Clutching an medicine jar, Jiang Kui secretly scaled the palace walls and headed for the Eternal Joy Quarter.
First she went to the bookstore to pass a letter for Zhu Zi’an. He wasn’t at the shop today which wasn’t unusual since he seldom appears there in daylight. They always arrange nighttime meetings.
Upon reaching Eternal Joy Quarter, Jiang Kui rapped on a small ebony door. "Master Shen, are you in?"
"He's here, please enter Miss Jiang." A Rong cracked the door open slightly for Jiang Kui to squeeze through before shutting it after her. The morning's noise faded away behind the entrance. The steady tempo of grinding ingredients echoed within the small courtyard instead.
Under a blooming plum, Master Shen instructed his apprentice grinding medicine by the medicine cauldron. That half grown child wore an obedient and clever expression as he pounded smoothly and briskly, without any sign of illness needing daily rare supplements to survive.
Master Shen's countenance showed a rare glimpse of approval. Even his gaze towards Jiang Kui softened significantly. "For Miss Jiang to arrive so early, could it be you've come for more conception pills?"
Ever since accompanying Princess Tong to seek treatment last time, Jiang Kui asked Master Shen to help formulate those pills. Half a month after providing the prescription, Jiang Kui would fetch the powdered medicine during each visit to Eternal Joy Quarter. She then passed it to the palace maids to brew at Penglai Palace for the princess' health. Those pills have mild properties that would take over a month of ingestion to take effect.
"Master Shen, I've come to ask a favor." Jiang Kui seemed rather rushed.
Master Shen patted his apprentice's shoulder signaling for him to keep grinding before following Jiang Kui into the inner room. She opened the medicine jar for the physician to inspect. "Master Shen, could you take a look at this medicine?"
That morning at the Eastern Palace medicine storage, she witnessed two eunuchs slipping some sort of powder into Xie Wuyang's medicine decoction. Jiang Kui took away the medicine jar and had the maids brew a fresh batch instead. Not trusting the Eastern Palace imperial doctors, she brought the tampered medicine straight to Master Shen.
Master Shen scooped a little of the decoction with a tiny ceramic spoon. He held it under his nose for a sniff then carefully examined it over the fire for a spell. His expression shifted subtly. Voice lowered he asked, "Where did this come from?"
Jiang Kui hesitated briefly. Since A Rong already knew of her identity as the crown princess consort, Master Shen likely guessed as much too. This man could be trusted so there was no need for deception. Thus she answered, "The Eastern Palace medicine storage. Someone slipped an unknown powder into Xie Wuyang's medicine today."
She watched Master Shen's frown deepen and couldn't help asking, "The substance added...is it poison?"
"A type of chronic toxin not seen for many years." Master Shen murmured. "Leave this behind. I need to investigate thoroughly. If anyone tries to slip poison again please bring the jar to me Miss Jiang."
"Alright. You have my thanks Master Shen."
"No need for thanks." Master Shen calmly waved a dismissal. "On the contrary, it is I who must thank Miss Jiang. This poison rather piques my interest. Please bring anything similar to me and I will not charge a consultation fee over such matters."
This man has an eccentric disposition. Ordinarily he loves to study complex and bizarre illnesses, thus reacting with excitement when encountering exotic venoms instead. Yet he willingly assists now which works out fortuitously.
After parting with Master Shen, Jiang Kui proceeded to Penglai Palace to visit Princess Tong.
Dim lighting suffused Penglai Palace. Princess Tong leaned against an exquisite couch seemingly napping. Fingers stained carmine gingerly cradled her temple while her fatigue grew increasingly visible. Spotting Jiang Kui she lazily called out, "My darling niece must be here to deliver my conception medication?"
"Auntie, are you alright?" Jiang Kui gazed at her worriedly.
"Don't fret. The medicine hasn't kicked in yet and this bout of morning sickness is quite severe." Princess Tong gave a wan smile while pulling her into an embrace, gently stroking her hair. "Since you've come to see me there must be another matter right?"
Jiang Kui nestled against her side allowing the princess to stroke her hair awhile before solemnly peering up. "Auntie...I discovered someone slipping poison into Xie Wuyang's medicine today..."
The hand stroking her hair froze as Princess Tong's voice dropped lower. "Describe to me in detail."
So Jiang Kui recounted the events that morning before slowly continuing, "Auntie, I cannot ascertain if this was their first time poisoning the medicine. If someone already adulterated his decoctions before I noticed..."
Princess Tong pondered aloud, "Are you implying Xie Wuyang's lingering unconsciousness stems from someone slipping poison into his medicine?"
