Chapter 2

When she returned to the servant quarters, Zhao Yuyan immediately looked over. Seeing the medicine bottle in Sang Qingjun’s hand, she was quite surprised and couldn’t help but ask, "Did His Majesty punish you?"

There were more than a hundred servants who served close to the Emperor, and eight female officials in the imperial presence, each with their own duties. Yet, among these women, Sang Qingjun held the highest status and was particularly favored by the Emperor.

Take today, for instance: when the Emperor was displeased, everyone had to serve with the utmost caution. Even Dai Zheng, the head eunuch of the imperial presence, looked at Sang Qingjun like a savior; no one else would do.

In this dynasty, the status of female officials was vastly different from that of ordinary palace maids. One had to be a senior palace maid with years of experience or a noblewoman selected from a prominent family to be qualified for the role. Zhao Yuyan herself had entered the palace to serve at the side of the Emperor at the behest of Dowager Concubine Zhao. Sang Qingjun, however, had neither seniority nor a distinguished family background. While her position was certainly a testament to her own capabilities, it was also a result of the Emperor’s personal promotion.

Precisely because of this, she could not help but pay extra attention to Sang Qingjun.

Sang Qingjun shook her head, applied a thin layer of the frostbite ointment to her hands, and said softly, "Not at all. I was only out for a while collecting snow from peach blossoms, and His Majesty was kind enough to bestow this upon me."

Hearing this, it seemed the Emperor truly cared for her. Zhao Yuyan’s expression became indescribable.

Female officials were different from palace maids; they did not perform manual labor. Their duties mostly involved tending to writing instruments or tea, accompanying the Emperor, and handling respectable tasks of relaying messages.

However, if the Emperor had a need, or to curry favor with him, doing some work voluntarily or otherwise was expected, but it was rarely considered so precious.

To be rewarded with medicine for such a trivial matter—it was truly her good fortune.

Zhao Yuyan fell silent. It was Sang Qingjun who, noticing her expression, said quietly, "You should sleep early tonight. His Majesty just ordered that you are to accompany him to the palace selection tomorrow. The selection is a big day; there must be no mistakes."

Hearing this, Zhao Yuyan was visibly delighted, but she quickly realized that someone of her status should not wear her emotions on her sleeve. She immediately composed herself and said calmly, "Didn't His Majesty say earlier that he wanted you to go? I had already prepared to go and see the Dowager Concubine tomorrow."

Sang Qingjun pursed her lips and spoke softly, her tone sounding rather yielding: "You serve the Emperor well, and you come from a noble family—you are a relative of the Dowager Concubine. The Dowager cannot attend the selection, so perhaps having you go is a gesture of respect toward her."

Zhao Yuyan’s eyes lit up with a smile. "That is true; His Majesty holds Dowager Concubine Zhao in the highest regard. I am going to sleep now. Your hands are injured, so you should rest early as well."

Sang Qingjun nodded. After a simple wash, she lay down on her bed.

The wind outside the latticed windows was strong, howling in gusts that left her feeling uneasy.

The quarters for female officials were quite comfortable and fully equipped. Although she shared the main room with Zhao Yuyan, her sleeping quarters were private. There were even palace maids to attend to daily chores, and the room was kept warm with charcoal, feeling nothing like the cold outside.

Yet, this special treatment was not granted to everyone; it was merely due to her and Zhao Yuyan’s status in the imperial presence—especially her own.

But in truth, Sang Qingjun did not want any of this.

In fact, as time went on, she grew increasingly averse to these favors.

The subtle jabs, probes, and sycophancy of others, along with the Emperor’s occasional crossing of boundaries, all filled her with anxiety.

However, the Emperor’s grace, like the thunder and rain, was a divine mandate. She had no choice but to endure it, maneuver as best she could, and find no other way out.

—

The next morning, before the dawn had broken, the darkness still clung to the night.

The arrival of the palace selection woke the harem from its slumber.

