Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 106

The emperor suddenly collapsed, throwing the entire palace into chaos. Amidst pouring rain, Lu Ze led the Imperial Bodyguards to seal off information and guard the Forbidden City.

 

The Imperial Hospital was in disarray, with rare medicinal herbs, hard to find anywhere else, being rummaged through. Eunuch Sheng pulled Physician Ning aside outside the Yangxin Hall, demanding, “Give us a clear explanation. What’s wrong with His Majesty?”

 

Physician Ning pondered for a moment before softly responding, “His Majesty’s condition is not urgent, Gonggong, please don’t panic…”

 

Eunuch Sheng interrupted, “How can we not panic? Physician Ning, the emperor is the backbone of Great Zhou. If this continues, everything will fall apart!”

 

Physician Ning hurriedly added, “Potent remedies should not be used for long. I’ve administered a detoxifying and fever-reducing prescription. It will take some time to take effect.”

 

Ignorant of medical matters and what the hospital offered, Eunuch Sheng, could only stiffen his expression and, with a strained voice, warned, “Physician Ning, watch your words. If something happens to His Majesty, the entire hospital will suffer.”

 

Physician Ning gestured toward the hanging heads and said, “I’m aware of the situation.”

 

Eunuch Sheng softened slightly, asking, “In your estimation, when will His Majesty wake?”

 

Physician Ning replied, “Though his pulse is unstable, the fever has subsided. After tonight’s acupuncture, we’ll monitor his progress.”

 

Eunuch Sheng nodded, returning with Physician Ning to Yangxin Hall.

 

After administering acupuncture, Physician Ning added two more ingredients to the prescription. Eunuch Sheng stayed awake the entire night, checking the emperor’s temperature every hour, adjusting the beddings, and wetting a cloth to dab at the corners of the emperor’s lips.

 

As the dawn broke, when Xiao Yu slowly opened his eyes, Eunuch Sheng was nearly moved to tears.

 

As Xiao Yu sat up, Physician Ning came to check his pulse, finally bringing a sense of relief to the room.

 

Eunuch Sheng chuckled, “Your Majesty, what would you like to eat? I’ll have it prepared for you.”

 

Xiao Yu stared fixedly at the bed as if he hadn’t heard a word.

 

Eunuch Sheng leaned in closer, still smiling, “Would Your Majesty prefer some plain congee or perhaps a soup with pearl meatballs?”

 

Xiao Yu furrowed his brows slightly and hoarsely replied, “Fine.”

 

Eunuch Sheng nodded, bowed, and stepped back. As he closed the door, he faintly heard a sentence, “Ah Ling, how did you come here?”

 

Rubbing his ears, Eunuch Sheng wondered if he misheard.

 

After a severe illness, not only did the emperor’s appetite improve, but his sleep did too. His face bore a smile, and Eunuch Sheng thought the emperor finally understood the value of peace. Xiao Yu uttered, “I will rest at Kunning Palace tonight.”

 

At the mention of Kunning Palace, a chill ran down Eunuch Sheng’s spine.

 

Even if something was amiss, as long as the emperor didn’t speak outright, Eunuch Sheng dared not inquire, only to silently speculate on his intentions.

 

Eunuch Sheng swiftly went to the Ministry of Rites, summoning several eunuchs and palace maids. That night, lights flickered anew on the eaves of Kunning Palace.

 

Amid deep autumn fog, the moonlight vanished into a haze, leaving the exquisite architecture colorless and fading into the night.

 

Everything around was hazy and obscure.

 

Inside the chamber, the heating bricks weren’t warm enough. Xiao Yu leaned against the edge of the bed and asked, “Why isn’t the heating brick warm?”

 

Eunuch Sheng replied, “I will attend to Your Majesty’s washing first. It’ll be warm when we return to the room.”

 

Xiao Yu uttered a low “Hmm.”

 

Eunuch Sheng bowed out, closing the door and immediately ordered rearranging the clean room to restore it to its previous state.

 

When Xiao Yu returned from the clean room, and half reclined on the bed, he massaged his temples, glancing at his side.