Jiang Kui nodded. "A doctor acquaintance told me such toxins have not surfaced for many years. Moreover, Xie Wuyang's previous attack three years ago seems to share many similarities with the present. I wondered if his illness relates to this poison somehow?"
Princess Tong nodded leisurely. "Poisoning is common practice within the palace. The ability to interfere with the Eastern Palace medicine implies a close relationship with the Inner Palace. You must exercise utmost caution when investigating this."
She heaved a faint sigh. "Unfortunately I lack energy recently to better aid you."
Jiang Kui shifted nearer against her side, clutching the princess' arm to convey her sentiments. Princess Tong gave a wan smile while bowing her head in contemplation for a spell. Then she abruptly spoke up, "If..."
Her words trailed off midway. Jiang Kui watched her expectantly only for Princess Tong to slowly shake her head with a careless laugh. "Nevermind, I've nothing more to say. Return for now, there are still many affairs needing direction within the Eastern Palace. You must learn to shoulder the responsibility alone. After all as an outsider there's only so much I can advise you on."
Not long after Jiang Kui took her leave, Head Maid Jiyang entered bearing a bowl of freshly brewed medicine. Princess Tong sat silent and motionless amidst the darkened room, head propped by an arm with eyes shut.
"Your Highness, it is time to take medicine." Jiyang extended the bowl of dark concoction before her, gently scooping a tiny spoonful then lightly blowing away the rising heat. She lifted it to Princess Tong's lips.
The princess stared down at the medicine without opening her mouth. A sigh slipped out instead.
"Your Highness please do not delay further. Someone may notice the early signs of pregnancy. Besides..." Jiyang lowered her voice. "If you abstain any longer the fetus may no longer be abortable."
Slowly Princess Tong accepted the proffered spoonful while gazing at the mirrored surface reflecting her blotchy complexion.
"Miss Jiyang," she suddenly spoke up. Her mountain breeze voice made Jiyang's heart lurch.
"When Aunt Lian was pregnant with Xiaoman...what must her frame of mind been like?" Princess Tong's distant eyes shone with reminiscence. "She must have felt happy right?"
"The general's wife often said she loved her youngest daughter the most when she was alive," Jiyang responded. "When she first learned of expectancy with young miss, the madam was extremely delighted. Why, did she not help make the new clothes together with you, Princess?"
By addressing her thus Jiyang pulled Princess Tong into memories from over a decade ago. During those simple, innocent days she was still unmarried Young Miss Jiang - guileless, vivacious and breathtakingly beautiful despite her ignorance towards worldly affairs.
Hearing that sister-in-law conceived a daughter filled her with such joy she would impatiently drag her hand in circles. Together beneath the pagoda tree in their compound they sewed little newborn garments, every piece absurdly minute — merely inches wide yet adorable enough to make one's heart swell.
Nowadays she can scarcely recall any of it.
Princess Tong gave a sudden bitter chuckle. "Yet I still dearly wished...to know what motherhood feels like."
Jiyang kept her head low at a loss for what to say.
But Princess Tong did not wait for her response, continuing to muse aloud. "Though the very instant I wed into the imperial clan, all prospects of grandchildren or familial warmth turned to utter delusion."
Silently she downed the medicine in one go without needing the spoon.
Upon Jiang Kui's return to the Eastern Palace, she headed over intending to check on Xie Wuyang only to see Minister Gu shaking his head. He explained that the Prince's tutor Lingque had arrived and was currently running energy work in a side hall to treat Xie Wuyang's injuries. No disturbances were allowed at this time.
Thus Jiang Kui dined alone first before retiring into the study. Flipping open piles of official missives on the desk, she picked up a writing brush. Cradling her cheek she started on reviewing and making remarks. Sunshine drenched the room yet no one sat behind the desk across from her. Though palace maids still came daily to tidy up so it remained clean and orderly without any dust.
Just empty. As if missing someone's presence.
Jiang Kui had barely written for long when motions at the window drew her attention.
"Thud." A bamboo cylinder rolled in from the cracks to bump against her feet.
She bent down to grab it. Laying aside her brush she leapt up and shoved the window open forcefully!
Brilliant sunshine flooded the yard amidst winds stirring a rain of dancing leaves. Some birds perched twittering atop the trees.
But that person had already left.
Jiang Kui glanced down to pry off the cylinder's wooden stopper then unrolled the inner birchbark slip. Familiar strokes filled the page - flamboyant sweeps like an invisible smile aimed her way.
The note simply read: "Eastern Pavilion bookstore."
Jiang Kui snorted softly to herself, unaware of an unconscious upturning of her lips.
