Gu Shangyi and Liu Siyi distributed a wooden board to each person.

Ten fabric samples of different textures were cut into neat squares and pinned to the boards with silver needles.

Qun Qing received her board and ran her fingertips over the various samples.

What the applicant ladies needed to do was identify the fabric type and its purpose through sight and touch, then write their answers on the response sheet.

Colored brocade, figured silk, single-thread gauze, silk from silkworms, ramie hemp… However, from the sixth sample onward, Qun Qing had never seen these materials before.

Some fabrics were fine and smooth, others transparent with slight wrinkles, and some shimmered with a pearly luster. Fortunately, having served Princess Bao’an, she managed to recognize that the shimmering one was shark-silk gauze from overseas, worth a thousand gold pieces per bolt.

But what about the others?

By all logic, having served Princess Bao’an’s wardrobe for many years, she should have seen all the common fabrics. If she hadn’t encountered these materials, would the others recognize them?

Qun Qing stealthily glanced around. The palace maids were indeed frowning deeply, beads of sweat forming on their heads. But that Cui Ying had a hint of contempt in her eyes, writing smoothly.

“What’s wrong with you?” Gu Shangyi asked in surprise, seeing Qun Qing stand up.

Qun Qing set the board aside. “This servant wishes to ask—was this second test set by the Princess Consort of Yan?”

Behind the screen, Xiao Yunru had just lifted her medicinal drink but set it back in the dish upon hearing this.

“Just answer the questions. What does it matter whether the Princess Consort of Yan set them?” Liu Siyi said. Gu Shanggong swept a glance at Qun Qing. “This second test was not set by the Princess Consort of Yan. Common knowledge like this doesn’t require troubling the Princess Consort. When you reach the fourth test, you can think about meeting the Princess Consort then.”

Qun Qing nodded and raised her voice. “I thought as much. The Princess Consort handles matters fairly and with thorough consideration—she would never create such a biased test.”

“She guessed you’re observing behind the screen from Gu Shangyi’s frequent entrances.” Seeing Xiao Yunru abandon her medicine entirely, her attention completely captured by Qun Qing, Lu Huating couldn’t help but point this out.

But Xiao Yunru placed a finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet. “She’s just a palace maid—how could she be deliberately flattering? Don’t judge others by your own standards just because you’re too clever.”

Lu Huating’s eyelashes trembled. He could only lean back in his chair and say nothing more.

Qun Qing’s words caused a commotion, making all the competing palace maids stop what they were doing. Gu Shangyi smiled amiably. “This fabric identification test is standard procedure for the Bureau of Imperial Wardrobe. If you think the test is biased, perhaps you should reconsider whether the problem lies with your own abilities.”

“The fabric identification test is indeed standard, but when the content is deliberately biased, it should be corrected.” Qun Qing met Gu Shangyi’s gaze directly without flinching, even with a hint of a smile in her eyes, which made Gu Shangyi’s heart skip a beat.

That example at the door of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys had worked every year without fail—the selected ladies invariably became obedient. Gu Shangyi had never expected someone to challenge her after entering and was momentarily at a loss.

Liu Siyi suddenly whispered in her ear, “Shangyi, this woman seems to have been recommended by Eunuch Shouxi from the Crown Prince’s side.”

Gu Shangyi waved her away, her face turning even paler. No wonder Qun Qing dared to be so assertive—after all this, she was the Crown Prince’s person. She naturally didn’t dare offend her, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. Could the Crown Prince have sent her to give a hint?

“You say it’s biased, so it’s biased? I think you’re deliberately causing trouble because you can’t answer. If you don’t want to take the test, get out!” Cui Ying said. “What’s so difficult? I answered everything.”

The other noble family ladies echoed her.

“Lady Cui’s family runs a clothing shop. New fabrics from across the four seas—you’re the first to wear them. Naturally, you’re familiar with them.” Qun Qing glanced at her. “Some fabrics haven’t even been introduced to the palace yet.”

“So my extensive knowledge is somehow wrong? You can’t answer, so you’re right?” Cui Ying laughed. “Gu Shangyi, listen to this—isn’t this absurd?”

“Exactly! This internal selection is based on individual merit. Should the strong yield to the weak? How utterly ridiculous.”

With a sharp sound, under everyone’s astonished gazes, Qun Qing used her dagger to cut a strip from her own sleeve and pinned it to the board, turning to Cui Ying. “May I ask Lady Cui, what fabric is this?”

Water-encircled gauze used by palace maids! The palace maids answered in their hearts. The previous dynasty had left behind considerable water-encircled gauze, which was used to make servants’ clothing.

