Thunder and rain are both acts of kindness (Part 3)
Zhiwei was glared at for no reason. Confused, she tightened her grip on the soup bowl, took a deep breath, and then stepped into the hall.
The atmosphere inside the hall was tense.
Zhu Liji stood with his back to her by the window, his figure taut and straight, radiating a terrifyingly low pressure.
"Your Majesty, ginseng chicken soup..." Zhiwei gently placed the soup pot on the corner of the imperial table and said in a low voice.
Zhu Liji did not turn around or respond. After a moment, he suddenly raised his hand and pressed it hard against his forehead, his body swaying almost imperceptibly.
Zhiwei's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously took a step forward: "Your Majesty?"
Zhu Liji slowly turned around, his brows furrowed, and fine beads of cold sweat even seeped from his forehead.
"I have a bit of a headache," he uttered in a low, hoarse voice.
Zhiwei hurried forward to help him up, and said to Pinghai, who was waiting outside, "Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"
During the summons, Zhu Mingyu's body temperature wafted through the fabric, carrying a faint scent of ambergris. Just as Zhiwei was about to push him away, she heard Zhu Liji whisper, "Don't move, I'm a little dizzy."
Zhiwei was like a wooden puppet.
Fortunately, by the time the imperial physician arrived, Zhu Liji had already leaned back in his chair and recovered somewhat.
After taking His Majesty's pulse, the imperial physician said with a solemn expression: "Your Majesty's pulse is floating and rapid, wiry and forceful, which is a sign of liver yang rising and heart fire burning. In addition, you have been busy with state affairs recently and have been overwhelmed with worries. Furthermore... the palace has just been renovated, and there may still be some foul air that has not been dispelled, which is why you have headaches and dizziness."
Newly renovated? Foul air? Zhiwei's heart skipped a beat. The Hall of Mental Cultivation had indeed been renovated a few days ago, with many newly lacquered wooden items added. She recalled some knowledge from her previous life about harmful gases in newly renovated houses. Although she didn't know exactly what it was, she guessed it must be the "foul air" the imperial physician had mentioned.
"Then what should we do?" Zhiwei couldn't help but ask.
The imperial physician stroked his beard: "The first priority is to calm the mind and nourish the spirit, supplemented by a decoction to soothe the liver, calm the yang, and clear the heart and reduce fire. As for the foul air in the palace..." He pondered for a moment, "We can open the windows for ventilation, burn some mugwort and atractylodes to dispel the foul air, and then fumigate with vinegar, which may alleviate the problem."
"Yes," Zhiwei replied. Ventilation, burning mugwort, fumigating with vinegar... these methods coincided with her vague memories.
She immediately took action, directing the palace servants to open all the windows in the hall, and personally went to the Imperial Hospital to fetch the finest mugwort and atractylodes, which she then lit in the corner of the hall.
Finally, she ordered people to bring over several small charcoal stoves, place copper basins on them, pour in aged vinegar, and let the sour white mist slowly spread throughout the hall.
Zhu Liji half-opened his eyes, silently watching the busy figure moving about in the hall. Zhiwei was only dressed in plain palace attire, her hair simply tied up, a few strands of hair damp with sweat and clinging to her cheeks. Zhu Liji couldn't help but frown. He had bestowed so many treasures upon her, yet this woman was dressed so shabbily, it was quite distasteful.
"Pinghai," Zhu Liji called to his personal attendant, "send some fine fabrics to Jingfang Garden, as for the color..."
Zhu Liji pondered for a moment, his gaze settling on Zhiwei's rosy lips.
"Send some bright colors, preferably bright red," Zhu Liji instructed.
"Yes, sir." Pinghai silently withdrew.
——
Zhu Hua stormed out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation in a rage. She stepped onto the palace path, followed by a large group of people.
One of the eunuchs was so oblivious that he failed to kneel and pay his respects from a distance. Instead, he stared at Zhu Hua with disgusting and offensive eyes. Upon seeing this, Zhu Hua's anger flared up even more.
Zhu Hua raised her hand to slap the ignorant little eunuch.
"Please, Your Highness, calm your anger," the guard kneeling beside the eunuch said.
"How dare you be so insolent in front of the Princess!" The personal maid stepped forward and kicked the guard.
The guard's stance was very stable, almost without moving an inch. Anyone else would have been terrified, but when the guard looked up, his dark eyes even had faint dimples.
