Chapter Thirty-Six: Jin Ning, Perhaps I Should Give You Away!

Zilin gazed at Feng Xiaoli, feeling as if she were nothing more than a lifeless being at that moment. Her entire presence was cold, like an iceberg; even her words carried not a hint of emotion. All he could do was quietly embrace her.

Feng Xiaoli did not resist his hold. She felt herself unusually fragile, her heart shattering like porcelain with a silent crash, falling to the ground without a sound—yet Zilin heard it, heard the silent cry from the depths of her soul.

That night, Zilin said nothing, and Feng Xiaoli fell asleep in his arms. How he wished for that moment to be eternal, for neither of them to be who they were—no longer Zilin and Feng Xiaoli, but ordinary people living ordinary lives. Yet this was merely a fantasy; when would such a dream ever come true?

The next morning, Feng Xiaoli looked at the empty space beside her. She could still sense the lingering warmth of Zilin, feel his temperature on her fingertips, his scent hovering at the tip of her nose.

Ah, surely she was dreaming.

This man was her nightmare—she must have gone mad recently, to even think of him. Aside from his alluring face, he had nothing to attract anyone’s interest.

When Jin Ning entered, Feng Xiaoli was dressing. Feng Xiaoli asked about the noises she thought she heard last night. Jin Ning replied that she had only seen Yue Wanqing and her maid Luo Yu, and afterward, no one else. Once they left, she returned to her room to sleep, and Feng Xiaoli’s quarters remained silent.

Feng Xiaoli reassured herself that it was nothing but a dream. If Zilin ever dared to climb onto her bed, she would immediately do nothing but raise her proud long leg and kick him below the belt, to see if he dared again. How dare he challenge her—he must be courting death!

“Jin Ning, come, let’s go see His Majesty!”

Jin Ning exclaimed in surprise. Yesterday, Mu Xinmi should have entered the palace to meet with His Majesty, but Feng Xiaoli ought to have waited in the prince’s manor for a summons, not gone to seek him herself.

Feng Xiaoli looked at Jin Ning’s bewildered expression and could only shake her head. There was nothing else to do: “Jin Ning, you’ve been by my side for so long—haven’t you learned to be flexible? If you’re so obedient to the emperor, you might as well become a palace maid. What’s the point of staying with me?”

She tugged at Jin Ning’s damaged skirt and donned it herself. Once dressed, she hurried out with Jin Ning, who, having been scolded, dared not speak.

The carriage journey lasted about half an hour. As Feng Xiaoli leapt down from the carriage, she spotted Eunuch Lian and called out to him loudly. Eunuch Lian had been about to board a carriage and looked back in confusion. Upon seeing Feng Xiaoli from the Prince Chun’s manor, his eyes lit up and he immediately bowed to her.

Feng Xiaoli saw Eunuch Lian getting into the carriage and correctly guessed his purpose, though she spoke calmly: “Eunuch Lian, what’s the rush? Has the emperor matched another young lady with a husband?”

Though meant as a joke, both Eunuch Lian and Jin Ning took it differently. Eunuch Lian thought Feng Xiaoli still resented the emperor for meddling in marriage arrangements. He hadn’t forgotten the day Feng Xiaoli threw the imperial decree in anger—fearless, indeed, the first in Huai Jing to dare such things.

“Not at all, not at all. I’m here to inform you that Her Majesty, Empress Yuanmin, has summoned you. Please accompany me to pay respects to the empress! I had just been about to visit Prince Chun’s manor, but now see you’ve already come to the palace—saving me a trip!” Eunuch Lian spoke carefully, afraid a careless word would anger Feng Xiaoli.

To his surprise, Feng Xiaoli’s expression remained composed, and she even smiled graciously at him: “Eunuch, you’re too polite. Yesterday Miss Mu Xinmi already paid respects to His Majesty; I expected the emperor would summon me today, so I came uninvited to the palace to prepare. I’m glad I met you as soon as I got off the carriage!”

Hearing her politeness, Eunuch Lian was overwhelmed.

Seeing him silent, Feng Xiaoli continued: “Eunuch, shouldn’t you guide me to His Majesty? Since I’m here, I’d like to learn the truth quickly. I wonder what Miss Mu Xinmi said yesterday.”

Eunuch Lian finally came to his senses and led Feng Xiaoli through side paths and the imperial garden. The garden was no longer lively as it was during the emperor’s birthday; now it was cold and deserted, with only cleaning maids and guards on duty. It reminded Feng Xiaoli of Empress Yuanmin’s unrivaled favor—few in the harem could stand against her.

In no time, Eunuch Lian brought Feng Xiaoli and Jin Ning to the Pepper Chamber, the empress’s palace. Wasn’t she summoned by the emperor? Why was it the empress instead?

Eunuch Lian halted and apologized: “Miss Li, please wait here. Allow me to report your arrival—I’ll return to escort you in shortly.”

Feng Xiaoli smiled and nodded. After Eunuch Lian left, she turned to Jin Ning: “Jin Ning, Jin Ning, how should I scold you? I only said a couple of words and you’re acting like this—your mistress is truly heartbroken!”

Her words were barely spoken when Jin Ning’s tears spilled forth like a river breaking its banks, flooding her face as she looked at Feng Xiaoli: “Miss, miss, Jin Ning thought you really didn’t want me anymore, that you were going to give me to the emperor. Jin Ning doesn’t want that—I still wish to serve you. Please don’t drive me away!”

Jin Ning was not unattractive, and her tearful, pitiful appearance softened Feng Xiaoli’s heart. It was only a joke—she couldn’t bear to send Jin Ning to the emperor. Besides, palace maids were trained from childhood; with Jin Ning’s foolish and clumsy ways, few would want her, except Feng Xiaoli.

Feng Xiaoli confided these thoughts to Jin Ning, whose tears immediately ceased and turned to smiles: “Really, miss? It was only a jest? You won’t abandon me?”

“Of course not. Your temperament suits my side better—stay in the palace and you’d offend countless people!” Empress Yuanmin was no easy person, and the other consorts, in these lonely and cold days, might grow irritable and end up beating their maids. Jin Ning could easily be found in a dry well after three days. Of course, these were just Feng Xiaoli’s guesses; the palace held countless such sordid tales.

Just then, Eunuch Lian returned to summon Feng Xiaoli. His gaze lingered on Jin Ning’s tear-stained face before moving on, and he whispered behind Feng Xiaoli: “Miss Li, His Majesty just left for urgent matters. Empress Yuanmin awaits you in the Pepper Chamber.”

Feng Xiaoli paused, but thanked Eunuch Lian for his reminder.