Chapter 78 The Fan Draws Coolness Jiang Ce laughed and said, "This shows that your heart is not focused..."

Across the bridge, Xiao Yangjun walked to Xiao Huaiting's side.

"elder brother"

Xiao Huaiting lowered his head and smiled at her, gently comforting her, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Xiao Yangjun sighed and said, "Aren't you going home today?"

He gently patted his sister's head: "Yang Jun, don't worry, I just want to be alone for a while."

Xiao Huaiting saw Jiang Ce buy flowers on the bridge and then ran down the bridge towards the person standing by the water.

His brocade robes and embroidered ribbons fluttered, attracting a wave of romantic madness.

Xiao Huaiting took out something from his pocket, opened his palm, and rubbed the stone over and over again before throwing it away.

With a "thump," dark golden ripples spread across the water's surface.

The ripples spread outwards, growing ever more distant and eventually fading into nothingness.

The Qixi Festival passed by joyfully and perfectly, flowing slowly along with the waters of the Jinliu River.

In mid-July, the emperor summoned Xue Chenghuai to the palace for an audience.

This trip to the palace served two purposes: first, to discuss calligraphy and painting with the emperor; and second, to meet with the family of the Imperial Concubine.

Xue Chan and Xue Chenghuai entered the palace together. Because the emperor had to deal with state affairs, he asked them to meet the Consort in the side hall of Dongming Hall first.

The palace maid went in first to announce their arrival, and the two waited at the door.

Xue Chan glanced sideways, while Xue Chenghuai beside her lowered his head and looked down, his hand on his cane constantly clenching and unclenching.

After waiting for a while, a palace maid lifted the curtain to invite them in.

Xue Chenghuai then straightened up slightly, but his head remained bowed respectfully. He lifted his foot and slowly stepped over the threshold.

However, the threshold of the palace was too high, and he lost his grip on his cane, about to fall over.

Consort Xue, who was sitting in the middle, immediately stood up and subconsciously reached out to help.

A female official on one side frowned and reminded her, "Your Majesty."

Consort Xue froze for a moment, then immediately regained her composure and sat back down. Xue Chenghuai, however, was already being helped up by the quick-thinking Xue Chan.

Xue Chenghuai raised his eyes and quickly glanced at her. The woman sitting in the center was no longer the child who used to run around him freely.

She was dressed in gorgeous clothes, her hair piled high with a gold and jade crown, looking incredibly noble.

He only dared to glance at it once, then lowered his head again with an embarrassed smile, placed his cane on the ground, lifted his robe, knelt down, and kowtowed.

"Your subject Xue Chenghuai kowtows to wish Your Highness the Noble Consort good health."

Xue Chenghuai bowed very low, his manners were impeccable, and there was no way to find fault with him.

Consort Xue gently clenched her hand under her sleeve, then released it. Only after receiving the two men's deepest greetings did she speak.

"Please rise and take a seat."

A palace maid brought a chair, and Xue Chan helped Xue Chenghuai stand up. The two then sat down to the left of Consort Xue.

Following etiquette, Xue Chenghuai did not speak, but simply smiled and lowered his head, waiting for Consort Xue to ask.

Two female officials stood on either side of Consort Xue, remaining silent.

Consort Xue parted her lips slightly, but the question she wanted to ask was swallowed back down, and after a moment she uttered a single sentence.

"Brother, is everything alright?"

Xue Chenghuai immediately replied humbly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am perfectly well."

Consort Xue's gaze shifted and landed on his temples, where his hair had already turned white. She felt as if her heart had been slashed twice, and hot blood kept gushing from the wounds.

The last time they met was when Xue Chenghuai was released from prison without charge and entered the palace, where he briefly met her after she had just become a Jieyu (a concubine rank).

From that point on, he rushed to Yuchuan to keep vigil for his elder sister-in-law.

Roughly speaking, it's been ten years.

She had so much to say, but she couldn't. She was no longer the child who had grown up on her brother's back, no longer under his protection.

Over the course of more than a decade, she, like a bird, grew a large tuft of feathers to shelter the two of them.

Xue Chan slightly raised her eyes and caught a glimpse of Consort Xue with her eyes slightly lowered.

The next moment, she heard her say, "Qiao Niang, Fangchun Pavilion has recently acquired new calligraphy and paintings. Why don't you go and take a look?"

Xue Chan knew that she probably had something to say to Xue Chenghuai, so she obediently let the palace maids lead her to Fangchun Pavilion.

As soon as she left, a palace servant outside announced, "Your Majesty, Physician Wen has arrived."

"Please let her in." Consort Xue then turned to Xue Chenghuai and said softly, "His Majesty has granted permission for Physician Wen to treat my brother's leg ailment."

Xue Chenghuai stood up with his cane and bowed again.

"Your humble servant kowtows to express his gratitude for Your Majesty's and Her Majesty's divine grace."

Before long, the physician entered carrying his medicine box and bowed to Consort Xue.

Consort Xue said, "My brother developed a leg ailment a few years ago while managing floods. I would like to ask Physician Wen to take a look and see if it can be cured."

The palace servants invited Xue Chenghuai and the physician to sit behind a screen to examine the injuries.

