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墨書 Inktalez
When Qing Wu arrived at Zhaoyuan Palace, Huo Yun'ai was still in court and had not returned. The large room felt empty and cold without his presence.
Qing Wu looked around and tidied up his desk. She gathered the books he often enjoyed reading from the windowsill and the chairs, placing them neatly by the desk. After ensuring the room was quite tidy and finding nothing else to do, she sat down at a nearby table and began to carefully flip through the books he had previously sought for her.
After reading about twenty or thirty pages, she heard the sound of the palace door opening.
Just as Qing Wu closed the book, steady footsteps approached her side. She stood up to see the Young Emperor with a gloomy expression, his gaze sharp like a drawn sword.
"What’s wrong? Did the Imperial Teacher say something again?" Qing Wu stepped forward to help him remove his cloak, handing it to Uncle Yu.
Uncle Yu placed the cloak properly and then bowed slightly before stepping back. He closed the palace door as he left.
"He didn’t say much," Huo Yun'ai said, observing how the girl was rubbing her hands together. His expression darkened slightly as he continued, "It’s just that Mu Hai came to report that Bian Wang has made some movements."
Having just walked outside in the biting cold wind, he had already been chilled to the bone. He noticed earlier that when her fingertips brushed against the cloak, she hesitated for a moment, clearly startled by the chill.
Now that they were alone in the room, he felt no need for restraint. He pulled her to sit beside him and held her slightly cold hand in his palm, slowly warming it.
Regarding Bian Wang, Qing Wu had vaguely heard Huo Yun'ai mention it before. She listened when he spoke of it but did not ask further questions when he remained silent.
Now that Huo Yun'ai briefly mentioned it, she decided not to dwell on it either. It seemed inappropriate to bring up Wen Qingyue at this moment.
Perhaps it would be better to wait until later to discuss it with him?
As she pondered this, she noticed the young man beside her looking at her with a somewhat distracted expression. A faint smile gradually appeared on his lips as he asked, "What’s wrong? Do you have something to say?"
Hearing him take the initiative to ask, Qing Wu realized he had seen through her previous thoughts. Since that was the case, she decided to bring up what Wen Qingyue had asked her about earlier.
"…Grandfather and Wen Qingyue asked me to inquire if you could grant me a holiday so I can attend this birthday banquet."
To her surprise, instead of answering right away, Huo Yun'ai furrowed his brows and murmured, "That day is your birthday, yet you don’t want to celebrate it with me…"
He paused for a moment and then said, "Since we miscalculated by a year, once February passes, you will be thirteen. In this way, you can..."
The Young Emperor suddenly stopped mid-sentence. The previous gloom lifted instantly, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of his lips, filled with happiness and joy.
Qing Wu, confused and somewhat anxious, asked, "You... will approve my leave, right?"
When the girl brought up this matter, her eyes sparkled with hope, clearly looking forward to the banquet that her grandfather and brother were organizing for her.
Huo Yun'ai felt regretful that she could not stay in the palace that day but was in good spirits due to another discovery.
After carefully considering the matter, he smiled and said, "Of course, I will approve your leave. However, this banquet cannot be so openly acknowledged."
Upon hearing the first half of his sentence, Qing Wu let out a quiet sigh of relief. She intended to thank him but was caught off guard by his sudden change in tone. She couldn't help but ask, "Why? Does it mean it can only be held at home without inviting friends and family to celebrate?"
"You can invite people; holding it outside is also fine. It's just that your relationship with the Marquis cannot be made public for now. The reason for this banquet needs to be concealed; do not mention your birthday."
Understanding his words, Qing Wu recalled the hint of gloom in his eyes when he first entered the room and realized, "Is this because of Bian Wang or Zheng An?"
"Both."
The Young Emperor lightly tapped the table with his finger. "They have been trying to win over the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion but have been rejected by the prince. If they were to find out about your relationship with the Marquisate, your situation would likely become even more dangerous."
Qing Wu suddenly remembered something and asked curiously, "Wait, initially my grandfather and brother sought help from Zheng An to find me. I thought they had a deep friendship, but it seems that's not the case."
