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Chapter 3
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Chapter 3
Having done it once, the second trip into the palace felt much more like following a familiar routine.
Some people seem naturally suited for the court; take Yi Xing, for instance. She followed the eunuchs through the palace gates with smooth ease. For some reason, she felt as though she had lived here in a past life; a strange sense of familiarity clung to everything she saw.
Unlike the first round of the selection, where the massive number of candidates from every Banner required the Imperial Garden, the second round saw the crowd of five hundred dwindle to about three hundred.
Yi Xing marched in line with the other candidates, heads bowed as they passed through the West Second Long Street. Occasionally, they encountered palace maids and eunuchs who had come out specifically to sneak a peek. These seasoned veterans possessed a deep-seated caution; even if they were there on their masters' orders, they would never point fingers or offer reckless judgments. They stood by the roadside with their hands discreetly tucked into their sleeves, appearing as though they had just happened to be passing by and were merely forced to witness the commotion.
Yi Xing didn't pay them much mind, preferring instead to steal glances at the endless stretch of red walls and golden tiles. In truth, the buildings in the palace were much the same everywhere. In terms of delicate craftsmanship, they couldn't compare to the gardens of Jiangnan, but they triumphed in sheer, magnificent scale. Stepping into this domain made one feel instinctively shorter; this was, after all, the home of the Son of Heaven, and every corner brimmed with the peak of imperial aura. Take the straight, narrow alleyways: they were so fiercely red they seemed to carve the very sky apart.
Suddenly, a small commotion broke out in the line. A white cat had darted out from nowhere, likely a pet belonging to some young mistress, as it wore an exquisite collar.
The cat didn't fear people and plunged straight into the crowd. A young eunuch chased after it with his back hunched low. Just as Chief Liu was about to ask what was happening, the young eunuch lunged, and dived straight between Chief Liu’s legs.
"Aiyoo..." Chief Liu’s voice went high and thin. "You blind little monkey-whelp, where do you think you're crashing!"
A ripple of stifled laughter broke out among the girls.
The young eunuch was slippery and slick, saying flatteringly, "The moment I saw Great Chief Liu, my legs went weak; all I wanted was to kowtow to your venerable self." As he spoke, he dragged the cat out from beneath Chief Liu’s robes.
Chief Liu huffed. "Can Jing Ren Gong not keep a cat contained? How did it end up here again? Take it back and watch it closely. If it runs out of the palace, see if He Fei doesn't skin you alive!"
The young eunuch promised repeatedly and scurried away with the cat in his arms. It was the smallest of trifles in the palace; everyone laughed it off and put it out of their minds.
Yi Xing turned her head to look at the eastern palace wall. After the harshness of winter, the spring breeze of the second lunar month had finally blown, bringing life to the top of the wall.
Among the sparse, withered grass, a wild flower with white petals and a yellow heart swayed in the wind. Its slender stem was blown almost flat against the ground, but the moment the gale passed, it stood up stubbornly straight. It possessed a tenacity that refused to admit defeat.
The eunuch led the large group to the palace gate. Chief Liu announced, "Ladies, enter."
The girls filed through the gate in the wall.
This large courtyard had long since been cleared. Those whose turn hadn't come waited outside, while those called responded to their names and entered to be inspected.
Yin Zhu, standing behind Yi Xing, seemed incredibly nervous. In the solemn silence, one could faintly hear the sound of her teeth chattering.
Yi Xing turned to look at her. "What’s wrong?"
Yin Zhu pressed a hand to her chest. "My heart is dangling in mid-air."
She had clearly said before that the worst that could happen was being rejected, so why the sudden unease?
Yi Xing comforted her, saying it was no big deal. "If it really doesn't work out, it’s just fate. When you get out, I’ll treat you to fried liver."
Yin Zhu muttered, "It’s not the rest I’m afraid of... I’m just afraid of shaming my father."
Most Banner people still viewed serving in the palace as an honor. Previously, Chong Xiu had hoped that since the Empress came from his sworn brother’s house, his daughter could use that connection to at least snag a position as a female official by the time she was old enough. But then the Empress met with disaster, and Fu Hai was exiled to the Ussuri River. That dream was gone; now that Yin Zhu was in the palace, she had to rely entirely on herself.
Regarding the concept of "shame," Yi Xing didn't think too deeply. You feel bad for a while, and then who remembers who? She gave Yin Zhu a reassuring look. "With your stature, you look like a top-tier maid in the making."
