Chapter 54 – She Tiptoed Closer to Him

Ling Guyong maintained a relaxed posture, chuckling lightly. “Doctor Tang, don’t be so tense. I’m merely curious—how could a young woman secluded in her boudoir have learned such superb medical skills?”

Between the two of them, their contest often began as a psychological battle.

Tang Chaoyang smiled faintly. She rose onto her tiptoes and lifted her head, leaning closer to him.

“Is it not possible that I am simply exceptionally gifted in medicine?”

Her warm breath touched the skin of his neck.

Ling Guyong lowered his gaze and saw her fair, delicate throat. He calmly shifted his eyes away.

Tang Chaoyang tilted her head, blinking as she smiled. “Lord Guyuan, of course I am Tang Chaoyang. And also…don’t provoke me. If I get angry, this elder sister will no longer feel like treating you. Understand?”

She especially emphasized the latter part: this elder sister will no longer feel like treating you. Understand?

Ling Guyong gave a lazy laugh. He stepped back a pace, no longer caging her in. “Red Elder Sister, you are truly formidable.”

Tang Chaoyang: “……”

Just before the man left the room, he curled his lips into a smile. “Today, Guyuan has offended you.”

Only after he had departed did Tang Chaoyang press a hand over her chest and slowly exhale.

That he knew she was Tang Chaoyang could be both an advantage and a disadvantage.

No matter what, the Embroidered Guards belonged to the Emperor. If she handled her relationship with Guyuan well, she might gain certain benefits.

Just like with the incident at Prince Cheng’s residence last time—because Ling Guyong helped her, she was able to act without worrying about repercussions.

After weighing the pros and cons, she stopped brooding over it.

Anyway, so long as she never spoke of it, no one would ever know she carried the memories of her past life.

＊

Fei An’an was standing bare-bottomed, trying to put on his trousers.

He lifted one foot and slipped it through a leg of the pants, then raised the other foot to do the same.

Today he had started martial arts training and had held a horse stance for a long time. His short little legs were so sore and wobbly they felt like jelly.

Before he could even pull up his trousers, his legs failed him, and his small body lost balance, toppling onto the bedding.

He blinked, momentarily dazed.

Tang Chaoyang couldn’t help bursting out in laughter. The moment she came back, she saw her son’s fair, tender little backside and was thoroughly amused.

Fei An’an’s tiny hands gripped his trousers as his face flushed red.

He silently lifted his bottom, like a little caterpillar, and hurriedly pulled his pants up.

Tang Chaoyang reminded herself she was his mother and forced herself to stop laughing.

She lifted up the lantern. “An’an, Mother brought you a lantern!”

The little fellow’s eyes lit up the moment he saw it.

Tang Chaoyang set the lantern down and walked over to help him dress properly.

“Mother, can we light the lantern and hang it up?”

“All right.”

The lantern was lit.

Tang Chaoyang heard her son’s voice cry out in amazement. She turned her head and saw him pointing at the lantern.

“Mother, look!”

Under the glow of the flame, the painted phoenix looked vivid and lifelike.

She was startled by that man’s astonishing artistic skill.

Meanwhile, in the imperial study, Ling Guyong flipped open the booklet the Empress Dowager had sent over, listing candidates suitable for the phoenix throne.

His lips curved in a mocking smile.

The entanglement of interests between the inner palace and the court…

He closed the register again. Tomorrow’s court session would no doubt be lively.

**

In a sitting room, Madame Li sat upright, rubbing her forehead.

She had never imagined that her two daughters would return from the palace yesterday and immediately get into an argument.

A young woman’s tender feelings of infatuation—anyone might have them.

But if such things ruined the bond between sisters, it was truly a shame.

Fortunately, her elder daughter had not been angry because of romantic nonsense.

Remembering this, Madame Li felt a touch of resentment toward Old Madame Su.

If her eldest daughter hadn’t quietly mentioned a few things last night, she would never have known that the Su family intended to send a daughter into the palace in hopes of securing a slim chance at the family’s survival.

Su Miao had always thought her mother understood how precarious the Su family’s position had become.

Madame Li had tossed and turned all night, her head now dull and heavy. She couldn’t help asking Nanny Zhao, “Nanny, is Ling’er’s temperament truly unsuited to the palace?”

Some men did favor lively, pretty girls, and her second daughter Su Ling was precisely that bright, spirited type.

Nanny Zhao had just opened her mouth to offer comfort when they heard footsteps outside. She turned to look and saw Su Miao and Su Ling entering one after the other.

From their cool expressions, it was clear they had not yet reconciled.

Today, Madame Li was taking them along to Jinhe Hall to pay respects.

Su Miao and her sister would also need to report to the matriarch about everything that had happened during the palace flower-viewing banquet.

