Chapter 7: Withdrawal from the World

The truth was, Zuo Li acted with remarkable speed. Almost immediately upon returning that same day, all manner of rewards began to arrive.

It was Yulan who led a procession of maidservants, each clutching various treasures in their arms—hairpins, jewelry, silks, and satins, nothing was missing.

"Why go to the trouble of coming yourself?" Shen Quanyi rose. Her eyelashes fluttered downward and then lifted, a smile gracing her face. Yulan hurried forward, taking hold of Shen Quanyi’s slender hands. She found the skin to be delicate and smooth, much like clutching a piece of warm jade.

Looking up, Yulan noticed that perhaps due to a poor night’s sleep, Shen Quanyi’s complexion was deathly pale. Yet, as she began to cough, her cheeks flushed as if dusted with rouge. Her thin, cicada-wing lashes trembled gently, and her almond-shaped eyes welled with tears, misty and fragile, appearing so innocent that one could not help but pity her.

It was the kind of sight that would stir the tenderest, most deep-seated emotions in even the most rugged of men.

Yulan’s heart skipped a beat. It was no wonder the Crown Prince kept her in his thoughts; she truly was a treasure.

"Look at you. My heart aches just seeing you like this. You must take better care of yourself," Yulan whispered comfortingly. Shen Quanyi merely offered a faint smile, covering her mouth to cough softly, which only made her appear more frail.

She waved a hand, and a maidservant stepped forward, presenting a small lacquer tray painted with gold begonias, upon which sat a box carved with a red lacquer peony design.

"They say these are pearls from an Eastern tribute. They are quite rare, and this is the only box we received. Initially, the Secondary Consort pestered the Crown Prince for them for a long time but never obtained them. They ended up in the hands of the Crown Princess, and now she has bestowed them upon you. One can see how highly she regards you."

It would have been better had she not said it. At these words, Shen Quanyi’s heart tightened; she knew Zuo Li was deliberately putting her in the spotlight. Since Gu Tan did not possess these, there was no way she would not harbor resentment now that a lowly concubine like herself had received them.

"Yes, it is all thanks to the Crown Princess. I am… truly overwhelmed by such favor," Shen Quanyi said, maintaining her usual humble demeanor. Yulan patted her hand with satisfaction. "Very well, the Princess bestowed them upon you, so accept them with peace of mind."

Shen Quanyi opened her mouth, but another coughing fit took hold. Seeing she could hardly speak, Yulan rose. "You sit, Concubine. I must return to report."

With that, she turned to leave, but suddenly paused and leaned in close to Shen Quanyi’s ear. "The Crown Prince mentioned you several times to the Crown Princess yesterday, asking after you. Be prepared; your good days are coming."

"Among all the concubines, you are currently the foremost."

Shen Quanyi immediately assumed an expression of flattering surprise, thanking Zuo Li profusely before finally seeing Yulan out. Once the woman was gone, the smile on her face vanished.

***

Facing the piles of treasures brought in, one could only stare in disbelief. Taoye could not help but remark, "It seems doing one good deed a day really does bring good rewards."

Hearing this, Shen Quanyi’s expression turned solemn; the display was simply too ostentatious.

Xingye held the inventory list, counting the items over and over to ensure nothing was missing. Taoye lifted the red lacquer peony box from the table. It felt quite heavy. She pulled open the small drawer to reveal six white pearls. Though not particularly large, they were lustrous, smooth, and plump.

They were of the highest quality. Such valuable gifts were far too heavy, even for a reward. Taoye’s face lit up with excitement.

"Put everything away. Do not touch them. Register them and place them in the storehouse," Shen Quanyi said, giving instructions to the dazed maids.

This was no blessing. At this moment, she had likely become a thorn in the side of every woman in the household.

After dismissing Taoye, Xingye watched Shen Quanyi’s worried face, standing silently behind her to gently massage her shoulders. "You feel the spotlight is too bright and fear it will not last."

Shen Quanyi sighed softly. She had no support system and was better off hiding her true edge. The thought made her dizzy; she leaned over the small rosewood table on the kang, propping up her forehead and contemplating how to avoid this unwanted attention.

