Beauty is Often Met with a Tragic Fate

When I awoke the next day, I found the fox fur cloak draped securely over me. Jiang Xuan was still kneeling there, straight-backed as before.

When had he placed the cloak on me? All I could sense was the pleasant fragrance lingering around my nose, belonging to him.

The faint morning light spilled in, illuminating the young man's face, which appeared all the more resolute.

A thought stirred within me: Jiang Xuan was no ordinary person—if he wished, perhaps the whole empire could be his.

I watched him silently for a long time, until I opened the door and realized snow was falling again. Tiny snowflakes whirled downward, brushing against my cheek with a piercing chill. The wind made my eyes involuntarily close, jolting me back to reality.

It was already late—I had to return.

“Ninth Prince, I must go back now.”

“Mm.”

Carrying the food box to the doorway, I heard Jiang Xuan say, “You need not come tonight.”

I glanced at him but said nothing.

Then Jiang Xuan laughed softly, “I never thought I would speak so much with someone whose name I do not even know.”

I remained silent.

After a moment’s thought, I removed the fox fur cloak from my shoulders and carefully draped it over Jiang Xuan. “Since that’s the case, Ninth Prince, please wear this for now. It’s too cold in here.”

Before he could reply, I turned to leave.

“Little Xiao!” he called.

I turned back, and before I could see clearly, another warm fox fur cloak descended over my head, enveloping me entirely.

“Ninth Prince, I—”

Jiang Xuan said nothing, maintaining his original kneeling posture.

Wearing the cloak, carrying the food box, I opened the door and hurried back to Cuiwei Palace through wind and snow. While everyone still slept, I retraced the path Long Zhan had shown me.

On the way back to Cuiwei Palace, I passed the closest intersection to Lijiyue Palace. I was in a rush, hoping no one would see me. But as I passed the corner, I glanced at the palace gates and saw a man in official robes emerging from within.

He carried a medicine box—he seemed to be one of the imperial physicians I’d seen before. Could it be that Lin Lanzhi’s condition had worsened, requiring a doctor at this hour?

He spoke a few words to a maid beside Lin Lanzhi, then she closed the palace doors. The physician headed in my direction. I quickly hurried ahead, hiding around the corner.

Once the physician had gone, I continued toward Cuiwei Palace. But after a few steps, I suddenly realized—I had clearly seen his face as he approached. To my shock, he was the refined gentleman in white I had encountered outside the palace yesterday.

On one hand, he appeared the scholarly, gentle young man; on the other, he was an imperial physician. The dual identities aroused my suspicion. I made a mental note of the incident but didn’t dwell on it.

I returned to Cuiwei Palace, and before Zhang Bitong awoke, I was already kneeling obediently at the door. Yesterday’s beating, coupled with a restless night in the ancestral temple, had left me sore all over. My hips were swollen, and every step was agony.

Yunqing was the first to come out. Seeing me, she approached and whispered, “Is the Ninth Prince all right? Did he eat everything?”

I nodded, “Don’t worry, Aunt Yunqing. The Ninth Prince ate all the food and is fine.”

Only then did Yunqing relax, “Little Xiao, you’ve done well. I’ll tell Her Ladyship later so you’ll be spared punishment.”

“Aunt Yunqing, there’s no need. I made a mistake and deserve to be punished.”

“Your little body can’t withstand such hardship. You only did as you were told. In the end, what fault is yours? I won’t keep you—let me attend to Her Ladyship.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Yunqing gently knocked on the door, “Your Ladyship~”

“Come in,” Zhang Bitong’s voice called from inside.

Soon, Lanyan brought in hot water to assist Zhang Bitong with her morning routine.

Once she was ready, Zhang Bitong sat in the room for breakfast and suddenly called my name, “Little Xiao!”

“Here, Your Ladyship.”

I moved to kneel at the doorway.

“Yunqing has told me about your visit to Xuan’er last night. It’s good that you remember your master. Though I ache for Xuan’er, our status is precarious. Even if you wish to see him, be cautious. If you’re caught, neither he nor I will ever have a chance to recover.”

I pressed my head to the ground. “Rest assured, Your Ladyship. I will be careful.”

“Did Xuan’er send any message for me?”

I thought for a moment. “The Ninth Prince said I need not visit tonight, lest I be discovered and implicate you.”

Zhang Bitong stood up, agitated. “Is that what he said?”

I nodded earnestly. “Yes, Your Ladyship.”

She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, “Xuan’er still cares for me. Poor child, starving and freezing in the ancestral temple.”

Yunqing hurried to comfort her, “Don’t be distressed, Your Ladyship. It’s only three days. The Ninth Prince will be fine.”

