As soon as Yun Qin stepped out of the inner chamber, she caught sight of Xu An’s somewhat suggestive smile.
Yun Qin fought the urge to roll her eyes. This old eunuch had nearly scared her to death, making her think the Emperor had some sort of interest in her.
During this visit, she hadn’t detected even a hint of ambiguity from the Emperor. Instead, she had been “interrogated” until she was drenched in sweat.
While inwardly ranting, Yun Qin kept her expression calm. Ignoring Xu An’s gaze, she walked out and called for Xiao Dezi.
“Sister Yun Qin, you truly are remarkable,” Xiao Dezi said with a flattering smile, giving her a thumbs-up. “We all heard the Emperor ask for your name just now. When you rise to greatness someday, please don’t forget us.”
Yun Qin couldn’t be bothered to respond. She waved at him, signaling him to hurry and fetch the imperial physician.
“Thank you for looking out for me today, sister,” Xiao Dezi whispered, leaning closer and lowering his voice. “I promise, from now on, I’ll listen to you in everything.”
Yun Qin glanced at him and replied coolly, “We both came from the Bureau of Palace Attendants. It’s only right that we look out for each other. No need to talk about ‘looking out’ or not.”
“You don’t have to hide it from me, sister,” Xiao Dezi said, his expression suddenly turning serious. “For people like us in the palace, isn’t it all about seeking a future? Even if we’re full of loyalty, it only matters if our masters notice it… I’ll never forget the kindness you showed me today, sister.”
Hearing this, Yun Qin took another look at Xiao Dezi. She only believed about thirty percent of what he said. Wanting to deal with Rong Zhi might be genuine, but as for talk of “life-changing kindness,” she’d take it with a grain of salt.
“Then come with me to the main hall,” Yun Qin said noncommittally. Still, she wouldn’t turn away a ready helper and decided to do him another favor.
Xiao Dezi immediately perked up. “I’ll go fetch Imperial Physician Zhang right away.”
When Yun Qin returned to the hall with Xiao Dezi and Imperial Physician Zhang, Concubine Hui was sitting there, taking small sips of a bowl of white fungus soup.
Her entire demeanor had changed from her earlier sickly appearance, and her complexion now looked much rosier.
Could the Emperor really be some kind of miracle cure?
Yun Qin thought to herself, but on the surface, she kept her head bowed, appearing obedient and docile.
Seeing Yun Qin silent, Xiao Dezi grew slightly excited and stepped forward. “Greetings, Your Majesty, greetings, Your Highness. Imperial Physician Zhang has arrived.”
Imperial Physician Zhang also stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty, greetings, Your Highness.”
Huo Jinchi glanced at Yun Qin, who was standing there like a quail, his expression unchanged. He gestured to Imperial Physician Zhang to examine Concubine Hui.
Concubine Hui was naturally in no serious condition. She was merely weak from worry and lack of appetite, but her pregnancy was stable.
“Your Highness’s digestive system is weaker than most. Excessive medication would be inadvisable. I will prescribe a few mild and palatable medicinal cuisine recipes for gradual, gentle nourishment.”
“Thank you, Imperial Physician Zhang,” Concubine Hui said, pulling her sleeve over her wrist. Her eyes swept over Yun Qin and Rong Zhi before settling on Yun Qin. “Yun Qin, see Imperial Physician Zhang out properly.”
Rong Zhi’s expression shifted slightly, and she immediately glanced at Concubine Hui.
Yun Qin lowered her gaze, her expression unchanged, and replied, “Yes.”
It was customary to reward an imperial physician for a late-night visit, but just an hour ago, Yun Qin had been a low-ranking palace maid without the privilege of serving closely. She had nothing on hand to give as a reward.
She inwardly sighed at Concubine Hui’s sudden whim but had to quickly think of a solution.
Stepping out of the sand screen, Yun Qin immediately looked toward Rong Xin. Seeing Rong Xin glance back, she said, “Her Ladyship asked me to escort the imperial physician out. Please take extra care of things inside the hall, elder sister.”
After speaking, she did not pause her steps but also shot Xiao Dezi a meaningful look.
When she stepped outside the hall door and saw that Xiao Dezi had not followed, Yun Qin inwardly breathed a small sigh of relief.
Her earlier actions—intentionally informing Rong Xin and signaling Xiao Dezi—were precisely to have the two quickly fetch some rewards for her. If they hadn’t understood her meaning, she would have had to first make empty promises to Imperial Physician Zhang and make up the rewards later.
Yun Qin knew this was Concubine Hui giving her a chance to show her face. She absolutely could not leave a bad impression on Imperial Physician Zhang on her very first occasion.
