#59: Illuminating the Depths (VI)

Luo Wei, having nothing to do in recent days, made many rhinoceros horn-shaped lanterns with Chaolan and Zhang Sunwu. After attaching candles, they hung them on trees by the small pond in the back hall of Qionghua.

At that time, Chaolan was very curious and asked, “Why did Your Majesty make the lanterns in this strange shape?”

Luo Wei smiled without answering. Zhang Sunwu pointed at the reflection in the small pond and patiently explained, “There was a famous minister from the Eastern Jin dynasty named Wen Qiao. One day, he passed by a place called ‘Niuzhu Ji’ and heard that there were many monsters in the water there. He looked down, but the water was too deep to see anything clearly. So Wen Qiao lit a rhinoceros horn to illuminate, and indeed saw many water ghosts.”

“The story of Wen Qiao illuminating the underworld with a rhinoceros horn was recorded in official history. Later, people often used ‘illuminating with a rhinoceros horn’ as a metaphor to praise fearless acts of exposing evil. Nowadays, rhinoceros horns are hard to find, so Her Majesty made these ox-horn-shaped lights and hung them by the small pond to deter the ghosts underwater.”

Chaolan was frightened, “Are there really ghosts in the water?”

Zhang Sunwu glanced at Luo Wei and gently said, “In the palace, where isn’t there a ghost? But Her Majesty is a phoenix; being able to see through everything naturally means she can protect us from harm.”

Chaolan believed it and went into the hall to find more wooden strips to make lanterns. Luo Wei slowly walked over to Zhang Sunwu and raised her head, “After Wen Qiao illuminated the water with a rhinoceros horn, he died an unnatural death within ten days. Today, I’ve also lit these rhinoceros horn lanterns, I wonder how much longer my life will last?”

Zhang Sunwu looked back at the swaying lantern in the wind, wanting to kneel but was stopped by Luo Wei. Then he revealed a sly smile, “Your Majesty’s lanterns are fake horns; what they illuminate are not the deepest ghosts of the netherworld, just some minor demons. How could they harm you?”

Luo Wei laughed heartily, “You’ve read too many books in the library these years and received guidance from many scholars. You’ve become quite glib.”

That rhinoceros horn lantern was still hanging under the flower window. With the wind blowing, it swayed around.

Luo Wei stood up, supporting herself on the copper lotus-patterned ice container filled with ice blocks. She didn’t know whether to cry or laugh now. She reached out blankly, and Zhang Sunwu quickly came over to support her arm.

“Go, go to Pifang Pavilion...” Luo Wei forcefully closed her eyes and opened them again, as if making a decision, “Let’s go see the Consort.”

•

At the Ren Ding hour, just after a sound of pebbles hitting the ground echoed in the garden, Pei Xi pushed open Ye Tingyan’s door.

There were already three people inside the room. Bai Sensen rolled up his sleeves and was taking Ye Tingyan’s pulse.

Ye Tingyan played with the white gauze covering his eyes and didn’t look up, “How is it?”

“Confidential report,” Pei Xi said solemnly, “The Consort is pregnant.”

These words shocked all three. Bai Sensen was the first to react, glaring at Ye Tingyan, “What are you getting excited about? It’s not like the Empress is pregnant!”

Ye Tingyan touched his arm and gave him a sinister look.

Bai Sensen immediately corrected himself, “It was my careless speech, my careless speech.”

Zhou Chuyin muttered to himself on the side, “How could the Consort be pregnant?”

Bai Sensen didn’t understand, “Why are you all so surprised? Could it be that Song Lan...”

Looking at that young man, though crafty, he seemed too young... right?

Zhou Chuyin rolled his eyes at him and first bowed to Ye Tingyan, “Regardless, let me congratulate you and the Empress first.”

Ye Tingyan bitterly smiled, “...Could this be the reason she refused to listen to advice? Calculating, the Imperial Hospital diagnosed the pregnancy today, which means the pregnancy must be at least a month old, precisely when she insisted on taking action.”

Seeing Bai Sensen still confused, Zhou Chuyin helplessly patted his shoulder and explained, “How could the Consort’s pregnancy not be surprising? Think about it, Lingcheng. Back then, Song Lan colluded with the Empress and Yu Qiushi to usurp the throne—a grave sin that could easily lead to eternal infamy. Song Lan married Yu Qiushi’s youngest daughter, and Yu Qiushi entered the political affairs office while the Empress governed—this was their mutual restraint.”

