Chapter 38: The Needlework

Things at the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility were proceeding very smoothly. The Empress Dowager showed no signs of resistance, and as Wen Qiao watched from the side, she could detect no issues with Yu Ming’s actions. This brought her a measure of relief, and she was finally able to shake off the trepidation she had felt earlier.

Before long, the Emperor arrived at the palace. Seeing a crowd of people standing outside the door, all looking as if they had been shooed out from within, he grew tense, fearing something had gone wrong. He hurried forward, but was intercepted by Nanny Song, who explained that Yu Ming was administering acupuncture to the Empress Dowager and that Wen Qiao had cleared the room to prevent any disturbances.

Hearing this, the Emperor finally relaxed slightly. Wen Qiao, catching the commotion outside, gave Yu Ming a few careful instructions before walking to the door. Even then, she did not take her eyes off the Empress Dowager lying on the bed; she opened the door just a crack to inform the Emperor of the situation inside.

Reassured by Wen Qiao’s personal account, the Emperor’s heart finally settled. Assuming the treatment would not conclude anytime soon, he returned to the Imperial Study to attend to his memorials.

Yu Ming’s acupuncture process was meticulous. He was drenched in sweat—whether from tension or exertion, it was unclear—and it took nearly two hours to finish. Less than half a stick of incense after the Emperor had departed, the doors to the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber opened.

Due to the prolonged treatment, the Empress Dowager had fallen asleep again. Wen Qiao, fearing she might wake up in pain or experience other discomforts, wanted her to rest a while longer. Fortunately, the process had gone smoothly, and since Wen Qiao had detected nothing suspicious about Yu Ming, she chose to trust the words he had spoken at the start. If he could truly cure the Empress Dowager, it would not only lift a heavy weight off Wen Qiao’s heart but likely earn him the profound appreciation of the Emperor. If he harbored no ulterior motives, this would be the golden opportunity for his rise in rank and status.

Seeing that Yu Ming was exhausted from the procedure, Wen Qiao did not keep him. She instructed Nanny Song to have him escorted back to his quarters to rest.

Perhaps even Wen Qiao had not noticed that, imperceptibly, her status in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility had risen significantly. Sometimes, even while the Empress Dowager was resting, Nanny Song would carry out whatever Wen Qiao suggested. Many of the palace servants had gradually become aware of Wen Qiao’s capabilities and standing, and they treated her with even greater respect than before.

Previously, Nanny Song had respected Wen Qiao because she was the daughter of Princess Changle and a favorite of the Empress Dowager. Now, however, she genuinely believed in Wen Qiao’s own merits. Since Wen Qiao was wholeheartedly devoted to the Empress Dowager and possessed real skill, it was only natural for Nanny Song to hold her in high regard.

Once everyone had left, Wen Qiao sat by the bedside and checked the Empress Dowager’s pulse. Indeed, her condition was better than it had been earlier. Although Wen Qiao was not an expert in gu-poison, she had previously detected a chaotic pulse, indicative of both chronic ailments and something else she could not identify—likely the work of the parasites. Now, the pulse was clearly much steadier. Relieved, Wen Qiao tucked in the quilt and stepped outside.

"The weather is quite pleasant today."

Summer had arrived, and temperatures were rising daily, but today there was a cool breeze that kept the air from feeling as stifling as it had the past two days. Having been absent from the Imperial School for several days, Wen Qiao realized it was not yet too late to make it for the afternoon session. She gave Nanny Song strict instructions to oversee the Empress Dowager’s medicine and ensure no one else came into contact with it, before heading to the school.

Because the Fourth Prince had not been harassing Wen Qi for the past two days, her life had been relatively peaceful, though this was only true when Wen Qiao was absent. As soon as Wen Qiao arrived, Wen Qi’s expression turned sour, though she still put on a facade of sisterly affection.

"Sixth Sister, what brings you here this afternoon? The tutor hasn't arrived yet, but class will start any moment. You should prepare yourself. You’ve missed so much over the past few days! If there is anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask. Even though I haven't learned much, I’ve taken careful notes. If you need them, I can give them to you."

As she spoke, Wen Qi pulled a notebook from beneath a stack of books. She made as if to hand it over, but hesitated, stroking the cover with a look of feigned reluctance. Gritting her teeth, she finally extended it, saying, "Sister, you’ve never been very careful with your belongings. I wrote these notes stroke by stroke, and they contain everything the tutor taught. If I lend them to you, please, please take care of them. Don’t get them dirty or ruin them."