Arriving at the palace gate and seeing Xiao Dezi still hadn’t caught up, Yun Qin could only make small talk with Imperial Physician Zhang for a couple of sentences.
When Xiao Dezi finally arrived and nodded at her, Yun Qin did not immediately reach out to ask for the items. She only smiled and said, “Xiao Dezi, you hold the lantern for Imperial Physician Zhang and make sure to see him safely to the entrance of the Imperial Hospital.”
With Xiao Dezi’s cleverness, he should be able to smoothly explain his coming to deliver the rewards.
“Yes,” Xiao Dezi understood immediately and said, “Imperial Physician Zhang, this way please.”
Imperial Physician Zhang politely declined verbally but followed Xiao Dezi as he left.
Yun Qin returned inside the palace and was heading toward the inner hall when she caught sight of a figure darting past in the corridor.
Judging by the silhouette, it was a woman wearing the same willow-green palace attire as herself.
Yun Qin didn’t need to think deeply—someone sneaking around here in the middle of the night definitely wasn’t one of their own. It must have been someone sent by Lady Kong, who lived in the western side hall, to gather information.
With such a commotion in the main hall, it would be strange if Lady Kong hadn’t been alerted.
Remembering Lady Kong’s meddlesome nature, Yun Qin shook her head slightly. There would probably be another spectacle to watch tomorrow morning.
Returning to the main hall, the Emperor and Concubine Hui were already preparing to retire, so Yun Qin did not enter the inner hall again. She and Rong Xin were not on duty that night. Once the lights inside were extinguished, they returned together to their quarters.
After a whole night of commotion, both were somewhat weary and didn’t speak much before each settled down to rest.
This sleep was not very restful for Yun Qin either. After drifting in and out of drowsiness for a while, daylight began to brighten outside.
Rong Xin was already up. Seeing Yun Qin still curled under the blanket, she laughed and said, “Last night, Her Ladyship already allowed you to serve inside the hall. You can’t laze in bed like before anymore.”
When Yun Qin first came to serve by Concubine Hui’s side, she had only been in this world for a year and had learned the rules rather haphazardly. If not for Rong Xin constantly looking out for her, she didn’t know how many punishments she would have suffered.
So in Yun Qin’s heart, Rong Xin was almost like a real elder sister.
“Elder sister, don’t rush me. I’m just closing my eyes to clear my head. I’ll get up right away,” Yun Qin said, rubbing her eyes and acting coquettishly.
Rong Xin’s smile held a touch of indulgence, but as her gaze shifted, she noticed the bruised and purplish skin exposed on Yun Qin’s arm. She quickly grabbed her arm and asked, “What happened here?”
Following her line of sight, Yun Qin only then saw the marks on her own arm. Her mouth twitched. “It’s all because of those people from Yu Kang Palace. Their hands were as hard as pincers.”
“Why didn’t you say anything last night?” Rong Xin pushed up her sleeve and saw that some spots were even broken and scraped, making her both angry and distressed.
Last night, with her nerves on edge the whole time, Yun Qin hadn’t felt any pain on her body. Now, however, it was sinking in—no wonder she ached all over.
But seeing Rong Xin’s worried expression, she quickly said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. It just looks scary. I don’t even feel the pain anymore.”
“Stop talking nonsense!” Rong Xin turned to find the ointment.
Yun Qin quickly grabbed her arm. “Don’t bother, I’m really fine. Besides, this ointment has a strong smell. If Her Ladyship can’t stand foreign odors, how can I serve her closely?”
Rong Xin thought this made sense and frowned at her. “But we can’t just leave it untreated, can we?”
“Wait until tonight. You must apply the medicine for me tonight.” Yun Qin clung to her arm, acting coquettishly.
Looking at Yun Qin’s flushed, slightly radiant face, Rong Xin sighed softly. “It’s all my fault. Rong Zhi dislikes me, but why did you have to stand up for me and offend her? Although we successfully invited the Emperor, it was truly dangerous…”
Rong Xin had other worries as well. Last night, observing Xu An’s attitude, she could vaguely sense the Emperor’s special regard for Yun Qin.
All women in the palace belong to the Emperor. If he truly favored Yun Qin, no one would dare to question it. But how many palace maids who received the Emperor’s favor remained mere maids until their deaths?
“Does Rong Zhi look at me with any favor either? What does offending her matter?” Yun Qin snorted lightly. “From now on, with me helping you, let’s see how she can bully us!”
“You…” Seeing Yun Qin’s naive innocence, Rong Xin didn’t want to frighten her with such talk. Suppressing her worries, she said gently, “Then help me out first and get up quickly.”