She neatly stored the documents before changing into an arrow outfit in her bedchambers then vaulted out the window. Nimbly traversing over endless upturned eaves and corners of palace structures, eventually she stopped outside to rap on the Eastern Pavilion bookshop entrance.
Storyteller Master Liu Qinghe had just risen from his afternoon nap. Stifling a yawn he stood in the doorway to bow towards her respectfully. "Miss Jiang the chivalrous hero."
"Master Pu Liu—" Jiang Kui started asking.
"He's not here," Master Liu interjected, scratching his head. "Doesn't show himself much in the daytime."
"I'll wait for him then. He asked to meet today but who knows when he'll appear."
"Make yourself at home, Miss." Long used to her treating the bookstore as her personal residence, Master Liu had given up on playing host. He lazily waved towards the second floor. "It's empty up there. Tea leaves are on the counter, help yourself."
Jiang Kui thanked him before grabbing a blue and white porcelain tea set with some Sunken Fragrance tea then headed upstairs into the private room. She settled onto the cushion behind the screen and slowly began brewing, repeatedly steeping the hot tea on the short table.
This pristine tea set was part of the collectibles on display. The clear, lustrous glaze on the cup felt smooth and exquisite — evidently one of that person's preferred pieces. She vaguely recalled his hands nimbly arranging her hairpin. Imagining his movements she mimicked the tea preparation, listlessly awaiting his arrival to relieve her boredom.
That man never went back on arrangements while she had ample time to spare without rush or impatience.
Until the moon topped the willow branches, silvery brightness seeping through the gauzy windows to shimmer within the wood-paneled walls. She cradled her cheek while sipping tea lethargically, picking up approaching footsteps outside.
A silhouette ascended the stairs at an unhurried pace. Outside the carved floral door he hovered briefly then gently pushed it open.
Zhu Zian entered bearing a kettle of steaming tea. He had changed out of his usual black round-collared robe. A simple strip of cloth held back his hair giving off a casual and breezy aura. Perhaps due to the growing chill he also draped a mottled dark cape over his shoulders — this ensemble lent him an oddly refined air.
Catching her waiting, Zhu Zian startled imperceptibly before a slow smile stretched his lips. His eyes brimmed with leaping mirth and glittery moonbeams both.
"Miss Jiang Xiaoman," he met her gaze. "Long time no see."
Moonlight came pouring down to cloak his shoulders.
Clutching an medicine jar, Jiang Kui secretly scaled the palace walls and headed for the Eternal Joy Quarter.
First she went to the bookstore to pass a letter for Zhu Zi’an. He wasn’t at the shop today which wasn’t unusual since he seldom appears there in daylight. They always arrange nighttime meetings.
Upon reaching Eternal Joy Quarter, Jiang Kui rapped on a small ebony door. "Master Shen, are you in?"
"He's here, please enter Miss Jiang." A Rong cracked the door open slightly for Jiang Kui to squeeze through before shutting it after her. The morning's noise faded away behind the entrance. The steady tempo of grinding ingredients echoed within the small courtyard instead.
Under a blooming plum, Master Shen instructed his apprentice grinding medicine by the medicine cauldron. That half grown child wore an obedient and clever expression as he pounded smoothly and briskly, without any sign of illness needing daily rare supplements to survive.
Master Shen's countenance showed a rare glimpse of approval. Even his gaze towards Jiang Kui softened significantly. "For Miss Jiang to arrive so early, could it be you've come for more conception pills?"
Ever since accompanying Princess Tong to seek treatment last time, Jiang Kui asked Master Shen to help formulate those pills. Half a month after providing the prescription, Jiang Kui would fetch the powdered medicine during each visit to Eternal Joy Quarter. She then passed it to the palace maids to brew at Penglai Palace for the princess' health. Those pills have mild properties that would take over a month of ingestion to take effect.
"Master Shen, I've come to ask a favor." Jiang Kui seemed rather rushed.
Master Shen patted his apprentice's shoulder signaling for him to keep grinding before following Jiang Kui into the inner room. She opened the medicine jar for the physician to inspect. "Master Shen, could you take a look at this medicine?"
That morning at the Eastern Palace medicine storage, she witnessed two eunuchs slipping some sort of powder into Xie Wuyang's medicine decoction. Jiang Kui took away the medicine jar and had the maids brew a fresh batch instead. Not trusting the Eastern Palace imperial doctors, she brought the tampered medicine straight to Master Shen.
Master Shen scooped a little of the decoction with a tiny ceramic spoon. He held it under his nose for a sniff then carefully examined it over the fire for a spell. His expression shifted subtly. Voice lowered he asked, "Where did this come from?"
