Chapter 34
The moment Gao Jingxi heard the cry, alarm rang through her heart. She left the room almost at once and saw a tall, slender figure lying amid the wreckage outside.
“Lian Liejin!” Gao Jingxi hurried closer and found Lian Liejin curled into a ball on the ground, rolling back and forth.
Yet the moment Lian Liejin saw her approaching, she quickly performed a kip-up and sprang to her feet.
“Your Highness, I’m fine. Don’t come any closer.” Lian Liejin raised her left hand to stop Gao Jingxi, then curled it into a fist and covered her mouth as she coughed dryly twice. “Can we claim the roof repairs through insurance?”
“What insurance? Turn around and let me see your… back…”
Lian Liejin felt a sudden chill behind her and hurriedly retreated several steps. “Your Highness, there’s no need. Repairing the roof is more important. I’m fine.”
Gao Jingxi could not stand seeing Lian Liejin act so awkwardly. She stepped forward twice and dragged her closer.
Fragments of purple glazed tile clung to the back of Lian Liejin’s clothes. Gao Jingxi had no choice but to ask carefully, “Liejin, did any of the tiles cut you?”
Lian Liejin pressed her lips together and answered with difficulty, “No.”
The Seventh Princess immediately slapped her there. Hearing Lian Liejin howl like a slaughtered pig, Gao Jingxi gave a cold smile. “Are you still going to pretend you’re fine?”
“Your Highness, how could you strike so viciously!” Lian Liejin felt a burning pain behind her. Gao Jingxi’s slap had been neither too hard nor too light and had landed directly in the center. “You’re a princess. That was completely improper. Imagine how bad it would sound if word spread.”
“You are the Princess Consort, yet you climbed the walls of the Princess’s Residence. If word spreads, your reputation will be even worse than mine.”
The burning pain in Lian Liejin’s lower body seemed to intensify.
A-You was about to step forward and help, but Gao Jingxi waved her away. “Bring the White Jade Hemostatic Powder and some bandages. Send everything to my bedroom.”
Fortunately, the dining hall was not far from the bedroom. Gao Jingxi supported Lian Liejin with one arm around her and helped her onto the bed.
A-You soon brought in the medicine, hot water, and strong liquor. “Your Highness, I’ll call two people to apply the medicine for the Princess Consort.”
“No.” Gao Jingxi dipped a handkerchief into the water and instructed, “I’ll treat the Princess Consort myself. Go tell the kitchen to prepare more chicken, duck, fish, and meat.”
A-You obediently left the room and closed the door.
“Liejin, I need to… take off your trousers before I can see how badly you’re hurt. We may even need to call a physician.” Gao Jingxi’s face reddened, and her words came haltingly, yet her movements were swift. In only a few motions, she stripped off Lian Liejin’s outer clothing and turned her over.
Lian Liejin’s eyes immediately widened, and she shook her head like a rattle drum. Yet she still failed to stop Gao Jingxi’s advance. “Your Highness, I can do it myself. I’m a physician. I know my own body. It’s only a little broken skin.”
The thought of Gao Jingxi removing her trousers, staring at that part of her body, then gently touching her while applying medicine…
Lian Liejin shuddered all over and refused even more forcefully. “Your Highness, I am the Stellar Medicine Sect’s finest medicine refiner. I can handle it myself.”
“You’re only a medicine refiner, not someone skilled at applying medicine.” Gao Jingxi sat beside the bed with a gentle smile. She softly brushed aside the loose strands of hair that had fallen across Lian Liejin’s forehead and negotiated with the injured woman in a soothing voice. “Liejin, I won’t call a physician. Let me apply the medicine for you, all right? Once I’m done, I’ll feed you chicken legs.”
“No, no. I don’t want that.” Lian Liejin grasped Gao Jingxi’s hand and looked at her sincerely. “Your Highness, I have a special technique for applying medicine.”
Because Lian Liejin continued resisting so strongly, Gao Jingxi’s eyes gradually darkened. Then, using a silk ribbon she had found from somewhere, she tied Lian Liejin’s hands to the bedpost with lightning speed and stuffed a wrapping cloth into her mouth.
“Don’t speak. You’re too noisy. Do exactly as I say.”
Lian Liejin: “…”
This life was impossible to continue.
Winter clothing was relatively thick. When Gao Jingxi removed Lian Liejin’s bloodstained inner garment and touched it, she discovered that the bleeding was considerable. It simply had not been visible against the black fabric.
After removing her trousers, Gao Jingxi saw a fairly deep wound still slowly seeping blood. Countless smaller cuts surrounded it, all apparently caused by shards of glazed tile.
“Lian Liejin, have you grown too bold? I told you to leave, yet you dared hide on the roof and eavesdrop. What should I do if you try something like this again?” Seeing the wounds filled Gao Jingxi with both guilt and anger. She wanted nothing more than to beat the person lying on the bed.
“Why aren’t you speaking now?”
With her mouth stuffed, Lian Liejin nearly cried. The princess was the one who had forbidden her from speaking.
A moment later, Gao Jingxi even gently bit the back of her hand.
Without bothering to light a fire to warm the liquor, the Seventh Princess compressed her stellar power into a blazing red mass of heated air, making the jar of strong alcohol hiss and steam.
The hot fumes surged upward, making it almost impossible to keep one’s eyes open.
Gao Jingxi soaked the white cloth in the liquor and leaned forward slightly, her voice trembling. “Liejin, this will hurt a little. Be good and don’t move.”
The moment the cloth touched the wound, it quickly turned red. The pain must have been severe, because Lian Liejin’s body trembled uncontrollably.
By the time the wounds had been cleaned, sprinkled with hemostatic powder, and properly bandaged, half a shichen had passed.
After washing her hands, Gao Jingxi pulled a brocade quilt over Lian Liejin.
