Chapter 65: Entering the Palace Part 3

“The sun isn’t up yet. If you have business, go alone. Don’t drag me into it.”

He rolled over, presenting his back to Yan Xinfeng, intending to keep sleeping. But just as he closed his eyes, he was pulled awake again. A pair of hands gripped his back and sat him up.

Wei Tingxia: “…”

Exhausted and helpless, he slumped against Yan Xinfeng’s shoulder, whining. “I was wrong. You’re not sick. Let me sleep more.”

“No,” Yan Xinfeng was unmoved. “You have to get up. Someone wants to see you.”

“Who’s worthy of seeing me?”

Wei Tingxia refused to budge. When Yan Xinfeng tried to pick him up, he started coquettishly without even opening his eyes. “Yan Xinfeng, Yan Caiyun, you go yourself…”

He never acted spoiled. With his handsome face, his actions were always tougher than tough, and even when he softened a bit, there was venom hidden behind.

The moment Yan Xinfeng heard that tone, his hands softened by a third. Unfortunately, half an hour later, Wei Tingxia still sat coldly in front of the mirror, watching the maidservants bring one outfit after another.

“Do I look like a peacock?”

Seeing no escape, he picked a plain, simple garment to wear. He spun once in front of Yan Xinfeng and poked his chest. “No next time.”

Yan Xinfeng looked over with a smile, his eyes full of him. “Alright.”

After a simple breakfast, the steward prepared the carriage, and the two entered the palace.

The Empress Dowager’s birthday had two banquets.

The midday one was a family banquet, attended only by close royals and nobles—like Prince Jin, Prince Chen, and their wives and children. Yan Xinfeng had been raised by the Empress Dowager and was now close to the Emperor, so he had to attend as well.

The Empress Dowager had somehow heard the rumors and learned that Yan Xinfeng had brought back the divine physician who saved his life. She specially sent word that she must see that healer no matter what.

Celebrating the Empress Dowager’s birthday was like meeting one’s parents. Yan Xinfeng would not miss this opportunity.

Wei Tingxia, dragged along for the ordeal, yawned the whole way. When the carriage stopped, Yan Xinfeng took his hand and gave it a gentle shake.

“The Empress Dowager is kind and benevolent. She absolutely won’t make things hard for you.”

“Not necessarily,” Wei Tingxia rolled his eyes. “You’re of noble birth, but I’m just an orphan who left the capital ten years ago with no parents. How could I be worthy of you?”

“You’re the one no one is worthy of,” Yan Xinfeng said. “You’re the noble one.”

The spiritual essence of heaven and earth had coalesced to produce a Wei Tingxia. The admiration in Yan Xinfeng’s words was genuine.

Wei Tingxia blinked, suppressing the emotion in his chest, and asked again, “Will anyone bully me?”

“No,” Yan Xinfeng said. “If they do, don’t hold back. I’ll back you up.”

“…”

A ripple stirred quietly. Wei Tingxia fell silent after hearing that, turning his head away. Using the motion of adjusting his sleeve, he avoided Yan Xinfeng’s eyes.

The imposing shadow of the palace gates loomed ahead, vermilion walls and golden tiles exuding a solemnity that took one’s breath away.

He took a deep breath, burying that lingering sentiment deep inside. His expression returned to calm, though his fingertips unconsciously curled in Yan Xinfeng’s palm.

…

They stepped into the Cian Palace where the Empress Dowager resided. A clear, serene warm fragrance greeted them. The hall’s furnishings were luxurious yet not ostentatious, carrying the sediment of years and the tranquility of its owner.

The guiding palace maids silently withdrew to the sides. Deep in the Warm Pavilion, an elderly woman sat on a rosewood chair cushioned with soft brocade.

This was the current Empress Dowager.

She wore deep crimson everyday robes, her hair neatly coiled, adorned with several fine jade hairpins. Her bearing was serene and dignified.

Time had etched deep lines on her face, but her eyes were exceptionally clear. Upon seeing the visitors—especially Yan Xinfeng at the fore—her face lit up with a faint, genuine smile before she even spoke, like warm sun melting thin frost.

“Caiyun is here.”

Yan Xinfeng stopped and bowed in greeting. The Empress Dowager immediately rose and hurried to him. “Get up, quick!”

She patted Yan Xinfeng’s hand with a smile, satisfied. “Truly in good health. The Emperor didn’t lie to me.”

Yan Xinfeng said softly, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. The Northern Border is bitterly cold, and letters back and forth cost manpower. With so few letters, I worried you.”

“That’s no matter. As long as I know you’re safe, it’s fine. Besides, you’re guarding the border for the Emperor—no matter what, your merits outweigh any faults.”

