Chapter 1, The Startling Wild Goose
Looking up at the roof from the sound tower, "At this moment, who can care for whom?"
It is often said that with each new emperor comes a new set of ministers, and the women in the imperial harem are no exception. Once they enter the palace, their fates are tied to that of the emperor. When the sovereign is in good health, they enjoy a life of comfort and ease, at least their lives are not in danger; when the emperor passes away, those who have children can retire to the position of dowager, while those without offspring and of lower rank, with no support from their families, seem to have no good prospects ahead.
"Are you asking me to seek out a eunuch to recommend me for a bed? I don't think I can do that." She awkwardly averted her gaze, "Besides, even if I were willing, no one would want me! The Imperial Ceremonial Office is definitely in demand today, so I won't go join the crowd. How about trying the Imperial Horse Office instead? The Imperial Horse Office is also quite popular now... You know, to be reduced to the point of being chosen by a eunuch, it really chills my heart."
A gust of wind blew in, and the window opened somehow. The dense rain pattered down on the pages of the book, soaking the desk completely. Li Meiren stood up to adjust the wooden stopper and suddenly turned her head to ask her, "Do you think we will become the heavenly maidens?"
Who becomes the emperor is of little importance to the imperial consorts of Qianxiwu. Women are often superficial; unlike the ministers in the court who bear the weight of the world, they only know that they have been in the palace for just over a month, and their humble titles have only recently been established. What awaits them is not the emperor's favor, nor the glory of being cherished, but perhaps the ancient Buddha under the flickering lamp in the temple, the setting sun and weeping willows in the imperial tombs, and the cold, damp walls of the underground tombs
Enough is enough, not a single one shall escape. The number of the Heavenly Maiden is not fixed; it is generally increased rather than decreased. She raised her eyes to the rain flying outside the eaves, her nose feeling a bit sour, "As for us, we can let it go, but even the fortunate consorts cannot escape, how truly tragic.
The candidates from respectable families must first ensure their innocence. The eunuchs in the palace are unscrupulous; there have been instances in the past where they harmed young women. To avoid any mishaps, the Palace of the Imperial Concubines devised a clever method—placing flour in a dustpan on the kang (a traditional heated bed), requiring the candidates to squat on it while being made to sniff pepper. Surely, they would sneeze, right? This would reveal their true nature. It is said that a maiden's body remains completely still; if she has lost her virginity... The eunuchs in the palace are unscrupulous; there have been instances in the past where they harmed young women. To avoid any mishaps, the Palace of the Imperial Concubines devised a clever method—placing flour in a dustpan on the kang, requiring the candidates to squat on it while being made to sniff pepper. Surely, they would sneeze, right? This would reveal their true nature. It is said that a maiden's body remains completely still; if she has lost her virginity... Perhaps it is just like the wind scattering the dust. This is a secret I learned only after entering the palace; I had never heard of it before. At that time, she was naive; the head of the palace ordered her to position herself over the flour, and she did, but only with her face. As a result, her sneeze shot directly into the dustpan, covering the head of the palace in flour from head to toe. Look at her clumsiness; with such a dull mind, she could not serve in the palace. Even if she were to stay, she would only be an inconspicuous gentlewoman. Fortunately, Lady Li was righteous and spoke highly of her, which is why she was not sent back to her hometown. Unexpectedly, through a twist of fate, she ended up becoming a talented person.
In the spring of the eleventh year of Longhua, it rained for a long time. The capital was soaked in humidity, and it had been approximately forty days since the sun was last seen
"When has it ever been our place to make decisions ourselves?" Another person, covering her mouth and looking around, said in a hushed voice, "Lower your voice a bit; if someone hears us, we might not make it to the end and could end up taking the first step ourselves."
Tong Yun felt a wave of weakness, "Is it more important to live or to maintain face? In fact, being busy elsewhere is of no use; before our eyes lies only the seal of the Grand Council and the eunuch wielding the power of life and death. If we can climb up to the eunuch with the seal, then our heads will be safe."
The Chief Eunuch presiding over the Eastern Bureau of Investigation holds the highest position among the eunuchs, wielding immense power across the realm. When she first entered the palace, she had a distant glimpse of the personnel from the Eastern Bureau. Adorned with a black gauze hat embellished with gold, dressed in a sunflower-patterned collar shirt, the leader wore a phoenix belt and flowing robes, flanked by embroidered golden pythons, walking across the white marble platform with an imposing presence that she has yet to forget.
When? It is about to be the end of life. She is also anxious, but what can she do! She sat down, scraped the foam with a lid, and slowly said: "We are like caged birds; once we enter the palace, life and death are no longer in our own hands. However, living one day counts as two and a half days. Once the decree is issued, what happens next will depend on each person's fate."
