Chapter Four: The Jade Hairpin

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In the early morning, sunlight blanketed the earth, and the birds outside the window chirped cheerfully. Shen Qiuning opened the window and took a deep breath. It had been a long time since she had seen the first rays of dawn. Today, she had woken unusually early. As she walked into the main hall, she happened to see Shen MuNian sitting down with a box of Su Ji’s osmanthus cakes.

Shen Qiuning yawned. “Father, did you go buy pastries for Mother so early this morning?”

“Oh, this child walks without making a sound. You’re up so early today—something on your mind?” Cui Wanyun’s voice was heard, surprised to find another person in the room.

Shen Qiuning sat down at the dining table, her energy lacking. “I’m going to the palace to practice the waist whip with Consort Xuan. I’ll eat a little and then leave.”

Shen MuNian and Cui Wanyun exchanged a glance and smiled awkwardly. “Haha, well... you usually don’t get up at dawn, so we didn’t prepare your early meal. We didn’t want it to go to waste.”

Seeing the sorrowful look in his daughter’s eyes, Shen MuNian feigned calm. “Here, take a piece of osmanthus cake for the road. Your mother and I will have the early meal. You should leave early too—studying requires the right attitude.”

Shen Qiuning forced a smile, took two pieces of osmanthus cake, and left.

Upon arriving at the palace, she threw herself into Consort Xuan’s arms. “Consort Xuan! Living a life where Father doesn’t love Mother and Mother doesn’t care for me—I’ve had enough. They don’t even give me food. I can only come to you for refuge.”

Consort Xuan chuckled lightly at Shen Qiuning’s tearful plea. “You little rascal, trying to ruin your parents’ reputation. Tell me, what’s your reason for coming to me with such a pitiful act?”

“I’m hungry. I want to eat the dishes made by the southern chef,” Shen Qiuning blinked her big eyes.

Consort Xuan knew this little trickster wasn’t here without a reason. The chef was the Emperor’s personal cook, brought at great expense during the southern tours. This child knew nothing of good things—just like his father.

“You clever one, if you want it, let Consort Xuan ask for it. You’re really impolite,” Consort Xuan teased, affectionately poking Shen Qiuning’s forehead.

“Consort Xuan is the best. You even teach me to wield the waist whip and get the chef for me. How can there be anyone so good in this world, treating me so well? From now on, I’ll have two mothers,” Shen Qiuning coquettishly said, knowing Consort Xuan was most susceptible to such charms.

“Alright, you sweet talker. Come help me make some hundred-leaf pastry for the Emperor. Since we’re using the Emperor’s chef, we must please him. This pastry recipe is mine alone. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t share it so easily.”

Shen Qiuning was delighted—not only could she eat delicious food, but she also got to enjoy Consort Xuan’s hundred-leaf pastry, secretly thrilled.

In the Imperial Study, Gu Yan was discussing the Third Prince with the Emperor. The Third Prince was born of the Empress, whose backing was the powerful Zhao family. The Emperor had long intended to weaken the noble houses, but the Third Prince caused trouble at this critical time.

The Emperor threw his teacup down. “My third son is truly my good son. I might as well give him the throne now. He thinks I don’t know what he’s done! Bullying Ning’er when they were young, now even bullying me! What has the Empress taught him? I gave her the position of Empress, yet she’s never satisfied!”

Gu Yan only caught that the Third Prince had bullied Ning’er. The “bad things” the Emperor mentioned must be connected to the Third Prince. “Your Majesty, you mean he bullied Ning’er before?”

The Emperor was still ranting fiercely.

“Hmm? Is that the main point? I already punished him back then. The key is, Gu Yan, investigate everything he’s done and report it all to me. These noble families cannot be tolerated.” Before the Emperor finished, a eunuch entered with a report.

“Your Majesty, Consort Xuan wishes to use your chef to prepare lunch for Miss Shen,” the eunuch said cautiously, fearing the Emperor’s wrath might extend to him.

Upon hearing that Shen Qiuning was at Consort Xuan’s place and that he intended to join them, the Emperor glanced at Gu Yan. “Let’s go, lad. Ning’er will be there too. It’s a good chance to dine together.” Gu Yan wouldn’t expose the truth—that the Emperor wanted to see Consort Xuan.

When they arrived at Consort Xuan’s palace, Shen Qiuning and Consort Xuan were making hundred-leaf pastry. Both saw them and spoke simultaneously: “What are you doing here?”

One directed to the Emperor, the other to Gu Yan—a perfect tacit understanding.

After Shen Qiuning bowed, she leaned toward Gu Yan and whispered, “The Emperor came to find Consort Xuan. Why did you come along?”

