Chapter 2, The First Bloom

Passing through the corridor, one arrives at the front courtyard where the talented women reside, and the four noble ladies enter through the Zhongcui Gate of the front courtyard

The night is cool; my lord, have a sip of hot tea to ward off the chill

"The servant pays respects to Lady Fu, Lady Yi, Lady Jing, and Lady Rong!" The words taught by my aunt have long been ingrained in my mind, yet upon truly encountering the masters who hold the power to determine one's fate, each person's heart began to pound.

The main hall, Cining Palace, is centrally located, featuring corridors at the front and back, topped with a double-eaved hip roof made of yellow glazed tiles. It has a width of seven bays, with the central five bays each opening with four-panel double-hinged doors adorned with diamond-shaped latticework. In front of the hall, there is a terrace with three steps at the center and one step on each side, where four gilded bronze incense burners are placed. On the east and west sides, there are barrier walls, each with a drooping flower gate.

The coarse blanket, still revealing the cotton stuffing, enveloped a person who slept heavily, eyes tightly shut, with two streaks of tears lingering on the cheeks—evidently, they had not bathed or groomed themselves for two or three days.

Standing behind the noble lady, Jing Ning carefully tended to her hair, one stroke at a time

On the second day, Jingning woke up early and accompanied Noble Consort Fu to pay respects at Cining Palace and Kunning Palace. After that, she requested leave and went to the Laundry Bureau

At this moment, Dong Fuxi was already sweating profusely and, upon hearing his name mentioned, hurriedly nodded his head

Jing Ning lowered her head, only seeing a few pairs of embroidered shoes with flower pot soles gradually approaching.

Around the palace, bronze tripods are placed, with charcoal crackling inside, heat rising, completely dispelling the chill from outside

It is said that today, accompanying the aunt from the Shouxi Palace, are four newly conferred noblewomen, among whom two are former female officials who were highly favored previously

Dressed neatly, Jingning and twenty-seven other women from the Eight Banners stood in the backyard of the second courtyard of the Zhongcui Palace

In the chilly night, the noble lady Dong Fu Xi had just been startled, feeling anxious and bewildered at this moment. Jing Ning thoughtfully draped a mink fur cloak over her shoulders and led her to a less conspicuous place

Compared to her bright and charming appearance when she first arrived, she has clearly lost a lot of weight and looks much more haggard. The continuous labor over the past few days has caused blisters to form on her already rough hands, and she is dressed in coarse cloth, with disheveled hair still clinging to sweat

The red clay sedan chair followed the small path along the palace wall, bypassing the Qianqing Gate, and to the north lies the Cining Palace

"Lift up your faces, so that the masters can see you clearly!" What reached the ears was an exceedingly obsequious voice

"Then I want to follow my sister, is that alright?" Ying's eyes were filled with tears, her face full of pleading.

"What is so difficult? Please tell me about it." Niuhulu Dongzhu leisurely picked up a crystal plum and put it in her mouth

"It won't be long; once Yingzhui grows up a bit, she will leave here." She always remembered Sister Ning's comforting words.

"I am deeply honored by your praise, my lord; I feel unworthy of it." Jing Ning humbly expressed her gratitude, yet her heart was filled with a myriad of thoughts. It was indeed for this reason that, despite her countless speculations, she had never anticipated it.

The people in the palace have their eyes placed at the tip of their noses; they can sense which master is favored and thus flatter not only the master but also the attendants. Jingning, being a newly promoted noble's personal maid, is treated differently by Mama Li compared to the other palace servants, as even when dealing with a dog, one must still consider the master.

The weather at dusk is particularly cold, and the breath exhaled turns into white mist

"Yingzhui, wake up, it's time to take your medicine!"

"Good child, you must be obedient," Jing Ning gently stroked her head, feeling both helpless and resigned, "It is not that elder sister has a heart of stone, but rather that the palace rules are difficult to navigate"

The East Wind releases a thousand trees of blossoms at night, and further blows down the stars like rain. The fragrant path is filled with the scent of fine horses and carved carriages. The sound of the phoenix flute stirs, the light of the jade pot turns, and throughout the night, the fish and dragons dance.

