Chapter 4

Chapter 4

In the end, that group of people found nothing. I didn’t know what they were looking for, nor did I know what I still possessed that was worth Qi Yu making such a grand scene. He likely just couldn’t stand to see me living well; after all, this life of mine is meant to be used to repay the kindness of Sister Zhaozhao.

It was the dead of winter. We had no charcoal, no clothes to ward off the cold, and not even much food. I fell ill, and it seemed quite serious.

To beg for medicine for me, Changying went to the gates of the Imperial Medical Academy for several days in a row, kowtowing until his forehead was bloodied, yet he couldn’t even manage to trade for a few doses.

I lay in Changying’s arms, feeling my strength failing me. The cold was fierce, and my entire body was trembling slightly, yet I still wanted to offer him a few words of comfort.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a common cold. I’ll be fine once I sweat it out. There’s some Peach Blossom Wine I hid under the crabapple tree in the courtyard. Go dig it up, and we’ll share some. Once our bodies are warm, the illness will fade.”

That jar of Peach Blossom Wine had been left to me by my mother. She said it was to be used as the nuptial wine with my husband when I married. Unfortunately, on the day of my wedding, we never had the chance to share that cup.

“Huai’an, I’ve dug it up. Wait a moment, I’ll pour some out for you. You won’t be cold after you drink it.”

Wrapped in a quilt, I watched the flustered Changying and managed a weak nod. This illness had come on with a vengeance. I, who had once been bent on seeking a death that wouldn’t come, was now actually a little afraid. If I really died, what would happen to Changying?

I didn’t have time to think much further, nor did I even get to taste the Peach Blossom Wine held to my lips, before Qi Yu arrived. He brought a large entourage-eunuchs, palace maids, and consorts-a grand procession that looked as if they were heading to a market fair.

Changying set down the Peach Blossom Wine and rose to help me up from the bed. The two of us knelt side by side on the ground to welcome Qi Yu’s arrival.

“Oh! It’s so cold in here!” The beauty behind Qi Yu couldn’t help but complain the moment she stepped through the door.

I lowered my eyes and said nothing, truly lacking the energy to deal with them. I only wanted to drain that bowl of Peach Blossom Wine to warm my body.

Seeing my cold attitude, the beauty felt she was losing face and snapped indignantly, “How bold! His Majesty has graced you with his presence, and you dare to be so negligent?”

“Consort Li, please forgive us,” Changying spoke up. “It is not that we intend to be negligent, it is simply that…”

“Our pockets are empty,” I interrupted before Changying could finish.

“Perhaps Consort Li could bestow some charcoal money upon us as a couple? That way, the next time you visit, we will be sure to provide a proper reception.”

Changying was a man, after all, and one who followed the rules. There were things he couldn’t bring himself to say, so I would say them for him.

“What a repulsive, wretched display of poverty.”

Consort Li turned her head away, the pearls and ornaments in her hair clinking and chiming against one another.