______
Hello, lovely readers! ^^
Sorry for the interruption, but we'd like you to help with a tiny request. It'd mean a lot to us if you're willing to spare 3 minutes to help with this poll on Ko-fi telling us what series brings you/which you read mostly on this site. Here's the link - https://ko-fi.com/polls/What-series-do-you-enjoy-the-most-on-our-site-Or-A0A71UA533 Thanks in advance! Bless you all. đź’—
Chapter 21
To say that having a sincere teacher to instruct you is a blessing that yields twice the result with half the effort would be an understatement. Han Zhen, out of gratitude for the life-saving favor, was patient and gentle as she guided Yi Xing and Yin Zhu.
"When serving tea and snacks, you must stand to the side. You cannot block the space between the Emperor and the young mistresses, and you certainly can’t let the masters see the back of your head." Han Zhen held a fruit plate in one hand, her body slightly bowed, as she imparted the techniques of holding a tray. "The masters in the palace are precious people; they don't like us servants getting too close. You must stand four feet away and stretch your arms out to serve. This 'arm-stretching' part is a master skill of the hand—it must be steady. When placing the plate, your hand cannot tremble, and you absolutely cannot let the arranged pastries roll off. The young mistresses are very superstitious; if a plate of snacks reaches her and the shape is ruined, it's a bad omen, and she will be furious."
Yi Xing and Yin Zhu listened to her instructions and watched her demonstration. Her wrists were thin, yet they seemed to contain infinite strength, as if capable of lifting a thousand pounds. They sighed inwardly; this kind of basic skill was truly accumulated over years. "Sudden newcomers" like them really didn't deserve to appear in such vital settings based on seniority alone.
Han Zhen seemed to see their anxiety—their brows were knitted so tightly they looked like flowers, and she smiled. "Actually, it’s nothing extraordinary; you just need to be meticulous. There is one more thing: when serving snacks and tea, you must go from the highest rank to the lowest. Usually, a table has two concubines of different ranks with palace maids serving on both sides. The higher-ranking consort is served first, followed by the one with a lower status. Clearing the plates is the opposite: clear from the bottom up. This is a major point of etiquette, and you must never get it wrong."
Yi Xing hadn't expected that merely serving a plate of snacks would involve so many rules. In the past, when she was served at home, no one shared a table with her. During festivals or opera performances, she always had a table all to her own.
So, having a high seniority had its perks—you sat comfortably and spaciously. But there were downsides to being "grand" as well; because she never had to humble herself, she rarely had the chance to appreciate these details. Now she had to learn them one by one and etch them into her memory. Fortunately, she was perceptive and willing to put in the hard work, so the learning process wasn't too difficult.
For the next two days, all her time was spent on carrying trays. She went from trembling at the start to being as steady as a rock, a clear sign of progress that even Han Zhen praised.
Finally, the day of the Wanshou Festival (The Emperor’s Birthday) arrived. From the moment they woke up, the palace was decorated with lanterns and colored banners. As it was a day of universal celebration, the Emperor reportedly had to attend two banquets. The first was in the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Dian), where he ascended the throne to receive greetings from the hundred officials. The second was back in the inner court, where he accompanied the Empress Dowager and the concubines to share in familial joy.
Palace maids were not allowed at the first banquet; those were handled by the serving eunuchs. The second banquet was set in the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong), and it was organized by the Bureau of Ceremonies, allowing palace maids to serve the Empress Dowager and the consorts.
The former was a state banquet, naturally solemn in atmosphere, while the latter was a family feast, relatively more relaxed. Yi Xing and the other palace maids first set fruit plates on each table. Since the Emperor had not yet arrived and the feast could not begin, they retreated to the side to stand by for orders.
At this time, the "young mistresses" of the six palaces arrived from all directions in full regalia, wearing festive dress and elaborate dianzi (headdresses). For a moment, it was a sea of pearls and emeralds as they gathered to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, making it nearly impossible to distinguish one from another.
Yi Xing had never seen so many beautiful women. The excitement made her feel as though she were back in the South, watching a troupe of painted actresses take the stage, speaking in the sweetest voices and moving with the most graceful cadences. However, times had changed; here, one couldn't cheer or throw money. She could only watch them come and go, trying her best to identify who held the highest rank and who held the lowest.
The high-ranking ones were easy to spot. The one wearing a five-phoenix headdress was undoubtedly the Noble Consort. Yi Xing took a quick look and memorized her face. The Noble Consort wasn't the most beautiful, but she was very dignified. She appeared to be the eldest among the concubines, and her every move possessed a steady, composed grace.
