“What? The Empress has issued a decree?” Both Wen Rushuang and Yan Mingyue were startled. They hurriedly straightened their clothes and rushed out to receive the imperial edict.
Unexpectedly, when the nanny saw them, she did not immediately announce the decree. Instead, she looked around, frowned, and asked, “Is the eldest young lady of the Marquis’s Mansion here? Her Majesty the Empress has ordered this old servant to deliver some small gifts to the young lady.”
Their expressions instantly changed.
What? The Empress was actually here for Yan Zhuxing?
Wen Rushuang quickly ordered her trusted nanny, Li Shi, to fetch Yan Zhuxing, whispering instructions, “Have her wear the gold-woven cloud-goose-and-plum cloak from my room before she comes.”
Upon learning that the Empress had sent someone to deliver gifts to her, Yan Zhuxing was bewildered.
In her previous life, such good fortune had never occurred.
Li Shi fetched the cloak and draped it over her. Yan Zhuxing glanced at the several sturdy maidservants before her and, without resistance, obediently put on the cloak to meet Nanny Wu, who had come from the palace.
“Greetings, Nanny,” Yan Zhuxing curtsied.
As she bowed, she subtly maneuvered, causing the cloak to slip to the ground and revealing her shabby, ill-fitting clothes underneath.
Wen Rushuang gritted her teeth in frustration.
She quickly bent down to pick up the cloak and put it back on Yan Zhuxing, forcing a smile as she explained, “You silly girl, if you want your mother to make you new clothes, you don’t have to dress like this. I’ve already invited embroiderers from Jiuzhang Tang, and they’ll be here soon. I promise to have the most fashionable clothes in the entire capital made for you.”
Yan Zhuxing did not refute her, only timidly replied, “Thank you, Mother.”
Nanny Wu observed their interactions without comment. Instead, she bowed respectfully to Yan Zhuxing and spoke with a smile.
“Eldest Young Lady, this old servant has come today on the orders of Her Majesty the Empress to invite you to the Ice Frolic Banquet half a month from now.”
Nanny Wu took out a gilded invitation and presented it with both hands. “Yesterday, Her Majesty happened to hear your name and was reminded of the Battle Formation Dance you performed at the Ice Frolic Banquet when you were nine. The way you spun on ice skates and tossed your fan—even after all these years, Her Majesty often says there is no one else in the entire capital who could match it.”
Her words stirred distant memories in Yan Zhuxing.
The Ice Frolic Banquet when she was nine was the last happy memory she could recall.
Afterward, when Yan Mingyue was brought back home, she never appeared at any banquet again.
“This year, the Tenth Princess also wishes to perform the Battle Formation Dance at the Ice Frolic Banquet. Her Majesty thought that if you have the time, you might come to the palace to offer the princess some guidance.”
Upon hearing Nanny Wu’s words, Wen Rushuang and Yan Mingyue’s expressions turned sour. They stared intently at Yan Zhuxing, their eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.
How could this girl be so fortunate!!!
To have gained the Empress’s favor.
Yan Zhuxing replied calmly and unhurriedly, “It was merely a trivial skill. Guidance is hardly necessary, but I am deeply honored by Her Majesty’s kindness. I will certainly do my best.”
Nanny Wu nodded in satisfaction and continued, “Of course, Her Majesty would not have you make the trip for nothing. She has specially bestowed a Snow Weasel Fur Coat, a pair of Hand Warmers, two Wild Mountain Ginseng roots, ten baskets of silver-thread charcoal, and twenty bolts of Cloud Brocade sent by the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau…”
As Nanny Wu listed the gifts, her expression suddenly changed.
Hadn’t Her Majesty only bestowed these few items? Where did the additional ones come from?
“Ahem.”
A cough from a servant behind her caught Nanny Wu’s attention.
She looked closely and realized it was someone from the Yong’an Prince’s Mansion.
The corner of her mouth twitched, and she immediately understood—those large chests in the back were all personally supplemented by Prince Yong’an himself.
Not knowing what was inside, Nanny Wu glossed over it with a single sentence: “As for the remaining items, young lady, you may examine them yourself. In any case, they were all carefully prepared by Her Majesty.”
“This humble subject kowtows in gratitude for Her Majesty the Empress’s gracious favor.” Yan Zhuxing performed a proper bow with utmost decorum.
“In that case, young lady, rest well. In a few days, Her Majesty the Empress will send someone to escort you into the palace to meet the Tenth Princess.” Just as Nanny Wu finished speaking and was about to leave, she saw Imperial Physician Ji arriving as well.
Imperial Physician Ji spoke before she could.
“Her Majesty the Empress, concerned that Miss Yan’s constitution is delicate, specifically instructed this old minister to come and examine her. Only after her health has improved will she be allowed to enter the palace to instruct the Tenth Princess.”
