During the season of drifting snow, the northern frontier battlefield opened hostilities thousands of miles away.

When news reached the palace, His Majesty worried over the war and had no heart for pleasures. Even the New Year festival lost its usual atmosphere.

On the palace paths, the palace servants’ official robes still vaguely bore last year’s style. Young eunuchs walked with lowered heads hurrying toward the Six Bureaus, lanterns swaying overhead in the north wind. The New Year slipped past quietly amid this austere atmosphere.

Zhu Fuzhen, currently serving as Shanggyi of the Bureau of Apparel, glanced at the imperial edict and sighed: “The inner court’s allowances really have been reduced by half.”

Another female official said: “After all, with war now underway, we must practice frugality in clothing and food.”

“Actually, reducing expenditures isn’t much—what’s difficult is explaining to the ladies of each palace. If we servants have no new clothes, that’s one thing, but if the noble ladies also find the garments shabby, we in the Bureau of Apparel might as well resign our posts.”

In the silence, someone said: “If only that Qing Niangzi who came to work several times before were here—when it comes to economizing, she was most skilled. What a pity such a fine lady was somehow transferred to the Bureau of Bedchamber.”

“Official Qun is now third rank—quite a promotion. Don’t keep calling her ‘Niangzi.'”

The young eunuch delivering the decree still stood at the doorway. Hearing the female officials talking, he straightened and softly reminded: “Officials, please stop talking. Official Qun is arriving shortly.”

Upon hearing this, all wore expressions of surprise. Zhu Fuzhen immediately rose and looked toward the doorway, indeed seeing two silhouettes bathed in light stepping through the threshold.

Her figure was somewhat slender, yet her official robes hung properly, sleeves draped over snow-white hands, giving an impression of meticulous cleanliness. Half a patch of sunlight fell on her, illuminating a hint of mischievous smile on Qun Qing’s face. With pale complexion and blue-black pupils, compared to their last meeting, she had actually gained a brighter, more vivid quality.

“Why has Official Qun returned? Is your health better?” The female officials all gathered around. They all knew Qun Qing had been recuperating at the Chancellor’s residence and hadn’t expected her to return so soon.

“Much better now.” Qun Qing looked at them. “His Majesty has graciously permitted me to return to the Six Bureaus for duty. I was originally a female official of the Bureau of Apparel, and the Bureau of Bedchamber has been idle for long days. Still uneasy about Shanggyi Zhu, I first petitioned His Majesty to temporarily assume the position of Supervisor of Clothing to help relieve the national crisis.”

Zhu Fuzhen had a rigid temperament. Upon hearing this, her face flushed bright red. Before she could think of a response, she was drowned out by other female officials’ voices and had to close her mouth.

“It’s best that Supervisor Qun can come. We absolutely didn’t mean to speak ill of you behind your back. It’s truly that with expenditures being cut, we don’t know how to respond. Official Qun has more experience.”

When it came to frugality, Qun Qing was indeed very skilled. Being spoken to so frankly by the outspoken female official, her expression remained unchanged. Following everyone’s guidance, she examined the garments for each palace, with Ruo Chan accompanying her.

Empress Xiao voluntarily requested reduction of new clothes, and the Empress Dowager and Dowager Consorts also expressed their positions. But new clothes, especially cloaks, were to be shown to close ministers at palace banquets—they must demonstrate frugality while not appearing shabby and losing dignity.

Qun Qing said: “There should still be accumulated old silk bolts usable in the storehouse. Has an inventory been taken?”

“We’ve already dug three feet deep to scrape them out. Speaking of this matter makes me angry—Supervisor, see for yourself.” As Zhu Fuzhen spoke, she had female officials carry over a wooden chest.

The gauze, silk, and brocade piled in the chest still retained the bright colors from the old Chu era, but unfortunately were already riddled with insect damage. Qun Qing lifted one bolt and saw line after line of holes letting light through.

“These are still among the more intact ones we selected.” Zhu Fuzhen said, “I also considered reworking them with embroidery thread, but this bolt has worm damage everywhere. To carefully mend it completely with matching silk thread would likely exhaust the Bureau of Ceremonial to death without achieving a seamless result. If we patch with gold thread, these lines would look like worms—truly ugly. I heard you once mended clothes for the deposed Crown Princess. Please, Official Qun, design a pattern that can cover all the worm damage.”

“You’re making things rather difficult for me.” Qun Qing looked at those worm holes. “These insect holes are scattered everywhere without pattern. What design could completely cover these holes while being elegant and complementing the finished garment? Even if there were one, don’t gold and silver threads cost money?”

Zhu Fuzhen pressed her lips together: “That’s why I said long ago these couldn’t be used. Let’s abandon the idea of old silk.”

“Use them—they can still be used.” Qun Qing paused, looking at her. “I wonder if Shanggyi Zhu has used gold-sprinkled paper?”

“Gold-sprinkled paper?” Zhu Fuzhen said, “I’ve heard it’s made by sprinkling gold foil fragments on glued rice paper, then drying it for noble ladies to write on—afterward called gold-sprinkled paper. I’ve only heard of using pressed gold embroidery for garments. I never imagined one could compare it to gold-sprinkled paper.”

