Chapter 6: Within the Palace Walls (I)

"Miss Lu, please rise!" Lin Wenqing took half a step back, slightly lifting the folding fan in his hand, making a gesture for her to rise. The surname Lu belongs to the Qi family, so this Miss Lu beside the Crown Prince must be someone placed by the Lu family. She should not be regarded as an ordinary servant.

I heard that recently Jiang Yu brought someone into the palace and even arranged for them to stay in the teaching workshop, is that true?" The noblewoman in elegant attire leaned against the railing, lowering her head to play with her fingers stained with red dye, and asked lazily.

Lin Wenqing chuckled lightly and said, "I really don't know. I have a natural tendency to get lost. After leaving the teaching hall, I somehow ended up here. If it weren't for encountering His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, I would have continued forward and might have startled the noble ladies of the inner palace. That would have been a serious offense"

The dance and song I designed differ from others not primarily in the dance postures or the music. Rather, it is my emphasis on the final stage effect that sets me apart from everyone else. Imagine, on that day in the grand hall of the Zhou residence, if there had not been the perfectly timed changes in lighting, would Miss Su Wan's dance still have been so breathtaking?

... ...

His Highness has been feeling unwell lately, and the imperial physician has suggested that he come to the greenhouse palace daily to soak in the medicinal spring for recuperation. Since he dislikes being disturbed, the guards and palace attendants near the greenhouse palace withdraw at this time every day. I wonder how Young Master Lin managed to bypass the outer guards to come in, as no one has come to report it.

This young man has always been full of clever ideas since childhood. Keep an eye on him; do not let him diminish His Majesty's favor towards Kang'er. The Queen of Qi, Lu Manjun, is exceptionally beautiful, and the sharpness emanating from the enchanting corners of her eyes is both striking and alarming

"Yu's friend?" The man was momentarily taken aback, and only then did he notice the jade pendant hanging at Lin Wenqing's waist. He turned his head and shouted loudly in another direction, "Tong, Tong!"

Lin Wenqing took out a map from his hand and slowly studied the route on it. Yu City, as well as the location of the Great Qi Imperial Palace, was originally a flat area of land and hills. It was only after the decree of Emperor Wu of Qi seventy years ago that it began to take shape over these seventy years. The most significant difference between it and other cities is that from the very beginning of its construction, there was a strict planning scheme in place. The entire Yu City was constructed like a chessboard, clear and orderly, forming its own distinct layout. The most significant difference between it and other cities is that from the very beginning of its construction, there was a strict planning scheme in place. The entire Yu City was constructed like a chessboard, clear and orderly, forming its own distinct layout.

In such a vast palace, it is naturally impossible for there to be no guards to prevent unauthorized entry. However, she was well-prepared in advance, having obtained a passage jade pendant from Jiang Yu under the pretext of being unfamiliar with the route and fearing to get lost. After hanging the jade pendant at her waist, the emblem of the esteemed guests of the Nanjun Hall would allow her to move freely within the palace

The palace of the State of Qi is built against the mountains, with many distinct layers among the palace complexes. The Emperor resides in the Chengtiandian, located halfway up the mountain, where it is said that one can overlook the entire Yucheng. The palace mainly consists of three major groups of palaces: the Chengtiandian group in the north where the Emperor resides, the Liugong group in the northeast where the Empress and concubines live, and the Qinzhen group in the northwest and south, commonly referred to by the people as the palace city. The Qinzhen group is not the residence of noble individuals within the palace, but rather the place where the Emperor holds court and the officials handle state affairs. The palace mainly consists of three major groups of palaces: the Chengtiandian group in the north where the Emperor resides, the Liugong group in the northeast where the Empress and concubines live, and the Qinzhen group in the northwest and south, commonly referred to by the people as the palace city. The Qinzhen group is not the residence of noble individuals within the palace, but rather the place where the Emperor holds court and the officials handle state affairs

"Lost! Lost!" Lin Wenqing hurriedly declared, "I am new to the palace and was captivated by the scenery. Who would have thought that I would be unable to find my way back? This is why I accidentally bumped into His Highness the Crown Prince, and I truly apologize for the rudeness."

