Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"The Emperor's quest for medicine is for the court and the people of the realm. All will be eternally grateful to His Majesty," Empress Dowager Xie said gracefully, then noticed a young man emerging with the Emperor.

He was strikingly handsome, with fair skin, though his complexion seemed somewhat pallid, likely from the hardships of the journey, his cheeks tinged with a faint flush.

Not only she, but all the ministers behind her also noticed this stranger, their eyes immediately alight with eager interest.

Lin Ting had been jostled so much during the journey that his hands, feet, and rear ached. He felt as though his entire body was about to fall apart. When the carriage finally stopped, he followed Pei Xingjian out.

Stepping out, he was immediately rooted to the spot by the numerous pairs of eyes fixed on him.

What? Why were they all staring at him? Was there something strange on his face? This was utterly mortifying—how was he supposed to walk normally now? Perhaps he should just retreat back into the carriage.

Just then, a slender, elegant hand reached toward him. Pei Xingjian looked at him with amusement in his eyes. "Come down."

Lin Ting: "..." Could you not look so entertained by this?

After a moment's hesitation, he finally took the offered hand and, with its support, jumped down from the carriage.

"And this is—?" Empress Dowager Xie asked with a smile.

Pei Xingjian replied, "The remedy I sought."

The ministers' eyes brightened. So the Taoist priest's words were true!

Excellent—they were saved.

"Oh, let me see!" Empress Dowager Xie exclaimed joyfully, taking Lin Ting's hand and patting it. "Good child, you've suffered." Suddenly, a delicate medicinal fragrance wafted through the air. The Empress Dowager inhaled deeply, feeling her mind clear and spirits lift. Such an effect!

She became even more delighted. "Child, how old are you? Where is your home? Do you have any family left? Have you eaten on the journey?"

The sudden flurry of questions left Lin Ting at a loss. He glanced at Pei Xingjian, but the man was already surrounded by ministers—clearly in no mood to help him.

Just returned and not even past the palace gates, yet already buried in work. Who was he trying to outwork?

With no one to turn to, Lin Ting had to choose his words carefully. "I'm nineteen. My home is in an extremely distant place. My family perished in a disaster—I'm the only one left. I ate two flatbreads on the way." Those two flatbreads had been secretly given to him by Eunuch Zhao when he saw how famished Lin Ting was. In contrast, Pei Xingjian had only drunk some water today, hadn't even eaten breakfast. Lin Ting suspected the man was trying to become an immortal.

The Empress Dowager stroked his cheek sympathetically. "Poor child. From now on, in the palace, you shall partake in the world's riches and honors."

Lin Ting smiled, recalling the words Eunuch Zhao had taught him in the carriage. "Thank you, Empress Dowager. May Your Highness enjoy good health and everlasting happiness."

The Empress Dowager laughed. "Such a sweet talker! You must be starving after the journey. The Emperor truly—if he won't eat, he shouldn't starve those around him. I've already had food prepared. Come to my palace and satisfy your hunger first."

As the Empress Dowager pulled him along, Lin Ting glanced back at Pei Xingjian: Hey, at least give me a sign—should I go or not?

Pei Xingjian's gaze flicked toward him, giving a slight nod before looking away.

Lin Ting considered. Did that mean... he should go?

-

Empress Dowager Xie resided in Cining Palace, a half-hour journey from the palace gates. Fortunately, out of pity for Lin Ting's exhaustion from the long trip, she granted him a palanquin so he wouldn’t have to walk.

Upon entering Cining Palace, Lin Ting was amazed by the sight before him. The courtyard was filled with red, yellow, blue, and purple flowers, overlapping in a dazzling array.

Empress Dowager Xie smiled. "Living alone in the deep palace, I grow flowers to while away the time. It keeps the days from growing dull." As she spoke, the butterfly hairpin on her head shimmered, as if fluttering amidst the blossoms, perfectly matching the floral abundance.

Lin Ting had heard from Imperial Physician Wei that the current Empress Dowager was surnamed Xie, the elder sister of Marquis of Anding, Xie Ruhai. During the late emperor's reign, Empress Xie's son had been the crown prince, but for reasons unknown, he was poisoned—a mystery still unsolved in the palace. No wonder she sought solace in flowers within these deep palace walls.

Noticing Lin Ting's gaze on her hairpin, Empress Dowager Xie removed it with a smile. "At my age, wearing things favored by the young only looks inappropriate."

A eunuch behind her quickly interjected, "Your Highness's beauty outshines everyone in the palace. Who could compare?"

The Empress Dowager shot him a glance. "You flatter me. With the Emperor's harem unoccupied, whom could I even compare myself to?" She didn’t seem particularly offended.

The eunuch hastily slapped his own mouth. "Yes, yes, this servant spoke improperly."

