Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen: The Calligraphy and Painting

At this moment, the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness’s residence was bustling with activity. In the pavilion of the Plum Blossom Garden, a crowd had gathered around a painting of plum blossoms blooming through the frost. What made it most intriguing was that this painting had been sent by the Third Young Master Liang Heng of the Liang family.

Mei’er teased with a smile, “Miss, what do you think Third Young Master Liang means by sending such a painting?”

Not only the onlookers but even Xie Shu herself was momentarily taken aback. She had never expected Liang Heng to present her with such a precious piece of calligraphy and painting. After all, they had only met once briefly. She refused to be so presumptuous as to think he had fallen for her at a mere glance.

Could there be some other meaning behind this painting? Xie Shu furrowed her brows slightly and examined the artwork carefully. Indeed, it depicted plum blossoms thriving amidst the frost, accompanied by an age-old poem inscribed beside the flowers.

Lan’er chimed in from the side with a smile, “What else could it mean? Our Miss is so beautiful and kind-hearted; Third Young Master Liang must have fallen in love at first sight. That’s why he sent such a rare and valuable painting.”

Yet such a painting was far from easy to come by. Calligraphy and paintings by contemporary scholars were difficult to obtain, let alone one that had been treasured for centuries. Miss Xie was renowned in the capital as a talented young lady, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. This gift from Third Young Master Liang was clearly tailored to her tastes.

“Lan’er, if you say that again, I might get angry,” Xie Shu said softly, her eyes sparkling like a playful sprite as she gently scolded Lan’er.

Lan’er covered her mouth with her hand, feigning surrender. “I won’t say another word, mistress.”

Xie Shu’s laughter blossomed like a spring flower, radiant and pure. Just then, Sun Mama, who was by Madam Yun’s side, drew aside the curtain and entered. “Miss, madam requests your immediate presence.”

“Mother has urgent matters for me?” Sun Mama’s face grew visibly serious, and Xie Shu sensed something was amiss, whispering, “What is it?”

Sun Mama was a longstanding servant who had watched the young ladies grow up. She knew that the Empress Dowager’s summons to the Third Miss was sudden and urgent, and her worry was evident. “Madam Zhang from the Empress Dowager’s side has come and explicitly named you, Miss, requesting your presence in the palace. It seems the Empress Dowager wishes to see you.”

The Empress Dowager wished to see her…

Xie Shu was stunned for a moment, lowering her gaze. She could not fathom why the Empress Dowager would summon her. In her past life, it was common knowledge that the Chengqian Palace and Cining Palace were at odds. When she was elevated to Empress, she had nearly caused the Empress Dowager to faint with anger. This time, she had sought to avoid that person and the royal family altogether, but it seemed escape was impossible.

Her thoughts tangled, Xie Shu nodded quietly.

“Madam Zhang, our Fourth Miss Qingyan has always been very close to Miss Shu’er. Qingyan has long admired the splendor of the imperial palace. Might she accompany Shu’er to pay respects to the Empress Dowager?” Madam Yun asked anxiously, grasping at straws. Earlier, her father had confided that the Empress Dowager had secretly ordered that Shu’er’s name not appear on the selection roster for palace maids. Yun suspected the Empress Dowager wanted to prevent Shu’er from entering the palace, fearing it would threaten the position of her own niece. Normally, the Empress Dowager should dislike Shu’er, so why summon her now?

Madam Zhang’s smile was forced and cold beneath the surface. As one of the Empress Dowager’s confidantes, she looked upward with disdain. “Madam Yun, what are you implying? The Empress Dowager specifically requested Miss Xie, the Third Miss. You want Miss Qingyan to accompany her—are you worried the Empress Dowager might harm Miss Shu’er?”

“Not at all. The Empress Dowager is a kind woman. How could she harm a young maiden just coming of age?” Madam Yun forced a gentle smile, careful not to offend the Empress Dowager’s attendants.

Though she was the lady of the Marquis’s household, she dared not show disrespect to the Empress Dowager’s retinue.

