Chapter 146: A Devastating Blow

Blinking, two days passed. During those two days, hearing the maids in the Huayang Palace mention Jiang Xuan and Jialin did not leave me as absent-minded and unsettled as I had been on those previous days.

In Jiang Xuan's bridal chamber that day, although he had not spoken explicitly, I could still sense his deep affection. Thinking back on it carefully now, it was not that he felt nothing for me, but rather that he had been constantly restraining himself. Knowing full well that I was a eunuch, he must have endured a profound and agonizing torment while hiding his emotions.

Now that I could understand his feelings for me, my heart felt a great deal lighter. It was best for him to normally marry and have children, and I ought to sincerely and from the bottom of my heart wish him well.

"You looked like a lost soul a few days ago, but these past two days you seem fully resurrected. Little Xiao, what on earth have you been through?" In the courtyard, Han Feiyue teased me.

I replied, "My lady worries too much; your servant has always been like this!"

"Never mind if you won't speak the truth, I can't be bothered to ask anyway. Ah, it has been quite a few days since I touched my sword, my hands are starting to itch."

Hearing this, I hurriedly said, "My lady, you must not frighten your servant. In your present condition, how could you possibly engage in martial arts?"

Han Feiyue glanced at me, showed me the piece of fabric in her hands, and said, "Look, I am doing needlework, surely I can't even think about it? You really are going to drive me mad!"

Only then did I realize Han Feiyue was merely venting her urges in speech, and I couldn't help smiling. "It is fine for my lady to just talk about it, but your servant takes it seriously—you certainly must not!"

"Ah, back in the day, I was someone who traveled the four directions and rode horses across the world. How is it that I am now sitting here doing needlework? It hardly feels like me anymore!"

I couldn't stop smiling as I said, "My lady is pregnant, so naturally things are different from the past. Once my lady gives birth to the eldest imperial grandson, it won't be too late to take up the sword again."

With a wry face, Han Feiyue said, "I'm afraid I'll never have days like that again. I've heard that once a woman has a child, she has to nurse them, fuss over this and that for them, until they become the very flesh of her heart, and she can't bear to leave them wherever she goes. Hearing them cry is like being beaten herself; her heart aches so terribly that she drops everything in her hands and rushes straight to them."

Today Han Feiyue seemed to have recovered her former bright and innocent spirit. I went to ladle a bowl of red bean soup for her and said, "My lady, you haven't even given birth yet, but you already sound entirely like a loving mother. The eldest imperial grandson will certainly be very fortunate to have a mother like you once he is born."

Han Feiyue looked down at her own stomach and muttered, "Why is this little thing still not making any movement? It's been several months already, hasn't it?"

Knowing little about pregnancy, I answered, "Perhaps it will take a few more days. My lady must eat more, otherwise how will the eldest imperial grandson get nourishment and grow? Come, my lady, drink this bowl of red bean soup while it's warm!"

Han Feiyue put down the work in her hands and took the bowl of red bean soup to drink.

After finishing, she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. I asked, "Would my lady care for another bowl?"

Han Feiyue shook her head. "No need. Having too much becomes cloying. Little Xiao, your culinary skills are getting better and better."

I replied, "That is only because the chefs in the Sixth Prince's palace kitchen are skilled; your servant learned most of this from them."

Han Feiyue suggested, "Since you have already met the hermit, why not take a bowl to her as well?"

"As you command!"

I went to the kitchen, ladled out another bowl, and headed toward the chambers of Consort Xian.

Indeed, I truly had reason to thank Han Feiyue. Ever since coming to the Huayang Palace, to avoid trouble, I had preferred to handle many things myself. Although I sometimes used the food sent from the Huayang Palace's small kitchen, most of the time I preferred to learn from them and cook the dishes myself. Coupled with the instructions of Physician Gu regarding the many things Han Feiyue needed to eat more of and avoid, I followed them meticulously.

Perhaps because I was diligent, learning these tasks did not take very long.

Thinking back, when Long Zhan used to make me deliver his meals, he always had Hongxiu help. If Long Zhan wanted to eat now, I could cook quite a few dishes for him myself, which would certainly make him look at me with new eyes!

Lost in these thoughts, I reached Consort Xian's door. I knocked lightly and said, "Hermit, it is your servant, Little Xiao!"

"Come in!" Hearing Consort Xian's response, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The moment I entered, I caught the comforting scent of sandalwood, which instantly eased the mind.

Consort Xian was reciting from a scripture. Seeing me enter, she placed her prayer beads atop the book and asked, "What brings you here?"

I replied, "Your servant has brewed some red bean soup, and the young mistress instructed me to bring a bowl to you, Hermit."

"Thank you for the trouble."

I handed the bowl of red bean soup to Consort Xian. She stood up and slowly drank it right before me while I waited nearby.

"The taste is good. You have worked hard."

"The hermit flatters me. Then your servant will withdraw."

"Mm."

Carrying the empty bowl, I was about to back out of the room when I heard Consort Xian say, "The roots of worldly attachments run deep, and the wheel of rebirth has already begun to turn. Amitabha!"

Finding her words obscure, I looked toward Consort Xian, only to see that she had put her prayer beads back on and was already single-mindedly continuing her scripture recitation.

I silently withdrew and pulled the door shut behind me.

