Following Prince Qing into the palace, both guide eunuchs led the way from front and back. Since they were headed to the previous dynasty’s court first, they encountered various officials who had just completed their morning audiences. These dignitaries were surprised to see Prince Qing accompanied by a lady, a sight none had witnessed before. Particularly, Prince Zhao widened his eyes in disbelief upon seeing Xiao Yu’s face.
Prince Qing did not greet these people, and Xiao Yu followed demurely, eyes downcast. Although they did not speak, Prince Qing suddenly grasped her wrist, seeming to declare her identity to everyone present.
Thus under the gaze of many, they entered the Imperial Study. The high-pitched voice of the Chief Eunuch greeted Prince Qing.
"Prince Qing, the Emperor and Crown Prince are conversing with the Left and Right Prime Ministers. Perhaps you could take Miss Shen to the side hall to rest for a while?"
Xiao Yu looked up in surprise just as the eunuch glanced her way, and she nodded stably in greeting, "Hello, I am Shen Xiaoyu."
"I know of you. I’ve even had the meals you’ve cooked, oh, they were splendid. No wonder our Prince Qing holds you in high favor!"
"You flatter me, it was just simple home cooking."
... ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
Afterwards, they were led to a side hall to rest, and they waited there for about an hour until the eunuch came to summon them.
It was Xiao Yu’s first time in the palace. She felt somewhat restrained but oddly familiar with the surroundings, having seen many in films and visited the Imperial Palace, so she found it quite similar, though smaller in comparison here.
Following closely behind Prince Qing with her eyes demurely downcast, she said, "Don’t be nervous, the Father Emperor and elder brother are easy to talk to."
Prince Qing’s comforting voice reached her from ahead, and she hummed in response, taking a deep breath before entering.
The floor shone brilliantly, seemingly mirror-like in its polish, its material unknown but dark and glossy.
After Prince Qing performed his salutation, she followed immediately with a deep bow: "The civilian girl, Shen Xiaoyu, pays her respects to the Emperor and Crown Prince. May the Emperor live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years; May the Crown Prince live for a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years."
"Rise," a weak voice commanded from above, followed by a burst of severe coughing, spitting phlegm, and intermittent gasping. As a former respiratory doctor, she could discern just by listening that the Emperor likely suffered from some kind of bronchitis.
However, her status now was awkward; she couldn’t rush to his aid as she had with Grandma Liu, so she suppressed her impulse and kneeled to thank the Emperor for his grace, then stood up.
When the Emperor had finally caught his breath, he slightly lifted his eyelids, "Lift your head, let me take a look."
Xiao Yu then dared to raise her head. The man on the Dragon Throne seemed to be in his forties or fifties. Given that the average lifespan in ancient times ranged around fifty or sixty years, she guessed he might be older than he appeared. As an emperor, he seemed well-maintained despite the torment of his bronchitis, his complexion somewhat pale and his hair slightly disordered, yet his dignity remained. His gaze was full of scrutiny and consideration.
Though the Crown Prince made no sound, Xiao Yu felt the intensity of his piercing gaze.
"Hmm, quite a fine appearance. I’ve heard you have no parents, only a younger brother left who serves under Prince Qing?"
Respectfully, Xiao Yu responded, "Your Majesty, my parents have been missing for many years, and no bodies have been found, so I don’t know if they are dead or alive. I have one younger brother working for Prince Qing."
Reflecting on the village massacre of those years, Xiao Yu found it more than cruel; it was an obliteration of humanity. But with the heavens high and the Emperor distant, whom could she possibly blame?