Chapter 48: Clinging to Dragon and Phoenix
Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Clinging to Dragon and Phoenix
"My lady—"
The maidservant hurried to catch up, her face filled with panic.
The Empress turned and was surprised to see Liang Wan, who should have already left, returning.
"Is there something else?"
"Your Majesty, if you can trust this humble servant, please allow me to take your pulse!"
The Chief Steward’s expression changed instantly. She rebuked her harshly, "How audacious! Is the Empress’s sacred person someone that just anyone can—"
The Empress smiled at her. "You know medicine?"
Liang Wan nodded. "I’ve read a few medical texts. I know a little."
The Chief Steward could bear it no longer. "You are truly insolent! You’ve only read a few medical texts, yet you have the gall to show off in front of the Empress!"
The Empress shot a reproachful look at the woman beside her, and the Chief Steward fell silent.
The Empress sat back down, pulled up her sleeve, and smiled faintly at Liang Wan. "Then I shall trouble you to take a look for me."
Liang Wan stepped forward in silence and placed her fingers on the Empress’s wrist.
The hall fell utterly silent. The pulse was faster than a normal person’s. To be certain, she switched to the other wrist and checked again. It was indeed a slippery pulse!
’But how should I say it?’
’The Empress’s pregnancy isn’t just about harem disputes. It’s tied to the politics of the imperial court. If even I can diagnose this pulse, how could the Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau possibly fail to?’
’They must be deliberately concealing it!’
"All of you may leave."
Just as Liang Wan was hesitating, she heard the Empress’s gentle voice once more. Following her command, all the Palace Attendants and eunuchs withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the vast, empty hall.
"Now there are no outsiders."
Liang Wan looked up. "Your Majesty, you are pregnant. It has just been a month."
"Is it true?" The Empress’s expression grew serious.
Liang Wan nodded with certainty.
The Empress stood up after a moment of contemplation, took her hand, and smiled. "I am already aware of this matter. Please, keep it a secret for me!"
Liang Wan understood perfectly. Even if the Empress hadn’t asked, she would never have told anyone else. Besides, she had no desire to get involved in such affairs. Telling the Empress the truth was partly to repay her debt to Chancellor Cao, but she also intended to...
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. This humble servant knows nothing!"
The Empress chuckled softly and shook her head. "No, you must know. Before the official announcement, I will have to trouble you to continue taking my pulse."
’This?’
Liang Wan’s face showed her hesitation. ’Practicing medicine is a serious matter. What if my shallow skills end up harming someone? Wouldn’t that be—’
The refusal was on the tip of her tongue, but a sudden thought flashed through her mind. ’Perhaps this is an opportunity.’ As if possessed, Liang Wan nodded. "Yes, this humble servant obeys."
Liang Wan couldn’t recall what else the Empress said after that. She only remembered that one thought.
’The reason I was so desperate to enter the palace, even begging Lu Xiu for help, was to assassinate the emperor, wasn’t it? Now the opportunity is right in front of me. What reason do I have to refuse?’
’As long as I can enter the palace, I’ll find a chance to kill Gao Qian!’
After careful consideration, Liang Wan clenched her jaw and said, "Your Majesty, may this humble servant ask you for a favor?"
As she spoke, she knelt.
After her initial surprise, the Empress smiled in sudden understanding. "Are you asking me to decree a marriage between you and Ayunn?"
"No."
「On the walkway, Liang Wan followed a Palace Attendant toward Duan Gate.」
"My lady—"
Suddenly, her sleeve was tugged. Liang Wan came to her senses and saw the Palace Attendant pulling her aside toward the base of the wall, urging her frantically, "My lady, lower your head, quickly!"
Liang Wan saw the attendant’s pale face but didn’t understand why. She only had to glance up before her gaze was frozen. It was the Dragon Chariot. The man seated high above had an exquisitely beautiful face that was far too pale. Beneath his long eyelashes was an endless gloom mixed with a look of innocence. It was unmistakably—
Gao Qian!
’That demon wrapped in beautiful skin!’
’The man she hated to the bone and feared to her very core!’
Liang Wan bit her lip hard and clenched her sleeves, her whole body trembling uncontrollably. She couldn’t tell if it was more from anger or from fear.
