Early in the morning, when Qun Qing went to deliver outer garments to Li Xuan, she encountered Juan Su on the road. Juan Su made a “bundle” gesture and said to her: “The item—stone cave.”

Qun Qing, holding the tray, nodded and brushed past him.

The tally for the second visit to Siye Tower must be ready.

So Qun Qing carried the bundle at top speed to the stone cave. Inside the bundle were the clothes, skirts, and jewelry Lu Huating had prepared for her first visit to Siye Tower.

The moment she entered, she was startled—a black shadow was already inside: “Why are you here?”

Lu Huating leaned against the wall, actually holding a book and reading: “This place is cool and quiet. Only you’re allowed here, and no one else?”

As he spoke, he glanced at the bundle Qun Qing carried, his tone somewhat cool: “Young Lady Qing should just dispose of them—no need to return them.”

Qun Qing had already cleaned the clothes and jewelry, but this person loved cleanliness and tidiness. Presumably once she had worn them, he wouldn’t want them back either. Since he said so, her face flushed as she casually stuffed the bundle into a concealed spot in the stone cave.

Seeing a blue bundle placed by Lu Huating’s feet, Qun Qing was quite surprised: “This thing required the Chief Administrator to personally come place it?”

She had thought for such matters, he would just dispatch someone beneath him to make a trip. She hadn’t expected Lu Huating could rise so early.

Lu Huating closed the book at his side. Seeing Qun Qing had already picked up the bundle and, after checking the tally, shook out the skirt and held it up to herself, that gaze wasn’t at all a young woman’s gaze when trying on new clothes. Between her delicate brows was a kind of bold assessment of whether a weapon was suitable.

“Young Lady Qing’s secret place—how could I have subordinates barge in carelessly?” Lu Huating said. “Subordinates are rash. If they inadvertently witnessed you and someone else passing messages, wouldn’t that trouble you, young lady?”

Qun Qing’s hands paused: “What is the Chief Administrator saying? I don’t understand. There’s no one else here. If you want to arrest someone, you can only arrest yourself.”

As she spoke, she shook the garment and several metal pieces fell from the skirt.

“According to your requirements, there are pouches in the sleeves where you can hide knives. This time, Cui Zhu personally sent an invitation for five days from now.” Lu Huating leaned against the stone wall as he spoke.

A Hongmen feast invitation delivered to the door—no wonder Lu Huating had to personally inform her. Qun Qing nodded, draping the skirt over her left arm, rolling the skirt hem with her right hand, folding it in two or three moves—this was the efficient technique of palace maids serving clothing, causing the cloth pouch hanging beside her brass fish tally to sway slightly.

Flowers were embroidered on that pouch. Looking at its shape and size, what was inside was her own dagger. Lu Huating held his breath, instinctively touching his belt where the dagger should have hung—now an empty space.

“Young Lady Qing’s embroidery work is exquisite.” He withdrew his gaze from Qun Qing’s skirt hem.

Qun Qing calmly accepted this praise: “I’ve at least practiced for eight years. Does the Chief Administrator have any skill practiced for eight years or more?”

Lu Huating thought silently for quite a while, then answered warmly: “Catching fish?”

Truly irrelevant.

“…Does the Chief Administrator kneel on stones to catch fish, wearing clothes so worn they can’t be seen?” Qun Qing’s gaze fell on his robe hem.

No wonder she noticed. Since childhood, her mother’s training in embroidery and garment-making made her look first at clothing when viewing people, and she was extremely prone to noticing details.

Unlike other civil officials who wore silk robes, Lu Huating’s white hemp clothing would often wear out after kneeling a few times. Lu Huating lifted his garment to see that spot at the knee, when suddenly he saw Qun Qing draw a bundle of needle and thread from her sleeve, skillfully threading the needle’s eye.

“You carry needle and thread on your person?” Lu Huating was stunned.

“All palace maids serving clothing are like this, always prepared for when our mistresses need it—we mend things on the spot.” Qun Qing glanced at him, rubbing and twisting with two fingers to tie a knot, as if he were making a big fuss over nothing.

But palace maids serving clothing attended to mistresses of the inner palace. Applied to him, Lu Huating still vaguely felt something was wrong.

However, Qun Qing had already grasped his outer garment hem and inserted the needle.

Lu Huating stared coldly at that slender needle between her fingers, inwardly guessing her intent. He had an identical one in his drawer. If she threw the needle to stab him now, he had nowhere to dodge.

His face remained calm, but his entire body tensed. And because of this tension, that fine, gentle pulling force became even clearer, almost tugging at his nerves.

The two stood somewhat far apart. Qun Qing pulled slightly, not expecting Lu Huating would actually straighten from his leaning posture. His shadow enveloped her, making her fingers somewhat numb.

