040 The One Who Walks in the Night

Upon returning to Emerald Palace, I followed Zhang Bitong’s instructions and made my way to the Ninth Prince’s quarters.

“Is the Ninth Prince inside? I’ve come by order of Her Ladyship to check on him,” I asked one of the maids serving Jiang Xuan.

“Oh, it’s Little Xiao. The Ninth Prince is in his rooms, but I have no idea what he’s doing. He’s always liked to be alone and doesn’t let anyone disturb him.”

“Thank you, I’ll take a look.”

I approached the door and said respectfully, “Your Highness, it’s Little Xiao here to pay my respects.”

There was no reply.

I tried again, “Your Highness, it’s Little Xiao. Is my voice too soft? I’m—”

Suddenly, the door opened. Jiang Xuan stood before me, his expression frosty. “Do you take me for deaf?”

“I was just worried my voice might not carry, Your Highness.”

He gave me a cool glance, then turned and walked inside.

On the table lay a book, opened and spread across a few pages.

“Your Highness is reading?”

“I’d rather not be unable to recognize the word ‘Yi’,” he replied.

Could we not move past that incident?

“Has your health returned?” he asked unexpectedly once he sat down.

“Yes, Your Highness, I’m fully recovered. I come today by Her Ladyship’s command, asking Your Highness to dine at Emerald Palace tonight.”

Jiang Xuan picked up his book again, and I saw it was the Records of History. My father always said that reading history makes one wise.

“What does Your Highness think?”

“No need.”

I had expected Jiang Xuan would refuse outright. With his temperament, had he any intention of accompanying Zhang Bitong for supper, he would have gone already.

“But Her Ladyship is in low spirits today; Your Highness should go. She hasn’t seen you in days and misses you dearly.”

His gaze fell abruptly on me, his voice cold. “Did Mother ask you to say this? Or was it Yun Qing?”

“This is what I myself observed and felt, Your Highness.”

“A meddlesome servant indeed.”

“I am only fulfilling my duty. I wish for Her Ladyship’s happiness, as well as Your Highness’s.”

“If I go, I’ll hardly be happy myself.”

“Why deceive yourself, Your Highness?”

“Little Xiao, you’re speaking out of turn.”

I grinned, showing my teeth. “Your Highness, don’t make things difficult for me. Just go dine with Her Ladyship.”

“So ugly. Could you grow your teeth out before speaking to me again?”

“I cannot, Your Highness,” I replied, smiling even more broadly.

Jiang Xuan looked helpless. Glancing at the fur coat hanging on the screen, I took it in hand and said, “Your Highness, it’s cold outside; you should wear this.”

“I said I’m not going.”

“The Records of History will still be here when you return.”

“You know that book?”

I paused. “I’ve heard a few lessons from the tutor.”

“Do you wish to read?”

“I wouldn’t dare dream of it, Your Highness.”

“From now on, you may come here to read, but do not damage my books.”

Surprised, I saw Jiang Xuan’s mood seemed lighter as he walked over to me. With a glance, I understood and draped the fur coat over his shoulders.

I followed behind Jiang Xuan as he made his way to Emerald Palace.

The moment Zhang Bitong saw Jiang Xuan, her face lit up with joy. Since Yun Qing was resting, only Lan Yan and Hong Xiu served inside. I waited outside the chamber.

The bitter cold gnawed at me; I rubbed my hands together for warmth, careful not to make too much noise and disturb those inside.

“Little Xiao,” Jiang Xuan suddenly called from within.

“I’m here, Your Highness.”

“Come and massage my shoulders.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

I entered the room, warmed by the gentle heat.

Zhang Bitong asked anxiously, “Xuan’er, what’s wrong with your shoulders?”

“It’s nothing, just a bit sore from sitting upright while the Grand Tutor lectured. Nothing serious.”

“That’s good. Little Xiao, be gentle so you don’t hurt the Ninth Prince.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship!”

After supper, Jiang Xuan exchanged only a few words with Zhang Bitong before returning. She sat on the soft couch, holding a warming stove in her hands, lost in thought.

“I wonder whom His Majesty summoned tonight. Last time, he felt guilty and raised my rank, but still seldom visits Emerald Palace.”

Just then, Lan Yan hurried in and said to Zhang Bitong, “Your Ladyship, I’ve learned that His Majesty went to Bell Palace tonight.”

“Again with Shui Yunqiu—His Majesty truly favors her! I am not in his favor, and Xuan’er is not liked by His Majesty. With the Crown Prince soon to wed, what am I to do?”

Her worries seemed endless, and silence fell upon the room. Yun Qing dared to speak a few words, but the rest of us kept quiet.

“Enough. Lan Yan, help me retire.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

I remained outside the door and saw Little Luzi still kneeling. In such cold, after so long, his legs must have gone numb.

