Chapter 023: He Yu Encounters an Old Acquaintance

"I am willing to go, Honored Mistress!"

Her voice came before her presence, and He Yu entered with a smile. At that moment, the Lady of the Main Hall, the Immortal Melody, was discussing the special invitation from Northern Hua's envoy with Yu Qixian.

Seeing He Yu, the Lady was momentarily stunned. "What did you say?"

He Yu smiled, bowed to the Lady and Yu Qixian, and replied earnestly, "To speak frankly, I already understand the purpose of the envoy from Northern Hua and have discussed it with the two steward sisters. This is a special invitation—refusing would be discourteous. It is most appropriate for me to go in person."

"Oh? How did you come to this decision? If I recall, you never liked leaving the mansion, yet now you want to enter the palace?" Yu Qixian shook his head in wonder. "It seems I still don't understand women's hearts. I’d best take my leave."

"Stop right there!" the Lady called out, her tone tinged with reproach. "How long has it been since you returned? And you dare say such things? With the urgent matters of West Sea Mansion unresolved, do you think you can walk away so easily?"

"But… didn't He Yu say she would go?" Yu Qixian grumbled, settling back into his chair.

The Lady pondered for a moment, then turned to He Yu, her eyes full of doubt. "You truly wish to go? Why?"

He Yu laughed lightly, lowering her gaze under the Lady's scrutiny. "For the reputation of the healer and the honor of West Sea Mansion. It wouldn’t do to refuse, and I can’t trust anyone else to go. I have to try!"

The Lady's doubts lingered. "You’ve never cared for such matters before. What has changed?"

"It was Qiu Di and Gui Ye who persuaded me. I originally thought to send my chief disciple, but they discouraged it..."

The Lady’s expression relaxed, teasing, "Oh? Since when do you heed their advice? Weren’t you quite resistant to Qiu Di recently?"

He Yu smiled awkwardly. "That was old history—a newcomer always meets resistance. Please don’t mock me, Lady."

The Lady laughed heartily, refraining from further comment, but instructed He Yu on a few important details.

He Yu took careful note, her mind filling with thoughts that continued to accumulate even as she walked home.

"The Lady is naturally suspicious, yet a few words from Qiu Di dispelled her doubts and obstinacy. Remarkable! These two are well-matched opponents. To survive between them is no easy feat!"

Passing Chao Xia Palace, He Yu heard a delicate, melodious guqin and felt a ripple stir in her heart. "She is playing the zither? Noble in character, talented in both virtue and art—why do I feel I cannot understand her?"

Recalling what Qiu Di had advised, He Yu still felt confused. She knew Qiu Di was right; no matter how much she disliked her, she couldn’t refute her logic. Besides, He Yu herself wanted to see the world beyond.

After He Yu left, Yu Qixian was subjected to the Lady’s questioning, and the two fell into a lively quarrel once more.

"Where have you been wandering lately? You never study, never stay here, always off sailing—aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"

"How am I unstudious? If not for my time on the ships, how would you have your prized steward musician? Besides, we agreed—I've fulfilled my duties, now you owe me my freedom!"

The Lady sneered, "Freedom? Are you not free now?"

"If you won’t let me go out, how am I free? Surrounded by women day and night—aren’t you afraid I’ll be assimilated? West Sea Mansion is a sect for women; as a man, it’s hardly fitting for me to stay. As the Lady, you should look after all your disciples!"

"You certainly have a way with words. Years of wandering, no skills gained except a silver tongue. I wonder what your father would think!"

Yu Qixian smiled lazily. "My father is freed now, spared your nagging. What reaction could he have? Anyway, since this urgent matter is resolved, I have other things to attend to. I—"

"Don’t even think about it!" The Lady cut him off. "Stay here until He Yu returns. I’m still uneasy about her trip."

"Wait for her return? And if she doesn’t come back? How long must I wait?" Yu Qixian stood, anxiety clear in his heart: Again detained? My flower garden remains untended—when will it flourish anew?

"What are you saying? She will return, of course. I don’t believe the court would oppose us outright. If they do, I’m not afraid!"

The Lady slapped the table, snapping Yu Qixian’s attention back.

"Well then, you’ve certainly given it much thought, yet you’re still uneasy about He Yu. Compared to her, wouldn’t my chosen talents be more reliable?"

"I like everyone in West Sea Mansion, though each has their own abilities and temperament. Don’t use this as a chance to boast!"

