Emperor Xingzhao's health had recently improved. He could get out of bed, walk, eat, and drink. He no longer needed to be carried to court on shoulders.
He felt as if his body, once frail and weak, now possessed inexhaustible strength.
Last night, he had even visited Consort Huang’s palace.
However, looking at her face, which was slowly aging with the erosion of time, he found himself unable to feel anything.
Moreover, as his desires were not satisfied last night, today he inexplicably felt a wicked fire raging within him.
He didn't know why, but his mind kept replaying that young, elegant face.
At times it was Yu Jing, whom he loved but could not have, and at other times it was Consort Huang, whom he doted on daily.
Eventually, their faces vanished, replaced by a single young visage.
It was Su Xiaoqi, who had entered the palace to examine him a few days ago.
She was the wife of his minister, Shen Yun.
Thinking of her, Emperor Xingzhao’s inner fire grew more intense. He desperately wanted to grasp something, to vent something…
Emperor Xingzhao beckoned, “Guards, guards…”
Eunuch Huang stepped forward to inquire, asking for His Majesty’s command.
“I feel unwell. Summon the Grand Princess and Madam Shen to examine me… No, the Grand Princess is busy. Summon Madam Shen alone.”
Eunuch Huang’s eyes lit up at this.
He had recently received a task from the Crown Prince: to subtly influence the Emperor whenever possible, mentioning Madam Shen, who attended to the Emperor’s health.
He hadn't understood the intention at first, but last night, it suddenly became clear.
Now, he felt immense relief.
His mission was nearing completion, and the thousand taels of silver notes in his sleeve were no longer scorching hot.
Su Xiaoqi was somewhat surprised to receive the Emperor’s summons. By all accounts, Emperor Xingzhao should have been fine by now.
After all, his body was like a wilting old tree, already decaying from the roots. No matter how many props or nutrients were applied from the outside, it was all in vain.
There was no curing him; at best, one could only help him stand for a few more days.
However, the Emperor’s command could not be taken lightly.
Seeing the eunuch who came to deliver the decree, Su Xiaoqi felt a sense of familiarity, and the eunuch seemed to have something to say but hesitated.
She couldn't help but ask, “Esteemed eunuch, I wonder where the Emperor is feeling unwell? Is it a cough, or dizziness?”
The one delivering the decree today was Xiao Dengzi.
He had his godfather, Eunuch Feng, to thank for finally obtaining the lucrative post of delivering imperial decrees outside the palace.
But this task was not easy for him to fulfill.
Firstly, he had to overcome his own moral qualms.
He resided in the Hall of Mental Cultivation within the palace, the closest place to the most revered person in this world.
Though he held no official rank and was not a person of importance, he was known for his wit. His sharp eyes and keen ears allowed him to witness and hear many secret matters.
As in this case, the decree stated it was to summon Madam Shen to examine the Emperor, but having overheard Eunuch Huang’s whispers to the Emperor, Xiao Dengzi felt something was amiss.
He wanted to speak up but feared taking responsibility. Yet, if he remained silent, he felt he would be betraying the hundred taels of silver that Imperial Physician Shen had given him previously.
As he hesitated, he heard Su Xiaoqi’s question.
He opened his mouth and said, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty has been much better since Madam Shen’s diagnosis.
He coughs less, sleeps better at night, and last night he even summoned Consort Huang…”
Su Xiaoqi was shocked. Well, Emperor Xingzhao was indeed an old lecher.
After falling so ill, and only just recovering a little, he was already thinking of such things.
No, even if Emperor Xingzhao harbored such intentions, why would Xiao Dengzi tell her?
Su Xiaoqi’s mind buzzed.
She felt there was a hidden motive. To better elicit information, Su Xiaoqi quietly swapped the hundred taels of silver she had prepared for five hundred.
Xiao Dengzi remembered his godfather’s words and accepted the money, carefully rubbing it. It was five hundred taels; he could hardly believe it.
He stole another glance; it was indeed five hundred taels. He excitedly pursed his lips.
Five hundred taels!
Looking at Su Xiaoqi, he found her even more amiable.
It wasn’t just the amount of money, but the delicate appearance of the lady made him feel a sense of respect.
She respected him enough to offer such a generous reward, and throughout their interaction, she had not shown him the slightest disdain.
Some people, seeing him from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, would pretend to be polite on the surface, but their eyes would betray an undeniable sarcasm.
Perhaps they thought they were concealing their emotions well.
But for someone who had grown up from the bottom, endured the disdain of the world, and witnessed the vicissitudes of life,
His greatest skill was observing people’s expressions.
Even the slightest flicker of emotion from someone was enough for him to keenly capture.
