30. Autumn winds sweep through the Cold Spring Courtyard

Not too late. Within the time it takes for a single stick of incense to burn, word had likely already spread throughout the entire Eastern Palace; perhaps, in another half hour, even the main palace would know.

“What brings you here?” Xu Guiyi saw the worry clouding her features, a concern that did not seem feigned.

“The wind is strong here. I’ve come to bring the Crown Princess a cloak.” With that, she took the cloak from the maid behind her and personally fastened it around Xu Guiyi’s shoulders. This left Xiyue’s outstretched hand, which had reached for the cloak, awkwardly suspended in midair.

“Thank you,” Xu Guiyi said gratefully, drawing the cloak closer around herself—the wind here truly was fierce.

Cheng Hewei’s brows were knitted with a deep, lingering sorrow. “His Highness is always like this. Once his sore spot is touched, no amount of pleading will help.”

Xu Guiyi understood what she was referring to, so she asked in a low voice, “Does Lady Cheng know as well? That my eyes and His Highness’s… sore spot… are very much alike?”

Cheng Hewei’s face paled, panic flickering across her features as she stammered, “Your Highness… you already know?”

Xu Guiyi’s tone was mild. “I heard that Lady Cheng and His Highness grew up together. You must know better than anyone what his sore spot is?”

Cheng Hewei suddenly fell silent, but Xu Guiyi, watching the shifting in her eyes, had already found her answer.

Looking into Xu Guiyi’s eyes, for a moment, Cheng Hewei seemed to see someone from long ago. But the crisp autumn wind brought clarity, reminding her that the person before her was not the one she remembered.

She drew a deep breath, managing a faint, embarrassed smile. “It was all a very long time ago. Painful memories, best left forgotten. It’s better if Your Highness never knows.”

Xu Guiyi reached out and gently brushed Cheng Hewei’s cool fingertips, murmuring, “There was something I always wanted to say to His Highness, but before I could, I was already punished to kneel here. Now, seeing you, Lady Cheng, I find it’s the same words I long to say.”

Cheng Hewei’s expression froze, her gaze wandering to Xu Guiyi’s face. “What words?”

Xu Guiyi parted her lips, her beautiful eyes glimmering, her voice caught between telling and lamentation: “The dead are gone; the living must go on.”

Watching Cheng Hewei’s distant silhouette, Xiyue quietly asked, “Your Highness, it seems to me that Lady Cheng left looking even more forlorn than when she arrived?”

Xu Guiyi tightened her cloak and watched as Lady Cheng’s figure disappeared behind the rockery, her brows furrowed deeply. “Perhaps the wind at Cold Spring Court is simply too bitter.”

Xiyue, not quite understanding, replied only with an “Oh,” and did not press further.

Xu Guiyi’s clear voice sounded again, “Xiyue, go back and fetch a kneeling mat.”

“Ah, Your Highness, didn’t you just say…?” Xiyue was startled. She’d been told not to fetch one, so why the change of heart now?

Xu Guiyi pouted, her voice plaintive. “Because kneeling on these stones is truly unbearable. If I have to kneel for two full hours, how will I be able to attend the autumn hunt? And we have the cloak to cover us—no one will see. Go quickly!”

“Oh, right away!” Xiyue practically galloped off in search of a soft mat.

Outside Yonghui Tower, Cheng Hewei lingered, rooted to the spot for a long while. Her maid, Taoxi, whispered, “My lady, if you’re thinking of pleading on the Crown Princess’s behalf, I advise you not to go in.”

Cheng Hewei abruptly halted, looking up. “Why not?”

“You know His Highness’s temper. If you go in now and speak for the Crown Princess, it would be like throwing yourself onto the point of his spear.”

Cheng Hewei lowered her head in silent thought, then nodded. “You’re right. I nearly lost my head.”

Taoxi smiled gently. “If you’d truly lost your head, you wouldn’t have lingered here so long. It’s only that your concern clouds your judgment, making it hard to decide in the moment.”

“Then let’s go back,” Cheng Hewei said quietly.

Taoxi supported her as they walked a few steps before voicing her puzzlement. “My lady, it seems you treat the Crown Princess differently.”

Cheng Hewei slowed, tilting her head. “How so?”

Taoxi couldn’t quite put it into words. But after years of serving at Cheng Hewei’s side, her instincts were sharp. “You’ve always been kindhearted, always ready to help others, so it makes sense. But I feel your help for the Crown Princess isn’t solely out of kindness.”

Her words made the point clear. Cheng Hewei understood, but did not refute. Instead, after a moment, she smiled knowingly. “Perhaps it’s simply that I find myself drawn to the Crown Princess.”

With that, she picked up her pace, heading back to her quarters.

Taoxi followed silently, sensibly keeping her thoughts to herself.

The second daughter of the Duke of Cheng’s household, renowned for her talents and beauty, and her lofty, unyielding character, had always been a solitary figure among the noblewomen of Guangling. For her to say she felt a special affinity for Xu Guiyi would only deepen Taoxi’s bewilderment.

Xu Guiyi knelt at Cold Spring Court for two hours. Three groups visited her there: the first, naturally, was Cheng Hewei; the second was Nanny Wu, who stayed for nearly half an hour before Xu Guiyi, with much persuasion, convinced her to leave; and the third was Lu Zhirou, who came yet again.

