Shen Qingchen was keeping vigil at the Empress’s side. The imperial physician had just finished taking her pulse. “Your Highness, Her Majesty’s condition was brought on by emotional agitation. In the future, her emotions must remain steady—no great sorrow or joy.”
“Emotional agitation?” Shen Qingchen frowned.
“Your Highness, ever since your health improved, Her Majesty has been overjoyed these past days. It seems she could not bear the strain, and so her body weakened,” Nanny Qin explained respectfully.
“Make sure Mother’s health is properly cared for,” Shen Qingchen said, guilt weighing on him as he thought of the hardships she had endured.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
When Liu Meizhao arrived, she brushed past the physician, her face anxious. Entering the Empress’s bedchamber, she saw the Crown Prince at the bedside and hurried forward. “Your Highness, how is Mother?”
“Crown Princess need not worry. Her Majesty is only slightly unwell. She will wake soon,” Nanny Qin replied with a bow.
“That is good.”
The Empress slowly opened her eyes. Hearing her son’s voice, she turned her head and smiled weakly. “Chen’er.”
“Mother, are you feeling better? Do you still feel unwell?” Shen Qingchen asked with deep concern. He knew she must have suffered greatly during the years he was away from the palace.
“Don’t worry, Mother is fine,” the Empress reassured him with a smile.
Liu Meizhao also spoke with concern. “Mother, it is good that you are well. His Highness has been so worried, keeping watch over you.”
The Empress smiled at her too. “Mother knows.”
Then she glanced around the chamber, not seeing Xiao Hanyan. “Chen’er, where is Yan’er?”
With that child’s filial devotion, she would never fail to come.
“Mother, Liangdi Xiao has been attending His Highness constantly and is weary. I will serve you here instead, and let her rest,” Liu Meizhao said gently and respectfully.
The Empress’s expression faltered. After so many years in the palace, she could easily hear the undertones in another’s words. Still, Liu Meizhao was the Crown Princess, so she answered, “Very well. The Crown Princess is thoughtful.”
Liu Meizhao’s smile deepened. “Mother, I fear I might overlook something in serving you. Let His Highness accompany me, won’t you? That way, we can both attend you together.”
If she remained here while the Crown Prince returned, it would only give Liangdi Xiao another chance to keep him. She wanted to stay with him—only then would they appear as a true family.
“I alone will remain. Crown Princess, return and rest,” Shen Qingchen said coldly, not sparing her a glance.
“Your Highness, let this consort stay with you. Do not let Mother worry further.” Liu Meizhao lowered herself humbly, looking up at him. “Your Highness, please?”
In front of the Empress, surely he would not embarrass her.
The Empress discreetly observed Liu Meizhao. Was she trying to use her as leverage?
The Crown Prince’s face remained cold, his silence unbroken.
Liu Meizhao pressed on, frowning. “Liangdi Xiao has cared for Mother for so long. Now it should be this consort’s turn. Your Highness, don’t you agree?”
“Yan’er is truly filial.” When the Empress spoke of Xiao Hanyan, her expression softened into indulgence.
Liu Meizhao’s face stiffened. The moment Xiao Hanyan was mentioned, the Empress seemed to brighten. Liu Meizhao could not help but suspect that the Empress was deliberately opposing her, preventing the Crown Prince from consummating their marriage. For two days in a row, the two of them had not been able to spend proper time together.
“It is clear that Liangdi Xiao is very good. This consort is especially grateful that she came first to care for Mother for so long.” Liu Meizhao looked affectionately at the Empress, her words outwardly full of the recognition a principal wife gives to a concubine.
“Enough. I’m tired. You should both go rest in the side hall.”
Though Liu Meizhao spoke with soft insistence, the Empress only grew more worried for Xiao Hanyan. With such a gentle nature, Yan’er would surely be bullied by Liu Meizhao.
“Mother, please rest well.” Shen Qingchen rose and went to the side hall, Liu Meizhao following behind.
Nanny Qin came to support the Empress, speaking quietly. “Your Majesty, this servant noticed the Crown Princess’s expression was not good just now.”
“I saw it.” The Empress closed her weary eyes. “She must think I am deliberately favoring Yan’er.”
“Liangdi Xiao is simply lovable.”
“Yan’er is tender and considerate. Of course, I cannot help but like her. Besides, she saved Chen’er. In my heart, she will always be special.”
“Your Majesty must not show it too plainly. The Crown Princess has only been here two days, and already she is targeting Liangdi Xiao.”
“I know.” The Empress could read hearts at a glance.
Liu Meizhao could hardly conceal her emotions—how could the Empress not see?
In the side hall.
Liu Meizhao wanted to use this chance to speak with Shen Qingchen. Husband and wife should not harbor grudges overnight.
“Your Highness, Mother is fine. Please don’t worry.” She approached him softly, her voice tender, her demeanor full of maidenly charm.
Shen Qingchen turned away, lying down on the couch with his eyes closed. “You take the bed.”
Liu Meizhao bit her lip. She knew tonight was not the time for intimacy, but lying together would at least show closeness. Yet the Crown Prince clearly wanted no closeness. For a husband to reject his wife’s touch—Liu Meizhao’s expression nearly crumbled. She wanted to speak again, but seeing his cold, distant demeanor, she swallowed her words and lay alone on the bed.
At Wutong Courtyard.
“Liangdi, the Empress suddenly fainted. His Highness has already rushed over.” Outside, the attendant Xiaodongzi knelt, hesitating. “The Crown Princess ordered that Liangdi need not be told.”
Xiao Hanyan’s gaze chilled. Not be told? But the Eastern Palace was full of her people—who could possibly keep it from her?
“I understand. You may go.”
“Yes.”
Qingdai could not hold back her temper. “Liangdi, the Crown Princess is far too petty. Even the Empress’s illness, she wants to seize as her own affair.”
“Qingdai, bring me the Buddhist scriptures I copied.” Xiao Hanyan often transcribed texts to calm her mind. Now, it finally served its purpose.
“Yes, Liangdi.”
The next day.
Xiao Hanyan applied a slightly weary makeup. When she furrowed her brows, her fragile beauty appeared all the more pitiable. Together with Qingdai, she carried the Buddhist scriptures to Kunning Palace to pay respects. By the time she arrived, the Empress was already up, seated at her dressing table. Liu Meizhao attended her attentively, smiling brightly as she spoke.
Shen Qingchen’s tall figure stood nearby, his expression unreadable.
After the maid announced her, Xiao Hanyan walked gracefully into the hall, meeting the Empress’s gaze. “This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Yan’er, you’ve come. Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Xiao Hanyan then bowed to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. “This concubine greets His Highness and the Crown Princess.”
Shen Qingchen’s eyes fell upon her. His voice was low and steady. “Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Why has Liangdi Xiao come?” Liu Meizhao asked with gentle courtesy.
Xiao Hanyan signaled Qingdai to present the scriptures. “This concubine heard that Your Majesty was unwell. Unable to serve you personally, I copied Buddhist texts to pray for Your Majesty’s health.”
Seeing the thick stack of scriptures, the Empress’s heart ached. “Yan’er, you copied all of these yourself? You must be exhausted.”
“Replying to Your Majesty, yesterday when Liangdi heard you were unwell, she thought since she could not serve you, she would spend the night copying scriptures.” Qingdai added at the right moment.
“You foolish child…” The Empress looked at her wan face, her heart aching even more. “I’m fine. If you wish to pay respects, simply come.”
“Your Majesty, yesterday I happened to see the Crown Princess rushing into the palace. I asked a careless question and learned of it. I beg forgiveness—I did not mean to intrude.” Xiao Hanyan carefully confessed.