Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 120

Puyang was immediately embarrassed. Thinking of tonight, how A Xiu had complied with her every wish—when she told her to drink, she drank; when she urged her to eat, she ate, never once refusing, never once doubting—she couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

She mulled over her words, wondering if A Xiu would still remember the events of tonight when she sobered up tomorrow.

Wei Xiu was leaning sideways on the couch. Her eyes seemed to hold the misty rain of Jiangnan, hazy and indistinct. After getting drunk, her patience also seemed to have worn thin. She blinked, and a bit of moisture welled up in her eyes, making them look even more like the myriad mountains and rivers in the rain—damp, yet fresh and bright.

After waiting a short while, Wei Xiu spoke again, “If you have nothing to ask, I have a matter to discuss with you.”

The effects of the wine seemed to rush in all at once then. The drunkenness deepened bit by bit, her voice becoming somewhat slurred, and her body slumped to the side.

Puyang sat down beside her and helped her sit up straight. Wei Xiu took the opportunity to lean against her.

“Go on,” Puyang said.

Wei Xiu leaned against her and said in a hazy, drunken voice, “From now on, don’t go to the Chongwen Institute anymore.”

Puyang was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and asked her, “Why?”

Wei Xiu was silent for a moment before slowly saying, “I don’t want you to see him again.”

Puyang asked again, “Who is he?”

Wei Xiu looked up at her, her cheeks flushed and her gaze growing more unfocused. It took her a great effort to see Puyang clearly. Puyang asked once more, “Who is he?”

“Liu Si,” Wei Xiu answered obediently, then stammered, “Don’t see him again.”

She seemed very embarrassed and found it difficult to say. But after she said it, she looked at Puyang, as if she would only be at ease after seeing her agree with her own eyes.

Puyang’s expression softened, filled with boundless tenderness at this moment. She nodded and said solemnly, “Alright. I won’t go to the Chongwen Institute, and I won’t see him.”

Wei Xiu seemed to let out a sigh of relief, as if her wish had been granted, and she smiled faintly. But a moment later, she seemed to remember something else. She hugged Puyang and said softly, “Don’t worry about the matter of an heir. There will be a way… Seventh Lady, I will treat you well…”

Towards the end, she probably didn’t even know what she was saying herself, but Puyang answered with great earnestness, “I’m not worried. I will treat you well too.”

Wei Xiu’s eyes curved into crescents, and she smiled with great happiness. When she was sober, Puyang had never seen her look so happy—so pure and joyous.

Puyang’s heart stirred, and she couldn’t help but caress her cheek. Wei Xiu gazed at her with hazy, drunken eyes. She thought of something and asked with a smile, “Is there anything you want to ask me?”

Puyang shook her head. “Not anymore.”

Wei Xiu smiled, her drunkenness deepening, the color of her eyes growing darker. “In that case, we must do something, so as not to waste this night.”

The next day, Puyang couldn’t get out of bed. Fortunately, it was a rest day, saving her the trouble of explaining her absence from court to the officials. Wei Xiu couldn’t get out of bed either; she was keeping Puyang company.

Puyang leaned against her, her face full of weariness. Wei Xiu had one arm around her and was gently massaging her lower back with the other to ease her soreness. Her technique was unique, and after a while, it truly felt much better. Puyang still didn’t quite dare to look at her, mainly out of shyness. Thinking of last night, how she had sat on A Xiu’s lap and let her go deep between her thighs, made her cheeks burn even hotter. That place between her legs still seemed to feel damp, and inside was the strange sensation left after a night of indulgence. She buried her head in Wei Xiu’s chest, not daring to look at her at all.

Wei Xiu asked her softly, “Are you feeling better?”

Puyang nodded. “Much better.”

Wei Xiu sighed in relief. She wanted to apologize to her—it was she who, in her drunken state, had lost all restraint. But then she thought that if she really said it, she was afraid Seventh Lady would be even less willing to look at her.

A Xiu was still massaging her, which made her feel much more comfortable, but more importantly, her heart was filled with satisfaction. Puyang was first shy, then delighted. But as she carefully recalled last night, she felt rather indignant. She wrapped her arms around Wei Xiu’s waist and said, “A Xiu, next time, you have to let me do it.”

Wei Xiu’s movements paused. She instinctively wanted to refuse, but seeing Puyang’s enthusiastic expression, she couldn’t bear to disappoint her and had no choice but to nod.

Puyang became happy.

After massaging for a while longer, Puyang took Wei Xiu’s hand. “That’s enough.”

Wei Xiu’s hand was also sore, so she didn’t insist, planning only to rest a bit before continuing. She held Puyang and, thinking of something, said, “The next time the Prince of Han comes to the palace, I’ll take his pulse for him.”

On the matter of an heir, if there was no resolution, she feared the ministers would not stay quiet.

As soon as Puyang heard this, she understood her intention and immediately agreed, “Alright. I will summon him to the palace tomorrow.”

