Chapter 3: The Favor

As soon as Su Mi returned to the east courtyard, she saw Little Luzi peeking around the door. Upon spotting her, his face lit up with joy, and he rushed forward.

"Miss, you're back at last! I have some big news to tell you!" he exclaimed.

"What news? Let me guess—another bit of gossip you've overheard?" Su Mi greeted him and invited him into the room, casually asking as she did so.

"Absolutely not! This is a real piece of good news, I swear! If I'm lying, let me be a eunuch in my next life!" Little Luzi swore, raising his hand in a mock-serious gesture.

He looked around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned in closer to Su Mi and whispered.

"Just now, after delivering your message, I was about to head back to the east rear courtyard. But then I realized I had left my dust-brush with my master, so I decided to turn back and get it since I had nothing else to do. When I got close to my master's quarters, I saw Hui'er's figure through the window. I crept closer and overheard them arguing inside."

Su Mi's curiosity piqued, and she motioned for him to continue.

"Hui'er had gone to see Wei Fulong to ask for some information—she was hoping to get a chance to meet the Emperor. You know, she's been sending him quite a bit of money and gifts recently, practically emptying her savings. But even after all that, Wei Fulong was still unsatisfied with her offering. No matter how she begged, he refused to give her any useful information."

Little Luzi paused for a moment, chuckling. "They argued for a while, but in the end, Hui'er had to leave, looking very disgruntled. I was listening from outside, finding it quite amusing. I never liked Hui'er much anyway. Just as I was about to step out and mock her, though, I saw Xiang Lin, the maid from Consort Zheng's quarters, coming in. I had to hide again to avoid being caught eavesdropping. But then, I overheard Xiang Lin's conversation with Wei Fulong."

Su Mi raised an eyebrow. "Xiang Lin? What was she talking about?"

Little Luzi leaned in further, his voice dropping even lower. "It turns out Xiang Lin's visit wasn't any different from Hui'er's. She had also come to see Wei Fulong with the same aim: to gather some news about meeting the Emperor. I never would have guessed! If Consort Zheng found out about this, she'd surely be furious."

He shook his head, clicking his tongue in disbelief. "But you know what? Xiang Lin's been serving Consort Zheng for a while now, and she's gathered quite a lot of good stuff for herself. When she opened her pouch, it was impressive, even by Wei Fulong's standards."

Su Mi listened attentively, her face betraying no emotion. "And what did she get in return?"

"Well," Little Luzi continued, "Wei Fulong was quite satisfied with the gifts Xiang Lin gave him. He was in a good mood and shared some interesting information. Apparently, not long ago, while the Emperor was reading a poetry collection, he asked if the plum trees by the Weiyang Pool had bloomed yet. And then yesterday, the head eunuch, Gao Shengnuo, had someone go and inspect the area carefully. Word is, the Emperor might be planning to visit there soon."

Little Luzi was practically beaming with excitement. "That's a golden opportunity! It's like a pie falling from the sky. I knew I had to come and tell you immediately!"

Su Mi couldn't help but smile, finding his enthusiasm amusing. "So, you're saying that Hui'er and Xiang Lin have failed, but I could somehow get lucky and meet the Emperor?"

Little Luzi nodded eagerly, not picking up on the teasing in her tone. "Exactly! Just think about it—you're much better off than those two. You're more beautiful, you can read and write, and you even know medicine. You're clearly a cut above them."

Su Mi smiled softly, ready to reply, but just then, she noticed a shadow flit past the window. She couldn't help but suppress a laugh.

"In this palace," Su Mi began slowly, "if you want to truly get lucky, beauty and knowledge are hardly enough." She turned to Little Luzi with a playful grin. "Besides, it's freezing outside. What's the point of rushing to join the crowd? Wei Caijin is already sick, and if I overexert myself and fall ill, then what? Who will take care of me—little monkeys like you?"

Little Luzi considered her words, nodding reluctantly. The opportunity was indeed slim, and Su Mi was from the south, so the cold would be particularly harsh for her. He agreed it wasn't worth the risk.

"What a pity," he sighed. "I finally hear something useful from my master, and it turns out it's not going to help anyone."

Su Mi gave him an amused look, her gaze shifting toward the window. "You never know... maybe it won't be wasted."

Little Luzi blinked, confused, as Su Mi gazed outside, where Hui'er's quarters stood. "She's fast, isn't she?" Su Mi said softly.

Little Luzi looked at her, still puzzled. "What do you mean?"

With a faint smile, Su Mi stood up, her mind already set on something. After dismissing Little Luzi, she quietly sat down to contemplate the situation.

As for the birthday gift for Consort Yun, Su Mi already had a plan in mind after hearing about it from Xiang Luo.

If executed properly, this could be a real opportunity—one that could serve as a stepping stone to her rise in the palace.

Little Luzi's suggestion earlier about trying to gain favor in the plum grove wasn't even something Su Mi considered.

In this palace, how many women spent their days dreaming and scheming, hoping for a mere glance from the Emperor? Forget about the consorts who rarely see the Emperor's favor—just look at the maids, whether pretty or plain. Every single one of them secretly dreamed of rising above their station, hoping to one day soar to the heights of power.

