chapter 3
Xu Wen was intelligent. She understood that I had offended the other consorts deliberately that day to save her from embarrassment. Grateful to me, she arranged for me to recover in a room beside hers.
The door happened to be open that day. I heard her distinctly, yet her lips had not moved. For a long moment, I could only stare in confusion.
After coaxing the emperor into leaving, she remained all smiles. She sat quietly at the table drinking tea—and again, I heard her voice.
*What an ordeal it was to drive that old man away! I’ll need something delicious tonight to restore my strength!*
Though I had no idea what was happening, I forced myself to remain calm. I pushed my weak body upright, walked to her side, and knelt in greeting.
“This condemned servant deserves death. I am unworthy of Your Highness’s concern.”
Xu Wen cried, “Oh!” at the sight of me awake. She hurriedly set down her teacup and reached out to help me up herself.
Horrified, I retreated—and heard her thoughts again.
*This girl truly refuses to warm to anyone!*
I froze. Looking at her outstretched hand, I found myself reaching back as if moved by some unseen force, clasping her arm.
Warm approval filled Xu Wen’s gentle eyes.
*That’s more like it. If she’s one of mine, why must she always be so distant with me?*
Only then did I understand that she sincerely wanted to be close to me.
I boldly studied her. Drawing on the thoughts I had overheard, I said with careful concern, “Your Highness must be unaccustomed to the Hot Springs Palace. You have also exhausted yourself worrying over this condemned servant. You look much more haggard.”
I knelt again to offer counsel.
“Why not send this servant to summon an imperial physician? He can prescribe something to calm your nerves and nourish your health. I can also report to Chief Eunuch Jiang that Your Highness requires a few days of proper rest.”
She blinked, not yet understanding that I meant for her to feign illness, so I continued.
“Accompanying His Majesty, the empress, and all the palace ladies may look like leisure, but it is tiring in both mind and body. If Your Highness attends them while unwell, you may fail in some courtesy and do more harm than good.”
Xu Wen’s eyes lit up.
*Yes, yes! Anything to escape that old man!*
Of course, she could not say that aloud. She merely helped me up while giving a few deliberate coughs.
“Quite so. If my poor health caused me to offend His Majesty, that would indeed be losing sight of the greater matter.”
She specifically instructed me to summon Imperial Physician Cheng.
I understood immediately. He was an ally of the Xu family. If trouble arose in the future, we could speak freely with him.
While Xu Wen was supposedly ill, Consort Xue came to visit once and called me over for a private word.
Qin Guantan’s eyes and brows strongly resembled his birth mother’s. Both had deep-set eyes, dark and bright, which shone like water when they caught the light and inspired an instinctive tenderness.
But Consort Xue always wore a timid smile, while her son often kept his long brows drawn in a frown.
By then, I knew that I alone could hear Xu Wen’s thoughts. I had used the secret to perform many small acts that pleased her, and she valued me highly. Before Consort Xue, she praised me without reserve for my attentiveness.
Consort Xue also took my hand and studied me closely.
“Everyone sees the splendor of those of us called masters and the filth endured by servants like you. But who understands that we cannot take a single step without you?”
She sighed.
“It is a pity I have no capable girl like Tang Qi at my side. Forget matching wits with Chief Eunuch Jiang—I cannot even get a message to the person who needs to hear it…”
Consort Xue was honest and mild. Anyone could see that every sorrow in her life concerned her only son.
New beauties bloomed in the palace season after season. The emperor had not summoned Consort Xue in many years; naturally, there was little hope she would bear another child.
Qin Guantan was her only hope, yet she saw him no more than a few times each year.
Before Xu Wen, I remained quietly attentive. Only after I had escorted Consort Xue beyond the courtyard gate did I ask softly, “Does Your Highness celebrate your birthday on the ninth day of next month?”
Consort Xue nodded and asked what I meant.
I did not explain. I only told her to prepare a joyous birthday celebration for herself.
“You might also prepare a few more dishes that the Sixth Prince enjoys.” I lifted her skirt as she climbed the stone steps. “This servant is willing to carry a message for Your Highness.”
Consort Xue seized my hand, her face bright with emotion.
“Will you truly do it? Everyone else is terrified, afraid they will offend the lady above him…”
I smiled and shook my head, careful not to promise too much.
“The Sixth Prince is occupied with important affairs. My words may not sway him. I can only promise to make the journey for Your Highness.”
Moved, she patted the back of my hand and gave me a jade knot she carried.
“Good child. It is rare to find such kindness.”
I knelt, declined with the expected courtesies, then accepted the jade knot and put it carefully away.
After we returned to the palace in cooler weather, I dressed myself in new clothes, hung the jade knot in the most conspicuous place on my person, and went to see Qin Guantan with his cloak in my arms.