As she spoke of Yan Xinfeng’s health, her eyes with their fine wrinkles shifted slightly. Her voice grew gentler. “Has Physician Wei come?”

He had.

Wei Tingxia, standing by, was about to step forward per protocol and begin his greeting when the Empress Dowager released Yan Xinfeng’s hand and intercepted him first, extending her hand in a virtual halt.

“No need for formalities!”

Her voice carried an unquestionable warmth. She took half a step closer to Wei Tingxia, her clear eyes brimming with undisguised delight and approval.

“You saved Caiyun—that’s a great kindness to me. No need for such grand gestures.”

Her tone was earnest; she truly believed it. A gravely ill Yan Xinfeng could stabilize the Northern Border for them. A recovered one could help control the court.

All three sons were her own flesh and blood. No matter what, she did not want them fighting to the death. If Yan Xinfeng could send them peacefully to their fiefs, that would be best.

She did not want it to come to drawn swords.

These thoughts lingered in her mind, unspoken to anyone. In the brightly lit hall, she stepped back half a pace and looked Wei Tingxia over from head to toe again, unable to hold back a sigh. “What a handsome young man.”

Her gaze swept over the composed Yan Xinfeng with a teasing warmth. “In my eyes, he’s even more spirited than Caiyun was at first sight back then.”

Yan Xinfeng only lowered his eyes, the corner of his lips curving imperceptibly.

Wei Tingxia’s ears reddened. He lowered his gaze to avoid the Empress Dowager’s direct stare. “Your Majesty flatters me. This humble one is alarmed.”

“You deserve it.”

The Empress Dowager would not let him refuse and led him to sit on the embroidered stool beside Yan Xinfeng. She returned to her main seat, her gaze lingering on the two, her smile deepening. It was clear how much gossip about Wei Tingxia had reached her when he was unaware.

As she watched, she suddenly remembered something and said to the attending senior maid, “What about the tribute fruits the Emperor sent a few days ago? Bring the ripest ones, all of them.”

The maid acknowledged. Soon, young eunuchs filed in with trays of fresh, juicy fruits, their natural sweet scent filling the hall.

The Empress Dowager lifted her chin slightly, having the fruits placed before Wei Tingxia. Her tone was that of an elder—straightforward and affectionate. “I heard from the Emperor that you like fruits. These are fresh tribute—unavailable any other day.”

Wei Tingxia hurried to bow, but the Empress Dowager waved it down.

“There are better ones. After the banquet, pick whatever you like and take it home. I’m old; I can’t eat anything too sweet. It’s perfect for you.”

She was as kind as Yan Xinfeng had described, without discrepancy. Wei Tingxia accepted meekly. When the Empress Dowager said she needed to change and left, he finally pushed Yan Xinfeng with ears still flushed.

Ever since that evening conversation, Wei Tingxia had become sensitive, often doubting Yan Xinfeng’s intentions. “Why do I feel like the whole world knows? Is this a forced marriage ploy?”

Yan Xinfeng shook his head. “No.”

Wei Tingxia’s gaze sharpened. “Really not?”

“Really not.”

“…Fine.”

Wei Tingxia dropped the pursuit, popped a grape into his mouth, and unconsciously recalled the Empress Dowager’s look as she left.

No one had ever looked at him that way in his life—no malice, but it made him uneasy, like he wanted to bolt.

“We came for the midday banquet. Can we skip the evening one?” he asked. “I really don’t want to eat with all those people.”

Most of them were not there for the food anyway—endless circling and probing, utterly boring.

“Sure,” Yan Xinfeng nodded without hesitation. “I’m already thrilled you agreed to come.”

In truth, he had never actually thought that Wei Tingxia would really be willing to enter the palace with him. Now that they were sitting in Cian Palace without any thunderous outburst, Yan Xinfeng was already flattered and surprised.

He did not voice his thoughts aloud. When the Empress Dowager returned after changing her clothes, a eunuch announced that Prince Chen and Prince Jin had arrived, and the private midday banquet officially began.

Wei Tingxia sat to Yan Xinfeng’s lower left and witnessed a very entertaining royal banquet.

The Emperor, Prince Jin, and Prince Chen were blood brothers, born of the same mother and raised together from childhood. However, the Emperor had a mild temperament and a body not as robust as his two younger brothers’, so when the Late Emperor led troops into battle, he had stayed in the imperial city with his mother. Thus, he was not as close to his brothers.

The Late Empress had no children, and as the eldest son with a record of governing as regent, Li Yun naturally ascended the throne without issue—or so it should have been. Unfortunately, Prince Jin and Prince Chen were no fools. They knew they were no worse than their brother, and so did everyone else.