chapter 10

“Go on,” said Wei Yingluo, pointing at the dormitory doors. “I’ll wait for you here. So hurry up.”

The doors were open, the night breeze rolling in with a wail. The crowd of palace maids that had been so eager to complain stopped moving in a flash, feet glued to the ground.

“Do you really think we won’t go through with it?” Jinxiu said, before turning to the crowd. “Let’s go!”

But no one followed her.

Although they were jealous of Wei Yingluo, they were even more afraid of her.

A short while ago¹, because of Wei Yingluo, another palace maid had been expelled from the palace before the sun even set, hugging her blue luggage tight to her chest. Face full of tears. For the rest of her life, that girl could not take even half a step within the Forbidden City.

Who would be willing to walk the same path as her?

Wei Yingluo scanned the crowd, a cold laugh creeping in her heart. Each and every one of them were like tall stalks of grass, swaying whichever way the wind blew. If Jinxiu’s argument was persuasive enough, then the maids would follow her to inform Aunt Fang. But if they felt Wei Yingluo was too hard to deal with, then they would abandon those thoughts.

Her heavy glare weighed down on Jinxiu. In a nonchalant manner, Wei Yingluo said, “So you feel that I’m using you as stepping stones? I was just helping Jixiang. You could have helped her too. Each and every one of you could have helped her. Except, none of you chose to do so. That’s why the person who was rewarded in the end was me. All you guys remember is that General Manager Wu praised me, but did any of you even think of assisting Jixiang?”

“You still think you’re right when you helped someone cheat?” Jinxiu scoffed. “Because I’m such a nice person, I didn’t expose you two. What Golden Fowl Peony Painting? Jixiang obviously embroidered a golden koi first…”

“Enough!” Wei Yingluo voice was frigid as the arctic. “I’m too lazy to argue anymore. Just remember the kind of person I am. If you respect me, I’ll respect you even more². The way you’re treating me today, I will repay you back a hundred times. So, good. Go. Everyone go find Aunt Fang!”

“You!” There was already an ember of fear flickering within Jinxiu’s chest. But her mouth would never admit it. She angrily said, “You really think I won’t?”

Jinxiu caught sight of Wei Yingluo’s smile, the latter approaching her.

“You. What are you trying to do?” The ember of fear growing, Jinxiu retreated a few steps. Wei Yingluo thrust out a hand. Grabbed Jinxiu’s upper arm. Jinxiu couldn’t help but want to tear her arm away. “What are you doing? Where are you trying to take me?”

“I’m bringing you to see Aunt Fang.” Such a beautiful smile, enough to put flowers to shame. Wei Yingluo started to drag Jinxiu toward the doors. “If we’re any more late, I’m afraid Aunt Fang would have already gone to bed.”

As soon as she heard those words, Jinxiu’s jaw dropped. She had thought Wei Yingluo was bluffing. Who knew she was actually serious? Unable to hold back her shock, Jinxiu said, “Y-you really aren’t afraid of Aunt Fang punishing you?”

“Afraid? Shouldn’t you be the one who’s afraid?” The smile never left Wei Yingluo’s face. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten about that girl who was kicked out? ‘The masters hate this type of gossiping fools the most.’ This was what General Manager Wu said. Did you forget already?”

Jinxiu shuddered. That maid’s gloomy retreating figure flashed before her eyes. “When have I gossiped? Everything that happened tonight was your fault. Everyone here is a witness…” The words tumbled out of her mouth quick as lightning.

“And then what?” Wei Yingluo currently felt some pity for her. “Do you really think Aunt Fang has time to talk to you? To investigate who is right and wrong? We all live in the same place. If one of us stirs trouble, we’ll all get punished. We’ll get expelled from the palace. Do you believe me or not?”

“I-I don’t…” Jinxiu said weakly.

“If you don’t believe me, then why don’t we go and find out?” Wei Yingluo’s smile grew more confident, and she continued to drag Jinxiu by the arm out of the dormitory.

Frightened, Jinxiu struck a hand out toward a passing pillar, grabbing on to it. The other palace maids shared a look. One by one they rushed over, latching onto Wei Yingluo’s hands and waist. Another maid slammed the doors shut. Then everyone said at once, “Yingluo, don’t do this. It’s already so late. You’ll be disturbing Aunt Fang’s rest. Are you tired of living?”

“Exactly! It’s just a few covers. No need to bring the superiors into this.”

“Ah, when it comes down to it, Jinxiu’s the one who started the mess. Jinxiu, just apologize to Yingluo. Wouldn’t the matter end here?”

As said before, they were like tall stalks of grass, swaying whichever way the wind blew. Wei Yingluo’s words, that they would all share punishment if one person got in trouble, had frightened them to the bones. More specifically, if they blew up the incident, everyone would suffer. Every palace maid flipped around, now facing Jinxiu instead of Wei Yingluo, their anger and accusations turned toward the former³. Even if she did nothing, Jinxiu would still suffer consequences⁴. The complaints toward Jinxiu shot out one after the other, so much that her face became red one second and white the other. In the end, she was forced into a corner. She lowered her head to apologize to Wei Yingluo. “I admit my mistakes. So let go, Yingluo. I won’t speak of this matter anymore.”

“Are you under the impression that if you apologize, I’ll sweep this under the rug? Do you really think I’m that easy to appease?”

Jinxiu felt as though her belly was full of resentment, eyes glistening with unshed tears. She shrieked, “Then what do you want from me? Want to slap me a few times? Fine, go ahead—”

Heavy knocks sounded from the door.

