054 How Did We End Up Kissing?

After escorting Princess Xihe back to the Purple Dream Hall, I made my way to Jiang Xuan’s palace.

With Jiang Xuan’s tacit approval, visiting him now felt much more comfortable. I knocked on the door, announced myself, and stepped inside.

Upon entering, I saw Jiang Xuan still engrossed in that volume of the Historical Records. He registered my arrival with a slight lift of his gaze, yet kept the book cradled in his hands.

I stated my purpose, “This servant greets the Ninth Prince. I wish to consult some materials here, and humbly ask for your permission.”

Jiang Xuan glanced at me, said nothing, and returned his attention to the book. His demeanor indicated silent consent.

I turned toward the bookshelf. Faced with rows upon rows of books, I was immediately at a loss. I hadn’t read any of these, nor did I know what they contained. To search for something specific among so many volumes felt like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I couldn’t trouble the dignified Ninth Prince with such a task, so I steeled myself and began leafing through them one by one. Soon enough, my head spun—most of it was incomprehensible to me.

Ignorance is a dreadful thing!

“What are you looking for?” Perhaps I’d been searching too long; Jiang Xuan noticed and asked in an even tone.

“I’m searching for records about the Hu Dance.”

“The Hu Dance?” Jiang Xuan frowned slightly.

“You haven’t heard of it, Your Highness?” I realized, to my dismay, that if he didn’t know, it might not exist here at all.

“Why do you need it?” he asked again.

“I have my reasons, but may I keep them to myself for now, Your Highness?”

Jiang Xuan put down his book and stood, walking directly toward me. His deep, enigmatic eyes fixed on me, making me uneasy, unsure of his intentions.

As he drew closer, I instinctively stepped aside, only for Jiang Xuan to block my retreat with an outstretched hand. I looked up slightly and met his chin.

He reached out, seemingly aiming for a book on the top shelf. With him stretching on tiptoe, my face ended up pressed against his chest. My mind flashed to the scene of serving him during his bath that day—those teasing glimpses. My cheeks began to burn.

“How old are you?” Jiang Xuan’s voice suddenly sounded from above.

“Eh?” I looked up, confused, and after a moment replied, “This servant is fourteen.”

“Why are you so short?”

“Late bloomer, perhaps?”

Jiang Xuan steadied himself and handed me a book. “This contains detailed records.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” I took the book, sidestepping a bit to breathe easier.

Jiang Xuan returned to his desk. I crouched by the wall, opened the book, and began reading. I couldn’t take Jiang Xuan’s books away, so I tried to memorize the descriptions as best I could. I wasn’t as gifted or graceful as Xiao Ruo, who danced like a swallow, but I had one advantage—my memory was excellent. If I paid attention, I could remember things easily. Even if I couldn’t dance, as long as I remembered how, it was enough.

I read for nearly an hour before standing and closing the book. I wanted to stretch, but remembered I was in Jiang Xuan’s room and refrained.

“Your Highness, I’ve finished reading.”

“Mm, return the book.”

“Yes.”

Just as I was about to put it back, something came to mind, and I said, “Your Highness, thank you for your help regarding Xiao Ruo last time.”

“She’s been sent to the labor bureau again?”

Jiang Xuan was evidently aware of the matter.

I nodded. “When the Empress saw Xiao Ruo, she deemed it improper for her to remain in the Eastern Palace, so—”

“So you realize now all your efforts were in vain?” Jiang Xuan’s words sounded like a rebuke, though his tone wasn’t harsh. I nodded, remembering he’d warned me, yet I’d insisted. I lowered my gaze to my shoes. “Your Highness is right. I didn’t think things through.”

“Do you still wish to meddle?”

I’d intended to handle this myself without further trouble to Jiang Xuan, perhaps to speak with Jiang Yun, but he had already guessed my intent.

I dared not hide anything. “Xiao Ruo was sent to the labor bureau because of me. She’s better off in the laundry bureau. I must—”

“You’re going to see the Crown Prince again?”

“At present, only His Highness the Crown Prince is willing to help her. I heard the Wardrobe Bureau needs some maids—much easier than the labor bureau.”

Jiang Xuan heard me, but didn’t respond at once. He gradually composed himself, his gaze lingering on my face before closing his eyes. He spoke quietly, “I’ll go this time.”

I was stunned. Did he mean he would help Xiao Ruo directly, or that he’d speak to Jiang Yun about it?

I hesitated, but didn’t ask further. Since Jiang Xuan had spoken, it wasn’t my place to probe.

Holding the book, I looked up at a shelf too high for me to reach. Even Jiang Xuan had to stand on tiptoe; I was even shorter.

I tried jumping twice to put the book back, but it was futile.

Unable to manage it, I turned to ask Jiang Xuan if I could fetch a stool. But as I spun on tiptoe and steadied myself, I didn’t expect Jiang Xuan to be right behind me. As I dropped from tiptoe to standing, my lips brushed gently against the tip of his nose.

The touch was so sudden that both of us recoiled like we’d been shocked. I stumbled backward, only for my back to slam against the bookshelf, sending a jolt of pain.

Ignoring the sting, I immediately knelt before Jiang Xuan, bowing deeply. “This servant deserves death—never meant to offend Your Highness. Please forgive me.”

I kept my head down, waiting, but heard nothing from Jiang Xuan.

