Fragrance Fades, Jade Perishes

"Xiao Xiaozi..."
"Your servant is here!" I entered and bowed.
"You are rather clever—could you help me devise a plan to make the Emperor favor Xuan?"
"Your servant... your servant..." After helping Zhang Bitong once, he truly regards me as omnipotent. Jiang Xuan has no interest in these matters; even if I had any ideas, they would surely come to nothing.
From my perspective, it isn’t that Jiang Xuan cannot win the Emperor’s favor, but that he simply doesn’t want to.
"Xiao Xiaozi probably just stumbled into luck. Such an important matter—how could you expect him to come up with something immediately? Why not give him some time, Your Ladyship? The Emperor is still in his prime, and the Ninth Prince still has time."
"Enough, enough, you may go!"
"Yes!"
That night, when I woke to relieve myself, I discovered it had snowed. The snow here arrived later than at home, but deep into the night, the first snow finally came.
I sat in the courtyard for a while, watching, when I suddenly sensed movement beyond the wall—a hurried procession of many feet.
So late—what could be happening?
"Xiao Xiaozi, what are you doing out here at this hour?" Hongxiu appeared, spotting me.
"Ah? I..."
Before I could finish, Hongxiu glanced at the sky and said, "So it’s snowing. According to tradition, the Emperor has probably sent someone to Plum Garden to pick this year’s first plum blossom."
Yes, with the snow falling, all the palace plums would bloom.
I couldn’t help but ask, "Does the Emperor like plum blossoms?"
Hongxiu replied, "He does. Enough talk—go rest, we have to rise early for work."
Hongxiu, as always, was unwilling to say more. I could ask Lanyan about it later.
I didn’t linger, but returned to sleep.
At dawn the next day, I heard the news: last night, the Emperor favored Lin Tanwei.
"Yunqing, what are you doing?" As I swept the floor that morning, I heard Zhang Bitong scolding Yunqing.
"Your servant knows her mistake, Your servant knows her mistake."
"What happened to Her Ladyship?" I whispered to Lanyan.
"Yunqing overslept and didn’t wake Her Ladyship—so the Empress likely got a chance to shine before the Emperor. Seeing Her Ladyship so angry, she must have suffered at the Empress’s hands again. That’s enough, be careful not to let Her Ladyship overhear."
"Alright."
Was Zhang Bitong really so upset about this?
Just then, I heard Zhang Bitong say, "Yunqing, go call Xuan here."
"Your Ladyship, the Ninth Prince is probably still with the Grand Tutor."
"Then wait for him to finish his lessons before calling him! You heard how the Empress berated me today. Yesterday’s archery incident—Xuan was so disgraceful. This morning, the Fourth and Sixth Princes told the Empress, who criticized Xuan before all those women, making me lose face. I fear the matter has reached the Emperor as well."
"Please calm yourself, Your Ladyship!"
"When will Xuan let me rest easy? All my toil is for his sake!"
"Your Ladyship’s devotion—the Ninth Prince will understand it one day."
"Help me rest awhile, I am exhausted."
As I swept, I saw a woman peeking through the palace gate, beckoning me.
Looking closely, it was Ping’er.

