Chapter 23 Part 2

“I like His Majesty so much.”

“Did you guess long ago that the Imperial Concubine would recognize me as her daughter?”

“I’m just thinking that I can’t let down the kindness the lady has shown me. I must repay her with all my strength.”

Qixue’s voice was exceptionally pleasant, difficult for the nightmare demon to imitate perfectly, especially the emotions behind it. Even so, it was clear that he truly adored Helan Ji, for the words “I like His Majesty so much” came out so sweetly and movingly.

He had indeed known Helan Ji for a long time, but he had not approached Xu Taifei deliberately for Helan Ji’s sake, nor had his appearance in Cuiwei Palace been his own arrangement.

The nightmare demon was not supposed to speak; forcing it to imitate Qixue’s voice caused it to dissipate. Its form crumbled like grains of sand, and Helan Ji quietly stared at the remnants on the floor, lost in thought.

After a long while, Helan Ji picked up his brush and resumed reviewing the memorials, as if nothing had happened. Then Eunuch Xue Ming entered the hall and reported, “Your Majesty, General Wei has arrived. Shall I summon him?”

“Let him in,” Helan Ji said.

Moments later, Wei Huai strode into the hall, parting the heavy drapes. He saluted Helan Ji and then asked, “Your Majesty, you summoned me?”

Helan Ji tossed several memorials at him without looking up. “See for yourself.”

Wei Huai caught them and skimmed through quickly. All were impeachments against him.

One accused him of allowing his personal guards to break into homes at night and harass civilians; another charged him with neglecting his duties, failing to train troops in the barracks for days; the last impeached him for murdering his new wife, with her body hidden in the Guogong Mansion.

“Ha.” Seeing the last one, Wei Huai chuckled. “I didn’t know Lord Liu had such literary talent. Has he submitted others? Let me read more.”

Helan Ji finally looked up at him. “How much longer do you intend to fool around?”

Even if the wife-murder charge was baseless, the first two were true. After lifting his confinement to search for Qixue, Wei Huai had feigned illness to skip court, allowing the Zhu Huai Guards to scour the entire capital. It had stirred up unrest and panic. If Helan Ji had not suppressed the memorials, Wei Huai would have faced punishment long ago.

These days, Wei Huai had searched tirelessly without sleep. Even with his robust health, fatigue showed in his wild smile, dark circles under his eyes.

Facing Helan Ji’s icy rebuke, Wei Huai’s smile faded, his face expressionless. “Of course, until I find A Xue.”

Helan Ji frowned. “He betrayed you, yet you still like him so much?”

Wei Huai replied, “Because A Xue is worth it. And the reason he left me was that I wasn’t good enough to make him abandon everything for me.”

“What will you do once you find him?” Helan Ji asked.

“Make sure he can never leave me again.” Wei Huai smiled. “I’ll love him day and night, get him pregnant with my child, so he can’t go anywhere.”

Helan Ji said, “If you like him, why force him? Is that your love?”

“I’d rather he hate me than abandon me.”

Wei Huai lowered his eyes. “I’ve searched all of Shangjing but still haven’t found A Xue. It seems he may have fled the capital. I plan to go to Cloud Moon Temple and ask National Advisor Xie to divine his whereabouts.”

“You plan to ask Xie Shu?”

Helan Ji knew Wei Huai despised Xie Shu, yet for Qixue, he would humble himself to someone he loathed. “Do as you wish.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Wei Huai laughed. “This means I’ll be away from the capital for at least a month. Who knows how many more impeachments there’ll be.”

One reason Wei Huai hated Xie Shu was Cloud Moon Temple’s strict rules; seeing Xie Shu was exceedingly difficult. Unless Xie Shu emerged voluntarily, it took at least a month, and one had to stay confined there.

Helan Ji said, “When you return, I have an important task for you.”

“I plan to summon the vassal kings and their descendants to the capital. From these collateral bloodlines, select one to crown as Crown Prince. You will oversee the arrangements.”

