Chapter 105: Sudden Assault

Since the hometown was discovered to have lost weight by the Empress, she had become even more diligent—eating on time, taking nourishing soups and medicines—determined not to reveal any abnormal signs to the Empress again.

Yet, Lie Chang’an’s condition showed no signs of improvement.

His physical wounds had begun to heal and scab over, but he remained unconscious, utterly unresponsive.

Worried that if this continued, even if his body recovered, he might be irreparably damaged, Guli fed him his medicine once more and sat by his side, speaking softly.

Having finished the storybook Jasmine had brought, she asked the Crown Prince to find a new one, and Guli began telling another tale.

During these days, she made an effort to eat well, drink well, and keep her spirits light, which eased the Empress’s worries considerably. Moreover, with the Empress Dowager’s birthday approaching, the Empress was busy attending to the preparations and thus no longer came to visit at the usual time every morning. Instead, she came every other day, and her visits were brief.

This granted Guli more time to stay in the side hall, savoring the quiet moments that belonged solely to the two of them.

Though she longed for Lie Chang’an to awaken soon, rather than lie cold and motionless in bed, unable to share her joys and sorrows.

As dusk approached, Xiaoyan reminded her it was time to return to the main hall for dinner. Guli set down the storybook, took the teacup Xiaoyan handed her, and sipped to moisten her throat.

Just as she finished drinking, Xiaoqiu hurriedly pushed open the door from outside, her pale face alarmed. “Princess, the Empress has arrived!”

Startled, Guli’s hand trembled, almost dropping the cup, but Xiaoyan’s quick reflexes caught it just in time.

Guli hastily rose and moved toward the main hall. Xiaoqiu quickly helped adjust her robe. Once assured everything was in order, Guli composed herself and calmly returned to the main hall.

Upon entering, she indeed saw Jasmine standing behind the Empress, her small face drawn with concern, signaling urgently to Guli.

Understanding immediately, Guli lifted her usual gentle smile and sweetly said, “Mother, what brings you here at this hour?”

She truly had not expected the Empress to come now. After all, the Empress had been visiting every other day recently, having come just yesterday. Today’s visit, especially at dinnertime, was unusual.

“The Empress Dowager sent word asking me to accompany her for dinner at the Palace of Longevity. Passing by, I thought I’d come see you,” the Empress said, elegantly raising a hand to sip her hot tea, lifting her eyelids to look at Guli with a smile. “Where were you just now? Why didn’t you have Jasmine with you?”

Guli walked to the table and sat down, smiling. “Where else could I be? Didn’t Father bestow many rare treasures upon me the other day? They’re all stored in some side halls. I had Jasmine help pick through them, but I was bored, so I went to another side hall to look around, hoping to find something handy and fun to play with.”

The Empress chuckled. “Did you find anything you liked?”

Pouting playfully, Guli feigned displeasure. “Father’s gifts were mostly medicinal herbs and tonics, or luminous pearls, silks, and fabrics—nothing novel.”

The Empress suddenly recalled that both she and the Empress Dowager had sent such gifts, thinking that since Guli had suffered so much, she must first be properly nourished. Who would have thought Guli wouldn’t like them?

Smiling, the Empress said, “If you want something more entertaining, neither Father nor I have any. I’ll speak to your Father later and have someone search for some. If we find any, we’ll send them to you immediately.”

“All right, all right,” Guli replied, relieved to have successfully diverted the Empress’s attention, and quickly agreed with a bright smile.