Chương 54: Chapter 52

I'm sitting in my wheelchair in the shade of the courtyard's awning, frowning as I watch Xia, who's running around laughing with the maids' children. For a while now, they've been playing what looks like a local version of hopscotch, though with complicated rules that involve shouting the names of spirit beasts and throwing small stones with surprising accuracy. Meanwhile, I'm dying of boredom.

Ever since all the commotion began two months ago between the wandering cultivators, the city guard, and the Four Families, they still won't let me leave the palace, not even to go to the Golden Pearl Pavilion, and I've run out of my stash of books. And I can't send anyone to buy them for me because no one but me would know which books to buy and which to skip. And all because the entire city has turned into a pressure cooker that no one dares to touch for fear it will explode.

And all of this, of course, I cannot forget is Ling Tian's fault. I take comfort in the fact that, fortunately, he hasn't done anything to escalate the situation further, but I'm sure that's only because his sister is still here. But as soon as we leave, which is only a few months away, Ling Tian will start making his move. And when he does, I'm sure that madman will stir up trouble in the city and all we can do is hope he doesn't drag too many innocent people into whatever he does.

I sigh as I try to distract myself from my dark thoughts when the sound of soft footsteps on the gravel finally succeeds, and I turn my head slightly to see Lianhua approaching with a tray holding a teapot and some refreshments.

"I've brought you some fresh tea, Zhāohuán Wen", she says in a calm voice as she sets the tray on the small wooden table next to me.

"And some lotus sweets. The cooks made a fresh batch today."

"Thank you very much, Lianhua", I reply with a sigh as I take the cup in both hands. The steam caresses my nose and comforts me more than I'll admit. I begin to drink slowly, after which I try one of the desserts, which are tender, soft and just sweet enough to lift my spirits.

I watch Lianhua out of the corner of my eye as I chew in silence, thinking that ever since she swore her loyalty to me that day in my mother's bedroom and, above all, since the messengers who went to the capital returned with the transfer order and the sealed papers confirming that they had been delivered, meaning she was no longer part of the Yushitai and was now part of my staff, something in her has changed.

On the surface, she's still the same, but she no longer tries so hard to maintain the facade of absolute coldness. Lately, she's been a little more open and doesn't hesitate to scold me or express her opinions, which I didn't know if it was good or bad"I don't know if becoming my subordinate was a blessing or a curse", I mutter between bites, unable to help myself.

"Did you say something, Zhāohuán Wen?" Lianhua raises an eyebrow at my mutter, though she doesn't stop serving me tea.

"That these pastries are better than yesterday's", I improvise, flashing a small smile at my slip-up, even though I know she heard me perfectly. But my thoughts are interrupted by a noise coming from the palace gate, and when I look up, I see that the guards stationed there have stood to attention, and one of them is running into the palace while another tells Xia and the maids' children to leave the courtyard. I glance sideways at Lianhua, who is also looking at the palace gate.

"Go see what's happening", I say calmly. Lianhua nods and glides quickly toward the entrance. I watch her as she moves forward, her figure silhouetted against the afternoon light. It takes her only a few minutes to return, and from the way her steps quicken on her way back, I know she's not bringing good news.

"An Imperial Delegation has arrived", she announces as soon as she approaches.

"They've come with an imperial decree for Guifei Xiang and for you, Zhāohuán Wen." I close my eyes as I let out a long sigh.

"So the time has finally come", I say to Lianhua.

"The consequences of the Celestial Fragment couldn't be put off forever. And if I'm not mistaken, I suppose we'll be packing our bags soon." It doesn't take long for my mother to appear in the courtyard, accompanied by the guard who went to fetch her. At her side, as always, Lingxi appears as well. When she appears, her gait is steady and her face serene, but I can make out the tension in her shoulders.

As I watch them approach the gate, where the guards have already begun to open the main gates, I lean slightly toward Lianhua and say "Take me to her." Lianhua obeys quickly and pushes my chair easily across the courtyard until I'm positioned next to my mother. She doesn't say a word, but she shoots me a fleeting glance.

