On this first audience with Empress Xu, with no familiarity at all with her temperament, the more one said, the more mistakes one risked — and the less one said, the fewer. It was fortunate that Wei Jieyu was there to deflect on her behalf.
Ling Jingshu maintained a shy, faint smile and quietly observed Empress Xu without drawing attention to herself.
Empress Xu had worked her way up from an ordinary consort to the mistress of the Six Palaces, step by step — her schemes and methods went without saying, and naturally her appearance was of the highest caliber as well. Princess Changping and Prince Yan’s fine looks had both been inherited from Empress Xu.
She wore a set of deep red palace robes that were at once stately and alluring. Long, sweeping brows arched gracefully into her hairline; her lips were full and shapely; her phoenix eyes held a smile, and carried authority without anger.
Even with the many beautiful consorts of varied charms filling Jiaofang Palace, not one of them could take the splendor away from Empress Xu.
Judging from Princess Changping’s age, Empress Xu must be at least forty by now. No amount of powder could entirely conceal the fine lines tracing the corners of her eyes and lips. The allure that had been so painstakingly cultivated now carried an unavoidable air of a beauty past her peak.
Empress Xu, having heard Wei Jieyu’s words, smiled and sighed: “Indeed — looking at such a fresh and lovely young girl, this palace feels its own age as well.”
Wei Jieyu immediately said with a smile: “Her Majesty is in the full bloom of her beauty — standing next to Princess Changping, the two of you look like sisters. How could Your Majesty speak of age?”
The consorts nearby chimed in one after another.
Empress Xu, surrounded by this chorus of praise, relaxed the furrow of her brows and looked again at Ling Jingshu, her manner fairly warm: “A few days ago Changping came to the palace and spoke of you before this palace, with great praise. Was it you who rescued An’ya that day?”
Ling Jingshu lowered her head slightly, with just the right measure of deference and bashfulness: “To answer Her Majesty, this commoner girl merely happened to be there and did what was called for — she could not be worthy of the Princess’s high praise.”
Empress Xu smiled: “Changping rarely praises anyone lightly — her praise of you must have its reasons. This palace was curious, and as you happened to enter the palace today, this palace summoned you to meet in person.”
Wei Jieyu said with a smile, playing along: “Now that Your Majesty has seen her with her own eyes, what is your impression?”
Empress Xu’s lips curved upward: “That she could catch Changping’s eye and yours speaks for itself — she is clearly a remarkable young woman. And she rescued An’ya. This cannot go unrewarded.” She turned and instructed the palace maid at her side: “Rui Lian, go and fetch three lengths of vibrant brocade, and bring that pair of jade and jadeite bracelets — bestow them upon Miss Ling.”
Rui Lian received the order and withdrew.
Wei Jieyu was about to say something when Ling Jingshu had already stepped forward two paces and received the bestowed gifts with natural composure and grace.
Wei Jieyu nodded inwardly with quiet approval.
This Ling Jingshu — young as she was — conducted herself with steadiness and thoroughness.
With Empress Xu having given her gifts, this hurdle had been cleared.
When Rui Lian came carrying the bestowed gifts, Ling Jingshu received them with her own hands and gave her thanks once more. Empress Xu appeared to grow slightly weary, and those present took the opportunity to rise and take their leave.
Wei Jieyu also stood and took her leave at the same moment: “This subject will escort Miss Ling out first. Your Majesty, please rest and take care of your health.”
Empress Xu gave a casual hum of acknowledgment, and said lightly: “This palace also finds Miss Ling rather to its liking. In the future, when you have leisure time, feel free to summon her into the palace — she may keep this palace company and relieve the tedium.”
Wei Jieyu’s astonishment did not show on her face at all; she replied with a smile: “To receive Your Majesty’s favor is a blessing she has earned over many lifetimes. This subject shall first express her thanks on her behalf.”
Ling Jingshu’s heart was also startled.
What was Empress Xu’s intention in saying this?
