"Mother, Mother." The small body wobbled through the curtain and climbed onto the bed.

The woman reached out to her with a sickly smile. "Xue Niang, where have you been playing?" she asked softly, coughing several times as she spoke the sentence. "Mother, eat the bean cake." The little girl brought the half-piece of pastry in her hand to the woman's mouth.

The woman took a small bite, smiled, and praised it as delicious. "The Empress gave this to me, only for Nan Nan to eat." The girl said in a milky, slightly proud voice.

The smile on the woman's face vanished. "Xue Niang, don't eat her things again," she said, grasping the child's soft wrist. "They killed your father; don't eat their things." The pastry in the little girl's hand fell to the ground. "Mother, Mother.

Don't die." The girl woke from the nightmare with a cry, and a pair of hands immediately reached out to gently pat her. "Xue Niang is not afraid, Xue Niang is not afraid." A soft female voice brushed over her.

The little girl drowsily saw the concerned face of the woman before her.

The palace was not empty in the night; a few ground lamps flickered, and soft, intermittent female voices drifted in through the window lattice. "Now that her mother is gone, if a child is misled into saying a few unpleasant words, how can she understand at such a young age? How is that considered defiant? What are you getting so angry about..." "...As for how her father died, others might not know, but we certainly do, don't we?" Lying in the inner room, the girl covered her mouth, forcibly swallowing the breath that rose to her throat, and curled up into a ball clutching the quilt.

Chen Shi’s hand clenched the corner of her robe; she felt as if a breath was stuck in her chest.

That breath had been pressing on her heart ever since that time.

No matter how she tried, she couldn't exhale it. "I understand all those grand principles, but some things in this world simply have no reason." Old Madam of Deqing Gong ignored Chen Shi's strangeness, let out a breath, and said plainly, "The victor is king, the vanquished is bandit.

The imperial clan of the Great Zhou should cease to exist." "Yes, we lost, and we can afford to lose." Chen Shi spoke, not moving from her lying position. "But.

The hatred for a father's murder is irreconcilable, and there's nothing wrong with that." "Exactly, very right," Old Madam of Deqing Gong nodded.

Looking at Chen Shi, she continued, "What is wrong is mistaking your enemy for your benefactor, and your benefactor for your enemy." She let out a slight scoff at this point, feeling somewhat tired.

She then placed her feet on the warm kang, leaning to the other side. "Xue Niang, how did our Chen family's current glory and favor come about?" she asked.

A faint smile touched Chen Shi's lips; she remained silent, nor did Old Madam of Deqing Gong ask her to speak. "Xue Niang, do you think it's because your eldest branch made a mistake.

Because you are remnants of the previous dynasty, the Emperor favored the Western Chen over the Eastern Chen, and thus our glory was built by trampling on your father's dignity?" Old Madam of Deqing Gong continued.

She also smiled when she said this. "Do you think your father died saving Emperor Rensong Jing, but have you ever seen the corpse of your father or Emperor Jing?" Old Madam of Deqing Gong said, lowering her voice.

What? Chen Shi's placid expression finally shifted, her breathing growing rapid. "Everyone says your father died saving Emperor Jing, but have you ever seen the savior impaled by a long sword?" Old Madam of Deqing Gong said slowly.

What? Chen Shi sat up abruptly.

Her vacant, dull eyes turned toward Old Madam of Deqing Gong. "Do you think the Grand Ancestor Emperor wanted to kill Emperor Jing, and your father died protecting him?" Old Madam of Deqing Gong continued. "Wrong.

Your father was indeed protecting someone, but it absolutely was not Emperor Jing.

He knew the imperial dragon boat could never dock; this world no longer belonged to the Great Zhou.

Rather than putting the Grand Ancestor Emperor in a difficult position, or letting others do this deed, he preferred to do it himself! He was delighted to do it! He did it willingly!" Chen Shi gasped, clutching the lapel of her robe; her already bloodless face began to turn blue. "Your father did not die for Emperor Rensong Jing, nor for the Great Zhou; he died for himself.

This path was one he chose himself; no one forced him, nor did anyone harm him.