Old Lady Li hurriedly accepted the red envelope, a hint of a flattering smile appearing on her face

"To take in a person?" Niu Hulu Dongzhu slightly pursed her lips, her gaze carrying a deeper significance, "That day, I beseeched my grandmother to bring you here, but she did not agree, and I was left with no choice."

"The allocation and dispatch of the palace servants have always been the responsibility of the Shuxiu Palace, determined by Her Majesty the Empress. Sister Dong'e's blatant attempt to take credit is rather disrespectful to Her Majesty the Empress." The gentle voice spoke the harshest words, while the noble Consort Rong, dressed in the same exquisite palace attire, sat nearby, her slender fingers lightly caressing her round belly, observing coldly with a gaze full of indifference.

In front of the Cining Palace, there is a narrow, elongated square oriented east-west, with the Yongkang Left Gate and Yongkang Right Gate at either end, and the Changxin Gate on the south side. The Cining Gate faces north, and there is a high platform corridor connecting it to the main hall. On both the east and west sides of the courtyard, there are covered walkways that turn south to connect with the Cining Gate, extending northward directly to the east and west side rooms of the rear sleeping quarters.

Long ago, a eunuch went to report that Jingning was supporting Noble Consort Fu as she descended from the sedan chair, just in time to see three soft sedan chairs parked in front of the hall.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Empress Dowager turned her gaze to several newly elevated noblewomen, paused for a moment, and said with a smile, "Today, Noble Consort Fu's makeup is quite unique, and her attire is also very appropriate"

There is always hope, even though she knows that entering the palace means a fate of dying old within its confines. However, those with good fortune may leave at the age of twenty-five, and that is the only comfort she can offer herself

But how could she, a mere daughter of a concubine, possess neither power nor influence, and yet attract the favor of the Grand Inspector?

Queen Hesheli Fangyi raised her slender fingers, picked up the teacup on the table, and said with a slight smile, "What the Empress Dowager said is true. Since Sister Dongzhu likes it, occasionally making an exception is not a big deal. However, I must thank Noble Consort Fu; although it was an oversight, it has served as a reminder for several newly promoted noble ladies."

Jing Ning bowed slightly and said, "At the imperial banquet, with the Emperor and Empress in attendance, the master is naturally beautiful and already radiant. If adorned with red hairpins and jewelry, it would surely overshadow the other concubines."

Although Dong Fuxi is a newly elevated noble, having spent many years in the inner palace, she naturally understands the intricacies involved. However, she did not expect that a maid could not only speak without leaving any loopholes but also possess such delicate ingenuity, which led her to admire Jing Ning even more.

The Forbidden City is sleepless tonight

"Master, this servant is willing to die a thousand deaths." Jing Ning knelt down on the ground with a thud.

The Palace of Compassion and Tranquility is so quiet that even the sound of a falling needle can be heard

The exquisite porcelain cup, adorned with patterns of koi fish and blue lotus, though not precious, holds steaming fragrant tea that is particularly enjoyable in the cold wind. Dong Fuxi gently took a sip, warmth entering her, transforming into a sigh of relief, "Indeed, the inner palace is fraught with dangers, making it hard to guard against; today was truly perilous"

Suddenly, a clear and melodious voice came from above, "What is your name?"

Why was she chosen? Why did this fortunate person select her alone, instead of anyone else?

"Please rise, there is no need for excessive formalities among family members." The warm and gentle voice came from the front, causing those kneeling on the ground to secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

This humble servant pays her respects to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Noble Consort

Dong Fuxi's shoulders trembled slightly, yet she forced a smile, "Sister Rong's reprimand is indeed warranted... I have only recently entered the palace, and I will surely become well-acquainted with the palace rules upon my return. I hope that the Empress Dowager and Her Majesty the Empress will impose punishment."

