Chapter 82 Fabric

When Chu Mingheng first emerged from his dream, he hadn’t yet snapped back to reality, still believing himself to be in the midst of it. It wasn’t until Lan Wu called out to him that he awoke as if from a deep slumber.

Now, his mind grew clearer by the moment.

Listening to Lan Wu scold him, he didn’t say anything in return, only asking her what time it was.

“It’s about the time Your Majesty usually rises.”

Lan Wu glanced at the sky outside, then complained, “If this concubine hadn’t woken up this morning and noticed something was off with Your Majesty, you really would have burned your head out. Who told you to… do that last night?”

He had been working tirelessly these past few days, attending court sessions daily and summoning ministers to the Imperial Study afterward. With such weighty matters pressing down on him, he still found the energy to bother her.

“Your Majesty should rest properly. The Imperial Physician said you mustn’t overexert yourself…”

Before she could finish, Chu Mingheng cut her off, his tone tinged with mockery as he asked in confusion, “You say this emperor overexerted himself last night?”

“Who was the one truly overexerted?”

Lan Wu understood his implication and quickly scrambled off him, stammering, “Your Majesty should get up now. I’ll go check if the medicine is ready.”

“Stay.” Chu Mingheng rubbed his temples, not letting her escape. “Come back here and sleep properly. It’s not even dawn yet—what’s the rush?”

Lan Wu slowly shuffled back to the bed, reaching out to touch Chu Mingheng’s face. Surprised, she exclaimed, “Why aren’t you feverish anymore?”

How strange. Just moments ago, when the Imperial Physician had come, Chu Mingheng’s body had been warmer than hers, clearly unwell. Yet now, before even taking the medicine, his fever had subsided on its own?

Chu Mingheng took her hand, stripped off her outer robe, and tucked her back under the covers. “This emperor is fine. Sleep a little longer. Weren’t you complaining all last night about being tired?”

Lan Wu pouted, muttered an “oh,” and reminded him not to forget to take his medicine.

“This emperor knows.”

Chu Mingheng drew the curtains shut, but Lan Wu lifted a corner to peek outside. Beyond the screen, she could faintly make out his silhouette.

After watching for a while, Lan Wu heard the door to the Inner Palace close, signaling that Chu Mingheng had dressed and left.

Her eyelids grew heavy, and she thought to herself that she would ask the palace attendants later, after waking, whether His Majesty had taken his medicine.

The sky was gloomy that day, oppressive and stiflingly hot despite the overcast weather.

In the afternoon, Lan Wu had someone bring over several pieces of fabric.

“Your Highness, these fabrics were sent by the Inner Court Administration earlier but haven’t been used yet. Do you think they’ll do?” Lian Qiao brought several bolts of fabric into the hall and laid them out on the table for Lan Wu to inspect.

Lan Wu frowned and shook her head, feeling they weren’t quite suitable.

Indeed, the fabrics sent by the Inner Court Administration were all in patterns and colors that suited her perfectly. Using such fabric to embroider a pouch for Chu Mingheng wouldn’t do—it would undermine his dignity.

After a moment’s thought, Lan Wu said, “Go to the Inner Court Administration and pick out some fabrics in stone green or pale blue. Smoke gray or slate blue would also work. Just avoid bright colors. Choose three to five types.”

Lian Qiao nodded in acknowledgment, likely guessing what she intended to do, and stifled a soft laugh.

When Lan Wu told Chu Mingheng yesterday that her needlework was poor, she hadn’t been exaggerating in the slightest. Just look at the handkerchief she embroidered herself—those who knew might recognize it as peonies, but those who didn’t would think it was a chaotic mess of flowers.

Yet the palace attendants who saw it didn’t dare say a word, only praising Lan Wu’s embroidery skills profusely.

This actually made Lan Wu laugh: “Do you all really think I’m a fool? How can this be called well-embroidered? If this counts as well-embroidered, then the palace embroiderers would be worth a thousand gold per stitch.”

While they were laughing and enjoying the pleasant atmosphere, Lian Qiao had gone to the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau to select fabrics. Unfortunately, she ran into Xiang Yue, the personal palace maid of Xiuyi Bai, who was also there selecting fabrics.

