Chapter 63 (1/2)

Chapter Sixty-Three

‘I don’t know why your imperial father favors your ninth brother’s wife more than your second wife,’ Consort Mu said.

‘That’s right!’ Pei Zhang said. ‘Imperial father even visited ninth brother’s wife and gave her two of his trusted imperial guards. I don’t know who imperial father is weary of.’

‘Who else can it be but us?’ Consort Mu asked. ‘I wanted to send our spies to your ninth brother’s manor but because of your imperial father, I can’t anymore. It doesn’t matter who wants to harm Yan Shi Ning. If anything happens to Yan Shi Ning while she’s pregnant, your imperial father won’t spare us.’

‘What do we do?’ Pei Zhang asked. ‘Do we stand by and watch her give birth?’

‘What else is there?’ Consort Mu asked.

‘Mother…’ Pei Zhang said.

‘Pei Zhang, don’t worry,’ Consort Mu said. ‘I have a way to deal with Yan Shi Ning.’

While Consort Mu and Pei Zhang were scheming, the bullied palace maid Xiao Nu was sobbing in a corner of the palace gardens. Her face was burning from the hot tea. She wanted to find a soothing cream but she knew no one would give her the cream because they feared Pei Zhang would punish them. Besides, she was too beautiful and the other palace maids were jealous of her and happy her face was scorched.

Xiao Nu cried for half a day and finally someone pitied her and gave her the soothing cream. It took away the stinging pain but she knew her face would scar.

Wang Fu Mu was walking through the gardens but stopped after he heard someone sobbing pitifully.

‘Who do you serve?’ Wang Fu Mu asked.

Xiao Nu stopped crying, stood and bowed to Wang Fu Mu.

‘Official Wang, I’m Xiao Nu and I serve Consort Mu,’ Xiao Nu said.

Wang Fu Mu’s eyes brightened. ‘What happened? Who did this to your face?’

‘Official Wang, it’s my fault… I was careless,’ Xiao Nu said.

Wang Fu Mu didn’t believe Xiao Nu. ‘Do you know what happens if you disturb the peace in the palace by crying to amuse yourself?’

‘I… I wouldn’t dare… I…’ Xiao Nu stuttered.

‘Hurry and speak clearly!’ Wang Fu Mu said.

Xiao Nu sobbed, Wang Fu Mu coaxed her and finally she confessed Pei Zhang threw hot tea on her face.

‘I understand,’ Wang Fu Mu said. ‘Go find Gentleman Ting Zi. I’ll send someone to him and he’ll give you a remedy that won’t leave scars.’

Xiao Nu was deeply grateful, she continuously bowed to Wang Fu Mu.

‘In the future be more careful,’ Wang Fu Mu said and left.

Wang Fu Mu smiled while walking toward the emperor’s chamber. Wang Fu Mu survived in the palace for years and he knew small and big connections were both valuable. The emperor made it hard for Pei Zhang and Pei Jin to spy on each other. So any hole in Pei Zhang’s defence would benefit Pei Jin. Wang Fu Mu anticipated Xiao Nu would be useful in the future.

North of the imperial city, Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning travelled in a horse carriage and they happily viewed the sights of warmer landscapes.