"I don't quite understand this either." The light tapping stopped abruptly as Huo Yun'ai said, "The Zheng Family and the Marquisate haven't been in contact for a long time. I still can't figure out why the Marquis sought help from the Zheng Family."
Qing Wu smiled and replied, "There's no need to think too much about it. Once I leave the palace and find my brother to ask him, I’m sure I’ll find out."
Wen Qingyue drove away Bian Wang's confidant that day; he must have been very unwilling to get involved with those people. Although the Marquisate's people are very tight-lipped, if Qing Wu personally asks, there’s a good chance she will get an answer.
After some consideration, Huo Yun'ai nodded in agreement.
Qing Wu thought about the details related to the banquet that needed to be arranged as soon as possible, and without further delay, she called for Dou Mama. She instructed her to leave the palace to find Wen Qingyue and inform him that she could leave the palace on the day of the banquet, but the relationship with the Marquisate should be kept low-key for now. She also asked Dou Mama to visit Liu Residence.
Dou Mama carefully noted everything down. Realizing the importance of the matter, she quickly left to take care of it.
At this hour, all departments on duty in the palace should have already organized themselves, and there was still some time before lunch. If there was a need to find someone, this was the most appropriate moment.
After checking the duty schedule of the Imperial Medical Office, Qing Wu made up her mind. Seeing that Huo Yun'ai had already opened a memorial to review, she said goodbye and prepared to head to the Imperial Medical Office.
Huo Yun'ai initially nodded in response but called her back just as she was about to leave.
Qing Wu was puzzled and turned back to look at him.
Huo Yun'ai asked, "Has the Marquisate mentioned what you will wear for your February Chuyi banquet?"
"Of course not," Qing Wu replied with a smile. "My grandfather and brother are both men; how would they pay attention to this?"
"In that case, I will prepare your clothing and accessories for that day," he said, so that even if the girl was not in the palace, she could think of him at all times.
Once Huo Yun'ai finished speaking, without waiting for her to refute or raise any objections, he continued, "There are many matters today; I fear there won't be much time for lunch. I've arranged a feast for dinner to properly celebrate your birthday. As for your attire... I've already prepared everything and given it to a maid named Azalea. You just need to change into it when the time comes."
Qing Wu understood that he would make preparations for her birthday. Little did she know he had been so thoughtful as to prepare all these details for her? For a moment, she felt both touched and warm inside, not knowing how to express her feelings.
The young man before her seemed not to have taken these matters to heart as he focused on reviewing the memorial with his red brush.
Seeing this, Qing Wu paused briefly before walking out of the room slowly.
As soon as the girl's figure disappeared from the hall, Huo Yun'ai raised his head to look out the window, lost in thought while holding his red brush.
In half a month, she would turn thirteen.
If he remembered correctly, a thirteen-year-old girl...
Could already be married, right?!
With a faint blush on his cheeks, the Young Emperor took a deep breath, struggling to calm himself.
When Qing Wu took the sedan chair to the Imperial Medical Institute, she found it empty. Doctor Luo had gone to the Herb Garden in the palace half an hour ago and was not in the courtyard.
The Herb Garden was not too far from the Imperial Medical Institute. After passing through the Imperial Pharmacy and taking about the time for a cup of tea, she would arrive.
After confirming the location, Qing Wu was considering whether to go directly to find him when an old physician with a goatee said, "Doctor Luo just went to check on the growth of the herbs and will be back soon. If you are not in a hurry, it might be better to wait here."
Qing Wu, who had just stood up, sat back down upon hearing this. Seeing that the Old Physician had a kind expression, she intended to ask him a few questions when a surprised voice called out nearby: "Lord Liu, you have arrived!"
Qing Wu found the voice somewhat familiar. Turning her gaze, she saw a slightly plump physician approaching with a smile, his demeanor humble and polite. It was Cheng Taishi, whom she had encountered on her way back from the Imperial Pharmacy looking for Doctor Luo.
Cheng Taishi stopped three feet away from Qing Wu and said, "What brings Lord Liu here? If you don't mind, I can help you with your matters."