Su Xiaoqi politely said, “Eunuch, this is only my second time entering the palace, and my husband is not here this time. Could you perhaps offer me some guidance?”
Xiao Dengzi gathered his courage and said, “Madam Shen is kind, so I shall venture to say a few words.”
Su Xiaoqi noticed he was wearing the standard red padded cotton robe issued by the palace.
However, cotton in this era was still a luxury that Su Xiaoqi had taken from her space to sell earlier.
Due to its low yield, it was still a precious commodity, and the cotton inside was rather sparse, making the robe seem thin.
She loudly called for Guo’er and had her bring him a down jacket.
“Eunuch Deng, this is a down jacket specially made by our estate. It’s very warm when worn under a lining.
It was originally intended for my husband and has not been worn. If you don’t mind…”
Guo’er, accustomed to directness and efficiency, handed the down jacket to Xiao Dengzi as soon as Su Xiaoqi finished speaking.
Feeling the softness in his hands, Xiao Dengzi found the words of refusal he had prepared stuck in his throat, unable to form.
After letting him feel it, Guo’er quickly folded it and tucked it into a palm-sized cloth bag, then gestured to him.
Implying that it took up very little space and he didn’t need to worry about carrying it.
Xiao Dengzi looked at this operation in astonishment, his heart feeling as if it had been warmed by hot water.
Such a fine item, did he deserve it?
After a moment of hesitation, he looked around and, biting his lip, said,
“Madam Shen is new to the palace and might get lost or not know the rules. Perhaps it would be best to have the Grand Princess accompany you.”
His words were subtle, and Su Xiaoqi understood immediately.
It was simply the unsavory thoughts of an old man.
She thanked him, feeling that the five hundred taels and the down jacket today were not in vain.
Heeding Xiao Dengzi’s advice, Su Xiaoqi detoured to the Grand Princess’s mansion before entering the palace.
Upon hearing that the Emperor had summoned Su Xiaoqi alone, the Grand Princess was also perplexed.
Su Xiaoqi merely feigned fear and asked her to accompany her.
The Grand Princess readily agreed and went with her.
The heated floor in the Hall of Mental Cultivation was burning intensely. As soon as Su Xiaoqi entered, a wave of warm air mixed with sandalwood scent hit her, making it difficult to breathe.
Thinking of Emperor Xingzhao’s potential intentions, she stumbled, almost unwilling to step forward.
But the Grand Princess had already followed behind her. Seeing her frozen at the entrance, she quickly asked what was wrong.
Su Xiaoqi dared not show any discomfort.
Eunuch Xiao Dengzi had kindly alerted her; she couldn't turn around and betray him.
So, she forced a slight smile, drawing a curve on her lips: “It’s nothing. I was just too cold outside, and it’s so warm in here. The sudden change from cold to heat is a bit disorienting.”
The Grand Princess, not suspecting anything, smiled and said, “That’s true. It’s already November, and it’s quite cold outside.”
Eunuch Huang had already informed both of them beforehand.
Therefore, Emperor Xingzhao was somewhat puzzled to see his daughter present.
But he didn’t say anything immediately. He beckoned her and asked, “Man’er, why have you come?”
The Grand Princess smiled and replied, “Your daughter was concerned about Father Emperor’s health, so she came.
Unexpectedly, I saw Madam Shen at the palace gate, coming to check your pulse. Fearing she might not know the way, I brought her along.”
This explanation was flawless, not mentioning at all that Su Xiaoqi had proactively asked for her company.
Instead, it attributed everything to her filial concern for her father’s health.
This explanation was very plausible to Emperor Xingzhao.
After all, before this, the Grand Princess had also visited him in the palace whenever she had the chance.
Thus, Emperor Xingzhao didn’t think much of it, but as his gaze swept over Su Xiaoqi’s fair and rosy face, a hint of regret surfaced in his heart.
Although Su Xiaoqi didn’t look up, she could feel Emperor Xingzhao’s gaze fixed on her.
It held curiosity, and a hint of unbearable scrutiny.
Su Xiaoqi frowned. Fearing that Emperor Xingzhao might notice, she dared not overdo it, but her heart was filled with disgust.
She couldn't even be bothered to consider his age.
It wasn't as if elderly people ate young grass in such a manner.
Not to mention that she was only seventeen years old, while Emperor Xingzhao was already over fifty.
Due to his dedication to state affairs and the worries he carried, his temples were already streaked with white.
Not only that, but his face was also dotted with age spots, and his body, weakened by prolonged illness, exuded a palpable sense of decay.
Even in this state, he harbored improper desires. Who else but him would die!