Chapter Thirteen: The Upper Academy

“Sister, forgive me for being frank. Your heart is truly too kind. That little princess, emboldened by the queen’s favor, threw a hornet’s nest at you for no reason, causing you to be disfigured. If my maid hadn't accidentally witnessed it, you would have had to swallow your grievances in silence. If it were me, I would never have your magnanimity. You’ve truly been wronged,” Consort Yan spoke with heartfelt sincerity, leaving Consort Jin and Ruhu momentarily stunned.

Consort Jin gradually calmed her anxious mood as an idea began to take shape in her mind.

“You don’t know, sister, I always think we’re all family. Even if that little princess is disrespectful to me, I am still her elder. Besides, if I disrupt the harmony with the queen and trouble His Majesty, it’s not what I want. It’s better to keep things simple,” Consort Jin murmured, her voice tinged with sadness and grievance.

“Sister, don’t think that way. His Majesty is always fair. If it were me, I would certainly have him uphold justice,” Consort Yan said, seemingly offhand, but it was exactly what Consort Jin hoped to hear.

Consort Yan then seemed to realize her slip and corrected herself with some regret, “Look at what I’ve said. Sister, please don’t take it to heart.”

“You’re overthinking it. I should be thanking you!” replied Consort Jin absentmindedly, exchanging pleasantries and signaling Ruhu with her eyes to accept the ointment Consort Yan had brought.

After a round of polite conversation, Consort Yan repeatedly reminded her to apply the medicine before taking her leave. Consort Jin’s smile faded as she sat leisurely on the soft couch. She instructed Ruhu, “Ruhu, go summon the imperial physician. Remember, the bigger the commotion, the better.”

Anxue Palace.

In the study, a small figure was sprawled over a grand, carved desk. Beside her lay a thick, open book. She knelt on a tall chair, gripping a brush with effort, writing each stroke with utmost seriousness.

Yet, her tiny body was mischievously smeared with black ink; her lotus-green dress was dirty, and her pink cheeks were streaked like a little cat, making her adorably charming.

“Mother, Xier is so tired. Can I rest now?” After copying for some time, the little girl looked pitifully toward the window where a young woman lounged on a soft couch, her voice soft and full of obvious pleading.

Across the room, Xuexue reclined with her eyes closed, her expression serene.

“If you’re tired, Xier, then rest.”

“Yay! Mother is so nice!” Instantly, little Xier leapt joyfully off the tall chair and scrambled onto Xuexue’s couch, laughing.

Xuexue reached out to touch her little face, her fingers pausing on the ink stains. “Taoxin, look at this little kitten—come wash her clean.”

Taoxin responded with a smile, already prepared with water.

“Your Highness, Eunuch Miao Jian requests an audience.”

Shangshuyuan.

Fengwu’s golden sedan chair came to a gentle halt atop the verdant terrace. The colorful tassels decorating the chair swayed lightly, and the lucky ribbons and fortune pouches fluttered in the wind.

Beside the sedan stood a young man in deep robes, his head slightly bowed. The blue ribbon behind his black gauze hat had slipped onto his shoulder. His face, like his attire, was impeccably neat—thick, bold brows, a high nose bridge, and delicate yet spirited features.

His gaze was lowered, neither arrogant nor humble, making him inscrutable.

“Your Majesty, we’ve arrived at the Shangshuyuan.”

Shangshuyuan, located at the heart of the palace, was both the royal library and His Majesty’s place for handling state affairs. It was said to house thousands of volumes, its vastness the lifelong dream of scholars, filled with ancient works beyond price.

Shangshuyuan was enormous, comparable to the mansion of a high-ranking official.

Inner and outer courtyards, pavilions, terraces, bridges over flowing water, clusters of flowers and trees—all this for just a single study.

“Wow! Xier wants to study here someday,” little Xier exclaimed, her round eyes sparkling with longing.

The long, winding corridor was flanked by stone pathways, which, though not meant for walking, were planted with lush greenery. The flowers were green, and the leaves red, such inverted colors made the place instantly refreshing.

“Miao Jian Uncle, what kind of flower is this? Xier really likes it.” Naturally, Xier would not miss the chance to admire these beautiful and unusual blossoms. She fluttered her eyes, running to the flower beds, gleefully touching and tugging at them.

“Your Highness, this flower is called Caidie,” Miao Jian replied, unmoved by Xier’s address of ‘uncle,’ his expression calm and undisturbed, as if he hadn’t heard it. “It was personally cultivated by His Majesty. It’s not particularly rare, but it is his favorite.”

Caidie?

Rumor had it this was the most precious flower in the world, without equal.

Its green blossoms and red leaves defied the norms of nature. Every part of the plant was valuable: the flower a potent medicine, the leaves a deadly poison, the root both toxic and therapeutic. Not only was it impossible to buy with gold, even the richest families could not obtain a single one.

Yet here in Shangshuyuan, clusters of Caidie surrounded the corridor, numbering no less than a thousand! The plants alone could rival the wealth of a nation, leaving Xuexue genuinely amazed.

But Miao Jian claimed it was not a rare thing—likely because he thought they wouldn’t recognize its value. Few people did, as Caidie was so rare it had nearly vanished from common knowledge.

How did she know, then? That was precisely her curiosity. Yuanxue, her former self, loved reading, and among her books was one describing Caidie in detail, leaving a deep impression.

“So it was that old man who planted it. Then this princess doesn’t like it anymore!” Having been interested in the flower, little Xier suddenly pouted, turning away without a second glance and running to Xuexue’s side, her face sulky.

Xuexue patted Xier’s head and gently reproved her, “Mind your manners.”

At the main study of Shangshuyuan, two young eunuchs stood guard by the door, heads bowed at either side.

Outside, a young woman in red embroidered with flowers stood gracefully, her elaborate hair ornaments chiming softly in the breeze. She wore a light veil, her beautiful eyes lowered, seeming gentle and weak, but her hand hidden in her sleeve was clenched impatiently.

Behind her stood her personal maids, their heads bowed, but the red pimples on their faces were still conspicuous.

“Your Majesty, this way,” a soft voice prompted the red-clad maiden to turn, her gaze gentle yet laced with malice.

Her eyes remained fixed on the figure in bright yellow, her mind churning with schemes.

The group gathered, Miao Jian leading the way, Taoxin carefully supporting Xuexue, little Xier leisurely at her side, her small head swiveling until she finally locked eyes on the red-dressed maiden.

“Greetings, Your Majesty,” Consort Jin greeted respectfully, her eyes hiding resentment.

“Mother, this auntie looks like the Jin Aunt I met today,” little Xier blinked her large eyes, innocently staring at the red-clad young woman.

“Xier, this is Consort Jin,” Xuexue explained softly, offering no further words. Hearing this, Xier nodded obediently.

“Hello, Consort Jin.” She curiously peered at the veil on Consort Jin’s face, her expression puzzled. “Consort Jin, why are you wearing a veil? It looks so strange.”