Chapter 60: Probing

She seemed to harbor a trace of lingering fragrance.

Or perhaps, did she harbor a subtle aversion toward Shen Quanyi?

The moment this thought popped into her mind, Yang Siqiu broke out in a cold sweat. Her throat worked slightly, swallowing down whatever she had been about to say.

"What a terrible pity. Such a joyous event as the Noble Consort's pregnancy ending in such tragedy. She was always so meticulous in everything she did, yet she still came to such an end—truly, no one could have foreseen it."

With that, Yang Siqiu turned to look at Shen Quanyi. Her fingers gently rubbed against the porcelain teacup, her unblinking eyes locked dead onto Shen Quanyi's, refusing to miss even the slightest flicker of emotion.

Shen Quanyi's eyes were likewise filled with profound regret. She pressed a handkerchief to her lips and gave a gentle cough. "Indeed, Elder Sister speaks the absolute truth."

Yang Siqiu set down her teacup, clapped her hands together in a sigh, "This pregnancy was fraught with hardship from the start, never truly stable. With all those endless visits from the physicians, I thought careful recuperation would see her through safely. I never imagined she would ultimately be startled and struck down by a mere beast."

"Elder Sister has such a kind heart. I never expected you to care so deeply for the Noble Consort."

Hearing this, Shen Quanyi lowered her gaze slightly. Beneath her eyelashes, hidden from Yang Siqiu's view, a flash of bewilderment crossed her eyes. She struggled to comprehend Yang Siqiu's sudden shift in attitude, wondering on whose behalf these probing remarks were truly being made.

When she raised her head again and gave Yang Siqiu a long, deep look, the faint, polite smile on Yang Siqiu's face faltered slightly. That profound, scrutinizing gaze made her involuntarily turn her head away. Subconsciously, she raised a hand to gently stroke her forehead, which was concealed beneath her bangs. Feeling the smooth skin beneath her fingertips gradually brought a sense of steadying calm back to her heart.

"You know what? I was exceedingly happy today. All of you were waiting inside the inner chamber, every single one of you harboring your own secret thoughts. I daresay not a single person genuinely grieved for the Gu woman, yet all of you put on facades, pretending to be benevolent souls."

"I refuse to pretend. Hearing that she was suffering and in torment filled me with immense joy."

As she spoke, she lowered her head slightly, her ink-black eyes gazing at the flickering candlelight on the table. Her words carried a bottomless depth, though her tone remained steady. "I am no saint. Even a clay figurine has three parts of fire and temper. If she hadn't framed and harmed me in the first place, I wouldn't have been reduced to becoming the laughingstock of the Eastern Palace."

"Do you know how rumors are whispered outside? They say my face is as terrifying as a night-demon's."

"How deeply loathed I am in this place. I've been here for nearly half a year, yet His Highness the Crown Prince has never summoned me to attend to him in bed, simply because he finds me hideous. But it was clearly the Gu woman who brought me to this state, and every single one of you knows it."

With that, Yang Siqiu raised her head, her gleaming eyes fixed unblinkingly on Shen Quanyi. The smile vanished entirely from her face. Suddenly, she reached out toward the small side table, pinched the wick of the lamp between two fingers, and instantly extinguished the cheerfully swaying flame.

A detached and desolate chill rapidly crept across her face.

It was enough to make one shudder with a sudden cold snap.

Yang Siqiu's gaze fell upon Shen Quanyi's calm, expressionless face. It seemed that in almost all circumstances, Shen Quanyi remained precisely like this.

Shen Quanyi let out a slight sigh, withdrew a white handkerchief from her tunic, and caught Yang Siqiu's hand, which had been hidden beneath her sleeve. Without regard for the suppressed turmoil within, Yang Siqiu's well-maintained, long, and sharp fingernails had dug deep into her own flesh, seeping tiny beads of blood.

Shen Quanyi carefully and meticulously wiped away every trace of the residual blood lodged beneath those nails.

"I know the grievances Elder Sister has suffered. But some people are destined to be born in high places, while people like us are piled at the very bottom. To those residing in the heights, we are mere ants; our lives and deaths are decided in a single thought."