But the chances of those dreams coming true were so slim. The previous emperor's harem had only seen three palace maids elevated to consorts through the Emperor's favor, a rare occurrence in the palace's long history.

Even if someone managed to rise to that level... Su Mi sneered. None of those three consorts had met a good end.

Hui'er had set her hopes on waiting for an opportunity to fall into her lap, and if that worked for her, then so be it. Su Mi, on the other hand, had her own methods.

She rose from her seat and walked over to a corner of the room, opening a small cabinet. Unlike the usual assortment of clothing and valuables that other palace servants might keep, the cabinet was filled with scrolls of paintings. She carefully took one out and unrolled it.

The painting depicted a lotus pond, its gentle curves suggesting the shimmering ripples on the water's surface. The lotuses were in full bloom, and a small dragonfly delicately perched on a bud, as if undecided whether to fly or stay. Though the painting was in black and white ink, the effect was rich and vibrant, almost as if the colors themselves had come alive. The flowers looked so vivid, it was as though you could almost smell their fragrance.

Su Mi's gaze fell on the inscription written on the painting, and a soft smile crossed her face. This time, it all depends on you.

Su Mi stepped out of the Imperial Medical Office, holding a small pouch of medicine. She walked along the Weiyang Pool, but her pace slowed as she gazed into the distance.

A small plum grove lay ahead, its distant beauty sparking a quiet longing. Who knew how many people's hearts were hidden within the grove, waiting for the Emperor's visit?

She couldn't see much from this distance, only a few white specks dotting the branches—were they blooming plum flowers or remnants of the snow from days before? It was hard to tell.

If the Emperor did visit the grove, would he be there to admire the flowers, or to see someone else?

It had been two days since Little Luzi passed on the message. Over the past few days, Hui'er had been waking up at dawn, spending hours primping in front of her mirror, only to disappear for the rest of the day.

Su Mi knew exactly where she was going and what she was doing.

She lingered for a while, then quickly turned and left. Wei Qing'er was still waiting for her medicine.

By the time she reached Cawei Palace, Su Mi was taken aback by the unusual sight at the eastern courtyard gate.

The residence of a fallen consort was rarely busy, and the gate was typically quiet. At this hour, even at the main hall of Cawei Palace, you'd only see a few attendants going about their duties. The side courtyards were even quieter. But today...

A dozen guards were positioned around the palace gates, ensuring that no one could enter or leave without their notice. Several high-ranking eunuchs were walking back and forth, their eyes darting between the palace walls. They either stood vigilantly at a distance or conversed in low tones.

As Su Mi stood there, taken aback, a sharp-featured little eunuch approached her, sizing her up with a critical eye. "Which palace are you from?" he demanded. "What's your business here?"

Su Mi quickly lowered her head and gave her name and explanation. From the scene unfolding before her, she had already guessed what was going on. But even so, this was unexpected.

After hearing her explanation, the little eunuch's face shifted slightly. He lowered his voice and asked, "Are you saying… there's still a master who has been ill and staying in this courtyard?"

Su Mi nodded. "I still need to go in and prepare the medicine for my mistress." She handed the small pouch of medicine to the eunuch.

The little eunuch took it distractedly, flipping through it briefly before handing it back to her. He then pointed toward a large locust tree not far off. "Go wait there," he said dismissively. "You're still brewing medicine, right? At times like this, even the most important matters have to be set aside."

With a wave of his hand, he turned and walked away.

Su Mi glanced over, noticing a group of eunuchs and palace maids already standing in wait under the tree. Among them were people from Cawei Palace—Little Luzi, Xiang Luo, and Xiang Lin.

She approached and quietly asked Little Luzi, "What's going on?"

"It's that little maid, Hui'er," Little Luzi whispered. "She went to the plum grove to pick flowers, and the Emperor just happened to see her. Now she's inside... hehe, enjoying his favor. Who knows what luck she's had—her ancestors must've really blessed her!"

"Hui'er has always been exceptional in both looks and demeanor," Xiang Luo added from the side. "I've always said she has the face of someone destined for good fortune. And now, look at her—she's really hit the jackpot. It seems Cawei Palace will have another mistress soon. This is such a great thing!"

"Just a few days ago, someone was saying how lazy and greedy that girl is, always shirking work and never focusing on the right things. They even said she should be sent to the labor department," Little Luzi couldn't help but mutter, rolling his eyes.

Xiang Luo flushed but said nothing.

After the initial shock, Su Mi had calmed herself. Seeing the scene before her, she couldn't help but smirk quietly.

She turned slightly and noticed Xiang Lin standing among the crowd. The girl had clearly put quite a bit of effort into her appearance today. She wore a red-and-gold embroidered jacket with delicate, shimmering silk. Her skirt was a vibrant pomegranate red, the fabric flowing with a soft, watery sheen. Her eyebrows were gently arched, and her lips painted with the faintest touch of rouge. She truly exuded an elegance that could have rivaled the most famous beauties.

