Daily life
After the shadowy figure disappeared into the night, I stood by the window for a moment, making sure there was no more movement around me, before tiptoeing back to the bedside. Ya Huan was sleeping soundly, her breathing even, a faint smile on her lips, perhaps dreaming of something happy. Looking at her carefree appearance, my tense nerves gradually relaxed—perhaps I was being too vigilant, overcomplicating things; perhaps even in this cold palace, there was a hidden tenderness.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, I was awakened by the chirping of birds in the courtyard. Pushing open the door, I saw the morning light scattering like shattered gold across the blue bricks, and a few tender yellow wildflowers sprouting from the weeds in the corner. The breeze carried the warmth of early spring, making even the air sweeter. Ya Huan was squatting by the well drawing water. Seeing me come out, she waved and smiled, "Sister Zhao, come and see! This morning when I was drawing water, I found a little peach tree growing in a crack in the stone by the well. Maybe it will bear peaches in the fall!"
I walked over and, sure enough, saw a peach sapling, barely half a foot tall, growing in a crack in the stone beside the well. Dewdrops clung to its tender green leaves, radiating vitality. "What a good omen," I thought. I crouched down and gently touched a leaf with my fingertips; the cool dewdrops on my fingertips felt refreshing. Ya Huan put down the bucket, her eyes sparkling. "Shall we add some soil to it? Maybe it'll grow tall and strong, and then we can enjoy the blossoms and eat peaches in the yard!"
Without further ado, we found a small shovel, dug some soft soil from the open ground outside the yard, carefully filled it into the cracks between the stones, and then gently watered it with well water. Ya Huan squatted beside the sapling, clasped her hands together, and softly murmured, "Little peach tree, little peach tree, you must grow up well. When you bloom, I will save the best nectar for you." Her earnest appearance made me laugh out loud, and the anxiety that had been building up in my heart for days seemed to be washed away by the bright morning light.
After tending to the little peach tree, we carried our food boxes to the imperial kitchen to collect our meals. On the way, we met Granny Li, who was in charge of sweeping. She was carrying a bamboo basket filled with freshly picked wild vegetables. Seeing us, Granny Li smiled and waved, "Tian Zhao, Ya Huan, you've come at the right time! These wild vegetables were just picked this morning, they're very tender. I'll make you wild vegetable dumplings for lunch." Ya Huan immediately went over, her eyes shining as she looked at the wild vegetables in the basket, "Thank you, Granny Li! Your wild vegetable dumplings are the best!"
On our way back after collecting our meals, we passed by the residence of the Dowager Consort Xian. I noticed the door was ajar, and I could hear a soft cough coming from inside. I stopped and said to Ya Huan, "Let's go see the Dowager Consort. She's getting old; she might need some help." Ya Huan nodded, and we gently pushed open the door. We saw the Dowager Consort Xian sitting in a wicker chair by the window, holding needle and thread. In front of her was a bamboo basket containing an unfinished handkerchief. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her silvery hair.
Hearing the noise, the Empress Dowager looked up. When she saw us, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly smiled gently. "It's you two maids. Come in and sit down." We walked to her side, and I noticed that her fingers were trembling slightly, and her stitches were not as neat as before. "Empress Dowager, are you feeling unwell?" I asked softly, helping her to straighten the loose threads.
The Dowager Consort sighed and put down her needlework. "I'm getting old, I'm not as good as I used to be. I've had a bit of a cough these past few days, but it's nothing serious." Ya Huan immediately said, "Your Highness, let me make you some ginger soup. It'll warm you up." Before the Dowager Consort could refuse, she quickly went out. I picked up a handkerchief from the bamboo basket. It was embroidered with delicate orchids, the stitches fine and intricate, showing that the Dowager Consort had been quite skillful in her youth.
“This handkerchief is so beautiful,” I exclaimed sincerely. The Empress Dowager smiled, her gaze becoming distant. “When I was young, I loved embroidering these flowers and plants. Later, after entering the palace, I had many worries and rarely embroidered anymore. Now, with the peace and quiet of the Cold Palace, I’ve picked it up again.” She paused, looking at me. “Don’t you feel wronged staying in the Cold Palace?”