I felt pity and stepped forward. “Little Luzi, I’ll keep watch tonight; you should go rest.”

“I dare not. If Her Ladyship asks, then I—”

“Don’t worry, Her Ladyship has already gone to bed. If she asks, I’ll say you went to the privy and will return soon. Tomorrow, before she rises, kneel here again.”

Little Luzi’s eyes were touched. “You’re not trying to harm me, are you?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “If you don’t trust me, there’s nothing I can do. Just think—have I ever harmed you?”

Still unsure, Little Luzi stood, but his legs, numb from kneeling, gave way and he fell again. I helped him up and said, “Once inside, soak your feet in hot water.”

“Thank you, Little Xiao.”

“No need to thank me; we both serve Her Ladyship.”

Once Little Luzi left, I leaned against the door, arms hugging myself. Thankfully, there was a thick blanket to cover me.

By midnight, I had drifted into sleep. The lamps in Emerald Palace flickered in the cold wind.

I vaguely sensed a figure passing before me. When I opened my eyes, no one remained within the palace, but outside, I glimpsed the tail of a shadow.

I hadn’t been mistaken—someone was indeed there.

Who could be out so late? Yu Xiu? Lan Yan? Little Luzi?

After a moment’s hesitation, I threw off the blanket and followed.

The shadow stretched long in the night, solitary and cold. I dared not get too close, so I couldn’t see clearly who it was.

The figure wound its way through the palace, finally arriving at the door of a certain hall. Cautious, she turned to check if anyone was near. I quickly hid behind a corner, and as she looked back, I caught a clear glimpse—it was, unexpectedly, Yun Qing.

What was she doing here at this hour? Her conduct seemed suspicious.

As I pondered, a gust of cold wind swept by, and before I could react, Long Zhan appeared before me.

This was not the first time he had startled me.

“Master Long, why do you always frighten me in the middle of the night?”

Long Zhan frowned. “Little Xiao, why do I always encounter you at this hour?”

“I—”

“And why are you here now?”

I naturally couldn’t reveal anything about Yun Qing. Her purpose was unclear, and I couldn’t risk exposing her to Long Zhan, lest the Emperor find out. Yun Qing had always treated me kindly; I couldn’t betray her.

So I blurted, “Sleepwalking—is that not allowed?”

Long Zhan looked at me and broke into a rare, amused laugh. “Do you know how far this place is from Emerald Palace? Even sleepwalking, you ought to pick somewhere closer.”

“It’s called sleepwalking; how could I choose where I go? Master Long, don’t tease me.”

“Who is truly joking here?” Long Zhan mused.

He had become the commander of the Imperial Guards at such a young age, not merely by brute strength—he was both courageous and shrewd. If I lingered, I feared he’d grow suspicious. So I said, “I’m sleepy; I’ll return to Emerald Palace and rest.”

“Will you sleepwalk back later?”

“That I can’t say. Sleepwalking isn’t up to me, Master Long, you jest again.”

With that, I turned to leave, but my collar was caught.

“Master Long?” I turned and saw him unfastening his own cloak. I hurriedly protested, “Master Long, there’s no need. I can run back to Emerald Palace.”

But my words were futile. He settled his warm cloak gently over my shoulders. As I was much shorter than Long Zhan, the cloak dragged along the ground.

This was not the first time; his thoughtful gesture made me feel a bit embarrassed.

“Come, I’ll walk with you for a while.”

“Thank you.”

We walked down the long palace road, just the two of us. After a moment’s silence, I finally asked, “How did Master Long end up there?”

“It was time for the guards to change shifts, so I stepped out to check and happened to be there.”

Since he brought it up, I feigned casual curiosity, “What place was that? I sleepwalked over and didn’t realize where I was.”

“You truly don’t know?”

“Not at all.”

“That is Ripple Hall.”

“Oh.”

“It’s the Cold Palace.”

Why would Yun Qing visit the Cold Palace at this hour?

“When the guards change shifts, there’s a late-night snack. Care to try some?” Long Zhan invited suddenly.

“I’m not sure that’s proper,” I replied, but my stomach betrayed me with a loud rumble—utterly mortifying.

“Come now, we’re all men here. It’s nothing.”

“Alright.”

So I followed Long Zhan to a courtyard where several soldiers squatted around. When Long Zhan arrived, they all stood, “Commander!”

“Sit, all of you. Here, bring two bowls.”

Soon, two steaming bowls of noodles were served. As the commander, Long Zhan’s bowl had an extra poached egg. He slid his bowl to me and took mine, quietly beginning to eat.

He had already started, so it was too late to switch back. I picked up my chopsticks and began eating as well. The warmth of the noodles spread through me, reviving my spirits.

Long Zhan, being a man and a soldier, devoured his food quickly. When he finished, he suddenly asked, “Does your missing tooth make it hard to eat noodles?”

How was it that he and Jiang Xuan were so alike?