Qun Qing couldn’t avoid them and had to step forward to bow.

Li Xuan was also astonished. Seeing that there was actually an inner chamber in the middle of that ornamental rock formation, very hidden, his expression wasn’t good: “What are you doing here?”

Shou Xi smiled as he prompted her: “The other day Minister Meng wanted to discuss politics with His Highness at night and wanted to have Miss Qing listen in. Every time he went to summon her, Miss Ruo Chan made excuses saying you weren’t feeling well. His Highness wanted to send the physician, but you wouldn’t let him in. We don’t know if you’re relying on your status or hiding something else from His Highness.”

Li Xuan was already suspicious. Qun Qing had stayed outside the palace for a night, and this Meng Guangshen was actually asking for her by name at this moment.

She was about to speak when someone ran over from the woods, calling “Sister”—it was Ruo Chan.

Ruo Chan bowed to the Crown Prince. She looked at the bundle in Qun Qing’s hand and said timidly: “Just now this servant was going to the Bureau of Palace Attendants and gave the Liangdi’s bundle of clothes to Sister to take back. We exchanged a few words in that cave.”

Qun Qing felt relieved and nodded accordingly. From the corner of her eye she glimpsed Shou Xi directing a young eunuch to quietly go behind that rock formation. Her heart rose again.

If Lu Huating deliberately appeared at this moment, she would be completely unable to explain.

After a while, those young eunuchs returned empty-handed.

He had actually hidden. Being so clever, he should be able to escape.

“Shady places are full of filth.” Seeing that she was actually distracted, Li Xuan’s gaze fell on the bundle Qun Qing was holding. Unable to tolerate any concealment, he said: “Why must you two speak hiding in that place?”

“Inside here are all the Crown Princess’s undergarments and inner clothes. It really wasn’t convenient to spread them out one by one to look at by the main road, so we had to find a secluded place.” As Qun Qing spoke, she unwrapped the bundle.

Li Xuan quickly stopped her: “Enough, close it up. This Prince won’t look.”

But immediately, he saw the bloodstains seeping through Qun Qing’s arm. His phoenix eyes became sharp. He grabbed her wrist in one motion and pulled it before his eyes. Qun Qing frowned slightly from the pain.

“This servant dares not hide anything from Your Highness.” Ruo Chan said. “Sister isn’t unwell. Rather, some days ago she stayed up late embroidering that Huanxue gauze and accidentally knocked over a candle stand, burning her hand. This injury hasn’t healed and even caused a fever. She just didn’t want Your Highness to worry…”

“Ruo Chan.” Afraid she was exaggerating too much and would be exposed, Qun Qing gently interrupted with a smile. “Stop talking. Sprinkling some medicine and resting will make it better.”

She endured the pain and used a bit of force to pull her arm back. Li Xuan looked at her and saw a layer of cold sweat seeping through her brows.

Seeing his own master’s silent expression, Shou Xi knew Li Xuan was thinking of that prayer robe. That prayer robe embroidered with silver thread scriptures was flawless and elegant, yet it left a brand on the young embroiderer’s arm.

“Rest for two days.” After another moment of silence, Li Xuan instructed Shou Xi: “Summon the physician.”

“Minister Meng already misunderstands this servant. This servant’s status is lowly—summoning a physician isn’t appropriate.” Qun Qing said. “I’ve heard there’s a precious medicinal powder that reduces inflammation and removes scars, called precious stone violet powder. Please grant it, Your Highness, and this servant will go to the Imperial Medical Bureau to treat it herself.”

She had finally asked for something. Li Xuan said: “Shou Xi, have someone fetch the medicine.”

“Your Highness, there’s one more matter.” Qun Qing said. “This servant must take the Six Bureaus examination and also attend to Your Highness’s literary work, which will inevitably delay duties at Qingxuan Pavilion. Please promote Ruo Chan to second-rank palace maid in charge of clothing so this servant can hand over embroidery work to her.”

Li Xuan glanced at Ruo Chan and immediately agreed. Ruo Chan was delighted and quickly gave thanks.

Li Xuan said: “You two help the Crown Princess wash and dress, then go to Penglai Hall for an audience.”

After Li Xuan left, Qun Qing looked at Ruo Chan: “I didn’t expect you to be quite clever.”

Round eyes, red lips, and she could pray for blessings—and those prayers worked. Thinking of this, Qun Qing couldn’t help but reach out and touch Ruo Chan’s hair bun.

