"Oh… actually, I almost died from poison once," Li Jun said, her tone light as if recounting someone else's story. "Since then, my parents have given me all kinds of rare pills to strengthen my body."
Shishu's brows arched slightly. Though she had never heard of such an incident, she knew well that in the martial world, anything could happen. "Wang Wuyue…" she murmured, exhaling slowly. "A true martial arts fanatic. To lose her meridians—how could she ever accept it?"
Li Jun's gaze wavered. She bit her lip before asking softly, "Then… is there a way to heal her meridians?"
Shishu fell silent for a moment, her eyes distant as if recalling something long forgotten. "The Yinmo Sect," she said at last. "Hidden deep within Yunhe Mountain. It is said they possess a pill that can restore even the most shattered meridians."
"Then please—show me the way to this Yinmo Sect. I'll get that pill no matter what it takes."
Even as she spoke bravely, her mind was racing. This was her first time leaving the palace. Outside its golden walls, the world was vast and unfamiliar. She barely knew the lands of Great Qi—how could she possibly find a hidden sect in the mountains? Li Jun rubbed her temple, trying to calm the unease that prickled in her chest.
Shishu stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you… know martial arts?" she asked cautiously.
"No, I can't fight. But I believe—if there's a will, there's always a way."Her voice was firm, but her thoughts grew heavy. She wasn't afraid of danger, what truly scared her was not being able to return in time to save Wuyue.
Shishu studied her for a long moment before sighing. "You are brave, but the path to Yunhe Mountain is perilous. Without martial skills, you wouldn't even survive the bandits along the road. It would be like walking to your death."
Li Jun turned toward the bed, her gaze softening as it fell on Wang Wuyue. The once proud and radiant woman now lay motionless, her meridians destroyed. Whoever sent those assassins was ruthless beyond measure. They must have been waiting for this chance for a long time—people like that would never move unless they had both power and confidence backing them.
"Let us wait until she regains consciousness," Shishu said quietly. "Perhaps there's another way."
Li Jun nodded without a word. She couldn't bear the thought of leaving Wuyue without saying goodbye.
That night, moonlight poured into the courtyard, painting everything in silver. Li Jun lay in the hammock, staring at the sky, her thoughts wandering far beyond the mountain.
Had someone already seized the throne in her absence?
She didn't care. Titles, power, the palace—none of it mattered anymore. What mattered was that those she loved were safe.
But then another worry crept into her mind. What about the Empress Dowager… and the Grand Emperor? And Qing'er—was she safe?
Her hand reached for the small pouch tied at her waist. Inside, the cool surface of a tiger talisman pressed against her fingers. A symbol of military command—whoever held it could mobilize the imperial army.
As long as the tiger talisman remained in her possession, they could not seize full control.
But for how long could she keep it safe?
Li Jun closed her eyes, the night wind brushing against her hair.
---
Two days later, Wang Wuyue slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the dim light filtering through the bamboo walls. Her vision was blurry at first, but as it cleared, a familiar figure sitting nearby came into view.
"Shishu…?" she rasped, her voice weak and uncertain. "Why are you here?"
Shishu let out a small laugh of relief and quickly helped her sit up. "Very well, very well, you finally woke up! I was starting to think you planned to sleep forever," she said, half scolding, half smiling.
She poured a bit of water into a cup and handed it to her before adding in a teasing tone, "It's your husband who carried you here. He nearly destroyed half my garden in panic. I would've beaten him to death if I hadn't seen you dying in his arms."
"Husband?" Wang Wuyue repeated in confusion. Then realization struck her like lightning. "Li Jun…" she whispered. Who else would dare speak so recklessly? Her heart skipped, and she immediately glanced around the room, searching.
Shishu noticed her restless gaze and smirked. "Looking for that little brat?" she asked knowingly.
A faint blush crept up Wang Wuyue's cheeks before she could hide it.
"You care about him that much? Hmm… it seems your relationship isn't exactly ordinary," Shishu said, her tone light but probing.
"Shishu, don't joke," Wang Wuyue shot back, trying to compose herself. "It's impossible you don't know that brat is a girl."
"Hahaha… so what if she's a girl?" Shishu chuckled, walking toward the table to pour herself some tea. "She was sincere enough to risk her life for you—and bold enough to call herself your husband. I didn't have the heart to expose her lie."
Wang Wuyue blinked, momentarily speechless. Shishu was never one to joke around—serious, disciplined, and sharp-tongued, that was the master she knew. Yet now she was teasing her like an amused elder.
Fragments of memory began to surface, the warmth of that desperate embrace, her trembling voice calling her name again and again, and…
Her breath caught. The faint sensation of something warm brushing her lips.
