A Frosty Encounter

“Greetings, Lady Wei.”
Xie Jiu bowed politely.
Lady Wei, tall and slender, had a delicate face with sharp phoenix eyes.
Unlike Zhao Xingjin’s expressive gaze, her single eyelids gave her a cold air.
Beautiful, yet aloof and unapproachable.
As expected, she glanced at Xie Jiu, lifting her chin.
“I don’t accept such dubious courtesies.”
Stepping aside, she avoided Xie Jiu like something unclean.
Though they’d never met, Xie Jiu’s stay in Chengming Palace was no secret.
Her identity was clear.
Unfazed by the rudeness, Xie Jiu replied calmly.
“If Lady Wei declines my courtesy, I still respect protocol.”
“I’ll not disturb you further.”
She had no interest in petty spats.
Words like these no longer stung.
Her goals were clear—focus on what mattered.

A Sharp Rebuke

Lady Wei, however, wasn’t so composed.
Seeing Xie Jiu’s calm, she snapped, “Protocol?”
“You speak of etiquette while acting shamelessly?”
Xie Jiu turned, unruffled.
“I don’t understand, Lady Wei. Please clarify.”
Fury colored Lady Wei’s face.
“Playing dumb? Can’t own your deeds?”
“You’re hypocritical and vile!”
Stepping closer, she glared, accusing.
“A married woman entangled with another man!”
“A minister’s kin staying in Chengming Palace!”
“These alone defy propriety!”
“From a scholarly family, where’s your sense of decency?”
Xie Jiu remained steady.
“The Emperor appointed me as the Princess’s tutor,” she said.
“My residence is his decision.”
“If you’re displeased, speak to him.”
“No need to waste words on me.”
Smiling faintly, she added, “Entangled with another man?”
“Has Lady Wei seen me act improperly?”

A Stifled Retort

Her words left Lady Wei speechless.
Though angry, she retained enough sense not to criticize Zhao Xingjin directly, unlike Zhuang Fei.
Seeing her silence, Xie Jiu bowed again.
“I’ll leave you to enjoy the lotuses, Lady Wei.”
“It’s hot—return to cool shade to avoid heatstroke.”
With that, she walked away.
Lady Wei’s face flushed, watching her go.
“Shameless and cunning, just like her father!”
“Such a deceitful woman can’t stay in the palace!”
“She’ll bring ruin!”
Her maid, Nianci, soothed her.
“Calm yourself, Lady Wei. She’ll face her karma.”
Taking a deep breath, Lady Wei steadied herself.
“As a consort, I must advise the Emperor,” she said gravely.
“He may not heed me, but I’ll write to my father.”
“He’ll urge the Emperor to avoid such a woman.”

A Righteous Resolve

For others, such words might stem from spite.
But Lady Wei truly believed them.
To her, an emperor’s harem should be filled with virtuous, proper women.
Xie Jiu, in her eyes, was a shameless threat to Zhao Xingjin’s clarity.
A danger to the state.
Nianci sighed inwardly.
Her lady was admirable but too rigid from her studies.
As a man, she’d make a fine censor.
But as a consort, her bluntness was ill-suited.
Without her father Wei Zhang’s favor with Zhao Xingjin, she’d be sidelined.
Even now, she sensed Zhao Xingjin’s indifference, offering her only courtesy for her father’s sake.
Yet Lady Wei persisted, determined to advise through her father.
She aimed to be a wise consort.

A Carefree Return

Xie Jiu ignored Lady Wei’s fixation.
She strolled back to Chengming Palace, unperturbed.
Zhao Xingjin was still at the Empress’s, likely returning after lunch.
She handed the ice cream from Princess Wenxi to Qing Dong.
Then, she retreated to the side hall to rest.
The summer heat was draining.
Chun Rong closed the door and fanned her with a round fan.
“Lady Wei’s words were harsh,” she muttered.
No outsiders were present, so she spoke freely.
Xie Jiu, unbothered, reassured her.
“Such talk will only increase.”
“If we take it all to heart, we’ll exhaust ourselves.”
Chun Rong sighed, and Qing Fang pouted, indignant for her.

A New Plan

“Don’t sulk,” Xie Jiu said, winking.
“Let’s do something fun.”
Qing Fang blinked, confused.
“What can we do with palace rules so strict?”
“Indeed, the rules are tight, and living here isn’t ideal,” Xie Jiu agreed.
“Lady Wei’s words reminded me—staying in Chengming Palace isn’t proper.”
Her lips curved slightly.
“So, I’m thinking of returning to the manor.”
“Return?” Qing Fang’s eyes widened.
Though Xie Jiu couldn’t stay indefinitely, Qing Fang expected the Emperor’s word to leave.
Her initiative surprised her.
“Of course,” Xie Jiu said, tapping the table.
Her eyes narrowed, amused.
“It’s time to watch a good show.”
Zhao Xingjin’s corruption probe should soon reach Wu Que.
She needed to secure her dowry before it vanished into the treasury.

A Quiet Afternoon

After lunch, Zhao Xingjin hadn’t returned.
Bored, Xie Jiu took a book and lounged on a chaise.
The afternoon heat made her drowsy.
She fell asleep.
About half an hour later, Zhao Xingjin returned.