"The decree is for both of us, I'm sure they won't read it if I'm not present", I whisper to her. The doors swing wide open with a deep creak, after which a small procession of imperial soldiers advances with impeccable discipline. In the center, a lacquered wooden carriage, simple yet adorned with expensive details, slowly enters the courtyard. The carriage stops in front of us, and with the precision of a well-rehearsed ceremony, the door opens.

A man in his thirties steps out, dressed in clothes that, though luxurious, have the practical cut of someone who has prepared for a long journey. After stepping down from the carriage, he approaches us with a firm stride, his head held high and his gaze impassive, while behind him other men, who I assume are his aides, step down from the carriage.

"I am Jin Shi Xie Dongjun", he declares in a clear voice as he bows respectfully.

"Sent by order of the Son of Heaven to deliver an imperial decree to Zhāohuán Wen and Guifei Xiang." I remain silent while my mother returns the imperial envoy's courtesy with a slight nod of the head, as befits her rank.

"Jin Shi Xie Dongjun", she says in her most serene and noble tone.

"I am Guifei Xiang. And at my side is the Emperor's daughter, Zhāohuán Wen." There is no need for me to say anything, since, as usual, my mother's presence alone is enough to fill the air with the required dignity, and my presence is sufficient for the moment, thus, I limit myself to nodding slightly in silence from my chair, a gesture I know will suffice given my status and, above all, my position.

Jin Shi Xie Dongjun nods respectfully, his expression unchanged, as steadfast as the carved stone of an imperial temple.

"It has been a long journey", my mother remarks after a brief pause.

"Would you like to rest for a moment or have some refreshments before reading the decree?" Jin Shi Xie Dongjun gently shakes his head as he tells us in his measured, formal voice "I appreciate the courtesy, Guifei Xiang, but I prefer to first fulfill the task entrusted to me." My mother nods in response and, without another word, turns gracefully to walk toward the interior of the palace as we all follow.

Lianhua, as always, pushes my chair with silent steps as the small entourage accompanies us to one of the inner chambers, but I easily notice how some of Jin Shi Xie Dongjun's attendants are glancing at me out of the corner of their eyes. I was already starting to miss that feeling of being seen as the odd one out. When we enter, the maids inside immediately withdraw with a curtsy, leaving the room with that silence found only in chambers meant for serious matters.

My mother kneels gracefully in the center of the room, and Lingxi does the same beside her, even Lianhua kneels after pushing my chair into a nearby position, though I, of course, remain seated.

"Please forgive my daughter, Jin Shi Xie Dongjun", my mother says, her voice leaning toward formality but without losing its gentle tone.

"Her condition prevents her from observing the traditional rules of courtesy." Stolen novel; please report.

"There is no need to apologize", he replies calmly.

"The Emperor is aware of her condition, and this emissary needs nothing more than her presence." After those words, one of his attendants steps forward and hands him a sealed silk scroll, after which the Jin Shi Xie Dongjun breaks the seal with steady fingers and slowly unrolls it. The room falls silent, expectant, though I'm already beginning to feel that annoying heaviness that overwhelms me when I sense a long, official speech is about to begin.

"By decree of the Son of Heaven, the Celestial Emperor…", he begins to recite in a clear, resonant voice as my eyes start to lose focus and my mind begins to tune out the speech.

"Go on", I think.

"Come on, just get it all out at once and stop torturing us."

"By this decree, your exile is hereby revoked", Jin Shi Xie Dongjun finally says.

"And you are ordered to return immediately to the Imperial Palace, where you will await the Emperor's summons in your former quarters, the Pavilion of the Scent of the Clouds." Jin Shi Xie Dongjun rolls up the decree again with the same ceremonious care with which he unfolded it and hands it back to his assistant.

"Have you received and understood the Celestial Emperor's orders?" he asks us, his voice now a little more relaxed, though without losing its formality.

"Yes, Jin Shi Xie Dongjun", my mother replies without hesitation.

"Likewise, Jin Shi Xie Dongjun", I say with a slight nod.

"They are perfectly clear." A faint, barely perceptible smile appears on the emissary's face for the first time as he says "Then, with my duty fulfilled, I would be grateful if I could finally accept your earlier offer, Guifei Xiang. A refreshment would be welcome after the journey." My mother rises gracefully as a gentle smile appears on her face.

