“Since the senior consorts were willing to remind you, you should remember their advice,” Wumian said with a soft smile. “I don’t know as much about the past as they do. It’s best if you focus on being yourself. I think you’re very beautiful.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Qu Baolin nearly teared up as she spoke.

  The other consorts didn’t say much more after that, only giving Qu Baolin faint, ambiguous smiles before the gathering dispersed.

  After everyone left, Wumian turned to Dukang. “Tell me, do you think Qu Baolin truly resembles that ‘past person’ they were talking about?”

  “Not at all,” Dukang replied. “Her features aren’t simir in the slightest—it’s just the brows. I was only a junior maid back then, serving at Fengyi Pace, so I wasn’t close to the te Empress. But I saw her every day, and this girl looks nothing like her. It’s only that the te Empress also liked to draw her brows like that. If you ask me, this is either a coincidence or someone deliberately set her up.”

  Wumian nodded. That was what she thought as well. The Emperor didn’t seem like the sort to py the game of finding a substitute.

  The maids who had once personally served Empress Shen in Fengyi Pace had long been dismissed to the secondary paces. Those who remained had never served closely, including the ones now beside Wumian.

  “In that case, pass a word to Qu Baolin,” Wumian instructed. “Don’t make it too obvious—just drop a hint. If she’s clever, she’ll understand.”

  This kind of scheme could only have come from someone of the same rank. The higher-ranking consorts wouldn’t bother with such petty tricks against someone who had only recently been summoned to the Emperor’s bedchamber. But those of simir standing… they might be tempted. If the Emperor were to connect her appearance with memories of the te Empress, Qu Baolin could very well be discarded without another gnce.

  For a low-ranked consort, offending the Emperor or displeasing him even slightly could mean never seeing him again.

  “A few of these newcomers likely met the te Empress back then,” Linshui remarked. “They all come from prominent families—it’s not surprising if they visited the pace with their parents or went to the Eastern Pace.”

  Wumian had never seen Empress Shen because her family hadn’t held official rank back then.

  “Ah, this harem really is full of ‘talent,’” Wumian remarked dryly.

  Meanwhile, at Ziyun Pace, Qu Baolin had returned, visibly unsettled. Yu Yunu hurried to comfort her. “Perhaps it was all a misunderstanding, sister. Don’t be upset—it was nothing. His Majesty didn’t even hear any of it.”

  “You’re too kind,” Qu Baolin forced a smile. “It’s nothing really… just a matter of how I drew my brows.”

  The two parted, each returning to their rooms. Qu Baolin furrowed her brow and called, “Xiuyue, bring Moli here.”

  Her maid, Xiuyue, quickly obeyed, and Moli soon arrived.

  “Where were you just now?” Qu Baolin asked sweetly.

  Moli walked forward and smiled. “You’ve returned from greeting Her Majesty. Were you tired? I already brought some pastries from the kitchen. Would you like some? Or perhaps you’d prefer a nap?”

  “I’m not hungry. I might rest for a bit,” Qu Baolin replied. Then she added casually, “Your makeup skills are quite good. Several consorts praised my appearance this morning. Did you study it somewhere?”

  Moli smiled politely. “I didn’t formally learn, but I used to serve a Dowager Consort. I picked it up while serving her. If Baolin doesn’t mind my humble skills, I’m happy.”

  Qu Baolin didn’t press further and merely nodded. “Then I should reward you.”

  She handed Moli a small string of coins, which the maid accepted with evident joy.

  Just then, the Empress’s little maid, Zhulu, arrived.

  “Sister Zhulu, why have you come? Did the Empress send instructions?” Xiuyue stepped forward quickly to greet her.

  Qu Baolin also rose politely. “Moli, go prepare some tea.”

  She was sharp—already guessing that this visit wasn’t just for appearances.

  Moli retreated, and Zhulu smiled. “Her Majesty asked me to deliver some rewards. Please take a look.”

  “Please convey my deepest gratitude to the Empress,” Qu Baolin said respectfully, bowing.

  “Sister Zhulu, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask,” Qu Baolin continued cautiously.

  “Oh? How could I dare let you call me ‘sister’? If there’s anything you wish to ask, please do. If I know, I’ll tell you.”

  Qu Baolin hesitated, then asked, “This morning… the ‘person from the past’ they mentioned—who were they referring to?”

  Zhulu sighed. “It’s no great secret in the pace, but it’s not something people like to speak of. The te Empress Shen… she loved to draw her brows in that sharp arch. I’m sure you’ve heard of her. And today, the Empress also said it—Baolin, you’re a round-faced beauty. You’re still so young. Why bother with such severe brows? It only detracts from your natural charm.”

  When she heard the mention of the te Empress, Qu Baolin’s face went completely pale.

  To those unfamiliar with the details, Empress Shen’s fate was clear enough—she hadn’t even been granted a posthumous title after death. People only referred to her as “the te Empress Shen,” or “the former Empress.” What greater condemnation could there be?

  Her entire family had been executed for treason. If anyone began to say that she resembled such a person… what good could come of it?

  “Baolin, there’s no need to be so nervous,” Zhulu said gently. “I saw Her te Majesty back then. You don’t resemble her in the slightest.”

  “Thank you for your guidance,” Qu Baolin quickly bowed to her. “And I’m especially grateful to Her Majesty the Empress for her concern. I’ll remember it well.”

  “There’s no need for such formality, Baolin. You can rest easy. His Majesty favors you and won’t believe such nonsense. You need only dress as you like,” Zhulu smiled, then took her leave.

  Before she left, Qu Baolin discreetly slipped her a silver peanut-shaped ingot weighing three taels. Zhulu accepted it without fuss.

  Once she was gone, Xiuyue, the maid who had entered the pace with Qu Baolin, muttered quietly, “Baolin, it seems that Moli…”

  Xiuyue had followed her mistress into the pace. Normally, those of low rank weren’t permitted to bring personal maids, but Qu Baolin had not entered alongside the other pace maidens. Her situation had been somewhat special, allowing her to bring Xiuyue with her.

  “Stay calm,” Qu Baolin gritted her teeth. “Pretend you know nothing—for now.”

  “Yes, Baolin. But I must say… Her Majesty the Empress is truly kind,” Xiuyue commented.

  Qu Baolin nodded faintly but said nothing more. She had many thoughts in her heart, but there was no need to voice them.

  This harem… was indeed far more perilous than she had imagined.

  As for Wumian, she had only casually intervened in this matter. What truly concerned her at the moment was her third batch of inksticks. She had once again adjusted the proportions of the medicinal ingredients used.

  Sure enough, the ink now flowed much more smoothly.

  “Good. Keep it like this—no need to adjust further. It’s working well.”

  She then wrote down a recipe for the ink from memory. “Send this to the Hall of the Interior Ministry. Have them try making some according to this formu. Let them experiment with the ratios themselves.”

  That was true oil-based ink—something she couldn’t produce herself.

  Later that afternoon, a eunuch arrived from the Emperor’s pace, bearing two rge chests.

  “Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress. His Majesty sent these over—would you like to take a look?” Yang Heshun bowed, smiling politely.

  “Thank His Majesty for me. What is it?” Wumian asked casually, neither too interested nor too indifferent.

  “There are some pearls from the Eastern Seas, specially selected for you by His Majesty,” Yang Heshun replied. “There are also some fabrics, jewelry, and writing supplies. His Majesty said he knows you favor such things, so he had them sent over.”