Step by step, every move was a struggle.

Because Long Zhan needed to leave the palace, he took me directly to his residence and had me change out of my boots. The boots he gave me were lined with cotton, and as soon as I put them on, my feet felt warm.

“Thank you, Master Long!”

While tidying up, Long Zhan asked, “I’ll be away from the palace for three days. Is there anything you’d like me to bring back for you?”

“No need,” I replied, but after a moment’s thought, I joked, “If you have the means, Master Long, perhaps you could bring me some deadly poison for self-defense. I’ll take my leave now.”

With my new boots on, my spirits were high. I walked to the door, turned, and wished Long Zhan, “Happy New Year, Master Long. May you always be happy, and soon find a good wife and have a chubby son!”

With that, I strode away.

Standing at the entrance of Cuiwei Palace, I took a deep breath. What must be done must be faced; the humiliation I suffered today, the debts owed to me, I would one day reclaim.

I entered the palace. The courtyard had already been thoroughly cleaned.

The first to see me was Lan Yan. Though she had shown some pity before, now she looked at me coldly. “What are you doing back here, you who betrayed Her Ladyship?”

I was prepared for what awaited me upon my return, so her words didn’t bother me, nor did I care to respond.

Lan Yan’s comment drew the others. Xiao Luzi and Hong Xiu came from either end of the corridor, eyeing me. Xiao Luzi looked both fearful and ruthless, as if eager to see me dead. In Hong Xiu’s gaze was pure indifference, the kind that could kill without a second thought.

Yun Qing emerged and, seeing that I was unharmed, a hint of joy appeared on her face.

“I’ll go inform Her Ladyship!” she said, but before she could turn to leave, Zhang Bitong’s voice sounded from inside, “I don’t want to see such a treacherous dog servant. From now on, you’ll sweep the courtyard, and spend your nights kneeling outside. I won’t let you die, but I won’t let you have any peace, either.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship,” I replied, bowing and saying nothing more.

Seeing my indifferent expression, the others lost interest and drifted away. Yun Qing came up to me and whispered, “Be careful these next few days. Don’t provoke Her Ladyship again.”

I nodded. “Understood. Thank you for what you did today, Auntie.”

If Yun Qing hadn’t fetched Jiang Xuan, who knows what would have happened?

“You truly are clever,” she said. “In fact, your cleverness convinces me you wouldn’t be so foolish as to betray Her Ladyship.”

I was touched. “Thank you for your trust, Auntie. I believe the truth will come out one day. I don’t mind suffering, but Her Ladyship mustn’t be deceived. I fear she’ll face even greater troubles in the future.”

Yun Qing nodded. “I’ve thought about that too. But right now she’s too angry to listen to reason. For the next few days, just endure as best you can. I’ll look for a chance to persuade her.”

“Thank you, Auntie!”

She hesitated, then asked, “Xiao Xiaozi, you don’t blame me for what happened today, do you? I was the one who brought the poisoned wine.”

I replied, “You needn’t worry, Auntie. I’m young, but I can see clearly. You had no choice—it was Her Ladyship’s order. And besides, it was you who brought the Ninth Prince to me. You’re actually my savior. I’m grateful, how could I possibly blame you?”

“Good. Then I’ll go inside and serve Her Ladyship.”

“Take care, Auntie.”

In the days that followed, I did the harshest, most exhausting labor in Cuiwei Palace. Sometimes, from dawn to dusk, I didn’t even get a single steamed bun. At night, I slept in the courtyard, with only a threadbare quilt to cover me. But I endured it all, waiting for Xiao Luzi to slip up so I could seize an opportunity.

One morning, Zhang Bitong returned from paying her respects to the Empress. Just as she stepped through the palace gates, someone called out, “Oh, Sister Tong, wait for me!”

It was Lin Tanwei.

Zhang Bitong, seeing who it was, ignored her and let Yun Qing help her inside.

Lin Tanwei, undeterred, followed her in. Upon entering, she saw me and said to Xiao Jing, “Xiao Jing, remember, if you ever want to serve a mistress, pick one like Sister Tong. No matter what crimes her servants commit, she tolerates them. Such a broad heart!”

Xiao Jing replied, “What you say is true, Your Ladyship. I’ve always known Sister Tong is the kindest mistress in the entire harem.”

“Isn’t she just?” Lin Tanwei said, then went straight inside. “Sister Tong, since I’m here, I’m exhausted. Could you spare me a cup of tea?”

Seated on her divan, Zhang Bitong replied, “The tea here is not for the shameless who come uninvited, nor for the despicable and vile. Unfortunately, you fit both.”

Lin Tanwei was not offended, but covered her mouth with a laugh. “Sister, what a temper you have today! Could it be you’ve gone too long without the Emperor’s favor? Women are like flowers—without a man’s nourishment, they wilt. But with it, they bloom in full color! Just look at Sister Yun, how radiant she is. Speaking of which, the Emperor mentioned her only last night while staying at Xiyu Pavilion. Even when she’s not by his side, he thinks of her. I can’t help but be envious!”