A chair was placed outside the screen, and Consort Xue sat in it.

Behind the screen, the physician was rolling up Xue Chenghuai's trouser legs to examine his old ailment. His leg was gradually revealed, and although it had all healed, the physician was still momentarily stunned.

Xue Chenghuai was somewhat taken aback, and said softly, "I'm truly sorry to trouble you, Doctor..."

"My lord, there's no need for that. It is my duty." The physician quickly recovered and smiled slightly.

Xue Chenghuai thanked him softly, and the physician began to examine him carefully.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the physician, with a calm expression, asked tactfully, "Did you break all your bones and tendons back then, sir?"

Xue Chenghuai glanced at the shadow of Consort Xue sitting quietly on the screen, smiled vaguely, and said in a weaker voice: "...more or less."

The doctor nodded, understanding in a slow, deliberate voice.

"I think I understand now. The doctor who treated you back then... truly did his best."

Because of Consort Xue's presence, Physician Wen did not speak directly.

His legs were beyond just broken bones; that was her euphemism. When Xue Chenghuai was rescued from under the rubble, his legs were practically a bloody mess.

It took several physicians' best efforts to barely save him, allowing him to walk with his crippled leg.

As Consort Xue listened to their hushed conversation, the blood she had been suppressing surged up instantly.

She suddenly stood up and stepped over the screen, but the lady-in-waiting stepped forward to stop her.

"Your Majesty, this is a breach of etiquette."

Consort Xue simply said, "I do not wish to make things difficult for you."

They had been in the palace for several years. Consort Xue acted as Empress, managing the six palaces together with several other concubines. They often exchanged greetings, and Consort Xue rarely spoke so coldly.

We may not have a personal relationship, but we still owe each other a debt of gratitude.

They exchanged a glance, then spread out to the left and right, standing on either side of the screen.

Upon seeing Consort Xue enter, Xue Chenghuai was shocked and immediately covered his shocking leg with his robe.

Consort Xue abandoned everything and reached out to pry open Xue Chenghuai's hand. Her strength was astonishing at this moment, and she easily pried it off.

The crisscrossing wounds and the shocking sight of the leg suddenly came into view.

Consort Xue collapsed to the ground, gritting her teeth and weeping.

Xue Chenghuai immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying in a flustered manner, "This humble subject is crippled and lowly, and must not offend Your Majesty's eyes."

Consort Xue reached out to help him up: "Brother, don't worry, we will definitely investigate the matter of that day to the end and will not let you suffer this hardship in vain."

Xue Chenghuai avoided her outstretched hand, stepped back slightly, and shook his head in comfort.

"This leg ailment is what it is; it just means the leg will itch a few days longer than usual. I am doing very well now. Your Majesty, however, should take care of yourself in the palace and need not worry about me."

Consort Xue was struck again by his actions, and only then did she realize that there was no going back.

There's no going back.

"But brother... I'm really not willing to accept this."

Xue Chenghuai looked up at her, and the tears he had been holding back for so long suddenly fell like rain, yet he still smiled gently.

"As your elder brother, I am already ashamed that I cannot be relied upon by Your Majesty. Moreover, Your Majesty was only shocked to hear of the miscarriage because of my matter."

He burst into tears, wiped them away, and prostrated himself on the ground.

"I...I am guilty."

Consort Xue felt a pang of pain in her heart, and Yunyu immediately helped her leave from behind the screen.

She forced back her tears and, controlling her trembling voice, asked Doctor Wen, "Now that Doctor Wen has examined me, will I be able to fully recover and walk like a normal person?"

The doctor shook his head and said directly, "No."

She gave her conclusion, and Consort Xue slowly closed her eyes and took a breath.

The physician added, "Although we cannot restore him to normal, I will do my best to alleviate Lord Xue's suffering."

Consort Xue then said, "Since that's the case, then I'll have to trouble you now."

Before he could say anything more, another palace servant came in: "His Majesty has finished his discussion and requests that the Imperial Concubine and Lord Xue proceed to the main hall for an audience."

Consort Xue slowly stood up, and palace servants led Xue Chenghuai, who was leaning on a cane, to see the emperor.

Inside the hall, the golden incense burner emitted wisps of smoke, and the midday sun streamed softly through the windows, casting a shimmering glow on the screens and curtains.

"Smack!"

Xue Chan was looking at the painting intently when a bright yellow, fragrant osmanthus blossom was tossed in and landed beside her hand.

She looked up, and through the open straight-edged window on one side, a face as radiant as the autumn sun shone through.

"How did you end up in the palace?"

Jiang Ce leaned against the window, resting his chin on his hand and smiling, "His Majesty summoned me to the palace today to discuss matters, so I came here."

Xue Chan twirled the osmanthus blossom: "Then what are we doing here?"

"The discussion is over. His Majesty is currently admiring paintings with Lady Xue in the Dongming Hall." Jiang Ce leaned against the windowsill, which was barely chest-high, and smiled at Xue Chan. "His Majesty will be going to Jiuhua Mountain for the autumn hunt in a few days. You'll be going too, won't you?"

She shook her head: "I don't know."

