132. Causing Trouble

After speaking heart-to-heart with Han Feiyue that day, everything felt much lighter. Knowing that Long Zhan had dispatched men to guard the perimeter added to her peace of mind.

That evening, I tended to Han Feiyue, helping her drink her pregnancy-stabilizing tonic before she retired for the night. Before drifting off, she instructed me to go to the Imperial Household Department to collect some fabric; she had taken a fancy to sewing some small clothes for the baby.

I had been occupied all day and had not found a moment to step away. Seeing that she was finally asleep, I decided this was the perfect opportunity. I informed the two young eunuchs guarding the courtyard and set off from the Huayang Palace.

On the way to the Imperial Household Department, I overheard two young palace maids whispering ahead of me, unaware of my presence.

"Have you heard? This isn't the first time. The Emperor clearly flipped the jade tablet for Noble Lady Ru, and she had already bathed and was waiting, yet he changed his mind at the last minute and went to another concubine instead. Once, he had even reached the Nanxun Palace, only to turn a corner and head to Noble Lady Jun’s quarters instead."

"Isn't Noble Lady Ru the 'Fairy of a Hundred Flowers' personally bestowed by the Emperor? I heard she was showered with favor just a few days ago! Every garment she wears is embroidered by her own hands—it's incredibly beautiful. The Emperor would praise her every time!"

"That was then. Who talks about a 'Fairy of a Hundred Flowers' now? Isn't that how things go in this palace? Aside from the Empress, which concubine has ever held onto the Emperor’s favor for long? Take Noble Lady Ya, for instance. Wasn't she once the apple of his eye? Now, they say the Emperor hasn't visited her in ages. Noble Lady Ya has such a temper; she nearly got into a fight and was scolded by the Emperor for it. The Emperor just craves novelty; once that wears off, he looks for someone else. In this harem, is there ever a shortage of women?"

"That’s true. I did hear the Emperor visited the Jiyue Palace once."

"Jiyue Palace? What place is that?"

"It’s where Noble Lady Lan lives, the daughter of Chancellor Lin."

"Ah, her. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. Hasn't the Emperor been neglecting her?"

"Exactly! But he tried to visit last time, only to be blocked by Eunuch Qiu. It turns out the Emperor had sent imperial physicians to examine her, and since she was unwell, she wasn't fit to serve him. You see, being the daughter of Chancellor Lin means nothing if you don't have the Emperor's affection and your own health fails you. High status is useless then."

"Indeed, indeed. Who can ever make sense of the rights and wrongs of the harem? Personally, I think Noble Lady Ru must have offended someone; otherwise, why would she be so unlucky lately?"

"Who knows? Fame brings trouble—that’s no lie."

"Alright, let's hurry."

Following behind them, I accidentally stumbled upon quite a bit of gossip. Looking up, I realized that in my distraction, I had taken a wrong turn and wandered far from the Imperial Household Department. I wondered if anyone would even be on duty at this hour.

I was just about to turn back when I heard a woman’s shrill scream. It came from the palace ahead—the Yuexian Palace. If I recalled correctly, that was where Huyan Ya resided.

Recalling the maids' talk of her temper and her penchant for violence, I wondered if she was beating someone again. I initially thought that Huyan Ya was a mistress and I was merely a servant; if she chose to strike someone, it was her prerogative, and none of my business.

I was about to leave when I heard a woman crying out, "My Lady, please spare me! This servant will never dare do it again!"

That voice—it was Jialin!

Recognizing her, my feet refused to move. If it had been a stranger, I might have walked away pretending to hear nothing. But having met her a few times, she was a girl who evoked pity, and I could not bear to walk away.

After hesitating for a long time, I decided to take a look. I noticed a large tree by the palace wall and climbed it, giving me a perfect view of the courtyard. Huyan Ya was seated in a chair, while Jialin knelt on the ground. A eunuch stood beside her, wielding a thin bamboo switch, striking Jialin’s back again and again.

That instrument was notoriously painful. As a child, I had been struck by it many times by my aunt. It left welts on the back that would remain for days. Seeing this, I couldn't possibly leave. I thought of my own past and felt a surge of sympathy for Jialin.

But how could I help her?

As I worried, I felt a sharp sting on the back of my hand. A furry insect was crawling there—a stinging moth. As a mischievous child, I had been stung by these often, and I knew how to treat it. I crushed the insect and applied its internal fluid to my hand, which eased the pain significantly.

Once the pain subsided, I realized that Huyan Ya, being from the Xiongnu, would likely not know this remedy. I wrapped my hand in a handkerchief and searched the tree for a few more. I bent a branch until it hung directly over Huyan Ya’s head.

I dropped one moth, shaking the branch vigorously. It fell, but missed her. A few leaves drifted down in front of her. She stood up immediately and looked around, but I hid deep within the thick summer foliage. Since it was night, she didn't see me.

