Zhan Qin stood in place, watching the small figure flee like a startled sparrow, disappearing behind the palace walls in a panic, leaving only a faint, lingering sweetness at the tip of his nose.
His expression remained unchanged, the faint hint of mockery in his eyes receding, replaced by his usual cold indifference.
Zhan Qin lowered his head, his gaze falling on his official boots.
Where the Grand Princess had lightly kicked him earlier, not even a speck of dust remained.
Rong Li’s delicate scolding still echoed in his ears, carrying a tone of reproach he was unaccustomed to and an unmistakable sense of flustered embarrassment.
His light-colored pupils were unreadable. He merely glanced in the direction Rong Li had fled, smoothed the slight wrinkles on his front lapel where she had bumped into him, and after a moment, turned and strode steadily toward the palace exit as if nothing had happened.
Rong Li ran all the way back to the Western Warm Pavilion, her cheeks burning fiercely, her heart pounding like a drum.
“Your Highness?” Xieyue was startled to see her return in such a state and hurried forward to meet her. “Are you feeling feverish again? Your face is so flushed.”
“It’s nothing. I just… just ran too fast.” Rong Li’s voice wavered slightly as she pressed the back of her hand against her scorching cheeks, her eyes darting away.
What could she say?
That she had secretly followed the Imperial Consort and ended up getting caught?
Or that the Imperial Consort was indeed handsome, his voice clear and pleasant, and his chest… his chest was strong and sturdy?
If word got out, where would the dignity of Her Highness, the Grand Princess of Jinyang, go? She couldn’t say any of it!
Xieyue and Fuyun exchanged a glance, both unconvinced.
She had only gone out to meet the Second Prince, so why had she returned with flushed cheeks and such a guilty look in her eyes?
However, both of them knew Rong Li’s temperament—pressing her would yield no answers—so they let it go. They helped her change her clothes and brought her tea, adding, “His Majesty sent someone earlier to say he would join Your Highness for lunch later.”
Rong Li took the teacup and murmured an acknowledgment, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the moment Zhan Qin had grabbed her wrist.
Though it had only been for an instant, the warmth of his fingertips and the touch of his calloused skin seemed imprinted on her skin, making that spot feel as if it were still burning.
He… didn’t seem that angry, did he?
At least not like yesterday, when he had turned and walked away without a word. Today, he had even steadied her to keep her from falling.
Rong Li held the teacup, taking a distracted sip, her phoenix eyes curving into a smile as she managed to soothe herself.
During lunch, Emperor Shuntian indeed arrived at the Western Warm Pavilion.
The decisive and formidable empress on the imperial court was, before her most beloved treasure, nothing more than an ordinary mother, her gaze filled with gentle affection.
The dining table was laden with dishes Rong Li had loved since childhood. The empress picked up a piece of braised goose breast and placed it before Rong Li. “A-Li, you haven’t been back to the palace for a long time. Are you settling in well? I see your complexion looks much better than last night.”
“Thank you, Mother. I’m doing well.” Rong Li’s eyes curved into crescents. “Of course, it’s best by Mother’s side.”
Emperor Shuntian smiled at her words. “In that case, stay in the palace a few more days and take care of your health.”
Rong Li hesitated, keeping her thoughts to herself, and instead asked softly about another matter: “Mother, why did the Imperial Consort come to the palace today? I saw him in front of the Chengqian Palace.”
"Minister Zhan has rendered meritorious service in the southern expedition, and I am merely rewarding him accordingly," Emperor Shuntian replied with a teasing smile. "What, does A'Li wish to see him?"
Rong Li's face flushed slightly as she lowered her gaze to the dishes in her bowl, her voice soft and lacking conviction. "Not… not particularly. It's just that he only returned to the capital yesterday, and I haven't had the chance to speak with him properly yet."
Emperor Shuntian had never seen Rong Li display such a girlish demeanor before, and her heart swirled with mixed emotions.
Naturally, she was pleased to see her daughter and the Imperial Consort in harmony, especially under the current circumstances.
However, she was well aware of how the two had interacted in the past. Before allowing them to spend time together freely, there were still a few matters she needed to remind her daughter about.
Setting down her jade chopsticks, the emperor spoke gently, "Minister Zhan has just taken on the duties of Jinwu Guard Commander. With the handover of official duties keeping him busy, I'm afraid he won't have much free time these next couple of days."
