In the afternoon, before it was time to light the lamps, most halls in the Imperial Palace were dim.
The empress's palace lacked no costly candles, but for more than a decade, she had never lived extravagantly, despite the endless stream of fine things sent her way. Until nightfall, no lamps were lit in her halls.
On the bed in a side hall, a nearby brazier gave off a little warmth while incense smoke curled through the air. Having just woken from a nap, the empress slowly sat up with several palace maids attending her. She drank some fragrant tea and had them gently press her acupoints with their fingers. Only then did her heavy head feel a little better.
She had fallen into another deep sleep just now, and, as on so many other days, she still had not dreamed of the crown prince.
Perhaps there was something peculiar about the Imperial Palace. For more than a decade, she had thought of her son day and night, yet the times she had dreamed of him could be counted on her fingers.
She could not see him awake, nor dream of him asleep. Only when she gazed at his portrait alone could she ease the pain in her heart a little.
As the hot tea slipped down her throat, the empress's expression remained indifferent, showing neither sorrow nor joy.
Only when the court lady Zhaoxia entered with light steps, followed by two eunuchs carrying a small basket, did this unusual little occurrence draw a puzzled glance from her.
"What is this?" the empress asked unhurriedly.
Zhaoxia replied with a bright smile, "Your Majesty, these are frozen pears."
"Frozen pears?" The empress's gaze fell on the small bamboo basket, whose lid had already been opened. Nearly a hundred frozen pears filled