081 Birthday (1)

In the days that followed, I inexplicably did not see Jiang Xuan. By the time our paths crossed again, it was already the ninth day of the second month—Zhang Bitong’s birthday.

Last time, Yun Qing had entrusted me with a task. After careful consideration, I realized that the birthday gift she desired most was for His Majesty to remember her birthday. Even if he only came to offer a few words of consolation, it would be an immense comfort to Zhang Bitong.

Because of this, I once again sought Ping’er’s help, asking her to casually mention, as if by chance, that today was the ninth day of the second month, or to speak of Cuiwei Palace, or Zhang Bitong herself.

Qiu Ronghai had already sent a eunuch early on to inform Cuiwei Palace that His Majesty would dine with Zhang Bitong that evening. For a while, Zhang Bitong’s face was radiant with smiles; she bathed and dressed early, adorning herself splendidly in anticipation of the Emperor’s arrival.

Regrettably, Zhang Bitong waited in her room, her eyes growing weary, only for Qiu Ronghai to arrive—with no sign of His Majesty.

“Your Highness, Concubine Yun from Zhongcui Palace suddenly felt unwell, so His Majesty went to see her. She is weak and shaken, and His Majesty is staying by her side. So, I’m afraid His Majesty cannot come here tonight. His Majesty said that if Your Highness has any birthday wishes, as long as they are reasonable, he will surely grant them.”

Though Qiu Ronghai spoke respectfully and explained the Emperor’s predicament, the smile on Zhang Bitong’s face faded instantly into deep disappointment.

“Get out. I have no birthday wishes,” she shouted angrily at Qiu Ronghai, then stormed into her inner chamber.

Yun Qing hurried forward to placate Qiu Ronghai, saying, “Eunuch Qiu, our lady is in low spirits—please do not take offense.”

“How could I dare take offense, madam? You are too kind. I, too, feel aggrieved on Her Highness’s behalf. Such a thing happens only once a year, yet it is delayed by that little consort. Do encourage Her Highness to set her mind at ease. After all, Concubine Yun is carrying an imperial heir.”

Yun Qing nodded. “I will remember your words, and I will speak with Her Highness.”

“Then I will not disturb you any longer. I wonder, has the Ninth Prince not come either? Even if His Majesty is absent, with the Ninth Prince here, Her Highness would surely be comforted.”

“The Ninth Prince must have been delayed by something, but he surely keeps Her Highness in mind.”

“I take my leave.”

“Take care, Eunuch Qiu.”

As soon as Qiu Ronghai left, Yun Qing went into the inner chambers to comfort Zhang Bitong. I took up my post at the door, and there I saw Jiang Xuan entering, dressed in purple, his bearing especially noble and aloof.

As he entered, I looked toward him, intending to salute, but he glanced at me briefly before quickly turning away.

“Your servant greets the Ninth Prince,” I said, bowing, but Jiang Xuan walked past me in silence, holding a small crystal figurine in his hand.

When he set the crystal figurine down on the table, I was taken aback. It was the same figurine Jiang Xuan had bought from outside the palace—the very one I had broken. And now it stood before me, wholly restored. Did Jiang Xuan possess such deft hands, to have pieced together all those fragments so perfectly?

“The Ninth Prince has arrived—Her Highness is still upset,” Yun Qing announced, hurrying from the inner chambers to greet him.

Jiang Xuan asked, “Why is Mother upset?”

“It’s because His—”

“Yun Qing, do not speak out of turn,” Zhang Bitong interrupted, emerging with a face clouded by sorrow, which clashed with her festive attire.

“Xuan’er has come to wish Mother a happy birthday. I chose this gift for you, hoping it will please you.” Only then did I understand—the crystal figurine was Jiang Xuan’s birthday present for Zhang Bitong. I had thought it was meant for the girl he cherished.

Zhang Bitong glanced at the figurine on the table, her expression still listless. “You are thoughtful, Xuan’er. You remember my birthday every year. But aside from you, who else remembers?”