But Cui Ying stared at the board, her lips moving for a long while, unable to speak. Such old fabric—she had never seen it. Her face flushed red.

The palace maids covered their mouths and laughed.

“This shows that Lady Cui’s so-called extensive knowledge only extends to new fabrics in the Cui family clothing shop. As for palace fabrics, you’re not actually familiar with them.” Qun Qing smiled. “So if palace maids aren’t familiar with new fabrics from outside, what’s wrong with that? Doesn’t a test that only includes new fabrics and excludes old ones count as biased?”

Gu Shangyi’s and Liu Siyi’s eyes met in the air. Gu Shangyi said, “These old fabrics should have been phased out long ago. What good is knowing old ones? Understanding new fabrics will help give the palace a fresh appearance in the future. I don’t see any bias here. Please don’t make trouble over nothing.”

But Qun Qing said, “This servant believes that for the current selection, this isn’t the most important thing.”

“Then what’s your brilliant insight?” Gu Shangyi said mockingly.

Qun Qing actually began to explain: “Now that the national treasury is depleted, the Bureau of Imperial Wardrobe’s storage still contains large quantities of silk and cloth from the Chu Kingdom. Silk deteriorates and becomes brittle when stored too long; cloth grows insects and molds when left unused. At present, the most important thing should be to quickly consume the old materials in the palace storerooms to make garments for the nobility, rather than spending money to purchase new fabrics.”

“Therefore, in this servant’s opinion, the second test should focus on identifying old fabrics, not recognizing these new materials.”

Qun Qing spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, her words falling like pearls, silencing the room momentarily.

Xiao Yunru let out a long breath. Even her nausea symptoms subsided. What troubled her most right now was money, and Qun Qing’s words struck right at her heart.

Having seen Qun Qing several times before, she had retained an impression of this young lady, but only today did she truly see her clearly—indeed someone who accomplished practical things.

Qun Qing’s words amounted to slapping Gu Shangyi’s face, but constrained by the Princess Consort of Yan listening nearby, Gu Shangyi’s breathing quickened as she took small steps to behind the screen. “Princess Consort, what do you think…”

“Since the ladies have raised questions, to ensure fairness, let’s void this test.” Her voice, warm and measured, emerged calmly and powerfully from behind the screen.

The applicant ladies, not expecting the Princess Consort of Yan to actually be observing in the hall, hurriedly adjusted their garments and hair ornaments, fearing they might have left a bad impression.

Qun Qing thought her guess had been correct after all.

She clutched the sheep-head sachet in her pouch. She should have left a good impression on the Princess Consort of Yan just now.

Cui Ying felt somewhat anxious. Among these nearly forty people, only two would be selected. She naturally hoped to be chosen. Originally the second test had favored her, but now it was gone… As Gu Shangyi passed by, she gave her a reassuring look.

Bao Shu also twirled her brush, saying, “Sister Cui, don’t worry. There’s still opportunity in the next test.”

Cui Ying calmed down.

The third test examined embroidery under time constraints—originally the test Qun Qing worried about least. She pulled the embroidery frame before her, threaded her needle, and used double-strand gold thread to embroider the Great Chen totem—the auspicious cloud and golden dragon.

The embroidery fabric was thin and transparent. Qun Qing lightened her movements. Just as the dragon’s horns began to take shape, the fabric suddenly split from where the needle had fallen, opening a long, narrow tear downward.

She had torn the fabric with her embroidery.

Qun Qing looked at her needle. This had never happened in the past eight years.

She held her breath and worked around the tear, the needle tip trembling slightly as she tried to seal the split. But as soon as she pulled the thread, another tear opened horizontally, like a grinning mouth.

Continuing would only create more tears.

Qun Qing looked to her side. Cui Ying’s fabric was perfectly intact. She embroidered very carefully—the dragon’s head and body had already appeared. Gu Shangyi glanced at Qun Qing’s two tears, shook her head, and walked away.

At that moment, a eunuch’s high-pitched announcement rang out: “Han Wanyi has arrived—”

Supported by her wardrobe maids, Han Wanyi entered the hall, bringing with her the elegant fragrance of incense-scented clothing. She said gently, “This palace lady, together with Lady Lu Pin and the Princess Consort of Yan, jointly manages the inner palace. Hearing that the Bureau of Imperial Wardrobe was selecting female officials, I took it upon myself to set this test.”

She continued: “What’s on your embroidery frames isn’t ordinary embroidery fabric, but material for the prayer robes to be worn at the ceremony welcoming the Buddha’s relics—’Snow-Dissolving Gauze’ made in the Fusang Kingdom of the Western Regions. Thin as cicada wings, pure white as snow. Only those who can work with this material will be suitable for their duties going forward.”

