”

“Yes.”

Ni Su didn’t plan to hide it.

Zhou Ting brought her to a quiet place. “What do you want to do?”

“Ni Su.” He stared at the woman before him. “Having escaped the consort’s scheme under the name of observing chastity, why would you still go before her yourself? I don’t care what your true purpose is—how could the consort truly trust you? How do you know she’s not setting another trap for you?”

The two words “observing chastity” made Zhou Ting’s heart feel bitter.

She would rather observe chastity for that person than accept his help.

“Little Lord Zhou should also know he was a survivor of the Jing’an Army, right?”

But Ni Su suddenly asked him instead.

Zhou Ting was momentarily silent.

“Since you know, you should understand what I want to do.” Ni Su’s tone was calm. “Today the emperor issued an edict posthumously conferring Xu Jing’an. Little Lord Zhou, do you know why I said his name was Xu Jing’an?”

First having the words “Jing’an Army survivor” establish a preconception, the name Xu Jing’an became especially weighty.

How could Zhou Ting not know?

“He’s dead. I’m the last person of the Jing’an Army.”

Cold wind blew the fur trim of Ni Su’s cloak. “Actually, even if I hadn’t encountered you here today, before going to the Wu residence, I would also have gone to find you.”

“Little Lord Zhou, let’s work together.”

She said.

Zhou Ting was stunned.

“Is Prince Jia still on a hunger strike?”

Ni Su hadn’t heard any news about Prince Jia at the Imperial Medical Bureau today.

“…Yes.”

Zhou Ting originally shouldn’t tell her this matter, but at this moment the words she spoke made him feel ashamed.

“Then we must hurry.”

Ni Su nodded. “The consort carries an imperial heir. If she doesn’t relent, Prince Jia cannot be released from confinement.”

“Previously I mentioned to the consort that I gave you two silver needles at the Wu residence entrance. I imagine she must have had people question you at the Office of Night Vigilance, which is why today I have this opportunity to examine Wu Dai.”

“We’ll apply force from both ends and get through this winter.”

Zhou Ting said nothing, only looked at her. Snowflakes covered her shoulders and temples. He discovered a pearl bird-and-flower gold hairpin pinned in her hair knot.

Very suitable for her.

Ni Su bowed to him, then turned and walked toward outside the palace gate.

Beyond the palace gate’s covered passage, wind and snow filled the air.

Chao Yisong walked to Zhou Ting’s side. Since that day when the betrothal gifts were moved back, he no longer dared easily mention this young lady before Zhou Ting. Now looking at Ni Su’s back, he really couldn’t hold back. “Who knows what this young lady is thinking—why would she rather observe chastity for someone than…”

“She is a person of bright integrity.”

Zhou Ting’s hand pressed his sword hilt as he spoke.

The Wu residence’s carriage picked up Medical Commissioner Wang but didn’t wait for Ni Su—probably that Medical Commissioner Wang was unwilling to sit with her. She didn’t care and walked toward the Wu residence’s direction herself.

Pale mist condensed into a person’s form at her side. Ni Su turned her face to look at him.

He wore a white cross-collar inner robe with a pale blue round-collar robe over it. Unlike the bulky clothing of pedestrians on the street, he was dressed thinly. Every step, every movement had elegance.

In his neatly arranged hair knot was pinned a white jade bamboo-section hairpin.

“Really handsome.”

Ni Su said with a smile.

Xu Hexue hadn’t expected her first words to be like this. He pressed his lips together somewhat uncomfortably, yet took her hand.

“Speaking these words to Little Lord Zhou is equivalent to speaking to Minister Meng.” Ni Su walked while speaking.

“Mm.”

Xu Hexue nodded.

“I wonder how much longer Prince Jia can hold on.”

This was already the third day Prince Jia refused to eat.

“The emperor won’t watch him die from hunger strike.” Xu Hexue, following her in the palace, though unable to condense form, could still hear those people speak. He also knew something of the court’s situation and based on this had made some speculations in his heart. “The consort’s unborn child’s gender is unknown. Duke Lu, Pan Youfang’s ilk absolutely won’t bet only on her alone. But even so, the court has already divided into factions over the heir apparent succession discussion.”

“Whether because of me or because of my teacher, Duke Lu and Pan Youfang absolutely won’t let Yonggeng have the opportunity to become crown prince. Whoever they support, the old faction allied with them will support. The new faction also has no choice. Once the person the old faction supports becomes crown prince, their official careers are all finished.”

“So these people will do everything to protect Prince Jia.”

From his few words, Ni Su saw clearly the court’s situation.

The new faction protecting Prince Jia was protecting themselves. For their careers and even their lives and families, they would certainly spare no effort. If the emperor now watched Prince Jia starve himself, for his reputation as emperor, this was absolutely not good either.

“Today, they will definitely force Yonggeng to eat.”

