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Chapter 35
Yi Xing smiled bashfully, extending her hand to accept the Noble Consort’s warm gesture. "How could I ever be worthy of this? I am deeply grateful for Your Ladyship’s cultivation and have come specifically to kowtow and thank you for your grace."
Noble Consort Yu always handled social appearances with grace. She took Yi Xing by the hand and led her into Yonghe Gong.
"You needn't thank me. This decree of promotion was personally issued by the Emperor; it is him you should truly thank. However, the Emperor has not yet returned from his morning administrative duties. In a while, I shall personally lead you to Yangxin Dian to offer your gratitude." She led Yi Xing into the eastern secondary room of the main hall and pointed toward a stool. "Sit. There is no need for such stiff formality before me. Since we shall be serving the Master together from now on, you don't need to refer to yourself as 'your servant' in my presence."
Yi Xing acknowledged her, yet she did not sit as invited. Once Noble Consort Yu was settled on the southern kang bed, Yi Xing led Han Zhen and Yin Zhu to kneel on the footstool before her. Without a word of idle chatter, she performed a respectful kowtow.
This was a necessary piece of etiquette. Because the rank of Daying was exceptionally low and the Noble Consort was in charge of the Six Palaces, effectively acting as the Empress's deputy despite not having been promoted to Imperial Noble Consort in two years—any newly promoted low-ranking concubine had to perform the grand salute to her.
"Oh, my!" the Noble Consort exclaimed, hurrying to signal Cui Piao and Liusu to help Yi Xing up. She smiled, "You are far too meticulous. Didn't I say there’s no need to be so distant? There are no outsiders here."
Yi Xing pressed her lips together in a smile, stating it was only proper. "My rank is low, and life in this palace is not easy. There will be many things I must rely on Your Ladyship for in the future; I beg Your Ladyship to look after me."
The Noble Consort replied, "You needn't even say it; I will naturally look after you. I originally told the Master to let you stay in Yonghe Gong. I have empty rooms here, and if you lived with me, I could look after you better. But for some reason, the Master insisted you move into Chuxiu Gong. I suppose it’s because Concubine Mao (Mao-Pin) is expecting; the fortune of Chuxiu Gong is currently at its peak. By moving you there, he likely hopes you’ll catch some of that auspicious joy. It shows the Emperor’s painstaking care for you."
Yi Xing’s face flushed at these words, and she stammered, unsure of how to respond.
Seeing her embarrassed state, the Noble Consort laughed. "What is there to be shy about? Among those promoted in the harem, who doesn't hope for sacred favor? Just be open and poised; there’s no need for shame. However... Concubine Mao isa not an easy person to get along with. Having just moved there, you will inevitably have to endure her cold words. Don't take it to heart; just consider that she is carrying the dragon seed and don't stoop to her level."
Yi Xing complied. "As a newcomer, it is only right that I be guided and disciplined by the elder Mistresses."
The Noble Consort leaned over and lifted the lid of the bronze Boshan incense burner on the kang table. With her fingers elegantly curved like orchid petals, she stirred the ashes with a bronze pick, her eyes downcast. "We are all the Emperor's concubines; no one 'should' be disciplined by anyone else. However, those of lower rank must observe etiquette before those of higher rank, and those of higher rank should not make things difficult for their subordinates without cause." She smiled after finishing. "That said, one kind of rice feeds a hundred kinds of people. Many Mistresses were born pampered and may not be willing to listen to my advice. Thus, cases of a primary palace resident bullying those beneath her happen often in the palace. It’s never quite serious enough to make a formal case of it, so one usually just has to swallow their pride and endure it."
Noble Consort Yu's words were clear: being mistreated was inevitable, and everyone had been through it. For such small matters, do not expect anyone to uphold justice; just endure it. Her verbal promise of protection was merely a casual remark, one should never take it seriously.
Previously, the "Old Auntie" might not have understood the hidden meanings behind such words, but after entering the palace and witnessing all facets of human nature, she understood the principle: when people are being polite, you cannot take it as an invitation to overstep.
She shifted her position slightly. "I treat others with sincerity, and I trust they will treat me with sincerity in return."
The Noble Consort smiled but did not take the bait.
Her gaze shifted to the person behind Yi Xing. She recognized Han Zhen as a prominent figure from the Shangyi Ju. Seeing her behind the Old Auntie was quite a surprise.
"Is Miss Hanzhen here to see Mistress Yi move palaces?"
Hearing her name called, Hanzhen lowered her head slightly and tucked her hands away. "This servant has followed our Mistress and will remain by her side to serve from now on."
"Oh..." The Noble Consort pondered this meaningfully before saying, "That is well. You are a veteran of the palace. With you looking after the Mistress and offering constant reminders, your Mistress will be able to avoid many detours." She paused slightly, remembering to engage in some small talk with Yi Xing. "When you entered the palace, was everything well at home? Is Madam Shang health still robust?"
