The Flirtatious Beauty Decides to Steal the Princess - Chapter 21.1

“When are you going to deliver the letter?” Mother Gu asked Fu Qingyin with concern in her eyes, but Fu Qingyin couldn’t bring herself to leave Wen Ying’s side.

She walked over slowly, crouched down beside the bed, and gazed at Wen Ying. The sight of her lying unconscious was heartbreaking.

Mother Gu sat by the bed, sighing incessantly. She had watched Wen Ying grow up and knew just how much hardship she had endured. That’s why she only charged half the price when sewing clothes for her.

Though the palace was cold, human warmth still lingered.

Fu Qingyin’s slender figure remained by Wen Ying’s bedside until it was almost time to deliver the letter. Only then did she reluctantly rise and walk out.

Wen Ying opened her eyes to the sight of the wooden beams in the room. Though not exquisitely carved, they bore intricate patterns complex yet meaningful. For a moment, she was lost in thought.

The wooden door creaked open, and Mother Gu entered, carrying a steaming bowl of porridge. She set it by Wen Ying’s bedside and moved to tuck her in, only to be pleasantly surprised to find Wen Ying awake.

“Little A-Ying!” Mother Gu’s voice was tinged with joy as she sat on the edge of the bed. Her wrinkled hands gently caressed Wen Ying’s cheeks. “Does it still hurt anywhere?”

Wen Ying looked at Mother Gu’s familiar face and then around the cozy room, as if the beating she had endured was just a nightmare. Yet the sharp pain coursing through her body reminded her that she had truly been abused by palace servants near the imperial kitchens.

With effort, she sat up, propping herself against the soft pillow at her waist, her expression downcast. “Mother Gu, A-Ying hurts all over.”

The soft, fragile tone of her voice nearly shattered Mother Gu’s heart. Having witnessed so much in life, even Mother Gu couldn’t hold back her tears. Her hands, calloused from decades of needlework, clasped Wen Ying’s delicate fingers tightly.

“A-Ying, don’t be afraid. No one will dare bully you from now on. If anyone tries, Mother Gu will be the first to make them pay!” Having spent decades in the embroidery house, Mother Gu’s words carried some weight. In the past, she hadn’t dared to openly protect Wen Ying, but now, she couldn’t stand to see such cruelty go unchecked.

Wen Ying was deeply moved by Mother Gu’s words, but the affairs of the palace were as unpredictable as storm clouds. It wasn’t as simple as retaliating against those who had wronged her. Unwilling to drag Mother Gu and the embroidery house into her troubles, Wen Ying simply shook her head.

“Mother Gu, it’s alright. A-Ying will stay hidden in the Ninglu Palace from now on and avoid causing trouble.” Initially, she had thought, like Fu Qingyin, that she could move about freely even persuading Yun Chu to agree. But now this incident had made her reconsider.

Mother Gu didn’t approve of Wen Ying confining herself to Ninglu Palace, but she also couldn’t guarantee she could protect her at all times.

Just as silence settled between them, urgent knocking erupted from outside. Wen Ying’s hand, reaching for the porridge, froze, nearly dropping the wooden spoon.

“What is it?” Mother Gu wiped her tears. Her cloudy eyes regained their usual sternness, though her voice still carried exhaustion.

“Auntie Gu, it’s Xiao Tang! Something’s happened in the imperial garden, it seems a group of people have surrounded Miss Fu, demanding to see what letters she’s holding in her arms!!” Xiao Tang’s voice was urgent, sending chills down Wen Ying’s spine. She wished she could throw off the covers and rush to Fu Qingyin’s aid immediately.

But the pain in her body left her immobilized. Wen Ying tugged desperately at the blankets, yet her strength failed her. Auntie Gu urged her to stay calm while she went out to investigate.

In an instant, the room returned to its usual silence, but Wen Ying’s tears fell like broken beads. She was terrified something might happen to Fu Qingyin, who had just risked offending the old woman serving Noble Consort Xin to save her.

All Wen Ying could do was sit on the bed and pray that those people wouldn’t harass Fu Qingyin, her heart in turmoil.

Meanwhile, the imperial garden was livelier than ever. At this hour, the imperial consorts and princesses were all in their own palaces selecting clothes and jewelry for the next day, with no reason to stroll through the gardens.

Gathered near the garden’s side gate were palace maids in uniform attire, though their ranks could be distinguished by their hair ornaments.

They all had one thing in common they were encircling a woman of breathtaking beauty.

