After the bell sounded, the gates of White Horse Abbey opened.

Forty looms were carried into the abbey one by one by young inner servants.

This was the rest period after the female Taoists’ prayers. The female Taoists who had been drawing water, taking brief respites, or conversing with each other all gathered around like a flock of snow-white birds, curiously examining the looms while looking toward Qun Qing and Ruo Chan.

Their eyes showed clear black and white pupils, yet worn somewhat dull from years of confinement, completely different from the palace maids and female officials outside.

Qun Qing had heard from Ruo Chan that the female Taoists in White Horse Abbey were mostly poor girls recruited from the common people during Emperor Chu Huang’s reign. They spent their entire lives within the abbey without permission to leave and had never glimpsed the imperial countenance. The Taoist master would teach them to embroider prayer banners to pass the long days.

Prayer banners fluttered on the door frame. Qun Qing lifted one and saw the embroidery stitches were delicate and exquisite, in no way inferior to the palace embroiderers.

Ruo Chan presented half of the phoenix seal to the Taoist master. Within the palace, seeing the phoenix seal was like seeing the mistress of the rear palace. The female Taoists raised their hands in salute one after another.

Qun Qing said, “I am Qun Qing, Rank Four Mender of the Bureau of Imperial Clothing. I have come today hoping for your assistance. The Kingdom of Gaochang desires a batch of special textiles. The Bureau of Imperial Clothing lacks manpower, so I thought to ask for your help in processing this tribute work.”

Having female Taoists produce tribute textiles was unprecedented. One female Taoist said timidly, “My lady, we are merely female Taoists. Our skills are crude, and we have never been examined or selected. How could we possibly do the work of the Six Bureaus?”

“Didn’t you embroider these prayer banners yourselves?” Qun Qing tilted her head to look at the fluttering banners and said gently, “I believe your embroidery skills are not inferior to the embroiderers of the Bureau of Imperial Clothing.”

Ruo Chan said, “Assisting with tribute textiles can increase your stipend and provide rest days. If you do well, you may serve in the Bureau of Imperial Clothing in the future.”

Hearing this, the female Taoists’ expressions brightened. Holding hands, they became excited: “We can leave the abbey!”

“Even if we cannot leave the abbey, being able to exchange silver to send to our families would be good.” Life in the abbey was austere and financially strained. They could only hope for rewards from noble patrons, but such opportunities never came.

Another woman mustered her courage to say, “Excuse me, my lady, but do we need to work at the looms? We have never seen looms used for embroidery.”

Seeing the looms, the female Taoists voiced their agreement.

“This embroidery method is similar in principle to weaving cloth. Using looms is certainly easier than manual labor. As long as you are willing to learn, I will teach you.” Qun Qing said, “If you ladies are willing, please sit before the looms now.”

As darkness fell, Ruo Chan led the young inner servants in lighting several lanterns.

The dim yellow light illuminated the female Taoists’ pure white fingers as they wound warp threads.

Qun Qing began teaching personally from the first female Taoist. Sky-blue weft threads were wound on cloud shuttles. Qun Qing held a cloud shuttle and, following the pattern beneath, hooked and wove through the warp threads in a leaping motion, like plucking a zither. After completing one row of weaving, she used a wooden brush to press the weft threads tightly to the bottom, repeating this process.

The female Taoists drew out long silk threads one after another, winding them on cloud shuttles.

Countless zithers completed their naive and ethereal performance.

Qun Qing walked among the looms, her draped silk trailing on the ground. She watched as day after day, the wooden brushes on each loom returned threads faster and faster, the cloud shuttles wound quicker and quicker, and patterns on the embroidered surfaces gradually took shape from bottom to top.

Bao Shu received the news seven days later.

On this day, light rain fell. Consort Meng’s sedan chair stopped outside White Horse Abbey. Bao Shu descended from the sedan and quickly crossed the threshold, only to be stunned by the scene of forty female Taoists busily working at the looms.

She slowly walked to one loom and looked in amazement at the square foot of embroidered cloth showing half a hibiscus flower. Each petal’s outline was three-dimensional, using ordinary silver thread, yet the pattern radiated a full, brilliant glow.

Another loom was weaving narcissus flowers.

Bao Shu snatched out the pattern paper. The paper bore a copy of a court painter’s myriad flowers diagram. If she had the Bureau of Imperial Clothing’s skilled embroiderers make double-sided embroidery, it would take three months. But now, she watched with her own eyes as these female Taoists who had never received needlework training could produce embroidered patterns simply by carefully threading cloud shuttles and pushing wooden brushes.

