Volume One, Chapter Eight: Even the Retired Empress Dowager, Detached from Worldly Affairs, Steps Forward to Support the Little Princess

Her demeanor was respectful, yet her tone was stiff, conveying a clear message: do not disturb.

Mu Yuanzhi had indeed never come here to pay respects before, as the Grand Empress Dowager rarely received visitors.

Her sudden visit now was undeniably unusual.

Mu Yuanzhi sighed softly and spoke gently, “To be honest, I had a dream last night. I saw Great-Grandmother coughing incessantly, unable to sleep at night. Upon waking, I grew increasingly worried and thought to bring her a bottle of the cough remedy I personally formulated, to soothe the lungs and nourish yin.”

“The princess is thoughtful, but it was just a dream. The Grand Empress Dowager isn’t coughing, and she has already gone down for her midday rest. Perhaps the princess could visit another day,” the elderly attendant standing before Mu Yuanzhi said firmly.

Mu Yuanzhi did not insist; there would be ample time ahead, and she would find a way to see the Grand Empress Dowager eventually. She smiled and nodded, “That is good, I am relieved. Still, I would trouble you to deliver this bottle of cough remedy to Great-Grandmother, just in case.”

This time, the elderly attendant did not refuse and reached out to take the bottle. “I understand, Your Highness. I shall be sure to convey it.”

Clutching the ointment, she waited until Mu Yuanzhi left before turning back into the Great Moon Palace to report the matter to the Grand Empress Dowager.

After striking the wooden fish, the Grand Empress Dowager was helped to her feet by a maidservant who stepped forward promptly. “They say Princess Yuanzhi excels in both medicine and poison. This cough remedy must be excellent.”

The Grand Empress Dowager glanced at the bottle in the attendant’s hand and scoffed, “Doesn’t the Imperial Medical Department have any good medicines? She’s merely looking for a pretext to cozy up to this old woman.”

The maidservant pursed her lips and said no more.

The elderly attendant nodded in agreement. “That lady at Changle Palace lives a life of ease. It must be because the real princess has returned that she feels her position threatened and thus thought of the Grand Empress Dowager.”

“Does the attendant not know? Princess Yuanzhi no longer resides at Changle Palace; she now dwells at Weiyang Palace,” the maidservant said, helping the Grand Empress Dowager to sit down.

The Grand Empress Dowager asked with little interest, “Since when was there a new palace called Weiyang? Has the Emperor embarked on new construction projects again?”

She had disliked the construction of Changle Palace, deeming it too extravagant and a needless burden on the people.

The maidservant replied truthfully, “No, Grand Empress Dowager, it is an old palace— the only one currently vacant within the palace gates.”

Hearing this, the Grand Empress Dowager’s expression shifted subtly, her gaze deep and distant, as if recalling something long past.

The elderly attendant noticed her change in complexion and gave the maidservant a sharp look, silently reprimanding her for speaking out of turn and inadvertently stirring unpleasant memories for her mistress.

The maidservant, unaware of her misstep, quickly lowered her head and fell silent.

After some time, the Grand Empress Dowager regained her composure and said to the attendant, “Bring me the medicine bottle.”

The attendant, surprised by her words, hesitated briefly before handing over the small white bottle.

The Grand Empress Dowager opened it and inhaled the scent, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “This cough remedy is indeed fine. Keep it.”

The attendant nodded. The Grand Empress Dowager paused, then added, “There is much happening in the palace recently. Go see what commotion there is.”

The elderly attendant was taken aback by the Grand Empress Dowager’s apparent concern for the outside turmoil but recovered quickly. “I shall go at once.”

*

At the Department of Internal Affairs, the steward noticed others busily packing daily supplies from the inventory and inquired, “Which palace are these being sent to?”

“Li, they’re for Weiyang Palace. Miss Hongdou has urged us several times already.”

“Don’t be hasty. Did you know? The Grand Empress Dowager’s personal attendant has been asking around about Princess Yuanzhi today. It seems she found out the princess injured the little princess! There might even be upheaval at Weiyang Palace.”

“Ah? But... aren’t we worried that delaying delivery might incur the Emperor’s displeasure?”

“Times have changed. The little princess is the Emperor’s favorite, and even the usually indifferent Grand Empress Dowager is stepping up to support her. If we’re not careful, and get caught in the crossfire, it won’t be a small matter!”

Everyone nodded in agreement and moved the less urgent daily supplies back into storage.

Hongdou, without entering, overheard their conversation and returned to Weiyang Palace in anger.

“Princess, they are bullying us terribly! Shall we report this to His Majesty?” These past few days had been an eye-opener; such injustice was intolerable!

Mu Yuanzhi, having taken a bitter cold remedy, did not even frown. She was accustomed to bitterness, both in medicine and in life’s hardships.

With only a single brazier for warmth, she wrapped herself in several layers of quilts. Her clothes were worn but wearable. The imperial kitchen sent only leftover vegetarian dishes, so she ventured into the back mountain to hunt wild rabbits and dogs—resourcefulness was everything.

“My father has no time to see me now,” Mu Yuanzhi said, having painstakingly pieced together a set of soft armor, preparing to hunt not far away in the back mountain. “I’m going to the back mountain. No need to follow.”

Hongdou swallowed a mouthful of words and handed over a bow.

It had been a long time since she last hunted, and Mu Yuanzhi was somewhat looking forward to it. Yet, as she stepped outside Weiyang Palace and saw a figure standing tall beneath the shade of a willow tree, her smile vanished instantly.

“Little Sister Zhi.”

Pei Shangyan emerged from the shadows, sunlight warming his calm and gentle face.

“Crown Prince,” Mu Yuanzhi replied perfunctorily.

“Why are you dressed like that?” Pei Shangyan frowned.

“Going hunting in the back mountain,” Mu Yuanzhi said, trying to pass by.

Pei Shangyan stepped forward to block her path. “Why the sudden whim to go hunting? It’s nearly dark. Go tomorrow instead.”

If she didn’t hunt herself, she would be forced to live like a vegetarian nun! Of course, she was too lazy to say this aloud.

“If I want to go, I’ll go.”

Finally catching the insincerity in Mu Yuanzhi’s words, Pei Shangyan grew angry. “Yuanzhi! I thought your punishment in Yong Alley would make you more sensible. Why are you still so willful and reckless? Can’t you be more like our little sister and behave?”

The same old reprimands.

Mu Yuanzhi could recite them by heart.

Ever since Pei Yunxi returned, all she heard from her brothers were comparisons meant to belittle her.

For a long time, she was so cautious that even the simplest bow was performed with trepidation, and she dared not speak loudly for fear of rebuke.

In hindsight, it was laughable—no matter how many kowtows she offered, they would never be satisfied, simply because she was not their favored little sister. Her very existence was a mistake.

“The Crown Prince’s admonition is well taken. Our little sister is indeed gifted, not to be compared with someone as mediocre as me.”

Pei Shangyan’s expression blanked for a moment.

What was Little Sister Zhi saying?

He looked at Mu Yuanzhi anew, as if seeing her for the first time, scrutinizing every inch with a searching gaze.