The noble lady sat before the bronze mirror, carefully examining herself, and then looked at Jing Ning with a smile that seemed neither fully a smile nor fully serious, saying, "Tonight, everyone will be scheming to steal the spotlight; why have you instead dressed me in this manner"

Dong Fuxi shook her head and sighed softly, "What crime have you committed? It was I who chose you, and it was I who tacitly approved of the adornments you wear. If there is any fault, it is mine for having entered the imperial family; I was destined to face this calamity."

She did not understand why she bestowed such favors upon herself. However, she was aware that such kindness, for a palace maid of lowly status, was likely a misfortune rather than a blessing

The "Rites of Zhou" stipulates: The Son of Heaven establishes one Empress, three Consorts, nine Concubines, twenty-seven Ladies of the House, and eighty-one Wives. In total, there are one hundred and twenty-one individuals

Niu Hulu Dongzhu, still unwilling to give up, pleaded with a sense of sorrow. The Empress Dowager, feeling helpless, could only glare slightly and mildly reproach, "All the concubines are present, do not cause a ruckus!" Then she turned to Jingning on the ground and said, "You may also rise, the Noble Consort has a childlike temperament, her emotions are easily swayed. In the future, you should visit the Chengqian Palace more often; I believe Noble Lady Fu will not hold any grievances."

Taking the bowl of prepared medicinal soup from the food box, I carefully scooped some out and placed it in a porcelain bowl to feed her, "Is this alright? Now, Yingzhui, drink your medicine obediently. Once you feel better, I will think of a way for you, sister."

The celebratory banquet will be held at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and at that time, the ministers of the court and the imperial consorts are required to attend. In addition to the Empress Dowager and the Empress, the various concubines of the imperial harem may also participate

The backyard features a door opening into the main room, with a hard mountain-style roof covered in yellow glazed tiles. The eaves are adorned with Su-style decorative paintings, and there are unique side rooms on both sides. Not far away, in the southwest corner, there is a well pavilion. Everywhere is exquisite, everywhere is splendid, showcasing the prosperity of a flourishing era

Originally, there were no concubines, and it was not permitted to move away from the Zhongcui Palace. However, these four newly elevated noblewomen did not reside with the other ladies, which indicates the great favor bestowed by the Emperor.

This is the noblewoman Ma Jia Shi Yun Zhen, born in the Xiang Huang Banner, who entered the palace three years earlier than Dong Fu Xi. The saying goes that a mother is honored through her child, and now that she is pregnant with a dragon's offspring, her value has increased significantly. There have been rumors in the imperial harem these past few days that she is about to be promoted to the rank of Gui Pin.

The one in charge of the laundry bureau is an elderly matron, surnamed Li, whom the palace maids all refer to as Aunt Li

The one leading should be a maid from the Shuxiu Palace

Jingning once again bowed deeply and said, "Your Highness, I humbly request that you accept the maidservant, Su Yingzhu, who is a miscellaneous servant in the Laundry Bureau."

The meticulously arranged sideburns are adorned with a flag headpiece made of azure satin, embroidered with a pattern of lark and golden chrysanthemum, inlaid with five pieces of fragmented jade, and a deep red peony is placed at the center. On the left shoulder, a long tassel of pearls and jade hangs down. This decoration is in accordance with the status of nobility; one can imagine that the flower atop the queen's head today must be a splendid and majestic peony

Originally, the purpose of coming to the Zhongcui Palace was not this, and the candidates had been predetermined. Aside from having a respectable background and an average appearance, those who remained were, in fact, women of moderate looks; those who were exceptionally beautiful, apart from Jingning, were all excluded from the list of candidates.

This humble servant is deeply grateful for the praise from the Imperial Noble Consort, and feels quite flustered

In the crook of her arm, Jingning held a food box, while in her hand she also managed a delicate and compact warming stove, intricately designed with hollowed-out gold plating, encased in a red clay cover, radiating warmth and gently emitting white mist.

Holding a substantial red envelope, Jingning gently tucked it into Li Momo's sleeve

Noble Lady Dong E, known as Fu Gui Ren, resides in one of the Western Six Palaces, specifically in the Yan Hong Hall of the Sa Kun Palace. Also residing there is Noble Lady Guo Luo Luo, known as Sang Yu, who is located in the Yuan He Hall to the west.