Fu Qingyin stared at the maids surrounding her, lips sealed tight, refusing to speak. Even the letters in her arms were clutched tightly, as if she would never let go.

Those who knew Fu Qingyin well could guess by now, she likely had a dagger and poison hidden in her sleeves. Still, she intended to negotiate first, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed.

Auntie Gu and Xiao Tang finally arrived in haste. From a distance, Auntie Gu raised her voice sharply, “What are you all doing there? Have you no duties of your own?”

Though Auntie Gu was the head seamstress in the embroidery house, she was also a respected elder, and her words carried weight.

The maids spotted her from afar and quickly shifted from their encircling formation to standing in a row beside Fu Qingyin, heads bowed in chastened silence.

Seeing the situation under control, Auntie Gu relaxed slightly and quickened her pace.

“Auntie Gu! This woman is sending letters out but refuses to tell us what they say!” The leading maid from the imperial garden’s cleaning crew spoke up, as if she had found a powerful ally. She swaggered over to Auntie Gu to tattle.

But Auntie Gu wasn’t having it. She turned a cold gaze on the maid. “Sending letters through the garden’s side gate has been common practice for years. Since when did you all take up the habit of snooping through others’ correspondence?”

Her sharp retort left the maid speechless. She couldn’t understand why Auntie Gu would side with Fu Qingyin and could only slink away in defeat.

Auntie Gu’s stern eyes swept over the rest of the group, disappointment clear in her voice. “We all miss our families in the inner palace. That’s why the gardeners and attendants have always been kind enough to carry letters to the courier station for everyone. Is this how you repay that kindness by spying on private letters?”

The imperial garden was a place of serene beauty. If not for the towering palace walls, one might forget they were in the palace at all. Every cluster of flowers seemed meticulously placed, as if bound by invisible rules, yet arranged with perfect harmony.

Standing amidst the crowd, Fu Qingyin’s palms were damp with sweat. She finally allowed herself a small breath of relief. Earlier, when she had come to send the letters, the maids had noticed she was unfamiliar and had insisted on inspecting her correspondence.

Only Fu Qingyin knew what was written in the letter, but this incident served as a wake-up call for her always have a backup plan for everything.

While Gu Momo was busy reprimanding the others, Fu Qingyin handed the letter to the person tasked with delivering it, slipping them some extra silver as well.

Though the letter was written in a hidden acrostic poem using the script of her homeland making it impossible for prying eyes to decipher, it was still best to avoid detection altogether.

Especially with such letters; even an extra glance from someone else could be dangerous.

Fortunately, Gu Momo arrived quickly, and within the short span of time it took for an incense stick to burn, the letter had already been passed along. Fu Qingyin exchanged a glance with Gu Momo, who then let the others go.

In an instant, everyone in the imperial garden scattered, unwilling to stay and endure Gu Momo’s scolding. Only Fu Qingyin remained, standing in the wind, watching her.

“Thank you, Gu Momo,” Wen Ying said with a bow, genuinely grateful from the bottom of her heart. Gu Momo merely waved her hand. “I don’t know what you wrote in that letter, but A-Ying trusts you and cares for you. I just don’t want to see her unhappy.”

At the mention of Wen Ying, Fu Qingyin’s eyes lit up like a puppy’s. She asked cautiously, “A-A-Ying is she awake?”

Only when Gu Momo nodded did Fu Qingyin finally exhale in relief. Never before had she acted so impulsively she dashed toward the embroidery tower. Since she began practicing martial arts, she had always relied on her lightness skill to glide effortlessly, never running. But now, she ran simply because she wanted to see Wen Ying as quickly as possible.

When Wen Ying, propped up on her pillow, saw Fu Qingyin standing safely before her, her anxious heart finally settled. She reached out weakly, trying to grasp Fu Qingyin’s hand.

“Beautiful sister, did they bully you?” Wen Ying’s voice was much weaker, but she still forced a cheerful tone to call out to Fu Qingyin.

Fu Qingyin responded softly, moving forward with Wen Ying’s pull before kneeling beside the bed and resting her cheek in Wen Ying’s palm.

“A-Ying’s hand is so cold. Let me warm it for you.” Something wild flickered in Fu Qingyin’s eyes, though neither of them understood it. Wen Ying only felt that the way Fu Qingyin pressed her face into her palm was far too intimate.

Gu Momo tactfully excused herself to resume her work, leaving Fu Qingyin alone to care for Wen Ying.

As Wen Ying’s spirits improved, she began to act spoiled, coaxing Fu Qingyin to feed her porridge.

