In the warm and comfortable autumn afternoon sunlight, Qin Shu had a rocking chair set up beneath the corridor outside the hall, where she lay leisurely taking a short nap.
Seeing her mistress napping, Xin Yi seized the opportunity to pull Xin Lian aside and ask about what their mistress had instructed her to inquire of Xin Lian before lunch.
Noticing Xin Yi’s curiosity, Xin Lian frankly shared everything their mistress had confided to her that morning regarding the Emperor’s feelings.
After listening, Xin Yi gazed steadily at Xin Lian. “That’s actually quite good. I think it’s only natural that the Emperor would go to such lengths for our mistress. She deserves the finest man in this world.”
Their eyes simultaneously turned toward their mistress, admiring her unparalleled grace and beauty – though these were merely her external qualities. Her medical skills, martial prowess, business acumen… their mistress excelled in every aspect.
Their mistress was like an inexhaustible treasure trove. If celestial realms truly existed, she would be an immortal maiden descended from the highest heavens.
After a moment’s reflection, Xin Lian declared, “Of course. Even the fairy maidens in paintings cannot compare to our mistress.”
Having said this, Xin Lian cautioned Xin Yi, “But these words should remain between us for now. Don’t speak of them elsewhere yet.”
“I’m always discreet and won’t say more,” Xin Yi said seriously. “I understand that our mistress has just entered the palace. Even though the Emperor holds exceptional regard for her, the imperial city is different from the southern border, and the palace isn’t the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence.”
They exchanged understanding glances, both fully aware of the situation.
Then Xin Lian changed the subject. “By the way, our mistress has assigned me a matter to handle. I’ll leave attending to her entirely in your hands for now.”
Xin Yi asked no further questions, simply saying, “Alright, you may go attend to your duties with peace of mind.”
After Xin Lian departed, Xin Yi returned to her mistress’s side, standing quietly nearby so she could promptly fulfill any requests when her mistress awoke from her nap.
Before long, evening approached.
After finishing dinner, Qin Shu took a stroll through the palace grounds to aid digestion. She had to admit, life in the palace was truly tedious. Soon enough, she returned to her bedchamber.
Upon entering, she found Xin Lian already waiting there.
Seeing her mistress enter, Xin Lian immediately approached. “Your Highness, I’ve retrieved the items you instructed me to fetch.”
Seating herself on the huanghuali cross-legged chair, Qin Shu accepted the delicate wooden box Xin Lian presented. She opened it casually to reveal two small porcelain bottles – one blue and one white – neatly placed inside.
Xin Yi naturally recognized the contents of the wooden box and asked puzzledly, “Your Highness, why did you suddenly have Xin Lian bring these items into the palace?”
Qin Shu replied, “Tomorrow morning will reveal everything.” She casually closed the box and handed it back to Xin Lian. “Put it away for now.”
Xin Lian responded, “Yes.”
Xin Yi, standing nearby, suggested, “Your Highness, it’s getting late. Allow us to help you change and retire for the night.”
Just as her words faded, a gentle breeze drifted through the open window, causing the candle flames in the chamber to flicker.
Xin Lian and Xin Yi immediately grew alert at this slight disturbance, but seeing their mistress’s completely composed expression, their tension eased accordingly.
When they saw who had arrived, they immediately curtsied, “Your Majesty.”
Qin Shu watched the man who had climbed in through the window approach her step by step. She rose and performed a curtsy, addressing him as ‘Your Majesty.’ After straightening up, she smiled faintly at the person before her and said, “If word of Your Majesty’s actions were to spread, it would surely stir up endless gossip.”
Xuan Yuan Che waved his hand, signaling Xin Lian and Xin Yi to withdraw.
Without another word, Xin Lian and Xin Yi respectfully retreated outside the hall.
In an instant, only Qin Shu and Xuan Yuan Che remained in the bedchamber.
Xuan Yuan Che stood before Qin Shu and said, “This is a matter solely between you and me. Outsiders will not know.”
A smile tugged at Qin Shu’s lips. “Your Majesty has come to my palace late at night without anyone outside noticing. I wonder if others could also come and go from the palace as if it were an unguarded realm?”
Xuan Yuan Che replied, “No movement in the palace escapes the patrols of the Imperial Guards. Moreover, besides the Imperial Guards, there are eyes hidden in the shadows. Anyone who dares to trespass into the palace grounds would surely meet their death.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Shu’s thoughts stirred, and she casually remarked, “So, Your Majesty is fully aware of everything that happens in the palace.”
Xuan Yuan Che gave Qin Shu a gentle smile. “Yes, I know what needs to be known. For instance, regarding that Beauty Wei whose face was ruined and who went mad, then was sent to the cold palace by the Empress—I am fully aware of what exactly happened that night.”
As he spoke, he raised his hand to caress Qin Shu’s cheek, his tone soft and measured. “In the palace, you have me. You need not worry.”
Qin Shu met Xuan Yuan Che’s gaze directly. Though she had acted discreetly in the matter of Beauty Wei, it seemed he had still detected traces of it. The reason it had been resolved so swiftly was not only due to the Empress’s desire to quickly dispose of the matter but also because Xuan Yuan Che had helped conceal the truth for her.
Noticing her unwavering gaze, Xuan Yuan Che withdrew his hand from her cheek and changed the subject. “These are trivial matters, of no importance. Do not dwell on them. I came here tonight for another reason.”
Qin Shu snapped back to attention and observed the slight hesitation in Xuan Yuan Che’s movement as he withdrew his hand. It was clear he wanted to be close to her, yet those small gestures betrayed his bashfulness.
She blinked, a playful thought arising within her, and deliberately leaned closer to him. “What urgent matter brings Your Majesty to seek me out?”
Xuan Yuan Che noticed Qin Shu drawing even nearer, her presence almost pressing into his embrace. The memory of holding her in his arms that morning surfaced in his mind, causing him to swallow involuntarily. Steadying himself, he said, “You expressed curiosity about the mysteries within the Sacred Sun Palace. I’ve come to take you to see it.”
“So it’s about that.” Qin Shu looked up at Xuan Yuan Che and asked pointedly, “Your Majesty did not summon me to attend you tonight. How does Your Majesty intend to take me to the Sacred Sun Palace in the dead of night?”
“We can…”
Qin Shu let out a weak cough, cutting off Xuan Yuan Che before he could finish. Her words spilled out, “I have always been frail and prone to illness. Surely Your Majesty does not expect me to emulate Your Majesty’s methods?”
The two of them were already standing quite close. With just a slight forward lean, Qin Shu would fall right into Xuan Yuan Che’s embrace. It wasn’t like she was being asked to fully accept him yet, so… heh, taking this chance to tease him a little shouldn’t be a problem. After all, wasn’t this also a way to deepen their bond? She rested one hand on Xuan Yuan Che’s chest, putting on her usual delicate and pitiful act, gazing at him with wide, pleading eyes.