“This servant was delayed and made Your Highness wait. I had originally planned to tell Nanny Zhang and come right back, but who knew I’d be held up midway. The altar in the western side hall caught fire, burning a large patch on the offering table and nearly burning down the building. Fire and candles are strictly controlled in the palace—any slight mishap must be reported, leading to another round of trouble. This servant hurried back to the palace to take a look. It wasn’t anything serious—a young palace maid knocked over a lamp stand while adding oil, but fortunately there were people nearby and the fire didn’t spread…” Tonghuan spoke while looking back. “That person just now—was that Prince Nanyuan?”
Wanwan hummed in agreement, her tone quite resentful. “The hall’s altar caught fire, and they should have just sent others to look. Leaving me alone there, I nearly had an incident. Fortunately Prince Nanyuan came and saved me, otherwise it really would have been…”
She sighed. Having walked quite far, when they reached near the palace gates, she turned back to look. The Golden Pavilion was brilliantly lit below, and that red figure was still there, as distinct as a vermillion seal.
She reluctantly withdrew her gaze and asked Tonghuan, “When you went to Qianqing Palace, did you see Empress Zhao?”
Tonghuan was stunned. “Wasn’t Empress Zhao at the Golden Pavilion? Then how did she have someone send word to invite Your Highness?”
She sneered coldly. “She set up quite a scheme, secretly having someone lie in ambush there to use despicable means to plot against me.” She told Tonghuan everything about how she met Zhao Huanzhi and how Prince Nanyuan rescued her, saying hatefully, “I only thought she was confused, but I didn’t expect she was not only confused but also absurd! I cannot let this matter rest—I must seek justice. This time everyone quietly covered it up, but what about next time?”
Naturally one should be angry at receiving such disrespect, but thinking calmly, a Grand Princess being molested wasn’t something worth publicizing either. Tonghuan said, “Please don’t be too agitated, Your Highness. I understand your meaning—letting that man surnamed Zhao live is truly hard to swallow. But this servant’s thought is that we shouldn’t make it public for now. Rather than cause a huge uproar, it’s better to have Director Xiao handle it. Your Highness has heard of the Eastern Depot’s methods—they can find any pretext to deal with that beast legally. We just want to vent our anger—why hurt ourselves unnecessarily and let those gossipers in the palace have something to talk about?”
Mentioning Xiao Duo made her heart turn cold. Previously, no matter what happened, the first person she thought of was him, as if he were a deity specifically meant to protect her. But now? When she needed him he wasn’t there. He had someone of utmost importance, and his heart was entirely with that person—how could he still think of her?
She was in low spirits, dejected. “Why trouble others? He’s probably busy right now.”
But Tonghuan insisted, “This isn’t a small matter. Should we just let that villain go unpunished? Making a public spectacle isn’t good, but there’s no reason to let him escape justice either. Tomorrow let’s summon Director Xiao to Yude Palace. If Your Highness doesn’t want to mention that matter again, this servant will speak for Your Highness. Either way, the Zhao family must receive some punishment.”
Gradually reaching the edge of the avenue in front of Qianqing Palace, she stopped, feeling somewhat listless. “Has Empress Bu returned?”
“When this servant gave the message to Nanny Zhang, she hadn’t returned yet. I don’t know about now. But Empress Bu’s sister has also entered the palace, so the Empress will surely appear eventually—she can’t just leave her sister unattended.”
Wanwan was somewhat puzzled. “Yin Lou’s hometown is in Jiangnan. How did her sister come to the capital?”
Tonghuan said, “Your Highness doesn’t know—Empress Bu’s sister is Prince Nanyuan’s newly taken concubine. She came to the palace this time following Prince Nanyuan to visit Empress Bu.”
Wanwan was stunned. “So there’s such a connection…”
The lunar eclipse had passed, and heaven and earth were clear again. The brick patterns on the ground crisscrossed, showing cold, hard lines. She glanced toward Qianqing Gate—guests were gathering, naturally very lively. But the livelier it was, the more irritated she felt. She raised her hand to rub her temples. “I have a severe headache and don’t want to go. Let’s return to Yude Palace.”
Missing one princess from such a grand occasion wasn’t significant. Tonghuan agreed, “The small kitchen has stewed sweet bowls—Your Highness’s favorite. Have a cup when we return and then rest. Today was all this servant’s fault for not taking proper care of Your Highness. This servant’s crime is unforgivable.”
She slowly shook her head. “Many things are predestined. I was meant to have this calamity—I can’t blame you.”
