Chapter 41 Deep within the Palace, she seemed like dust forgotten in a bustling corner...
The palace was silent and still, as if time had stood still within its vermilion walls.
Han Liuyue has been in the palace for more than half a year. Her residence, "Jingxue Garden," is located in a remote area and is simply furnished. Her life is just like this cold and lonely name, as bland as a stagnant pool of water, where not even a ripple can be stirred.
She had never even seen the Emperor's face.
Only at grand palace banquets, from a great distance, did I catch a glimpse of that blurry, bright yellow figure.
Rumors had long circulated in the palace that since His Majesty recovered from his last serious illness, he had rarely set foot in the inner palace. Even when he did occasionally summon his concubines, they were mostly those of high rank and prominent family background.
However, this did not deter the women of the harem from their undying competitive spirit. Even without the emperor's favor, they still had their share of the lofty rations, palace power, family prestige, and that elusive yet universally desired "respectability" to fight for.
Today you may have the upper hand over me, but tomorrow I'll scheme against you; the undercurrents never cease to surge.
And she, Han Liuyue, a mere fifth-rank talent, seemed like dust forgotten in a bustling corner.
She wasn't even qualified to step onto that battlefield without gunfire; her value as someone else's pawn was negligible.
She dutifully greeted the high-ranking concubines every day, but was mostly met with indifference or a few perfunctory questions.
She was like the most inconspicuous little flower in the Imperial Garden, quietly blooming, waiting for an admiration that might never come.
On the morning of that day, when it was time to pay respects, Consort Li, who was of the highest rank, claimed to be ill and did not get up. As was customary, the other concubines waited in the side hall.
As usual, Han Liuyue quietly sat down in the last seat, trying to minimize her presence. However, trouble doesn't always disappear just because you avoid it.
Consort Zhang, who had recently gained some favor with the emperor and was enjoying great popularity, was surrounded by several lower-ranking concubines chatting and laughing. As her gaze wandered, she happened to catch sight of Han Liuyue in the corner.
She seemed to be in a bad mood today and was looking for an excuse to vent.
"Oh, isn't this Consort Han?" Consort Zhang's voice rang out in the quiet side hall, neither too loud nor too soft.
She took the hand of a palace maid and gracefully walked up to Han Liuyue, scrutinizing her from head to toe with a critical look. "Today's outfit makes you even more 'fresh and lovely.' But... this material seems to be the soft gauze that was presented as tribute from Jiangnan last year? It's quite rare. I remember that Her Majesty the Empress only bestowed it upon a few high-ranking consorts back then."
Han Liuyue's heart tightened. This fabric was indeed something her mother had painstakingly sent to the palace to enhance her image, but unexpectedly, it had become a topic of gossip. She quickly stood up, bowed her head respectfully, and said, "Your Highness has a discerning eye. This fabric was indeed a gift from my mother. I don't know its origin; I only noticed its plain color, so..."
"Don't know her origins?" Consort Zhang chuckled, interrupting her, her fingertips almost poking at her collar. "Consort Han, in this palace, 'don't know' is the most unacceptable word. Rules are rules; transgressing them is a crime. Do you think that just because your father has some influence in court, you can disregard rank and status in the harem?"
These words were like ice needles, piercing Han Liuyue's body and leaving her completely wounded.
In an instant, all sorts of sympathetic, gloating, and gossipy gazes converged on her, making her feel like she was being pricked by needles.
She bit her lower lip hard, enduring the humiliation, and curtsied again: "Your Majesty, I dare not, please forgive me."
"Forgive me?" Consort Zhang snorted. "I, Consort Zhang, am not worthy of such an honor!" Consort Zhang glanced at her contemptuously, then was surrounded by the crowd and left, leaving behind endless ridicule and indifference.
Han Liuyue stood there, stunned, overwhelmed with shame. She felt like a stray cat or dog, someone who could be bullied by anyone who displeased her. Thinking of this, she silently shed tears...
In the dead of night, with no one around, the scenes from the daytime kept replaying in her mind, and Han Liuyue tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
The humiliation, anger, resentment, and grievances surged into her heart at this moment, almost tearing her apart.
Why is she here? What did she do wrong to deserve this unwarranted humiliation?
For the sake of her family and that slim chance of "opportunity," she personally cut off all her escape routes, trapping herself in this cold, golden cage.
The love she once looked up to has now become the deepest, most painful thorn in her heart, reflecting her current miserable situation.
That person's figure, those smiling eyes, that unattainable tenderness, at this moment, were like the sharpest blade, repeatedly torturing her heart.
A cold, unprecedented hatred, like a poisonous vine, quietly sprouted from the darkest corner of Han Liuyue's heart and quickly wrapped around it.
Why are those women allowed to be high and mighty because of their family background, scheming, or even false favors?
Since meekness won't guarantee survival, and sincerity will only be trampled on, what use are these useless things to her?!
-
In the late spring afternoon, the flowers in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom, bringing the last fragrance of spring and a hint of languidness.
Emperor Jia Fengtian rubbed his temples. He had just escaped from a mountain of memorials and was taking a walk in the garden with the chief eunuch.
Although the fighting in the northern frontier has temporarily subsided recently, memorials requesting improved treatment for soldiers guarding the border have been frequently submitted to the emperor. Some ministers have even spoken frankly, advising a thorough investigation into corruption within the military.
