Chapter 63: Every Step Accumulates Into a Thousand Miles

The Golden Luan Hall.

The young emperor sat upon the dragon throne, overlooking the assembled ministers below.

He listened as the ministers quarreled endlessly about the matter of choosing an empress first.

The man appeared to be listening attentively to their debate, but in truth, his thoughts had drifted back to the rippling dream he’d had last night.

From childhood until now, he had devoted himself single-mindedly to surviving, to climbing ever higher. He had never wasted any effort on romance or sensual affairs.

In the dream, red lips whispered tender words.

And to his own disgust, he’d had a reaction.

The more Ling Gurong thought of it, the darker his expression became. He didn’t object to relations between men and women, but to dream such a thing made him feel a trace of self-loathing.

Perhaps sensing the emperor’s mounting anger, the arguing ministers gradually fell silent.

He sat upon the dragon throne in a black dragon robe. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees—his posture neither dignified nor solemn, but instead carrying a certain predatory nonchalance.

“Do you all intend to be my imperial father?”

Sweat immediately broke out on the ministers’ foreheads, and they fell to their knees.

“You are neither my father nor my mother. Must I really accept your instruction about when to take a wife?” Ling Gurong asked blandly.

“Your Majesty, please quell your anger. We would not dare,” they replied in unison.

Today, Grand Preceptor Dong was also present at court. He gave a light cough, gently reminding the emperor to moderate his words.

Ling Gurong looked over at the preceptor. He lifted his brows and gave a faint smile. His gaze swept the kneeling ministers. It seemed the annihilation of the Meng clan had finally taught them a little fear.

When he first ascended the throne, these ministers had all been eloquent beyond measure—able to talk endlessly but completely incapable of accomplishing anything.

“Rise. I know you are thinking of Jin Country’s future. After all, I have no heir yet. I will select an empress to enter the palace first. As for who she will be—let me consider carefully.”

Since the emperor had spoken thus, none of them dared raise the topic again.

Ling Gurong turned to the Minister of War. His voice grew solemn. “The provisions must be delivered to the border without fail. I do not wish to see any mishap on the road. Should anything go wrong, I will punish it without mercy.”

The Minister of War quickly stepped forward, bowed low, and replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, I accept the command. I will personally supervise the delivery.”

“Your Majesty, the civil service examination list has been drafted.” The Minister of Rites stepped forward to present the document.

Chief Steward Feng carried it over and handed it to the emperor.

Ling Gurong opened it and skimmed through quickly. “Tomorrow, publish the list of successful scholars.”

The Minister of Rites received the order.

When the morning court finally ended, Grand Preceptor Dong accompanied Ling Gurong to the imperial study.

The preceptor performed the formal courtesies of a subject before speaking. “Your servant has a request.”

Ling Gurong personally reached out to lift him up, smiling faintly. “Teacher, what is it?”

“I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict summoning renowned physicians. My daughter’s health is a grave worry to me.”

Grand Preceptor Dong had only this one daughter, and naturally doted on her. When he learned she’d been injured while saving Fei Yan, he’d felt a faint dissatisfaction toward Fei Yan in his heart.

“Teacher, even if you hadn’t spoken, I intended to issue such an edict. However, regarding the Empress Dowager—I’m concerned about her health. This matter may require you to explain it to her personally.”

“Your servant thanks Your Majesty.”

Ling Gurong ordered Chief Steward Feng to escort the preceptor to the Cining Palace.

Grand Preceptor Dong lowered his gaze. In these past few months, the young emperor’s methods in handling affairs had grown astonishingly mature.

He sighed. What a pity…

As for exactly what he pitied, only he himself knew.

When Chief Steward Feng had escorted him to Cining Palace, he took his leave.

A senior palace maid led Grand Preceptor Dong inside.

The Empress Dowager was leaning her cheek against her hand as she reclined on a soft couch. Lifting her gaze, she said warmly, “Elder brother, what brings you here today? All of you, leave us.”

The palace matrons and maids quietly withdrew.

Grand Preceptor Dong performed the proper courtesies. After sitting, he recounted what had happened to Dong Xinrui.

“What! Such a serious matter?” The Empress Dowager sat upright, her expression stricken with worry. “Surely there are skilled physicians somewhere in this land who can cure her. I will issue a decree myself.”

“Your Highness need not worry. His Majesty has already agreed to issue the edict,” the preceptor said gently.

At forty-five years old, Grand Preceptor Dong exuded a warm and refined demeanor. When he didn’t smile, he seemed exceptionally stern.

This was, after all, the inner palace. He could not linger long. He inquired a few times after her health and urged her to take care of herself.

Rising, he bowed in preparation to depart.

