Chapter Seven, Infinite Thoughts
"That is why it is strange," Li Meiren said with a furrowed brow. "There is no precedent for this, to receive a posthumous title while still alive; it truly feels ominous."
She could not speak, and Tongyun could only talk to herself, returning everything she had left behind. While packing it into the mirror box, she said: "With your return to life, all the rewards from before have gone to waste, but I am not disheartened; your return is worth more than anything. You do not know that for us who serve in the Qianxi Wusuo, after our master passes away, a large portion will end up working in the laundry bureau doing menial tasks. That cursed place has neither salary nor prospects, and compared to that, it is even worse than striking a wooden fish at Tai Ling... Speaking of which, when did you become acquainted with Eunuch Xiao? Such a powerful ally, and you did not mention it before, leaving me to worry for nothing."
In the past, she was someone who would not give up until she obtained results, but now she feels powerless and can only let it go. Her whole body aches, her throat feels blocked, and the medicine sent by those below is difficult to swallow. After finally managing to drink half a bowl, she collapses into sleep. In her dreams, she vaguely returns to the time when she first entered the palace for selection, during the season when it is warm yet still chilly, and everyone is wearing padded jackets. The Palace Attendant Bureau requires "breast examination, armpit sniffing, skin texture palpation, and chastity inspection," and everyone must remove their clothing. They gather in one room, loosening their garments, shivering from the cold yet feeling quite joyful. At that time, she was determined to achieve something, but who would have thought that after overcoming numerous obstacles, it would ultimately be to accompany the emperor to death.
Both individuals present were startled by her. It is common for eunuchs to choose their food, but someone like Xiao Duo does not seem the type to take risks for a woman. Li Meiren, unaware of the circumstances, could not think of any other reason and truly followed Tongyun's line of thought, "If it were really like that, being able to follow him, even if we cannot have the reality of a husband and wife relationship, at least he wields immense power, and I would not have to worry for the rest of my life. For people like us, what future is there to speak of? If he can treat you well, then just make do and get by!" If it were really like that, being able to follow him, even if we cannot have the reality of a husband and wife relationship, at least he wields immense power, and I would not have to worry for the rest of my life. For people like us, what future is there to speak of? If he can treat you well, then just make do and get by!
Those medicines were somewhat effective. She tried them, and although her voice was hoarse and grating, she was finally able to speak. She called out to Tongyun a couple of times and heard hurried footsteps in the corridor. Tongyun quickly entered to see her, saying, "My lady, you are awake? You have slept for quite a long time. I didn't wake you because I saw you were sleeping well. The meal time has passed, so I had someone simmering soup on the stove, and I will bring it to you right away."
Yin Lou shook her head; upon entering the palace, she was completely in the dark, only recognizing those who lived in the same quarters as her in Qianxi No. 5. Regardless, she could not guess anything for now; she would naturally know when they met. Next, she had to worry about other matters, having received such great kindness from others, yet still unsure how she was to repay it
Yin Lou was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, repeatedly waving his hands.
"Stop guessing randomly," Yin Lou wrote on the paper, "It is true that eunuchs seek out lower-ranking concubines. If he were interested in me, how could he allow me to take the title of Grand Consort?"
She fell silent and said, "So many people died in the palace in one day, I am a bit scared. Don't go anywhere, just stay here with me."
Yin Lou stared blankly at the ceiling, thinking to himself that he had made a significant contribution, instantly elevating his status by several generations, truly a matter of great pride
Li Meiren entered and said: "What pleasantries, just lie down quickly." She stepped onto the footstool and sat beside her, speaking gently, "I received a message from Eunuch Yan to come and see you... How are you feeling now?"
In a state between half-dreaming and half-awake, her mind remained relatively agile, recalling many trivial past events with a mix of thoughts. It was unclear how much time had passed when the sound of gongs and drums from the south erupted, resonating like a rainbow in her ears, startling her into a cold sweat. Opening her eyes, she realized that it was already dark outside. During the mourning period, all the palace lanterns were draped in white gauze, and the lights under the eaves flickered dimly. The thought that everyone within the five houses had perished, leaving her alone, suddenly filled her with a chilling sense of dread.
As Tong Yun was about to respond, the curtain at the door was lifted, and a tall man entered. Ying Lou focused intently and, under the light, saw that the man had striking features; it was actually Xiao Duo.
"This is quite strange, why would I help you without any prior relationship?" Tong Yun tidied up the cabinet and, upon raising her eyes, saw the belongings of her roommate Zheng Xuan's servant, which made her heart feel heavy. "When a person dies, it seems as if everything loses its color. Please wait a moment, I will go out and ask someone to move the trunk and cage from that side, so you won't have to see it and feel sad"
Yin Lou knew that she had sought help from Yan Sunlang. Regardless of whether she was ultimately saved because of her, during the most difficult times, she was able to think of her, and she cherished this sentiment. Unable to speak, she had Tong Yun bring ink and brush, and wrote stroke by stroke: "I appreciate your kindness, thank you for taking care of me."
