Yingluo

The figure in the dream flickered in and out of sight. Someone was crying, someone was cursing. All sorts of eyes stared fixedly at her, some dazed, some disdainful. Only that ash-like fragrance lingered constantly in her dream, just like the owner of the scent, gazing at her with indifference and compassion.

How strange, why pity me?

Why was it that just by being looked at by her like this, she felt a lifetime of grievances welling up in her heart, making her want to throw herself into her arms and have a good cry?

Xu Yingluo opened her eyes from a deep sleep and saw an unfamiliar and magnificent canopy, embroidered with meticulous paintings of flowers from the four seasons. The quilt on her was a bit heavy, but it was just the right amount of warmth for winter. She tried to move her limbs and felt a thick layer of medicinal plaster on her knees. The rich scent of mugwort completely masked that dreamlike, special fragrance.

Through a layer of light silk curtains, she saw Jinling sitting at the foot of the bed, her head nodding off as she dozed. The room was very quiet, with the occasional faint crackling of charcoal fire. But all the furnishings were completely different from her residence, Lianfeng Hall, a clear reminder that she was in someone else's territory.

Xu Yingluo had only entered the palace a short time ago and hadn't yet recognized everyone in the rear palace. Because she had monopolized the Emperor's favor, not only had she failed to make any friends, but she had also inadvertently offended many people. For a moment, she couldn't think of anyone who would be so kind. With her hair disheveled, she sat up and struggled to get out of bed. Jinling was suddenly awakened by the movement and hurried over to support her: "Consort, you still have medicine on your legs. The Imperial Physician said you need to rest quietly and shouldn't move about freely..."

Xu Yingluo gripped her thin wrist tightly, her panic-driven strength causing pain: "Where is this? Who brought me here?"

"Consort... Consort, don't worry. It wasn't any of the ladies from the palace, it was Her Highness, Princess Chiming." Jinling hastily explained, "The Princess saw you kneeling in the snow. When she came over to ask about the situation, you happened to faint. The Princess then brought you to Fuyao Palace and even summoned an Imperial Physician to treat you. Consort, rest assured, you are not seriously harmed, just slightly chilled. The Imperial Physician said that as long as you recuperate well and keep warm, you will recover quickly."

Xu Yingluo was suddenly stunned.

Before entering the palace, Xu Zhaoyun had gathered some news about the palace from various sources and had mentioned Princess Chiming to her. She specifically reminded her that if she encountered this princess, it was best to be cautious, treat her with courtesy, and never act arrogant due to her favor in front of her. No matter how high the rank of an imperial consort in the palace, no one could ever surpass the Empress. The weight of Empress Yuan's only daughter in the Emperor's heart was imaginable. Moreover, that princess had a decisive and ruthless character. Back when she had no power, she had decisively killed a favored consort's nephew with a swing of her hand. Now that her status was comparable to a prince and she held real power, if one were to accidentally fall into her hands, not even the King of Heaven could save them.

In Xu Zhaoyun's description, Princess Chiming was an unreachable, majestic, and cold figure. But Xu Yingluo still remembered her eyes, her voice, and the slender fingers that had gently brushed the frost from between her brows.

The sound of unhurried footsteps came from outside. A palace maid lifted the embroidered curtain. The Princess stood at the door and glanced inside, then turned her head to give some instructions to an attendant before walking straight in. Jinling quickly turned from the bedside and bent down to bow: "Greetings, Your Highness the Princess."

"No need for formalities, just sit tight." Wen Chan waved her hand to dismiss the courtesy, simultaneously stopping Xu Yingluo who was about to get out of bed to salute. "Kneeling for that long is no joke. Do you still feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Xu Yingluo shook her head, her voice as faint as a gnat's buzz: "Not anymore... Thank you, Your Highness, for saving me."

She was like a shy little animal, thinking she was hidden as she shrank at the mouth of her burrow, secretly sizing up Wen Chan. The rear palace had no shortage of beauties. In the past, when she looked at other consorts, she would often compare and critique them in her mind—this one wasn't delicate enough, that one had a harsh face... But when it came to Wen Chan, such thoughts didn't arise. She only felt that she seemed a bit unapproachable, yet her demeanor was calm and composed, like a dangerous and beautiful beast. Despite clearly possessing lethal claws and fangs, it surprisingly wouldn't extend its claws to a little sparrow, even allowing it to huddle under its magnificent fur for warmth.

Wen Chan noticed her gaze and found it a little amusing, considerately pretending not to see. Just then, the palace maid who had left earlier returned, carrying a bundle of clothes. Wen Chan casually instructed, "Her previous clothes are wet. Get some others for now. Jinling, put a robe on your Consort. It's cool in the room, don't let her catch another chill."

As someone sent into the temporary palace as a dancing girl, Xu Yingluo was destined not to bring a dowry and servants like other consorts selected for the palace. The Emperor had bestowed many gifts upon her, but the court had just moved to Pingjing, and many matters were still unsettled. The rear palace was also in a state of chaotic busyness. Compounded by the trouble in her family and the waning of his favor, the winter clothes from her official allotment had still not been delivered. She could only rely on the few clothes she had brought herself to get by.

A soft, warm, cotton-padded robe was draped over her shoulders. She had spent the entire day in extreme pain and misery, but it was after receiving comfort that she suddenly couldn't help but break down. She stared blankly at Wen Chan, not saying a word, as large tears rolled down her cheeks like raindrops.

Everyone: "..."

'Did I poke a Dragon King temple in my past life, or is my fate just cursed with water? Why is everyone I meet a crybaby?'

"Her Highness made someone cry."

