Chapter 160: I’ll Let You Go
Lan Wu cried until she was exhausted, leaning against Chu Mingheng’s shoulder as she couldn’t help but let out a few sobs.
The hall was warm, and crying had left her whole body flushed with heat. She had wiped all her tears on Chu Mingheng’s shoulder before lifting her head dizzily.
Even without saying a word, her gaze was enough for Chu Mingheng to understand.
“Alright, I’ll let you go.” A silk handkerchief gently brushed over her cheeks, wiping away the remaining tears and the traces they left behind.
Chu Mingheng’s voice carried a tone of compromise and helplessness, ending with a soft sigh.
Lan Wu, however, didn’t seem to fully grasp his words. Only after the tear stains on her face were wiped clean did she grab Chu Mingheng’s hand, staring at him blankly as she asked, “Really?”
Was he truly agreeing?
“You’ve resorted to such methods—what else can I do? Let you act recklessly?” Chu Mingheng gently tapped her chin and told her, “Since you’re going to Changyong Mountain, you must prepare properly. I’ve already agreed, so don’t cause any more trouble for me.”
Lan Wu nodded, feeling a momentary relief before new worries began to surface.
If she wasn’t in the palace, would Chu Mingheng be able to take care of himself? What if his headaches returned or he couldn’t sleep?
Moreover, Chu Mingheng’s situation was somewhat complicated. What if the Chu Mingheng from her previous life emerged again and others noticed?
These were all pressing concerns.
She hadn’t even left yet, but she was already beginning to worry.
“I’ll miss Your Majesty, I’ll miss you the most,” Lan Wu pushed aside her swirling thoughts and focused on Chu Mingheng, unable to hold back her words.
“You’d better.” Chu Mingheng’s eyes darkened as he gazed at her face, speaking slowly.
Although he had agreed to let her go to Changyong Mountain, Lan Wu still had one matter to attend to first.
The ceremony for her investiture as Guifei needed to be held as soon as possible.
In the afternoon, Lan Wu remained in the hall, learning etiquette from the palace matrons, while Chu Mingheng went to the Imperial Study.
“Summon the Imperial Physician,” Chu Mingheng ordered as soon as he arrived at the Imperial Study.
Chen Kangan was momentarily taken aback but bowed and replied, “Yes,” before quickly sending someone to fetch the Imperial Physician.
The Imperial Medical Academy had been exceptionally busy lately, frequently visiting the inner palace—sometimes to diagnose an ailment for one consort, sometimes to check the health of another, and other times to examine His Majesty.
Just that morning, they had visited Yilan Hall to check on Guifei, and in the afternoon, they received word that His Majesty was summoning them again.
Though it wasn’t the same Imperial Physician each time, these frequent visits kept everyone on edge, fearing they might uncover some grave issue with their masters.
The Imperial Physician attending to His Majesty today, Physician He, was no exception.
“Physician He, is there anything unusual about my pulse?” Chu Mingheng asked calmly.
Physician He pondered for a moment before replying truthfully, “Your Majesty’s pulse is somewhat peculiar—it fluctuates between floating and sinking, sometimes weak, sometimes strong, yet I cannot determine the cause… I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness. My knowledge is limited, and I cannot diagnose this condition.”
An illness that defied diagnosis was often the most alarming. If anything were to happen to His Majesty, the entire Imperial Medical Academy would be held accountable.
Chu Mingheng casually withdrew his arm and looked at the elderly physician with his graying beard. “Physician He, your medical skills are among the finest in the Imperial Medical Academy, are they not?”
“I am ashamed. I possess only this shallow knowledge to serve Your Majesty, but in terms of medical skill, few in the Imperial Medical Academy can compare to me.”
Imperial Physician He spoke these words without any intention of boasting, merely stating the facts. Unaware of His Majesty’s intentions, he waited quietly after finishing.
Soon, Chu Mingheng said, “You may leave. There is no need to conceal my illness. Simply say that I have contracted a strange disease and discuss with the other Imperial Physicians how to treat me.”
“This… Your Majesty…?” Imperial Physician He did not quite understand. If the intention was to have all the Imperial Physicians discuss how to treat His Majesty, then more physicians should be summoned to examine the pulse. That would allow for a more accurate determination of the condition.
Chu Mingheng did not wish to elaborate and dismissed him.
“Yes, Your Majesty. This humble official understands.”
Not long after Imperial Physician He left, another order was issued from the Imperial Study, instructing the Ministry of Rites to complete the investiture ceremony for the Guifei within three days.
“Three days? Isn’t that too rushed?” Lian Xi could not help but remark.
Lan Wu received this decree while listening to a female official explain the upcoming rituals. Just then, a eunuch arrived to deliver the message, stating that the investiture ceremony would be held at Yilan Hall at noon three days later.
It was indeed somewhat rushed, but this suited Lan Wu’s intentions. She nodded without showing any particular reaction.
Later in the afternoon, Chu Mingheng came again.
He brought a letter.
Rather than a letter, it was more like a piece of paper with writing on it. However, it was clearly not meant for Lan Wu to read.
“You brought it but won’t let me see it. Who is it for, then?” Lan Wu noticed him folding the letter and placing it beneath a book on the desk, right in the center. Though inconspicuous, the act of doing this in front of Lan Wu carried a hint of provocation.
After arranging the letter, Chu Mingheng slowly spoke, “For me to read.”
What did that mean?
Lan Wu realized he had written something to the Chu Mingheng from the previous life. These two individuals switched places every time they slept and woke, each only remembering events from that day or the previous few days. However, for Lan Wu, they were easy to distinguish.
Thinking of the other Chu Mingheng, Lan Wu pondered whether he would compromise.
Logically, he should, since neither of them wanted anything to happen to her. The body was Lan Wu’s own, and if she were determined to torment herself, no one could stop her.
Of course, she did not wish to torment herself, but if there truly was no other way, she might have to take a desperate risk.
Now, Chu Mingheng said this letter was written to his other self.
Curious, Lan Wu moved closer to take a look.
Before she could get near, Chu Mingheng wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her aside. “What are you looking at? Come play chess with me.”
Lan Wu was not skilled at chess. When playing, she liked to scheme, thinking she was setting traps for Chu Mingheng when in fact, from the very first move, she had already fallen into the game he had long prepared.
After playing like this five or ten times, Lan Wu finally understood that she was no match for Chu Mingheng and was merely being toyed with by him.
Now, when Chu Mingheng wanted her to play again, she refused.
“Come here. I’ll give you a three-piece advantage.” Chu Mingheng, well aware of her thoughts, coaxed her further, “Just one game.”
Fine, then.
Lan Wu reluctantly agreed and walked over slowly, seeing that the palace attendants had already cleared the table and set up the chessboard.
This single game lasted nearly half an hour.
Outside the window, snow began to fall.
It had been snowing for several days, but the heaviest snowfall usually occurred at night.
Now, night had fallen, yet the game was still not over.
Lan Wu held a chess piece, staring at the board until her eyes grew weary, yet she couldn’t decide where to place it. Instead, her stomach let out a low rumble.
“If you’re hungry, have someone bring the meal,” Chu Mingheng said, taking the piece from her hand and casually placing it on the board. Without giving her time to examine the move, he gently pulled her up from the opposite side and added softly, “I’ve had them prepare a hot pot. On such a cold day, it’s best to eat something warm.”