Prince Ninth, save me.

Although the Empress Dowager was already in her sixties, she appeared regal and dignified, and between her brows one could still glimpse the beauty she possessed in her youth. My interest in Lady Lu Ning stemmed from tales I had heard as a child, of how she had managed to turn her fate around after being cast into the Cold Palace, eventually ascending to her current position as Empress Dowager. I had always imagined her to be a ruthless and cunning woman, yet now, aside from a noble aura, there was no trace of cruelty in her demeanor. Perhaps I simply couldn’t see through her yet. Women of such capability are the ones I truly admire.

“Blessings and peace to the Empress Dowager…” In an instant, everyone in the courtyard knelt, except for the Empress, who merely bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty, I greet you. May I ask what brings you here today?”

The matron at Lu Ning’s side helped the Empress Dowager settle into a chair. Then Lu Ning spoke, “I have heard about Eunuch He, and also what happened yesterday in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. I know you have suffered injustice, so I came especially to see you. Unexpectedly, I happened upon this matter as well. Did this servant make a mistake?”

The Empress replied, “Your Majesty, this servant works in Cuiwei Palace. Knowing that Sister Bitong likes chrysanthemums, I asked him to bring a few pots over. Yet who would have thought he harbored a thief’s heart and stole my bracelet. I was just disciplining him; if I don’t show the others what happens to thieves, there will be no peace in the future.”

Lu Ning glanced at me. I was weak beyond measure, barely able to endure the pain, tears shimmering in my eyes.

“This servant has already been beaten. Surely that is punishment enough. I have been devoted to prayer these days and cannot bear to witness such things.”

Hearing the Empress Dowager plead for me, a spark of hope ignited in my heart. But then Minghe interjected, “Your Majesty, you may not know, but this little eunuch is stubborn. He was caught red-handed yet refuses to admit his crime. After being beaten, he still claims innocence. Shouldn’t such an unrepentant servant be disciplined further?”

“So that’s how it is? Was it only a beating? He looks to have a swollen face as well,” Lu Ning said, showing some sympathy.

“Your Majesty, please save this servant, have mercy…” I cried out with all the strength I could muster, though my voice was but a whisper.

The scene reminded me of when I was young and, exhausted, nearly set the kitchen ablaze while cooking. My aunt flogged me in front of the whole family, leaving me bruised and bloody. I begged her, begged my father, but no one came to my aid. I lay feverish for three days, unable to get up.

“He does look pitiful. Empress, discipline is necessary, but don’t be too harsh. The palace will soon welcome the new maidens; it would be best if peace is maintained. Let there be no more incidents like Eunuch He. I know three people died suddenly; I haven’t slept well in two nights.”

The Empress replied quickly, “Your Majesty must take care of your health. Have you summoned the imperial physician?”

“It’s nothing. The physician’s remedies are only for calming the mind; I know them all.”

The Empress smiled, then said to Minghe, “Take him away. Don’t disturb Her Majesty.”

Minghe nodded, “Yes, I will do so at once.”

Take me away? Does that mean the matter isn’t settled? Are they truly going to have me die in the Empress’s hands?

Just as I was about to be dragged off, two people entered. One wore snowy silk robes adorned with golden thread in lifelike patterns, a handsome and graceful young lord. The other was my young master, Jiang Xuan.

“Grandson greets Grandmother, greets Mother.”

Both bowed. The charming young lord was cheerful, while Jiang Xuan retained his usual cold, aloof expression.

“So it’s Yun and Xuan. Why are you two here together?” Lu Ning smiled kindly.

Jiang Yun was the Crown Prince, the Emperor’s third son.

Jiang Yun approached Lu Ning and said, “Father just reviewed my studies and sent me to greet Mother. I brought Ninth Brother with me.”

“Good, good, good,” Lu Ning said, evidently fond of Jiang Yun.

“Yun, since you have greeted us, go study,” the Empress told him.

“I take my leave.” Jiang Yun saluted and prepared to depart, but glanced at me and asked, “I recall this little eunuch is not from Mother’s palace. Did he commit some offense?”