After sending off the Emperor, who was heading to the morning court, Noble Consort Yuan planned to catch up on sleep since she did not need to pay her respects to the Empress today. Unexpectedly, her personal maid, Qianning, stepped forward and said with a smile, "Your Ladyship, I heard that both Lady Yan and Lady Ke went to request the Emperor’s presence last night, but he didn't go anywhere—instead, he came to our palace. It shows that he still cherishes you the most."

Hearing this, a soft smile appeared on Noble Consort Yuan’s face. "His Majesty is indeed good to me, but unfortunately..."

A trace of melancholy clouded her eyes. "Unfortunately, I am a Noble Consort and cannot attend the palace selection. The only one who can stay by his side to offer counsel is the Empress."

"There are many beauties at the selection today, each one outstanding. Who knows what kind of newcomers will enter the palace? If the Empress intends to cultivate favor and deliberately chooses those close to her to work against me, what should I do?"

"I fear that by then, the Emperor’s heart will be stolen by the newcomers, and he will have eyes for no one but them."

Qianning, knowing her mistress was troubled, added, "This servant knows your worries, so I came to tell you as soon as I heard the news."

"The selection is held at the Fanghua Palace. Nearby is the Star-Gazing Tower, from which one can see the entire proceedings. Furthermore—the one serving the Emperor today is Zhao Yuyan, not Sang Qingjun. Why doesn't Your Ladyship summon Sister Qingjun to take a look with you? She is, after all, the Emperor’s favorite."

Noble Consort Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to her bedchamber to change. "You are right. Being able to fathom the Emperor's thoughts is better than being caught in a pincer attack. Quickly, send someone to invite Qingjun. Tell her I wish to see her at the Star-Gazing Tower."

—

When the message from the Noble Consort arrived, Sang Qingjun hadn't even risen from her bed.

She was not on duty today and had originally planned to sleep in, eat breakfast, and then visit Eunuch Tan. But with the Noble Consort’s summons, she could not afford to be lazy.

The palace maid who delivered the message whispered with a smile, her eyes full of envy, "Sister Qingjun, you are the most capable female official in the imperial presence. Even the ladies of the harem hold you in high regard. Look, even when you aren't serving the Emperor, you're still in demand. If only I could be as impressive as you one day."

Sang Qingjun rose to wash and dress, laughing helplessly. "When one is in the spotlight, trouble follows. It isn't easy to maneuver among the masters and ladies."

"The Emperor is busy today and likely won't return until late. Remember to have the Imperial Food Bureau prepare lily and lotus seed tea in advance. It is refreshing and soothing—perfect for the Emperor to have today."

The little maid beamed. "No wonder the Emperor likes you; you are so thoughtful and meticulous. I must learn to be as clever as you so I don't embarrass you."

After she skipped away happily, Sang Qingjun let out a low sigh.

For some reason, ever since the news of the newcomers, she had felt uneasy. She sensed that the already turbulent harem was about to face a massive storm.

The situation was shifting, and there were more and more people to deal with.

Sang Qingjun only hoped to keep her head down, save enough money, and wait until she was twenty-five to be released from the palace. Then, she would beg the Emperor or the Empress to allow Eunuch Tan to retire, so they could finally live a quiet, peaceful life, no longer struggling in the vortex.

—

The Star-Gazing Tower was located at the southeast corner of the Fanghua Palace. It stood on high ground with no obstructions, and the cold wind was biting.

Female officials were not allowed to wear cloaks in the palace. The thin garments could not block the bone-chilling wind, which crept through the sleeves and collars, as if the cold were seeping into her very marrow.

Sang Qingjun climbed the tower. The sky was just beginning to brighten, and Noble Consort Yuan was already waiting at the top.

She hurried forward, knelt, and saluted respectfully, "This servant greets the Noble Consort. May Your Ladyship be blessed with eternal peace."

Hearing her voice, Noble Consort Yuan turned. Seeing Sang Qingjun’s face, she couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.

