Chapter 10: The State Preceptor Scheming to Overthrow the Court

The slender artery on her delicate neck pulsed slowly beneath her palm, the faint blue vein clearly visible under her warm skin. As long as she applied a little more force, she could make it stop…

Her grip tightened bit by bit, then tightened further.

The previously quiet person’s breathing became audibly rough and labored, her pale cheeks flushing red as she struggled for air. She seemed to want to say something, but no sound came out.

Physiological tears welled from the corners of her eyes, mist clouding her vision. Her bandaged hand lifted weakly to rest on Xu Zhaosu’s wrist, desperately seeking even a sliver of breath.

The scalded, water-soaked wound seeped faint traces of blood. Shi Qingyi hadn’t used much strength at all—her gesture looked like an attempt to pull away, but it was merely a feeble touch on the back of Xu Zhaosu’s hand.

The hand clamped around her neck tightened further, and Shi Qingyi’s eyes slowly closed, as if they would never open again.

But Xu Zhaosu’s hand suddenly halted, refusing to exert even a fraction more force. The bones in her hand, which had nearly healed, seemed to pull at some old injury in that moment, rendering it immobile.

There, frostbite scars cramped incessantly in the darkness.

It was a long while before Shi Qingyi’s eyes slowly opened. Her throat was hoarse and raspy, her arms trembling as she propped herself up on the bed. “Your Majesty…”

The System nearly jumped for joy in Shi Qingyi’s mind: “She really wanted to kill you just now!!!”

Shi Qingyi’s lips twitched. She had no desire to acknowledge this useless after-the-fact System. Wasn’t that obvious? She had felt the tangible killing intent—Xu Zhaosu truly hated her to the extreme.

Only when Shi Qingyi’s arms gave out did Xu Zhaosu realize the absurd position they were in. Shi Qingyi’s other hand still encircled her waist, even after she had nearly been strangled to death.

“Your Majesty, did you have a nightmare just now?” Shi Qingyi’s voice was terribly hoarse, punctuated by occasional coughs. Exhausted, she simply lay down behind her.

Xu Zhaosu was drenched in cold sweat, a silent chill sweeping over her. So, one day, she too would lay such a vicious hand on Shi Qingyi. She had thought she would never want to kill her in this lifetime.

But compared to betrayal, her desire to leave was what drove her truly mad, wasn’t it?

Yes, the sovereign who once stood above all was now powerless, clinging to life on Shi Qingyi’s charity. How else could she keep her? When Shi Qingyi went off with her dear Master to live happily ever after on Zhongnan Mountain, what could she do?

Watch it happen with her own eyes?

Better to kill her, so she could never leave the Imperial Palace—not even in death. Her corpse would belong to her!

The person behind her tried to draw closer, a faint bitter tea scent wafting over. The Female Sovereign was well-read and remembered her mother’s fondness for fine teas, so she identified it from the aroma alone.

Sheep Rock Hook Green.

The mask of composure she had just regained shattered once more. She swung her palm out, snarling, “Get out—”

How dare she crawl into her bed smelling of someone else?!

Shi Qingyi was inexplicably shoved away. Somehow, Xu Zhaosu struck precisely on the back of her freshly bandaged hand, sending blood gushing forth. Even with Shi Qingyi’s composure, she couldn’t suppress a muffled grunt.

Soon after, amid the patter of rain, the Female Sovereign heard the door close softly.

In the darkness, the person trembled with rage. She actually left just like that?!

Fine, excellent. She must be off to find her Master. After years apart, they surely had much to discuss. Why bother coming to her bed in the dead of night, groveling like a palace maid and enduring such humiliation?

She lay amid the silken brocades, yet felt as if she had been dragged into the spring rain outside the window. The bone-chilling cold made her teeth chatter faintly, her heart twisting in agony, nearly tearing apart.

Wild, terrifying thoughts screamed in her mind, only to be suppressed one by one. No, she couldn’t—

Not yet, at least.

About a quarter of an hour later, the door creaked open softly. Someone approached, the bitter scent of medicine diffusing through the damp air.

A porcelain jar was placed by the bed. Shi Qingyi lit a palace lamp and turned back to see the Female Sovereign’s tightly shut eyes, her face ashen, fine beads of sweat trickling from her forehead into her neck.

“Your Majesty, I know you’re not asleep.”

She bent down by the bed, her voice hoarse yet tinged with faint helplessness. Warm breath brushed the Female Sovereign’s ear. “You haven’t taken your medicine today.”