Rong Li initially felt a pang of disappointment, but upon hearing of Zhan Qin's promotion, she was pleasantly surprised. Her eyes widened with a hint of shared pride. "It seems the Imperial Consort has returned with achievements from his southern expedition."
Her adorable and well-behaved appearance softened Emperor Shuntian's heart, and she couldn't resist reaching out to stroke her daughter's hair. "Spend the next couple of days recuperating in the palace. Your usual physician will attend to you. Once you've regained your health, you may return to the princess's residence."
After the meal, Emperor Shuntian lingered a while longer, instructing the palace attendants to take good care of her daughter before departing for Chengqian Palace to attend to state affairs.
Having seen her mother off, Rong Li returned to the warm chamber and slumped listlessly onto the soft couch, appearing somewhat dejected.
Having served Rong Li for many years, Fuyun naturally understood why Her Highness was feeling downcast at the moment.
She brought over a bowl of creamy cheese, speaking softly, "His Majesty only wishes for Your Highness to rest and recuperate in the palace out of concern for your well-being. Besides, the Jinwu Guard's duties involve patrolling the imperial palace and its grounds. Once the Imperial Consort has some free time, he will surely come to see you."
"When would he ever have free time?" Rong Li took a sip without tasting it and sighed deeply. "He was always busy before, nowhere to be seen…"
The words slipped out before she could stop them, and Rong Li herself was taken aback.
Upon careful reflection, the two of them were clearly deeply in love as husband and wife. Where had such a thought come from?
Xieyue, who was nearby finalizing the evening's menu, didn't notice her momentary pause and naturally chimed in with a light hum, "If the Imperial Consort doesn't wish to come, even if Your Highness summons him, he could find a thousand excuses not to."
"Xieyue," Fuyun frowned at her, her tone carrying a hint of reprimand.
Realizing her mistake, Xieyue fell silent, not daring to say more.
But Rong Li was already feeling disheartened.
She couldn't recall at all when the rift between them had begun, remembering only her own unpleasant words and growing increasingly self-reproachful.
And… and when she told him not to follow, he truly didn't come. He must surely resent her for it.
An indescribable ache of bitterness and grievance coiled in her chest, suffocating her with unease.
"Your Highness," Fuyun's gentle voice pulled her back from her tangled thoughts. "It's time for your medicine."
A strong medicinal aroma filled the air, and Rong Li couldn't help but feel a twinge of dread—ever since she could remember, she had been constantly taking medicine. Despite enduring it for over a decade, she still couldn't bear the bitter taste.
Though she feared the bitterness, she never needed her maids to coax her into drinking it. Her brow furrowed tightly, but Rong Li swallowed the medicine sip by sip.
The bitter taste spread from her tongue to the depths of her heart, mingling with the unresolved grievance, making her chest feel even more stifled.
Fuyun brought candied fruits, but Rong Li shook her head, saying only that she felt drowsy from the afternoon and wished to sleep for a while.
In the following days, Rong Li remained rather listless. After each meal, she would take her medicine, take a short walk to aid digestion, and retire to bed exceptionally early.
After three or four days of such recuperation, Physician Tan, who specialized in regulating Rong Li's health, arrived quietly at the Western Warm Pavilion, escorted by a trusted inner attendant of Emperor Shuntian.
Only Fuyun remained in attendance; Xieyue had already led the other palace maids and attendants to withdraw to a distance.
"Your Highness," Physician Tan performed a formal salute, her expression as respectfully composed as ever, though today it carried an added gravity.
Rong Li had sensed something unusual the moment Xieyue led everyone out. She granted Physician Tan a seat and offered tea before inquiring, "Lord Tan, has Her Majesty the Empress Mother sent you with instructions, or has my condition taken a turn?"
"Indeed. Your Highness's fall from the horse caused a disruption of qi and blood, not only injuring the cranium but also stirring up old, latent ailments." She chose her words carefully, speaking with deliberation. "The residual poison from Your Highness's past, intertwined with the shock of the fall, has manifested symptoms different from previous years. The former methods of regulation are no longer effective."
"No wonder I found the medicine these past few days different from before, making me especially drowsy." A slight frown creased Rong Li's brow, revealing her concern. "Then… what should be done?"
