Chapter 44: Gift of Horses Part 1

Snow blanketed everything in white, a dazzling expanse where flakes fell like illusions. In the courtyard, several blooming plum trees had their branches bent under the heavy snow, unable to bear the weight. Palace servants stood beneath the trees, using wooden sticks to brush off the thick layers of snow from the branches. The sky had cleared, and distant heavens held a few wisps of white clouds.

Palace servants swept the accumulated snow from the corridors, clearing a path for the masters to walk. The Wise Noble Consort, supported by her maid’s hand, approached step by step. Wei Lingci, who had risen early to view the snow, bowed. “Your Ladyship, you’re up quite early today.”

It was different for her. The previous night, Xun Changqing had made it impossible for her to rest properly. The two had shared the same bed, and after years of sleeping alone, having someone beside her felt uncomfortable. Yet she hadn’t wanted to chase her away. She had drifted in and out of sleep during the night and found herself unable to sleep as dawn broke, so she rose to watch the snow instead.

The morning chill wind tousled her skirt hem. The Wise Noble Consort followed Wei Lingci’s gaze. The red plums had straightened their backs, branches swaying as the flowers stood defiant against the cold snow. Plum blossoms emerge from bitter cold.

She had shed yesterday’s vibrant peach-red gown and now wore a plain gauze dress. Beneath the snow, she appeared frail and desolate, her dark hair pinned up, her bare face revealing streaks of white at her temples that made her look especially haggard. “Miss Wei, did you rest comfortably in Radiant Benevolence Palace last night?”

There was meaning behind her words. Wei Lingci nodded and smiled. “With Your Ladyship’s care, Changqing and I were perfectly at ease.”

“Heavy snow weighs down the red plums—who knows if it’s a blessing or a curse?”

“Auspicious snow heralds a bountiful year—it’s surely a blessing.”

“But what if the red plums are bent? Is that also a blessing?” The Wise Noble Consort’s cool gaze held a faint resentment. Her breath turned to white mist, vanishing in an instant.

Wei Lingci’s eyes reflected the red plums dotting the snow. She smiled. “The red plums are merely bent. Next year, the people will have ample food and clothing—isn’t that a good thing?”

The Wise Noble Consort gazed earnestly at Wei Lingci, tightening her grip on the embroidered handkerchief. She pressed, “What if the heavy snow crushes the crops? Is that still a blessing? If we abandon the red plums, can we preserve that blessing?”

Wei Lingci fell silent for a moment before murmuring lowly, “Your Ladyship, the red plums are already bent. Spilled water cannot be gathered, and the dead cannot be brought back to life.”

The light in the Wise Noble Consort’s eyes dimmed bit by bit, her gaze drooping, her pupils disordered by the snow’s shadows. But in an instant, after weighing the pros and cons, she lifted her head, her expression warm and composed. She dismissed her close attendants and said softly, “Miss Wei, this palace has a deal for you. Are you interested?”

………………………………

Outside the hall, snow fell coldly, the chill biting. Inside the side hall, the charcoal fire burned warmly, like spring’s mildness.

The person who had drunk herself tipsy woke later than usual. When she opened her eyes, no one was beside her. She burrowed deeper into the bedding, then suddenly sat up as memories of the night before flooded back. She looked around frantically—only Zi Jin waited nearby.

Seeing her awake, Zi Jin hurried forward to help Xun Changqing dress and reminded her, “Just now, the Wise Noble Consort arrived and chatted briefly with Miss Wei outside. Since you hadn’t woken, they didn’t want to disturb you by entering the hall, so the two went to Her Ladyship’s sleeping quarters.”

The Wise Noble Consort’s invitation served two purposes: to save face for the Empress and likely to speak privately with Wei Lingci.

After the palace servants set out breakfast on the table, Wei Lingci returned unhurriedly. With a slight glance, she caught the curiosity in Xun Changqing’s eyes. She dismissed the servants and sat nearby. “You want to know what the Wise Noble Consort wanted with me? Guess.”

Xun Changqing bit into a crystal shrimp dumpling, its fresh, savory flavor spreading in her mouth. She guessed, “No courtesy without a reason—she must want something from you. But the Wise Noble Consort is already second in the Rear Palace; she doesn’t seek power, and you can’t give it to her anyway. So, alliance against the Empress?”

Wei Lingci glanced at Xun Changqing from the corner of her eye as she stirred the cloud-like white porridge in her bowl with a spoon. After taking a sip, she said, “Not bad that you thought of that. But do you know what her bargaining chip is?”