Wei Xianfei saw Ling Jingshu’s eyes brimming with tears and felt a wave of quiet sorrow stir within her own heart.

Unable to hold back her feelings, Wei Xianfei could not stop herself from saying more: “This past half year, you have suffered greatly. First, Empress Xu made things difficult for you at every turn. Then you spent two months in the imperial dungeons. After that, in Zichen Palace, there was likely not a single day you spent in true peace and ease.”

“Every woman wishes to be born beautiful, yet few realize that exceptional beauty is not always a blessing. It only draws the covetous eyes of those with ill intentions. When faced with the powerful and the privileged, with no means to resist and no means to protect oneself, such beauty becomes a calamity.”

At this, a note of bleakness and helplessness crept into Wei Xianfei’s voice: “How I came to enter the palace — A’Yan must have already told you everything. Back then, no one could save me. I had no choice but to let fate do with me as it would. I thought that arranging for A’Yan to enter the Imperial Medical Bureau was a good thing, yet I had no idea I was dragging him into a quagmire from which he could not easily escape.”

“I, his elder sister, never once knew that Empress Xu had been coveting him all these years. If not for A’Yan’s desperate gamble, who knows what might have become of things by now…”

By the time she reached the end, Wei Xianfei’s voice had gone faintly hoarse.

Her beautiful eyes grew subtly red, shimmering with a soft, watery light.

“My lady,” Ling Jingshu said, grief rising within her as she listened. She instinctively reached out and clasped Wei Xianfei’s hand. “All of that is behind us now. Empress Xu is confined to the Cold Palace, and she will never stir up trouble again. Imperial Physician Wei — Wei Yan — he is safe and sound.”

Wei Xianfei made a soft sound of acknowledgment, pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and made an effort to smile. “You are right. All of it is in the past. Dwelling on it further would be nothing but needless torment — better left unspoken. From now on, remain by my side at ease. With me here, I will see to it that you come to no harm.”

That feeling of being sheltered and cherished sent a gentle warmth washing through the heart.

Ling Jingshu replied softly in agreement.

Once Wei Xianfei’s emotions had settled somewhat, Ling Jingshu asked: “My lady has gone to the trouble of requesting this servant’s transfer here to serve you. Please, then, assign this servant her duties. This servant does not fear toil or hardship, and will do her utmost to ease my lady’s burdens.”

Wei Xianfei considered for a moment, then spoke unhurriedly: “When I spoke to His Majesty and requested a person, I used the excuse that I was short-handed. You held the position of female official in Zichen Palace, and here with me, you will continue as a female official. However, tending to flowers and plants is far too beneath you — that need not concern you any longer.”

“Xin Yun ordinarily handles errands between the various palaces and attends to the concubines who come and go. The everyday affairs of Lingbo Palace — food, clothing, accommodation — are already managed. You will remain at my side. The keeping of the storeroom accounts is yours to manage, and you will also assist me in reviewing the financial records throughout the palace. Should you discover any irregularities, report them to me at once.”

Xin Yun was Wei Xianfei’s most trusted and devoted attendant, occupying a role much like the one Rui Lian had held at Empress Xu’s side.

The duties Ling Jingshu had now been given were much like those Qiu Shuang had once held — critically important responsibilities.

Ling Jingshu was somewhat taken aback by this honor, yet she did not deflect or hesitate. She accepted without a moment’s pause: “My lady has entrusted this servant with such a weighty responsibility. This servant will not betray my lady’s faith, and will fulfill this duty with all she has.”

Truly a girl of sharp wit and genuine backbone!

A look of appreciation and satisfaction shone in Wei Xianfei’s eyes.

She had specifically spoken up before His Majesty and asked for this person. If she then assigned her only some inconsequential, trivial task, it would inevitably invite gossip — and His Majesty would also detect something amiss.

So she intended not only to make use of Ling Jingshu, but to let everyone clearly see how highly she valued her.

Yet the higher the regard, the heavier the responsibilities would naturally be.