Unfortunately, she had no opportunity to look up and watch the change in Empress Xu’s expression, and could only follow quietly as Wei Jieyu turned and left Jiaofang Palace.
Empress Xu watched Ling Jingshu’s slender figure departing, a flash of deep, unreadable brilliance passing through her phoenix eyes.
After a moment, Empress Xu said: “Rui Lian, send someone to wait outside Xuanzheng Hall at the front, and ask Prince Yan to come to Jiaofang Palace after court is dismissed.”
Rui Lian acknowledged with a yes.
……
Wei Jieyu kept a remarkably steady composure, her expression serene all the way back; only after returning to Lingbo Palace did her face grow grave.
The brocade lengths and lacquered box in Ling Jingshu’s hands had long since been taken by Xin Yun and set to one side.
“Your Ladyship looks troubled.” After everything that had happened today, Ling Jingshu had developed a deep fondness for this gentle, warm, and amiable Wei Jieyu, and said quietly: “Is it because of Her Majesty’s parting instructions?”
What a perceptive and sharp-minded young woman.
Wei Jieyu gave a soft sigh and did not conceal her thoughts, saying candidly: “To have caught the attention of Her Majesty the Empress is certainly a fine thing, and an opportunity for you. However, I cannot say for certain whether this opportunity is truly a good thing.”
Back then, she herself had been nothing more than an ordinary girl of humble birth, when a chance encounter brought her to Empress Xu’s notice and she was rescued by Empress Xu. She had then been brought into the palace — and everything that followed grew out of that moment.
Had Empress Xu not treated her with favor just as now?
Yet if she could have chosen, she never would have entered the palace, and never would have become any kind of consort. Unfortunately, there are no “ifs” in this world. Faced with overwhelming power and an Empress who used past favors to extract what she wanted, she had never had a second option.
Now, Empress Xu had again shown a keen and unmistakable interest in Ling Jingshu… For Ling Jingshu, this was truly a matter where blessing and misfortune were hard to tell apart.
Wei Jieyu’s brows drew together slightly — she was evidently genuinely worried on Ling Jingshu’s behalf.
Warmth rose in Ling Jingshu’s heart. She thought for a moment, then said quietly: “Whatever the case, I must thank Your Ladyship for today. If Your Ladyship had not been there to smooth things over for me, I could not have passed that time in Jiaofang Palace so easily. As for what comes after — that can be left until later.”
Empress Xu’s intentions were unclear; fretting endlessly would serve no purpose and would only throw her off balance.
At these words, Wei Jieyu’s brow also smoothed: “Very well — we shall take it one step at a time. With me here, I will do everything in my power to protect you.”
Such a promise, for Ling Jingshu at that moment, was nothing short of help given in a time of desperate need.
The gratitude Ling Jingshu felt in her heart was beyond words; she sighed softly: “Your Ladyship is so kind and generous — I truly do not know how to repay this.”
They had met for the first time today, not yet half a day together, and yet Wei Jieyu was already this thoughtful, considering everything on her behalf. No person with feeling could remain unmoved.
Wei Jieyu looked steadily at Ling Jingshu and said gently with a smile: “You saved An’ya — it was as though you saved my own life. And it is because of this mother and daughter that you came into the palace today; it is only right that I look after you a little.”
There was one more important reason that Wei Jieyu did not voice.
Wei Yan had clearly given his heart to Ling Jingshu. If only for her younger brother’s sake, she needed to watch over Ling Jingshu a little more carefully.
Just as she was thinking this, Wei Yan stepped in.
Wei Jieyu was startled, and asked with genuine surprise: “A’Yan — haven’t you already taken An’ya’s pulse?”
By his usual habit, Wei Yan would leave after taking Princess An’ya’s pulse. How had he waited until now?
A flash of unease crossed Wei Yan’s eyes.
Indeed — he should have left long ago to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Yet from the moment he thought of Empress Xu summoning Ling Jingshu, he had found himself unable to take a single step away, and had brazened it out waiting here until now.
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