They passed through the courtyard into the main hall. In contrast to the profusion of colors outside, the hall was a vision of gold—every ornament gilded, even the bed framed in gold.

Compared to flowers, this Empress Dowager clearly preferred gold.

Seating herself at the central table, she noticed Lin Ting's unease and motioned him kindly to sit beside her.

Servants brought out dishes, and once everything was laid out, they began eating. During the meal, the Empress Dowager asked curiously how Lin Ting and the Emperor had met. Unsure of her intentions, Lin Ting gave evasive answers, mentally urging Pei Xingjian to retrieve him soon.

Dining with elders was far too stressful.

Pei Xingjian first returned to Chonghua Palace. Having been away for nearly half a month, the accumulated memorials had formed a small mountain. After finishing them, he summoned several ministers to discuss affairs. By the time everything was settled, it was already mid-afternoon.

Eunuch Zhao entered with a bowl of seafood soup. "Your Majesty, please eat something. Don’t overtax yourself."

Pei Xingjian took it, stirring the jade spoon along the golden rim before taking a sip. He asked casually, "Is Lin Ting still with the Empress Dowager?"

A black-clad figure suddenly descended from the rafters. Eunuch Zhao wasn't surprised—this was one of the Emperor's Tianxuan Guard, loyal only to the Emperor, appearing and disappearing without a trace. No one knew their exact numbers, and even he only recognized a few familiar faces.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Lin Ting finished lunch at the Empress Dowager's palace and is now resting in a side chamber."

Pei Xingjian's fingers traced the bowl's edge before he set the spoon down with a delicate clink. Lowering his gaze, he said, "An unrelated male and the Empress Dowager should not linger together. Bring him back."

Eunuch Zhao hurried to Cining Palace with the order.

Meanwhile, Lin Ting lay on the soft bed, once again feeling completely hopeless.

He had only intended to eat and then be sent back, but now the meal was over, and he was still here. Judging by Pei Xingjian's dismissive expression earlier, had he never planned to retrieve him? Was he just abandoning him to his fate?

How irresponsible! Wasn’t this just like a cad who took someone home and then ignored them? The more Lin Ting thought about it, the angrier he became. Tossing and turning, he gave up on sleep, got up, and pulled on his outer robe—the one Eunuch Zhao had specially bought for him from a tailor near the villa, a perfect fit.

He opened the window. With the Empress Dowager napping, the courtyard was peaceful and quiet, not a soul in sight, even the guards at the gate dozing off.

Suddenly, a figure appeared at the entrance.

Lin Ting squinted—wasn’t that Eunuch Zhao? He immediately pressed against the window frame, mouthing silently: "Save me—"

Eunuch Zhao, leading a Tianxuan Guard, entered Cining Palace's gates and turned just in time to see Lin Ting's desperate gaze from the window. He understood the plea.

Eunuch Zhao felt gratified. See? Though the boy didn’t say it aloud, his heart still longed to be by the Emperor's side.

By then, Empress Dowager Xie had been informed of the visitors from Chonghua Palace and had risen to dress.

After a brief wait outside, Eunuch Zhao saw the main hall doors open as the Empress Dowager emerged.

"What brings Eunuch Zhao to my Cining Palace today?" She had changed into an even more resplendent phoenix-embroidered robe, a red silk underlayer, and a dragon-and-phoenix crown adorned with gem-encrusted pendants, exuding solemn grandeur.

Standing on the hall’s steps, she regarded the uninvited guests coldly.

Eunuch Zhao bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Empress Dowager. His Majesty’s headache has flared up, and he has ordered this servant to retrieve Lin Ting."

Though reluctant to let Lin Ting go, the Empress Dowager had no grounds to keep him—after all, he had entered the palace as the Emperor’s remedy. "He is in the side chamber. You may fetch him yourself. However, I still wish to speak with him. Afterward, have him sent back."

Zhao Dehai bowed and added, "Before coming, His Majesty said that Lin Ting is an outsider and his presence in the Cining Palace would be improper. His Majesty has already arranged accommodations for Lin Ting, so please do not trouble yourself, Empress Dowager Xie."

In other words, don’t even think about taking him back.

Empress Dowager Xie snorted coldly and turned back into the hall.

When Zhao Dehai opened the door to the side chamber, a figure in pale robes rushed toward him.

"Wahh, Eunuch Zhao, you’ve finally come! I thought I’d never see you again!" Lin Ting, overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of someone he trusted, threw himself forward and burst into tears.

"Aiya, Mr. Lin, hush now! This is the Cining Palace—save your words for later!" Zhao Dehai staggered from the force of the embrace, thinking to himself that this kid was surprisingly strong, nearly knocking him back a few steps.

At least it was clear Lin Ting had no desire to stay in the Cining Palace. Just this short while had clearly left him in such a state.