This matter should indeed be put on the agenda. Jia Fengtian then recalled that a few days ago he had overheard a debate between Minister of War Han Qingquan and his colleagues:
"...The hardships endured by the soldiers guarding the northern frontier are beyond the comprehension of those living in comfort in the capital! Food, winter clothing, and military pay must all be provided in a timely and sufficient manner! How can we compromise on these supplies simply because of the long distance and complicated transportation? His Majesty is benevolent and has repeatedly issued decrees to provide preferential treatment. If we fail to implement these decrees effectively, would we not be betraying His Majesty's grace and chilling the hearts of the soldiers?"
His words were powerful and resonant, revealing his deep concern for the country and its people, which left a very good impression on Jia Fengtian.
The current system for allocating rations and pay needs to be rectified, and corruption within the military should be thoroughly investigated... Han Qingquan seems to be a good candidate.
Jia Fengtian strolled in the Imperial Garden. The spring sunshine was beautiful, which relieved him of some of his worries.
At that moment, he saw a woman dressed in an elegant palace dress holding a slender-necked white porcelain vase, carefully collecting rose petals.
The woman seemed extremely focused, and didn't even notice that Jia Fengtian was about to approach her.
The chief eunuch's timely intervention snapped her out of her daze. She hurriedly made way for the emperor, but her skirt inadvertently brushed against a nearby flower branch, causing petals to fall in a flurry. Naturally, the emperor's gaze fell upon her.
She hurriedly knelt down, her voice soft yet carrying a perfectly measured hint of fear: "Your Majesty, I was unaware of Your Majesty's presence. I have disturbed you. Please forgive me."
The emperor's gaze lingered for a moment on her lowered neck and slightly trembling shoulders. He did not immediately rouse her, but instead asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
"Your Majesty, I am Lady Han, a talented woman from Jingxue Garden." She kept her head down, but her voice gradually became calmer. "Seeing that the roses here are in full bloom, I wish to collect some petals... The petals can be made into sachets, which have a calming effect. I am foolish and only hope that this small item can help relieve Your Majesty's fatigue these past few days."
Her tone was respectful, her words were considerate, and she had a beautiful appearance... Jia Fengtian remembered that she seemed to be Han Qingquan's daughter.
The emperor looked at Han Liuyue kneeling on the ground. His words of "calming the mind" and "relieving fatigue" had inexplicably touched his heart, which had softened due to exhaustion, in this situation.
“Raise your head.”
Han Liuyue slowly raised her head as instructed, but her gaze remained humble, not daring to look directly at the emperor's face.
Sunlight filtered through the flowers and leaves, casting soft shadows on her beautiful face, which was tinged with a hint of melancholy, making her quite captivating.
"That's thoughtful of you." The emperor's voice softened slightly. "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Han Liuyue then slowly rose, her posture gentle and submissive.
The emperor looked at her, a rare moment of interest in casual conversation creeping into his mind. He asked, "Making sachets? You're quite skillful. What else do you know?"
Han Liuyue curtsied, her voice still soft but clear: "Your Majesty, I am foolish and have only a little knowledge of poetry and literature. In my spare time, I also practice the zither and chess, but my skills are shallow and I dare not offend Your Majesty's ears. Only the skill of making incense and brewing drinks is something I have been familiar with since childhood. My mother had some knowledge of medicine, so I learned some of it. I only wish to... to do my best."
Jia Fengtian nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before turning to the head eunuch and saying, "By imperial decree, Consort Han will serve dinner tonight." With that, he strode away.
Only after the emperor's carriage had disappeared into the distance did Han Liuyue slowly straighten up. She gazed in the direction where the emperor had vanished, her palms cold and sweaty. She slowly clenched her fingers, her fingertips digging into her palms.
-
A few days later, at the morning court, Jia Fengtian, in response to the requests of the court officials, issued an edict to swiftly implement the reform of the military's food and pay allocation system and to further investigate corruption and dereliction of duty in the military. He specially appointed Han Qingquan, the Minister of War, as the commander-in-chief to oversee the matter.
This decree, once issued, conveyed a sense of solemnity throughout the court and the public, thus launching a massive purge.
Wherever the thunder reached, a number of corrupt officials were arrested and severely punished according to law to serve as a warning to others. At the same time, many promising young generals seized this opportunity to stand out and enter the power center of the Feng Kingdom's army, injecting new vitality into the military.
-
That night, all was quiet, and the candlelight flickered in the study of the Eastern Palace.
Galo Lin sat calmly at the desk, holding a book, his expression focused.
"Your Highness, it's done," an inconspicuous little eunuch reported in a low voice.
Galorin did not look up from the book in her hands, but simply hummed in agreement, as if she had everything under control.
The young eunuch lowered his head and continued, "Minister Han is acting according to plan, and the troops are all in order."
"Understood." The Crown Prince's tone was calm and even. "Tell Minister Han that I have remembered his loyalty." He paused and continued, "Tell him to remind his daughter that, having just received the Emperor's favor, she still needs to be law-abiding and careful in her words and actions. She will benefit from this in the future."
"Yes." The little eunuch bowed and withdrew, as quietly as he had come.
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