"Chunqi, are you feeling resentful?"
Qiu Ming's tone carried no emotion, but Xiao Luzi, who had spent a lot of time with him, could tell from his expression that he was clearly displeased.
Chunqi suddenly lifted her head and looked directly at Qiu Ming as she replied seriously,
"Eunuch Qiu is the steward of Xianyi Hall. If even our lady has no complaints, how could a mere servant like me dare feel otherwise?"
Her words, though respectful on the surface, carried an unmistakable note of sarcasm.
Qiu Ming had served in front of the Emperor for years and had seen all sorts of people. He simply clasped his left wrist with his right hand and let them fall naturally in front of him. Then, with a stern face, he said to Chunqi:
"You were brought here personally by our lady, so by right, you should understand things better than the others. But the way I see it, your temper is not that of a servant — more like someone who wants to be the master. Our lady used to indulge you because she found your cheerfulness endearing. But you must realize, the palace is full of cheerful and lovely mistresses — what it lacks are cheerful and lovely maids. Do you know why that is?"
His words made Chunqi grit her teeth in anger, yet she couldn't refute him.
"Because cheerful and lively servants rarely come to a good end. Either they're beaten to death for causing trouble, or they're driven out of the palace. Whichever fate it is — I doubt it's one you'd be willing to accept."
"You—!"
Chunqi was fuming. She had grown up by Lin Wanyi's side, and the mistresses of the main household had always been gentle and rarely enforced rules strictly on their servants.
So the maids and stewards in the Eastern Wing Courtyard had grown up able to keep their personalities, without being forced into submission.
Though Chunqi had been cautious upon entering the palace, after witnessing how quickly Lin Wanyi had gained the Emperor's favor, her natural vivacity began to show again.
She felt that since they had together taken down a high-ranking consort, they were now riding high. A few extra privileges seemed only right.
But in Qiu Ming's eyes, such notions were like grains of sand — entirely intolerable.
Seeing Chunqi's eyes well up with tears from his reprimand, Qiu Ming suddenly changed his tone from harsh to gentle.
"You took a whipping for our lady — that alone proves your loyalty, something even the heavens would acknowledge. Our lady often praises your good qualities to us. But Chunqi, let me ask you just one thing: if one day, our lady ends up in danger because of your carefree and reckless nature, will your guilt or regret be of any use then?"
Chunqi was stunned into silence.
"In this palace, we lowly servants may seem insignificant — no more than wild grass. But at the same time, we are crucial. Everything we say and do reflects directly on Xianyi Hall and our lady herself. If we're not cautious to the extreme, we may bring disaster to her without even realizing it."
"Will you really wait until catastrophe strikes to cry bitter tears? Tell me — would it change anything then?"
Chunqi finally burst into tears, overwhelmed by fear and shock.
She had always brushed off small matters, forgetting that in the palace, there was no such thing as a small matter.
Any tiny mistake could become a sharp weapon in another's hand — one aimed at her lady's heart.
Lin Wanyi had warned her many times before, but she always remembered for three days and forgot by the fourth.
Now, after being scolded so thoroughly by Qiu Ming, her mind finally cleared.
With red eyes, she quickly bowed to Qiu Ming and said,
"Eunuch Qiu, your words today — Chunqi will remember them. Harsh medicine is bitter, and honest words are hard to hear, but I am not someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong. I know you are doing this for our lady's sake — and mine as well. From this day forward, in all matters of Xianyi Hall, I will follow Eunuch Qiu's instructions without question. I will never repeat today's mistake!"
Qiu Ming smiled gently and personally helped her up.
For once, he appeared amiable, and turned to address all three attendants present:
"The four of us serve closely beside our lady. Whenever we step outside, we represent her. We cannot afford any missteps — do you all understand?"
"Rest assured, Eunuch Qiu. I will remember."
"Rest assured, Eunuch Qiu. I will remember."
"Rest assured, Eunuch Qiu. I will remember."
Lin Wanyi sat beneath the bright window, listening to Qiu Ming's words from outside. Her brows lifted with a slight smile.
As expected of a disciple personally trained by Senior Eunuch Dong — Qiu Ming's abilities were not to be underestimated.
There were only three attendants in Xianyi Hall, yet he had used entirely different methods to win each of them over.
With Xia An, he used heartfelt reasoning and emotion.
With Xiao Luzi, he showed trust and allowed him space to grow.
With Chunqi, he applied both kindness and discipline — striking precisely at her weakness.
Even Lin Wanyi had to admit, she might not have handled things as skillfully.
This palace truly was filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
Her thoughts drifted to what the Emperor had said when assigning Qiu Ming to her:
"Your foundation in the palace is too shallow. You can't even protect yourself in times of trouble. Let me be more thoughtful — I don't want you freezing at night without a bed robe."
With a soft chuckle, Lin Wanyi's heart filled with warmth.
So, as she resumed sewing the Emperor's bed robe, she did so with even greater care.
Time passed like flowing water.
That afternoon, as usual, Lin Wanyi was sewing the Emperor's robe, while Xia An and Chunqi sat beside her, tidying thread ends.
Suddenly, Qiu Ming's voice came from outside.
"My lady, Eunuch Jiang from Linzhi Palace has arrived. He says he's here on behalf of the Noble Consort to deliver some items for the Dragon Boat Festival."
"Very well. Invite Eunuch Jiang in."
"Yes, my lady."
Soon the curtain was lifted, and Jiang Heqing entered, followed by two eunuchs holding trays filled with various items.
"Your humble servant Jiang Heqing greets the Lady."
"Eunuch Jiang, you're too kind. In this heat, you've come all this way — I must trouble you."
It was indeed strange — summer had come early this year. It was only early May, yet the sun already felt scorching enough to melt a person.
It hadn't rained in days, and the palace was stifling.
Fortunately, Xianyi Hall had gardens planted front and back. If the rear windows were opened, a cross breeze would pass through, keeping the air fairly cool.
But Jiang Heqing, after walking all the way from Linzhi Palace, had sweat forming under the brim of his hat.
Xia An brought over a bowl of chilled tea and offered it to him.
He didn't stand on ceremony — he drank it in one go, wiped the corners of his mouth, and smiled.
"Only here at your hall can one find such refreshing tea. In this weather, a bowl of it really does the trick!"
"If Eunuch Jiang enjoys it, I'll have Chunqi prepare some tea leaves for you to take home. Just steep them and cool the tea before drinking."
"That would be wonderful. My thanks, my lady."
Lin Wanyi smiled faintly.
Keeping good relations with Jiang Heqing was, in a way, her way of passing messages to Noble Consort Lin.
No matter her private feelings, her elder brother's future still lay in Noble Consort Lin's hands.
Until the competition ended, his name could be removed from the list at any moment.
She had no choice but to tread carefully.
Jiang Heqing, always smiling, sipped his tea before saying,
"These were specially ordered by the Noble Consort for you, my lady — sachets to ward off illness, five-colored cords for the wrist, and a 'Five Poisons' festival fan — all quite fitting for the occasion!"