Everyone acknowledged her words. Qun Qing didn’t raise her head, but felt as if thorns pricked her back. She had previously coerced Han Wanyi, never expecting her to retaliate at this moment.

Indeed, that fragrance drew near. Han Wanyi saw her embroidery frame and gently waved her small fan. “Those who can only talk but whose basic skills are inadequate should not be selected.”

Gu Shangyi glanced at Qun Qing with pity. This woman had offended Han Wanyi before. She had jumped around happily earlier—how could she have known she was also that praying mantis?

This Snow-Dissolving Gauze wasn’t rare for noble ladies. Cui Ying smiled, feeling completely confident. Bao Shu said softly, “What we cannot accomplish, there are always more capable people to punish.”

Qun Qing pinned her needle to the embroidery fabric and stopped embroidering. After all, she had only come to the selection for the Princess Consort of Yan’s sake—she didn’t necessarily have to be selected. She would see what Han Qingxu intended to do.

Outside, the sky’s brightness fluctuated. Soon rolling thunder passed overhead, and threads of rain began falling continuously. Moisture surged into the hall. Han Wanyi looked out the window and said, “It seems the heavens aren’t cooperating. Time is up, and the Bureau of Imperial Wardrobe’s female officials surely have other duties. Let’s stop here for today and continue another day.”

Time was up because the first two tests had been interrupted. Although they had run over, where was the logic in splitting a test into two parts?

But Han Wanyi said, “In the future, you’ll have many occasions when your embroidery work is interrupted by duties. Whoever can pick it up quickly and seamlessly will truly demonstrate outstanding embroidery skills.”

Having said this, she left behind the astonished ladies and slowly departed from the hall. Since she had spoken thus, everyone could only stand, pounding their stiff shoulders and lower backs, and return first to await news.

As Han Wanyi’s wardrobe maid Xiang Mao passed Qun Qing, she dropped a sentence: “Her Ladyship is waiting for you at the Lake Heart Pavilion.”

Han Wanyi indeed wanted to see her.

Qun Qing followed Xiang Mao out.

Passing through the winding water corridors, the lake water on both sides was struck by rain, splashing and creating mist. The two slender figures in the Lake Heart Pavilion looked from afar like an ink painting.

“This palace lady was kind enough not to implicate you, yet you actually threatened me. I simply haven’t come for you immediately because my health hasn’t fully recovered—it doesn’t mean I’m a soft persimmon.” Han Wanyi sat in the pavilion. “Now speak—how did you learn of that matter?”

Qun Qing looked at her swollen belly. What she referred to was naturally the fake pregnancy. Han Wanyi had given her a show of strength simply because she feared her. This crime of deceiving the Emperor was far more serious than a Bureau of Imperial Wardrobe examination.

Han Wanyi’s several maids blocked her escape route. With heavy rain falling and no one around, even if they picked her up and threw her into the water, no one would see. It seemed she couldn’t escape easily today.

Qun Qing said, “This servant not only knows that Your Ladyship has already miscarried, but also knows that Scholar Xu’s wife was actually married to him by Your Ladyship’s family—she is Your Ladyship’s half-sister.”

Then she saw Han Wanyi’s refined, literary face suddenly contort, as if unable to believe it. She forgot her original purpose and only pressed for answers. “What did you say? Say it more clearly!”

“At sixteen, Lady Wanyi exchanged plum blossom tokens with Scholar Xu. When the Han family planned to send you to the palace to curry imperial favor, just as you two were discussing marriage, they secretly arranged for your half-sister to climb into Scholar Xu’s bed. Scholar Xu didn’t refuse either. Later, the Han family arranged for the two of them to live together in Huainan.”

What Qun Qing spoke of was everything she had investigated in her previous life. She knew her former opponent’s information like the back of her hand, reciting it flatly and dispassionately: “Afterward, they deceived you, saying Scholar Xu had encountered family troubles and disappeared without returning, so you would give up hope and enter the palace. Does Your Ladyship know all this?”

Unexpectedly, Han Wanyi’s eyes suddenly filled with anger. A slap landed, and Qun Qing, caught off guard, covered her cheek injured by the guard ring. The skin beneath her palm burned painfully. “Everything this servant said is true. Why should Your Ladyship remain obsessed with such a fickle, heartless man?”

Qun Qing had never loved a man. She truly didn’t understand why Yang Fu and Han Wanyi became so hysterical when encountering matters of the heart—otherwise she would have dodged.

In the distance, Xiao Yunru and Lu Huating had been conversing when they saw Han Wanyi strike. Both were startled. Xiao Yunru asked, “Should this palace lady go take a look?”

Her wardrobe maid said, “Lady Wanyi is intelligent and carries the dragon heir… Your Ladyship had best not interfere.”

