Volume One, Chapter Eight: Encountering a Powerful Ally

Inside the main hall, Eunuch Pei sat in the place of honor, utterly ignoring the flattery from Old Madam Xia and Xia Huaian. Their voices grated on him like the buzzing of mosquitoes, utterly irritating. If the Emperor hadn’t heard from Xia Huaian about the birth of a little lucky star in the Marquis’s residence, he wouldn’t have come here at all.

Upon learning that Princess Anjing had given birth, the Emperor had not informed him and had secretly wiped away tears after court sessions. This time, sending him with an imperial edict was not only to see the little princess but also to find an excuse to visit Princess Anjing herself.

Just as he was lost in these thoughts, a gentle voice called out, “Greetings, Eunuch Pei.”

Pei’s eyes snapped open, filled with delight—he had almost given up hope of seeing anyone today.

“It is your humble servant who greets Princess Anjing.”

Lady Jiang appeared, dressed in flowing black sleeves, her hair adorned with a golden phoenix hairpin, exuding an aura of untouchable nobility.

Xia Huaian was momentarily dazed, for he hadn’t seen Lady Jiang dressed like this in a long time. It reminded him of eighteen years ago, when he was but a green youth. A faint unease stirred within him as he nervously swallowed.

Black was the epitome of solemnity, a color reserved only for the reigning imperial family. And the golden phoenix hairpin—only the Empress herself was worthy to wear such an ornament.

Shen Qier stared greedily at the hairpin. How magnanimous the Empress must be to give it to her! She cared little that Lady Jiang might be secretly scheming behind their backs under the guise of godfather and goddaughter.

She had once asked Lady Jiang for such a hairpin, but Lady Jiang, narrow-minded and stingy, had refused.

“Oh my, this must be the little princess! Truly charming—no wonder she is called a lucky star. If the Emperor sees her, he will surely dote on her as his own grandchild,” Eunuch Pei exclaimed, admiring the infant cradled in Lady Jiang’s arms.

The baby’s eyes were like grapes—dark and large—impossible not to adore.

Shen Qier realized then that the Emperor’s attention was indeed drawn by the lucky star. Without caring about any ill omens, she clutched Xia Yangyang and approached Eunuch Pei.

“Eunuch Pei, you must be mistaken. My child here is the true lucky star.”

Suddenly, a dark, wrinkled object entered Pei’s line of sight. He hurriedly covered his eyes. “Where did this black monkey come from? Take it away at once! It’s filthy and offends my eyes!”

Xia Qianqian laughed heartily, clapping her hands in delight. “Black monkey is quite the fitting description!”

Lady Jiang covered her mouth with a handkerchief, unable to suppress her laughter.

Shen Qier’s face darkened, her mouth twitching into an uneasy smile. “Heh, Eunuch Pei sure knows how to joke. Yangyang is truly a lucky star…”

“What lucky star? She looks like a black monkey! If you want to flatter your own child, at least see if you have the qualifications,” Pei snapped, baring sharp teeth, showing no mercy.

A burning rage surged in Shen Qier’s chest, suffocating her. How dare this undernourished wretch mock a lucky star? Was she not afraid of inviting disaster?

Speaking to Shen Qier only made Eunuch Pei feel unlucky; he was eager to leave. “Princess Anjing, the Emperor’s edict summons you to the capital to see the little princess.”

His heart trembled with unease. He had been refused many times before; if refused again, the Emperor would surely be tormented with guilt, unable to eat for days.

Old Madam Xia and Xia Huaian shot warning glances at Lady Jiang. They were confident she would decline, for she was usually obedient.

But to their surprise, Lady Jiang said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Father and Mother. This is a good opportunity to visit them.”

Everyone was stunned, especially Old Madam Xia and Xia Huaian. What had gotten into Lady Jiang today? Why was she no longer listening to them?

Old Madam Xia glanced at Nurse Li and shook her head, signaling that she had given all the warnings she could, baffled by this change.

She withdrew her gaze and said with a warning tone, “Lady Jiang, you are not the Emperor’s biological daughter. Frequent visits may cause misunderstandings. Think carefully before you decide.”

“Indeed, sister, think it over,” Shen Qier quickly chimed in.

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Pei shot daggers at the two. “How dare you slander the Emperor! Do you want to lose your heads?”

Old Madam Xia and Shen Qier trembled and quickly knelt.

“Oh, I was only giving a friendly reminder, not slandering!” Old Madam Xia’s corpulent figure resembled an oversized steamed bun.

Shen Qier knelt silently, saying nothing.

Eunuch Pei snorted coldly. “Hmph! Does the Emperor need you to remind him? If this happens again, beware of your heads!”

“Yes, yes! There won’t be a next time.”

“Enough, rise.” After all, they were Princess Anjing’s family, and Pei dared not truly harm them.

When Old Madam Xia stood, she shot a venomous glare at Lady Jiang. Not a single word had she spoken in their defense—surely this was a grudge remembered from before.

Ungrateful wretch!

“Eunuch Pei, let us go,” Lady Jiang said with a sweeping glance at the others, secretly feeling a surge of satisfaction.

Shen Qier watched their backs, jealousy nearly driving her mad. The Emperor sought the lucky star, yet Lady Jiang was secretly bringing a calamity. Was she not afraid of incurring imperial wrath?

If Yangyang were to see the Emperor, he would surely be pleased and might even grant her the title of princess.

“Wait!”

Shen Qier clutched Xia Yangyang and hurried after them. “The Emperor said he wanted the lucky star, but to be honest, my child is the lucky star. Yours is a calamity. I worry the Emperor will be tainted by bad luck, which is why I had to say what I did.”

“Sister, how could you deceive the Emperor?”

Eunuch Pei was no stranger to people like her and clearly understood her intentions. People like her, without background and relying on petty schemes, would not survive a day in the harem.

“I never said the Emperor wanted to see the lucky star. Whether lucky star or calamity, the Emperor wants to see Princess Anjing’s child.”

“My duty is to serve my master faithfully, not to have other thoughts,” Lady Jiang said disdainfully.

Caught in the act, Shen Qier’s face burned with shame. Tears welled in her eyes as she hid behind Xia Huaian, clutching Xia Yangyang, as though wronged.

Xia Ziyi, seeing her mother bullied, clenched her fists and breathed heavily. How could a mere eunuch look down on them?

Pei, disgusted by their demeanor, sneered, “Princess Anjing, shall we go? We must not keep the Emperor waiting.”

“Let’s go.”

Once they left, Xia Ziyi finally spoke in anger. “Damn that eunuch! Just because he’s the Emperor’s man, he dares boss us around.”

“Mother, don’t cry. When your son becomes the top scholar, I’ll surely help you take revenge,” Shen Qier sobbed softly. “I only worry for the Emperor…”

“Lady Jiang is more sensible than a thirteen-year-old!” Old Madam Xia fumed.

Only Xia Huaian wore a troubled expression. Yesterday’s words had made him suspect Lady Jiang might be going to lodge a complaint.

Seeing her mother’s incessant sobbing, Xia Ziyi rolled her eyes and slipped away unnoticed.

Shen Qier caught sight of her and her eyes flickered, but she said nothing to stop her.