Chapter Seventy: Swallowing Her Whole

Empress Dowager Chu Meier arrived, and Liu Linger immediately performed a proper bow. “Your daughter greets Mother. May Mother enjoy golden peace.”

“My little Linger is here! Come, sit with me,” Chu Meier beckoned to Liu Linger, patting the seat beside her on the couch. “I want to ask you a few things. Let’s have a good, heart-to-heart talk.”

Who would choose to stand when they could sit—especially when the Empress Dowager herself offered the seat? One must give the ‘elder’ her due respect. Liu Linger, ever courteous and quick-witted, sat down as invited, her eyes lowered demurely, her manner serene.

After a sip of tea, Chu Meier asked, “My good daughter-in-law, have you missed me these past few days?”

Why would I miss you? You’re not a handsome man, and I’m certainly not drawn to women. Even if I were thinking about food, it wouldn’t be you! Though these thoughts flashed through her mind, what came out of Liu Linger’s mouth was entirely different.

Her delicate face blossomed into a charming smile, like a perfectly formed lotus. With sincere assurance, she replied, “Of course I have! As the ancients say, a day apart feels like three autumns. We haven’t seen each other for three days—that’s like ten years! It was thoughtless of me. I should’ve invited Mother to stay at the Prince Virtue’s Manor that day, so I could see Mother’s beauty every day!”

“Really?” Chu Meier’s eyes grew brighter and brighter—as if a lamp had been lit within, growing from one hundred watts to two hundred, to a thousand...

Oh no, she’s actually taking it seriously! As the thought crossed Liu Linger’s mind, Chu Meier clapped her hands. “Wonderful! That’s decided, then. From today, I’ll go spend a few days at the Prince Virtue’s Manor. The palace is stuffy—has been for years. It’s time I got out for some fresh air. Linger, you won’t mind, will you?”

Mind? I mind a lot! Liu Linger wept inwardly. Why did I have to run my mouth? This was a classic case of hoisting a rock only to drop it on her own foot. Though she suspected that Chu Meier’s visit to the manor was not so simple, what was done was done. She would just have to deal with each move as it came.

She hadn’t expected Chu Meier to be so decisive—no sooner had she said she’d go to the manor than, before a stick of incense had burned, all was packed and ready. Seeing the neat bundles before her, Liu Linger was dumbfounded. Clearly, Chu Meier had been planning this for some time.

Chu Meier waved at Liu Linger. “Go on, take a walk somewhere else. I’m going to find the Emperor and let him know. See you at the Prince Virtue’s Manor.”

At last, she could leave. Though moving into the manor meant she couldn’t avoid Chu Meier day and night, at least for now, the less she saw of her, the better. Liu Linger was a little afraid of Chu Meier—no wonder Bai Li Xian called her an old witch. Now it seemed she was more than that—an old demon, really.

Like a startled rabbit, Liu Linger darted out of the Golden Hall, as if the place were a monster about to swallow her whole.

Guided by her memories, she headed toward the Cold Palace. This time, she managed not to get lost and arrived smoothly.

The Cold Palace door was as always ajar. Liu Linger knocked, but after several tries, no one answered. She guessed that Ning Susu must have gone out. Poor woman, forced to fend for herself even here in the palace.

But Ning Susu not being there was just as well; she could freely investigate whether what Ma Linger had written in her letter was true. If it was, then she would finally have a foothold in this world.

She entered. The Cold Palace was as desolate as ever, though spring’s grass and wildflowers added a touch of color. Looking around, Liu Linger easily found the well Ma Linger had described, not far from the house.

As she approached, she saw it really was a dry well. So Ma Linger hadn’t lied after all. The mere existence of the well made Liu Linger believe most of what Ma Linger had written.

Without hesitation, Liu Linger leapt in. The well wasn’t particularly deep—about seven or eight meters. With her lightness skills, it was no trouble at all. But as she landed, she stumbled and almost fell on her backside.

Her eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness. Looking down, she was nearly frightened out of her wits. Good heavens! Why were there so many skeletons here, and not just one? And whose skull was she standing on?

After a moment’s thought, she understood. Not every woman sent to the Cold Palace could live as freely as Ning Susu. Many must have leapt into the well to end their suffering. Hastily, Liu Linger moved aside, muttering prayers for forgiveness.

The well was shaped like a pyramid—narrow at the top, wide below. Originally, there must have been an underground spring here, but now there was no trace of moisture. How odd!

Approaching the wall, Liu Linger discovered the mystery. The inner well was covered with talismans, their cinnabar inscriptions still faintly visible. Though the writing was crooked and wild, after careful scrutiny Liu Linger recognized these as Water-Stopping Talismans. As the name suggested, they were meant to block the flow of water entirely.