Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 169: Former Enemy, Now Friend

The next day, Hongli came to Chengqian Palace to visit Yongjing.

Yongjing was a chubby, tiger-headed little boy, with brows and eyes that strongly resembled Hongli’s. Lying in his swaddling clothes, he babbled happily and kept reaching out his small, plump hands toward Hongli. Hongli adored him. He personally picked the child up, held a rattle drum, and played with him until Yongjing grew tired and began to doze off. Only then did he carefully place him back into the cradle.

Yongjing rolled over, hugged a finely crafted cloth tiger, and fell asleep.

“This cloth tiger was the Dragon Boat Festival gift Consort Ling sent to Yongjing,” the Step Empress’s voice sounded beside his ear. “Everyone else sends gold and silver ingots, bracelets, and longevity locks. Hers is actually much more thoughtful.”

Hongli glanced at her but pretended not to hear.

The Step Empress didn’t seem to care much. She simply instructed Court Physician Zhang, who stood nearby: “Court Physician Zhang, later go to Yanxi Palace and take Consort Ling’s peaceful pulse. She has been looking after the Empress Dowager at the Yuanmingyuan all this time, paying no attention to her own illness. Since she suffers from sleepless nights and has little appetite, we must have the imperial physician properly regulate her condition.”

Hongli continued to act as though he hadn’t heard or seen anything.

Following the Step Empress’s orders, Court Physician Zhang left Chengqian Palace and went straight to Yanxi Palace. After diagnosing Consort Ling and leaving a medical prescription, he had barely taken two steps out of the palace gates when someone suddenly grabbed his arm.

Who is this? So rude and lacking in manners! Court Physician Zhang was just about to scold the person when he turned his head—and his face instantly paled. “Y-Your Majesty?”

“How is Consort Ling’s condition?” Hongli asked coldly.

Court Physician Zhang hurriedly replied: “Your Majesty, aside from insomnia, Consort Ling also suffers from disharmony of the liver and stomach. This minister has prescribed the Xiangsu Hewei Decoction to slowly regulate her condition for Her Ladyship.”

Hongli frowned. “Disharmony of the liver and stomach?”

“Her Ladyship’s irregular eating habits have caused pain in the stomach region…” Court Physician Zhang hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Moreover, this minister has heard that Consort Ling has been copying the Avatamsaka Sutra in her own blood. Even after going to the Yuanmingyuan, she has not stopped for a single day. Over time, this has led to a depletion of qi and blood, resulting in food damage syndrome, which in turn has caused the stomach to lose its nourishment…”

Hongli’s expression changed dramatically. Without another word, he turned and strode toward Yanxi Palace.

The eunuch at the entrance was about to announce him, but Hongli raised a hand to stop him. He walked straight into the bedchamber and then stood silently, gazing at the person on the bed.

It felt as though they hadn’t seen each other for years, yet also as though they had parted only yesterday. The long separation had not created any real distance between them. On the contrary, all those memories he had deliberately tried to forget surged back like the rising tide, crashing against his heart again and again.

“Ming Yu?” Even though it was broad daylight, Wei Yingluo looked utterly exhausted. She lay reclining on the couch with her eyes closed, her left hand propping up her temple as she instructed: “Sort the twenty scrolls and have someone send them to the Yuanmingyuan.”

There was no response for a long time.

Only then did Wei Yingluo slowly open her eyes. When she saw Hongli, she started and sat up abruptly. “Why has Your Majesty come here!”

But Hongli’s gaze was fixed on her left wrist.

She had been supporting her head with her left hand; her sleeve had naturally slipped down halfway, revealing a strip of white cloth wrapped around her wrist. Fresh blood had seeped through, staining the white fabric half red, half white.

Hongli tried to pretend he didn’t care, but in the end he couldn’t hold back. He seized her hand. “What is this?”

Wei Yingluo hurriedly pulled her hand back, lowered her sleeve, and said calmly as if nothing were wrong: “It’s nothing—just the wound from bloodletting.”

Hongli was furious. “Are you trying to throw your life away? I order you: you are not allowed to continue writing!”

Wei Yingluo: “Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I cannot obey.”