Liang Wan was so focused on staring at Gao Qian that she completely forgot the palace rules and etiquette. The Palace Attendant yanked her to the ground.
As the Dragon Chariot disappeared into the distance, the Palace Attendant was furious.
"My lady, you are a noble lady from a scholarly family! How can you not know the first thing about etiquette? Do you have any idea what would have happened if His Majesty had seen you staring directly at the imperial visage just now?"
She panted, her anger uncontrollable. "Thankfully, he didn’t notice! Otherwise, how many heads do I have to lose along with you?!"
Liang Wan knew exactly what would have happened. She was all too familiar with Gao Qian’s temper. A simple death would have been getting off easy. The Palace Attendant had every right to be this angry with her.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Liang Wan bowed to her. "I am truly sorry."
’Somehow, she thought of how Lu Xiu had refused to help her enter the palace that day. Could it also be because she was too—’
"An apology that perfunctory is worse than none at all!"
A cool, deep voice suddenly rang out. Liang Wan turned to see Lu Xiu standing not far away, dressed in a cloud-colored brocade robe. His hands were tucked into his sleeves as he watched her coldly, his pair of fox-like eyes as still and deep as a dark pool.
"Grand Commandant." The Palace Attendant snapped to her senses and immediately bowed.
Liang Wan averted her gaze, lowered her head, and mumbled the same greeting.
This was the first time they had met since parting at Dali Temple Prison. Almost half a month had passed.
"Alright, you may go back."
"Yes," Liang Wan replied, about to withdraw.
"Wait."
Liang Wan looked up in confusion, her gaze landing right on his face. Their eyes met, and his voice was ice-cold.
"I was talking to her."
Liang Wan’s expression stiffened. "Yes."
Perhaps worried that Liang Wan would commit another breach of etiquette like just now, causing trouble in the palace for which she couldn’t answer to the Empress, the Palace Attendant hesitated. Her eyes were locked on Liang Wan, as if wanting to say something but holding back. Finally, under Lu Xiu’s steady gaze, the Palace Attendant left, but not before giving Liang Wan a look that said, ’You’re on your own.’
Only after the Palace Attendant had left did Lu Xiu walk over.
The warm sun shone brightly overhead, its rays pouring down. Her body should have felt warm, but his frosty gaze fell upon her, melting the warmth into a cold sweat that trickled down her skin.
"Does Your Excellency have any orders?"
Rather than stand there in silence, Liang Wan decided it was better to speak first. She disliked this overly quiet atmosphere; it felt as if he could see right through her, inside and out.
But no sooner had she asked than she heard him let out a sneer.
She dropped her hands and stood up straight to face him. "What is Your Excellency laughing at?"
"If that Palace Attendant hadn’t been holding you back just now, were you planning to throw yourself at him and beg, just like you begged me?"
Liang Wan froze, then her eyes widened. "Who is Your Excellency talking about?"
"You. Don’t play dumb with me."
The smile vanished from Lu Xiu’s face, and his voice became frighteningly cold.
Knowing she couldn’t fool him, Liang Wan confessed frankly, "I would never beg him!"
Liang Wan lowered her head. "Your Excellency probably doesn’t like people who can only beg, right?"
"Correct." The reply was curt and decisive.
’Such an unequivocal attitude was entirely expected. That must have been why he didn’t save me back then.’
Liang Wan looked up. "Does Your Excellency have any other orders?"
Lu Xiu’s eyes darkened. "What, now that Wang Su is dead and you have a chance to enter the palace, you plan to burn your bridges?"
She could understand his mockery; after all, he had always believed she wanted to enter the palace to win the tyrant’s favor. But the hint of anger in his sarcasm felt misplaced. ’If I really did win the emperor’s favor as he thinks, wouldn’t that be more helpful to him in gaining the tyrant’s trust later on?’
’Regardless, what needs to be explained must be explained!’
Liang Wan said, "Your Excellency misunderstands. I am not the type of person who is never satisfied, and I would never dream of betraying you. I was only able to enter the palace this time because Young Master Zhou, out of respect for you, spoke to the Empress on my behalf..."
Her words trailed off under his gaze.
’In her past life, among the rumors that Lu Xiu preferred the ’passion of the Dragon Yang,’ there seemed to be one that specifically mentioned him and Zhou Yun.’
Lu Xiu frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that?"