Entering the Palace
Since listening to Wanli's words, she hasn't been so bored during these few days of being locked up. With nothing to do, she practices calligraphy and sometimes writes down things she can't say in real life. After a while, her handwriting has become much better.
That's right, I often don't know where I put those calligraphy practice books.
She clearly remembered that she had carefully put them in the box, but every time she looked through them, she felt that a few were missing. The missing ones were not important; most of them were records of her feelings. For example, these past few days, she had copied a picture of a spring brocade. She clearly remembered putting it in the box, but now, after searching for a long time, the picture seemed to have vanished into thin air, without a trace.
"Young lady, what are you looking for?"
When Wanli saw her emptying everything out of the box, she couldn't help but ask.
"Do you think this yard has been broken into? I remember leaving it here, how could it be gone?" Jiang Mian replied casually.
Wanli looked a little awkward. After a moment, she stepped forward and said, "What are you looking for, Miss? Let me help you."
"It's a drawing I made yesterday." Although it wasn't anything important, the repeated forgetfulness made Jiang Mian take notice.
Logically speaking, if a thief broke in, he should have stolen gold and silver jewelry. Her few pieces of paper were not worth much. But if it wasn't a thief, Jiang Mian couldn't understand why anyone would specifically take the letters she had written.
"Miss, take a look, is this it?" Wan Li's voice rang out, and Jiang Mian looked over, her expression somewhat surprised.
"I was cleaning the room a few days ago. I noticed there were too many things in your box, so I put some away. I didn't expect it to worry you."
Jiang Mian's doubts were answered; the spring brocade painting was also there. She stepped forward, smiled wryly, and realized that nothing was missing. It seemed she had been overthinking things.
Not many days later, news suddenly came from the palace that the current emperor was critically ill. Fortunately, the crown prince provided medicine, which barely stopped the emperor's condition. The crown prince then took the opportunity to propose that some fortunate people be selected to enter the palace to accompany the emperor.
Although the ministers of the previous dynasty found it absurd, they all knew in their hearts that the emperor's death was a foregone conclusion, the crown prince was at the height of his power, and the only one who could compete with him was His Highness Prince Cheng, who held military power.
Jiang Mian and nine other women of similar age were sent to the palace.
The eunuch leading the way had a fair complexion, and his slender, sharp eyes swept over the ten beautiful young women in front of him. He cleared his throat and said, "I'm sure His Highness gave you all some instructions before you came. The palace is not like the outside world. You must be careful with your words and actions. Since you are here to serve His Majesty, you must be even more vigilant. If you say or do anything wrong, don't blame this old servant for not reminding you."
As soon as the eunuch finished speaking, several women couldn't help but tremble.
Jiang Mian glanced at it and knew that most of them were forced.
His Majesty is critically ill. Entering the palace at this time is clearly not the right decision. If His Majesty were to pass away, these people might be the first to be buried with him.
They call it a 'lucky break' ceremony, but in reality, they're just dragging a few scapegoats down with them.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips; it seemed she had to save herself.
"Father-in-law, father-in-law, please spare me! I'll never do it again!" As the group walked forward, a mournful and pitiful cry suddenly rang out.
Looking up, I saw several guards dragging a woman covered in blood out of the inner hall. The woman was dressed in thin clothes, her flesh was mangled, and her hem was stained with blood, which seemed to be connected to her skin and flesh.
The eunuch waved his hand without any mercy, and in the blink of an eye, several guards dragged the figure away.
"Everyone, you can see this clearly. This is the consequence of disobeying."
"May I ask, sir, what crime did she commit?" a bold young girl suddenly asked.
"He seduced His Majesty and conceived a royal heir. The Empress Dowager has decreed that he be beaten to death!"
Everyone looked at each other, their hearts sinking to the bottom in an instant.
They thought entering the palace was an immense favor, but judging from the Emperor's attitude, it was probably not going to work out. So, women like them who were selected to enter the palace wouldn't have a good ending either.
"I don't want to go to the palace anymore! I want to go back! Let me leave! I want to go back!" The bold young girl suddenly shouted. A hint of regret appeared in Eunuch Fugui's eyes. He waved his whisk, and the guards behind him immediately stepped forward. With a swift movement of their swords, the beautiful woman fell silent in an instant.
Warm blood splattered all around, with a few drops falling far away and landing on Jiang Mian's skirt.
She lowered her eyes, clutching the handkerchief in her hand, not daring to utter a sound.
"Drag it away."
After Fu Gui finished dealing with the situation, he smiled and looked at everyone again: "Don't be afraid, everyone. As long as you all follow the rules, our family won't make things difficult for you."
"It's getting late, Granny Kong, I'm leaving the person in your care." Fu Gui said in a high-pitched voice, his narrow phoenix eyes sweeping around before he suddenly walked up to Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips, the scene from just now flashing through her mind. Such a vibrant person, and in just a moment, could no longer speak. How cruel.
"I'm sorry to have frightened you, young lady." Fu Gui smiled kindly, then gently squatted down and wiped Jiang Mian's boots a few times.
Jiang Mian dared not move. She couldn't tell what kind of person this eunuch was. He could take people's lives at will with a wave of his hand. It was clear that no one in this palace was easy to get along with.
However… she clenched her fist and smiled gently, “Thank you for your concern, sir. I’m fine.”
Fu Gui smiled with satisfaction, then strode away.
Granny Kong briefly explained the things they needed to pay attention to, and then arranged for them to work in Chengming Hall. After all, they were people sent in by the Crown Prince, so they had to give the Crown Prince some face.