Gu Yan lazily replied, “Me? Of course, I came to see you.” He suddenly moved closer, catching Shen Qiuning off guard, and her face flushed.

“You’re sick!” she exclaimed and hurried away.

Approaching Consort Xuan, she asked, “Ning’er, why is your face so red?” Placing her hand on Shen Qiuning’s forehead, she checked.

“No fever, though?”

Gu Yan burst out laughing nearby.

The atmosphere instantly grew rather delicate.

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Consort Xuan glanced at Shen Qiuning, then at Gu Yan, sharing a knowing smile. The Emperor’s expression showed he understood as well.

Shen Qiuning wished she could disappear into a crack in the wall, blaming Gu Yan for teasing her with those scoundrel words.

Gu Yan smirked at Shen Qiuning.

Consort Xuan’s hundred-leaf pastry was ready. Once all the dishes were served, the Emperor quickly took a piece. “How long has it been since I last tasted your hundred-leaf pastry? I wonder if it tastes as good as before.”

“Your Majesty must be blaming me for not making it in a long time,” Consort Xuan replied with a hint of annoyance.

“I wouldn’t dare blame you. I blame myself. I spoke too much,” the Emperor sighed, clearly holding back his frustrations.

Watching the two, Shen Qiuning reflected on how powerful Consort Xuan was. The Emperor listened only to her; no one dared oppose her, yet the Emperor bowed to her will.

Her father had told her Consort Xuan was two years older than the Emperor. When they were young, the Emperor always followed her around, and everyone called her “Sister,” but he refused and only used her childhood nickname. Consort Xuan detested him for it. Her father also said Consort Xuan entered the palace because the Emperor had been enticed by her beauty. Shen Qiuning once asked why she wasn’t made Empress. Her father fell silent. The higher the position, the more one must consider. Shen Qiuning felt Consort Xuan must love the Emperor deeply. She loved freedom most but could not be Empress; yet, she entered the palace for him, and once inside, she could never leave the red walls and green tiles.

Gu Yan noticed Shen Qiuning staring absentmindedly at the Emperor and darkened slightly. “Shen Qiuning, pour me a cup of wine.”

Shen Qiuning snapped back to reality, puzzled. “Don’t you have hands?”

Gu Yan picked up some food for her. “If you don’t pour it, just eat properly. Don’t daydream. You look so weak—one touch and you’d fall. And you want to learn the waist whip from Consort Xuan?”

Weak? No one had ever called her weak before. Shen Qiuning glared at him. “Gu Yan, eating with you is like risking poison. I’m afraid your poisonous mouth will kill me.”

The Emperor found Gu Yan suspicious. Usually, he was taciturn, unlike Ning’er.

“Ahem, you two are just bickering. Gu Yan, you must be more considerate of Ning’er. You don’t cherish her at all. How will you ever marry the woman you love?” The Emperor said, squeezing Consort Xuan’s hand, showing off like a proud peacock.

Gu Yan replied dismissively, “She’s not the woman I love. I’m not going to marry her. And she’s supposed to be delicate?”

“Gu! Yan! After dinner, I dare you to spar with me!” Shen Qiuning was now furious.

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Three moves, and I’ll grant you one wish. If you win, you grant me one wish.”

“Insulting!”

Right after dinner, Shen Qiuning stood up, ready to spar.

Consort Xuan watched them with a smile in her eyes. “Ning’er, you just ate. Rest a bit first, then spar. Come, stay with me for a while.”

The Emperor also pulled Gu Yan away to play chess.

Consort Xuan smiled warmly at Shen Qiuning.

“Consort Xuan, why do you keep smiling at me like that?” Shen Qiuning was puzzled. Consort Xuan was acting strangely today.

“Hahaha, my little Ning’er has grown up. Consort Xuan wants to know—what’s going on between you and that Gu Yan boy?” Consort Xuan’s expression was full of gossip.

“Me and Gu Yan!? There’s nothing between us. I hate him, actually,” Shen Qiuning knew exactly what Consort Xuan was up to.

“That’s right, I’m going to find Gu Yan. We agreed to spar. Watch me knock her down!” Shen Qiuning got up and dashed off.

Turning, she collided with Gu Yan.

“Perfect timing. Let’s go to the courtyard.” Shen Qiuning grabbed Gu Yan.

The autumn wind stirred, yellow leaves drifting down in the courtyard. The two stood facing each other beneath the trees.

Shen Qiuning drew her waist whip. The tip stirred a pile of fallen leaves. Using the tree trunk for support, she swiftly struck downward.

