Chapter 11: Jiaojiao.

Chapter 11: Jiaojiao.

The night was cool as water. Green grass grew thick along the narrow winding paths, and Tang Zhuozhuo’s vivid skirt brushed against them in a subtle arc. In front of her, a palace maid carried a lantern, treading carefully.

Palace maids with some status serving a master usually had their own small side-rooms. While not luxurious, it was far better than several people crowding into one room.

Turning a corner and passing a row of small huts, the maid in front stopped and turned. “My Lady, we are here.”

Tang Zhuozhuo had already heard the movement inside that wooden door. The occupants were arguing in hushed tones. Under the clear moonlight and the incessant chirping of cicadas, their footsteps went unnoticed by those inside.

She gave a light wave of her hand, and the maid retreated a few steps with the lantern, silent as a ghost. Tang Zhuozhuo pressed her ear against the weathered wooden door, and every word from inside reached her ears.

An Xia’s voice was filled with indignant questioning: “You know in your heart how Her Ladyship treats us! One should have a conscience and repay kindness!”

An Zhi looked at the angry An Xia, reaching out to touch her shoulder, her voice choking with sobs: “Do you think I wanted this?”

“But think about it, Her Ladyship opposes His Highness every single day. No matter how we advise her, she won’t listen. What kind of future is there for her?”

“I am merely seeking a way to survive for myself.”

Her voice was tinged with such misery that even the moon outside seemed to dim. Tang Zhuozhuo’s expression remained unchanged, but a strange emotion flickered in her bright almond eyes.

Hearing An Zhi say this, her heart was as calm as still water. She understood better than anyone that An Zhi wasn’t wrong. In her past life, hadn’t she indeed met a terrible end?

Tang Zhuozhuo’s eyes glowed with a faint, ghostly light. She stared at the door for a long time before letting out a soft snort and turning away.

It wasn’t wrong for the girl to plan for herself, but she was ultimately a “wolf cub” that could never be tamed. Tang Zhuozhuo could no longer indulge her.

A servant who betrays their master, this ending was already an act of mercy out of respect for their past bond.

To say she wasn’t angry or heartbroken would be a lie. Tang Zhuozhuo tossed and turned all night, her mind racing with wild thoughts until she finally closed her eyes.

The next morning, Tang Zhuozhuo woke up late. Her head felt heavy and dizzy. Just as she picked up a bowl of clear porridge, her vision suddenly went black, and she slumped down softly.

Yiqiu Palace was instantly thrown into chaos. Only An Xia remained somewhat composed, quickly sending someone to the main hall to invite the Crown Prince, only to be told that His Highness had gone to Yuxi Hall after the morning court.

An Xia stamped her foot. While sending someone to fetch the Imperial Physician, she ran toward Yuxi Hall.

Unexpectedly, before she could even enter the gate, she was blocked by two palace maids.

An Xia’s face darkened as she barked, “Impudent! The Crown Princess is unwell and specifically sent for His Highness. Not only do you refuse to announce me, you dare to block my path?”

The two maids looked at each other. Finally, the leader replied with a smirk, “Sister An Xia, it’s not that we won’t report it, but His Highness has ordered that no one is to disturb him.”

“We should just wait a bit longer.”

An Xia gritted her teeth in rage. Thinking of Tang Zhuozhuo lying pale and unconscious on the bed, she was consumed with worry and caught in a dilemma.

Inside Yuxi Hall, Huo Qiu stood in his dragon-patterned Crown Prince robes, looking exceptionally noble and austere. Simply standing there, he was like a scroll one couldn’t look away from, yet his face was as cold as ice.

Zhong Yuxi knelt on the freezing floor, tears streaming down her exquisite face and falling silently onto her clothes, blooming into small water stains. She didn’t even dare to sob out loud.

Huo Qiu’s face showed his impatience. The incense in this hall was too heavy; inhaling it felt suffocating. He furrowed his sword-like brows, his voice growing even colder: “Do you have an objection to my decision?”

Though phrased as a question, it allowed no room for a “no.”