I shook my head: "Being able to live peacefully here is already very good. And with Ya Huan and the elders taking care of me, I feel very at ease." Upon hearing this, the Consort Xian gently patted my hand: "Good child, it's good that you're so optimistic. Life in the palace may seem glamorous, but it's actually full of dangers. Being able to maintain a sense of peace is more important than anything else."
As they were talking, Ya Huan came in carrying a steaming bowl of ginger soup and carefully handed it to Consort Xian: "Consort, please drink slowly, be careful it's hot." Consort Xian took the ginger soup, took a sip, and felt the warmth slide down her throat, which eased her cough. She looked at us, her eyes full of affection: "You two girls are more considerate than my good-for-nothing juniors. If you have nothing to do in the future, come and talk to me often."
Emerging from the residence of the Consort Xian, the sun shone brightly. Ya Huan skipped and hopped ahead, humming an unknown tune. I followed behind her, watching her light and cheerful figure, a warmth filling my heart. Perhaps this deep palace isn't all intrigue and scheming; these unexpected acts of warmth, like starlight in the dark night, illuminate our path forward.
Back at our lodgings, Grandma Li had already made the wild vegetable dumplings, and she had even saved two for us. The freshly baked dumplings were steaming hot; one bite revealed a crispy exterior and a tender interior, infused with the delicate fragrance of wild vegetables, making them incredibly appetizing. We sat on the stone benches in the courtyard, eating the dumplings and chatting. Ya-huan told me about her fun experiences at the orphanage, how the headmistress taught them to make pastries and how to build snowmen in the snow; I, in turn, shared some modern common sense tips, such as how to identify whether wild vegetables are poisonous and how to treat wounds using simple methods.
The afternoon sun lazily bathed me, the peach saplings swayed gently in the breeze, and occasionally a bird would land on the courtyard wall, chirping softly. Leaning back on the stone bench, watching Ya Huan's radiant smile and listening to her clear laughter, I suddenly realized that these days weren't so bad after all. Although I didn't know what difficulties the future held, as long as I had trustworthy people around me and these warm little things, I had the courage to keep going.
As evening fell, I carried Zhang Mama's laundry to the laundry department. Just as I rounded the stone screen wall, I heard the sound of a wooden mallet pounding water from the pool. Several palace maids were bent over, rubbing clothes in soapy water, the mallets splashing up tiny droplets with each stroke. I placed the clothes on an empty stone platform, leaned closer to the round-faced maid, and, lowering my voice, handed her a wooden clamp while asking, "Have you heard of Qin Lan lately? My sister who entered the palace with me, I haven't seen her in ages." "Qin Lan?" The round-faced maid glanced around instinctively before stopping her work. "She was assigned to the Laundry Department last month, supposedly for offending a young mistress." As she spoke, the waterwheel turned in the distance, the splashing water shimmering with tiny silver light in the twilight, mingling with the scent of soap and permeating the damp air of the laundry department.
Back in the courtyard, Ya Huan had already tidied up the room and placed two freshly picked wild fruits on the table. Seeing me return, she smiled and said, "Sister Zhao, look what good things I found! These wild fruits are so sweet, you should try some." I picked up a wild fruit, took a bite, and the sweet juice spread across my tongue, filling me with a taste of happiness.
As night deepened, Ya Huan and I sat in the courtyard, gazing at the stars. Ya Huan pointed to the brightest star and said, "The headmistress said that every kind person becomes a star after they pass away, watching over those they care about. Sister Zhao, do you think my parents are watching over me from heaven?" I held her hand and whispered, "Yes, they are. They are definitely watching over you from heaven, blessing you."
A gentle evening breeze blew by, and the chirping of insects drifted from afar; everything was so peaceful and beautiful. My fingertips traced the stitches on the rough cloth skirt, and I suddenly remembered the old nanny teaching me to identify wild vegetables while helping in the kitchen earlier that day. In this era, there was no need to bear the burden of missions amidst gunfire or to undertake death-defying tasks; I could simply guard this small corner of the world, chatting idly with Ya Huan around the stove. It turns out that even an ordinary person could live a good life in this deep palace.
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