Zhao Dehai led Lin Ting out of the Cining Palace.

On the way, Lin Ting asked, "Eunuch Zhao, where are we going now?"

Zhao Dehai replied, "Your Majesty awaits you in the Chonghua Palace."

Lin Ting tensed. "The Emperor wants to see me? Has his head ailment flared up again?"

Zhao Dehai gave him a meaningful look. "You’ll find out soon enough."

When they arrived at the Chonghua Palace, Lin Ting followed Zhao Dehai inside, entering quietly.

Behind the desk sat a figure, upright and imposing, wearing a loosely draped outer robe embroidered with golden cranes and vines. He held a memorial in his hands, his gaze lowered, his brow sharp and defined, lips pressed together, jaw taut, his dark hair tied back and crowned in gold. Not even his brow moved at the sound of their arrival.

Lin Ting understood and approached Pei Xingjian. "Your Majesty."

Pei Xingjian finally lifted his eyes. "I thought you were so happy there you didn’t want to return."

Lin Ting made a face. He had wanted to return—he just couldn’t escape.

Then Pei Xingjian glanced at Zhao Dehai, who took the hint and led the palace attendants out. Unsure of what was happening, Lin Ting also turned to leave but was stopped by a command: "You stay."

Lin Ting blinked. Hah? He had to face the tyrant alone?

The doors closed behind him, cutting off most of the daylight. Lin Ting even felt the temperature in the room drop slightly.

"Come here," Pei Xingjian beckoned.

Lin Ting stepped to his side, only to hear another order: "Squat."

Lin Ting hesitated. What was this tyrant planning? But he obediently squatted beside Pei Xingjian and looked up.

Pei Xingjian reached out and pinched his cheek, his fingers kneading the tender skin. He had studied this face many times, including those eyes, yet even now, he couldn’t discern what this person truly wanted.

The most innocent-looking are the most dangerous. Over this period, his head ailments had flared up several times, but with Lin Ting present, they had subsided smoothly. Yet this also meant that for a long time—until his head ailments fully abated—he would remain dependent on him, unable to let go.

"What did the Empress Dowager say to you?" Pei Xingjian asked.

Lin Ting’s cheek stung from the pinch, and he recounted everything the Empress Dowager had asked and how he had answered. With so many Tianxuan Guards in the palace, he doubted the Cining Palace was free of them. If he dared lie, he’d be digging his own grave.

After listening, Pei Xingjian gave him an inscrutable look, as if unable to decide whether this man was foolish or clever.

He released his grip, leaving a red mark on Lin Ting’s cheek. Pei Xingjian’s eyes lingered on it briefly before he suddenly remarked, "The Empress Dowager's quarters make poor lodgings."

Lin Ting was about to mumble about what would be a good place when the other continued, "The warming chamber next to Chonghua Palace is vacant. You can rest there."

Without waiting for Lin Ting’s refusal, he called for an attendant to escort him out.

And so, Lin Ting leaped from one pit into another. At least Pei Xingjian had some mercy—he didn’t station guards outside, meaning Lin Ting could come and go freely.

Lin Ting lay on the bed for a while but still couldn’t sleep. After all, who wouldn't be rattled after undergoing such drastic changes in such a short time. He chewed over the situation and concluded that the palace was far too dangerous. He should have seized an opportunity to escape earlier.

Speaking of which, he mused about whether the palace walls would be easy to climb.

Lin Ting rolled out of bed and peeked through the door crack. The gates of Chonghua Palace were shut, and not a soul in sight—not just at the entrance, but the entire courtyard was deserted.

He stepped outside. The odds of successfully escaping the palace were slim to none, but he could at least practice his wall-climbing skills now. If Pei Xingjian ever took him on another disguised inspection tour in the future, he might find a chance to slip away.

Lin Ting found a section of the wall with stacked bricks beneath it, placed his hands on the top, and heaved himself up—and promptly failed.

He tried a few more times but still couldn’t make it, only exhausting himself in the process.

Doubled over panting, he muttered, "Forget it, forget it. I’ll rest and try again later."

When he turned around, he suddenly saw Pei Xingjian standing at the palace doors, his dark hair loose, looking like an avenging spirit crawled from the underworld.

Lin Ting: ......

Couldn’t he have made some noise?

"You enjoy climbing walls that much?" Pei Xingjian said.

Lin Ting forced a laugh. "Not really, just… wanted to exercise my arms."

"There’s a better place for that. Want to try?"

Lin Ting would rather not, but with the Emperor's patience wearing thin, he had no choice but to ask, "Where?"

"The dungeons."

Before Lin Ting could react, several Tianxuan Guards materialized, flanking him and dragging him away.

Lin Ting: ?!?

"What the—?!"