I stepped out and asked quietly, "So it’s Sister Ping’er—do you need something from me?"
"This is medicine from our little mistress for you—apply it quickly, your face still hasn’t gone down."
Looking at the medicine in my hand, I felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank our Lady for me."
"Alright!" Ping’er nodded.
I looked at Ping’er and asked, "Why are your eyes so red? Have you been crying?"
Ping’er shook her head. "It’s not that I’ve suffered, but our mistress was bullied by Lady Tan this morning."
"What happened?"
Ping’er glanced around before speaking. "Last night Lady Tan was favored by the Emperor. This morning, she saw our mistress had picked a few plum branches from Plum Garden, said she hated plums, and smashed the vase before our mistress, giving her quite a fright. When they first entered the palace, Lady Tan treated our mistress well, but after gaining favor, she changed completely."
They are new to the palace, and don’t understand yet. Lin Tanwei is adept at reading the wind, always quick to discern the mood. Having gained favor and seeing Mei Changzai as gentle and easy to bully, she no longer bothers to hide her disdain.
Mei Changzai is a good person, and having gifted me this medicine, I ought to repay her.
I whispered a few words to Ping’er.
Ping’er was surprised. "Is that really possible?"
"Trust me. Tell your mistress, but don’t say I taught you."
"Xiao Xiaozi, you really are clever."
"And Ping’er, you are beautiful."
Ping’er blushed at my compliment.
Ah, she must see me as a man.
"Quickly, get back—I've work to do as well."
"Alright! Remember to apply the ointment before bed."
That evening, word spread that Mei Changzai was summoned to share the Emperor’s bed. I was secretly happy for her.
On this day, Zhang Bitong decided to visit the Imperial Garden and had Yunqing and me accompany her.
It was not for sightseeing—the garden was bleak in early winter—but the sun was warm.
"It’s good to come out after so many days inside. Yunqing, don’t you agree?"
Yunqing nodded. "Your Ladyship should walk more—it’s good for your health."
"Yes, if I don’t move, my body grows weak."
"Your Ladyship, walk slowly, the ground is slippery!" A woman’s voice called from a distance.
Zhang Bitong said, "Xiao Xiaozi, go and see who is disturbing my peace."
"Yes!"
I walked ahead and saw Cui’er following behind Lin Tanwei.
"Your servant greets Your Ladyship."
Lin Tanwei glanced at me. "So it’s Xiao Xiaozi!"
"Yes, Your Ladyship is basking in the sun over there. Why not join her?"
"So Sister is there—then I’ll go as well."
Lin Tanwei went to Zhang Bitong, bowed, and said, "Sister, greetings."
"So it’s Lady Tan. You’ve been in the limelight these days—I haven’t seen you in a while."
"Sister, you flatter me. When it comes to favor, how could I compete with you? The Emperor hasn’t visited me these past days—it’s all Mei Changzai he lingers with! I don’t know what enchantment she’s used to keep him enthralled."

"Sister, why are you not as witty as when I first met you? Has Mei Changzai suppressed you so easily?"
"You are right, Sister!"
"If she has her way to keep the Emperor, then you must find yours."
"I dare not compete for favor."
Zhang Bitong laughed. "What is there to fear? The Emperor’s favor is the blessing of all concubines—let each rely on her own abilities."
Lin Tanwei nodded, then said, "Sister, did you know? Though Mei Changzai hasn’t been promoted, the Emperor is preparing to move her out of Xiyu Pavilion, to her own palace."
"Oh? I’ve never heard of a mere Changzai having her own palace. What does the Empress say?"
Lin Tanwei replied, "The Empress says it’s all up to the Emperor."
"Then let it be. But you, a Noble Lady, and a Changzai sharing Xiyu Pavilion—now even the Changzai has her own palace, while you..." Zhang Bitong smiled, turning to Yunqing. "Yunqing, I feel dizzy after a while in the sun—let’s return to Cuiwei Palace."
"Yes!"
Yunqing supported Zhang Bitong back to Cuiwei Palace; before leaving, she glanced at Lin Tanwei. I, too, looked at Lin Tanwei, and saw her face was quite unpleasant.
On the way, Zhang Bitong asked Yunqing, "What does it mean that the Emperor grants favor but not promotion?"
"I think the Emperor is protecting Mei Changzai."
"How so?"
"Now, Lady Lan has not been summoned, nor promoted; Lady Tan has been summoned but not promoted. If Mei Changzai were promoted now, she would outshine Lady Lan, and Lady Tan would surely resent her."
Yunqing’s words stirred a bit of worry in my heart. Hopefully, all will be well.
"Your analysis is not without reason. But the Emperor has shown true feeling to a mere Changzai? I have served him over ten years, and never seen his heart. Hmph, perhaps Mei Changzai uses some enchantment."
"I do not know."
"Enough—I’d best focus on Xuan. With so many newcomers, I couldn’t compete for favor even if I tried."
"Your Ladyship is right!"
"By the way, I haven’t paid respects to the Empress Dowager in many days. Prepare for tomorrow morning—I’ll visit only the Empress Dowager, not the Empress."
"Yes, I’ll remember."
That night, the second snow fell.
I, too, love snow, and plum blossoms. My mother loved plum blossoms most, and she died on a snowy day. Seeing it was late, I donned a cloak and went to Plum Garden.
The palace’s Plum Garden boasted thousands of plum trees. To admire them in the snow was surely a splendid sight.
I went alone, and though I passed patrolling guards, none questioned me.
Lanterns hung in Plum Garden, and the snow’s glow made it bright enough.
Never had I seen so many plum blossoms—it was truly breathtaking.
As I walked, something tripped me.
Rubbing my backside, I stood and peered into the darkness, only to see a woman’s corpse lying there.
The body was none other than Mei Changzai, who had shown me kindness.
Her blood stained the white snow, her face slashed with deep cuts, blood oozing from them—her death was terrifying.
I nearly cried out, but someone swiftly covered my mouth and dragged me into the shadows.