Chapter 131: Ci Ning Night Talk, Bright Eyes Touching the Heart
The sandalwood incense from the Cining Palace drifted across the threshold on the evening breeze. Curls of smoke drifted from the bronze incense burner on the rosewood altar, casting a hazy shadow over the Guanyin statue on the shrine. The Empress Dowager sat on a cushioned throne. A palace maid had just removed her golden hairpins, revealing her meticulously combed, graying hair. She took the ginseng tea from Qing'er, her fingertips touching the warm cup, her gaze fixed on the moonlight outside the window.
"I just returned to the palace and encountered such a lively scene. It makes these palace walls look more lively." The old Buddha took a sip of tea, his voice slightly hoarse after the long journey, and his fingertips slowly twisted the red sandalwood rosary beads. "That Princess Huanzhu, it seems that she has no hidden thoughts."
Qing'er was helping to arrange the old Buddha's robes, their moon-white cuffs stained with ash from the incense burner. Hearing this, she straightened up, a gentle smile on her face. "Your Highness is right. Qing'er took a closer look today. Little Swallow's eyes are incredibly bright, like pebbles immersed in a clear spring, so clean they lack a single speck of color." She walked over to the old Buddha, took the empty teacup, and placed it on the table. "When I first returned to the palace, I heard from the Imperial Household Department that when Little Swallow was in Jiangnan, she studied calligraphy and painting with Master Fang. Her brushwork is so solid that even the Emperor praised her calligraphy for its spirit."
The old lady looked up at her, her rosary resting between her fingers. "Oh? You can also paint and write? I thought you were just a wild girl who only knew how to wield swords and guns."
"She's also very good at martial arts." Qing'er smiled and nodded, her eyes gleaming with sincerity. "Her brother Fang Yan is a famous knight in the martial arts world. He taught her a good set of kung fu. I heard that her light kung fu is especially amazing. She can fly over high walls like a swallow." She paused and changed her words. "A few days ago, there was a ritual at the Huguo Temple. The young eunuch sent by the palace to deliver offerings twisted his ankle on the steps outside the temple. He happened to be seen by the princess who was going to burn incense to the Buddha. She immediately helped the young eunuch to find a medical monk in the temple to see his injury. She even took off her own cloak and gave it to the eunuch, fearing that he would catch a cold."
"You're quite considerate." The corners of the old lady's mouth curled up slightly, and she continued to twirl her rosary beads with her fingertips. "Huguo Temple is a royal forbidden area. To be able to care about and help the people in the palace there, it's clear that you are not a snob."
"That's right." Qing'er picked up the plain paper on the table. On it were the newly delivered memorials from various palaces. She gently placed it next to the Empress Dowager's hand. "The maids and eunuchs in Shufangzhai all say privately that the princess treats them very well and never puts on airs. The other day, a small stool was practicing calligraphy and spilled ink, staining the princess's new clothes. Not only did she not punish him, she even smiled and said, 'A scholar is one whose clothes are stained with the fragrance of ink.' Then she asked the kitchen to make osmanthus cake for everyone to make amends."
The old lady paused, twirling her rosary beads, her gaze fixed on the old locust tree outside the window. Moonlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows. She recalled the way the girl had glared at Concubine Gao when she first returned to the palace, like a small animal guarding its nest, prickly yet revealing a genuine nature. "You sound like someone with a warm heart," she began slowly, her tone softer than before. "The palace is full of hidden secrets, but someone this straightforward is rare."
"Your Highness is right." Qing'er picked up a round fan and gently fanned the old lady. The orchids embroidered on the fan swayed gently with her movements. "When she was teaching the twelfth prince to read, she split the character 'Fu' into 'a field' and said, 'To have land and food to eat is happiness.' Prince Yongji clapped his hands and laughed, and even the Empress praised her teaching skillfully."
"Even the Empress praised her?" The Empress Dowager was a little surprised, her eyebrows raised slightly. "Nara has always been stern, so to receive such praise from her, this girl truly has something to recommend her." She twirled her rosary beads, pondering for a moment. "When I was worshipping Buddha at Mount Wutai, Master Yuanjue said, 'A clear mind leads to bright eyes, and a true nature brings blessings.' This girl has bright eyes and a true nature. Perhaps she truly is blessed."
Qing'er's eyes flashed with a smile, and she said quickly, "Master is right! Little Swallow Princess is not only kind herself, she also manages Shufangzhai like a little Jiangnan. In the courtyard are planted orchids that Miss Ziwei likes, wind chimes hang in the corridor, and the small kitchen is always filled with sweet fragrance. Even the eunuchs passing by say that the laughter in Shufangzhai is more lively than the flowers in bloom in the Imperial Garden."
"It's better to have some liveliness." The Empress Dowager sighed, her eyes softening. "The palace walls are too high, too desolate. It's time to add some laughter." She looked at Qing'er, her eyes warm. "Since you say so, when I have time, I'll go to Shufangzhai and see what this princess who is praised by both the Empress and the Emperor looks like."
Qing'er bowed quickly, "That's great! Princess Xiaoyan will be so happy to hear that the Empress Dowager is coming. She might even show you her new sword dance."
The old Buddha chuckled at this and waved his hand, "No need for the sword dance. My old bones can't handle the noise. Just ask her to write a calligraphy for me to see. A daughter taught by Master Fang will always have good handwriting."
The night breeze blew in through the window lattice, stirring the pages of the Buddhist scriptures on the table. The scent of sandalwood mixed with the faint fragrance of orchids filled the hall. Qing'er watched the smile on the old Buddha's lips and breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that everyone would like a sincere and warm personality. At this moment, in Shufangzhai, Xiaoyanzi was practicing sword in the moonlight, the silver light of the sword piercing the night. Ziwei sat in the corridor watching her, the orchid sprouting new leaves on the embroidered handkerchief in her hand.
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