Three days later, a healer from the martial world arrived at the Northern Hua court, and the news spread throughout the palace.

He Yu took great care with her appearance; she represented the women of West Sea Mansion and would not allow herself to disgrace anyone, least of all herself.

In court, though standing among civil and military officials, He Yu occasionally raised her head, quietly observing. Wherever her gaze fell, her heart grew tense.

One glance, and she recognized him—her careful attire was not in vain. Her meticulous preparations were worth it, as was the journey.

It was him—he was the Emperor!

He Yu’s heart surged in waves; her mind was filled with his face, that handsome figure reminiscent of a nobleman wandering the countryside.

"The Dowager is asking you a question. Why do you still cling to your martial habits?"

The sharp voice of the Empress Dowager startled He Yu from her reverie. She replied nervously, "I wouldn’t dare, I am listening."

"Very well. I asked you about that prescription—why did you not answer? Is this a sect secret? Or perhaps some celestial medicine not to be discussed?"

He Yu shook her head repeatedly. "No, it’s an ordinary recipe, quite standard. With so many talents in the court, I’m sure you already know its contents and medical principles. It’s merely a new illness, and we happened to solve it first. I hope this is not disrespectful?"

"Ha! Not at all!" The Empress Dowager laughed coldly, her gaze intimidating. "How rare for a martial healer to care for the people of Northern Hua! I am delighted. It seems others exaggerate the illness, and healers are too conservative, causing the people to suffer. Clearly, you healers possess both benevolence and exceptional skill!"

Though she smiled outwardly, her heart was dark with suspicion: Why does West Sea Mansion seek such renown? This time, I will break the rules of the martial world and study these eccentric outsiders thoroughly!

"You flatter me. In systematic and comprehensive skill, West Sea Mansion falls short. Beyond the capital are many talented folk, and within are two illustrious rulers. West Sea Mansion cannot compare. Yet as dwellers of the Central Plains, though distant from the court, we are obliged to offer what little we can."

The Empress Dowager snorted. "Indeed, as a steward healer your composure and eloquence match your reputation. If Northern Hua possessed such beauty and talent, I would surely make her a consort!"

He Yu was taken aback and quickly changed the subject. "Such matters are not for a commoner to discuss."

Only then, hearing the Dowager’s teasing tone, did He Yu realize she had been subtly guided the whole time—and had misspoken. She ought not to look at the Emperor; one glance unsettled her mind and changed her words. She should not have praised the Emperor, especially in the Dowager’s presence; now she had touched on her taboo.

"Haha, enough with the jest. While you have some time, might I borrow your skills to treat a palace lady?"

He Yu hesitated, uncertain whether to refuse or accept. She could neither shine too brightly nor shrink from the task; fulfilling the Lady’s mission was proving difficult.

"Is the decision too hard?"

A gentle, steady male voice sounded abruptly, startling He Yu into silence. That cold, taciturn man spoke—He Yu was so surprised she couldn’t find words.

Liu Li spoke without expression. "If you have reservations, then let it be."

"No!" He Yu replied instinctively. "I am willing to try!"

Liu Li had been about to rise and leave, but hearing He Yu’s light response, he sat back down with renewed gravity. He looked more closely at the woman below, yet still could not discern her thoughts—her aura and gaze were unlike anyone he had met before.

Liu Li thought he had summoned the healer who once administered medicine, the woman he had seen by the river, but he detected no trace of familiarity. "She is not the healer, nor Xue Yan. What is going on?"

He Yu looked at Liu Li with warm, joyful eyes, as if she knew him and was glad to meet again. Liu Li found this inexplicable, even suspicious of her identity and purpose.

"The healer is indeed kind-hearted. Let the Emperor take you. It’s not that the imperial physicians are incompetent, but the noble consort insisted on seeing you. If you go, perhaps you’ll bring her luck and grant the Dowager a royal grandson!"

"Yes!" He Yu nodded; she could not refuse, nor did she wish to.

Leaving Mingkun Palace, Liu Li ordered Liu Gonggong to dismiss the servants, then led He Yu to the Palace of Sunlight.

Inside, He Yu quietly observed her surroundings, finding no trace of a consort, not even a hint of feminine presence. Looking about, the place resembled nothing like a palace lady’s chamber, and He Yu’s curiosity grew.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, what is this place?"

"This is mine. You need not be so restrained."