Chapter Fourteen: Enchanted

As dawn softly broke, the attendants of the Jianzhang Palace had already begun their bustling routines. Nurse Feng and Nurse Qian, in particular, were up early, taking charge of the day’s affairs. The incident from the previous night had been contained within Sweet Osmanthus Court, leaving no trace for others to detect.

Zhang Dewang was a shrewd and vigilant man. His quarters were not far from those of the two young masters of the Zhao family, and he had sensed something amiss as soon as Zhao Jingshen began searching for someone. Still, he believed it best not to involve himself, preferring to keep out of trouble—a survival skill every palace dweller possessed. Although he served close to the Emperor himself and was the chief eunuch within the palace, he dared not be remiss before the Empress Dowager. So he too rose early and busied himself with preparations, knowing that with Nurse Feng present, his efforts might not be needed, but proper decorum was always required.

Wei Baofu also rose early. She had struggled with insomnia recently, and after the disturbance Zhao Jingxing caused last night, she had barely slept at all. Her complexion was noticeably poor this morning.

“Your Grace, one glance shows you did not rest well—Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will be distressed when she sees you,” Linglong said with concern as she resumed her old role of dressing Wei Baofu.

Wei Baofu touched her own cheek, unfazed. She had lived through many sleepless, topsy-turvy nights in her past life; insomnia was an old affliction, and later it had nearly become a nervous condition.

“I’ll wear a bit more makeup later to hide it from Grandmother. I always travel veiled anyway; no one else will notice,” she replied.

“It’s all that Third Young Master Zhao’s fault! No sense of propriety at all. If you ask me, Your Grace should punish him soundly—if he dares misbehave, he should face the consequences,” Yuhu muttered as she tidied up.

Wei Baofu smiled indifferently. “It’s over now, so let’s not dwell on it. Otherwise, people will say you’re unforgiving, and then how will you ever find your footing in your future husband’s home?”

Her words made the other maids in the room laugh, and Yuhu blushed deeply, stammering, “My lady, why do you tease me so? I only worry for you, and besides, I have no intention of marrying. I just want to serve you all my life.”

Wei Baofu slipped a plain jade bracelet onto her wrist and said seriously, “That won’t do. If someone truly cares for you, and you care for him, then if I refuse, you’ll only blame me.”

Yuhu’s face flushed an even deeper red. She stamped her foot and fled the room, exclaiming, “I’m not listening to your teasing anymore!” Her rare display of girlish bashfulness drew even more laughter from the others.

Linglong composed herself and said earnestly, “Your Grace, I can’t speak for anyone else, but Pearl and I have sworn to remain by your side all our lives, unmarrying. It’s too difficult for women to live well in this world. Only by staying with you can we find peace.”

Though they had mentioned this before, it hadn’t meant much until they had traveled and witnessed how hard life could be for women. They once thought marrying an ordinary man would bring happiness, but poverty brings endless sorrow, and when fortune comes, wives are often abandoned or replaced. Why seek such suffering?

Wei Baofu patted her hand. “No need to rush. You’re still young. There will always be someone right for you. If not, then stay with me to the end—I’ll never let you be left with nothing.”

Even without these assurances, Linglong and Pearl had long since put their trust in Wei Baofu, a bond forged in childhood. Not even the later arrivals, such as Bingxin and Yuhu, cared for her as deeply.

“Enough now, don’t waste time. What will you wear today, my lady?” Bingxin interjected at the right moment. She did not vow lifelong service, for who could know what the future would bring? But more choices did no harm, and their lady was indeed one worthy of lifelong loyalty.

“Bring me the lake-blue narrow-sleeved ruqun. It’s best to dress for convenience when traveling,” Wei Baofu replied. She disliked long, wide-sleeved gowns, but the Empress Dowager forbade her from dressing too simply, so she had to accommodate the old lady’s wishes.

Once Wei Baofu had finished her breakfast and was ready, she led her maids to the Empress Dowager’s chambers. The Empress Dowager was also prepared, though she looked somewhat haggard, her eyes still tinged red from emotion.

When she first arrived at Jianzhang Palace, it had been half out of imperial coercion and half out of her own pique. There had been much resentment at first, but over time, the warmth of daily life with her granddaughter had soothed some of her grief. Now, facing departure, she found herself reluctant to leave.

Wei Baofu offered no words of comfort—some feelings are known only to oneself, and others’ reassurances are of little use. After all, no one can truly share another’s pain.

“Grandmother, may I accompany you in your carriage for a while?” She offered her presence, leaving the rest for her grandmother to accept in her own time. The Empress Dowager, taking her granddaughter’s hand, nodded somewhat vulnerably.