On the surface, Lin Tanwei’s words praised Shui Yunqiu for winning favor, but in truth, she was flaunting that the Emperor had spent another night at Xiyu Pavilion.

Zhang Bitong was so enraged her knuckles turned white. She sneered, “It’s only natural for the Emperor to care for Sister Yun now that she’s pregnant. That’s far better than some who use underhanded means to rise in rank. By the way, I still have something of yours here. It’s time to return it. Yun Qing?”

Yun Qing understood and went inside, returning with a jade bracelet—the very one that had been found on me.

Feigning ignorance, Lin Tanwei said, “What’s this? I have no idea.”

“Your eyesight must be failing, Sister Tan,” Zhang Bitong replied. “You don’t recognize your own things?”

Lin Tanwei looked closely, then laughed. “How embarrassing, Sister Tong. All jade bracelets look alike. When you took it out just now, I thought you were bestowing it on me. So it’s mine, is it? How did it end up with you?”

Zhang Bitong sneered again. “You act well! If you don’t know, perhaps your maid Xiao Jing does. She should know where this bracelet came from and why it’s here.”

Lin Tanwei turned to Xiao Jing. “Xiao Jing, what’s going on?”

Unfazed, Xiao Jing replied, “It must have been dropped by mistake at Cuiwei Palace’s entrance, and picked up by Sister Tong.”

“I see. Next time, be more careful. Thankfully, Sister Tong isn’t greedy and returns what isn’t hers.”

“You are right, Your Ladyship. I was wrong.”

“Enough with this charade. Haven’t you had enough? Take your bracelet and go. Don’t soil my hands with it.”

“Xiao Jing—”

As Xiao Jing moved, Zhang Bitong interrupted, “Why not take it yourself, Sister Tan? After all, it’s me returning it to you.”

Lin Tanwei smiled, rose, and said, “Of course. If Sister Tong says so, how could I refuse?” She walked over and as she reached for the bracelet, Zhang Bitong deliberately let it slip, and it shattered on the ground.

Feigning apology, Zhang Bitong covered her mouth, “Oh, look at me. Whenever I see someone I detest, I go weak all over and can’t hold onto anything.”

Lin Tanwei stood there, smiling pleasantly. “You should have the imperial physician take a look, Sister. Perhaps it’s an illness. Take good care of yourself—live many more years, or else I’ll be so lonely.”

Zhang Bitong slammed her hand on the table in rage, “Lin Tanwei, are you cursing me to die?”

Lin Tanwei replied sweetly, “Oh, Sister, you misunderstand. I’m only concerned for you. If someone can’t even hold a bracelet, what good are they? No wonder you’re so easily upstaged and out of the Emperor’s favor.”

“Lin Tanwei, don’t think I won’t tell the Emperor about all this!”

“And what will you tell him? The Emperor doesn’t have the patience to listen to your complaints. Besides, you harbor traitors yourself—why would he believe you? Oh, I nearly forgot—even your own son doesn’t trust you! Ha ha ha! Xiao Jing, let’s go!”

“Yes, Your Ladyship. Careful now, you mustn’t come to any harm. Didn’t the Emperor promise to visit Xiyu Pavilion tonight?”

“Xiao Jing, be careful what you say. Such words invite jealousy.”

Their laughter echoed as they left Cuiwei Palace.

No sooner had Lin Tanwei gone than Zhang Bitong smashed her teacup to the floor in fury. “She’ll be the death of me! That Lin Tanwei is just a concubine, yet today she dares ride roughshod over me. Yun Qing, do you think I should teach her a lesson? That wretch—she forgets how she got where she is!”

“Please calm yourself, Your Ladyship. Lan Yan, quickly sweep up the shards. Her Ladyship is so distressed.”

“Yes.”

Zhang Bitong collapsed onto her divan in anger, then caught sight of me standing in the courtyard.

She charged out, pointed at me, and shouted, “It’s you, you treacherous dog! If it weren’t for you, would she dare act so arrogantly toward me today? I’ll teach you a lesson myself!”

With sleeves rolled up, Zhang Bitong slapped me hard across the face.

In the cold winter air, her icy palm stung like fire.

Left, right, left, right—I lost count of how many times she struck me. My mouth filled with the taste of blood.

Yun Qing stood by, unable to bear it, but knowing that with Zhang Bitong in such a rage, no words could stop her. All she could do was let her vent her anger on me.

At last, with one final slap, I fell to the ground. My face landed in the icy melt, and the pain shot straight to my heart as the cold seeped into my wounds.

Yun Qing hurried to steady Zhang Bitong, urging, “Your Ladyship, it’s not worth harming yourself for their sake. Please, come inside. It’s freezing out here—you mustn’t fall ill and let them have their way.”

“Help me inside,” Zhang Bitong ordered, and as she left, she turned to glare at me. “If it weren’t for Xuan protecting you, I’d have had you hacked to pieces. Useless dog!”

Slowly, I raised my head and touched my face—my hand came away bloody. I scooped up some snow from the edge of the courtyard and wiped my face clean, ignoring the pain.

I told myself that all the suffering I endured—one day, I would repay it in full.