When he saw the sorrowful tears in Yingzhu's eyes, Jingning finally came to his senses

After a long while, there was no word from above. She did not dare to move, nor did she dare to raise her head. Her tightly clenched palms were already damp with moisture.

Jingning supported the noble lady Fu Guiren to her seat at the banquet, while he stood behind her, lowering his head and not daring to breathe loudly

The Empress sat with the Imperial Noble Consort Niu Hulu Dongzhu, the daughter of the first-class minister Ebilun, who, despite her young age, was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager. Therefore, she was relatively more at ease compared to the other consorts. "It seems that the sister from the Dong'e family has good taste, having chosen a clever and skillful maid. Even I find her quite likable!"

The verification process was not as arduous as imagined. The matron of the Shouxi Palace had only reviewed it a few times before selecting several women from the upper three banners. The remaining candidates were also quickly chosen and assigned.

The noble person was filled with joy, hurriedly casting a glance towards her side, "Why aren't you quickly going to express your gratitude? The noble consort has spoken highly of you, which is indeed a tremendous blessing for you"

Your Highness, I humbly dare to request a matter of you

Looking left and right, she chose the hairpin adorned with a headpiece of the three friends of winter, inlaid with pearls and set with a point of emerald. The hairpin is made of cloisonné, inlaid with seven round and smooth pearls, simple yet elegant. At the top of the hairpin, several rows of pearl tassels hang down, swaying continuously with her movements. She wore a pair of pearl earrings and a bracelet made of eighteen emerald beads.

"In response to Your Majesty, this humble servant's surname is Wuya, and my lowly name is Jingning" She spoke in a soft and delicate voice, becoming even more humble

The fifteenth day of the first month in the twelfth year of the Kangxi era is the Lantern Festival

Jingning bowed his head and hurried to the center of the hall to kneel and express his gratitude.

In the bitterly cold days of winter, such items are the most effective for warmth. This was bestowed by the noble consort Niuhulu yesterday

Gritting her teeth, she finally spoke out.

Jingning bowed deeply, and then rose with a face full of shame

The noble lady is of the Yellow Banner lineage, which is considered to be of a higher status compared to the noble lady of the White Banner. However, she is kind-hearted, treating even servants like Jingning with great kindness.

Jingning accompanies on both sides

Although the struggles among the concubines are often based on rumors, she ultimately feels that she is the one who has harmed Lady Fu.

Having said that, she arched her phoenix-like eyes and smiled as she cast a glance at the few individuals with their heads bowed. Wherever her gaze fell, there was a palpable silence, and they all nodded submissively, saying "yes".

On the dilapidated and shabby communal bed, lay Yingzhui, who had been ill for several days

But she does not know how much growing up really means, nor how long she must wait

After the imperial banquet, it is time to enjoy the lanterns in the Imperial Garden

For a long time, there has been a legendary figure within the high walls of the Forbidden City, namely the Empress Dowager residing in the Cining Palace. This woman, hailing from the Khorchin tribe of Mongolia, experienced three reigns and participated in one court struggle after another, possessing exceptional political talent, and is a pivotal figure in the Qing Dynasty

How can Miss Ning say such a thing? If the young lady commands, this old servant will certainly do my utmost

In the distance, the fireworks are magnificent, and the colorful firecrackers adorn the night sky of the Forbidden City with exceptional brilliance. At this moment, dragon lanterns have already begun to dance in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, with the twin dragons twisting and turning, winding towards the enormous dragon pearl ahead, all vying for a good omen

Gazing at the mountain of clothes piled in the wooden basin, she sometimes couldn't help but stare blankly.

The moon illuminates the night, filling it with the brilliance of spring, while people resemble flowers in bloom, their horses never pausing. In this moment, the Imperial Garden is alive with dancing shadows and flickering lights, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. Originally a place adorned with vibrant flowers, it is now decorated with ice sculptures of various shapes. Large blocks of ice have been intricately carved into designs of flowers, birds, fish, insects, and architectural forms, becoming even more crystal clear and charming amidst the lights.