Noble Consort Yu currently managed the six palaces and led the concubines. She spoke softly to the Empress Dowager: "Before the Wanshou Festival, I discussed and settled the birthday gifts for the Emperor with each palace. I fear some details might not be perfect, so I ask the Empress Dowager to take a look first."
The Empress Dowager usually didn't concern herself with mundane affairs; she spent her days chanting Buddhist sutras or arranging flowers, keeping herself plump and pleasant.
Hearing Noble Consort Yu’s words, she waved her hand. "Is there any among you who wouldn't be sincere in honoring the Emperor? Don't bother showing me now; let's look at them all together later for the sake of the festivity."
It was Consort Yi who was best at pleasing the Empress Dowager. Since she and the Dowager came from the same family, she was naturally different from the others. She smiled and said, "After the Emperor's birthday, your own birthday is coming in August. To tell you the truth, I’ve already prepared your gift. It’s definitely something you’ll like, I went to great lengths to find it."
The others couldn't stand her flighty manner and her habit of getting ahead of everyone else; it was truly tiresome.
But the Empress Dowager liked it, and she gave her face in front of everyone, casually asking what it was. Consort Yi teased, "The Emperor’s gifts are for everyone to enjoy together, but I must save your gift to hold my own ground when the time comes! If I say it now, it won't be a surprise later. If your interest fades and you don't give me a return gift, what will I do?"
The Empress Dowager laughed. "You little monkey, you're still thinking about my return gift."
When the Empress Dowager laughed, everyone had to follow suit. For a moment, the scene looked quite convincing, though no one knew how many layers of bitterness were hidden behind the lips covered by handkerchiefs.
Watching coldly, Yi Xing felt the "flower-clumped" scene was beautiful to look at, but if one were to peel back the surface, it was quite boring. However, she couldn't let that boredom show on her face; she had to keep a neutral expression and stand cautiously at her post.
But such a striking beauty couldn't be buried even in a crowd. Under the caisson ceiling, the Nine-Dragon Pearl Lamps hung high, illuminating the main hall into a brilliant glow. Among the row of palace maids leaning against the walls, the one with the slender figure and phoenix-like eyes was the most eye-catching.
Wind of palace rumors always traveled fast. Everyone knew that Wu Shangyi had placed the "Old Auntie" of the Shang family on the list for the grand banquet.
It was likely at Noble Consort Yu's request that this girl was given the chance to stand out. At first, everyone thought a sixteen-year-old pampered girl couldn't be much, but seeing her in the flesh, with a beauty so flawless it was impossible to find fault—their hearts felt a pang of unease.
Five points more beautiful than the late Empress—this was the evaluation of the crowd when the "Old Auntie" first appeared in the public eye.
Wasn't she a posthumous child? The old Master and Mistress of the Shang family had her when they were in their fifties; she should have looked like a scrawny bean sprout. The palace maids and eunuchs sent to spy on her previously had mostly reported her as "having decent features," likely to avoid upsetting their masters. Now that they saw the real person, the shock was even greater.
To be so charming at such a young age, she was bound to be a vixen. No wonder the Emperor personally instructed Noble Consort Yu to look after her. Perhaps there had been a private affair years ago? Back when the Emperor was still the Crown Prince visiting the South, could they have been childhood sweethearts?
But then again, that seemed impossible given the difference in seniority. Even if the Emperor was only six years older than her, she was still the aunt of the deposed Empress. The Emperor placed great importance on human relations; his special care for her was likely out of respect for her family’s elder status!
Now that she had shown her face, the "sisters" of the various palaces had to recognize her so they would know who to be wary of in the future.
Concubine Mu of the Palace of Universal Happiness (Xianfu Gong) was the first to speak. "That palace maid looks familiar, as if I’ve seen her somewhere."
Sure enough, everyone followed suit and shifted their gaze over, pretending to think hard. Who is she? Who exactly is she?
Noble Lady Ji from Concubine Mu’s palace was timid but felt compelled to echo her mistress. She said tentatively, "I think she has a bit of the late Empress’s style."
Everyone made a show of sudden realization. Only then did Noble Consort Yu report to the Empress Dowager: "She is the daughter of the late Mid-Level Official Shang Lin, and the youngest sister of Fu Hai. She entered the palace during the last selection but was filtered out at the third stage. She has been serving as a maid in the Bureau of Ceremonies for a while now." As she spoke, she beckoned to Yi Xing. "Come here and pay your respects to the Empress Dowager."