Yin Zhu felt a bit self-conscious, pulling her shoulders in slightly. "I’m just... I’m not heavy, I just look plump."
Yi Xing nodded in understanding. Just then, it was their turn. A eunuch at the door shouted, "Candidates of the 'Xuan' group from the Upper Bordered Yellow Banner, enter for selection!" The line of six girls hurried into the Ti Yuan Dian.
This hall had formerly been the rear hall of the Qi Xiang Gong. Its central room had doors at both the front and back, making it exceptionally bright and airy. Standing inside were over a dozen women dressed as teaching nannies, holding rulers and wearing grim expressions. They signaled for the candidates to step forward.
Yi Xing was puzzled. Are they already measuring us for clothes before we’ve even been selected? As it turned out, they stretched her arms out to measure them, then measured the length from her wrist to her fingertips. That wasn't all; finally, they measured everything from her neck to her legs. As they measured, they commanded, "Move around, young lady." Yi Xing walked a few steps and turned a few circles in the center of the hall, feeling quite lost. Apparently, she pleased the nannies; the leader nodded to the side, and her plaque was retained.
Yin Zhu’s passing was also uneventful. The scrutiny of bondservant women was never that strict; being a bit plump could be overlooked, after all, once she started working in the palace, she would naturally thin down.
Yi Xing had assumed not many people would be filtered out in the second round, but nearly a hundred remained in the courtyard. Most of them had their plaques dropped because their measurements didn't meet the standards, or because their poise and mannerisms were found lacking. They were all sent back to their homes.
Yin Zhu came out looking immensely relieved, rubbing her hands together. "I must have benefited from your luck to pass the second round so smoothly. I thought I’d be cut for sure... Auntie, when you become a consort, I’ll come to your palace to serve you."
Yi Xing gave a shy, sheepish smile. "Whether I can stay is still uncertain. This is only the second round. There’s a third round later, and finally, the masters themselves have to choose..."
"Exactly." A voice suddenly piped up from the side with a snort. "This is just the beginning. Talking about becoming a consort this early... you two are a bit too impatient."
Though the words were true, being contradicted to one's face was bound to spark anger.
Yi Xing rubbed her forehead, unsure of how to respond, but Yin Zhu was no pushover. She also gave a snort and said with a fake smile, "You aren't a bondservant, are you? Among the candidates of the Five Banners, is there anyone who actually hopes to be a palace maid? Since we've entered the selection, we're all aiming to be mistresses and consorts. No one should look down on another's ambition. On the contrary, it’s those who love to step on others—saying one thing while thinking another—who are truly looked down upon."
"You..." The candidate was cornered and fuming. Just as she was about to argue further, Yin Zhu cut her off.
"Don't talk back! If a manager hears us fighting, we’ll all have our plaques dropped!" Yin Zhu bared her teeth at her. "If you're pretty, you have the right to dream. If you've got a face that not even a grandmother or uncle could love, then even if you dress up to the nines, you wouldn't dare look upward."
Yi Xing finally witnessed what "sharp-tongued" truly meant. When it came to being fierce, she really couldn't hold a candle to Yin Zhu.
The instigating candidate, fearing that things would escalate, bit her lip hard. The defiant look on her face earned a massive eye-roll from Yin Zhu, but she had no choice but to swallow her anger for the time being.
Yi Xing looked at Yin Zhu like she was a hero, as if she were a general returning in triumph.
Yin Zhu felt a bit embarrassed and said sheepishly, "I grew up in the garrison; I never learned the refined ways of great houses. Although my father and your brother are sworn brothers, his rank isn't high—just a Banner Captain. If the girls in our barracks acted all refined and poetic, they'd have been eaten for breakfast long ago."
In this regard, she was indeed different from the "Old Auntie."
Because of her high seniority, even Fu Hai addressed Yi Xing with respectful terms. Banner people were the most observant of seniority; since she came from a family of great wealth and prestige, everyone had always flattered her. She had never had to argue or bicker with anyone.
This temperament would be a disadvantage in a crowd. If she ran into someone blind enough to cross her, she would surely be bullied. Luckily, there was Yin Zhu. If the Old Auntie truly became a mistress in the future, with Yin Zhu to guard her, she would surely be kept safe.
The second round thus concluded. By the time everyone’s measurements were taken and the candidates left the palace, it was nearly mid-morning.
