Suddenly hearing Concubine Hui inquire about Yun Qin, Rong Xin immediately grew vigilant. Without changing her expression, she replied, “We came out together, but as I previously served under Nanny Ruan, I had never met Yun Qin before.”
Concubine Hui nodded, then abruptly shifted the topic. “I heard that last night, His Majesty specifically asked about Yun Qin’s name?”
Rong Xin’s heart skipped a beat, and her combing movements slowed slightly. “He did ask.” After speaking, she discreetly glanced at Concubine Hui’s expression.
Seeing that Concubine Hui was still watching her, she continued, “He didn’t say anything else; it seemed like just a casual question.”
“Did Yun Qin say anything to you?” Concubine Hui withdrew her gaze, her fingers idly playing with a pearl on her hairpin as she spoke nonchalantly.
Rong Xin lowered her eyes to the dark hair in her hands, concealing the tension in her gaze. With a light laugh, she said, “She was so focused on celebrating Your Ladyship’s joy that she forgot everything else, even the injuries on her body.”
“Injuries?” Concubine Hui looked up.
Rong Xin deliberately showed a hint of Wrath Qi. “It was those from the Yu Kang Palace—they really struck hard. Yun Qin’s arms are covered in bruises, not a patch of good skin left.”
Concubine Hui was momentarily taken aback, then recalled how, this morning, everyone in the hall had been preoccupied with the Emperor, yet Yun Qin had risked angering him to show concern for her. A touch of emotion flickered in her expression.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier? Go to the storeroom later and fetch the best ointment for her.”
Rong Xin shook her head and sighed. “Even if Your Ladyship gives her ointment, she won’t apply it. This morning, I urged her to use some, but she refused, fearing the smell of the ointment might offend Your Ladyship.”
Concubine Hui unconsciously touched her abdomen, her smile returning with genuine warmth. “She is thoughtful.” However, she did not mention fetching ointment for Yun Qin again.
Rong Xin knew she had been convinced and felt a slight relief, realizing she had managed to gloss over the matter this time.
Still, even if Concubine Hui set aside her suspicions, it was likely only temporary. A bright pearl would not remain hidden in dust—from now on, Yun Qin would only become more and more conspicuous.
With Rong Xin attending in the hall, Yun Qin was in no hurry to return. She lingered beside the cook, chatting idly while secretly learning her skills.
Everyone in the palace now knew she served by the lady’s side, so they regarded her more highly. The cook was more patient with her and didn’t shoo her away as before.
When Yun Qin returned and had just reached the hall entrance, she was stopped by Rong Xin, who came out to meet her.
“I noticed the charcoal in the hall is running low. Go to the Internal Affairs Office and fetch some more.”
Yun Qin was puzzled. She remembered A Jing had just fetched some the day before yesterday. Though confused, she didn’t question it, assuming the recent late spring chill had increased the charcoal usage.
“Alright, I’ll go fetch it.” She nodded and was about to leave when she was called back again.
Rong Xin stepped forward and handed her a handkerchief. “I embroidered this recently. While you’re out, find Nanny Ruan and give it to her for me.”
Yun Qin glanced down at the handkerchief in her hand. It was embroidered with a winding plum blossom branch—simple yet exquisitely crafted, looking vivid and lifelike.
She immediately feigned annoyance. “Sister, you always think of Nanny Ruan when you have something nice! I’ve been coveting your embroidered handkerchiefs for so long!”
“I remember. I’ll finish embroidering one for you in the next few days!” Rong Xin replied with an exasperated laugh.
Yun Qin, having gotten her way, grinned. “I’ll be waiting.” With that, she waved to Rong Xin and headed out of the palace.
Watching her leave, Rong Xin let out a long sigh of relief. She had intentionally sent Yun Qin away.
The Emperor would likely arrive soon. Since the lady had already grown suspicious, if Yun Qin were to share the same room with the Emperor again, something might inevitably be noticed.
It seems I must find a time to properly discuss this matter with Yun Qin.
Sure enough, not long after Yun Qin left, the Emperor entered Chunxi Palace.