But the Empress Dowager was a woman of experience; her melancholy lasted only a moment. By the time they reached the palace gates and saw Zhang Dewang and the Zhao brothers waiting, she had regained her imperial bearing.

The Zhao brothers were visibly moved by Wei Baofu’s appearance. Zhao Jingxing longed for another glimpse of her divine beauty, while Zhao Jingshen wanted to apologize in person. After all, much of what had happened was due to his own indulgence. Yet Wei Baofu, her face veiled, spared not even a glance for the brothers, let alone a pause.

Disappointment settled equally on both their faces, which Zhang Dewang observed with surprise. He had previously noted Zhao Shizi’s attitude, though he never voiced it aloud.

Watching Wei Baofu’s retreating figure, he began to understand. With such beauty and keen intelligence, it was only natural for her to be cherished. He suspected the winds in the capital would change dramatically upon the Empress Dowager and Princess Kangping’s return.

He withdrew his gaze and asked respectfully, “Your Lordship, shall we depart?” As the nephew of the Noble Consort and acting under imperial orders, Zhao Jingshen deserved such deference.

Zhao Jingshen, pushing aside his disappointment, reasoned there would be opportunity to apologize along the way and let the matter rest. Zhao Jingxing mounted his horse, eagerly trailing the Empress Dowager and Wei Baofu’s carriage, seeking every chance to ingratiate himself.

Zhao Jingshen paid him no heed. “Please, sir, board the carriage. We shall depart at once.” With that, Zhang Dewang took his leave and boarded, and Zhao Jingshen mounted his horse, crisply signaling the retinue to set off.

As the procession moved, all the servants of Jianzhang Palace knelt to see them off. With both chief attendants gone, those remaining were of little consequence.

The Empress Dowager’s carriage was spacious. Peering out at Zhao Jingxing circling about, she remarked bluntly, “That boy is just like his petty-minded grandmother. I hear she raised him herself; he’s bound to be no good. That old woman is full of schemes. You mustn’t fall for his tricks.”

Wei Baofu managed a helpless smile. “Grandmother, his grandmother is your sister-in-law and my maternal grandmother. What would you have me say? If you’re worried I’ll grow close to them, there’s no need. In this world, you’re my only true family—all others are unimportant. If you dislike him, just ignore him as I do.”

Her words filled the Empress Dowager’s heart with a sweetness like honey. Pleased, she patted Wei Baofu’s hand and smiled. “It’s not that I truly dislike him. The boy may look like his grandmother, but his nature is his grandfather’s—chivalrous and upright. Perhaps something happened in the past that I never knew; otherwise, my brother would not have turned his back on me.”

With time and distance, the mind grows clearer, and doubts multiply. If the Zhao family truly sought power, there was no need to support the Noble Consort when the Empress Dowager already stood at the pinnacle.

“Let’s not dwell on these things, Grandmother. In time, all will be revealed. If you brood, your head will ache again.” The Empress Dowager suffered from migraines, which could be quite severe. Though a physician traveled with them, Wei Baofu worried the journey might be too much for her at her age.

As fate would have it, what she feared most came to pass. By evening, the Empress Dowager developed a high fever. The illness came swiftly and fiercely, leaving even the two accompanying imperial physicians at a loss. Fortunately, they had chosen to spend the night at a post station rather than hurry on through the night.

For once, Wei Baofu’s expression was clouded with worry. She could not bear to see her grandmother suffer so. She instructed Nurses Feng and Qian to tend the Empress Dowager closely and hurried to the outer room, where Zhang Dewang, the Zhao brothers, and the physicians awaited.

Seeing Princess Kangping emerge, all saluted respectfully. Wei Baofu quickly raised her hand. “No need for formalities. Do you have any effective remedies for fever? My grandmother’s health cannot withstand such a high fever.”

Physician Fan glanced at Physician Zhou, then said hesitantly, “There is a remedy, but it is rather harsh. Her Majesty is elderly and emotionally burdened. The medicine might shorten her life.”

Wei Baofu’s heart tightened. She could not bear the thought of losing her grandmother, not yet. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and spoke with resolve.

“If the imperial physicians have no solution, then let me try a folk remedy. Steward Zhang, please bring all the strong liquor from the post station.”

The more urgent the situation, the calmer Wei Baofu became. She reminded herself not to panic. Zhang Dewang, though puzzled, dared not delay. Should anything happen to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor’s wrath would be severe, and he would not escape unscathed. He had no time to question the Princess’s intentions—only to act quickly.

Wei Baofu spared not a glance for Zhao Jingshen, though Zhao Jingshen could not take his eyes off her. Without makeup, her face revealed her fatigue, but her commanding presence, her air of resolute calm in the face of adversity, made her mesmerizing. He had never realized a woman could be like this.