Yi Xing was suddenly called upon, and her heart fluttered with panic. But then she thought, she and the Empress Dowager were technically of the same generation; a greeting wouldn't hurt. She stepped out gracefully and performed a deep curtsy, saying, "Greetings to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager enjoy ten thousand years of auspiciousness and joy." She then greeted the other concubines. "Honorable mistresses, I wish you peace."
The Empress Dowager looked her over for a long time, sighing inwardly. A girl like this, filtered out at the third stage, either she had a real flaw, or someone had used underhanded means.
Well, it made sense. The Shang family was in an awkward position now, and it was inevitable that people would take the opportunity to kick them while they were down. Since the previous Empress had been deposed, to be honest, the girl shouldn't have stayed in the palace. She knew of her during the selection but hadn't paid her much mind, thinking that even if she came from a famous family, it wouldn't amount to much. Who knew that upon meeting her, she would be so lovely? If she had been born into a different family, she would be prime material for a consort who could dominate the six palaces.
Fortunately, the matter was in the past and the ranks in the palace were settled. A missed opportunity was just that. The Empress Dowager raised her hand and said nothing more, letting her return to her original spot. The matter and the person seemed to have been flipped over like a page, as the crowd moved on to other topics.
Yi Xing breathed a sigh of relief. She wanted to show her face to the Emperor, but she had no intention of being noticed by these concubines. She also noticed Noble Lady Shan in the crowd, whose eyes were like little knives wishing to stab holes into her. Her heart tightened, and she quickly looked away.
Just then, she met another gaze. Yi Xing carefully lifted her eyelids—it was Noble Consort Yu. The Noble Consort smiled at her warmly, a look that conveyed a kind of domestic warmth.
Could there still be someone in this harem who was on good terms with my niece? Is Noble Consort Yu being kind to me out of respect for the late Empress?
Yi Xing was momentarily dazed, unable to tell if that smile was out of genuine kindness or a hidden agenda. For now, maintaining her composure was her best defense. She lowered her head, preferring to shrink into a date pit or a grain of sand rather than become a piece of meat in a bowl surrounded by tigers.
The grand banquet resumed its previous lively scene, with concubines laughing and talking around the Empress Dowager. They chatted for about half an hour, having two rounds of fruit tea. Outside, the night grew deeper. The Wanshou lanterns stood tall in the vast plaza, rotating elegantly in the wind and casting mottled golden light across the ground.
From afar, the faint sound of rhythmic clapping could be heard—"Clap—clap-clap—"
Concubine Yu, who had sharp ears, turned to look toward the palace gates. "The banquet at the front court has ended. The Master is coming."
At once, all the concubines stood up to pat their hair and straighten their clothes, their faces blooming with smiles as they awaited their master.
Yi Xing didn't dare look up directly; she kept her eyes fixed on her toes. From the corner of her eye, she saw the ritual eunuchs entering in single file, followed by a figure wearing a bright yellow satin-embroidered golden dragon robe. It was the brilliance of the supreme ruler, shining like a sun-carrying mist behind layers of lanterns.
At this moment, Yi Xing’s mind went blank. She thought of her niece who had been banished to the Outer Eight Temples and couldn't help but feel a bit melancholy. Otherwise, the one leading the reception now would be the Empress! Without that turn of events, she would be lying on a cool breeze couch eating sweet soup, instead of standing here as a "picket post." The root of the problem lay with the Emperor. Even if her elder brother was corrupt, why involve the Empress? Once married, wasn't she a member of the Yuwen family? In the end, he even orchestrated a "shared guilt with the maiden family" scheme; the imperial family’s magnanimity was truly non-existent.
Anyway, this Emperor is not a good person, Yi Xing thought firmly. As the dazzling yellow passed before her eyes, she lowered her lashes even further, suddenly feeling a surge of doubt about her grand ambition to become the Imperial Noble Consort.
The concubines were naturally delighted to see the Emperor. They stepped out from behind the banquet tables and knelt in unison, kowtowing. "A grand joy to the Emperor. We wish the Emperor long life and boundless longevity."
The Hall of Central Uprightness (Zhengda Guangming Dian) was filled with a dense crowd of kneeling figures. The concubines, with their heads full of pearls and emeralds and their collars pressed with swallowtails, looked like a neat and comical row of backs of heads from above.
The Emperor turned and lifted his robes to kowtow to the Empress Dowager. "My birthday is the day of my Mother's suffering. I dare not forget my Mother's hardships. I kowtow to my Imperial Mother and pray that the Saintly Mother enjoys a life as enduring as the sun and moon, and ten thousand years of longevity and luck."
The vast hall was pin-drop silent; the entire world seemed to echo with the Emperor’s voice. Crouching on the floor, Yi Xing heard that tone and cadence and felt a strange sense of familiarity.