Wei Huai paused. “You’re truly giving up on having your own child?”

“With my body, I don’t even know how many years I have left, let alone producing an heir.”

Helan Ji’s tone was indifferent, as if speaking of someone else. “Once the vassal kings arrive, secure Shangjing firmly. Ensure no one harbors improper thoughts.”

“Understood.”

Wei Huai nodded and left. Eunuch Xue timely presented a steaming bowl of medicine. “Your Majesty, time for your medicine.”

Helan Ji glanced at the bitter brew, downed it in one gulp, and frowned slightly. “They changed the prescription again?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The imperial physicians added two qian of Qing Feng Vine…” Eunuch Xue asked cautiously. “Is it more bitter?”

“After years of this, my condition shows no improvement.” Helan Ji said coldly. “Those fools at the Imperial Hospital must want to bitter me to death quickly so they keep their heads.”

“How could that be?” Eunuch Xue said. “Good medicine tastes bitter. The physicians are loyal to Your Majesty. You’re wronging them.”

Helan Ji finished the medicine, popped a candied fruit into his mouth, and stared at the bowl silently.

Eunuch Xue understood and left Changle Palace, summoning a young eunuch. “Go to Cuiwei Palace and speak with Supervisor Cui.”

The young eunuch found Supervisor Cui as instructed. Supervisor Cui immediately went to Xu Taifei and whispered in her ear, “My lady, today’s soup…”

“Oh dear, I forgot.”

Xu Taifei had just returned from the embroidery room, excitedly wanting Qixue to try the fabric she brought back. Hearing this, she set it down. “A Xue, wait for Mother Concubine. I’ll be right back.”

Supervisor Cui smiled at Qixue. “His Majesty loves the sweet soup you make personally, my lady, so you brew a serving daily. Today, seeing the young master made you so happy you overlooked it.”

Qixue followed at once. “Mother Concubine, let me help.”

He was deeply interested in everything about Helan Ji. Now that Xu Taifei was making his favorite sweet soup, he wouldn’t miss it—he had to learn the recipe.

“Good child.”

Xu Taifei smiled warmly and took Qixue to the small kitchen, but she wouldn’t let him help, having him watch instead.

The sweet soup was simple; Qixue memorized it after one look. Anyone could make it, yet Xu Taifei did it herself daily—not for secrecy, but out of love for Helan Ji.

Xu Taifei placed the stew pot in a food box and said to Qixue, “Someone will come for it soon. Let’s go pick fabrics.”

Qixue eyed the box, seeing a chance to get close to Helan Ji. “Mother Concubine, this is your personally made soup. I’m worried entrusting it to others. And I didn’t help earlier, so let me deliver it to His Majesty?”

“You want to see your brother?”

Xu Taifei was a bit surprised but nodded. “Very well. But be careful. Have Xue Ming escort you. I haven’t been to Changle Palace in ages; I don’t know if it’s still so terrifying.”

“Don’t worry, Mother Concubine. I’ll be careful.”

Qixue promised sweetly. He knew Changle Palace’s horrors from the original story: a grim, eerie place housing demons, fierce beasts, and venomous snakes—for security and as demon fodder.

Qixue carried the food box out of Cuiwei Palace. Before leaving, he hesitated over his outfit for meeting Helan Ji. As an eunuch now, his flashy attire wouldn’t suit outside.

But Xu Taifei gave him no time to fret; she had him carried in a palanquin to Changle Palace. Now he needn’t worry—it was her order.

Qixue arrived at Changle Palace’s steps, smoothed his stray hair, and ascended gracefully with the box.

Over a dozen Zhu Yan Guards stood at the entrance. Qixue approached one. “Please inform someone. I’m A Xue from Cuiwei Palace. The Imperial Concubine specially sent me with soup for His Majesty.”