Ruo Chan’s face turned red at once. She defended herself: “I’ve been at Qingxuan Pavilion for almost a year. Observing expressions and reactions every day, I’ve long learned how to please the masters. Sister works so hard—I can’t stand watching others bully you. It’s not to become a palace maid.”

She wanted to look at Qun Qing’s injury, but Qun Qing said it was nothing: “You’re very clever and have skills. Becoming a palace maid is what you deserve.”

Qun Qing still remembered Ruo Chan’s initially timid appearance. This showed how fast she had grown. In the future when she herself left, Ruo Chan could take over her embroidery work and might even be promoted again. Thinking of this, she added another reminder: “Just don’t speculate about people’s hearts excessively, or you might trap yourself.”

Poor Ruo Chan didn’t know what she was thinking and held her arm: “I only want to stay by Sister’s side and pray for your blessings. Why would I need to speculate about people’s hearts?”

—

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess went to Penglai Hall because today was Empress Dowager Yuan’s birthday. On this day every year, Emperor Chenming would offer incense to Empress Dowager Yuan’s memorial tablet with Li Xuan and Li Pan, then have dinner together.

When Qun Qing helped Zheng Zhiyi arrive, they were blocked at the inner hall entrance. Zheng Fu bowed: “The Emperor has a headache today. Lady Chen Pin is personally attending to his illness. Your Highness and Your Highness, please have some tea and refreshments in the side hall first.”

“Is Father Emperor all right?” Zheng Zhiyi’s eyes were earnestly worried. She was about to ask more when everyone heard crisp sounds from inside the hall.

The imperial palace was solemn and quiet, so these sounds of shattering porcelain seemed particularly harsh. Then came another sound, and actually laughter as well.

“How is Chen Pin attending to the illness?” Li Xuan said.

“The Emperor is angry today, with frustration accumulated in his heart, making it difficult to sleep.” Zheng Fu quickly said. “Lady Chen Pin thought of a method and is keeping the Emperor company playing games.”

Emperor Chenming doted on Chen Pin, and Chen Pin was skilled at flattery. Even Empress Dowager Yuan’s birthday was ignored. After a long while, Li Xuan said: “Then this Prince will wait in the side hall.”

Li Xuan entered the side hall with a somber face, pulling Zheng Zhiyi. Qun Qing stood guard in the outer room and quietly asked Zheng Fu: “Is Lady Chen Pin smashing bowls?”

“They’re all pottery—just listening to the sound.” A smiling voice reached her ears.

Qun Qing saw Lu Huating.

No wonder he ran so fast—he had business with the Emperor and went back to change into official robes. As he walked over, he was radiant throughout.

Perhaps he had just bathed. His tied-up hair appeared even more jet black. Qun Qing smelled the scent of soapberry.

Lu Huating didn’t look at her. Qun Qing also didn’t turn back, both acting as if they didn’t know each other.

Zheng Fu said: “The Emperor is in a bad mood. Going in will get you scolded.”

Qun Qing thought to herself that this Chen Pin had long been bought by Lu Huating and had become part of Prince Yan’s faction—how could she get scolded? She only hoped he wouldn’t betray their trust and would truly submit the ledger.

Inside the hall, the floor was covered with porcelain shards. Chen Pin wore only light clothing, but her face was already flushed red. When she forcefully smashed the pottery bowls, that reckless and fierce attitude was especially satisfying.

“All those people and things that trouble the Emperor, this consort smashed them all. The Emperor should try too—don’t let it damage the dragon body.” She said. “In two days, this consort will oversee the autumn hunt and let the Emperor relax properly.”

The complicated governmental affairs after ascending the throne had crushed Emperor Chenming’s brow, whitening his temples. His temperament had also become more restrained, not showing joy or anger on his face.

He himself couldn’t be anything but steady, but his consorts could be. Chen Pin didn’t mind making frivolous gestures to please him, which instead made Emperor Chenming feel relaxed. He smiled: “If eliminating people could be as simple as smashing bowls, I wouldn’t have a headache.”

Chen Pin said: “The Emperor is the ruler of a nation, holding the power of life and death. How can it not be done? The Emperor is too lenient, so the people below have no sense of propriety. The treasury is empty, and these Cui and Gu families—we can’t even collect merchant taxes from them.”

Emperor Chenming said: “I have been ruler for merely one year. The entire court bows to me daily, but I don’t actually know what they think in their hearts. Water can carry the boat but also overturn it. I seem to sit in a high position, but perhaps I’m alone and isolated. If I’m not careful and all the officials unite, then I’ll end up like the previous Chu ruler.”

