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Chapter 20:
Yi xing performed a curtsy and thanked Wu Shangyi. Being able to leave the Anle Tang without any danger could be attributed to the right timing, the right place, and the right people.
In truth, the Anle Tang was actually quite good; aside from having no prospects, it was better than the Bureau of Ceremonies in every other way. Where there are many people striving to stand out, there is bound to be conflict. In a place as utterly destitute as the Anle Tang, people actually possessed sincere hearts.
However, this place was indeed not suitable for a long stay. Yi Xing was a person who aspired to become an Imperial Noble Consort in the future. Even if the Emperor were dying, he wouldn't come to the Anle Tang. Staying here long-term would make one lazy and listless; if a year or so passed and she lost her ambition, who would be able to fish her eldest brother and eldest niece out of trouble?
Rong Bao was quite reluctant to see her go. A thirteen or fourteen-year-old child who dared to say anything, he looked around at the crowd and shook his head. "In this godforsaken place of ours, we finally got a flower, and she's leaving before a month is even up. Heaven doesn't pity me at all. The nannies are getting old and have tempers like fire; they're always pulling my ears. I want the Auntie to stay here; her voice is so pleasant, unlike the nannies who act like the Yama’s grandmothers."
No sooner had he finished speaking than he received a sharp rap on the head from a nanny.
Manager Gao, however, did not want to keep her. "Go, go," he said. "A phoenix should land on a paulownia tree; getting a bit of dust in other places is just a waste. Miss, don't blame me for being talkative: your family has met with trouble, and friends and relatives have grown distant. Now that you've entered the palace, no one dares to grease the wheels for you; everything depends on yourself. The water in the palace is very deep, so be extra careful when you walk. If you get punished again in the future, just request to come back to the Anle Tang. Here, besides having more dead people, the hearts of the living aren't black."
These were heartfelt, honest words. Yi xing understood this and nodded. "I will surely remember the kindness of the Andah and everyone else. I won't come back—once I’ve carved out a future for myself, I’ll pluck you all out of here."
"Aye!" Everyone laughed. "We’re waiting for those words. Go on, then, go pursue your future!" Like sending off a heroic warrior, the crowd escorted her out of the Anle Tang.
Returning to the Bureau of Ceremonies, Yi xing felt a sense of a triumphant return. When people passing in the courtyard saw her, they couldn't help but offer cold scoffs and sarcasm. "So there is a day you return; you're quite capable."
Yi xing let them talk and didn't take it to heart. She carried her bundle back to the Tatan (living quarters), only to find that her original spot had been taken by someone else. Since there was no senior maid to reassign her, she had no choice but to go to the eastern side room to ask for instructions from Nanny Qin, who was in charge of her.
Nanny Qin had never particularly liked her. A nanny led more than one newcomer; she was currently teaching a young maid how to spray water on white cotton paper and iron it to make toilet paper. Seeing Yi xing enter, she didn't acknowledge her, instead turning her gaze elsewhere.
Yi xing took a breath and called out, "Nanny, greetings. I have received orders from Wu Shangyi to return to my post."
Nanny Qin gave a grunt. "I’ve heard."
"Nanny, my sleeping spot has been filled. Perhaps you could arrange another place for me."
This only earned her a burst of ill temper from Nanny Qin.
"Every single day, I'm busy from one end to the other. Where would I find the spare time to assign a Tatan for you? Go look around the rooms yourself; if there’s an empty space, just drop your bedding roll. It’s not like a phoenix returning to its nest; why do you need to find a choice spot?"
So, this was the situation upon returning to the Bureau of Ceremonies. Sometimes, when her temper flared, she really wanted to smash the bedding over those petty people's heads.
In this world, one often encounters such people, just as Physician Xia said: those with one point of power will insist on using it as if they have ten. The true masters are actually not the scary ones; the most terrifying are these "second-hand masters." They are the ones who give you the cold shoulder, being utterly stubborn and unreasonable.
But at this moment, she couldn't afford to act out, lest she toss herself back into the Anle Tang. She could only swallow her anger and come back out with her bedding. As the weather was getting warmer, a thin layer of sweat broke out on her face; the wind outside provided a momentary chill.
Just then, she ran into Yin Zhu returning from outside. Upon seeing her, Yin Zhu jumped up and cried out "Auntie!" in delight, rushing forward.
"You're back so soon? I was planning to find a way to visit you in a few days." As she spoke, she looked Yi xing up and down. "Were you alright there? That place is so eerie; it must have scared you to death."
Yi xing smiled and said no, lowering her voice: "It's a good place without schemes; I met nothing but good people there. But now that I’m back, I can't even find a place to stay..."
Yin Zhu said, "As soon as you left, Nanny Qin brought someone in. It’s fine—I'll move to the side, and you can sleep with me."
