Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 81

The bridal chamber was quiet, the red candles flickered.

Any further hesitation would be a waste of this beautiful night.

Puyang had already removed her wedding gown, and her phoenix coronet, hairpins, and rings had been taken off. Her jet-black hair was let down, soft and smooth, cascading to her waist. She waited quietly by the bed. Seeing Wei Xiu enter the inner chamber, she gazed at her tenderly, her eyes full of emotion. A gentle, graceful smile touched her lips, her charm contained within her dignified bearing.

Wei Xiu was utterly captivated, as if her very soul had been ensnared. She walked straight toward Puyang in a daze. A layered smile colored Puyang’s eyes—there was shyness and nervousness, but neither could overcome the thick, undeniable adoration. Because of this adoration, she was exceptionally captivating tonight, exceptionally delicate and gentle.

Wei Xiu stared at her fixedly. She was still capable of thought; she knew what time it was, where she was, and who this beautiful person before her was. Yet, she also felt as if she had lost the ability to think. Her heart was densely packed with the image of Puyang, leaving no room for anything else. Her eyes, too, were filled with Puyang, unable to see anyone else. She knew she loved her, but she had never known that loving someone could be so wonderful, and yet so domineering, making one offer up their entire heart only to feel it was still not enough.

Wei Xiu was so lost in her gaze that Puyang lowered her head with a delicate laugh. Wei Xiu grew flustered, her hands and feet feeling as if they were not her own, not knowing where to put them. Her gaze, too, darted about, unsure of where to land. She had never been so discomposed, so utterly at a loss. Her eyes shifted to the side for a moment, but she couldn’t resist looking straight back at Puyang.

How could Puyang not feel her heart soften, how could she not feel a surge of tenderness? She reached out a hand and placed it on Wei Xiu’s shoulder. Her soft, slender hand felt as if it had no bones as it slid down from the shoulder, sending a shiver through Wei Xiu before lightly covering the back of her hand.

Wei Xiu’s mouth was dry. Everywhere Puyang’s hand had touched tingled with a numb itch. As if unaware, Puyang smiled at her gently and gracefully. “Prince Consort, why are your hands so cold? Are you afraid?”

That smile, that voice, made one’s heart flutter. Instantly, the desire to throw her down and possess her surged like a fire.

Wei Xiu stared at her silently and leaned forward, but the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

Wei Xiu froze and glanced toward the door. The footsteps were rapid and short, indicating the person was in a great hurry.

On the princess’s wedding night, who would dare make such a commotion unless it was a matter of great importance?

She looked at Puyang and saw that her expression was also unsettled.

Before they could think further, the dull thud of knees hitting the floor came from outside, immediately followed by a voice: “Your Highness, Prince Consort, something terrible has happened! His Majesty fainted in the palace!”

Puyang shot to her feet. In her alarm, she swayed, nearly losing her balance. Wei Xiu immediately grabbed her hand and soothed her, “Your Highness, do not panic. Let’s hear what happened.”

Her gaze was solemn, her demeanor calm and self-possessed. To Puyang, it was as if she had found her support, her pillar of strength, and her heart instantly settled. She squeezed Wei Xiu’s hand back. Though fear still flickered in her eyes, she had steadied herself and called out, “Come in and report.”

Almost as soon as her voice fell, the sound of the door being pushed open followed. The person who entered was Qin Kun. With his head lowered, he walked in with quick steps and knelt outside the screen, not daring to raise his head or delay. He quickly reported all he knew: “A secret report just came from the palace. After the evening meal, His Majesty suddenly fainted and is now unconscious. The cause is still unknown.”

The Emperor had always been robust, rarely even catching a cold. How could he suddenly faint? Panic flashed across Puyang’s face.

The Emperor’s health was tied to the foundation of the state. Moreover, the position of Crown Prince was currently vacant and people’s minds were unsettled. If the Emperor were to pass away, the court would surely fall into turmoil! Wei Xiu tightened her grip on Puyang’s hand and said urgently, “Your Highness, His Majesty’s health concerns the fate of the nation. With no heir and no one to preside over the inner palace, chaos must have already erupted. It won’t be long before the news spreads out of the palace to the various princes and high officials!”

As she spoke, her sharp gaze swept quickly over the water clock in the corner. At this hour, the palace gates had not yet been locked.

Puyang had only been momentarily flustered and had now regained her composure. “We will enter the palace at once!” She stood up to leave, but Wei Xiu stopped her. “Wait.”

She then asked the person outside the screen, “Among the guests in the main hall, are there any princes who have not yet left?”

Qin Kun did not know why she asked this, but his mind worked quickly. In a flash, he replied, “The Prince of Zhao is still here.”

Puyang now understood Wei Xiu’s meaning. She was certainly among the first to receive the news. However, if she went directly to the palace, it would be tantamount to announcing to everyone that she had planted spies in the palace. The Emperor’s greatest taboo was being spied upon. If he decided to investigate this matter, she would have no way to defend herself.

The Prince of Zhao was different. His mother was in the inner palace; it was only natural for her to scheme on his behalf. Since he was still at the residence, they could use him to their advantage.

Puyang was worried about the Emperor’s health and the situation in the palace, but she was not so flustered as to be helpless. She immediately ordered, “Go personally and keep an eye on the Prince of Zhao’s movements.”

Qin Kun accepted the order and left without another word.

Puyang had certainly received the news first, but the Prince of Zhao would not be far behind. At most, there would be some movement in another quarter of an hour. Tonight, all the princes would surely be rushing to the palace, monitoring and constraining one another. No one would be able to accomplish anything significant. Arriving a quarter of an hour earlier or later made little difference.