Double-sided embroidery required experienced skilled hands. Even with mutual instruction, it would take time. Staring at the embroidered pattern, Bao Shu felt alternately cold and hot inside, even giving rise to fear. Her mind conjured the image of that “Siamese cat chasing butterflies” fan. Perhaps that fan truly did not depict double-sided embroidery but rather this embroidery method on the looms before her, which she had never seen.

“Who told you to embroider here?” Bao Shu asked.

The Crown Prince’s consort had arrived in person. The female Taoists set down their cloud shuttles and bowed to Bao Shu. The Taoist master said, “The looms were sent by Mender Qun from the Bureau of Imperial Clothing. The embroidery method was also taught unreservedly by Mender Qun.”

“Absurd! The temples and abbeys within the palace all belong to the Bureau of Imperial Astronomy, personally controlled by the Sage. How dare a mere Rank Four female official presume to mobilize the Sage’s people to do her work? If you spend all day embroidering, who will perform prayers?”

“The matter of prayers has not been neglected by us young female Taoists.” A voice came from the crowd. “Besides, Mender Qun—she has the phoenix seal.”

With Prince Yan’s consort unable to protect herself, she actually gave her the phoenix seal? Bao Shu choked momentarily, her face turning white with anger.

Consort Meng flew into a rage. The female Taoists could not help but worry: “If the consort forbids us from touching tribute work, then… then will the payment and rest days that Mender Qun promised still count?”

Bao Shu walked two circles among the looms, thinking of the double-sided embroidery that could not be completed in time, and bit her lip. When she turned around again, her expression had returned to normal: “Since you have already embroidered halfway, how could you abandon it midway? Continue embroidering. What was promised to you will naturally be honored. However, His Highness the Crown Prince previously decreed that tribute matters be entrusted to me. From now on, you will follow my instructions.”

On this day, Qun Qing came with her umbrella furled and saw Bao Shu dressed in magnificent brocade, standing in the abbey with attendant palace maids and several inner servants.

Qun Qing’s heart sank, yet she saw the female Taoists were still weaving normally, though they kept their heads lowered.

Bao Shu said, “I am responsible for this batch of embroidered patterns, so naturally I must come to supervise progress.”

Qun Qing suddenly raised her eyes: “What did you say?”

Bao Shu’s expression grew increasingly delighted. She said to the inner servant beside her, “Why haven’t you read the decree to Director Qun?”

The inner servant said, “By decree of His Highness the Crown Prince: Rank Four Mender Qun Qing is hereby laterally transferred to the Bureau of Imperial Bedchamber, effective immediately, to serve as Rank Four Lamp Director of the Bureau of Imperial Bedchamber.”

Before he finished reading, Qun Qing took it to look herself. Seeing the two characters “Lamp Director,” she felt only absurdity.

Though she knew that to Li Xuan, who valued power, she was merely a chess piece that could be moved, at this moment she still felt cold wind strike her face and freezing rain penetrate her bones.

Qun Qing looked at Bao Shu: “There were some matters I was wondering how to conclude. I hope you can handle what you’ve seized from my hands.”

Her pupils were pitch black. Looking at those looms with a slight smile, she made Bao Shu feel a forest-deep chill.

“I deliberately seized it from you. So what? Is there little you’ve seized from my hands? My older brother, His Highness, Director Zhu, the position in the Six Bureaus that should have been mine…”

Qun Qing opened her umbrella and returned. Fortunately, her efforts to advance in rank were only to become a Crimson Emissary and exchange for her mother. Whether in the Bureau of Imperial Clothing or the Bureau of Imperial Bedchamber made no real difference.

Bao Shu called out, “What do you mean by that statement?”

Seeing Qun Qing not turn back, Bao Shu felt inevitably unsettled, suspecting the looms harbored some problem. She instructed the attendant palace maid, “Go to the Bureau of Imperial Clothing and transfer two embroiderers with over ten years of experience.”

The attendant palace maid brought even more urgent news: “Consort Meng, Prince Yan’s consort will likely go into labor tonight!”

The gold-plated hairpin on Bao Shu’s head swayed lightly. Her expression also grew tense: “If we don’t seize such an excellent opportunity, how can we face His Highness and Father? Let’s go!”

—

Qun Qing was summoned back by Juan Su from the chaotic accounts of the Bureau of Imperial Bedchamber.

Xiao Yunru had been experiencing abdominal pain since dusk. By midnight, she still had not given birth. Bright lamplight illuminated the anxious faces of inner servants and palace maids.