At first, Lian Liejin had felt embarrassed and mortified. Later, the pain made her bare her teeth, leaving her no room to think about anything else.
Once the Seventh Princess untied the ribbon, Lian Liejin removed the cloth from her mouth and propped herself up slightly to look at Gao Jingxi.
The Seventh Princess’s face was pale, and her hair had become somewhat disheveled. The strands hanging beside her face made her look exceptionally gentle.
“Your Highness…”
The moment she spoke, Gao Jingxi pressed an index finger against her lips. The fragrance on the princess’s fingertip immediately seemed to ease her pain.
“Let me examine your entire body. Although I used only ten percent of my stellar power earlier, there’s no guarantee you weren’t injured elsewhere.” Gao Jingxi’s brows were filled with worry as she slowly and gently pressed along Lian Liejin’s body.
The moment she reached Lian Liejin’s right wrist, Lian Liejin cried out in pain.
“Is your hand injured?” Gao Jingxi carefully inspected her right hand, then released a breath of relief. “It was only struck. The bones are fine.”
“Your Highness, nothing can happen to my hand.” Lian Liejin anxiously twisted on the bed. “There’s a bottle of medicine inside the right side of my clothes. Pour out one pill and feed it to me. I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
Gao Jingxi retrieved a small white bottle from the discarded clothes. Truthfully, ever since marrying Lian Liejin, the objects she had seen most often were small medicine bottles.
After taking the medicine, Lian Liejin slept for about the time it took an incense stick to burn.
In the outer room, servants filed in and covered the table with dishes. Gao Jingxi personally went out, served the rice, removed the bones from the chicken, and brought a plate piled high with food back into the inner chamber.
“Lie properly on your stomach. Don’t sleep yet. I’ll feed you chicken legs.”
Lian Liejin, who had been lightly dozing on the bed, was overwhelmed by the favor. Secret delight filled her heart. She had not expected the Seventh Princess to keep her word. Gao Jingxi had said she would feed her chicken legs, and she had truly come to do so.
“Actually, Your Highness, I eat with my left hand.” Lian Liejin swallowed a bite Gao Jingxi fed her and smiled foolishly as she made a polite suggestion. “Why don’t I feed myself?”
“All right. Feed yourself.”
Lian Liejin watched Gao Jingxi genuinely set the bowl and chopsticks aside. She immediately stared in disbelief.
A long time passed, yet neither moved. Lian Liejin pursed her lips aggrievedly. “Your Highness, it hurts there.”
Gao Jingxi gave a small hum through her nose, indicating that she understood.
“Your Highness, my hand hurts.”
“Your Highness, perhaps… perhaps you should feed me after all.”
Only after hearing this did Gao Jingxi’s ice-cold expression warm like spring again. She picked up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks. “Will you let me feed you from now on?”
“Mm. I’ll only eat what Your Highness feeds me.”
“Will you let me apply your medicine from now on?”
“Mm. I’ll listen to everything Your Highness says.”
Hm? Something seemed wrong.
Lian Liejin suddenly realized what had happened and found her Seventh Princess holding the bowl and chopsticks with a sly smile like a little fox.
Forget it. It was only a matter of being looked at. She could consider it interest owed for seeing Gao Jingxi before. Besides, an injured hand was no trivial matter.
Thus, throughout the night, Gao Jingxi rose every two shichen to change Lian Liejin’s medicine.
Just before dawn, Lian Liejin awoke in a daze and found Gao Jingxi sitting at the head of the bed, leaning against it while sleeping lightly.
The Seventh Princess wore a pale yellow inner robe. Her face remained pale, her brows tightly furrowed, and her lower lip caught lightly between her teeth. She had clearly slept poorly and uncomfortably.
After a full night’s rest, Lian Liejin felt completely refreshed, and her wounds had improved considerably. She gently moved the quilt aside and had only just risen to her knees when she saw Gao Jingxi’s eyes open faintly. The princess patted her lightly and murmured for her to be good and rest, saying it would soon be time to change the medicine again.
Lian Liejin stared at her, and an impulse suddenly arose from the depths of her heart. She wrapped her arms around Gao Jingxi, gently lifted the Seventh Princess onto the bed, then covered both of them with the brocade quilt embroidered with ruyi patterns.
She warmed the woman beside her with her own body heat. Only after Gao Jingxi’s complexion gradually became rosier did Lian Liejin close her eyes again and fall deeply asleep.
The comforting fragrance beside her mingled with the scorching, warming body heat, allowing the two women to sleep sweetly until late in the morning.
Eventually, A-You had no choice but to wake them through the bed curtains. “Your Highness, someone from the palace has already arrived. You must rise and prepare immediately. You’re required to enter the palace at once.”
A-You’s voice nearly made Gao Jingxi sit upright in alarm—because someone’s arm was draped across her body, holding her tightly.
“Have someone bring in water.” Gao Jingxi carefully took Lian Liejin’s injured right hand and moved it aside, intending to let the wounded woman continue sleeping.
However, Lian Liejin refused to cooperate and held Gao Jingxi even more tightly, as though hugging a quilt.
After several movements, not even the slightest gap remained between them. Lian Liejin lay on her side, pressed closely against Gao Jingxi.
Waves of scorching heat rolled over her, and Gao Jingxi’s face reddened. She could not tell whether it came from warmth or embarrassment.
Her body tended to run cold, and the previous night she had been so exhausted that she forgot to add more clothes. Fortunately, later she had felt as comfortable as though she had entered a heated furnace.
So Lian Liejin truly had been holding her that tightly.
“Your Highness, if you’re entering the palace, I’m going too.” Lian Liejin buried her face in the hollow of Gao Jingxi’s neck and spoke in a muffled voice.
“Nonsense. You were injured because you eavesdropped on me. Naturally, you must remain at home.”
“I didn’t.” Lian Liejin hid her face even more deeply, stubbornly refusing to admit the truth. “I merely noticed that the glazed tiles on the roof were unusually distinctive. On a whim, I removed one to study it.”