 

Su Ling, dressed plainly, was half-kneeling on the bed, arranging the beddings. Her hair was swept up, the long strands cascading like silk over her shoulders. Suddenly, she turned and said, “It’s almost winter, the beddings are too thin. They need changing.”

 

Xiao Yu looked at her.

 

Su Ling raised her fair feet, “See, my feet are cold.”

 

Xiao Yu lifted the blanket, saying, “Come, get in. In a bit, I’ll ask for another blanket.”

 

Su Ling rolled into his embrace, “I want to share a blanket with you!”

 

Xiao Yu smiled faintly, shared the blanket, and used it to cover her feet, “Is there anything else you want?”

 

Su Ling playfully poked his abdomen, “Where have you been? Why didn’t you return to the mansion? You didn’t go gallivanting again, did you? How could you break your promise to me?”

 

Xiao Yu chuckled softly, “I’ve been quite busy lately.”

 

Su Ling looked at him with a hint of sorrow, “It’s always the same excuse…”

 

“In the future, I’ll come to keep you company,” Xiao Yu hugged her tightly, his voice low and gentle, “Can I make it up to our Ah Ling?”

 

Su Ling glanced at him and yawned, “Third lang… I’m tired.”

 

Xiao Yu turned off the lamp, leaving it half-lit, and returned to the bed. After closing his eyes for a while, he spoke again, “Ah Ling?”

 

“What’s wrong? I’m sleepy,” Su Ling replied.

 

Xiao Yu turned and pulled her into his arms.

 

Eunuch Sheng initially thought the emperor stayed at Kunning Palace for a night due to missing the late empress, so he didn’t anticipate a second night there.

 

Today, the heating bricks warmed up early, making the room cozy. Su Ling sat at the table, sewing by the lamplight. After the palace attendants left and the doors closed, Xiao Yu walked over and tousled her hair, “Are these for me?”

 

Su Ling turned to scold him, “Who else would they be for?”

 

Xiao Yu calmly said, “I told you, there’s no need for you to do it again. Don’t strain your eyes.”

 

Su Ling squinted at him, “But you don’t wear the clothes sent by the Palace Department. You wait for me to make them!”

 

Xiao Yu sat back and patted the table, “Come here, give me a shoulder rub.”

 

Su Ling happily went over and leaned on his shoulder, “I’m strong, don’t complain if it hurts.”

 

Xiao Yu smiled and, holding her restless wrist, pressed it gently, restraining her, “How strong are you? Let me test.”

 

Su Ling playfully struggled with him.

 

Xiao Yu was awakened by a cough in the middle of the night. Slowly opening his eyes, he found the room quiet. A sense of unease crept in, “Ah Ling?”

 

Su Ling whispered, “I’m thirsty.”

 

In Kunning Palace, Eunuch Sheng remained alert, ears pricked at every sound. Footsteps echoed inside.

 

Xiao Yu got up, went to the table, poured a glass of water, drank it, and filled it again before returning to the bed. “Drink less, so you won’t have to get up frequently.”

 

After she finished, he replaced the glass and turned away.

 

Eunuch Sheng watched the emperor’s actions, furrowing his brow. Why was His Majesty advising someone to drink less? Perplexed, he silently closed the doors.

 

The emperor had been resting in Kunning Palace for days, and his complexion had noticeably improved. Though Eunuch Sheng remained uneasy, as long as the Emperor’s health recovered, he’d again become the radiant figure of authority.

 

Time flew by like a fleeting steed, and the frost descended in the blink of an eye.

 

When Lu Ze departed from Yangxin Hall, Su Ling walked directly before Xiao Yu. She snatched the letter from him and scanned through it, her eyes misty with tears as she looked at him, “You ordered the troops, didn’t you? Why punish my brother and me?”

 

Her voice trembling with emotion continued, “The Su family has served faithfully for generations. Wasn’t the emperor aspiring to be a righteous ruler? Then why can’t he discern right and wrong? Why can’t you protect us?”

 

“Sixty thousand unjust souls suffered due to the emperor’s incompetence and stubbornness. Why should the blame fall on the Su family?”

