Chapter 3: Timely Joy

Chapter 3: Timely Joy

In a simple room at the back of the Supreme Court, Mei Heting, who had been sleeping with his arm as a pillow on the desk, suddenly woke up.

The morning light filtered through the window lattice, falling on the man's cold and finely chiseled side profile, like a thin layer of snow meeting faint warmth, leaving little warmth behind.

Mei Heting lightly furrowed his brows, his thumb unconsciously wiping across his lips.

—The dream was too real; the soft touch, the moist breath, the vivid taste of blood—it all seemed to linger on his lips.

The fiery figure from the dream still lingered vividly in his mind, that bite... it really hurt.

Was it because he had thought about her during the day and thus dreamed of her at night? He had stayed overnight at the office last night, and considering the previous night when he was turned away, it had indeed been two whole days since he last saw Xuan Mingzhu. No wonder he dreamed of her being angry.

As for the inexplicable words the woman said before he woke up—Mei Heting frowned. It was just a dream, after all.

He supported his temples, which were heavy from staying up all night, and walked to the north window. Splashing cold water from the copper basin onto his face helped him regain his composure.

After straightening his clothes and adjusting his sleeves, he tied his headgear neatly and turned to organize the documents on the desk, preparing to review the details of the case involving the Left Minister of Revenue's embezzlement before the morning assembly.

The door creaked open suddenly from the outside.

Two colleagues entered with broad smiles, one wearing a vermilion small-patterned silk robe, the other a yellow cross-branch fine silk robe, both with seven-plate rhinoceros belts hanging a crimson fish bag. In stark contrast to their formal attire, each held a pair of... green bamboo chopsticks.

Lu Chunfeng, the Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court, and Li Qian, the External Assessor, stared at Mei Heting with hungry eyes, harboring resentment.

"What are you doing?" Mei Heting asked, puzzled.

Lu Chunfeng rubbed his stomach. "Hungry."

Li Qian licked his lips. "Food."

Mei Heting's expression remained cold. "Out."

These two men, together over seventy years old, acted so unseriously that it was hard to watch.

Lu Chunfeng gave Li Qian a meaningful look, signaling that he had warned them that Mei Heting did not understand jokes.

Lu Chunfeng laughed awkwardly. "Sir Mei, it's not that we lack ambition, but the food prepared here is, well, you know, incomparable to the delicacies from your residence—"

As he made a gesture of picking up food in the air, his gaze inadvertently fell on the neatly made bed behind Mei Heting and the slightly messy desk, widening his eyes:

"Sir Mei, did you stay up all night reviewing the embezzlement case?"

As a royal son-in-law, not only did he volunteer for night duty, but he also worked tirelessly, making those who merely followed the rules feel ashamed.

Li Qian tapped Lu Chunfeng's chopsticks, signaling him to get to the point. Lu Chunfeng had no choice but to swallow his pride and coughed:

"Actually, I wanted to ask if your residence's chef... hasn't been around these past two days?"

In the Great Jin dynasty, the Three Departments and Six Ministries provided breakfast and lunch for officials on duty, but the food was barely enough to fill one's stomach, lacking any flavor or aroma.

However, someone like Mei Heting, who became the emperor's son-in-law, had the Imperial Princess sending three meals daily to the Supreme Court, making him an invaluable asset.

His colleagues benefited, enjoying royal cuisine every day, spoiling their palates.

Even Cui Jinyi, the President of the Supreme Court, joked, "Every year, the Ministry of Punishments tries to snatch Mei Shaoqing, but I can't bear to recommend him, fearing my subordinates would revolt due to their cravings."

For five years, the Eldest Princess’s Residence had never missed a meal, but the sudden break in this routine was unprecedented.

Hearing their words, Mei Heting suddenly realized this.

For five years, regardless of weather, the meals were delivered, with each day's menu personally selected by Xuan Mingzhu according to his tastes. Every month, every year, the menus varied without repetition, requiring considerable effort.

Initially, he would thank her, but gradually, he, like others, took it for granted.

A sense of unease suddenly filled Mei Heting's heart.

Arriving at his desk, eating a breakfast that paled in comparison to what he was used to, and feeling the resentful gazes around him, Mei Shaoqing, known for his calm demeanor, began to lose his composure.

Had something happened at home that prevented the meals?

Then he tried to convince himself that the food at home and the office was the same, and he was not someone who could not adapt. Yet, his accustomed palate clearly told him that the food was unpalatable.

Mei Heting's expression remained unchanged.