Physician Tan lowered her voice further. "Your Highness's body now resembles accumulated firewood and gathering flames, which can easily scorch the meridians and frequently flare up. If the fire rises and cannot be… released, I fear it may harm the very foundation of your spirit, even… endanger your life."
Rong Li's small face paled slightly.
She had indeed noticed something herself. It was the high fever in the middle of the night a few days ago that had necessitated her entry into the palace. Although the medicine had brought some improvement these past days, while sleeping she often felt her body burning hot, simply uncomfortable all over.
But…
"Released? What does that mean?" Rong Li had never heard of such an illness. Instead of administering medicine specific to the symptoms, it required "release"?
The physician lowered her gaze, avoiding Rong Li's direct stare, her words growing even more obscure. "Yin-Yang Harmonization is the proper principle of heaven and earth. Your Highness now… requires Using Yang to Lead Yin, Guiding Fire back to the Origin. As this condition cannot be resolved in a single instance, this humble official will accompany Your Highness when you leave the palace, attending you at the Princess's residence."
Rong Li seemed to understand, yet not fully, and for a moment did not react.
Seeing her bewildered expression, Physician Tan could not help but sigh. She leaned in and whispered a few words into Rong Li's ear, then silently withdrew, leaving the young princess alone in stunned silence.
Rong Li's fair, pinkish skin flushed crimson almost instantly, and she could not help but stand up abruptly.
What Physician Tan had described, the so-called method of "release," was in fact the act of marital relations, the union between man and woman.
However naive she might be, she could understand those words.
Thus, the Eldest Princess transformed before Fuyun's eyes into a glutinous rice ball, flushed red and seemingly about to steam.
She had married at a very young age. The Imperial Astronomer had calculated the wedding date, stating it was her destiny; she could not wait until after her hair-pinning ceremony to marry but must follow ancient custom, completing the marriage at thirteen.
This was not entirely unprecedented. Emperor Gaozong of the previous dynasty and Empress Xu were betrothed in their youth. The twelve-year-old princess was welcomed into the prince's mansion, and the couple only shared a bed after they had undergone their capping and hair-pinning ceremonies.
Precisely because she married so young, the matter of sharing a bed had not been a consideration. The palace matrons had told her nothing about it, leaving her a blank sheet of paper. Now, hearing that her cure involved marital union, and not just once, she was truly so flushed with embarrassment she could barely stand.
She paced back and forth a couple of times, unable to stop herself from associating "intercourse" with Zhan Qin. The young princess's thoughts nearly short-circuited from the heat of it all. Rong Li felt waves of warmth flushing her face and quickly shook her head, forbidding herself from indulging in such wild thoughts.
Abruptly halting her steps, she turned to Fuyun, who stood nearby with bowed head, eyes fixed on the ground in quiet servitude. In disbelief, she asked, "Fuyun, you… you knew about this all along, didn't you?"
Fuyun lifted her head, her eyes filled with pity and helplessness, and nodded gently. "Her Majesty and Physician Tan are both concerned for Your Highness's health. This is indeed a temporary measure—the only solution available."
"A temporary measure…" Rong Li murmured the words, her heart in turmoil. Suddenly, she recalled her mother's remark, "Once your health improves, you may return to the princess's residence." At the time, she had taken it as an ordinary comment, but now, upon reflection, it carried a blush-inducing implication.
Was her mother planning to "improve" her health before sending her back to the Imperial Consort's side to… to carry out that "temporary measure"?
This realization nearly made her faint from embarrassment.
Instinctively, she pressed a hand to her chest, where her heart raced wildly from panic. Faintly, a subtle, unfamiliar restlessness began to stir within her—whether from the shocking secret or the so-called "chronic ailment" quietly taking hold, she couldn't tell.
"No, this won't do!" Rong Li couldn't help but exclaim.
All her earlier grievances and bitterness were swept away by overwhelming shame. Feeling utterly mortified, she lay down on the bed, pulling the bed curtains shut to hide her flushed, crimson face.
Fuyun approached and tactfully relayed another instruction from Her Majesty: "Her Majesty also said that if Your Highness is displeased with the Imperial Consort, she will naturally seek a better match for you."
For a long while, there was no sound from behind the bed curtains. After what seemed like an eternity, a soft pillow was tossed out from within, accompanied by the princess's hesitant reply: "Then… then let it be the Imperial Consort."