The Prince of Han and his consort had been married for several years and were deeply in love, yet they remained childless to this day. It was indeed necessary to have a proper look. For the late Emperor’s line, their only hope was the Prince of Han.

Since the affair with Li Shou, the Prince of Han had become even more cautious and steered clear of controversies. Puyang had offered him official posts, but he had declined them all in memorials, spending his days at home as a wealthy idler.

This time, while at home, he was suddenly summoned by the Emperor. The Prince of Han immediately panicked and didn’t dare delay for a moment, following the envoy into the palace.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue, he saw that not only was Her Majesty present, but the Prince Consort was as well. The Prince of Han became even more terrified. After paying his respects, he just stood there, not daring to ask why Her Majesty had suddenly summoned him.

Puyang sighed inwardly, bade him sit, and softened her expression, asking in a gentle voice, “It has been a long time since I’ve seen my imperial brother. Have you been well lately?”

The Prince of Han hurriedly and respectfully replied, “Your subject has been well, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

Puyang looked at him again and felt that her younger brother, the Prince of Han, had become even more delicate and handsome. His features were increasingly serene and gentle, and he was growing to resemble his mother more and more.

After the Prince of Han finished speaking and saw that Puyang said nothing more, he cautiously raised his eyes for a glance at her, then quickly lowered them again. In that fleeting glimpse, he saw that Her Majesty was not displeased, and he breathed a small sigh of relief, sitting properly once more.

Wei Xiu had been observing from the side and saw things even more clearly. She looked at Puyang, who nodded and turned to the Prince of Han, saying, “I truly missed my imperial brother, having not seen you for so long, so I summoned you here. I see your complexion is not good today. Is there something wrong with your health?”

“Your-your-your subject is perfectly fine. It’s probably just that I went to bed late last night. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty,” the Prince of Han said hastily.

Puyang frowned slightly and exchanged a look with Wei Xiu. Why would he be so flustered if he had merely slept late? Wei Xiu smiled and said, “I know a little about medicine. If Your Highness does not mind, why not let me take a look for you?”

Panic appeared on the Prince of Han’s face, and he said repeatedly, “No, no, there’s no need to trouble the Prince Consort. I-I will call for a physician as soon as I return to my residence.”

Wei Xiu gave a light laugh. “It’s just the four methods of diagnosis: looking, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking. It doesn’t require much effort, so how could it be a bother? We are family; we shouldn’t be so distant. Your Highness, do you think I am right?”

The Prince of Han was poor with words and already flustered. How could he possibly argue with her? He stammered, “There is a distinction between ruler and subject. For a minor ailment of mine, I truly, truly dare not trouble the Prince Consort. I-I, as soon as I return to my residence, will…”

Before he could finish, Puyang smiled and said, “Imperial Brother, you are being too formal. It’s a small matter, what does it have to do with ruler and subject? Say no more. Just listen to A Xiu.”

Wei Xiu moved forward smoothly. The Prince of Han froze completely, not understanding why Her Majesty and the Prince Consort were so insistent on examining him today. As Wei Xiu drew near, the Prince of Han’s expression became extremely stiff. Not just Wei Xiu and Puyang, but even Qin Kun, who was standing in attendance at the side, could see that something was amiss.

Wei Xiu seemed oblivious, still smiling gently and warmly. “If Your Highness would please extend your hand.”

Everyone in the hall was looking their way. The Prince of Han did not extend his hand. He looked at Puyang, and Puyang was also looking at him. He was already in a position from which there was no retreat. If he didn’t extend his hand today, he probably wouldn’t be able to walk out of this hall. Great sorrow welled up in the Prince of Han’s heart. Thinking of his consort, he felt both guilt and heartache. He extended his hand, his eyes already turning a little red.

The Prince of Han had been a crybaby since childhood. Wei Xiu was genuinely afraid he would start crying with those red eyes, so she couldn’t help but make her movements even gentler as she placed her fingers on his wrist.

The Prince of Han pressed his lips together tightly, his mind already racing, calculating how this matter could be resolved. Since it concerned the imperial family’s honor, they probably wouldn’t convict him of an explicit crime. They would likely find some other charge to have him put to death. In that case, perhaps he could summon the courage to beg a favor from Her Majesty, to ensure that his consort would not be implicated by him, no matter what.

Wei Xiu’s brow furrowed slightly, but only for a moment before she returned to normal. After a while, she withdrew her hand and looked up at the Prince of Han. The Prince of Han pressed his lips together and stared back at her without a word, his gentle features showing a hint of stubbornness.

Wei Xiu smiled faintly and said, “Imperial Brother is indeed fine. It seems you went to bed late and caught a bit of a chill.”

The Prince of Han’s expression faltered for a moment, showing a look of confusion.

Wei Xiu sighed inwardly, pushed her wheelchair, and returned to Puyang’s side. Puyang smiled, “If that’s all it is, then I am relieved. Imperial Brother, you are still young; it won’t do to not take care of yourself. The dew is heavy late at night; you must add clothing in time.”

The Prince of Han dazedly nodded along with her words. “Your subject, your subject understands.”

