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Chapter 36
To receive "sacred favor"? Although she had been promoted and should have prepared herself for this, hearing it so suddenly still caused Yi xing’s heart to skip a beat.
The little boy whose face she had once "scrubbed" was now the Emperor who stood between heaven and earth. She had been so focused on becoming an Imperial Noble Consort that it seemed she had never truly realized she would be his Imperial Noble Consort.
Why did it feel so awkward? Yi Xing walked through the long alleyway with her head down, the ridges of the blue bricks on the ground seeming to stretch on forever. Last time in the Imperial Garden, she had been forced into a corner and hadn't had time to think; her mind had been filled with nothing but the desire to stand out. But during that moment just now, staring into his eyes, she realized she hadn't actually thought through the reality of this promotion. She had merely been driven by a hot-headed impulse to save her family from fire and water as their "Old Auntie."
Seeing her silence, the Noble Consort glanced sideways at her. "What’s the matter? What are you thinking about?"
Yi Xing snapped out of it. "It’s nothing... just that getting to this day feels like a dream."
The Noble Consort’s gaze drifted toward the endless stretch of red palace walls. She said softly, "Some things are destined by fate; they cannot be altered by human effort. Back then, Consort Gong used those petty tricks to strike you from the third round of selection, yet who knew that after all those twists and turns, you would still be promoted? From now on, you must live within these four walls. Have you thought it through? Are you ready?"
Ready or not, it had already come to this. Yi Xing said, "I am a foolish person, and my family no longer has a backer. I can only be cautious and try to make a living in Concubine Mao’s palace."
The Noble Consort sighed. "From the time you entered the palace until now, you’ve encountered several incidents. You must distinguish between who truly means you well and who intends to harm you."
In saying this, she was essentially reminding Yi Xing that she was the one sincerely supporting her.
Aside from this year’s newcomers, the Noble Consort knew exactly what the other concubines were made of. The veterans would likely never receive great favor again. If the Emperor’s interest was piqued, it would certainly be by the standouts among the newcomers. Whether the Old Auntie would be successful in the future remained to be seen, but the likes of Shan-Changzai were almost certainly never going to catch the Emperor’s eye. Getting close to the Old Auntie now was a way to ensure some room for maneuver later.
Yi Xing was now very skilled at reading the situation. Hearing the meaning in the Noble Consort’s words, she immediately followed her lead. "The Noble Consort is right; I understand in my heart. The Masters in this palace... it seems not one of them likes me." She smiled. "Only you have looked after me time and again. Like last time in the Chunhua Gate alleyway—if it hadn't been for you, I would probably be serving in Zhen-Guiren’s palace by now, and I wouldn't have had the fortune of this promotion."
Satisfied with her perceptiveness, the Noble Consort smiled. "As I said, for the sake of old friendship, I cannot help but protect you. You don’t know, when the verbal decree for your promotion was issued from Yonghe Gong, they all went to the Empress Dowager, looking as if they wanted to eat me alive. This Noble Consort of yours is a punching bag, attacked from both inside and out, dealing with one side after another. No one knows how difficult it is for me."
Yi Xing hurried to say, "The Noble Consort is capable and works hard; it is inevitable that you must endure some grievances."
"Exactly," the Noble Consort replied. "Before, I had few people in the palace I could truly speak with. Now that you are here, things will be a bit more lively."
As they spoke, they arrived at Chuxiu Gong. Cuipiao had gone ahead to announce their arrival, but Mao-Pin did not come out to greet the Noble Consort. She only sent her head maid, Qingshan, to wait at the hall door.
The Noble Consort stepped into the palace gate and rounded the screen wall. Qingshan hurried forward to perform a salute. "Blessings to the Noble Consort." As for Yi Xing and the others behind her, Qingshan acted as if she were unaware of them and ignored them completely.
The Noble Consort’s flower-pot shoes stepped onto the central path of Chuxiu Gong, one hand resting on Liusu’s arm. "I’ve come to see your Mistress. How is she? Has she been well lately?"
