Chapter 919: The Young Empress (56)

When the Chief Eunuch stepped out, Su Qing immediately hurried over and anxiously asked, “Chief Eunuch, how is Her Majesty?”

The Imperial Consort refused to let him enter, and the others also believed it inappropriate for him to go inside.

They all thought it was because of him that the Empress had been injured.

And indeed, it was because of him.

“Her Majesty's injuries are severe, but she is out of danger for now. As for when she will awaken, the imperial physicians cannot give a definite answer yet. Young Master Su, you should return first. Her Majesty won't wake up anytime soon. Waiting here won't accomplish anything.”

“I… I'll wait a little longer.”

Su Qing's heart sank, and a bitter smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Perhaps she would wake up soon?

When she had been in danger, she had ordered the Chief Eunuch to protect him.

If she woke up and asked for him, only to find he wasn't there, she would surely be worried.

So he should continue waiting.

Looking at Su Qing's lost and dispirited appearance, the Chief Eunuch recalled what she had witnessed inside and suddenly felt as though she'd swallowed a mouthful of filth.

Then she remembered what the Empress had told her about Su Qing's actions and could only sigh inwardly.

Serves him right.

The Empress might not have loved Su Qing romantically, but she had truly pampered him.

Had he not harbored ulterior motives, he would have enjoyed endless favor for the rest of his life.

The Empress had become like this because men like Su Qing and Nan Yunchuan had chilled her heart.

As for the Imperial Consort, he rarely sought attention from the Empress and never sweet-talked her.

Yet in the instant the Empress had fallen, the Chief Eunuch had seen fear in his eyes.

Though terrified beyond measure, he had still calmly issued orders and personally gone down to search for her.

And Su Qing?

He claimed to worry about the Empress, but had done nothing more than wait atop the cliff.

Clearly, in his heart, she wasn't as important as he claimed.

“Then Young Master Su, remember to return and rest after a while.”

After all, the Empress wasn't going to “wake up” today.

She had instructed them beforehand.

She would awaken three days later.

The Chief Eunuch's eyelids twitched.

She hurried back inside.

She dared not expose anything. If she ruined the Empress's plans, she would be the one to suffer.

And so Su Qing stood outside the palace gates for hours.

Until the sun set, there was still no news of the Empress waking up.

Bathed in the last rays of sunset, he raised his head and stared at the tightly closed doors.

“To the attendants,” he said, “please announce my arrival. I wish to see Her Majesty.”

The palace maid quickly entered and returned shortly afterward, shaking her head.

“Young Master Su, the Imperial Consort does not permit it. You've stood here all day. Please return to your palace and eat something, lest your body fail you.”

Disappointment and deep worry filled Su Qing's eyes.

“I understand. I'll go back for now. If Her Majesty awakens, remember to inform me immediately.”

He left in a daze, a bitter smile lingering on his cold and elegant face.

Back in his palace, he ate only a little.

No matter how delicious the food, it tasted like nothing.

His mind was filled with memories of the time he had spent with the Empress, and of that moment by the cliff, when she had pushed him toward the Chief Eunuch, caught an arrow with one hand, and still remembered to tell the Chief Eunuch to protect him.

Even if she did not love him as a man and woman should…

That favor she had shown him was truly precious.

Perhaps now he understood Nan Yunchuan's feelings.

Who could resist being treated with such sincerity?

No matter how hard-hearted Su Qing was, he couldn't help but be moved.

If the Empress hadn't fallen from the cliff…

If he hadn't experienced that terrifying feeling of suddenly losing her…

Perhaps he wouldn't have been so deeply affected.

Nor would he feel this panicked.

The next day, Su Qing once again went to the Empress's palace.

He was told—

Her Majesty still hadn't awakened.
:::