On the second floor of the Imperial Medicine Hall were several elegantly appointed rooms, reserved for receiving honored guests.
Wei Qingchen and Chu Mingxi sat facing each other from a distance, on opposite sides of a long table. Yining brought in hot tea and placed a cup before each of them. Seeing her mistress had no further instructions, she withdrew on her own initiative.
The carved window facing the street was wide open, and the winter sunlight inadvertently spilled across the floor. Wei Qingchen was still pondering how to begin when Chu Mingxi adjusted the silk tassel on her waist accessory and asked coolly: “May I inquire, what brings the Heir here today?”
Wei Qingchen blinked. She stood tall and straight, bowed deeply once more, and then, raising her head, said, “Years ago, Miss Chu reached out to rescue me, and I left without saying goodbye. That fault was mine. Today, I have come specifically to offer my thanks for that great kindness.”
Chu Mingxi didn’t demur. She nodded and said, “Very well. You have given thanks. You may return now.”
Wei Qingchen was taken aback. Was that all? She had expected Chu Mingxi to ask why she left back then, or even why she had concealed her identity!
No matter which part of her identity, if only she asked, she would tell her truthfully.
But with a single sentence, Chu Mingxi was dismissing her! She blinked and looked at the tea on the table, still emitting hot steam.
That look was far too innocent. Chu Mingxi almost couldn’t restrain herself from laughing out loud. But remembering the intention of this Heir’s visit, the smile that had just curved up at the corners of her lips flattened once more into an indifferent line.
“Well… actually, there is one more thing.”
Chu Mingxi said nothing. She merely raised her eyes slightly, looking at her.
Those eyes were clean and clear, clear as a mountain stream.
In that instant, Wei Qingchen suddenly understood. Chu Mingxi had never considered accepting her proposal. It didn’t matter whether Mingxi knew she was the Heir of the Marquis Mansion, nor did it matter whether she remembered that chance encounter in the Northern Region three years ago.
The so-called “old acquaintance” was nothing more than a figment of her own wishful thinking.
“I… last autumn, I went with my father to your manor to propose marriage,” she said, stumbling slightly over the words. Then, taking a deep breath, she met the other’s eyes earnestly: “I came to your manor to request your hand. I hoped you would condescend to marry me.”
“Oh? Condescend? Not at all. I simply didn’t wish to climb too high,” Chu Mingxi said, seeing that she had finally forced the words out. She thought this was for the best—let them clarify matters completely, with no further entanglements. “If Heir has no other business, please return home. Today is the Imperial Medicine Hall’s Opening Ceremony. I truly have my hands full. Please forgive any discourtesy.”
“I do have other business,” Wei Qingchen said, stepping forward.
“Pray tell,” Chu Mingxi replied, already wanting to leave.
“I have come today to propose marriage once again.”
Chu Mingxi turned back in astonishment. “What?”
“Of course, of course, not like this… I mean, my father has gone to your residence again today, and even invited Prince Heng to act as matchmaker for me. I came to tell you that I, myself, want to marry you. Miss Chu, can you marry me?”
Chu Mingxi was so exasperated she laughed. Were all children of noble families this self-important? She raised her chin slightly, and a look of contempt crept into her eyes, completely beyond her control: “On what grounds do you assume I ought to marry you?”
“I…”
Chu Mingxi approached a step closer, stopping about an arm’s length away. She lowered her voice: “By virtue of your family background as Heir? Or by virtue of the fact that you are yourself a woman?”
Her gaze was icy cold, worlds apart from how she had looked three years prior, when she had unguardedly saved her from the brink of death.
And yet, she was still just as beautiful.
Wei Qingchen found herself lost in thought, completely entranced.
Seeing her fall silent, Chu Mingxi assumed she had been cowed by her words. She laughed coldly and turned to leave.
“By virtue of my family background as Heir!”
Just as Chu Mingxi lifted her step, Wei Qingchen came back to her senses. She spoke, then followed, stepping almost to her side. Her voice lower and also hushed, she whispered: “And by virtue of me being a woman as well.”