"It will be my pleasure to accompany you", she tells him and immediately signals to Lingxi to prepare what is needed. Before they can leave, I raise my hand gently.

"Mom", I say.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to excuse myself. I just had lunch, and I'd rather go to my room to see which books are worth taking home." Her gaze rests on me for a second, after which she nods with a smile and says "You're excused. And make sure to take only what's essential, carrying all the books you've accumulated would require a whole entourage." I give a slight nod while grimacing at her teasing, but reply "Thank you, Mother." I turn slightly toward Lianhua and say "Take me to my room."

Lianhua stands up without a word and gently pushes my chair as we leave the room in silence, followed by the stares of the imperial delegation, and the sound of our footsteps fades down the hallways as my mind begins to make a list of everything I have to do before we leave. When we finally reach my room and the door closes behind us, I remain silent for a few moments and then look at Lianhua over my shoulder.

"I was thinking", I say as I tap the demos against my desk.

"About asking my mother about the staff. Maybe giving them the option, especially the younger ones, to accompany us to the Imperial Palace. What do you think?" Lianhua doesn't answer right away. She just looks at me with that expression of hers that seems carved in stone and finally says, bluntly "I think it's a very bad idea, Zhāohuán Wen." I raise an eyebrow, not out of surprise, but because of the bluntness of her response, so I ask her "So bad that we shouldn't even consider it?"

"That bad", she replies, crossing her arms.

"The staff at the Imperial Palace isn't like the staff here. They're trained from childhood. They learn protocol, history, etiquette, hierarchy, even how to walk and speak according to their rank." I frown. I know she's right, but I didn't expect such a direct rejection, so I continue asking her "And what does that have to do with the girls serving us, not the palace?"

"Everything", she replies firmly.

"Because even though you and Guifei Xiang might overlook their mistakes or lack of refinement, the rest of the Court won't. And as soon as they make a single slip-up, even a minor one, the nobles and officials will take offense. And once they're offended, they'll demand punishment. And not just any punishment, but public and severe punishment." I remain silent for a few seconds, digesting her words as I continue "Are you sure you're not exaggerating?"

"I'm not exaggerating", she tells me in a low but intense voice.

"I've seen what happens in the Imperial Palace to those who don't understand the rules. And knowing you, I doubt you'd want anyone you've personally brought to the palace to suffer those punishments."

"All right", I murmur finally.

"We'll have to think of another way to reward them."

"You don't have to worry about the future of the palace maids, Zhāohuán Wen", Lianhua tells me in that calm tone that, for some reason, always manages to interrupt my train of thought.

"Just by having worked for you, their future is already secure." I look up from the desk and ask her slowly "Oh, really? And how is that supposed to work?" Lianhua crosses her arms as she answers me "When we leave, every important family in the city, and I mean every single one, without exception, will try to recruit them. And so will every prosperous business. Having a former maid of the Guifei or the Zhāohuán in their service is a way to demonstrate influence and prestige.

A symbol that will grant them status simply for having someone who has worked them." I fall silent as I take in her words. I had never thought of it that way. To me, these girls are just part of everyday life. The ones who bring the tea, the ones who help me get dressed sometimes, the ones who giggle quietly when Xia sneaks into the kitchen. I hadn't considered that to other people they could become a symbol of status.

But of course, this world resembles ancient China, and in ancient China, even the simple fact of having served tea in an imperial residence for a single day could become a bargaining chip.

"I suppose I hadn't seen it from that perspective", I say to Lianhua.

"The mere fact of having been here has really elevated their status, hasn't it?" Lianhua nods without saying a word. I sigh, letting the tension slip from my shoulders as I say "All right. I trust your judgment, and I'll set aside my idea of taking some of them with me." A slight nod of her head confirms that she approves of my decision.

"But I need you to do two things", I say next.

"Whatever you wish, Zhāohuán Wen", she replies, uncrossing her arms and standing at attention.

"The first", I say, interlacing my fingers on the table.

