Chapter 103 (2/2): Companionship

Suddenly, she thought of the Crown Princess’s son, the young Imperial Son—seventeen or eighteen years old, full of youthful vigor and handsome features.

Yet now, comparing the Imperial Son to Emperor Jingxi before her eyes, she felt this man could easily hold his own, or even surpass him.

At that moment, the man lifted his eyelids and looked her way.

Their eyes met amid the faint scent of medicine.

A wu froze, then slowly felt her cheeks flush.

This was their first meeting since their quarrel and parting—a first face-to-face encounter—and she couldn’t deny she felt a bit awkward.

She lowered her gaze, then lifted it again, softly saying, “Lord Futai said you’re awake and asked me to come see you… and that you were to have supper.”

Emperor Jingxi looked at her and asked, “You didn’t want to come see me?”

A wu turned away, looking out the window where purple-edged pea flowers bloomed beautifully.

The breeze stirred the petals and leaves, blending their fragrance with the medicinal scent, sweet and fresh.

She said bluntly, “No.”

Emperor Jingxi studied her puffy cheeks, pink like ripe peaches on a branch.

His Adam’s apple rolled in his throat, voice calm but probing, “I’m this ill, and you don’t worry about me?”

A wu hadn’t expected that.

Thousands of warships floated on the sea, ready at his command, yet now he spoke to her with a faint, almost childlike tone, as if wronged.

He was coaxing her, asking for her care and concern.

Though the weather was already cool, A wu’s heart bloomed like a flower in spring, trembling gently in the warm breeze.

Her cheeks flushed, and she softly said, “Do you need someone to pity you? You have so many tricks, I’m sure you’ll manage.”

Emperor Jingxi said, “Even if I have a thousand tricks, it all depends on whether you’re willing, doesn’t it?”

A wu resolutely said, “I’m not willing!”

Emperor Jingxi: “A wu—”

She stubbornly interrupted, “I’m leaving now.”

She turned to go.

Unexpectedly, Futai appeared with a smile, followed by several attendants carrying trays of just-cooked dishes, steam rising with a rich aroma.

“Your Highness, the wind’s chilly now. It’s best to eat while it’s hot. Please stay and eat with His Majesty, won’t you? It’s just been freshly prepared.”

A wu bit her lip, her sharp eyes glancing at Emperor Jingxi.

The Emperor, fragile, leaned against the pillow, tea-colored eyes watching her.

“A wu, want to try some?”

The autumn breeze was gentle, yet A wu distinctly felt that this man at the peak of power was cautious, as if afraid a breath of wind might blow the food away.

She reluctantly said, “…Alright.”

***

The supper was quite abundant, filled with local snacks.

Though A wu was said to accompany Emperor Jingxi, he only ate a simple porridge.

Most of the food was eaten by A wu.

Curious, she opened a nearby steaming basket and found small, squat buns with thin, translucent skins.

The juicy filling seemed about to spill out.

She took a bite—the broth was golden, fragrant, with crab meat inside—deliciously fresh.

A wu ate one, then another; they were small after all.

Emperor Jingxi was being served porridge by an attendant.

The porridge was fragrant and soft, but watching A wu savor the buns so happily, he paused, focusing on her without looking away.

A wu, nibbling carefully to savor the soup inside the bun, suddenly felt self-conscious under his gaze, as if she looked greedy.

She recalled her first night in the palace, when he dined with her—a first meal together.

The rules were strict, bowing frequently.

Because she didn’t know the etiquette of eating bear’s paw, she almost caused a scene.

She wondered if her sucking on the bun’s juice was vulgar in the refined Emperor’s eyes.

A rebellious feeling rose, so she deliberately made a delighted sound and sucked the juice down in one gulp.

She wiped her hands with a warm white towel and said, “So delicious! Sucking it out, sizzle sizzle! Truly satisfying!”

Emperor Jingxi slowly sipped his thin porridge, wiped his lips with a handkerchief, then asked, “That good?”

A wu replied, “Of course! The palace buns taste good too, but after eating this, you’ll know it’s far from the crab roe buns here. The crab meat inside is sweet, salty, and fresh—nothing like the palace buns. The fresh shrimp and crab brought to the palace lose their freshness.”

Emperor Jingxi smiled at her animated mouth opening and closing, her enthusiastic description making the food sound even more delicious.

He laughed and said, “Let me taste some.”

A wu flatly refused, “No. It’s too oily. The Imperial Physician said your body’s too weak to eat it now.”

She looked at him with pity and said, “Too bad! You’ll have to wait until you’re better.”

She emphasized “too bad” as if hoping to make him feel regretful.

The Emperor gave a subtle look, and an attendant quickly took away the porridge.

He lazily leaned back, hands loosely crossed, tilting his head to watch A wu.

“When I will be better, you’ll have to eat this with me,” he said.

A wu didn’t fall for it.

She smiled, “Maybe when you’re better, I won’t even want to eat it!”