Xiao Yunru nodded. “Serving as a palace maid is indeed somewhat demeaning. But once she becomes a palace official, it will be different.”

Through the rain mist, Qun Qing covered her cheek. Lu Huating withdrew his gaze and, for once, didn’t contradict her. “Since the Princess Consort has made up her mind, will you still have others set the questions?”

Xiao Yunru said, “Chief Administrator, you set the questions.”

Lu Huating nodded and supported Xiao Yunru onto the carriage. His pale hand gripped the umbrella handle as he walked into the forest grove with Zhu Su and Juan Su.

Han Wanyi had calmed down by now. Her body swayed, and she gasped for breath, her face pale. Having given her best years to the palace to save the Han family, only to be betrayed by everyone—she had clearly suffered a devastating blow.

She wasn’t a foolish person. The plum blossom token, Scholar Xu, the half-sister—all these things existed. Thinking carefully, she could trace everything. It absolutely couldn’t have been fabricated by Qun Qing. “Whose person are you? What do you want to do?”

“The Crown Prince pities Your Ladyship’s circumstances and specifically refrained from having this servant expose Your Ladyship’s lies.” Qun Qing lowered her eyes. “It’s just that if Your Ladyship can forget Scholar Xu and the Han family in the future and live for yourself in the palace, you may maintain frequent contact with His Highness.”

“So you’re the Crown Prince’s person… The Crown Prince wants to use this palace lady—how can that be called living for myself?” Han Wanyi laughed coldly. After a while, she placed her hand on her abdomen again. “Moreover, this palace lady still carries this child and doesn’t know how to handle it.”

Qun Qing understood her meaning. When Han Wanyi’s last attempt to frame Yang Fu failed, she was still carrying this “dragon son” that bore the Emperor and Empress’s expectations. Each day she continued the pretense increased the danger.

“Lady Qing is clever and intelligent. Let’s make a wager: if you can think of a way to help this palace lady dispose of this child without angering His Majesty, this palace lady will form an alliance with the Crown Prince. How about it?” Han Wanyi looked at Qun Qing.

“Very well, this servant agrees to Your Ladyship’s terms.” Qun Qing took something from her pouch and squeezed it. A bird cry shot toward the sky, and petals fell on both their shoulders. It was a self-made whistling arrow. “When I find the right moment, I’ll release the whistling arrow. Please listen for this signal and come find me, Your Ladyship.”

“This palace lady had no intention of ruining your examination today.” Han Wanyi said behind Qun Qing. “I’ll give you a few days—go practice on your own. You’ll still have time for the second half.”

Qun Qing had already walked along the corridor to higher ground. Not having brought an umbrella, she could only shelter under the eaves from the rain. From afar, she saw Bao Shu and Cui Ying walking from the palace path toward Luanyi Pavilion.

The rain grew heavier.

Since Cui Ying was in the palace, Bao Shu took a letter from the pavilion and entrusted her to deliver it outside the palace to her mother, Madam Xie: “Now that Princess Bao’an has lost power, with her temper, I truly cannot endure another day! Please have the Xie clan take pity on me. If I don’t pass this time, transfer me out.”

Cui Ying walked through the mud, displeasure on her face. “Doesn’t your Father hold office at court?”

“I grew up in the Xie family of Longxi and only returned after the situation in Chang’an stabilized. I’m not close to Father, and he only dotes on me but doesn’t cultivate my abilities.” Bao Shu said. “He only cultivates my older brother, as if he looks down on me. The more he does so, the more I refuse to rely on him!”

Cui Ying had no interest in hearing her complaints. She took the letter and stuffed it in her pocket, only hoping to return home quickly. At that moment, a young palace maid called Bao Shu’s name, summoning her to verify the roster. The rain was heavy and unclear. Bao Shu ran to respond.

Cui Ying absently felt her waist and went cold inside. Her token was missing!

It might have fallen on the road earlier. Pinching her nose, she lifted her skirt and walked to the puddle she had just passed to search.

Fallen leaves and rainwater mixed with mud on the ground, extremely slippery. A hand from behind pushed against her shoulder. With a splash, Cui Ying tumbled into the puddle, but that sound was also covered by the rain.

The Cui family’s carriage and horses waited outside Cheng’an Gate. Because Lady Cui had a domineering personality, the coachman and maids all stood in the rain waiting at the gate. No one dared to urge her.

They waited from noon until evening without seeing anyone come, then reported in a panic.

The palace dispatched the Jinwu Guard to search through the night but didn’t find Cui Ying.

Not until the next morning did a corpse, swollen and unrecognizable from soaking, float up in the White Water Pond.