“If Your Highness refuses to take me, I’ll keep holding you like this, and neither of us will leave.”
Those words made Gao Jingxi’s eyes redden as though scorched. She had never known that when Lian Liejin acted shamelessly, she could become both outrageous and impossible to handle.
“Didn’t you say only yesterday that you would listen to everything I said?”
“I don’t care. Entering the palace only requires kneeling, not sitting. It won’t pull at my wound.” Lian Liejin brought out what she considered her ultimate argument. “I’m a physician. Listen to me.”
In the end, Gao Jingxi truly could not outargue Lian Liejin and was forced to agree to bring her into the palace.
Inside Chengqian Hall, the Emperor held the alluring Consort Lian in her arms while watching a performance by songstresses. Hearing that Gao Jingxi had come in response to the summons and had even brought her Princess Consort, she laughed softly and said to He Cheng, the captain of the Sun Radiance Guard who was kneeling nearby, “Now that Xi’er has arrived, I’ve only just remembered that you failed even to hold onto a single assassin. He Cheng, that adds another crime to your name.”
Although He Cheng remained kneeling, her back was perfectly straight. Ignoring the wound on her leg, she answered in a powerful voice, “Your Majesty, when one wishes to accuse someone, excuses are never lacking. This subordinate has never behaved improperly toward Consort Lian. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly. Even if Your Majesty cripples one of He Cheng’s legs, He Cheng will never confess to something she did not do.”
“Hehe. Very well. I’ll deal with you later.”
Outside the hall, a blue-robed attendant smiled at Gao Jingxi and Lian Liejin. “Seventh Highness, Princess Consort, His Majesty has been burdened by many troubles lately. Something urgent has arisen, so she asks that you first visit Her Majesty the Empress.”
Because of her injuries, Lian Liejin walked in an extremely comical manner. On the way there, many palace maids and attendants had secretly glanced at her, probably preparing to spread more rumors.
Yet this blue-robed attendant kept his eyes straight ahead and behaved with perfect propriety. In Lian Liejin’s opinion, he clearly knew how to handle matters. She quickly removed a stack of banknotes from her sleeve and handed them over. “Thank you, Gonggong. Keep this small amount and buy yourself some dried beef.”
The blue-robed attendant looked as though he wanted to say something but ultimately accepted the money and respectfully escorted the two away.
The underfloor heating in Changchun Palace burned hotter than usual. The air was not only stifling but also filled with a strong medicinal odor, causing Gao Jingxi and Lian Liejin—both of whom feared bitterness—to frown at the same time.
They instinctively looked at each other. Before Gao Jingxi could speak, Momo Zhao helped the Empress slowly sit on a cushioned seat and lean against a bolster.
Although they had been apart for only half a month, the Empress had already grown frighteningly thin. The skin on her cheeks, which should have been smooth and delicate, had become terribly sunken.
Only her phoenix eyes, which closely resembled Gao Jingxi’s, still shone brightly.
“Jin’er, Xi’er, seeing both of you safe finally allows Mother to relax.” The Empress reached out to take Gao Jingxi’s hand and stopped the two from bowing. “Come sit beside me. Did the two of you greet the Emperor after returning?”
To prevent interference with the medicine, all the tea in Changchun Palace had been replaced with plain water. Gao Jingxi held the scalding cup in her hands and asked worriedly, “Empress Mother, how did you lose so much weight? Weren’t you still well when this daughter left?”
Lian Liejin took a sip of the plain water. It tasted faintly bitter, as though the medicinal smell had seeped into it. “Empress Mother, Her Highness and this daughter have just come from His Majesty. His Majesty had urgent matters to handle and asked us to come here first.”
The Empress patted Gao Jingxi’s hand and seemed to regain some energy. “Mother’s health is fine. But you, Xi’er—I heard from the Emperor that you, Gao Qing, and Gao Hu are all going to…”
At those words, Gao Jingxi finally smiled. She glanced back at Lian Liejin and quickly interrupted, “Empress Mother, you needn’t worry about this daughter. The Princess Consort will remain beside me. Your illness is more important…”
Hearing Gao Jingxi say, “The Princess Consort will remain beside me,” Lian Liejin immediately felt as though she were floating. She hurriedly hid her usual carefree expression and said solemnly, “Empress Mother, this daughter has studied medicine for several days. May I take your pulse?”
Unexpectedly, Momo Zhao and the Empress exchanged a smile. Momo Zhao stepped forward and curtsied. “Princess Consort, your most important concern right now is improving your own health. Her Majesty the Empress has already found several highly respected imperial physicians for you. When the time comes, you must not reject our goodwill merely because you’re young and easily embarrassed.”
“But my health is perfectly good.” Lian Liejin was extremely confused. She had fallen only yesterday. Surely the Empress could not already know about that? She instinctively moved closer to Gao Jingxi.
“Oh, Princess Consort, producing an heir is an important matter. Not only must you take medicine, but Her Highness must take it as well.”
“What? This daughter refuses!” Gao Jingxi looked completely unwilling. She clung to the Empress’s arm and acted spoiled. “Empress Mother, this daughter and the Princess Consort are both… perfectly capable in that regard.”
“Perfectly capable?” The Empress looked at them suspiciously, her investigative gaze moving repeatedly between the two. “Then why did Xi’er give Jin’er such low scores?”
“Low scores?” Lian Liejin nearly leaped from her seat. Gao Jingxi was far too wicked. She had even dared deceive her. The princess absolutely owed her an explanation.
Sitting in front of her, Gao Jingxi could feel a burning gaze against her back. Her face flushed, yet she could not speak.
Seeing the young couple behaving so shyly greatly improved the Empress’s mood. She took one of their hands in each of hers and said earnestly, “You’ve been married for two months. There’s no need to be so embarrassed about having children. When people are young, both bodies need proper nourishment before results will come.”
