Chapter 202: Rumors, Sisters United
The Forbidden City was still shrouded in mist in the early morning, but the chrysanthemums lining the palace paths had already quietly blossomed. Yellow, white, and purple, drenched in dew, their delicate fragrance wafting through the cool air. The eunuchs in Shufangzhai were busy sweeping the courtyard. Little Wanzi, broom in hand, muttered as he swept, "Damn! The dew has soaked the broom, making it feel heavy like a rock!"
"Stop talking nonsense and get to work!" Xiao Dengzi was holding a birdcage with a thrush chirping inside. "The princesses will come out for morning reading later. Don't let them get scolded for not sweeping the fallen leaves clean." As soon as he finished speaking, Xiaoyanzi, wearing apple green shorts and a red silk ribbon around her waist, ran out of the house, her feet carrying the wind and the copper bells around her waist jingling.
"Little stool! Let me play with the birdcage!" Little Swallow reached out to grab it, but was stopped by Ziwei, who followed. Ziwei, wearing a lilac-colored satin dress over a moon-white blouse and holding a book, whispered, "Be careful not to catch a cold if you run around so fast right after getting up." She reached out to smooth Little Swallow's hair, her fingertips touching the cool dew.
Xiaoyanzi stuck out her tongue and withdrew her hand obediently: "I know! Ziwei, you are becoming more and more like my mother." As she was speaking, she saw Mingyue coming out with a basin of water. Her face looked a little ugly, and she seemed to be hesitant to speak.
"What's wrong?" Ziwei noticed something was wrong and asked softly.
Mingyue bit her lip and whispered, "Princess, I just went to the Imperial Household Department to get something, and I heard a few eunuchs gossiping... saying... saying that you are not the Emperor's biological daughter, and that Princess Huanzhu and the Fang family colluded to deceive the Emperor..."
"What?!" Xiaoyanzi's anger suddenly rose, her eyes widened, and she grabbed Mingyue's arm, "Where did they say that? Make them stand out! I'll tear their mouths apart!" She was so angry that her whole body was shaking, and the lapels of her apple green shorts were wrinkled by her.
Ziwei's face turned pale, and the book in her hand fell to the ground with a "bang". Her fingertips were cold. She bit her lip, trying hard to hold back tears: "They...what else did they say?"
"They also said...they also said that the emperor was kept in the dark, and when he knew the truth, he would definitely punish the princess and the Fang family..." Mingyue's voice became lower and lower. She secretly glanced at Xiaoyanzi's face and shrank her neck in fear.
"How ridiculous!" Xiaoyanzi was about to rush out. "I'm going to go and argue with those gossips! Let's see if they dare to say another word!"
"Little Swallow!" Ziwei grabbed her, her eyes red, but she tried hard to force a smile, "Don't go, it's just some rumors. The more you care about them, the more they will spread." She picked up the book that fell on the ground, and a corner of the page was wet by the dew.
Xiaoyanzi looked at Ziwei who was trying to pretend to be calm, and felt angry and hurt. She held her cold hand with her backhand: "But I can't swallow this!" Her nails dug deep into her palm, and the anger in her eyes almost burst out.
Just then, Yongqi and Erkang walked in. Yongqi, wearing a royal blue riding and archery outfit with a sword at his waist, saw Xiaoyanzi's angry look and quickly asked, "What's wrong? Who made our Huanzhu Princess angry?"
Erkang walked over to Ziwei and saw her pale face and the wet book in her hands. His brows immediately furrowed. "Did someone bully you?"
When Xiaoyanzi explained the situation, she stamped her feet in anger. "Those people are so filthy! They dare to spread rumors without any evidence. I think they are tired of living!"
Yongqi reached out and patted her shoulder, saying gently, "Don't get yourself hurt by getting angry. This is how it is in the palace. There are many people and many gossips, and there are always some who can't stand seeing others succeed." His eyes darkened, "I will get to the bottom of this matter and find out who is behind this."
Erkang looked at Ziwei, his voice so gentle that water could drip out: "Ziwei, don't take it to heart. The innocent are innocent. The emperor knows it, and we all believe you." He took out a clean handkerchief from his arms and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Ziwei's eyes.
Ziwei nodded and sniffed: "I'm fine, I just feel wronged... My mother is innocent, how can I let people slander her like this." As she spoke, tears fell again, hitting the handkerchief, leaving a small stain.
Xiaoyanzi couldn't bear to see Ziwei cry, so she hugged her and said, "Don't cry, don't cry! I'm here! I'll beat up anyone who dares to bully you!" She patted her chest and made the promise, and the copper bell rang again.
At this time, Eunuch Su's voice sounded at the door: "The Emperor has arrived——"
Everyone stood at attention. Qianlong, dressed in bright yellow formal attire, walked in with steady steps, followed by the Empress and Concubine Ling. The Empress, wearing a maroon palace dress embroidered with peonies, looked at Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei and smiled gently, saying, "The weather is beautiful today, perfect for reading."
