Lou Xiyan furrowed his brows slightly, unsure of how to respond. It wasn't hard to guess that Xuan'er's suicide attempt was because of him—but he didn't want Ling'er to misunderstand. He recalled the events in the grand hall that day—the way that girl looked at him, her eyes soft enough to melt into tears. Coupled with the expression on his face now, Zhuo Qing surmised, "Is it because you're getting married, and the bride… isn't her?"
Lou Xiyan remained silent, only turning to Jing Sa and saying lightly, "Prepare the carriage.""Yes," Jing Sa replied, bowing as he turned to leave.
Forcing himself upright, even such a simple motion left Lou Xiyan breathless. Zhuo Qing fetched a clean set of clothes and handed them to him, speaking with concern, "You're still going like this?"
He could barely walk—how could he possibly go to the palace? Was that princess really so important?
With Zhuo Qing's help, Lou Xiyan changed into a fresh robe of cool blue and green. Noticing the unease in her eyes, he gently caressed her cheek and smiled. "An imperial edict cannot be defied. I'm fine. You needn't worry."
Forget it. Why quarrel over a girl who lives and dies at her own whim?
Watching him pant merely from dressing, Zhuo Qing offered, "Why don't I go with you? I'll wait in the carriage."
Lou Xiyan shook his head. "You've already had a long day. Rest at home and wait for my return, alright?"
He still wasn't certain what the Empress Dowager had planned. Bringing Zhuo Qing along might only place her in danger. His tone was gentle, but his meaning was clear. Seeing this, Zhuo Qing relented. "Alright. Take care of yourself."
"Wait for me."
A soft kiss fell upon her brow. Lou Xiyan gave her nose a playful flick, and by the time Zhuo Qing recovered from her daze, he had already stepped out of the inner chamber.
She quickly followed. Lou Xiyan, dressed neatly but pale and clearly exhausted, emerged from Lan Yue Pavilion. Lou Muhai's gaze swept coldly past Zhuo Qing before addressing him, "Where are you going?"
Zhuo Qing frowned. Why was he glaring at her? It wasn't her idea for Xiyan to go out! How unreasonable!
Lou Xiyan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Zhuo Qing and said gently, "It's late. Go get some rest."
Under Lou Muhai's increasingly frigid stare, Zhuo Qing calmly nodded at Lou Xiyan. Eye contact battles? She feared none.
Only when he neared Lou Muhai did Lou Xiyan answer flatly, "The Empress Dowager has summoned me. I must enter the palace."
Xue Xianxin gasped in confusion, "At this hour? What has happened?"
Entering the palace in the dead of night—it would be strange not to be curious.
Lou Xiyan offered no explanation. With a light nod to Lou Muhai, he strode toward the gate.
As Lou Xiyan disappeared from view, Zhuo Qing also turned toward the Nine-Bend Bridge, intending to return to Zhaixing Pavilion and wait for his news. Yet before she could take a step, Lou Muhai's thunderous voice boomed from behind:
"You. Come to the study."
Who, me?
Zhuo Qing looked back, baffled, as Lou Muhai had already turned and headed that way. Xue Xianxin watched her with schadenfreude. Lou Xiyu patted her shoulder gently, eyes full of sympathy, whispering, "Don't be afraid. He's just loud. You've got my brother backing you. You'll be fine!"
Zhuo Qing raised an eyebrow, not in fear but intrigue. Fine—Lou Xiyan wasn't home yet, and she couldn't sleep anyway. She might as well see what this was about.
Sauntering into the study at her own pace, she found Lou Muhai already waiting, clearly annoyed. He wasted no time.
"You know why I summoned you, don't you?"
Zhuo Qing shrugged. "I don't."
She wasn't a mind-reader.
"The Emperor has bestowed you upon Xiyan. You are now his woman, and naturally, this household must make room for you. But above all, one must understand her place. Do you?"
So that's what this was about. Zhuo Qing retorted, "You mean I shouldn't stand in the way if he wants to take a concubine?"
"A proper wife should be of suitable status—someone who can aid him and benefit his career."
Ah, so it wasn't just that she wasn't worthy of being his wife. She wasn't even qualified for the position.
Zhuo Qing scoffed. "So?"
Lou Muhai grew increasingly displeased with her insolence. Since he wouldn't say it, she would.
Arms crossed, she sneered, "So I should graciously encourage Xiyan to marry a noble lady who'll help his career—to show how virtuous and understanding I am?"
Perhaps it was arrogance, or perhaps he truly didn't care what she thought. After hearing her, Lou Muhai merely said, "I'm glad you understand. Xiyan is fond of you—this, you know. Even if he marries another, you won't lose his favor. But for him, and for the Lou family, a wife of noble birth is necessary."
She had thought this father simply deemed her unworthy of his son. Turns out, she wasn't good enough for the Lou clan. Rage gave rise to laughter. Zhuo Qing retorted with disdain:
"If a man needs a political marriage to climb the ladder of success, he's not the kind of man I'd want—gifted or not. I don't know what Xiyan is to you—perhaps just a pawn to serve your ambitions. But to me, he is a man. A man I love."
To speak of love—it wasn't as hard as she'd imagined. Her heart felt light. She paid no mind to Lou Muhai's thunderous face and laughed aloud:
"I think you're mistaken. Virtue and gentleness are exactly what I lack. My man shall have only one wife. No concubines, no flings—nothing."
"Outrageous! A jealous woman is unfit to be a wife. If you persist in your folly, you'll be cast out of this manor!"
Truly, this woman had been spoiled beyond measure by Xiyan!
"You needn't worry. Should Lou Xiyan ever take another woman, you won't have to expel me—I'll leave on my own."
Any more and he might burst a vein. Zhuo Qing shrugged and added with a smile, "I believe we've nothing more to discuss. It's late. Rest well, sir."
She still had her manners, after all.
With that, she turned and walked out of the study.
"You'll be his downfall."
The voice behind her—half sigh, half warning—made her pause for an instant. But only for an instant. Without looking back, Zhuo Qing stepped forward with unwavering resolve.
It was already midnight.
The Western Sunset Palace remained brightly lit inside and out. Eunuchs and maids knelt in rows, the silence so suffocating it seemed to press against one's chest.
The oppressive atmosphere was palpable even before entering.
Lou Xiyan had just stepped into the hall when he saw Empress Dowager Yang Zhilian and the Emperor seated in solemn silence. Yan Hongtian's expression was dark and unreadable. The Empress Dowager, in contrast, looked anxious, glancing repeatedly toward the entrance. When she saw Lou Xiyan approach, she breathed an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
In the center of the hall, Lou Xiyan knelt on one knee and bowed. "Your Majesty, long live the Emperor. Empress Dowager, may your blessings endure for a thousand years."
"Rise."
Seeing his pallor, Yan Hongtian frowned. "Bring a seat. What's wrong with your complexion?"
Steadying his breath, Lou Xiyan replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine. But may I ask, why summon your humble servant to the palace at such an hour?"
Yan Hongtian said nothing. The Empress Dowager sighed and spoke instead:
"Xiyan, I had no choice but to summon you at this late hour."
"Your Grace overstates it."
She had even called the Emperor. Clearly, she wouldn't rest until her purpose was fulfilled tonight.
"That child, Xuan'er, is too stubborn. She's loved you since childhood—you know that. Now that you're to be married, how could she bear it?"
Lou Xiyan asked, "Is the Princess's condition stable?"
He had practically watched Yan Ruxuan grow up. If something truly befell her, he couldn't bear it either.
His question confirmed he already knew about her suicide attempt. The Empress Dowager's face was full of worry—usually well-maintained, but now marked by weariness...