Though she said this, she had already made the connection: “You mean, paste gold foil to patch the worm damage, creating a gold-sprinkled effect?”

“Since it’s New Year, take materials in pure red, peony red, and imperial consort colors, sprinkle gold on them—it will certainly be dazzling and distinctive.” Qun Qing set down the material. “When ministers view from afar, it will be more eye-catching than gold thread embroidery, maintaining New Year’s grandeur. If anyone asks out of curiosity, the Supervisor can tell the truth. If His Majesty and the Empress learn these old materials were all put to use, they’ll surely be pleased.”

The female officials nearby, hearing this, thought it marvelous and all praised the idea. Even Ruo Chan’s face couldn’t help showing a faint smile.

Zhu Fuzhen still looked at Qun Qing with incomprehension: “Earlier the Supervisor said gold and silver thread were expensive and shouldn’t be used. Is gold foil less precious than gold and silver thread?”

“In the old Chu palace, the female relatives all had a ‘pasting dimples’ custom.” Qun Qing touched her cheek with her index finger, her expression calm. “This was because Princess Imperial Changping liked using gold foil pasted on the dimples of both cheeks to cover a scar on her face. When she smiled, it gleamed brilliantly. This became popular among the palace’s noble ladies, so the storehouse kept gold paper in stock. Palace maids waited to receive gold paper at festivals, cutting it into round or peach shapes to paste on their faces. Though not as expensive as gold foil, it can substitute. The Bureau of Apparel’s storehouse should still have much gold paper left. Shanggyi Zhu can send people to search.”

Before she finished speaking, Zhu Fuzhen had already produced a bronze key and ordered two female officials to search the storehouse.

“Found it! There really is gold paper! And there’s quite a lot!”

With this, the matter was resolved. Female officials responsible for garment-making came to queue and select old materials. Then Zhu Fuzhen had people fetch scissors, and several of them cut the gold paper into fragments of varying sizes, tossing them into a bronze basin for later use.

Qun Qing held scissors. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed several ladies sitting together cutting paper—quite a harmonious scene. She couldn’t help but find it both funny and absurd. For a moment, there was actually the atmosphere of celebrating New Year from old days.

Just as she was thinking this, Qun Qing suddenly felt churning in her chest, a sour sensation rushing straight to her throat. She stopped. She only heard Ruo Chan at her ear saying: “Is elder sister uncomfortable again?”

“It’s nothing.” Qun Qing felt better and continued cutting. It was strange—these past several days she always had poor appetite, always feeling something heavy and stagnant in her chest. But taking her own pulse, she couldn’t diagnose anything. “I heard Old Lady Xue’s prescriptions are more potent than ordinary physicians’. It’s probably from taking medicine.”

Ruo Chan nodded: “This servant also heard Old Lady Xue say that such potent prescriptions will have disease-expelling reactions. Once the illness is expelled, it will improve. Let me pour elder sister some hot water.”

With that, she rose. The two conversed in whispers. Zhu Fuzhen naturally couldn’t hear, only glancing over while cutting and saying sourly: “How miraculous—Official Qun isn’t in the Bureau of Apparel, yet knows the palace storehouses better than me, the Shanggyi.”

Qun Qing smiled: “Just keeping ears open in all directions, knowing some unorthodox methods.”

“But in these times, what use are great abilities?” A female official said, “Which of us didn’t enter the Six Bureaus based on skills? At home I practiced complete landscape embroidery, Supervisor Qin knows single-hand double-sided embroidery. Who knew that from the late Shengping era onward, one war after another—the rear palace constantly cuts expenditures, even fabric must be conserved for wearing. What use is embroidery skill? We can only cut gold paper.”

“Indeed.” That Supervisor Qin sighed. “Just when we’d had a few days of stable life, the Northern Rong invaded, and Yunzhou has rebel forces causing chaos. Silk brocade and woven goods are objects of wealth and peace. If even the palace is like this, one can imagine how difficult life is for border residents. Truly don’t know when it will end.”

As they spoke, several pieces of gold paper drifted and swayed, falling into the bronze basin.

“It won’t be chaotic forever.” Qun Qing paused, then asked, “By the way, do you know that third rank and above palace officials can serve as scarlet-robed envoys, accompanying the army on missions?”

“We’ve heard…” Several people replied awkwardly, “But we’re all female officials who practice embroidery, lacking the strength to truss a chicken. What use would we be?”

“If the two nations cease hostilities and negotiate, exchanging hostages, one can determine the selection of hostages.” Qun Qing said.

Now that Zen Master and Changping had carefully plotted, the day of Nan Chu’s counterattack had finally arrived. She was only one step away from rescuing her mother. But the closer this moment came, the heavier her wish became, requiring greater caution.

She wanted to exchange for her mother but didn’t hope Nan Chu would unite with Northern Rong to ignite war throughout Da Chen. That way, there might be countless Shi families, like gold paper cut to pieces under her scissors, falling into flames.