Li Meiren let out a sound, "What noble person is this? At this moment, when the winds and clouds are changing dramatically, is there still the thought of saving others?"
Yin Lou is still quite young, having just turned sixteen this year, and previously had only a rudimentary understanding of matters between men and women. Later, upon entering the palace, she received specialized instruction, aimed at preparing her for the Emperor's sudden summons. Therefore, she has some foundational knowledge in that regard. The place where the eunuchs are castrated is precisely the area used for consummation, and since it is no longer there, they cannot be considered men. Thus, the so-called consummation referred to by Li Meiren is likely just sleeping on a bed together
Yin Lou was so exasperated that she rolled her eyes; this girl has lost her mind. At first, she was sobbing and crying as if it were a serious matter, but then she started talking nonsense.
Li Meiren spoke again about the current situation, and everyone felt a sense of bewilderment. After sitting for a while, they left. She now resides east of the imperial city with Yan Sunlang. Those who hold a prominent position in the Board of Rites have private residences outside the palace, and since they have extensive connections, bringing a few people in and out every day is not a problem. Although the emperor has recently passed away, leading to stricter gate regulations, as long as one possesses the jade token at the waist, it serves as an unobstructed guarantee.
Everyone knows her silly pride; when she disapproves, she believes it means she is unwilling. Tongyun murmured, "If you only look at the upper half, even that alone is a beauty that stands out among a hundred! I heard people chatting about how Lord Xiao entered the Kun Ning Palace from the Cheng Qian Palace, and how he became the Chief Inspector of the Eastern Factory. This person has a certain ruthlessness and is decisive in his actions; otherwise, how could he have risen from a minor role to the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs in just six years? Don't be fooled by the Eastern Factory's notorious reputation; such people have either suffered or know how to empathize with others."
Tong Yun nodded repeatedly, climbed onto the foot of the bed and knelt on the edge of the kang to spread the quilt, mumbling: "Yes, yes, you should rest well, this is much more exhausting than suffering from a serious illness, almost ended up at the gates of hell. Those incense and candles were not bought in vain, later we will make a vow, thank the Bodhisattva for saving us from suffering."
Tong Yun approached and asked, "Could it be that you have an old acquaintance, my lord?"
She was speaking here when outside, Cao Chun'ang came in carrying several packages of medicine, standing at the door and calling out: "These are sent by our supervisor, for the ancestor to nourish her voice and calm her spirit. Remember, take one dose a day, boil three bowls of water down to one bowl, and in just a few days, she will recover."
The sound of sorrow wanted to escape, but her throat was choked, making it difficult to breathe. Yan Sunlang had brought Li Meiren out of Qianxi Wusuo, and at the beginning of the hour, everyone was receiving the imperial decree for the funeral, witnessing a scene of utter desolation, which she completely failed to see. She wished to describe it to her, but unfortunately felt powerless, and could only cry incessantly.
Tong Yun received the news from Cao Chun'ang and came over from the Palace of the Imperial Concubines. Upon entering, she embraced Yin Lou and exclaimed, "My master, I just had someone buy gold ingot candles outside the palace, yet I never expected you to still be alive!" She clasped her hands together in prayer and said, "Amitabha, truly a blessing from the Bodhisattva! Such great fortune, what good karma must have been cultivated in a past life! Quickly let me take a look..." After a thorough examination, she noticed the marks on her chin and choked up again, saying, "I sent you to the wooden bed and was then driven out. I have no idea what happened afterward; I thought there was no hope left. Who would have known... Please tell me what happened. Do you have any tricks for surviving hanging?"
The more it is depicted, the more vivid it becomes, yet the sound tower remains silent, seemingly anxious. Dipping the brush in ink, it was written: "What he just said in person is a matter of loyalty; that noble person will come to see me later."
Yin Lou was lying crookedly on the carp brocade pillow, feeling empty inside, her mind had come to a halt, as if it were filled with glue, with no plans whatsoever. She pulled the bedding up to cover her face and turned to the side before she began to cry. In the end, she did not even know what she was crying about, only feeling disheartened and dejected, her tears soaking the pillowcase beneath her face
Alright, alright. She wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said, "The matter has passed, everything will be fine. Do not dwell on the unpleasant things; it is enough that we are still alive."
Tongyun was taken aback when he heard him refer to the music building as "Old Ancestor". Not knowing how to inquire further, he escorted the person down the steps and returned to peek at the person on the kang, saying: "Xiaochunzi calls you 'Old Ancestor', isn't that quite unusual!"