The Empress Dowager quickly rose to help the Emperor up, smiling. "Good child, I know your filial heart. Sit down quickly; they’ve been waiting a long time to celebrate your birthday." She then gave orders to those below. "You all may rise as well. Now that your Master is here, everyone can talk and laugh together to liven things up for him."
The concubines answered in unison and were helped up by the palace maids. Yi Xing also stood up briskly, preparing to bring dishes to the banquet tables when the time came.
Only then did she take advantage of the chaos to steal a glance at the floor screen throne at the head of the hall. She was standing diagonally across from the Emperor, so she couldn't see his whole face, but the profile alone was enough for her to ponder for a while.
That little boy who stood by the wall and peed all over years ago... is him? After so long, he’s grown so much!
His complexion was still as fair as she remembered—she even compared his head to Noble Lady Shan’s; one was a peeled lychee, and the other was an unpeeled water chestnut. As for his voice, it had certainly changed over ten years; it was more robust and carried imperial majesty, but the gentleness was as consistent as ever. Someone who didn't know his lightning-like methods would truly think he was that same shy boy from before.
It was just... an indescribable oddness. Could memories from ten years ago remain so vivid? Yi Xing felt as if she had seen him just yesterday. But upon second thought, that shouldn't be possible. He was the Emperor, and she hadn't even crossed the threshold of the six palaces; where would she have seen him?
But if I were to cover the lower half of that face... Yi Xing was lost in her idle thoughts.
Suddenly, a gaze from above shifted toward her, making her tongue go numb with fright. She immediately cleared all her thoughts.
On the grand hall, gazes flew back and forth like arrows. Every move of the Emperor could not escape the sharp observation of the concubines, even if it was just a glance.
The Emperor looked at that Old Auntie! Everyone’s heart skipped a beat, each having their own calculations.
Noble Consort Yu played her role as the stabilizing force at this time, saying with a smile, "Everyone has waited for the Master for so long, and even the Empress Dowager hasn't properly eaten anything. In my opinion, let the birthday feast begin. Let the Master relax a bit first, and then look at the birthday gifts the sisters have prepared for you."
The Emperor was a man of inner cultivation; he would never leave any room for gossip in public. His gaze lingered for only a moment before immediately moving away from the "Old Auntie." He said nothing, only giving a slight nod. Noble Consort Yu then signaled the head eunuch that the hot dishes could be served.
Liu Quanyun stood in a corner of the hall and raised both arms to clap his hands. A continuous stream of exquisite vessels began to be transported into the hall from outside.
Rank and hierarchy were taken very seriously in the palace. The tables for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager were at the head, followed by the Noble Consort and the three Consorts on both sides, and so on down the line. The table Yi Xing was serving was for Consort He and Noble Lady Yong. Noble Lady Yong was the youngest among the concubines, looking to be about fourteen or fifteen. At that age, a difference of one year was very apparent; Noble Lady Yong still had a childish air and was particularly fond of Consort He’s cat. Therefore, even though they didn't live in the same palace, she loved to cluster with Consort He.
As for Consort He, she didn't actually like being around a child, but seeing that Noble Lady Yong was young and easy to manipulate, and that she might be useful at today's banquet, she warmly kept her at the same table.
When Yi Xing was arranging their meal, Noble Lady Yong was still holding the cat in her lap, whispering, "Consort He, I’ve made two vests and a collar for Wo-Wo. I’ll have someone send them over to you tomorrow."
A child who thinks about making clothes and knots for a cat—how exactly did she get promoted? This Emperor is truly not a human being, Yi Xing thought with a burst of disdain.
Consort He gave a perfunctory reply. "It’s rare that you remember a cat."
Noble Lady Yong said flatteringly, "I just like cats. When Wo-Wo has kittens in the future, can you give me one?"
Consort He shifted her gaze toward the Emperor with no emotion. "Wo-Wo is a male cat; he won't have kittens."
Over there, Noble Consort Yu was already busy presenting her birthday gift to the Emperor. She presented a kèsī (cut silk) hanging screen titled "The Immortals Offer Birthday Greetings." She opened it for the Emperor to see and said with a smile, "The embroidered images on this pair of screens are my own needlework. I started the first stitch on the Wanshou Festival last year and finished it exactly today. There are ninety-nine immortals on it, using ninety-nine colors of silk thread, to wish my Lord ten thousand years of reign and an eternal throne."