Shen Quanyi's tone was calm, her eyes slightly darkened. "Let me offer Elder Sister one final warning. Even if your heart burns with unwillingness, you possess not an ounce of real power. You are like a mayfly trying to shake a giant tree—rushing headlong into the fray without regard for consequences will ultimately lead to your complete destruction."

Scorched by the fierce hostility burning in the depths of Shen Quanyi's eyes, Yang Siqiu averted her gaze. She clenched her hands into fists, then let out a light, forced chuckle. Rising to her feet, she smoothed down her garments and spoke softly, "It is my fault. I forgot that Younger Sister must be utterly exhausted today, and I should not have come to disturb you."

With that, she looked up at Shen Quanyi, who remained seated on the edge of the bed. The warm, orange glow of the side candle enveloped that jade-like face, casting tiny, delicate shadows from her dense, long, cicada-wing eyelashes that obscured her almond-shaped eyes.

"I have caused you too much disruption. Let us pretend today's words were merely the ramblings of someone intoxicated by wine—just foolish nonsense. I... in a moment of distress, vented my anger on Younger Sister, which was truly improper."

She paused, genuine apology surfacing on her features as she added, "I know Younger Sister has always been generous toward me, and surely will not hold this against me."

With that, she looked expectantly at Shen Quanyi. Yet Shen Quanyi remained silent, the two of them staring at one another in a delicate, tense standoff.

"Could it be that Younger Sister intends to grow distant from me?"

Yang Siqiu bit her lower lip with her pristine white teeth, her eye rims growing moist as tears welled up and spilled over.

"Elder Sister is overthinking it. How could I ever hold such things against Elder Sister? Surely Elder Sister has forgotten that I once said I regard Elder Sister as my own true kin."

Shen Quanyi leaned forward slightly against the small side table, resting her chin in one hand, and smiled faintly at Yang Siqiu.

Seemingly relaxing at these words, Yang Siqiu forced a smile of her own. Yet the hand hidden beneath her sleeve, clutching her handkerchief, tightened once more into a clenched fist. "Good. I knew Younger Sister would never hold a grudge against me."

Shen Quanyi smiled without a word, falling back into silence.

The charcoal inside the brazier on the floor suddenly popped with a sharp crack. The abrupt sound made Yang Siqiu's heart leap in her chest.

"I see that the scar on Elder Sister's forehead has healed considerably. The medicinal ointment I sent previously must be running low by now. I still have some left here, so I'll have the maids send it over to Elder Sister. It would be best to use it while the scar can be completely eradicated."

With those words, Shen Quanyi stood up, walked over to Yang Siqiu, took her hand, and laced their fingers tightly together in a firm grip.

The sudden movement strained the wound in the center of Yang Siqiu's palm, sending a sharp twinge of pain that caused a vein on her forehead to throb. Yet she forced herself to endure it on the surface, utterly uncertain of what Shen Quanyi meant by this abrupt change in conversation.

This was the first time the two of them had stood in such close proximity. Looking up, Yang Siqiu caught sight of Shen Quanyi's slightly reddened eye corners tinged with a faint, dark shadow, causing her heart to flutter erratically.

Suppressing her unease, she maintained a gentle tone, "I see that it's nearly healed and no longer needs treatment. That miraculous ointment must be terribly precious; if given to me, it would surely be wasted."

"How could that be? To rid Elder Sister of that scar, how could it ever be considered a waste? Elder Sister need not stand on ceremony. I shall have the items sent to your quarters shortly."

Shen Quanyi released Yang Siqiu's hand, gave her shoulder a gentle pat, and halted the words that were just forming on the other woman's lips.

She personally escorted Yang Siqiu out. Yang Siqiu's footsteps were hurried, as though she were desperately eager to put distance between herself and something terrifying.

Watching that familiar retreating figure, Shen Quanyi felt a sudden, hollow ache in her chest, a dull and lingering pain. Subconsciously, she pressed a hand over her heart, a bitter, obscure smile blooming at the corners of her lips.