That night, Su Li was already preparing to rest when she heard a strange sound by the window.
Su Li found it amusing. Her father had withdrawn the soldiers, and now he was back to making himself completely at home.
Yet, after waiting a moment, no one entered.
Su Li tightened her grip on the porcelain vial and slowly approached the window.
Suddenly, a single flower extended from the windowsill.
Then, a face with smiling eyes appeared.
"For you."
He stood outside the window, clad in a pale purple brocade robe, a jade belt cinched at his waist. Moonlight cascaded upon him, as if he were plated in a layer of frosty flowers.
His features were as picturesque as a painting, making it impossible to look away.
In Su Li's mind, a line instinctively surfaced: Returning beneath the blossoms, with the moon at my door. She chuckled inwardly; how could this man be "knocking on the door"? He was simply an impudent fellow who climbed through windows.
Jun Mo agilely vaulted inside. Su Li sniffed the flower in her hand, then placed it into a vase.
"Why are you here again? Didn't we just see each other in broad daylight?" Su Li turned back, asking with a hint of confusion.
Jun Mo smiled. "Seeing a beauty by lamplight naturally has a different charm. If Li'er says such things, I might just get heartbroken."
Su Li ignored him, leaning against the bedhead, engrossed in a newly acquired storybook.
This was her latest hobby.
Jun Mo peered over. " 'Folklore of Strange Tales'?"
Su Li replied, "The ghosts and monsters in here seem quite novel."
"Aren't you afraid, Li'er?"
Su Li looked up at him, puzzled. "What's there to be afraid of? The human heart can be far more terrifying than this. Besides, I know it's fake; I just read this for amusement."
Jun Mo gazed at her. She was truly so different from ordinary women.
Jun Mo sat on the edge of the bed, looking discontentedly at Su Li. "Li'er, pay attention to me."
Su Li looked at him. Was this truly the ethereal His Highness Prince Jing?
"Ziyan?" Could he have been impersonated?
Jun Mo drew her into his embrace. "You can continue reading."
Su Li leaned against his chest, reading her storybook.
A moment later, Jun Mo innocently asked, "What's wrong?"
Su Li glared at him. He kept tugging her hair, then pinching her hand, then stroking... How was she supposed to read like this?
Why had she never noticed how clingy this man was before?
"Your Highness, the Hour of Hai is almost over," Su Li said.
Whenever Su Li called him "Your Highness," Jun Mo would quiet down.
"Kiss me once, Li'er, and I'll leave."
Su Li glared at him, but this time, he wouldn't back down.
Su Li finally gave in, offering him a quick peck.
Just as she was about to pull back, he pressed her head down, taking the initiative and deepening the kiss.
After a long while, he finally released her, smiling. "I'll pick you up tomorrow so we can enter the palace together."
With that, he departed under Su Li's reproachful gaze.
Su Li sighed helplessly. Her father had only just withdrawn the guards, and he was here tonight.
She touched her lips, a smile playing at the corners, then rolled around a few times on the bed before falling into a deep sleep.
...
The next day, just as Su Li finished washing and dressing, Mo Hua entered.
"Miss, His Highness has arrived. He's currently speaking with Madam."
Su Li led her maids to the main courtyard.
"Why are you here so early? Have you had breakfast?" Su Li asked.
Jun Mo smiled. "Haven't I come to freeload a meal?"
Madam Su quickly instructed the maids to bring up breakfast, inviting her daughter and her future son-in-law to eat.
After breakfast, Jun Mo and Su Li departed for the palace together.
"Greetings to His Majesty! May His Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!" Su Li performed a grand bow.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Su Li lifted her gaze. It hadn't been long since they last met, yet the Emperor seated above seemed to have aged several years.
It seemed Jun Hui's affair had been a great blow to him.
"Changning, Old Seventh has told Us everything. This time, We owe a great deal to you. If not for you, We don't know if We would have returned."
Su Li quickly replied, "This is merely what this subject should do. Furthermore, His Majesty possesses boundless good fortune. Even without this subject, as the Son of Heaven, protected by myriad deities, Your Majesty would ultimately turn misfortune into blessing and transform danger into good fortune."
Everyone loved to hear pleasant words, and the smile on the Emperor's face deepened by several degrees.
"Regardless, We must reward you. We hear that your shop makes a fortune daily, so you must not be short on money."