Her anxiety was genuine. After several sleepless nights, she deliberately exposed herself to the cold, eventually developing a fever and stomach troubles. Her cough worsened, and she withered away, her usual clothes hanging loosely on her frame.

The physician came and went repeatedly, writing countless prescriptions. The room was filled with the bitter scent of medicinal decoctions.

Now that she was truly ill, Shen Quanyi smiled bitterly to herself. It was physical torture, but it was also an opportunity to avoid the storm. After some time, word was sent to Zuo Li in the main courtyard—since she was ill, she could no longer attend to Li Qian.

The other women in the household pitied her. Just as she had caught the eye of the Prince and was on the verge of gaining favor, she had fallen ill. It seemed she simply lacked the fortune for it.

Zuo Li did send someone with gifts to "inquire" after her, though it was clearly a probe. Finding Shen Quanyi lying prone on the kang, her thin face devoid of color, she managed to squeeze out a weak smile upon hearing they were sent by the Crown Princess.

She thanked the Princess with a trembling voice, her tone so low and faint that each syllable seemed to exhaust her strength. Shen Quanyi struggled to sit up, leaning against the edge of the kang. Taoye tucked a large embroidered pillow behind her back while Xingye stood by. Watching Shen Quanyi drink her medicine without a change in expression, she took the empty bowl.

She then offered a cup of clear tea for rinsing, and only after serving her did Shen Quanyi let out a long breath. "I am truly sorry to the Princess. I have received so many favors and intended to thank her in person, but my body is failing me…"

"Concubine, you must not say such things. The Crown Princess is concerned for you. She is a kind person and naturally understands. There is plenty of time; for now, recovering your health is the most important thing."

After finishing, the messenger looked on with pity, offered a few more words of comfort, and hurried back to report to Zuo Li.

In Huai'an Courtyard, Zuo Li was not annoyed by the news; she even specifically sent more tonics over.

Yulan, however, frowned. "How can she be so useless? The Princess just thought to support her, and I never expected her to be so spineless. Before anyone else could even act, she collapsed herself."

Hearing this, Zuo Li smiled. She set down her teacup, toyed with the red carnelian bead string wrapped around her wrist, and leaned back. With a kick of her foot, the two young maids kneeling and pounding her legs understood and immediately retreated.

"She is truly a clever one. No wonder the Crown Prince keeps her in his thoughts." The smile on Zuo Li’s face grew brighter, her eyes hiding a glint of light. Yet, for all her brightness, there was a sense of detachment that kept others at bay.

Yulan paused, quickly composing herself, and stood by Zuo Li’s side to massage her arms. "Does the Princess mean that Concubine Shen is doing this on purpose?"

"That would be interesting. Everyone hopes for the Crown Prince’s favor, yet here is Concubine Shen, avoiding it at all costs."

Zuo Li looked up and exhaled. Her gaze drifted past the small window, watching a thin plum branch dusted with snow reach inside. The tree in front of her door was quite strange; in previous years, it would bloom fully, but this one branch remained bare. At least, with the snow upon it, it was somewhat pleasant to look at.

Zuo Li smiled. Flowers blooming and fading repeatedly were tiresome; she preferred the look of that bare branch.

"Jade-thin and fragrance-dense, sandalwood and snow scattered."

Zuo Li said this lightly, then added with a faint laugh, "Tell me, when do you think Concubine Shen’s illness will pass?"

Yulan massaged her shoulders and replied, "I suspect the illness is quite severe, but surely she will be recovered by the end of the year."

"Indeed. We cannot let her stay ill for too long, or the play will not be able to continue. Since the Yang woman and the Shen woman are both incapacitated, let the Wang woman step up. We cannot leave the rooms cold and neglected."

As Zuo Li spoke, she seemed tired and slowly closed her eyes.

Yulan asked no more. To guess the heart of one's master was risky; a single mistake could lead to one's downfall. But deep down, she thought to herself that the Secondary Consort had only just begun to behave herself, and now, she would surely be pleased.