Zheng Qian was no fool.
She possessed a keen political instinct.
Xiao Mingyu had already made it known that he was acquainted with Zheng Chi, yet today he still entered through the side gate. No formal invitation, no prior notice—just a hurried visit to take her to the Prince's residence.
Something big was happening.
The moment she stepped inside, she noticed the guards—each one restrained, powerful, unmistakably imperial. The attendants had pale, smooth faces… palace eunuchs.
Then there was the man seated at the head.
Around the same age as the current emperor—and when Xiao Mingyu entered, he didn't even rise to greet him.
Who else could treat a prince like that?
As for the woman beside him—
Zheng Qian identified her instantly.
She had seen Xiao Zhan before. She knew he was Prince Rui. And his mother… was none other than Empress Dowager Qi.
Xiao Zhan had inherited half of her features—especially those eyes. Slightly narrow-lidded, inherently cold no matter how one tried to soften them.
Even though the Empress Dowager appeared gentle and dignified, that chill lingered beneath.
Zheng Qian knew she had guessed correctly.
She wasn't from this era.
She didn't carry that instinctive, bone-deep fear of imperial authority.
To her, the emperor and the empress dowager were simply people with greater power.
She had seen powerful figures before.
And besides—she had already knelt. That was courtesy enough.
The emperor and Empress Dowager were not blood-related, yet appeared together outside the palace. Xiao Mingyu had secretly brought her here instead of summoning her openly.
Zheng Qian quickly pieced it together:
Someone was ill.
And it had to remain a secret.
Which meant—
They needed her.
If someone was asking for her help, and she acted timid and submissive, she would only lower her own standing.
People treated you the way you presented yourself.
Zheng Qian remained standing as she answered the emperor.
After praising her medical skills, the emperor rose.
The Empress Dowager rose as well, smiling warmly—though her sharp gaze missed nothing.
"Come, support me."
It was both an honor—and a sign of approval.
Zheng Qian stepped forward obediently.
She glanced around.
Her cat was gone.
A flicker of worry crossed her mind. She scanned the room—but saw no trace of him.
"Follow me," the emperor said. "And remember—ask nothing. Speak little."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Then she turned slightly.
"Your Highness, my cat is missing. Please have someone look for it."
Xiao Mingyu: "…"
At a moment like this, she was still thinking about her cat.
Truly… remarkable.
"I'll have my steward keep an eye out," he said.
Zheng Qian nodded.
She helped the Empress Dowager into the carriage, then followed her inside.
Xiao Mingyu did not accompany them.
"Come sit with me," the Empress Dowager beckoned.
Zheng Qian complied.
Xiao Mingyu had thought she might be frightened—had even considered offering reassurance.
Instead, she climbed into the Empress Dowager's carriage as if accompanying an ordinary elder.
Calm. Unbothered.
He narrowed his eyes, curiosity deepening.
Most people, upon seeing the emperor, would be overwhelmed—even terrified.
But Zheng Qian showed no such reaction.
Was she used to such scenes?
Impossible.
Her past reputation suggested otherwise.
This woman… was a mystery.
Inside the carriage, the Empress Dowager asked gently:
"What is your given name?"
"Mei."
"Which character?"
Zheng Qian traced it lightly on her palm.
The Empress Dowager nodded.
"Mingyu has shown me your mosquito coils… and your abacus. I've also seen your brother's prosthetic limb. Before meeting you, I thought you would be clever and sharp."
She smiled.
"But now that I see you, you seem… honest and straightforward."
Her first impression was favorable.
Zheng Qian's delicate features, combined with the red mark between her brows, gave her a sincere, almost guileless appearance.
And her earlier bluntness? The Empress Dowager didn't see it as disrespect—just lack of social polish.
A straightforward young woman was always likable.
"You flatter me, Your Majesty," Zheng Qian replied.
They spoke a little more.
Zheng Qian answered directly, without hesitation, showing no trace of nervousness.
The Empress Dowager found herself liking her more.
Before long, the carriage stopped.
So soon?
Zheng Qian stepped down first, then helped the Empress Dowager out.
She glanced around.
They had entered directly into a courtyard—not the palace.
The air carried the freshness of late summer turning into autumn. Trees cast cool shade across the ground.
An old servant approached and knelt before the emperor.
"Rise. Lead the way."
They moved deeper inside.
Zheng Qian kept her gaze steady.
Not because she wasn't curious—
But because looking around too much would seem uncouth.
Composure mattered.
Her restraint did not go unnoticed.
As they approached a courtyard, two guards stood at the entrance.
But just as the emperor drew near—
Seven or eight figures suddenly appeared from the shadows, kneeling in unison.
Zheng Qian's eyes flickered.
Where had they come from?
"Dismissed," the emperor said.
In an instant, they vanished again—like ghosts slipping back into the walls.
They entered a bedchamber.
The windows were open, the air fresh.
Sunlight filtered through glazed tiles above, casting golden light onto the figure lying on the bed.
Zheng Qian looked—
And her heart suddenly pounded.
A surge of emotion, not her own, nearly broke through.
Her expression faltered.
The emperor and Empress Dowager noticed immediately.
Zheng Qian steadied herself and spoke:
"It… it's Prince Rui."
"You recognize him?" the Empress Dowager asked.
"Yes."
She took a quiet breath, suppressing the unfamiliar emotions.
This was someone the original Zheng Qian had loved.
Even knowing she was unworthy, she had carried him in her heart until death.
What had happened to him?
"Speak of this to no one," the emperor said sternly. "Or I will not spare you. Now—examine him. Tell me what illness he suffers."
Zheng Qian lowered her head.
"Yes, Your Majesty."