After much thought, Lian Liejin still wanted to defend her reputation. “Empress Mother, this daughter truly has no problems in that—”
Beneath the table, Gao Jingxi stepped hard on the top of Lian Liejin’s foot and quickly turned her face toward herself. “Empress Mother, this daughter and the Princess Consort will obediently take the medicine. We won’t disappoint you.”
Just then, Momo Zhao reminded the Empress, “Your Majesty, it is time. Star Official He is already waiting outside the palace.”
“Star Official He?” Gao Jingxi immediately found this strange. A star official was a second-rank position within the Stellar Observation Bureau, responsible specifically for matters involving the stars. Why would such a person need to meet the Empress?
The Empress nodded and smiled. “You two should return and rest. Especially Jin’er—I’ll send someone to deliver medicine to you. Star Official He has come specifically to examine me, so it would be inappropriate for too many people to remain.”
Although filled with doubts, Gao Jingxi still led Lian Liejin through the proper farewell before leaving Changchun Palace together.
Outside stood a woman who appeared otherworldly and refined. She was presumably Star Official He.
Although Gao Jingxi had always disliked the Stellar Observation Bureau’s domineering conduct, she still approached with a smile and greeted her.
Star Official He suddenly revealed a strange smile and made an odd cry before unexpectedly reaching for Lian Liejin. Gao Jingxi moved even faster. With a sweep of her sleeve, she released a wave of starlight that sent the official flying three meters away.
“Star Official He, although you answer only to the chief supervisor of the Stellar Observation Bureau, how dare you attack my Princess Consort in broad daylight? Do you take me for a dead woman?” Gao Jingxi took Lian Liejin’s hand and shielded her behind herself.
“Your Highness may not be dead yet, though it will merely take longer. The Princess Consort, however, will certainly die—and in a much shorter time.” After finally stabilizing herself, Star Official He showed no anger and once again walked toward them.
“Your Highness and the Princess Consort are indeed as loving as the rumors claim. Even an immortal couple could be no better. However, the two of you share fate with this humble official. One month ago, I calculated that the three of us would meet today. Therefore…” From starlight suspended in the empty air, Star Official He drew out a pitch-black letter and smilingly handed it to Gao Jingxi. “I caught a glimpse of heavenly secrets. The Princess Consort may soon face a great calamity. I hope Your Highness will study this letter carefully and ponder it often.”
Gao Jingxi’s face paled slightly, and her hold on Lian Liejin’s hand tightened.
As soon as she finished speaking, the smile vanished from Star Official He’s lips. Her narrow eyes lifted as she turned toward Changchun Palace.
“Hey, wait.” Lian Liejin called her back. She pretended to rummage through empty space with her right hand, then produced a gold ingot with her left and tossed it over. “Take it. A reward from your lord. Next time you perform a magic trick, remember to ask for money.”
Star Official He’s face darkened.
“What feudal superstition.” Lian Liejin took the Seventh Princess’s hand again and squeezed the soft palm in reassurance. She opened the letter directly and loudly read its contents. “Of all things in this world, beauty cannot be kept; the mirror loses the face, and flowers leave the tree.”
After reading the words, Lian Liejin threw over another silver ingot. “Excellent poem, excellent poem. Allow me to compose one for Star Official He—Of all things beneath heaven, the wicked heart is worst; first into boiling oil, then into the cesspit.”
Star Official He narrowed her eyes and stared gloomily at the two. Lian Liejin gave her a provocative smile and left hand in hand with Gao Jingxi.
Outside the imperial palace, the canopied carriage from the Princess’s Residence had already been waiting for a long time. After Lian Liejin and Gao Jingxi boarded, A-You volunteered to drive so the two could spend more time together.
“Star Official He would not have said those things without reason.” Gao Jingxi repeatedly turned the verse over in her mind, gripping Lian Liejin’s hand even more tightly.
“Your Highness, are you blaming me for nearly driving that old charlatan mad?”
“No. I’ve never believed people who deliberately act mysterious. But ‘of all things in this world, nothing can be kept’… If it becomes a prophecy…” Gao Jingxi lowered her head and took a deep breath, suppressing the anxiety surging within her. “Hearing it so suddenly makes it difficult to remain calm. Even though one’s fate is ultimately created by one’s own actions.”
“Your Highness, since nothing can be kept forever, why trouble yourself over it?” Lian Liejin rolled up her sleeves and said with apparent distress,
“Your Highness, the only thing I truly care about right now is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with me in that regard. You have to believe me. Next time you fill out the Princess Consort Evaluation Form, give me higher scores.”
Gao Jingxi wanted nothing more than to cover Lian Liejin’s mouth. How could this woman be so shameless? How could she speak aloud about matters that belonged inside a married couple’s bedroom?
Clearly, the princess had become so embarrassed that she no longer knew which direction was which, and she gradually forgot her earlier unease.
“But Your Highness, I remember that on Qingyue Mountain, you never admitted that you had given me low scores.” Lian Liejin turned sideways and braced one hand against the carriage wall. She leaned close to Gao Jingxi’s ear and gently blew against it. “Doesn’t Your Highness owe me an explanation?”
The carriage was already cramped. From time to time, the glow of the glass lanterns outside filtered through the curtain and fell across their faces.
Gao Jingxi was completely enclosed within Lian Liejin’s arms, surrounded by the clean fragrance of soap pods from her body. For a moment, her entire body softened, and her breathing grew shallow.
Gao Jingxi half closed her eyes and took several breaths before asking softly, “Then what do you want? It cannot be too excessive.”
Hearing this, the corner of Lian Liejin’s mouth rose. She slowly lowered her head until only two cun remained between them.
“Your Highness, I want to…”
Author’s Note: Actually… I wanted to ask whether everyone present is a single ji.
