082 Birthday (2) Adding yet another update~

Following Zhang Bitong’s instructions, I accompanied Jiang Xuan out of Cuiwei Palace. However, after only a few steps, he said coldly, “That’s enough. You can go back now.”

“But Her Grace told me—”

“Did you not hear what I just said?” he interrupted sharply, his eyes fierce.

“I heard you, Your Highness.”

Jiang Xuan turned away, flicking his sleeve impatiently as he strode forward. Yet, perhaps distracted and with the ground slick beneath his feet, he suddenly slipped. I hurried to steady him, only to see him freeze for a moment before shoving me away and leaping aside.

“Stay away from me! Do you hear?” His expression was as if he were looking at some monster.

Had he taken leave of his senses? How had his attitude changed so drastically in just a few days?

All I could do was bow my head and answer respectfully, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Once Jiang Xuan had gone some distance, I turned to head back to Cuiwei Palace. At that moment, I spotted a young eunuch—clearly someone from Jiang Xuan’s residence.

“Sir,” I called as I approached.

“So it’s Xiao Xiaozi. Just now, was the Ninth Prince coming from Cuiwei Palace?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yes, he just had supper with Her Grace and was on his way back.”

“The Ninth Prince is truly devoted. He rarely speaks, but he always keeps Her Grace in his thoughts,” the eunuch remarked.

I agreed, “You’re right. Today, Her Grace even praised the way the Ninth Prince’s attendants manage things in his palace. Surely you must be counted among them?”

He shook his head. “The Ninth Prince never said much before, but he was never unkind to us servants. Then, a couple of days ago, something happened—no one knows what—that made him fly into a terrible rage. He sent all his close servants to the side courtyard and forbade them from coming near. Now I can only do menial tasks there.”

So it wasn’t just me, I realized. I asked out of goodwill, “Did someone offend His Highness? Was it a maid or a eunuch?”

“It must have been a young eunuch,” he replied. “The maids are fine. Now, when the Ninth Prince sees any of us eunuchs, he acts as if he’s seen a ghost. One night, I heard, the lights in his room burned all night long, as if something had happened. The next morning, he banished all the eunuchs. No one knows what set him off. It’s a puzzle. But we’re just servants; we can’t complain about our masters. I shouldn’t linger—there’s still work to be done.”

His words left me even more bewildered about what had changed Jiang Xuan so. No wonder he treated me the way he did today.

I shook my head, resigned, and returned to Cuiwei Palace.

Upon arrival, I discovered someone else had just arrived—a woman who had been neglected ever since the assassination attempt: Lin Lanzhi.

“Sister, I pay my respects,” Lin Lanzhi said, giving a slight curtsey.

“So it’s you, Lanzhi. Come, sit,” Zhang Bitong welcomed her warmly. “Yunqing, serve tea.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Before sitting, Lin Lanzhi said, “I heard today is your birthday, so I brought a small token for you. Chudie, bring it forward.”

Chudie stepped up and presented the gift to Zhang Bitong.

“You are so thoughtful,” Zhang Bitong replied with a smile. “I’ve been in this palace for years, but none of the other sisters have ever sent me a gift. Yet you, whom I’ve barely met, remembered. You truly are a considerate sister. As you know, in this palace, only we ourselves can feel its warmth or coldness.”

Lin Lanzhi replied gently, “I only wish to show gratitude. I haven’t been here long, and my health has never been good. When you came to see me, I was deeply touched. In a place where warmth and cold are known only to oneself, your visit meant even more.”

Zhang Bitong quickly took her hand and led her to sit, her eyes turning red with emotion.

“Please, sit. Your kindness moves me. I only visited you once, and yet you remember it so well. I haven’t visited you recently, so forgive me.”

Lin Lanzhi joked, “You’re too kind. Besides, today is your birthday—I wouldn’t dare blame you!”

“You always know just what to say. Xiao Xiaozi, take the gift—no need to leave it with Chudie.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I took the present from Chudie and led her out, with Lanyan inviting her to another room for refreshments.

When I returned, Yunqing had already poured tea for Lin Lanzhi.

Zhang Bitong lifted the lid, blew on her tea, sipped, and asked with concern, “How have you been these days? Is His Majesty still upset?”

Lin Lanzhi smiled calmly. “Life is quiet in the palace. I haven’t seen His Majesty, so I don’t know if he’s still angry. With all his duties, he’s likely forgotten about it.”

Zhang Bitong encouraged her, “If he’s forgotten, you should focus on yourself. You may not believe me, but I mean it when I say I like you. If you found favor with the Emperor, I’d be happy for you. In this place, only those who are favored by His Majesty can live well. You keep to yourself in Jiyue Palace, never fighting for anything—how will things ever change? You’re still young; do you want to spend your life like this? If I were you, I’d dress up and apologize to His Majesty. With your looks and bearing, and your father’s status, you’ve every reason to be favored.”

Whether her concern was genuine or calculated, I could not tell. Perhaps she truly hoped Lin Lanzhi would find favor—after all, the connection to Lin Canglan could benefit Jiang Xuan greatly.

Lin Lanzhi maintained her gentle smile and replied in a soft voice, “I appreciate your concern, but I truly have no interest in such things. Perhaps it is simply my fate. Each day passes the same, and I have grown used to it.”

