Entering the Palace
After hurriedly packing her bags and boarding the carriage, Xichun noticed Zhang Yunyao's distressed expression and asked softly, "Madam, what exactly happened at the manor?"
Zhang Yunyao looked up at Xichun sitting to the side, beckoned her to sit next to her, and unusually took her hand and patted it affectionately, but did not reveal a word about entering the palace to her.
Upon arriving at the mansion, Zhang Yunyao pulled Xichun back to Manxin Courtyard. Seeing Wei Changsong sitting in the official's hat chair at the head of the hall, Xichun was so frightened that she hid half of her body behind Zhang Yunyao.
With a kind smile on his face, Wei Changsong invited Xichun to sit down, but Xichun hesitated for a long time. Only when Zhang Yunyao asked her to sit down did she finally sit down in the chair at the lower end.
“Xichun, I apologize for what happened before. Please don’t think I’m a bad person. Yesterday, you were at Yehua Temple to pray for Kang’er’s soul, and the Emperor happened to be there to admire the flowers. He saw you in the hall and took a great liking to you. Last night, Eunuch Mi from the palace came to our residence and said he wanted you to come to the palace.” Wei Changsong tried his best to be restrained, but he couldn’t hide his joy.
Upon hearing this, Xichun nearly fell off her chair, barely managing to sit up by holding onto the armrest. Before coming to the capital, she had no concept of the palace; she only learned later from Caihuan that it was a cannibalistic place. One of Caihuan's cousins had entered the palace as a maid, and was nearing the age to leave and marry. However, because of a small knot in the nightgown she had sewn for the emperor, the emperor casually ordered her to be sent to the Imperial Prison. After a severe torture, she died within four or five days.
"Do I...do I really have to go?" Xichun looked at Zhang Yunyao helplessly. She was genuinely scared; she didn't want to go to a place like that.
Zhang Yunyao felt a pang of heartache when she saw the look in Xichun's eyes. She hadn't initially liked this simple-minded girl, but after more than three years as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, she had developed some affection for her. What was hateful was that emperor, who even wanted to take away Kang'er's only wife. She lowered her head, covering her face, and sighed. Wei Changsong slapped her arm, and seeing the warning look in his eyes, Zhang Yunyao nodded to him. She and Wei Changsong were in the same boat; she knew this was an opportunity. With Xichun entering the palace, the emperor would surely reward her, and it wouldn't be without benefit for her either.
Thinking of this, she said seriously, "Xichun, we have no choice but to let the Emperor order you to enter the palace. Disobeying an imperial decree is a capital offense. After you enter the palace, observe, think, and consider things carefully. With your looks, becoming a concubine is not impossible." After saying this, she beckoned Wang Mama to come over and whispered a few words in her ear. Not long after, Wang Mama came out of Zhang Yunyao's bedroom, holding a crimson purse in her hand.
Zhang Yunyao glanced at it sideways and said, "Wang Mama, give the purse to the eldest young mistress."
Xi Chun was completely lost. Once she entered the palace, there was no possibility of her ever leaving. Her mind was filled with a hopeless future, and she didn't even notice that Granny Wang was already standing in front of her. Granny Wang felt a little sorry for Xi Chun's turbulent fate, but as a member of the Wei family, she could only obey her master's orders. Seeing that Xi Chun didn't react, she stuffed the purse into Xi Chun's hand and turned back to stand beside Zhang Yunyao.
Seeing that things were settled, Wei Changsong was eager to go out for a celebratory drink, but on the surface, he still pretended to be serious and instructed, "Xichun, don't blame the Wei family. This is all your fate. Someone from the palace will come to pick you up tonight. Pack whatever you need to pack. After tonight, I will tell everyone that you died of illness, and you will no longer be a member of the Wei family." After saying that, he got up and left.
Seeing that Wei Changsong had left, Zhang Yunyao felt that she had said what she needed to say, and she herself felt a little tired, so she waved to let Hehua and Hemiao send Xichun back.
Back at Qingwu Garden, Xichun moved a stool from inside the house and sat blankly at the entrance of the main room.