Yi Xing replied, "My mother's health has always been good. It was thanks to the Emperor’s grace that the troubles in the front court did not affect the inner chambers. Now, my sister-in-law looks after the household, and my nephews are old enough to handle affairs. Though their official careers may be somewhat hindered in the future, fortunately, they are still at home to care for the old lady."
"That is good." The Noble Consort nodded slowly, a look of profound melancholy washing over her face. "If your brother hadn't been so foolish, the former Empress wouldn't have been implicated. The former Empress is truly pitiable, a perfectly fine primary Empress, deposed to the Waiba Miao (Outer Eight Temples)... such a remote place. A woman of wealth and status like her, how could she endure such things? If she were to become narrow-minded..." She trailed off, dabbing at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief and quickly turning her face away.
Yi Xing didn't see clearly and wondered: Was she crying? She doubted the Noble Consort had such deep affection for her niece. Once the Empress was deposed, she was the one who benefited the most. If the Emperor said he was bringing the Empress back today, she would probably be the first to jump in protest!
However, such thoughts remained hidden. Her face remained humble as she let out a faint sigh. "It was her own lack of fortune..."
The Noble Consort neither agreed nor disagreed. After a moment, she spoke again. "It’s not for me to say, but the Emperor was indeed too cold-hearted. She was, after all, his first wife, the original Empress. How could he just depose her like that?"
This was an attempt to stir the Old Auntie's resentment toward the Emperor. At the end of the day, no matter how much the other harem members hopped about, nothing would be as effective as the Old Auntie herself being at odds with the Emperor. The Old Auntie must harbor hatred for the Imperial Palace and the Emperor; she shouldn't forget the suffering of her brother and niece just because she was promoted. If she ever stubbornly defied the Emperor, no one would even need to lift a finger—she would ruin herself.
The Noble Consort looked mournful, her brows slightly knit. Yi Xing lowered her head, weighing her intentions.
I must be more calculating from now on—that was Hanzhen's warning to her. No one in the palace was purely good; everyone acted for their own benefit. To remain undefeated, the first rule was to make no enemies, and the second was to share her heart with no one.
The Noble Consort complaining about the Emperor’s cold-heartedness was already crossing a line. Any words that go too far are never good words; one must be careful.
Yi Xing could not fall into the trap, let alone agree with her. She said, "It was my family members who were incompetent, violating the laws and offending the Heavenly Majesty. From now on, I will naturally be even more cautious and vigilant, never making a mistake, and serve the Emperor with all my heart."
Seeing her response, the Noble Consort felt a surge of disappointment and silent contempt. Truly, everyone only cares for the snow on their own doorstep. Even with blood relatives, once inside the palace, one is like a clay Buddha crossing a river—barely able to save oneself, let alone protect one's family.
Fine then. Since she couldn't bait her into talking, there was no use saying more.
The Noble Consort turned to ask Liusu to check the clock. Liusu replied, "It is already the hour of Si (10:00 AM)."
Thus, the Noble Consort stood up. "The time is about right. The Emperor should be free now. Let us go to the Imperial Presence to offer our thanks."
When a concubine is promoted, thanking the Emperor in person is a necessity. Those who have already received sacred favor can go kowtow on their own; those who haven't must be accompanied by the head of their palace or a high-ranking lady in charge of the harem.
Since Yi Xing had come to Yonghe Gong first, the Noble Consort naturally took the lead. Opportunities to see the Emperor were rare, and everyone cherished such a chance. If the Noble Consort didn't take her, would she expect the pregnant Concubine Mao to lead her there? As the "understanding" Noble Consort, she couldn't let Concubine Mao suffer such exhaustion.
The Noble Consort smoothed the kingfisher-feather ornaments at her temples and gave a slight turn of her head, signaling Yi Xing to follow. It wasn't far from Yonghe Gong to Qianqing Gong. Passing through the Longguang Gate, the Noble Consort lifted her robes and stepped in first, asking the young eunuch on duty, "Is the Master here?"
The young eunuch bowed low. "Replying to the Noble Consort, the Master entered the daily lectures and has already moved from the Hall of Grand Benevolence (Zhengda Guangming Dian)."
The Noble Consort glanced toward Qianqing Gong but still led Yi Xing up the eastern steps, explaining as they walked, "The circle of rooms to the south are all duty rooms for the inner ministers; it is not appropriate for us palace women to pass through there. If the Master is not in Qianqing Gong, we will exit through the Fengcai Gate and head south along the West First Long Street. It’s not far to the Zunyi Gate—that’s the side entrance to Yangxin Dian, a much shorter route."
Yi Xing submissively agreed. As her feet crossed the white marble platform, her eyes drifted south, looking toward the Imperial Pharmacy in the southeast corner.
