“Miss Wei, I have been ordered to invite you to the palace. We’ve been waiting for half a day. Hurry, the Empress Dowager is not to be trifled with,” the eunuch said.
“Sir, may I change my clothes? It would be disrespectful to appear in these garments,” Wei Linxia replied.
The eunuch agreed, and Wei Linxia quickly changed her clothes, arranged her hair, and followed him into the palace.
Sitting in the sedan chair, Wei Linxia considered the possible scenarios. The Empress Dowager would not let her off easily, and there might be the Queen and Concubine Li watching. Preparing her response was crucial.
Waiting outside the Empress Dowager’s palace was nerve-wracking.
To Wei Linxia’s surprise, the large palace hall contained only the Empress Dowager and her trusted old eunuch. The Empress Dowager seemed to be sleeping and only opened her eyes slowly when Wei Linxia paid her respects, asking, “Why are you late?”
“This subject was not at home, hence the delay. It is my fault that the Empress Dowager had to wait,” Wei Linxia said.
“I hear you have been treating someone. Is this true?” the Empress Dowager asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wei Linxia answered.
“Oh? Who?” the Empress Dowager inquired, puzzling Wei Linxia, who had expected a reprimand.
“Just an ordinary patient,” Wei Linxia replied.
The Empress Dowager then addressed the eunuch: “This girl has quite a bit of loyalty. She treated Lian Yi at Zhao Ting’s request and hasn’t mentioned it, thinking I know nothing.”
The eunuch flattered her, and the Empress Dowager called Wei Linxia closer. “Zhao Ting also asked for your help. It seems your skills have improved. I’ve been troubled these past few days, unable to sleep. Linxia, treat me,” she said.
Surprised by the Empress Dowager’s calm tone, Wei Linxia wondered how she could know about the rumors yet remain so composed. Did she truly believe in Wei Linxia’s character?
The eunuch had already prepared the acupuncture needles. Wei Linxia washed her hands and steadied her mind before treating the Empress Dowager, who lay calmly, muttering, “Those bastards, thinking I’m old and useless, plotting under my nose. Wait until I’m well…”
The eunuch quickly responded, “Your Majesty, why trouble yourself with them? Their schemes are beneath you.”
“Indeed, they can’t fool me. But someone has been wronged because of a few words of my praise.”
“I feel I’ve let her down,” the Empress Dowager sighed.
Wei Linxia was moved by her insight, despite her dislike of the Empress Dowager’s severity. The eunuch signaled to her, and she knelt beside the Empress Dowager’s bed, saying, “Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty.”
“You will treat me in the palace for two days,” the Empress Dowager declared.
That afternoon, during the evening meal, the princes, queen, concubines, and royal children came to pay respects. The Empress Dowager, feeling irritated, allowed only the King and his son inside. They were surprised to see Wei Linxia. When the Empress Dowager mentioned Wei Linxia would treat her, the King asked anxiously why a royal physician wasn’t called. The Empress Dowager retorted that previous physicians had failed and might have been bribed to harm her; only the Wei family girl could be trusted.
The King, ever filial, spent time appeasing the Empress Dowager. Zhao Ting was allowed to dine, and during the meal, Wei Linxia felt a cold gaze and barely dared to breathe.
“Some people returning from the west brought a foreign herb that might help my condition. Linxia, embroider a sachet with this herb these days,” the Empress Dowager said.
Wei Linxia agreed.
With the additional sachet and the approaching Dragon Boat Festival, Wei Linxia wanted to finish it on the actual day. She often worked late into the night, her eyes turning red. When palace maidens advised her to rest, she would agree, then continue embroidering by lantern light in the outer corridor.
Exhausted, Wei Lin looked up at the starry sky, which felt desolate. A figure dressed in black suddenly emerged from behind a pillar, almost undetectable.
“It’s just an unnecessary sachet, yet you’re working through the night. No wonder the Queen Grandmother likes you. Is it natural?” The tone was harsh, burning with anger.
Wei Lin remained silent, packing away her embroidery cloth and needles, intending to sleep and keep her distance from the capricious Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, it’s late. This servant girl will take her leave.” Wei Lin curtsied, but as she turned, her arm was seized painfully by a hand as hard as iron.
“Did I permit you to leave?” Xi Zhaoting’s tone was menacing.
Wei Lin sat down, feeling helpless, wondering what she had done to provoke him this time.
“In two days, it will be the Dragon Boat Festival. You haven’t finished the embroidery yet. Do you want to displease the Queen Grandmother?” Xi Zhaoting said.
“The Empress Dowager said there’s no rush,” Wei Lin replied flatly, inwardly furious.
“Oh? Then why are you working through the night?” Xi Zhaoting raised his sword-like eyebrows, displaying disdain.
Wei Lin smiled slightly and said, “How else could I demonstrate my filial devotion to the Empress Dowager? Does Your Highness have any more questions?”
Xi Zhaoting was stunned, glaring at her for a long time, unable to speak.
“If Your Highness has no further inquiries, it would be best to return to the Eastern Palace. Although this is the Empress Dowager’s palace, it is still the inner court. We wouldn’t want any rumors to spread,” Wei Lin bowed slightly and left.
Watching her figure disappear behind the pearl curtains, Xi Zhaoting angrily punched a pillar.
On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, Wei Lin presented the sachet, delighting the Empress Dowager. When Xi Zhaoting came to pay his respects, Wei Lin noticed his sachet was still the old one with the sky and soaring eagle. The Empress Dowager noticed as well and called him to ask. He simply said he hadn’t found a satisfactory new one and was comfortable with the old one.
The Empress Dowager listened with a slight smile that Wei Lin found strange, as if she knew he was lying but chose not to expose him.
“During a major festival, how can a young person wear an old sachet? Take this one made by Lin, and give your old one to me. I’m getting old, and wearing an old one might bring me some good fortune,” the Empress Dowager said.
Xi Zhaoting was puzzled, as was Wei Lin. The Empress Dowager’s reasoning made no sense, but Xi Zhaoting didn’t dare argue. He obediently removed his sachet, cast a reluctant glance at Wei Lin, and put on the new one.
The day was lively. After the Dragon Boat Festival, Wei Lin received permission from the Empress Dowager to return home. When asked about her time in the palace, she simply said it was fine and mentioned the Empress Dowager’s minor illness had improved.
Two days later, Wei Feng Zhi, sent by the King of Huo to Yan Guo, returned and heard rumors about his sister. He asked why she didn’t refute them.
“These are just baseless rumors. Refuting would only make things worse,” Wei Lin replied.
A few days later, Wei Feng Zhi came, puzzled, saying the Empress Dowager had requested his old sachet.
Wei Lin explained, “The Empress Dowager said wearing young people’s old items could bring her good fortune, and asking for your item was a sign of respect.” While they were talking, a maid announced that Jing, Li Weiheng’s maid, requested an audience. Since Jing often accompanied Li Weiheng, Wei Lin recognized her and allowed her in. Wei Feng Zhi slipped out the window.
Jing’s visit was to borrow a sachet as a reference for embroidery. Wei Lin frowned, and Jing, sensing her silence, waited quietly.
