Chapter 301: Approaching
Princess Wen Jia entered and, seeing Xiao Qing’er also present, was slightly startled before bowing.
“Wen Jia greets Your Ladyship, greets Consort Li…”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing smiled and gestured.
“Wen Jia is here, quickly, quickly sit. I’ve just obtained some new Mengding Ganlu tea, it’s perfect for someone like you who appreciates tea to try…”
Xiao Qing’er also smiled softly, her words subtly laced with barbs.
“Why is the Princess Protector of the Nation in the palace today? You always say you’re busy at home raising your child, it’s quite rare to see you here.”
This was a veiled jab, implying she wasn’t attentive enough to the Empress Dowager…
Wen Jia’s fingertips curled slightly, and she lowered her gaze, replying, “I heard Consort Li is with child, so I came to offer my congratulations.”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing, as if oblivious to their veiled jabs, pointed to an embroidered stool nearby, glanced at Xiao Qing’er, and said with a smile, “Consort Li is with child now and needs company. You have a calm disposition, it would be good to visit more often…”
“Wen Jia obeys the Empress Dowager’s decree.”
Wen Jia curtsied slightly, demurely sat down below the Empress Dowager, and cupped her hands around the teacup offered by a palace maid.
Xiao Qing’er covered her mouth and lightly wiped it, smiling as if unintentionally.
“Speaking of which, I’ve often heard gossip lately that Consort Jingzhao in Hanzhang Hall often locks herself in a dark room alone, chanting incomprehensible foreign curses, it’s quite frightening. Princess, you are close with her, you should pay more attention to her…”
The Empress Dowager glanced at her and softly hummed.
“Is that so? Consort Jingzhao has a proud and reserved nature, and is usually distant. Perhaps she has encountered some difficulties? She is far from her homeland, married into Shangjing, with no family or friends in the palace, she should be looked after more.”
Xiao Qing’er shielded her belly, smiling warmly.
“Who can say? With the happy news in the palace now, she might be reminded of things…”
Wen Jia nodded in agreement.
Under the guise of drinking tea, she avoided their scrutinizing gazes.
Her heart, however, felt a prickle of unease…
Why was Xiao Qing’er so eager to suppress Tuya as soon as she became pregnant, and why choose this moment to attack?
My late mother once said that the methods of women in the harem could sometimes be more ruthless than those in the Imperial Court. With the Xue family behind her, who knows what tricks she might play…
Wen Jia felt anxious, but for now, she feigned ignorance, seemingly showing genuine concern for the Prayer and Blessing Ceremony at Baohua Palace. After a perfunctory stay, she rose to take her leave…
The Empress Dowager’s smile did not diminish, and she instructed palace servants to escort her.
Once Wen Jia left, Xiao Qing’er pouted.
“This Wen Jia, she used to seem so honest, never saying a word. Now, relying on the Empress Dowager’s favor and the title of Princess Protector of the Nation, she’s become so arrogant, she doesn’t even show respect to the Empress Dowager.”
“One should not speak carelessly.” The Empress Dowager picked up her teacup and smiled faintly. “Wen Jia is still a filial child…”
Xiao Qing’er slightly pouted her lips. “Your Ladyship…”
“You! What success can a widowed woman achieve?” The Empress Dowager waved her hand. “Just focus on your pregnancy, that in itself is a great merit.”
“But Your Ladyship…”
“I know what I’m doing.” The Empress Dowager interrupted her, her gaze drifting to the shadows outside the window. “It would be good if it snowed even heavier…”
When Wen Jia walked out of Baohua Palace, the snow had indeed intensified.
The palace was enveloped in a vast expanse of white, as if even people’s hearts were concealed.
She tightened the fox fur coat around her and walked out of Cining Palace, maintaining a posture of lowered head and slow steps until she entered the carriage waiting at the palace gate. Only then did her seemingly calm eyes churn with a tempestuous wave of fear…
The clothes on her back were damp with sweat from nervousness.
Her fingertips also trembled slightly…
A mad thought surged in her mind.
Tuya had always been aloof, and she hadn’t changed. She devoutly chanted scriptures in Hanzhang Hall every day, and her reverence for Wulan Holy Mountain was permitted by His Majesty, it wasn’t without reason.
Xiao Qing’er bringing it up at this particular time clearly had an agenda.
No matter who this spearhead was aimed at…
This matter was not simple.
She suddenly clenched her handkerchief and quietly instructed Dongzhi.
“Send someone to Shui Yue Nunnery immediately to deliver a message to Master Miaozhen.”
—
Winter at Shui Yue Nunnery always carried a sense of austere Zen.
In the early morning, after the morning prayers, Xue Sui returned to her room, donned a Zen robe, and sat by the window, copying scriptures.
A thin layer of ice had formed on the ink in the inkstone, and her hand holding the wolf hair brush felt cold. She rubbed her fingertips and placed her palms over the brazier.
The sparks crackled, reflecting on her slender profile, serene, yet seemingly harboring hidden thoughts that flickered on the window paper…
Even the solitary lamp and ancient Buddha could not bring peace.
“Young Lady, Eldest Young Master sent some newly made medicine, and personally made a jar of loquat candy for you to eat more comfortably…”
Jinshu held a simple ceramic jar and placed it on the table. She casually stirred the ash in the brazier, her voice gentle.