If she could see Physician Xia now, she would truly have to thank him. Thanks to his planning, she had indeed been promoted. Was there another physician in the world like him, who could treat both illness and fate? Certainly not. Meeting him was surely the result of good deeds in her past life. Now, she felt the weight of responsibility even more; she had to do well so that those connected to her could live well, rise in rank, and find fortune.
The Noble Consort held her head high in pride, walking slowly down the steps and through the gate in the western wall. Yi Xing hurried to keep up and followed her through the Zunyi Gate.
This was Yi Xing's first time at the Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Dian). Compared to the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong), it was much smaller in scale, resembling a two-entry courtyard of a wealthy commoner family. The main hall was in the front, with duty rooms on the sides and three large south-facing rooms in the back.
She had heard that the rooms in the back were where the harem concubines gathered every day. Yi Xing stole a glance and felt a bit skeptical. Every single day? The Emperor's kidneys must be made of iron!
Just then, two people came out of the porch in front of Yangxin Dian, chatting and laughing as they headed toward the palace gate. Looking up, they suddenly spotted the Noble Consort and hurried forward to perform a "thousand-salute" (daqian). "Auspiciousness to the Noble Consort."
The Noble Consort nodded. "Is the Master in?"
The young eunuch named Shizi said he was. He then glanced behind the Noble Consort and asked tentatively, "Is this the newly promoted Mistress Yi?" Seeing her nod in greeting, he hurried to perform another salute. "Auspiciousness to the Mistress. Please, Noble Consort and Mistress, wait a moment. This servant will go relay the message for you."
Shizi hopped and skipped toward the central room, asking Minghai at the door. Minghai said the Emperor was in the Studio of Three Rarities (Sanxi Tang), so Shizi hurried into the western end room and bowed behind the curtain. "Your Majesty, the newly promoted Mistress Yi has arrived."
The Emperor, who was standing at a desk practicing calligraphy, was startled. "Is she here to see Physician Xia or to see me?"
Huai'en, standing nearby, also turned his head to look at Shizi. Shizi smiled and said, "The Noble Consort led her here; I expect she has come to thank you for your grace."
The Emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It was all because he had been swapping between two identities so frequently lately that he had become a bit confused. Her sudden arrival at Yangxin Dian made his first thought be that another of her maids had been injured or fallen ill, requiring him to frantically change into official robes and tie on his face mask.
Fortunately, she was here to offer thanks. He calmly set down his brush, adjusted his appearance, and walked toward the central room.
Once he was settled behind the imperial desk, Huai'en stood at the door and announced to those outside, "Noble Consort, Mistress Yi, the Master summons you for an audience."
The Noble Consort looked back. The Old Auntie seemed very nervous; the strands of hair at her temples were curled and stuck to her cheeks, giving her the innocent aesthetic of a young girl.
The Noble Consort was suddenly struck with a sense of sorrow. She remembered when she first entered the palace; she had been just as ignorant of the world. Now, several years had passed, and she had become worldly and invulnerable, yet she had drifted further and further away from her former self.
"Go in," the Noble Consort said, softening her tone. "Be cautious with your words when you see the Master. Do not be impetuous."
Though she knew that even if Yi Xing were impetuous, the Emperor might not truly take offense, she still had to fulfill her duty to warn her.
Yi Xing agreed, keeping her head down and eyes lowered as she carefully stepped over the threshold. Stepping forward a couple of paces, she knelt down, pressing herself against the golden bricks of the hall. "Your servant of the Shang clan kowtows to thank the Emperor for his heavenly grace."
The Emperor, seated above, remained steady and grave. He paused for a moment before lowering his voice. "Rise."
Manfu came forward to help her up. The smile on his face made it seem like he was even happier than if he had been promoted himself.
Yi Xing glanced at him, her eyes showing gratitude, though it wasn't appropriate to display it in the hall.
Manfu gestured for her to step forward a bit. Yi Xing still felt embarrassed in front of the Emperor; she couldn't even fathom why his taste was so unique that he would promote her just because she fell flat on her face. Or perhaps he had intended to promote her to Changzai, and that fall had knocked her down a rank!
The Emperor on the throne was thinking that since it was her first day of promotion, he should give her a warning to establish his authority. He spoke, "You are no longer a palace maid. You must act with more stability. Do not be so reckless and impulsive again; it is unseemly."
Yi Xing’s face turned red, knowing he was referring to the butterfly incident. She meekly replied, "Your servant follows the Emperor's teachings."
The Emperor gave a hum and thought for a moment. "You should improve in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and needlework. As for reading and writing, I will have someone send some books to you. Read them in your leisure to cultivate your mind; it will be beneficial for you."