Qingshan replied, "Thank you for your concern, My Lady. Our Mistress heard you had arrived and intended to come out personally to welcome you, but her body feels heavy, so she must apologize for the lack of hospitality."
The Noble Consort curled her lip. Body feels heavy? Who hadn't borne a child before? When she was pregnant with the Eldest Prince, she was moving about normally even at seven or eight months. Why was Concubine Mao(Mao-Pin) so exceptionally delicate, unable to even touch the ground at only five or six months?
"It is no matter; the Dragon Seed is what’s important." Despite her words, the Noble Consort stepped into the main hall.
Concubine Mao was currently lying in the eastern end room. Hearing the Noble Consort’s voice, she called out an apology before anyone could announce her: "Please forgive my lack of etiquette, Noble Consort."
The Noble Consort led Yi Xing around a rosewood-carved partition with bamboo patterns and glass panes. Inside, they found Mao-Pin leaning on the southern wooden kang, wearing a pink and white floral surcoat with gold piping. She wore a headband, looking as if her pregnancy were a chronic illness—she had an indescribable air of "flaunting her belly."
However, she still recognized her rank and made a show of struggling to get off the kang. The Noble Consort hurried forward to support her, pressing her back down with a smile. "You are not your usual self right now; who would hold it against you? I’ve come to see you today; I haven't seen you since the Longevity Feast, and I wanted to know if you and the Dragon Fetus are well."
Mao-Pin’s gaze swept lightly over Yi Xing. Though she looked irritated, she couldn't lash out since it was the Emperor's directive. She turned back to the Noble Consort with a smile. "Everything is well, though I’ve burdened you with your concern. It’s just that my appetite has been poor lately, likely due to the start of summer. The small kitchen changes the menu daily to tempt me; it looks delicious, but I simply cannot eat."
The Noble Consort chatted with her. "That won't do. Even if not for yourself, you must eat for the child. Back when I was pregnant with the Eldest Prince, I was different from you; I ate six meals a day, and the moment I put down my chopsticks, I was looking forward to the next."
Concubine Mao’s expression changed instantly. Everyone in the palace spoke with hidden intentions. The Noble Consort had a boy; a male fetus made one greedy for food, while a lack of appetite supposedly meant a girl. Furthermore, the Eldest Prince had only lived to the age of three. To compare a living pregnancy to a dead child—perhaps the Noble Consort didn't mind, but others found it highly unlucky.
However, she was the Noble Consort after all. It was understandable for her to miss her late son. Concubine Mao decided not to continue the topic and turned to scold a young maid: "The Noble Consort has been here for so long, why hasn't tea been served?" She then said apologetically to the Noble Consort, "Since I became pregnant, I haven't been strict enough with the servants. Now they won't even serve tea without my orders. I am truly sorry."
The Noble Consort gave a thin smile. She thought to herself: You beat a maid to death just two months ago, and you call that 'not strict'? If you were any stricter, wouldn't you kill everyone in the palace?
"Fine, we've exchanged enough pleasantries." The Noble Consort beckoned Yi Xing over and said to Concubine Mao, "You likely already know about Yi-Daying’s promotion. The Master issued the decree for her to reside in Chuxiu Gong. I’ve brought her here; you should arrange a room for her." She then told Yi Xing, "This is the Mistress of Chuxiu Gong, Concubine Mao. Come and pay your respects."
Yi Xing complied, stepped forward to perform a double salute, and bowed her head. "May Concubine Mao have ten thousand years of auspiciousness and prosperity."
Concubine Mao didn't even look at her, saying with a fake smile, "Arranging for her to be here is no problem, but I fear our Chuxiu Gong isn't 'red' (lucky) enough and might delay Yi-Daying’s future."
This kind of humiliating rhetoric was most effective against low-ranking concubines. The Guiren and Yong-Changzai of Chuxiu Gong had been broken in this way; now they were completely submissive, unable to even let out a peep.
