Chapter 62: Practicing Calligraphy

What Hushan said was not entirely unknown to her; as a concubine, the only thing she could truly rely on was that shred of favor from Li Qian.

What is more, she remained strictly on guard against conceiving an heir.

"Go and fetch my embroidery frame," Shen Quanyi said, puffing out her cheeks as she watched Qiuyue peeking stealthily through the doorway.

Qiuyue had no choice but to enter with an awkward smile. Seeing that the expression on Shen Quanyi's face had returned to normal, she mustered the courage to say, "This concubine begs you not to torture yourself anymore, Mistress. Your needlework is simply not up to par. Just a few days ago, those colorful threads were stained red with blood. If this goes on, you'll end up turning all ten of your fingertips into pin cushions."

Qiuyue sighed softly. Shen Quanyi pressed her lips together in silence. She had always considered herself clever, but when it came to embroidery, she was utterly hopeless. She had thought that diligence could make up for clumsiness, but she had only ended up wearing herself out to no avail.

Seeing this, Hushan stepped in to smooth things over. "Perhaps the Mistress would prefer to practice calligraphy instead. It is not nearly as taxing."

Hearing this, Qiuyue smiled and nodded, hurrying off to prepare the brush and ink.

Shen Quanyi did not object. Compared to holding a needle and thread, practicing calligraphy at least would not puncture her fingers.

That afternoon, after practicing several sheets of calligraphic copies, her wrists grew sore and fatigued. Just as she was about to pause and rest, someone suddenly leaned over from behind her. A pair of large, warm hands wrapped around her small ones, guiding the writing brush into motion once more.

Looking at the characters leaping across the paper, a flash of astonishment crossed Shen Quanyi's eyes. This person's handwriting was truly exceptional—vigorous, powerful, and as unrestrained as a soaring dragon and a dancing phoenix.

With such skill, Hushan must certainly have received a proper education. A sudden thought flashed through her mind: she realized she had never once asked about Hushan's background, nor had he ever brought it up of his own accord, as if sensing what was on her mind.

Hushan lowered his head slightly, his jade-like chin tilting upwards. As he guided Shen Quanyi's hand to complete the final stroke, five bold characters materialized on the paper: "Reeds leaning against a jade tree."

"The Mistress is kind-hearted; she would never put a servant in a difficult position."

His voice was gentle and low. Shen Quanyi bit her lower lip, released the brush, turned around, and sat back down by the edge of the table, looking up at the person standing before her.

"Who does not harbor a few secrets they wish to keep hidden from the world? I am not one to force others into awkward situations."

With that, Shen Quanyi stood up again, walked over to the washbasin in a few steps, and cleansed her hands, her fingertips stained with tiny specks of ink.

"However, I shall wait for you to tell me of your own accord."

Hushan paused slightly, then bowed respectfully to Shen Quanyi with cupped hands—not the sort of bow a mere servant ought to make.

Rubbing her smooth chin, Shen Quanyi watched the lowered head of Hushan, deep in thought.

By the time Yang Siqiu returned, it was already approaching evening. Shen Quanyi was leaning against the daybed after washing and dressing, flipping through a collection of folklore and miscellaneous notes that she had sent Hushan out to scour for.

A lamp stood beside the table, and beneath its warm orange glow, her face appeared as cozy as spring.

As Yang Siqiu entered, she inadvertently brought a hint of lingering chill in with her. Qiuyue pursed her lips in silent displeasure before walking over to serve a cup of hot tea.

Only after the warm tea entered her belly did Yang Siqiu feel the chill fade from her limbs, replaced by a returning warmth.

"The night is growing late. Younger Sister ought to read less, lest it harm your eyes."

Yang Siqiu's fingers gripped tightly around the teacup, a concerned smile plastered across her face. Across from her, Shen Quanyi set aside her book. Seeing that Yang Siqiu's face was flushed with the biting wind yet her eyes gleamed with delight, Shen Quanyi maintained an impassive expression.

Quietly withdrawing her gaze, she asked with a smile, "Has Elder Sister dined yet?"

As if touching upon her heart's desire, Yang Siqiu smiled somewhat bashfully, the corners of her eyes brimming with joy. "I dined in the inner courtyard upon my return. It was bestowed as a grace by the Crown Princess."