After she left, Xu Zhaosu had smashed things in a fit of anger, refusing anything brought to her as if terrified of poison. While speaking with her Master, Shi Qingyi had overheard the System nagging in her mind, twitching her lips.

She had thrown a tantrum from noon until now, hungry the whole time. She hadn’t drunk even water, let alone medicine.

Xu Zhaosu finally opened her eyes slowly. She shielded them with one hand, waiting until she adjusted slightly before letting go. Then came a thin white gauze, as if afraid she would glimpse her true face.

Perhaps having vented enough—and exhausted from another nightmare—Xu Zhaosu didn’t make further trouble that night. She leaned into Shi Qingyi’s embrace to drink the medicine. When compliant, she was docile, wrapped in thick fox fur. She coughed twice after each sip, and Shi Qingyi gently patted her back. After some time, she managed to get some down and set the bowl aside.

A finger pressed to her lips. Xu Zhaosu paused, then instinctively parted them. A pickled sour green plum slid into her mouth.

The finger was slender and warm, carrying a faint bitter herbal taste. It suddenly reminded her of earlier that day, when Shi Qingyi had sucked her finger into her mouth. Then, memories flooded back from years ago: Shi Qingyi’s first time down the mountain, unfamiliar with thorny flowers. Curious, she reached out, pricked herself, and instinctively pulled away when Xu Zhaosu tried to blow on it.

These old stories were endless, and Xu Zhaosu’s memory was unnaturally sharp. She even recalled how Master Jing E sent a jar of Green Plum Wine from Zhongnan Mountain every year.

Her expression darkened further, practically dripping water. She turned her head and spat the plum into the medicine bowl.

Shi Qingyi: “…?”

She paused, set down the bowl, and decided to pretend she saw nothing.

“There’s nothing left in the kitchen. This servant only boiled a bowl of porridge. Will Your Majesty make do with a little?”

The “will Your Majesty” at the end carried utter helplessness, laced with unintentional gentleness and indulgence. Xu Zhaosu ate two bites with icy magnanimity. Shi Qingyi’s cooking was mediocre—the porridge barely edible—but perhaps starved too long, Xu Zhaosu graciously finished it.

After wiping her lips, Shi Qingyi prepared to drag her weary body back to sleep when a chilling voice cut in: “Did I dismiss you?”

Shi Qingyi felt as if an arrow pierced her chest. She turned laboriously.

“…What are Your Majesty’s orders?”

The Female Sovereign on the bed curled her lips in a cold sneer. “Take off your clothes.”

“…Yes.”

The System typed frantically in excitement: “Are you finally paying for your sins with your body?!”

Thrilling, joyous news for all!

Shi Qingyi’s lips twitched. With swift precision, she shut it down and forbade rebooting. The System tearfully entered confinement.

She removed the outermost cloak, then a palace gown and skirt, followed by an inner robe. When only her undergarment remained, Shi Qingyi’s lips tightened.

As her hand reached for the final tie, the voice from the bed finally spoke: “Enough.”

“Keep watch for me.”

Keeping watch in just a single layer…

She fell silent for a moment but yielded submissively. Her tone mixed exhaustion and helplessness. She took the medicine and porridge bowls out, tidied up, lit dragon’s saliva incense in the hall, then approached. Her hand rested on the brocade quilt, over the Female Sovereign’s palm.

“Your Majesty, rest easy. It was all a nightmare, not real.”

“This servant is always here…”

Xu Zhaosu sneered inwardly. Precisely because you’re here, I’m uneasy. Who knows when this venomous snake might turn and bare its fangs?

She gripped the hand slightly. Beneath the quilt lay a small dagger for self-defense.

Though her mind mocked thus, perhaps from the day’s emotional turmoil, she soon fell into deep sleep. Half-awake, she seemed to see a woman in simple Daoist robes leading someone away, terrifying her into uncontrollable shivers. In her dream, she flailed frantically, searching.

Her voice was urgent and sharp: “A-Yi—”

Someone clasped her hand, responding again and again: “Mm, I’m here, Your Majesty. I’m right here…”

As if finally receiving reassurance, her ragged breathing steadied. Clutching that hand tightly, she sank into slumber.

By the end of this ordeal, dawn tinged the sky—it was nearly time for court. The hall doors cracked open, palace servants arriving with lanterns amid the morning dew.

The opening startled the newly asleep woman. Her grip tightened, breath quickening.