"I think His Majesty will definitely let you go."

"It doesn't matter whether I go or not."

"It doesn't matter who doesn't say it, Jiuhua Mountain is very interesting."

Whether we can go or not is still uncertain.

"The Imperial Concubine will definitely go. If she goes, you will go too."

Jiang Ce found it too troublesome to talk through the window, so he simply leaped over and climbed in.

Xue Chan said, "This is the palace. You are an official, after all. Why do you like climbing through windows?"

"What's wrong with that?" Jiang Ce dragged a chair to the window and sat down by the window, the two of them at a distance that was neither too close nor too far. "Don't you want to see me?"

Xue Chan pursed her lips gently and remained silent.

Jiang Ce chuckled and said, "Keep drawing, I'll just sit here and won't bother you."

Xue Chan chuckled softly, shook her head helplessly, and continued to copy the small picture.

The incense burner emitted a sweet fragrance.

The window was open, and the bright sunshine outside kept pouring in, blending with the plain screen to form a clear, transparent curtain. A slight breeze stirred, and suddenly, shimmering light spread out.

Jiang Ce sat alone by the window, his body cutting the plain screen into pieces of amber light.

The light, like a nimble butterfly, danced and fluttered in Xue Chan's hand, its gentle warmth quietly caressing her palm.

They're so mischievous, so mischievous that it always distracts you, making you want to play along.

Xue Chan put down her pen and couldn't help but say, "Can you sit still and not move around?"

Hearing her complain like that, Jiang Ce closed the book and couldn't help but smile.

“You draw yours, I’ll look at mine, I won’t bother you.” He looked at her and continued teasingly, “Besides, if you’re really focused on the painting, what I do can’t possibly distract you, can it?”

“Explanation…” He drew out his tone like a soft cloud in the blue sky outside the window, delicate and gentle.

"It's because you're not focused."

Xue Chan felt that he was the one causing trouble, and she couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him.

She refused to believe it and immediately sat up and began to paint on those plain fans.

It is early autumn, and as the saying goes, the autumn tiger loves to bite. In the afternoon, it is like the sharp claws on a tiger's paw, constantly scratching people.

Xue Chan painted with great care, and the osmanthus blossoms on the paper exuded a delicate and lingering fragrance.

A fine layer of sweat had already formed on her forehead. Just as she was about to take out a handkerchief to wipe it away, a gentle, cool breeze caressed her face.

With a slight glance to the side, Jiang Ce was still sitting by the window, engrossed in the book in his hands, turning the pages with one hand and waving a fan that he had already drawn with the other.

By the time all the fans were finished being painted, it was nearly evening.

Xue Chenghuai came out of Dongming Hall and went straight to Fangchun Pavilion to pick up Xue Chan and leave the palace together.

The eunuch led him across Fuguang Pond, up Peach Blossom Embankment, and after passing through the Azalea Path and a hole in the wall, they arrived at the outside of Fangchun Pavilion's courtyard wall.

He went first to the east side, where some of the paintings were displayed. The paintings created by several people at the Qionglin Banquet were still there, not yet put away.

Xue Chenghuai looked at and appreciated each painting one by one.

He walked up to "The Flock of Herons," stroked his beard and nodded with considerable appreciation: "It's rare to see something so light and elegant..."

“This was painted by the heir of the Earl of Mingyi.” The palace attendant answered him first, then pointed to another painting and said, “That was the painting His Majesty asked Miss Xue to paint when she entered the palace last year. And the one next to ‘Herrings’ is the painting that Miss Xue won first place at the banquet.”

Xue Chenghuai first looked at the painting "Zanggu Temple" and nodded after a moment.

He walked up to the painting "Springtime Picture" and stared at it for a long time.

Seeing his serious expression, the palace servants were puzzled: "Miss Xue won first place in the painting competition, and His Majesty even praised her painting as the best among all the works."

Xue Chenghuai shook his head slightly, sighed, and walked out with his cane.

He has the skill, but lacks the heart to paint.

The palace servants were somewhat puzzled, but they didn't ask any further questions. They only faintly heard a soft sigh.

"This child..."

Xue Chenghuai was about to go find Xue Chan when he saw a tall, handsome young man in a martial robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves carrying a painting as he walked out of the west pavilion.

He kept watching that receding figure until it disappeared from sight.

Who was that just now?

"Reporting to Your Excellency, that is Commander Jiang."

"The second young master of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion?"

"Exactly."

Xue Chenghuai stared at the receding figure, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"Father," Xue Chan walked to his side and called out, "What are you looking at?"

He snapped out of his reverie and immediately gave a gentle smile: "Qiao Niang, let's go out of the palace together. Father has booked a table at Ningcui Tower and will take you to eat something delicious."

Xue Chan smiled and replied, "Okay, let's go eat something delicious."

The two left the palace chatting and laughing, leaving Funing Palace very quiet.

Since returning from Dongming Palace, Consort Xue only said one sentence: "There is no need to serve me here."

Everyone retreated outside the door.

The curtains were slowly lowered.

The curtains were blurry, casting a huddled, trembling shadow.

The low, continuous sobs were completely suppressed.