After nightfall, Jiang Mian sat on the bed. Once the person beside her was asleep, she quietly got out of bed without disturbing anyone and went to the place mentioned in the letter.
During the day, when Fugui was polishing her boots, he secretly slipped her a note with only a few words on it: "Hai Shi (9-11 PM), Imperial Garden."
Her mind was in turmoil. She suspected that Fugui might be one of the Crown Prince's men. Since Xie Zheng had arranged for her to enter the palace to steal the military defense map, he must have arranged for someone to help her from the inside. Fugui's actions today must have been at Xie Zheng's behest, a warning to others. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to offend Xie Zheng.
Jiang Mian walked along, filled with fear and unease.
Xie Zheng is no good person. He kills innocent people indiscriminately. Those who work for him will likely end up like that bold girl from earlier in the day, dying without even knowing why.
However, she has no leverage to compete with Xie Zheng, so for now, she can only stall for time.
Soon, Jiang Mian arrived at the Imperial Garden. She thought it was Fu Gui standing there, but when she got closer, she found that it was Xie Zheng himself.
The young man stood tall and elegant in the only pavilion in the Imperial Garden. From behind, one could not tell how ruthless he was. Jiang Mian took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"You arrived right on time."
"What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"The nanny who taught you today previously served the Grand Princess."
Xie Zheng looked at the face that was almost identical to that of Princess Xunyang with a deep meaning in his eyes.
"What?" Jiang Mian looked at him blankly. Was the military defense map related to the Grand Princess, or did she have to get close to the Grand Princess?
Xie Zheng suddenly laughed: "It's nothing. Fugui is my man. He won't make things difficult for you. It's inconvenient for me to go to the palace. He'll tell you what to do if anything happens. But you should wear this on your person."
Xie Zheng tied a jade pendant around her waist. Jiang Mian was confused and instinctively tried to dodge it.
Suddenly, the memory of that woman's fate flashed through his mind, and he gasped, suppressing his urge to dodge as he let him fasten the jade pendant.
"Good girl, I won't treat you badly after it's done." Cool fingertips suddenly touched her cheek, and Jiang Mian finally couldn't bear it anymore and immediately took half a step back.
"This humble woman thanks Your Highness."
Xie Zheng withdrew his hand, ignoring Jiang Mian's actions. In his view, she would be his sooner or later, but for now, she had a greater purpose.
After leaving Xie Zheng, Jiang Mian immediately went back and forth.
Halfway there, they suddenly heard strange noises coming from the Imperial Garden.
She kept walking, but the sound grew closer and closer.
"You're really bold... to choose such a place..."
"It's because that old man is unconscious, and I have to take care of him... Hey, be gentle..."
"There's no one here. Besides, isn't this the kind of thrill you like?"
A few increasingly clear and straightforward words entered her ears, and even though Jiang Mian's hearing was poor, she knew what the two people were doing.
She initially thought they were just ordinary maids and guards, but upon closer inspection, she realized something was amiss.
"Would you like to know what His Majesty said when he woke up this morning?"
"It's nothing more than things that happen in bed, or at worst, some magic pills and elixirs. At my age, I can't even have a peaceful life."
“You seem to know him quite well. Our Emperor ascended the throne by killing his own brother. Tell me, if Crown Prince Yong’an were still alive, would he regret it and be willing to die seeing the throne that rightfully belonged to him being squandered like this?”
"What are you talking about? That Prince Yong'an has been dead for more than ten years. Do you still remember him fondly?"
"Ouch... I told you to be gentle."
"I refuse to accept that. I want you to know who is behind this."
With a "thud," Jiang Mian's mind nearly exploded. She immediately turned and ran, but the man clearly knew martial arts. He quickly put on his clothes and slowly emerged from the hidden flower bushes.
The dim moonlight fell on his fierce brows and eyes, making a red mole stand out prominently at the corner of his eye.
"Who goes there?" The woman behind him slowed down a step and stood not far away. Her clothes were loosely draped over her body, barely covering her vital parts. Her skin was as white as snow and her face as beautiful as jade. She was none other than Consort Ning, who was now in charge of the harem.
"Tsk, they got away."
The man's eyes were cold and sinister, but a playful smile slowly crept onto his lips. He picked up a pair of earrings from the ground, a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes, and said softly, "Just say something's missing. Send people to search the entire palace."
"I already told you to be gentle, this is too much trouble." Consort Ning curled her lips indifferently, her charming face revealing dissatisfaction.
Jiang Mian ran outside like a madwoman. She knew that soon someone would come looking for her. Although she didn't know who the two people involved in the affair were, they must be of high status. Perhaps they had already obtained some evidence and would find her tomorrow.
Thinking of the way the two women had died during the day, she suddenly felt a chill down her neck.
No, she can't die so easily.
She has to save herself.
However, she was too naive. Less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, news came from Weiyang Palace that Consort Ning's most beloved bracelet had been lost, and the palace was searching for the thief.
At that time, Jiang Mian had not yet returned. If she took this road back to Ganming Palace, she would encounter many patrolling guards. If she were discovered, she would have no way to explain herself. However, if she did not return and was found out that she was not there, she would at most be punished by the nanny. Moreover, with Fu Gui around, Fu Gui would help her keep it a secret.
As the guards drew closer, Jiang Mian had no choice but to hide in a palace that looked like it had been empty for a long time.
A cold wind swept in, and the moment she opened the door, she suddenly realized something was wrong.
The room was lit up; it wasn't an uninhabited place, but a clean, tidy palace where even the bedding was properly made.
Not long after, footsteps could be heard outside.
Without a second thought, Jiang Mian hid behind the screen.
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