The Noble Consort hadn't intended to intervene, but seeing Yi Xing silent with her head bowed, she smoothed things over with a smile. "You are too modest. In this Imperial Palace, your Chuxiu Gong is currently the 'reddest.' The Emperor arranged for Yi-Daying to come here clearly wanting her to catch some of your joy. If you say such things, you’ll make the girl embarrassed."
Mao-Pin snorted a laugh and said no more. She turned to ask Ruyi, "Which rooms are still empty in the back?"
Ruyi bowed slightly. "Replying to the Mistress, the Yanghe Hall and Suifu Hall are occupied by the Guiren and Yong-Changzai. The Lijing Pavilion in the rear was previously occupied by Duan-Guiren, but it has been empty since she passed away. Currently, the two side halls to the east and west, the Fengguang Room and Qilan Pavilion, are still vacant. Please designate one, Mistress."
Concubine Mao leaned against her cushion and looked over this famous "Old Auntie" with an arrogant gaze. She said slowly, "East is for the honorable, west is for the lowly. In Chuxiu Gong, Yi-Daying has the lowest rank. If a Guiren or Changzai is assigned here in the future, it might be hard to arrange. I think it’s best if she stays in the Qilan Pavilion. When she is promoted again, we can rearrange."
Of course, Concubine Mao had her superstitions. The Shang family had produced many Empresses; if she were assigned to the Fengguang Room, which contained the character for "Phoenix" (Feng), what if she borrowed that luck to soar to the heavens? That would be disastrous.
Yi Xing didn't care about such things; any room would do. Having slept on a communal bunk, she wasn't as picky as those born to be masters.
She bowed gracefully. "Thank you, Concubine Mao. From now on, I will rely on your palace for residence. If I have any shortcomings, I beg your patience."
Concubine Mao waved her hand impatiently. Yi Xing, knowing she shouldn't overstay her welcome, bowed again and withdrew from the room.
Han Zhen and Yin Zhu were waiting for her on the porch. Seeing her, they asked, "Which room did Mistress Mao-Pin assign to you?"
Yi Xing said, "The Qilan Pavilion in the back."
Concubine Mao hadn't ordered a maid to show them the way. Since there were only so many rooms in the front and back of Chuxiu Gong, it wouldn't be hard to find even if they had to look one by one.
"Let’s go," Yi Xing said to her companions. Regardless of anything else, the fact that her living conditions were improving was something to be happy about.
They walked down the steps of the main hall together. Just as they were heading toward Suifu Hall, they encountered two women dressed as concubines. One of them she remembered clearly, the girl who had been demoted from Guiren to Changzai after the cat incident at the Longevity Feast.
As for the other, Han Zhen whispered a reminder: "The tall one is a Guiren."
Yi Xing recognized them and performed a salute, wishing the two Mistresses auspiciousness.
In truth, having been promoted to a Daying, things weren't much different from when she was a maid. Yi Xing even felt she was losing out—she still had to bow to everyone, she didn't feel the joy of rising up, and yet she was part of the Emperor’s harem and might even have to serve the Dragon Bed. But what could she do? Since it had come to this, she could only take things as they came.
The Guiren and Yong-Changzai weren't as aloof as Concubine Mao. They were curious and gentle toward the newcomer, saying that since they lived in the same palace, she could come to them if she had any difficulties.
Yi Xing smiled and thanked them, accepting their offer politely. After a few more pleasantries, they bid them farewell and went to find Qilan Pavilion.
Though it was called a "Pavilion" (Guan), it was actually just a slightly larger central room with two small side rooms. Yi Xing found the place and walked through it; the walls were bare, and there was only one set of tables and chairs and two beds. The simplicity was no different from when she was in the maid quarters.
She grinned at Han Zhen and Yin Zhu. "Look at me, I worked so hard for a promotion, and I’m still just as poor. What is the annual allowance for a Daying again?"