"It was we who offended the two princesses, we were blind to their worth." Sun Wei bowed. "Princess, you are of noble birth. If you have troubled yourself because of us, it is truly our fault."
He remained calm.
Zhu Hua withdrew her hand: "What's your name?"
"Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Princess." Another voice sounded in the left ear, "Your humble servant saw red robes fluttering in the distance and knew that Your Highness was here."
A red-clad official wearing a silver mask paid his respects from afar, but Zhu Hua didn't even look away, ignoring Wang Miaoxiao's overtures.
She had met Wang Miaoxiao at a palace banquet. He was a rough man, but he was a big talker and didn't seem to be of any use.
"Clever words and a flattering demeanor," Zhu Hua sneered.
——
Kunning Palace, early morning.
Morning light streamed in, casting dappled patterns on the talent show roster spread out on the table. Cheng Yuzhi held a silver-tipped brush, its tip hovering above the roster for a long time before finally letting it fall.
When Zhiwei brought in the freshly stewed rock sugar and white fungus soup, she saw her looking like this.
Even the hem of her skirt, which is usually perfectly straight, was wrinkled from sitting for so long, which was quite unusual.
"Your Majesty, please rest for a moment. This soup is still warm." Zhiwei placed the white porcelain bowl next to Cheng Yuzhi. Her fingertips accidentally touched the back of Cheng Yuzhi's hand, which was as cold as if it had been soaked in well water.
It's probably because she didn't recover well after the miscarriage, and she also had some unresolved issues on her mind.
Cheng Yuzhi forced a smile, her gaze still fixed on the densely packed names on the roster: "Thank you for making this trip. I've been looking at this talent show roster for three days, but I still haven't dared to circle a single one."
Yes, while the news of Zhu Hua's marriage to Sianying was spreading like wildfire, Cheng Yuzhi, as the Empress, also had to prepare for the once-every-few-years selection of imperial concubines for Zhu Liji.
Once he became emperor, having many children became a priority, and Cheng Yuzhi did not blame Zhu Liji.
She was just a little tired and gestured for Yan Zhiwei to put the food on the table: "Perfect timing, sit with me for a while."
Zhiwei knew that Cheng Yuzhi must be having a hard time right now.
"Your Majesty need not trouble yourself," she said softly. He might not truly want to add another person; perhaps he is simply preoccupied with court affairs and has no choice in the matter."
"His Majesty specially asked me to cook some soup to bring to you, which shows that he still cares about you." It was true that Zhu Liji had asked Zhiwei to bring soup, but as for taking a concubine, the imperial decree for the selection of concubines was in effect, so everything should be followed.
Women are always anxious and insecure about men, and they often feel sorry for themselves because of men, unaware of the true thoughts of the person next to them.
Zhiwei had witnessed Cheng Wangzhi's humility many times before, and initially felt some pity, but later found it more pretentious. Indeed, even though Cheng Yuzhi was a very good person, Zhiwei couldn't help but feel impatient with her situation and her self-pity. Zhiwei would occasionally reflect on whether she should have such emotions, after all, Cheng Yuzhi had been so good to her.
But when a woman humbles herself to the dust, she inevitably loses some of her value. Since she can't let go, since she can't bear to part with him, why pretend to be generous? Why not just express her feelings? Love isn't something you wait for; it's something you speak.
In the world of relationships, choosing you is important, but saying "I love you" is even more important. If you don't let your partner feel your care, your struggles, and your temper, then you're ultimately just a couple in name only.
Love is nakedness; it's the willingness to show disdain and resentment, and it's making the other person feel that this is what a real person is like.
Cheng Yuzhi shook her head, her fingertips almost digging into the paper as she ran her fingers across the roster: "I understand these principles better than anyone else."
“It’s not that I’m unprepared to share a husband.” The wind outside the window swirled crabapple petals in, landing in Cheng Yuzhi’s hair. She raised her hand to brush them away, but hesitated, ultimately letting the petals remain. “I was just thinking, once a new concubine is chosen, will Kunning Palace become even more deserted? After all, since his ascension to the throne, the Emperor has spent half of each month in the Imperial Study.”
Zhiwei fell silent.
During the days when Zhu Liji was resting in the Imperial Study, she served him supper by his side.
Granny Jiang called out from outside, "Your Highness, Consort Wan has arrived."
The two looked towards the door together. Even after becoming a concubine, Wan Zhen'er continued to do as she pleased, still wearing her favorite cherry blossom pink dress, laughing and joking all day long, doing nothing.