Wu Shangyi (Official of Ceremonies Wu) had finally finished her duties and emerged from the Ti Yuan Dian. Her senior maid had food ready and said softly, "Auntie, I asked the head chef at the Zhong Hua Gong kitchen to make your favorite sliced kidneys and crab-powder egg rolls. You’ve really been through a lot this time, working from sunset yesterday until now. That Chief Liu is something else, not even calling for snacks during the night..."
Wu Shangyi lowered her eyes and wiped her hands. "With so many people inside and out, who would have benefited from two plates of snacks? The Ministry of Revenue said they’d prepare refreshments for the candidates, but have you ever seen that promise fulfilled in all the years of the selection?"
Eunuchs skimming off the top was an old tradition. Fortunately, the selection only happened once every three years; starving for a night was no great matter.
As she was about to step through the Zhong Si Men, someone called out, "Shangyi, a word if you please."
Wu Shangyi stopped and turned. It was Zhu Yue, a maid serving Qi Guiren of Yi Kun Gong. She forced a smile. "Miss Zhu Yue, does Mistress Qi have instructions for me?"
Ordinarily, a Guiren (Noble Lady) wouldn't have that much face, but Qi Guiren was backed by Gong Fei (Consort Gong). Wu Shangyi had to give her that respect.
Zhu Yue nodded without saying a word, then turned and entered the Chang Chun Men.
Wu Shangyi had no choice but to let her attendants go back first while she followed into Yi Kun Gong.
Sure enough, the scene inside was set up like a tribunal. Gong Fei, the mistress of the palace, was wearing a bronze-green satin robe embroidered with antique patterns. She sat reclining in the seat of honor, while a small maid knelt on a footstool massaging her legs. Seeing Wu Shangyi enter, she put on a polite smile and said softly, "Shangyi, it’s been a while. I didn't expect you to be the one handling the selection in Ti Yuan Dian today."
Wu Shangyi hurried to perform a curtsy. "Greetings to Gong Fei Niangniang." She then paid her respects to Qi Guiren and Zhen Guiren. "Auspiciousness to the two young mistresses. This servant was pulled in at the last minute; this task wasn't originally mine. But with the changing of the seasons, the Bureau of Ceremonies is busy. I often say I should come pay my respects to the mistresses, but alas, I have the heart of a filial servant but no time to spare."
It was all pretty talk. In the palace, you can't get close to someone without a history of mutual favors. But those above relied on their rank, forcing you to play the game of social maneuvering.
Gong Fei knew this full well. She treated such words as a joke but acted very appreciative.
Qi Guiren, sitting on a stool below, let out an "ah" and said, "I heard your goddaughter’s cough won't go away. It just so happens I received two bags of top-quality almond powder; take them back for her to clear her phlegm."
Receiving a gift without having earned it made Wu Shangyi realize instantly that this summons wouldn't be simple.
She politely protested that the girl wasn't worthy of such luck, then took the almond powder from Zhu Yue and performed several more curtsies. "This servant thanks the mistresses for the reward on her behalf. Once her illness clears, I’ll have her come to Yi Kun Gong personally to kowtow in thanks."
Qi Guiren said, "It’s nothing much, just let her recover well!" In the same breath, she turned the conversation to the main point. "I heard that this year’s candidates are more outstanding than usual. There’s even an 'Auntie' from the Shang family with very high seniority in the selection this time?"
Wu Shangyi confirmed it. "Among those who passed through my hands today, there is indeed such a person."
Zhen Guiren pressed, "How does she look? Is she beautiful?"
Wu Shangyi pursed her lips and considered. "In terms of looks, she is indeed quite good..." She caught herself and quickly changed her tune. "But she only has a bit more charm than the average girl. And speaking of charm, she still comes from the Shang family, after all."
"That’s true," Gong Fei said slowly. "I’m only afraid that if the Emperor sees her, he’ll think of the former Empress again, which would only provoke his anger for nothing. In my opinion, it’s better to avoid such things. It’s a pity this matter isn't for us to decide."
Only half a sentence needed to be spoken; the blame was immediately shifted onto Yu Guifei, who was currently managing the Six Palaces.
To avoid causing trouble for Yu Guifei, those below had to be "sensible."
Wu Shangyi swallowed and bowed. "Gong Fei Niangniang thinks of everything. This servant thinks so as well."
Gong Fei smiled. "You’ve worked hard today; I won't keep you. Go back and rest well. The third round is the day after tomorrow; you’ll have plenty to be busy with."
Wu Shangyi complied, thanked the three mistresses again, and finally withdrew from Yi Kun Gong.
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