It is said that she despises women who are excessively alluring. In the imperial harem, apart from those noble consorts of high birth, the others possess only modest beauty, and the few who are strikingly beautiful are either driven away or held in disdain by her. Today, when four esteemed ladies came to pay their respects, her expression was indifferent, revealing no signs of joy or anger.

But unexpectedly, it was those delicate hands, as soft as if they had no bones, that helped her up

Take out the ceremonial robe that has been pressed and smooth for several days, and Jingning will assist Noble Lady Fu in dressing. The brown robe features a black collar with golden floral patterns, complemented by a light green coat with black edges and golden embroidery. The cloud shoulders are adorned with square koi fish patterns, and both the collar and cuffs are trimmed with mink fur. Made of brocade cotton, the material is exceptionally warm and suitable for cold weather

Silence, stillness

The four distinguished individuals exchanged greetings with one another and then, under the guidance of Granny Su, proceeded into the Cining Palace

Before the banquet begins, all the imperial concubines must pay their respects to the Empress Dowager in the Cining Palace, and only then, under the guidance of the Empress, may they enter the Taihe Hall

"I, a humble servant, am aware of my transgressions... I implore Your Majesty, the Empress, to punish me..." Dong Fuxi hurriedly knelt down on the ground

Yesterday was a day of unexpected events, though the initial trouble was caused by her. However, due to the subsequent reassurances, the noble lady felt somewhat relieved, which brought the relationship between the master and servant closer. It was then that Jing Ning took a moment of respite to fetch some food and went to see Ying Zhu.

Sister Ning, I... I want to go home..." She hugged Jing Ning and cried out with a "Wow." It is truly terrifying here, working day and night, with the supervising matron often losing her temper and taking it out on them. She no longer wishes to climb the social ladder; she only hopes to be able to leave.

The Empress Dowager felt somewhat weary, so she simply decided to let things be. She waved her hand and said, "Noble Consort, please rise. It is not easy to enter the palace at such a young age. Just pay more attention in the future."

In my youth, I was naive and lacked understanding, so please feel free to admonish me, Aunt Li. However, I hope that you can show me a bit more compassion, considering my humble position.

Su Yingzhuo groggily opened her eyes, struggled for a while, and sat up. "Sister Ning, you are here!"

After a while, Empress He Shen Li Fang Yi looked at Noble Lady Dong Fu Xi with a smile that seemed to conceal more than it revealed, and said slowly: "Originally, it would not be a problem for younger sister Dong Zhu to take a liking to someone, but according to the regulations, the lower five banners' concubines are not permitted to serve the Imperial Concubine. As a Noble Lady, younger sister Dong E should be aware of this, shouldn't she..."

"Uya Jingning is indeed a beautiful name, Grandmother. Dongzhu wants her, is that alright?" Niuhulu Dongzhu said while playfully tugging at the arm of the Empress Dowager.

Seeing Yingzhui, who looked sickly, Jingning had no other choice but to come and seek her help. However, the moment she knelt in the Chengqian Palace, she regretted it.

Dong Fuxi hurriedly rose to her feet, humbly expressing her gratitude, "This lowly servant is ashamed, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has overpraised me!"

Jingning gently caressed her face, noticing that she had lost weight after not seeing her for a few days. "I have prepared some medicine for you and also brought some snacks."

After serving in the Yan Hong Hall for several days, Jing Ning would occasionally run to the Laundry Bureau to visit Ying Zhu

The imperial harem has long been established, with different ranks among the consorts, and the number of palace maids serving them varies accordingly. The Empress has ten palace maids, the Imperial Noble Consort and the Noble Consort each have eight palace maids, six serve the consorts, four are assigned to the Noble Ladies, while those of the lowest rank, the常在 and the答应, have only two to three maids. Currently, there are already four palace maids in the Yan Hong Hall; how can she arrange for her to be included among them

At this moment, Jingning's gaze drifted to the hollowed-out heater

In the imperial harem, the noble consort may act with arrogance, the empress may be domineering, but the favored ones must not overstep their bounds. If it were not for today's makeup, Noble Consort Niuhulu would not have noticed this little maid. The empress was already dissatisfied with several newly promoted favored ones, and now having seized this opportunity, it is likely that Lady Fu will not have an easy time in the days to come

Exquisite and elongated nails, translucent and crystal-clear, adorned with vibrant and colorful paintings outlined in gold powder, encased in armor crafted from gold and jade, shimmering with a soft glow akin to scattered gold. This is an ultimate luxury reserved for those of the highest rank, such as a noble consort.

