The Grand Ceremony of Mounted Archery (Part 2)

“Why has His Majesty summoned me at this hour? Lord Long, does His Majesty have any special instructions?” Zhang Bitong composed herself briefly before stepping out to ask.

Long Zhan bowed and replied, “Your Grace, please accompany me.”

“Very well, lead the way then. Xiao Xiaozi, stay behind and tidy up the chambers once more. I shall return shortly.”

“Your Grace, Xiao Xiaozi must also come along. That is His Majesty’s command,” Long Zhan interjected.

Though Zhang Bitong was puzzled, she didn’t linger on the thought and simply let Long Zhan guide her.

After walking a short distance, Zhang Bitong felt something was amiss. They were not heading toward the emperor’s sleeping quarters, but rather remained within the area where the consorts resided.

Just as she was about to inquire, Long Zhan came to a stop before Meng Pingjun’s chambers and announced, “Your Majesty, the queen has arrived.”

“Let her in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Long Zhan stood aside, allowing Zhang Bitong to enter.

“Your humble concubine greets Your Majesty.”

As she entered, she saw Ruer kneeling on the floor, Lintanwei seated to one side, and Xiaojing also present.

The next moment, Zhang Bitong noticed Meng Pingjun lying on the bed. She feigned concern and inquired, “Oh dear, what has happened to you, Sister Jun? How is it that you’ve fallen ill the moment you arrived at the palace? Your constitution must be terribly delicate.”

“Or perhaps it is not my own doing, but your machinations,” Lintanwei interjected in a tone laced with mockery.

“What do you mean by that?” Zhang Bitong replied, turning to face Lintanwei.

“Concubine Tong,” the emperor spoke up.

“Your Majesty?”

“I ask you, was it at your instruction that Beauty Jun was harmed this time?”

Zhang Bitong was caught off guard and hurriedly explained, “Your Majesty, I am innocent. I have only just arrived at the palace and have not even met Sister Jun. How could I possibly have harmed her?”

“Perhaps you did not do it yourself, but instructed someone else to carry it out. For instance, your servant Xiao Xiaozi,” Lintanwei drawled.

At the sound of my name, I immediately dropped to my knees.

Zhang Bitong challenged, “Sister Tan, you and I have never interfered in each other’s affairs. Speak plainly and do not slander me before His Majesty.”

“Oh, Sister Tong, you misunderstand. How would I dare to falsely accuse you? It’s just that Ruer and Xiaojing both witnessed it with their own eyes. Otherwise, how could I say such things?”

“What did they say?”

“You two, repeat exactly what happened,” the emperor ordered Ruer, who was kneeling on the floor.

Before Ruer could speak, Xiaojing stepped forward and knelt, saying, “Your Majesty, this servant and Ruer went to prepare hot water for the two ladies to wash up. Unexpectedly, we encountered Xiao Xiaozi there. When Xiao Xiaozi saw Lady Jun approaching, he deliberately spilled the hot water, causing Lady Jun to slip and suffer such a misfortune.”

Xiaojing had completely twisted the truth. Perhaps it was at Lintanwei’s behest. Ruer was timid and dared not speak up, so with Xiaojing speaking first, Ruer would not dare contradict her.

“Sister Tong, did you hear that? How could a mere eunuch dare harm Lady Jun without your order?” Lintanwei pressed.

Zhang Bitong, incensed, pointed at me and demanded, “Xiao Xiaozi, what is the meaning of this? Did you, you wretched dog, truly harm Beauty Jun? If you did nothing wrong, do not admit to anything!”

I quickly said, “Your Majesty, Your Grace, the matter is not as Xiaojing says.”

Xiaojing cut me off, “Are you saying you didn’t spill the hot water?”

I had no choice but to answer, “It is true that I spilled the hot water.”

“And was it because of the water that Lady Jun slipped and fell?”

“Yes.”