“I do have a matter to ask of the Chief Administrator.” Qun Qing spoke. “Cui Zhu’s invitation to us is clearly a Hongmen feast. When we go to Siye Tower again, I want to borrow the Chief Administrator’s people—borrow more of them.”

Lu Huating’s expression froze.

For such a deadly mission, to use all of Prince Yan’s mansion’s men and horses to take risks while Southern Chu operatives hid behind waiting for results—wouldn’t that be absurd?

“Does your ladyship have no people of her own?” Lu Huating spoke pointedly, his dark eyes gazing warmly at Qun Qing.

“I’m just a palace maid, isolated and weak—where would I have people?” Qun Qing raised her eyes to look at him, those dark pupils pressed beneath her lashes, completely pure and innocent. She lowered her head to bite off the thread. “Done.”

“Before obtaining the account books, my people will naturally protect your safety—you can rest assured of this.” The garment hem fluttered down as Lu Huating looked aside.

In any case, he had already arranged other methods to draw out that string of operatives. Those who deserved to die couldn’t escape.

Since the matter was settled, Qun Qing bid him farewell. Lu Huating suddenly called to her from behind: “Is Young Lady Qing going to participate in the internal selection?”

What did he mean by this? Qun Qing spun around sharply, her guarded gaze sweeping across his face.

This internal selection related to her leaving the palace—she couldn’t allow anyone to interfere.

“I saw Young Lady Qing’s name on the princess consort’s list.” Lu Huating’s expression was so innocent it dissolved Qun Qing’s suspicions, replacing them with some guilt.

That’s right—the records had noted that Lu Huating never sabotaged people’s examinations.

Then Lu Huating raised both sleeves level, formally performing a civil official’s bow with a manner like bright moonlight and clear wind: “May you rank highly and have a bright future ahead.”

Qun Qing gazed at that figure in the stone cave, a place no one could see, said nothing, turned, and departed treading on fallen leaves.

Lu Huating watched her retreating back.

Qun Qing’s shoulders were straight and proper, her waist slender. She should have been suited to wearing skirts and walking gracefully forward, but she walked truly fast and soundlessly, rushing toward her fate, unstoppable.

In the previous life, she had proceeded step by step just like this—entering Luanyi Pavilion, entering the Six Bureaus, killing the Minister of Defense, killing Prince Yan, and finally, crossing blades with him.

Lu Huating watched that retreating back, the smile at his lips gradually fading. In the falling willow catkins, he went his separate way from her.

—

Xiao Yunru’s sedan chair caught up with Lu Huating from behind. The curtain was raised, revealing Xiao Yunru’s pale face.

“If the princess consort is unwell, rest in the mansion. Don’t go observe the examination.” Lu Huating returned the booklet to her palace maid. “This Six Bureaus duties examination—I’ve just finished reviewing it. There will be no errors.”

“I don’t distrust the Chief Administrator, but not seeing it with my own eyes leaves me uneasy. Better to go together and discuss.” Xiao Yunru had just vomited, rinsed her mouth, and used a handkerchief to wipe her lips, instructing the eunuchs carrying the sedan: “Go to Chongjing Hall—let’s see if there are any suitable people.”

Chongjing Hall was the examination location for the Bureau of Clothing.

After brief consideration, Lu Huating understood. The day to welcome the Buddha’s bone was gradually approaching, but the military provisions expended hadn’t been replenished in time. The ceremonial carpets, garments, and implements—all major expenses—would come from the Bureau of Clothing.

The current Bureau of Clothing female officials weren’t Prince Yan’s mansion’s people. Xiao Yunru urgently needed to cultivate one of her own to help her maximize savings on expenditures.

—

The emerging sun illuminated the eaves of Dewen, Dexin, Chong’an, and Chongjing Halls until they gleamed, also illuminating the densely packed women queuing at the hall entrance.

Their ages ranged from sixteen to forty, with varied palace attire and ranks—palace maids from various palaces who had registered for selection.

Qun Qing arrived late. She looked at the sun’s position, slightly puzzled. The examination time had already passed, yet the entrance remained packed tight. Female officials guarded the tightly closed hall doors with no intention of letting people in.

“I suppose the Bureau of Food must prepare cooking implements and ingredients, the Bureau of Clothing must prepare embroidery frames, so they’re delayed somewhat.” Qun Qing heard the palace maids before her whispering.

“How is there even a head palace maid here?” Someone noticed Qun Qing. “Such a young head palace maid is rare—this is terrible, terrible…”

“What about a head palace maid? It would be embarrassing if a head palace maid couldn’t pass.”

Though Qun Qing stood calmly, inwardly she couldn’t help feeling nervous.

In her previous life, Princess Bao’an had whispered in Li Xuan’s ear to have the crown prince recommend her to the Six Bureaus. She had never taken the female official examination, especially not for the Bureau of Clothing.

