Chapter 41: Quietly Winning Favor

In the Emperor’s Sleeping Palace, the atmosphere was heavy. Xiao Liju held the medicine bowl and tried once more to feed him a spoonful.

The thick medicinal broth trickled entirely from Emperor Hongjing’s mouth once again.

Xiao Liju’s hand paused, her heart sinking to the depths. Yesterday, she had managed to get some into him, but today, not even a drop would stay down.

Eunuch Xiaolin stood silently by, wiping away tears. He had served the Emperor since childhood, and their bond ran deep. Though he had known this day would come, now that it was here, his heart twisted like a knife, the pain so sharp it stole his breath.

Xiao Liju held the bowl, gazing wordlessly at the Emperor, her sorrow plain in her eyes.

A servant arrived from outside to report, bearing news from the palace maid sent to the Empress Dowager’s quarters. Xiao Liju bade her enter.

After respectfully paying her respects, the maid quickly relayed the daily update.

“Today, the Empress Dowager is much better. Her fever has broken, and the imperial physician says she should be up and about in a few days. She mentioned that she’ll come see the Emperor herself soon.”

“Understood.”

Xiao Liju dismissed the maid with a wave and turned to the Emperor lying on the sickbed. “You heard that, right? Mother’s fine now. You need to get better soon too—don’t make her worry.”

Xiao Liju tried feeding him another spoonful, but it still wouldn’t go down.

Eunuch Xiaolin turned his head away, his eyes red-rimmed. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Princess, why don’t you tell some of the things His Majesty likes to hear in his daily life?”

Xiao Liju nodded and summoned one of her subordinates waiting outside to report.

The informant was someone Xiao Liju had placed in the Shi Mansion to keep watch. Having reported many times before, she knew what the nobles liked to hear. After paying her respects, she began recounting the details with vivid enthusiasm.

“In the past few days, Miss Zhaoran has been helping Madam Shi sort through the household accounts. She uncovered several cases of servants embezzling funds and deceiving their superiors. Madam Shi dealt with them all and recovered the stolen silver. She was so pleased that she showed Miss Zhaoran rare warmth.”

“Then, with the Shi Mansion preparing new seasonal garments, Madam Shi—who always dreaded such tasks—let Miss Zhaoran take over. Miss Zhaoran knows all the capital’s trends, fabrics, and prices like the back of her hand. After resolving that headache for Madam Shi, she even praised her.”

The subordinate spared no detail, recounting every way Xie Zhaoran had coaxed Madam Shi into good spirits. Xiao Liju’s composed expression nearly cracked. When she heard that Xie Zhaoran’s hand wound had healed and she was now studying the Shi family’s food preferences to win them over through their stomachs, Xiao Liju couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Eunuch Xiaolin smiled too, a faint warmth softening his face. He had been watching the Emperor closely and noticed what seemed like a smile at those stories. Hurriedly, he took the medicine bowl from Xiao Liju’s hands.

As the subordinate continued with the amusing tales, he fed the Emperor, and this time, some actually went down. Eunuch Xiaolin’s eyes grew hot, tears welling up.

Seeing this, Xiao Liju felt a pang of bitterness. “Look at him, still like a child. Back when I was at the border, he’d send me seven or eight letters a day, all full of this gossip. I don’t know who he takes after.”

Eunuch Xiaolin nodded with a smile. “His Majesty wasn’t well and spent his days cooped up in the Eastern Palace. These were his only amusements. Besides, you’re the only ones close to him—you and Miss Zhaoran—so he naturally cares more about you two.”

Xiao Liju nodded. She knew her brother found joy in small things amid his suffering.

Once the report ended, she chatted idly with Emperor Hongjing as if it were casual talk. “Zhaoran’s been at the Shi house for over half a month now and still hasn’t won over Madam Shi. What do you think—is she useless or what?”

Meanwhile, in the back courtyard of the Shi Mansion, Tu Chunhua was inwardly cursing Xie Zhaoran for her scheming ways.

“Her intentions are so obvious! Making all these Jiangnan snacks—it’s clear she’s just trying to butter us up!”

Shi Minda picked up a vegetable rice cake and bit off a large piece, mumbling through a full mouth, “Then why are you eating it?”

Tu Chunhua shot him an irritated glare, setting down the bowl she’d drained of its sweet sesame paste and licking her lips. “It’d be a waste not to eat what she’s made. We’ve only had these good days for a few—don’t tell me you’re floating already and want to waste food!”

Shi Minda knew this was just displaced anger and wisely shut his mouth, continuing to enjoy the hometown treats he hadn’t had in ages.

Once he was stuffed, Shi Minda let out a satisfied belch, patted his rounded belly, and asked Tu Chunhua, “Wife, if you don’t like Xie Zhaoran, why did you agree to let her stay?”

Tu Chunhua looked at him like he was an idiot. “When did I say I don’t like her? Xie Zhaoran’s an outstanding girl—there aren’t many like her in the whole capital. How could I not like her?”

This left Shi Minda baffled. “But if you like her, why not approve of her and Ningning?”

Tu Chunhua frowned. “Do you approve?”

Shi Minda shook his head vigorously. “No, no, I don’t.”

A glint of menace flashed in Tu Chunhua’s eyes. “Then why don’t you?”

