Chapter 735: Dream

Chapter 735: The Dream

The Emperor and Empress in the palace were frantic with worry, while at this moment, Xingxing had a dream.

Xingxing dreamed of crows filling the sky and land. In a narrow valley, behind a cliff among jagged rocks, there was an extremely hidden cave.

Blood droplets marked the cave entrance.

Following the blood inside, she saw a gaunt young man leaning against the stone wall in the narrow cave.

The young man's face was veiled in mist, making it unclear in the dream, but Xingxing had an uncanny certainty and recognized at a glance that this was Wei Shiyan, whom she hadn’t seen in two years.

Moreover, the young man’s left wrist was wrapped with a Buddhist rosary. Xingxing immediately recognized it—the same string of beads given to her by a wandering monk in her childhood, which she had gifted to Wei Shiyan before leaving the capital.

Xingxing’s consciousness strained to float nearer, wanting to get closer to Wei Shiyan.

After all, she could see that Wei Shiyan seemed injured on his chest, with dark patches soaking his black robes.

But just as her consciousness tried to move closer, the gaunt young man seemed to sense something and snapped his head up.

In the dream, Xingxing met his cold yet sharp gaze directly.

Just as she was about to speak, the dream dissolved into a whirling haze, ejecting her consciousness—

Xingxing abruptly sat up in bed, still disoriented.

She had never had such a dream before.

Zhao Ying hovered worriedly, offering a cup of warm water: "...Your Highness, did you have a nightmare?"

Xingxing took the water and took a small sip to moisten her dry throat.

Her emotions were still immersed in the dream, unsure how to explain it to Zhao Ying, so she only shook her head.

At that moment, a maid hurriedly announced from outside: "...Your Highness, a palace summons arrived from the palace. The Empress has taken ill and requests your presence."

Xingxing’s heart clenched.

She had an indescribable premonition that the Empress’s condition was connected to her dream.

Xingxing went to the palace carrying her medical kit.

The air in Zhaoyang Palace hung thick.

Empress Nie remained unconscious.

Several imperial physicians were gathered in the front hall, discussing Her Majesty’s condition in murmured consultations, blaming it on grief and anxiety.

Emperor Jiazheng’s brow darkened like a gathering storm, clearly vexed by the physicians’ chatter.

Before Xingxing could finish her formal greetings, Emperor Jiazheng waved his hand: "Dispense with the formalities. Xingxing, come. The Empress is fondest of you. Your presence may ease her mind."

Xingxing complied and approached Empress Nie’s bedside.

A chief handmaiden with red eyes brought an ornate footstool for Xingxing.

Sitting on the stool, Xingxing felt for the pulse of the still-unconscious Empress Nie.

Her diagnosis matched that of the imperial physicians.

Empress Nie's health had never been particularly robust. She had only recently recovered somewhat, but now, for reasons unknown, her emotions had become so overwhelming that they caused her to faint.

However, Xingxing had previously handled Empress Nie’s medical cases and was well acquainted with her condition.

She took out a medicine pill and instructed the palace maid to help Empress Nie swallow it with water.

Xingxing explained to Emperor Jiazheng, "The root of Her Majesty’s ailment lies in her qi and blood. This pill has a mild effect and is just right for her condition."

Emperor Jiazheng nodded. "I trust your skills."

With the combined efforts of Xingxing and the imperial physicians, Empress Nie woke up around dusk.

Yet, the moment she awoke, Empress Nie was extremely upset. She struggled to sit up, clutching Emperor Jiazheng’s sleeve at the bedside. "A-Yan, Your Majesty, A-Yan—"

Hearing the name "A-Yan," Xingxing’s heart tightened slightly, recalling her dream.

Empress Nie’s face was ghostly pale, her body trembling violently. "Your Majesty, I dreamed of our A-Yan. He—he—"

She couldn’t continue, bursting into tears.

Emperor Jiazheng’s heart broke. He held Empress Nie close. "Empress, it’s all right. I’ve already sent out a search team heading south. Our A-Yan will be fine."

But Empress Nie’s gaze suddenly fell upon Xingxing, who stood at the side of the hall. Her agitation intensified, and she reached out a shaking hand toward Xingxing from Emperor Jiazheng’s embrace, her voice hoarse. "Xingxing, come here!"

Xingxing obeyed, stepping forward. Empress Nie struggled to sit upright in Emperor Jiazheng’s arms and grabbed Xingxing’s hand, her words frantic. "Xingxing, I—I dreamed of A-Yan. He was captured by those barbarians, tortured—Xingxing, you—you are A-Yan’s destined protector. Tell me, this dream is false, it must be false—"

Empress Nie was desperately seeking any hope.

Yet Xingxing clasped her hand in return.

Xingxing’s hand was small, warm, and soft. Feeling it, Empress Nie suddenly felt tears springing to her eyes.

Xingxing spoke softly, "Is Your Majesty worried about Brother Yan? ... Can I ask what happened?"

With a glance from Emperor Jiazheng, the attending physicians, eunuchs, and palace maids left the room.

For a moment, only Emperor Jiazheng, Empress Nie, and Xingxing remained in the hall.

Empress Nie, still holding Xingxing’s hand, told Xingxing through tears the contents of the letter from Grand Supplicant Qin.

"...He rode out alone in pursuit," Empress Nie said, growing more distressed as she spoke. "His eighteenth-year calamity—it’s still over half a month away."

She cried openly.

After a moment’s thought, Xingxing decided to share her own dream with Empress Nie. "Your Majesty, I’m not lying to you. Before coming here, I also dreamed of Brother Yan. Right now, he hasn’t been captured. He’s in a mountain cave. Though injured, his life is not in danger. As for the misfortune surrounding him, Your Majesty need not worry. Before I left, I gave Brother Yan a Buddhist beads I had worn for many years. He has kept it with him all this time. Even if he descends the mountain for a while, it will be fine."

Empress Nie’s she perked up. "Truly?"

Xingxing nodded solemnly. "I wouldn’t dare lie to Your Majesty."

Relieved beyond words, Empress Nie turned to Emperor Jiazheng through her tears. "Your Majesty, did you hear what Xingxing said? A-Yan is safe, he’s safe—"

Emperor Jiazheng, unwilling to lose composure before a young girl like Xingxing, struggled to keep his composure. "I heard!"

With the good news, Empress Nie’s color returned to her face.

Suddenly, Xingxing spoke up. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, earlier I heard that you dispatched a search party heading south. In my dream, I saw clearly where Brother Yan is. I ask permission to accompany the search party southward to find him."

Emperor Jiazheng raised an eyebrow, staring straight at Xingxing. "Truly? Do you understand the hardships of the journey? The southern barbarians lie in wait, and danger everywhere."

Empress Nie also looked at Xingxing with tear-filled eyes.

Xingxing was A-Yan’s destined person—she would gladly have her go. But she also knew the journey was perilous. She—

Yet Xingxing just bowed low. "I am willing to go. I beg Your Majesty’s permission."