He must be furious. From his perspective, he’d just been kissed by a man—by an ambiguous, neither-male-nor-female eunuch. Would he, in a fit of rage, have me killed?

I kept my head lowered, not daring to look up. My hands, hidden in my sleeves, were clenched so tightly my knuckles turned white, yet I felt no pain.

After a long silence, Jiang Xuan finally said three words, “Get out!”

I looked up at him, only to see him slam the Historical Records onto the table before me. “Why are you still looking at me? Get out!”

It was thrown in front of me, not at me—just as he’d done at the archery range. I knew he was being deliberate.

“Your Highness, please calm yourself. This servant takes his leave!”

I fled, cursing myself all the way. Xiao Zhi, Xiao Zhi, you really are courting disaster—how could you behave so recklessly with Jiang Xuan?

I returned to Cuiwei Palace, my mind still occupied by what had happened. The gentle brush of his nose lingered within my chest, refusing to leave me in peace.

“Hey, Little Xiao, why aren’t you watching where you’re going?”

I bumped right into Lan Yan and quickly apologized. “Sister Lan Yan, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

Lan Yan glanced at me, dusted her clothes. “Little Xiao, you look like your soul’s been snatched. What are you thinking about?”

“Oh, nothing. Perhaps I didn’t sleep well—feeling a bit dazed.”

“That won’t do. Serving Her Grace requires full concentration. One mistake and it could be disastrous.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll be careful.”

“All right, I need to report to Her Grace. I won’t keep you.”

“Take care, Sister.”

Lan Yan headed inside. Zhang Bitong rose from the divan and called out, “Little Xiao, come in.”

I hurried over, standing beside Lan Yan.

Lan Yan reported, “Your Grace, I’ve made inquiries.”

“The other ladies aren’t planning anything novel. Lady Yun is pregnant, so nothing much from her. Lady Lan is feeling unwell—she doesn’t even want to attend the New Year’s banquet. Lady Meng, it’s said, will have Princess Xihe recite poetry to please His Majesty. Oh, but Lady Jun, I hear, intends to play the zither at the banquet.”

“That’s the one who only received His Majesty’s favor once, and was remembered again after Lady Yun’s pregnancy—the former Lady Chang, now Lady Jun, Meng Pingjun?”

“Exactly.”

Zhang Bitong turned to Yun Qing. “So Meng Pingjun can play the zither?”

Yun Qing replied, “It’s said Lady Jun is quite talented, skilled in both qin and se. His Majesty favored her precisely because, passing by Lady Jun’s Southern Fragrance Hall, he was captivated by her music.”

“But playing the zither is nothing special. There are plenty of musicians in the palace; His Majesty is just seeking novelty.”

Lan Yan added, “Your Grace, upon hearing Lady Jun would play at the banquet, His Majesty gifted her a zither—a treasured piece from the palace collection, the Green Jade.”

“What?” Zhang Bitong sat up straighter. “That zither is His Majesty’s beloved instrument, and he gave it to Meng Pingjun so easily?”

“Yes, just this morning.”

Zhang Bitong reclined again. “It seems I underestimated Lady Jun. I thought she was quiet and unobtrusive, but she’s quite formidable—she knows how to capture His Majesty’s heart.”

I had originally planned to share my scheme with Zhang Bitong, but today’s accident with Jiang Xuan gave me pause. Jiang Xuan wasn’t keen on Zhang Bitong gaining more favor; perhaps I should keep my plan to myself, as a sort of compensation for my actions.

Just then, Zhang Bitong declared fiercely, “No—this palace cannot be outshone by a newcomer. I must triumph at this banquet. Lady Meng is one thing; Princess Xihe can take her place. But who is Lady Jun to steal my spotlight? Yun Qing, Lan Yan, Little Xiao, I order you to devise a way for me to eclipse all the others at the banquet.”

Her demand truly bordered on the impossible.

“And Little Lu, Hongxiu—bring them in.”

Soon, all the servants of Cuiwei Palace stood before Zhang Bitong, pressed for ideas.

Little Lu said, “This servant is slow-witted, but Little Xiao is always clever. Surely he can think of something. Wouldn’t you agree, Sister Lan Yan?”

Little Lu unexpectedly pushed me forward, and Lan Yan, eager to avoid blame, nodded, “I believe if anyone can come up with a good idea, it’s Little Xiao.”

“Hongxiu, do you think so too?” Zhang Bitong turned to Hongxiu.

Hongxiu glanced at me, then answered simply, “I do.”

“Very well, Little Xiao. I’m counting on you. So many say you’ll find a way—I’ll take their word for it. If you fail, I’ll assume you’re refusing on purpose.”

Cornered, I could only grit my teeth and say, “While accompanying Princess Xihe today, I had a sudden idea. But I’m not sure if it’s feasible—there are only ten days until New Year’s Eve.”

“Speak, let me judge if it’s possible.”

“Your Grace, I must ask for your understanding. I can only share this with you alone.” Zhang Bitong could send Lan Yan to gather intelligence, but others could do the same to Cuiwei Palace. The more mysterious this matter, the better—until the time comes, not a whisper should leak out.

“You all may leave,” Zhang Bitong ordered.

As Yun Qing passed me, she gave me a deep look. The others, no doubt, already harbored resentment toward me.

“Everyone’s gone. Speak!”

“Yes, Your Grace.”