Looking at Concubine Hui, whose makeup was refreshed and demeanor even more outstanding, Huo Jinchi instinctively glanced through the crowd but did not see that bright and striking figure.
He withdrew his gaze and praised as usual, “My beloved concubine is indeed radiant today.”
Concubine Hui revealed a coy expression, gently stroking her cheek with her fingers. “As long as Your Majesty is pleased.”
Huo Jinchi neither agreed nor disagreed, supporting Concubine Hui as they entered the hall.
However, Xu An beside him clearly noticed that the Emperor’s mood was noticeably less enthusiastic than before coming to Chunxi Palace. Knowing the reason, Xu An glanced at the delighted Concubine Hui and lowered his head slightly.
During the meal, Concubine Hui looked at the red date and bird’s nest porridge in her bowl and smiled, glancing around before asking Rong Xin, “Where is Yun Qin?”
Huo Jinchi, who was stirring his porridge with a spoon, paused slightly at the question.
“Replying to Your Highness, Yun Qin went to the Internal Affairs Office to collect charcoal,” Rong Xin said, clenching her slightly trembling fingers. “The weather has been cold lately, and the fires burn fiercely. She was worried there wouldn’t be enough charcoal and that Your Highness might catch a chill.”
“That girl,” Concubine Hui chuckled softly, her heart moved. She turned to Huo Jinchi, who was silently drinking his porridge, and said with a smile, “Does Your Majesty still remember this little palace maid of mine? She is truly first-rate in thoughtfulness. Look, even today’s porridge comes in two varieties.”
Huo Jinchi lifted his eyelids to meet her gaze, his eyes calm and his tone unhurried. “Should I remember?”
Concubine Hui instinctively avoided his gaze. “Of… of course not.”
Huo Jinchi withdrew his gaze, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
He had just seen her this morning, yet she asked if he remembered?
His fingers unconsciously rubbed the white jade bracelet hanging from his wrist. In this matter, she was unusually perceptive, while he had failed to notice.
From the start of breakfast until Huo Jinchi left, Yun Qin never appeared.
Not long after leaving Chunxi Palace, Xu An approached the imperial carriage and whispered inside, “Your Majesty, I have inquired. She did go to the Internal Affairs Office. She seems to be acquainted with Nanny Ruan there. After collecting the charcoal, she gave her a handkerchief. They chatted for a while, which delayed her return.”
After listening, Huo Jinchi lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at Xu An with a smile.
“Your duties are truly becoming more and more well-handled.”
Xu An was about to smile when he sensed something amiss in the Emperor’s words. Glancing at his expression, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, “This servant wouldn’t dare.”
Huo Jinchi snorted coldly and dropped the curtain.
Relieved that the Emperor hadn’t punished him, Xu An let out a sigh, only to hear the Emperor’s indifferent voice suddenly come from behind the curtain. “You are fined one month’s salary.”
“Yes,” Xu An replied. The punishment was trivial to him, but he couldn’t quite grasp the Emperor’s thoughts.
He could clearly see that the Emperor had indeed taken an interest in that little palace maid. Could it be because of Concubine Hui?
Suddenly, Xu An understood. Although the Emperor was somewhat capricious, he still cared about appearances. Concubine Hui was currently pregnant—it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask her for a palace maid at this time.
Since the Emperor couldn’t intervene directly, perhaps he could drop a hint to Concubine Hui?
Just as this thought crossed his mind, the Emperor’s voice came from behind the curtain again. “Xu An, if you dare act on your own again, the punishment will be far more severe than just a fine.”
Xu An’s scalp tightened, and he quickly replied, “This servant wouldn’t dare.”
Inside the imperial carriage, Huo Jinchi, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them at the sound, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Concubine Hui, experiencing body heat during her pregnancy, had the charcoal fire in her chamber burning rather low—was she worried it wouldn’t last?
And to send a handkerchief to a nanny at such a moment?
Hah!
Huo Jinchi scoffed inwardly; that palace maid was clearly avoiding him.
He was indeed surprised that he, too, could be swayed by beauty, but he had no great interest in forcing the matter.
Especially not with a palace maid who was so unwilling.
Huo Jinchi’s gaze turned cold as he slowly closed his eyes once more.