Perhaps Xuan Mingzhu was still upset with him, using this method to remind him of her presence?

He grew more certain of this. Despite their long marriage, she still had many girlish traits, and while he disapproved of letting personal feelings affect official matters, he could not blame her.

After all, she cared deeply about him.

Recently, he had been busy with the major embezzlement case and neglected her, even failing to inquire about the preparations for her birthday banquet.

Mei Heting's expression shifted from gloomy to clear as he finished his meal, thinking he could leave early today and deliver a gift he had yet to give.

Xuan Mingzhu would surely be pleased upon seeing it.

Having no appetite in the morning, Xuan Mingzhu only managed half a bowl of lotus seed paste porridge and felt her stomach churn after taking her medicine.

Hong'er watched with concern and brought a plate of candied plum slices, but Xuan Mingzhu could barely taste the sweetness amidst the bitterness.

After resting for a short while, Doctor Yang came to take her pulse, accompanied by Lin Xuan, the former head of the Imperial Pharmaceutical Bureau, and Zhou, a specialist in blood and qi disorders.

Lin Xuan, an elderly gentleman who had retired years ago, wore a plain green robe with white hair and beard. He was specially invited by the Imperial Medical Office due to the Imperial Princess's condition.

Xuan Mingzhu had strictly ordered everyone aware of her illness to keep it secret. Not only because of family matters, but also because she held the military seal of the Northern Imperial Guard and commanded a portion of the Imperial Cavalry.

These two military powers were left to her by Emperor Jinming as a safeguard before his passing.

Although the Imperial Princess has long resided within the inner quarters and refrained from involving herself in court affairs, it is no exaggeration to say that any move she makes can affect the entire court.

Naturally, such a matter could not be hidden from the Emperor. Xuan Mingzhu promised to find an appropriate opportunity to personally inform His Majesty, and only then did Physician Yang agree to take the risk of keeping it secret for her temporarily.

The three physicians rolled up their sleeves, washed their hands, and solemnly took the Imperial Princess's pulse. After examining her, they exchanged glances, pondered for a moment, but ultimately said nothing.

Cui Mama, who had been closely watching the expressions of the three imperial physicians, burst into tears on the spot.

With three highly skilled physicians conducting a joint examination, there was no possibility of a misdiagnosis.

Xuan Mingzhu had anticipated this outcome and had not held much hope, so she was not overly disappointed.

Ever since her mother fell ill years ago, she had understood that even divine physicians could diagnose life but not death, and miraculous medicines could treat illnesses but not save lives.

Physician Yang spoke slowly, "In that case, Your Highness should continue taking the medicine I prescribed the other day. This prescription is an improved version of the treatment used for the Empress Dowager years ago. Since there was no precedent for this illness at the time, there were inevitably some shortcomings. After our discussions, we have made some adjustments, which may extend Your Highness's life..."

Xuan Mingzhu asked directly, "For how long?"

Physician Yang replied softly, "About a year."

Xuan Mingzhu nodded calmly. A year would be enough to settle some regrets.

She arranged for the three medical officials to be escorted out through the back door of the residence. While sipping tea, Xuan Mingzhu gently bit her lip, bringing a slight tinge of blood to it, and looked up to give Cui Mama a faint smile:

"I didn't eat much this morning. Right now, I'm craving the crystal dumplings you make."

Cui Mama hurriedly agreed and wiped her eyes before heading to the kitchen.

Once the figure was far away, Xuan Mingzhu put down the small melon-shaped cup and called Ying Xiao inside.

Her phoenix eyes concealed deep emotions as she gave instructions one by one:

"Have my funeral preparations been made? The coffin should be made of golden-thread nanmu wood, and the outer coffin of Tai Mountain's Han cypress. Find the best craftsmen in Shang Jing to carve peach blossom patterns. Ignore whether it conforms to the rites. Don't let Mama know about this; she can't bear the sadness."

Ying Xiao felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.

The Imperial Princess was preparing her own coffin.

As a secret guard, unlike Hong'er and Cheng'er who served her closely within the residence, Ying Xiao couldn't help but wonder: Where was the Prince Consort?

At this moment, the person who should be by the Imperial Princess's side, offering support and comfort, should be the Prince Consort. Usually, he might act as a hands-off husband, but now... How could he bear to leave the Imperial Princess to handle this alone?

Ying Xiao felt increasingly indignant on behalf of the Imperial Princess. If not for the order to prepare the carriage, she might have shed tears right there.

