021 Whistling Through the Teeth

Watching Zhang Bitong being tenderly ushered into the Hall of Mental Cultivation by the emperor, I could feel the empress’s gaze was sharp enough to swallow me whole. Sorry, Your Majesty. You wronged me once, so I must repay you in kind.

Originally, the effect wouldn’t have been so pronounced, but now, thanks to this incident, the emperor will only cherish Zhang Bitong more. Without a doubt, tonight, he’ll spend the night at Cuiwei Palace.

“Little Xiao, you’re truly loyal to your master—your lips are bleeding.”

I touched my mouth and realized it was stained with blood.

“Minghe, let’s go!”

“Yes.”

I walked elsewhere and spat out a mouthful of blood, only to find a tooth among it. That Minghe had cost me a tooth.

“Here.” Long Zhan suddenly appeared at my side, handing me a cup of tea.

“Thank you, Lord Long!” I quickly took a few sips and rinsed my mouth.

“Minghe tripped you on purpose.”

“Whether it was deliberate or not, what can I do? I can hardly confront Aunt Minghe, can I?” After rinsing, I wiped my mouth with my sleeve and handed the cup back to Long Zhan.

“Why not?”

“I wouldn’t dare. My life is worth nothing—it could be taken away at any moment. I’m not like you, Lord Long, ha…”

At my laugh, Long Zhan covered his mouth, barely suppressing his amusement. Eventually, he couldn’t hold it and burst out laughing.

“Lord Long, what are you laughing at?”

“Your tooth!” Long Zhan pointed at me and turned away.

I glared at him. “Isn’t it just a missing tooth? Didn’t you lose teeth as a child?” I turned away, thoroughly displeased.

Long Zhan said, “For a little eunuch, you’ve got quite the temper. When you get angry, you’re like a young lady.”

“Who’s like a young lady? If you don’t believe me, I’ll go find a palace maid and make a pair tonight!”

“Pairing up? If you dare, I’ll arrest you now. That’s forbidden in the palace.”

“Then don’t say I’m like a woman!”

“All right, all right! I won’t argue. I have to make my rounds.”

“Safe travels, Lord Long. I won’t see you off!”

“You…”

I turned leisurely and stationed myself at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Because of Long Zhan’s teasing, I made sure to cover my mouth well, lest anyone else comment. Then I saw Qiu Ronghai arriving with the imperial physician.

After Qiu Ronghai and the physician entered, I remained at my post outside the hall. Not long after, the physician emerged with his medicine chest, and Qiu Ronghai followed.

Qiu Ronghai walked a few steps before returning, giving me a sinister smile. “Little Xiao, you really are like an indestructible cockroach—one moment down and out, the next back in favor with Her Highness.”

I bowed. “Thank you, Lord Qiu, for your guidance. In the Office of Ceremonies, you helped me once, and in the Department of Labor, you spared me again. I remember all these kindnesses.”

Qiu Ronghai’s expression softened. “You’re a grateful little servant. Compared to that useless Little Lu, Little Xiao, you have boundless prospects! But beware, don’t choose the wrong master. Some are destined for no future.”

There was an undertone to his words—I couldn’t tell whose side he was on. At least, he wasn’t supporting Zhang Bitong. With her temperament, she must have offended many in the palace. If not for Jiang Xuan, the Ninth Prince, she would have lost her position long ago.

“I will remember Lord Qiu’s advice.”

“It’s cold outside; wait inside.”

“Thank you, Lord Qiu.”

Qiu Ronghai’s sudden change in attitude—had he abandoned Little Lu and wanted to win me over instead? But what was his aim?

After about half an hour, Zhang Bitong emerged, radiant with joy.

“Your servant respectfully sees Your Highness off.”

“Qiu Ronghai!”

Unexpectedly, the emperor also came out.

“Your servant is here!”

“Choose a few capable servants to escort Lady Zhang back. The weather is cold and the path slippery.”

“As you command!”

“Hurry inside, Your Majesty, it’s chilly out here.”

“Bitong, be careful on the road. Once I finish my affairs, I’ll visit you tonight.”

“Yes, I await Your Majesty’s arrival!”

As we left, a man in official robes approached.

“Your humble servant greets Your Highness.”

“So it’s Prime Minister Lin, here to see the emperor?”

“Yes.” So this was Lin Canglan, Lin Lanzhi’s father, the powerful prime minister.

“Well then, go about your business, Prime Minister Lin.”

“Your humble servant takes his leave!”

On the way, Zhang Bitong could hardly contain her joy, though she managed to restrain herself and said little. When we returned to Cuiwei Palace and the two eunuchs left, she finally let her happiness show and laughed heartily inside.