In her previous life, her remaining impression of the Bureau of Clothing was that its lead female official, the “Shangfu,” had poor character and had once forced out a Siyi named Zhu Fuzhen from the Six Bureaus.

Qun Qing selected the Bureau of Clothing only because her foundation in embroidery and garment-making could allow her to quickly adapt without preparation.

She just didn’t know the examination content. To gain Xiao Yunru’s favor, she could only try her luck.

Suddenly, the palace maids ahead stirred: “Look over there—it seems some people went in first!”

The palace maids erupted in noise.

Following where her finger pointed, Qun Qing saw several connected ox carts on the palace road. Eunuchs lifted the curtains, helping the women inside down one by one.

Their shawls and the cart curtains all bore exquisite embroidery and beaded decorations, gleaming brilliantly. Those women from outside the palace entered Chongjing Hall through a side door one step ahead.

“Silence! Who permitted you to make such an uproar!” The gatekeeper female official shouted.

“Elder sister, just tell us—are those women also here for selection?” A young palace maid named Song Chun spoke in a clear, pressing voice. “I counted—there are thirty-seven people queuing at this entrance, and precisely thirty-seven on the list. There shouldn’t be any others added!”

The Bureau of Clothing would select two from thirty-seven people—the competition was already fierce. If more people were added, hope would be slim.

“Official household daughters wanting to enter service should go through the women’s imperial examinations. Why come to the palace maids’ selection? This is completely different from what Prince Yan’s consort said!”

“That’s right!”

Qun Qing was still observing when she was pushed to the front. The young palace maid grabbed her arm: “Elder sister, you’re a head palace maid—speak up for us.”

Suddenly, all the palace maids pinned their hopes on the highest-ranking one to take the lead. The gatekeeper female official glanced at Qun Qing with some panic: she was merely a seventh-rank garment maker. A head palace maid ranked as a sixth-rank female official with authority to reprimand those of lower position. If she made trouble, she couldn’t handle it.

Unexpectedly, the head palace maid was a young woman with skin so fair it showed a faint duck-egg blue tint. She stood there, though those around her pushed her to the forefront, her eyes still showed no trace of panic, like a piece of solidified black jade.

After a long moment, Qun Qing brushed the young palace maid’s hand away, surveyed the circle, and said: “Don’t forget—today you came to compete in selection. No matter what happens, enter and take the examination first. How can you know you won’t pass before even taking it?”

Instantly, disappointment overflowed on the palace maids’ faces. Those wanting to watch a show, cause trouble, or take advantage all dispersed. That young palace maid also flung away Qun Qing’s hand. Some head palace maid—just a cowardly turtle!

As for the other side, several noble daughters heard the commotion from the courtyard and whispered: “They seem to be talking about us.”

Bureau of Clothing’s Gu Shangyi stood with hands hanging at the side hall entrance.

Gu Shangyi was short and plump with a benevolent smiling face: “Don’t mind them—just follow this servant into the hall for a cup of hot tea while waiting…”

Before she finished speaking, Lady Cui Er, who was descending from an ox cart, slipped and nearly twisted her ankle. With a slap, a palm struck the young eunuch’s face: “How do you help people down!”

Gu Shangyi immediately looked up. Bao Shu standing to the side was also shocked. The young eunuch covered the handprint on his face, his eyes filled with shame and anger.

Yet Cui Ying was still inspecting her skirt. She was covered from head to toe in pearls and jade, dazzlingly bright. Bao Shu walked over, pressed a gold pearl into the young eunuch’s hand, then took Cui Ying’s arm: “Your temper is too great. This is the palace, not your home. How can you strike eunuchs?”

“If your family hadn’t insisted I compete in selection, would I suffer like this?” Cui Ying was slightly plump—clearly pampered in daily life, becoming slightly breathless after walking just a few steps. “Preparing the dowry was busy enough already, and now I must run to the palace—not a single thing goes smoothly!”

These years, relying on Siye Tower, the Cui family’s reputation had soared. Cui Ying’s clothing and accessories grew more luxurious by the day, and her temper rose along with the Cui family’s prestige, becoming increasingly unstoppable. At the slightest inconvenience, she was like water splashing into an oil pot.

Bao Shu inwardly felt she was disgraceful, but the two were future sisters-in-law after all. She could only swallow her anger and support her, only hoping nothing would go wrong.

This Cui Ying was Lady Cui Er, about to marry Meng Guanlou.

Though the Cui family was wealthy and noble, merchants’ status ultimately couldn’t compare to official households. Meng Guanlou was the prime minister’s son, so the Meng family discussed with the Cui family having Cui Ying enter the palace to receive an official position, elevating her status to better match Meng Guanlou.

