When Yun Jichu awoke, she thought it was still dark outside. Blinking her eyes and peering carefully, she realized the bed canopy had been made thicker.
She shifted her body slightly.
She had slept so deeply that her limbs felt stiff.
However, upon moving, she discovered it wasn’t stiffness at all—she was pinned down.
Just like the last time she slept in Zichen Hall, Helian Jin was holding her tightly in his arms, trapping her arms and legs.
What was with this look, as if he feared she’d run away?
Yun Jichu chuckled softly.
She slowly turned to face Helian Jin.
He seemed to be sleeping deeply too and wasn’t roused by her movements.
What time was it now?
Yun Jichu had no idea, but judging from the beams of strong sunlight filtering through the gaps in the bed curtains, it was at least noon.
It appeared Helian Jin really was ill; otherwise, why would he sleep so long?
Yun Jichu gazed at him.
The light was hazy but brighter than the previous night. Helian Jin’s complexion looked much improved. Though the dark circles under his eyes hadn’t faded, his lips were a light pink and glossy.
Like… strawberry jam.
Yun Jichu was amused by the thought.
It looked like jam, but it didn’t taste like it. Helian Jin’s lips were domineering, nothing at all like the fluid texture of jam.
She was letting her imagination run wild again. Yun Jichu quickly reined in her thoughts.
She stared at Helian Jin for a moment, then forced herself to look away.
She couldn’t stare too long—one glance and her mind filled with all sorts of nonsense.
Yun Jichu buried her face against him, nuzzling into Helian Jin’s embrace. She inhaled the faint lotus scent on his body and closed her eyes.
Helian Jin slowly opened his eyes, watching the person who had been quiet in his arms for so long.
His breathing remained even, his limbs still. If not for his open eyes, no one would have guessed he was awake.
After sleeping her fill and resting with her eyes closed a while longer, Yun Jichu finally decided to get up.
She gently lifted Helian Jin’s arm and inched her way out bit by bit.
She had only shifted halfway when Helian Jin suddenly “woke,” pulling Yun Jichu back into his arms.
“You’re awake.”
“Mm…”
“Any discomfort?”
“Hm?” Yun Jichu blinked, then realized he was referring to her dizziness from the night before.
“Oh… I’m all better now.”
“All better?”
“Mm.”
No sooner had she spoken than Helian Jin pinned her beneath him, his lips and tongue launching a fierce assault.
Yun Jichu gasped for breath. “I… I’m actually not fully better yet.”
Helian Jin seemed to have anticipated as much. He chuckled and released her.
“Lunch is ready. Don’t go hungry.”
As he spoke, he helped Yun Jichu tie the silk ribbons on her skirt.
His gentle demeanor left Yun Jichu’s heart in a jumble.
“I’ll rest just one more day—one day—and I should be fine by tonight.”
Her tone was sincere, her attitude earnest.
Helian Jin chuckled. “As you wish, Ah Chu.”
Yun Jichu’s face flushed red.
What was this? Why did it sound like she was the impatient one?
She thought back carefully. Several years ago, Helian Jin hadn’t been like this. He was sometimes domineering, sometimes gentle, with voracious appetites in bed. He would cling to her at the drop of a hat, demanding her.
But now…
He seemed utterly devoid of desire.
Yun Jichu counted on her fingers. They’d been together nine years—could it be…
A belated seven-year itch?
Yun Jichu was utterly despondent. She had never even had a proper romance before, so how was her first one starting at advanced difficulty with a seven-year itch?
Lost in her heavy thoughts, she ate lunch. Only when she swallowed the last spoonful of bird’s nest porridge did Yun Jichu realize the meal suited her taste perfectly.
It was far more delicious than the food she’d eaten in the Side Hall before.
After the meal, they parted ways. Yun Jichu headed alone to Penglai Hall, while Helian Jin went to Yanying Hall for official business.
Yun Jichu knew there had been friction between Ah Huan and Helian Jin lately, so she didn’t press the issue.
In any case, she would keep Ah Huan company first. Once she recovered, they could address other matters.
The palace servants seemed to have already known the Empress had returned.