Upon returning to the courtyard, I saw Han Feiyue standing up, looking somewhat fatigued.

"Is my lady going to rest?"

Han Feiyue nodded. "Having sat for just a moment, I feel tired all over. I'm going to lie down for a while."

"Your servant will attend you inside." I glanced at the sun, realizing it was not far from the hour of *shen*, and said to Han Feiyue, "My lady, your servant needs to step out for a brief moment during the hour of *shen*, but I will return very quickly. If my lady has any instructions, could you call upon the eunuchs and maids here in the Huayang Palace?"

Han Feiyue sat down on the edge of the bed and said, "Go ahead. I won't have any trouble while you are gone for a short while. Besides, I can manage many things by myself."

"Thank you, my lady!"

After attending to Han Feiyue as she rested, I tidied up the courtyard and prepared to head to the meeting place agreed upon with Ping'er.

Ping'er had specified a quarter past the hour of *shen*. Since I would arrive right at the start of the hour of *shen*, surely she wouldn't hold it against me? I had originally thought of bringing her a bowl of red bean soup as well, but realized that carrying soups and liquids was far too inconvenient. If Ping'er had ample time later, I could always bring her back to the Huayang Palace.

With these thoughts, I stepped out of the Huayang Palace and walked toward the Imperial Garden.

It was now midsummer, and this was the time when the sun beat down most fiercely. Most of the masters were hiding indoors to rest; who would wander out here? I figured Ping'er had chosen this hour for precisely that reason.

I walked all the way to the Imperial Garden, seeing almost no one along the path. Upon reaching the vicinity of the rockery, I looked around and confirmed that Ping'er had not yet arrived.

I leaned against a section of the rockery. The spot was shielded by trees, and a stray breeze made it quite pleasant. Leaning there, I began to feel drowsy and dozed off for a little while.

I had no idea how long I napped until my neck tilted sharply, nearly causing me to tumble over, which startled me awake. I rubbed my neck and looked around; Ping'er still hadn't come.

By now, it should already be well into the hour of *shen*.

I walked out onto the path by the lake and looked toward the direction leading from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but found it completely empty. Could that girl Ping'er have forgotten our appointment today? Or had something delayed her at the Emperor's side?

Remembering her warning that day to be angry if I arrived late, I decided to tease her in return. If she arrived late—or didn't show up at all—regardless of her reason, I would pretend to be annoyed with her.

A smile unconsciously formed at the corner of my lips at the thought.

Yet I truly could not wait here much longer; Han Feiyue needed me back to tend to her. That was my duty, and if I returned too late, even if Han Feiyue didn't blame me, my own conscience would feel guilty.

I decided to wait for Ping'er a little longer, and if she still didn't appear, I would leave.

With that thought, I turned to head back to the shaded shelter of the rockery, as the direct sunlight on the open path was blinding and scorching hot.

Just as I turned to go, I thought I caught sight of someone approaching. I squinted to look closely, and sure enough, it was Ping'er!

She had finally come. Just wait until I gave her a playful scold.

Ping'er walked toward me. The sunlight was too glaring, so I raised a hand to shield my brow. As I made out her face, I noticed her complexion looked rather poor, and she was even staggering as she walked.

Could she be ill?

Seeing this, all thoughts of teasing her vanished, and I hurried forward to meet her.

Before I could reach her, however, she collapsed right in front of me, not far away!

"Sister Ping'er!" I cried out in sudden panic, springing forward at a run.

Ping'er had already fallen to the ground. I lifted her up, asking, "Sister Ping'er, what is wrong?"

Suddenly, I saw her spit out a mouthful of fresh blood, and instantly realized the situation was far graver than I had imagined. "Sister Ping'er, I'll go fetch a physician, I'll go fetch a physician!"

Ping'er gripped my hand tightly, preventing me from moving.

I could only look wildly about in all directions and shout at the top of my lungs, "Is anyone there? Someone come! Fetch a physician, fetch a physician!"

"Little Xiao..." Ping'er called out weakly.

"Sister Ping'er, don't speak, you'll be fine, you'll definitely be fine." I tried desperately to soothe her while continuing to yell, "Come quickly! Fetch a physician, fetch a physician—"

"Li—Li—" Ping'er's uttered syllables came in fragmented gasps, no longer forming a coherent sentence.

At last, her head slumped against my shoulder, and she fell completely silent.

"Ping'er, Ping'er!" I shook her gently, crying out, "Ping'er, wake up, wake up."

Yet Ping'er gave no response whatsoever.

At that exact moment, a voice called out, "Little Xiao!"

I looked up to see Long Zhan. It was as though I had grabbed a straw in a shipwreck; I lunged forward to seize his arm and cried, "Lord Long, please save Ping'er, go fetch a physician quickly! Ping'er, she... Ping'er..." Only then did I notice that my hands were shaking uncontrollably as I spoke.

"Little Xiao, calm down first!" Long Zhan knelt down, checked Ping'er's breath, peeled back her eyelids to inspect them, and then said in a heavy, grave tone, "Little Xiao, Ping'er is already dead."

"What? Impossible. Go fetch a physician, go fetch Physician Gu, Ping'er will be fine!"

"Little Xiao!" Long Zhan called out my name. "Ping'er is truly dead."

Impossible. How could Ping'er be dead? She had made an appointment to meet me today, how could she possibly be dead?

How could this have happened?