115 The Beauty (1)

The death of Hongxiu was never something I intended. I always felt that she, like me, had been swept into this inner palace against her own will. We were both at the very bottom of the social hierarchy, and sometimes, one’s fate is simply not in one’s own hands. Had things remained as they were in the beginning, perhaps we could have become good friends, helping one another, much like Ping’er and I. But she, driven by jealousy born of love, forced herself step by step into a point of no return, and in turn, forced my hand against her.

Taking a life is not something I enjoy, yet it was a helpless necessity.

With the matter of Hongxiu concluded, the situation at Cuiwei Palace remained thorny.

Zhang Bitong had been demoted, and naturally, when a wall is about to collapse, everyone gives it a push. To avoid the spotlight—and because she was indeed feeling unwell from the poison—she had not gone to pay her respects to the Empress at Kunning Palace for several days.

In truth, the poisoning was not severe. Thanks to the medicine from Imperial Physician Gu, the toxins had been purged, and after a few days of rest, she had already recovered. Seeing that the weather was pleasant, Zhang Bitong decided to take a walk in the Imperial Garden.

Yunqing cautioned, "My Lady, at this hour, the other consorts will soon be leaving Kunning Palace. It might be unpleasant if you were to run into them."

Zhang Bitong said dismissively, "And what if I do? In my current state, what more could they possibly do to me? Am I not even allowed to walk in the garden? The Emperor has already finished his morning court session; if I were to run into him in the garden, wouldn't that be my opportunity?"

Zhang Bitong was clearly unwilling to wait patiently for the Emperor’s birthday. Unable to dissuade her, Yunqing could only nod.

"Little Xiao, you come with us as well. I still want to ask you about Lin Tanwei."

"As you command!"

Yunqing and I attended to Zhang Bitong as she headed to the Imperial Garden.

Standing among a cluster of flowers, Zhang Bitong grew sentimental. "I remember when the Emperor favored me, he would often accompany me here to admire the blossoms. He once said I was like the flowers in this garden—delicate and dripping with dew, tempting one to pluck them. But now, I am worth less than the grass beneath our feet."

"Oh? Isn't this Sister Tong?" The voice belonged to Lin Tanwei.

What a coincidence. I had hoped to avoid such people in the garden, yet here we were.

"I come to enjoy the flowers, only to be bothered by others. How it spoils the mood," Zhang Bitong said, not even looking at Lin Tanwei, her expression filled with annoyance.

"Consort Tong," Lin Tanwei said, her tone sharpening when Zhang Bitong ignored her, "do you not know how to pay respects when you see me? You are now but a lowly Changzai, while I am a Pin."

"You—" Zhang Bitong glared at her.

Lin Tanwei raised an eyebrow. "Consort Tong, surely you remember how you lectured Noble Lady Ya? Do you wish to see the same mistake reflected upon yourself?"

"I—"

"Insolent!" Xiao Jing pointed at Lin Tanwei. "How dare you refer to yourself as 'this palace' in front of my mistress?"

"Even a lowly palace maid dares to lecture me?" Zhang Bitong shifted her target to Xiao Jing.

Lin Tanwei shielded Xiao Jing behind her. "Consort Tong, I shall discipline my own maid; you need not trouble yourself. However, you have yet to pay your respects. It seems the Emperor’s command for you to relearn palace etiquette has gone completely unheeded. Perhaps you should punish yourself with a slap to the face, or I could have the Internal Affairs Department handle it."

"You—" Zhang Bitong was trembling with rage. Yunqing tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to endure.

Zhang Bitong offered a perfunctory curtsy. "This concubine greets Pin Tan. May you be blessed with peace and prosperity."

Zhang Bitong began to rise, but Lin Tanwei stopped her with a hand. "Don't be in such a hurry. I haven't accepted it yet. Stay in that position; I will let you rise when I am satisfied."

"You—" Zhang Bitong hissed, "Pin Tan, you humiliate me now, but I will surely return the favor. One day, I will climb back up. Even at my worst, I have a son. And you? You have nothing."

"How do you know I will have nothing? That son of yours—is he even of any use? I am still young. If I bear an Imperial Prince, what will you have left to compare with me, Consort Tong?"

Zhang Bitong sneered, "I doubt you have the fate to deliver one. Do not think that by taking a few doses of medicine—"

As Zhang Bitong spoke, I immediately interrupted, "My Lady—"

Zhang Bitong realized she had said too much and fell silent. But it was too late. Lin Tanwei asked, "You truly know I am taking medicine? Is there something wrong with it?"

Zhang Bitong feigned innocence. "I know nothing of the sort. Do not blame me if you take the wrong medicine and come looking for trouble. I would never do such a thing; do not falsely accuse me."

Lin Tanwei was now thoroughly suspicious and turned to Xiao Jing. "Xiao Jing, let us return to the palace."

"Yes!"

As Lin Tanwei hurried away, she accidentally bumped into a passing maid.

"Which blind fool dares to collide with our mistress?" Xiao Jing went to investigate.

