The news that Xuemei (雪梅) had given birth to the imperial princess spread like the wind, reaching from the imperial palace to the capital. While some rejoiced at the birth of the emperor’s first child, others were disappointed that the child was a girl, and some were relieved it wasn’t a boy.
One night after the birth, Fei Ling (慧玲) was about to cross from the Winter Palace to the Spring Palace to check on the progress of detoxification and to see if any poison remained in the imperial princess.
The palaces were connected by a double-arched bridge. Although snow still remained on the gardens and paths, the snow on the walkways and bridges had been swept clean to ensure the concubines wouldn’t slip. Snowy peonies still bloomed in clusters on the branches that had shed their leaves.
At the end of the first bridge, Fei Ling encountered a familiar figure. It was the Winter Consort, Hao Xiao (皓梟). She was draped in a shoulder cloak woven from bird feathers, and her white dress was cinched at the waist with a silver belt.
Fei Ling stepped aside, bowing her head until Hao Xiao passed. However, Hao Xiao turned back and called out to her.
“Hmm, aren’t you the medical practitioner?”
“I am Cai Fei Ling (蔡慧玲).”
Hao Xiao relaxed her eyes, framed with crimson.
“I see. You are the daughter of Suo Meng (索盟).”
Suo Meng was the posthumous name of the late emperor. Until now, no one had referred to him by his given name, except for his wife, Fei Ling’s mother, Bai Ze.
“I hear you helped the consorts of the Winter Palace. I apologize for the behavior of those impolite young ladies. On their behalf, I offer my thanks. Truly, the descendants of Bai Ze are something to be admired.”
“I am humbled.”
Suddenly, Hao Xiao’s gaze shifted far away.
“Yet, to fall into such toxicity from a mere vow… Could it be that the qilin has died?”
Fei Ling was unable to hide her confusion at this unexpected remark.
The qilin symbolized the emperor’s might. Speaking of the qilin’s death was an act of disrespect and could be seen as treasonous toward the current emperor. Sensing Fei Ling’s tension, Hao Xiao continued.
“Haha, it’s just a metaphor. Do not take it so seriously.”
“I see, a metaphor?”
“Indeed. If the qilin had died, its corpse would surely be found within the palace. That would be the logical conclusion. Yet, no such rumors exist. Therefore, the qilin may be weakened, but it has certainly survived. As long as the qilin exists, all things will follow the path of moderation. Soon, the toxicity will dissipate.”
Hao Xiao spoke in a melodic tone, then tossed her shoulder cloak. Just when it seemed she was leaving, she turned back once more and said:
“Ah, speaking of corpses, are you familiar with the ancient temple in the harem?”
“A temple? Yes, it’s at the southwestern edge of the Kun Nan region. If I recall correctly, it is where the corpses of empresses and concubines, who for some reason couldn’t be buried in the emperor’s mausoleum nor in their family tombs, are laid to rest.”
“Indeed, but no human corpses have been placed in that temple.”
Hao Xiao spoke decisively.
“To begin with, it’s unusual to have a temple inside the harem. What exactly was placed in that temple… I have been investigating it.”
With a smile, Hao Xiao passed by once more.
The eccentric consort—rumors had it she was the most peculiar in the entire harem, but she certainly was an elusive person. She reminded Fei Ling of snow that, once grasped, would melt away.
(Nevertheless…)
“Fei Ling-sama.”
Just as Hao Xiao passed, Lan Xin (藍星) rushed toward her.
Lan Xin had been asked to deliver something to a female attendant working in the kitchen.
“It’s finished!”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“It seems that every year she suffers from frostbite and chilblains, but this season, thanks to the medicine she started taking in the fall, she was able to get through the cold the day before yesterday without any problems!”
Fei Ling nodded with a smile at Lan Xin’s report, but her mind was elsewhere, lost in thought.
(The qilin… It certainly perished. On the night the late emperor was executed…)
Only Fei Ling knew the true story.
However, after touching the dead qilin, she lost consciousness. When she regained her senses, she was captured by a passing eunuch and imprisoned as a criminal. She was then taken to the execution ground, where she made a deal with the emperor. After being returned to her quarters, she went back to confirm, but the qilin’s corpse had mysteriously disappeared.
(Where did the qilin’s body go?)
Her chest felt heavy, and her pulse quickened. It was as though another life stirred within her.