Hanzhen said, "Thirty taels. If you are lucky enough to give birth to a prince or princess, you get an additional reward of fifty taels of silver."
Yi Xing’s face fell. "Only fifty taels for a baby? If my two hundred taels hadn't been stolen, I could have traded them for four children."
Thus, not everyone with a rank in the palace lived glamorously; there were many nameless ones like her. Fortunately, the Internal Affairs Department hadn't skimped on her basic supplies. She had copper candle holders, copper wick trimmers, and tin spittoons. They also sent two bolts of silk—one cloud-patterned and one plain—for her to make clothes.
As for a Daying's daily provisions, she received one pound eight ounces of pork, nine boxes of old nonglutinous rice, and two pounds of fresh vegetables. The three of them squatted before the pile of supplies, calculating carefully; if they were frugal, these provisions should suffice.
The best part, however, was the two oil candles they were provided daily. Hanzhen carefully placed a candle on the holder and turned back to look at the silk, murmuring to herself, "The Mistress has been promoted; she must have two decent sets of clothes. These candles are enough for us to do needlework at night. We’ll cut the fabric tonight; it must be finished before the Emperor flips your name tag so that the Mistress can see the Emperor with dignity."
This mention made Yi Xing feel incredibly awkward. That feeling of daze returned, and she collapsed into a chair. "When I think about how the Emperor is my own nephew-in-law, I can't get over that hurdle in my heart."
Yin Zhu was surprised. "Guba, you’ve been promoted, have you still not realized you’re supposed to serve the Emperor?"
Before Yi Xing could speak, Han Zhen cut Yin Zhu off. "From now on, you must never call her 'Guba' again. A Master is a Master, and a servant is a servant. If people hear that, they’ll say our room has no rules and we’ll be mocked."
Yin Zhu let out an "Aie" and said sheepishly, "I’m foolish; it’s a habit. I forgot to change it. I won't do it from today on. I’ll call you Mistress—Mistress Yi. When you gain face, we’ll be glorious. We are your little followers."
The three laughed and played for a while; though the distinction between master and servant was there, their hearts were the same as before.
While tidying the room, Han Zhen tried to console Yi Xing: "Actually, how can there be a 'nephew-in-law' in the palace? You see it that way, but the Emperor doesn't. He is the common Master of all the Banners. Even if he married your niece, he is still the Emperor. Seniority is something for a small family; this Imperial Palace is a 'Great Family,' the entire Great Ying Dynasty, and it’s about status. All of us—not just you, but your ancestors—are ministers and servants of the Yuwen clan. Thinking about it that way, doesn't your heart feel more open?"
Yi Xing pondered this; it seemed to make sense. Girls were truly pitiable; they couldn't gallop across battlefields to earn merit like men. Once they reached a certain age, only their faces and bodies remained to serve the Master. The harem was their battlefield.
Seeing her still in a daze, Han Zhen just smiled. She spread the fabric from the Internal Affairs Department on the table and took a ruler to measure her.
For today’s promotion, Liusu had brought an outfit for her to change out of her old green maid’s robe. However, this outfit was also quite plain; since her rank was too low, she couldn't wear fine embroidered silks—it was just an apricot-colored plain surcoat with grey-blue piping. These two colors combined could easily make one's complexion look dull. Fortunately, the Old Auntie’s skin was as soft and translucent as a peach, so she could pull it off. Otherwise, she would have looked drab when meeting the Emperor, failing right from the start.
Yin Zhu wiped down the entire room. Once everything was done, she came over to look, clicking her tongue. "Such plain fabric; we must add some embroidery."
Han Zhen had a plan. "The Shangyi Ju has embroidery thread and leftovers from previous projects. I’ll go ask for some to make the borders. The Mistress’s current rank isn't suitable for anything too eye-catching; some small flower patterns on the cuffs and collar should be enough."