"As it happens, the Crown Prince was also dining at the Crown Princess's quarters today."

With that, she carefully cast a sidelong glance at Shen Quanyi's face to gauge her reaction. Seeing that Shen Quanyi's expression remained completely normal and devoid of displeasure, Yang Siqiu could not tell for a moment whether she should feel glad or resentful.

"Elder Sister's days are bound to get better. The Crown Princess has always been generous and kind to those beneath her; no doubt she has kept Elder Sister in her thoughts."

Shen Quanyi pinched a strand of hair draped over her chest. A faint fragrance drifted to her nose—not the osmanthus hair oil from before, but a new blend Lady Liu had prepared, said to be the finest for maintaining one's hair.

"What good days could there be for someone like me?" Yang Siqiu raised her head, staring fixedly at Shen Quanyi. Looking at that delicate and beautiful face, her spirit wilted slightly. Forcing a smile, she continued, "No matter what I do, I cannot compare to Younger Sister. In the Crown Prince's heart, Younger Sister holds a singular place."

Shen Quanyi waved her hand dismissively, lazily leaning back against her cushions. "What singular place? Such absurd talk. Could it be that Elder Sister listens to the idle gossip of outsiders as well? No matter how favored we may be, we are still merely concubines. If such talk spreads, people will curse us for it."

Hearing this, Yang Siqiu was momentarily startled, not expecting Shen Quanyi to respond in such a manner. Subconsciously, her hand touched her own wrist, where the gold-inlaid jade bracelet bestowed upon her earlier that day by Zuo Li rested.

Gradually coming to her senses, she could not quite explain why she had deliberately worn it to see Shen Quanyi.

She looked at Shen Quanyi, who remained lazily propped against the soft pillows behind her, her ink-black hair cascading loosely. The moonlight pouring in from outside the window bathed her in a pure white radiance, making her look quite like an ethereal fairy who had descended to the mortal realm.

A nameless emotion suddenly welled up in Yang Siqiu's chest. Fleeing almost as if escaping, she averted her gaze from Shen Quanyi and offered a self-deprecating smile. "Younger Sister does not understand women like me. If I were to speak my mind, I fear Younger Sister would look down upon me. Yet Younger Sister enjoys the Crown Prince's undivided favor and cannot comprehend what it is like for us to endure empty chambers, lonely nights, and sleepless pillows. Looking at Younger Sister truly fills me with envy."

"Why bother to envy? Elder Sister has recovered her beauty and regained her vitality. Surely you need not fear a lack of favor in the days to come."

Shen Quanyi's eyes were clear and cold, carrying a trace of chill. Seeing such a gaze for the very first time, Yang Siqiu felt her tension slightly dissolve. She picked up the teacup from the table and took a small sip.

"Look at this tea; it turns cold so quickly. It can no longer be drunk at this hour."

With those words, she set the teacup back onto the table and stood up. Pulling her cloak tightly around her shoulders, she smiled at Shen Quanyi. "We began talking and simply forgot the time. It is already late at night. Younger Sister should rest early; I shall not disturb you any longer."

Shen Quanyi did not rise, maintaining her previous posture with an unreadable expression on her face. She merely said softly, "The night is deep, Elder Sister, walk carefully. Qiuyue, hurry and see Elder Sister out."

Yang Siqiu turned and walked into the inner chamber, lifting the curtain to step outside. The faint warmth she had carried was instantly gone, and her entire body was enveloped by the biting cold once more. Looking up at the dark sky where a bright moon hung high, she let out a long breath and murmured involuntarily to herself:

How many times now had it been? Could they be considered to have parted on unhappy terms yet again?

"She knows nothing of hardship; I did not do wrong. Clearly, she was the one who told me not to live a muddled life before. Now that I also wish to strive for something, did you not see the look in her eyes just now? She was clearly treating me as an enemy."

The young maid walking beside her did not dare to utter a single word.

Yang Siqiu raised a hand, unconsciously touching her forehead once more to cover the spot where the scar used to be.

Even though there was no longer any scar upon her forehead.

Yet she could not break the habit; this gesture had somehow become second nature to her.