Chapter 41: I Want to Be the Crown Princess (Part 1)

After Zhang Bitong visited Ji Yue Palace to see Lin Lanzhi last time, a miracle occurred—Lin Lanzhi’s health began to improve. Once, Zhang Bitong met Lin Lanzhi in the Imperial Garden and noticed her complexion had gotten much better.

At the same time, preparations for Jiang Yun’s selection as a consort began in earnest. When the Crown Prince takes a wife, many are recommended, but ultimately, the Emperor and Empress make the final decision. Unlike before, this time the Empress invited Liu Yunmeng to consult with her about the candidate for Crown Princess.

As Jiang Yun’s name kept appearing in my ears again and again, I suddenly remembered that although Jiang Yun could be somewhat indecisive, she was at least gentle and refined. If I could arrange for Xiao Ruo to become a maid in her palace, as a maid of the Eastern Palace, Xiao Ruo’s future would not be so bleak.

Of course, it would be improper for me, a servant, to approach Jiang Yun directly with this matter. Instead, I thought of Jiang Xuan. Owing to the incident at the Pavilion of Crimson Delight, Jiang Xuan had done Jiang Yun a favor; if Jiang Xuan were to speak for me, Jiang Yun would surely agree to such a small request. Now, the urgent question was how to persuade Jiang Xuan. Jiang Xuan was unpredictable, hard to read, and I truly did not know how to win his consent.

As I pondered what to do, Xiao Ruo appeared once more.

After Lan Yan spoke to me last time, Xiao Ruo hadn’t come to deliver clothes to Cuiwei Palace for some time. But today, she came again, clearly seeking me out.

At that moment, Zhang Bitong was still resting, and Yun Qing was waiting inside. I handed the clothes to Yun Qing and whispered, “Aunt Yun Qing, these are garments delivered from the Laundry Bureau.”

“Alright, I’ll put them away. Be careful not to wake Her Highness.”

“Yes, I will take my leave.”

Seeing that no one would notice me at the moment, I slipped out of the palace gate with Xiao Ruo. We walked slowly but spoke quickly. “Sister, did you come to see me about something?”

“Azhi, I won’t come to Cuiwei Palace anymore. You were right; it’s dangerous for both of us if I keep coming. I’ve thought of a good place to go.”

There was excitement in Xiao Ruo’s voice—she, too, had thought of a place. Since she’d come, I didn’t hold back. “Actually, I’ve thought of a place as well.”

“The Eastern Palace.”

“The Eastern Palace.”

We spoke in unison, naming the very same place.

Xiao Ruo was delighted. “We truly are sisters at heart, thinking of the same place.”

“I’m figuring out a way to help you—”

“To ask the Ninth Prince to help me, to arrange a meeting with the Crown Prince. I believe the Crown Prince will take a liking to me.”

Take a liking to you? I looked puzzled. Though we thought of the same place, our intentions were clearly different.

“Sister, you mean—”

Xiao Ruo replied, “Isn’t the Crown Prince taking a consort? Now is the perfect opportunity. If I cannot be the Emperor’s consort, I’ll become the Crown Prince’s. Azhi, do you think that’s a good idea?”

“But you were once a court lady favored by the Emperor.”

“But the Emperor never showed me any affection.”

“But this would violate protocol, Sister. You must think carefully.”

“Think carefully?” Xiao Ruo gazed at me in confusion. “Weren’t you planning for me to become the Crown Prince’s consort?”

I pursed my lips and kept silent.

Xiao Ruo suddenly realized, “You mean for me to remain a maid?”

I said, “Right now, it’s the best option. Sister, as a court lady demoted to maid, you cannot become Crown Princess. Not to mention whether the Emperor and Empress would agree, even the civil and military officials would never consent.”

Xiao Ruo’s voice grew desperate. “So you want me to carry that nonexistent title, remain in the palace as a maid, and grow old alone? Azhi, please help me!”

I replied, “Sister, for now, you must leave the Laundry Bureau first. The Eastern Palace is a good choice. As for what comes next, we’ll have to consider further.”

Xiao Ruo shook her head. “But if I’m still a maid, how is that different from the Laundry Bureau? Azhi, look at my hands—they’re swollen, I never sleep well or eat enough. Do I look much older now? I don’t want this, Azhi. You’re my sister. You must help me.”

Moved by her words, I felt pity. Though I only looked at her hands, I noticed her arms as well. I took her hand, pulled up her sleeve, and saw her arm covered in streaks of bruised red, shocking to behold.

“What happened?” I asked.

Xiao Ruo pulled her hand back and was silent.

“They did this to you?”

She sobbed, “They all know I was demoted from court lady to maid, so they bully me. These people, accustomed to being oppressed by their masters, take it out on me. I kept it from you because I didn’t want to upset you further. Azhi, I know, some things are too much for you.”

After all, Xiao Ruo and I were sisters, and in that family, only she treated me as kin. I reluctantly voiced a daring plan, “Sister, first leave the Laundry Bureau and endure some hardship. Then, we’ll find a way to draw the Emperor’s attention. Regain your rightful position—this is the proper path.”