Xuan Mingzhu, however, hadn't thought that much about it.

When times are good, live well; when facing death, face it with dignity. She wasn't dead yet, so she couldn't let the illness scare her first.

Little Bao Ya had heard many strange tales, one of which was particularly absurd.

It was about a scholar on his deathbed who decided to accomplish ten things he had always wanted to do but never got around to doing before he died. Midway through, he encountered an old immortal who not only cured him but also helped him achieve immortality.

When little Bao Ya recounted the story in her sweet voice, Xuan Mingzhu laughed heartily.

This story had lingered in her mind over the past few days.

While she didn't expect to become an immortal, the idea of accomplishing ten final tasks was worth considering.

Seven years of a dream, once awakened, every moment thereafter should be lived fully.

The Yichun Music Hall in Xinghua Lane in the southern part of the city offered new melodies and charming performers, making it popular among high-ranking officials.

The owner of this establishment was a remarkable person, the daughter of former Grand Scholar Yang Su of the Hanlin Academy, who had fallen into the entertainment world due to family misfortune.

Few knew that she and Zhaole, the Imperial Princess, were childhood friends.

When the Yang family was implicated in the poisoning case of the late Crown Prince Yongde, all the male members of the Yang household were sent to work as slaves in Lingnan, while the women became servants in the imperial music bureau.

Later, almost single-handedly, the Imperial Princess insisted on investigating and eventually found evidence to exonerate the Yang family, despite the risk of being accused of meddling in court affairs.

After experiencing the coldness of the world, Miss Yang refused to leave the entertainment world and become a commoner, saying, "I want to test men's character. If any gentleman doesn't care about my background, I will prepare my dowry and marry him."

Everyone scoffed, but Xuan Mingzhu dismissed it as nonsense.

She knew it was merely an excuse for Yang Kezhi not to marry, but it also served as a mirror to expose insincere men.

A carriage draped with misty purple embroidered gold silk curtains stopped in front of the music hall. A young lady, with lips like vermilion and her hair styled in a phoenix knot, stepped down, supported by a servant girl.

Her crimson misty silk pleated skirt shimmered with colorful hues under the sunlight, enhancing her noble aura and making passersby avert their eyes.

People speculated that it must be a noble lady traveling, but why would she come to a place where men seek pleasure?

Xuan Mingzhu paid no heed to others' gossip, keeping her gaze straight ahead. As for the Emperor's decree ordering her to reflect—did he really think the Imperial Princess, after years of cultivating virtue, would be easy to manipulate?

Under the painted eaves, Xuan Mingzhu's dark eyes narrowed as she gazed at the familiar plaque.

The words "Yichun" were written by her own hand.

On the day she cleared her friend's name, she declared, "If you want to open a music hall, go ahead. Whoever dares to gossip, I'll cut their tongues and bring them to you as a gift!"

On the day they quarreled, Yang Kezhi said, "You foolish one, avoiding me because of a man. Fine, if you're afraid of rumors, don't come here again!"

At that moment, Xuan Mingzhu felt guilty, her head bowed, tears welling up, but she did not yield.

She said, "Ge Ting is in the Hanlin Academy and cannot withstand attacks. Unless I break ties with him, I won't come here again... Please take care, Sister Xiaozhi."

Many years later, Xuan Mingzhu stood beneath the archway.

A young lady stepped out from the music hall, and the Imperial Princess concealed her melancholy expression. The lady wore a sleeve-restraining robe of pine-patterned gauze, cinched at the waist with a belt, paired with dark blue trousers, and on her feet were small deer-leather boots. She came to the archway and greeted with clasped hands.

The girl was neatly dressed and spoke clearly: "I humbly welcome Your Highness. Upon receiving your esteemed note earlier, our headmistress felt honored but, due to recent indisposition, she is unable to receive guests."

Xuan Mingzhu had already glimpsed a corner of green skirt behind the door.

A shadow of sorrow flashed across her brow as she twisted the jade ring on her pinky finger and forced a smile: "What 'welcoming with a broom'? Are you afraid she might chase me away with it? If she won't see me, I won't leave. You might as well ask your mistress if she has ever won against me by being stubborn since we were children."

As soon as she finished speaking, a figure rushed out of the building like a gust of wind.

Standing before Xuan Mingzhu, she exclaimed: "Your Highness, how thick-skinned can you be? To say such things!"

"Sister Xiao Zhi."

Xuan Mingzhu, her eyes red, called out her childhood nickname.