Chapter 18: The State Preceptor Scheming to Overthrow the Court Part 1

The long-neglected Temporary Palace finally welcomed a rare moment of bustle. The snow along the path had been cleared away, but the Female Sovereign’s temper had grown increasingly volatile lately. In this vast palace, no one dared to make a sound—not even those who came to greet her. They all kept their heads bowed low.

The only sounds between heaven and earth were the howling wind and the snow falling in flurries.

Xu Zhaosu unfastened the white fox cloak from her shoulders and draped it carefully over the person beside her. To tie the sash in the middle, their distance drew unprecedentedly close. Their breaths mingled, brushing against the exposed skin of her neck and stirring up an ambiguous damp warmth.

Shi Qingyi wanted to dodge, but before her hand could even lift, she saw the stormy gloom in the other’s eyes and let it drop.

As she tied it, Xu Zhaosu spoke, “This Temporary Palace was built for my mother by my imperial father when I was young. It’s warm in winter and cool in summer, perfect for living. It cost a fortune to construct. My mother once teased him for being a muddleheaded ruler, saying building this place was like hiding a beauty in a golden house. I was little back then and always thought that if I ever had someone I loved, I’d bring her here too. Even if it meant abandoning the myriad honors of the Imperial City, living an ordinary life would be just fine.”

Her gaze darkened, as if lost in thought, and a sharp chill flickered in her eyes. “Unfortunately, she wasn’t willing.”

Her hands were still working on the sash, trembling slightly from the cold. They occasionally grazed Shi Qingyi’s slender, pale neck—like ice, sending chills through her skin.

“Back then, I was truly heartbroken. All these plum blossoms in the palace—she never got to see them. What a pity.”

Shi Qingyi’s throat moved as she called out, “Your Majesty.”

The person immersed in painful memories seemed to snap awake. She gave the woman before her a lingering look, then suddenly smiled. “Only now do I understand. If she wasn’t willing to come see me, I could just detain her here. And now it’s even better—I no longer have to live in fear…”

Fear of when she might leave, when she might turn hostile and deny everything, locking her away in some dark dungeon.

—She should have realized it sooner.

“Your Majesty,” Shi Qingyi lowered her eyes and boldly took the woman’s ice-cold hand into her own palm. She also took over the umbrella held by the palace maid at her side, her voice soft and low. “The snow’s getting heavier. Let’s go inside.”

Snowflakes fell thick and fast, dusting the woman’s eyelashes and brows. Xu Zhaosu stared blankly for a moment before taking control, gripping that hand tightly in her own.

The nightmare finally receded. Everything was real.

Shi Qingyi followed her silently forward. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Xu Zhaosu had gone a little mad. When had it started?

This wasn’t something that happened overnight. It wasn’t from when she had betrayed her in turn. Perhaps it was even earlier, from a longer time ago—when she refused her affections without clearly rejecting her, letting her cling to fantasies and grow increasingly anxious and possessive. Before, she had suppressed it due to her status, but now—

Her hand was squeezed. The Female Sovereign turned back to her, her bright eyes kind yet hiding a chill. “What is my dear subject thinking?”

Shi Qingyi realized she had fallen two steps behind. She shook her head and hurried to catch up. “Nothing.”

The snow at the Temporary Palace was immense. By the time they arrived, it was already dusk. The palace servants who had arrived ahead had prepared dinner. Shi Qingyi had no appetite and only ate a little while accompanying Xu Zhaosu. The accompanying servants watched in shock and fear.

How could a mere medical girl dare to share a table with the Female Sovereign, whose moods were so unpredictable now?

Shi Qingyi ate without removing her mask, taking small bites without even lifting her head. Even without looking up, she knew a gaze had been fixed on her the whole time.

“You like lotus seed tofu and embroidered ball scallops too. Qingyi used to love them as well.”

She seemed to be reminiscing about the past, her voice low. Shi Qingyi’s hand, reaching to pick up some food, froze midair. After a long pause, she forced it to change direction and set it down.

“Your Majesty, this subject is full.”

“Mm. Once you’re full, we can wash up and rest.” Xu Zhaosu said no more, calmly setting down her teacup.

“I wonder if this subject will share quarters with the other female officials or the other physicians?”

Among these physicians, she was the only woman, so she had always lived alone.

Xu Zhaosu cut her off flatly. “Naturally, you’ll live with me.”

Shi Qingyi: “…”

Seeing her silent, Xu Zhaosu looked at her good-naturedly, a gentle, pleased smile seeming to curve at her eyes and brows. “What’s this? Is my dear subject unwilling?”

If she dared say no now, whether she’d see tomorrow’s sun was anyone’s guess.

It was just one hall—she thought she could make do with a small couch in the outer chamber for the night. But Xu Zhaosu directly pulled her hand and led her into the inner chamber, calling it sharing a bed to ward off the cold.

