Chapter 38 Recovery
In the grand hall of the imperial palace, the air was thick with tension as palace attendants lined the chamber, their eyes trained on the intricate jade and gold carvings of the walls, lest they betray any emotion or hint of curiosity. Li An stood with her head bowed and hands folded neatly before her. Her last visit to the Empress Dowager's quarters had been successful; the Empress Dowager could now walk on her own after Li An's persistent care and skillful treatments over the past week.
The Empress Dowager had been grateful, even openly affectionate toward Li An. Through late-night conversations, whispers shared under the moonlight, and Li An's gentle yet precise touch, the elder woman had warmed to this curious child from the Cold Palace. But not everyone in the court viewed Li An's talents with the same acceptance. Today, she found herself standing before the emperor, who had summoned her in response to troubling allegations.
Behind a silk screen stood the Empress, her face a mask of calm but her eyes flashing with veiled triumph. She had finally pieced together a disturbing theory, one that connected the little girl's origins to a notorious and forbidden past.
The emperor sat upon his throne, his expression severe. He was a formidable man, with a presence that could silence a room with a mere glance. His features were hardened as he watched the small figure of Li An. He had been told of her extraordinary skills and the miracle she had performed for his mother, but there were dark whispers that clouded the air.
The Empress Dowager's soft voice, steady but troubled, had warned him of a strange resemblance, a memory from years past, though she could not bring herself to accuse the girl outright. Instead, it was the Empress who had gathered the court to this moment, a chilling allegation resting upon her lips.
The Empress took a step forward, lifting her chin regally. Her voice was honeyed, yet each word dripped with hidden malice. "Your Majesty, this child comes not only from the Cold Palace, a place reserved for the disgraced and discarded, but I believe she may be the offspring of Concubine Xu. It is no mere coincidence that a child abandoned in such a place could possess abilities that defy natural order. I fear, Your Majesty, that this girl may be the progeny of a goblin, a being sent to enchant and corrupt."
Li An's heart beat heavily in her chest, but she maintained her calm exterior. She had prepared for the possibility of this day, yet it still stung to hear the Empress's accusations, dripping with contempt and mistrust. Goblin. The word echoed in her mind, strange and foreign. She clenched her fists tightly, keeping her gaze steady, refusing to meet the Empress's piercing glare.
The emperor's face darkened. "Empress," he said sharply, a warning in his tone. "Be careful with your words. This child has rendered a great service to the Empress Dowager. To accuse her of sorcery or vile parentage requires substantial proof."
The Empress bowed slightly but did not waver. "Your Majesty, forgive me, but I would not make such an accusation lightly. This child's abilities surpass what any ordinary child should be capable of. She has shown knowledge beyond her years and speaks with an understanding of medicine and ritual that even the court's finest physicians lack. Such a prodigy could only be the work of unnatural forces."
At this, Li An felt a wave of cold settle over her. She knew that her skills, sharpened by Seedee and the mysterious knowledge she possessed, often set her apart. But she had thought—she had hoped—that her success in helping the Empress Dowager might shield her from suspicion. Now, it seemed her gift had become her curse.
The emperor looked down at Li An, his gaze softer now, taking in the small figure before him. She was indeed a child, barely reaching his waist in height, her frame slender and innocent. Could this truly be a creature of dark origin? But he remembered the look in his mother's eyes, the gratitude and respect for this child's skills, and he hesitated.
Li An took a shaky breath, feeling the weight of the moment. Then, suddenly, her eyes began to glisten, and she let out a trembling sob.
"Please, Your Majesty," she whimpered, her voice small and unsteady. "I only wanted to help. The Empress Dowager has been so kind to me… she treated me like I was her own grandchild. I didn't mean to frighten anyone. I only wanted to help her walk again…" Her voice trailed off into another sob, her shoulders hunched as though she were a lost, frightened child.
The court murmured, many turning their eyes away. To see this small girl, accused of being a dark creature, crying so helplessly softened the hearts of all but the most unyielding. Even the emperor's stern demeanor faltered, a flicker of pity crossing his face. He rose from his throne, walking down the few steps until he was level with her. He knelt before her, reaching out a hand to lift her chin gently.