Hongli’s anger flared. “You—”

Wei Yingluo: “Since I promised the Empress Dowager to complete all eighty-one scrolls, I cannot stop halfway. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Hongli was speechless. After a long silence, he swallowed his anger and sat down to one side. “I originally intended to let you fend for yourself. Only because you have carefully served the Empress Dowager did I come to warn you. If you insist on refusing to listen, there is nothing more I can do. But whatever consequences come, you must bear them yourself. If in the future the Empress Dowager blames anyone, it will have nothing to do with others.”

Wei Yingluo: “I understand.”

The more Hongli looked at her, the angrier he became. He stood up and headed for the door.

“Does Your Majesty still remember the promise you made to me?” Wei Yingluo suddenly called out from behind him.

Hongli’s footsteps halted.

“Your Majesty once said you would not allow anyone to bully me.” Wei Yingluo sighed. “Tonight Your Majesty came to Yanxi Palace—everyone in the rear palace has seen it. If you simply turn and leave now, how can I possibly hold my ground in the harem? I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to stay in this Forbidden City for even a single day.”

Hongli: “Tonight I will stay overnight at Yanxi Palace and preserve your face in full. As for anything else—don’t even think about it!”

Having said that, he instructed Li Yu to tidy up the side hall. He would rather sleep alone in the side hall than share a bed with Wei Yingluo. Li Yu worked efficiently and soon had the side hall spotless. After helping Hongli settle in for the night, he stood guard alone at the door.

In the middle of the night, Hongli tossed and turned, unable to sleep—not because he was unaccustomed to sleeping alone, but because the moment he closed his eyes, he saw the wound on Wei Yingluo’s wrist.

He turned over again, then suddenly opened his eyes. The room was unlit, pitch dark, impossible to see even a hand in front of one’s face, let alone discern the face of the person before him. Yet he still recognized her—by her breathing, by the warmth of her skin, by the fragrance in her hair.

Hongli said coldly, “Get out.”

Wei Yingluo, who had somehow slipped into bed beside him at some unknown moment, shook her head and said pitifully, “Your Majesty, there are rats in my sleeping chamber. I’m afraid.”

It was truly a laughable excuse. Hongli repeated, “Get out!”

“Your Majesty, when I came over, I forgot to put on my shoes,” she tried another excuse. “The floor is so cold—I can’t walk back.”

Hongli still refused to accept it and barked sharply, “Get out!”

After a long silence, Wei Yingluo suddenly sighed softly and said in a gentle voice, “Your Majesty, I took the contraceptive medicine… because I was afraid!”

The words “get out” had already reached Hongli’s lips, but what finally came out was: “…What are you afraid of?”

“Afraid of losing you.” Wei Yingluo gave a bitter smile. “Once I become pregnant, I’ll turn into a big, fat woman. I’ll become uglier and uglier, and my body will start to smell strange. You’ll quickly grow tired of me and go to other women.”

Hongli listened seriously and said, “…I am not that kind of person.”

“And also… I’m very afraid of dying.” Wei Yingluo pressed her forehead against his chest, her voice trembling with lingering fear. “When the Empress had a difficult labor, I was right by her side the whole time. Giving birth is like passing through the gates of hell. I don’t have her kind of courage. I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

Hearing her repeat “I’m sorry” over and over, Hongli remained silent for a long time before finally saying softly, “Stop talking. I don’t blame you.”

“Really?” Wei Yingluo raised her hand to caress his cheek, her eyes wet as she looked at him.

Hongli’s body stiffened for a moment, but in the end he did not push her away, nor did he shout at her to leave.

His silent permission emboldened her. She cautiously leaned closer, tentatively brushing her lips against his in a light peck—like a little bird stealing a grain of millet—then quickly pulling back. After a moment, seeing no resistance, she pecked again… and again…

Suddenly, Hongli’s large hand pressed against the back of her head, deepening the kiss.

The hibiscus curtains warmed the spring night. Within the translucent canopy, two bodies entwined until Wei Yingluo, exhausted, fell into a faint. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind. She heard Hongli whisper gently in her ear, “You should have told me earlier… As long as you don’t want to, I will never force you.”

The corners of Wei Yingluo’s lips had just begun to lift when tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.

Night passed, dawn arrived. The person was gone, the pillow empty.

In the warm bed, Wei Yingluo slowly woke. She reached out—empty. The bedding had long since turned cold.

