"Back from Yanhui Flower House so soon, I see."
The entrance door creaked open, and Xuanling emerged, her face deathly pale—proof that the rumors of her confinement due to feminine illness were true. She wore a simple silk qipao-style nightdress, and her straight black hair cascaded down her back like a dark waterfall.
"If you dare lay a finger on her, I will have you explain to my father why you spend more nights in Yanhui Flower House than in your own Yandan Hall—and why Vice Minister Tong of the Ministry of Works happens to visit the flower house every time you do." Her tone was low and firm, yet Concubine Yun's reaction was the exact opposite.
Her eyes widened in shock before blazing with anger. 'How did she know all this? Why hadn't she reported it to her father? Was she planning to use this as blackmail?' Panic surged through her — she was undone. She knew Xuanling despised her and sought her expulsion from the mansion. This secret could be the perfect weapon, so why the hesitation? Wild thoughts swirled as she met Xuanling's steady gaze, who remained calm and unshaken by the confrontation.
"Let A'bao go!" Xuanling commanded. With a wave of her hand, Concubine Yun's maids immediately released A'bao, returning her hairpin without hesitation.
"Fourth Miss!" A'bao cried, rushing forward but stopping short of embracing her. Instead, she chose to retreat inside. "Let's go in, Fourth Miss. The night is too cold, and it's bad for your condition." Concern softened her eyes.
"Are you all right, A'bao?"
"I'm fine, Fourth Miss."
Xuanling took a moment to examine her, satisfied she was unharmed, then allowed her to escort her back into Cui Hall.
"Your father requests to meet you for tea in the morning. I hope your bellyache has subsided by then, Xuanling." Concubine Yun had quickly composed herself, betraying no sign of defeat. She wouldn't let Xuanling believe she had gained the upper hand. She might not know Xuanling's secret, but she had one too—and vowed to uncover it. Tonight was not the night, but she promised herself it would happen. Until then, she would hold her head high. It wasn't over until she said it was.
"Help me inside, A'bao." Xuanling ignored her rival, her voice calm.
"Come." A'bao led her to the bed, where Xuanling sat gracefully, maintaining her composure. She sensed it was not yet time to relax.
"How did today go, Fourth Miss?" A'bao whispered, immediately silenced by a sharp glance.
She knew Concubine Yun still lingered outside and was not about to give her any reason to pry.
A'bao read the room and understood the caution. Concubine Yun was likely waiting to catch any slip, but they would not let her.
So, they spoke only safe words, concealing what truly mattered.
"Here, Fourth Miss. This tea will calm your bellyache." A'bao bowed, handing her a cup.
Xuanling took a sip and struggled to suppress her laughter.
'It's just water!' she thought, calling it tea only because she knew Concubine Yun was still listening.
"Thank you so much for this wonderful tea, A'bao. I already feel the bellyache subsiding." She squeezed her eyes shut, stifling her amusement, and handed back the empty cup. Surprisingly, she was thirsty and still breathing hard from holding in her laughter.
"You're welcome, Fourth Miss. I'm only doing my duty." A'bao took the cup. Unlike Xuanling, she managed to keep her composure without muffling laughter—just deep breaths through her mouth.
Suddenly, the door creaked open. Xuanling's urge to laugh vanished as she lay down immediately, pretending to be fast asleep. A'bao covered her carefully as footsteps approached, both maintaining their act.
"Fourth Miss?" Yu'er's voice trembled. She hoped it was truly Xuanling resting, but exhaustion from pretending weighed on her. Fear gripped her.
"Yu'er?" A'bao dropped the act and rushed to her side.
"Are you alright?" A'bao's eyes searched for reassurance.
Yu'er nodded silently and moved closer to the bed.
"Fourth Miss?" she called again, this time receiving a gentle smile in return.
"What took you so long, Fourth Miss?" Yu'er burst into tears, collapsing to the floor. "A'bao and I were nearly scared to death! Our lives flashed before our eyes—" A'bao quickly covered her mouth.
"Shush. Concubine Yun is still outside," she whispered.
"Hm?" Yu'er looked confused.
"She might hear you and realize I wasn't here all that time," Xuanling explained, hoping Yu'er understood the risk.
Yu'er slowly withdrew A'bao's palm and whispered, "But… the Concubine is long gone already. No one is outside, Fourth Miss." Her wide eyes peeked innocently beneath her dark fringe, wondering if they truly had no idea.
