Chapter 5

After the palace selection ended, three days swiftly passed.

From early morning, the palace staff busily prepared to welcome the newly chosen ladies to their residences. The gates of the twelve palaces were lined with people. Looking down the palace path, spring filled the courtyard with blossoms; gentle breezes stirred the corridors, and the red walls with golden tiles reflected a scene of blooming splendor—an auspicious day for the new girls to formally move into the palace and receive their ranks.

Within these three days, the empress had already arranged residences for several newcomers, and His Majesty had assigned their respective ranks. At the first light of dawn, the eunuchs in charge of escorting them would bring each young lady from the inner palace to her designated quarters.

This time, eight newcomers were selected: four daughters from noble families and four commoners.

According to the late emperor’s rules, girls of noble birth were typically assigned ranks between the eighth grade of Baolin and the sixth grade of Guiren, depending on their family status or the emperor’s favor.

Those from commoner backgrounds were usually appointed as ninth-grade attendants or, if favored, eighth-grade clothing attendants.

However, these were not fixed rules; ultimately, it depended on the emperor’s will.

The young ladies would not know their exact ranks until they had carried their luggage to their palatial quarters, met the assigned palace maid and eunuchs, and then awaited the eunuch who would read out the emperor’s decree.

Once their ranks were confirmed, the newcomers would observe proper etiquette to pay respects to the high-ranking members of their respective palaces, and finally, at a predetermined hour, visit the empress to pay their respects.

After leaving the empress’s palace, there was nothing else required of them; they could either stroll freely or rest in their own chambers without restriction.

It was said the newly chosen ladies this year did not get along well, which suggested none were easy to deal with. Thus, the best time for Sang Qingyun to visit Eunuch Tan was in the morning.

She had been busy in recent days, so it was rare that she was off duty this morning—she had to hurry and deliver the embroidered knee guards she had made for him.

As the saying goes, “Keep warm in spring, endure cold in autumn.” The rainy spring often invited illness and was most intolerant of cold. Eunuch Tan suffered from rheumatism and was especially troubled by damp weather; his knees would ache on rainy days. Sang Qingyun had inquired at the Imperial Medical Office and sewn a layer of herbal powder within the knee guards, designed to promote blood circulation and dispel wind. It was best to soak the feet and wrap them up at night.

Though Eunuch Tan, under the empress’s patronage, had advanced to a junior supervisor in the Inner Palace, enjoying plenty of flattery and no lack of daily necessities, Sang Qingyun always wished to personally make and send him things within her ability, so she could feel a little peace of mind even when they were apart.

Carrying the wooden box, Sang Qingyun left through the back gate, taking a small path to avoid the residences of the noble ladies. Yet, due to the festive atmosphere, she still encountered many palace staff along the way.

Quickening her pace, she had just passed beneath an archway when she heard laughter ahead—turning, she saw a newly selected young lady returning to her quarters.

This was the west side of Zhongling Palace, the northwest corner of the rear palace, one of the more remote locations among the twelve palaces.

She had not expected anyone to reside here amidst many vacant palaces; it was a miscalculation.

Sang Qingyun stepped back a pace, lowered her head and shoulders in a respectful bow: “Your servant greets you, young lady.”

“Oh! Isn’t this Auntie Qingyun? What a coincidence to see you here! I’m escorting our new young lady back to the palace,” the eunuch leading the way greeted warmly upon seeing Sang Qingyun. He turned to introduce her, hoping to curry favor: “Young Lady Li, this is the imperial female attendant Sang Qingyun, a favorite of His Majesty. Among the palace maids, she is top-tier. You’ll surely see much of her.”

But instead of gaining favor, the young woman called Li paused in surprise, then looked steadily at Sang Qingyun with disbelief: “Sang Qingyun? The Sang Qingyun from Taizhou?”

Sang Qingyun raised her head in astonishment, frowning with uncertainty as she recognized the woman’s face. She glanced around to ensure the eunuch stepped back, then whispered: “Xixi?”

“Your family was wealthy. I thought you might have connections to the matchmakers and wouldn’t choose to enter the palace as a consort. These years, how have your uncle and aunt been?”

Recognizing her old friend, Li Xixi was nearly moved to tears. But this was the imperial palace, where countless eyes watched openly and in secret, and with the clear division between mistress and servant, she forced herself to restrain her emotions: “Sister Qingyun, since that flood disaster, I thought I would never see you again. Yet, after all these twists and turns, we have met again inside the palace.”

“Commoner women entering the palace are not allowed to bring personal maids. I thought I would spend my life lonely here. But heaven showed mercy, bringing us together.”

Her voice choked with emotion: “Father and mother are well, but they often speak of you with regret. I… Father bribed the matchmaker to keep it secret, but this time, with His Majesty’s first selection after ascending the throne, he takes it very seriously. There are many companions; it can’t be hidden.”

