The Grand Princess was quietly escorted to the palace overnight, where she was examined by a female physician specially arranged for her by Emperor Shuntian.
The late-night dew was heavy and cold, yet the western warm chamber of Chengqian Palace was filled with warmth, fragrance, and tranquility.
Before Rong Li married and moved out of the palace, the place she frequented most was her mother Emperor Shuntian’s Chengqian Palace, where she had lived in this western warm chamber for a full ten years.
While the female physician examined Rong Li inside the western warm chamber, the Empress set up a desk in the outer room. Wrapped in a dragon cloak, she reviewed several memorials that remained unfinished, her profile calm and profound under the lamplight, the crimson brushstrokes on the paper producing faint, gentle sounds.
The small door leading to the inner chamber opened silently. The attendant led the female physician who had just examined Rong Li before the Empress and then quietly withdrew.
Apart from the current confusion in her memory after falling from the cliff, the Grand Princess had also suffered from a hidden ailment since childhood. This matter had always been a great taboo in the palace, and no one was allowed to overhear. Aside from Emperor Shuntian and the female physician, only the two female officials who had served her since childhood were aware of it.
Emperor Shuntian set aside the memorial in her hand, and the female physician immediately prostrated herself on the ground, her forehead pressed tightly against the golden bricks below.
“Is it truly as you said?”
The female physician’s voice was hushed: “Yes. Her Highness’s condition aligns closely with what was anticipated years ago. However, it was originally expected to manifest gradually only after she came of age. Yet, after the horse startled and she fell from the cliff, her qi and blood weakened, which instead triggered the condition to surface prematurely.”
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly grew so heavy it was almost suffocating.
Mentioning this matter, a shadow swept across Emperor Shuntian’s phoenix eyes.
The hidden ailment in Rong Li’s body originated from her.
In the past, she was preoccupied with imperial affairs and had little interest in romantic or sensual desires, unaware that she was carrying a child.
Among the rebels, there were those from the Dian region. She had neglected to guard against the strange arts of Dian and inadvertently fell victim to a peculiar poison. She should have succumbed to the poison but managed to hold on for half a month until she found an extraordinary practitioner to detoxify her. It was only when the practitioner examined her pulse that she learned she was already over a month pregnant. The child, connected to its mother by blood, had unintentionally diverted the poison to its own body, thereby preserving her life.
Emperor Shuntian decided to keep the child.
The extraordinary practitioner who had detoxified her was brought under her command and had since been tending to both her and Rong Li’s health. It was originally believed that years of careful nurturing had completely dissipated the poison from that time, but things did not go as planned.
Emperor Shuntian’s own health remained robust, but as Rong Li grew older, the female physician gradually discovered that residual poison lingered in her body. For over a decade, it had lain dormant in her bones and blood, mingling with other medications she had taken, ultimately forming another type of poison.
This poison showed no signs in childhood, but as the young girl grew gracefully, like a willow branch stretching out, the female physician asserted that it would inevitably lead to a series of unspeakable symptoms—though not life-threatening, unrelated to cold or heat, and not affecting the internal organs. Occasionally, when the toxicity surged and flared up, it required Yin-Yang Harmonization to promptly dispel the inner fire. Otherwise, her mind would become unsettled, difficult to control, and her qi and blood would reverse, harming her body.
After Rong Li began menstruating, the female physician and others exhausted all efforts to develop an antidote. Unfortunately, the strange poisons of the Dian region were numerous, with toxins crafted by different clans varying widely, and over the years, no progress was made.
As a last resort, and to prevent the poison from harming Rong Li’s health if an antidote could not be developed, Emperor Shuntian meticulously selected an Imperial Consort for Rong Li at an early age.
It was originally hoped that the two would harmonize like the qin and se, making the poison inconsequential. Yet, unexpectedly, a pair of resentful spouses was chosen, quarreling incessantly day after day.
Emperor Shuntian's brow furrowed with concern. Setting aside the vermilion brush, she rose and walked toward the inner chamber, lowering her voice as she asked, "Is it already this urgent? Should we seek someone suitable immediately?"
The court physician quickly replied, "Fortunately, it has not yet reached a critical stage. At present, Her Highness only feels an overwhelming internal heat. The Spirit-Concentrating Pill I developed recently can still be used. Her Highness took one just now and the fever has gradually subsided."
Emperor Shuntian's expression eased slightly, but then the physician added gravely, "However, the efficacy of the Spirit-Concentrating Pill is limited. With repeated use, its effects will inevitably diminish. Moreover, Her Highness is approaching her coming-of-age ceremony. As she grows older, the frequency of these episodes will certainly increase, and the symptoms may become more… uncontrollable than they are now."