No sooner said than done. The people of Qilan Pavilion busily set to work. The charcoal from the Internal Affairs Department had to be organized, and the weeds in the cracks of the bricks outside the room had to be cleared. Since there were only three of them and no heavy-labor servants were assigned to them, the newly promoted Yi Xing couldn't stay idle either. She rolled up her sleeves and squatted in front of the room to pull weeds with Yin Zhu.
Qingshan and Ruyi stood at the steps of the main hall, looking toward the north from a distance. Ruyi sighed, "It’s quite hard for those with low rank. They’re technically Masters, yet they still have to work alongside servants."
Qingshan snorted. "The rank of Daying is half-servant, half-master..."
Just then, a voice came from behind them: "You shouldn't say that. Once a rank is given, one is a Master. The palace doesn't recognize this 'half-master, half-servant' talk. A servant isn't qualified to serve the Emperor."
Qingshan and Ruyi were startled and turned to look. It was Han Zhen, returning with a wicker basket.
Since recovering from her illness, Han Zhen had gradually regained her energy, though she was still a bit thin, making her eyes look even larger. She was a veteran of the Shangyi Ju; all the maids assigned to the Six Palaces had once passed through her hands. She looked Qingshan over. "Gugu Qingshan, weren't you previously in the Training Office? When were you transferred to Chuxiu Gong?"
Qingshan said, "Oh... I was transferred to Chuxiu Gong in March..."
After speaking, she felt a bit stunned. It was strange, she was now the head maid of Chuxiu Gong, and Han Zhen 's master was just a Daying. In terms of official rank, she was currently higher than Han Zhen. Why did she feel she had to answer just because Han Zhen asked?
However, before she could regain the upper hand, Han Zhen said, "From now on, our Mistress will be in this Chuxiu Gong. Many things will rely on you; please look after us." Having said that, she smiled politely, walked past them, and headed toward Qilan Pavilion.
Qingshan was so angry she was panting. Ruyi advised her to calm down and glanced toward Qilan Pavilion. "That Yi-Daying once had ties with Yingtao. At this critical juncture, better one less thing than one more. If we want to find trouble with them, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
Qingshan let out a heavy breath but ultimately couldn't do anything. She turned and went into the hall.
Over at Qilan Pavilion, Han Zhen pulled several pieces of fabric out of her basket. They were of various sizes and vibrant colors. The three of them sat at the Eight Immortals table and spread them out—this piece was good, that piece was also good...
Han Zhen had skillful hands; she was an expert at cutting fabric and needlework. Watching the scissors move like a swimming dragon through the silk, Yi Xing could only marvel: "Aren't you a Gugu? You had young maids to handle your clothes; how are you more skilled than them?"
Hanzhen threaded a needle by the light of the setting sun, smiling as she said, "When I was a young maid, didn't I have to serve my Gugu? These are skills learned in childhood. I did it for many years, and I haven't lost the touch. I can pick it up and start immediately."
While they were discussing what flowers to embroider, Yin Zhu took a candle holder to the desk, waiting for the front hall to light the lamps so they could light theirs.
Just as the candle holder was placed securely, a string of footsteps came from the porch. A young eunuch came to relay a message, asking: "Is the newly promoted Yi-Daying here? Quickly get dressed and go to the Yangxin Dian waiting rooms to receive the 'Blessing'!"
Yi Xing was a bit dazed and turned to look at Han Zhen. Han Zhen stood up and said, "Our Mistress is a Daying... waiting for the decree in the Yangxin Dian waiting rooms—isn't that for those of Changzai rank and above?"
The young eunuch gave a "Heh" laugh. "The Internal Affairs Department asked for the Empress Dowager's instruction. The rules have been reorganized lately; those of Daying rank are now on the 'Green-Headed Tags' as well. Regardless, the West Waiting Rooms are empty; twenty more people won't make a difference... Oh, stop talking! Quickly get ready. The Mistresses from other palaces have already gone. Your Qilan Pavilion is the last one—if you're late, watch out, there might be no place to sit."
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