To comfort Sang Qingyun, Li Xixi forced a smile, though it was no better than tears: “To avoid implicating my family, I had to participate. I didn’t expect… to be chosen.”

Sang Qingyun never dreamed that an old acquaintance would be among the selected girls this time.

Back in Taizhou, her father was a tutor employed by Li Xixi’s father, providing free education to impoverished children. Their mothers frequently met.

Sang Qingyun was nearly five years older and had always clung to her like an older sister; their bond was deep, growing up together until Sang Qingyun was about to come of age.

Later, her family moved south to seek relatives, and contact was broken until now.

She had thought Li Xixi would live a stable life under her parents’ protection—never imagining their reunion would be in the depths of the imperial palace.

Having spent six years inside, Sang Qingyun knew well that beneath the palace’s calm surface brewed endless turmoil; no consort was easy to provoke. Li Xixi’s open and passionate nature—how could she survive in such a ruthless place?

Sang Qingyun glanced cautiously around and lowered her voice: “This is no place to talk. You should return to your palace and settle your affairs. I will find a chance to see you again.”

“Remember, speaking too much inside the palace can lead to mistakes; be especially careful with your words. As a commoner, if you fall out of favor, those below will mistreat you. This is the way of managing subordinates; Uncle once taught us.”

Hearing this, Li Xixi wiped her eyes and nodded at Sang Qingyun. Before speaking further, the bittersweet feeling of encountering a familiar face in an alien place surged anew, nearly bringing tears again.

“Sister, having you here makes me less afraid. I will listen to you in everything.”

Sang Qingyun sighed. This was no time for nostalgia. She stepped back and bowed once more.

Nearby, the eunuch waiting hurried forward to escort Li Xixi back to the palace. As they walked away, Sang Qingyun faintly heard him say: “Are you and Auntie Qingyun old acquaintances? Congratulations…”

“Eunuch, be careful. I only mistook her for someone else just now. I am from the common folk; how could I know an influential palace attendant? Please, no jokes,” Li Xixi replied.

Sang Qingyun’s originally cautious attitude instantly grew restless upon Li Xixi’s entrance into the palace.

Li Xixi was both a younger sister and childhood playmate to her, the first old acquaintance she had seen since her family’s decline. She could not abandon her to navigate the palace’s dangers alone.

But life in the palace was never simple.

At the juncture of Zhongling Palace and Zhaochun Palace, a young woman in a pale pink palace gown withdrew her gaze thoughtfully from Li Xixi’s direction.

Though she did not recognize the woman standing before Li Xixi, she could tell from her attire that the palace maid held a significant position and that the two appeared close.

For someone as dull and unremarkable as Li Xixi to know a senior palace attendant, it showed that all entrants had their own connections; she could not underestimate her.

Fortunately, she had already chosen to serve under the Noble Consort, whose patronage was far more valuable than currying favor with a mere palace maid.

“Young Lady Tong, we must not delay the auspicious hour for entering the palace. Let us hurry.”

—

Inside the Department of Imperial Household Affairs, in a lower chamber.

Sang Qingyun carried the wooden box into Eunuch Tan’s quarters, finding him inside reviewing palace accounts.

Sunlight streamed through the open window, shining brightly on the table before him. Tan was engrossed in his work, unaware of her arrival.

Sang Qingyun smiled: “Eunuch, I’ve brought your knee guards.”

Startled, Tan looked up, then feigned displeasure: “Why have you come again? Didn’t I tell you to visit me less when there’s no need?”

“You are now a favorite before His Majesty; every move you make is watched. If people learn you often meet me, and gossip spreads, your future may be jeopardized.”

“In the palace, a woman’s reputation is paramount, especially since His Majesty favors you. You should understand what this means.”

Lowering her eyes, Sang Qingyun smiled gently.

She opened the box and took out the knee guards she had sewn, placing them on the table before him: “You’re the only family I have in the palace. How could I not care for you? You’re getting older; you must take care of your health. Don’t worry about me.”

“Besides, we are both servants of the palace. What harm if someone finds out I visit you? Life here is long; without family or friends looking out for you, one is utterly alone.”

“As for His Majesty—”

Her long lashes fluttered, concealing her thoughts: “He is a good ruler.”

“Not one who confuses right and wrong.”

The knee guards contained herbal powder, which, when warmed by the sun, emitted a comforting faint scent. Tan sighed as he looked at her: “You didn’t have to become a servant like me.”

“Many spend their lives striving to be above others, to call servants and wear silks and satins. Don’t you want that?”

Sang Qingyun helped him fasten the knee guards and shook her head: “No.”

“My life has been drifting. My greatest wish now is to be released from the palace at twenty-five, to buy a comfortable home where I can care for you in old age. Watching spring flowers fall and winter snow, just the two of us, happily together, no longer needing to face anyone’s disdain.”