“Ah, with such tranquility, should I envy you or try to persuade you otherwise?” sighed Zhang Bitong.

“There’s no need, Sister. In truth, you are the one to be envied. You have the Emperor’s favor and a son—who could wish for more?”

Zhang Bitong smiled behind her hand. “Xuan’er is still young, but he is very devoted. As for His Majesty, after so many years as husband and wife, he naturally won’t neglect me. Today, though Sister Yun was unwell, His Majesty still sent Qiu Ronghai to convey his regards. He isn’t mine alone to claim; I understand that.”

Just moments earlier, she had been lamenting Shui Yunqiu, but now, in front of Lin Lanzhi, she wore a gentle, understanding demeanor. Watching from the side, I realized how many faces a woman could have.

Lin Lanzhi stayed for a while longer before rising. “It’s getting late. I shouldn’t disturb your rest. You know my situation, so I came at night to avoid gossip and troubling you. If you don’t mind, you’re always welcome at Jiyue Palace.”

“You speak as if your lack of favor will last forever. I’d like to see who in the palace dares gossip about you. If I find out, I’ll be the first to deal with them. I won’t keep you any longer. Remember what I said, and come visit Cuiwei Palace often.”

“I will remember, Sister.”

“Xiao Xiaozi, call Chudie to escort her back.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I summoned Chudie, and together we accompanied Lin Lanzhi out.

“Xiao Xiaozi, walk Sister Lanzhi out for me.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I led Lin Lanzhi outside Cuiwei Palace. As I was about to return, she stopped me.

“Xiao Xiaozi, I never thanked you for your help last time.”

“Your Grace is too kind. Serving you is my duty—I dare not accept your thanks.”

“It wasn’t a great favor, but I remember it. Though I lack favor in the palace, my father is still the Prime Minister. If there’s ever anything you want, and it’s within my power, I will help.”

Her gratitude and the gift she brought Zhang Bitong affirmed my earlier impression of her. I had helped her willingly, to aid her and Liu Yunhe, never for reward.

“Your Grace’s words humble me. If you’re so formal, I’ll not dare help you again.”

She seemed surprised, then replied gently, “Since you put it that way, I will not insist. But you have shown me kindness, and if ever you need help, I will not refuse.”

Not wishing to seem ungracious, I bowed and said, “Then I thank Your Grace now. If ever I have need, I will not hesitate to ask.”

“Very well. I will take my leave.”

“Your servant respectfully sees Your Grace off.”

As soon as Lin Lanzhi left, Mu Yan appeared, carrying some things. She must have come on behalf of Lu Ning to deliver a gift—how considerate of the Empress Dowager to remember Zhang Bitong’s birthday.

“Greetings, Auntie,” I said.

“So it’s you, Xiao Xiaozi. Since you’re here, I’ll give this to you directly. The Empress Dowager knows today is your mistress’s birthday and specially had me bring a gift.”

“Her Majesty is most thoughtful. I thank her on behalf of my mistress. Won’t you come in? Her Grace is most likely still awake.”

Mu Yan shook her head. “No need. I must return to serve Her Majesty; I can’t entrust her to anyone else. Delivering the gift is enough. It is the Empress Dowager’s intent that matters, not whether I see your mistress.”

I hesitated, then bowed.

“I’ll take my leave. Give the gift to your mistress, and let her know it’s from Her Majesty.”

“Yes, I will. I respectfully see you out.”

After Mu Yan left, I brought the gift from Lu Ning back to Cuiwei Palace and handed it to Yunqing, who unwrapped it for Zhang Bitong—a translucent jade bracelet.

Zhang Bitong held it up to the candlelight. “The Empress Dowager’s gifts are always exceptional—this is clearly of great value.”

“Will you wear it in the coming days?” Yunqing asked. “If not, I’ll put it away for you.”

“I’ll wear it. I’ll go to Kunning Palace tomorrow to greet the Empress and want her to see it. The Empress and Empress Dowager always keep up appearances, but their hearts are at odds. I want the Empress to see this.”

“Yes, I will have it ready for you.”

“Do you think the Empress Dowager still has me in her thoughts?” Zhang Bitong asked, her face both proud and tender as she gazed at the bracelet.

“I believe she does,” Yunqing replied.

Zhang Bitong placed the bracelet back in its brocade box and looked up. “I’ve always wondered—why did you leave Cining Palace to come here? From what I see, the Empress Dowager treats people well.”

Yunqing put the box away and curtsied. “Your Grace promised, from the day I entered Cuiwei Palace, not to ask about my time in Cining Palace unless I offered the story myself.”

“Yunqing,” Zhang Bitong said softly, pressing her forehead. Her tone was languid.

Sensing trouble, I tensed, but Yunqing was quicker, dropping to her knees. “Your servant is here.”

“I may have promised, and I know you have been loyal and helpful all these years. But in the end, you must remember your place. I am your mistress; you are my servant. That is a relationship that cannot be changed or forgotten. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Grace, I understand.”

“Remember, it is because I choose not to ask, not because you refuse to tell. Should I wish to know, you will answer fully and truthfully, no matter what. That is how a servant should behave—do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Grace. I overstepped and offended you just now. Please forgive me.”

“As long as you understand. Now, you may go. Let Lanyan attend me as I retire.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I take my leave.”