Jiang Kui hesitated briefly. Since A Rong already knew of her identity as the crown princess consort, Master Shen likely guessed as much too. This man could be trusted so there was no need for deception. Thus she answered, "The Eastern Palace medicine storage. Someone slipped an unknown powder into Xie Wuyang's medicine today."
She watched Master Shen's frown deepen and couldn't help asking, "The substance added...is it poison?"
"A type of chronic toxin not seen for many years." Master Shen murmured. "Leave this behind. I need to investigate thoroughly. If anyone tries to slip poison again please bring the jar to me Miss Jiang."
"Alright. You have my thanks Master Shen."
"No need for thanks." Master Shen calmly waved a dismissal. "On the contrary, it is I who must thank Miss Jiang. This poison rather piques my interest. Please bring anything similar to me and I will not charge a consultation fee over such matters."
This man has an eccentric disposition. Ordinarily he loves to study complex and bizarre illnesses, thus reacting with excitement when encountering exotic venoms instead. Yet he willingly assists now which works out fortuitously.
After parting with Master Shen, Jiang Kui proceeded to Penglai Palace to visit Princess Tong.
Dim lighting suffused Penglai Palace. Princess Tong leaned against an exquisite couch seemingly napping. Fingers stained carmine gingerly cradled her temple while her fatigue grew increasingly visible. Spotting Jiang Kui she lazily called out, "My darling niece must be here to deliver my conception medication?"
"Auntie, are you alright?" Jiang Kui gazed at her worriedly.
"Don't fret. The medicine hasn't kicked in yet and this bout of morning sickness is quite severe." Princess Tong gave a wan smile while pulling her into an embrace, gently stroking her hair. "Since you've come to see me there must be another matter right?"
Jiang Kui nestled against her side allowing the princess to stroke her hair awhile before solemnly peering up. "Auntie...I discovered someone slipping poison into Xie Wuyang's medicine today..."
The hand stroking her hair froze as Princess Tong's voice dropped lower. "Describe to me in detail."
So Jiang Kui recounted the events that morning before slowly continuing, "Auntie, I cannot ascertain if this was their first time poisoning the medicine. If someone already adulterated his decoctions before I noticed..."
Princess Tong pondered aloud, "Are you implying Xie Wuyang's lingering unconsciousness stems from someone slipping poison into his medicine?"
Jiang Kui nodded. "A doctor acquaintance told me such toxins have not surfaced for many years. Moreover, Xie Wuyang's previous attack three years ago seems to share many similarities with the present. I wondered if his illness relates to this poison somehow?"
Princess Tong nodded leisurely. "Poisoning is common practice within the palace. The ability to interfere with the Eastern Palace medicine implies a close relationship with the Inner Palace. You must exercise utmost caution when investigating this."
She heaved a faint sigh. "Unfortunately I lack energy recently to better aid you."
Jiang Kui shifted nearer against her side, clutching the princess' arm to convey her sentiments. Princess Tong gave a wan smile while bowing her head in contemplation for a spell. Then she abruptly spoke up, "If..."
Her words trailed off midway. Jiang Kui watched her expectantly only for Princess Tong to slowly shake her head with a careless laugh. "Nevermind, I've nothing more to say. Return for now, there are still many affairs needing direction within the Eastern Palace. You must learn to shoulder the responsibility alone. After all as an outsider there's only so much I can advise you on."
Not long after Jiang Kui took her leave, Head Maid Jiyang entered bearing a bowl of freshly brewed medicine. Princess Tong sat silent and motionless amidst the darkened room, head propped by an arm with eyes shut.
"Your Highness, it is time to take medicine." Jiyang extended the bowl of dark concoction before her, gently scooping a tiny spoonful then lightly blowing away the rising heat. She lifted it to Princess Tong's lips.
The princess stared down at the medicine without opening her mouth. A sigh slipped out instead.
"Your Highness please do not delay further. Someone may notice the early signs of pregnancy. Besides..." Jiyang lowered her voice. "If you abstain any longer the fetus may no longer be abortable."
Slowly Princess Tong accepted the proffered spoonful while gazing at the mirrored surface reflecting her blotchy complexion.
"Miss Jiyang," she suddenly spoke up. Her mountain breeze voice made Jiyang's heart lurch.
"When Aunt Lian was pregnant with Xiaoman...what must her frame of mind been like?" Princess Tong's distant eyes shone with reminiscence. "She must have felt happy right?"
"The general's wife often said she loved her youngest daughter the most when she was alive," Jiyang responded. "When she first learned of expectancy with young miss, the madam was extremely delighted. Why, did she not help make the new clothes together with you, Princess?"