Gu Yan chuckled softly, sidestepping. As Shen Qiuning landed, he grabbed the whip and pulled hard. She was caught off guard and couldn’t let go. He steadied her waist, helping her balance, then pinched her waist playfully.

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Shen Qiuning glared at him, stepping back and putting distance between them. Her wind-tousled hair fell over her face. Her rosy cheeks showed her anger. “Gu Yan!”

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting as he spoke softly, “One move, Shen Qiuning. With your mediocre skills, how will you protect yourself? And remember our terms.”

Shen Qiuning clenched her fists, scowling. “Hmph. A bet’s a bet. I won’t forget. Now, what’s your demand?”

Gu Yan glanced at her with amusement.

Shen Qiuning added, “And don’t have any improper ideas.”

“Oh, I haven’t decided yet. I’ll owe you that.” Gu Yan lounged against the tree lazily.

He started to leave but paused after a few steps. Turning back, he approached Shen Qiuning.

Suddenly, she felt something placed atop her head. She reached to remove it, but Gu Yan stopped her hand.

“Don’t take it off. It’s a hidden weapon. I meant to give it to you in a few days, but today, seeing your poor skills, I’m giving it now. As for how the mechanism works, you’ll have to figure it out yourself.” Gu Yan frowned, clearly displeased with her weak abilities.

After handing over the jade hairpin, Gu Yan strode away. Shen Qiuning watched his retreating figure, her emotions complex. She feared she couldn’t meet Gu Yan’s expectations.

Back in her room, Shen Qiuning carefully removed the jade hairpin before the bronze mirror to examine it. It was a translucent white jade pin, carved at the top with a blooming magnolia flower. She noticed a fine seam between a petal and the stamen. Gently pressing the petal, a silver needle shot out swiftly, piercing the bronze mirror and lodging firmly in the window frame.

Shen Qiuning retrieved the slender silver needle, surprised at its power despite its thinness—like a thread but deadly. She stared at the needle thoughtfully. If coated with strong poison, it could be a lethal weapon. Pondering this, she studied the hairpin closely, trying to find a way to extract all the needles, but the craftsmanship was exquisite, revealing no clues. She decided to wait for an opportunity to ask Gu Yan.

At that moment, Consort Xuan brought a bowl of ginger honey water. “Ning’er, drink this while it’s hot. Afterward, come with me to practice the waist whip in the courtyard.”

Shen Qiuning took the bowl and drank it all at once. She smiled sweetly at Consort Xuan, who looked at her as if she were her own daughter, filled with affection.

In the courtyard, Consort Xuan drew her waist whip, tracing a perfect arc in the air. The whip’s tip slammed into the ground, leaving a deep mark. She swung it again, the whip flying up and down with clean, swift motions—like a silver serpent dancing, dazzling to watch.

Shen Qiuning admired Consort Xuan’s mastery and thought she belonged in the world outside—in the martial arts world or the military—not trapped within these high walls and green tiles.

Consort Xuan approached Shen Qiuning. “Ning’er, give it a try.”

Shen Qiuning collected herself, grabbed the whip, and leapt into a routine similar to Consort Xuan’s. Compared to Consort Xuan, her movements were clumsy and slow.

“Ning’er, if your speed isn’t the fastest, enemies will easily exploit openings. Your movements must be precise—not dragging or sloppy. When striking, whip forward in a straight line, strike sideways like a fan. When retracting, force should be soft and flexible; when striking out, it must be firm and fast!” Consort Xuan explained while demonstrating.

After practicing all afternoon, Shen Qiuning made notable progress, yet to Consort Xuan, it was still insufficient. Shen Qiuning’s arms were too tired to lift, even holding a teacup was difficult. Seeing this, Consort Xuan softened and let her rest.

Dragging her exhausted arms home, Shen MuNian mocked her mercilessly. “Can’t handle this much? You must know, this is only a small part of a day in the military…”

Shen Qiuning ignored him, knowing if he talked any longer, her mother would come to beat him.

Back in her room, she collapsed onto the bed. “Mingyue, save me. Get me some water.”

Mingyue hurriedly poured a cup and fed it to her. After drinking, Shen Qiuning suddenly sat up. “Alright, I’m fully recharged!”

Mingyue was startled, thinking her mistress truly inherited General Shen’s temperament—intense bursts followed by sudden energy.

After freshening up, Shen Qiuning sat at her desk, holding the jade hairpin, lost in thought. She picked up her brush and wrote a letter, sealing it before sending it out.

She had no energy to think further and soon fell asleep, drifting into a faint dream. She dreamed of childhood, sneaking into bird nests with a playmate, then getting scolded at home. Yet she never saw the playmate’s face clearly.