"Is that you go find Xia. It's time to talk to her about her future." Lianhua nods immediately, without raising any objection.

"The second", I continue.

"Is that I want you to speak with the maids. Tell them, discreetly, that when recruiters try to recruit them, they should know that working for the four families or for the governor over the next few months might not be the best idea." Lianhua purses her lips slightly as she asks me "Do you also think there will be trouble after we leave?"

"I don't think so", I reply firmly.

"I'm certain. And if a simple warning can prevent any of them from ending up in the crossfire, then it's worth it."

"Understood", she says.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of that. But first, I'll go tell Xia that you want to speak with her." After those words, she bows briefly and leaves the room, leaving behind the faint echo of her footsteps in the hallway. After Lianhua leaves, I take a piece of paper and start writing a list of the books I'd like to take with me.

Although I don't really need them because I remember them all, there are some with illustrations that I might need to consult later, since my memory unfortunately doesn't include them, so I prefer to have them on hand. I'm engrossed in writing the list when I hear a soft knock on the door.

"It's me, Wen", says Xia's voice from the other end. It sounds quieter, more formal than usual. Sighing, I put the brush down, realizing she's being too formal, she would normally just walk right in.

"Come in, Xia", I say bluntly. The door opens and Xia enters without that nervous energy she usually has, taking measured, almost hesitant steps while keeping her eyes down, not daring to look at me directly.

"Move me over to the table and sit in front of me", I instruct her gently, trying to calm her down. She obeys without saying a word, pulling out my chair and then sitting down carefully, after which she remains with her gaze fixed on the floor, her hands in her lap, and her back tense. I watch her for a moment, in silence.

Her current behavior is so different from the Xia I know that she almost seems like a different person, but I can understand that she's afraid for her future, since from her point of view, everything depends on what I tell her.

"We've been ordered to return to the Imperial Palace", I finally say.

"And I wanted to ask you what you want to do. Do you want to stay in the city and look for your brother, or do you want to come with us?" Xia doesn't answer right away. She barely lifts her head. Then I see her lips tremble and a few quiet tears begin to roll down her cheeks.

"I have nothing left in this city", she says in a hoarse, broken voice.

"You know that, Wen. Even my brother, even he has abandoned me." It hurts to hear her like this. No girl should have to make these decisions at her age, but I had to ask her. That girl who used to burst into my room with a tray of cookies she'd baked in the kitchen now looks broken. I can't hug her, because if I leaned over to do so, I'd fall off my chair. But I can't just sit there, so I reach out and take one of her hands as I say "It's okay, Xia. You can come with us, but there's something you need to know."

She wipes her face with her free hand and nods, though she grips my hand tighter.

"What do I need to know?" she asks me in a lower, though still broken, voice.

"Until now, you've been here as my guest", I explain in a reassuring tone.

"And that's been because my mother didn't mind and was in charge of this palace. But at the Imperial Palace, the rules are different, and I very much doubt they'll allow you to stay as a guest. And if they did, it wouldn't be for long." Xia looks down, though she nods silently to let me know she understands what I'm saying.

"The only thing I can do", I continue in a reassuring tone.

"Is hire you as part of my entourage. Specifically, as an apprentice maid under Lianhua's supervision. If you come with me as part of my staff, no one will be able to say anything." The silence thickens between us after I speak, though I continue to hold her hand. I can see her thinking as her eyebrows furrow and her lips press together, because I can imagine the doubts running through her mind.

Going from being the daughter of the head of one of the city's most influential families to becoming a mere maid, even if it's to an imperial princess, is a huge change. But then, like a storm that clears to reveal the sun, I see her eyes change. A flash of determination crosses them and spreads across her face. She looks at me directly and without hesitation, though her voice is still trembling as she says "I'm willing to do it, Wen. If you'll have me, then I want to go with you."

I smile, feeling something inside me release as I hear her say it, gently squeezing her hand between mine as I say "Then it's a deal, Xia. And I'll warn you now that I imagine Lianhua won't be an easy teacher." Xia laughs, her voice still choked with tears, but I can tell it's a sincere laugh.

"I didn't expect her to be", she replies between laughs.