You are a woman.

Lin Tanwei's affair was supposed to be over when she was demoted to the rank of Attendant. However, the maid by her side, Cui’er, proved to be her undoing. Terrified by the harsh environment of the Punishment Bureau, Cui’er broke down in tears and confessed everything, including her previous collaboration with Lin Tanwei to frame Zhang Bitong. Because of this, Lin Tanwei was directly reduced to the status of a palace maid and sent to the Laundry Bureau. The Empress, having mishandled the matter and failed to discern the truth, was also reproached by the Emperor. The greatest beneficiary, naturally, was Zhang Bitong, who, having suffered grievances in both incidents, was elevated again to the rank of Consort by the Emperor. In an instant, her fortunes soared.

Yun Qing instructed me to attend to Jiang Xuan at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, but before heading there, I had an errand outside the palace to fulfill on behalf of the Crown Prince, Jiang Yun.

Having contributed to resolving the Lin Tanwei matter and because of my injuries, I was no longer required to attend upon others, which made coming and going from Cuiwei Palace much easier.

Changing into a different set of clothes, I left the palace and made my way to the Pleasure House. Upon inquiry, I learned that Xueyi's body had already been hastily buried. She had no family—she’d been sold to the brothel by a so-called aunt after her parents died. Raised by the woman until the age of thirteen, she was then sold off.

With no relatives to speak of, and knowing the so-called aunt was hardly a decent person, I decided she shouldn’t receive the burial money. I inquired about Xueyi’s resting place, paid some people to have her properly reburied, had a grave constructed, and burned some paper offerings for her. At least she could now rest in peace.

When her body was brought out, I took a closer look. Xueyi had not died from a sword wound; rather, there was black blood at the corner of her lips—she had been poisoned. It seemed Long Zhan had not lied to me after all.

On my way back, I happened to encounter the young man in white once more. Out of curiosity, I followed him for a while and saw him enter a grand residence. Looking up, I realized it was the Lin Mansion. In the capital, among the wealthy with the surname Lin, there was only Prime Minister Lin Canglan.

So this young man in white was acquainted with Lin Canglan?

As night was falling, I hurried back to the palace and went straight to the Ancestral Temple. By morning, Jiang Xuan would be free to leave.

“I told you, you needn’t come again.”

I took out the dishes from the food box and replied, “This time, it’s not of my own accord, nor at the Lady’s behest—it’s an order from His Majesty.”

“Father?”

“Indeed. Her Majesty’s house arrest has been lifted, and His Majesty has permitted me to serve you. These are great tidings.”

“If it’s from my father, then all the more reason these things shouldn’t be brought. He surely believes I must suffer this punishment.”

Jiang Xuan clearly understood the Emperor well—truly father and son.

I said, “His Majesty didn’t say so explicitly, but you still need to eat. After all, you are his son.”

“I won’t eat.”

With that, Jiang Xuan turned away.

“If Your Highness won’t eat, then I shall have it myself.”

Jiang Xuan remained silent.

I pretended to eat, exclaiming, “This roast chicken is delicious, so tender!”

“Xiao Xiao, if you say another word, get out.”

Chided by Jiang Xuan, I dared not say more. Packing up the food, I said, “Your Highness, I’ll be nearby. If you need anything, just call for me.”

I curled up in a corner by the wall. I hadn’t expected the night to be so cold—today’s temperature had plummeted and the Ancestral Temple felt like an ice cellar. I’d rushed over and forgotten to bring a thick cloak.

In the middle of the night, the cold awoke me. My whole body felt feverish. Touching my forehead, I realized I must have developed a fever again.

I stood up and said to Jiang Xuan, “Your Highness, are you cold? Allow me to fetch you a thicker garment.”

He ignored me.

Perhaps he was still angry about the food?

With no reply, I could only go. If the prince fell ill from the cold, it would be a serious matter. As I opened the main doors, a blast of wind swept in, snuffing out several candles on the table.

I shivered, pulled my neck in, and stepped out into the wind, quickly closing the door behind me as I hurried toward Cuiwei Palace.

Halfway there, I saw a pair of jet-black boots. Looking up, it was Long Zhan.

“Greetings, Lord Long.” My lips trembled as I spoke.

“What are you doing out so late?”

“I’m returning to Cuiwei Palace to get a thick cloak. It’s too cold to linger, my lord.”

“Wait.”

Startled, I suddenly found myself wrapped tightly in a cloak, warmth seeping into me. Long Zhan fastened the cords, patted my shoulder, and said, “Go on.”

“My lord, I really can’t accept this.” I fumbled to take it off, but Long Zhan gripped my icy hands.

“If you can fetch a cloak, you have the strength to carry this one. Don’t let the wind knock you down on the way. Go quickly.”

“My lord…”

“What are you fussing for? Be a man!” Long Zhan scolded with a stern face, then strode off into the wind and snow.

I watched him go, the dark boots leaving deep prints in the snow, his broad shoulders retreating.

No longer hesitating, I rushed to Cuiwei Palace. By the time I returned to the Ancestral Temple, I was breathless.

I shook off the snow from Long Zhan’s cloak, took the thick robe I’d fetched, and walked up behind Jiang Xuan, preparing to drape it over him. “Your Highness, let me put this on you.”

As my hand touched his shoulder, he suddenly collapsed, his handsome face burying itself in my lapels, eyes tightly closed, motionless.

He was leaning against my chest, my hand frozen on his shoulders.

He’d fainted. This resolute young man, after kneeling here for two nights with barely any food, finally succumbed to the freezing cold.

His lips were cracked; his forehead burned beneath my hand.

I stood up, about to call for help, when suddenly Jiang Xuan grabbed my hand. His scorching grip transferred his fever to me, holding fast. I lowered my eyes to look at him—my heart jolted violently.

“Mother… Mother…”

He was calling for Zhang Bitong. I said, “If you want to see your mother, let me fetch help for you.”

As if hearing me, he slowly released my hand.

“Someone! Help!” I ran outside, shouting for aid. Jiang Xuan was carried back to his quarters, and the imperial physician summoned in the night.

It was the same physician who had visited Jiyue Palace days before.

Worried for Jiang Xuan, I still remembered to ask as the physician prepared to leave, “Imperial Physician Gu, your apprentice didn’t come tonight?”

“My apprentice? Ah, it’s late, so I didn’t bring him. His Highness’s illness isn’t serious—he hasn’t eaten for two days and caught a chill. Give him the medicine I’ve prescribed when he wakes, and then some millet porridge.”

“I understand. Thank you, Imperial Physician Gu.”

Could it be that the man really was his apprentice, and I had only imagined it otherwise?

“Xiao Xiao, you can go back now. We’ll take care of things here,” a eunuch in Jiang Xuan’s quarters said.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

As I spoke, I felt my body shivering even more.

Back in Cuiwei Palace, I collapsed into my cold bedding and fell asleep at once. I didn’t wake until the next day.

Groggy, my mind clouded, my entire body burned as if set aflame.

“Water… water…” I murmured, but realized that whether at home or in the palace, no one would care for me when I was ill.

I struggled out of bed. The teapot in my room was empty, so I had to fetch water from the kitchen.

Carrying a teacup, I returned, only to find someone standing in my room, back turned to me.

As I approached, the person turned, holding something in hand.

My lotus-pink undergarment.

I was stunned, my dizziness clearing in an instant.

“Xiao Xiao, you’re a woman?”

At Jiang Xuan’s words, my heart leapt wildly. My hand went slack, and the teacup slipped from my grasp and crashed to the floor.