I have already made arrangements with Fan Jiaoshi," Jiang Yu said to Lin Wenqing. "He will allocate a small courtyard and a few dancers for you. However, the teaching workshop is close to the Six Palaces, and the location is sensitive. If you accidentally enter the inner palace, it will be difficult to protect you when Empress Lu comes to investigate. So you must be very careful, do you understand

In the end, Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow and pressed his lips together, saying, "Alright. I will make arrangements for you."

Lu Tong looked at Lin Wenqing with a polite smile and said, "What is your esteemed surname, young master?"

Oh! Lin Wenqing let out a soft exclamation, and then she felt a bit dizzy from the heat rising from the room.

"Your Majesty need not worry. His Majesty's affection for the Crown Prince is unmatched by anyone else," said the attendant with a flattering tone.

... ...

A gentle breeze blew through, softly opening a door and window, inadvertently blocking Lin Wenqing's path, causing her to accidentally bump into it.

I see. Lu Tong smiled slightly and then said, "We have arrived. Young Master Lin, please come in."

There is no need to worry about that. I just need to take a stroll and observe the scenery and arrangements in Wan'an Palace, and I will have a general idea of how to set it up. I heard from Chu Ying that the birthday of the virtuous consort is approaching, and I suppose His Highness hopes that my song and dance can coincide with the birthday celebration

Jiang Kang bears a striking resemblance to Jiang Yu, though he appears somewhat paler and thinner than Jiang Yu. After Lu Tong entered, she quickly walked to Jiang Kang's side and whispered a few words in his ear, likely introducing Lin Wenqing. After a while, Jiang Kang smiled and stood up, addressing Lin Wenqing: "Young Master Lin, please take a seat"

After listening to her explanation, Lu Tong smiled slightly and said, "Young Master Lin need not be anxious. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has summoned Lu Tong merely to invite you for a conversation, and there is no intention of blame." Having said this, she turned her body slightly and made a gesture of invitation.

King Qi, Jiang Hong, had a profound appreciation for literature and the arts from a young age, and upon ascending to the throne, he prioritized civil governance. In the first year of his reign, he established a teaching workshop in the palace, gathering musicians and dancers, and appointed trusted eunuchs to oversee the workshop's affairs. For over a decade, the palace's various banquets were invariably accompanied by performances from the workshop. The position of the workshop supervisor became highly coveted within the palace, as they could easily win the favor of King Qi.

Lin Wenqing could only comply and, under Lu Tong's guidance, go to meet the legendary sickly Crown Prince of the State of Qi

If you truly want me to assist you in this matter and genuinely make Her Highness the Virtuous Consort happy, it is essential for me to first observe my stage to achieve the best effect. Lin Wenqing said with a sly smile at the corner of his mouth, "I believe the main venue for these dancers should be the Wan'an Palace where Her Highness resides. Therefore, Your Highness should arrange a time for me to go to the Wan'an Palace to investigate the terrain."

The Greenhouse Pavilion is a small cluster of lofts built beside the hot springs within the palace, serving as a resting place for the nobles while they enjoy the hot springs. At this moment, it is midsummer, and the spring water is hot. Lin Wenqing estimates that there are likely not many people around, so he abandons his earlier caution and strides boldly past the lofts.

Emerging from the mist was a handsome young man with damp hair, casually draped in a cicada robe, resembling someone who had just bathed. He leaned forward to glance out the window and was taken aback to find Lin Wenqing standing there, speechless. He stammered, "Who are you? Where is Tong?"