Noble Consort Yu always loved to put small efforts into such matters. What was lacking in this palace of fine food and clothing? What was lacking was a piece of red-blooded loyalty. She was able to reach her position today because she knew how to be clever. In fact, not only the three Consorts, but even the concubines of the Pin rank below didn't approve of her. They said the Noble Consort was good at maneuvering and habitually pleased her master; even if they were forced to be beneath her, they still looked down on her in their hearts.
Noble Consort Yu had once again snatched the first place to present a gift, making the following gifts feel somewhat lacking in novelty. For instance, Consort Yi’s statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, Consort Gong’s gold rectangular pine tree penjing, and Consort He’s bamboo root Old Man of Longevity were all reduced to perfunctory decorations. Since Noble Consort Yu had won the top prize again, the others couldn't help but feel bitter.
Consort He said nothing, but she set her sights on the person serving the food nearby.
Didn't the Emperor ask Noble Consort Yu to look after the Old Auntie of the Shang family? If something goes wrong in front of everyone, will it be the Old Auntie’s fault or Noble Consort Yu’s failure to supervise?
Consort He fixed her eyes on the cat in Noble Lady Yong’s lap.
This cat had been raised in the Palace of Great Benevolence (Jingren Gong) since it was small; she knew its triggers best. Wo-Wo was fearless, except for the fingernail guards on her hands. As soon as she reached out, the cat would bristle as if its tail had been stepped on.
Consort He had a plan. She smiled warmly, her eyes lingering on the Old Auntie. Seeing that she served the hot dishes steadily, she actually admired the training the girl had received during this time—
A pampered darling raised in a golden nest can actually serve properly now.
However, this small bit of change was not enough for Consort He to change her mind. Timing it as Yi Xing brought over a dish of "First-Grade Marinated Shrimp and Kidneys," she quietly stroked the cat hidden under the table. The cat was startled and jumped up. Coupled with Noble Lady Yong’s panicked toss, the cat leapt onto the table and crashed through it. There was a series of loud clatters as the dish was overturned. With a scream from Consort He, her body was splashed with sauce, which poured down from her shoulder and hung across her chest.
For a moment, everyone was stunned. Yi Xing’s mind went blank, and she fell to her knees with a thud. She thought to herself that it was over; the Heavens were against her and were determined to finish her.
Noble Lady Yong was also terrified. Hearing the Empress Dowager’s sharp bark asking where the cat came from, she immediately burst into tears and stammered incoherently, "Servant... servant..."
Concubine Mao saw this and gave a slight smile, saying in a neither high nor low voice, "Isn't this the cat from Consort He’s palace?"
Look at that, the 'Rabbit Grandfather' (clay figurine) has fallen into the mud; this beast even scratches its own master.
Consort He was in a mess and began to complain, " I said before that a cat shouldn't be brought to such a grand banquet, but Noble Lady Yong wouldn't listen. Look, I’m covered in it. If today weren't a lucky day, I would surely make a scene."
The Emperor’s birthday banquet was ruined just like that. The Empress Dowager was naturally furious and cursed, "How did the Bureau of Ceremonies train people? The rule of never letting go even if scalded to death, have you never learned it?!"
The blame spread wide. Wu Shangyi hurriedly came out to kneel and kowtow, saying repeatedly, "It is my failure in discipline. I deserve death, I deserve death..."
Noble Consort Yu went over to check. Seeing Yi Xing prostrate on the floor with blood seeping through her sleeve, she frowned and said, "This cat is truly inhuman. It’s fed every day, yet it turns on its own kind when it goes wild." The hidden sarcasm was all in those words.
Consort He hadn't expected that her attempt to embarrass Noble Consort Yu would end up hurting herself, and she was naturally livid.
Because the Emperor was present, she couldn't target Yi Xing directly. She shouted at Wu Shangyi: "Are you useless? Is there no one left in the Bureau of Ceremonies that you sent such an unsteady person? Blood has been shed on a day of great joy; I’ll see how you explain this to the Noble Consort!" She kicked the ball back to the Noble Consort.
When women play their games, it’s nothing but this buzzing noise that makes one's head ache.
The Emperor shifted his gaze to the kneeling Old Auntie. She was kneeling in the corner between the banquet tables, and from that open space, he could see the injury on the back of her hand. The Emperor’s lips twitched slightly. He turned to Noble Consort Yu and said, "It’s fine to keep cats and dogs for amusement, but those that harm people cannot stay. Dispose of them tomorrow. I am tired. Noble Consort, you handle the remaining matters." After speaking, he didn't stay any longer and rose to leave the hall.
The incident of the spilled soup and the rowdy cat couldn't be traced to its origin in the end. The cat had run off and couldn't be caught for the moment, but the person was right there waiting to be punished.