Hehua and Hemiao knew that Xichun had entered the palace alone, and since she had no further instructions, they both went to their rooms to find some peace and quiet. When they saw Xichun still sitting there at noon, the two women returned with food and casually offered a few words of advice. They didn't care that Xichun wasn't eating; after all, it was her last day as their mistress, and she wouldn't be able to order them around anymore.
Xi Chun sat there until late afternoon when she suddenly got up and headed towards Xue Song Tang. The door of Xue Song Tang was open, and Fu Qing was sitting in the courtyard doing needlework. Seeing Xi Chun's distraught appearance, Fu Qing had just put down what she was holding and was about to go up and ask her something when Xi Chun turned around and left Xue Song Tang again.
Wei Qiao wasn't at the manor; he said he would be staying at the garrison camp in the south of the city for a while. She was so eager to see him that she had completely forgotten about him. She had no way to say goodbye to him.
Walking into Qingwu Garden, looking up, the bare sycamore trees were now adorned with new leaves, and the sycamore trees would begin a new cycle of seasons this spring. Seeing the tender new leaves on the branches, Xichun suddenly felt the power of life from this companion that had been with her for more than three years. Her entry into the palace might be like entering a cold winter, but as long as she tried to live, one day she would also usher in her own spring.
Yes, she must live well.
After figuring things out, Xichun went inside to pack her things. Before she could finish, Wei Changsong had already led the palace eunuchs to her Qingwu Garden. The leader was Guang Jinfu, who looked to be no more than twenty years old, about seven feet tall, with a long torso and short legs. He was wearing a red eunuch's robe, his face was clean-shaven, and his demeanor was somewhat effeminate.
Guang Jinfu, who frequented the Imperial Study daily, was astonished to see that Xi Chun's appearance was virtually identical to the woman in the painting, though he maintained a composed demeanor. He smiled and said, "You must be Jiang Xi Chun. Please come in; our sedan chair is ready."
When Xichun first met the eunuch, she didn't know how to address him. She simply curtsied and said, "But my luggage is not yet packed. Could you wait for me a moment?"
Guang Jinfu waved his hand and laughed, "Miss, you don't need to pack. You don't need to bring anything to the palace. From now on, the palace will provide you with everything you need. It's getting late, and the Emperor is still waiting. Come with me." He then gestured for him to come.
Fortunately, Xi Chun had managed to pocket all her money, including the ten taels of gold Zhang Yunyao had given her in the purse at Manxin Courtyard. She hadn't seen the inkstone since returning home. But there was no need to worry about it; no one in the Wei household would dare mistreat it. Glancing back at the courtyard where she had lived for over three years, Xi Chun followed Guang Jinfu out of the Wei household gate.
Once inside the sedan chair, which was pitch black, Xichun didn't dare open the curtain and simply closed her eyes to rest. After more than an hour, Xichun was half-asleep when Guang Jinfu's voice woke her up, "Miss Jiang, we've arrived. Get out of the sedan chair."
The curtain of the sedan chair had been drawn back, and Xichun rubbed her eyes and groped her way out. Everywhere she looked, there were tall red walls and yellow glazed tile roofs.
She followed Guang Jinfu helplessly. Seeing her curious look, Guang Jinfu explained, "Miss Jiang, we've already entered the palace. Just ahead is the Yuanhe Hall, where the Emperor resides. When you pay your respects to the Emperor later, remember to greet him, and don't look him directly in the eye. These are palace rules." Remembering that Wei Changsong had given him two hundred taels of silver that day, he added, "The palace is different from other places. There are rules for everything, from sitting to walking. As you're new to the palace, you must be careful with your words and actions, and avoid offending any important figures. Many things in the palace can cost you your life. If you want to survive here, remember to be careful."
Xi Chun's fear intensified at his words, but she still managed to say, "Yes, thank you..."
"Just call me Eunuch Guang. You'll see the emperor's eunuch when you enter the Yuanhe Hall later. He's my master. You can just call him Eunuch Mi."
Xi Chun nodded repeatedly, "Thank you very much, Eunuch Guang."
Inside the Yuanhe Hall, Yan Zhongyou sat upright at his desk in the Imperial Study, holding a copy of "The Strategies for Governing the Country" written by a great Confucian scholar of the previous dynasty. However, his eyes kept glancing towards the direction of the hall entrance, and half an hour passed without him turning to the next page.
