Xiang pin's medicine bowl was stunning. Carved from rhinoceros horn and engraved with auspicious characters, Jiayi had never been in the presence of something so fine. Jiayi wanted to grind it into dust. It was the physical manifestation of Xiang pin's sickness. It was a constant companion at her bedside.

"Aiya, you're depressing me, Jiayi," said Xiang pin as she chewed daintily on a piece of candied ginger.

Jiayi fidgeted with the blanket tucked around her mistress' legs.

"I'm sorry," Jiayi replied, "I just...shouldn't you be better by now? Doesn't Hwang taiyi think this is taking too long?"

"Goodness! You're worse than De gui fei! I know fate's spared me a wrinkle or two, but I'm still nearly 40. These old bones will take some time to recover, my dear,"

Jiayi didn't buy it, but there was no point in arguing. She didn't have the heart. The second that Xiang pin could get Jiayi alone after she returned, her mistress asked her about her time in Prince Han's villa, a worried frown on her already tired face. Xiang pin had truly thought that Jiayi had been suffering, stranded alone in a strange man's house. Seeing it tossed a thick layer of guilt over her new bond with Prince Han. She didn't dare mention it.

A sharp pinch brought Jiayi out of her thoughts. Xiang pin pulled back her hand and sighed, "Instead of keeping vigil over me like I'm about to take my last breath, why don't you work on Yiqiang's birthday portrait?"

Before Jiayi could protest, Xiang pin held up her hand, "I promise I'll do my very best to keep both my feet out of the grave while you paint. Molan will keep me company,"

"Of course, Your Highness!" Molan nodded vigorously, the new porcelain and silver hairpin swaying around her cheeks. Its appearance coincided with the exact day Prince Han returned to the Forbidden City. Jiayi was glad Chang Lingxiu didn't drag his feet with the gift.

"Go, go, go!" Xiang pin shooed Jiayi away and ordered Molan to gather up some books for her to read.

Jiayi had been too distracted by Xiang pin's health to sit and work on the portrait seriously.

"Your Highness," Bolin said, stepping inside, "Shen hung gui fei sent something for you,"

His voice was steady, but his brows were wrinkled in confusion. He stepped to the side to let A'Fang inside. She carried monstrous purple ginseng root on a lacquered tray.

Xiang pin put on her most false smile, "What's this?" She asked as A'Fang knelt to greet her.

"Her Highness Shen huang gui fei heard you're still under the weather. She would've visited, but 10th and 11th Prince take up all her attention. To chase away your sickness, she wanted to gift you this 100-year-old ginseng," A'Fang handed the tray to Molan, "It was a gift from The Empress Dowager, but luckily, Shen huang gui fei has been blessed with perfect health and never found any use for it,"

What a surprise; Shen huang gui fei's servants were just as arrogant as she was.

Pretending not to hear the slight, Xiang pin moved to rise from her bed. Jiayi helped her to her feet. Molan presented the tray, and Xiang pin ran her fingers reverently over the gnarled roots.

"I can't believe Her Highness would dare give someone like me something so precious. I thank Her Highness for her grace,"

Xiang pin's bow was shallow because she was still sick, of course.

A'Fang stood up, a permanently smarmy curl to her nose, "Her Highness will be so happy to hear that. I'll take my leave,"

Bolin directed her to the door.

"Put me back in bed," said Xiang pin, "Pretending to care about that has evaporated all of my energy,"

Jiayi pulled back the covers so Xiang pin could slip inside.

"What should I do with this?" Asked Molan.

"Put it away for now. If anyone asks, Hwang taiyi said so much ginseng interferes with my medication,"

"She didn't come to see you at all after your accident?" Asked Jiayi.

Xiang pin shook her head, "Guess she couldn't face the fact that she wasn't blessed enough to see me die," she finished with a laugh.

She settled into bed and closed her eyes, "Go finish your painting. Molan will be back any moment to stare at me while I sleep,"

Jiayi did as she was told. Her mind drifted as she ground her inks. Shen huang gui fei's gall incensed her. It wasn't enough that she tried to drown Xiang pin, she had to eagerly monitor her health, just in case it declined. She even went to morning greetings again to ask if Xiang pin was feeling well. Shen huang gui fei's eyes would shrewdly stare at Xiang pin, looking for a tired pallor or weak breath.

Like a vulture waiting to feed.

Jiayi wished she could tell Xiang pin what An pin said to her, but she was afraid her mistress would do something foolish that would make her even sicker than before. Jiayi needed Xiang pin to regain her health and dig the knife further into Shen huang gui fei. She hoped Shen huang gui fei was miserable each time she caught sight of Xiang pin. Had Xiang pin died, Shen huang gui fei would've knocked down a tower with a feather. Not only would The Empress be blamed for Xiang pin's death, but Third Prince and Seventh Prince would most likely never regain The Emperor's favor, ousting the greatest competition to 10th Prince or 11th Prince's accession to Crown Prince. The thought of it depressed Jiayi.