Yun Qing handed her a cup of hot tea. “Has something wonderful happened, Your Highness? You seem so delighted.”

As Zhang Bitong took the tea, Yun Qing noticed the injury on her finger and asked with concern, “What happened to your hand, Your Highness? Did you see the physician?”

“It’s nothing, nothing. The physician already checked it.” The pain in her finger was nothing compared to her happiness today. She sipped her tea and said, “Yun Qing, the emperor was so good to me today—and promised to visit tonight.”

“Really? Congratulations, Your Highness!”

“This is all thanks to Little Xiao’s clever idea. When I said those words, the emperor was moved. I spoke of my longing for him, and he felt guilty, saying he owes me and will come tonight. Little Xiao, you’ve done a great deed—I’ll reward you handsomely.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. But I want no reward—just let me stay in Cuiwei Palace, so I won’t have to suffer in the Department of Labor, and I’ll be content.”

Zhang Bitong glanced at me. “Rest assured, as long as I am here, no one will bully you.”

“Little Xiao, what happened to your mouth?”

Zhang Bitong asked, “Did you stumble just now?”

I replied, “It wasn’t intentional, Your Highness. I simply tripped.”

“That stumble was well-timed. Without it, the emperor wouldn’t have cherished me so. Little Xiao, you truly are clever. Keeping you in Cuiwei Palace is the right choice.”

Yun Qing interjected, “Your Highness, you mention stumbling and bumping—I'm confused, what exactly happened?”

“I’ll explain later. Prepare for the emperor’s visit tonight.”

“Yes!”

“Little Xiao, go rest. Unless I call for you, you may continue your leave.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

As I opened the door to leave, I saw Jiang Xuan striding in.

“Your servant greets the Ninth Prince.” I knelt.

“Move aside!” Jiang Xuan walked past, then stopped and stepped back, looking at me. “You accompanied Mother to the Hall of Mental Cultivation?”

I lowered my head. “Yes.”

Jiang Xuan noticed the crack in my hand. “Rise and answer.”

“Yes.”

“Mother was injured just now?”

So he hurried over because Zhang Bitong was hurt. He truly cares for his mother.

“Her Highness injured her finger, but the physician has seen her.”

“Your tooth…”

I quickly covered my mouth.

“Remove your hand!”

I shook my head.

“The prince commands you—remove your hand!”

I had no choice but to comply.

“Open your mouth!”

I opened it slightly.

“Your tooth…your tooth…ha ha…” Jiang Xuan, seeing it, laughed just as Long Zhan had.

Was it really that funny? It’s just a missing tooth. And for whom? For your mother, no less.

It was the first time I’d seen Jiang Xuan’s usually stern face break into a smile. Like me, he was just a youth; such a smile suited his age. Yet, perhaps he, like me, had borne too much since childhood, making him seem older than his years.

I am powerless; what about him?

Jiang Xuan’s smile was like a child’s, like warm sunlight in winter—bright, melting the heart. His handsome face seemed even more charming with that smile.

Seeing me lost in thought, Jiang Xuan’s smile faded.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Huh?” I quickly averted my gaze. Xiao Zhi, Xiao Zhi, now that you’re navigating the palace step by step, don’t let yourself be distracted by handsome men!

Handsome men are worthless—they will only bring you trouble!

“Your servant wouldn’t dare.”

“Did you lose your tooth today, or was it knocked out in the Department of Labor?”

“Replying to the Ninth Prince, it happened today when I accompanied Her Highness to see the emperor—I tripped.”

Jiang Xuan pointed at my face and my hand. “Were these injuries from the Department of Labor?”

“They’re minor wounds.” I hid my hand in my sleeve. “They’ll heal soon—I’m tough.”

“When you were sent to the Department of Labor, why didn’t you tell them you were with me? I could have testified for you.”

I replied, “If the Ninth Prince wished to testify, why didn’t you do so then? Surely you had your reasons. Since that's the case, I wouldn't drag you down.”

“Is that really what you thought?”

“Your servant wouldn’t dare lie to the Ninth Prince!”

Hardly. Who would believe me? You wouldn’t help me—no relation at all. If I had dragged you into it, I would never have returned to Cuiwei Palace. I’m not foolish!

“At least you’re clever. Since Mother is unharmed, I’ll leave. Don’t tell her I was here!”

“Your servant respectfully sees the Ninth Prince off!”

“Little Xiao!”

“Your servant is here!”

“Speak less to me—the wind is cold!”

…Jiang Xuan truly knows how to tell a cold joke!