Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 113

When Wei Xiu was struck by the arrow, she had been resolved to die. As the arrow pierced her chest, she felt pain, but also a sense of release. The only one she could not let go of was Puyang.

She lay in bed for months, drifting in and out of consciousness, completely unaware of her surroundings. There was only one voice, sometimes distant, sometimes near, that always echoed by her ear. Someone could not bear to let her go.

Wei Xiu thought, the only one who could not bear for her to leave was Puyang.

When she awoke, Puyang was helping her sit up, letting her lean against her body while holding a cup of plain water, about to help her drink. Wei Xiu opened her eyes, her gaze still clouded and her vision blurry. The bright light was piercing, and she reflexively closed her eyes again. Her mind was blank, devoid of thought, until after a moment, she adjusted and could barely make things out.

“A Xiu…” Puyang called her name, stunned.

Wei Xiu slowly turned her head to meet Puyang’s eyes. A look of joyous surprise slowly spread across Puyang’s face, as if she still couldn’t believe it. She stared at Wei Xiu, the corners of her lips slowly turning up, but tears welled in her eyes even faster.

“You’re awake? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?” Puyang asked quickly, her voice trembling.

Wei Xiu didn’t speak. She raised her hand, wanting to wipe away the tears at the corner of Puyang’s eyes, but halfway there, she found she couldn’t summon the strength. Her body was completely drained. Puyang quickly grasped her hand and pressed it to her own cheek. Wei Xiu curved her lips into a faint smile, and her dim, weak eyes seemed to soften. Seeing this, Puyang’s tears rolled down. She hastily wiped them away and said softly, “I’ll go call for the imperial physician.”

Wei Xiu gave a very slight nod. Puyang settled her back onto the pillow, walked to the door, and called for a eunuch standing guard outside, ordering him to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and summon Imperial Physician Zhou. The eunuch acknowledged the order and hurried away.

Puyang turned back to see that Wei Xiu had fallen asleep again.

This time, Puyang no longer panicked.

It was already the end of the second month, and spring filled the land. Before her was an extremely tranquil courtyard, planted all over with flowers and trees. Butterflies flitted among the blossoms, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the green leaves, shining down with a gentle, tender warmth.

Spring had long since arrived, but only at this moment did Puyang truly feel its vibrant presence.

Imperial Physician Zhou came to examine her and determined that Wei Xiu had passed through the crisis. From now on, she would need careful recuperation. Whether through medicinal or dietary supplements, there could be absolutely no more setbacks. Her body could not withstand another such ordeal.

For the past several months, Puyang had personally cared for Wei Xiu. Feeding, washing, and turning her over—she did it all herself. Firstly, Wei Xiu’s identity was best kept secret if possible. Secondly, only by taking care of her personally could Puyang be at ease.

Now, listening to Imperial Physician Zhou’s instructions, she committed each one to memory.

Seeing how attentively Puyang was listening, Imperial Physician Zhou also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Upon learning that the Prince Consort was actually a woman, he had been terrified, fearing that the moment the Prince Consort recovered would be the moment he was silenced. But looking at the situation now, keeping him alive was far better than killing him. After all, the Prince Consort’s body still needed conditioning, and it was better to continue using him than to find another physician.

Puyang had the same intention. The Zhou family had a long lineage of physicians. Months ago, she had brought Imperial Physician Zhou’s only son into the palace to also serve as an imperial physician. If Imperial Physician Zhou could keep his mouth shut, both father and son would enjoy glory; if not, both father and son would perish together.

Having reached this point, Imperial Physician Zhou naturally understood. There was no way out; he could only be more diligent.

He wrote out a prescription and ordered someone to fetch the medicine. Puyang remained by Wei Xiu’s side.

The windows were open, as was the door. A spring breeze passed through, stirring the bed curtains, filling the room with vibrant life.

The ordeal was over. The days to come would naturally only get better.

Wei Xiu had awakened, but her body was clearly much weaker than before. The arrow had not struck her heart, but it had injured her lung, which required careful nurturing.

