With Qing Yun, Huang Bei Shuang never resisted. Her beliefs were simple: if the one touching you is your beloved, then all pretense and rejection are meaningless. Time is naturally heartless, fleeting, and irretrievable, so she chose not to waste it with needless coyness. Even though passion is always brief, it remains undeniably real.
“Sleep now!” After a long while, Qing Yun released her. “Tomorrow, I’ll have Miao Jing show you around Ice Thorn Palace!”
Ice Thorn Palace, the administrative palace of Tiandu, was ancient and labyrinthine. Though not as magnificent as the Yunpei Guang Han Palace with its pavilions and halls, its majesty and grandeur were no less impressive. The palace complex held 247 halls, staffed by 4,200 servants. The court halls were at the front, the consorts' quarters in the middle, and the king’s chambers at the rear, with countless symmetrical courtyards and towers on either side. From the mountain, the whole palace resembled an ice spire, hence the name Ice Thorn.
In the year 322, Ice Thorn Palace was established. Two queens rose to prominence, bringing unity to the realm. In the year 324, one queen passed away, and the other was deposed. Since then, the King of Beijing had not taken any new concubines, and the inner palace had remained desolate.
“Her Ladyship is in good health, so a tour of Ice Thorn Palace should be no issue.”
Early in the morning, the imperial physicians were summoned, and after a lengthy examination of Huang Bei Shuang, they finally gave Qing Yun a satisfactory answer. He wrapped her in a thick fur coat and then instructed Miao Jing.
“And you?” Huang Bei Shuang asked, looking at the man still lying in bed.
“Sleeping. I didn’t sleep well last night,” Qing Yun turned his head away, not looking at her. All night long, her fragrance had kept him restless, making it hard for him to fall asleep.
Miao Jing, standing nearby, couldn’t hold back a chuckle and quickly covered his mouth. He bowed to Huang Bei Shuang, “Your Ladyship, let’s go!” He led her out, closing the door to let the king sleep in peace after his self-imposed suffering.
“This is His Majesty’s bedchamber, the deepest part of Ice Thorn Palace,” Miao Jing said as they exited, and both turned to look back for a while.
Huang Bei Shuang smiled, “So anyone who comes to visit His Majesty’s bedchamber can be seen from here, right?”
Miao Jing nodded. “Your Ladyship is very perceptive!” He led her eastward, adding, “Ice Thorn Palace is a merciless place. It shows no affection for any king, so even His Majesty finds it difficult living here.”
“I can imagine! Even meals have to be taken with such caution!” Huang Bei Shuang looked at the simple yet elegant bridges ahead, following Miao Jing while observing the surroundings—this was where Qing Yun lived.
“When… did His Majesty start drinking poison wine?” she asked as they walked.
Miao Jing smiled bitterly, “At ten years old! His Majesty’s mother held a high position as the daughter of the Chancellor, so her life was much more dangerous than that of other princes and princesses. I don’t mind telling you, Your Ladyship, that poisonings are the most common occurrence in Ice Thorn Palace. The whole world knows this, and royal dignity has suffered greatly because of it.”
Huang Bei Shuang’s expression darkened. “So young! How could he endure drinking poison wine?”
Miao Jing led her southward for a while before replying, “The first time His Majesty drank it, he vomited blood and passed out. The princess wouldn’t let him continue, but His Majesty refused to listen and insisted on drinking it every day. He went from one cup a day to an entire jar. From vomiting blood and fainting to drinking it as if it were clear water—Your Ladyship cannot imagine the suffering he endured.”
Hearing this, Huang Bei Shuang nodded. “He was born with the temperament of a ruler.”
Miao Jing smiled and began leading her north. After walking for about half an hour, a magnificent palace appeared before Huang Bei Shuang’s eyes. Unlike the rest of Ice Thorn Palace, this palace stood out. Its columns and beams were painted in alternating red and white, radiating brilliance. On the walls were intricately carved depictions of celestial fairies, and outside the entrance bloomed delicate yellow water trees, flowers known for their fragrance and elegance, cherished by nobility for their rarity and high market value.
“This place… is for women, isn’t it?” Huang Bei Shuang paused at the entrance. “A consort? Or… the queen?”
Miao Jing bowed slightly and sighed, “Your Ladyship is very observant! This was once the residence of His Majesty’s mother. After her passing, the Queen of the Northern Palace moved in.”
“The Queen of the Northern Palace?” Huang Bei Shuang stopped, startled. “Why did you bring me here?” Her expression suddenly became tense and irritated.
Miao Jing quickly stepped forward to explain, “Your Ladyship! The person residing here is a deposed queen! Didn’t you know? His Majesty currently has no formal wife.”
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