“If His Highness is only unconscious, then if I appear lifeless and gloomy, it will only give others something to gossip about.” Xiao Hanyan took the rouge and applied it evenly to her face. Once she was properly dressed, she summoned the imperial physician responsible for caring for Shen Qingchen.
The Crown Prince lay quietly as before, showing no sign of waking.
“Imperial Physician, how is His Highness?” Xiao Hanyan stood at the foot of the bed, brows lightly furrowed, her tone tinged with worry.
The physician withdrew his hand and sighed. “Replying to Liangdi, His Highness is much the same as before. It may be some time before he awakens.”
“Thank you for tending to His Highness.” Xiao Hanyan’s voice carried a trace of disappointment.
Hearing her tone, the physician felt pity. The crown prince’s injuries were too severe. Though the external wounds had healed, the internal damage could not be mended so quickly. The Empress, desperate, had resorted to the folk remedy of “marriage for fortune.” To see such a young girl burdened with this responsibility weighed heavily on him.
He added, “Liangdi, rest assured. His Highness is blessed. With fortune protecting him, he will surely awaken safely.”
“Thank you, Imperial Physician. I understand.”
After sending him away, Xiao Hanyan went to Kunning Palace to pay respects.
Kunning Palace, the Empress’s residence, was not only the finest located but also the grandest, radiating the authority of its mistress.
Inside the hall, the Empress sat at the head, one hand pressed to her forehead. She had not slept all night, hoping that once Liangdi Xiao Hanyan entered the Eastern Palace, her son would awaken. But she had waited in vain.
Xiao Hanyan entered gracefully, stopping at the center of the hall. She bent her knees slightly, her face adorned with a gentle smile. “This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress.”
The Empress slowly opened her eyes, sat upright, her expression weary and haggard.
“Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The young woman in red stood radiant and fresh, her gentle smile softening the Empress’s mood. “How is the Crown Prince?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, though His Highness has not yet awakened, I believe he would never abandon Your Majesty. I dare not claim I have the fortune to rouse him, but with Your Majesty’s care and love, he surely cannot bear to leave you.” Xiao Hanyan spoke with gentle firmness, her back straight, no trace of despair.
“Good… good. I have not misjudged you.” The Empress’s voice nearly broke. Her son bore heavy responsibilities, forced to train at a young age. Only she, his mother, knew the hardship. Now, seeing someone who truly cared for him, she could not bring herself to dislike Xiao Hanyan.
“Come closer. Let me look at you.” The Empress beckoned.
The marriage had been rushed; she had not yet examined the Minister’s daughter properly. Now, seeing her clearly, she found her appearance pleasing, her figure graceful, and her eyes deep enough to draw one in.
Xiao Hanyan walked closer to the Empress and, upon seeing her up close, realized her face looked even more haggard. “Your Majesty…”
“Good child. I believe that since you have come, the Crown Prince will surely awaken.” The Empress clasped Xiao Hanyan’s hand and patted it gently. Her words were as much to comfort herself as to reassure the girl. At this point, her only hope rested on Xiao Hanyan. Call it obsession or desperation—she was a mother, and if it could bring her son back, she would do anything.
“Your Majesty, you must also take care of yourself. Otherwise, when His Highness wakes and sees you neglecting your health, he will blame himself.”
“Very well, I understand. You are thoughtful.”
“Your Majesty, this morning, when I washed His Highness, I noticed his complexion seemed better. I truly believe he will awaken.”
The Empress’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, her voice trembling. “Really?”
“I would never deceive Your Majesty.” Xiao Hanyan was only sixteen, gentle and considerate. Her sincere words made the Empress even more pleased with her.
Moreover, hearing that Xiao Hanyan personally tended to the Crown Prince brought the Empress comfort. She could not bear the thought of anyone neglecting her son, especially while he lay unconscious. Servants might slacken or overstep, but Xiao Hanyan’s care reassured her.
“Good child, from now on call me *Mother Empress*. When the Crown Prince awakens, I will personally complete the wedding rites for you both.”
Xiao Hanyan was startled and nearly dropped to her knees, but the Empress held her up. “Don’t be afraid. This little demeanor of yours—the Crown Prince will like it.” The Empress, cheered by Xiao Hanyan’s words, even teased her lightly.
Xiao Hanyan’s cheeks flushed crimson, her delicate face glowing pink. She bit her lip shyly. “If His Highness does not like me, Your Majesty must help me.”
“Silly child. The Crown Prince will like you.” The Empress spoke with certainty. She knew her son well: cold and taciturn since childhood. When his marriage was arranged, he simply said, “I leave it to Mother,” without further comment. When ordered to train at war, he obeyed without complaint. Thinking of it pained her—his position demanded burdens heavier than others. She had prayed day and night for his safe return, only to receive news of his grave injury.
After years apart, her son returned, barely clinging to life. How could she accept it? That was why she resorted to the desperate measure of “marriage for fortune,” bringing Xiao Hanyan into the Eastern Palace.
“Very well, I will remember.” Xiao Hanyan answered respectfully.
The Empress grew ever more satisfied with her: beautiful, graceful, good‑natured, without complaint, thinking only of the Crown Prince. “Go back and care for the Crown Prince. I await good news.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I take my leave.” Xiao Hanyan returned to the Eastern Palace. Her first act was to check on the Crown Prince, where his close attendant Fushun was still serving at his side.
“Leave us,” she said.
“Yes, Liangdi.”
Qingdai helped Xiao Hanyan wash her hands. Only then did she approach the bed, pick up a cloth, and gently wipe the Crown Prince’s hands while speaking softly to him: “Your Highness, I just went to pay respects to the Empress. She is very worried about you. You must wake up soon.”
“The Empress even told me to call her *Mother Empress*. That’s against proper etiquette, and I dare not…”
“Your Highness, I am only a weak woman, brought into the Eastern Palace under the name of ‘marriage for fortune.’ Please take pity on me and wake quickly.”
“If, once you awaken, you do not like me, I will stay far away and never trouble you.”
After wiping his hands, she gently cleaned his face. Her tender voice was so soft it tugged at the heart.
Qingdai turned her head aside, unable to hold back her tears. How had her young mistress ended up with such a bitter fate?
Meanwhile, the palace attendants waiting outside overheard Liangdi’s words. They were moved, and at that moment, all they wished was for the Crown Prince to awaken—if only to help this pitiful young woman.