“Your Ladyship, you’re awake.” Ming Yu came in carrying a basin of water, ready to help her wash.

“It’s still not the same after all,” Wei Yingluo murmured, staring at the ceiling. “In the past, he would always wait for me to wake up. We’d get up together, eat together… Now who is he eating with?”

Ming Yu paused in wringing out the towel. After a long moment, she replied, “His Majesty… has gone to Baoyue Tower. He is having breakfast with Her Ladyship Concubine Rong.”

“…Is that so?” A hollow feeling rose in Wei Yingluo’s heart. She said no more, simply staring blankly at the ceiling.

Seeing her like this, Ming Yu’s heart ached. She almost opened her mouth to advise her to let go—but then she thought: let go, and go where? Yingluo was now at the peak of her beauty. Was she supposed to retire to the Yuanmingyuan like the Empress Dowager and grow old there? In the end, she swallowed the words of comfort, stepped forward to help her wash, and dressed her in fresh clothes.

Just as the clothes were put on, Xiaoquanzi came running in with hurried steps. “Your Ladyship! His Majesty summons you to Baoyue Tower to attend him at the meal.”

Baoyue Tower was built overlooking the water. From afar, it resembled the Moon Palace of legend. Across from it stood the Hui Muslim camp and a mosque. When Concubine Rong looked out from the upper floor, it was as if she were seeing the scenery of her homeland.

Upon entering the building, Wei Yingluo discovered that Hongli’s favor toward Concubine Rong went far beyond what she had imagined. The interior was resplendent with gold and splendor; the attending palace servants were all dressed in Hui (Muslim) style, and even the dishes laid out on the table were entirely Hui cuisine—hand-grabbed rice, stir-fried mutton with scallions, and other rich, heavily spiced dishes with an overpowering sandalwood aroma. None of it aligned with Hongli’s usual tastes, yet he ate with great relish.

…Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say: as long as Concubine Rong was happy, he felt happy.

Wei Yingluo stood off to the side for a long while before he finally noticed her. He smiled and said, “You’re here?”

Concubine Rong turned her head to look at her, eyes full of curiosity. “Is she Consort Ling?”

“Yes.” Hongli used his handkerchief to wipe the grease from her face, his tone indulgent. “Didn’t you say the Momo who teaches etiquette is very strict and you don’t like her? When a new consort enters the palace, most of the rules are learned from high-ranking concubines. For example, Consort Ling—she learned her etiquette from the late Empress back then. I was thinking of sending you to Yanxi Palace to study under Consort Ling. Would you be willing?”

Concubine Rong tilted her head and studied Wei Yingluo for a moment, then smiled with innocent delight. “Sure, I like her.”

But Wei Yingluo could not bring herself to like her.

Hongli told her to sit and ordered a portion of food brought for her. He knew full well that her stomach was delicate and she could only handle plain congee and light dishes—yet he still placed a whole pot of mutton soup in front of her. The soup smelled excellent, but she could not swallow a single mouthful.

Steam rose from the pot. Through the haze, she watched the two people opposite her, utterly bewildered. If he didn’t care about her, then the sweet words he had whispered in her ear last night still rang clearly. If he did care, then why torment her like this? Being intimate with another woman was one thing—but deliberately making her watch?

“Once, his heart held only me. Now his heart is split in two… and I occupy only the smaller half.” Wei Yingluo thought to herself. Unable to bear it any longer, she dabbed her mouth with her handkerchief and said, “Your Majesty, I’m full. I’ll take my leave first.”

Hongli waved his hand indifferently, as if he couldn’t care less whether she stayed or left. Halfway to the door, she heard Chenbi call after her:

“Her Ladyship Consort Ling really doesn’t like mutton soup? Actually, just one sip and you’ll know—it’s delicious.”

Hongli immediately ordered: “Li Yu, take this pot of mutton soup back to Consort Ling. Stand there and make sure she finishes it.”

Wei Yingluo’s heart felt even heavier; her eyes stung with unshed tears. Afraid she would lose composure in front of Concubine Rong, she quickened her steps and left Baoyue Tower. When she returned to Yanxi Palace, she found Yongqi waiting for her. The moment he saw her, he hurried over: “Mother Consort Ling, please save Sixth Brother!”

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