Zhu Fuzhen suddenly frowned: “When that damned Crown Prince Zhao fled south, he took quite a few capable female servants from the inner court. If His Majesty sends me, I’ll exchange all the Bureau of Apparel’s embroiderers back—better than always having no one available.”

Everyone immediately laughed heartily, greatly amused. Having opened up conversation, several Supervisors no longer felt constrained, chatting back and forth about family matters from before entering the palace. Qun Qing listened quietly when suddenly she heard someone ask Ruo Chan: “Is this Official Qun’s maid? She seems to have been from the deposed Crown Princess’s palace?”

Ruo Chan knelt by Qun Qing’s sleeve, silently helping her cut paper. Hearing this, she shrank slightly and acknowledged yes.

The gauze had been removed from her neck, but a centipede-like scar remained, and her voice had also been somewhat affected, becoming hoarse. Since then, she spoke less and less.

Qun Qing saw her growing thinner day by day, always silently keeping watch by Li Zhang’s cradle, not speaking a word all day. Fearing she would become despondent, she brought her along to help at the Bureau of Apparel.

“She was a clothing attendant maid for the former deposed Crown Princess.” Qun Qing glanced at Ruo Chan. “Her embroidery skill is not below mine, and she can make velvet flowers. Being a palace maid would be too much of a waste. I think she can become a palace official.”

“Elder sister!” The praise before everyone made Ruo Chan somewhat alarmed as she tugged at Qun Qing’s sleeve. Qun Qing remained unmoved, looking at her: “I’ve already written a letter of recommendation, recommending you to register for next year’s selection examination.”

Ruo Chan gazed at her, her lips moving. In her pitch-black eyes, a layer of moisture slowly surfaced, then was quickly suppressed by lowered lashes. In the end, she said nothing, only pressing her lips together.

Fortunately, not one of the several Supervisors questioned Ruo Chan, only asking curiously: “Just now, why didn’t you say—where were you from before entering the palace? What did your parents do?”

“This servant is an orphan, raised from childhood as a female Daoist at White Horse Temple.” Ruo Chan answered quickly. “Without parental fate, I don’t dwell on it.”

“So a female Daoist—no wonder you’re skilled at embroidery.” Supervisor Qin said, “Why do you look so young? You’re fifteen this year, right? If not, you can’t become a palace official.”

“Just turned fifteen this year.” Ruo Chan kept her head lowered, seemingly unaccustomed to so many eyes focused on her.

A garment-making female official called for help moving winter clothes from the storehouse. She rose and hurried in that direction: “This servant will go help first.”

“To think there’s such a timid palace person.” Zhu Fuzhen sighed. “If you don’t protect her, she’ll probably have difficulty taking a single step.”

Qun Qing said nothing, watching Ruo Chan from afar. She saw Ruo Chan carrying a large bag of garments, walking laboriously toward the warehouse.

The young girl’s stature was petite. The palace garments piled in that bag were stacked higher than her head, almost blocking her vision. As she walked, it suddenly tilted to one side, the top portion nearly hanging to the ground.

The beads sewn onto some palace garment had come loose. Pearls of various sizes spilled through the gaps, scattering across the ground. Seeing this, Qun Qing quickly put down what she was holding. Zhu Fuzhen rushed forward even faster: “Spilling as you walk, yet still walking forward!”

In her ears was the clamor of everyone helping to gather them. Qun Qing bent down with some amusement to scoop up the pearls from the ground, but suddenly paused, looking at the winding trail of scattered pearls before her.

Abruptly, she recalled something Lu Huating had once told her.

He said that year at Qingjing Temple, the first person to save her was her. But when she awoke, she was in Physician Li’s medical hall. The one who saved her must have been someone from Nan Chu, because not two days later, they came to the door to teach her to be a spy.

Who had transferred her out of the palace from under the secret guards’ noses became a mystery.

Only known was that when Lu Huating returned the next day, he saw only an empty temple, dried blood droplets on the ground, and dragged bloodstains that ended in the withered grass outside the gate, covered by heavy snow with no further trace to be found.

Lu Huating had said: “That person must have been a woman, and of small build.”

“Why must it have been a woman?” She had asked then.

“If it were a man, even using incense to drug them, having hidden nearby beforehand, it would be impossible not to draw the secret guards’ attention. I asked Juan Su—the only ones coming and going were palace maids and young female Daoists performing rituals. There were no suspicious persons at all, which is why we let down our guard.” Lu Huating said, “Moreover, if she had great strength and robust build, she wouldn’t have wanted to leave dragging marks. The bloodstains on the ground clearly showed she couldn’t carry you and used great effort to drag you out. Fortunately, the heavy snow aided her, otherwise you couldn’t have left the palace.”

Two or three years ago, Ruo Chan was only twelve or thirteen, still with a child’s face. She must have been even shorter and thinner than now, even less likely to draw attention.

In a flash of insight, Qun Qing again felt that uncomfortable sensation in her chest pressing toward her throat, then slowly sinking down, dissipating into formlessness.

Pearls clutched tight in her palm, Qun Qing straightened, watching Ruo Chan and the other female officials busy in the dim light, feeling a layer of cold sweat seeping from her back.

Perhaps she really was overthinking it.