The stone paths of the Laundry Bureau were slick with morning dew. Shen Qingci carried a heavy rosewood basin, her slender fingers already pale and wrinkled from the cold water. Three months ago, she had been the daughter of a high-ranking minister; now, she was one of the lowest-ranking servants in the palace.
"Faster! If the Grand Princess's garments aren't finished today, none of you will eat!" Matron Zhang's shrill voice cut through the morning mist as her cane struck the back of a young maid who was moving too slowly.
Shen Qingci lowered her gaze, immersing a goose-yellow silk gown into the water. It belonged to Princess Yongning. The intricate peony patterns embroidered with gold thread were a testament to the opulence of the imperial family.
"Qingci, come here," Matron Zhang called out suddenly, her tone unusually mild.
Putting aside her work, Qingci walked over to the matron. She could feel the eyes of the other maids on her—a mixture of pity, curiosity, and a hint of jealousy.
"Princess Yongning has specifically requested that you deliver her laundered clothes," Matron Zhang said, sizing her up. "Remember, deliver the clothes and return immediately. Don't linger in the presence of nobility."
Shen Qingci nodded, a seed of doubt planted in her mind. Princess Yongning was the Empress Dowager's most cherished granddaughter. Why would she summon a lowly laundry maid?
Carrying the neatly folded garments, she walked through the labyrinthine palace corridors. The autumn sunlight, filtered through ornate window lattices, cast dappled patterns on her pale green servant's dress. She had walked this path countless times before, but never with such a humble status.
Princess Yongning resided in Yongshou Palace, a magnificent structure with soaring eaves and gilded decorations. A row of ginkgo trees lined the front, their golden leaves breathtakingly beautiful against the autumn sky.
"This servant, by order of the Laundry Bureau, has come to deliver the Princess's garments," Shen Qingci announced, bowing her head outside the hall.
A senior palace maid in a lavender vest lifted the curtain, her eyes lingering on Qingci's face with a scrutinizing gaze. "Follow me."
The hall was filled with the faint scent of lilies. Princess Yongning was reclining on a chaise lounge by the window, toying with a jade *ruyi* scepter. She was no more than sixteen or seventeen, with features as delicate as a painting, yet her eyes held a depth that belied her age.
"This servant pays her respects to the Princess," Shen Qingci said, kneeling and raising the tray of clothes above her head.
Princess Yongning did not bid her to rise, instead studying her at a leisurely pace. "Lift your head."
Qingci obeyed, though she kept her gaze respectfully lowered.
"A fine face indeed," the princess remarked with a soft laugh. "No wonder someone can't seem to forget you."
The words were pointed. A sense of alarm rose in Qingci, but she feigned ignorance. "This servant is slow-witted and does not understand Her Highness's meaning."
Princess Yongning rose and walked towards her, her long, slender fingers brushing against the clothes on the tray. "Three days ago, by the lotus pond in the Imperial Garden, did you or did you not save a young eunuch from drowning?"
Qingci's heart skipped a beat. She had indeed saved a young eunuch who had fallen into the water. The area had been deserted, and she had thought no one had seen.
"This servant was sent to fetch soapbeans for the laundry that day. I did pass the lotus pond and helped a young eunuch."
The princess's gaze sharpened. "Do you know who you saved?"
"This servant does not know."
"That was Xiao Luzi, the boy responsible for feeding the imperial cats in the Empress Dowager's palace," Princess Yongning's voice turned cold. "His fall was no accident. Someone wanted him silenced because he had discovered a secret—a secret about someone poisoning the Empress Dowager's food."
Qingci's back went rigid. She finally understood. She had been drawn into a silent, invisible war.
"I was merely passing by…" she began to explain.
Princess Yongning cut her off. "Xiao Luzi was found dead that same night. And you, the daughter of Minister Shen, just happened to be at that exact place at that exact time. It is all far too convenient."
A chill crept up from the soles of her feet. This was a meticulously crafted trap, and she was the fish caught in the net.
"Your Highness, I implore you, I have nothing to do with this matter."
Suddenly, Princess Yongning smiled, a smile as bright as a spring day but utterly chilling. "Oh, I know you were framed."
Qingci looked up, stunned.
"Because," the princess leaned in, her voice a mere whisper in Qingci's ear, "the one who administered the poison… was me."
The words were as light as air but landed with the force of a thousand stones. Qingci's heart nearly stopped. Why would the princess reveal such a deadly secret to her? There was only one possibility: the princess needed her for something, or she already considered Qingci a dead woman.
"Why… why would Your Highness tell me this?" Qingci struggled to maintain her composure.
Princess Yongning straightened up, playing with the jade bracelet on her wrist. "Because I need someone. Someone intelligent, resilient, and with no ties to any of the palace factions. And you, Shen Qingci, are the perfect candidate."
"I don't understand."
"You will, soon enough," the princess said, gesturing for her to rise. "From today, you will not return to the Laundry Bureau. I have already requested the Empress Dowager to have you transferred to my service here at Yongshou Palace."
The sudden turn of events left Qingci reeling. To go from the Laundry Bureau to the Princess's personal staff was a leap that seemed like a blessing, but she knew it was merely a jump from one fire into another, deeper one.
"This servant… thanks Your Highness for her grace," she said, bowing her head to hide the turmoil in her eyes.
Princess Yongning nodded, satisfied. "It is wise to know one's place. You are a clever girl; you should know what to say and what not to say. Remember, in this palace, choosing the right side is more important than anything else."
Just then, an attendant announced from outside, "Your Highness, Prince Jing has arrived."