It wasn't her first time seeing Sang Qingjun; she had long known of her captivating beauty. Yet, no matter how many times she saw her, she was always struck by it.

When Sang Qingjun first became a female official, it had only been six months since she entered as a palace maid. Everyone in the palace believed she had bewitched the Emperor, which was why he treated her so exceptionally. With such favor, they assumed she would eventually enter the harem as a concubine. But three years passed, and the Emperor showed no such intention, and Sang Qingjun remained discreet, which finally caused them to abandon the idea.

Now, with her status rising and the Emperor’s deep trust, she had become a target for everyone to win over.

Noble Consort Yuan collected her thoughts, donned a polite smile, and gestured, "Sister Qingjun is here. Please, rise."

"You are never idle when serving by the Emperor's side, and it has been a long time since I have had a chance to speak with you. Knowing you weren't on duty today, I specifically called you here for a chat. You don't mind, do you?"

Sang Qingjun bowed her head, maintaining the proper etiquette between mistress and servant. "Your Ladyship is too kind. This servant is unworthy of such attention."

Noble Consort Yuan smiled gently, signaling her to stand up and move to her side.

She pointed a finger downward and said, with a meaningful tone, "Look, the selection at Fanghua Palace is about to begin."

Sang Qingjun looked out at the many graceful figures in front of the Fanghua Palace, bustling and lively. In a trance, she was reminded of her own entry into the palace six years ago.

The selection was divided into palace maids and imperial concubines. She had entered via the path for palace maids, brought in by Eunuch Tan, and it was her first time seeing the scene of the concubine selection.

According to the rules, the candidates were to be half from official families and half from commoner families, all of whom had to be of clean background and beautiful appearance.

After the selection concluded, the women from official families could receive twenty taels of silver and return home to marry, while the commoner women were bestowed upon royal relatives and high-ranking officials, or at worst, assigned as palace servants.

Whether one would rise to the top or be reduced to a servant depended on this day.

At this moment, the eunuchs and matrons in front of the Fanghua Palace were organizing the first group of candidates. Noble Consort Yuan watched intently.

The first group was usually the most favored by the matrons or those with the highest standing. As time went on, the Emperor’s patience would wane; even if the later candidates were good, they might not be selected.

Noble Consort Yuan said, "Although the selection is today, the portraits of these candidates were handed to the Emperor three days ago for him to review."

She turned her head to look at Sang Qingjun. "Does the official know which ones the Emperor has taken a fancy to?"

Sang Qingjun lowered her head. "This servant dares not speculate on the Emperor’s heart. I beg Your Ladyship’s forgiveness."

Noble Consort Yuan’s smile froze on her face.

Qianning, standing beside the Noble Consort, said crisply, "Sister Qingjun, the Noble Consort treats you with courtesy, which is why she specifically invited you here. Given the Empress’s favor, you should know how to repay her."

"Otherwise, how would the Noble Consort have known you were off duty today? You are a clever person, as clear as ice and jade; surely I don't need to say more."

Noble Consort Yuan came from a noble background, unreachable by most. She was not only a Noble Consort but also the Emperor’s cousin—the daughter of his maternal uncle. One could see as much from her title, "Yuan."

As for Dai Zheng, the head eunuch of the imperial presence, he had served the Emperor since childhood and was a trusted confidant of the Empress Dowager.

Given this relationship, it was expected that Dai Zheng would be close to Noble Consort Yuan.

But Dai Zheng had helped Sang Qingjun quite a bit in the imperial presence, and as the head eunuch, Noble Consort Yuan was telling her to be sensible. Do not be ungrateful, and more importantly, do not ruin your own future.

Sang Qingjun was helpless. She lowered her eyes for a long moment before saying, "His Majesty has been busy with the resettlement of the refugees in the capital’s outskirts recently, and he has not yet looked at those portraits."

"Besides, why is Your Ladyship in such a hurry? Haste leads to mistakes."

"You are the Emperor’s own cousin, a dignified first-rank Noble Consort. No one can ever surpass you."