Xiaojing lifted her chin triumphantly toward Lintanwei, who immediately spoke, “Your Majesty, the matter is clear. Xiao Xiaozi has confessed. Sister Tong, you have nothing further to say, do you? I never thought, despite the respect Lady Jun and I have always shown you, that you would…”

Lintanwei’s voice was laced with grievance and fear.

“Concubine Tong, what more do you have to say?” Seeing Lintanwei’s distress and Meng Pingjun’s injury, the emperor naturally questioned Zhang Bitong.

“I am wronged, Your Majesty! Please seek justice for me. I never harmed Sister Jun.”

Seeing that the emperor remained unmoved, Zhang Bitong approached me and slapped me hard, demanding, “Xiao Xiaozi, who gave you the audacity to harm Sister Jun?”

I accepted the blow willingly—consider it an apology to Meng Pingjun—but I could not let Lintanwei and Xiaojing have the upper hand without reason.

“Your Grace, Your Majesty, I have indeed caused Lady Jun to be injured and am willing to accept punishment. But I have something to say—please allow me to finish before you mete out judgment.”

Zhang Bitong, eager to clear herself, immediately added, “Your Majesty, though Xiao Xiaozi has not served me long, he is always prudent in his duties. I suspect there is more to this matter. Why not let him explain? If he is truly at fault, Your Majesty’s punishment will be just, and I shall have no complaints.”

The emperor was slightly moved. “Xiao Xiaozi, let us hear what you have to say.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” I looked at Xiaojing and said, “Miss Xiaojing, it wasn’t just you and me present at the time—Miss Ruer was there as well. So far, we’ve only heard your account. Why not let Miss Ruer speak as well?”

Xiaojing was startled and was about to respond when the emperor cut in, “Ruer, speak. What exactly happened?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Ruer’s legs trembled; she dared not even lift her head. “This servant was ordered by my mistress to fetch hot water, and happened to meet Sister Xiaojing and Xiao Xiaozi. Xiao Xiaozi was carrying the hot water and accidentally spilled it. Then my mistress came by and slipped.”

Ruer’s account differed little from Xiaojing’s, but she was more innocent and timid, which left room to find inconsistencies.

I continued to probe, “Miss Ruer speaks the truth. But if I spilled the water, how exactly did it happen? Did I slip and fall? Was I injured?”

Ruer replied, “No.”

“Oh? If I spilled the water, why didn’t I slip? Did I deliberately throw the water out?”

“That was because Lord Long—”

“Long Zhan?” The emperor immediately summoned Long Zhan. “Long Zhan, did you witness this as well?”

“This subject was inspecting the guards around the palace by your order, Your Majesty. When I arrived at that spot, I happened to see Xiao Xiaozi being tripped by someone and nearly falling, so I helped steady him.”

“Why did you not mention this before?”

“Your Majesty did not inquire, so I dared not speak.”

Long Zhan was indeed cautious. Had he spoken up for me at first, it would have done neither of us any good. Now, with Ruer bringing it up and the emperor asking directly, the effect was different.

“In your view, then, was it Xiao Xiaozi who deliberately harmed Beauty Jun?”

“I cannot say, Your Majesty. When I was making my rounds, I had not yet seen Lady Jun appear.”

The implication was clear: if he hadn’t seen her coming, how could I have anticipated Meng Pingjun’s sudden arrival?

The emperor then turned to Meng Pingjun. “Pingjun, why did you go there?”

Meng Pingjun’s voice was weak. “Your Majesty, I had sent Ruer to fetch hot water, but she was taking too long. Ruer is young, and I feared she might make a mistake, so I went to check on her. Unexpectedly…”

Zhang Bitong quickly interjected, “Your Majesty, clever as Xiao Xiaozi may be, he could not have predicted that Sister Jun would suddenly go looking for a servant. In my view, Xiao Xiaozi is indeed at fault, but it was certainly unintentional. Moreover, Your Majesty, as Lord Long just mentioned, Xiao Xiaozi was tripped—”

She shifted her gaze sharply to Xiaojing and Lintanwei. “Before Your Majesty’s arrival, the palace would surely have been cleaned thoroughly, and it hasn’t rained for days, so the floor isn’t damp. How could Xiao Xiaozi, carrying a basin of water, suddenly slip unless someone tripped him, using this as an excuse to frame me? Such malice!”

