Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 63

By midnight, the turmoil in Wei Xiu’s organs had given rise to a deficiency fire, and she developed a high fever.

A Rong took her pulse, so frantic with worry that she paced in circles. Her medical skills were far inferior to Wei Xiu’s; she could only observe the symptoms and dared not prescribe medicine on her own. For now, she could only apply cool, damp cloths to Wei Xiu’s forehead and wrists to bring down the fever, but it had little effect. Yan Huan and several other servants kept watch outside the room.

Basins of cool water were brought in one after another, but A Rong’s expression only grew more solemn.

When she came out again, Yan Huan finally could not bear it any longer. He pulled her aside and asked in a low voice, “How is Sir?”

A Rong was only forcing herself to remain calm. She answered worriedly, “Master Chen struck the pillar. When Sir heard of it, a sudden rush of anger and grief assaulted her heart, damaging her internal organs. If the high fever doesn’t break, I fear the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Yan Huan, who had always been a man of few words and swift action, was now at a loss. The silence of the night was particularly unsettling. His expression was grim. He composed himself and said, “I’ll go get a physician.”

A Rong immediately stopped him. “We can’t.” The moment a physician took her pulse, nothing could be hidden.

Yan Huan thought for a moment, then said, “We’ll inform the Princess first and ask her to intervene.” With the pressure from the Princess’s residence, what physician without power or influence would dare leak the secret?

It was a solution. A Rong looked at him and hesitated. “Would Sir be willing?”

The two looked at each other wordlessly, then deflated. Sir would certainly be unwilling. She had specifically instructed that the Princess was not to be told. Thinking of how Wei Xiu had been calling for Her Highness in her sleep all night, A Rong felt a pang of guilt and said, “It’s all my fault…”

If she had not been so careless and allowed Chen Du to go to the Prince of Runan’s residence, Sir would not have fainted.

But it was useless to say such things now. Yan Huan said, “Let’s wait a little longer. If Sir still hasn’t woken by dawn, we can’t afford to be so scrupulous.”

That was their only option.

A Rong returned to the room. Wei Xiu’s eyes were still tightly shut, but her brows were knitted together. Her breathing was faint, and her sleep was extremely restless, as if she couldn’t cast off her heavy burdens even in her dreams.

Cold sweat beaded on her skin, and her lips were dry and pale. A Rong called her name twice, but Wei Xiu remained oblivious. A Rong had no choice but to give up, wiping the sweat from her brow and moistening her lips with tea.

It was only an hour until dawn. In this state, how could Sir possibly wake up?

The winter sky lightened late. A Rong had been up all night, tending to Wei Xiu on one hand and watching the darkness outside dissipate on the other. First came a faint glimmer of light, which gradually grew until, close to the hour of Chen, the sky was fully bright. A ray of sunlight pierced through the white paper of the window and shone into the room.

Wei Xiu slowly opened her eyes. A Rong was so overjoyed she almost wept. She quickly bent down beside her and said in a soft, low voice, “Sir.”

Wei Xiu turned her head weakly. Seeing it was her, she gave a faint smile and said, “You’ve worked hard.”

Her voice was dry and hoarse, completely devoid of vitality. Tears fell from A Rong’s eyes as she said guiltily, “If not for this servant’s carelessness, Master Chen would not have met his tragic end, and Sir would not have fallen so gravely ill.”

The smile vanished. Wei Xiu lowered her gaze, her eyes unfocused on the brocade quilt covering her. She said in a low voice, “It was his fate. For him, death is likely a relief.”

A Rong fell silent. She tentatively touched Wei Xiu’s forehead; it was still burning hot. Looking at her eyes, she saw they were still unfocused, showing no sign of improvement. She didn’t know how Wei Xiu had managed to wake herself up. A Rong’s heart ached. “Sir, you should sleep a little longer.”

Wei Xiu shook her head. The slight movement made her head spin as if it had been violently shaken. She was quiet for a moment, waiting for the dizziness to pass before saying, “Chen Du’s death will surely cause ripples. Her Highness will certainly come soon.”