Dressed to perfection, his beauty was unparalleled. Even battle-hardened Zhu Yan Guards faltered momentarily before one said, “We’ll notify Eunuch Xue at once.”

Eunuch Xue arrived quickly, greeting Qixue with an approving smile. “Greetings, Young Master Sang. Please stay close behind this old servant. The paths inside are labyrinthine. If you lose sight of me, stand still and wait—don’t wander, lest you get lost.”

Qixue nodded and followed into the dim entrance.

Entering Changle Palace, a chill seeped in from the cold floor tiles.

Slim black shadows of nightmare demons lined the corridors. Behind every door and window loomed large iron cages holding massive pythons with azure scales, hissing red tongues, golden slit pupils fixed on him.

Scorpions, centipedes, and spiders crawled in the dark, scraping floors and walls with rustling sounds that made Qixue’s scalp tingle. He trotted to keep up with Eunuch Xue.

After what felt like ages, Eunuch Xue stopped and opened a door. “Young Master Sang, please.”

“Thank you, Supervisor.”

Qixue thanked him, entered with the box. Hot air hit him, flushing his cheeks pink.

Thinking of Helan Ji inside made his heart lighten, like a bouncing little rabbit snuggling vivaciously against him.

Helan Ji sensed his fluctuating emotions clearly, knew he had arrived, and looked up as Qixue entered.

“A Xue pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Qixue bowed obediently, but inside he bubbled with excitement, thrilled at seeing Helan Ji, eager to get close and cling.

This joyful emotion wrapped Helan Ji’s heart like warm, clear spring water, bringing gentle comfort.

Helan Ji paused his writing and said calmly, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Qixue stood joyfully, placed the stew pot gently on the desk. “This is the sweet soup the Imperial Concubine just brewed for you. Drink it hot to warm yourself.”

He lowered his eyes lovingly at Helan Ji. Their gazes met; Qixue felt shy and flustered but couldn’t look away, blushing as he gave a timid smile.

Helan Ji watched him and asked, “Did the Imperial Concubine send you?”

Qixue bit his lip, fearing the truth would seem presumptuous and displease him. “Yes… The lady is concerned for Your Majesty’s health and sent this servant to visit.”

His emotions carried a hint of lying. Helan Ji’s tone cooled. “Tell the truth.”

How did His Majesty know?

Startled, Qixue dared not lie again and stammered the truth. “Actually, this servant requested it.”

“Why?”

Qixue’s voice was soft. “Because this servant wanted to see Your Majesty so much. Seeing you makes me happy.”

The taste of lying vanished.

Sang Xue was so happy to be able to stay by his side that he even needed to conceal his joy.

“…”

Helan Ji silently opened the stew pot, and a sweet, fragrant aroma wafted out.

Eunuch Xue stepped forward, intending to test the poison for the Emperor as per custom, only to see Helan Ji already scoop up a spoonful with the ladle and take a light sip.

His Majesty was…?

Seeing this, Eunuch Xue could not help but feel surprised. Over these years, Helan Ji had endured countless assassinations and had long since become cautious and suspicious. Even with his constitution that was immune to all poisons, out of wariness, all food and drink had to be tested before he consumed it.

Why had he skipped the test this time?

Eunuch Xue subtly glanced at Qixue and suddenly detected something unusual.

But he betrayed nothing on his face and retreated with lowered brows and obedient eyes.

After drinking the sweet soup, Helan Ji said to Qixue, “Since the Noble Consort Dowager likes you and treats you as her own child, you no longer need to refer to yourself as ‘this slave’ in my presence.”

Qixue was overjoyed to hear this and felt even closer to Helan Ji. With brows and eyes curved in a smile, he replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Xue Ming, grant Sang Xue a seat.”

Helan Ji lightly tapped the desk with his fingertip, gesturing toward the towering stack of memorials on it. “You say seeing me makes you happy. Let me see just how happy you are. You can only return to Cuiwei Palace after I finish approving all these.”