Zhong Yuxi bit her lower lip hard, looking up at the man who stood above her like a god. She spoke with difficulty: “Your Highness knows well that my brother would never do such a thing…”

Why exile him to the border? In such a bitter, desolate place, would anyone ever remember him? He might never return to the capital for the rest of his life.

Huo Qiu watched the woman cry until her makeup was ruined, his eyelids not even twitching. He turned the jade ring on his thumb, his expression like a Yama walking through hell.

“Lady Zhong, do not play your petty games before me.”

“Does your Zhong family truly have no idea why your brother was associating with Wang Yi?”

The corner of his mouth curled into a mocking arc as he said contemptuously, “In my life, I despise ‘fence-sitters’ the most, those who topple whichever way the wind blows.”

Zhong Yuxi’s face turned completely white. Starting from her fingertips, the warmth was drained from every part of her body. Her teeth chattered as she lowered her eyes. “Your Highness, my father and brother have both supported you with all their strength. How can you call us fence-sitters?”

Such a massive accusation was more than the Zhong family could bear.

A shadow flashed through Huo Qiu’s deep eyes. His black sleeve brushed over the chessboard Zhong Yuxi had prepared earlier. Recalling the actions of old man Zhong, he closed his eyes heavily.

Zhong Yuxi thought he was listening; her tears slowed slightly. She looked at his cold, tense jawline and carefully stood up. “Does Your Highness think this because of the Crown Princess…?”

She suddenly couldn’t continue. Huo Qiu had turned around abruptly, his cold, temperature-less eyes fixed on her face. Zhong Yuxi’s skin trembled, and she fell silent.

But the more she feared to speak, the stronger her resentment grew. She had devoted all her thoughts to His Highness; why were his eyes only for that Tang Zhuozhuo? In family background, looks, and personality, she was clearly not inferior, yet she couldn’t get even a sliver of pity.

The most powerless feeling was not knowing where she had lost.

“The Crown Princess is kind and easy-going, but that is not a reason for you to break the rules.”

Huo Qiu didn’t even look at her as he lifted the curtain to leave. Behind him, Zhong Yuxi let out a low wail, her beautiful eyes filled to the brim with jealousy and ferocity. She wanted to scream out that Tang Zhuozhuo was a fickle woman who wanted everything for herself. Would Huo Qiu still want her then?

But she didn’t dare. She suppressed the voice in her throat until the rims of her eyes turned red.

At that moment, a commotion broke out outside. Huo Qiu lifted the curtain to see a troubled Zhang Desheng and a sweating, frantic An Xia. He frowned.

“What is happening?”

Zhang Desheng hurried to his side. “Your Highness, I just saw An Xia being blocked by two maids from Yuxi Hall. Upon asking, it seems something has happened to the Crown Princess.”

Huo Qiu’s footsteps faltered. Beside him, An Xia fell to her knees, her face covered in tear stains.

Anxiety suddenly surged in his heart.

“Your Highness, Her Ladyship suddenly fainted during breakfast. She is burning with fever. I took the liberty to beg Your Highness to come and see.”

Huo Qiu’s eyes snapped shut tight for an instant, his hands clenching at his sides. He strode out of Yuxi Hall like a gust of wind.

She was fine last night; why did she suddenly faint?

Zhang Desheng ran to keep up. Seeing the Master’s face grow increasingly dark, he couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness, shall the two maids be dealt with?”

Huo Qiu’s thin lips were pressed into a hard line. The coldness radiating from him seemed to push back the summer heat. As they turned a corner, with servants kneeling all along the path, he finally spoke: “Fifty strokes of the cane, then send them to the Laundry Bureau.”

Just as Zhang Desheng began to offer a fawning smile, he heard the Master’s next words.

“Zhong Liangdi is lacking in virtue. Confinement for one month, and a fine of half a year’s allowance.”

The voice had no warmth and allowed no room for doubt. Zhang Desheng silently flicked his whisk and sighed. This time, Zhong Liangdi was truly suffering a “calamity from heaven.” The Prince’s heart was clearly biased beyond measure—this was pure, unadulterated redirection of anger.

As soon as Huo Qiu entered the hall, he saw palace maids kneeling everywhere, none of them daring to breathe. His own breath hitched for a second.

