Chapter 215: The dawn is breaking, but the undercurrent is still lingering
At dawn, the courtyard of Shufangzhai was bathed in a soft, pale morning light. The copper bells on the eaves tinkled softly in the morning breeze. The crabapple tree in the courtyard was wet with dew, and water droplets from its leaves rolled onto the bluestone slabs, leaving a small, wet mark. The candle in the warm room had long since burned out, leaving only a sliver of wax. The air still lingered with the delicate scent of the peppermint oil Xiao Jian had brought last night, mixed with the aroma of freshly brewed Biluochun tea, making it exceptionally refreshing.
Xiaoyanzi lay sprawled on the rosewood table, her fingers poking at the rosewood box containing the letter. She opened and closed the lid, making a soft clicking sound. She wore a moon-white silk nightgown, two buttons undone at the collar, revealing a jade pendant tied with a red string around her neck—a gift from Yongqi. The jade was soft and smooth, gleaming from her caress. "These words are crooked; I can tell they're not good," she muttered, her fingertips tracing E Min's personal seal on the letter, her brows knitted into a knot.
Ziwei walked in with freshly brewed tea, still wearing her lilac pajamas. Her hair was a little damp, clearly freshly washed. She placed the teacup next to Xiaoyanzi, picked up the letter from the table, and gently smoothed it. Her eyes fell on the words "falsified background," and her fingertips trembled slightly. "They...they actually dared to write that."
"If you dare to do it, don't be afraid of being caught!" Xiaoyanzi slammed the wooden box shut and stood up suddenly, the chair legs scraping against the blue bricks. "When daybreak comes, I'll go find the Emperor and throw these rags of paper in his face. Let's see how he can still protect E Min and Concubine Gao!"
"Don't be impatient." Ziwei quickly grabbed her sleeve, her fingertips cool. "If we send it over now, will it alert the enemy? Emin still has influence in the court. What if they bite back..." She lowered her eyes to look at her embroidered shoes. The lotus embroidery on the toe was stained with dew. "I'm not afraid of rumors, but I'm afraid of implicating you and the Fang family."
Xiaoyanzi looked at her red eyes, and the anger in her heart subsided for the most part. She held her hand and said, "What are you afraid of? The evidence is here! Besides, there is the emperor. He knows everything clearly." Although she said so, she subconsciously touched the jade pendant on her neck - that was what Yongqi said could ward off evil spirits, and at this moment it became her reassurance.
"Are the princesses awake?" Mingyue came in with a basin of water. Seeing that they were both awake, she smiled and handed them a handkerchief. "The kitchen has stewed some candied pears. Concubine Ling said she sent it specially for them, fearing they might catch a cold during the night." She caught a glimpse of the wooden box on the table and tactfully placed it on the table without asking any further questions. "Xiaodengzi is practicing his new storytelling in the yard. He said he wanted to entertain the princesses."
Sure enough, Xiaodiao's rhythmic voice came from outside the courtyard wall: "It is said that the Monkey King obtained the true scriptures and was about to return to Huaguo Mountain, but he saw rumors spreading down the mountain, saying that his flaming eyes were fake and his golden cudgel was carved from wood - hey! Guess what? The Monkey King took out his golden cudgel and shook it, and the rumors immediately disappeared!"
Xiaoyanzi burst out laughing and pulled Ziwei outside, "Let's go and listen! This little stool is getting better and better at weaving."
In the courtyard, morning light filtered through the branches of a crabapple tree, weaving dappled shadows across the ground. Little Stool stood beside the stone table, a wooden wake-up stick in hand, spitting furiously as he talked. Little Mosquito, perched on the steps, would interject from time to time: "Wow! That rumor is as creepy as a shrimp. It's disgusting to look at, but it'll burst with a poke!" The little bug, perched on the tree, mimicked a resounding eagle cry, startling the pigeons under the eaves into flight.
Yongqi walked in from the Moon Gate, still lightly sweating from his morning exercise, a lunch box in hand. Seeing Xiaoyanzi standing under the tree, smiling, his steps quickened. "What are you laughing at? I can hear the bustle of Shufangzhai from a long way off."
Little Swallow turned around, the morning light falling on her face. The tip of her nose was stained with dew, and her eyes were bright as stars. "Little Stool is making up a story about Sun Wukong debunking a rumor! It's so satisfying!"
As Yongqi approached, he noticed the jade pendant tied with a red string around her neck. The corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously. "It seems this jade pendant really calms the mind. You were gloomy yesterday, but today you're smiling like this." He opened the lunch box, revealing the candy cakes he had just bought. "I was passing by the dim sum shop in Dongdan and saw the sweet osmanthus candy cakes you like, so I bought some."
