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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 16: The Mind is Difficult to Understand
In the following days, whenever Yan Zhi Xi stepped into Chenyu Palace, Wen Qingyu would hide in fear.
As it happened, with the arrival of the Xiongnu envoys in more than ten days, state affairs were busy, and Yan Zhi Xi had not visited Chenyu Palace for a long time.
One day, Peach Blossom asked Yan Zhi Xi for permission, as Wen Qingyu was shouting to go play outside Chenyu Palace, otherwise she would sit on the ground and cry.
Yan Zhi Xi agreed but increased the number of people following her to report her every move at any time.
On this day, while Yan Zhi Xi was discussing various arrangements for the reception with the ministers in the Imperial Study, Zhang Gonggong rushed in clumsily.
Before Zhang Gonggong could explain his purpose, Yan Zhi Xi's gaze suddenly darkened. "Is something wrong with Consort Yu?"
The imperial physician had reported that Wen Qingyu's physical condition was precarious and could only last until Early Winter at most.
"Your Majesty, it is Consort Xue who requests an audience."
Yan Zhi Xi breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his head to review the memorials. After a while, he said lightly, "Go tell Consort X that I am burdened with state affairs and let her return to the palace to rest well."
It was a taboo in the palace for concubines to spread rumors and gossip. If it weren't for his silent vow to take care of her for a lifetime, Yan Zhi Xi would have long since banished her to the Cold Palace.
During this time, he had not visited Mu Xue Palace, not only to command her to reflect but also because he felt that Wen Ruxue had become increasingly unfamiliar; he could no longer find any trace of her once playful and kind self.
After discussing state matters, two hours had passed. As Yan Zhi Xi walked out of the Imperial Study, he saw Wen Ruxue kneeling at the door with her head bowed, dressed only in a thin garment.
Yan Zhi Xi frowned tightly. "Consort X, why are you here instead of reflecting properly?"
Wen Ruxue raised her tear-stained face and took out a jade hairpin from her bosom, presenting it before Yan Zhi Xi.
"I know Your Majesty blames me. If you truly cannot forgive me, then punish me by sending me to the Cold Palace. This hairpin... let it be a keepsake for you," Wen Ruxue said sorrowfully and desolately.
Yan Zhi Xi took the hairpin and examined it carefully.
Although this hairpin was not precious, it was a pair; when combined, each half featured a white magnolia pattern that fit perfectly together to form one flower.
Yan Zhi Xi looked for a long time, forcing a bitter smile.
There would never be another person in this world with the same hairpin; who else could it be but Wen Ruxue?
“Xue Er, get up. I do not blame you anymore.”
Yan Zhi Xi tried to help Wen Ruxue up, but her legs were weak, and she stumbled back down to her knees. Yan Zhi Xi finally felt a flicker of emotion and picked her up in his arms.
That night, Wen Ruxue used all her wiles to keep Yan Zhi Xi from leaving.
As their clothes were half undone, Zhang Gonggong anxiously announced from outside the door, “Your Majesty, Consort Yu is… is in critical condition.”
Yan Zhi Xi’s deep eyes suddenly darkened. He roughly pushed aside Wen Ruxue, rushing straight toward Chenyu Palace.
Inside, Wen Qingyu lay on the bed, her face ashen, breathing shallow and intermittent. Her arms, exposed outside the blanket, were covered in shocking bruises.
Yan Zhi Xi’s eyes brewed with fury: “Where did these bruises come from?”
“They were scratched out by the Consort herself,” the imperial physician said cautiously. “The poison has invaded her marrow; her five organs are damaged, making her more fragile than a newborn. Even a slight touch could cause fatal internal injuries. I have used silver needles to put the Consort into a deep sleep to temporarily suppress her pain, but when she wakes up, I fear…”
“What do you fear?”
Yan Zhi Xi clenched his fists, quietly watching Wen Qingyu, who still wore a troubled expression in her sleep, his heart in turmoil.
“I fear it may be… the end of her life,” the imperial physician said tremblingly.
For a moment, Yan Zhi Xi felt his mind go blank. When he spoke again, his voice trembled unconsciously: “Wasn’t it said she could hold on until winter…”
“I am powerless; in truth, it is the Consort…”
The imperial physician fell silent, resigned to await Yan Zhi Xi’s punishment.
After a long while, Yan Zhi Xi weakly waved his hand. “Leave.”
The imperial physician left as if granted a great pardon, and for a moment, only two people remained in the silent room—one standing and one lying down.
In the latter half of the night, when the silver needles lost their efficacy, Wen Qingyu suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils filled with crimson blood vessels.
"Father! Mother!" She waved her hands in the air, her throat emitting indistinct cries.
Yan Zhi Xi grasped Wen Qingyu's flailing hands. He did not use much force, yet her frail wrist instantly turned a shade of purple.
Her weak body trembled incessantly, blood streaming from her eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.
Yan Zhi Xi wiped the blood from Wen Qingyu's face with his sleeve; the bright yellow cuff was stained red, yet her features remained unclear.
"Wen Qingyu, look at me! I will not allow you to die! You owe me, and the Wen Family owes me; how can you die without repaying your debts?"
"If you dare to die, I will command someone to dig up your family's bones and feed them to the dogs."
Yan Zhi Xi no longer knew what he was doing; he kept issuing commands repeatedly, but this woman he loathed so much would never submit again.
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