Those who are pitiful often have detestable qualities

The moment Lin Tanwei saw Zhang Bitong, she immediately knelt down. “This servant pays her respects to Your Highness.”

“Oh my, isn’t this the once-favored Lady Tan?” Zhang Bitong remarked with a mocking smile.

Lin Tanwei kept her head lowered. “I am but a palace maid now, not fit to call myself mistress.”

“So, the clothes have been delivered? I’ll go and have a look.” As Lin Tanwei stepped forward, Zhang Bitong deliberately trod on her hand. Watching Lin Tanwei’s body tremble in pain without uttering a sound, Zhang Bitong pressed down even harder, moving her foot back and forth.

The pain forced Lin Tanwei to bow down to the floor, her face nearly touching Zhang Bitong’s shoes.

Satisfied, Zhang Bitong finally lifted her foot and walked inside, turning to Yun Qing. “Have all the clothes been inspected? Is there any problem?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, they have been checked.”

“Is that so?”

“If Your Highness is satisfied with the clothes, I shall return to the Laundry Bureau.”

Just then, Zhang Bitong strode over, picked up a garment, and, grabbing the scissors beside her, slashed it with a single cut. She held it up, her voice sharp, “How does your Laundry Bureau do things? You’ve torn my clothes!”

So brazen, yet Lin Tanwei could only kneel and beg for mercy. “It was my carelessness. This was my fault. Please, Your Highness, forgive me.”

Zhang Bitong seated herself on a soft couch, looking at me. “Xiao Xiaozi, do you think I’m a cruel and ruthless person?”

“Your Highness is kind and magnanimous.”

“Since I am a benevolent mistress, naturally, I would not make things difficult for you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness, thank you.” Lin Tanwei remained kneeling, expressing gratitude repeatedly.

“But,” Zhang Bitong’s tone shifted, “if I let this go, won’t that mean I have no authority at all? If you make mistakes again in the future, how will you ever learn the importance of your duties?”

“This servant—”

“Xiao Xiaozi, I remember last time Lady Tan gave you trouble at the Imperial Household Bureau’s gate. How exactly did she make things hard for you?”

I answered truthfully, “She made me crawl through the snow for a stretch.”

On hearing this, Zhang Bitong said, “In that case, Lin Tanwei, there’s still some snow left in my courtyard, though much is melting and the ground is wet. It’s rather difficult to walk. Please, be so kind as to scrub my courtyard clean yourself. Surely, this punishment is not excessive?”

Lin Tanwei looked up at Zhang Bitong, then answered slowly, “Your Highness’s punishment is not excessive at all. I made the mistake, and I ought to be punished.”

“Lin Tanwei, you were not much of a mistress, but you make a fine servant. Go on, then.”

Yun Qing and I stood at Zhang Bitong’s sides, watching as Lin Tanwei knelt and crawled across the courtyard, her hands and knees pushing through the cold, slushy snow.

I saw Yun Qing turn her head slightly, unable to bear the sight.

I had thought that seeing Lin Tanwei suffer would bring me satisfaction, as a form of vindication for myself. Yet, as I watched her, I felt no joy. Looking at her reminded me of my own circumstances at home. In the harem, who could say who was forever right or always wrong? In the end, we were all pitiful souls struggling to survive.

I could not be glad for Lin Tanwei’s predicament, but neither could I pity her. If she ever regained power, she might become even more ruthless than Zhang Bitong. So, what is there to sympathize with now?

At first, Lin Tanwei managed a few steps, but soon her whole body was trembling, and blood began to mix with the snow where she crawled.

“Your Highness, she’s been outside for quite some time. Perhaps let her return to the Laundry Bureau?” Yun Qing finally interceded, unable to watch any longer.

Zhang Bitong ignored Yun Qing, speaking instead to me. “Xiao Xiaozi, the charcoal in this room needs to be replaced.”

Her meaning was clear—she wanted me to dump the burning embers into the courtyard. If Lin Tanwei touched them, her hands and body would surely be burned—the agony of fire and ice together.

I stood there, hesitating.

“Xiao Xiaozi, did you not hear my order?” Zhang Bitong’s voice snapped.

“Your Highness, may I do it instead? I’ll replace the charcoal,” Xiao Luzi volunteered, stepping forward.

Zhang Bitong slapped Xiao Luzi across the face. “Did I tell you to do it? Xiao Xiaozi, hurry up!”

If I delayed any longer, I would be the one punished.

“Yes, Your Highness,” I answered, carrying the brazier out and scattering the burning charcoal before Lin Tanwei.

Lin Tanwei looked up at me, wiped her face with her hand, leaving streaks of blood and grime across her cheeks. In her eyes, I could read nothing. She quickly bowed her head again.

“Lin Tanwei, if you don’t clean this up, the matron of the Laundry Bureau may think you’re shirking your duties. I’ve heard their rules are quite strict, aren’t they?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will hurry,” Lin Tanwei replied, placing her hands again on the ground and crawling forward.