Xu Hexue paused. He raised his head. “I hope he won’t defy his ruler-father.”

——

Chongming Palace.

A porcelain cup fell to the ground, crisp and sharp.

Palace Guard Commander Miao Jingzhen heard the sound and immediately stepped into the hall. He saw several eunuchs restraining Prince Jia’s arms, pressing him down. One person pinched Prince Jia’s chin, stuffing food into his mouth.

“Outrageous! How dare you treat His Highness like this?”

Miao Jingzhen frowned and spoke sternly.

“Lord Miao, do you think we servants dare?” A eunuch walked before Miao Jingzhen, his face full of difficulty. “But His Highness just refuses to eat!”

Miao Jingzhen forcefully ordered them to release Prince Jia. He walked forward and discovered shattered porcelain everywhere. Prince Jia was barefoot, not wearing shoes or socks, the soles of his feet covered in blood.

He was about to approach when he saw Prince Jia prostrate on the ground, uncontrollably vomiting.

“Your Highness!”

Miao Jingzhen immediately went to find a bowl of water. Who knew that the moment Prince Jia saw the water bowl in his hands, his body immediately tensed like a fully drawn bow.

Disregarding the shattered porcelain beneath him and the overturned food, he lay on his back panting, eyes half-open. His expression was dazed, his gaze sweeping past Miao Jingzhen, sweeping past those eunuchs standing to the side with cold, contemptuous expressions.

“You…”

His voice trembled. “You all want to harm me.”

“Your Highness, no one is harming you.” Miao Jingzhen wanted to help him up but was violently pushed away. He could only drink a mouthful of water himself. “Your Highness, see—this subject drank it. Nothing happened.”

Prince Jia didn’t speak, didn’t look at him either.

Miao Jingzhen wasn’t unaware of the gelsemium case. He knew this was Prince Jia’s psychological illness. Being confined here, he must be unable to eat or sleep peacefully.

But persuading him to eat now was impossible.

Miao Jingzhen could only stand up. He wanted to say something yet couldn’t. Those eunuchs were all watching from the side. He could only have someone bandage the wound on Prince Jia’s foot, then withdraw.

The palace door closed, blocking large patches of sunlight.

Prince Jia sat blankly on the ground.

“Your Highness.”

A weak female voice came from inside. Prince Jia awakened as if from a dream. He immediately stood up, disregarding the wound on his foot, stumbling as he ran to that door.

The inner hall was locked. He couldn’t enter. The person inside also couldn’t come out.

“This concubine has implicated Your Highness.”

Princess Consort Jia, Li Xizhen, said inside.

“No, Xizhen…”

Prince Jia’s hands pressed against the door. “No…”

He had no strength in his body. Before long his body slid down, leaning against the door.

“Your Highness, don’t be afraid. At this time, the more commotion there is out front, the more impossible it is for poison to be in the food.”

“I know.”

Prince Jia’s throat was hoarse. “But I can’t eat it, Xizhen. I can’t eat it…”

“You must eat.”

The princess consort’s voice gained a degree of force. “Your Highness, now that we’re still alive, don’t cut off our own way to live first. However the consort treats me, however the emperor treats you, we must endure.”

Prince Jia covered his mouth. His eyelids became moist.

“Are you all right?”

He asked. “Are you still all right, Xizhen?”

“Still alive.”

Princess Consort Jia leaned against soft pillows. Her medicine had been cut off. Without permission from the emperor or consort, no one from the Imperial Medical Bureau came to treat her.

“Your Highness, the more it’s like this, the more you must remember your teacher, and him.”

She coughed for quite a while, easing her breath before saying: “They’re both watching you from the nine springs below. You absolutely cannot abandon yourself. You must eat. For them, you must eat.”

“If you’re not here, who else will remember them?”

Prince Jia’s hands supporting him on the ground trembled in their bones and sinews. He couldn’t forget his teacher’s head falling to the ground, couldn’t forget the one hundred thirty-six cuts that person suffered in Yongzhou.

Tears suddenly surged.

“I’ll eat, I’ll eat…”

Prince Jia barely supported his body to walk back, picking up food from among the shattered porcelain, enduring the darkness in his heart and the desire to vomit, mouthful by mouthful forcing himself to swallow.

He knelt on the ground, hair knot disheveled, his robes stained with filth, desperately stuffing broken pastries into his mouth.

Suddenly, he raised his head. Through the gaps in the vermillion window lattice, he saw heavy snow flying outside. Heaven and earth were a single pure white color.

Another winter. Teacher and friend both gone. Only he lived alone.

Dense needles stabbed fiercely at his heart. A voice suddenly rang in his ears:

“When they give you their leftovers, they’re bullying you. This time I won’t help you—you beat them yourself.”

“Zhao Yonggeng, people cannot be cowardly.”