Chu Mingxi’s shapely eyebrows rose. There was undisguised sarcasm in her eyes.
“I know you don’t think highly of this Heir’s status,” Wei Qingchen said. “But with this status, I can guarantee that no one will dare to bully you anymore. This world is always harsh on women. If you marry someone else, continuing to manage the Imperial Medicine Hall will likely involve many difficulties.” She straightened her posture and spoke openly and frankly: “And me? I know the hardships of being a woman very well. If you marry me, I will not interfere in any affairs of the Imperial Medicine Hall. My parents are reasonable people, and I will also speak with them and arrange things so that how you are today is how you will be in the future.”
Chu Mingxi turned halfway around, looking at her utterly open and honest eyes. After a long pause, she laughed lightly. “So this is how you want to repay that debt of gratitude?”
“I…” Wei Qingchen blinked again from sheer habit. She wanted to say it wasn’t just about repaying gratitude. More than that, she couldn’t bear to see her misunderstood by the world, wounded by gossip.
But Chu Mingxi was too proud—she would never allow the sympathy of others.
Chu Mingxi nodded. “The Heir’s kind intentions are noted. Still… please return.”
“Why?” Wei Qingchen raised her voice in question: “Isn’t my conduct thus far… good enough?”
“Who said I must choose a someone and marry just to manage the Imperial Medicine Hall? Would it not be better to spend my whole life in the company of only the scent of medicine? Heir, please go.”
Having spoken, she turned around, lifted her step, and walked out without the slightest hesitation.
A gust of wind happened to blow through the open window, stirring the fragrance clinging to her sleeves. It was like a winter plum blossom, proudly blooming in frost right within Wei Qingchen’s eyes.
At the corner of Green Lotus Street, Wei Jiewu stood holding a horse, constantly craning his neck to look. He had waited for nearly half an hour. The sun had already climbed to the tip of the tree branches, and the person he was waiting for was still nowhere to be seen.
It was still the New Year’s festival season, so the main street was bustling with people and carriages. He had no choice but to keep his eyes peeled, afraid the slightest inattention would cost him the errand his mother had assigned him. If so, she would scold him yet again.
Yes, his primary mother and his birth mother were not the same person. His primary mother was his father’s principal wife—the current Emperor’s elder sister and the Grand Princess of their dynasty. His birth mother, Lady Tong, was merely a Secondary Wife of the Grand General’s Mansion.
Luckily, his father was upright and just. Though his primary mother did not exactly treat him as her own, she was still very kind. This time, she had rarely assigned him a task. Whatever it took, he had to get it done right.
As he stewed in these random thoughts, a familiar silhouette finally appeared ahead.
When the figure got closer, Wei Jiewu yanked her arm and stamped his foot: “My second elder brother! You’re finally back! I’m frozen stiff waiting!”
Wei Qingchen’s head was hanging low, radiating displeasure from every pore.
Wei Jiewu, totally oblivious, still blurted out: “Where did you go! Father came back ages ago—came back from the Chu Manor. Guess what!”
“My marriage proposal was refused again, right?” Wei Qingchen kicked away a small pebble underfoot. It flew to the wall, bounced off with a “tap,” and skittered away.
“So you already know?” Seeing she was still trying to walk away, Wei Jiewu quickly pulled her back. “Oh! I get it—you heard it on the way! I did too. All along the road I heard people say, ‘Ah, the Chu family refused the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion again! The Heir is really a passionate fool. Why can’t the Eldest Miss Chu look favorably on him?'”
He was young, and as he mimicked the tone, he spoke in lively, vivid detail, even laughing to himself. Wei Qingchen’s face darkened, and she pushed his hand away.
Wei Jiewu grabbed her again and offered his self-perceived clever consolation: “Oh, come on, Second Brother, don’t be sad. A real man never lacks for a wife. Later, when we follow Father into battle, kill enemies, and achieve military merits, won’t all the noble ladies of the capital be yours for the choosing?”