But no sooner had she spoken, before Yi xing could even nod, Nanny Qin emerged from inside and said it was not allowed. "Every Tatan has a fixed number of people. You two can squeeze, but others might not be willing to squeeze with you. Don't go taking advantage of others for nothing."
Yin Zhu grew angry and put her hands on her hips to talk back, but at that moment, Han Zhen entered through the palace gate, supported by a nanny. Seeing the confrontation, she smiled and said, "What is this? Such a small matter; I could hear it from outside the gate."
In terms of seniority among the palace maids, Han Zhen was considered high-ranking. Added to the fact that she was Wu Shangyi’s goddaughter, everyone had to give her some face.
Nanny Qin said with a smile, "You are finally recovered! Congratulations."
Han Zhen returned the gesture. "Heaven doesn't take the reckless; I’ve been let back. What were you arguing about just now? Is it that a Tatan can't be settled?"
Yin Zhu said, "Yi xing came back and has nowhere to stay. I wanted her to bunk with me, but Nanny Qin won't allow it."
Han Zhen gave an "Oh." "So that’s it... Logically, a Tatan does have a fixed capacity; one shouldn't just haphazardly add people, or else everyone won't sleep comfortably at night."
As she spoke, she seemed to be upholding fairness. Nanny Qin said, "Exactly! This generation of newcomers is truly something; I only said one word, and she wanted to challenge me."
Han Zhen smiled, then turned to Yi xing. "The rules of the Tatan cannot be broken, but you must have a place to live. If you don't mind, why not come to my place? I live alone in my room, and many people gossip about it behind my back anyway. Your coming would provide some company..." She then looked toward Yin Zhu. "Is this your friend? If she likes, she can come along too; the more people, the merrier."
When she finished, Yin Zhu and Yi xing were delighted, while Nanny Qin’s face immediately turned sour. She had just finished giving them a hard time, only for Han Zhen to come out and play the peacemaker, making her look bad to everyone.
To be frank, in the Bureau of Ceremonies, who truly answers to whom? Han Zhen only threw her weight around because of her relationship with Wu Shangyi.
Nanny Qin couldn't easily stop them and squeezed out a dry smile. "Very well, go to Auntie Han Zhen’s place then. She is weak; if something happens in the middle of the night, you two can look after her."
Yi xing and Yin Zhu ignored her sour words. Three people in one room versus twenty people on one large communal bed—the difference in situation was like heaven and earth. How many years did an ordinary palace maid have to endure before becoming an "Auntie" to have the fortune of living in a four-person room? They were even better off than the nannies. Now they no longer had to listen to the sounds of people relieving themselves, nor worry about the disciplinary nannies doing midnight inspections with wooden paddles. Yi xing had found a blessing in disguise, and Yin Zhu had risen along with her.
Han Zhen smiled again and let the nanny support her back to the Tatan. Nanny Qin was extremely displeased. Just then, a young palace maid came out to curtsy and asked the nanny to inspect her work, only to be harshly scolded: "What's the rush!"
Even though the senior maids had all survived their early years, they were still divided into ranks. Nanny Qin and Han Zhen were bound to have friction, and having been humiliated like this, she was naturally unhappy; even her turn to leave carried a sense of desperate frustration.
Yin Zhu and Yi xing watched her enter the main hall and smiled at each other. Regardless of all that, the two went back to the communal bed together to pack Yin Zhu’s things.
Yin Zhu asked her, "Old Auntie, is this the nanny you saved at the Anle Tang?"
To call it "saving" wasn't her own credit. Yi xing said, "I just lent a hand," and told Yin Zhu about Physician Xia’s "miracle."
Yin Zhu pondered for a long time and sighed. "You have a benefactor helping you. How does the old saying go? 'Rather than adding water to stop the boiling, it’s better to remove the firewood.' He allowed you to do a favor for Auntie Zhen, so naturally, Auntie Zhen will protect you... Old Auntie, you're one step closer to becoming an Imperial Noble Consort."
Two "cobblers" (ordinary people) gathered together, talking of happy things as if the rank of Imperial Noble Consort were right before their eyes, just waiting for Yi xing to sit upon it.
However, such words could only be spoken in private. If a third person knew, they would inevitably be ridiculed, saying that the Shang family had just lost one Empress, yet someone was already so impatient to become an Imperial Noble Consort. There had never even been an Imperial Noble Consort in this palace; for an "Old Auntie" to be so eager to throw herself at her nephew-in-law was truly a shamelessness without precedent.
Alas, perhaps those with great ambitions are always lonely! Once Yi xing and Yin Zhu finished packing, they happily moved into Han Zhen’s Tatan.
A room for one person was truly incomparable to the communal beds. Not only were there beds, tables, and cabinets, but there was also a decent dressing table.
Seeing the dressing table, Yi xing became a bit dazed, standing before it for a long time without moving. Yin Zhu came up and asked what was wrong. She said, "I remembered the days at home... I miss home, I miss my Enie (Mother)."