The air from her mouth and nose was scorching hot. Wei Xiu was well-versed in medicine and knew she had a fever. After taking her own pulse, she dictated a prescription and ordered for the herbs to be fetched and decocted.

A Rong could never win an argument with her, so she had no choice but to do as she was told.

Puyang arrived very quickly.

Wei Xiu did not force herself to get out of bed, merely leaning against a bolster pillow. She was already neatly dressed, her hair combed perfectly. Except for her cheeks, which were flushed from the high fever, she looked no different from usual.

Puyang was led in by a maid. Seeing that Wei Xiu had not yet risen, she couldn’t help but ask with concern, “Is Sir feeling unwell?”

“The bed is warm, so I’ve grown lazy.” Wei Xiu smiled casually, leaning back with an air of leisure and ease, possessing a particular kind of elegant charm.

On a winter day, being lazy and coveting warmth, one can’t help but linger in bed a little longer. Puyang thought nothing of it and sat down by the bed. She smiled, “If I didn’t have important matters to attend to, I’d love to curl up like this for an entire afternoon.”

Wei Xiu took the opportunity to ask, “I heard that Chen Du struck the pillar. Is Your Highness busy because of this?”

Seeing that she had guessed correctly, Puyang recounted the series of events from the previous day, concluding with a worried tone, “The posthumous title has been changed, but public opinion is in an uproar. I’m afraid it won’t die down anytime soon.”

Wei Xiu’s mind raced, and a throbbing pain, as if struck by a blunt object, pulsed at her temples. Many opportunities, once lost, never return. Wei Xiu knew this well and forced herself to think, trying to sort through the matter clearly and devise a strategy.

No matter how well she feigned, no matter how she forced herself to stay alert, the weakness on her face could not be concealed. Sitting closer, Puyang saw that Wei Xiu’s brow was etched with exhaustion, with dark circles under her eyes, while her face was an unnatural crimson.

“Your Highness can…” Wei Xiu had finally thought of a plan. Just as she began to speak, a small, soft hand touched her cheek. Her skin was scorching, and the sudden contact with the cool palm was very comforting.

Knowing the game was up, Wei Xiu stopped talking and looked at Puyang helplessly. Puyang’s expression was already quite grim. Wei Xiu said weakly, “I was afraid you would worry.” Now that she had been discovered, it was best to confess and hope for leniency.

Puyang had been about to get angry, but the moment Wei Xiu showed her weakness, all her anger vanished. She pressed her lips together and said with a cold expression, “Have you taken any medicine?”

“It’s being decocted now. I can take it in an hour at most.” Wei Xiu took her hand and said in a warm voice, “Telling you would only make you worry. Besides, there are important matters today. Your Highness should not be distracted by me.”

“Nothing is more important than you,” Puyang said coldly.

She was truly angry. Wei Xiu gave a helpless smile. “It only feels hot to the touch; I don’t actually feel that unwell. Your Highness, please listen to me…”

Puyang knew what she was about to say and cut her off. “The ministers at court will surely have a solution. Sir, you need not think about this. Rest and recover; that is what’s important.”

She was clearly very concerned, yet she put on a cold face. She was clearly angry, yet her only thought was for Wei Xiu’s well-being, wanting to stay by her side. Wei Xiu smiled, a soft and tender expression on her face. She said slowly, “The ministers at court can indeed resolve this matter, but their solution will certainly not benefit Your Highness. Please hear me out, Your Highness. The best way to quell the public outcry is to overshadow it with another piece of news. Changing the posthumous title was Your Highness’s achievement. As the Emperor’s legitimate daughter, you can represent the new dynasty’s imperial family. If we can publicize Your Highness’s achievement, the scholars of the realm will surely be moved by your virtue. By also promoting the good deeds you have done in the past, we can let the common people know of the imperial family’s love and benevolence, and spread Your Highness’s wisdom and mercy throughout the land.”

Puyang had done many good deeds, such as initiating the donation of money and goods. That was last year, so the people should still remember it.