After being unconscious for months, Wei Xiu had become shockingly thin, her cheeks nearly sunken. Her bones were also stiff and unresponsive, and even the slightest movement caused a sore ache. All of this needed time to recover.

Fortunately, Wei Xiu was extremely patient. Every day, she followed Puyang’s instructions, doing whatever she was told without any objection. She could not bear to see Puyang look worried again.

Puyang was naturally happy to see this, but there was a complication. While Wei Xiu was unconscious, she had slept in the same room to make care easier. Now that Wei Xiu was awake, Puyang didn’t know what to do with herself. She didn’t want to move away from Wei Xiu’s side, but she also didn’t know what Wei Xiu was thinking.

There were some things Puyang hadn’t thought about while Wei Xiu was unconscious, but now that she was awake, they all surfaced in her mind.

That day on Mount Mang, why had she taken the arrow for her? Before she lost consciousness, she had said, ‘If there is a next life…’ What was the second half of that sentence? If there were a next life, what would become of them?

Puyang wanted to know, but Wei Xiu never mentioned it, as if she had forgotten, so Puyang had no way to bring it up.

Later, seeing that Wei Xiu said nothing, she pretended not to have thought about it either and continued to sleep in the same room with Wei Xiu.

That night, Puyang returned from the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue.

She carried a food box containing a thin rice congee and a few plates of refreshing side dishes. The congee was light and carried the sweet fragrance of rice, making it extremely tempting. The aroma alone was enough to make one’s mouth water.

Wei Xiu was already out of bed, sitting in her wheelchair, looking no different from before. When Puyang entered, Wei Xiu’s gaze shifted from the book in her hands to Puyang. Then, seeing the food box and knowing it must contain delicacies, her eyes moved to the box.

Seeing this, Puyang couldn’t help but smile. She went over and pushed her wheelchair. A palace attendant had already fetched bowls and chopsticks, taken the congee and side dishes from the food box, and served them, ready for the two of them to enjoy.

Puyang pushed Wei Xiu to the table and explained, “I was late handling state affairs tonight. The imperial kitchen sent over some congee, and I thought you might be hungry too, so I wanted to share it with you.”

The place where Wei Xiu now resided was not the Hall of Containing Light, but another, more secluded location, quite a distance from the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue. Even so, after being carried all this way, the congee was still warm. Served in a jade bowl, it looked extremely tempting.

“I was just getting hungry. Your Majesty has come at the perfect time,” Wei Xiu replied with a smile.

Puyang’s smile deepened, and she moved to sit down opposite her.

The side dishes were refreshing and, paired with the light congee, very appetizing. Wei Xiu, for once, managed to finish a whole bowl. Seeing that she liked it, Puyang made a mental note to have the imperial kitchen prepare it again in a few days.

While the two of them dined in the hall, palace attendants went to the rear hall to prepare hot water for washing and clean clothes. Wei Xiu favored the colors cyan and black, and sometimes wore white robes. Puyang, on the other hand, preferred more vibrant colors, though after becoming emperor, she had gradually started choosing more stately hues. Their clothes were folded neatly—one cyan, one dark grey—and placed side by side on a stand, looking exceptionally harmonious.

After finishing the congee, the two of them made their way over. Two palace attendants walked ahead with lanterns to light the path, while Puyang pushed Wei Xiu from behind. The entire path was lined with palace lanterns, so it wasn’t dark. Puyang didn’t need to pay too much attention to her footing and could speak with Wei Xiu. “Today, I selected someone from the Department of Palace Attendants. He seems very reliable.”

She paused there. Wei Xiu did not turn around, but she tilted her ear slightly, listening attentively. It was a small movement, just a slight incline of her head, but since Puyang was so close, she saw it very clearly. Gazing at the neatly combed hair at the back of Wei Xiu’s head, she smiled faintly, her eyes growing even gentler. “There are many attendants in the hall, and someone needs to manage them. I’m afraid you wouldn’t have the patience for such things. The eunuch’s surname is Sun. He once served my mother and is a trustworthy person.”

