Chapter 20

Half an hour ago, Yao Zhu was suddenly summoned, told that someone from the Palace Punishment Office was looking for her.

He Hui found it strange. “It’s almost dark, and the women officials of the Palace Punishment Office are about to finish their shifts. Why would they want you now, sister?”

The Palace Punishment Office managed the punishments within the harem. Being called at this hour inevitably caused worry.

Yao Zhu told her not to be anxious; the person looking for her was a close sister she often confided in, likely needing help with some trouble.

“Miss, remember to light the lamp early. I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright,” He Hui replied, lowering her head to resume embroidery.

Previously, various matters had delayed the completion of the Emperor’s birthday gift.

In recent days, no orders had come from the Emperor, so He Hui was fairly certain that the incident she had at the dressing mirror had not been seen by him. This realization eased her nerves considerably. Unlike before, when she couldn’t sleep a wink and was constantly anxious, she now felt much better during the day and could focus on her embroidery again.

The Longevity Festival was only ten days away. She had to seize the time or it would be too late.

Though Yao Zhu said she needn’t be so meticulous—that any small trinket handed over to the Privy Council would do, as others usually did—He Hui felt the Emperor was still Prince Ning’s father and deserved respect, so she must not be careless.

If by chance the Emperor took a fancy to inspect the gift and saw her painstaking preparation, he might forgive her for interrupting his meeting with the concubines at the Rain Flower Pavilion that day, and hold a better impression of her. That could help her greatly in matters concerning her marriage to Prince Ning.

After embroidering for a long time, she nearly lost track of time. When she finally looked up, the room had grown dim and quiet, the only sound the rustling of leaves stirred by the evening breeze outside the window. A faint fragrance lingered in the air.

It was late summer; although the air still held traces of heat, the osmanthus trees outside had bloomed early, signaling the approach of autumn.

Suddenly, she realized it had been almost a year since she left her hometown to enter the palace.

When she boarded the ship north with the Imperial Guards last year, the osmanthus at home was in full bloom.

She wondered how her father was doing, and whether he had followed her advice to frequently visit the graves of her grandmother and mother.

Lost in thought, she sat dazedly. When she came to, about to light the lamp, what she saw stopped her.

What had happened?

He Hui felt a man’s hand clutch hers. Her vision blurred, unable to make out his face, but she could feel the scorching heat radiating from his palm, like sparks of fire so bright and fierce it seemed a careless moment would burn her along the arm.

Instinctively, she struggled, but his grip tightened.

“Don’t move.” This time his tone softened. “They’re all gone. Don’t be afraid.”

Only then did He Hui recognize the voice and widened her eyes slightly.

Prince Ning?

Or—

The Emperor?

The thought of the two flashed through her mind, and she instinctively dismissed the latter.

What was she thinking? How could the Emperor come here and grab her hand so recklessly?

He wasn’t mad.

It was clearly Prince Ning.

But it was the first time Prince Ning had been so close to her. He Hui felt uneasy, wanting to ask him to loosen his grip, but after thinking it over, she held back.

Wasn’t this closeness what she had always hoped for? If this was how things were, her chances of becoming his princess consort would increase greatly.

She steadied herself, suppressing her discomfort, and gently squeezed his hand back.

The Emperor had never known that a woman’s hand could be so soft, so warm. At his age, he was moved to a youthful excitement by the simple act of this young girl returning his grasp.

Like a callow youth.

No, even in his teenage years, he had never felt this way.

He studied He Hui carefully, gazing at this seemingly ordinary girl, unable to understand what spell had made him fall so deeply into her pomegranate-scented embrace.

They had only met a few times.

The Emperor did not dwell on such mysteries. Once he made a decision to take this girl, he would not hesitate or regret.

His thumb softly caressed the back of her hand, then he pulled her to follow.

He Hui could not see but felt a chill of fear. She had heard palace rules: if the Emperor or a prince took a fancy to a palace woman, no formal betrothal or even a meal needed to be arranged—they could simply bring her to their favor.

Afterward, if they wished, they could grant her the status of concubine; if not, they could turn away and forget her. It was common.

Prince Ning did not seem to be a responsible man.

Their affair had not been settled. If she were defiled now, it would disgrace the Empress Dowager. Not to mention becoming princess consort—she might not even become a concubine.

Clutching the embroidery frame tightly, she refused to let go. “Where do you want to take me?”

Afraid her tone might offend Prince Ning, she softened her voice. “I haven’t finished embroidering the Emperor’s birthday gift yet.”

Thinking that invoking the Emperor’s name might restrain him, she was surprised when he seemed even more pleased and said, “We’ll finish it later.”

She was about to ascend the ranks and become his woman—why bother with such trifles? But hearing how much she cared about the gift, the Emperor couldn’t help but smile.

“No, no,” He Hui noticed his steps did not pause and grew anxious. “I’m unwell. I can’t…”

“What’s wrong with you?”

At his words, Prince Ning finally stopped. He Hui felt him approach and tried to step back but forced herself to hold still.

He seemed to be examining her. She averted her gaze slightly, biting her lip.

The dim surroundings heightened her tension. She wondered if Prince Ning insisted on taking her away, should she grab the incense burner beside her and smash it on his head? But she feared hurting him by accident, caught in a dilemma.

Suddenly, she heard Prince Ning chuckle softly, his voice tickling her ear.

“Good child, do you think I’m taking you to do something bad?”

Good child?

They were the same age—why did he call her that?

But He Hui had no time to ponder his choice of words and took it as flirtatious banter. “Isn’t that so?”

Prince Ning said no. “I’m taking you to the Longevity Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. And to explain our affair.”

He paused. “You belong to the Empress Dowager’s household. To take you, we need at least to inform her.”

Otherwise, life would be difficult with the Empress Dowager later.

He Hui relaxed at first, relieved he did not intend to do that thing with her right away. But his words confused her more and more.

Hadn’t the Empress Dowager already approved of their relationship? Why must they report it to her? And why did Prince Ning say “take you as [a wife]”? Did he not intend to marry her properly, only to make her a concubine?

Knowing she could not accompany him, He Hui changed the subject. “It’s late today. Better to discuss this another day.”

She softened her tone. “What happened just now? Why did you suddenly…? Was there an intruder in the palace?”

When those men lunged at her moments ago, she had thought the Emperor was sending assassins because of the previous incident.

Prince Ning remained silent for a long moment. “It’s nothing, just a few eunuchs who got lost. I’ve sent people to deal with them.”

He Hui nodded, still thinking about his words but paying them little mind.

“All right, let’s go.”

A warmth returned to her hand—it was Prince Ning taking her hand again.

Her body stiffened. Following his palm upward, she grasped his arm and felt the intricate embroidery on his splendid robe.

“What is it?” he asked.

He Hui took a breath, smiled, and looked up. “My lord, I do admire you and know you have feelings for me, but our affair isn’t urgent. When the time comes, if the Empress Dowager and the Emperor look favorably upon us, they will grant us marriage. Acting like this now might backfire.”

After speaking, she suddenly noticed Prince Ning grew silent, a chill radiating from him. Even the once burning hand holding hers lost its heat.

“Whom do you admire?” he asked.

He Hui keenly sensed his displeasure, almost forgetting to speak. Unsure if he suspected her lie, she forced herself to say:

“It’s you, my lord, Prince Ning.”

The moment the words left her lips, she felt herself sway violently, and by the time she regained her senses, he had pulled her close before him.