The July weather was sweltering and muggy. The afternoon had been scorching, but in the blink of an eye, a violent torrential rain began to pour.
Ruan Jinyu had just emerged from his meeting with Yan Yan when the sudden downpour caught everyone off guard. Qian Qi came running to meet him, umbrella in hand.
“By my calculations, My Lord should have been returning at this time. It was my fault for not coming sooner,” Qian Qi panted.
“It is no matter,” Ruan Jinyu replied indifferently. “I didn’t turn into a drowned rat, so all is well.”
“I was just afraid…” Qian Qi tilted the entire umbrella over Ruan Jinyu’s head as they walked. He stopped himself mid-sentence, spitting out the unlucky thoughts he hadn’t voiced.
Back in his hall, Ruan Jinyu changed out of his damp clothes while Qian Qi dried his hair. Ruan Jinyu eventually took the cloth from him. Qian Qi couldn’t help but suggest, “My Lord, let me brew a bowl of ginger tea to ward off the cold.”
Having dried his hair, Ruan Jinyu set the cloth down and stood up. “There is no need. I cannot stomach it.”
For some reason, he had been increasingly drowsy lately. After lunch today, the feeling returned. Once he had tidied up, he lay back on his bed and quickly drifted off.
Qian Qi always worried about his master’s health, particularly his susceptibility to colds, coughs, and digestive issues. There were many triggers for his Master’s ailments, and this sudden rain was certainly one of them. Yet, Ruan Jinyu despised taking medicine and disliked ginger tea even more.
Ruan Jinyu was nonchalant about it, often telling Qian Qi: “If something is unwanted yet unavoidable, then one must simply accept it. As long as it does not kill me, it is fine.”
He was resigned to his frailty, but he was not yet ready to lose his life to it.
After Ruan Jinyu left the main hall, Yan Yan continued reviewing memorials. The workload was heavy, and he did not slacken. It wasn’t until the sound of the rain grew deafening that he suddenly dropped the memorial he was reading and looked up. “Is it raining?”
The head eunuch, standing respectfully by his side, replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How long has it been since the Imperial Preceptor left?” Yan Yan asked.
“He left only a short while ago, Your Majesty.”
He must have been caught right in the middle of it. At that thought, Yan Yan set aside his work and rose to leave. The eunuch hurried forward with an umbrella. “Your Majesty, it is time to visit the Empress Dowager.”
Yan Yan ignored him and continued walking. Knowing the Emperor’s temperament, the eunuch fell silent and followed behind to hold the umbrella. However, just as they reached the door, someone arrived to block Yan Yan’s path.
It was a female official serving the Empress Dowager. After performing her salutations, she said, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence.”
Yan Yan glanced at her. “Right now?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Yan Yan’s mind was still elsewhere. “I have no time at the moment. Return and tell the Empress Dowager that I shall certainly visit later.”
The official, acting on strict orders, did not back down. “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager’s summons is not entirely about tomorrow’s selection. There are other matters she says she must discuss with you in person.”
It seemed there were affairs beyond the consort selection. Yan Yan wasn’t sure what else she could want, but after a moment’s thought, he instructed the eunuch, “Summon Physician Zhang Fu to the side hall.”
The eunuch realized then that the Emperor intended to visit the side hall while the Empress Dowager waited. He dared not question it. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The eunuch withdrew, and Yan Yan followed the official to the Empress Dowager’s palace.
In the side hall, Ruan Jinyu was about to settle in for a nap when he heard Qian Qi’s voice. He looked up to see Eunuch Zhao leading a physician into the room. After a somewhat baffling examination, the physician prescribed medicine to ward off the cold.
Though confused, Ruan Jinyu didn’t protest. He looked at the bowl and asked, “Physician Zhang, I am not actually sick, am I?”
The physician rose with a smile. “Precaution, My Lord. Simply a precaution!”
“I believe it is quite unnecessary,” Ruan Jinyu replied, unable to accept taking medicine while healthy. It felt like a massive overreaction. His health was poor and he suffered frequent minor ailments, but a bit of wind and rain was normal. It didn’t warrant this.
Under the late Emperor, physicians had constantly frequented his quarters, leading to rumors that the Imperial Preceptor was perpetually sickly and frail. In truth, Ruan Jinyu hadn’t been like this as a child; back then, he had even dreamed of becoming a warrior. Times had certainly changed.
The head eunuch who had brought the physician spoke up. “Imperial Preceptor, this is His Majesty’s wish. Do not refuse it.”