The bed curtains were lowered in layers, the thin material fluttering in the light breeze. A snowy-white jade wrist extended from the edge of the bed, covered by a flawless handkerchief.

Huo Qiu had broken a sweat on the way over, his brow furrowed deeply. The old Imperial Physician trembled slightly at the sight, then straightened his sleeves and performed a formal bow.

“Dispense with the formalities. How is the Crown Princess?” Huo Qiu looked toward the carved bed. The person lying there was completely still—no cold words, no sweet talk. The silence made him panic.

“Reporting to Your Highness, Her Ladyship has internal stagnation and a weak constitution, compounded by a chill. Once she takes the medicine I prescribe and the fever breaks, she will be fine.”

Huo Qiu relaxed slightly. Once the medicine was brewed and brought in, Zhang Desheng gave a look, and the maids filed out with lowered heads. The inner hall was left with only the fever-muddled Tang Zhuozhuo and the pained, tender gaze of Huo Qiu.

Huo Qiu reached out to brush aside the curtains and touched her fair forehead. The heat made him angry, his brow knitting even tighter. She’s a grown woman and yet acts like a child, unable to even look after her own health!

Feeling a sense of helplessness, his deep eyes swept over the warm, dark liquid nearby. He picked up the bowl and took a spoonful, but as he brought it to her lips, it simply trickled down her bloodless mouth and onto the pillow.

Huo Qiu had no choice but to lift her up, cradling her in his arms. Her faint fragrance swirled around his nose. He took a deep breath, his hand holding the jade spoon trembling slightly.

Her unprecedented submissiveness made his heart melt, yet he felt a bit ridiculous.

After feeding her the medicine, he laid her back down. She slept very quietly, her face still hot with an unnatural flush, her palm-sized face sinking into the soft pillows. Huo Qiu sat upright on the edge of the bed, his gaze tracing every inch of her face. Finally, a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

It had been so long since he had looked at her closely.

It was ironic; he was her legitimate husband, yet for months he hadn’t dared to step into this hall at night. He was truly afraid. Afraid to face her increasingly loathing eyes and her soul-piercing words, those hurt more than a cold arrow in the back on a battlefield.

“It’s rare to see you so well-behaved,” Huo Qiu finally whispered, his voice hoarse. His long fingers stroked her cheek and slid down to her small lips.

His movement suddenly paused. The tender look in his eyes vanished, replaced by clarity. He stood up, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. The warm, soft sensation on his fingertips was dangerously addictive.

But Tang Zhuozhuo suddenly curled into a ball, her small fists clenched tight as she let out a low whimper. Crystal tears rolled down her cheeks. Huo Qiu’s heart twinged with a sharp pain. He walked back to the bed and looked down at her, momentarily unsure of what to do.

Her tears only increased. Her small body shrank toward the edge of the bed, teardrops hanging from her long lashes, her mouth murmuring something unconsciously.

Huo Qiu watched for a moment, his heart aching too much to bear. He stiffly pulled her toward him to rest against his shoulder. She became even more restless, crying and sobbing out a name. Finally, losing his patience, he pulled the small figure firmly into his embrace, and only then did she settle down.

Only then did he hear what she was calling.

She rubbed her hot face against his broad palm. The temperature made her happy and comfortable. Her voice was low and raspy, like a tired little animal, as she softly called: “Your Highness…”

The way she dragged out the word “Highness” sounded like a sweet, spoiled pout. Huo Qiu’s body went rigid, a storm brewing in his dark eyes. An emotion he had suppressed for a long time suddenly erupted.

Tang Zhuozhuo received no response for a long time and grew more agitated, eventually sobbing again. “Your Highness… Huo Qiu!”

Even in her dreams, her usual haughty temper remained unchanged. Toward the end, she even called him by his full name, yet the tears never stopped falling.

Huo Qiu’s breathing finally broke. He cupped her lovely face and leaned in, bit by bit tasting the salty bitterness on her skin, as if integrating another person’s breath into his own blood. His deep voice sounded like aged wine, yet it carried an inexplicable rasp.

He said, “Jiaojiao, I am here.”

I have always been here. Do not be afraid.

The author has something to say:

Zhong Yuxi: “Kind and easy-going”? I must be dreaming!