Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Ever since hearing what Consort Wei had to say, I had been looking for an opportunity to see His Highness.

He and Shen Zhao were as close as brothers. If he knew something was amiss, he would surely investigate to the very end.

However, His Highness was very busy. It took many visits before I could finally convince a eunuch to announce my presence.

The Emperor was now gravely ill, clinging to life by a single breath, and all major state affairs had been handed over to the Crown Prince. When I entered the hall, His Highness was reviewing memorials.

Though night had fallen, the interior was as bright as day.

It was hard to imagine that only six months ago, His Highness and I were still in Lingnan, where we couldn’t even afford to light a single candle at night. Fortunately, fireflies often gathered by the fence in front of our house.

I had seen His Highness at his most confused, destitute, and helpless-his most embarrassing moments. It was no wonder he didn’t want to see me now.

Even though I had already performed my salutations, His Highness acted as if I weren’t there. Only his right hand, which held the vermilion brush, was wrapped in gauze-a testament to how much force he had used when he snapped the dragon-head decoration that day.

It wasn’t until the lamp wick burned out that he finally looked up, his gaze dark and unreadable.

His expression was gloomy. “Do you still want me to grant a marriage decree?”

I shook my head.

He unconsciously rubbed his thumb ring, eyes downcast. After a moment, he said calmly, “Ah Fu, I can give you a title.”

I froze.

Having stayed by his side for three years, I was familiar with some of his habits.

When he was nervous or worried, he liked to rub his fingers.

In a rare move, His Highness had swallowed his pride to seek a reconciliation with me.

But that wasn’t what I wanted.

I remained silent for a long time. Outside, the wind howled, and the shadows of the lamps flickered across the hall.

With every second of my silence, His Highness’s expression worsened. By the end, his face was so dark it looked like it might drip with gloom, radiating a violent aura.

“Shen Zhao-”

The moment I uttered those two words, a gust of wind blew out one of the palace lamps, plunging the hall into sudden dimness.

That name was the one thing he couldn’t bear to hear right now.

His Highness kicked out, toppling the desk. Memorials scattered across the floor with a series of loud thuds. He gritted his teeth and roared like a cornered beast, “Get out!”

The attending eunuchs were so terrified they fell to their knees.

I pressed my lips together, knowing I couldn’t say anything more, and withdrew silently.

As I stepped over the threshold of the hall, I looked back and saw His Highness standing there alone. He looked, unexpectedly, as if he were crying.