The curtain was lifted, and a man in a dark robe embroidered with serpents entered. He was in his early twenties, with deep-set eyes and a commanding presence that was impossible to ignore.
Qingci quickly lowered her head, her heart pounding. Prince Jing, Xiao Jingyan, was the most powerful prince at court and the Empress Dowager's direct grandson. He and Princess Yongning were cousins and known to be close.
"Brother Jingyan, what brings you here at this hour?" Princess Yongning greeted him with a familiar tone.
Xiao Jingyan's gaze brushed past Qingci before he answered, "I came to see you. Is this a new maid?"
"She is," the princess smiled. "Just transferred from the Laundry Bureau. Her name is Shen Qingci, daughter of Minister Shen."
A flicker of interest in Xiao Jingyan's eyes. He looked at Qingci again, this time with a more calculating expression. "The daughter of the Shen family…"
Qingci knelt. "This servant pays her respects to His Highness, Prince Jing."
He didn't tell her to rise. Instead, he turned to Princess Yongning. "Yongning, Grand-mère wishes to see you. She said there is a matter to discuss."
Princess Yongning seemed surprised but nodded. "I will go at once. Qingci, you can start by organizing the storeroom in the side hall. I will assign your duties later."
"Yes, Your Highness," Qingci replied respectfully.
After the princess left, only Qingci and Xiao Jingyan remained in the hall. She was still kneeling, acutely aware of his penetrating gaze.
"You may rise," he said after a long moment.
She stood, her head still bowed. She could hear his footsteps approaching, and her heart began to beat faster.
"Lift your head," his voice was deep and resonant.
She did as she was told, meeting his intense gaze. His eyes were sharp and cold, as if they could see right through a person, yet they held a flicker of something else, an emotion she couldn't decipher.
"I have heard about your father's case," he said unexpectedly. "The court is re-examining the evidence."
Qingci trembled, struggling to keep her expression neutral. Her father had been framed for corruption, leading to the execution of her entire family. She was the only one who had been spared. The news of a retrial was a shock to her system.
But she quickly composed herself. Why was Prince Jing telling her this? Was it a test, or did he have another motive?
"This servant is now merely a palace maid. I dare not inquire about matters of the court," she answered cautiously.
A small smile touched his lips, as if he appreciated her prudence. "Good. In this palace, knowing what to ask and what not to ask is the key to survival."
He walked to the window, gazing at the golden ginkgo trees. "Princess Yongning has a capricious nature. You must be exceedingly careful while serving her."
His words felt like both a reminder and a warning. "Thank you for your counsel, Your Highness," she said softly.
He turned back to her, his eyes once again fixed on her face. "If you find yourself in trouble, you may send a message to Chonghua Palace."
This only deepened her confusion. Why was the powerful Prince Jing showing such concern for the disgraced daughter of a convicted minister?
Before she could respond, he strode out of the hall. Silence descended once more, leaving only the faint scent of lilies in the air.
Qingci stood frozen, her thoughts in a whirlwind. From the Laundry Bureau to Yongshou Palace, from the princess's dark secret to the prince's inexplicable attention—everything was happening too fast.
She walked to the window and watched his retreating figure. Her eyes caught something on the floor where he had been standing—a small jade pendant. She picked it up. It was carved from the finest white jade into the shape of a dragon, and on the back was a single character: *Yan*.
It was undoubtedly his. She clutched the pendant, her mind racing. Should she find a way to return it, or…
"Miss Qingci," the voice of the purple-vested maid came from behind her. "The princess has instructed you to begin organizing the storeroom in the west wing."
Qingci quickly hid the pendant in her sleeve and turned with a polite smile. "Of course. Please lead the way."
The storeroom was filled with Princess Yongning's treasures—silks, antiques, and jade artifacts. As Qingci carefully sorted through the items, she discovered a hidden ledger at the bottom of a sandalwood box.
She opened it, and the contents made her gasp. It was a detailed record of bribes the princess had paid to various court officials. The largest sums were recorded next to the name of the current Prime Minister, Li Fugu—the very man who had framed her father.
On the last page, a line was written in small characters: "Fifteenth of the twelfth month, Furong Garden, regarding the Shen matter."
Her hand trembled. The fifteenth was only three days away. Furong Garden was where palace banquets were held. And "the Shen matter"—could it be related to her family?
The sound of footsteps approached. Qingci quickly hid the ledger in her robes and pretended to be organizing a bolt of silk.
"Miss Qingci," Matron Zhang's voice called from the doorway. "The princess wants you to go to the small kitchen and taste-test the sweet soup for tonight."
Alarm bells went off in her head. Taste-testing? It was a flimsy excuse. Had Princess Yongning already discovered the ledger was missing?
She steadied her breathing and replied, "I will go at once."
As she stepped out of the storeroom, the setting sun cast long, distorted shadows across the palace grounds. She clutched the jade pendant and the ledger in her sleeve, knowing she had just stepped into the heart of a maelstrom.
The lanterns of the small kitchen flickered in the twilight like watchful eyes in the darkness. And she, the former minister's daughter, now a palace maid, had to find a way to navigate these treacherous currents and fight for her survival.
As night fell, the palace lanterns were lit one by one. Standing in the corridor of Yongshou Palace, Qingci looked towards the distant lights of Chonghua Palace, and a bold idea began to form in her mind.
Perhaps Prince Jing, Xiao Jingyan, was the key to changing her fate.
As she stood lost in thought, a low voice spoke from behind her.
"Miss Qingci, it has been a while."
She spun around to see a man in a guard's uniform standing in the shadows. When she saw his face, her eyes widened in shock.
It was her brother—the brother she thought had died long ago on the road to exile.