Chapter Seventeen: The Letter
Page (1/3)
As noble as Li Youwei was, she was always the one to be bowed to and greeted with smiles by others; no one had ever dared scheme against or use her.
“I have practiced vegetarianism and Buddhist chanting with the Empress Dowager since childhood. Every temple in the capital houses a Buddha statue I have donated; every refugee shelter in the city has porridge kitchens I have established; every impoverished scholar unable to afford schooling has received my assistance... Wen Zhiyan, aren’t you afraid of retribution for treating me this way?”
Everyone under the heavens knew well that she was the most cherished daughter of the current sovereign, raised in an atmosphere of freedom and support, which fostered such a compassionate heart in her.
Wen Zhiyan only smiled, “Princess, you jest. Retribution? It’s the one thing Zhiyan fears least. Nor is Zhiyan lacking in retribution.”
Thus, at the prime of her youth, her entire family perished unjustly.
For Wen Zhiyan, there was no fate more terrifying than this; how could she fear any other retribution?
Song Baiqing said, “When I was still studying, I often heard townsfolk speak of the Princess’s benevolence. Every year, shares of the Princess’s patronage are held in the capital’s book repositories. Those who can prove poverty or have sick parents to care for can receive books free of charge. Such magnanimity.”
“Not only that,” Wen Zhiyan added, “in recent years, the Princess has invested in many pharmacies to ensure the poor can afford medicine and doctors, truly deserving the title of Bodhisattva.”
“Then why do you treat me this way? Why?”
Li Youwei was perplexed; anger, sorrow, sadness, and grievance welled up within her, transforming into tears streaming down her face.
“Princess, do you remember how we first met?”
Li Youwei looked at Wen Zhiyan, puzzled by the sudden question, but she remembered it clearly.
“Last year, on the Emperor’s birthday, I searched everywhere for brocade books to present as a gift. After much inquiry, no one could find any. Just as I was about to give up, you invited me to a private room at Drunken Wind.”
—
“Princess, still no news. Less than half a month remains before the Emperor’s birthday. If we can’t find any brocade books, perhaps the Princess could make one herself? Though I wonder if there’s enough time.”
One morning, Li Youwei sat with her eyes closed before the dressing mirror while her maids styled her hair. The personal maid, Cao Qing, entered and reported her progress.
Li Youwei sighed with eyes still closed, “I thought finding brocade books wouldn’t be so difficult, but half a year has passed with not a single lead... Now with less than half a month left, even if I wanted to make one myself, it’s too late.”
Cao Qing selected a pair of earrings from the jewelry box and held them near Li Youwei’s ears, then switched to another pair, busy with her hands and talking nonstop.
“I didn’t expect these brocade books to be so rare. But the Emperor loves the Princess; whatever gift you give, he will be pleased.”
Page (2/3)
Li Youwei smiled, “You’re so good at coaxing me…”
Her smile lingered at the corner of her lips before she sighed again. “What use is love? I am a woman; I cannot ease the Emperor’s burdens. Since the Crown Prince’s accident, I have seldom seen the Emperor or Empress smile.”
“The Princess and the Crown Prince share the same mother and grew up together. After the Crown Prince’s misfortune, the Princess was heartbroken for a long time. It’s only in the past six months that you’ve regained some color. The deceased are gone; the Princess must take good care of herself.”
“Yes, I know. If I fall ill, it will only cause the Emperor and Empress more worry.”
Li Youwei brightened, “In the treasury is a thousand-year-old ginseng root my maternal grandfather brought back from the frontier when I was born. It can be taken out early and used as a gift for the Emperor.”
“The Princess is truly filial. The old Chancellor personally picked that root in the snowy mountains to ensure the Princess’s future safety.”
“If the Emperor is safe, then so am I.”
“Very well! I’ll order someone to fetch it immediately!”
Cao Qing left the room, and the steward hurried in.
“Miss Cao Qing, has the Princess awakened?”
“Steward Wang? The Princess is awake. May I ask what brings you?”
“Outside, a veiled young lady delivered this letter and requested the Princess’s personal attention.”
Steward Wang produced an envelope, which Cao Qing took. “Good. I’ll bring it to the Princess. By the way, please have someone retrieve the thousand-year-old ginseng from the treasury. Perhaps the Princess intends to use it as the Emperor’s birthday gift.”
Steward Wang was visibly shocked. “But that is—”
“It is the Princess’s decision. Everyone knows the Princess and the Emperor share the closest bond.”
Steward Wang nodded, “Very well, I’ll have it fetched.”
Cao Qing turned back with the letter. Li Youwei heard her footsteps and was somewhat surprised. “Already done so quickly?”
“Just now Steward Wang came looking for the Princess, saying a young lady had delivered a letter. I’ve brought it here first. Would the Princess like me to read it, or would you prefer to read it yourself?”
Li Youwei frowned. “A young lady? Did she say who she was?”
Page (3/3)
“No,” Cao Qing shook her head. “Steward Wang knows all the young ladies in the capital. The messenger gave no name and was veiled—perhaps she didn’t want her identity revealed.”
Li Youwei found it odd. “Be careful opening it. Watch for poison powder or the like.”
“Yes.”
Cao Qing employed the palace’s trained anti-poison methods to open the envelope and unfold the letter.
“Princess, it’s safe.”
“Give it here.”
“Yes.”
Li Youwei took the letter. The calligraphy was grand and elegant. Upon reading it, a delighted smile spread across her face.
Cao Qing’s curiosity was piqued. “Princess, what does the letter say?”
“This person invites me to meet at the Drunken Wind’s private room, claiming to have brocade books to gift me!”
Cao Qing was even more curious. “In the past half year, we have received many reports about brocade books, but I’ve never seen the Princess so pleased.”
“You don’t understand!” Li Youwei waved the letter excitedly. “Brocade books are made not only from the first batch of silk from spring’s young silkworms but also demand gold-threaded characters written on them. The writing must blend yin and yang, with the strokes embodying both masculine grace and feminine gentleness.”
Cao Qing nodded. “The ones we’ve seen so far are either too bold or too delicate... Even Song, the capital’s most talented scholar, can’t produce the calligraphy the books require.”
“Exactly! That’s why I’m so happy. Look!”
Li Youwei unfolded the letter and showed it to her maids. “This writing perfectly matches my heart’s desire. It’s impossible to tell if it was penned by a man or a woman—both majestic and tender. Wonderful, truly wonderful!”
Li Youwei treasured the letter, reading it over and over, unaware that fate’s gift had already been silently priced.