Volume One, Chapter 9: Open Conflicts and Hidden Struggles

A few strands of wet hair clung to Xu Qing’s forehead, droplets still hanging from the tips. The youthful face, still somewhat tender, already displayed a prominent nose bridge. His thin lips were tightly pressed together, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, and his eyes held a gentle warmth.

Lou Hongling couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned. She had seen Xu Qing as he grew older—a truly refined and elegant young man, handsome and graceful.

Looking at Xu Qing, surprise and emotion flickered in Lou Hongling’s eyes. Rainwater traced down her cheeks as she awkwardly stood up and bowed slightly.

“Your Majesty…”

Xu Qing frowned faintly, handing her an umbrella. In a soft voice, he said, “Why trouble yourself like this? Why choose such an ill time to mend this plum tree?”

He naturally knew that Lou Hongling often came to the rear garden to care for the red plum tree. Today, as he was idly reading, he heard noises and peered out the window, catching sight of Lou Hongling’s flustered and hurried figure, drenched at the hem of her clothes and hair tips.

Worried she might catch a cold, Xu Qing quickly brought the umbrella over to her.

Lou Hongling gripped the handle tightly and whispered, “Your Majesty, I saw that the support pillar had partially collapsed. I feared the red plum tree would be damaged, and all previous efforts wasted, so I…”

She lowered her brows slightly, recalling how in her previous life she had tended this very red plum tree in the rear garden back to health, until it blossomed with breathtaking flowers.

Every winter, while heavy snow fell outside, she and Xu Qing would read inside the palace. Looking up, she would see through the papered window the red plum tree standing proudly amidst the snow, brimming with vibrant life. Those times were so tranquil and beautiful.

Xu Qing sighed softly, nodded, and cautioned her, “Be careful not to catch a cold.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Perhaps it was the chill of that day’s rain, or perhaps Lou Hongling’s constitution was simply too fragile, but in the end, it was Xu Qing who fell ill.

Lou Hongling sighed deeply. Xu Qing’s health had always been frail in his youth, and in her past life, she had further drained him by administering poison daily. Secretly, she vowed that once Xu Qing secured the throne, she would help him strengthen his body.

She was preparing to fetch his medicinal broth from the kitchen when Peiyu happened to be there. Seeing Lou Hongling arrive, she stepped forward, thrusting a tray into her hands and scolding sharply:

“Why are you so slow? What if His Majesty’s condition worsens?”

Peiyu deliberately tried to intimidate Lou Hongling, but Lou Hongling met her gaze calmly. Since when had they all become so invested in Xu Qing’s affairs?

Peiyu grew uneasy under Lou Hongling’s steady stare and hurriedly urged her to deliver the medicine before leaving.

Lou Hongling looked down at the dark, bitter-smelling liquid in her hand, suspicion creasing her face. After pondering for a long moment, she picked up a chopstick and tasted a bit of the broth. Her brows furrowed slightly.

Drawing on her previous life’s study of pharmacology and acute sensitivity, she instantly detected something amiss—there was an ingredient that would cause diarrhea.

Without betraying any emotion, Lou Hongling poured the suspicious broth into a nearby flowerpot with a smooth and natural motion, attracting no attention. She then calmly prepared a fresh bowl from the medicine pot, confirmed it was safe, and sent it to Xu Qing.

Peiyu watched her leave the kitchen, muttering:

“Linlang, look at Lou Hongling—so attentive the moment she enters the palace study. It’s really infuriating, especially that red mole between her brows. Such a sly charm!”

Linlang snorted and turned away disdainfully.

“If you ask me, no matter what she does, it doesn’t matter. His Majesty is still young, with no plans to confer a consort title. Besides, the entire palace answers to the Empress Dowager. What good is it if she tries to please His Majesty?”

Taihao seized the opportunity to flatter:

“Even if a consort title were to be granted, it would be someone as beautiful as Sister Linlang first…”

Linlang glanced at Taihao with obvious pleasure.

“You always sound so timid, but your words are always so agreeable.”

“Heh heh, little sister’s just speaking the truth.”

…

After Lou Hongling left, Linlang and the others stood by the door, eyes fixed intently, eagerly expecting Xu Qing to suddenly clutch his stomach in unbearable pain. But the anticipated scene never came. They exchanged puzzled, astonished looks.

Lou Hongling, who was just sweeping the courtyard, saw their incredulous expressions. A faint smile curled at the corner of her lips, a cold sneer flashing as she deliberately raised her voice:

“Serving in this palace requires utmost caution, especially with food and drink. Fortunately, I have some medical knowledge and can tell the difference. Otherwise, if there had been any problem with today’s broth, none of us could bear the consequences.”

Her voice was clear and melodious, but like a sharp blade, it pierced Linlang and the others directly.

Linlang’s face turned deathly pale. She glared at Lou Hongling with a mixture of resentment and fury.

Peiyu and Taihao showed fear and averted their eyes, unwilling to meet Lou Hongling’s gaze. Their plot had not only failed but had been publicly exposed.

Xu Qing raised his eyes, listening intently from inside the bedchamber. Though silent, a trace of subtle thought flickered in his gaze.

He was well aware of the tensions among the palace maids and understood the challenges Lou Hongling faced since arriving here.

He never spoke of it, but over time, watching her effortlessly resolve every danger, his heart had quietly grown to admire her intelligence and composure.

Days passed, but Xu Qing’s recovery was slow. Each nightfall, he would instruct that he be left alone in his chamber to rest, and no one was to disturb him.

With the emperor ill, the palace maids naturally attended to him, but Linlang and the others often shirked their duties. Hearing His Majesty’s orders, they would retire early, leaving the hall deserted, not a single night guard in sight.

Lou Hongling grew concerned. If Xu Qing wanted a drink of water, who would prepare it?

So she returned to her room, taking a simple blanket. She leaned against the grand pillar carved with cloud patterns and flying dragons, many times her size, and thoughtfully reflected on recent events. Before she knew it, she drifted into a light sleep.

Perhaps a cold breeze made her shiver. After an unknown length of time, she awoke to an almost oppressive silence, nearly forgetting where she was. The only sounds were the steady, heavy footsteps of the palace guards patrolling in the distance beyond the thick walls.

But faintly, in the deep quiet of the palace night, she heard murmurs, as if someone were whispering secrets.

Wait—it seemed to be coming from the bedchamber.

Her drowsiness vanished almost entirely. She hurried to the door and whispered:

“Your Majesty, is something the matter?”