Though Zhang Bitong’s accusation pointed toward Lintanwei, her words left a loophole. Lintanwei seized on it at once. “Your Majesty, if Xiao Xiaozi could not have predicted Sister Jun’s arrival, how could Ruer and Xiaojing have anticipated it? If they couldn’t foresee it, they couldn’t have planned to harm her or frame anyone.”

The emperor nodded. “In my view, this is all a misunderstanding. Pingjun, your kindness to your servants has brought you this trouble. You are truly gentle and good-hearted; when we return, you shall be handsomely rewarded. As for Xiao Xiaozi, though it was unintentional, you did cause Pingjun harm. I sentence you to forfeit a month's wages. Do you accept?”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy.”

“That’s enough. Dismissed, all of you. Tomorrow will be a tiring day—rest early tonight.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the consorts replied and withdrew.

The emperor remained behind with Meng Pingjun, while Zhang Bitong and Lintanwei exited together.

“After you, sister,” Lintanwei said, stepping aside for Zhang Bitong.

Zhang Bitong shot her a cold glance and scoffed, “Lintanwei, you really are something. Always ready to frame me at the first opportunity. Unfortunately, His Majesty is not so easily deceived.”

Lintanwei smiled faintly. “You misunderstand, sister. How would I dare oppose you? I simply spoke the truth. I wouldn’t want to see Sister Jun harmed for nothing, would I? I do envy you, though, having such a glib-tongued eunuch. He can turn black into white.”

Zhang Bitong sneered, “That’s called righteousness prevailing over evil. Your petty schemes—why would His Majesty believe them? Lintanwei, just wait. One day I will deal with you and make sure you never rise again.”

Feigning concern, Lintanwei replied, “I’m so frightened, sister. Xiaojing, go and brew me some calming tea at once. I fear I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Xiao Xiaozi, let’s go. I have no desire to deal with these people. Even a few extra words will only be twisted and reported to His Majesty by some ill-intentioned soul.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

On the way back, I saw Jiang Xuan approaching.

“Mother.”

“Xuan’er, you’re here. How is your preparation for the archery and riding competition? Come, let’s discuss it inside.”

As Zhang Bitong turned her attention to Jiang Xuan, I slipped outside and noticed Long Zhan watching me from a distance. Glancing around, I caught his eye, and we walked off together.

“About earlier, I owe you my thanks, Lord Long.”

“You don’t blame me for not speaking up on your behalf sooner?”

I shook my head, smiling. “On the contrary, I admire your wisdom. How could I blame you?”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Surely there’s no need for me to say it outright, Lord Long? If I speak too much, it will seem as though I’m flattering you.”

Long Zhan chuckled softly. “Well, you are clever enough to understand. There’s no need for me to explain further. After today, do you believe what I once told you?”

“Your insight is unparalleled, Lord Long. How could I not believe you? But you also cautioned me never to underestimate His Majesty. So neither of us can afford to be careless.”

Suddenly, Long Zhan fixed me with a steady gaze, the meaning of which I couldn’t quite grasp. His look made me feel a little uneasy.

“Xiao Xiaozi, every time I see you, I’m more impressed. If only you weren’t a eunuch in the palace—how much better it would be.”

Long Zhan’s sudden remark left me unsure how to respond.

“Lord Long jests. If I weren’t a eunuch in the palace, what could I do outside?”

“You could join me—the world is vast…” Long Zhan began, but was abruptly interrupted by a woman’s voice.

“Your Grace, so here you are! The Crown Prince is looking for you!”

Startled, I looked up and saw Han Feiyue standing not far away, her gaze fixed on us. There was no telling how long she had been there.