When her hands touched the embers, I heard the sizzle of burning flesh and smelled the acrid scent of scorched meat.

Lin Tanwei kept her head down, her body trembling. I watched as tears fell silently from her eyes.

“That’s enough,” Zhang Bitong finally said. “Your hands are injured now, so you can no longer work in the Laundry Bureau. That’s my fault. Stand up.”

Lin Tanwei struggled to rise but failed, falling to her knees again. I hurried to steady her, but she pushed my hand away, forcing herself upright. “Thank you, Your Highness, for your mercy.”

“Go, and be more careful next time.”

“Yes, this servant takes her leave.”

“Xiao Luzi, since you were so eager to help just now, why not clean up this mess in the courtyard for me?”

Xiao Luzi glanced outside, nodded, “Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’ll help too,” I said, grabbing a broom. Xiao Luzi only shot me a cold look, offering not a word of thanks.

Just as we started to tidy up, a small figure ran through the palace gates—it was Princess Xihe.

We all saluted. “Your servants greet Princess Xihe.”

“I pay my respects to Princess Xihe,” I said.

“Lady Tong!” Princess Xihe ran inside, calling sweetly to Zhang Bitong.

“Princess Xihe, what brings you here today? I haven’t anything particularly interesting for you to play with,” Zhang Bitong said with a laugh.

Princess Xihe tilted her head. “Can’t I come just to see Lady Tong? Of all the consorts, besides my mother, I like you best.”

Zhang Bitong laughed. “You clever little thing, who taught you such words? I remember your mother isn’t like this.”

Princess Xihe replied earnestly, “I speak only from the heart. I’m not trying to flatter you.”

Zhang Bitong couldn’t stop smiling. “What a precocious little one—using idioms at your age! Your mother has raised you well. Yun Qing, bring some pastries for Princess Xihe.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“No need, Lady Tong. Actually, I came today to borrow someone from you.”

“Someone? Who?”

“Xiao Xiaozi. I want her to play with me, is that all right?”

“Xiao Xiaozi? Of course. You make me so happy—how could I refuse to lend you someone? That would be far too stingy, wouldn’t it?” Zhang Bitong looked at me. “Xiao Xiaozi.”

“I am here.”

“Since Princess Xihe wants you to accompany her, go. Remember to serve her well and let nothing happen to her.”

“I understand.”

“Then go on.”

“Thank you, Lady Tong. You’re the best!” Princess Xihe beamed at Zhang Bitong, then turned to me. “Let’s go, Xiao Xiaozi.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Once we’d left Cuiwei Palace, Princess Xihe tugged at my sleeve. “Wasn’t I just in time today, letting you escape work?”

I couldn’t help but smile and nodded. “You truly are my savior, Your Highness.”

Chin raised, Princess Xihe said with a mischievous grin, “Naturally! I like you, after all.”

“It’s my honor. Where does Your Highness wish to go?”

“The weather is nice—let’s go to the rockery by the lake. I brought a picture storybook; you can read it to me.”

“A picture storybook?” I guessed the reason and said, “Your Highness, did Lady Meng forbid you from reading it, so you sought me out instead?”

Princess Xihe quickly hushed me. “Don’t let anyone hear that! If Mother finds out, I’ll be punished again.”

“Does Your Highness trust me?”

“Of course, or I wouldn’t have asked you.”

“Then trust that I’ll keep your secret. Besides, I have a little secret with you as well. Doesn’t that make things fair?”

Princess Xihe’s face lit up. “Right! You have a secret, I have a secret—that’s most fair. Xiao Xiaozi, you’re so clever.”

At the rockery by the lake, I climbed up first, then helped Princess Xihe up, shielding her with my body lest she fall.

From our perch, I saw Qiu Ronghai passing by below, with Xiao Qingzi trailing behind. He looked up and spotted us.

Qiu Ronghai hurried over, bowing. “Greetings, Your Highness. Oh, my little mistress, that’s dangerous up there. Come down at once.”

Princess Xihe called down, “Don’t worry about me, I’m quite safe. And don’t you dare tell Father, or you’ll be sorry!”

“Yes, yes, I won’t say a word. Xiao Xiaozi, you must take good care of Princess Xihe. If anything happens to her, you’ll lose your head.”

“Rest assured, I’ll look after the princess.”

Qiu Ronghai finally left, muttering as he went, “Heaven forbid anything happens.”

“What a fussy old servant,” Princess Xihe muttered, then pulled the picture storybook from her sleeve and handed it to me. “Here, read it to me.”

“All right, all right,” I said, opening the book and flipping through a few pages. I was quickly drawn in—the clothing and settings depicted were unlike anything from our own court.

“Princess Xihe, where did this book come from? Do you know what the story is about?”

“My uncle had someone bring it into the palace for me. He said it’s about the people from the west, but I don’t really understand it. Is there a problem?”

“No, no problem at all. Your Highness, let me read it to you.”

“Great!”

As I spoke to Princess Xihe about the stories in the book, another thought was already taking root in my mind.