By addressing her thus Jiyang pulled Princess Tong into memories from over a decade ago. During those simple, innocent days she was still unmarried Young Miss Jiang - guileless, vivacious and breathtakingly beautiful despite her ignorance towards worldly affairs.
Hearing that sister-in-law conceived a daughter filled her with such joy she would impatiently drag her hand in circles. Together beneath the pagoda tree in their compound they sewed little newborn garments, every piece absurdly minute — merely inches wide yet adorable enough to make one's heart swell.
Nowadays she can scarcely recall any of it.
Princess Tong gave a sudden bitter chuckle. "Yet I still dearly wished...to know what motherhood feels like."
Jiyang kept her head low at a loss for what to say.
But Princess Tong did not wait for her response, continuing to muse aloud. "Though the very instant I wed into the imperial clan, all prospects of grandchildren or familial warmth turned to utter delusion."
Silently she downed the medicine in one go without needing the spoon.
Upon Jiang Kui's return to the Eastern Palace, she headed over intending to check on Xie Wuyang only to see Minister Gu shaking his head. He explained that the Prince's tutor Lingque had arrived and was currently running energy work in a side hall to treat Xie Wuyang's injuries. No disturbances were allowed at this time.
Thus Jiang Kui dined alone first before retiring into the study. Flipping open piles of official missives on the desk, she picked up a writing brush. Cradling her cheek she started on reviewing and making remarks. Sunshine drenched the room yet no one sat behind the desk across from her. Though palace maids still came daily to tidy up so it remained clean and orderly without any dust.
Just empty. As if missing someone's presence.
Jiang Kui had barely written for long when motions at the window drew her attention.
"Thud." A bamboo cylinder rolled in from the cracks to bump against her feet.
She bent down to grab it. Laying aside her brush she leapt up and shoved the window open forcefully!
Brilliant sunshine flooded the yard amidst winds stirring a rain of dancing leaves. Some birds perched twittering atop the trees.
But that person had already left.
Jiang Kui glanced down to pry off the cylinder's wooden stopper then unrolled the inner birchbark slip. Familiar strokes filled the page - flamboyant sweeps like an invisible smile aimed her way.
The note simply read: "Eastern Pavilion bookstore."
Jiang Kui snorted softly to herself, unaware of an unconscious upturning of her lips.
She neatly stored the documents before changing into an arrow outfit in her bedchambers then vaulted out the window. Nimbly traversing over endless upturned eaves and corners of palace structures, eventually she stopped outside to rap on the Eastern Pavilion bookshop entrance.
Storyteller Master Liu Qinghe had just risen from his afternoon nap. Stifling a yawn he stood in the doorway to bow towards her respectfully. "Miss Jiang the chivalrous hero."
"Master Pu Liu—" Jiang Kui started asking.
"He's not here," Master Liu interjected, scratching his head. "Doesn't show himself much in the daytime."
"I'll wait for him then. He asked to meet today but who knows when he'll appear."
"Make yourself at home, Miss." Long used to her treating the bookstore as her personal residence, Master Liu had given up on playing host. He lazily waved towards the second floor. "It's empty up there. Tea leaves are on the counter, help yourself."
Jiang Kui thanked him before grabbing a blue and white porcelain tea set with some Sunken Fragrance tea then headed upstairs into the private room. She settled onto the cushion behind the screen and slowly began brewing, repeatedly steeping the hot tea on the short table.
This pristine tea set was part of the collectibles on display. The clear, lustrous glaze on the cup felt smooth and exquisite — evidently one of that person's preferred pieces. She vaguely recalled his hands nimbly arranging her hairpin. Imagining his movements she mimicked the tea preparation, listlessly awaiting his arrival to relieve her boredom.
That man never went back on arrangements while she had ample time to spare without rush or impatience.
Until the moon topped the willow branches, silvery brightness seeping through the gauzy windows to shimmer within the wood-paneled walls. She cradled her cheek while sipping tea lethargically, picking up approaching footsteps outside.
A silhouette ascended the stairs at an unhurried pace. Outside the carved floral door he hovered briefly then gently pushed it open.
Zhu Zian entered bearing a kettle of steaming tea. He had changed out of his usual black round-collared robe. A simple strip of cloth held back his hair giving off a casual and breezy aura. Perhaps due to the growing chill he also draped a mottled dark cape over his shoulders — this ensemble lent him an oddly refined air.
Catching her waiting, Zhu Zian startled imperceptibly before a slow smile stretched his lips. His eyes brimmed with leaping mirth and glittery moonbeams both.
"Miss Jiang Xiaoman," he met her gaze. "Long time no see."
Moonlight came pouring down to cloak his shoulders.