Chapter 34: Your Highness, I Want to…
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Previous Chapter: Chapter 33: Blowing the Roof Off Next Chapter: Chapter 35: So, Shall We Have a Couple of Drinks?
The moment Gao Jingxi heard the cry, alarm rang through her heart. She left the room almost at once and saw a tall, slender figure lying amid the wreckage outside.
“Lian Liejin!” Gao Jingxi hurried closer and found Lian Liejin curled into a ball on the ground, rolling back and forth.
Yet the moment Lian Liejin saw her approaching, she quickly performed a kip-up and sprang to her feet.
“Your Highness, I’m fine. Don’t come any closer.” Lian Liejin raised her left hand to stop Gao Jingxi, then curled it into a fist and covered her mouth as she coughed dryly twice. “Can we claim the roof repairs through insurance?”
“What insurance? Turn around and let me see your… back…”
Lian Liejin felt a sudden chill behind her and hurriedly retreated several steps. “Your Highness, there’s no need. Repairing the roof is more important. I’m fine.”
Gao Jingxi could not stand seeing Lian Liejin act so awkwardly. She stepped forward twice and dragged her closer.
Fragments of purple glazed tile clung to the back of Lian Liejin’s clothes. Gao Jingxi had no choice but to ask carefully, “Liejin, did any of the tiles cut you?”
Lian Liejin pressed her lips together and answered with difficulty, “No.”
The Seventh Princess immediately slapped her there. Hearing Lian Liejin howl like a slaughtered pig, Gao Jingxi gave a cold smile. “Are you still going to pretend you’re fine?”
“Your Highness, how could you strike so viciously!” Lian Liejin felt a burning pain behind her. Gao Jingxi’s slap had been neither too hard nor too light and had landed directly in the center. “You’re a princess. That was completely improper. Imagine how bad it would sound if word spread.”
“You are the Princess Consort, yet you climbed the walls of the Princess’s Residence. If word spreads, your reputation will be even worse than mine.”
The burning pain in Lian Liejin’s lower body seemed to intensify.
A-You was about to step forward and help, but Gao Jingxi waved her away. “Bring the White Jade Hemostatic Powder and some bandages. Send everything to my bedroom.”
Fortunately, the dining hall was not far from the bedroom. Gao Jingxi supported Lian Liejin with one arm around her and helped her onto the bed.
A-You soon brought in the medicine, hot water, and strong liquor. “Your Highness, I’ll call two people to apply the medicine for the Princess Consort.”
“No.” Gao Jingxi dipped a handkerchief into the water and instructed, “I’ll treat the Princess Consort myself. Go tell the kitchen to prepare more chicken, duck, fish, and meat.”
A-You obediently left the room and closed the door.
“Liejin, I need to… take off your trousers before I can see how badly you’re hurt. We may even need to call a physician.” Gao Jingxi’s face reddened, and her words came haltingly, yet her movements were swift. In only a few motions, she stripped off Lian Liejin’s outer clothing and turned her over.
Lian Liejin’s eyes immediately widened, and she shook her head like a rattle drum. Yet she still failed to stop Gao Jingxi’s advance. “Your Highness, I can do it myself. I’m a physician. I know my own body. It’s only a little broken skin.”
The thought of Gao Jingxi removing her trousers, staring at that part of her body, then gently touching her while applying medicine…
Lian Liejin shuddered all over and refused even more forcefully. “Your Highness, I am the Stellar Medicine Sect’s finest medicine refiner. I can handle it myself.”
“You’re only a medicine refiner, not someone skilled at applying medicine.” Gao Jingxi sat beside the bed with a gentle smile. She softly brushed aside the loose strands of hair that had fallen across Lian Liejin’s forehead and negotiated with the injured woman in a soothing voice. “Liejin, I won’t call a physician. Let me apply the medicine for you, all right? Once I’m done, I’ll feed you chicken legs.”
“No, no. I don’t want that.” Lian Liejin grasped Gao Jingxi’s hand and looked at her sincerely. “Your Highness, I have a special technique for applying medicine.”
Because Lian Liejin continued resisting so strongly, Gao Jingxi’s eyes gradually darkened. Then, using a silk ribbon she had found from somewhere, she tied Lian Liejin’s hands to the bedpost with lightning speed and stuffed a wrapping cloth into her mouth.
“Don’t speak. You’re too noisy. Do exactly as I say.”
Lian Liejin: “…”
This life was impossible to continue.
Winter clothing was relatively thick. When Gao Jingxi removed Lian Liejin’s bloodstained inner garment and touched it, she discovered that the bleeding was considerable. It simply had not been visible against the black fabric.
After removing her trousers, Gao Jingxi saw a fairly deep wound still slowly seeping blood. Countless smaller cuts surrounded it, all apparently caused by shards of glazed tile.
“Lian Liejin, have you grown too bold? I told you to leave, yet you dared hide on the roof and eavesdrop. What should I do if you try something like this again?” Seeing the wounds filled Gao Jingxi with both guilt and anger. She wanted nothing more than to beat the person lying on the bed.
“Why aren’t you speaking now?”
With her mouth stuffed, Lian Liejin nearly cried. The princess was the one who had forbidden her from speaking.
A moment later, Gao Jingxi even gently bit the back of her hand.
Without bothering to light a fire to warm the liquor, the Seventh Princess compressed her stellar power into a blazing red mass of heated air, making the jar of strong alcohol hiss and steam.
The hot fumes surged upward, making it almost impossible to keep one’s eyes open.
Gao Jingxi soaked the white cloth in the liquor and leaned forward slightly, her voice trembling. “Liejin, this will hurt a little. Be good and don’t move.”
The moment the cloth touched the wound, it quickly turned red. The pain must have been severe, because Lian Liejin’s body trembled uncontrollably.
By the time the wounds had been cleaned, sprinkled with hemostatic powder, and properly bandaged, half a shichen had passed.