Walking onto West First Long Street, the flanking paths were quiet and deep. That moon had seen daylight again, its radiance even more irresistible. The palace had always had rules—after the keys were turned, the gates could not be reopened, so she rarely had opportunities to walk around at night. The vermillion walls under the moon had their colors distorted, becoming dark blue. Everything she saw had an eerie glow—very atmospheric, but also very frightening.
Perhaps it was from catching cold, but she fell ill after returning. She felt dizzy and feverish. She endured until dawn before reporting it. Tonghuan hurriedly notified the Ceremonial Directorate, and Xiao Duo personally brought imperial physicians to examine her pulse. She lay on the canopy bed, extending her hand from the curtains, her wrist exposed to the air—that section was bone-chillingly cold.
The imperial physician’s diagnosis was as she expected. He prescribed two doses of diaphoretic medicine, telling her to rest more and avoid wind, and she would naturally recover. She lay there, hearing through the curtains that the footsteps had dispersed. Tonghuan invited Xiao Duo to the outer room and told him in detail about everything that happened last night, concluding, “Though our Highness is a Grand Princess, she doesn’t receive much favor. If this matter is reported to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, we don’t know how it will end. So this servant sought Director Xiao, asking Director Xiao to uphold justice for Her Highness and severely punish that audacious Counselor Zhao.”
Wanwan closed her tired eyes and pulled the quilt up high, covering her face. Being a princess wasn’t as happy as imagined. She had so many troubles, all bottled up inside with no one to tell.
The soles of black boots gently scraped across the floor, coming to her bedside. After a long time, she heard Xiao Duo say, “Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will definitely chop off that wretch’s claws to vent Your Highness’s anger. Tonghuan is right—this matter shouldn’t be publicized. The more it becomes known to everyone, the harder it is for me to use methods. Your Highness can watch—I will also seek justice from old Empress Zhao for Your Highness and absolutely won’t let Your Highness suffer this grievance in vain.”
Actually, she had been very angry at the time, but afterward her emotions had calmed. However, hearing his comfort, somehow sorrow welled up from within and she couldn’t help crying.
She sobbed inside the curtains while Xiao Duo stood helplessly outside. “I know this matter has deeply affected Your Highness, but fortunately there was no real harm. Please be more at ease, Your Highness.”
Wanwan wasn’t crying about that. She was just afraid of loss. She had originally resolved to be strong and decided never to pay attention to him again, but unexpectedly, with just a few casual words from him, she naturally changed her mind again.
She lifted the bed curtain and called out “Factory Minister.” He cupped his hands and looked at her—red eyes, red nose, set against that snow-white face, both pitiful and adorable.
He stepped forward half a pace. “What instructions does Your Highness have? I’m listening.”
She moved her lips slightly, very much wanting to talk with him about what happened at Hanqing Studio, but then thinking it might put him in a difficult position, and since the other party was Yin Lou, exposing it would embarrass everyone—better not to say anything.
How heartbreaking—she had finally made a good friend, but this good friend had stolen away the person she liked. What was this! Wanwan was fundamentally kind-hearted. She hadn’t thought of causing trouble. If they both had true feelings, then they should be together properly. Though if Second Brother knew she was siding with outsiders, he would probably be furious. But she felt the emperor could have thousands upon thousands of women, while it was too difficult for Xiao Duo to meet someone suitable. Anyway, Second Brother wasn’t devoted—giving up one person once wasn’t a big deal.
He was awaiting orders, but she seemed to have nothing else to say… After thinking, she changed the subject. “Prince Nanyuan shouldn’t have left the capital yet, right? Prepare a food box for me and send it to his residence.”
Xiao Duo understood. She was a careful and courteous person who habitually repaid even small kindnesses abundantly.
He agreed, “I’ll have Little Chunzi deliver it later, though I’m afraid Prince Nanyuan won’t dare eat it.”
“Whether he eats it or not doesn’t matter—as long as my sentiment is conveyed. I heard his concubine is also in the capital. Will they be staying a couple more days this trip?”
Xiao Duo recalled that infatuated gaze from the imperial seat last night and sighed deeply. “I suppose so. His Majesty fears Consort Duan might be lonely, so he specifically asked Prince Nanyuan to stay in the capital for a short visit. The concubine doesn’t need to present identification to enter the palace and was even granted a small sedan chair for convenient coming and going.”
Wanwan’s face showed a strange expression. “Such generous treatment is truly rare. What does that concubine look like? Is she very similar to Yin Lou?”
Xiao Duo shook his head. “They’re half-sisters from the same father but different mothers. They didn’t get along even in their maiden home and don’t have deep feelings, just going through the motions. But His Majesty’s imperial grace is vast, specially permitting frequent palace visits. In terms of appearance, she is indeed a beauty—probably takes after her mother.”
