Chapter 186: Morning Light Practice Sword Shadow, Warm Words Dispel Doubts
At daybreak, the pale blue morning light crept over the glazed tiles of Shufangzhai, outlining the silhouettes of the mythical beasts on the roof. Dew still hung on the leaves of the crabapple tree, and the wind blew them down, dripping onto the blue brick floor, creating small splashes. Little Swallow, dressed in a moon-white outfit with a red silk ribbon tied around her waist, was standing in the center of the courtyard practicing swordplay.
The blue-steel sword traced silver arcs in the morning light, the red silk tassel fluttering with her movements like a dancing flame. She spun to avoid the pillars under the porch, lightly tapping the ground with the tip of her sword. Using the recoil, she leaped upwards, tapping the tip of her toes on the branches of the crabapple tree before landing lightly on the stone table. "How's it going? Is this 'Swallow Skimming Water' move smooth enough?" She smiled, looking at Yongqi standing beside her. Her hair, damp with sweat, plastered to her cheeks, her eyes bright as morning dew.
Yongqi, holding a clean handkerchief, walked over quickly, reaching out to wipe her sweat, but then paused, a bit embarrassed. Seeing this, Xiaoyanzi leaned forward and said, "Why are you just standing there? Wipe it!" Yongqi blushed and raised his hand. Just as his fingertips touched her cheek, she smiled and dodged, "Just kidding!" She picked up the handkerchief and wiped her face randomly. "How's the inspection of the seat cushions I mentioned yesterday going?"
"We've checked everything." Yongqi handed over a pot of cold tea. "We used small tables and stools to search through all the seats in Changyin Pavilion. We found a pinhole-sized hole under our seat. There was a thin cotton thread stuffed inside, and the end of the thread was stained with a light yellow powder, the same as the sample given by Doctor Wang." He frowned and said, "It seems that Madam Li really did sew the itching powder into the cushions."
Xiaoyanzi took the teapot, took two sips, and hung her sword at her waist. "I knew it! I asked the kitchen to mix peppermint oil into the paste, and re-sewed all the cushions overnight. The needle holes were blocked. Even if they sprinkled powder, it wouldn't get on us." She jumped out of bed and walked over to Ziwei. She saw her sitting at the embroidery frame by the window, holding a light pink silk handkerchief with a lotus embroidered with gold thread. "What are you embroidering, sister? It's so beautiful."
Ziwei looked up and smiled. The morning light filtered through the window lattice and fell on her face, soft as a painting. "I embroidered a longevity handkerchief for the Empress Dowager. I added some mint thread to it. It smells refreshing." She picked up the handkerchief and shook it gently, and a faint minty fragrance wafted out. "Doctor Wang said that the mint smell can dispel the smell of itching powder, so it feels reassuring to carry with you." Erkang stood behind her, helping her sort out the scattered silk threads. He nodded and said, "I've asked the embroiderer from the Fu family to make a few pieces as well. When the time comes, I'll give one to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. It's both in accordance with etiquette and can prevent any plots against us."
"You're the ones who are most attentive." Little Swallow picked up an embroidered handkerchief and tucked it into her waist. "I'm a rough man, I only know how to wield swords and spears. These delicate tasks still depend on my sister and Brother Erkang." As she spoke, Little Mosquito came running out of the kitchen with a plate of snacks, shouting, "Goodness, this sweet-scented osmanthus cake is hot. It'll make sword practice easier!" He placed the plate on the stone table, and the little insect immediately came over and reached out to grab it, but was slapped by the little stool: "You're not polite! You have to wait for the princesses to taste it first!"
Xiaodeng was still holding the Journey to the West. Seeing Xiaoyanzi looking over, he immediately cleared his throat and imitated the storyteller's tone: "It's said that Sun Wukong saw through the White Bone Demon's trick and raised his golden cudgel to strike—" Xiaochongzi, beside him, imitated the monkey's call: "Squeak—beat the monster!" This made Xiaoyanzi burst out laughing. She reached out and rubbed Xiaochong's head: "I know you are talking about Aunt Li. This metaphor is apt!"
Yongqi picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and handed it to Xiaoyanzi, then gave one to Ziwei and one to Erkang. "We have to go to Changyin Pavilion today to go through the procedures and see if there are any changes to the serving route." He took a bite of the cake and said vaguely, "Guard Zhou said that Manager Liu from the Imperial Kitchen was acting suspiciously this morning, constantly sneaking into the Changyin Pavilion kitchen. I'm afraid he's scouting the area." Xiaoyanzi swallowed the cake and narrowed her eyes. "Perfect! Let Xiao Table and Xiao Stool go with him, pretending to help move things. We'll see what he's up to."
The little table immediately puffed out its chest and clapped its arms, "Watch my shadowless kicks! I'll definitely memorize all his little moves!" The little stool nodded, "I'll tell him a story about 'Sun Wukong's Three Strikebacks at the White Bone Demon' to scare him!" As they were talking, Mingyue came in, holding a lilac-colored palace dress. "Princess, this is a new dress sent by the Empress. She said it's perfect for the birthday banquet. The material is smooth and comfortable to the touch."
Xiaoyanzi took the palace dress and shook it open. She saw it was embroidered with peonies, the stitches intricate. She turned over the cuffs and pointed inside. "Why is there a little pocket here?" Ziwei leaned over to take a look. She saw the pocket was sewn discreetly, and inside, a small piece of peppermint ointment was placed in a brocade box. "Did the Empress have it sewn there specially?" Ziwei picked up the ointment and smelled it. "This ointment is thicker than ours. It seems the Empress is worried about us, too."
As they were talking, Guard Zhou hurried in, holding a note. "Princess, Master Fu sent word that Steward Liu had just taken a small celadon bottle from the imperial kitchen and sprinkled something into the sweet soup. It's been replaced by one of our men. Here's the sample." Xiaoyanzi took the note, which showed a picture of a small bottle. She raised an eyebrow and said, "How quick! Have them send the sample to Imperial Physician Wang, and ask him if the ingredients in the sweet soup can be used to cure it."
The sun gradually rose higher, shortening the shadows in the courtyard. Little Swallow picked up her sword and said to Yongqi with a smile, "Let's go to Changyin Pavilion! We have to show those 'goblins' that we're not to be trifled with!" Yongqi smiled and followed her. Ziwei and Erkang also packed their things, and the Four Talented Scholars followed behind, carrying boxes of snacks. They chatted and laughed as they left Shufangzhai. The morning light shone on them, stretching their shadows long, like a string of warm candied haws.
At this time in Chuxiu Palace, Nanny Li was kneeling on the ground, holding an empty celadon bottle in her hand, her voice trembling: "Your Majesty, Manager Liu said that the stuff has been sprinkled into the sweet soup, and it will be foolproof." Concubine Gao was sitting by the window, looking at the crabapple tree outside, with a sneer on her lips: "That's better. On the day of the birthday banquet, I want to see if these two princesses can still laugh." Agarwood was burning in the incense burner in the hall, and the smoke was curling up, but it could not dispel the gloom in the room.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
