It seemed she understood Xu Ping’an’s subtle implication. Seeing the slightly mischievous glint in his eyes, a faint blush suddenly appeared on Pei Qingxuan’s cold face.
She quickly turned away to avoid looking at Xu Ping’an’s teasing expression and asked the two little palace maids,
“Has His Majesty risen? How is his condition?”
“Reporting to Sect Leader, His Majesty has already risen. Although he still lacks energy, he’s much better than before. He had a bowl of porridge this morning and then went back to rest.”
“Hmm.”
A slight rose hue remained on Pei Qingxuan’s cold face, and her gaze seemed like a hook, locking onto Xu Ping’an, who was grinning slyly from the side.
“Ping’an, go check on His Majesty for me. I still have cultivation to attend to.”
“As you command, Master~”
Hearing Xu Ping’an deliberately draw out the word “Master,” Pei Qingxuan’s eyes flickered but she didn’t respond further.
Clearly, she was a little overwhelmed by Xu Ping’an’s blatant teasing.
Xu Ping’an, however, knew when to stop. After all, his dear little lady outside seemed to hold some measure of reputation.
As her husband, even if he didn’t help maintain her image, at least he couldn’t do anything to tarnish it.
Of course, a bit of teasing was necessary.
After all, the little lady had recovered her memories and dared to leave without a word—if he didn’t tease her, Xu Ping’an wouldn’t be able to swallow that grievance.
“Hurry and come back quickly.”
Before he had even stepped outside, he heard the little lady’s voice urging him from behind.
A smile tugged at the corner of Xu Ping’an’s mouth as he replied,
“Yes, Master, your disciple will be quick.”
With that, he turned and left.
Pei Qingxuan did not follow. In general, she preferred to avoid contact with the emperor.
Though no one knew exactly what had happened before that made Pei Qingxuan come out to support Emperor Li Shuo, she did not seem particularly willing to step into the spotlight.
But now that she had, for the sake of preserving the Floating Cloud Sect’s reputation, she had no choice but to continue.
Perhaps there had been some unspeakable difficulties in the past.
Xu Ping’an was well aware of this and would not probe lightly.
Unless the little lady chose to tell him herself one day, he would simply act as if nothing had happened.
After all, even between husband and wife, some private space was necessary.
The palace was far larger than the Forbidden City Xu Ping’an had known. Although the East Warm Pavilion was just a tower, its grounds were quite expansive.
Moreover, probably because Pei Qingxuan disliked servants, the emperor had not stationed many people there.
Besides, with Pei Qingxuan’s cultivation, it made little difference whether or not there were guards.
After about ten minutes, Xu Ping’an finally exited the East Warm Pavilion’s gate. At the entrance, several little eunuchs were waiting.
Their clothes still held traces of dampness, suggesting they had been there since early morning.
Until Pei Qingxuan awoke late in the morning, they hadn’t dared to enter on their own.
They could only wait there.
“Mr. Xu, you’re finally out. We’ve been waiting here for quite some time.”
“Thank you. Lead the way.”
“Please, Mr. Xu.”
Since the entire palace had learned that Xu Ping’an was a top disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect Master, no one dared be disrespectful to him.
Even the little eunuchs attending the emperor were all extremely humble, bowing deeply and appearing exceedingly servile.
Xu Ping’an, however, was not used to this.
Even though he had essentially awakened his past-life memories and former talents, he still felt uncomfortable with such a vast gap in status.
But he understood the customs and didn’t behave like the foolish characters in those transmigration dramas who claim, “I don’t care about status.”
This was not a TV show; this was reality. If you didn’t follow local customs, you wouldn’t earn favor from above or below.
Being overly kind to the little eunuchs would make many think you were beneath notice, unworthy of respect.
Those eunuchs would think you held no real power.
In short, the entrenched social hierarchy of the era was deeply rooted in people’s minds.
These little eunuchs wouldn’t change their attitude simply because you were kind.
In reality, what truly mattered was the silver in your hand.
After all, most of these eunuchs were after just that.
Xu Ping’an, however, had no intention of giving out tips.
Every penny he had was earned painstakingly through his medical skills. He had no extra money to throw around for the eunuchs.
Besides, he didn’t plan to stay in the palace long, so why bother with such charades?
They soon arrived at the Hall of Central Harmony.
The square still bore traces of yesterday’s chaos.
Occasionally, bloodstains remained on the golden bricks and stone slabs, some cracks evident in the seams worn by history.
“Mr. Xu, you’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting here for quite some time. His Majesty has been mentioning you constantly. Please, follow me quickly…”
This was the little eunuch who had assisted the emperor yesterday.
“What is your name?…”
“I am Xiao Shunzi, Mr. Xu. You may address me as such.”
“Eunuch Shun, thank you for your trouble.”
“No, no, no. I am unworthy of being called Eunuch Shun. Please just call me Xiao Shunzi. Mr. Xu, please follow me.”
He led Xu Ping’an inside the Hall of Central Harmony and arranged a seat for him.
“Please wait here a moment. I will go inform His Majesty.”
“Alright.”
Xu Ping’an didn’t mind and simply nodded. After all, the emperor had to have his formalities.
Moreover, in the past when Xu Ping’an treated landlords, they had similar formalities—“Please wait, I will inform the master.”
He was used to such things.
This time, however, it was quicker. Xiao Shunzi had been gone just over a minute when a sharp rebuke rang out from inside the room.
“Impudent servant! Did I not say that when Mr. Xu arrives, there is no need to inform me? Hurry and invite Mr. Xu in!”
“Yes, yes!”
Xiao Shunzi’s fearful voice came through, followed by hurried footsteps. He rushed out, looking flustered.
“Sir, His Majesty has risen. Please enter.”
“Hmm, lead the way.”
Xu Ping’an smiled and nodded but said nothing more.
He understood this scene was deliberately staged by Emperor Li Shuo.
As an emperor, this man certainly had deep scheming. Without it, he wouldn’t have secured his position.
The saying goes, “Cleverness cannot surpass the emperor, nor wit the underworld.”
This emperor clearly wanted to draw him in.
Xu Ping’an had no intention of exposing the act. Some things were better left unspoken to preserve everyone’s dignity.
“Commoner Xu Ping’an pays respects to His Majesty.”
“Mr. Xu, there is no need for such formality. Quickly, help him to rise.”
As soon as he entered, Xu Ping’an bowed deeply, but kneeling was out of the question.
These knees would kneel to heaven, earth, and parents—but no one else.
“Please, rise quickly.”
Xiao Shunzi hastened forward to help, and Xu Ping’an stood upright, looking at Li Shuo, who sat at the head of the bed, pale-faced.
“Your Majesty, how do you feel today?”