Now Wanwan understood. It seemed her Second Brother’s old problem had flared up again—the neighbor’s rice smells better. Seeing someone else’s concubine, he had developed different thoughts. But as an unmarried woman, it wasn’t appropriate to say much, nor did she want to inquire further. She nodded to show understanding. “Don’t forget to handle what I’ve entrusted to you. I’m tired and want to sleep a bit more. You may go.”
Xiao Duo cupped his hands and withdrew.
Returning to the Ceremonial Directorate, he immediately ordered someone to prepare a food box, selecting several delicate pastries to send to the princely residence in Baoda Ward.
Cao Chun’ang was still muttering, “I think that southern barbarian has ill intentions, yet Foster Father is sending him food… How about son adds some croton powder to clear out his heart and liver?”
This nonsense earned him a sharp glare. Cao Chun’ang shrank his neck and stuck out his tongue, hurriedly taking the pass and leaving the palace.
Princely residences established in the capital were all built modestly to avoid being too conspicuous. Prince Nanyuan’s mansion was a four-courtyard compound of unremarkable specifications, practically the same scale as an ordinary wealthy household. This prince’s distinguishing feature differed from other princes—he was skilled at management and understood surface appearances. People without deep understanding could never penetrate the hidden depths behind that face.
Palace rewards, though not imperial gifts, were still enough to inspire endless gratitude. Prince Nanyuan personally received them. Holding the small box of pastries, Cao Chun’ang smiled broadly, “This is what Grand Princess Her Highness ordered this servant to deliver to Your Highness. These are all Her Highness’s usual favorites. She said yesterday’s incident was beyond repayment, so she’s using this box of pastries to express her gratitude to Your Highness.”
He was as humble as always. “Please convey to His Majesty that this prince is infinitely grateful for the Grand Princess’s kind sentiment.” He turned to have someone prepare reward money for Cao Chun’ang. “Mr. Cao has worked hard—come inside and rest.”
Cao Chun’ang waved repeatedly, “I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness. This servant works in the palace anyway—running this little errand is nothing. Your Highness needn’t see me out. This servant still has duties and must take leave first.” Having said this, he scampered out of the princely mansion. What a joke—back when Consort Duan hadn’t formed a grudge with him, she nearly cost him his life. Now that he and Foster Father had practically fallen out, he still dared stay for tea? Did he think he was tired of living?
The attendant below watched the little eunuch run out the gate and bowed to receive the food box, but was waved away. It was just an ordinary item, yet he held it in his arms so preciously that he looked quite strange. He knew he was being excessive, but couldn’t help the joy in his heart. He took it to the main room and placed it on the table, slowly pacing around the crescent table, thinking of her in the pavilion—she who had been his youthful aspiration. Standing at such close distance, completely like a young maiden—after waiting over ten years, he had finally waited for her to grow up.
A maid uncovered the food box for him to see: sea-green rolls, milk skin cakes… packed in plum blossom lacquer boxes were five or six varieties, all colorful items to a girl’s taste. Outside food couldn’t be eaten carelessly, so a silver needle was presented. He pinched it between his fingers, weighed it, then threw it aside. He hadn’t planned to eat any anyway—eating one piece would make it incomplete. Better to leave it for viewing.
Hurried footsteps sounded in the corridor. Reaching the door, someone called “Your Highness.” He turned to see Yin Ge dressed up splendidly, standing outside the threshold saying, “His Majesty has sent someone with a message, telling me to enter the palace immediately.”
He hummed indifferently, “Follow what we agreed when we came. After it’s accomplished, I won’t shortchange the Bu family.”
Yin Ge agreed but lingered, “Is Your Highness truly not afraid of the world’s mockery for doing this?”
“Mockery?” He slightly curved his lips. “Why should I be the one mocked? Shouldn’t the world sympathize with me instead?”
“I am, after all, someone Your Highness betrothed and welcomed into the prince’s mansion…”
He stood there, his deep eyes lacking warmth. “You and I each take what we need—no need for grand principles. My Prince Nanyuan’s mansion provides you a stepping stone into the Forbidden City. With sufficient skill, climbing to the empress’s throne isn’t impossible. It all depends on how you perform.”
Yin Ge still didn’t understand his purpose. “What exactly is Your Highness’s goal? If it’s just to please His Majesty, you could simply send me directly to the palace.”
He narrowed his eyes to study her, slowly shaking his head in disappointment. “You alone are far from enough.” That’s why he had to sacrifice his own reputation. If this scheme succeeded, then all sacrifices would be worthwhile.
How strange—he calculated everything just to fulfill his former dream. Because this dream was without malice, making some accommodations didn’t give him any sense of guilt.