Chapter Ninety: The Princess Consort Has Decided to Enter the Palace

The lead eunuch finished his report to the Emperor, awaiting praise. After all, his words were more tactful and modest than Su Jingluo’s directness. Feeling a bit smug, he believed himself far superior to the princess consort—the way he phrased things, not a single drop was spilled; he conveyed the request and made his position clear.

In fact, Su Jingluo admired him somewhat. So requests could be made like this? Still, she felt his words lacked the force of her own; it was like groveling while making demands, which did not suit her character.

“Princess Consort, this humble servant spoke many good words for you.” Having waited in vain for praise or reward, the lead eunuch grew disappointed and took it upon himself to highlight his own merits.

“Did you? The meaning is the same, but you failed to express my unwavering resolve and proud, unyielding spirit.” Su Jingluo was dissatisfied with the image the lead eunuch had crafted for her. And now he was asking her for a reward—plucking a hair from a bald head. Impossible!

Was there something wrong with the princess consort’s mind? Was she valuing her dignity above her very life? He had tried to shield her, yet she dismissed his response as insufficiently vigorous. He was speechless.

Seeing the lead eunuch’s awkward smile, as if saying, “Princess Consort, you really don’t appreciate kindness,” Xiao Jingxuan understood and gave Zhuoyue An a subtle nod.

“Heh, thank you for your thoroughness, Eunuch. What did His Majesty say?” Zhuoyue An stepped forward to bow, slipping two gold leaves into the eunuch’s hand.

“Much obliged, much obliged, just doing my duty.” With the money in hand, the lead eunuch let bygones be bygones—the awkwardness and annoyance vanished instantly.

“His Majesty said to follow the princess consort’s wishes, so long as she hastens to the palace for treatment. The princess consort has already delayed for quite some time. Why don’t we depart now?” The lead eunuch had received what he wanted; now he was eager to carry out his task.

“Very well, let’s go then.” Su Jingluo adopted the manner of one going nobly to her fate, holding her head high as she strode out.

“Jingluo!” Xiao Jingxuan grabbed her hand. His fingers were icy cold, and in the depths of his eyes, silent waves stirred—a sorrow impossible to describe.

“Don’t worry, I’ll return. Wait for me.” Su Jingluo, usually dramatic and bold, was remarkably calm in serious matters. She patted Xiao Jingxuan’s hand and marched out of his sight.

A Lan, uneasy, glanced back at Xiao Jingxuan, biting her lip. “I’ll follow the princess consort and protect her with my life.” With those words, she hurried after Su Jingluo.

At the gate, just as Su Jingluo was about to board the carriage, she saw Lin Wanwan, shivering in the cold, standing outside the crowd. Lin Wanwan, summoned out of the residence by Zhuoyue An the previous night, had not left. She remained at the gate, filled with regret and helplessness—regretful that she had returned to see Xiao Jingxuan, ending up in such a sorry state. She waited for dawn, for Su Jingluo to fulfill her promise and give her all she owned for medical treatment. But late in the night, she saw eunuchs going to and from the palace, reporting and seeking imperial orders, and learned then that someone in the palace was ill and awaiting Su Jingluo’s care.

Lin Wanwan gave a bitter smile. Naturally, those in the palace were far more precious than she was, so waiting was merely a stubborn obsession; her heart had already grown cold.

Su Jingluo noticed Lin Wanwan’s hands, red and swollen from the cold. Even with her face veiled, Lin Wanwan’s despair and sorrow were palpable. She simply stared at Su Jingluo—no pleading, no tears, no noise, only a dazed silence. This was true misery.