Chapter 5

In the past, they would say, "I am a palace servant, and I do not engage in roughhousing with men. The money is not much, it is just a token, so please do not look down on it. I have matters to attend to, so I must return now. You should also head towards the west of the city, as it would not do to delay for too long." Saying this, she retreated into the palace gate and turned back the way she came.

The emperor let out a sound and said, "That sounds good, we shall set off on the ninth of next month, I am counting on you."

Remove the burden from your shoulders, and you will walk more freely. Return the sign to the office, and when you return to the main house, the elder Madam Xui will summon you to give instructions. "The inspector has come, and this matter cannot be avoided. Do not be afraid when questioned; speak honestly, and no one can do anything to you."

Hong Xun raised his hands in salute and lightly kicked the ground with his toes, saying, "Why aren't you quickly thanking His Majesty for his mercy in not executing you!"

The sun was shining brightly, casting a reflection of jumping gold on the bright yellow glazed tiles atop the red walls. She recalled the Emperor's assessment of her, stating that her impetuousness made her unworthy of managing others. Then, thinking of the little palace maid in the room who had been calling her "Auntie," she felt utterly humiliated. She raised her face and let out a wail, lamenting that she was about to leave the palace while still engaging in such self-deprecating behavior, which was a disgrace to her ancestors. Every day, she held herself high, reprimanding others, yet here she was, so lacking in dignity; just thinking about it made her feel mortified. She raised her face and let out a wail, lamenting that she was about to leave the palace while still engaging in such self-deprecating behavior, which was a disgrace to her ancestors. Every day, she held herself high, reprimanding others, yet here she was, so lacking in dignity; just thinking about it made her feel mortified.

Thus, the items cleared from Cui Er's tatami were presented to the Imperial Guard for inspection. Among them were three months' worth of salary for the officials, as well as two sets of clothing and a pair of shoes, all of which were given to her family. Furthermore, it was stated, "The person was found in the well in front of the lantern store. They have now been transported to the locust tree in the west. You may go there to collect the body."

After squatting for a while, I had to get up to attend to my duties. I headed north, passing through the Changkang Right Gate, and made my way diagonally through the Imperial Garden to the Zhenshun Gate, which was a shorter route. As I passed by the corner gate near the North Five Offices, it seemed that the rules inside were different from those in other places, with the supervising eunuch shouting and scolding Su La. Taking a glance inside, the official storage rooms were piled up as high as a mountain; if something were to roll down, it could crush a person. The smell was also unpleasant; it was bearable in autumn, but if it were in the height of summer, it would be suffocating.

She hurriedly replied, "In response to Your Majesty's words, this servant has not been assigned elsewhere and is serving in the Internal Affairs Office"

Hong Xun smiled and said, "Does the Emperor not know about E Nie's temperament? Once he settles in one place, he is unwilling to move. I am also not on good terms with the Emperor Father; when I see him, it is like a mouse encountering a cat. I will go to the Duke of Zhuang's residence to find my third uncle and ask him to speak to the Emperor Father; perhaps it will be somewhat effective. Whether they go or not is of no consequence; the two of them are living quite comfortably in Changchun Garden. The Emperor need not worry about them; just focus on managing matters in front of our ancestors."

The emperor found her voice quite pleasant and casually asked, "Which palace are you from? Under whose command do you serve?"

Upon hearing these words, her mind exploded with a thunderous sound. This is how it is in the palace; it is all too common to lose one's head in a state of confusion. She bit her lip, not daring to plead for mercy, fearing it would bring misfortune to her parents. She had already offended a calamity, having tried to avoid it at first, but now it seemed she would have to face the consequences here today

The emperor's tone carried a hint of sarcasm, "You preach discipline, yet you yourself are not upright; how can you lead others?" He snorted, "Get up!"

Thus, bowing his head in reverence, he replied, "I am a servant of the Bureau of Ceremonial Affairs, serving under the supervision of Matron Shangyi."

The emperor hummed in acknowledgment for a moment, without asking anything else, and walked towards the Danchi with his hands behind his back

The emperor pondered for a moment and then said, "Do you have any relatives in the family of Vice Governor Dachun?"

Standing to the side with her hands hanging down, no one noticed her as they chatted and laughed. She had a moment to relax and gradually calmed down from her panic. However, as soon as Prince Rui left, the Emperor turned back to look at her, and her heart immediately raced again. She felt that the embroidered silk of the Emperor's robe, depicting the waves of the sea, was dazzlingly bright, almost as if it were going to poke into her eyes.

The emperor nodded slightly and said, "It is better not to go, given the fatigue of the journey."

She squatted down and said, "In response to Your Majesty, I am a person under the banner, with parents at home, two brothers, and one younger sister. My father currently serves as a captain in the Fifth Banner, stationed at the Xishan Camp"

With a dry smile, she said, "Indeed, I am fortunate to be alive." She followed the sound of voices and saw Prince Rui practicing vigorously, his teeth clenched into the flesh, arms outstretched to create an imposing presence. The earlier incident was quickly forgotten, as if it had never happened. She wanted to express her gratitude but could not find the opportunity; staying in this place felt too eerie, so she hurriedly bid farewell to Ma Liu'er and slipped out through the Moonlight Gate

Thus, unable to discern the meaning behind his words, I responded in a straightforward manner, "The deputy governor is a servant of my father, and there are no connections in the older generation."