Given that this concerned the Chang Gongzhu and was such a delicate matter, the physician spoke cautiously. But how could Emperor Shuntian fail to grasp the underlying meaning?
Emperor Shuntian nodded, pondering for a moment before saying, "From now on, you shall serve directly at Chang Gongzhu Fu. Keep the Spirit-Concentrating Pill readily available at all times, and make sure to explain the implications clearly to the Chang Gongzhu."
After the physician departed on her orders, Emperor Shuntian gathered her cloak and sat by Rong Li's bedside. She gently brushed aside the sweat-dampened strands of hair at Rong Li's temples and personally wiped her face dry.
Rong Li's delicate face was small and exquisite, with a fine nose and cherry-like lips, nestling in the palm of her hand. This sight finally softened the typically stern-hearted empress, revealing a trace of tender affection.
A long sigh dissipated into the night of the Western Warm Pavilion.
Out of countless candidates, Zhan Qin had been chosen as Rong Li's Imperial Consort. Yet, unexpectedly, their relationship had become so strained.
However, due to a twist of fate, Rong Li had lost her memory, leaving her in a state of confusion. Now, she mistakenly believed that she and her Imperial Consort shared a deep and genuine affection. Even before tonight's poisoning episode brought her to the palace, Emperor Shuntian had already learned that her willful little princess had become utterly infatuated and clingy toward her Imperial Consort.
Naturally, Emperor Shuntian was not troubled by such trivial matters of youthful romance.
Earlier today, when Zhan Qin returned to report on his southern mission, she had already given him a stern warning.
Someone who had clawed his way out of the mire knew how to weigh the pros and cons.
If, by some twist of fate, the Imperial Consort could win her daughter's favor, that would be his good fortune.
If it truly proved impossible, then she could simply remove him and select another from thousands of candidates.
When Rong Li awoke, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
It had been a long time since she last stayed in the Western Warm Pavilion. Seeing the familiar furnishings, she felt disoriented and momentarily thought she had returned to the time before her marriage, instinctively calling out, "Mother Empress."
Fuyun entered upon hearing her voice, attending to her washing and breakfast while gently informing her that Her Majesty had already gone to court and was not in the Chengqian Palace.
Rong Li regained her composure, puzzled as to why she had fallen asleep at Chang Gongzhu Fu but awakened in the palace. Just then, someone outside announced that the Second Prince had come to see the Chang Gongzhu.
Her expression showed no particular warmth. She calmly took a sip of the silver-thread porridge and said with a faint smile, "Have the palace attendants receive him in the side hall. I will see him after I finish my meal."
As Fuyun turned to leave, Rong Li pushed a plate of delicate dumplings on the table forward. "Brother Yan has come so early; he probably hasn't eaten yet. If Noble Consort Su finds out, he'll scold Brother Yan for being foolish. Send these to him."
Once Fuyun left, Rong Li ate less than half a bowl of porridge before setting it aside.
Xieyue helped her change clothes. However, the West Warm Pavilion had long been without a master, and their arrival last night had been hasty, so some of the jewelry was no longer fashionable. Instead, she simply used a jade belt and silk ribbon to tie Rong Li’s hair into twin spiral buns, making her face appear even smaller and her figure more delicate. Even draped in a cloak, she looked exquisite and incomparably noble.
Rong Li glanced toward the side hall, her glossy red lips curling into a faint, ambiguous smile. “Do you think Brother Yan will cry again today? If he cries, I won’t bother with him. I didn’t ask him to come.”
Xieyue felt a sudden clarity—this proud and aloof Princess was the one she was familiar with.
As long as matters unrelated to the Imperial Consort were involved, Her Highness the Princess was exactly the same as before;
But once it came to matters related to the Imperial Consort… well, it was better not to dwell on it.
Xieyue followed her outside. Just as they stepped out of the main door of the West Warm Pavilion, they saw a still-youthful figure standing in the courtyard outside.
The Second Prince, Rong Yan, was three years younger than Rong Li and only twelve this year. He looked almost identical to Noble Consort Su—exquisitely carved like jade, yet with a hint of frailty.
His eyes were covered with a dark veil, and an elderly matron supported him, softly urging him to return to the side hall to sit and avoid the wind.
Rong Yan tilted his head to listen to the matron’s words, replying with slightly unclear speech, “Elder Sister has returned to the palace. I am concerned for her, anxious and restless, and dare not sit and wait.”