By the way, “Sensen” was just his nickname; “Lingcheng” was his actual courtesy name. However, Bai Sensen disliked it and always claimed his name came from “Shuxiang.” Over time, almost everyone forgot his original name.

Speaking of this, Pei Xi chimed in, “Song Lan’s favor towards the Consort was a gesture to Yu Qiushi. If she doesn’t bear a child, she serves both as Yu Qiushi’s spy in the palace and Song Lan’s check against him, and thus would remain safe for a while. But regardless of her youth or ignorance, she is still Yu’s daughter—should she successfully give birth to a prince, who knows what thoughts Yu Qiushi might have? In the end, supporting anyone else wouldn’t be as reassuring as supporting one’s own. Doctor Bai, tell me, in such circumstances, if you were Song Lan, would you dare let the Consort get pregnant?”

“That...” Bai Sensen pondered for a moment, glanced at Ye Tingyan again, and suddenly realized, “So we were wrong before! We always thought Song Lan feared Yu Qiushi and wouldn’t let his daughter get pregnant. But now it seems Song Lan has long decided to eliminate Yu Qiushi and wasn’t deliberately cautious. The Consort’s pregnancy today is Yu Qiushi’s death knell!”

“Cuo Zhi,” Ye Tingyan called sternly behind him, “Before the morning court, during Zhuque’s shift change, meet with Mosheng and make sure to find out if the Consort’s pregnancy was tacitly allowed by Song Lan or if there’s another hidden agenda?”

Pei Xi solemnly replied, “Yes.”

•

When Luo Wei arrived at Pifang Pavilion, she saw Liu Xi standing respectfully at the entrance and knew Song Lan was inside the hall.

The gatekeepers exchanged glances and, after announcing her arrival, let her in.

The hall was filled with candle stands, brightly lit. Being summer, there were several vats of ice placed at the entrance to cool the air. Luo Wei walked to the bedside and saw Song Lan wearing a black robe embroidered with golden dragons, personally holding a medicine bowl and feeding Yu Suiyun.

His movements were leisurely, even blowing on each spoonful before feeding her, extremely meticulous and patient. Hearing footsteps, Yu Suiyun lifted her head from the soft pillow, revealing a pale face.

Seeing Luo Wei, she wanted to curve her lips into a smile but ultimately couldn’t manage it and turned her face away instead.

Rumors in the palace spread that the young and arrogant Consort disrespected the Empress, and their discord had been long-standing. Her current guarded demeanor was therefore unsurprising.

Luo Wei expressionlessly knelt before the bed, “This servant sees His Majesty.”

Her golden crown shook slightly, but before it pressed down on her lowered head, the young emperor set aside the medicine bowl and came forward to lift her up—formerly, he forbade her from performing formal courtesies in front of him. Now, after half a month without seeing each other, he remained as intimate as ever, as if no rift had ever existed.

“Sister came quickly,” Song Lan grinned at her, revealing a sharp little fang, “I came here from Qianfang Hall upon receiving the news. You’re farther away, yet your pace was almost as fast as mine.”

Seeing Yu Suiyun turn her head and refuse to bow to Luo Wei, he felt somewhat helpless, “Suiyun is young, Sister shouldn’t hold it against her.”

Luo Wei finally swallowed her trembling voice and forced a smile, “Naturally, this is the first child of the Jinghe era. I will certainly take good care of younger sister Consort.”

Song Lan happily said, “Yes, I’m going to have my first child. It feels like a dream, finally, there is someone in this world with my blood and bones.”

He became increasingly excited, his joy genuine and heartfelt. Luo Wei stared at the dimple by his lips, feeling her heartbeat as heavy as a drum, one beat after another.

Perhaps sensing her unease, Song Lan snapped out of it, took her hand, and gently said, “Suiyun needs to rest. Let’s walk outside first and not disturb her.”

Luo Wei responded, “Alright.”

His fingers were still so cold, even cooler than usual. Luo Wei held his hand as they walked past the long street behind Pifang Pavilion, passing the garden in front of Dianhong Terrace planted with hibiscus trees—now in midsummer, the hibiscus flowers had long faded, leaving only silent leaves blending with other lush greenery into a vacant green.

Passing by, Song Lan suddenly got inspired, ordering Liu Xi to wait outside the woods with everyone else while he and Luo Wei walked in together.

The forest reverberated with the rustling sounds of the wind brushing through the leaves and the long cicada calls of midsummer. Fortunately, the shade was cool, and they didn’t feel hot even after walking for a long time.

“Sister.”