Yin Zhu felt melancholy upon hearing this. Who wouldn't miss home? At home, regardless of the circumstances, one didn't have to swallow such insults; in the palace, anyone could bully you. But whether or not one entered the palace wasn't up to oneself; when the age was reached, one had to serve the masters, this was a rule established since the Qing entered the pass.
Han Zhen was standing by the door, directing the Sula (laborers) to set up two more beds. Hearing their words, she said sadly, "Those who have just entered the palace still have the spirit to miss home. Once time passes, they gradually forget it."
For some palace women, the Forbidden City would be their final resting place. After serving for many years, if they went out and had no family left, or were too old to have a future, they would know nothing but how to serve people. Rather than going outside to suffer the filth of lower-class people, it was better to be ordered around by someone of status.
Yin Zhu turned to ask Han Zhen, "Auntie, will you go out in the future?"
Han Zhen’s face was expressionless. After a long pause, she said, "After being in the palace for so long, I can't stand the chaos outside. The palace is better; rules are followed everywhere, and one doesn't worry about food and drink. So be it." She didn't ask about their future plans, only saying to Yi xing, "I am much better now, but because I had consumption, I can no longer go before the Emperor. What a pity; I could have paved a way for you so you wouldn't be buried among the common maids, letting the Emperor know there is someone like you. I’ve thought about it over and over: the Wanshou Festival this time is a good opportunity. Those serving tea and water at the great banquet are all assigned by the Bureau of Ceremonies. I’ll go to Wu Shangyi to ask for a favor—even if you can't serve tea and snacks to the Imperial table, serving those at the rank of Consort would be fine. The three Consorts have high status, just below the Noble Consort, and they are close to the Emperor's throne. Old Auntie, you are beautiful; as long as you show your face before the Emperor, perhaps there will soon be a 'story' to tell, who knows."
This made Yi xing a bit embarrassed. She and Yin Zhu were used to talking nonsense and never avoided speaking their minds, but she was still not yet well-acquainted with Han Zhen. For the other to plan on sending her before the Emperor made it seem as though she were desperate to climb the social ladder.
She scuffed her toes and twisted her fingers, saying, "I’ve just entered the palace. If this task is given to me, I fear it will attract criticism."
Han Zhen smiled. "If people lived by their reputations, half the people in the palace would be dead. When you entered the palace, you were originally supposed to be promoted and titled, but... there’s no guarantee someone didn't use underhanded means behind your back. If you missed it once, you have to find your own way, otherwise, you'll just grow old and die in the deep palace. You are a Shang, after all. A Shang doesn't want to be a Lady and is willing to be a lowly maid? No one would believe that if you said it."
These words truly hit the mark. The three of them looked at each other and shared a knowing laugh.
As for the Emperor, Yi xing wasn't curious about him at all; she was pondering how she could stand out at the grand banquet. Of course, with Han Zhen, she was like one aided by the gods. Wu Shangyi had initially only promised to let her serve at the banquet, not intending to put her right under the eyes of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. But she couldn't withstand Han Zhen’s pleading. Before nodding her agreement, she called Yi xing into her office and, in front of Han Zhen, settled their previous grievances.
"I didn't originally intend to send you to the front. It’s truly because your seniority is shallow and your conduct isn't stable enough. On such a big day, if even the slightest mistake occurs, even I won't be able to escape involvement. But now that our girl is pleading with me, I can't easily refuse her; I'll make an exception and give you a chance! When you entered the palace, I handled the second and third selections; that you couldn't participate in the final Imperial selection... you might not be without resentment toward me. I have nothing else to say; everyone has their own fate. Now that I’m sending you forward, if you do well in the future, I don't ask for your gratitude. If you don't do well, I only ask that you don't involve me; that will be enough."
In short, Wu Shangyi’s meaning was: if you have a future, just don't hold a grudge for my past suppression of you. To avoid retaliation from someone who had been forcibly filtered out, she had naturally tried everything to prevent her from having a day of prominence. Unfortunately, Han Zhen had later become involved; Han Zhen was Wu Shangyi’s only relative in the palace, so she had to consider her feelings.
Yi xing agreed very readily. "Thank you, Shangyi, for nurturing me. Whether or not I have a future, I won't forget your kindness."
Wu Shangyi nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Prepare yourself. Over the next two days, follow Han Zhen and learn the rules well. Only after you’ve learned them can I let you go to the front. The masters in the palace are not easy to deal with, as you know. Don't go offending anyone; if the Emperor hasn't seen you yet and you instead end up served by the 'Dog-Head Guillotine' (execution), that would be terrible."
Han Zhen suppressed a smile and gave Yi xing a look.
In working in the palace, what is lacking is good opportunity.
Yi xing tilted her head and puffed out her chest; before anything had even happened, she already felt the weight of a court crown being placed upon her head.
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