“Eldest Young Master instructed that your lung meridians still need conditioning, so you must take it on time and take good care of yourself…”
Xue Sui put down her wolf hair brush, her fingertips tracing the cold paper, and smiled faintly. “Senior Brother is always so thoughtful.”
Saying this, she took the small jar and lowered her head to sniff it.
The jar held the sweet fragrance of loquats and honey.
“Actually, I’ve already recovered a lot. After that snowstorm, I don’t cough much at night anymore.”
Jinshu glanced at her complexion,
still pale, but with a hint of radiance.
Ever since that night, Crown Prince Zhao came in the rain and talked with the Young Lady in her room until late into the night…
The Young Lady’s complexion had improved significantly, and she seemed more energetic.
Nothing seemed particularly different, yet she felt that something had changed.
Jinshu didn’t know whether to be happy for the Young Lady or worried.
“Did Eldest Young Master have any other instructions?” Xue Sui asked, seeing her hesitate.
Jinshu came back to her senses and reported, “Xue Mansion Old Madam took Eldest Young Master’s medicinal soup, her condition has stabilized, and she managed to swallow half a bowl of millet porridge last night…”
“However, with the Xue Mansion in decline, the various branches of the family are making their own calculations behind closed doors, scheming against each other. Especially the second branch; after Second Master Xue’s death, the land and accounts have fallen into disarray…”
“Third Madam is like a clever woman trying to cook without rice, managing the household is also a struggle. The kitchen rations have been reduced by twenty percent compared to before, and it’s difficult for Xue Ji to show favoritism and take special care of her…”
“Third Madam has it hard, don’t make it too difficult for her.”
Xue Sui softly hummed. “Have someone send more charcoal, fabric, and medicinal materials to Xue Ji. This way, Third Madam won’t be troubled, and she can also be helped a little…”
“That’s exactly right.” Jinshu said, “It’s almost New Year. Given the Xue Mansion’s current situation, Xue Ji’s status is also awkward. She can’t possibly surpass others, and she’s bound to be mistreated…”
“She can’t blame others for that; it’s her choice.”
Xue Sui picked up the copied scripture scroll and carefully rolled it up.
“As for us, we should also prepare some New Year’s items, at least to mark the occasion.”
Jinshu smiled and replied, “The nunnery has old customs, the stewards will handle it…”
Xue Sui said, “Later, have Xiao Zhao go to the market to buy some New Year’s goods… and buy some cured meats from Old Man Wang at the foot of the mountain, along with persimmon cakes, chestnuts, sugar cakes, and snacks, so you all can have something to indulge in.”
Jinshu smiled. “Young Lady, you always spoil them. Ordinary people live on simple meals, saving every penny, isn’t that how they get by? Where would they get meat or snacks…”
Xue Sui also smiled faintly. “It’s New Year, shouldn’t we aim for a bit of warmth?”
Jinshu agreed to leave but was called back by her. “Oh, right, put the miscellaneous books Crown Prince sent into the inner room. And change my lamp to a brighter one; it’s hard on the eyes to read at night.”
Jinshu couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Yes, everything as you wish.”
Inside the elm cabinet in the inner room, among the miscellaneous books, lay a scroll wrapped in oilcloth, the Old Mausoleum Swamp files, quietly resting.
After Li Zhao left, Xue Sui specifically found a moisture-proof camphor wood box to store them, and had them dried and treated for insects.
At this moment, she opened it under the lamplight. The eight large characters in vermilion, “Mausoleum Swamp’s Tragedy, Traitors Misled the Nation,” stung her eyes.
“Take this, and use it to expose this corrupt imperial family for the two hundred thousand souls…”
She remembered Li Zhao’s words, and the cold light in his eyes that burned like charcoal…
On the path of revenge, they had now become inseparable, bound by life and death. Neither could stand alone anymore…
Now, rumors of “Ziwei falls, Taibai rises” spread throughout the court and country. Li Zhao was at the center of the storm, with the Emperor restraining him from above, political enemies attacking him from below, strong enemies at the borders, and a decaying imperial power within…
He was fighting a desperate battle in the vortex, his victory uncertain…
And all she could do was wait patiently, biding her time.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept in, accompanied by faint footsteps, and the window paper rustled.
Xue Sui placed her hand on the paperweight to hold it down and turned her head to inquire.
Xiao Zhao pushed the door open, bringing the scent of snow with her, and rubbed her hands.
“Young Lady, Princess Wen Jia sent word that she wants to bring Niu Niu to the nunnery to offer incense this afternoon, and she specifically asked that you wait for her…”
After saying this, she stepped closer and whispered, “Judging by the messenger’s demeanor, it seems to be something important.”
“Prepare some new tea and pastries.” Xue Sui closed the scroll, her eyes devoid of any ripple.
“When Princess Wen Jia arrives, lead her directly to the east wing.”
She walked to the window and opened one pane.
The cold wind, carrying snowflakes, rushed in, making her Zen robe flutter.
The distant mountains were covered in white snow, like a simple ink painting.
But she knew that beneath this tranquility lay hidden dangers…
Li Zhao: Xue Ping’an misses me today, it’s true.
Xue Sui: It’s almost New Year, I’m wondering if I should burn some incense for you…
Li Zhao: …