In truth, that Eunuch Sun had been deeply trusted by the late Emperor Gao and had already reached the position of Director of the Department of Palace Attendants, a post of the junior third rank. But Puyang wouldn’t feel at ease with anyone else, so she had him transferred over.

Wei Xiu fell into thought and did not agree immediately. Puyang grew a little nervous, afraid she would shake her head. She had intended it as a test. If Wei Xiu harbored any intention of leaving as soon as her body recovered, she would have no use for Eunuch Sun. But if she was willing to stay…

Puyang involuntarily slowed her pace. Wei Xiu turned her head back in confusion. When Puyang met her questioning gaze, she guiltily looked away, trying to sound calm as she asked, “What do you think?”

Her eyes were full of evasion, yet her face wore an expression of utmost earnestness. Watching her, Wei Xiu suddenly smiled, her heart softening so much it felt like it would melt. She turned back to look ahead and said in a gentle tone, “As you wish.”

Puyang was overcome with joy. The corners of her lips curved up, and even her eyes were filled with a smile as gentle as the night.

In just a moment, the hall used for bathing came into view.

After they had both bathed, they went to the bedchamber, which was right next door.

Seeing that Wei Xiu was a little tired, Puyang had her lean against the couch and began to massage her shoulders. Though the arrow wound had healed, it had, after all, damaged her constitution. Wei Xiu now found even sitting for a long time to be draining, and the trip to the bathing chamber and back had left her even more exhausted.

Puyang was very worried. Following the few acupoints Imperial Physician Zhou had taught her, she began to knead them earnestly. Seeing her serious expression, as if she were handling some important state affair, Wei Xiu couldn’t help but smile. She reached up and tucked a stray lock of Puyang’s hair behind her ear, saying softly, “It’s nothing serious. Once I move around more and recover my vitality, I’ll be just the same as before.”

How could it be that easy? Puyang nearly burst into tears. She had already asked Imperial Physician Zhou; an injury to the lung was extremely difficult to heal. The moment she caught a chill, she would have to endure great suffering.

When Wei Xiu heard no response, she knew her words couldn’t deceive Puyang. She sighed inwardly. Perhaps because she was used to always being sickly, being a little worse off now didn’t feel like much to her. For her, just being alive was already a blessing. But Puyang would worry, and seeing her unwell, she would be sad. And because of Puyang’s sadness, Wei Xiu also began to feel distressed.

She tried to comfort her in a low voice, “Sickly people often live long lives. Look at me, I always manage to turn misfortune into good fortune…”

Puyang quickly covered her mouth with her hand, saying nervously, “Don’t say that.”

Wei Xiu couldn’t help but chuckle. The warm breath from her laugh brushed against Puyang’s palm, warm and a little ticklish. Puyang quickly pulled her hand back. She glanced at Wei Xiu, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she still insisted, “You are not to say such things again.”

Some things should not be said. To say them would be to jinx them, to break one’s luck. This was something the elderly often said, but Puyang, at some point, had also come to believe it deeply. Whenever it concerned Wei Xiu, she would become extremely cautious. Even knowing it wasn’t true, she would be careful not to leave any room for ill omens.

Wei Xiu felt both touched and unspeakably heartbroken. She nodded and said, “Alright, I won’t say it anymore.”

Seeing her agree so solemnly, Puyang felt a little shy, thinking she had overreacted. But she was also very happy. A Xiu was treating her so gently, just like before they had turned against each other, when A Xiu would never refuse any of her requests.

Such days felt like a dream. For the past two years, Puyang hadn’t even dared to imagine them, and yet now, they had truly arrived.

Author’s Notes:

I need to apologize to some of my dear readers. I previously started a new story called ‘Zhen is a Little Panicked,’ which I planned to work on after finishing this one. However, a friend later pointed out that one of the plot points in it clashed with a story another author is currently serializing. So, I revised the summary, title, and theme. It can be said that besides the character names and personalities, the concept is now completely different from the original.

So, I want to apologize to the readers who have already added it to their collections and were looking forward to the content described in the original summary.

I am truly sorry.