After washing her hands, Gao Jingxi pulled a brocade quilt over Lian Liejin.
At first, Lian Liejin had felt embarrassed and mortified. Later, the pain made her bare her teeth, leaving her no room to think about anything else.
Once the Seventh Princess untied the ribbon, Lian Liejin removed the cloth from her mouth and propped herself up slightly to look at Gao Jingxi.
The Seventh Princess’s face was pale, and her hair had become somewhat disheveled. The strands hanging beside her face made her look exceptionally gentle.
“Your Highness…”
The moment she spoke, Gao Jingxi pressed an index finger against her lips. The fragrance on the princess’s fingertip immediately seemed to ease her pain.
“Let me examine your entire body. Although I used only ten percent of my stellar power earlier, there’s no guarantee you weren’t injured elsewhere.” Gao Jingxi’s brows were filled with worry as she slowly and gently pressed along Lian Liejin’s body.
The moment she reached Lian Liejin’s right wrist, Lian Liejin cried out in pain.
“Is your hand injured?” Gao Jingxi carefully inspected her right hand, then released a breath of relief. “It was only struck. The bones are fine.”
“Your Highness, nothing can happen to my hand.” Lian Liejin anxiously twisted on the bed. “There’s a bottle of medicine inside the right side of my clothes. Pour out one pill and feed it to me. I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
Gao Jingxi retrieved a small white bottle from the discarded clothes. Truthfully, ever since marrying Lian Liejin, the objects she had seen most often were small medicine bottles.
After taking the medicine, Lian Liejin slept for about the time it took an incense stick to burn.
In the outer room, servants filed in and covered the table with dishes. Gao Jingxi personally went out, served the rice, removed the bones from the chicken, and brought a plate piled high with food back into the inner chamber.
“Lie properly on your stomach. Don’t sleep yet. I’ll feed you chicken legs.”
Lian Liejin, who had been lightly dozing on the bed, was overwhelmed by the favor. Secret delight filled her heart. She had not expected the Seventh Princess to keep her word. Gao Jingxi had said she would feed her chicken legs, and she had truly come to do so.
“Actually, Your Highness, I eat with my left hand.” Lian Liejin swallowed a bite Gao Jingxi fed her and smiled foolishly as she made a polite suggestion. “Why don’t I feed myself?”
“All right. Feed yourself.”
Lian Liejin watched Gao Jingxi genuinely set the bowl and chopsticks aside. She immediately stared in disbelief.
A long time passed, yet neither moved. Lian Liejin pursed her lips aggrievedly. “Your Highness, it hurts there.”
Gao Jingxi gave a small hum through her nose, indicating that she understood.
“Your Highness, my hand hurts.”
“Your Highness, perhaps… perhaps you should feed me after all.”
Only after hearing this did Gao Jingxi’s ice-cold expression warm like spring again. She picked up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks. “Will you let me feed you from now on?”
“Mm. I’ll only eat what Your Highness feeds me.”
“Will you let me apply your medicine from now on?”
“Mm. I’ll listen to everything Your Highness says.”
Hm? Something seemed wrong.
Lian Liejin suddenly realized what had happened and found her Seventh Princess holding the bowl and chopsticks with a sly smile like a little fox.
Forget it. It was only a matter of being looked at. She could consider it interest owed for seeing Gao Jingxi before. Besides, an injured hand was no trivial matter.
Thus, throughout the night, Gao Jingxi rose every two shichen to change Lian Liejin’s medicine.
Just before dawn, Lian Liejin awoke in a daze and found Gao Jingxi sitting at the head of the bed, leaning against it while sleeping lightly.
The Seventh Princess wore a pale yellow inner robe. Her face remained pale, her brows tightly furrowed, and her lower lip caught lightly between her teeth. She had clearly slept poorly and uncomfortably.
After a full night’s rest, Lian Liejin felt completely refreshed, and her wounds had improved considerably. She gently moved the quilt aside and had only just risen to her knees when she saw Gao Jingxi’s eyes open faintly. The princess patted her lightly and murmured for her to be good and rest, saying it would soon be time to change the medicine again.
Lian Liejin stared at her, and an impulse suddenly arose from the depths of her heart. She wrapped her arms around Gao Jingxi, gently lifted the Seventh Princess onto the bed, then covered both of them with the brocade quilt embroidered with ruyi patterns.
She warmed the woman beside her with her own body heat. Only after Gao Jingxi’s complexion gradually became rosier did Lian Liejin close her eyes again and fall deeply asleep.
The comforting fragrance beside her mingled with the scorching, warming body heat, allowing the two women to sleep sweetly until late in the morning.
Eventually, A-You had no choice but to wake them through the bed curtains. “Your Highness, someone from the palace has already arrived. You must rise and prepare immediately. You’re required to enter the palace at once.”
A-You’s voice nearly made Gao Jingxi sit upright in alarm—because someone’s arm was draped across her body, holding her tightly.
“Have someone bring in water.” Gao Jingxi carefully took Lian Liejin’s injured right hand and moved it aside, intending to let the wounded woman continue sleeping.
However, Lian Liejin refused to cooperate and held Gao Jingxi even more tightly, as though hugging a quilt.
After several movements, not even the slightest gap remained between them. Lian Liejin lay on her side, pressed closely against Gao Jingxi.
Waves of scorching heat rolled over her, and Gao Jingxi’s face reddened. She could not tell whether it came from warmth or embarrassment.
Her body tended to run cold, and the previous night she had been so exhausted that she forgot to add more clothes. Fortunately, later she had felt as comfortable as though she had entered a heated furnace.
So Lian Liejin truly had been holding her that tightly.
“Your Highness, if you’re entering the palace, I’m going too.” Lian Liejin buried her face in the hollow of Gao Jingxi’s neck and spoke in a muffled voice.
“Nonsense. You were injured because you eavesdropped on me. Naturally, you must remain at home.”
