Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Palace maids brought up several dishes one after another.

Eunuch Zhao had instructed the servants to prepare the meal, then stood by to serve.

Because Sheng Zhaoning had an injury and couldn’t move easily, Wei Yi was afraid she might tear her wound, so he ordered a small table set up by the bed.

As always, the table was filled with dishes she liked.

Wei Yi didn’t actually know her tastes that well.

It was only after arriving in Shangjing that he asked the people around her about her preferences.

But when it came to what Wei Yi liked, Sheng Zhaoning knew all too well.

This table full of bland, light-colored dishes-none of it was to his liking.

He was learning to accommodate her.

Even if Sheng Zhaoning didn’t appreciate it.

……

She still forced herself through the meal, feeling uncomfortable.

A persistent burning pain came from the wound-not intense, but wearing, churning through her flesh, constantly reminding her of its presence.

Sheng Zhaoning leaned against the headboard, looking listless and lethargic.

Wei Yi sat on a yellow rosewood couch not far away, his hand resting on the table’s edge as he flipped idly through a book.

“Give me some money,” she suddenly spoke.

Wei Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze shifting from the book to her, a hint of curiosity and carefree amusement in his eyes, as if this request was novel.

“You’ve really grown bold.”

It sounded like a dangerous remark, but when he said it, there was a clear trace of helpless indulgence in his tone. “What do you need money for?”

Sheng Zhaoning said flatly, “Jin He is leaving the palace. I have no money to give her.”

When Wei Yi had her brought here, he hadn’t allowed her to bring anything.

All of Sheng Zhaoning’s belongings had been left in Sheng Mansion, including her silver.

Wei Yi knew she valued that maidservant, and he inexplicably liked the way she so righteously demanded money, so he simply told Zhao Quan to bring over a stack of banknotes.

Sheng Zhaoning looked at the thick stack of banknotes in her hand; she couldn’t count how much it was, but each note had a large denomination-clearly a substantial sum.

She felt that Wei Yi might really be in a good mood today, granting every request. Usually, when he wasn’t stirring up trouble, Sheng Zhaoning never took the initiative to provoke him.

At year’s end, court affairs were complicated, and with the transition between the old and new dynasties, Wei Yi had almost no free time.

After sitting with her for a while, he summoned a few ministers to the study for discussion.

Sheng Zhaoning had a maid bring Jin He over.

Perhaps because she had been crying in secret, Jin He’s nose and eye rims were tinged with red, and her eyelids were a bit swollen.

“My Lady…”

She still couldn’t change how she addressed her.

When Jin He first came to the residence, she was still at the Hanlin Academy, a mere sixth-rank official. In the blink of an eye, she had been with her for five years.

“Have you packed everything?” Sheng Zhaoning asked.

Jin He wiped away her tears and nodded.

“All packed.”

Sheng Zhaoning stuffed a few banknotes into Jin He’s hand-around several thousand taels, enough to ensure her a lifetime free from want.

Jin He knelt before her, tears rolling down uncontrollably.

With so much money, her lady was ensuring her a way out.

She had perhaps already guessed what Sheng Zhaoning intended to do, and why she was so hastily sending her away.

After this parting, she didn’t know when they would meet again.

Perhaps…

With reddened eyes, Jin He bit her lower lip, trying her best not to think of the worst-case scenario.

“Go,” Sheng Zhaoning wiped her tears and said, “don’t ever return to the Capital City again.”

Jin He’s words choked in her throat, tears welling up.

She didn’t want Sheng Zhaoning to go, didn’t want her to be trapped in the past for a lifetime, wearing herself away to nothing.

But what could be done?

No one could comfort a shell without a soul.

Sheng Zhaoning’s soul had died in the Palace Coup. Now she was nothing more than a walking corpse, a wandering ghost struggling on the edge of hell, every moment of her remaining life filled with longing and pain.

Perhaps death was the best deliverance for her.

Eunuch Zhao had someone escort Jin He out of the palace.

Sheng Zhaoning knew that given Wei Yi’s cautious and suspicious nature, he wouldn’t let Jin He go so easily. He would likely send Secret Guard members to watch her for a while, to prevent her from causing trouble.

His suspicion was certainly justified.

Because even Sheng Zhaoning didn’t believe she would let things be.

Only, her move wasn’t on Jin He.

But… on his side.

In Sheng Zhaoning’s hand, a slip of paper slowly unfurled.

– “Everything is going smoothly.”

She stared fixedly at those four characters, her heart devoid of sorrow or joy, terrifyingly cold and still.

Sheng Zhaoning crumpled the paper into a ball and swallowed it without expression.

She leaned back on the bed and closed her eyes wearily…

The weather suddenly turned cold.

The Capital City saw two snowfalls in a row, the snow not heavy, leaving a thin layer covering the branches.

The year-end banquet had been prepared for a month already by the Ministry of Rites together with the Twelve Directorates. The first New Year’s Eve banquet since the new emperor’s ascension had to be grand enough to save face and present a magnificent scene, yet also observe the state mourning and not overstep the rules – truly a difficult task for everyone.

Changhua Hall sent a few people over to specifically handle the emperor’s affairs.

Sheng Zhaoning’s abdominal wound was healing, a thin scab forming, and it no longer hindered her movement. Lately, she often leaned by the window, propping it open a crack, just enough to see the red plum tree outside the hall.

Wei Yi didn’t know when that plum tree had been planted. Things from the previous dynasty shouldn’t be kept, but Sheng Zhaoning seemed quite fond of plum blossoms. When Changhua Hall was being heavily renovated, she stopped the eunuch who was about to cut it down and pleaded with him in a soft tone for the first time.

Her submission always pleased him, so since she liked it, he let it stay.

Now the red plum blossoms were in full bloom, snow covering the branches, making them even more charming.

Wei Yi raised a hand and closed the window, instantly cutting off the cold air outside.

“How long have you been in the wind?” He touched her face; it felt icy cold.

The moment the window dropped, Sheng Zhaoning averted her gaze and said quietly, “Not long.