Light and shadow flickered outside the window, filtering through the brocade curtains embroidered with koi fish and casting golden light onto the floor.
The person in bed slowly woke up.
Brushing aside the stray hairs in front of her eyes, the golden bell on her wrist jingled.
Huh? Li Mingke was drawn by the sound on her wrist. When did they tie that golden bell to her wrist?
Within a few breaths, a long line of maids entered, bowing their heads obediently and respectfully, carrying various items on gold-rimmed mahogany trays.
The maid at the front clapped her hands lightly, and the crowd behind her surged forward.
A row of maids knelt before Li Mingke, serving tea, water, and snacks, waiting for her to choose. If her gaze lingered on one of them for a while, the maid would immediately bring the teacup to her lips.
Li Mingke was stunned for a moment before realizing that she was being told to drink tea to soothe her throat.
She casually picked up two small snacks to fill her stomach.
After the maids finished rinsing and wiping her mouth, they each picked up their trays. Li Mingke wanted to ask them a few questions, but they just lowered their heads. After receiving permission from the leader, they filed out one after another.
Li Mingke lowered his outstretched hand again.
She began to look around the room she was in, and after a while, she sighed.
It's probably the royal palace, since many things here are exclusively for the royal family, and several items in this room are painted with phoenixes, meaning only the empress can use them.
She felt it wasn't appropriate for her to stay there.
She lifted the covers to get out of bed, only to find that she hadn't been given shoes.
Just as her jade-white toes touched the ground, the door opened again.
He was someone she knew.
"Dr. Hu." It was the imperial physician who had treated her when Wang Jingyuan took her out for the last time.
Upon seeing her, Doctor Hu hurriedly ran a few steps, then knelt down before her with a thud, saying, "Your subject greets the immortal!"
"Please rise quickly." But no matter how Li Mingke tried to persuade him, Doctor Hu insisted on kowtowing three times.
"Dr. Hu, there's no need for such a grand gesture."
"No, no, no," Doctor Hu said, supporting his aching back as he stood up. "Things are different now; the immortals are not the same as before!"
Upon hearing this, Li Mingke's eyes sharpened instantly. She asked with a smile, "Dr. Hu, what do you mean by that?"
Doctor Hu realized he had misspoke, chuckled dryly, and looked away. “Haha, you…you are His Majesty’s close advisor, so naturally things are different from before.”
But behind his back, he secretly pinched his thigh.
Old Hu, you're really getting senile! What did His Majesty tell you when he came? You've already forgotten? If you displease this ancestor, ten heads wouldn't be enough to kill him!
Seeing this, Li Mingke seemed to be deep in thought.
"Immortal, please extend your hand so that I may take your pulse." Although he was standing, he still bent over.
Li Mingke didn't say anything, but extended his hand.
"Dr. Hu, were you sent by His Majesty?" she asked.
"Yes." He answered Li Mingke's question while taking her pulse.
"Now that I've been exposed, why would His Majesty send you when there are so many female physicians in the palace?"
Although everyone has their own area of expertise, the general rule is: male doctors treat men, and female doctors treat women.
After taking her pulse, Doctor Hu withdrew his hand and replied, "His Majesty originally intended to send a female physician, but somehow learned that I had treated you, so he sent me instead." After speaking, he glanced at Li Mingke's face and, finding that she was not angry, felt relieved.
Li Mingke nodded. "His Majesty also has his own considerations."
After the examination was completed, Doctor Hu respectfully bowed to her and said, "Please rest well, Immortal. I will write the prescription for the maid in this palace. You will recover as soon as you take the medicine on time."
"Hard."
She glanced at Doctor Hu, who was about to leave, her eyes flickered slightly, and she said:
"Dr. Hu's medical skills are superb; it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to take charge of the entire Imperial Medical Bureau. The capable should be given more responsibilities. I wonder what Dr. Hu thinks?"
Doctor Hu had come with a heavy heart. The new emperor's power was immense, and he had suddenly summoned only him from the Imperial Medical Bureau in full view of everyone. He thought his days were numbered, but unexpectedly, good fortune came his way.
"Your Majesty, I thank you!"
His knees slammed heavily onto the ground.
This is hardly the emperor's close advisor; to be transferred to a palace position without His Majesty's consent is clearly...
He dared not say those two words.
"Go ahead," Li Mingke waved.