“The Emperor? Fine, I’ll make the Emperor notice me again. Azhi, you must help me.”

“Sister, return now and wait for my news.”

“Alright, Azhi, I trust you. I’ll wait for good news.”

Watching Xiao Ruo leave, worry gnawed at my heart. I could not let her leave this place filled with intrigue, nor decide if she should become the Emperor’s woman. Was she truly suited for the scheming of the palace?

Turning back, I thought for a moment and headed to Jiang Xuan’s palace.

“What brings you here?” As I entered, I saw Jiang Xuan practicing calligraphy. This Ninth Prince was truly accomplished in both civil and martial arts, yet he always appeared mediocre before the Emperor.

“Didn’t Your Highness promise me that I could come here to read and learn?” I said as I entered.

“As you wish.” Jiang Xuan kept his head down, still holding his brush.

His brush swept across the paper, strong and bold strokes, wild and free as dragons and phoenixes.

“Aren’t you here to read? Why are you watching me?” Jiang Xuan kept his gaze on the rice paper, yet seemed to sense my eyes on him.

“I admire Your Highness’s calligraphy. I can’t even write a single character.”

Jiang Xuan set his brush aside, his gaze cool as it fell on me. With a single glance, I felt as if he saw right through me.

“Why the flattery? Speak—what do you want?”

I flashed a smile, and Jiang Xuan pointed to my teeth.

I quickly covered them and said, “Your Highness is astute, seeing through my little schemes.”

“If you don’t speak, I’ll have you leave.”

“Please, Your Highness, I have a favor to ask.”

“Speak.”

“Last time, when I left the Inner Affairs Bureau, I happened to meet a maid from the Laundry Bureau. She and I suffered together under Lady Tan’s mistreatment—oh, the same Lady Tan now in the Laundry Bureau. This sister is dignified and gentle, but faces exclusion there and is often beaten. I thought, with the Crown Prince soon to be selecting consorts, he’ll need more staff. Could Your Highness help place this sister in the Eastern Palace? Would Your Highness be willing to assist?”

Jiang Xuan did not answer right away, but asked, “Why is this maid ostracized? As far as I know, you servants often form cliques—it’s nothing unusual.”

Hearing this, I did not dare hide the truth, and replied, “Your Highness, I would not dare conceal anything. I learned later that this sister entered the palace as a candidate months ago, was granted the title of court lady by the Emperor, but offended the Empress Dowager and was demoted to a maid in the Laundry Bureau. From mistress to servant, the aunties and maids must have seized the chance to retaliate. Your Highness surely knows how it is.”

“So she asked you to get her into the Eastern Palace?”

Reading between his words, I hurriedly knelt. “It is entirely my idea. I only wish to help out of pity.”

“You can barely protect yourself, yet you want to help others? There are countless eunuchs and maids in the harem—how many can you help?”

“I only wish to do what little I can, within my means.”

“‘Within your means’—if I don’t help you, could you send her to the Eastern Palace yourself?”

I answered honestly, “I could not.”

I bowed my head, not daring to meet Jiang Xuan’s eyes. This conversation felt different from his usual manner with me.

“Xiao Xiaozi, you’re not being honest.”

That phrase again, cold and indifferent, falling from above. He accused me of dishonesty, and indeed I’d hidden much from him—just the fact that I am a woman was reason enough for me to lose my head.

“I would not dare,” was all I could say, head lowered.

“Xiao Xiaozi, raise your head.”

I could only obey, meeting Jiang Xuan’s deep gaze.

“What is the maid’s name?”

“Your Highness, her name is Xiao Ruo.”

“Xiao Ruo, Xiao Zhi. Xiao Xiaozi, you’re not honest.”

“I would not dare,” I said again, bowing my head.

Jiang Xuan was silent for a moment before speaking, “If this is entirely your idea, I can help you speak to my third brother. But if Xiao Ruo has ulterior motives, you are not only harming yourself, but also me.”

I stared at my lap.

Jiang Xuan understood—after all, he had lived in this deep palace for over ten years. He had seen enough tricks from women vying for favor. A woman demoted from court lady to maid would never simply accept her fate as a maid. He doubted Xiao Ruo’s intentions, but chose to trust me—at least, he did not doubt mine.

For a moment, I regretted it. If this matter spiraled beyond our control and harmed me, it would be my own fault. But if it harmed Jiang Xuan, how could I live with myself?

“Your Highness—” Words of regret were on my lips, but Jiang Xuan interrupted me. “Aside from this matter, did you truly come today to read and learn?”

“I—”

“Take the Book of Songs from over there. It’s simple enough; start with that.”

Following Jiang Xuan’s gaze, I saw the Book of Songs on the shelf.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I walked over, took the book, and opened it.

Jiang Xuan picked up his brush again, dipping it in ink. “If you don’t understand, come to me.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”