The Empress Dowager had just returned from Prince Qi's residence. As her wet nurse was removing the hairpins from her head, she heard a chorus of startled cries from outside. The wet nurse frowned and put down the hairpin she was holding.
"Your servant will go and see," Aunt Yu Rong walked out, scolding, "You wretched girl, aren't you afraid of losing your life? Don't you know where you are to be so presumptuous!"
"Aunt, scorpions, there are poisonous scorpions everywhere." The palace maids kept retreating. The wet nurse, seeing countless scorpions swarming towards the main hall like ants, trembled with fear. "Quick, close the doors, block all the gaps, absolutely do not let the scorpions in!"
"What's happening?"
"Empress Dowager, scorpions, so many scorpions, poisonous ones. The palace maids and eunuchs who were bitten have all collapsed."
"Where did poisonous scorpions come from in the palace?" the Empress Dowager asked in shock. The palace was regularly fumigated, how could there be a large number of poisonous scorpions? It wouldn't be easy to bring such things into the palace.
The wet nurse opened a small gap in the window for the Empress Dowager to see. The Empress Dowager's face turned pale with fright, and she quickly ordered it to be closed, had people guard the doors and windows, and all gaps sealed. If any scorpions dared to enter, they were to be smashed to death.
In the Empress's Weiyang Palace, it was also full of poisonous scorpions. Crown Princess Xue Ning'er was chatting with the Empress when poisonous scorpions surrounded the entire Weiyang Palace, trapping them inside and preventing anyone from entering. Consort De's palace was no better. As for the palace guards, seeing the dense scorpions, they were all terrified and didn't dare to step forward, rushing to the Imperial Hospital to demand insect repellent powder.
Compared to the other palaces filled with panic, Changle Palace, where Xiao Man resided, was remarkably peaceful. There were few attendants, and Xiao Man had ordered repellent powder to be spread early in the day. The poisonous scorpions, fearing the powder's efficacy, only loitered outside Changle Palace, not daring to enter.
Consort Xian arrived outside Changle Palace, looking at the hesitant poisonous scorpions with a ferocious expression. "Go in, why are you lingering outside? All of you, go in and bite that little wretch to death!"
Xiao Man sat inside, playing chess with Scholar Zhong. She remained oblivious to the commotion outside. Zhong Qing looked at the calm Xiao Man with a satisfied smile. "Aren't you afraid?"
"With Master here, there's no need to fear," Xiao Man said slowly. "Didn't Master prepare insect repellent powder long ago? In this late autumn season, even with insects, there wouldn't be many. But Master prepared so much repellent powder, it shows Master's foresight. Otherwise, we would be in danger today."
At this moment, Qiu Tong came in with pastries. "Chrysanthemum cakes, just out of the oven. Sweet but not greasy, they melt in your mouth. Miss and Master can eat and play."
Scholar Zhong's gaze fell upon the golden cakes, then he picked one up and offered it to Xiao Man. "Just smelling them makes them seem delicious. Try one quickly, don't disappoint your maid's hard work."
Xiao Man took it and took a bite, her eyes never leaving the chessboard. While eating, she asked, "If it were Master, how would one break this predicament?"
Zhong Qing's eyes flickered slightly. He took a chrysanthemum cake and ate it, his smile gentle with a hint of indulgence. "When you're in a predicament, you must have patience. Only with enough patience can you turn the tables."
"Indeed. The night is long, and we have plenty of time tonight. I will find a way to break free," Xiao Man said softly. "Master, perhaps you could give me a hint?"
Upon hearing this, Zhong Qing's smile grew even gentler. When he used to teach Xiao Man chess, whenever she was cornered, she would act spoiled and mischievous, even secretly hiding his chess pieces when he wasn't paying attention. He knew every piece on the board but pretended not to notice, watching her happy little face as she thought she had succeeded, and the ice in his heart would melt.
Consort Xian stared at the tightly shut palace gate of Changle Palace, filled with uncontrollable rage. Although she could command the poisonous scorpions, she couldn't open the heavy palace doors. She immediately stepped forward and pounded on the gate with all her might.
"Xiao Man, you vile creature, do you think you can escape me by hiding inside?"
"Do you hear a dog barking?" Ying Xue asked, tilting her head.
"Yes, a mad dog is barking nonsense."
"What's the point of keeping dogs in this palace? Keeping mad dogs." Ying Xue said with disdain. "One by one, they all think our mistress is a pushover, that you can pinch her, and I can pinch her. They've pinched her into a clay figurine."
Qiu Tong chuckled, her eyes curving. "I suddenly remembered Prince Qi climbing through a dog hole into the General's mansion before, and then being bitten by the General's mighty dog, Wei Wu. The scene is still fresh in my mind."
"Prince Qi climbed through a dog hole into the General's mansion?" Ying Xue asked curiously. "Why did he climb through a dog hole?"
"This goes back to when Miss secretly took Prince Qi out of the palace to play, and they encountered human traffickers. Prince Qi injured his leg. Consort De was furious and whipped Miss with a feather duster. As a result, Miss fell seriously ill, and the General was heartbroken and displeased with Prince Qi. So, Prince Qi climbed through the dog hole into the mansion to see Miss, and was bitten on the buttocks by Wei Wu."
"Did Prince Qi cry?"
"He cried so hard, his trousers were torn, revealing his tender white flesh, and blood flowed. But Wei Wu wouldn't let go. The Old Madam frantically called for help to save Prince Qi, while Miss ran to protect Wei Wu. Prince Qi was a prince, and Miss was the General's darling, untouchable. The Old Madam was furious. Later, Miss pacified him for a long time before Shen Wu General finally let go of Prince Qi."
"And then what?"
"Later, the Old Madam secretly ordered Shen Wu General to be killed to apologize to Consort De, after all, a prince was injured. Miss cried so sadly at the time, and Prince Qi, with his bruised buttocks, cried along, saying, 'Your dog bit my butt, you don't care about me, you care about your dog. I'll never play with you again.'"
The maids burst into laughter, seemingly amused that Prince Qi had such an embarrassing moment. The scene was too amusing, making them laugh just thinking about it.
The laughter echoing from Changle Palace only fueled Consort Xian's madness. She tried every means to open the palace gate. Just as she was at a loss, the gate of Changle Palace opened. Several maids stood on the corridor, looking on with curiosity, as if watching a novelty.
Meanwhile, Xiao Man sat in the main hall playing chess with Scholar Zhong, completely unfazed by the situation outside.
"Xiao Man!"
Xiao Man raised her eyebrows and glanced at Consort Xian outside. "Oh, it's Consort Xian. Visiting so late at night, what business do you have?"
"I want your dog's life!"
Xiao Man glanced at her indifferently and continued playing chess. "There are quite a few people who want my life. From childhood to adulthood, I've lost count of the assassinations I've experienced, yet I'm still alive. On the contrary, those who wanted to kill me are all dead. Does Consort Xian wish to join their ranks?"