"Are you sure?" A'bao hesitated.
"Yes," Yu'er nodded firmly.
"Quickly, A'bao, check around and be certain neither Concubine Yun nor her spies remain." Xuanling was still uneasy despite the reassurance.
"As you wish, Fourth Miss." A'bao left and returned minutes later with a bright smile.
"There is truly no one around, Fourth Miss," she announced joyfully.
"Oh, thank goodness." Xuanling exhaled deeply, relief washing over her. She longed to share how the night had gone. "Finally!"
"You were late today, Fourth Miss," A'bao said at last, unable to hold back. "If you had come any later, I would have lost my tongue." Her voice trembled with sadness and fear.
"I'm so sorry, A'bao—and you too, Yu'er. I know this has been difficult, and I'm truly grateful for your help." She smiled warmly.
"Come, come," she said excitedly, producing a pouch she'd hidden beneath her bed during her secret return through the backyard entrance—known only to herself, A'bao, and Yu'er. That was how she changed clothes and applied makeup to look pale and sickly before meeting Concubine Yun. Luckily, A'bao's tongue remained unpierced.
"The crowd today was huge. I was almost mobbed by fans," she chuckled. "Luckily, Taiyi helped me navigate through and brought me safely to the mansion."
At the mention of Taiyi, A'bao blushed uncontrollably. He was the son of the mansion's head chef, and all three—Fourth Miss, A'bao, and Taiyi—had grown up together, maintaining a close bond. But she quickly composed herself when Yu'er gasped.
"Fourth Miss, this… this is a lot!" Yu'er exclaimed, opening the pouch to reveal gleaming gold bars—more money than she'd ever seen.
"Let me see." A'bao took the pouch, gasping. "Oh my! Fourth Miss, did you perform for the imperial house?" Her eyes sparkled.
"My price appreciates every night I perform, I am indisputably the best dancer in all of Great Qan," Xuanling explained, reaching beneath the bed for something else.
"Split it equally. Take it as payment for a job well done," she smiled.
She did this every time she came back from her performance. She needed those earnings for nothing her father could not provide so giving them to Yu'er and A'bao were it's only use to her.
"This is too much, Fourth Miss. I've never owned a gold bar before," Yu'er cried.
"We cannot accept this," A'bao agreed, tears streaming as she fell to the floor. Yu'er followed.
Xuanling set aside what she was searching for and gave them her full attention.
"You two are the closest people to me. You know my biggest secret and help keep it. You cover for me, even knowing the danger. You risk your lives for me—especially you, A'bao. If anyone owes thanks, it's me to you both." She helped them up, watching as they wiped their tears.
"A'bao, your mother's health is failing, and your salary barely covers her medicine. This money will help you get her the care she needs. And you, Yu'er…" she turned to her. "Your brother studies hard for the imperial exams. Use your share to support his education and dreams. There's nothing this money could buy for me that I don't already have—I want you both to have it."
"But Fourth Miss—" A'bao began, but Xuanling cut her off.
"It's an order, A'bao. You are not allowed to refuse. Do you understand?"
They exchanged a glance and nodded slowly.
"Good. I want to rest now. Tonight has been long and stressful." She rubbed her temples and sighed.
Taking the hint, they prepared her for bed in silence. There was nothing more to say. Serving the Fourth Miss was their greatest blessing, despite the dangers they faced. Though she was noble, she was a dancer—an entertainer—and such a role was forbidden, especially for the Left Chancellor's daughter. The Left Chancellor was the highest official in the imperial court, second only to the Emperor and Crown Prince. That's why she could never confess her passion to her father. No matter her love for dancing, he would never accept it—and they understood. They stood by her through it all, never faltering.
A'bao changed the bedding, removing the wet sheets from earlier and replacing them with fresh ones. Yu'er took away the towel used to wipe off the pale makeup. Xuanling was already dressed comfortably, her hair neatly combed. Everything was in place.
They exchanged a knowing nod, then left.
"Goodnight, Fourth Miss," they echoed in unison, trimming the candles and closing the door firmly behind them.
Xuanling was exhausted. As she lay down, she remembered something. Reaching beneath her bed, she searched for what she had been seeking before the distraction of Yu'er and A'bao's cries.
Finally, her fingers closed around it. She smiled softly at the sight.
It was her mask—her steadfast companion in every performance.
Cradling it close to her chest, she drifted slowly into darkness…