Su Li smiled outwardly. Who would dislike having too much money? She wouldn't mind any amount.
Then she heard the Emperor say, "Aren't you cultivating medicinal herbs? How about We bestow upon you a thousand mu of fertile land on the western outskirts of the capital?"
Su Li's eyes lit up. This was indeed better than silver.
Land in the capital was expensive, and the outskirts of the capital were mostly estates hoarded by high-ranking officials and nobles; even with money, it was difficult to buy.
His Majesty was truly generous, granting her a thousand mu of fertile land directly. Now, her idea of opening several more medical clinics could also be realized.
This would also make it easier for impoverished commoners to seek treatment.
"This subject thanks Your Majesty!" Su Li willingly performed another deep bow.
"Rise, cough, cough."
Su Li asked with concern, "Your Majesty, you..."
"It's nothing, nothing," the Emperor waved his hand.
"Your Majesty, please allow this subject to examine you," Su Li said, seeing his poor complexion.
The Emperor initially wanted to refuse, but Jun Mo immediately said, "Imperial Father, allow Li'er to examine you. Her medical skills are far superior to those of the Imperial Physicians in the palace."
The Emperor smiled. "I said I'm fine, why are you two so nervous? The Imperial Physicians have already examined me. But since you're not at ease, then have her take a look."
He then extended his wrist, resting it on the armrest of the dragon throne.
Su Li stepped forward and took the Emperor's pulse.
Su Li's eyes widened slightly. "Your Majesty, there are residues of Muscle-Weakening Powder in your system. This..."
"It's that beast, Old Sixth! But didn't the Imperial Physicians say it was already detoxified?" the Emperor asked.
Su Li nodded. "It has been detoxified, but the dosage was too large. If left untreated for too long, it could lead to paralysis."
The Emperor felt a chill of fear. Thankfully, Old Seventh arrived quickly, and it was also thanks to Changning.
Su Li continued, "Although it was detoxified in time, this medicine has severely depleted Your Majesty's body. Your Majesty, have you been frequently drowsy, feeling weak all over, and experiencing a poor appetite recently?"
The Emperor nodded. "Everything you've said is accurate."
"That's it then. If this condition is not treated promptly, it could be very dangerous. This subject will prescribe a formula now; take it three times a day, and you will recover quickly."
The Emperor nodded. It was indeed good to have a daughter-in-law skilled in medicine; he himself would suffer less.
Su Li finished writing the prescription and handed it to the attendant, then instructed the attendant on the Emperor's dietary precautions before taking her leave with Jun Mo.
Su Li and Jun Mo did not exit the palace immediately but went to Consort De's palace.
Seeing the two young ones arrive, Consort De was very pleased. She ordered some tribute fruits to be brought out, and then filled two baskets to the brim.
"Li'er, you haven't entered the palace for many days," Consort De said, holding Su Li's hand.
She didn't know why, but decades had passed like this before.
Now, however, she wished for someone to accompany her and chat.
Could it be that as one aged, one truly longed for grandchildren around their knees, sharing the joys of family?
Su Li smiled gently. "My Lady, Li'er is here now, isn't she?"
"You two will be married in two months. If things go quickly, by this time next year, this palace might even be holding a grandson."
Su Li nearly choked, blushing as she glanced at Jun Mo, who was also looking at her with burning eyes.
Consort De continued, "Ah, this palace certainly doesn't mean to favor boys over girls! I'd love a granddaughter just as much; a granddaughter as adorable as Li'er, I'd certainly cherish her dearly. This palace truly envies the Empress; the Crown Princess is about to give birth..."
Su Li looked at Consort De. Was this increasingly animated woman before her truly the aloof, high-ranking Consort De she knew?
Su Li then turned to glance at Jun Mo. The appearances of this mother and son were truly deceptive.
Only those truly familiar with them knew that, in fact, they were not as unapproachable as their outward appearances suggested.
"Imperial Mother, we are not yet married; it's too soon to speak of such things," Jun Mo said, seeing Su Li look at him, and he smiled, helping Su Li out of the awkward situation.
"You're right, you're right. Whenever I see Li'er, I simply talk too much."
...
Su Li chatted with Consort De, with Jun Mo occasionally interjecting. The two had lunch at Consort De's palace before leaving the imperial grounds together.
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