Before the emperor's grand wedding, eight palace maids older than the emperor must be selected to serve the emperor, thereby dedicating themselves to him. Each of the eight palace maids is given a title and assigned one of the four official positions in the palace: Chief Accountant, Chief of the Inner Chambers, Chief of Ceremonies, and Chief of the Gate.

Opening the exquisite jewelry box, one is dazzled by the brilliant array of various ornaments inside. The hairpins of the imperial consorts are seasonal; during the winter and spring, they wear gold hairpins, and only after the beginning of summer should they replace the gold hairpins with jade ones. However, today's occasion is not suitable for wearing gold hairpins

Jingning sat by the bed and reached out to feel, her forehead was still warm

According to the regulations of the Qing Dynasty's imperial harem, the emperor's grandmother is referred to as the Empress Dowager, and his mother as the Empress. The Empress Dowager and the Empress reside in the Cining Palace, accompanied by the Grand Consorts and Consorts. The Empress presides over the central palace, managing the affairs of the harem. Under the Empress, there is one Imperial Noble Consort, two Noble Consorts, four Consorts, and six Concubines, who are distributed among the six palaces in the east and west. Below the Concubines, there are Noble Persons, Regular Attendants, and Respondents, with no fixed number, distributed among the six palaces in accordance with the Imperial Noble Consort.

Although there are no specific regulations in the palace, the accessories worn by the concubines in the harem should not be overly extravagant; otherwise, it would overshadow the Empress and be considered a great disrespect. While golden hairpins are dazzling, they can easily draw attention away from other concubines. The masters may desire to be eye-catching, but as servants, we must always put in extra thought for our masters and should pay attention to avoid any unnecessary troubles.

The Empress and several other concubines followed the gaze of the Empress Dowager and could not help but murmur their praises. The Empress Hesheli Fangyi was originally a woman of mediocre beauty, yet adorned in a dark ceremonial crown and robe, with a necklace of eighteen large East Sea pearls at her chest, she appeared particularly dignified and magnificent

No wonder my father strongly recommended you to me; you truly have a clear understanding

Before the Empress Dowager could speak, Dong Fuxi took the initiative to say, "If the Imperial Noble Consort likes it, then take it away. To serve the Imperial Noble Consort is the greatest fortune for this lowly maid!"

She wanted to please Noble Consort Niuhulu, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she found herself choking on them.

"Yingzhui wants to go home, I know, but it is not possible right now; you must wait until you grow up." She helped her smooth the stray hairs at her temples, then draped an outer robe over her shoulders.

At this time of year, the Forbidden City always sets up the Ao Mountain lanterns, and the Imperial Household Department must raise crickets in the autumn of the previous year. After lighting the lanterns, they place the crickets inside. Enjoying the lanterns while listening to the sound of the insects is quite ingenious

Are you going? In the vast harem, only the Chengqian Palace is missing a palace maid, and coincidentally, the other palace maids are either ill or have left. How to measure this, there is only one opportunity.

In response to Your Highness, this servant... this servant wishes to earnestly request Your Highness to take in someone

Jingning's shoulder trembled, and her heart tightened sharply; the Empress was reprimanding Concubine Fugui for disregarding the palace rules

In the palace, the rules dictate that when palace maids pay their respects, they must clasp their hands together and place them on their chests. Their gaze must not be raised nor leveled, but should fall upon the shoulders of their masters. Therefore, even if the matron instructs them to look up, no one would truly meet the gaze directly.