"Yes, she's crying so sadly."

"Wow, if that one throws a tantrum, I wonder who will be sadder..."

Wen Chan: "...Someone come and wipe her tears! Don't tell me you expect me to do it myself?!"

Feixing suppressed a laugh and presented a silk handkerchief. Jinling was about to wipe her tears, but Xu Yingluo took the handkerchief herself, covered her face, and choked out in a muffled voice, "I'm sorry, Your Highness must find me ridiculous."

Wen Chan sighed silently and said to the people beside her, "All of you, leave."

Once the room was empty, Wen Chan pulled over a round stool and sat by the bed. Her tone was still calm and unhurried, speaking of another's sad affair as placidly as if making small talk: "Everything was fine. How did you end up getting punished?"

Fresh tear stains bloomed on the handkerchief.

"Consort Xian summoned me to Fangfei Garden for an audience. Virtuous Consort was also there. They said my birth was lowly, my conduct vulgar, that I was a woman of the world, unworthy of serving His Majesty. They also said the scandal of my family was known throughout the city, bringing utter disgrace to His Majesty's face..."

Wen Chan: "And then you talked back to her?"

Xu Yingluo nodded, whispering as if defending herself to no one in particular: "My birth is lowly, I'm an illegitimate child who cannot see the light of day, but that's not something I chose... If there were a choice, who wouldn't want to be born into a respectable family? Just because I was born in the mud, does that mean I have to be trampled underfoot for my entire life?"

"That's sound reasoning," Wen Chan said with a nod, "but those are words you can only say to yourself. Did your father not tell you about the family backgrounds of Virtuous Consort and Consort Xian? Those two can't bear to hear such things."

Xu Yingluo's eyes were red as she sobbed, "My adoptive father... he told me that if the high-born consorts gave me trouble, I had to endure the humiliation and not act on impulse, lest I bring disaster upon the family... But my family is already in such a state. Meng Wenqiong wants to destroy the Xu Family, and no amount of endurance on my part can win back His Majesty."

Wen Chan: "..."

Xu Yingluo's head was muddled with troubles. Only after speaking did she remember that the Emperor's own daughter was sitting before her. It was highly improper to speak of matters of the inner court in front of the Princess. A sour feeling rose in her heart, and tears fell again: "I'm sorry... I was talking nonsense, I have offended Your Highness... I'm sorry."

"Alright, alright, you're forgiven. Hurry and dry your tears. If I'm offended, I'm offended. It's better than being washed away." Wen Chan got a headache whenever she saw these crybabies. "The case concerning your family should be settled soon. Your adoptive father is fine. Meng Wenqiong will likely be caned and exiled. This result should be good news for you."

"Really?!" Xu Yingluo's eyes lit up. She raised her head in surprise and delight, met Wen Chan's eyes, and immediately restrained herself, asking cautiously, "Did Your Highness help with this..."

The favored consort of her past life had courage as flimsy as paper in front of her; one didn't even need to poke it before she shrank back on her own. Wen Chan didn't know why things had turned out this way. She answered as calmly as she could, "The details of the case itself were very clear. The court ruled impartially, so it can't be considered helping. However, while the official sentences have all been handed down, there are some matters you can only rely on yourself for. Outsiders cannot interfere."

She spoke quite cryptically, but it was enough. Xu Yingluo covered her face with the handkerchief, revealing only a pair of clear black and white eyes that peeked at her. She hesitated before asking in a low voice, "Your Highness, why did you help me?"

Because you're good-looking.

The image of the Little White Flower's tearful expression appeared in her mind. Wen Chan smiled and answered breezily, "Because I am a Buddhist. I have always been merciful and kind to others."

Xu Yingluo: "..."

Wen Chan: "Are you that shocked?"

Xu Yingluo shook her head like a pellet drum: "No, it's just that I have long heard of Your Highness's great name and always thought Your Highness was very imposing."

The Princess's eyes held a hint of a teasing smile. She gave her a cool glance, and Xu Yingluo guiltily averted her gaze. "I thought... Your Highness would hate people like me..."

"People like you?" Wen Chan asked in return. "We are all people who fawn over imperial power. Is there any point in the pot calling the kettle black?"

Xu Yingluo: "..."

This remark was quite sharp and harsh, but it was like a sudden gust of wind that instantly swept away the gloomy clouds that had gathered in her heart. The Virtuous Consort who had pointed at her nose and called her "lowly," the Consort Xian who had scrutinized her with the expression of one looking at mud—didn't they, who so clearly looked down on her yet still cared about her, also do it all to compete for that little bit of the Emperor's favor?

In that case, how were they any nobler than her?

Seeing that she had stopped crying, Wen Chan guessed that she had recovered and stood up to leave. "Alright, it seems you're fine now. The Imperial Medical Academy has written a prescription. The medicine will be sent to you later, remember to take it on time. I won't be in the palace tonight. You can go back whenever you want."

"Your Highness!"

Xu Yingluo hadn't expected her to leave so abruptly and decisively. She didn't make any requests, casually bestowing such a huge favor. She didn't know what she would have to do in the future to ever repay it.

Wen Chan: "Hm?"

"I..." Xu Yingluo had spoken impulsively. After calling out to her, she didn't know what to say. After hesitating for a moment, she asked tentatively, "Can I... come see Your Highness again?"

"I don't often live in the palace."

Wen Chan saw her suddenly crestfallen expression and couldn't help but find it amusing. She changed the subject: "But in the future, coming and going from the palace, and at holiday banquets, we will inevitably see each other often."

"I hope that the next time we meet, Consort will no longer need anyone to rescue her."