“Elder brother…” The Empress Dowager’s eyes held a trace of sorrow and old affection, but she quickly suppressed her feelings. “You must take care of yourself.”

Grand Preceptor Dong lifted his gaze to look at the woman before him. He stepped forward and reached out, lightly patting her shoulder—an action that already overstepped propriety.

Then he stepped back, bowed deeply, and left.

The Empress Dowager blinked her slightly reddened phoenix eyes.

They were no longer young. The past had become little more than fleeting clouds.

Only when the preceptor had departed did the palace matron return. “Your Highness.”

The Empress Dowager stood up. The matron came to support her as they walked toward the small Buddha hall.

“Xiao Gong…” The Empress Dowager’s voice was soft and regretful. “I sometimes feel I regret it… back then…”

The matron immediately interrupted, “Your Highness, you are the Empress Dowager now.”

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly, still graceful despite her age. “Yes. I am the Empress Dowager.”

There were some things and some words that should never be spoken. She had plotted all these years and sacrificed so much. What she needed to accomplish—she would see it done.

Her gaze suddenly turned sharp.

Mistress and servant entered the small Buddha hall.

**

Tang Chaoyang went to the East Courtyard to see Madam Li.

She saluted. “Aunt, you sent for me?”

Madam Li gestured for her to sit first, and a maid brought tea.

“Chaoyang, there is something I hadn’t intended to say. But… I hope that in the future, you will not casually administer any medicine to the family.”

Madam Li gently closed the lid on her teacup and looked at her gravely.

Tang Chaoyang lowered her gaze. So it was about Su Ling and the Smiling Powder. “I understand.”

As long as Su Ling had the sense not to come provoke her again, they could coexist peacefully.

Madam Li was satisfied by how obedient Tang Chaoyang appeared.

“It’s good that you understand. Your cousin means no harm. As her elder, you should be more accommodating to her.” Madam Li’s tone softened.

Tang Chaoyang smiled and nodded. “I understand.”

Since they wouldn’t be living together much longer, the matter of giving way to each other wouldn’t arise.

Her smile deepened.

Originally, Madam Li had intended to subtly suggest Tang Chaoyang take the initiative to move out.

But considering she had just returned after being kidnapped, the elders would surely oppose her moving so soon.

Never mind—she would wait a few more days to bring it up again.

After thinking it through, she mentioned what the Wang matriarch had said. “So much has happened in the household lately. Tomorrow, I plan to take Su Miao, Su Ling, and you with me to Chengqi Temple to offer incense.”

Her wound had not fully healed. Apart from her trips to perform acupuncture, Tang Chaoyang didn’t wish to go anywhere else. She declined, “Aunt, I’ll skip the temple.”

Madam Li smiled gently. “Your grandmother is very worried about you. Come with us to the temple to pray for peace. It will ease her mind.”

Now she had invoked her grandmother.

If she refused again, she would be considered unfilial. Tang Chaoyang nodded with a mild smile. “All right.”

Madam Li asked a few more questions about how she was managing in the house, and Tang Chaoyang answered each one.

After a while, Madam Li dismissed her.

Tang Chaoyang left the East Courtyard holding a hand warmer. She strolled down the corridor.

On either side, red-lacquered pillars held up the eaves, and several lanterns hung overhead.

She looked up at the gently swaying lanterns and let out a quiet laugh.

Madam Wu asked softly, “Miss, are you displeased?”

Tang Chaoyang walked toward the pavilion and shook her head. “No, I’m not.”

She could understand Madam Li—after all, she was Su Ling’s mother. Of course she would take her daughter’s side.

“Prepare things, Madam Wu. We’re going to Chengqi Temple tomorrow.”

Madam Wu frowned. “Your health?”

“It’s fine. Just a small wound.”

Tang Chaoyang stood in the pavilion for only a short while before returning to the Western Courtyard to Rong’en Hall.

She still needed to perform acupuncture for her grandmother.

Compared to the injuries she had suffered in her past life, this little wound was nothing.

Everything she’d achieved in her previous life had come from advancing one step at a time, climbing by her own effort. Her medical skill had been the same—built up bit by bit, every step accumulating into a thousand miles.

Since she was going to Chengqi Temple tomorrow, she would also need to instruct Margo to notify the Prince Cheng’s residence and Suzaku Lane.

**

Madam Huang received the message sent from the Su family. She quickened her pace back to the inner quarters.

Inside the room, Dong Xinrui had just finished her medicine and was languid with discomfort.

When she heard what Madam Huang said, the physical pain seemed to ease a little.

So Tang Chaoyang was going to Chengqi Temple tomorrow.

She asked calmly, “Has everything for tomorrow been arranged?”

Madam Huang nodded. “It is all prepared.”