On the contrary, he ended up setting quite a few people back." Old Madam of Deqing Gong let out a breath and said lightly, "For his death, some feel guilt, some harbor secret hatred, some grieve, some sneer, some are eager to repay, and some are set on vengeance.

His death brought a clean end to everything." Chen Shi shook her head. "No, no, liar." She said in a trembling voice. "See, I told you.

You won't accept what we say; you only believe what you want to believe," Old Madam of Deqing Gong sneered. "Why are you called Xue (Snow)?" Chen Shi froze, and Qi Yue also paused.

This topic... "Only with snow can one appreciate the beauty of the plum," Old Madam of Deqing Gong turned her head to look out the window at a plum tree growing crookedly.

What did that mean? Qi Yue looked bewildered, but then she saw Chen Shi stare blankly for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. "Ha, ha." She gave two dry laughs, then abruptly closed her eyes and flopped back heavily.

Qi Yue, startled, rushed forward, shaking her and calling out. "Xue Niang, Xue Niang." The boy's cool voice sounded near her ear. "That's a beautiful name; the person who named you must have loved you very much," he said with a smile.

The boy's bright smile was reflected in the clear lake water.

Chen Xue lowered her head, unsure if it was her leg or shyness, and didn't dare move. "Your maid has gone to fetch people; you can't stay in the water like this.

Come, let me help you up onto the bank first," the boy said.

A slender hand reached out before her.

Chen Xue lowered her head even further. "You are Chen Qing's daughter, aren't you?" the boy's voice came from above her head. "I overheard your maid speaking." Chen Xue was stunned and looked up slightly, the boy before her eyes as brilliant as sunlight. "Your father was a benefactor to our family," the boy smiled, extending his hand once more, leaning in. "Please, Miss, allow me to repay the favor." No, no...

he shouldn't repay the favor, he should take revenge...

Your Highness...

Chen Xue's tears streamed down. "Do you have anything else to say to me now?" Old Madam of Deqing Gong asked, looking at her, her gaze falling upon Qi Yue for the second time.

Qi Yue felt a prickle of fear under her stare and unconsciously let the hand she had extended toward Chen Shi drop. "Do you have any final instructions for me?" Old Madam of Deqing Gong asked again, her eyes still fixed on Qi Yue.

Qi Yue lowered her hands and looked at her.

Her expression was calm. "None," Chen Shi's weak voice finally sounded.

A silence fell over the room. "Xue Niang, I truly regret taking you there that time," Old Madam of Deqing Gong murmured, her imposing manner completely gone as she slumped onto the kang, tears flowing.

Chen Shi smiled faintly. "But," she also murmured, "I don't regret it..." She carefully placed her hand on the boy's arm, but it was slippery, frightening, and painful.

Chen Xue swayed, just before she fell back into the water again.

The boy caught her around the waist and lifted her up.

Chen Xue shrieked in alarm.

In that instant, the boy had turned and carried her to the shore, setting her down steadily. "Your legs are truly beautiful," the boy said.

He gave her a dazzling smile and turned to leave.

Chen Xue couldn't help but stand up. "Your Highness..." she called, watching the receding figure, "Wait for me." Chen Shi closed her eyes, a faint smile on her lips.

The hand held close to her heart slackened, and a jade pendant clattered to the floor.

Qi Yue bit her lower lip, tears beginning to fall.

Was that it? Was it that simple? This person, gone just like that... "Madam Qi," Old Madam of Deqing Gong called out in a hoarse voice.

Qi Yue looked at her. "You are no longer the young mistress of Marquis Dingxi's estate, nor are you a relative of our Chen family.

Therefore, you need not attend Xue Niang's funeral," Old Madam of Deqing Gong said, her voice raspy.

Qi Yue looked at her and nodded.

Then she looked at Chen Shi. "You don't need to kowtow either.

Old Madam Chang has given Xue Niang a second life, and you have grace from Old Madam Chang; she is not worthy of your rites," Old Madam of Deqing Gong continued. "You...

leave now." Qi Yue looked at Chen Shi, who seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep, and in a daze, she saw her again for the first time: the sickly woman on the recliner instantly revealing genuine joy and concern, reaching out her hand to her.

