Chapter 5

I followed the maid into the bedchamber and found Song Zhiyin reclining against a cushioned couch. Nanny Sun and I lowered our heads and stepped forward to pay our respects.

Song Zhiyin looked me over. Her gaze settled on my narrow waist, and a vicious glint flashed through her eyes. It vanished almost at once. “It has been a long time, little sister. You have grown into quite a beauty.”

I immediately dropped to my knees. “Your Ladyship is the radiant beauty. Plain and frail as I am, I cannot compare.”

My tact pleased her. She nodded faintly. “In the year since I entered the palace, I have never grown used to being without you. None of these servants is as attentive. I suffer nausea now that I am pregnant, yet they do not even know to bring me a basin…”

She let the sentence trail off. Understanding her perfectly, I shuffled forward on my knees, cupped both hands, and held them beneath her face.

Song Zhiyin bent her head and retched. Instead of vomiting into my palms, however, she deliberately spewed over my clothes. A sour stench engulfed me at once.

I did not dodge. I was long accustomed to such treatment. Song Zhiyin had countless ways to torment me, and this barely counted among them. Had I recoiled just now, I might have become the second palace maid that day to “hang herself” in a fit of temper.

When she finished, another maid carefully offered rosewater for her to rinse her mouth.

This time, Song Zhiyin appeared genuinely pleased with me. She even granted me a rare smile. “I have soiled my little sister’s clothes. Qiuyue, take her to change.”

The maid who had led us inside stepped forward. “Second Young Miss, allow this servant to take you to change your clothes.”

I followed Qiuyue into the rear court. After a cursory wash, she took me to a side courtyard where I was to stay.

“Her Ladyship says Second Young Miss will live here for the time being. Please do not wander without her summons.”

As she spoke, Qiuyue deliberately kept her distance, as if the sour reek still clung to me.

I nodded meekly.

She said nothing more and left. I settled into the room.

Seven days passed. I obediently stayed indoors the entire time, embroidering sachets in my room. Song Zhiyin could not be bothered with me.

The emperor did not visit once during those seven days. I heard he spent every night in the courtyards of the newly arrived beauties. Song Zhiyin was so enraged that she smashed her porcelain again and again.

On the eighth day, Qiuyue appeared at my door carrying a set of clothes. “Her Ladyship wants you to accompany her for a walk in the imperial garden.”

The moment she finished, two young maids entered and approached me. I knew the time had come. I did not resist as they bathed, dressed, and styled me.

The clothes Song Zhiyin had prepared fit perfectly and emphasized my waist. They made my whole figure look lithe and graceful.

By the time I reached the front courtyard, Song Zhiyin had grown impatient. Jealousy flickered through her eyes when she saw me, but she said nothing and set off for the imperial garden. I hurried after her.

We had only just sat down in a pavilion when a figure in brilliant yellow approached.

Song Zhiyin appeared to have expected him. As he drew near, she lowered her voice. “I am giving you a chance at fortune beyond measure. But remember your place. You will always be my servant.”

“This servant understands.”

My body trembled as I answered. To anyone watching, I was afraid. Only I knew it was excitement.

At last, my revenge was about to begin.