Minghe stepped forward to explain, “Your Highness, this little eunuch stole Her Majesty’s jade bracelet and was caught in the act. We are disciplining him.”

“The jade bracelet? That one?” Jiang Yun pointed to the one on the table.

“Yes, that’s it,” Minghe replied.

Jiang Yun looked puzzled, “If it’s that one, I remember it was bestowed by Father when Mother was made Empress. She has never taken it off, so how did this little eunuch steal it today?”

At his words, Minghe’s face showed embarrassment, and she glanced at the Empress. The Empress was about to speak when Lu Ning said, “It must be a misunderstanding. Perhaps the Empress just took it off and placed it somewhere, and this little servant happened to see it and lingered too long.”

Lu Ning had given the Empress an out, yet as things drew to a close, it was unclear how the Empress would resolve it. With Jiang Yun, the Empress Dowager, and a young master from Cuiwei Palace present, the Empress had to weigh her options.

“Minghe, did you leave my belongings out carelessly?”

Minghe hastily knelt, “Forgive me, Your Majesty.”

“Then release him.”

“Yes.”

The two eunuchs let go, and I collapsed onto the ground, unable to rise.

“Yun, accompany me to walk in the Imperial Garden. I haven’t been in ages.”

“But I’d like to go with Ninth Brother…” Jiang Yun hesitated.

“Yun…” The Empress interrupted him. “Since Her Majesty wishes to go, accompany her. As for your Ninth Brother…” She paused, glanced at Jiang Xuan, and said, “Since the Ninth Prince is here, take your mother’s palace servant away with you.”

Jiang Xuan looked at me, his eyes full of disdain. His noble bearing made my wretchedness all the more apparent.

“Ninth Prince, save me… Mother, please save Azhi…” I whispered weakly, then finally fainted from the pain.

I never expected Jiang Xuan to help me, nor did I have the energy to hope. But I certainly didn’t expect that Jiang Xuan himself would carry me back.

I was tripped along the way, cursed a few times, and came to in a fog. The first thing I saw was Jiang Xuan’s profile—cold and sharp as water in the night.

“Ninth Prince…” I could scarcely believe he was helping me back to Cuiwei Palace.

Hearing me speak, Jiang Xuan glanced at me, then pushed me aside. “Since you’re awake, walk by yourself.”

But without his support, I collapsed instantly, a puddle on the ground. The pain as I landed made my face contort.

Jiang Xuan watched, as if debating whether to abandon me or not.

“Ninth Prince, may I trouble you to leave me here and find someone to help?” I asked weakly, knowing it was improper for a prince to help me. If I returned like this, Zhang Jieyu would surely beat me again.

“I have no interest in your troubles.” With a flick of his sleeve, Jiang Xuan left.

So he really left. Was I to crawl back?

Crawl, then. At least if I kept my backside off the ground, it wouldn’t hurt as much.

With great effort, I turned over and began to crawl forward, inching along like an insect. Surely to others, I must look like a worm.

“Master Long, there seems to be a worm over there.”

…There really was a worm?

Master Long? Long Zhan?

After crawling a bit more, I suddenly saw a pair of black boots. Looking up, I met Long Zhan’s face.

That worm, they meant me!

“Aren’t you the little Xiao from Cuiwei Palace? Planning to crawl back there?”

Why was Long Zhan so annoying, pretending not to know?

I replied with a hint of pride, “Yes, walking is too tiring.”

“How dare you speak to Master Long like that?” a guard scolded.

Long Zhan raised his hand; the guard fell silent. Then Long Zhan said, “You two, carry him back to Cuiwei Palace.”

“Master Long, we are Imperial Guards, how can we—”

“Do you dare defy my command?”

“No, sir.”

“Then do it.”

The two guards lifted me, and I couldn’t help but glance at Long Zhan. What was he thinking, showing such sudden kindness? Was he worried I might reveal something about him?

As soon as the guards carried me away, Hongxiu and Xiao Luzi ran over. Seeing me, they exclaimed, “So you've already met the guards—we needn't have rushed so much.”

From their tone, it seemed Jiang Xuan had sent them.