Before Wen Qiao could respond, Xiao Yunshu suddenly stood up from her chair. With a cold snort, she snatched the notebook from Wen Qi’s hand and flipped through it dismissively.

"What is so precious about this? It’s just a notebook. If Sister Qiao needs notes, she can just take mine. I’m not as fussy as some people, acting one way then another. Sister Qiao, don’t worry—take my notes, and I won’t say a word. Besides, I trust your character. I’ve given you many things in the past, and I’ve never seen you damage any of them. I don’t know who told the Seventh Miss that you aren't careful with your things. If you spread such baseless rumors again, watch out—I won’t let you off!"

Xiao Yunshu’s expression was fierce. Wen Qi had been avoiding her for days, never expecting to provoke this "firecracker" with just a few words. Seeing Xiao Yunshu’s reaction, Wen Qi didn't dare say another word. Even as Xiao Yunshu violently flipped through the notebook she valued so much, Wen Qi dared not even let out a whimper.

Xiao Yunshu tossed the book back onto Wen Qi’s desk. Wen Qi flinched, eyes shut tight, only to carefully open them when she realized Xiao Yunshu was doing nothing further. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why must the Sixth Princess be like this? I was only speaking the truth. We live in the same marquis’s residence and are sisters; naturally, I know her habits well. You have only known her for a short time and don't understand her daily life. How could I maliciously slander her without evidence? I could never do such a thing! Perhaps her behavior has caused you a misunderstanding, leading you to believe she is careful with things. But if she were truly so, why were the flowers and trees in her courtyard trampled to the ground? Those were plants I had painstakingly nurtured, which I had moved to her courtyard thinking it would please her after she arrived from the countryside. I was heartbroken. If it were not true, why would I say it? All the princes and princesses are here—I wouldn't dare lie, especially when you are of royal blood."

Wen Qiao couldn't help but want to applaud this performance. Wen Qi’s words were logical; from an outsider's perspective, they were sisters living under the same roof, so her claim to "know" Wen Qiao was plausible. If Wen Qiao hadn't been present, Wen Qi could easily ruin her reputation, and everyone would believe her. As for the plants, they had been destroyed by Wen Zehan when he came to cause trouble—it had nothing to do with her.

However, it was clear Xiao Yunshu was not buying it; if anything, she was angry that Wen Qi dared to talk back. She didn't grasp the "green tea" nuances in Wen Qi’s words, only seeing them as veiled insults toward Wen Qiao. Wen Qi, realizing she couldn't afford to offend a true royal princess, dared not push back against Xiao Yunshu. She only wanted to prick at Wen Qiao to prevent her image from being too perfect.

"Sister Qiao has a good temper, which is why she doesn't lower herself to your level. If it were me, I would have slapped you twice already. Who do you think gave you the credit for sitting here? You know well that those who study here are from wealthy or noble families, mostly the Emperor’s children and true royal kin. You are nothing but a stray girl picked up by the Marquis of Yongning. If not for Sister Qiao maneuvering for you in the palace, do you think you’d have the qualification to study here, let alone speak to me? Let me tell you, if not for her, you wouldn't even be fit to carry my shoes. Now that you think you're settled, you treat your benefactor with cold sarcasm and veiled insults? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? If you don't like it here, get out! I have ten thousand ways to ensure you never step foot in this palace again!"

Wen Qi had never been humiliated like this. She had always dealt with people through veiled, indirect barbs. She hadn't expected Xiao Yunshu to be so blunt and hot-tempered. It was, perhaps, typical of a pampered royal princess.

Terrified, Wen Qi stood frozen, unable to even continue her act of feigned fragility. She just stared at Xiao Yunshu. The other princesses whispered among themselves, noting that Xiao Yunshu was indeed the Emperor’s favorite, possessing the confidence to act as she pleased—something they would never dare to do.

"Sister Qiao, I know you haven't been here for a while and must have missed the lessons. Just take my notes. If they get dirty or ruined, I’ll just have my servants write another copy. I won’t say a word. But... Sister Qiao, since I’ve helped you so much today, the meal you promised to have with me should be put on the schedule, right?"

Seeing Xiao Yunshu’s expectant look, Wen Qiao found her adorable. She couldn't resist reaching out to poke her cheek. As the skin on Xiao Yunshu’s round face dimpled, Wen Qiao let out a soft laugh. If Xiao Yunshu had a tail, it would surely be wagging with pride right now.