Thus, while being punished, Xu Guiyi had to entertain her visitors, even comforting and reassuring them that she was fine and urging them to return and rest.

Watching these visitors come and go, Xiyue’s mind became a muddle, her thoughts swirling in and out until she could make no sense of it. Finally, she spoke up: “Your Highness, do you think they came to gloat? But the worry on each of their faces seems sincere, not at all like they’re pretending.”

“But if they truly cared for you, wouldn’t at least one of them have pleaded with His Highness to pardon you, to let you return sooner? I just can’t understand it.” The little maid, born and raised in a southern town, was unaccustomed to the labyrinthine ways of the capital.

Xu Guiyi shifted the mat beneath her cloak, loosening her legs a bit to ease the strain on her knees. She explained quietly to Xiyue, “His Highness has a fierce temper. For him to punish me, his Crown Princess, so publicly, shows that his anger is not easily appeased. If, before my punishment is even complete, someone were to plead on my behalf, it would not help me at all—only make him resent me more.”

Xiyue was taken aback, clearly astonished.

“You’re not wrong,” Xu Guiyi reassured her. “We haven’t been in the Eastern Palace long, so it’s natural you don’t yet understand His Highness’s ways. In the future, observe and listen more, and if you’re ever unsure, come to me—I’ll explain. But remember, never trust or dismiss others lightly. Do you understand?”

Xiyue nodded solemnly. “I understand, Your Highness. I’ll remember it, truly.”

Xu Guiyi reached out and patted Xiyue’s hand, her smile gentle. “Good.”

In the Changqiu Palace, the Empress, upon hearing the news, set aside her beauty tonic and, pointing at the attendant who brought the message, exclaimed, “Did you just say that the Crown Princess is being punished by the Crown Prince to kneel at Cold Spring Court?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The Empress’s tone was so forceful that the attendant trembled with nervousness.

“How outrageous! She is his Crown Princess, his lawful wife—not some lowly servant! How could he so recklessly disregard her dignity, making her kneel in the open where all the palace staff pass by?” The Empress’s anger was unbridled.

In a flash, she was transported back to her own youth—when the current Emperor was still the Crown Prince, how he neglected and mistreated her for the sake of that despicable woman, Nangong Ning. Perhaps because she recalled her own past, a surge of sympathy welled up inside her, and she quickly turned to her elderly nanny. “Go to the Eastern Palace at once—hurry!”

The old nanny obeyed, but hesitated before acting, and quietly said, “Your Majesty, there is something I am unsure whether to say.”

The Empress had no idea what could be so urgent at this moment, but with a look, she urged her to speak quickly and be gone.

“Your Majesty, by the time I reach the Eastern Palace, the two hours of punishment will nearly be over. It will do little good. If the Crown Prince learns that Your Majesty specially sent someone over for a mere marital spat, it may only irritate him further and make things worse for the Crown Princess.” The old nanny was wise, experienced, and far-sighted.

The Empress considered this for a moment and seemed to agree, gesturing for her to continue.

“As for His Highness’s temper, you know it best—quick to anger, but soft-hearted at the core. This time he’s punished the Crown Princess in a fit of rage, but once he cools down, he’ll realize he was too harsh and will be left with a sense of guilt. Isn’t that how it is between husband and wife? Guilt upon guilt, back and forth, and in time, it all works out. Wouldn’t you agree, Your Majesty?”

The nanny’s words were tactful and thorough. The Empress’s expression visibly softened.

“You’re right, nanny. I was too hasty just now. This is something the young couple must sort out for themselves.” The Empress smiled warmly.

The old nanny grinned. “Your Majesty’s heart aches for her daughter-in-law—that’s all it is.”

The Empress sighed deeply. “All my hopes now rest on Chen’er and the Crown Princess living a peaceful life. You have no idea, being a mother is so hard!”

At last, the two hours came to an end. Supported by Xiyue, Xu Guiyi hobbled out of Cold Spring Court, her pace painfully slow. Thankfully, Nanny Wu had come with attendants to help her, or she might have moved even slower.

“Your Highness, take care—steady now,” Nanny Wu coaxed gently.

Though Xu Guiyi was in agony, her face remained composed. Internally, however, she could not help but grumble—whether she moved quickly or slowly, it hurt all the same, so she might as well bear it a bit longer and get back to her bed in Chunhui Hall as soon as possible.

“Xiyue, go summon the imperial physician!” Nanny Wu habitually ordered Xiyue, but seeing her hesitating, she remembered that Xiyue had also been kneeling for quite some time and likely couldn’t move well. She turned instead to another palace maid. “Qingyu, you’re quick on your feet—go fetch the physician. And the rest of you, bring a basin of hot water to warm Her Highness’s feet at once.” With Nanny Wu’s efficient commands, Qingyu dashed off, and the other maids hurried to their tasks.

“Nanny Wu, I’m starving,” Xu Guiyi said weakly, collapsed on the bed, her face full of wretchedness.

Nanny Wu’s heart ached at the sight and she quickly responded, “Yes, yes, I’ll go to the kitchen and bring you something to eat right away. Xiyue, stay with Her Highness and don’t let her get out of bed!” With that, she hurried out of Chunhui Hall.

“Yes, I understand!” Xiyue called after her.

Some went for the physician, others brought hot water, still others fetched food…