Madame Li took her elder daughter’s hand and spoke gently. “Miao’er, you’re the elder sister. Don’t lower yourself to squabbling with your younger sister. I scolded her last night.”

She coaxed Su Miao, then turned to look at Su Ling, who was bowing her head. “You were too thoughtless. Your sister scolded you for your own good.”

Su Ling remained silent, staring at the floor.

Madame Li could not delay further and led them both to pay their respects.

At that moment, in the West Wing—

Old Master Su had gotten up later than usual. Last night he’d lain awake for a long time, mulling things over.

After what his granddaughter had said, he had spent hours discussing matters with his second son.

The Su family had decided—they would not send their daughters into the palace.

Old Madame Su watched her husband yawning and couldn’t help shaking her head.

While sternly helping him into another layer of clothing, she muttered, “It’s freezing—how can you wear so little?”

“I’m going to practice martial arts later. If I put on too much now, I’ll only have to take it off again. It’s a bother,” he grumbled. Still, he obediently put the clothes on.

“Lately Chaoyang has been treating me. I feel much lighter and healthier,” he said with a smile.

“You must still keep warm. My appetite has improved too, and my body feels better. Those people who say Chaoyang is just an empty-headed beauty should open their eyes and see who really is an empty-headed beauty!”

Old Madame Su gave a cold snort.

Then she heard her husband say, “This morning, the eldest daughter-in-law will probably bring Xiao Miao and the others over. They’ll tell you about the flower banquet in the palace.”

“Mm.”

“When you speak with them, let them know: Xiao Miao will not be entering the palace.”

“What?” Old Madame Su looked at her husband in surprise. “…Are you certain?”

“Mm, I’m certain. Today I’ll inform the Emperor myself.”

Old Madame Su fell silent, then sighed after a while. “Perhaps it’s just as well. I’ll explain it to Li later, though she might be displeased.”

Whenever she thought about some of the things Li had done, she was exasperated.

Fortunately, Li was not a vicious woman—just sometimes a bit shallow.

That didn’t matter, so long as she didn’t make any serious mistakes.

*

In Jinhe Hall, Madame Li and the others had already arrived, though the matriarch had yet to appear.

Madame Li was speaking softly with Madame Lin.

Su Ling tugged her elder sister’s sleeve, blinking her eyes: Elder Sister, don’t be angry anymore.

Su Miao sighed inwardly. After all, this was her own younger sister.

She only hoped their grandmother wouldn’t be too upset by anything her sister said.

When Old Madame Su entered, everyone rose to greet her.

Su Ling had just opened her mouth to speak when the old lady’s stern gaze swept over her, silencing her at once.

Naturally, someone had already reported the quarrel between the sisters.

Old Madame Su did not give Su Ling any chance to explain.

She simply declared:

“Our Su family daughters will not enter the Inner Palace. Li, you must look carefully for good matches for them.”

When those words fell, Su Miao was merely surprised. Su Ling bit her lip in displeasure.

Madame Li’s face flashed with astonishment. She looked at the matriarch. “Mother, why? They clearly could have entered the palace and gained a position…”

Old Madame Su’s tone was calm but brooked no argument. She did not even look at Li, instead fixing her gaze on Su Ling.

“This was your grandfather’s decision. In a few days, you two will each find a fine husband.”

Su Ling was unwilling, but since it was her grandfather’s decision, she could do nothing.

She was too young to conceal the resentment on her face.

Old Madame Su sighed in her heart. This girl—everything she thought was written plainly in her expression. She was still dreaming about entering the palace…

Madame Li felt a heavy disappointment. Her daughter could have become a noble consort.

Madame Lin, who had no daughters of her own, had no such worries.

In her opinion—what was so great about entering the palace?

She had no idea what her sister-in-law was thinking, sending a daughter into that place with such eagerness.

All she could say was—everyone had their own ambitions.

After giving her instructions, Old Madame Su waved them off, so they wouldn’t sit here stewing in discontent.

Su Ling left Jinhe Hall full of disappointment, her mind replaying the image of the new Emperor she’d glimpsed in the imperial garden.

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became.

After saluting her mother and the others, she lowered her head and hurried away.

She wasn’t watching her path, and as she turned the corner, she collided with someone head-on.

“Ah!” Both of them cried out at once.

Su Ling had bumped into Tang Chaoyang. Since Tang Chaoyang had been the one struck, she ended up falling to the ground.

Liu’er rushed over in alarm to help her up. “Miss?”

Tang Chaoyang felt a dull ache in her backside. She looked at the scraped skin on her palm. “Just a scratch, nothing serious.”

Su Ling glanced at her with open displeasure and muttered in annoyance, “Do you not look where you’re going? Move aside.”

She shoved past Tang Chaoyang’s shoulder, stalking forward in irritation.

Tang Chaoyang, pushed back a step for no reason at all, frowned slightly in confusion.