Chapter 194: The autumn wind blows, and the secret plan is reborn
The autumn sun streamed through the carved windows of Shufangzhai, weaving tiny specks of light across the blue brick floor. A few leaves had fallen from the crabapple tree in the courtyard, swirling in the wind, gently clashing against the vermilion pillars under the porch. Ziwei sat at her embroidery frame by the window, embroidering a handkerchief with an autumn chrysanthemum pattern. Silver thread slithered across the plain satin, the stitches as fine as the silk of an autumn silkworm.
"Xiaoyanzi, do you think the color of the petals is too dark?" Ziwei turned around with a handkerchief in her hand and saw Xiaoyanzi squatting under the corridor, turning a silver willow leaf dart in her hand - that was a hidden weapon for self-defense specially made for her by Xiao Jian. The edge was polished to a shine and gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
The little swallow caught the handkerchief that flew over to her, brushed the plump chrysanthemum petals with her fingertips, and said with a smile: "It's not dark, this orange-red looks good with the autumn sun. Look at the crabapple leaves in the yard, aren't they as red as fire?" She put the handkerchief on the railing, turned her wrist, and the silver dart flew out with a "whoosh" and accurately nailed the jujube tree in the corner of the yard, startling a few sparrows that flew away.
Ziwei was so frightened that she cried out, "Be careful or you'll hurt someone!" But she couldn't help but praise him, "Your technique is getting more and more accurate. Did Brother Xiao Jian teach you that?"
"Of course, it doesn't matter whose sister she is." Xiaoyanzi raised her chin proudly, stood up, and began to pull the darts from the jujube tree. The jade pendant on her waist jingled with her movements—it was the evil-repelling jade pendant Yongqi had given her, and the red string was wrapped tightly around her. "Xiao Jian said that to deal with hidden arrows, we have to use concealed weapons. We're not afraid of those who come openly, but we're afraid of those who hide in the dark and shoot from behind."
Just as he finished speaking, Little Mosquito came running in, holding a brocade box in his hands, and shouted from a distance, "Wow, boom! Chuxiu Palace has sent something again! They say it's the 'sedative incense' given by Concubine Gao, and they say the princesses have been working hard lately, so this is the best sleep aid!" He placed the brocade box on the stone table, rubbed his hands, and stepped back. "From my humble perspective, the patterns on this incense box are so sinister, just like the box for the lotus root powder cake last time!"
Xiao Zhang came over and looked at the edge of the brocade box. "That's right! Look at how the lotus is embroidered. It looks like there are hooks hidden in the stitches. It seems that this incense is mixed with something, just like the bewitching incense in Journey to the West. It makes you dizzy after smelling it!"
Xiaoyanzi didn't open the box, but simply tapped the lid with her fingertips, her gaze fixed on the delicate lotus pattern. She was familiar with the pattern; in a previous life, Concubine Gao had gifted her with a sachet embroidered in the same style. She'd thought it was beautiful at the time and worn it daily, but then she'd always felt listless, and the imperial physician had simply attributed it to "acclimatization." Now that she thought about it, the contents of that sachet were probably similar to this incense.
"Ziwei, smell it." Xiaoyanzi pushed the brocade box towards Ziwei, a look of caution in her eyes. "The soothing incense that the Empress gave me the other day was a mixture of sandalwood and osmanthus. When you smell the scent in this box, does it feel a bit stuffy?"
Ziwei gently lifted a corner of the lid, and a sweet aroma wafted out. It was indeed heavier than the usual calming incense. She frowned and took a step back: "It is a bit... dizzy when I smell it."
"That's right." Xiaoyanzi snapped the box shut, a cold smile curling her lips. "The gentle knife is the most lethal. She wants us to sleep restlessly every night. After a long time, we will lose our energy and naturally make mistakes."
"That's too much!" Yongqi's voice came from the courtyard gate. He had just returned from the imperial study, and the faint scent of ink still lingered on his body. Upon hearing this, his face darkened and he quickly walked to the stone table. "Should I report this to the Emperor right away?"
