When Yun Qin returned to Chunxi Palace, she heard that the Emperor had already left. Her heart remained completely calm, and she even felt somewhat relieved—she had no desire to face that unpredictable emperor.
Upon hearing that Yun Qin had returned, Concubine Hui specifically called her over. First, she rewarded her with some silver, then said, “The Emperor also found the morning meal delicious. It’s a shame you weren’t here, otherwise the Emperor would surely have rewarded you as well.”
After speaking, Concubine Hui did not shift her gaze from Yun Qin’s face, carefully observing her expression.
Rong Xin stood beside the soft couch. Hearing this, she nervously glanced at Yun Qin several times, fearing she might answer incorrectly.
Seeing Concubine Hui’s intense stare, Yun Qin immediately sensed something was off. She quickly realized that Concubine Hui must have heard about the Emperor asking for her name. Her first instinct was to show loyalty.
“This servant works for Your Ladyship; how could I dare covet rewards from the Emperor?”
Seeing not a trace of unusual expression on Yun Qin’s face and finding her words pleasing, Concubine Hui’s smile grew more genuine. “You’re always so glib,” she said.
Then, she yawned and supported her waist. “I’m tired too. Help me lie down for a while.”
After Concubine Hui fell asleep, with Rong Xin keeping watch, Yun Qin withdrew from the inner chamber. As soon as she stepped out, she ran into A Jing.
Upon seeing her, A Jing immediately beamed. “You weren’t here earlier, so you don’t know…”
Hearing her speak without restraint, Yun Qin quickly gestured for her to be quiet and pulled her out of the main hall.
“Her Ladyship is sleeping. Don’t you know to keep your voice down? It seems you’re regressing—do you want to be scolded by Sister Rong Xin again?” Yun Qin said with annoyance.
A Jing was startled and covered her mouth, then whispered, “I didn’t know Her Ladyship was asleep. Sister Rong Xin is already upset with me. Dear Yun Qin, please don’t tell her.”
A Jing was a year younger than Yun Qin, petite and adorable, with a lively and straightforward nature. In a palace where everyone seemed to have eight hundred schemes, she was an anomaly.
But she was fortunate. Upon entering the palace, she was taken under Nanny Ruan’s wing, and Rong Xin doted on her. With these two protecting her, A Jing had managed to avoid major troubles.
Seeing her frightened, Yun Qin barely suppressed a rising smile and pretended to be serious. “I won’t tell, but Sister Rong Xin just made me a new sachet, and it still needs a tassel.”
As someone who had crossed over midway, Yun Qin’s needlework was a complete mess. Yet, to maintain appearances in the palace, she needed a few decent items, so she resorted to all sorts of “tricks.”
A Jing couldn’t see through Yun Qin’s “cunning.” Hearing this, she immediately nodded. “Alright, alright, I’ll definitely make you the best tassel.”
Yun Qin could no longer hold back her smile. “You promised this yourself.”
Seeing Yun Qin laugh, A Jing immediately realized she had been tricked and angrily hit her arm. “You! You tricked me again!”
“Shh, shh…” Yun Qin quickly gestured for her to lower her voice.
A Jing covered her mouth again, glaring at Yun Qin indignantly.
Yun Qin stopped teasing her and took her arm. “Don’t be angry. Her Ladyship rewarded me with silver. When I go to the Internal Affairs Office again, I’ll ask someone to buy you pastries from outside the palace, alright?”
A Jing’s eyes lit up. “You have to keep your word!”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry,” Yun Qin chuckled softly, then asked her, “What were you going to tell me earlier?”
A Jing suddenly remembered the main matter and said with some excitement, “It’s all about Lady Kong. When I delivered your message, that maid of hers named Zisang turned pale. When I reported back to you, you were so amused. I could tell you weren’t angry with me anymore.”
Yun Qin immediately put on a stern face again. “Remember this lesson from now on. No more speaking carelessly in front of Her Ladyship!”
“I won’t dare to again.”
“And don’t gossip about Lady Kong anymore. No matter what, she’s still a mistress. It’s not our place to discuss her,” Yun Qin admonished further.
A Jing nodded, her earlier excitement fading after being scolded twice.
Seeing her pitiful expression, Yun Qin reached out and ruffled her hair. “Oh, our A Jing was quite impressive today, wasn’t she? How did you manage to be so wonderful?”
“You’re just trying to cheer me up!” A Jing said, though her face brightened again. She hugged Yun Qin’s arm and asked what color tassel she wanted.
Just as they were chatting affectionately, a cold voice suddenly snapped, “Don’t any of you have work to do? So idle you can chatter away here!”
It was Rong Zhi. It was unclear how long she had slept, but she looked haggard, her already not-fair skin appearing even more sallow.
“What are you staring at? Hurry up and get back to your duties!”
Seeing her, A Jing immediately bristled like a cat with raised fur, lowering her voice angrily. “Can you keep your voice down? Her Ladyship is sleeping!”
This left Rong Zhi speechless. Yun Qin watched her face alternate between green and red, suppressing a laugh as she took A Jing’s hand and said to Rong Zhi, “We’re going to check what ingredients the Imperial Household Department sent to the small kitchen today. If Imperial Physician Zhang arrives later, Sister, don’t forget to take him to see Lady Kong.”
Without giving Rong Zhi a chance to respond, she pulled A Jing away.
Once they were farther off, Yun Qin finally laughed and said to A Jing, “Our A Jing is really becoming more and more formidable.”
A Jing was still somewhat confused, scratching her temple at the words. “Really?” Then she asked doubtfully, “Why did you tell her to take Imperial Physician Zhang to the west hall? I wanted to mimic Lady Kong’s angry expression for Her Ladyship to see!”
“Silly!” Yun Qin poked her cheek. “This morning, you were just a messenger. Lady Kong’s anger was directed at Her Ladyship. But if you actually brought Imperial Physician Zhang there, she would start hating you. We can’t do things that make people resent us.”
A Jing seemed to half-understand, saying indignantly, “Who told her to always act so pitiful, as if Her Ladyship were bullying her? It’s really disgusting!”
Yun Qin couldn’t help but laugh and poked her cheek again. “What status do we have that we need to stand up for Her Ladyship? Instead of worrying about Her Ladyship, who’s sleeping comfortably, worry about me. I’ve been busy all morning and haven’t eaten a bite.”
“It’s almost noon!” A Jing exclaimed upon hearing this, immediately pulling her toward the small kitchen. “Hurry, Sister Rong Xin must have saved some food for you.”