“Mother,” at that moment, Xie Shu entered gracefully, her voice soft and melodious, as if weaving a gentle song in the ears of those who heard. Seeing her, Madam Yun beckoned, “Shu’er, this is Madam Zhang, from the Empress Dowager’s side.”

“Greetings, Madam Zhang.” Xie Shu’s countenance was filled with the innocent charm and romantic allure of a young lady. Her smile was delicate and subtle.

She wore a pale blue Qianshui gown with a pink long-sleeved shawl draped over it. A silk ribbon cinched her slender waist. Her features were gentle and refined, her eyebrows soft as ink strokes, her figure slender and graceful as a willow—there was no flaw in her beauty.

Coupled with her noble lineage and talents, with her father and brothers highly favored by the Emperor and foreign tribes, she was in no way inferior to Miss Chu.

Moreover, the Third Miss’s beauty far surpassed that of Miss Youning. No wonder the Empress Dowager was anxious. Yet, the Empress Dowager had clearly miscalculated, for the Emperor might notice the Third Miss through the selection list.

“Greetings, Miss Xie.” Madam Zhang masked her thoughts, reminding herself that as a servant of the Empress Dowager, she must side with Miss Chu. “I was sent by the Empress Dowager to invite Miss Xie into the palace. Please follow me, Miss.”

After Xie Shu left, a maid standing beside Madam Yun whispered comfortingly, “Madam, please do not worry. No matter what, the Empress Dowager will not openly harm the Third Miss.”

If the Empress Dowager dared publicly harm the Third Miss within the palace, would she not fear the gossip of the world?

“You don’t understand,” Madam Yun shook her head. If the Empress Dowager feared public opinion, she would not have disregarded the Emperor’s face by issuing a secret order to the Ministry of Rites: “Send someone to the Hanlin Academy immediately. Have Huai Yu return to the residence at once.”

“Yes, Madam.” The maid rarely saw her mistress so grave and realized the gravity of the situation, hastening to obey.

From the moment Xie Shu stepped into the Cining Palace, someone had rushed in the opposite direction to deliver the news to the Yangxin Hall.

Xie Shu followed Madam Zhang into the Cining Palace, walking straight to the center with steady eyes. She bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager: “Your humble servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager enjoy good health.”

The Empress Dowager glanced at her with casual indifference, then furrowed her brows deeply. She had known that the young ladies of the Marquis’s household were exceptionally beautiful but had not expected such ethereal grace. This aura was unlike that of ordinary women. If the Emperor were to notice such a lady, he might very well take a liking to her.

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s gaze fixed upon Xie Shu, Chu Youning felt an inexplicable unease. If she wished to enter the palace, she would certainly need her aunt’s support. Without it, she stood no chance. Chu Youning glanced at Madam Zhang, who immediately arranged for pear soup to be served. Holding a delicately painted bowl, Chu Youning smiled and said, “Aunt, your throat has been bothering you these past days. I specially prepared a bowl of pear soup for you. Please try it.”

This gesture pleased the Empress Dowager immensely. She seemed to forget that someone was still kneeling in the hall and patted Chu Youning’s hand warmly. “You are so thoughtful, Youning. With your care, my throat no longer aches.”

Ultimately, the Emperor’s decision not to hold the selection was because of Xie Shu. The Empress Dowager summoned Xie Shu only to intimidate her.

No one dared help Xie Shu up since the Empress Dowager had not called for it. Perhaps anticipating this scene, Xie Shu’s expression remained composed; her bowed posture was like plum blossoms blooming through the cold winter frost.

While feeding the Empress Dowager the pear soup, Chu Youning secretly studied the kneeling young lady. Seeing her serene composure, her brows knitted in concern. Such a lady, if admitted to the palace one day, would undoubtedly become her strongest rival. No wonder her aunt had forbidden the Minister of Rites from adding her name to the selection roster.