After an unknown amount of time, Song Lan suddenly stopped, calling back Luo Wei who was lost in thought. Luo Wei responded, feeling him loosen his tight grip on her hand.

Her palm was full of sticky cold sweat, but Song Lan remained oblivious, continuing to smile lightly, “Are you happy?”

Luo Wei masked her feelings, “His Majesty has an heir; I am naturally delighted.”

But Song Lan shook his head, “I don’t mean that.”

He casually picked a leaf, tearing it apart in his hand, his tone light but chilling to her bones, “With Suiyun pregnant, you no longer need to fight with the Grand Tutor. If this child is born while the Grand Tutor is still in court, what should I do with such a powerful maternal relative?”

She was stunned upon arrival, countless thoughts crossing her mind.

Never did she expect it to match her guess exactly—Song Lan didn’t mind Yu Suiyun’s pregnancy and even earnestly hoped for his own early progeny because, from the day she entered the palace, he had decided to kill Yu Qiushi.

She should have been happy; this battle ended without fighting, and afterward, she wouldn’t need to exert much effort herself.

But looking at the smiling face before her, she only felt a spine-chilling coldness.

Yu Qiushi was Song Lan’s启蒙teacher in the Zishan Hall, the sole supporter during those neglected years. Later, risking his life and enduring eternal infamy, he helped him ascend to the throne, acting alongside him in front of her, suspecting she knew the old matters and repeatedly advising—though guessing Song Lan wouldn’t leave him alive in the end, even Luo Wei hadn’t expected his intent to kill Yu Qiushi arose so early, the timing chosen so casually.

She knew Song Lan wasn’t as harmless as he appeared, understanding his ruthlessness and ingratitude, but the current situation still sent chills down her spine—perhaps Song Lan was even more ruthless than she imagined.

Luo Wei closed her eyes, striving to calm herself, following Song Lan’s words, “The Grand Tutor was ambitious even before Your Majesty ascended the throne, pushing you out as a target. These years, he has manipulated court affairs repeatedly. Though I wished to share Your Majesty’s burdens, I always dreaded him. Now that the Consort is pregnant, Your Majesty mustn’t show mercy anymore. Together, we’ll completely eliminate this threat to royal power.”

Hearing such words, Song Lan still showed no reaction, only smiling at her.

Being looked at like this, Luo Wei almost suspected Song Lan had guessed her every thought. Yet the young emperor still didn’t say anything, turning to continue deeper into the woods, “Sister speaks wisely.”

He walked a few steps, stretching lazily with arms wide. Luo Wei followed, hearing him softly ask, “Must it be this way?”

Song Lan was asking if it was absolutely necessary to remove Yu Qiushi.

Having already made his decision, he still put on a pretense of asking. Luo Wei reached out, brushing fallen leaves from his neck, “Back then disrespectful, now insolent. Your Majesty is about to govern personally, do you wish to remain under his thumb forever?”

“Yes,” Song Lan withdrew his hand, touching the back of her head. As if cradling a rare treasure, he brought her closer, speaking very softly, “Actually, if you had gotten pregnant earlier, I would have acted against him long ago. Why endure painstaking scheming yourself?”

Song Lan was now taller than her. Looking down, he carried a kind of pressure she rarely felt before.

This condescending posture made Luo Wei uncomfortable. Instinctively, she turned her head, trying to break free from his control. But Song Lan wouldn’t let go, his hands sliding along her cheeks to her neck, applying slight pressure, “He is just a powerful minister, whereas you are my kin. In this inner palace, besides Mother, you are the closest person to me. Those days I didn’t seek you out, I was angry with you. I’m not a child anymore. To deal with him, why act yourself?”

This speech was half-true, half-false, performed with great emotion. Luo Wei’s eyelashes trembled, quickly entering the act. She hugged him back, burying her head in his shoulder, “I’ve merely been treading cautiously, like walking on thin ice. We’re still young, while the Grand Tutor has operated in the court for many years. Should he dislike us someday, wouldn’t we repeat the tragedy of Li Si?”

“Then go ahead.” Song Lan raised his hand to pat her back, planting a kiss by her ear, “Go ahead, do what you intended to do. If insufficient, I’ll lend you two more men. When we once forced him to back down, we acknowledged his merit of supporting the dragon ascending. To avoid any loose ends, we still need to add another charge.”

Hand in hand, they walked back, stopping simultaneously after five steps, saying to each other, “Treason.”

Luo Wei forced a stiff smile. Song Lan clapped his hands, as if discussing some fun game with her, “Me and Sister, truly connected at heart.”