Now Yi Xing felt a bit bewildered. It seemed Physician Xia had told the Emperor everything about her lack of interest in books and needlework. How could Manfu tell her that Physician Xia had praised her to high heaven? It seemed one couldn't take a eunuch's words seriously; hearing half and throwing away half was the best approach.
But this Emperor’s interest was truly high. Knowing she was good at nothing, he had still given her an exceptional promotion—could it be just to cultivate her into a proper lady?
Sigh, this Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) really isn't a place that respects seniority. Otherwise, when would it ever be a nephew-in-law's turn to cultivate an aunt!
Now the mouse and the cat were of the same generation; there was nothing more to say. She had to rely on him to climb up. Having no merits didn't matter; as long as she was clever and obedient, men would still like her.
Yi Xing agreed, "Your servant will certainly study hard. Then, Your Majesty... will you come often to test my lessons?"
...Goodness, the Old Auntie was occasionally startled by her own cleverness. In this moment, such a natural attempt to invite favor and flirt had directly laid the groundwork for future interactions. It was practically perfect.
Beside her, Noble Consort Yu tightened her grip on her handkerchief beneath her sleeve.
She truly hadn't expected that the former Empress, such an uncompromising woman, would have such a grand-aunt in her clan. A tiny Daying, who looked so honest, had already started such schemes the moment she gained some momentum. Truly, the newcomers were not to be underestimated; her bad premonitions were likely coming true.
The Emperor, however, felt quite satisfied. Good; the Old Auntie had already started learning how to strengthen herself. Her day to run rampant in the palace was within sight.
He almost wanted to blur out, "Alright." But on second thought, he couldn't be so frivolous. He spoke in a deep voice, "I am occupied with ten thousand affairs daily; I fear I will not have much leisure... When I am free, then. When I am free, I will go to test you."
This was originally just a small hook cast during the conversation. It was good to catch something, but no reason for bitterness if she didn't. Yi Xing felt hopeless after the first half of the sentence, but hadn't expected the second half to pull the hope right back.
In her joy, she forgot the rule of keeping her eyes down before the Imperial Presence and looked up. With this look, she saw the Emperor's appearance clearly. Deep eyes, a high bridge of the nose, he was still as fair-skinned as when he was a child, but his features had lost that soft, "milky" quality and had grown into those of a handsome young man.
Her gaze was direct, and for no reason, the Emperor's eyes shied away. For some reason, being looked at by her without any concealment made him feel embarrassed and flustered. It was the fault of that unsightly childhood experience; in her presence, he always felt as if his clothes were in disarray.
The Emperor unconsciously straightened his back and adjusted his collar. He was the Son of Heaven; could he not endure a young girl's gaze? What a joke! Yet sometimes a person's psyche isn't strong enough to support the memories of an unsightly past. The more he tried to appear indifferent, the more uncomfortable his whole body became.
He was going to blush... a surging heat rose up his neck and would soon flood his entire face. The Emperor had a premonition, so he had a sudden flash of wit and stood up, turning to the bookshelf to flip through books at random. Of course, he didn't know what he was looking for; even a vast sea of books couldn't extinguish the heat on his cheekbones. He searched here and there, and once the heat finally subsided, he pulled out a collection of poems and handed it to Manfu to give to the Old Auntie.
Manfu presented it with both hands. Yi Xing bowed to receive it and looked down. "Meicun Ji (The Collection of Mei Village)?"
The Emperor said, "Correct. This collection has been included in the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library in Four Sections). It is now the forty-volume edition. Take it back and study it well. It is good to read more poetry; in poems there are lutes, wine, snow, and red plums—it can cure your reckless habits."
Yi Xing shivered, realizing that her look just now had violated a taboo again. But this little boy had grown for ten years; though he was an adult now, his eyes still held traces of his childhood self. The fortune of people is so strange; she was clearly his elder, yet in speech, she had become a lowly Daying under his command.
"Very well, the thanks have been given. You may withdraw." The Emperor waved his hand and, without waiting for their salute, turned and headed toward the western secondary room.
The Noble Consort stepped forward, leading Yi Xing in a "squatting peace" salute, then backed out of the hall.
Standing on the corridor, the Noble Consort looked down at the book in her hand. "The Emperor loves reading. Every concubine in the harem has a book of poetry; do not fail the Emperor’s kind intentions."
The difference was that their poetry books were sought out by themselves to cater to his interests, while the Old Auntie’s was personally gifted by the Emperor.
Yi Xing held the poetry collection, only able to sigh in her heart. Though she didn't have to do chores after being promoted, she had to read; this job was getting even harder to do.
Seeing her dejection, the Noble Consort took a breath to rally her spirits and smiled. "The thanks are done. It is time to go to Chuxiu Gong to see your room. Settle in early, so that when the time comes to receive the 'rain and dew' (sacred favor), you won't be in a rush." She waved her hand. "Let's go!"
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