Acting this way would both overshadow the uproar caused by Chen Du’s death and benefit Puyang. It would kill two birds with one stone.

If they let the court ministers devise a plan, they would never be so considerate of Puyang’s interests. Puyang had to strike first to gain the advantage.

This was a golden opportunity to spread the Princess’s fame far and wide. Such a chance might not come again. Puyang was conflicted. Wei Xiu said, “Your Highness must first report my words to His Majesty. You can use the Chancellor’s help to push this matter forward.”

Puyang already had considerable influence, but it could not compare to the actions of the imperial court. Furthermore, Wei Xiu looked at Puyang gently and advised, “When it comes to reputation and power, you must never hide it from His Majesty. You must let him know that you rely on him to have what you have today.”

Puyang understood. Until her power could overcome the tradition of a son succeeding his father, until she could surpass the established rule that only a man could inherit the throne, she could only rely firmly on the Emperor.

This plan would surely succeed. His Majesty would agree. In his mind, the Princess being a bit more virtuous was, at most, just another chip for her to live more comfortably. What was wrong with that?

Puyang understood it all clearly. If she went, her prestige would grow daily, and she would gain influence among the scholar-officials. This was a great temptation. But she didn’t want to leave this place. She didn’t want to leave her side to strive for power and influence while Sir was suffering from illness.

Wei Xiu could naturally see her hesitation and persuaded her in a soft, gentle voice, “I will be here waiting for Your Highness. Perhaps by the time you return, I will be all better.”

In truth, she felt terrible. Her ears were ringing, her heart and lungs felt weak, and she was dizzy. She was merely putting on a brave front. She also wanted the Princess to stay with her, so that she could see her the moment she opened her eyes. But important matters took precedence. One must always make choices and sacrifices.

Puyang was persuaded. She stood up and gently caressed Wei Xiu’s face. “Sir, wait for me to return.”

Wei Xiu smiled and nodded.

Puyang turned and left. Stepping out of the bedchamber, she was met with a bright and warm world, completely different from the dim, oppressive atmosphere inside.

She strode forward, yet felt inexplicably that for the throne, for power, she had abandoned her Sir in the darkness.

As soon as she left the small courtyard, Puyang had a carriage prepared, first to find the Chancellor, then to enter the palace.

The Chancellor naturally sided with his granddaughter. After hearing Puyang’s words and thinking for a moment, he said, “Excellent!”

The Princess had half of the Wang clan’s bl00d; it was a natural bond that could not be broken. After working together several times, their fortunes were now intertwined; they would prosper together and fall together. This had been Wei Xiu’s intention from the beginning. Her Highness’s ambition for the throne did not need to be known by anyone, but through small maneuvers, she could bind the Wang clan firmly to her side.

The Chancellor was old, and his future was uncertain, but Wang Gun held a firm grip on the Feathered Forest Guard.

Puyang and the Chancellor entered the palace together. As expected, the Emperor was in discussion with his officials on how to quell the public outcry.

Changing the posthumous title was already his greatest concession. To concede further would only make people think the Emperor was weak. He was unwilling to retreat another step. Hearing that Puyang and the Chancellor had arrived, the Emperor immediately left the princes and ministers to meet the two newcomers in a side hall.

Puyang explained the whole matter, saying, “This way, we can first divert the public’s attention, and second, display the benevolence of our Xiao clan. It is a matter of killing two birds with one stone.”

The Chancellor smiled and subtly fanned the flames, “This is indeed a good idea. If the daughter is so virtuous, what does that say of her father? It even lets Her Highness gain an advantage.”

Puyang gave a shy smile and looked at the Emperor. “If Father didn’t dote on me, how could I possibly gain any advantage?” She was referring to the Emperor heeding her counsel and agreeing to change the posthumous title.

The Emperor’s heart also eased. He glanced at Puyang with a smile and said lovingly, “It is also because you always act with good intentions.” He then instructed the Chancellor, “Proceed with this plan. Make it grand, and make it look natural.”

The Chancellor acknowledged the order and withdrew.