If there was any change, it was probably that she became a bit more constrained after arriving at the palace. She could no longer refuse some palace banquets, and she had to remember to pay her respects every day. As a result, her relationship with Cheng Yuzhi grew closer.
"Oh, Zhiwei's here!" Wan Zhen'er's eyes lit up when she saw Zhiwei. She casually greeted Cheng Yuzhi, but then her face fell again.
"Come here and listen, our Princess is getting more and more outrageous!"
Zhiwei glanced at Cheng Yuzhi, whose expression remained unchanged, before asking, "What makes you say that?"
"It's all about that marriage alliance! The rumors in the palace are quite detailed, but she's unwilling to marry into that barbaric land, and she's been causing quite a fuss these past few days!"
Wan Zhen'er pouted and leaned closer: "Guess what? To avoid a marriage alliance, she actually clung to my brother!"
Zhiwei was taken aback: "General Wan?"
“That’s right!” Wan Zhen’er rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t know what got into her. She secretly approached my brother and said that he had a large army and was the strongest general in the Great Zhao. She said that as long as he was willing to ask His Majesty to send troops to attack Siam and defeat Siam completely, she wouldn’t have to go to the marriage alliance.”
“My brother isn’t stupid! Is war child’s play? It’s a waste of manpower and resources, and rivers of blood! Now that Siam and Ying have admitted defeat and are willing to use a marriage alliance to repair relations, what a safe deal this is! His Majesty has already agreed, so why risk war? Tell me, isn’t Zhu Hua just daydreaming?”
He remained silent, knowing the subtle signs.
She was well aware of General Wan Qi's reputation, but to actively provoke a war... Zhu Hua must have been driven to desperation.
The image of the spoiled princess flashed through Zhiwei's mind. The two hadn't exactly become close over the years, but she would change her diet for her every season, and with increased interaction, they had managed to exchange a few normal words.
Zhiwei thought, "Zhu Hua is so delicate, yet she's going to the boundless Northwest grasslands. The grasslands are windy; I wonder if her skin will be able to adapt to the open fields."
After Wan Zhen'er finished speaking, she felt bored and suddenly stood up: "I'm not talking to you anymore! I'm so bored! I'm going to the Imperial Garden for some fresh air!"
Having said that, without waiting for the Empress to speak, she grabbed her skirt and rushed out.
Zhiwei and Cheng Yuzhi locked eyes.
Cheng Yuzhi laughed: "Zhen'er has the heart of a young girl."
Zhiwei chatted with Cheng Yuzhi for a while longer. Cheng Yuzhi showed her several portraits of noble ladies, and Zhiwei pointed out the flaws in each one. Seeing that the sun was setting and the list of names on the list of nominees was full, she bowed and took her leave.
Stepping out of Kunning Palace, Zhiwei felt unusually relaxed and cheerful. She paused for a moment, and then, as if possessed, headed towards the Imperial Garden.
The flowers stand tall and graceful, unfurling their pure white buds.
Wan Zhen'er was still in the garden, chasing after a pale yellow butterfly that was fluttering around.
She tiptoed closer, her face showing childlike focus and excitement. However, the cobblestones were slippery, and she stumbled, her body falling forward abruptly.
"Your Majesty, be careful!"
A figure moved with lightning speed, firmly supporting Wan Zhen'er's arm and pulling her tilted body back.
It was Sun Wei.
He was still dressed in the uniform of a guard captain, his posture upright, and his hand supporting Wan Zhen'er was steady and strong.
Wan Zhen'er, still shaken, patted her chest. When she saw it was Sun Wei, instead of pushing him away, she glared at him reproachfully: "You scared me to death! How come you walk so quietly!"
"I've been waiting for you for so long." Her tone carried a familiar, coquettish tone.
Sun let go of his hand and smiled helplessly.
Wan Zhen'er waved her hand, her attention returning to the butterfly: "Never mind, help me catch that butterfly! The yellow one!"
Sun Wei turned around as instructed, and the two of them began to playfully frolic around a butterfly. From a distance, they looked just like a beautiful couple.
Zhiwei watched this scene quietly. Spring was in full bloom, flowers cast dappled shadows, a concubine chasing butterflies and a guard silently watching over her—but alas…fate played a cruel trick on them.
She sighed silently and turned to leave.
Just as she lifted her foot, the hem of her skirt seemed to trip over something. She instinctively looked down—
An embroidered shoe landed squarely on the hem of her crimson skirt.
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