“Even if Xuan’er says so, as his mother, how can I ignore him? Little Xiao, tonight you must still go and attend to the Ninth Prince. Remember?”

“Yes!”

“Enough, you may rise. Go rest for now. When it’s warmer this afternoon, you and Little Lu will fetch some charcoal from the Household Department. Those wretched servants, seeing that I’ve lost favor, won’t even deliver the monthly charcoal. Once my confinement ends, I’ll show them a lesson. If you manage to get extra, you can use some for yourselves.”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship. I’ll rest briefly and then go with Little Lu.”

“Very well, go now.”

I rose and hobbled to my room, clutching my aching waist. I couldn’t lie flat on the bed—only prone. Since arriving at the palace, I’d already suffered two beatings.

I wondered whether serving Zhang Bitong would ever lead to advancement. Even Lin Tanwei could easily outmaneuver her; Zhang Bitong truly lacked any political cunning.

I lay on the bed for less than an hour, just drifting off when Hongxiu entered, her tone indifferent, “Someone is waiting for you at the palace gate.”

“Who?”

“A eunuch from the Eastern Palace, Little Zhuo. Don’t ask me anything else—I don’t know.” With that, Hongxiu left.

The Eastern Palace? Was Jiang Yun looking for me?

I got up and went to the gate, where Little Zhuo was rubbing his hands for warmth. Seeing me, he asked, “Are you Little Xiao?”

“That’s me.”

“Our Crown Prince requests your presence.”

“I’ll go at once.”

On the way, I asked, “May I ask what the Crown Prince needs from me?”

“I don’t know, you’ll find out soon enough. Little Xiao, you’re quite something.” Little Zhuo gave me a sidelong glance, “Word is, the Empress and Lady Tan have both been vying for you. Now even the Crown Prince favors you.”

“You flatter me, sir. I am only fulfilling my duty.”

“Hot as you are now, there are still things you must do. Don’t blame me for warning you: have you ever shown respect to Steward Qiu? The Emperor often passes by Cuiwei Palace, only to be diverted elsewhere by Qiu Gonggong. It’s all connected—do you understand?”

If Little Zhuo hadn’t said so, I would never have understood. I thought the struggle was only among masters, but the rivalry among servants could affect their masters as well. I had focused solely on Zhang Bitong, forgetting that, at the end of the day, I was a eunuch under the management of Qiu Ronghai, the chief steward.

“Thank you for the advice, sir.”

“No need. I’ve heard the Crown Prince mention your dealings with the Ninth Prince. Right now, I’m just repaying a favor for him.”

Little Zhuo, though plain in appearance, knew how to handle matters. I thanked him again.

He said nothing more and soon led me into the Eastern Palace.

“Your servant, Little Xiao, greets the Crown Prince!” I knelt to Jiang Yun upon entering.

“Rise.”

I looked up and saw Jiang Yun’s gloomy, haggard expression.

“Yesterday’s events implicated both Ninth Brother and you.”

“Your Highness overstates it. I am willing to serve you, even at great cost.”

“Mm.” Jiang Yun nodded, “From the moment I saw you, I knew you were loyal. Today, I have a task for you.”

“Your servant awaits your command.”

Jiang Yun seemed ready to speak, but paused, his face showing pain. At last, he said with difficulty, “Xueyi is dead.”

I was stunned.

“I just received the news.” Jiang Yun lifted his head and took a deep breath, “I need you to leave the palace and see to Xueyi’s funeral arrangements. If she has any family, give them some silver on my behalf. She was a courtesan, but it was my presence that led to her untimely death.”

It was clear Jiang Yun had fallen for her. If she were an ordinary girl, he might have moved on in a few days. But her death meant she was rooted in his heart.

“I understand.”

“This is my token—say you’re acting for the Crown Prince. Here is the silver.” Jiang Yun had prepared everything.

“Your Highness, may I go tomorrow morning? This afternoon, I promised to fetch charcoal for my master.”

“Fine. Go early and return quickly. Report to me on everything.”

“Yes!”

“By the way, how is Ninth Brother?”

I was about to answer, but realized that admitting anything would reveal my visit to Jiang Xuan last night. I trusted Jiang Xuan’s brotherly affection, but this incident made me wary of Jiang Yun’s. I doubted Jiang Yun, and the Empress behind him would doubt even more.

So I said, “I do not know.”

“In this bitter cold, poor Ninth Brother. When he’s released, I’ll apologize to him.”

I said nothing. Just then, I heard someone outside call, “Third Brother, Third Brother…”

The voice sounded like Jiang Ye.

“I’ll go out first. You slip away quietly by the side.”

With that, Jiang Yun went out to greet Jiang Ye.