"Master, what shall we do?" As she spun in circles at the center of the earth, the maid Tongyun followed closely, "Do you think if Lady Li persuades Eunuch Yan, it might help us?"
This vast and riddled empire, regardless of who holds it, is an inextricable deadlock. The Great Ye Dynasty has been established for two hundred sixty-four years, during which it has experienced both glory and remarkable rulers. In those times, it expanded its territory, relocated the capital to the imperial city, summoned dignitaries from all directions, and commanded allegiance from the four seas, achieving a prosperous era unmatched by any dynasty. However, the fortunes of the nation also undergo cycles; the once spirited young man has gradually aged, dragging along a cumbersome body and becoming sluggish in response. What lies ahead remains unclear to anyone.
Li Meiren seemed somewhat embarrassed, turning around to say: "I remember mentioning the eunuch Yan Sunlang to you, do you still recall? Right now, the Emperor's illness is severe, and those with connections have already begun to take action. We are alone in the harem, what means do we have to escape? Once the imperial edict is issued, it will all be too late"
Yin Lou stared at her blankly, "What are your plans?"
Her gaze was lifeless, suggesting that she had already made up her mind. Initially, Yin Lou was still in a daze, but now she truly felt the panic of impending doom. When one is truly at a dead end, there is nothing left to cling to. The so-called companionship is merely a way for eunuchs and palace maids to live together. Although it lacks substantial content, it outwardly resembles a marital relationship, and once one is involved, it becomes a lifelong commitment. The choices available to women in the inner court are limited. Some powerful eunuchs have become so inflated with power that the lowest-ranking palace maids can no longer satisfy their distorted sense of self-esteem, leading them to extend their reach towards lower-ranked consorts who hold titles. Although it lacks substantial content, it outwardly resembles a marital relationship, and once one is involved, it becomes a lifelong commitment. The choices available to women in the inner court are limited. Some powerful eunuchs have become so inflated with power that the lowest-ranking palace maids can no longer satisfy their distorted sense of self-esteem, leading them to extend their reach towards lower-ranked consorts who hold titles. As for the emperor, he, overly reliant on these eunuchs and overwhelmed by the multitude of women, would turn a blind eye even if he heard rumors, choosing not to investigate.
Li Meiren fell silent, staring at her for a long time before saying: "It's my fault for being meddlesome. Now that I think about it, if you had been driven out back then, you wouldn't have to worry about this today."
"Drink tea." She pushed forward, "The foam from the sparrow's tongue is better than that from the needle spiral. My hometown produces tea, but after entering the palace, I can't even touch a bit of tea leaves. In the past, we had to pick the tender tips in the films, but now I can only drink the leftovers, how pitiful."
Do you still have the heart to sympathize with others? We are guarding our innocent bodies to be buried together, and when you think about it, who is more pitiful? Li Meiren gently touched the embroidered flower on her robe and slowly walked to the door, saying, "Yin Lou, the only ones who can save us now are those eunuchs from the Ministry of Rites."
Li Meiren gave a sorrowful smile, "I am all alone in the palace, what else is there? It is nothing more than requiring me to be his companion, and I accept that. Compared to death, which is lighter and which is heavier, there is no need to weigh it at all"
The country is in turmoil, and everything is precarious. Emperor Yuanzhen, who lies high on the dragon bed, is in increasingly deteriorating health. It is said that he has already stopped eating and drinking around noon, and perhaps before long, he will have to change the era name.
Yin Lou shivered; such matters are well understood, so there is no need to speak of them
The origin of the "Chao Tian Nu" (Morning Sky Women) can be succinctly described as the practice of burying living individuals as sacrifices. For many years since the establishment of the Great Ye dynasty, this barbaric custom has never been abolished. In the eyes of those in power, these individuals are regarded as less than ants. The emperor is the sovereign of this vast land of Huaxia, the sky for all. While alive, they enjoy immense wealth and honor, and in death, they must take a group of people with them to serve. Once the emperor falls ill, the eunuchs of the Inner Court begin to prepare a list. This is a prime opportunity for personal vendettas; ministers start to take action, unable to eliminate political rivals in the court, they resort to scheming against each other's daughters, killing one is one. However, death is not in vain; the bereaved family is given a specific designation, known as "Chao Tian Nu Hu" (House of Morning Sky Women). This honor is hereditary, and the next emperor will grant preferential treatment to their family members to commend their "selfless dedication to duty." However, death is not in vain; the bereaved family is given a specific designation, known as "Chao Tian Nu Hu" (House of Morning Sky Women). This honor is hereditary, and the next emperor will grant preferential treatment to their family members to commend their "selfless dedication to duty."
Tong Yun stomped her feet with a cry, "This is a matter of life and death, please think of a solution quickly!"
