Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: Xuanqiu Weaves Dreams

Zhang Zhiqiu also sensed the strange atmosphere and stood up to her, saying, “Hong Ling, His Majesty doesn’t seem very pleased. You should hurry and catch up. I’m fine now; I can return on my own.”

She thought that Lou Hongling had blamed Xu Qing because of her.

Only then did Lou Hongling come back to her senses and reached out to comfort her. “It’s nothing, Zhiqiu. Don’t overthink it.”

She glanced sideways at Wei Xuanming beside her. “Then I’ll trouble Commander Wei to escort Zhiqiu back.”

Wei Xuanming agreed without hesitation. “Of course…”

For some reason, he inexplicably detected a hint of teasing in Lou Hongling’s eyes. He rubbed his nose, puzzled.

Zhang Zhiqiu recalled Li Yuan, who shared her cell, and was just about to consider pleading for her when she remembered Li Yuan’s sarcastic remarks and felt a surge of displeasure.

Forget it. From the look of things, it wasn’t serious. Besides, she had said someone would come to rescue her.

Unbeknownst to them, in a nearby cell, Li Yuan had witnessed everything that had just transpired. Her gaze swept over Xu Qing, Lou Hongling, and the others, sinking into a moment of contemplation. In the dim light, her expression was obscure, her thoughts indecipherable.

Once the crowd dispersed, Wei Xuanming, as promised, escorted Zhang Zhiqiu back to Yong Alley. Along the way, he spoke softly to her, “Thanks to you today. Otherwise, who knows whose hands this jade pendant might have fallen into.”

Zhang Zhiqiu looked up at him and replied quietly, “I only did what I ought to.”

Wei Xuanming regarded her with admiration in his eyes. “Miss, your knowledge of ancient customs and rituals is truly impressive.”

Bashful at the praise, Zhang Zhiqiu’s lips curved into a gentle smile, sweet and delicate like a peach blossom blooming in springtime. She smiled shyly, “I just like reading. I used to listen to my father talk about these things.”

Suddenly recalling something, Wei Xuanming apologized, “Today’s trouble was caused by this pendant. I should apologize to you, but I must also ask a favor.”

He took a deep breath. “Would you mind retying the thousand blessings knot with new silk thread for me?”

The pendant’s old knot had loosened with age, and if it fell off next time, it might never be found.

“Is it very important?” Zhang Zhiqiu asked curiously.

“Yes, it was left to me by my mother.”

After saying this, a trace of sorrow surfaced on his face as if touching a tender memory.

Noticing his expression, Zhang Zhiqiu nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you.”

Wei Xuanming nodded slightly, the gloom in his eyes lifting as gratitude shone forth. “In that case, I’ll trouble you… May I know your name? I am Wei Xuanming.”

“Zhang Zhiqiu.”

She smiled brightly, her eyes clear and radiant, her face as charming as a peach blossom, and extended her hand. Wei Xuanming promptly handed over the pendant.

Unconsciously, they had arrived at Yong Alley.

Bathed in moonlight, Wei Xuanming looked at Zhang Zhiqiu and asked, “How long do you think it will take to finish?”

Zhang Zhiqiu confidently patted her chest. “Three days.”

Wei Xuanming smiled at her. “Then it’s settled. Tomorrow I’ll send someone to deliver the silk thread to you.”

Zhang Zhiqiu nodded gently. They exchanged a smile, and she slowly walked away under the moonlight.

Wei Xuanming watched her light steps as she ran back, her loose hairpin swaying gracefully with her lively pace in the moonlight, making him momentarily dazed.

After a long while, he came back to himself, realizing he had been standing there for some time. Reluctantly, he withdrew his gaze and turned away.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the palace walls—

“Your Majesty!”

Lou Hongling called out anxiously, her crisp voice echoing in the empty dungeon corridor.

She lifted her skirt and hurried after Xu Qing without regard for decorum. Once Xu Qing stepped out of the dungeon, he suddenly flicked his sleeve and dismissed all the palace attendants following him, his action laced with obvious anger.

He strode forward with quick, heavy steps, as if sulking and unwilling to wait for her. His cloak fluttered in the wind.

She was desperate, cursing Deng Chumo’s frivolity in her heart, fearing Xu Qing had misunderstood her. In her panic, she quickened her pace but was caught by her trailing skirt, causing her to fall heavily onto the firm white jade floor tiles.

“Ugh…”

She couldn’t help but gasp in pain as fiery aches spread through her palms and knees.

Hearing the sound, Xu Qing finally stopped. Turning around, he saw Lou Hongling sprawled awkwardly on the ground. His brows instinctively furrowed, and a flash of pity crossed his eyes. He was about to step forward to help her but seemed to recall something and forcibly restrained himself.

He stood still, looking at Lou Hongling with a complicated gaze. After hesitating for a moment, he sighed helplessly and slowly walked back to her side.

Lou Hongling’s sight suddenly met his dark robe. She looked up in confusion, noting that anger still lingered in his eyes.

Enduring the pain, she turned and knelt, unsure of what to say, her eyes evasively shifting. She could only cautiously plead, “Your servant should not have disturbed Your Majesty late at night with such a trivial matter. I beg your forgiveness…”

Seeing her like this, Xu Qing’s lips twitched involuntarily. The anger in his heart seemed blocked and unable to vent, leaving him suffocated and uncomfortable. Through clenched teeth, he uttered two words, “...It’s alright.”

Then, unable to hold back, he poured out his long-held doubts. “Since when have you been so close with that Deng Chumo? And why were you personally appointed by the Empress Dowager to the Xuanshi Palace?”

His questions came swiftly, like pearls cast one after another. Lou Hongling had anticipated this day and calmly presented her prepared explanation, looking up and speaking with sincerity.

“This is a long story. I dare say, the assassin that day… was probably sent by the Empress Dowager. I saved Your Majesty but was accidentally seen by them. Afterwards, the Empress Dowager found out and intended to execute me. However, they suddenly received some divination, muttering that I was an ominous person and thus sent me to Xuanshi Palace… As for why the Crown Prince is like this, I do not know…”

Her tone was earnest, her eyes bright and clear like a mirror. Xu Qing was half-believing, half-doubting, but recalling all she had done for him, if she wished to harm him, why would she go to such lengths?

He tilted his head slightly, thinking the Empress Dowager must have believed that “Mars guards the heart” omen and wished him ill fortune. Now that the matter had come this far, most of the shadows clouding his heart had dissipated. He spoke slowly, “No need to belittle yourself. I never believe in omens. I only believe that destiny lies in one’s own hands.”

He looked at Lou Hongling firmly, his eyes bright and steady.

Lou Hongling was somewhat distracted. “Your Majesty…”

Xu Qing cleared his throat, a faint blush barely noticeable on his face. He could not explain where the sudden anger had come from earlier, but seeing Lou Hongling’s pitiful look now, most of the fire in his heart had already faded.

Not wanting to continue the awkward topic, he turned slightly to avoid her gaze and softly said, “The night is deep, and the dew heavy. Let us return to the palace.”

“Yes,” she replied.

The matter was settled for now. As the year’s end approached, she knew that Xu Qing would soon face the first crisis of his reign.

The Empress Dowager Deng’s previous assassination attempt had failed. For the moment, she was lying low, considering that holding the emperor hostage to control the ministers was a decent strategy. After all, Xu Qing was only the second emperor since the founding of the Great Crane dynasty, and the Deng family’s influence was insufficient. Even if they replaced the emperor, it was uncertain whether the new ruler would be easier to manipulate—these insights were not Lou Hongling’s own conjecture but words spoken by Deng Chumo in a past life.