Fortunately, Ling Jingshu had grasped her meaning with speed and ease, showing neither timidity nor reluctance.

“Xin Yun,” Wei Xianfei raised her voice and called Xin Yun, who had been waiting outside the door, bidding her to enter. “Go and summon all the female officials of Lingbo Palace. This consort has an important matter to announce.”

Xin Yun accepted the order respectfully.

……

Lingbo Palace had five female officials in total. Apart from Xin Yun, the others each oversaw various affairs within the palace.

Wei Xianfei introduced Ling Jingshu to the assembled female officials: “This is Female Official Ling, newly arrived. She will remain here in Lingbo Palace to serve. She will oversee the storeroom and assist this consort in reviewing the palace accounts. The rest of you are older and have long been established here in Lingbo Palace. Look after her well going forward.”

Ling Jingshu smiled warmly and gave a graceful bow: “I hope to receive your guidance in the days ahead, elder sisters.”

The others hurried to respond with smiles, saying they would not dare presume otherwise.

Wei Xianfei was well known for her gentle and agreeable temperament, and treated those around her with great kindness and generosity.

She had personally petitioned His Majesty to bring Ling Jingshu here, and had now assigned her such an important post — anyone with eyes could see that Ling Jingshu held a place of no ordinary standing in Wei Xianfei’s heart.

No matter how oblivious one might be, no one would dare humiliate Ling Jingshu openly before Wei Xianfei.

Wei Xianfei was in high spirits and proceeded to introduce each of the female officials to Ling Jingshu one by one.

After a lively exchange of pleasantries, Xin Yun personally led Ling Jingshu to get settled.

The living quarters for palace female officials were much alike throughout the palace. The room in Lingbo Palace was not large, but it was clean and tastefully arranged. On the table inside sat a vase of fresh flowers.

Ling Jingshu liked it almost at first glance.

Xin Yun smiled and said: “I live in the room right next door. If anything comes up, feel free to come to me. Rest a little today, and begin your duties at my lady’s side tomorrow.”

Ling Jingshu quickly expressed her gratitude: “Thank you for your trouble, Elder Sister Xin Yun.”

Xin Yun and Ling Jingshu had known each other for some time and had always gotten along well. Hearing this, she gave a soft smile: “Such a small thing — there was no trouble at all. We will be serving together from now on, and there will be plenty of chances to look out for one another. My lady is gentle and easy to be around. Being able to serve in Lingbo Palace is truly a blessing for all of us.”

Ling Jingshu nodded with sincere feeling: “Indeed. The Noble Consort is kind and warm-hearted to all. Being able to serve at my lady’s side — this is truly a fortune of three lifetimes.”

Whether a person speaks out of perfunctory habit or from genuine sincerity is not difficult to tell.

The look of grateful joy on Ling Jingshu’s face was no pretense whatsoever.

A quiet pride filled Xin Yun’s heart — the kind one feels when someone else recognizes what you already cherish. She offered a few careful reminders before taking her leave.

Ling Jingshu and her two maids worked together and quickly got themselves settled.

By evening, a palace maid arrived especially to deliver a food box.

In keeping with the palace’s prescribed allotment, it was four dishes and a soup — proper and adequate. Moreover, the meal arrived promptly, still steaming hot. Ling Jingshu smiled and gestured for Bai Yu and Qiao Yun to sit down and eat with her.

Perhaps because her mood was so good, her appetite was far better than usual.

The three of them — mistress and maids together — finished every last morsel.

Bai Yu could not help but laugh: “How strange this is. Here in Lingbo Palace today, the appetite is simply exceptional!”

Ling Jingshu smiled but said nothing.

It was not only her appetite that had improved — her whole being felt lighter.

The dark cloud that had long loomed over her heart dissolved swiftly the moment she entered Lingbo Palace. It was as though brilliant sunlight now hung overhead, and her spirit was unusually bright and glad.

It had been a very long time since she had felt this keen and joyful, with this eager anticipation for the day to come.