“Your Highness, His Majesty also remembered, only he was detained by pressing matters,” Lanyan soothed from the side.

But this had the opposite effect. Zhang Bitong immediately grew more agitated and sat angrily upon the soft couch. “It would have been better not to mention it! Why did Shui Yunqiu choose today, of all days, to fall ill? It’s only a pregnancy—when I was with child, I was never treated so preciously. She is always ailing, always causing trouble—today’s episode was surely aimed at me. Shui Yunqiu appears quiet, but she is far more cunning than she seems.”

“Please, Your Highness, do not be angry,” Yun Qing urged. “Perhaps Concubine Yun truly is unwell. Since His Majesty’s ascension, there have been few princes and princesses. Your Highness should understand his concerns. And it’s not as though no one remembers your birthday—gifts have arrived, have they not?”

“And who sent them? Only the old, useless consorts. What good is their concern? Look at the newcomers, and the ones currently favored—which of them remembers to send me a gift? Nowhere are the palace’s fickle ways more evident.”

“Since Your Highness understands the ways of the court, do not let these things anger you.”

Zhang Bitong sighed. “At least I still have you, my son, but—”

Jiang Xuan hesitated, “Does Mother not like the gift I brought?”

“Of course I like it, Xuan’er. But what I desire most is not such a birthday gift.”

“Then what is it that Mother truly wishes for?”

Without hesitation, Zhang Bitong replied, “I wish to see you rise above others, to win your father’s favor. Perhaps, one day, you might even—”

She trailed off, cutting herself short.

Jiang Xuan set down his chopsticks and looked at her. “So Mother’s birthday wish is for Father to favor me?”

“If you could win your father’s love, that would bring your mother the greatest comfort.”

“I will do my utmost.”

Hearing this, Zhang Bitong was stunned. Not only she, but I, too, was surprised. Only Yun Qing reacted swiftly, smiling. “Your Highness, the Ninth Prince promises to do his best to win His Majesty’s regard! This is the first time he has said as much—what a hopeful sign! With his intelligence and ability, surely he will succeed.”

Zhang Bitong managed a smile at last. “Xuan’er, are you truly willing to make this effort for your mother’s sake?”

Jiang Xuan’s face was calm as ever. “Since this is Mother’s birthday wish, I will do my best.”

Zhang Bitong’s eyes reddened instantly. “You are truly a good son to me.”

I found myself admiring Jiang Xuan. I had always thought he was not the mediocre, incapable person others saw, but rather someone who was reserved and bided his time. He cherished his brothers, had no wish to compete for favor, and cared nothing for the throne. He was always indifferent. Yet now, for Zhang Bitong’s sake—because she was his mother and it was her wish—he was willing to give up what he had always stood by.

He had always been filial, though never adept at expressing it.

But his attitude toward me today seemed somewhat odd.

“Yun Qing, put away the gift Xuan’er brought me,” Zhang Bitong instructed.

“Certainly!”

As Yun Qing went to store the crystal figurine, I silently lamented that while Zhang Bitong indulged in her sorrow at being neglected by the Emperor—who had chosen to go to Zhongcui Palace instead—even the gift Jiang Xuan had painstakingly pieced together for her had not received so much as a true glance.

I looked at Jiang Xuan. His back was to me, his emotions as tightly contained as always, unreadable.

When the meal ended, Jiang Xuan spoke with Zhang Bitong a little longer and then prepared to take his leave.

“You never bring a eunuch, so let Xiao Xiaozi accompany you back. He serves you well on other days,” Zhang Bitong said as he was about to go.

“Thank you for your kindness, Mother, but I do not require it. I take my leave.”

Still, he did not spare me a glance before departing.

Once Jiang Xuan had left, Yun Qing said to me, “The Ninth Prince is returning alone. Go with him. Once you see him safely back, return here.”

“Yes, madam.”