Unbeknownst to her, it was surprisingly cold. She rubbed her arms and took out a green brocade jacket from the box to put on. Looking at the scene in the courtyard, she felt a sense of unique desolation. The eunuchs from the Hall of Supreme Harmony came in to clean, moving the boxes and cages from the other rooms outside, rummaging through the courtyard, taking a few items to return to the Heavenly Lady's residence, while the rest were gathered into their own possession. At this moment, the eunuchs were the happiest, as the girls selected to enter the palace came from respectable backgrounds, and the jewelry and clothing accompanying them were all of high quality. Before leaving, they left the valuable items for the attendants, as well as things like sandalwood fans, pouches, mirror cases, and clothing bags, discarding those useless items from the palace. When someone came in to clean, they conveniently took everything away. The eunuchs were thoroughly pleased at this time, as the girls selected to enter the palace came from respectable backgrounds, and the jewelry and clothing accompanying them were all of high quality. Before leaving, they left the valuable items for the attendants, as well as things like sandalwood fans, pouches, mirror cases, and clothing bags, discarding those useless items from the palace. The eunuchs were all-pervasive, and those without power or influence were driven to desperation, not caring whether the items belonged to the deceased. They quietly entrusted someone to take them outside the palace, either exchanging them for silver or sending them home, which was a rare source of income for the water office.
Tong Yun said: "It is almost midnight, there is a round of mourning ahead, has it disturbed your rest?"
Whether it is good or bad luck is secondary; what matters is that one can save a life, so why worry about anything else! As for Master Xiao, if it weren't for Yan Shao giving him some face, then..." Tong Yun pondered for a while, then turned her gaze in astonishment to her mistress, "Could it be that he has taken a liking to you and wants to make you his partner?"
Li Meiren forced a smile and said: "The way you put it makes me feel rather embarrassed. I mentioned it to Eunuch Yan the other day, and he just sneered at me, saying I was like a clay statue crossing the river, with enough leisure to worry about others. After repeated pleas, he finally relented and said that it was Lord Xiao who would see off the Lady Chaotian, as he had other matters to attend to. He does not hold the authority to administer punishment, so he cannot take any action himself; he only promised to mention it in front of the Supervisor, and whether it works or not depends on your own fortune. At that time, I sensed that his tone was not very promising. I don't know if you have heard of this Xiao Duo; he is sour-faced and cold-hearted, with a temper that is hard to control. How could he possibly have the kindness to save someone unrelated like a *tu* *shu* person! He does not hold the authority to administer punishment, so he cannot take any action himself; he only promised to mention it in front of the Supervisor, and whether it works or not depends on your own fortune. At that time, I sensed that his tone was not very promising. I don't know if you have heard of this Xiao Duo; he is sour-faced and cold-hearted, with a temper that is hard to control. How could he possibly have the kindness to save someone unrelated like a *tu* *shu* person! But today, for some reason, he is willing to lend a helping hand, and he even went through such a roundabout way to grant you the title of Duanfei. Does Eunuch Yan have that much influence? I fear there may be other reasons behind this!"
Yin Lou struggled to sit up, "What time is it?"
Cao Chun'ang smiled and said, "No need to be polite, the supervisor has already given the orders. If the ancestors are in need of anything, just ask the Internal Affairs Office for it; no one dares to intentionally create difficulties."
The five residences of Ganxi are now deserted, with the master buried alongside. The palace attendants have all been sent back to the Bureau of Imperial Concubines to await further assignments. The corridor that was bustling just yesterday is now left with only a few birdcages hanging from the eaves, swaying gently in the wind. Yinlou stands by the window; it has been a while since the events transpired, and now things are gradually calming down.
All of Zheng Xuan's belongings have been cleared away, and the faint sound of Li Meiren can be heard in the courtyard. The sound tower lifted the mattress and peered outside through the narrow gap, seeing the slender figure through the crimson gauze window. She quickly pursed her lips and sat up.
Eunuch Cao is the godson of Xiao Duo, and he carries great prestige wherever he goes. Although he is young, no one dares to treat him with disrespect. Tong Yun hurriedly approached him, bowing and saying: "The Director is truly a great benefactor; please convey our gratitude to his esteemed self on behalf of our master"
Tong Yun stood by in a daze, exclaiming in surprise: "Has our master been promoted to the rank of consort? Is it possible to receive a title without a burial sacrifice?"
Yin Lou was curious about her current life and wondered how well Eunuch Yan treated her. When pressed for details, Li Meiren hesitated and stammered, only saying after a long pause, "The affairs in the palace are busy, and I haven't had the chance to consummate the marriage yet." At that time, she found it quite strange that eunuchs could consummate a marriage. She thought that as long as two people sat face to face and shared a meal, it would suffice, as in "sharing a meal together".
Yin Lou shook her head, indicating that she did not recognize them at first. Moreover, there were others behind the scenes, and she herself was puzzled, unable to understand what was happening
Her throat was swollen, making it impossible for her to speak, and she truly felt exhausted. She pointed to the kang, intending to lie down for a while
That being said, Li Meiren and Tongyun fell silent. After a moment of reflection, she continued: "Isn't it necessary for you to guard the tomb? To guard the tomb, you must leave the palace. Once you leave the palace, it will be much easier. Xiao Duo has a residence outside, and it will be even simpler to secretly take you out of Tai Ling."