Su Mi wondered how she could dress so lightly in such cold weather. Surely she would catch a bad chill. She must be having a hard time, but then again, her luck was hardly something Su Mi could blame.

She shifted her gaze back to Xiang Lin, who, in contrast to her beautiful appearance, had a pale face. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she were on the verge of fainting. Whether it was the cold or the frustration of seeing someone else steal the spotlight, it was hard to tell. Her hand nervously twisted her handkerchief, as if she could strangle the very source of her annoyance.

Soon, a figure appeared in the distance, running toward them. It was a eunuch dressed in a brown head eunuch's robe.

"That's the Emperor's favored eunuch, Gao Shengnuo, the head eunuch of Qianqing Palace," Little Luzi whispered to Su Mi, pointing in his direction.

Gao Shengnuo was about thirty, with a round face, plump cheeks, and an ever-present smile that made him seem friendly and approachable.

Several people quickly moved to greet him. Among them was the little eunuch who had questioned Su Mi earlier. He approached Gao Shengnuo and whispered something in his ear. Gao Shengnuo's eyes flickered for a moment, and after a brief pause, he nodded. He didn't say anything more but instead walked toward the palace gates, where the others stood, waiting.

They waited for nearly an hour, when suddenly, the sound of the palace gates opening reached their ears. Gao Shengnuo immediately bent down to enter.

A few moments later, a group of elegantly dressed eunuchs emerged from the palace, respectfully escorting a person who wore a bright yellow robe.

The guards and eunuchs standing outside immediately knelt as the figure passed by, and Su Mi's group followed suit, dropping to their knees in unison.

Su Mi, kneeling among the crowd, secretly lifted her head.

The Emperor of Da Qi, His Majesty Qi Long, appeared to be in his early twenties. His face was fair and handsome, with delicate features that could only be described as "flawlessly handsome." However, to someone like Su Mi, skilled in medicine, there was a subtle pallor to his complexion, and his steps seemed slightly unsteady, almost as if he lacked strength.

Gao Shengnuo, the head eunuch, trailed behind the Emperor, speaking in a half-complaining, half-joyful tone, "Your Majesty, you've nearly taken my life today! The weather is so cold, and just moments ago, Her Majesty the Empress summoned me for a lengthy scolding, fearing we might not serve you well, that something might happen to Your Majesty's health. Why must you push yourself so, Your Majesty? With the cold, and with the other ailing master here, if any contamination were to reach Your Majesty… even if I had to give my life, it still wouldn't be enough to atone for it!"

The Emperor's brow twitched. He sighed, clearly impatient, and asked, "What did the Empress say?"

Gao Shengnuo, glancing carefully at the Emperor's face, replied, "The Empress asked about Your Majesty's diet and daily habits, instructed us to take extra care, and then... she also asked about Consort Yun's birthday. After that, she didn't say much more, just sent me on my way."

The Emperor barely responded, his lips twitching as he stood to leave for his palanquin.

Gao Shengnuo hurried to follow him, whispering, "Your Majesty, about today's matter..."

The Emperor paused for a moment, realizing what Gao Shengnuo was referring to. He hesitated, then waved his hand dismissively. "Don't bother recording this. It's not necessary," he said, turning to enter the palanquin.

Don't bother recording this.

Though the Emperor's words were soft, they echoed clearly in Su Mi's ears. In an instant, everyone's expressions changed, their reactions subtly different, as they processed what the Emperor had said.

Before anyone could speak, Gao Shengnuo had already reached them.

"Did you all hear that?" he sneered. "Do you understand what the Emperor meant? I don't think I need to explain further."

Xiang Luo, with a beaming smile, quickly bowed and said, "Of course, we understand, Master Gao. His Majesty is very busy with court matters, and it's natural for him to take a little time for himself. He might stop by a few of the palaces to admire the flowers or enjoy a poem. As for Cawei Palace, it's so secluded, there's nothing here to attract His Majesty's attention. Of course, the Emperor wouldn't visit."

"At least you're clever," Gao Shengnuo remarked, nodding with satisfaction. He surveyed the group of people trembling in front of him, his smile still present, but his gaze turning cold and threatening. "Just remember to keep your mouths shut and do your jobs. That's all you need to worry about." He then waved a hand toward Xiang Luo. "Alright, take a few people and clean up the inner chambers." With that, he led his eunuchs away.

As they walked off, the group of kneeling servants slowly stood up and began murmuring among themselves.

"One little maid thinks she can become a mistress? Ridiculous. This is just a dream. And now we've all been frozen out here for nothing," one of the eunuchs from Consort Zheng's retinue spat and cursed.

The others immediately nodded in agreement.

"Just take one look at her. Anyone with eyes can tell she's not cut out to be a mistress."

"And she thought her family's luck was shining? More like they're burning black smoke."

"…"

"…"

"Enough with the talk already!" Su Mi couldn't bear to hear any more. "What did Gao Shengnuo say earlier? Are you all trying to get yourselves killed?"

At the mention of Gao Shengnuo's warning, everyone shivered, too afraid to speak further. They scattered quickly.

Xiang Luo then led Su Mi, Xiang Lin, and a few younger maids toward the East Courtyard.