These days, Sixth Prince had reverted into the surly, angry child he was before becoming close to Xiang pin. Molan said that after Xiang pin's accident, Sixth Prince was inconsolable. He refused to move from her side, even for The Emperor. Sixth Prince had also nearly commanded that Xiang pin's servants be put to death before De gui fei calmed him.

Xiang pin was better now, but Sixth Prince spent his days with a dark cloud over his head, short and snappy with the servants. Xiang pin was hoping that his birthday celebration would lift his spirits. There would be no grand birthday banquet, only a small dinner that The Emperor and Prince Han promised to attend. While Xiang pin couldn't sway The Emperor into giving Sixth Prince anything close to something Third Prince of Seventh Prince would receive, she did manage to secure a stallion for him selected by The Emperor. It was almost unheard of for a concubine's child to receive something like that.

A vicious smell pulled her out of her thoughts. She put her work aside and walked into the warming room to see Ping'er boiling a brown crock over a fire. Ping'er looked close to tears as she pressed a handkerchief to her nose to ward off the stench.

"Time for another dose?" Asked Jiayi.

Ping'er nodded, slipping the handkerchief off her face, "Poor Xiang pin. I hate boiling this stuff, but it must be even worse to drink! It always makes my clothes stink!"

She gagged and quickly covered her nose back up again. She shuddered, "If I didn't know better, this is making Xiang pin sicker,"

Jiayi froze. There was no way Shen huang gui fei could've gotten her hands on Xiang pin's prescription. Hwang taiyi was The Emperor's personal physician who gathered these herbs by hand. The bowl she drank from would discolor if there were poison of any kind.

It wasn't possible. It shouldn't be possible.

But Xiang pin wasn't getting any better. She wasn't getting any worse, but it was still a far cry from what she used to be. Her skin still hadn't regained her healthy white glow, and if she had to walk for more than 10 minutes, she would have to take her raised chair. Jiayi stared at the acrid cloud of smoke that bubbled over the pot before opening a window.

"You go change, I'll finish watching it,"

"Thank you, jiejie!" Ping'er hugged her before hurrying away.

Jiayi pulled the medicine off the fire and stared into the murky water. Her pulse quickened. What if the medicine was the only thing keeping Xiang pin going? What if–

"Jiejie?"

Jiayi spun around. Molan had returned.

"Is Her Highness' medicine ready?"

"Just about," replied Jiayi, "You go wait on Xiang pin. I'll bring it when it's finished,"

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Molan nodded. Jiayi waited until Xiang pin's bedroom door swung shut before making her move. She pulled out the boiled herbs and put them aside before pouring nearly all the medicine into a nearby plant. Xiang pin's least favorite tea was the same color as this, so Jiayi poured a terrible cup of tea into the medicine bowl. It looked nearly identical. Gulping, Jiayi wrapped the medicine dredges in her handkerchief and stuffed them in her jacket. Jiayi waited as long as she could before taking the bowl to Xiang pin's bedroom.

Xiang pin was sitting in bed, weariness written all over her face. At the sight of the medicine, she huffed.

"Give it here already. Best to get it over with,"

"It's still a little hot, Your Highness," Jiayi warned, handing over the bowl.

Jiayi clasped her hands together to hide their shakiness as Xiang pin tipped her head back and swallowed the contents of the bowl. When she finished, Xiang pin pushed it away and gagged.

"You would think drinking this three times a day would make taking these easier. Ugh! Bring me the candied plums,"

Xiang pin shoved the bowl into Jiayi's hands while Molan got the treats. The tight vice on Jiayi's chest sprung open. It was fine. Everything was fine. Jiayi walked back to the warming room to tidy up. She wouldn't do this forever. She just had to ensure medicine did what it claimed to do.

"Ping'er!" She called.

Ping'er slipped back inside from her place minding the door, "Yes, jiejie?"

"You don't have to fuss with Her Highness's medication anymore. I'll take care of it,"

"Really?!"

Jiayi smiled, "Don't worry about it. Here, take some candied ginger. Share some with Pi'er and the others,"

Handkerchief stuffed with sweets, Ping'er skipped back outside. Jiayi snagged a piece for herself, knowing that what she had to do later that night would not be so sweet.

✺

The meeting spot she and Prince Han settled on wasn't perfect, but it was good enough. With Sang'er and Chang Lingxiu guarding each end of the corridor, it was plenty secluded.