Puyang looked at Wei Xiu, who gave an imperceptible shake of her head. Puyang’s brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t show any displeasure. She said to the Prince of Han in a pleasant tone, “It’s rare for you to come to the palace. Why not stay for dinner before you leave?”

The Prince of Han subconsciously wanted to refuse, but then he thought about how the Prince Consort had just taken his pulse yet remained so composed. He didn’t know if she had discovered anything. For the first time in his life, the Prince of Han summoned his courage and said, “Alright, thank you, Your Majesty.”

He had to stay and probe the Prince Consort’s true intentions.

The result, naturally, was that he found out nothing at all.

As soon as the Prince of Han left, Puyang looked at Wei Xiu and asked, “Well?”

Wei Xiu said, “The Prince of Han should have no difficulty in the matter of producing an heir.”

Puyang was at once happy and worried. “Could it be that his consort is infertile?” If so, the matter would be even trickier. The Prince of Han and his consort were deeply in love; his residence didn’t even have a serving maid, let alone a concubine. Because she and Wei Xiu were so deeply in love, she was unwilling to let a third person come between them, so how could she force the Prince of Han for the sake of an heir?

Could this be fate? Puyang sighed, then comforted herself. The Prince of Han was still young. In the decades to come, perhaps a child would come along someday?

Wei Xiu’s expression turned strange. She said, “The Prince of Han has no difficulty in producing an heir, but if he is to have a child with his consort, I’m afraid that’s impossible.” She paused for a moment before sighing, “Our imperial brother, the Prince of Han, is a woman.”

Puyang was momentarily stunned.

The Prince of Han left the palace, growing more and more uneasy the more she thought about it. She knew that in terms of cunning, ten of her would be no match for Her Majesty and the Prince Consort. The palace attendant leading the way walked with his head bowed, not engaging her in conversation.

The Prince of Han’s heart was pounding. After some thought, she took out a pouch of silver from her sleeve and carefully offered it to the palace attendant. The attendant was startled and hurriedly refused, “If Your Highness has any orders, you need only give them. Your subject would never dare to accept this.”

Only then did the Prince of Han remember that a few years ago, the Dowager Consort Shu, while under house arrest, had somehow managed to get a letter past layers of the Feathered Forest Guard and palace attendants to Her Majesty’s desk. Her Majesty had been furious and had spent considerable effort to purge the inner court. She didn’t pay attention to court politics, so she naturally wouldn’t have noticed things in the palace. Only now did she realize that Her Majesty’s actions had been quite effective.

She gave an apologetic smile, put the silver away, and asked politely, “It’s nothing important. Today, the Prince Consort personally took my pulse, and I feel extremely apprehensive, deeply aware of the vastness of imperial grace… I wonder, how is the Prince Consort’s medical skill?”

So that was it. The attendant’s brow relaxed, and his tone became lighter. “Your Highness rarely comes to the palace, so you are unaware. The Prince Consort’s medical skills are superb, not in the least inferior to the various imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy.”

In an instant, the Prince of Han’s face turned ashen.

Seeing that the Prince of Han had no other questions, the attendant was happy not to speak and simply led the way.

The Prince of Han now understood. The Prince Consort hadn’t exposed her on the spot, likely for the sake of the imperial family’s honor. Right now, she was probably discussing with Her Majesty how to deal with her.

She had been to the Ministry of Justice’s prison once. That place was gloomy and damp, terrifyingly dark even during the day, requiring countless candles for light. She had heard that at night, it was even more frightening, with an eerie wind that always lingered and swirled through the cells.

The Prince of Han shivered. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes were already welling with moisture. She remembered her consort’s admonition not to cry outside. So she gritted her teeth and held it in.

But she was truly afraid. Not only that, she was also very worried about her consort. Back in the hall, she had thought she could beg Her Majesty for mercy, beg her to spare A Yao. If not, she would publicize the matter of her identity, and the imperial family’s honor would surely be ruined. But now, thinking it over, she realized how cowardly and ignorant she had been. Even just to silence her, Her Majesty would not spare A Yao.

The Prince of Han walked out of the palace gate, dejected. Her lips were pressed tightly together, her expression extremely cold, as if she were sacred and inviolable. The Tiger Warriors guarding the palace gate glanced at her righteous and awe-inspiring face and dared not speak to her, merely offering a respectful salute.

On a normal day, she would always smile back at them in return. But today, she acted as if she hadn’t seen them, walking straight ahead. In any case, she wouldn’t live much longer. She didn’t want to care about the affairs of this world anymore. She only wanted to see A Yao.

The carriage from the Prince of Han’s residence was waiting outside the palace. The Prince of Han boarded the carriage without a sideways glance. The moment she opened the carriage door, that icy expression instantly vanished. Tears streamed down from the Prince of Han’s reddened eyes as she cried pitifully to the consort inside the carriage, “A Yao…”

The consort sighed. Every time she came to pick up His Highness from the palace, His Highness would always cry. He must have been frightened in the palace. Next time, she really should accompany His Highness into the palace.