Miched noticed his anxiety and was about to send someone outside the palace to inquire where the person had been taken when Guang Jinfu led a woman dressed in a light purple cross-collar jacket and skirt into the palace gate. The woman was slender, like a lotus bud about to bloom in a pond in early summer.
When Guang Jinfu saw Miched, he quickly walked a few steps to his side and greeted him, "Master, the person has been brought back."
When Xichun saw Guang Jinfu calling out to people, she knew that this was the Michide that Guang Jinfu had mentioned. She also looked up and curtsied to him, saying, "Greetings, Eunuch Mi."
When Xichun looked up, Michide saw her features clearly. Compared to his distant glimpse of her at Yehua Temple, this Jiang woman today indeed resembled his old friend, only with an added touch of innocent charm. Michide nodded to her and said gently, "His Majesty is already waiting in the Imperial Study. Please come in, Miss Jiang."
Miched knew that with Xichun's appearance, she was destined to become an empress in the future, so he treated her with extra courtesy.
Xi Chun followed them into the Yuanhe Hall, where golden dragon patterns were everywhere, showcasing the emperor's boundless honor. Remembering Guang Jinfu's words, Xi Chun only glanced at the decorations briefly before lowering her head and following the two into the hall.
Yan Zhongyou had been watching the movements outside the hall ever since Michide left. When he saw Michide leading people in, he was overjoyed, but on the surface he still pretended to be a diligent official, and his eyes immediately fell on the book in his hand.
Xi Chun followed the two into the hall and saw the emperor sitting behind his desk in the distance, wearing a bright yellow robe with narrow sleeves in the shape of a nine-clawed golden dragon and a winged crown. She couldn't discern any dragon aura from him, only a majestic presence surrounding him. Remembering Guang Jinfu's advice, she lowered her head and bowed to Yan Zhongyou behind the desk as she approached.
Seeing that she didn't kneel, Guang Jinfu quickly whispered a reminder, "Kneel down and pay your respects."
Just as Xichun was about to kneel down upon hearing his words, Yan Zhongyou, who was behind the desk, spoke up, "No need to kneel. Raise your head, let me see you."
Since Xichun entered, Yan Zhongyou's eyes have never left her. Xichun's figure is graceful and even more beautiful than Fei Xueyi's.
Despite her fear, Xi Chun tried to remain calm as she looked up at Yan Zhongyou. Yan Zhongyou was of average appearance, with a few prominent black moles on his face. What surprised Xi Chun most was Yan Zhongyou's age. No one had told her how old the emperor was, nor had she asked Guang Jinfu, who had brought her to the palace. Now, looking at him, she felt that Yan Zhongyou looked about the same age as Wei Changsong; his skin was already starting to sag, and there were many fine, crisscrossing wrinkles around his eyes.
Unlike Xi Chun's fear, Yan Zhongyou was filled with joy when he saw her; she looked so much like Fei Xueyi. He had missed Fei Xueyi for so many years, and to meet a woman in the world who looked so much like her was truly a blessing from heaven.
Seeing Yan Zhongyou's satisfied expression, Miched looked at Xichun with even more approval.
Xi Chun was not used to Yan Zhongyou's direct and eager gaze when he stared at her, so she lowered her eyes slightly and looked at Yan Zhongyou's desk.
Yan Zhongyou thought she must be shy, just like all the concubines in his palace were shy when they first met him. He asked gently, "What's your name? How old are you?"
"Your Majesty, I am Jiang Xichun, and I am nineteen years old this year."
Yan Zhongyou stroked his beard and smiled, "Xichun, it seems you were born in spring. That is a good name."
Xi Chun didn't know how to answer, so she remained silent.
Seeing Xi Chun's somewhat dazed expression, Mi Qide's smile froze on Yan Zhongyou's face. He quickly stepped in to smooth things over, asking Yan Zhongyou, "Your Majesty, what should we do with Miss Jiang now?"
Yan Zhongyou looked at Xichun in front of him and pondered for a long time, "Let her serve in Yuanhe Hall for now."
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