“Enough. I’m not sad.” Wei Qingchen pointed at the tall horse. “Where are you headed?”
“Nowhere. I came here on purpose to wait for you. Waited until the sky was already getting dark.”
“Why were you waiting for me?”
“To bring you this horse. And a message.” Wei Jiewu pulled the horse over and thrust the reins into her hand. Finally, he could finish his task. “After Father returned from the Chu Manor, he flew into a terrific rage. He said you’d thrown his face away entirely, and this time even wasted Cousin Uncle’s face along with it. Father grabbed the military rod and said when you get back, he’ll beat you to death for sure.”
Remembering her father’s rod, Wei Qingchen felt a shiver in her heart. But this horse… she asked, both amused and bemused: “So you brought me a horse? What do you want me to do, run away to…?”
“Mother said you should quickly go to the Imperial Palace. She sent Aunt Qi to deliver a message to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, saying the Empress Dowager misses her grandson and called you to the palace early this morning. Father is at the peak of his anger. Go hide for a bit and don’t come back for a while. Mother said you’re to accompany Grandmother for the Lantern Festival.”
“What?” Wei Qingchen felt a headache coming on: “Then the Empress Dowager will definitely find out.”
“Find out what? Oh, that you were rejected by the Chu family again. Tch~” Wei Jiewu waved dismissively. “The whole capital knows. How could the Empress Dowager not? Stop worrying needlessly. Word has surely spread all over the palace by now.”
Wei Qingchen: “…”
Heavens above, please send some deity to take away this brother of mine who has the mouth of the vilest gossip!!
Riding the horse, Wei Qingchen hurried to the palace, managing to get inside just before the gates were shut for the night.
Normally, as an outside male, she shouldn’t be allowed to stay overnight in the palace. However, the Empress Dowager only had this one true maternal grandson. She had frequented the palace often since childhood, and knew the pavilions and terraces of Longevity Palace as well as her own garden. The Mingcheng Emperor therefore simply turned a blind eye.
Since the Emperor voiced no objection, everyone else had even less standing to complain.
Entering the Longevity Palace, the palace maids had already received word, and guided her to the Jade Spring Tower. Empress Dowager Liu was sitting there, listening to a few of her maids say amusing things. When she saw Wei Qingchen enter, she stretched out her hand. Wei Qingchen kowtowed respectfully, and only when she rose did she place her hand into the Empress Dowager’s.
“How are you even thinner than the last time? Doesn’t your mother feed you?” Empress Dowager Liu took her hand and looked her over carefully.
The youth had abundant energy. Having ridden a horse to the palace, her slender palms were warm and comfortable to hold.
“I’ve grown taller, so I look thinner. But I’m stout, really. See, Grandmother.” Saying this, she pulled the Empress Dowager’s hand to her upper arm and flexed her muscle.
Empress Dowager Liu burst out laughing, and obligingly gave that arm a little pinch.
The old matriarch hadn’t been this happy in a long time. All those serving her were delighted, and they all chimed in praising the Little Heir’s various fine qualities.
The Imperial Kitchen sent over some snacks. The head palace maid, Aunt Fang, took them and placed them on the table. Smiling at Wei Qingchen, she said, “The Empress Dowager heard the Heir was coming to the palace today, so she had the imperial chefs prepare these for you long ago. Please have a look, Heir. Are they to your liking?”
Hearing this, Wei Qingchen quickly accepted a cloth, washed her hands clean, and stood by the table to lift the lid of the food box. Inside were three small Xing-ware saucers. One held Crystal Dragon-Phoenix Cakes, another bore Flower and Goose Pastries, and the last one held fresh red cherries drizzled with cheese.
These were her favorite imperial snacks from childhood, though she had seldom eaten them as she grew older. What was truly touching was that the Empress Dowager still remembered them all.
“Grandmother…” Wei Qingchen’s nose twinged slightly. She felt like a child who had been wronged, finally finding a safe harbor to return to. She knelt on one knee beside Empress Dowager Liu and rested her face on the old woman’s lap.