Emperor Jingxi curiously asked, “What other local delicacies do you like?”

A wu was surprised and she asked, “You’re the Emperor traveling here. Wouldn’t the local officials bring you all kinds of delicacies?”

She guessed they would fawn over him to death, trembling with fear.

He wouldn’t be deprived of anything.

Emperor Jingxi smiled, eyes never leaving her, “But I want to eat what A wu likes.”

His gaze was soft and warm, and A wu’s heart skipped a beat.

This man was always teasing her, whether intentionally or not, tempting her.

And he was very tempting indeed…

At thirty-five, not too old, with excellent bone structure and handsome features, combined with rich life experience and profound knowledge, all reflected in those light tea-colored eyes, giving him a uniquely alluring charm.

His voice was pleasant too—deep, warm, and mellow—like well-aged wine softly pouring into the ear, making one’s heart melt.

A wu felt she might dissolve, but wasn’t fully convinced.

She deliberately snorted, “There are so many delicious things. It’s not something you can explain in a short time.”

She looked at Emperor Jingxi regretfully and continued, “Besides, some delicacies can’t be understood just by talking. If you don’t eat them yourself, you’ll never know.”

Emperor Jingxi said, “Then when I’m better, A wu will take me to eat, alright?”

His rich voice was innocent, his eyes pleading.

A wu thought, he’s just pretending to look pitiful.

She generously said, “Alright.”

Emperor Jingxi smiled.

A wu added, “But the war in the Eastern Sea is over, so you should go back, right?”

Emperor Jingxi: “Mm.”

He looked at her expectantly.

Seeing the hope in his eyes, A wu smiled gently but spoke coldly, “Then it’s all for nothing. Once you leave, you won’t get to eat these anymore! I’ll eat the good food here and maybe write you letters to tell you how delicious it is—make you jealous!”

Her meaning was clear: he would return, but she wouldn’t.

He wouldn’t get to eat it, but she could continue to enjoy.

Emperor Jingxi smiled at her, “A wu wants to stay here and eat for me?”

A wu protested, “Who said I’m eating for you!”

Just then, an attendant brought medicinal soup.

Now Emperor Jingxi’s medicine was given in multiple doses—some before meals, some after.

An attendant helped wipe the Emperor’s hands, but Emperor Jingxi looked at A wu and gestured for her to help.

She wanted to refuse but thought better of it—he was the Emperor after all—and reluctantly took a white handkerchief to wipe his hands.

His hands were long and strong, the skin firm, veins faintly visible.

As she wiped, she thought, ‘These are the hands that once held the Imperial Brush, commanding all.’

But now, he still needed to be cared for…

As she looked up, their eyes met.

A wu felt embarrassed and pushed the handkerchief aside carelessly.

“Wipe your own hands. I’m not helping anymore.”

She was a little stubborn, speaking to the Emperor without restraint, but the attendants around were used to him and unfazed.

After wiping, Emperor Jingxi rinsed his mouth and took his medicinal broth.

He looked tired—after all, he had just awakened from a long coma.

Seeing this, A wu asked, “Do you want to rest for a bit?”

Emperor Jingxi replied, “No.”

But then Futai and the Imperial Physician arrived.

The Physician naturally urged the Emperor to rest more and not exert himself.

Emperor Jingxi, feeling weak, dismissed them, then looked at A wu: “When I fall asleep, will you stay here and keep me company?”

A wu said bluntly, “Of course not!”

Emperor Jingxi lowered his eyes.

“I kept dreaming while unconscious, many restless dreams. After you came, I feel much better. You’re here with me—is that alright?”

His words were unlike the usual Emperor Jingxi—normally aloof and proud, even in bed he carried himself with grace.

Off the bed, he looked at people like dogs.

But now, with lowered brows and a lonely voice, he needed someone by his side, seeming even wronged.

A wu looked at him like this.

Regardless of truth or lies, she felt a pang of sympathy.

After a moment’s hesitation, she reluctantly said, “Alright, I’ll stay until you fall asleep, then I’ll leave.”

Emperor Jingxi looked at her gently, “Mm.”

He closed his eyes.

A wu watched as his thin, delicate double eyelids slowly shut, looking gentle and beautiful—like a weary bird returning home at dusk.

She felt a quiet ache, thinking he was truly exhausted.

Suddenly, Emperor Jingxi’s eyes snapped open.

A wu was startled, feeling as if all her emotions were laid bare in his gaze.

Fortunately, he said nothing.

His pale eyes looked at her warmly as he raised his hand to hold hers, fingers intertwining tightly.

Then he placed her hand over his chest, pressing gently.

He whispered, “Don’t run away. The first thing I want to see when I wake is you.”

After saying this, he closed his eyes again.

A wu quietly waited until he fell asleep, then carefully withdrew her hand, but he seemed to sense it and gripped even tighter!

She looked down at their entwined fingers, a complex feeling blooming in her heart.