Two more moths remained in my handkerchief—only two chances left.

Huyan Ya sat back down, and the eunuch continued to lash Jialin. I dropped another one, aimed carefully, and shook the branch hard. The insect clung to a leaf for a moment before falling—landing perfectly on Huyan Ya’s neck.

"Ah! What is that?" Before I could even count to three, she screamed.

"My Lady, what is wrong?"

"Ah! My neck! My neck hurts!" She clawed at her skin, catching the insect. She looked toward the tree, and in my moment of triumph, I failed to hide in time. When she glared in my direction, I scrambled down and bolted.

"Chase him! Which damned servant dares to use bugs to bite me? It hurts! What are you standing there for? Go summon the imperial physician!"

I ran as fast as I could, but I realized Huyan Ya was pursuing me. Being a Xiongnu, she was stronger than us, and as someone trained in martial arts, a little pain wouldn't stop her. However, she didn't realize that if left untreated, the back of her neck would soon swell up significantly.

I didn't dare get too cocky. Sensing her closing in, I turned a corner, but in my haste to look back, I collided with someone. I cursed my luck, only to look up and see Jiang Xuan.

"Ninth Prince, I have urgent business, so I shall forgo the pleasantries."

Before I could dash away, he grabbed my collar, frowning. "Little Xiaozi, what are you up to now?"

"I have no time to explain, Your Highness, I am—"

Before I could finish, Huyan Ya and her retinue arrived. I thought, *It's over.* Why did Jiang Xuan have to hold me back?

Huyan Ya pressed a hand to her neck, and upon seeing Jiang Xuan, she said, "So, it is the Ninth Prince."

"Greetings, Noble Lady Ya." Jiang Xuan released me and bowed slightly.

"Yes, I was just—"

Jiang Xuan cut her off. "Little Xiaozi, why are you still here? My mother will be displeased."

Huyan Ya asked, "Is this servant with you? I saw him running from my Yuexian Palace just now. I have been chasing him all this way."

Jiang Xuan remained calm. "Little Xiaozi has been with me the entire time. As for the person you saw, I may have caught a glimpse of someone running in that direction."

Jiang Xuan lied without even blushing, pointing toward the distance with absolute confidence. I admired him in my heart.

"Are you certain he went that way? You aren't deceiving me, Ninth Prince?"

Jiang Xuan replied, "If you don't believe me, Noble Lady, there is nothing I can do. But surely you don't think it was Little Xiaozi? He has been with me."

Huyan Ya seemed convinced of my guilt and wasn't about to let me go over a few words. She smiled, "Though I don't frequent the company of others in the palace, I am aware that Little Xiaozi is currently attending to the Crown Princess. Why would he be returning to the Cuiwei Palace?"

*That’s a good point,* I thought. *Since Jiang Xuan started this, let’s see how he handles it.* I felt quite secure now.

Jiang Xuan said, "While it is true he attends to my third sister-in-law, he remains a servant of the Cuiwei Palace. There is nothing improper about him returning there from time to time. But Noble Lady, what was the reason for you to be chasing a servant you didn't even identify at such a late hour?"

Huyan Ya certainly wouldn't admit she had been stung by a bug; that would be too humiliating.

She waved her handkerchief. "A lowly cur was mocking me, and I intended to capture and punish him. But after chasing him here, he vanished, and I encountered you and this Little Xiaozi. Isn't it a coincidence, Ninth Prince?"

It seemed even Jiang Xuan couldn't handle such a woman. I suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! My Lady, have you been stung by a bug? It looks like it’s already swelling!"

"What? Is it swelling?"

I added, "I grew up in the countryside and have seen many of these. Your injury looks exactly like a sting from a certain insect. If not treated immediately, it will swell further and turn bright red. If it starts to bleed or fester, it will leave a permanent scar, and that would be—"

"Is it that serious? What are you all standing there for? Did I not tell you to summon the physician?"

Women, after all, care about such things.

As I watched Huyan Ya leave with her attendants, I couldn't help but smile. When I turned around, I was met with Jiang Xuan’s cold expression.

I hurried to say, "My gratitude, Ninth Prince. Your quick thinking was truly admirable. But how did you come up with that?"

Jiang Xuan frowned. "Need you ask? With that look on your face, you were clearly up to no good again!"

I gave him a thumbs up. "Your Highness is wise. I am not even a ten-thousandth as brilliant as you."

Jiang Xuan chuckled softly. "Your flattery is improving. Tell me, was the injury on Noble Lady Ya’s neck your doing?"

"It would be better if I didn't tell you, Your Highness. If you knew, you would become my accomplice."

"Haven't you already admitted it? Haven't I already become your accomplice? You’re only considering my position now?"

I grinned sheepishly.