Nanny Wu: …
Before coming, Her Majesty the Empress hadn’t mentioned sending a physician as well.
But upon second thought, Imperial Physician Ji was Prince Yong’an’s personal imperial physician—he was likely also summoned by Prince Yong’an.
She couldn’t help but glance at Yan Zhuxing a few more times.
Her features were indeed captivating, but she was so thin and small—it wasn’t clear how she surpassed the other noble ladies of the capital in beauty. How had she earned Prince Yong’an’s special regard?
Yan Zhuxing was equally bewildered. Was Her Majesty the Empress being excessively kind to her?
Was the Battle Formation Dance she performed that year truly that remarkable?
Confusion aside, she didn’t forget to promptly express her loyalty and gratitude: “Thank you for Her Majesty the Empress’s deep affection. This humble subject is profoundly moved.”
Meanwhile, Wen Rushuang and Yan Mingyue were already stunned into numbness.
What exactly had Yan Zhuxing done to earn such high regard from Her Majesty the Empress?
First, she sent her trusted nanny with so many rewards, and now she had summoned Imperial Physician Ji from the Imperial Medical Bureau to examine her.
Yan Zhuxing paid them no mind, allowing them to imagine whatever they wished.
She sat on the chair, obediently extending her hand for Imperial Physician Ji to take her pulse.
Over the past few years, having endured hunger and cold, her body was undoubtedly weakened.
She had originally planned to obtain money from Dingyuan Marquis and find a physician to properly examine herself. Never did she expect Her Majesty the Empress to send an imperial physician for her.
Imperial physicians were far superior to ordinary physicians on the streets.
To seek revenge, she first needed to restore her health.
Otherwise, if her enemies died one moment and she followed soon after, what would be the point of revenge?
After taking her pulse, Imperial Physician Ji placed the pulse pillow back into his medicine chest and cast a displeased glance at Wen Rushuang beside him.
“The young lady’s pulse is deep and fine as silk, indicating a deficiency of both qi and blood. The spleen pulse is weak and soft, and the stomach qi is declining—clearly the result of years of irregular eating and hunger.”
Wen Rushuang’s face turned pale and then flushed red upon hearing this.
She hurriedly tried to make amends: “You foolish child, I’ve told you not to be picky with food. Look at you—refusing to eat this and that. Now, see what has happened? Your health has deteriorated to this extent. Do you intend to tear your mother’s heart out?”
She pressed a silk handkerchief beneath her eyes, shedding two tears, and looked at Imperial Physician Ji: “Doctor Ji, how should we nurse my daughter back to health? Please prescribe whatever medicine is necessary. No matter how much silver it costs, we are willing to spend it, as long as it helps Xing’er recover.”
Imperial Physician Ji replied calmly, “For your daughter’s condition, Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Powder should be used for gradual warming and nourishment, supplemented with Eight-Treasure Decoction to strengthen the foundation and cultivate vitality. Additionally, a bowl of bird’s nest should be consumed daily to moisten the lung meridian. With careful nurturing for a year or so, she will recover fully.”
Wen Rushuang’s expression froze.
Back when she was pregnant with her eldest son, it was only near the time of delivery that her mother-in-law allowed her to have a bowl of bird’s nest every other day.
Now, this wretched girl was to have a bowl every single day.
Was she even worthy?
“Mother, it’s too much trouble for the Main Kitchen to prepare medicinal meals for me every day. Since it only requires two stove eyes anyway, why not set up a small kitchen in my courtyard? That way, my medicine won’t delay your meals.” Yan Zhuxing spoke up at just the right moment.
Wen Rushuang felt cornered. Seeing the expressions of Imperial Physician Ji and Nanny Wu, she could only force a smile and nod reluctantly. “Fine, whatever you say. As long as you promise to eat properly.”
Just then, Madam Su, the embroiderer from Jiuzhang Tang, finally arrived.
Wen Rushuang breathed a sigh of relief and, in front of Imperial Physician Ji and Nanny Wu, asked her to make clothes for Yan Zhuxing first.
Yan Zhuxing declined. “Mother, why not let Madam Su tailor clothes for my sister first? The gifts from Her Majesty the Empress haven’t been inventoried yet. Could you please have someone send them to my courtyard?”
“Alright, as you wish.” Wen Rushuang felt stifled but had no choice.
After Imperial Physician Ji and Nanny Wu left, Yan Mingyue, who had been holding her breath, stomped her foot and tugged at Wen Rushuang’s hand, whining.
“Mother, the gifts from Her Majesty the Empress are so precious. Sister’s Yulan Courtyard doesn’t have enough people to keep them safe. Wouldn’t it be better to store them in your treasury?”
Her plan was clever.
Once the items entered her mother’s treasury, she could take a share later.
Wen Rushuang thought this was a good idea.
She didn’t want that wretched girl to have so many valuable things in her hands.
Just as she was about to speak, Yan Zhuxing cut in first.