Since the Emperor had ordered Noble Consort Yu to handle it, the Empress Dowager couldn't say much. The Emperor had already taken the opportunity to leave, so the Empress Dowager threw a word to the Noble Consort: "To have a Wanshou Festival turn out like this, with blood shed—it’s never happened in all these years. I find it truly unseemly."
The Noble Consort quickly agreed and said apologetically, "It is my oversight. Please forgive me, Empress Dowager. I will surely handle this matter well; just watch me."
The Empress Dowager looked displeased and gave the kneeling person another glance before leading the crowd back to the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility (Cining Gong).
The hall fell into a pin-drop silence, save for Noble Lady Yong’s long-drawn-out sobbing. Noble Consort Yu was also frustrated. She turned and said, "Stop crying. You’ve been in the palace for some time; how can you still not have learned the rules? What kind of day is today that you would cry?"
Startled by her shout, Noble Lady Yong immediately stopped crying.
Consort He held a handle and wanted to force the Noble Consort to punish Yi Xing, staying behind with the posture of watching a good show.
Noble Consort Yu glanced at her and smiled. "Sister, you’re all wet. You should go back and change. Though this sauce is cold, it’s salty. If it stays on your skin, aren't you afraid it will be uncomfortable?"
Consort He was stung by her "soft knife" and finally had no choice but to flick her sleeves and return to the Palace of Great Benevolence.
Next, the rest of the concubines dispersed, leaving only the Noble Consort and a few of her close palace maids. Only then did the Noble Consort order someone to help Yi Xing up. She said to Wu Shangyi, "You get up too." She then turned to comfort Yi Xing, "You were startled, girl. This is a common occurrence in the deep palace; once you’ve seen it today, you won't be afraid in the future."
Yi Xing hadn't expected the Noble Consort to be so pleasant, and she was somewhat bewildered. The place where the cat had scratched the back of her hand was extremely painful, so she covered it with one hand and performed a curtsy to the Noble Consort, saying, "Noble Consort, I am incompetent and ruined the Wanshou Festival banquet. Please scold me, hit me, or even expel me from the palace—I will accept it."
Unexpectedly, Noble Consort Yu didn't take her up on it. Instead, she checked her hand and told Wu Shangyi, "Don't let her touch water for these two days. The weather is hot; it would be bad if the wound got soaked and left a scar." Seeing Yi Xing’s surprised look, she smiled again. "You don't know, back when the disposed Empressl was here, she and I were like sisters. After she suffered that misfortune, I was left alone in the palace. When you were applying for the selection, I wanted to give you a hand, but the palace has too many eyes and ears. Any move I made would cause people to gossip behind my back. Now that I manage the affairs of the six palaces, life is very difficult for me too. This time Wu Shangyi said she would send you to serve at the front, and I gave my tacit consent. I didn't expect Consort He to be so malicious. She didn't just want to teach you a lesson; she wanted to make me look bad."
Yi Xing was half-convinced by Noble Consort Yu’s words, but she couldn't understand, an "Old Auntie" in distress was worse than a paper sparrow; what reason would the Noble Consort have to claim such a connection?
The Noble Consort wasn't displeased by her hesitation. "Everyone is waiting to see how I handle you today. I originally planned to transfer you to the Palace of Eternal Harmony (Yonghe Gong) after this banquet, but now it seems that will have to be delayed. Go back with Wu Shangyi for now. The Bureau of Ceremonies will have to punish you for appearances' sake; endure a little bit of grievance first, and we’ll find a way once the storm has passed, okay?"
That "okay" was deeply comforting. Since entering the palace, Yi Xing had never met such a kind consort. Although there was no such thing as groundless kindness in the palace, at least escaping a disaster today was a blessing, so she didn't care what Noble Consort Yu was plotting.
So Yi Xing bowed and said in a trembling voice, "Thank you for your grace, Noble Consort. For someone in my family's situation, it’s only natural to be looked down upon in the palace."
But the Noble Consort disagreed. "Which family can guarantee ten thousand years of prosperity? We are all concubines; no one knows if our maiden family will be more favored tomorrow or collapse overnight. Leave a path for others, so we can meet again in the future. I suppose my thinking is different from those mistresses, which is why they don't take me seriously as Noble Consort."
Too much of this was just complaining. Such a gentle and quiet person as the Noble Consort couldn't afford to sound like a bitter woman. The conversation ended there. The Noble Consort comforted Yi Xing with a few more words and returned to her Palace of Eternal Longevity (Yongshou Gong), surrounded by palace maids.