In the dim yellow candlelight, the State Preceptor—down to a single thin gown—supported her forehead, fingers interlocked with the Female Sovereign’s. Her other hand pressed to her lips in a silencing gesture.

The palace maid understood, hastily closing the door and fleeing red-faced.

—The scattered clothes on the floor seemed to be the State Preceptor’s.

The servants exchanged knowing glances. The rumors from afternoon weren’t mere gossip after all. The State Preceptor and Her Majesty truly shared that kind of relationship…

Unaware of the maid’s imaginings, Shi Qingyi simply felt cold. The fire had burned out overnight, and she couldn’t call anyone while Xu Zhaosu slept. One hand was still held captive.

After pondering, she quietly slipped her remaining hand under the quilt, instantly enveloped in spring warmth. Though Xu Zhaosu ran cold, a slab of warming jade padded her bedding.

Just sleep a bit. Slip out before she wakes.

The plan was sound, but with her human alarm—the trash System—in lockdown, tragedy ensued.

Thus, by midday the next day, Xu Zhaosu had awakened while Shi Qingyi still slept, creating an awkward scene.

Upon waking, Xu Zhaosu felt someone pressed tightly against her back, an arm around her waist, forehead to her shoulder, curled into a small space.

She had applied medicine nearly half a month straight; sunlight no longer stung her eyes as before. Perhaps the spring morning light was too gentle—she could make out faint shapes.

The hand clutching hers was scarred: scalded by soup, soaked in pool water, then torn open last night. Fresh flesh peeked through cracked scabs, gripped vise-tight.

The wounds were shocking. Even Xu Zhaosu froze momentarily, instinctively loosening her hold—only for the other to grip back subconsciously, mumbling, “I’m here…”

Her voice was terribly hoarse, neck bruised purple—marks more vivid after a night, screaming of intense killing intent.

Shi Qingyi stirred awake from the poke to her wound. Opening her eyes, she met Xu Zhaosu’s emotionless gaze, shadowy as a blade in the backlighting. “Who let you up here? Get off—”

“…”

Miscalculation.

Before Xu Zhaosu could kick, Shi Qingyi rolled off. Something felt off; after a moment, she looked up. The Female Sovereign seemed oblivious she’d left, her glassy eyes still and lightless.

Not like restored sight.

Shi Qingyi exhaled inwardly and murmured, “This servant knows her mistake.”

Xu Zhaosu sneered coldly, ordering her to brew medicine outside. Only then did the Medicine Apprentice enter the inner hall. He dared not glance anywhere, his mind swirling with palace gossip.

Her Majesty and the State Preceptor were involved—flirting afternoons, bedding nights. It looked improper however viewed.

“How is Aunt?”

“The Eldest Princess’s side proceeds smoothly. She should march north soon,” the Medicine Apprentice, as a covert guard, mobilized forces inside and out for intel. “Last night, the Eldest Princess came urging again, saying Your Majesty should plan an early withdrawal from the palace.”

With loyalist forces marching north, she could reclaim the throne. Lingering in the palace doomed failure—and if Shi Qingyi noticed, she’d become her aunt’s liability.

A cold glint flashed in Xu Zhaosu’s eyes, unnoticed as she clenched the quilt. “How go the preparations?”

The Medicine Apprentice bowed his head and said in a low voice, “Everything has been prepared. We only await Shi Qingyi’s birthday banquet in the palace four days from now, when she invites the ministers and the guards are lax. Then we can secretly escort Your Majesty out of the palace.”

By then, with the vast sea and sky before her and three hundred thousand troops at hand, even if Shi Qingyi commanded the Capital Region’s one hundred thousand forbidden troops, she would be unable to stand against the generals at the Border Pass. The palace coup from a year ago was poised to replay itself. The Empress had endured humiliation and suffering, and at last, she would rise from the ashes.

The Medicine Apprentice hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking up. “The Eldest Princess also asked me to relay a message to Your Majesty.”

“Speak.” The Empress nodded slightly.

The Medicine Apprentice hesitated again, then bowed deeply. “The Eldest Princess said that Your Majesty must not be soft-hearted this time. When the moment comes to eradicate the threat completely, if you cannot bring yourself to act, she will do it in your stead.”

Even from thousands of miles away, the Eldest Princess knew these matters clearly. If her niece could not deliver the killing blow, she would not stand by and watch her repeat the same mistakes.

The woman on the couch trembled her lashes faintly. After a long pause, she raised her head. “I have my own sense of proportion.”