"Don't be impatient." Xiaoyanzi tugged at his sleeve, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against the cool jade bracelet on his wrist—a hand-me-down from his mother. "This little trick has alarmed the Emperor, and it only makes us seem paranoid. Besides, if we don't catch them in the act, she'll definitely accuse us of being ungrateful."
Erkang stood aside, twirling his sleeves and saying, "Princess Huanzhu is right. Why not try to use their trick? Let's pretend to use this incense, and have someone keep an eye on Chuxiu Palace to see what they do next." He looked at Xiaoyanzi, "But this incense..."
"Don't worry," Xiaoyanzi pulled out a small brocade bag from her bosom, which contained the herbs Xiaojian had given her. "Xiaojian already prepared some awakening herbs for me. I've placed them next to the incense burner. I guarantee this incense won't work." She turned to the small table and instructed, "Send this incense to the imperial kitchen and have Doctor Li examine it carefully. Remember, keep it secret. Just say it's 'newly acquired spices, I'm afraid they're not suitable for this time.'"
Xiao Zhuozi obeyed the order and was about to leave with the brocade box in hand, but was stopped by Xiaoyanzi: "Wait, after delivering the incense, go to the guest house and tell Liu Qing and Liu Hong to pay more attention to the people coming out of Chuxiu Palace recently, especially Nanny Li, and see where she often goes."
"I've got it!" The small table left quickly, and only four of them were left in the corridor. The sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves and fell onto Ziwei's embroidery frame, stretching her shadow very long.
Ziwei gently held Xiaoyanzi's hand, her fingertips feeling a little cold: "Xiaoyanzi, isn't this too risky? What if they have other plans..."
"It's better to take a risk than to sit and wait for death." Xiaoyanzi held her tightly with her backhand, her eyes gleaming. "In my last life, I trusted 'gentleness' too much, and that's why I suffered. In this life, I'll keep my eyes open. Every time she comes, I'll block her. There will always be a time when she's at her wit's end."
Yongqi took off a jade pendant from his waist and put it into Xiaoyanzi's hand. It was a warm jade, but it was cool to the touch. "This is the warm jade given by my mother. If you carry it with you, you will sleep more peacefully at night. If there is any movement at night, knock on the window three times and I will be nearby." He looked at her with a serious look, "Don't force yourself, I'm here for you."
Xiaoyanzi held the warm jade in her hand, feeling warm in her heart, but she hummed, "Who needs you to protect me? My own skills are enough!" But she carefully put the jade pendant into her arms, against her heart.
Erkang looked at them and said with a smile, "It seems that our Shufangzhai is going to become a 'base for anti-hidden arrows'. However, with Huanzhu Gege's cleverness and the Fifth Prince's guards, no one who comes here will get into trouble."
As she was speaking, Caixia came over with a freshly brewed cup of Rain-Predawn Longjing tea and poured a cup for each of them: "Princess, have some tea to wake up. This tea was just sent by Concubine Ling from the palace. It is said to be the best for relieving greasiness."
The aroma of tea rose in the air, mingling with the fragrance of the crabapple blossoms in the courtyard, diluting the sweet, soothing aroma. Xiaoyanzi picked up the teacup, looked at the tea leaves floating in it, and suddenly smiled and said, "What do you think? If I gave this soothing incense to Concubine Gao as a 'return gift', would she accept it?"
Ziwei was amused: "You are always so naughty."
The sun was shining brightly, the autumn breeze was gentle, and laughter from Shufangzhai drifted through the leaves, landing on the vermilion palace walls. Little Swallow knew this was only the beginning, and that eyes from the shadows were still watching. But she was no longer the reckless, foolish girl of her previous life. With sisters by her side, a lover to protect her, and family to support her, she could handle even the most ruthless schemes.
She lowered her head and took a sip of tea. The tea was refreshing, but there was an unmistakable sharpness in her eyes. She was determined to win this battle.
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