The maid knelt in a hurry. "My Lady, please spare me! I did not do it on purpose, I beg your mercy."

"It's you?" Lin Tanwei seemed to recognize her.

I looked closer—it was Jialin, the maid who had been slapped by Huyan Ya the other day.

"I am the maid serving Noble Lady Ya," Jialin said.

"So it is you. I thought you looked familiar. Why are you in such a rush? If Noble Lady Ya doesn't know the rules, does that mean you don't either?"

Jialin kept her head bowed. "This servant knows her error, please forgive me. Noble Lady Ya asked me to pick some peonies in the garden, and I grew anxious."

"So the Xiongnu princess knows how to appreciate our Dajin flowers. It seems she intends to integrate into Dajin after all. Very well, be more careful next time."

"Thank you, My Lady."

It was only picking flowers—why was Jialin so panicked? Huyan Ya must have been tormenting her again. Huyan Ya was clearly a spoiled character; Jialin must have suffered greatly under her.

After Lin Tanwei and Jialin left, I said, "My Lady, regarding what you said just now..."

Zhang Bitong replied, "It is said, and I was just momentarily forgetful. Besides, it is too late now that she suspects something. She has taken so much, it should be taking effect soon. Furthermore, I never involved myself directly, and the prescription you provided was fine. If she wants to find trouble with me, she will have to weigh whether she is qualified to do so."

Zhang Bitong was sometimes truly foolish and careless. Following her was not the best choice. If I wanted to get ahead in this palace, I would have to look for a more sagacious master.

Disturbed by the encounter with Lin Tanwei, Zhang Bitong had no heart left for the garden and returned to Cuiwei Palace. Upon arrival, she discovered a guest: Minghe, the head maid from the Empress’s side.

Zhang Bitong was caught off guard. Yunqing, ever composed, stepped forward. "Oh, it is Sister Minghe. When did you arrive? My Lady was feeling weary from resting inside and went out for a stroll; please forgive the long wait."

Zhang Bitong smiled quickly. "Yes, yes, I was just out for a walk."

Minghe nodded slightly at Zhang Bitong, her expression aloof. "I am here under the Empress’s decree to see how your health is faring. If you have not improved, we shall have to call for the Imperial Physician again."

Zhang Bitong gave an awkward smile. "I am much better, much better. Thank you for the Empress’s concern."

Minghe replied, "Since you are better, you must observe the proper rules. Otherwise, would the Emperor’s reprimand not have been in vain?"

Zhang Bitong looked displeased, having grasped Minghe's implication. She said, "I understand. I shall go to Kunning Palace tomorrow to pay my respects to the Empress. Sorry to have troubled you to make this trip."

"It is no trouble, as long as the masters are well. I have delivered the Empress’s words, so I shall take my leave."

"Walk slowly, Sister!"

Once Minghe left, Zhang Bitong sat on her daybed, fuming. "She clearly came to see if I was truly sick. She is forcing me to pay respects so I have to face the cold mockery of the other consorts. The Empress is simply out to get me."

"My Lady must endure. After all, the Emperor’s birthday is less than a month away," Yunqing soothed.

"I know that, but I have no idea how to stand out on his birthday."

"My Lady, I have a plan."

"Oh? Tell me!"

Yunqing continued, "Everyone in the inner palace knows that while the current Empress Dowager is not the original Empress Xiaoren, the Emperor was raised by Empress Xiaoren from a young age and holds her in the highest regard. If you can approach the matter from this angle, you will surely win the Emperor’s heart."

"Empress Xiaoren?"

Empress Xiaoren was the late Nangong Zixuan. The Emperor’s biological mother passed away when he was young, and he was entrusted to Empress Xiaoren’s care.

"Indeed. The Emperor is filial; he is extremely filial even to the current Empress Dowager, let alone the Empress Xiaoren who raised him. Yet, Empress Xiaoren has been gone for many years, and this palace has long forgotten her. If you are the only one who remembers, the Emperor will surely be deeply moved."

Zhang Bitong pondered this, her eyes brightening. "Yunqing, your idea is truly brilliant. During these coming days, gather more information about Empress Xiaoren’s life, and I will carefully consider how to proceed."

"Rest assured, My Lady, I know what to do."

Yunqing’s suggestion was indeed excellent. On his birthday, the Emperor would inevitably be reflecting on his upbringing. He would think of his birth mother, but even more so of the woman who raised him. If Zhang Bitong played this emotional card, it would surely touch the Emperor deeply. Such devotion would earn her great praise, far surpassing the singing, dancing, and music of the others.

Yet, this plan carried a significant risk: it would inevitably offend the current Empress Dowager, Luning.

Throughout history, the struggles of the inner palace have never ceased. There must have been a fierce rivalry between Empress Dowager Luning and Empress Xiaoren in the past. If Zhang Bitong used Nangong Zixuan to regain favor, how would Luning react?

Yunqing was originally from the Cining Palace. She should know Luning’s temper well, and she should understand the minds of women in this palace better than anyone. Yet, she offered this suggestion to Zhang Bitong—was it truly just to help her regain favor?