The Su family is about to have their case overturned.
The pain in my back lasted for two days. Consort Su came to change my dressings every day. The ointment, sent by Consort Rong, had a cool herbal scent mixed with a faint floral fragrance, and applying it to the wound always relieved most of the discomfort. Ya Huan also restrained her usual liveliness, staying by my side every day, either helping me organize herbs or sitting by the bed weaving grass worms. Only occasionally, when she touched the bruise on the corner of her mouth that had not completely faded, would her eyes dim for a moment. The air in the Cold Palace seemed to still retain the tension of that day; even the wild chrysanthemums in the corner of the courtyard had lost some of their former vibrancy.
On the morning of the third day, I had just gotten up when I heard Zhang Mama's footsteps outside the courtyard. She was carrying a food box, and her steps were quicker than usual. Her face showed a hint of undisguised joy. As soon as she entered, she put the food box on the table: "Ah Zhao, good news! Consort Hui has sent someone with several letters!"
My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly went over. Granny Zhang opened the food box; inside was a layer of soft satin, containing three sealed letters and a small gilded lacquer box. "This one is for Consort Li," she said, picking up the thickest one, its envelope embroidered with delicate orchid patterns. "This one is for you; it says 'To Tian Zhao only.' Consort Hui specifically instructed that you read it alone." The last envelope was unsigned, yet it had a familiar feel to it; I recognized it immediately—it was my parents' handwriting.
Ya Huan leaned closer, her eyes sparkling: "Sister Zhao, is there good news from Consort Hui's side?" Zhang Mama nodded with a smile: "Of course! Consort Hui's eldest brother has made great contributions at the border, and the Emperor has issued an edict to reward him. He also said that he will thoroughly investigate Consort Hui's father's old case. I reckon it won't be long before the case is overturned!"
The news was like a warm breeze, instantly dispelling the oppressive atmosphere of the cold palace. I held my parents' letters, my fingertips trembling slightly, and quickly opened them—the handwriting was still familiar. My father said everything was fine at home; my brother had excelled in the imperial examinations and had been selected as a local official, to be appointed soon. My mother reminded me to wear warm clothes in the cold weather and said she had asked someone to bring me some newly made cotton-padded clothes, which she asked Consort Hui to give to me as well. At the end of the letter, my mother added, "I've heard you've made many good friends in the palace; I'm relieved." This simple sentence instantly brought tears to my eyes.
"Sister Zhao, did your parents say everything is fine at home?" Ya Huan leaned closer and asked softly. I nodded and handed her the letter, my heart filled with warmth: "My brother is going to be a local official, and my parents even asked someone to bring me a cotton-padded coat." Granny Zhang looked at us and said with a smile, "This is truly double happiness! I'll take the letter to Consort Li right away and let her be happy too."
Not long after, Granny Zhang returned, her smile even wider: "Consort Li was so happy to see the letter that she cried! It was written by her parents, saying that everything was fine at home, and that they knew Consort Hui was helping her, so she could relax and wait for the day her injustice would be redressed." As she spoke, she took out the letter Consort Hui had written to me from her sleeve pocket, "Consort Hui also specifically told you in the letter that Qin Lan is doing well in her palace, and that you shouldn't worry. She said that after her father's case is overturned, she will find a way to have Qin Lan come to see you."
I opened Consort Hui's letter. The handwriting still carried a hint of firmness, but it was warmer than usual. In the letter, she said that after her elder brother's meritorious service, the Emperor's attitude towards the Shen family had clearly softened. She took the opportunity to bring up Consort Li's case from years ago, and the Emperor had promised to send someone to reinvestigate it after her father's case was closed. She also mentioned that she knew the Empress had recently been making moves in the Cold Palace, and asked me to be careful. If anyone dared to cause trouble again, I should send someone directly to her palace to report, and she would definitely handle it. At the end of the letter, she added, "You protected Consort Li, and I remember your kindness. If you need anything in the future, just ask." Her awkward tone concealed a rare sincerity.
"That's wonderful!" Ya Huan couldn't help but cheer. "In this way, Consort Li can be exonerated, and Consort Hui's family can also be vindicated!" I nodded with a smile, a weight finally lifted from my heart—the resurgence of Consort Hui's family would not only help Consort Li clear her name, but also intimidate the Empress. Perhaps their days in the Cold Palace would finally be peaceful.
In the afternoon, I took Consort Hui's letter to see Consort Xian. She was sitting on the veranda reading a book. When she saw me come in, she put down her book and smiled, saying, "I guessed you would come today. Zhang Mama already told me the news." I handed her the letter, and Consort Xian read it carefully, a relieved smile appearing on her lips: "The Su family's turnaround is a great thing for us. The Empress probably won't dare to touch us easily anymore. What she fears most are powerful families. Now that the Su family is in power, she will definitely be much more restrained."
Consort Su was also standing nearby, arranging herbs in her hands. Hearing this, she looked up and said, "This is also Consort Li's good fortune. After suffering for so long, she is finally about to see the light at the end of the tunnel." Consort Xian nodded and looked at me, "Ah Zhao, is everything alright with your parents?" I handed her the letter from my parents. After reading it, Consort Xian smiled and said, "Your parents are very thoughtful. They know that it is not easy for you in the palace, so they specially wrote a letter to put your mind at ease."
Just then, Consort Li walked in carrying a food box, a long-lost smile on her face: "I heard from Granny Zhang that you were here, so I specially made some jujube paste pastries. Let's all have a taste." She opened the food box, and a sweet aroma instantly filled the air. "These were made according to Consort Hui's favorite flavor. I'll have Granny Zhang send some to her later."
Consort Rong arrived shortly after, carrying a cloth bag containing handkerchiefs she had just embroidered, each with a different pattern: "I... I embroidered some handkerchiefs for everyone, as a way of... celebrating the good news." We accepted the handkerchiefs, our hearts filled with warmth—this was life in the Cold Palace; no matter how many difficulties we encountered, as long as we supported each other, we would always receive good news.
As evening fell, Zhang Mama delivered the jujube paste pastries made by Consort Li to Consort Hui's palace. On her return, she brought good news: Consort Hui said that after her father's case was overturned, she wanted to hold a small banquet in the Cold Palace so everyone could get together. She also said she would bring Qin Lan along so she could have a good chat with us. Upon hearing this news, Ya Huan was so excited she couldn't sleep. She dragged me along to help tidy up our lodgings, and even said she wanted to prepare some grasshoppers as a gift for Qin Lan.
As I watched the sky gradually darken outside the window, a sense of peace filled my heart. Although the crisis brought by the Empress had not been completely resolved, the resurgence of Consort Hui's family was like a ray of light, illuminating the future of the Cold Palace. I touched the letters from my parents in my arms, then looked at the excited Ya Huan beside me, secretly hoping—that once Consort Li was exonerated, and everyone in the Cold Palace could live a peaceful life, we could be like ordinary people, enjoying flowers, making snacks, and chatting about everyday things, truly making our days in the Cold Palace warm and fulfilling.
A gentle night breeze carries the fragrance of wild chrysanthemums from the corner of the yard, and also brings boundless anticipation for the future. I know that there may be twists and turns in the days to come, but as long as we support each other and hold onto hope, we will surely overcome all difficulties and usher in true peace and happiness.
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