Shi Qingyi: “…”

“I sleep restlessly at night, as you know. There was even poison found recently. Without you by my side, I can’t eat or sleep in peace.”

Her words were perfectly reasonable, and she refused to let go of her hand. Shi Qingyi choked for a while but had no choice except to accept the reality.

Outside the window, wind and snow howled past, but inside the room, it was as warm as spring. Shi Qingyi closed her eyes and felt sleepiness come quickly. Just as she was about to drift off, she sensed someone quietly drawing nearer.

Her current status was merely that of a medical girl. Even guarding the Female Sovereign at night, she absolutely could not truly share a bed with her. Thus, a small couch half an inch lower had been set up right beside the bed—close enough to watch over her without overstepping.

Xu Zhaosu quietly watched the person before her, feeling like none of it was real. Lately, she didn’t even dare close her eyes, afraid that she’d wake up to find it all a dream, with no one beside her.

Though she had already sealed off all messages and mountain paths, imprisoning her here, she still feared she would vanish.

At the thought of that possibility, a flash of anxiety and madness crossed the eyes of the Female Sovereign, who now held power over the realm. She even wished for ropes—she’d tie this person up, lock her away, so she’d only ever see her for the rest of her life. Imprisoned in this remote Temporary Palace, where no one could spy or take her away—

The hand she reached out hung in midair, only to be suddenly grasped. Shi Qingyi turned over and boldly covered her eyes.

“Your Majesty, close your eyes and rest properly.” Her voice was slightly hoarse from exhaustion. Under Xu Zhaosu’s burning gaze, falling asleep was no easy task.

Her long lashes trembled against the palm, teasing at her fragile defenses.

The Female Sovereign drew a little closer. In the dead of night, her unease was unmasked—a murmur like coquetry. “I’m afraid I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone.”

“I won’t,” slender, warm fingertips rubbed her forehead, the woman’s voice like a sigh. “Rest assured, Your Majesty. This time, I won’t leave again…”

Perhaps because of the reassurance, the Female Sovereign finally fell into a deep sleep. In the last moment before dreamland, it seemed someone whispered in her ear: “For this final stretch of time, I should stay with you… no more leaving… Sleep now.”

She didn’t understand what “final stretch of time” meant, but hearing that she wouldn’t leave again strangely soothed her. The tension she’d held for half a year finally eased.

This was the soundest sleep Xu Zhaosu had in the past six months. Since she’d gone to bed early, when she woke, it was still pitch black outside. The first thing she did upon waking was check the spot beside her.

The woman was still there, sleeping soundly, her hand resting on Xu Zhaosu’s shoulder. The stone in her heart finally settled.

She lay with eyes open, staring blankly at the beam overhead, exhaling very slowly.

Someone burst in suddenly, looking urgently at the person kneeling by the door as she called out, “Your Majesty—”

Xu Zhaosu’s eyes narrowed slightly. She put her pale fingers to her lips in a shushing gesture. The intruder glimpsed the girl beside the bed and bowed deeply, not daring to look more.

The palace maid’s face flushed. With the warm bedchamber in the intimate hour of spring, she wouldn’t disturb Her Majesty unless it was truly urgent.

The Female Sovereign carefully avoided waking the girl as she rose. The palace maid leaned in to report in her ear. Once finished, the Female Sovereign’s eyes had turned utterly cold. She took clothes from beside the bed and dressed, issuing orders.

“It’s bitterly cold in winter. If she wants to sleep, let her sleep longer—don’t disturb her. Have the small kitchen keep the Ruhui Soup warm; let her eat some to tide her over first. Prepare pastries and fruits to wait on her. Remember, she doesn’t like cold or raw foods. At noon, I’ll return to dine with her. If I… if I can’t make it back, ask what she’d like to eat.”

She had already donned her undergarments. The palace maid presented the elaborate outer robe. The Female Sovereign glanced at the maid waiting nearby, her voice icy. “Don’t let her run. If anything happens, bring me your head.”

The feigning-sleep Shi Qingyi: “…”

She was just stepping out—did it have to be like this?

Her eyelids fluttered twice, pretending she’d just woken. With sleepy eyes shimmering like rippling water, she opened them.

Hearing the movement behind her, Xu Zhaosu turned back. Her voice shifted from icy cold to blooming warmth in an instant. Softly, she said, “Did I wake you?”

Shi Qingyi shook her head, squinting at her as if just adjusting to the lamplight. Xu Zhaosu met her gaze openly. Even though her scheme of imprisonment had just been overheard, she showed no panic. Instead, she leaned closer, brushing her forehead against hers in restraint. “Wait nicely for my return. Don’t think of running, alright?”

“…”