Lian Qiao naturally wouldn’t take the initiative to engage with her. Just as she was about to pick her fabrics and leave, she saw Xiang Yue approach her first.

“Miss Lian Qiao,” Xiang Yue smiled at her.

Having been addressed, Lian Qiao had no choice but to respond. Since one shouldn’t strike a smiling face, she returned the greeting.

“Are you here to select fabrics for Lady Zhen Shuyi?” Xiang Yue examined the fabric Lian Qiao had already chosen, which was being held by the young eunuch behind her. The color was somewhat dark, not quite the shade that imperial concubines usually favored.

Lian Qiao hummed in acknowledgment, watching her like a turtle—responding only to what was said and nothing more.

Xiang Yue didn’t seem embarrassed. She sighed leisurely, “Yilan Hall is really the center of attention these days. I suppose there are no worries there, unlike my mistress…”

She trailed off there, as if afraid of saying the wrong thing, closed her mouth, and smiled at Lian Qiao again. “Take your time selecting, Miss Lian Qiao. I haven’t finished choosing either.”

With that, she prepared to leave.

Lian Qiao turned and watched her retreating figure, noticing she was heading in another direction.

Her expression grew curious: Xiang Yue had just mentioned her mistress had worries. What kind of worries could they be?

But since she hadn’t said more, Lian Qiao didn’t feel it appropriate to pry further.

When she finished selecting fabrics and was about to leave, she saw Xiang Yue again.

She walked over slowly.

…

The fabrics Lian Qiao brought back were quite suitable in color. Lan Wu examined them and instructed that one of the dark blue ones be taken out and cut into pieces for embroidery practice. If it didn’t work, they could switch to another color.

“Mistress… This servant saw Xiang Yue, the personal palace maid of Xiuyi Bai, at the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau and heard some news from her.”

Lan Wu looked at her. “What news?”

Lian Qiao glanced around and whispered, “Xiang Yue said that Lady Lifei is currently managing the income of the Palace Administration Bureau and has reduced the hairpins and jewelry allocated to the imperial concubines according to their allowances. The day before yesterday, Xiuyi Bai wanted to request a gold hairpin from the Palace Administration Bureau, but Lady Lifei rejected it, saying that… the court is currently investigating a corruption case and reprimanded Xiuyi Bai for not keeping a low profile.”

Lan Wu narrowed her eyes, sensing there was another layer of meaning to these words. She listened as Lian Qiao continued.

“Although Xiuyi Bai didn’t have the gold hairpin made, she was furious and said that Lady Lifei doesn’t know how to manage palace affairs…”

“She said Lady Lifei doesn’t know how to manage palace affairs?” Lan Wu knew exactly what kind of person Xiuyi Bai was—someone who followed Consort Shu and was certainly no fool. “Did Xiang Yue tell you that?”

Seeing Lian Qiao nod, Lan Wu asked again, “You didn’t say anything else to her, did you?”

Lian Qiao quickly shook her head. “Sister Lian Xi taught this servant that in the palace, one must not speak carelessly, especially about matters concerning the mistress. One must never casually discuss such things with others. This servant remembered and didn’t say anything more.”

“Alright, you may go.” After hearing her words, Lan Wu felt somewhat wary, but this seemingly random remark also seemed like Xiang Yue was airing grievances on behalf of her mistress.

What exactly were they plotting?

Could it be that she noticed Yue Zhaorong’s visit yesterday and wanted to use this opportunity to find out what they discussed in the palace?

Or perhaps she intends to use her hand to deal with Consort Li?

Lan Wu called for Lian Xi and instructed her to keep a close watch on the palace servants in the coming days.

“Have you noticed anything unusual about Mujin and Lian Qiao?”

Lian Xi shook her head: “When they first entered Yilan Hall, they often stuck together. But after Her Ladyship promoted Lian Qiao, the two became at odds. I haven’t noticed anything suspicious.”

Lan Wu nodded gently: “Keep watching them.”

If there truly is a problem, it will inevitably come to light sooner or later.