Prince Yan’s consort’s attendant palace maid Cui Yu greeted her at the door: “Lady Qing has returned.”

Cui Yu’s eyes were slightly red, her entire body trembling. She described the situation inside the hall, then suddenly said in a low voice, “Lady Qing, have you heard the gossip outside?”

Qun Qing asked as she walked, “What gossip?”

“In recent days, palace maids have been spreading word that the Bureau of Imperial Astronomy calculated that our Prince Yan Mansion’s young heir has an inauspicious fate because Prince Yan has killed excessively, and the Princess Consort… the Princess Consort in her maiden days had improper womanly virtue…” Before finishing, Cui Yu began sobbing with anger.

“Improper womanly virtue?” Qun Qing’s steps paused. Such vicious rumors were somewhat strange. Everyone knew Xiao Yunru was a noble lady from an aristocratic family, always possessing both virtue and conduct. Would the person fabricating these rumors not find it outrageous?

This person had deliberately released the rumors at this time, yet seemed to have come prepared.

At this moment, a scream came from inside the hall: “The Princess Consort has fainted!”

Cui Yu hurriedly said, “The Princess Consort forbids you from entering.”

Breaking free of Cui Yu’s obstruction, Qun Qing entered the birthing room, passing two midwives carrying bloody water. She heard the midwives complain, “The mother’s body is so weak, lacking strength. If this continues, it will be dangerous.”

Qun Qing saw Xiao Yunru’s deathly pale face. Though accustomed to blood, the rich scent of blood at her nostrils still made Qun Qing’s legs go weak and her palms sweat.

“Princess Consort.” She gently woke Xiao Yunru. “Don’t be afraid. Don’t sleep yet. I’ll have Master administer acupuncture.”

Xiao Yunru’s unfocused eyes fell on Qun Qing’s face, showing slight emotion. Her lips moved as if wanting to say something.

“Acupuncture cannot be administered! The Princess Consort has completely exhausted her strength. One needle might cause her vital energy and blood to flow in reverse. I don’t know where this quack physician came from—he wants to murder the Princess Consort.” Qun Qing glanced sideways and saw Medical Officer Xu already bound to a pillar, yet still calling hoarsely, “Princess Consort, trust this official. This official is the palace’s medical officer. Princess Consort, don’t harm your own life.”

Physician Li inserted one needle. Xiao Yunru’s brows knitted tightly as cold sweat flowed. Medical Officer Xu immediately shouted even more violently, filling the entire curtained area with an atmosphere of panic.

“Gag his mouth and blindfold his eyes,” Qun Qing said coldly.

At least her ears were now quiet.

Two midwives washed their hands with hot water, then came to help Xiao Yunru exert force: “Princess Consort, this child has a rather large head. It will take some effort.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yunru suddenly gripped Qun Qing’s hand tightly. Enduring pain and holding onto one breath, she said, “You must leave quickly now. I have already instructed Cui Yu to say the Six Bureaus have business with you. Also your master—he need not continue administering acupuncture for me. Leave through the back door now.”

Qun Qing had not expected her to say such words. She gripped her hand in return: “Princess Consort, if acupuncture is not administered, your life may be in danger. I will not harm you.”

“I know.” Xiao Yunru said faintly, “His Highness and the Chief Clerk are absent. If they want to deliver a devastating blow to Prince Yan’s Mansion, when else but now? Pitiful that I schemed and calculated everything, yet still brought suffering upon myself. You have treated me well. I, Xiao Yunru, am not one who does not know gratitude. What I can do is preserve you for the Chief Clerk’s sake. Leave now.”

Before finishing, a wave of pain tore across her expression like a tide.

“I see the head, I see the head!” the midwives exclaimed joyfully.

Physician Li suddenly paused the needling and pulled Qun Qing aside, his expression grave: “Liu Niang, this fetus is indeed somewhat large.”

Qun Qing said, “What do you mean?”

“The child’s appearance will certainly have problems.”

Qun Qing’s head buzzed. She suddenly thought of that rumor.

Physician Li said, “I am a physician. I don’t care if what’s born is a cat or dog—I only focus on preserving life and saving people. As for how to handle this within the palace, you must weigh that decision.”

Knocking sounds came from outside. Cui Yu said in panic, “Lady Qing, Consort Meng has brought five great officials from the Bureau of Imperial Astronomy. They are demanding entry outside.”

Qun Qing’s face turned pale. After pondering for a moment, she drew the sword hanging beside the curtain with a clang and gripped it in her hand: “Master, don’t concern yourself with extraneous matters. Continue the acupuncture. I will deal with them.”