As for the relationship between Yin Lou and Li Meiren, there is a story. They entered the palace in the same group, much like students from the same village going to take an examination; if one were to discuss it, they could indeed be considered contemporaries. They entered the palace gates together, underwent the examination of their hair and skin in the same room, and when it came to the physical examination, one of them made a blunder, which was resolved by Li Meiren's assistance.
She does not want to sit idly by, but she has no outlet for her energy; what should she do
Yin Lou was astonished: "Are you going to negotiate terms with that eunuch? Going now would play right into his hands."
To be assigned to a eunuch, who among those with a bit of pride would be willing? If it were truly a matter of living in peace, that would be one thing, but do they not know that those with high official ranks and wealth can be even more formidable than ordinary men outside? In the past, there was an incident where a steward eunuch brutally killed a fellow eunuch, and when the emperor heard about it, he merely ordered twenty lashes and casually closed the case. If Lady Li were to throw herself into the net, would it not be akin to escaping from a wolf's den only to enter a tiger's lair?
Who knows
She always behaves as if nothing in the world concerns her, speaking with a smile on her face, even when flowers are being pricked on her shoulder, she remains smiling. Li Meiren does not share her level of enthusiasm, frowning and sighing as she sets aside her cup: "What time is it, and you still have the mind to savor tea!"
She wanted to advise her to think twice, but on what basis? At the critical moment of life and death, everyone has their own choices. Li Meiren stepped out, and the swirling wind in the corridor lifted the corners of her clothes, growing more distant, obscured by the misty rain. Yin Lou stood by the carved flower screen door, blankly watching her leave, feeling a sense of melancholy in her heart. Everyone was seeking a way out, but only she remained, with limited options, and aside from waiting for death, there was no other way.
Ultimately, whether one lives or dies cannot be determined with certainty; it depends on luck. Yin Lou set down the tea cup and said: "If one has a strong fate, becoming a monk or guarding a tomb may still offer a glimmer of hope"
Yin Lou closed the straight-lattice window and turned to the table to brew tea. The tea soup was poured into the blue and white porcelain cup, and the high fragments of residue rolled up and down in the boiling water
Of course, the talented individual is still a talented individual who is inebriated and remains unrecognized. However, not having to work in the laundry house and having the time to enjoy the spring flowers and autumn moons is already a great joy in life. She has never considered repaying the emperor's grace, as he languishes on his sickbed and the imperial harem has long become a mere facade. Yet, in such circumstances, there are still major selections every three years, and the calculations being made within are truly chilling upon reflection
After such a consolation, I feel somewhat relieved. Although the emperor's illness has lingered for two years without improvement, he has not yet passed away. Just like in the past when he seemed to have died several times, he was saved each time. Surely, there will be such fortune again this time. After all, he has just made a round at the gates of hell, and one might as well consider it a trip to Jiangnan.
Had I anticipated this day, I should never have entered the palace in the first place. A selected attendant stood under the eaves, weeping, "The Emperor is in his prime, yet who would have known... that he is destined for a short life.
Li Meiren slowly shook her head, "I fear it may not be our turn. When Emperor Taizu passed away, there were as many as one hundred and twenty burial attendants. Emperor Chengzong had fewer, but still over forty. The later emperors had as many as seventy or eighty, and as few as fifty or sixty, and it has now become a custom. Just calculate how many people are in the five residences of Qianxi? Including those who have been favored but have no children, the total is just enough."
What is there to fear nowadays, as long as we seek the heavens to open their eyes, to ensure our emperor's longevity and prosperity, and to allow us to live a few more years, that would be the reward for the good deeds accumulated in our past lives
Speaking of the Grand Council of Ceremonial Affairs, it is enough to instill fear in people's hearts. Initially, Emperor Chengzong favored the eunuchs to restrain the ministers in the court, which was merely a consideration of mutual checks and balances. However, later emperors not only imitated this practice but also expanded it, leading to the establishment of the Office of Criminal Investigation, where the chief eunuchs even had the authority to approve imperial edicts, effectively monopolizing state affairs. Matters such as the burial of concubines naturally fell within the jurisdiction of the Grand Council of Ceremonial Affairs
However, the eunuchs are treacherous and cunning, making it difficult to cultivate relationships with them! She leaned against the vermilion lacquered treasure cabinet, lamenting that the eunuch Xiao Duo ingratiated himself with the sovereign, using the favor of the emperor and empress to set up prisons and frame loyal subjects. Dealing with him would only hasten one's demise!
Yin Lou listened and laughed, saying: "Is life better after being driven out? It might not be as good as it is now. If the brothers do not value you, don't expect to marry into a good family in the future. A useless silly girl, it's already good enough to secure a match for a concubine, can you really expect to rise to greatness? In fact, there is no need to worry too much right now; the physicians in the Imperial Hospital all have their methods, and perhaps they will develop some remedy that will cure His Majesty's illness in an instant"