Gong Sun Jin Yu replied, “This subject thinks this method is too dangerous. Your Majesty need not actually take the poison. If something were to happen…”
Xu Qiu’er closed her eyes. “I must take this personally. Jin Yu, you know what to do, right?”
“Yes.”
“You may go.”
Xu Qiu’er turned her head coldly, icy tears soaking the pillow. Looking at the candlestick, teardrops fell silently, forming blood-red beads. One pearl of blood tears, one lonely lamp – the cold night stretching endlessly. The dense, black night silently covered everything, leaving only despair.
“Mm… ah… don’t… don’t go…” As soon as Xu Qiu’er cried out, Cang Yue appeared by the bed, drawing back the window curtains. “My lady… my lady…”
Xu Qiu’er returned to reality, her head covered in sweat. In the candlelight, Cang Yue saw her wet eyelashes, her reddened pupils, and the sorrowful tear tracks on her face.
Cang Yue stepped forward to embrace Xu Qiu’er, comforting her: “My lady, please be at ease. The young prince valued your life more than his own.”
Xu Qiu’er desperately grasped at any offered hand, looking blankly at Cang Yue. Cang Yue, feeling her pain, held her gently and patted her. Xu Qiu’er asked, “Cang Yue, will Hao Li hate me for wanting to live alone?”
Cang Yue replied, “My lady, the young prince would not. He understands your intentions.”
Xu Qiu’er suddenly burst into tears, saying, “If I hadn’t gone to find him that night, this wouldn’t have happened. He had already decided to give up, and I ruined everything.”
Cang Yue consoled her, and it was almost dawn before Xu Qiu’er calmed down. After tucking her in and drawing the curtains, Cang Yue left the palace hall. At the door, Guan Yue asked, “Is my lady asleep?” Cang Yue nodded. Guan Yue said, “You go rest. I’ll keep watch.”
As she left, Cang Yue expressed her concern, “I’m very worried about my lady.”
Xu Qiu’er awoke near noon, feeling inexplicably good. She chose a pink dress and asked Ning’er, “Go invite the Imperial Consort Ye.” Then she turned to Cang Yue, asking, “Do you believe I will take Xu Qing’er’s life today?” Cang Yue and Guan Yue exchanged glances.