—

Gu Shangyi traversed through the hall with trailing skirts, appearing at the opened hall entrance, causing the palace servants’ clamor to cease.

Qun Qing finally saw Gu Shangyi’s face clearly. She had slender brows and a round face, appearing kind and approachable: “What happened just now with all that commotion and noise?”

Seeing Gu Shangyi bow and inquire with an affable attitude, the palace maids hesitated. Still, Song Chun spoke out crisply, boldly asking the earlier question again: “Why did those women enter before us?”

“Song Chun from Changqing Palace?” Gu Shangyi took Song Chun’s wooden plaque from Liu Siyi, glanced at it twice. “I’ve recorded your question in the register.”

She casually handed the wooden plaque to Liu Siyi, who threw it into the brazier inside the room. “Song Chun’s selection eligibility is canceled for today.”

As the words fell, all around fell completely silent.

Song Chun froze in place, eyes wide open, as if she couldn’t immediately comprehend the meaning of those words.

“Changqing Palace—because the Fourth Prince went missing and Consort Chen De doesn’t reside there, it’s an empty hall.” Gu Shangyi smiled kindly. “You usually don’t serve a mistress, so no wonder you’re so lacking in propriety.”

After speaking, she turned to the others: “Does anyone else have questions? If there are no issues, follow me inside for selection.”

All around was so quiet only the wind remained. Everyone clutched their wooden plaques, not daring to make a sound, now knowing this Gu Shanggong’s formidability.

All along the way, it was like dark clouds pressing down. Gone was the earlier excitement. Someone whispered: “What ‘speaking out for everyone’—isn’t she taking the exam herself? It was for herself all along. Shouting so loudly only harmed herself.”

“Exactly. If you want to enter the Six Bureaus, you must follow the Six Bureaus’ rules. Today we certainly learned a lesson…”

Some did approach Qun Qing with an apologetic manner, sidling up: “Elder sister head palace maid spoke plainly earlier—we failed to comprehend. Please instruct us more in the future.”

People are always good at finding excuses for their guilt.

Qun Qing didn’t respond, only turned back to look at that solitary figure standing in the courtyard wiping tears, engraving that shadow in her heart before stepping into the hall.

Gu Shangyi—seeing once was better than hearing a hundred times.

—

Several noble daughters entered first to sit in the empty hall. After a while, the palace maids filed in through the front door.

Behind a huge screen, tables, desks, and writing implements were arranged. Xiao Yunru gazed at all this and coughed. Lu Huating wasn’t surprised either.

The previous dynasty’s deep-rooted, intertwined forces all urgently squeezed into the inner palace to share power’s spoils—this was the result.

Until he saw a figure walk in, Lu Huating froze.

Qun Qing gathered her skirts and sat at a desk. When the bronze gong sounded, she held the brush, dipped ink, clearly in earnest answering posture.

His gaze fell on Gu Shangyi, then returned: “This is Chongjing Hall?”

Xiao Yunru was puzzled: “Correct, it’s Chongjing Hall.”

Why hadn’t she gone to the Bureau of Protocol but instead competed in selection for the Bureau of Clothing?

Lu Huating’s heartbeat quickened.

In the previous life, Qun Qing was a sixth-rank registrar in the Bureau of Protocol. He remembered extremely clearly that idle position not only gave her ample time to leave for assassinations but also allowed her to often visit Princess Bao’an under the pretext of teaching.

But thinking again, now that Princess Bao’an had fallen from favor and she excelled at embroidery, what reason was there not to choose the Bureau of Clothing? In the future, all of Prince Yan’s garments could pass through her hands—this would be easier than assassination… Lu Huating’s eyes darkened.

The palace maids were already answering the first examination.

Just then, Zhu Su and Juan Su brought over two stacks of letters, placing them on Lu Huating’s desk.

Lu Huating wasn’t afraid of confronting Qun Qing. He couldn’t explain what kind of mood he felt, only sensing the blood throughout his body surging rapidly again. He casually opened the letters: “What are these?”

“Chief Administrator, letters sent by Supervisor Pei.”

“That Lateral Courts supervisor you dismissed, who later scrubbed chamber pots for many days.” Juan Su prompted.

Lu Huating spent considerable time before recalling who Supervisor Pei was. Opening one casually, he saw correspondence between the Meng family and Supervisor Pei. He couldn’t help growing stern, looking at Juan Su: “Did he say why he gave me these?”

That Supervisor Pei had mixed in official circles for many years and was long since a slippery character. Lu Huating didn’t believe a few words could frighten Supervisor Pei into producing such evidence.

Juan Su: “He said if you want the correspondence with the Meng family, he has more. That letter you had Young Lady Qing take away—he begs you not to present it to the sage…”

Lu Huating paused: “The letter I had Young Lady Qing take—what letter?”