It was true affection, just not for Madam Qi Yue.

Goodbye.

Qi Yue turned and walked out.

Behind her, the heartbroken wails of Old Madam of Deqing Gong sounded, and maids and servants rushed past in chaos, crying, shouting, carrying the prepared clothes, and the mourning cloth was already being hung.

Qi Yue stepped out the door, and the main gate of the Chen residence slowly closed, isolating everything inside.

Three days later, the King of Julu apologized and expressed gratitude to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager again, then took the young Prince Sima out of the palace. "The imperial physicians said he can travel by carriage now," he said.

The Emperor said nothing. "Did you ask Madam Qi as well?" Cai Chong asked with some concern.

The King of Julu replied yes with a smile. "I also invited Madam Qi to stay at the residence for a few days," he added.

The Emperor nodded. "Rest well, and if you need anything, come to the palace to get it," he said.

The King of Julu bowed in thanks and withdrew.

When the Emperor entered Jingren Palace, the patient and the imperial physicians had already left.

Only disciples from Qianjin Hall were packing up the beds and medical equipment, while young eunuchs swept and tidied up. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager said she won't be staying here," Cai Chong reported. "Just tell her not to ask; she definitely won't come," the Emperor said, smiling faintly.

His gaze fell to one side and paused.

Through the latticed back door, he saw the woman sitting on the back steps.

The sound of his footsteps did not make the woman snap out of her trance.

She held her hand resting on her bent knee, gazing at the sky.

The Emperor also looked up.

The sky was cloudless for thousands of miles; not even a single bird could be seen flying past.

The Emperor looked down and leaned slightly to look at the woman.

Seeing her face slightly haggard, this slight movement finally brought Qi Yue back to her senses. "Is everything packed up?" she asked casually, turning her head and startling when she saw the Emperor, quickly rising to salute. "You, you didn't go?" the Emperor asked.

Today was the day Chen Shi's coffin was to leave the capital.

Qi Yue smiled, reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and lowered her head. "Oh," she said. "I won't go today.

They are all relatives of the Chen family; it's...

inconvenient for me." The Emperor hummed in acknowledgment. "I am deeply ashamed that I caused Your Majesty and the noble consorts alarm during these past days due to my presence.

I will be leaving today," Qi Yue continued, bowing again. "In the beginning, yes, but after seeing it often, you'll get used to it," the Emperor said.

Recalling the reactions of the women in the palace after this incident, the Emperor couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth. "How can one get used to something like this just by seeing it often?" Qi Yue laughed. "Your Majesty, isn't there a saying: 'Better for the medicine cabinet to gather dust than for the world to be filled with the sick'? I would rather Your Majesty and the consorts never grow accustomed to it." The Emperor smiled. "That is beautifully said, making one feel you are truly a kind and gentle physician," he remarked.

Qi Yue smiled, lowered her head, and bowed in thanks. "Your Majesty, although these matters do not require my reporting to you, I still wish to inform Your Majesty," she said, looking up. "What were you looking at just now?" The Emperor did not answer but instead asked, looking toward the sky. "Nothing," Qi Yue quickly replied. "Waiting for Young Prince Sima..." "Is it because Madam Chen is gone, that you feel unsettled?" The Emperor interrupted her again. "Yes," Qi Yue replied, looking at the Emperor. "There is nothing to be unsettled about in that," the Emperor said, standing with his hands behind his back and looking across the courtyard.

The Emperor speaks with such magnanimity.

Qi Yue smiled. "It's not just because of that," she said. "It's just that it feels very sudden, and quite unexpected.

In short, when people are alive, it's best to cherish it properly." The Emperor hummed in acknowledgment and turned.

Qi Yue quickly called out again. "Your Majesty, I request to resign as the imperial physician, and I hope Your Majesty will grant my request," she said, lowering her head to bow.

The Emperor turned his head to look at the woman who was bowing deeply, his expression slightly stern.

Even though he knew he had repeatedly interrupted what she wanted to say, she still insisted on finishing.