"Yes." He straightened his back only after he had stepped out the door.
As long as His Majesty and this Immortal Li don't collapse, how could he not rise to prominence? If they really do get together, then he'll be...
He immediately shook his head vigorously.
Is this the time to be thinking about these things? The falling flowers are willing, but the flowing water is indifferent; that Immortal Li doesn't seem like someone easy to talk to!
Li Mingke sat blankly on the bed for a while, then got out of bed barefoot, stood in front of the mirror, and looked at her somewhat unfamiliar self.
The girl in the mirror wore a light pink dress and had her hair flowing freely. She was completely obscured by her masculine features, like a peach blossom budding in the spring breeze.
She touched her face, and there was a hint of confusion in the eyes of the person in the mirror.
"What, are you surprised by your own beauty?" A cheerful voice sounded behind her, and she turned around to look.
“Ayu…”
Today, Wu Xiyu was dressed in a light green outfit, which gave her a youthful and energetic look.
"Why aren't you wearing imperial robes?" she asked.
He's already the emperor, isn't he? Why is he still the same as before...?
He faced the light, a bright smile on his face. "Why is this the first thing you say when you see me? You should have said..."
"It's so good to see you again, Ayu."
Li Mingke was dazzled by his smile.
Why are you so happy?
Ah, yes, he became emperor, just what he always wanted.
Her eyes crinkled into a smile. "Congratulations." But unlike the Fourth Prince, her smile was noticeably stiff.
Perhaps it was because of their different perspectives, she thought. She wasn't as happy as he was; she couldn't help but recall the suffocation and pain she felt at that time.
They had clearly walked the same path, but she cared more about the process, while he only valued the result.
Perhaps it was because he obtained the throne he had always dreamed of, while she had nothing and even almost lost her life.
She finally understood.
"Mingke, what's wrong?" He saw her lowered head, squatted down, and looked up at her to ask.
"It's nothing, I'm just tired." She covered her face.
"I want to rest, you can leave." She pushed him out.
"But……"
But he still had many things he wanted to share with her.
He wanted to experience with her the tributes from various regions, the rare and lost books, the interesting advice in the memorials, and the imperial treasury.
He wanted to tell her that in the palace, she didn't have to pretend to be a man. She had all kinds of gold hairpins, jade hairpins, jeweled clothes, and everything else she could want. She could be herself without a care in the world, and no one would say anything or know.
But when he saw the weariness in her eyes, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.
"Well... okay, you should rest first..."
It's okay, they still have plenty of time. She didn't completely reject him, did she?
The door closed again, shutting out the lingering reluctance outside, and Li Mingke collapsed into the soft bedding.
I'm so tired...
She rubbed her eyes vigorously.
Just now, Ayu came. How could I forget to tell him that she wanted to go back?
Never mind, I'll talk about it later. I'll write home and ask them to come pick her up.
It's finally over, I can go home now.
Her mind was racing, and she drifted off to sleep again.
...
With the new emperor ascending the throne, there were too many things for him to handle, as the late emperor had left behind a mess when he was seriously ill.
Wu Xiyu listened to the reports from his ministers while reviewing the memorials.
It was past midnight when a palace attendant rushed in and whispered a few words in his ear.
"It is late. My dear ministers, you may return now. We will discuss this again tomorrow."
The minister withdrew, and a moment later, a handsome man entered, as if he were near a jade mountain, his dark cloak still carrying the slight chill of the night.
Wu Xiyu hurriedly got up and greeted him politely.
"I have long heard of the great name of the Li family's master husband. I have heard my father praise him highly since I was a child. Indeed, seeing is believing. Today I am truly amazed..."
The newcomer waved his hand, directly interrupting his polite conversation.
"Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years." Wu Xilan bowed and then stated the main purpose of his visit today.
"Your Majesty, I have come to take away my unworthy daughter, Li Mingke."
The fourth prince's smile froze on his face.
"Mingke has rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor, and I intend to bestow upon her great rewards. Therefore, I ask my husband to wait a few more days..."
“Mingke will not stay in the palace.” He looked directly into Wu Xiyu’s eyes, stating it bluntly.
Wu Xiyu forced a smile, "Back then, Empress Longyin and the First Emperor created a beautiful story, and now Mingke..."
"But Empress Longyin only reigned for three years, and besides..."
“Li Mingke’s surname is Li, not Longyin.”
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