As Jiang Fusheng stood outside the door, his words barely spoken when the door suddenly swung open, and the figure of Madam Lu vanished like a gust of wind.
Baffled, Jiang Fusheng stepped inside, only to meet Emperor Jingxuan’s piercing glare, which sent him dropping to his knees in terror.
"Y-Your Majesty?"
What had he done to incur the emperor’s wrath?
Emperor Jingxuan rubbed his temples and snapped, "Get out!"
Jiang Fusheng hastily nodded. "Yes, yes! This servant will leave at once!"
Just as he was about to retreat, the voice of Princess Yongshou rang out in the courtyard. "Imperial Brother?"
Jiang Fusheng paused and glanced outside. "Your Majesty, Her Highness the Princess has arrived."
Moments later, Princess Yongshou, now dressed in casual attire, appeared at the door. After bowing, she asked with concern, "Imperial Brother, my husband mentioned you were suffering from a headache. How are you feeling now? Should we summon the imperial physician?"
Her voice trembled with unease. Her husband had told her that the emperor’s headache was caused by the noise from her opera troupe, and only out of consideration for her birthday had he let it pass.
Princess Yongshou was consumed with guilt.
Emperor Jingxuan emerged from the inner chamber, his tone indifferent. "No need."
Princess Yongshou was about to say more when she noticed his disheveled hair and froze.
"Imperial Brother, your hair...?"
She remembered how her brother always valued proper appearance and despised untidiness. Why was his hair loose now?
Hesitating over whether to call a maid to tidy him up, she watched as Emperor Jingxuan strode past her in long boots, his steps swift and purposeful.
"Jiang Fusheng, return to the palace."
Princess Yongshou, ever cautious, turned to the servants. "While His Majesty was resting, no one disturbed him, correct?"
A servant hesitated before answering, "It rained earlier, so the guests remained in the front hall or the garden. No one should have come this way."
Princess Yongshou’s eyes narrowed coldly. "Should have?"
The servant trembled. "Your Highness, please forgive me. If anyone had truly disturbed His Majesty’s peace, Eunuch Jiang would never have allowed it. I noticed nothing unusual about him."
Recalling Jiang Fusheng’s demeanor and the emperor’s expression earlier, Princess Yongshou relaxed slightly.
Her caution stemmed from an incident the previous year, when a bold maidservant had tried to offer herself to the emperor during a visit to the Princess's Mansion.
Though Emperor Jingxuan had said nothing, Princess Yongshou had been mortified, fearing he might suspect her of arranging the encounter. The audacious maid had been executed shortly after.
Since then, she had been extra vigilant to avoid a repeat.
Princess Yongshou knew her brother’s favor toward her was due to their late mother’s influence and her own ability to read situations without defiance.
Walking around the room, she suddenly frowned.
Why did she detect a faint trace of feminine fragrance in the air?
But how? Her brother had always despised women who dared approach him without permission.
......
Meanwhile, Yue Ya, waiting beneath a pavilion, turned to see her mistress, Yun Wan, stumbling toward her. She rushed forward to support her.
Studying Yun Wan’s pale face, Yue Ya asked worriedly, "Madam, you look unwell. Are you feeling ill?"
Once outside the courtyard, Yun Wan exhaled in relief and shook her head. "I’m fine, just tired. Let’s hurry back."
Away from this perilous place.
The rain had cleared, leaving a vast blue sky and radiant sunlight. A rainbow arched across the clouds, dazzling and dreamlike.
But Yun Wan had no mind for such beauty. She only wanted to return home.
The rain-slicked cobblestone path made walking treacherous in her soft embroidered slippers. Though she wished to move faster, she had to tread carefully to avoid slipping or twisting an ankle.
The fresh scent of rain-washed trees and damp earth soothed her frayed nerves.
As they walked along the pebbled path, Yun Wan gripped Yue Ya’s arm and whispered urgently, "His Majesty wishes to keep his presence a secret. What happened today—pretend it never occurred. Understand?"
Her gaze was firm, her tone grave.
Yue Ya nodded. "This servant remembers."
After navigating the winding paths, they finally reached the familiar garden. Asking a few servants for directions, they returned to the front hall of the Princess's Mansion.
The moment Yun Wan appeared, Lu Changning clung to her arm in relief. "Auntie, where have you been? We were so worried!"
Yun Wan maintained her composure and smiled lightly. "I got lost while strolling, and then the rain forced me to take shelter in a pavilion."
The sudden downpour had dampened the guests’ spirits, and many had already left after the skies cleared.
The Lu family had stayed behind, waiting for Yun Wan.
Old Madam Lu, mindful of their public setting, asked politely, "Did you get caught in the rain?"
Yun Wan replied, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. I was fortunate to stay dry."
Old Madam Lu nodded. "It’s late. We should return now."
Back in the Lu family’s carriage, Yun Wan remained composed. Only when she reached her chambers in Cuiwei Pavilion did her forced smile vanish.
Her taut nerves unraveled, and she collapsed onto the divan, exhausted.
But the moment she closed her eyes, the scene in the Princess's Mansion replayed in her mind.
Yun Wan sat up abruptly and struck the nearby pillow in frustration.
"Ah!"
A sharp pain shot through her wrist. She hissed and examined the bite mark.
Yue Ya, who had just reentered, gasped at the sight. "Madam, you’re hurt!"
She carefully took Yun Wan’s hand, her voice laced with guilt. "How did this happen? I didn’t notice earlier."
After a pause, Yun Wan muttered, "...A dog bit me."
She never imagined an emperor would have such habits.
The memory of Emperor Jingxuan’s predatory gaze and tone sent a shiver down her spine.
She was no naive maiden. She recognized that look—the desire of a man for a woman. But for it to come from the emperor...
Yun Wan couldn’t believe it. She wanted to flee, to pretend nothing had happened, just like before.
But would the emperor let her go so easily?
Doubt gnawed at her.
Why would the Son of Heaven, who could have any woman, fixate on her?
Perhaps it was just a passing whim, she told herself.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed Yue Ya returning with a jar of ointment. "I found some medicine to treat the wound, so it won’t scar."
Though Yun Wan claimed a dog had bitten her, Yue Ya had never seen any dogs around her mistress. The mark looked unmistakably human.
A bold suspicion formed in Yue Ya’s mind, but she dared not voice it.
Yun Wan absently let her apply the ointment.
The day’s ordeal had left her shaken, and the slight exposure to rain and wind had taken its toll. By the next day, she felt unwell.
Perhaps her heavy heart worsened her condition. Despite the physician’s prescriptions, she showed no improvement. That very night, a high fever seized her.