“I didn’t.” Lian Liejin hid her face even more deeply, stubbornly refusing to admit the truth. “I merely noticed that the glazed tiles on the roof were unusually distinctive. On a whim, I removed one to study it.”
“If Your Highness refuses to take me, I’ll keep holding you like this, and neither of us will leave.”
Those words made Gao Jingxi’s eyes redden as though scorched. She had never known that when Lian Liejin acted shamelessly, she could become both outrageous and impossible to handle.
“Didn’t you say only yesterday that you would listen to everything I said?”
“I don’t care. Entering the palace only requires kneeling, not sitting. It won’t pull at my wound.” Lian Liejin brought out what she considered her ultimate argument. “I’m a physician. Listen to me.”
In the end, Gao Jingxi truly could not outargue Lian Liejin and was forced to agree to bring her into the palace.
Inside Chengqian Hall, the Emperor held the alluring Consort Lian in her arms while watching a performance by songstresses. Hearing that Gao Jingxi had come in response to the summons and had even brought her Princess Consort, she laughed softly and said to He Cheng, the captain of the Sun Radiance Guard who was kneeling nearby, “Now that Xi’er has arrived, I’ve only just remembered that you failed even to hold onto a single assassin. He Cheng, that adds another crime to your name.”
Although He Cheng remained kneeling, her back was perfectly straight. Ignoring the wound on her leg, she answered in a powerful voice, “Your Majesty, when one wishes to accuse someone, excuses are never lacking. This subordinate has never behaved improperly toward Consort Lian. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly. Even if Your Majesty cripples one of He Cheng’s legs, He Cheng will never confess to something she did not do.”
“Hehe. Very well. I’ll deal with you later.”
Outside the hall, a blue-robed attendant smiled at Gao Jingxi and Lian Liejin. “Seventh Highness, Princess Consort, His Majesty has been burdened by many troubles lately. Something urgent has arisen, so she asks that you first visit Her Majesty the Empress.”
Because of her injuries, Lian Liejin walked in an extremely comical manner. On the way there, many palace maids and attendants had secretly glanced at her, probably preparing to spread more rumors.
Yet this blue-robed attendant kept his eyes straight ahead and behaved with perfect propriety. In Lian Liejin’s opinion, he clearly knew how to handle matters. She quickly removed a stack of banknotes from her sleeve and handed them over. “Thank you, Gonggong. Keep this small amount and buy yourself some dried beef.”
The blue-robed attendant looked as though he wanted to say something but ultimately accepted the money and respectfully escorted the two away.
The underfloor heating in Changchun Palace burned hotter than usual. The air was not only stifling but also filled with a strong medicinal odor, causing Gao Jingxi and Lian Liejin—both of whom feared bitterness—to frown at the same time.
They instinctively looked at each other. Before Gao Jingxi could speak, Momo Zhao helped the Empress slowly sit on a cushioned seat and lean against a bolster.
Although they had been apart for only half a month, the Empress had already grown frighteningly thin. The skin on her cheeks, which should have been smooth and delicate, had become terribly sunken.
Only her phoenix eyes, which closely resembled Gao Jingxi’s, still shone brightly.
“Jin’er, Xi’er, seeing both of you safe finally allows Mother to relax.” The Empress reached out to take Gao Jingxi’s hand and stopped the two from bowing. “Come sit beside me. Did the two of you greet the Emperor after returning?”
To prevent interference with the medicine, all the tea in Changchun Palace had been replaced with plain water. Gao Jingxi held the scalding cup in her hands and asked worriedly, “Empress Mother, how did you lose so much weight? Weren’t you still well when this daughter left?”
Lian Liejin took a sip of the plain water. It tasted faintly bitter, as though the medicinal smell had seeped into it. “Empress Mother, Her Highness and this daughter have just come from His Majesty. His Majesty had urgent matters to handle and asked us to come here first.”
The Empress patted Gao Jingxi’s hand and seemed to regain some energy. “Mother’s health is fine. But you, Xi’er—I heard from the Emperor that you, Gao Qing, and Gao Hu are all going to…”
At those words, Gao Jingxi finally smiled. She glanced back at Lian Liejin and quickly interrupted, “Empress Mother, you needn’t worry about this daughter. The Princess Consort will remain beside me. Your illness is more important…”
Hearing Gao Jingxi say, “The Princess Consort will remain beside me,” Lian Liejin immediately felt as though she were floating. She hurriedly hid her usual carefree expression and said solemnly, “Empress Mother, this daughter has studied medicine for several days. May I take your pulse?”
Unexpectedly, Momo Zhao and the Empress exchanged a smile. Momo Zhao stepped forward and curtsied. “Princess Consort, your most important concern right now is improving your own health. Her Majesty the Empress has already found several highly respected imperial physicians for you. When the time comes, you must not reject our goodwill merely because you’re young and easily embarrassed.”
“But my health is perfectly good.” Lian Liejin was extremely confused. She had fallen only yesterday. Surely the Empress could not already know about that? She instinctively moved closer to Gao Jingxi.
“Oh, Princess Consort, producing an heir is an important matter. Not only must you take medicine, but Her Highness must take it as well.”
“What? This daughter refuses!” Gao Jingxi looked completely unwilling. She clung to the Empress’s arm and acted spoiled. “Empress Mother, this daughter and the Princess Consort are both… perfectly capable in that regard.”
“Perfectly capable?” The Empress looked at them suspiciously, her investigative gaze moving repeatedly between the two. “Then why did Xi’er give Jin’er such low scores?”
“Low scores?” Lian Liejin nearly leaped from her seat. Gao Jingxi was far too wicked. She had even dared deceive her. The princess absolutely owed her an explanation.
Sitting in front of her, Gao Jingxi could feel a burning gaze against her back. Her face flushed, yet she could not speak.