Shi Minda stiffened, utterly confused by his wife’s thinking. Honestly, he shared his thoughts. “Xie Zhaoran’s too clever. I’m worried Ningning will get fooled.”

Though Ningning had explained that Xie Zhaoran’s engagement to the Crown Prince had been fake, part of some scheme, the fact that she could use even a marriage for her plots meant she wasn’t simple-minded.

Their daughter, on the other hand, was pure as a blank sheet—her feelings showed plainly on her face. He just feared she’d be deceived.

Tu Chunhua nodded, her expression meaningful and tinged with nostalgia. “My father opposed our marriage for the same reason. He said you scholars have too many schemes and worried I’d be tricked—”

Before she could finish, Shi Minda interrupted anxiously. “Nonsense! I have no schemes—my heart toward you is true.”

Tu Chunhua laughed like a blooming flower, a touch of shyness on her face. “Why bring that up? In the end, Father agreed.”

Shi Minda wanted to say it was because she’d proposed first, but he fell silent.

Tu Chunhua did too, her voice choking as words failed her. Their current worries mirrored her parents’ concerns for her back then.

In the end, her father and mother had consented to her marriage to the then-penniless Shi Minda, after tests proved his reliability.

These days, they had seen that Xie Zhaoran truly cared for their daughter.

They had avoided the topic before, but now that it was out, Tu Chunhua asked directly what Shi Minda thought.

Shi Minda sighed. “Truth be told, that day as I climbed down Xiuya Cliff, I swore to Buddha in my heart: if Ningning survived healthy and whole, I’d agree to whatever she wanted.”

Worried Tu Chunhua might not grasp his terror then, he described the cliff’s sheer height, the bottomless abyss below, and the fear gripping his heart.

This was also why, when Ningning suddenly announced her bond with Xie Zhaoran later, he was shocked but didn’t refuse.

Tu Chunhua hadn’t seen the cliff herself but could imagine the peril, especially from Xie Zhaoran’s state. Her nose stung, eyes reddening as she asked Shi Minda, “What if Ningning says she wants to roam the jianghu next? Would you agree to that too?”

At this, pride flickered across Shi Minda’s face, his eyes shining as he looked at Tu Chunhua. “She’s already done it. Our daughter’s exceptional.” Not only had she protected herself but saved her beloved too.

Tu Chunhua understood. Yes, their daughter had grown up—this time, she’d left them to venture out and returned unscathed, even bringing back her love.

“Fine then.”

“What?” Shi Minda was stunned. “You agree just like that?”

Tu Chunhua pondered. “We’ll make her wait another month. Let her know our approval isn’t easy, so she’ll cherish this hard-won bond more. You hold out—no smiling at her this month.”

Shi Minda immediately vowed to obey his wife. “Not even half a smile.”

At the same time, Shi Yuning and Xie Zhaoran were having breakfast, unaware that her parents planned a full month of stone-faced treatment.

Shi Yuning eyed the table of dim sum and frowned. “Your leg isn’t fully healed yet—don’t work so hard.” She knew Xie Zhaoran was trying to impress Tu Chunhua and win approval, but it pained her.

Xie Zhaoran smoothed her furrowed brow with a smile. “Making these isn’t the same as using my leg.”

Shi Yuning shook her head. “It’s still tiring. Besides, it’s not working—Mother’s not one for gluttony.”

Xie Zhaoran smiled without denying it. “Sincerity can move mountains.”

Shi Yuning knew she couldn’t dissuade her. Xie Zhaoran had been playing pitiful and coquettish with Tu Chunhua daily, yet her mother remained unmoved this time.

Her father was avoiding her too.

Shi Yuning leaned in and kissed Xie Zhaoran. “You’ve suffered for it.”

Xie Zhaoran’s heart bloomed with joy—she didn’t find it suffering at all. She’d already made her way into the inner circle. She ladled a bowl of corn porridge for Shi Yuning. “Have some more.”

As they ate, a messenger arrived from the palace, summoning them secretly.

Only upon arrival did Shi Yuning learn the Emperor was failing. Xie Zhaoran had steeled herself, but seeing him gasping his last, unable to speak, still wrenched her heart.

Shi Yuning gripped Xie Zhaoran’s hand tightly beside her.

After letting them bid Emperor Hongjing a final farewell, Xiao Liju led them out, warning them to stay home and go nowhere—the capital might soon be in chaos.

Xie Zhaoran agreed. “You be careful too.”

Xiao Liju hesitated, then asked earnestly once more, “Are you really giving up your status as the Xie Duke’s Mansion’s cherished daughter?”

Xie Zhaoran gave a bitter smile. “Has the Xie family come looking for me?”

Xiao Liju sighed deeply.

Xie Zhaoran closed her eyes briefly, hiding a flash of grief, and said calmly, “If anything happens to the Emperor, even if the Xie family knows I’m alive, they’ll want me to follow him in death.”

Xiao Liju’s eyes dimmed. It was all too possible.

A dull ache throbbed in Shi Yuning’s heart, wave after wave. She clasped Xie Zhaoran’s hand tighter.

The Xie family might abandon Xie Zhaoran, but Shi Yuning wouldn’t—nor would the Shi family.

Seeing their intertwined fingers, Xiao Liju felt a measure of comfort. “Alright, I’ll make the arrangements.”