Qianlong's gaze swept across Ziwei's slightly red eyes, and he already understood about half of what was going on. He walked over to the stone table and sat down. He picked up the sword manual that Xiaoyanzi had left on the table and said with a smile, "Xiaoyanzi, how are you practicing the sword technique I taught you yesterday? Show me how it's going."
Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up, and she immediately forgot her previous unhappiness. She took the sword from the wall and performed a beautiful sword flower: "Look, Father Emperor!" Her figure was agile, and the sword light flashed with a cold light in the morning light. Her every move was refreshing, and the copper bells on her waist jingled with her movements, as if they were accompanying her.
Qianlong nodded repeatedly as he watched, "Excellent! Improvement! It's this 'Snake Out of the Cave' move. A quicker wrist would be even better." He stood up and demonstrated to Xiaoyanzi with a branch, "This way, with a twist of the wrist, the tip of the sword can point directly at the opponent's throat."
Ziwei stood by, watching, the sadness on her face gradually dissipating, and a smile appeared on her lips. Concubine Ling walked over to her and whispered, "Don't listen to those gossips. The Emperor loves you two sisters the most."
The Queen nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's how it is in the palace. A gossip can kill you. But as long as you behave properly, you don't have to worry about gossip." She looked at Ziwei, her eyes full of kindness. "Your mother is a good girl. The Emperor always remembers her in his heart."
Ziwei felt warm in her heart and knelt down to salute: "Thank you, Her Majesty the Queen, and thank you, Her Majesty the Concubine Ling."
After teaching the sword technique, Qianlong wiped the sweat off his face and said to Xiaoyanzi, "I'll take you and Ziwei to the Imperial Garden to fly kites this afternoon to relax."
Little Swallow cheered and exclaimed, "That's great! The Emperor is the best!"
Qianlong looked at her happy expression, then at Ziwei, his eyes becoming penetrating. He winked at Eunuch Su, who understood and quietly withdrew. Qianlong knew that this rumor was not groundless and that someone must be behind it. He wanted to see who was so bold as to touch his daughter.
At noon, in a side hall of Jingren Palace, Concubine Gao was leisurely picking up bird's nests from a dish with a silver skewer. Nanny Li stood by and whispered, "Your Majesty, the rumor has spread. Everyone in the palace is saying that Princess Mingzhu's background is suspicious."
Concubine Gao's lips curled up into a smug smile, stirring the bird's nest with a silver skewer. "Well done. I just want them to know that this harem isn't so easy to stay in. Just because you have the Emperor's support doesn't mean you can do whatever you want." She put down the silver skewer and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. "Keep watching and see how they respond."
"Yes, your majesty." Nanny Li bowed and responded, a hint of viciousness flashing in her eyes.
Meanwhile, the Shufangzhai was a warm and cozy place. Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi were dining with the Empress and Concubine Ling. The table was filled with exquisite side dishes. Xiaoyanzi offered the Empress a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs: "Your Majesty, please try this. It's sweet and sour, delicious!"
The queen ate it with a smile and praised, "You are such a good kid, you know how to make people happy." She picked up a piece of tofu for Ziwei and said, "Eat more tofu to nourish your body."
Concubine Ling watched Xiaoyanzi wolfing down her food and said with a smile, "Eat slowly. No one's trying to snatch it from you." She poured Xiaoyanzi a bowl of soup and said, "This is black chicken soup. It's good for replenishing qi and blood."
In the afternoon, the Imperial Garden was bathed in sunshine and a gentle breeze. The maids had already prepared their kites. Xiaoyanzi, holding a butterfly kite, ran swiftly, while Yongqi held it from behind. With their perfect coordination, the butterfly kite quickly soared into the sky, dancing gracefully in the blue sky.
Ziwei and Erkang sat on the lawn, looking at the kite in the sky. Erkang said softly, "Look, no matter how high the kite flies, the string is still in our hands. Those rumors are like clouds in the sky, which can be blown away by a gust of wind."
Ziwei leaned on his shoulder, smiled and nodded: "Yes, I know. With you, Xiaoyanzi and the Emperor here, I'm not afraid of anything." She looked up at the kite in the sky, the sunlight shining on her face, warm and bright.
Qianlong stood not far away, watching them, a pleased smile on his face. The empress walked up to him and whispered, "Your Majesty, would you like to fly a kite too?"
Qianlong shook his head: "No, just watch them play." His eyes were deep, "It's been a long time since the palace has been so lively. It's great to have these children here."
As the sun sets, its golden afterglow casts a gilded glow across the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City. The lights in Shufangzhai light up, a warm glow filtering through the windows and illuminating the crabapple trees in the courtyard. Little Swallow and Ziwei sit beneath the lamps, one practicing swordplay, the other embroidering. The tinkle of the copper bells and the twang of the needle through the silk blend together, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
The lights in Jingren Palace, however, shone with a chill. Concubine Gao stood by the window, gazing towards Shufangzhai, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment. She knew this was just the beginning; she would never allow those two little bitches to live in peace in the palace. As the night deepened, the wind in the palace seemed to grow colder, ruffling the petals of the chrysanthemums like a foreshadowing of a coming storm.
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