When they saw her, they behaved just as they always had, without the fear shown by Cui Cheng or Lady Yu.
Even Lady Shuxiu asked no extra questions, stepping forward to hand her the fan as usual.
But Lady Shuxiu kept avoiding eye contact. Whenever Yun Jichu glanced at her, she would turn her face away as if by accident.
Yun Jichu noticed, however, that Lady Shuxiu’s eyes were red.
She hadn’t gone far from Zichen Hall when she spotted the Crown Prince standing beneath a flowering tree, gazing at her from afar. Petals had drifted onto his shoulder.
The Crown Prince seemed to have lost weight as well.
Before Yun Jichu could draw near, he was already at her side.
“This son pays respects to Mother Empress.”
Such stiff formality left Yun Jichu momentarily at a loss.
Yun Jichu had already been feeling uneasy about these two children who had appeared out of nowhere.
If they were as clingy and coquettish as Ah Huan, she wouldn’t have minded at all. A bit of playtime and chatting would have made them fast friends in no time.
But the Crown Prince…
This child seemed unusually mature for his age, carrying the weight of the world on his young shoulders.
Yun Jichu said, “Ah Nian, you’ve gotten so thin.”
Those simple words were enough to make the Crown Prince’s eyes suddenly well up with red.
No tears fell, but his voice trembled as he replied, “Seeing that Mother Empress is well, this son can rest easy. This son takes his leave.”
Before Yun Jichu could call him back, he hurried away.
The eunuchs and palace maids trailing behind him turned repeatedly to bow, then scrambled after His Highness the Crown Prince.
Lady Shuxiu handed her a silk handkerchief from behind. “Your Ladyship, don’t let the wind irritate your eyes.”
Yun Jichu took it, only to notice that the flowering tree where the Crown Prince had stood moments earlier remained utterly still, not even quivering in the slightest.
The sky was clear for miles today, without a breath of wind.
It wasn’t until they arrived at Penglai Hall that Yun Jichu realized what Lady Shuxiu had meant.
Was Lady Shuxiu afraid she would burst into tears?
After mulling it over, Yun Jichu decided she had guessed correctly.
She suddenly felt as though her mind had sharpened considerably. These days of constant interactions with others seemed to have made her far more perceptive.
Yun Jichu returned the handkerchief to Lady Shuxiu and gave the back of her hand a few gentle pats, signaling that there was no need to worry.
Ah Huan was still lying there.
After questioning the imperial physician and then Lady Yu—and confirming that Ah Huan had obediently taken her medicine—Yun Jichu finally relaxed.
“Mother…” Ah Huan sat up and threw her arms around Yun Jichu. “You’ve finally come.”
“Why aren’t you sleeping properly?”
“This morning when Ah Huan woke up, I thought last night had been a dream. That’s why I kept tossing and turning and couldn’t get back to sleep.”
Lady Yu chuckled from the side. “This servant assured the Princess it wasn’t a dream, but she thought I was trying to fool her. Thank goodness Her Majesty the Empress has arrived—now Your Highness can sleep easy.”
Yun Jichu smiled. “It was Mother who slept in this morning. That’s why I came late.”
Ah Huan mumbled glumly, “Ah Huan thought you’d been held up by Imperial Father.”
Yun Jichu found it amusing and stroked her back. “Your Imperial Father is busy today. How could he hold me up? Once he’s finished, he’ll come see Ah Huan too, all right?”
“No…” Ah Huan seemed dead set against it. “Ah Huan only wants Mother.”
Yun Jichu felt as if she had stolen Helian Jin’s luck overnight, handed a script where everyone fell head over heels for her.
“Tell Mother what happened.”
Ah Huan fell silent.
With no other choice, Yun Jichu held her close against the soft pillows and tried to change the subject.
“Did you look at your favorite picture book today?”
The light in Ah Huan’s eyes dimmed even further, and she shook her head.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t the painter draw it for you?”
What was Qin Xiao thinking, ghosting his patron like that?
Ah Huan explained, “He sent word through a runner that he has to present dozens of portraits to Imperial Father lately. He’s been working day and night without a break, so he doesn’t have time for the little book.”
So there was an even bigger patron.