After the banquet dispersed, the Hall of Central Uprightness was in a mess. Wu Shangyi stood in the center, looking around with a melancholy expression. After composing herself, she called for people outside to come in and clean up.
Yi Xing tried to help, but Wu Shangyi stopped her. "The Noble Consort said just now not to let you touch water. Let the others handle the cleaning."
Though she said this, a look of anger was gathered between her brows. Yi Xing stole a glance at her, feeling guilty and timid. She said hesitantly, "Shangyi, I’m a 'monkey holding a lamp' (clumsy); these things I did made you worry again."
What could Wu Shangyi say? She just looked at her and sighed twice.
"Today you were lucky, and it happened to be the Wanshou Festival when it’s not appropriate to kill; you escaped a disaster. If it were any other time, have you thought about the consequences? It’s also my fault. You aren't experienced enough, yet I listened to Han Zhen and let you serve at the front. Fortunately, your table was Consort He and Noble Lady Yong. If you had made a mistake in front of the Emperor, I’m afraid no one could have saved you."
Her words brought tears to Yi Xing’s eyes—tears of relief for having survived a disaster. It was true that without real skill, one couldn't be a "big rivet." If she really dared to mess up in front of the Emperor, the Supreme Ruler wouldn't care about their past "park meeting." Not remembering her would be a crime in itself, and if he did remember her, he might be even quicker to kill her.
"Then I’ll be in the future..." With her personality of forgetting the pain once the wound healed, she started thinking about her future as soon as she was out of danger.
Wu Shangyi glanced at her. "The Noble Consort has taken note of you; there will be a time for you to stand out in the future. What’s the rush?"
After speaking, Wu Shangyi turned to assign work to the palace staff. Although Yin Zhu also served in the hall, she had been across the hall and only now managed to slip over to talk to her. Her first words were "Holy Bodhisattva!" followed by, "I thought you were going to be finished here today."
Yi Xing turned around and said with a miserable face, "I’m quite unlucky. I thought I could show my face..."
"You did show your face," Yin Zhu said. "There was a big commotion just now, and the Master looked at you. I saw it clearly."
But Yi Xing became even more dejected. "Seeing my clumsy look, he probably thinks I’m a fool and is thinking it’s no wonder I didn't pass the third selection."
In fact, Yin Zhu also thought it was a close call, but she couldn't bear to discourage her. She only said, "It’s fine. A beautiful woman who looks foolish is also pleasing. Maybe the Emperor likes women who aren't clever."
What kind of talk is that! Yi Xing said with her mouth drooping, "If you don't know how to comfort me, just stop talking. Hurry up and work so we can go back to the tatan (living quarters)."
Yin Zhu answered and went back to work. Yi Xing couldn't just stand by and watch, so she joined in to help a little.
The wound was burning with pain. The cat’s claws hadn't been trimmed, and the scratch was so deep it felt as if it reached the bone. Yi Xing had to take out a handkerchief to wrap her hand. She thought to herself that if this didn't work, she’d have to see an imperial doctor. She hadn't become the Imperial Noble Consort yet; it would be bad if she was disfigured. Disfigurement didn't matter as much as the immediate pain.
Anyway, imperial banquets were grand in scale. The Bureau of Ceremonies did the first round of cleaning, and the rest was enough for the sula (low-level servants) to clean until midnight.
After their shift ended, the group returned to the Bureau of Ceremonies in a line as usual. In the dark night, a single palace lamp led the way through the narrow lanes, making it feel like walking on the path of reincarnation.
Hearing the door open, Han Zhen sat up from the bed and asked how the job went.
Yi Xing was very low. "I messed it up." She told Han Zhen the whole story.
After listening, Han Zhen acted as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. "Such a small thing is just a minor squabble. You haven't seen the more serious ones yet. Don't take it to heart. The important thing is whether you saw the Emperor."
At the mention of the Emperor, Yi Xing’s spirits immediately rose. "I saw him, but I didn't dare look him in the eye; I only saw half his face."
Han Zhen smiled. "I’ve also looked upon the Celestial Countenance from a distance, but the Emperor is the Son of Heaven; he’s not for people like us to stare at... Seeing him then, I knew the saying that the Yuwen family produces beauties for generations was true."
Of course, these words were only spoken in private. Only in their tatan could the three of them discuss the Emperor’s looks; otherwise, it would be a great disrespect.
Yi Xing was pondering again. "Although I only saw half his face, why do I find him so familiar..."
Yin Zhu poured a cup of tea for Han Zhen and smiled as she turned around. "Your family received the Imperial carriage before; didn't you even serve snacks to the Crown Prince?"