The matron watched as he could only determine her location by sound, still unable to speak clearly at twelve years old, her expression tinged with sorrow.
“You should sit down! Noble Consort Su is too fierce. If he scolds both of us later, who will we turn to for justice?” Rong Li walked up to him, her lips curled in a mocking smile.
Hearing Rong Li’s voice, Rong Yan slowly turned toward her, revealing a somewhat shy smile. “Elder Sister, are you well? I heard from the palace servants that you seemed to have fallen ill?”
Rong Li still didn’t know exactly what had happened last night, but she wouldn’t speak of such matters to a child. Casually, she replied, “Yes, I fell some days ago and felt unwell again last night. Fortunately, Her Majesty’s imperial aura is strong here. I recovered as soon as I arrived.”
Rong Yan nodded, then stretched out his hand somewhat wistfully, likely intending to take Rong Li’s hand. However, unable to see, he only managed to grasp her sleeve. “It has been months since I last saw Elder Sister. I wonder how much taller you’ve grown.”
Rong Li ruffled his fluffy hair, her eyes curving into a smile. “I’m definitely much taller than you.”
Rong Yan nuzzled into her palm and smiled along, still looking up in her direction.
He held Rong Li’s sleeve loosely in his palm, about to say something, when he heard Rong Li let out a surprised and delighted “Hmm.” The sleeve, slippery as a little fish, slid out of his grasp and disappeared.
She had run off.
“Matron Li, please take Brother Yan back first. It’s still a bit cold outside. Don’t let him catch a chill. I’ll come speak with him another time.”
The young girl’s voice grew distant from Rong Yan, yet it was unmistakably filled with delight—a delight that hadn’t been there when she saw him earlier.
Rong Yan slowly turned toward the direction Rong Li had hurried off to and asked sluggishly, “Has someone arrived?”
Matron Li glanced over and also found it peculiar. “Her Highness’s Imperial Consort has arrived.”
However, she had little interest in other matters, only worrying about her young master’s health, and prepared to take Rong Yan back.
Rong Yan obediently followed her, occasionally glancing back, but how could he possibly catch sight of Rong Li?
His constitution was even weaker than Rong Li's; he had gradually lost his sight since the age of three and could hardly see anything now.
Rong Li had no idea what Rong Yan was thinking.
Her thoughts were still lingering on the "little touches" left by the Imperial Consort that she had discovered in her dream last night. She wasn’t ready to see him yet, but just moments ago, she had spotted him following two palace attendants, entering the palace alongside several officials.
Judging by the direction they were heading—toward the main hall of Chengqian Palace—it seemed the Empress was about to conclude the morning court session and had summoned a few individuals to stay behind for further discussions.
From a distance, Rong Li watched his figure, and a smile involuntarily bloomed on her cheeks.
Compared to the light armor and cloak he wore when he returned, dusty and weary, yesterday, today he was dressed in a solemn black and crimson official robe, impeccably neat.
With Zhan Qin’s stature, wearing an official robe was simply mesmerizing.
He had long limbs, broad shoulders, and a slender waist, yet his demeanor was as pristine as jade mountains and snow jade. The robe only accentuated his cold, imposing authority, making him appear twelve times more formidable than anyone else.
Rong Li had never seen Zhan Qin in an official robe before, and she couldn’t help but feel that there wasn’t a single part of the Imperial Consort that wasn’t pleasing to the eye.
Zhan Qin seemed to sense her gaze and glanced in Rong Li’s direction.
Rong Li’s heart skipped a beat. She was utterly unprepared to meet his eyes and quickly ducked behind the nearby shadow wall.
Zhan Qin only caught a glimpse of a pale skirt hem peeking out from behind the wall.
Then, a pair of small hands hurriedly tucked it back in, hiding it from view.
Zhan Qin continued forward without so much as a sideways glance, but along the way, he noticed the little skirt hem appearing now behind the side corridor, now at the left corner, trailing him like a little tail he couldn’t shake off.
The newly appointed Minister of the Honglu Temple walking beside Zhan Qin was wiping sweat from his forehead, trembling with every step. Noticing that Zhan Qin seemed somewhat distracted, he couldn’t help but marvel at how different a favored courtier of the imperial family truly was.
Jia Yuan, the Minister of the Honglu Temple, came from a noble family and had cultivated a carefree, unruly temperament since childhood. Having worked alongside Zhan Qin on their journey south, he felt quite familiar with him by now. Unfazed by Zhan Qin’s cold expression, he leaned in and asked, "Minister Zhan, are you perhaps thinking about the matter of Her Highness the Princess choosing a new Imperial Consort?"
Author's Note: