015 Lost in Bewilderment?

Jiang Xuan was hiding his true strength. Indeed, how could the owner of those eyes be an ordinary person? I followed behind Jiang Xuan toward Cuiwei Palace, when he suddenly turned and said to me, “What happened at the archery field today—you are not to breathe a word of it to my mother. If you do, I won’t forgive you.”

“As you command!”

“Return to Cuiwei Palace. There’s no need for you to follow me further.”

“If Her Ladyship asks after you, how should I reply?”

“Just say I’ve returned to my own palace,” Jiang Xuan said, then swept his sleeve and went off.

I raised an eyebrow—returning was fine by me. I was still shaken from earlier and hadn’t recovered my wits.

Just as I was about to leave, I saw Long Zhan approaching with several guards behind him.

At the sight of Long Zhan, I quickly pretended not to notice and turned away to leave.

“Xiao Xiaozi!” Long Zhan called. I had no choice but to stop, turn around, and respectfully bow. “Greetings, Master Long.”

“Why do you walk off as soon as you see me?”

I immediately feigned confusion. “I didn’t, sir. I didn’t see you at all!”

Long Zhan looked me over. “I did you a great favor—don’t you think you should thank me?”

“Then many thanks, Master Long!”

“That’s all?”

“What more should I…”

“The food the other day wasn’t bad. Prepare it for me again and deliver it tomorrow morning,” Long Zhan ordered, then walked off with that same forbidding air, leaving me a bit flustered in the wind. The way he spoke, you’d think we were old acquaintances.

Oh well, in the end, he did help me—though it took endless effort on my part to ask. Looks like I’ll have to beg Hongxiu for help once more.

Lost in thought, I wasn’t watching where I was going and bumped into someone.

“Which blind fool dares run into me?” The voice belonged to none other than Lin Tanwei.

“I deserve to die, I deserve to die,” I immediately dropped to my knees.

“You do deserve it! A good-for-nothing dog who doesn’t even watch where he’s going. Slap yourself!” Lin Tanwei probably didn’t know I was from Cuiwei Palace—otherwise, she’d at least show some restraint.

Helpless, I struck myself twice across the face.

“That’s all? Cui’er, come here and teach him a proper lesson.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Cui’er came up and delivered four more slaps. What could I do? I was about to explain I served in Cuiwei Palace when a young woman nearby gently intervened, “Sister, don’t be angry. He didn’t do it on purpose. A few slaps are enough for him to remember; any more would be a pity.”

This young woman had also gone to Cuiwei Palace earlier today. She’d left a good impression on me—calm and quiet, sitting demurely without fuss. Her features were delicate, her manner gentle; she was the very picture of a noble lady.

“Sister, why plead for him? We’ve just arrived at the palace—if we can’t even discipline a servant, others will walk all over us.”

The young woman glanced at me again and said, “You’ve already punished and scolded him, Sister; it’s enough to let him go now.”

“You’re too kindhearted, making me look petty in comparison. But as a mere Attendant, is it proper for you to meddle in the affairs of someone of my rank?” Lin Tanwei retorted.

The young woman was momentarily lost for words, so I quickly said, “Please don’t be angry, Your Ladyship. I was out on an errand for our lady and accidentally ran into you. If you’re displeased, let me report back to Cuiwei Palace first, and then I’ll return to receive your instruction.”

At this, Lin Tanwei’s expression changed. “So you’re a servant from Cuiwei Palace. Since it was on Zhang Zhaoyi’s business that you ran into me, it’s understandable. Very well, I won’t hold it against you this time. Hurry back—but be careful next time! Not everyone is as forgiving as I am.”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship, thank you!”

“No need for thanks—just a small matter. I trust you won’t mention this to your mistress?”

“Of course not. My face was injured by accident. If my mistress sees me like this, she’ll only worry about me. I thank my mistress for her concern.”

Lin Tanwei looked at me with a hint of approval. “You’re a clever one. Be off, then.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Supported by Cui’er, Lin Tanwei left. The young Attendant lingered behind and whispered to me, “Your face is quite swollen. Go with my maid, Ping’er, and get some ointment. My parents were worried I’d be bullied here, so they sent some along.”

She was truly pure-hearted, and her parents’ concern was almost amusing.

“I haven’t had the honor of meeting you, my lady.”

“This is Attendant Mei,” Ping’er explained. “Why not come with me to Xi Yu Pavilion?”

“I appreciate your kindness, but I must return to Cuiwei Palace and report back. Please rest assured, my injuries are nothing.”

“That’s fine. If it still hurts, just apply a warm compress. I won’t keep you—I must catch up with my sister.” Attendant Mei gave me a gentle smile before hurrying after Lin Tanwei.

Indeed, Attendant Mei was a most agreeable person.

I had barely set foot back in Cuiwei Palace when Yunqing arrived as well. She entered the room and reported to Zhang Bitong, “Your servant has confirmed that Lady Lan is truly ill.”

“Did you summon the Imperial Physician? If Chancellor Lin learns of this, he’ll remember what I did.”

Yunqing replied, “When I arrived, the Empress had already sent Ming He to fetch the physician. I thought that if we acted after her, it would seem insincere and might even offend the Empress, so I returned to report first.”

“The Empress again!” At the mention of the Empress, Zhang Bitong’s face darkened as if speaking of a mortal enemy.

“Please calm yourself, Your Ladyship. All the palace knows that the Empress’s family and Chancellor Lin’s are bitter rivals. They won’t join forces.”

“I hope so. But she simply wants to display her power in the harem. I wonder if Qiu Ronghai, that old servant, can help me tonight so that His Majesty will stay at Cuiwei Palace again.”

Yunqing held her tongue, and I took the chance to busy myself with chores.

At suppertime, Jiang Xuan arrived.

In the room, Lanyan and Yunqing attended to them; outside, Xiaoluzi, Yunxiu, and I waited on call.

As Yunqing helped serve the dishes, Zhang Bitong asked, “Xuan’er, how did you perform at archery today?”

“No talking at meals, Mother.”

Zhang Bitong paused, then said, “I am your mother—must you be so formal with me?”

“That’s what the Imperial Tutor taught.”

Her face stiffened. Yunqing quickly interjected, “Let the Ninth Prince handle his own affairs. These matters are between the princes—what could you do, Lady?”

Zhang Bitong sighed, “You never listen to me at all. Xuan’er, should I start looking for a wife for you?”

Jiang Xuan suddenly put down his chopsticks. “Mother, I’m full. I’ll take my leave.”

“Xuan’er, you—” Zhang Bitong hurried to her feet, but suddenly bent over, holding her leg, her face contorted in pain.

“Are you all right, Lady?”

“Trying to please His Majesty, I danced too much those days—my legs have been aching.”

“Your devotion is truly admirable, Lady. Let me massage your legs,” Yunqing offered, kneeling to do so.

Zhang Bitong said to Jiang Xuan, “Enough, let’s not discuss this now. Stay with me and finish your meal, all right?”

Jiang Xuan hesitated but finally sat down again.

I peeked in—the candlelight cast shadows across Jiang Xuan’s face, highlighting his handsome features and lending him an air of calm.

He quietly finished eating, then helped Zhang Bitong to the couch and sat silently at her side.

“I’ve always been lively—so how did I have such a reticent child? You don’t take after your father at all. Tell me, who do you take after?”

Jiang Xuan said nothing.

Yunqing smiled and said, “I think the Ninth Prince is actually a bit like His Majesty.”

“Oh? How so?”

“Before His Majesty ascended the throne, he was just like this. No one expected him to become what he is today—a true marvel.”

“So you mean my Xuan’er will also make a stunning breakthrough?”

“Mother…” Jiang Xuan finally spoke. “I will not compete for that. Third Brother is well suited to the position of Crown Prince.”

“Even if he is, he isn’t you. If your father passes and he becomes Emperor, the Empress will become Empress Dowager. What will happen to me then? Will I be banished to this palace, forgotten? Have you ever thought of me? Have you?”

“Mother, have you ever thought of your son? Today, Fourth Brother…”

Jiang Xuan broke off.

“What did Jiang Ye say? Did he bring up that matter with the Virtuous Consort again? Tell him that if his mother chose to spend her days in prayer, it has nothing to do with me. He…”

“Mother, I’m tired. I’ll take my leave.” This time, Jiang Xuan left without looking back.

Zhang Bitong, furious, swept a teacup off the table.

“Please calm yourself, Lady,” Yunqing immediately knelt.

Outside, Xiaoluzi muttered, “The Ninth Prince has angered Lady again. Why can’t he just make her happy?”

“Xiaoluzi, the affairs of our masters are not for you to comment on,” Hongxiu scolded, then called into the room, “Lady, may I come in to clear the dishes?”

“Come in,” Yunqing replied.

“Hurry up—move quickly.”

Xiaoluzi and I followed Hongxiu inside, swiftly cleared the tableware, and withdrew.

“Xiao Xiaozi…” As I was heading to the kitchen, Zhang Bitong suddenly called my name.