Speaking of that, Yi Xing smiled. Back then, she had exposed the Crown Prince in public, and her family was terrified. In order to let her apologize, Fu Hai specifically had her present a plate of snacks to the Crown Prince. She had even added a sentence on her own initiative: "I am young and my eyes haven't grown well, so I can't see clearly anyway. You don't need to be embarrassed." The Prince was so angry that he didn't even look at her until his return.
Sigh, looking back on those years, I had a chicken leg in my left hand and a piece of sugarcane in my right; life was so comfortable and pleasant. It’s nothing like now.
"Today is also my birthday..." she said with her head down. She looked at the back of her hand and murmured to herself, "I didn't get to eat the peach of longevity, but I got scratched by a cat. If my mother knew, she’d be so heartbroken."
Yin Zhu was excited. "It’s your birthday today too? That’s a truly deep fate!"
Yi Xing laughed. "How many people in the world share the same birthday? It’s nothing special."
Han Zhen was the most thoughtful. She got up from the bed and brought over a single-layered food box from the table.
"A little sister of mine who works in the Imperial Kitchen slipped this out. I thought I’d wait for you to come back and eat it together. We’ve been talking for so long I almost forgot." She opened the lid to reveal six exquisite cherry cakes. On the delicate glutinous rice base, the words "Longevity" and "Auspiciousness" were stamped in red. Han Zhen pushed it forward. "Let’s celebrate your birthday with this. We wish the Old Auntie eternal youth and both fortune and longevity."
This was a truly pleasant surprise. Yi Xing was so happy she jumped up. "I love these cherry cakes."
So, on the night of the Wanshou Festival, the three girls held a small birthday celebration for Yi Xing. This kind of pure emotion was something that would be extremely moving to look back on years later.
However, the trouble at the Qianqing Palace banquet did not simply fade away. Noble Consort Yu had said she would have to endure a little grievance, and once Wu Shangyi gave the order, Nanny Qin carried out the punishment without mercy—
Kneeling punishment.
This was a form of torture that palace servants dreaded most. Kneeling against a wall, you never knew when it would end. After kneeling for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, your knees would only hurt; after an hour, the lower half of your body wouldn't feel like your own.
Nanny Qin, who already disliked her, would surely take the opportunity to discipline her severely, and even Han Zhen couldn't help.
During this time, Yin Zhu came to see her several times, bringing her some food and news of the final outcome of the incident. Consort He was naturally fine, but Noble Lady Yong was unlucky; her rank was demoted by one level, from Noble Lady to 常在 (Changzai).
The palace was a place where people were killed without a drop of blood. Noble Consort Yu had requested instructions from the Empress Dowager and demoted Noble Lady Yong as a way of "killing the chicken to warn the monkey."
Only now did Yi Xing realize how insignificant she was. With her brain, it would be hard to even survive without danger, let alone become the Imperial Noble Consort.
From a palace maid to that highest rank—she could count the steps on her fingers for a long time. Promotion required not only luck but also the exclusive favor of the Emperor... That little boy, who had been at odds with her since childhood, would surely not find her pleasing now that he was grown.
With her back aching and her legs in pain, Yi Xing looked up and was lost in thoughts of those distant matters. Suddenly, raindrops as big as beans fell from the sky, hitting her right on the forehead. She looked back and saw that everyone in the courtyard had run to take cover. Since no one had told her to get up, she had to shout at the top of her voice, "Nanny, the heavy rain is coming! Can I get up to seek shelter?"
Unfortunately, Nanny Qin intentionally avoided seeing her. She was the disciplining nanny; without her order, no one could allow a person under punishment to get up.
The summer rain came in an instant. Right after Yi Xing finished shouting, a downpour fell from the sky, soaking her to the skin.
Yin Zhu was worried and grabbed an oil-paper umbrella to go out, but Nanny Qin stopped her.
"Have you eaten too much? Without my word, you dare to go over? She was supposed to kneel for two hours; if you go, it will double. Believe me, just try it."
Nanny Qin’s face was very long, still unhappy about the incident at the tatan last time. Actually, it was just a deliberate attempt to make things difficult; after all, when palace women competed, it was at most using a chicken feather as an arrow (wielding minor authority).
Who knew that the "Old Auntie" couldn't handle the hardship? As soon as Nanny Qin finished speaking, the slender figure swayed and fell headlong into the rain. Her old green clothes spread out like moss, and her thin arms and legs twitched a few times in a fitting manner.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel translation and drop a review on Novel Updates!
Show support by clicking on the Support Us button below!❤️
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel translation and drop a review on Novel Updates!
Show support by clicking on the Support Us button below!❤️
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments
What's on your mind...