Ziwei took the food box and thanked him with a smile, "Brother Yongqi, it's so thoughtful. It just so happens that we haven't had breakfast yet."
As he was speaking, Xiao Jian came in from outside, having traded his nightgown for his usual blue cloth gown. He held a piece of paper in his hand: "The palace's spies have reported that the rumor has reached the Empress Dowager's palace. Although the Empress Dowager hasn't said anything, Nanny Gui is fanning the flames, saying she wants to 'investigate the bloodline.'"
Xiaoyanzi's smile faded a little. She took the note and looked at it, wrinkling it with her fingertips. "Madame Gui and Madame Li have always been on good terms. This must have been instigated by Concubine Gao."
"I've had someone make a copy of the letter," Xiao Jian said in a low voice. "Should we present it to the Emperor now?"
"Wait." Xiaoyanzi shook her head, her eyes sweeping over the crowd. "If we present it now, it'll seem like we're rushing to prove ourselves, and we'll end up looking bad. I have to find a chance for this evidence to 'accidentally' reach the Emperor." She rolled her eyes and looked at Yongqi. "Are you going to pay your respects to the Emperor today?"
Yongqi nodded: "I was originally scheduled to go to the imperial study to reply at noon."
"That's perfect." Xiaoyanzi came closer and lowered her voice. "Please help me find out what the emperor has to say. Just say... there are too many rumors in the palace, and sister Ziwei always has nightmares at night. See what he says." She deliberately emphasized the words "sister Ziwei", and a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes - she knew that Qianlong loved Ziwei the most, and mentioning Ziwei's grievances would surely touch him.
Yongqi understood and gently touched the back of her hand with his fingertips: "Don't worry, I know what to say."
After breakfast, Yongqi went to the imperial study. Qianlong was sitting on the dragon throne reviewing memorials, a thick pile of documents on the desk. Eunuch Su was grinding ink nearby. Seeing Yongqi come in, he quietly made a "hush" gesture and pointed to the memorial on the table - it was the imperial censor's impeachment of "Princess Mingzhu's suspicious background."
After paying his respects, Yongqi didn't directly mention the rumors, but only said, "I just came from Shufangzhai and saw Princess Mingzhu was not in good spirits. She said she didn't sleep well last night. Princess Mingzhu said that there have been too many rumors in the palace recently, and I am always worried that I will upset the emperor."
Qianlong paused, his hand gripping the brush. His gaze shifted from the memorial to Yongqi, a flicker of understanding in his eyes, yet he remained calm. "She's worried, so it's inevitable she'll be affected. Tell Concubine Ling to take good care of her and make sure she doesn't actually fall ill." He put down the brush and picked up his teacup. "Who do you think started this rumor?"
Yong Qi lowered his eyes and said, "I dare not make any rash comments, but this rumor is strange. It happened to spread so soon after Sister Ziwei was canonized. It's as if they are afraid that she will gain a firm foothold."
Qianlong took a sip of tea, the mist blurring his expression. "I understand. Go back and tell Princess Huanzhu not to worry about it. Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up."
Yongqi felt relieved, knowing that Qianlong had already made a plan, and he quickly bowed in agreement.
After the door of the imperial study was closed, Qianlong put down his teacup and said to Eunuch Su, "Go and find all of E Min's recent memorials. I want to take another look." He tapped the table with his fingertips, his eyes deep - he wanted to see what tricks E Min and Concubine Gao dared to play under his nose.
Meanwhile, in Shufangzhai, Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei were sitting by the window embroidering handkerchiefs. Ziwei's handkerchief featured two lotus flowers, delicately stitched, while Xiaoyanzi's handkerchief had a tiger baring its fangs and claws, with the words "Rumors Go Away" scribbled crookedly beside it.
"Your tiger embroidery is really impressive." Ziwei couldn't help laughing as she watched, "It's even more majestic than the ones painted by the palace painters."
Little Swallow poked Tiger's eyes. "That's the only way to scare away those rotten rumors!" She looked out the window. The morning light was just right, and the crabapple blossoms swayed gently in the wind. "Don't worry, sister. I'll never let you suffer from rumors again in this life."
Ziwei held her hand, her palm warm: "With you here, I'm not afraid of anything."
In the warm room, the candles had long since gone out, filling the room with morning light. Though undercurrents still surged outside the window, as long as sisters supported each other and close friends were by their side, even the darkest rumors would eventually be dispelled by the sunlight. And the evidence hidden in the rosewood box quietly awaited the moment to reveal the truth.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