Yes. The servant understands

Lin Wenqing hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to look at the man's bare chest exposed before her, and said vaguely: "I apologize for the interruption, I am a classmate of His Highness Yu, and I ended up here because I got lost"

The library of the Guangneifu was established by emptying the royal library of the Da Qi dynasty, and naturally, the "Yu City Topographic Map" drawn by the master craftsmen of that time is among its collections. Although it has undergone repairs and name changes over the course of seventy years, the current layout of Yu City deviates to a considerable extent from the original plans, yet the overall structure, once established, is difficult to alter. Therefore, the map that Lin Wenqing secretly obtained from the Guangneifu library is sufficient for her to successfully locate the Wan'an Palace where Concubine Zhou is residing.

"Young Master Lin?" Lu Tong furrowed her brow, and then suddenly realized, "Could it be that it is the esteemed Young Master Lin Wenjing, a classmate of His Highness Yu? Shouldn't you be at the teaching hall? How come..."

Jiang Yu fell silent for a moment and slowly said: "This is indeed a problem. My mother, the Empress Dowager, prefers tranquility. If you were to make a big fuss in her palace and set up a stage, I fear she would not appreciate it either"

... ...

So..." Jiang Yu furrowed his brows and asked

Rest assured. I am aware of that. Lin Wenqing smiled and replied, "However, there is one thing I must remind you of"

At the forefront stood a woman in plain attire with bright, clear eyes. She approached Lin Wenqing, bowed slightly, and said: "Lu Tong from the Qitian Hall greets you, young master"

This prince had been declared by many physicians to have a short life, yet with the combined efforts of the entire nation of Great Qi, he has ultimately managed to survive until now. Upon entering the inner chamber, a strong aroma of medicine greeted him, leading Lin Wenqing to a profound and personal understanding of the phrase "the prince soaking in a vat of medicine"

"Tong?" A slightly hesitant male voice came from within the room

Go ahead. Keep an eye on Wan'an Palace over there, and the Teaching Workshop as well, all of it

The mist obscured her vision, giving Lin Wenqing a moment to hurriedly hide the map in her sleeve. She knew it was too late to hide, so she could only wait anxiously for the person to reveal themselves. Those who could soak in the hot springs of the greenhouse palace and the library were not the palace maids and guards who roamed the palace, and a jade pendant given by Jiang Yu would not suffice to send them away.

After Lin Wenqing heard his assurance, he felt secretly pleased but said nothing on the surface. He only smiled and said, "Then let's go. Your Highness, take me to meet Master Fan, and then I can begin my work."

Lu Tong is a woman who is very good at entertaining others; she chatted casually with Lin Wenqing while leading the way

Lu Manjun cast a sidelong glance at him, smiled, and said: "I never worry about Kang'er’s favor. However, if one does not plan for the long term, there will surely be immediate troubles. Therefore, I do not wish for anything beyond my control to occur in this palace. Do you understand?"

Soon, a series of faint footsteps could be heard approaching in this direction. Lin Wenqing inwardly cursed his luck and steeled himself to face the possible inquiries that would follow

After walking for a while, Lin Wenqing hid behind a rockery to closely observe the direction ahead.

My surname is Lin, and I do not wish to impose

"Cross the road ahead, turn left, and you will reach the greenhouse palace from years ago. After circling around the greenhouse palace and walking a few more steps, you will arrive at Wan'an Palace." Lin Wenqing marked her location, confirmed it, and then emerged from the rockery, heading towards the warm room.

What?

Crown Prince Jiang Kang of Qi was born to the favored concubine Lu of King Qi. Lu tragically died during childbirth, leaving behind this sole child. King Jiang Hong of Qi, being a man of deep affections, cared for this son with great tenderness. Upon ascending the throne, he also married a daughter of the Lu family to ensure the well-being of Crown Prince Jiang Kang.

Yes, Your Majesty.

"Left da-da, right da-da. Turn around, tilt the green willow head a little more. Three turns, four turns..." In the teaching hall, a group of girls practiced diligently, their brows glistening with sweat, while Xiao Yang stood nearby, reciting the rhythm and acting as the supervisor. Meanwhile, Lin Wenqing stealthily slipped out through the side door of the teaching hall.