It's no use overthinking.
Even though Lan Miao was worried, she didn't let it show at all.
The Empress Dowager, however, was in high spirits.
After deciding that Xue'er would enter the palace to study as a companion, Lan Miao continued to discuss with the Empress Dowager in the imperial garden how to modify the pattern. As the sun rose higher and the shadows slanted westward, they accompanied the Empress Dowager and Princess YuJia for lunch.
The two little girls got along well in just half a day and were inseparable.
When the day ended, Lan Miao and Xue'er returned to the side palace where they were temporarily staying.
After the others withdrew, only the two of them were left in the palace.
Only then did Lan Miao anxiously ask Xue'er what had happened that day.
"Xue'er, what happened when you were with the princess today? Tell A Niang everything exactly, without missing anything, okay?"
"Um..."
Xue'er nodded obediently, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
"A Niang, I almost died today, but then I came back to life..."
Hearing this, Lan Miao's heart skipped a beat.
Shocked as she was, she didn't interrupt Xue'er. Instead, she patiently listened as Xue'er told her everything. After that, a fine layer of sweat broke out on the back of Lan Miao's neck. She took out a silk handkerchief and squeezed it tightly in her hand, her expression changing slightly.
It'll be all right.
The emperor didn't recognize her, so he surely wouldn't recognize Xue'er either. From now on, Xue'er could study in the palace safely. Thinking this way, the heart that had been hanging in mid - air finally settled down.
However, hearing what Xue'er said, Lan Miao couldn't help but find it a bit funny.
The emperor, such a majestic and cold - hearted man, would actually tease a child.
Probably the emperor didn't expect that Xue'er and YuJia would take the beheading thing seriously.
Thinking of this, Lan Miao gently hugged Xue'er in her arms and comforted her softly.
"Xue'er, the emperor has a good reputation. He won't execute someone for such a trivial matter. Don't be afraid. Just be careful in everything you do in the palace from now on."
"Okay, Xue'er knows. YuJia said that the emperor is always so fierce to her, so we don't need to be afraid."
"Good girl. You must study hard from now on. We girls also need to be literate and sensible."
Lan Miao said gently.
Xue'er nodded vigorously.
Lan Miao saw that her eyes were still a bit swollen. She must have cried hard at that time. So she dipped a handkerchief in cold water, wrung it out, and applied it to Xue'er's eyes for a while.
After repeating this several times, Xue'er's voice gradually became softer.
"A Niang, I'll study in the palace from now on. What about Qingzhi? I thought we could study together in the mansion."
Lan Miao smiled.
She tapped Xue'er on the nose.
Xue'er still remembered her cousin.
"Everyone has different fates. Separation is inevitable sometimes. You met the princess today, and Qingzhi will also have her own good fortune in the future. But you are relatives, so you'll always be closer than ordinary people."
Lan Miao said as she removed the handkerchief.
Xue'er's eyes sparkled, and she nodded happily.
At this time, there was a sudden knock on the door. Immediately afterwards, Jiang He's slightly trembling voice came, "Lady Lan, the emperor has bestowed some gifts on Miss Wen. Please come out with Miss Wen to take a look."
Lan Miao's heart tightened suddenly and then slowly relaxed.
Why did the emperor bestow gifts on Xue'er?
Could it be that he felt guilty for making Xue'er cry?
Lan Miao almost laughed at her own thought. The emperor, who was known far and wide for his might, could never be such a delicate - minded person. She tidied up her dress, gracefully took Xue'er's hand, and walked out of the door. The eunuch outside was none other than Eunuch Anhe, the emperor's personal attendant. Lan Miao and Xue'er bowed to thank him for delivering the imperial gifts.
Anhe held a whisk in his hand, and there was even a hint of flattery in his smile. "Lady Lan, you're welcome. Now that the gifts have been delivered, this old servant will take his leave. The emperor has instructed that you and Miss Wen don't need to go to the imperial presence to express your gratitude."
"Thank you, Eunuch."
Although Lan Miao was curious about the emperor's intention, she didn't dare to ask rashly.
After Anhe left, Lan Miao examined the gifts from the emperor.
They were all small playthings, each looking exquisitely made. There were seven or eight of them.
But they weren't particularly valuable.
They really seemed to be gifts for a child to play with.
Was the emperor really so considerate?
"Wow..."
A child couldn't hide their feelings. Xue'er beside her exclaimed in surprise.
Jiang He smiled and said, "The emperor said that since Miss Wen gave a gift to the princess, he should return the favor. Lady Lan, just keep these well."
"The emperor is so generous. I only gave the princess a shuttlecock. The emperor actually gave me so many things. Did the emperor also give something to the princess?"
Xue'er first thought of the princess.
"Yes."
Jiang He smiled mysteriously.
Lan Miao and Xue'er both looked at her.
"The emperor sent writing brushes and paper to the princess to urge her to do her homework well."
"..."
Lan Miao laughed. Her heart settled down. After all, the princess was the princess. The emperor hoped that his daughter would become a great person, so he was urging the princess to make progress. And since Xue'er was about to be the princess's study companion, the emperor's bestowing gifts on her must be because of the princess.
After the palace servants put the imperial gifts into the palace, Xue'er blinked and asked Lan Miao.
"A Niang, can I not give the things the emperor bestowed on me to others?"
"Yes. We have to keep them well and can't damage them either."
"Okay, I'll take good care of them."
Xue'er replied. She casually picked up the Chinese rings sent by the emperor. The delicate jadeware made a crisp sound in her hand. It was high - quality smoky jade. Seeing her playing happily, Lan Miao's thoughts drifted away unconsciously.
When discussing the pattern with the Empress Dowager today, the Empress Dowager didn't examine her craftsmanship. It seemed that the modification of the pattern was not that important, just some minor details. She was a bit puzzled. Why did the Empress Dowager keep her in the palace?
To avoid any unexpected problems, it seemed that she still had to find a reason to return to the Marquis's Mansion.
---
Several days passed in a row.
The thick clouds in the sky gradually gathered into a mass. The sudden wind carried a cold breath, and the candles at night were a bit warmer than usual.
CiNing Palace.
There was a curl of thick sandalwood incense burning in the palace. A bronze mirror was placed on the purple - bamboo sandalwood table. The dim yellow candlelight reflected the face of the Empress Dowager. After taking off her hairpins, her black hair hung down, mixed with strands of white hair.
Although there were traces of time at the corners of her eyes and eyebrows, one could still see her peerless beauty in her youth.
"Empress Dowager, Lady Lan in the West Palace told this servant today that the pattern for jade carving has been decided. She wants to return to the Marquis's Mansion to prepare for Miss Wen's entry into school. What's your Majesty's intention?"
Nanny Qiu stood behind the Empress Dowager, gently combing her hair as she spoke softly.
The Empress Dowager looked at herself in the mirror, her eyebrows knitted tightly.
"The other day when the emperor saw Lady Lan, even I didn't notice the jade pendant on her. He, a king who never pays attention to women, actually noticed it. I even thought he had taken a fancy to this Lady Lan."
"Unexpectedly, I helped him keep this woman in the palace, but now there's not even a sign. Qiuping, was I wrong?"
The Empress Dowager turned half of her body and looked at Nanny Qiu in confusion.
Nanny Qiu's eyes crinkled with a smile.
"Empress Dowager, you're just being too impatient."