Seeing the young couple behaving so shyly greatly improved the Empress’s mood. She took one of their hands in each of hers and said earnestly, “You’ve been married for two months. There’s no need to be so embarrassed about having children. When people are young, both bodies need proper nourishment before results will come.”
After much thought, Lian Liejin still wanted to defend her reputation. “Empress Mother, this daughter truly has no problems in that—”
Beneath the table, Gao Jingxi stepped hard on the top of Lian Liejin’s foot and quickly turned her face toward herself. “Empress Mother, this daughter and the Princess Consort will obediently take the medicine. We won’t disappoint you.”
Just then, Momo Zhao reminded the Empress, “Your Majesty, it is time. Star Official He is already waiting outside the palace.”
“Star Official He?” Gao Jingxi immediately found this strange. A star official was a second-rank position within the Stellar Observation Bureau, responsible specifically for matters involving the stars. Why would such a person need to meet the Empress?
The Empress nodded and smiled. “You two should return and rest. Especially Jin’er—I’ll send someone to deliver medicine to you. Star Official He has come specifically to examine me, so it would be inappropriate for too many people to remain.”
Although filled with doubts, Gao Jingxi still led Lian Liejin through the proper farewell before leaving Changchun Palace together.
Outside stood a woman who appeared otherworldly and refined. She was presumably Star Official He.
Although Gao Jingxi had always disliked the Stellar Observation Bureau’s domineering conduct, she still approached with a smile and greeted her.
Star Official He suddenly revealed a strange smile and made an odd cry before unexpectedly reaching for Lian Liejin. Gao Jingxi moved even faster. With a sweep of her sleeve, she released a wave of starlight that sent the official flying three meters away.
“Star Official He, although you answer only to the chief supervisor of the Stellar Observation Bureau, how dare you attack my Princess Consort in broad daylight? Do you take me for a dead woman?” Gao Jingxi took Lian Liejin’s hand and shielded her behind herself.
“Your Highness may not be dead yet, though it will merely take longer. The Princess Consort, however, will certainly die—and in a much shorter time.” After finally stabilizing herself, Star Official He showed no anger and once again walked toward them.
“Your Highness and the Princess Consort are indeed as loving as the rumors claim. Even an immortal couple could be no better. However, the two of you share fate with this humble official. One month ago, I calculated that the three of us would meet today. Therefore…” From starlight suspended in the empty air, Star Official He drew out a pitch-black letter and smilingly handed it to Gao Jingxi. “I caught a glimpse of heavenly secrets. The Princess Consort may soon face a great calamity. I hope Your Highness will study this letter carefully and ponder it often.”
Gao Jingxi’s face paled slightly, and her hold on Lian Liejin’s hand tightened.
As soon as she finished speaking, the smile vanished from Star Official He’s lips. Her narrow eyes lifted as she turned toward Changchun Palace.
“Hey, wait.” Lian Liejin called her back. She pretended to rummage through empty space with her right hand, then produced a gold ingot with her left and tossed it over. “Take it. A reward from your lord. Next time you perform a magic trick, remember to ask for money.”
Star Official He’s face darkened.
“What feudal superstition.” Lian Liejin took the Seventh Princess’s hand again and squeezed the soft palm in reassurance. She opened the letter directly and loudly read its contents. “Of all things in this world, beauty cannot be kept; the mirror loses the face, and flowers leave the tree.”
After reading the words, Lian Liejin threw over another silver ingot. “Excellent poem, excellent poem. Allow me to compose one for Star Official He—Of all things beneath heaven, the wicked heart is worst; first into boiling oil, then into the cesspit.”
Star Official He narrowed her eyes and stared gloomily at the two. Lian Liejin gave her a provocative smile and left hand in hand with Gao Jingxi.
Outside the imperial palace, the canopied carriage from the Princess’s Residence had already been waiting for a long time. After Lian Liejin and Gao Jingxi boarded, A-You volunteered to drive so the two could spend more time together.
“Star Official He would not have said those things without reason.” Gao Jingxi repeatedly turned the verse over in her mind, gripping Lian Liejin’s hand even more tightly.
“Your Highness, are you blaming me for nearly driving that old charlatan mad?”
“No. I’ve never believed people who deliberately act mysterious. But ‘of all things in this world, nothing can be kept’… If it becomes a prophecy…” Gao Jingxi lowered her head and took a deep breath, suppressing the anxiety surging within her. “Hearing it so suddenly makes it difficult to remain calm. Even though one’s fate is ultimately created by one’s own actions.”
“Your Highness, since nothing can be kept forever, why trouble yourself over it?” Lian Liejin rolled up her sleeves and said with apparent distress,
“Your Highness, the only thing I truly care about right now is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with me in that regard. You have to believe me. Next time you fill out the Princess Consort Evaluation Form, give me higher scores.”
Gao Jingxi wanted nothing more than to cover Lian Liejin’s mouth. How could this woman be so shameless? How could she speak aloud about matters that belonged inside a married couple’s bedroom?
Clearly, the princess had become so embarrassed that she no longer knew which direction was which, and she gradually forgot her earlier unease.
“But Your Highness, I remember that on Qingyue Mountain, you never admitted that you had given me low scores.” Lian Liejin turned sideways and braced one hand against the carriage wall. She leaned close to Gao Jingxi’s ear and gently blew against it. “Doesn’t Your Highness owe me an explanation?”
The carriage was already cramped. From time to time, the glow of the glass lanterns outside filtered through the curtain and fell across their faces.
Gao Jingxi was completely enclosed within Lian Liejin’s arms, surrounded by the clean fragrance of soap pods from her body. For a moment, her entire body softened, and her breathing grew shallow.
Gao Jingxi half closed her eyes and took several breaths before asking softly, “Then what do you want? It cannot be too excessive.”
Hearing this, the corner of Lian Liejin’s mouth rose. She slowly lowered her head until only two cun remained between them.
“Your Highness, I want to…”
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