Instinctively, Wang Wuyue touched her mouth, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. She shook her head hard, trying to drive the images away, but her chest tightened instead.
Her pale face slowly turned cold, as if sealed beneath a thousand-year layer of ice. Her brows furrowed deeply, and anger welled up within her chest.
Never in her life had Wang Wuyue felt so unsettled, her peace, her composure, shattered by a girl so much younger than her.
The lingering poison in her veins reacted with her turmoil; before she could steady her breath, a sharp pain struck her chest. Blood rose to her lips, and she coughed violently, crimson staining her sleeve.
Shishu rushed to her side, but only sighed, shaking her head. She knew Wang Wuyue too well—this woman's pride was as unyielding as iron.
"She… She is Empress Shang Wen."
Shishu, who had just taken a sip of tea, froze mid-swallow. She choked and sputtered, nearly spilling her cup. "Wait—what?!" she coughed, eyes wide in disbelief. "You mean that Shang Wen? The Empress of Great Qi?"
Wang Wuyue closed her eyes briefly.
Shishu pressed a hand to her forehead, muttering under her breath. "Heavens above… I even asked her to chop firewood and clean the house! And she did it without a single complaint…"
Her voice trailed off, caught somewhere between shock and reluctant admiration.
Just then, the door slid open a crack. Hearing their voices, Li Jun peeked in, her heart leaping when she saw Wang Wuyue sitting up. Relief softened her features, her lips parting as if she wanted to speak but the words wouldn't come.
Shishu caught sight of her hesitation and waved her hand impatiently. "What are you standing there for? Come in." She kept her expression composed, as though unaware that Li Jun was Empress Shang Wen.
In truth, the old woman quite liked the girl. She was polite, humble, and always respectful toward her elders. After one glance at Wang Wuyue's face, Shishu sighed inwardly. It would take far more than a sweet tongue to win over that woman.
Li Jun stepped inside quietly, the bamboo floor creaking beneath her feet.
Setting her teacup down, Shishu gave them both a knowing look. "You two have much to talk about," she said with a smirk. "I'll be outside."
She turned and left, sliding the door shut behind her, leaving Li Jun and Wang Wuyue alone silence settling between them, heavy with everything left unsaid.
Li Jun noticed the faint trace of blood at the corner of Wang Wuyue's lips. She reached for a clean towel, dipped it into the basin, and wrung it gently. When she moved closer, Wang Wuyue turned her face away.
"What do you want from me? You've already won Qing'er's heart—now you come to me as well. I've seen countless shameless men in my life, but I never thought a woman could be the same."
"I want nothing," Li Jun said softly.
"I don't believe you…" She reached up and pulled the jade hairpin from her hair. Her long black strands fell loose, cascading like ink—yet not all of it remained dark. Under the dim light, streaks of silver gleamed among the black, spreading like frost beneath the moon.
"The poison works faster than I imagined," she murmured bitterly, her lips curling into a half-smile that didn't reach her eyes. Then, with a faint, mocking laugh, she tilted her head toward Li Jun.
"What do you think? This is the beauty you admire so much. Look at it clearly, do you still like it now?"
She tugged her collar slightly and leaned closer until their faces were only inches apart. Her breath brushed against Li Jun's skin, warm yet cold all at once, carrying the faint scent of bitter herbs.
Li Jun did not move. Her heart ached at the sight. The proud woman before her, stripped of her usual calm.
The beautiful woman had expected disgust, pity, perhaps even fear but Li Jun showed none of those. Her eyes were soft and sincere, filled with a tenderness that only deepened Wang Wuyue's anguish.
Li Jun reached out, her fingers brushing through the silver-streaked hair. For a moment, she simply gazed at it. The once jet-black locks now tainted by the cruel touch of poison. Then she leaned forward and pressed a kiss upon them.
Wang Wuyue froze. Her breath caught in her throat as Li Jun's lips moved again. This time, landing softly on her forehead.
"This is my fault," Li Jun whispered. "Shishu said there's a pill that might cure you. Now that you're awake, I'll leave tomorrow to find it. Even if I fail… I'll still protect you, and love you as you are."
"Love? What do you know about love?" Wang Wuyue scoffed coldly. "Wait until you've lived as long as I have then you can speak of love."
She pushed Li Jun away.
"I pity Qing'er," she continued, her tone sharp as a blade. "She gave her heart and body to someone who couldn't stay loyal. How could you speak of love so easily to her, and now to me?"
Li Jun stiffened. The words struck like a sword to the chest. She couldn't deny them. Hadn't she always despised betrayal and sworn never to become like those she loathed?