I heard two maids whispering outside the door.
"Did you hear what the master just said about the Empress? It sounded like he wanted to give the Empress an explanation."
"You must have misheard. Her Majesty is in the imperial palace. How could she have anything to do with our master? The master only has Miss Aqiu in his heart."
My heart tightened. Oh no. Could he be getting suspicious?
I hurriedly changed into my empress attire, rushed back to the palace, and once again curled up under the covers, pretending to be ill. Before long, Ling Yao entered from outside, looking travel-worn. He looked at the bed, his handsome brow furrowed in a tight knot. "Empress, why are you lying in bed again? Are you pretending to be sick to avoid me again?"
Pinching my throat, I feigned weak gasps. "Your Majesty said we would not meet for two months. I will certainly keep my word and dare not disobey Your Majesty's decree. I am truly sick this time, not pretending."
Ling Yao's expression turned a bit awkward. He coughed twice. "Just speak normally. Why are you gasping?"
I wanted to cry, but had no tears. Could he blame me? Pretending to be weak is hard work. Not to mention, I had to hold back my laughter for fear of giving myself away.
He coughed twice more. "Empress, I have given this some thought. Your character is quite decent, and you haven't done anything wrong all these years."
I rolled my eyes in my mind. No kidding. Do you really need to state the obvious? I am the most qualified empress ever. I don't fight for power, and I even play along with your acts.
He asked again. "Do you know why I married you?"
I grumbled to myself. Why else? To get back at my father, of course. What other reason could there be?
"Your Majesty is benevolent and remembered the Su family's contributions, which is why you brought me into the palace as your empress."
Ling Yao sat on a chair, resting his hands on his knees as he spoke slowly. "Back then, Minister Su used the fact that I mistook someone's identity to demand this position of empress from me. I was young at the time, and I didn't know I would come to love someone so deeply in the future. So I casually agreed to his demand."
I understood his meaning instantly. He wants to depose the empress.
Deposing the empress is no big deal. But if he also brings Li Aqiu into the palace, with so many people here who have seen me, how can I keep up the deception? Playing two roles by myself at the same time, I'll be exposed sooner or later.
Huddled under the blanket, I was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, trying desperately to think of a way. I had to stop him from deposing the empress and also stop him from marrying Li Aqiu.
I've got it.
That day, Ling Yao came to the west side of the city to see me again. I no longer rejected his affection and stayed by his side, sharing sweet moments. Occasionally I would shyly hold his hand and act coquettishly. It actually had a unique kind of charm.
Well, to be honest, life as the widow Li Aqiu is actually pretty good. I don't have to deal with the tedious affairs of the harem, and I even get to be pampered by the Emperor. It is simply a heavenly life. The only downside is having to constantly watch out so he doesn't recognize me, and running back and forth is absolutely exhausting.
Several times Ling Yao hesitated to speak, but finally he opened his mouth. "Aqiu, I have a confession to make. You need to prepare yourself mentally. Don't get too excited and don't be afraid."
I patted my chest, pretending to be calm. "Oh, please. I'm someone who has killed her own husband. What kind of major scene have I not witnessed? Go ahead. I can handle it."
But my heart was beating like a drum. He couldn't be about to confess that he is the Emperor and wants to bring me into the palace. Right?
Ling Yao took out the imperial seal from his robe and said solemnly, "I am Ling Yao, the Emperor of the great Yao dynasty."
I froze on the spot, silently counting to three in my head, deliberately pretending to be shocked and pale. My mouth was open wide enough to fit an egg, unable to speak for a long time.
But Ling Yao smiled and praised me. "Aqiu, you truly have extraordinary courage. You are indeed the person I have set my eyes on. What is wrong? Are you frightened?"
I grumbled silently in my heart. Frightened my foot. I've known all along.
But on the surface, I still pretended to be shaken up. I took the opportunity to suffer a sudden severe illness. My legs went weak and I collapsed onto the floor, foaming at the mouth, which was actually licorice water I had prepared in advance.
Ling Yao panicked instantly. He quickly took me into his arms and cried out, completely at a loss. "Aqiu. Aqiu, don't scare me. Wake up quickly."
He immediately dragged a doctor inside. The doctor felt my pulse for a moment, shook his head, and pretended to be full of regret. "Young master, please accept your grief. This young lady has been frightened to death. She has no pulse left. There is nothing more that can be done."
While Ling Yao turned his head to wipe away his tears, I secretly gave the doctor a thumbs up. He was indeed worth the high price I paid. I had hired a traveling con artist who could really put on a show. His acting was so professional, even better than mine.
Receiving my signal, the doctor got even more into character, completely losing himself in the performance. "This young lady couldn't catch her breath and suffocated. My lord, you could try giving her mouth to mouth. If she can be saved, it will be a miracle. If not, at least you did your best and will have no regrets."
Lying on the bed, I nearly ground my teeth to dust. I'm faking my death, not drowning. Is mouth to mouth really necessary? That dirty con artist is doing this on purpose to screw me over.
Ling Yao chased all the bystanders out of the room. The room became exceptionally quiet. He sat by the bedside and whispered softly. "Aqiu, don't blame me. I only did it to save you. Please wake up, okay?"
I wailed in my heart. I'm a dead person. Don't come over here.
But Ling Yao still leaned down and kissed me. The kiss was very gentle, with a hint of trembling. It wasn't until a few wet drops fell on my face that I realized Ling Yao was crying.
He choked out, "Wake up. Okay? Whatever you want, I will grant it. Gold, silver, jewels, wealth and honor. As long as you wake up, I will give you everything. I will never force you to do anything you don't want to do again."
My heart felt both aching and soft, and I silently cursed myself. I'm so bad. I'm really so bad. How could I deceive him like this and make him cry?