“Mother, Princess Shenghua has come to see you.” After a short incense burn, before Chu Youning’s bowl of pear soup was emptied, it was clear to all that the Empress Dowager disliked the Third Miss and intended to use this opportunity to torment her. But Princess Shenghua’s arrival shattered the tense atmosphere.

“Cousin Chu,”

“Princess Shenghua,” Chu Youning smiled and bowed slightly, about to exchange pleasantries when Princess Shenghua walked straight to Xie Shu, smiling as she helped her up. “Sister Shu, you’re here too! I was just thinking to pay respects to Mother and then visit you at the Marquis’s residence. Now we can leave the palace together.”

Xie Shu had just risen, legs weak and numb, nearly losing her balance. She gently squeezed her palm to steady herself.

How had Princess Shenghua arrived just in time? Could it be by the Emperor’s instruction? The Empress Dowager cast a subtle glance at both Xie Shu and Princess Shenghua before smiling and asking, “Shenghua, why did you come at this hour?”

“Princess Shenghua thought it had been some time since visiting the palace to pay respects to Mother. Today, I specially came to the Cining Palace to greet you,” the princess said, clinging coquettishly to the Empress Dowager’s arm.

Thanks to Princess Shenghua’s presence, the Empress Dowager’s expression improved considerably. Though the Emperor was her biological son, his aloof nature made their relationship cold. Princess Shenghua, though not her daughter by blood, was close to her and could be relied upon—this comforted the Empress Dowager.

Her countenance softened. “Shenghua, you came just in time. I have a matter I wish to discuss with you.”

Princess Shenghua knew well what this was about before arriving. Upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, she feigned innocence. “Mother, please speak. Shenghua is eager to listen.”

“It’s all because of your brother, the Emperor. A month ago, I raised the matter of the vacant harem to him, and he agreed readily, even allowing the Ministry of Rites to draft the list for the selection. But today, the Emperor was dissatisfied with the preliminary roster. He sent Eunuch Li to inform me that he no longer intends to hold the selection. I am not worried about my efforts being wasted, but I worry that without someone close to him, I cannot rest easy,” the Empress Dowager sighed deliberately, ignoring Xie Shu’s presence. Besides the Emperor and the Minister of Rites, no one else knew her true intentions.

A flicker of surprise passed through Xie Shu’s eyes. She recalled that the selection was to be held three years later in her previous life.

Princess Shenghua continued, “Mother’s kindness will surely be understood by the Emperor one day.”

“I know Shenghua is thoughtful,” the Empress Dowager feigned gratitude, then requested again, “So, Shenghua, if you have the chance, please persuade your brother. I am his mother; how could I harm him?”

Princess Shenghua thought her mother was foolish. Given the Emperor’s temperament, no one’s persuasion would change his mind once he had made a decision. Still, she replied, “Shenghua will do her best, but the Emperor always acts according to his own principles. I worry…”

“It’s all right. Just do your best.”

Princess Shenghua’s birth mother had earned the Emperor’s favor, so the Emperor was relatively kind to Princess Shenghua. With her as an intermediary, perhaps the Emperor might relent.

Her eyes darting, Princess Shenghua recalled the Emperor’s orders and coquettishly said, “Then I shall visit the Yangxin Hall now. Mother, could you lend me Sister Shu? I want to leave the palace with her.”

“Of course.” The Empress Dowager looked at Xie Shu once more. She disliked her anyway; a few more glances would only increase her aversion, and she nodded.

Princess Shenghua immediately took Xie Shu’s wrist and led her out. Chu Youning bit her lip. Her aunt had yet to act, and Princess Shenghua was already disrupting matters. Sometimes, she couldn’t tell whether Princess Shenghua was siding with her aunt or the Emperor.

“Thank you for today, Princess,” Xie Shu whispered as they walked from the Cining Palace to the Imperial Garden.

Had it not been for Princess Shenghua, the Empress Dowager would not have let her off so easily.

“Miss Shu, it’s nothing. I’m just following orders,” Princess Shenghua glanced at the attendants following them, then leaned close to Xie Shu’s ear and spoke softly, so only they could hear, “It was the Emperor who sent me.”