“It’s already halfway into the night. What’s with all that noise?” Aunt Fang’s voice could be heard from outside. “Open the door!”

The palace maids were scared silly. Their gazes converged on Wei Yingluo. In that moment, they all saw her as the leader, waiting for instructions.

“Coming!” said Wei Yingluo. Then she turned to the rest of the palace maids, her voice down to a whisper. “What are you waiting for? Clean up the mess and hide the bucket. I’ll take care of the rest.”

After her order, everyone did as they were told. They quickly hid the wooden bucket underneath the beds. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to find a mop in that span of time, and two palace maids knelt to dry off the puddles with their handkerchiefs. Meanwhile, Wei Yingluo brought her hands to her hair, undoing the bun. She made herself look as though she had just crawled out of bed, groggy and with sleep still lingering from her lashes. She pulled the doors open. “Aunt Fang, it’s late. Why have you come?”

“You guys made such a racket that I could even hear it from five kilometers away⁵,” said Aunt Fang, entering the dormitory. She observed every palace maid. “How do you expect me to sleep? You all are not sleeping and talking so late. What are you even talking about?”

“Nothing much,” Wei Yingluo said, the picture of calmness. “I just accidentally knocked over the kettle and got the covers wet. Everyone else was trying to figure out what to do.”

“Why are you so careless?” Aunt Fang’s expression darkened. “Just dry it outside tomorrow. You can flip the covers over tonight. Remember, don’t cause a ruckus anymore, or else you all will be punished. Understood?”

The crowd of palace maids said, “Yes!”

Then the door slammed shut.

Everyone let out a breath of relief. After that, they all lost interest and suddenly succumbed to exhaustion⁶. Several of them crawled into their beds.

Jinxiu did the same. In trying to steal the chicken, she lost the rice instead⁷. Originally, she had wanted to cause Wei Yingluo trouble, but in the end she was the one who got her face slapped. She did not realize her own faults and actions. Instead, it was because of tonight’s matter that she nurtured a true hatred toward Wei Yingluo…

Sooner or later I’ll get you back. All of a sudden, she saw a hand reaching out, pulling off her covers. Fear abruptly pierced her heart. She whipped her head around and said, “Wei Yingluo, why are you taking my covers?”

With the flick of a hand, Wei Yingluo tossed own wet covers on Jinxiu’s bed. Then she repeated Aunt Fang’s words. “Just dry it outside tomorrow. You can flip the covers over tonight.”

“You wish!” Thrusting a hand out, Jinxiu tried to recover her own dry duvet. “Give me back my covers! Hold it right there… Where are you going?”

Wei Yingluo did not fight her over it. Instead, she let go and made her way toward the doors. “I’m going to see Aunt Fang.”

The rest of the palace maids did not agree to her action. They swarmed Jinxiu and angrily said, “Are you done yet?”

“Do you want to get us all involved?”

“Just give it to her! Give it to her!”

Jinxiu had no choice but to reluctantly hand over her covers, biting her lip until it drew blood. “Take it!”

“Place it on my bed for me. Make sure it’s spread properly,” Wei Yingluo lazily said, standing with her hands clasped behind her back.

Do you think I’m your servant? Jinxiu’s head spun from anger. Her breathing became harsh and jagged, and she unwillingly hopped off her bed. She tossed her dry duvet at Wei Yingluo’s bed. Then she rushed back to her own, throwing the wet covers over her head, trembling. Perhaps she had broken into tears beneath it.

As Wei Yingluo took her time to climb into her bed, she swept her gaze through the room. Most of the palace maids avoided her eyes.

With Jinxiu as a prime example, the rest of them would certainly not cause trouble for now.

Once the lights went off, Jixiang shuffled close. “Yingluo,” she said, voice soft by Wei Yingluo’s ear. “You’re incredible.”

“If you’re soft, you’ll get trampled on. The horse could be mounted because it was gentle. If you don’t want to be bullied, then you’ll have to be ruthless sometimes.” Wei Yingluo’s speech was uttered in a lazy manner.

Jixiang nodded, somewhat understanding and somewhat confused. Whether she absorbed what Wei Yingluo said was anyone’s guess.

A few moments later, Wei Yingluo’s ears caught the telltale breath of a snore. She turned her head toward Jixiang. The young lady was already deep in slumber. A helpless smile graced Wei Yingluo’s lips. She helped pull the covers over Jixiang. Truly still a child. Even in sleep she was naughty, having kicked off her duvet earlier, unafraid of catching a cold in the night.

“I really envy you.” She reached a hand to touch the baby-like face. It was like touching her cheerful and simple self from the past.

Several hours passed in the night. Wei Yingluo tossed and turned in bed, unable to grasp the coattails of slumber. In the end, she gave up trying. She could only open her eyes and study the dark ceiling. I’ve finally entered the embroidery workshop. But regarding my elder sister’s matters, where should I start investigating?

The distance between the embroidery workshop and the emperor was too far. She would never be able to lay eyes on him. Although her embroidery had a chance of meeting him, what was the use in that? Her true motive wasn’t to wholeheartedly be a good palace maid. It was to find out who murdered her sister.

“Don’t rush. Take it slow,” she said to herself. “First, I have to gather all the evidence… There are two types of people that are the most knowledgeable in palace affairs. One is the palace maids with seniority. The other is those with high status. I need to figure out a way to meet them…”

A person who has worked here for a while. Aunt Fang came to mind.

And someone with a high status was…

The image of a jadeite bead bracelet flashed before her eyes.