"How's Xiang pin?" He asked.

"Still the same," Jiayi replied. She pulled the herbs from her jacket, "I have a favor to ask you. Could you take these herbs to a doctor in the capital and see what they do? Xiang pin takes them, but she's not getting any better,"

Prince Han took the herbs, "Do you think it's poison?"

"No. It's not making her sicker. I think maybe the point is to make sure nothing's working. Eventually, she'll waste away, won't she?"

Jiayi shivered, the thought opening up a cold pit in her stomach. Prince Han crowded close to her, the smell of his sandalwood incense chasing away the chill, "Don't worry. The Empress is keeping a close eye on Xiang pin. I'll have Sang'er send this out when the gates open in the morning,"

"I heard The Empress still hasn't said anything to The Emperor about releasing Third Prince and Seventh Prince,"

"She knows it'll only make things worse," Prince Han said with a sigh, "Going back on a decree so soon may make His Majesty look fickle. It's a shame. It was just an accident,"

Jiayi shook her head, "It wasn't an accident,"

"What do you mean?"

"An pin mentioned that right before Third Prince and Seventh Prince spent the day in the imperial garden, A'Fang had been there. Shen huang gui fei's A'Fang,"

Prince Han's pursed his lips, "An pin said this?"

"It wasn't an accusation. She and Shen huang gui fei are bosom buddies. She just wanted to tell someone new about Xiang pin's accident,"

"I'll have someone look into this,"

Jiayi frowned. Look into it? Shen huang gui fei tried to murder Xiang pin, and all Prince Han wanted to do was look into it?

"Don't look at me like that," he said, "I would love nothing more for Shen huang gui fei to get what she deserves. But if we make this accusation and it turns out that somehow, she's innocent, there's no way she'll be punished for the crimes she truly committed. The more evidence we have, the less likely Shen huang gui fei will be able to talk her way out of this,"

It wasn't what Jiayi wanted to hear, but she would have to live with it, "You're right. I wish there were something I could do. It feels like she's getting away with it,"

Prince Han wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Right now, the best punishment for her would be seeing His Majesty's care for Xiang pin as she gets better and seeing Yian and Yihe regain His Majesty's favor,"

Jiayi leaned into Prince Han's side. When The Emperor wasn't by Xiang pin's side, he was usually at Shen huang gui fei's. He was very taken by 10th and 11th Prince and liked to dote on them. If Xiang pin could take up more of his time, it would make her more miserable than she already was.

"Oh!" Jiayi said, a thought coming to her, "I heard you had lunch with The Empress Dowager today,"

The Empress Dowager had recovered but had holed up in her palace, claiming she was still ill after her fall. Everyone knew it was only an extended tantrum aimed at forcing The Emperor to kick the other dowagers out of the Forbidden City.

Slumping, Prince Han sighed, "Horrible. All she wanted to hear was what Dowager Noble Consort Ling was doing and then what The Emperor was doing. It was miserable. If she asks again, I'll say I'm breaking in Yiqiang's horse,"

"How has Sixth Prince been?" Jiayi asked, "Still–?"

Prince Han nodded. He had noticed Sixth Prince's mood as well.

"Nothing cheered him up? Not even kite flying?"

"Nothing,"

"I wish I could do something, but I don't know what's wrong,"

"He can't help it," Prince Han said, "He was motherless for so long before he met Xiang pin. Just as he was given a second chance at a mother, she was almost taken away from him. He can't help but feel angry at his poor fate. I would, too,"

That was a sad thought. To not even be ten and have lost two mothers.

Jiayi gripped Prince Han's hand, "You'll send the herbs out in the morning?"

He nodded, "As soon as the sun rises,"

✺

Well, it was official.

Xiang pin's little maid was as dim as she was. She had to be! Only a fool wouldn't have understood what she had said. Clear as day, she had declared Shen huang gui fei as the mastermind behind Xiang pin's accident, and Shen huang gui fei was still sitting pretty in Zhongcuigong, entertaining guests and showing off the princes. She had even managed to twist Jin pin over to her side. Jin pin had spent so many years hiding behind The Empress's skirts that it was shocking to see her sitting with Shen huang gui fei, discussing child-rearing tips in her warming room. The flip-flopping bitch then had the nerve to look offended when An pin arrived. An pin wouldn't let it bother her when Shen huang gui fei was being so obvious about her new friendship.

"I'm glad the boys have someone like Yifu to look up to," said Shen huang gui fei, "He'll have to keep them close as His Majesty looks to Yifu now,"

The idea that Yifu was suddenly the top choice for Crown Prince was ridiculous. He was as timid and mute as his mother. And like his mother, The Emperor only remembered him once every fortnight. It wouldn't be long until Jin pin was doing Shen huang gui fei's dirty work.