"Child," he said, his voice quiet and steady, "who taught you these skills of medicine?"
Li An blinked, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I…I just remember things," she whispered. "When I close my eyes at night, I would dream of this… And when I wake up it feels like I've always known things I've never known before. I don't know why, but when I see someone in pain, I just…know what to do."
The emperor's eyes softened. She was so young, her gaze filled with genuine confusion and fear, like a deer caught in a trap. How could he believe this tiny girl was capable of bewitching anyone?
The Empress, however, was not so easily swayed. Her voice rang out again, sharper this time. "Your Majesty, do not be taken in by her tears. She is intelligent, yes, but a clever child can craft tears as easily as an innocent one. Her very presence disrupts the order of the palace. She is the daughter of that crazy Concubine Xu, if she is of her blood then she might be a goblin's offspring!"
At these words, a hush fell over the room. Concubine Xu's name had long been a forbidden topic in the palace, a name that evoked fear, shame, and scandal. She had been erased from memory, her name struck from the records, her fate sealed in the Cold Palace, and her offspring—if there had been any—forgotten.
Li An straightened, her tears fading as she found her courage again. She looked at the emperor, her young face resolute. "Your Majesty," she said, her voice firmer now, "I may not know who my mother was, but I know I am no goblin. I am only a child who has tried to serve others as best as I can. If I am to be punished for what I know, then so be it. But please, do not hurt the Empress Dowager. She has been kind to me."
The emperor gazed at her, a mixture of admiration and sadness in his eyes. Here was a child, a mere child, standing tall in the face of fear and accusation. He could not ignore her sincerity, nor the way his mother had spoken so highly of her just days before. He turned his gaze toward the Empress, his expression hardening.
"Empress," he declared, his voice carrying across the hall with authority, "you may cease this line of inquiry. This child has done no harm; indeed, she has shown great skill and loyalty. I see no evidence of dark origin here, only a girl who has been through much hardship."
The Empress's face tightened, her mouth set in a thin line. She could not openly defy the emperor, yet her disappointment and bitterness were unmistakable. She wanted to show them evidence used by that vile spawn. It was an unknown instrument with a needle at the tip. She used it to the Empress Dowager.
But she did not present it at this time. She knew that she would be at a disadvantage as the child seemed to have captured the hearts of everyone in the court. She could only helplessly clench her fist while glaring secretly at the child.
"Very well, Your Majesty," she replied, her voice like steel wrapped in silk. "I am, as always, loyal to your wishes. But I shall watch over this girl closely, lest we find ourselves deceived."
The emperor gave a slight nod, then looked back down at Li An, who stood with her head bowed once more. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Li An," he said, his voice kinder now, "you may return to the Cold Palace, where you belong. But know that I am grateful for what you have done for the Empress Dowager. As a token of our gratitude, you may take the gifts I have chosen for you."
Li An raised her head, a small spark of surprise in her eyes. She dipped into a deep bow, her voice steady as she spoke. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am honored and grateful for your kindness."
With that, she wiped the remaining tear stain on her cheeks, turned and, with the poise that had so amazed the court, walked slowly out of the grand hall, her head held high despite the shadow of accusation still lingering in the air.
Once she had left, the emperor sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Empress," he said sternly, "we are not to bring up Concubine Xu's name again. Let the child be, and let her grow without such shadows cast upon her."
The Empress lowered her head in feigned submission, but in her heart, resentment burned hotter than ever. She had not succeeded in her scheme, but she would remain watchful. This child, this strange, enchanting girl, had unsettled her in a way she could not ignore. The Empress knew, however, that she would need a more subtle approach next time. This battle had been lost, but the war, in her eyes, was far from over.
As for Li An, she returned to the Cold Palace that day, her heart filled with both relief and apprehension. She had emerged unscathed, but she knew the Empress's gaze would follow her even from afar. For now, though, she had been allowed to continue her quiet life, and with the gifts bestowed upon her, she could make her existence in the Cold Palace a little brighter, a little warmer.