Qing Wu did not appreciate his manner and politely declined, "You have your own matters to attend to; I won't trouble you further."
"Since Lord Liu is busy with palace affairs, it is only right for me to offer my assistance," Cheng Taishi insisted as he subtly moved closer, pushing aside the previous Old Physician.
The Old Physician maintained his usual expression as he stepped aside two paces and cupped his hands toward Qing Wu. Seeing her stand and nod slightly, he waved his hand to indicate she need not be overly polite and turned to walk a few steps away.
However, he did not go far or leave the room. Instead, he stood by the windowsill reading a book while occasionally glancing over at Qing Wu, clearly keeping an eye on her.
It seemed as if they were guarding against Cheng Taishi, fearing he would harm Qing Wu.
Qing Wu understood and cast a grateful glance at the old man before turning back to Cheng Taishi. "Since Doctor Luo is not here, I will go look for him in the Herb Garden. Farewell."
She had not taken two steps when she was stopped by Cheng Taishi.
Qing Wu felt annoyed and was about to call Azalea, who was waiting in the courtyard, when she heard Cheng Taishi say, "Lord Liu is looking for Doctor Luo; it must be regarding the matter of treating the palace maids."
His words carried a hint of self-satisfaction. Qing Wu hesitated for a moment, then withdrew her steps and asked, "Why do you say that, Cheng Taishi?"
"Those palace maids often complain about this. Now that the officials are dealing with the management of the palace maids, they must have heard quite a few grievances. Coming to find Doctor Luo is surely to ask him to help take care of the sick palace maids."
Qing Wu did not refute his speculation; she merely raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.
Her attitude made Cheng Taishi even more confident as he said, "In fact, I am more suitable for this matter than Doctor Luo. He has been alone for decades without marrying. If he were to be alone in a room with a sick palace maid, it would inevitably lead to some bad rumors. As for me..."
"Cheng Taishi is indeed straightforward," Qing Wu interrupted him before he could finish. She lowered her eyelids and said, "Such behind-the-scenes matters are also quite direct."
"I act with integrity," Cheng Taishi replied with a smile. "I am just being prudent and considering his situation. Even if he were to question me about my actions today, I would not be afraid to admit it."
Qing Wu smiled lightly and said, "You truly make one see you in a new light, Cheng Taishi. However, what I seek is merely a matter of business; I cannot afford to take up your valuable time. I am quite pressed for time as I need to attend to matters in the Imperial Study shortly. If you have no other business, I shall take my leave."
With that, she casually nodded at Cheng Taishi and, without waiting for his reaction, brushed past him and walked forward slowly.
As she reached the door, Qing Wu discreetly glanced at the Old Physician. Seeing him looking over quietly, she smiled gratefully at him before leaving.
The Herb Garden in the palace is cared for by dedicated personnel, and there are also specific maids assigned to guard it daily. To enter or exit, one must present identification.
Upon arriving outside the Herb Garden, Qing Wu showed her waist token to the maid on duty there. After the maid carefully examined it, Qing Wu took up a pen and wrote her name in the entry log.
The Maid carefully inspected and nodded before she walked inside.
The Herb Garden was large. As far as the eye could see, there seemed to be no end.
Having just passed winter, they had already begun planting herbs in the courtyard. Many delicate varieties that couldn't withstand the cold were still growing in the greenhouse.
Qing Wu looked around and, not seeing Doctor Luo outside, followed the path to the greenhouse.
However, after searching the greenhouse, she still did not find him.
Qing Wu was puzzled.
She remembered clearly seeing Doctor Luo's name in the registration log earlier, indicating he had come, but there was no record of him leaving. Logically, he should still be in the courtyard.
But why couldn't she find him?
Not far away, a group of people was turning the soil with hoes. Qing Wu called over Eunuch Yu, who was working closest to her, and asked about Doctor Luo's whereabouts.
Upon hearing her question, Eunuch Yu immediately laughed. He pointed to the group he had been working with earlier and said, "My lady, isn't the doctor over there?"
Qing Wu followed his gaze and looked carefully for a long time. Finally, among the busy group of people, she spotted Doctor Luo diligently working with his sleeves rolled up.
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