Wei Xiu took a deep breath, turned, and picked up an outer robe, draping it over Puyang. “Your Highness, please go change. Don’t catch a chill.” Puyang’s face was pale. She nodded and forced a smile. “Fortunately, I have you, Sir…” Otherwise, she would have made a mistake in her panic.

Wei Xiu smiled back at her and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Puyang’s lips trembled. Amid this tender care, she finally revealed the fear she felt. In the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue was her father, who had doted on her since childhood. His sudden collapse made her worry for the court, but she also feared the “what if” of the worst-case scenario becoming reality.

Wei Xiu pulled her into an embrace. Puyang closed her eyes and leaned against her.

This comfort and warmth lasted only a moment. Both knew they had to pull themselves together and face the situation. There was no room for even a hint of weakness.

The red candles flickered. The beautiful night had been cut short.

Before long, Qin Kun hurried back to report, “Someone from the Prince of Zhao’s residence came, and the Prince of Zhao left in a hurry. The guests who had not yet left have also learned of the matter.”

Puyang and Wei Xiu exchanged a look. “Prepare the carriage!” she ordered.

The night that should have been silent was suddenly illuminated by countless lanterns. From all corners of the capital, numerous groups of people, some on horseback, some in carriages, rushed toward the palace.

Puyang and Wei Xiu shared a carriage. Before leaving, Puyang had also arranged for someone to contact the Chancellor and to get in touch with Wang Gun. Wang Gun commanded the Feathered Forest Guard; if there was any turmoil, he would have to be at the forefront.

Notifying the Chancellor and the Feathered Forest Guard was for the stability of the capital. As for what to do if Heaven truly did not bless the Wei, they could only face the difficulties head-on.

The Wei residence was not very far from the Imperial City. In less than half an hour, the palace gates were in sight.

The carriage entered the palace gates and went straight to the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue.

Just as Wei Xiu had thought, the palace was already in chaos. With both the Empress and the Crown Prince absent, there was no one to take charge once the Emperor fainted. No matter how shrewd and capable Dou Hui was, he was only a subordinate. How could he dare to make decisions on such a major issue? The news had not been contained and was quickly learned by the consorts. Once they knew, all the princes and princesses knew as well.

When Puyang arrived, only the Princes of Zhao, Jin, and Dai were present. But in a short while, the Prince of Jing and several princesses arrived, followed closely by the ministers. Xiao Dewen also rushed over. He did not arrive quickly, but he was not too late either.

Everyone stared toward the inner chamber with trepidation. The imperial physicians were inside, attending to the Emperor.

The Prince of Zhao, being the eldest and impatient by nature, went straight up and grabbed the Head Imperial Physician by the collar, demanding, “How is His Majesty’s health? Speak the truth!”

No matter how fiercely the princes competed, none of them had ever wished for the Emperor’s death. They were self-aware enough to know that if the Emperor passed away, they would not be able to stabilize the court! The ministers felt this even more keenly. The Emperor was fair in his rewards and punishments, did not neglect his duties, and was not harsh on his officials. After many years of harmonious rule, there was a genuine bond between sovereign and subjects.

Everyone stared intently at the Head Imperial Physician. His forehead was covered in sweat, from both anxiety and fear. He said with a tremor, “His Majesty’s fainting was caused by a chill. The fever is trapped within his body and cannot be released. It is like a blazing furnace with its door covered—the heat cannot escape or dissipate and is trapped inside, which is extremely damaging to the vessel. If the heat can be released, His Majesty will be fine.”

And what if it couldn’t be released?

Everyone’s eyes were filled with terror. Cold sweat also broke out on the Prince of Zhao’s forehead. He released his grip and said repeatedly, “Hurry, go!”

Puyang suddenly remembered that Wei Xiu’s medical skills were no less than the imperial physicians’. She turned to look at her, but Wei Xiu shook her head slightly. They had already gone in to see him earlier.

The Emperor had merely suffered a sudden, acute illness that looked dangerous. With a room full of imperial physicians, he would surely be fine.

Puyang immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that everyone else still looked uneasy, she did not say anything and kept vigil with them in the outer chamber.

At a time like this, no one was willing to leave. If the Emperor was fine, it was a time to show loyalty. If things were truly bad, then there was even less reason to leave.

Everyone waited with bated breath. Fortunately, in the latter half of the night, the Head Imperial Physician came to announce that Heaven had blessed Great Wei; His Majesty’s fever was gradually subsiding.

Only then did everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

The atmosphere in the outer hall was no longer tense, and people had the presence of mind to think of other things. Seeing Princess Puyang and the Prince Consort both present, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of sympathy. Tonight was their wedding night, yet it had been disturbed by this matter.

But they had no choice but to come. If they had been absent from the palace tonight, when His Majesty recovered and asked his attendants, he would learn that Princess Puyang had not come to visit and would surely be displeased. He would think that while their old father was suddenly ill, the princess and her consort, as a daughter and son-in-law, were indulging in their happy occasion, completely indifferent.

As for the wedding night, what did it count for in the face of filial piety?

Although they felt sympathy, no one said it out loud, merely offering a slight nod of acknowledgment.

The hall was still silent. The factions of the various princes had things to discuss, but after a night of tension and rushing about, everyone was exhausted and too lazy to speak. Even so, one could feel the atmosphere in the hall growing more relaxed. Despite being up all night and feeling weary, it had been a false alarm. The Emperor’s health was secure, which was a blessing for Great Wei.

Everyone waited quietly for the Emperor to wake up, at which point they would put on an appropriate expression of joy or concern. Only Xiao Dewen, standing in a corner, was biting his lip, desperately suppressing his fear and terror.