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The young emperor took control of the court, officially declaring that Prince Changling had committed treason. The Empress Dowager, frightened in the palace, had passed away. General Ming Yi was credited with repelling the enemy, and the deputy generals who had protected the emperor were to be rewarded.
In just a few days, the political landscape had shifted drastically.
At first glance, these decrees seemed unrelated to the Grand Princess. However, upon closer examination, all the rewarded individuals had some connection to her. The emperor had deliberately left the highest merit unrewarded, making his intentions clear.
The entire court was closely watching the Grand Princess’s next move.
Prince Changling was still on the run. While people were curious about how the emperor would distribute rewards, they were even more interested in whether the Grand Princess would request to go to battle.
Meanwhile, the rumors about her bringing that last remaining heir of Wei out of prison had spread across the streets, becoming a hot topic among the people.
If Li Yunli appeared now, she would be like a divine dragon emerging from the sea—undoubtedly drawing all eyes to her.
Yet, she remained behind closed doors, quietly recovering in her residence.
Li Yunli received a letter from Yongzhou.
The letter was from Qingnian, who informed her that he had renounced his monastic vows and was now assisting Gongliang Chong in managing Yongzhou. Gongliang himself had left soon after the Grand Princess departed, traveling from place to place, communicating through letters about the current livelihood of the remnants of Wei’s army.
Qingnian also wrote that Gongliang Chong had been extending aid, recruiting those struggling to survive, and settling them in Yongzhou. Under the pretext of needing workers for the local irrigation projects, he had provided shelter for many displaced people, including former soldiers scattered after the war. Many of these individuals had now officially become residents of Yongzhou.
The detailed letter answered all of Li Yunli’s questions.
She lightly dusted the thin paper, thinking, As expected.
The remnants of Wei’s army, which Zheng Siyin should have gathered under the White Tiger Command, had largely been taken in by Gongliang Chong.
Qingnian and Gongliang, working separately—one stationed in Dingzhou, the other traveling freely—had unknowingly done her a huge favor.
She truly owed them gratitude.
As Li Yunli ground her ink and picked up her brush to write a reply, Zhilan entered the room.
Without looking up, she asked, “What is it?”
Zhilan hesitated for a moment.
Li Yunli frowned. “News from the concubine’s quarters?”
Zhilan nodded cautiously. “A message just arrived from the small courtyard—his lordship asks if he may serve you tonight.”
Li Yunli’s hand paused midair. A single drop of ink dripped onto the inkstone.
She was momentarily stunned. “His wounds have healed?”
“Physician Zhao said that external injuries heal easily, but heart wounds are harder to mend. His lordship insisted on adding medicine to remove scars.”
“And was it added?”
“Yes.”
Zhilan hesitated before continuing, “It was added yesterday. The application process is painful, but his lordship endured it without a sound.”
Li Yunli set down her brush, letting out a faint chuckle.
She could guess why Yun Chu was so determined to do this.
From the moment he addressed her as “slave” when he first woke up, she had understood his thoughts completely.
But why was he in such a rush to scrutinize his own body? It had only been three days—how could those wounds possibly have healed?
He was afraid that she would dislike him.
He was afraid that she wouldn’t want him to serve her in bed anymore.
The poor man was in a pitiful tangle of emotions.
She recalled the way he had looked at her when he woke up—genuine, sincere. Not the same as before, when he had pretended to please her just for the sake of revenge.
Yet, this version of him left Li Yunli even more uncertain about how to face him.
She had spent the past few days in her study, not only handling affairs but also giving herself time to think.
She had lived longer than most people—though whether that made her lucky or unlucky was debatable. Having experienced two lifetimes, she at least understood what she truly wanted now.
Li Yunli let out a soft sigh. “Let him come.”
“Yes.”
Zhilan quickly curtsied and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
Li Yunli spoke again, making Zhilan pause.
“Tell Physician Zhao to stop using that medicine. If his lordship has objections, tell him to speak to me about it tonight.”
“Yes.”
Zhilan exited the room, while Li Yunli found herself unable to return to her letter.
She leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly.
She was capable of leading armies and outmaneuvering opponents, but she was truly ill-suited for delicate emotional negotiations—especially with someone she loved.
After washing up, Li Yunli sat before the mirror, combing her hair.
The door behind her creaked softly. Four maids entered, two on each side, carrying trays.
This was a custom she had established on a whim long ago. The last time she witnessed it, she had nearly frightened herself.
Li Yunli smiled faintly. “Put the things down and leave. All of you.”
The maids obeyed and withdrew.
Zhilan was the last to leave, carefully closing the door behind her.
“Come here.”
Li Yunli didn’t turn around.
Behind her, Yun Chu moved with the utmost caution, taking each step as if he were approaching a sacred altar.
There was no jingling bell this time.
Li Yunli’s thoughts wandered—so, last time, that ridiculous accessory must have been prepared by Wang Quan. That sly servant must have made Yun Chu suffer privately in many ways.
Yun Chu had never been one to complain. Thinking back, Li Yunli realized she had never truly known the extent of his suffering in this residence.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed as Yun Chu finally reached her side.
She tilted her head slightly, offering him the comb in her hand.
He hesitated, then carefully accepted it.
Though the night had been arranged under the pretense of his duty, Yun Chu knew he was truly here to atone, not to serve.
He held the comb uncertainly, unsure of what to do.
Li Yunli waited patiently, saying nothing. It felt like a long time before his cold fingers gently gathered her hair and began combing, stroke by stroke, in the same spot over and over again.
She sighed softly.
Yun Chu immediately froze.
“Are your wounds healed?” she asked.
He shook his head, then realized she couldn’t see him from behind, so he whispered, “This slave… is still well enough.”
Li Yunli chuckled.
A soft thud came from behind.
Her brows furrowed instantly.
Taking a deep breath, she fought back her rising anger.
“Yun Chu.”
“This slave is here.”
Without looking at him, she pointed to a hairpin adorned with red jade on the table. Her voice carried a note of regret.
“My hairpin is broken. Can you fix it?”
The pin had nine red jade beads, but the last one was missing.
Still kneeling, Yun Chu crawled forward, picking up the pin. In his palm, he held the missing bead.
Silently, he reset the gold wire and placed the bead back into its rightful place. Then, he offered the pin to her with both hands.
“Your Highness.”
Li Yunli hadn’t expected him to still have the missing piece. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.
She took the pin but noticed that Yun Chu remained kneeling, head bowed, unwilling to meet her gaze.
“Stand up.”
He didn’t move, gripping his thin robe tightly.
“Your Highness… I’m sorry.”
His voice was trembling, thick with guilt and emotion.
Li Yunli watched him. Then, reaching out, she lifted his chin—not gently—forcing him to meet her gaze.
She let out a cold laugh.
“If I told you that my first thought when I saw you in prison was relief that your beautiful face hadn’t been scarred—what would you say?”
Tears welled in his eyes, a mixture of hope and shame.
“This slave… is also relieved…”
That you still like this face.
Li Yunli suddenly let go, turning away.
“Take off your robe.”
Yun Chu hesitated. “Your Highness, the wounds are ugly…”
“Do it.”
His fingers trembled as he undid the belt.
Li Yunli stared at his scars, eyes dark.
Then, she sighed.
“Get up. Stop angering me.”