He flipped through the ledger in his hand, trembling, surging anger in his chest like stormy waves that wouldn’t cease. But helplessly, the throne wasn’t yet stable, and Emperor Chenming had a cautious and stability-seeking nature. He was actually blocked with no outlet.

Chen Pin thought for a moment and smashed another bowl. “People all watch others. The Emperor only needs to execute one to warn a hundred. Let them understand what happens when the Son of Heaven is enraged—then they’ll become obedient and fearful.”

The sharp sound of shattering porcelain entered Emperor Chenming’s ears, making his gaze sharpen. He had long wanted to establish authority: “There’s no way to account for it in the history books.”

Chen Pin froze. Emperor Chenming cared greatly about his reputation. She said: “For these matters, if someone is willing to share His Majesty’s worries, just let him do it.”

Chen Pin signaled a young eunuch to open the door. That person walked in. Emperor Chenming looked toward Lu Huating kneeling quietly outside the curtain.

“I still remember what you looked like as a child. San Lang was unruly—these years have been hard on you, guiding him from the side.” He paused. “You should know that this action will offend all the officials—it won’t benefit your official career.”

Lu Huating said: “San Lang saved this subject’s life, and the lives of this subject’s mother and sister. This subject was originally a commoner. Entering court as an official was only to repay that debt of gratitude. I only wish to share His Majesty’s worries. Reputation and external things—this subject doesn’t care about them.”

Appreciation flashed in Emperor Chenming’s eyes as he nodded. He slowly grasped a pottery bowl by the bed and raised his hand high.

Outside the door, Qun Qing only heard a crisp “crash” that almost pierced her eardrums.

A moment later, the hall door opened. Seeing Qun Qing blocking the doorway, Lu Huating looked at her for a while and said expressionlessly: “What Miss Qing entrusted has been handled.”

“The Chief Clerk also promised me something else. Don’t forget.” Seeing him look over, Qun Qing said: “When the case is closed, release Yu Nu.”

—

After that day, the once-flourishing Cui clan was like that smashed bowl.

That night, officials led people to surround the Cui ancestral estate like an iron barrel.

The glamorously dressed concubines’ shrieking, crying, and begging for mercy were enclosed by thousands of blade lights. When the blade lights dispersed, it had become a desolate empty estate.

Under the crime of confiscating the entire household, dozens of prison carts pulled the Cui family’s men and womenfolk, driving continuously from Jiannan Circuit into Chang’an. The people in the prison carts had disheveled hair. As soon as they entered the market, displaced people cursed furiously and threw vegetable leaves at them.

The common people watched as the glazed lanterns on both sides of Siye Tower’s plaque—those lanterns that seemed never to extinguish—went out one by one, and that ornate plaque fell from the sky and dropped into the dust.

In the palace’s Star-Plucking Tower, each floor was completed and the red cloth removed. With the confiscated Cui family property as income, Xiao Yunru could finally sleep soundly.

Xiao Jingxing had someone support that woman who had rolled on the nail board that day to file a complaint. She limped out the doors of the Judicial Bureau, her daughter waiting at the entrance. That woman changed back into simple cloth and hairpin, her fair face covered in tears as she threw herself into her mother’s embrace.

In Siye Tower’s underground chambers, over a hundred women were imprisoned. Half of them had originally been commoner status, deceived into Siye Tower, all suffering beatings and abuse. Minister of Finance Zhang Jun memorialized requesting to change their tokens for them so they could all reunite with their families.

Qun Qing listened to the news Lan Yue brought, gazing at the swing in the South Garden swaying in the wind, feeling a contentment that hadn’t surfaced in a long time.

In this life, though she couldn’t practice medicine and save people with Fang Xie, trapped in the palace, she had at least done something.

Lan Yue tugged at her: “There’s a woman outside looking for you. You’re really something—even people from the Court of Imperial Entertainments know you.”

Qun Qing walked out of Qingxuan Pavilion and saw Yu Nu.

It had been some time since they’d met. Yu Nu wore a lotus-pink gauze jacket and skirt, hand holding a silk scarf, her hair in a falling-horse bun. The Court of Imperial Entertainments’ clothing added dignified coloring to her charming brows and eyes.