Yun Jichu nodded, though she couldn’t fathom why Helian Jin had suddenly called for so many portraits.
Ah Huan glanced out the window. “It’s too hot. Can’t fly the kite.”
Her little face was all scrunched up in disappointment, tugging at Yun Jichu’s heartstrings. She coaxed her gently. “What kind of picture book does Ah Huan want to see? Shall Mother draw it for you?”
Ah Huan’s eyes lit up, and a rare smile broke across her face. “Really?”
Yun Jichu nodded to herself that Qin Xiao might soon be out of a job.
She walked over to the desk and called for Lady Shuxiu to prepare brush and ink.
Dipping her brush, she asked, “What kind of story does Ah Huan want?”
“Something thrilling and heart-pounding!” Ah Huan blurted out.
Yun Jichu jotted down the words “adventure.”
“Still a story about a little girl?”
Ah Huan nodded.
Yun Jichu added “young girl.”
After some back-and-forth discussion, dusk had fallen. Once she had coaxed Ah Huan into eating her dinner and drifting off to sleep, Yun Jichu left Penglai Hall with the paper crammed full of notes.
Lady Shuxiu remarked, “Her Highness the Princess is extremely fond of Your Ladyship.”
Yun Jichu smiled. “I like the Princess too.”
As they spoke, they ran into Meng Dong—one of the Empress Dowager’s attendants—at the corner.
Meng Dong hurried over, curtsied, and gave Yun Jichu several appraising glances.
“Greetings, Your Ladyship.”
Yun Jichu said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
Meng Dong explained, “The Empress Dowager heard that Your Ladyship has just recovered from a grave illness. She specially sent this servant to deliver some fine tonic medicines.”
With that, Su Qiu stepped forward and handed the items to Lady Shuxiu.
“Please convey my deepest thanks to the Empress Dowager.” Yun Jichu made no mention of paying a visit.
Meng Dong curtsied once more and departed.
Lady Shuxiu asked, “Does Your Ladyship not wish to see the Empress Dowager?”
Yun Jichu equivocated, “I… I have things to attend to tonight.”
“Ah? What’s the matter? Do you need this servant’s help?” Lady Shuxiu glanced at the paper covered in writing clutched in Yun Jichu’s hand.
She could at least grind more ink or refill the lamp oil.
Yun Jichu shot her a look. “No need, no need. I can manage on my own.”
Lady Shuxiu fussed over her. “Your Ladyship has only just recovered. Don’t push yourself too hard. You should rest early.”
Overwork. Always overwork.
Yun Jichu rubbed her forehead. Whether she was overworked or not wasn’t for her to decide, was it?
In the past, when she grew tired, Helian Jin would coax and sweet-talk her into holding out just a little longer. Only if she truly lost her temper would he finally ease his pace and murmur indecent words to tease her.
“……” Yun Jichu replied woodenly. “One can only hope.”
Then, in a quiet murmur, she added, “Who knows if we’ll turn in early tonight.”
After all, there was the seven-year itch to consider.
When the Imperial Physician was summoned to Yanying Hall, his heart raced with trepidation.
Yanying Hall was where His Majesty held confidential meetings with his closest advisors. By rights, an imperial physician like him had no business stepping foot inside.
“Zhen summoned you here for an urgent matter,” the Emperor declared.
The Imperial Physician listened with rapt attention.
“This subject will give his all.”
“Fetch the finest hemostatic medicine.”
A quarter-hour later, the Imperial Physician gazed at the deep gash across the Emperor’s chest and fell into deep thought.
“……” the Imperial Physician ventured, “The old wound hasn’t fully healed, and now a new one is added on top. If this pattern repeats, I’m afraid…”
“Stop the bleeding.”
The Imperial Physician explained, “It can only be stanched temporarily. For complete healing, it requires gradual treatment.”
“Staunch it tonight.”
The Imperial Physician selected a fierce poultice and applied it to the wound. Beads of sweat poured down his face as he said, “Your Majesty, this medicine causes excruciating pain. Allow this subject to prescribe a sedative as well. Please rest early tonight.”
“No need.”
The Emperor’s face remained impassive, as though he felt no pain at all.
~~~