"Your Highness," Wang chang zai said, slumping into the room, "I've finished,"

"Give it here, then,"

An pin took a good long look at the flower pot shoes she had ordered Wang chang zai to embroider. The pink silk was glittering with silver butterflies and white lotuses. It was fine work and one of a kind. No one else would be able to match this. It was good that An pin could get something out of having this woman stink up her side hall.

"At least you're good for something," An pin said, kicking off her shoes to try them on.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Wang chang zai grumbled.

Wang chang zai was a strange one. As forgotten and looked down upon as she was, she still had the nerve to be haughty. She treated the few servants she had like she was above them and even dared to order Weiwei around! There were days when An pin really regretted not beating her death.

After admiring her new shoes, An pin went to her jewelry box and picked out the most common, plain, gold ring she owned–a simple slim band with a knobby piece of jade on top. It was near trash but better than anything Wang chang zai had ever owned.

"Here," she said, returning to her seat at the head of the room, "A reward for a job well done,"

It warmed An pin's heart to watch Wang chang zai begrudgingly thank her for the dinky little ring.

"You're not putting it on?" An pin asked as Wang chang zai tried to tuck the ring away, "What? You don't like it?"

Wang chang zai flashed a brittle smile, "Of course not, Your Highness,"

She slipped the ring on and held it out for An pin's inspection. It looked awful.

"It looks beautiful," An pin declared.

"Your Highness," a eunuch said as he stepped into the room, "Cao taiyi is here,"

Wang chang zai's head snapped to the door.

An pin snorted, "Bring him in,"

Wang chang zai was practically leering at Cao taiyi as he kneeled to greet them. Yes, An pin had forbidden her from seeing him, but that didn't mean the woman shouldn't maintain what little dignity she had left.

"Rise," An pin said before looking at Wang chang zai, "You can withdraw,"

Wang chang zai quivered, "But, Your Highness–"

An pin rolled her eyes, "Surely you don't want Cao taiyi to watch you get dragged out of here. Run along,"

Wang chang zai frowned petulantly before bowing and excusing herself, not before casting a cow-eyed look at Cao taiyi, of course.

"Don't keep me in suspense now," said An pin after Wang chang zai made her exit.

Cao taiyi cleared his throat, "I've made some discoveries regarding Guang pin's death,"

The first thing An pin demanded of Cao taiyi from the moment she had his life in her hands was to investigate Guang pin's death. It didn't sit right that Shen huang gui fei ended up with 10th and 11th Prince. Guang pin hadn't been sick the entire time An pin had known her, but she was suddenly so unlucky that her pregnancy killed her but not the children? It was all too convenient.

"And?"

"Guang pin was near death after giving birth, but with some extra attention, she could've lived. Shen huang gui fei convinced the midwives that it was kinder to let Guang pin die than let her live in pain for the rest of her days,"

While that news was alarming, it was damning. The Emperor didn't care enough about Guang pin for the revolution to inspire anything but annoyance. Furthermore, she wouldn't be shocked if every midwife that attended that night had moved out of the capital thanks to a large influx of cash.

"What else?" Asked An pin, "How'd she die? It couldn't have just been the pregnancy! What was it? Poison?"

Cao taiyi shifted uncomfortably, "In a sense,"

"What does that mean?"

"I looked at Guang pin's medical records; she was on normal prenatal prescriptions. Nothing was out of the ordinary. So, I asked one of her former maids if they could remember the herbs she prepared for her mistress. Everything she chose matched the records, except for one,"

Cao taiyi held out a small dried ball in his palm, "This,"

An pin reared back, "What is it? Is it poisonous?"

"Not at all. This is Bu Gu Zhi. It's a fine herb. Good for diarrhea, bone pain, and poor skin. But pregnant women should never take it. I asked her maid where she got it. She said that Wang Rong had given Guang pin an entire jar, instructing her to grind one or two pods and drink every morning to keep her skin clear,"

Wang Rong?

Jiang pin?

Incredible. Even from the grave, she was acting like a brat.

An pin scoffed, "So Shen huang gui fei wasn't involved at all?"

Cao taiyi shook his head.

An pin plucked the herb from his hand and leaned back in her chair with a sigh. She couldn't believe it. Guang pin wasted away from swallowing a few of these stupid dried-up balls of leaves at the wrong time?

"So anyone could take these, and they'd be fine?" She asked.

Cao taiyi nodded, "A few of the other mistresses have been taking them regularly for years,"

A thought popped into An pin's head. A smile crawled onto her face.

"Cao taiyi, how easy is it to alter medicinal records?"