 

“If not for your selfish desires, destroying my engagement with Second Young Master He, perhaps those sixty thousand wouldn’t have perished.”

 

Su Ling glared at him resentfully, “Then maybe I wouldn’t have to die!”

 

“Xiao Yu! I trusted you with my life!”

 

Xiao Yu’s hands trembled slightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he tried to speak, “Ah Ling… Ah Ling, please listen…”

 

Before he could finish, Eunuch Sheng, who had returned unexpectedly and was standing at the door, almost knocked over a teacup. Lu Ze, who had doubled back due to some matter, quickly helped him close the door and cautioned, “What you witnessed today must not be disclosed.”

 

Eunuch Sheng’s soul seemed to waver, “I, I saw something…”

 

Lu Ze spoke soothingly, “Please, let everything go back to normal, I’ll handle the rest.”

 

In the evening, while tidying up the emperor’s desk, Eunuch Sheng glanced at several books—Buddhist scriptures, Brahman texts, Daoist writings—about the cycle of life and death.

 

As dry leaves gently fell, after that day, Xiao Yu never mentioned Su Ling’s name again.

 

Lu Ze sought out Zhuang Sheng’s master, Taoist Lingyun. Lingyun, a wandering sage who had seen countless wonders and peculiarities, listened to the account, divined with an oracle, and shook his head, “The emperor’s inner demons have not been dispelled.”

 

Inner demons—what are they, who embodies them?

Lu Ze’s mind was clear as a mirror.

 

Lu Ze escorted Taoist Lingyun into the palace. Although Lu Ze maintained the decorum of a loyal subject before Xiao Yu, it wasn’t a difficult task if he wished to compel Xiao Yu to see someone.

 

Xiao Yu admitted openly, “I indeed saw the empress.”

 

Taoist Lingyun explained, “Your Majesty, although you are the ruler, you are not a practitioner. What you saw was not the empress’ spirit.”

 

“What was it then?”

 

“It was Your Majesty’s inner demon.”

 

At these words, anger furrowed the emperor’s brow. It was as if someone had uncovered his innermost secrets, and he stormed away.

 

Lu Ze became implicated in the fallout.

 

After the frost descended came the beginning of winter. Several heavy snowfalls draped the crimson palaces in a blanket of white.

 

In Kunning Palace, lamps were lit early. Xiao Yu perused official documents, occasionally marking them with a vermilion quill.

 

Su Ling walked over with a smile, taking a seat beside him. “Have you eaten?” she asked.

 

“Yes,” Xiao Yu replied.

 

“Did you take your medicine?” she inquired again.

 

Xiao Yu nodded. “I did.”

 

Su Ling leaned her face against his back, gently rubbing. “Third lang, it’s snowing outside. I want to go for a walk.”

 

Xiao Yu’s gaze followed her, softly saying, “Alright.”

 

He set aside the official papers. As the sunset glow faded, leaving a hint of blue in the sky, Xiao Yu held a lantern and accompanied her for a walk around the palace.

 

Snowflakes danced, the chilly wind seeped through their clothing, and their steps produced a soft crunching sound. Xiao Yu brushed off the snow from his head and turned to look at her. He was about to ask if she felt cold when his gaze froze.

 

The mist swirled, snowflakes fluttered, but her features were as vivid as a painting. Yet, her black hair was empty, without a trace of silver or white.

 

Su Ling, noticing the dampness at his temple, asked, “Third lang, why didn’t you bring an umbrella?”

 

Xiao Yu’s eyes reddened slightly, a faint smile on his lips. He murmured, “Yes, why didn’t I bring an umbrella…”

 

Su Ling, fair and gentle, reached out to him, “Shall we go back?”

 

Xiao Yu interlaced his fingers with hers, his voice hoarse, “Please don’t go.”

 

The palace attendants, watching the emperor’s actions, quickly bowed down. Eunuch Sheng took measured steps and stood behind the emperor, shielding the empty mist in his grasp.

 

The palace’s narrow and dim corridors obscured the figures, and with another gust of wind, the ethereal silhouette vanished, leaving him alone once more.