Faced with that, Ruan Jinyu could say nothing. He took the medicine and downed it in one go. The physician and the eunuch then took their leave.
Qian Qi stepped forward to take the empty bowl, muttering, “Why would His Majesty do such a thing?”
Ruan Jinyu glanced at him, his voice soft. “Perhaps he is afraid I will neglect my duties to the court.” After all, falling ill meant missing sessions for days.
“That makes sense,” Qian Qi agreed. “My Lord is very useful to him.”
Ruan Jinyu nodded in agreement.
The next day, the seventh day of the seventh month—the Qixi Festival—finally arrived.
The streets were incredibly lively. The Empress Dowager had announced that the Emperor would grant a general amnesty to the realm following the selection, so for the common folk, the Emperor’s choice of consorts was a joyous occasion. After layers of screening within the palace, the final group of women was sent to the imperial grounds today.
The final selection was to be conducted by the Emperor himself. The venue was the Dianluo Garden, the largest imperial garden in the palace. At its center was the Qinzhu Hall, surrounded by magnificent pavilions and towers. In the peak of July, the lush greenery and vibrant flowers made for a beautiful setting.
Ruan Jinyu woke up earlier than usual. He remembered Yan Yan’s instruction to accompany him to the garden.
“My Lord, it is still early. Breakfast from the small kitchen is ready,” Qian Qi said. He didn’t know why his master was up so early but had prepared accordingly.
Ruan Jinyu nodded. Shortly after he began eating, Qian Qi knocked and entered again, cradling a black cat in his arms.
“My Lord, look.”
Ruan Jinyu set down his chopsticks, walked over, and took the cat. “You may leave now.”
Qian Qi left the room, making sure to close the door behind him.
The small black cat had eyes that were dark and brilliant, and its fur was coal-black. Around its neck was a collar featuring a small golden tower—both crafted from pure gold. Rumor had it that this collar was a gift from the Grand Empress Dowager herself. She had issued a decree that no one in the palace was to restrict its movements, granting it the right to roam and rest anywhere it pleased. Through two reigns, the rule had remained; the cat lived a carefree life wandering the halls. This morning, it had wandered into Ruan Jinyu’s side hall.
Ruan Jinyu placed the cat on a chair and watched it for a moment. He slowly reached out, his hand coming to rest on the small golden tower of the collar. The cat merely dozed for a bit before jumping down, stretching, and sauntering out of the room.
It was then that Ruan Jinyu stood and headed for the door. Qian Qi met him at the threshold, intending to call him for their departure.
Suddenly, Ruan Jinyu said, “I must go out for a moment.”
Qian Qi’s mind blanked. “My Lord, it is time to head to the Dianluo Garden. Have you forgotten His Majesty’s words?”
The Emperor had personally told him to be there today. Why leave for somewhere else now? How would they explain it to the Sovereign?
“I haven’t forgotten,” Ruan Jinyu said with a sigh. “I must visit Prince Shi. It just so happens that this is the only time.”
Qian Qi was horrified. Prince Shi? The very person the Emperor despised? The recent drama flooded his mind. “My Lord, Prince Shi? The one in the Qingshuang Palace? If His Majesty finds out…”
“That is why he must not find out,” Ruan Jinyu replied. “The Empress Dowager is at the Dianluo Garden today. The selection will take at least half a day, during which the Emperor cannot leave.”
“Go now,” Ruan Jinyu continued, shifting his tone. “No, have Eunuch Zhao go. Tell the Emperor that I woke up with a severe headache and cannot come immediately. Stall him for as long as possible.”
Qian Qi felt his head beginning to throb, but Ruan Jinyu had already decided. He had to comply. He escorted Ruan Jinyu out but was sent back the moment they cleared the hall. He had no idea what his master was planning.
Shortly after Ruan Jinyu left, the Emperor’s messengers arrived. Following instructions, Qian Qi sent them away.
Meanwhile, at the Dianluo Garden, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager had arrived at the Qinzhu Hall. The selection officially began. The hall was divided; the main chamber was filled with eunuchs and maids, with a screen separating the other officials. The Emperor and Empress Dowager sat in the primary and secondary seats of honor.
Behind the screen, Yan Yan had reserved a seat for Ruan Jinyu, but it remained empty. He was pondering this when his messenger returned.
“Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor says he has a headache and is feeling unwell. He says he will arrive later.”
Yan Yan raised an eyebrow. “For what reason?”
The eunuch replied, “It is likely due to the medicine he took this morning. The physician mentioned that it might cause drowsiness; it is considered a normal reaction.”