Yu Nu smiled shyly at Qun Qing: “Minister Xiao knew this slave could dance and had no family, so he had this slave apply for the palace Court of Imperial Entertainments. This slave was selected. I’ve wanted to visit you, miss, but didn’t have time before. Now I finally can.”

The Court of Imperial Entertainments had monthly stipends—for someone drifting without roots, it was the best possible destination. Qun Qing was also very happy. Seeing Yu Nu holding a paper琵琶 in her hands, she said: “What’s this?”

“Siye Tower is gone. This slave wanted to… burn some paper offerings for Sister Chun Niang.” Yu Nu’s eyes filled with tears.

Paper couldn’t be burned in the palace, but Qun Qing thought for a moment and said: “I know a place. Come with me.”

Yu Nu happily grasped Qun Qing’s hand like a child.

Qun Qing hadn’t been this close to anyone in a long time—her hair almost stood on end. But she didn’t pull away, awkwardly holding Yu Nu’s hand, avoiding palace servants all the way, walking far to near the White Horse Temple.

This area was embraced by secluded bamboo, springs tinkling. Few palace servants came here.

Qun Qing looked left and right, seeing only green everywhere: “Burn it.”

Yu Nu knelt by the grass and lit the paper琵琶. Smoke drifted in the air, seeming to outline that figure often leaning by the window. Chun Niang held the琵琶, having transcended the mortal world, listening with a smile in immortal form as Yu Nu spoke.

Qun Qing sat to the side, quietly watching the crying Yu Nu.

She recalled the spring when she was thirteen.

That year she had entered the palace not long before. Her brother Shi Yuming had also passed the military examination and received an official post.

On a rest day, the two went to the suburbs to pick locust flowers, leading just one horse. She had barely ridden for a while when Shi Yuming chased her off the horse. He mounted it himself and was about to mock her, but uncharacteristically fell silent.

Qun Qing grabbed the stirrup and forcibly squeezed behind him. Following his gaze, she looked. Under the spring willows, a young woman of about ten stood on stones in the stream.

She could lift one foot over her shoulder, making her vermillion skirt spread like a fan, standing with difficulty on one foot, so that sweat on her face sparkled in the sunlight.

The official daughters playing with her clapped and laughed as they scattered: “Miss Chen truly is foolish! We teased her a few words and she took it seriously. Who performs dance skills outside with her skirts lifted up? You’ve completely lost face.”

Miss Chen from the Chen family blankly lowered her leg and tried to chase them, but was pushed by a companion to sit in the stream. She said: “You’re bullying people. The immortals in heaven will throw fruit and hit your heads.”

Naturally this brought another round of mocking laughter: “Really a fool! Almost of age and still believing children’s tricks!”

Before the words finished, green fruits fell like rain, hitting the tops of those young women’s heads and necks, frightening them into shrieking.

Qun Qing watched Shi Yuming lower his bow and arrow.

Above those girls’ heads was a lush green paulownia tree. His arrow shot into the branch naturally shook the fruits down.

That Miss Chen’s tearful expression turned to a smile. As if sensing something, she slowly turned back. An apple-like face. Qun Qing quickly slapped the horse’s rear. The white horse carried the two in a gallop, charging onto the main road.

Shi Yuming nearly fell off. After a long while, looking at the passing commoners, where was the stream anymore? He couldn’t help but get angry: “What are you doing?”

Qun Qing was puzzled: “If someone saw, how could we pretend to be immortals?”

Then she discovered with astonishment that both of Shi Yuming’s ears had turned red. She couldn’t see Shi Yuming’s face, only hearing him say solemnly: “Liu Niang, let me ask you—suppose your future sister-in-law is a bit foolish. You won’t mind, right? You won’t bully her, right?”

Qun Qing only then reacted and was also somewhat at a loss. She quickly led the horse back. But on that streamside rock, only a few green fruits had fallen—where was any figure? She looked toward Shi Yuming: “Do you know which family that woman is from?”

“Who told you to run so fast?” Shi Yuming was disappointed. “I only know her surname is Chen.”

…

Yu Nu’s face slowly overlapped with that young woman in memory. She had already calmed down, though her eyes were red and swollen. She grasped Qun Qing’s hand: “Miss, though you don’t know me, you’re willing to help me like this. You’re as good as Sister Chun Niang. Yu Nu will definitely repay you.”

Qun Qing played with a fallen green fruit in her hand, burying it among the fallen leaves. The wind blew her hair strands. She smiled slightly: “No need to repay me. As long as you live well, it fulfills a wish of mine.”