“Beautiful sister, feed A-Ying some porridge, won’t you?” Wen Ying’s kitten-like pleading gaze was the one thing Fu Qingyin could never resist. Almost unconsciously, Fu Qingyin brushed her thumb lightly over Wen Ying’s cheek before quickly withdrawing her hand, startled by her own actions.

“Alright.” Fu Qingyin spoke little these days, but she rarely refused any request and answered every question.

Wen Ying sat happily on the bed, watching as Fu Qingyin lifted the porridge bowl with her slender, elegant hands, blowing gently to ensure it wouldn’t burn her.

“Beautiful sister, maybe I shouldn’t go to the Spring Banquet tomorrow. It feels like everything that’s happened these past few days has been targeting us.” After finishing half the bowl, Wen Ying shook her head at the next spoonful and voiced her thoughts.

Fu Qingyin set down the bowl and spoon, asking in confusion, “Why do you feel that your sister can’t protect you, is that it?”

Fu Qingyin instinctively took all the responsibility upon herself, a habit that made Wen Ying’s heart ache. She quickly explained, “No, it’s not that, sister. I’m afraid of burdening you. You’re already treading on thin ice in the imperial harem. If you offend those people because of me, it would truly be a loss outweighing the gain. As for me, I suppose this is just how my life will be.”

Wen Ying sounded somewhat despondent.

Fu Qingyin’s eyes flickered slightly, unsure of what to say, but she still managed a faint smile. “Don’t worry, little A-Ying.”

Spring rain was as precious as oil, yet for some reason, the rains had been unusually frequent lately. The sound of a light drizzle came from outside, and Wen Ying perked up her ears.

“It’s raining!” Wen Ying straightened up, delighted as she looked outside. The window hadn’t been opened yet, but the paper covering it was already dampened by the rain.

Fu Qingyin could tell Wen Ying loved rainy days, so she walked over and opened the window. A rush of damp air, like a playful puppy, slipped into the room, bringing with it a slight chill.

“Will you be cold?” Fu Qingyin draped a cloak over Wen Ying’s shoulders, but her hand accidentally brushed against the bloody marks left by the sharp nails of that old matron. Wen Ying shuddered, tears welling up in her eyes from the pain.

Fu Qingyin immediately withdrew her hand, standing frozen in place as she watched Wen Ying’s slightly reddened eyes, her heart aching.

“She will pay for this.” Fu Qingyin repeated this phrase for what felt like the hundredth time. Wen Ying reached out and took Fu Qingyin’s trembling hand.

Even though she was the one in pain, she still wanted to comfort Fu Qingyin, the more she acted this way, the more heartbreakingly mature she seemed.

To change the subject, Wen Ying tugged lightly at Fu Qingyin’s sleeve. “Beautiful sister, could you help me to the window so I can watch the rain?”

Wen Ying had always loved rainy days since childhood because, back then, Yun Chu had little work to do when it rained and could spend time reading and writing with her. So from a young age, she had eagerly awaited rainy days.

But now, Yun Chu had to help in the laundry bureau and no longer had the time.

Still, this anticipation seemed ingrained in her bones whenever it rained, she couldn’t help but feel joy.

The fabrics drying outside the embroidery building had all been taken down by Matron Gu and her people, leaving only bare wooden poles standing.

But inside the embroidery building, the fabrics still swayed gently in the breeze, clearly visible through the open window.

The embroiderers had left the doors wide open, working while enjoying the rainy scenery.

In the courtyard outside the embroidery building, some of the embroiderers had planted their own little gardens. Now, in spring, tender sprouts had emerged, looking especially lovely under the silky spring rain.

Yet this peaceful scene was soon disrupted by Yun Chu’s hurried figure, followed closely by a palace maid from the empress’s retinue.

Wen Ying’s expression stiffened. She rarely saw the empress’s maids, the last time had been when she was a child, burning with fever and on the verge of death, while the imperial physicians refused to treat her without silver. The empress’s maid had merely reprimanded them, and the next day, a stream of physicians had arrived at the Ninglu Palace.

This was the reason Wen Ying had survived to this day. In her eyes, the empress was not only a symbol of elegance and grace but also her savior.

Otherwise, the death of an unfavored princess could be treated as either a major or minor matter, depending entirely on how the imperial consorts who knew of it chose to describe it to the emperor. Given that her own mother had been killed by them, Wen Ying understood all too well that they would never urge the emperor to investigate thoroughly.

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