She quickened her pace and arrived at the entrance of Zhengshun Gate, showing her identification to the guards. Leaning out, she saw two men squatting by the wall outside, dressed in tattered garments with unkempt hair, clearly not the appearance of respectable individuals. She waved her hand and asked, "Are you from Cui'er's family?"

Thus, she felt her face flush with embarrassment from his two remarks. Over the past two years, her temper had also calmed down; unlike before when she would react like a fighting cock, she could now endure a few scoldings without feeling much pain. Moreover, this person held the power of life and death, and she had to be grateful for his leniency regardless of the circumstances. She humbly expressed her gratitude and stood up to serve, not daring to raise her eyes, only focusing on a square tile beneath her feet.

The emperor shares the same flaw as the old man; he does not like others to come too close. At this moment, having been unexpectedly bumped into, he naturally felt a surge of anger. Without saying a word, he disdainfully brushed off his shoulders. Just as he was about to lift his leg to leave, his youngest brother, Hongxun, from a distance, waved and approached with a cheerful smile, saying, "I am asking a favor from my brother the emperor. This palace maid once cleared a path for me in the snow. I hope my brother can show her some mercy this time!"

Old Lady Sui glanced at her, her gaze penetrating the heart. "I have told you, do not stir up trouble when there is none. The dead cannot speak, and in this palace, no one can meddle in others' affairs. It is crucial to prioritize your own safety, do you understand?"

Hong Xun shook his head, "Who is the Emperor's father? He wants to pretend to be a beggar; this is simply nonsense. I suspect it was instigated by the third uncle, and who knows, they might even team up together!"

Two people approached with nods and bows, saying, "Indeed, please convey my regards to the aunt."

Hong Xun should be, "The day before yesterday, I mentioned wanting to disguise myself as a beggar and go on a tour. I said it would be uncomfortable with too many people, and I would prefer to go with the Emperor Father, just the two of us"

A glimmer flashed in the emperor's eyes, his brows slightly furrowing before smoothing out again. He then spoke in a calm tone, "These two have been living comfortably. When I was a prince, I also had my share of duties outside and endured quite a bit of hardship, yet my mindset is quite open."

The emperor nodded and said, "Since we have a friendship, let her go this time."

Ma Liu'er huddled in the guardhouse, afraid to show his face. Only after the storm had passed did he come out to speak, "Amitabha, young lady, you have such great fortune; you have picked up a life for free! Fortunately, there is Prince Rui here; otherwise, by now, you would have already gone to receive incense at Enji Village."

He turned his face away to look outside the corridor and said to Hongxun, "Yesterday, I went to pay my respects to my ancestors. The ancestors mentioned the matter of the Rehe Palace. My father had once said during his reign that he would go to Chengde for the summer retreat, but year after year, there were always matters that delayed it. It was either famine among the people or conflicts instigated by the Tartars. Now that the world is peaceful, I am preparing to instruct the Ministry of Works to begin expanding the courtyard. My father advocated for frugality, and I remember his teachings, so I will not build excessively. The ancestors have expressed their wishes, and next year, during the beginning of summer, we will move there to stay for a while, fulfilling her wishes. Now that the world is peaceful, I am preparing to instruct the Ministry of Works to begin expanding the courtyard. My father advocated for frugality, and I remember his teachings, so I will not build excessively. The ancestors have expressed their wishes, and next year, during the beginning of summer, we will move there to stay for a while, fulfilling her wishes. You should go back and probe my father and E Nie to see if the two elders have any instructions."

Thus, upon seeing it, I was taken aback. "Please accept my condolences; it is taboo to cry in the palace, and if others see it, it will cause trouble." I took a piece of silver from my purse and said, "I do not have much savings, but this little money shall serve as my offering.

She felt uncertain in her heart, much like a commoner entering a government office, where even if there was nothing to fear, one could not help but feel apprehensive. Moreover, after contemplating the matter thoroughly, it seemed she had gleaned some clues, but given the stakes involved with her life and fortune, it was inconvenient to speak of it in front of others

The emperor paused for a moment and said slowly, "The Imperial Household Department has six bureaus; which bureau are you from?"

Only after he had walked far away did she dare to raise her head to look. She did not see the emperor's face directly, but even from the back, his imposing figure was not to be underestimated. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief. In the already cooling weather, her back was soaked with sweat, the fabric clinging to her body felt icy. She shivered violently and then realized that her palms were stinging with pain. It turned out that holding the pass for too long had pressed a deep groove into the base of her fingers, leaving all four fingertips numb.

This is a universal talisman for survival in the inner court, which is understood clearly in the heart, and one should promptly crouch down and respond accordingly

Two men waited outside the palace gate for four days. In fact, they had already had a premonition in their hearts, but when they truly received such news, they could not help but burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

To offend the sacred presence is a grave sin. Kneeling before the predecessors, I was so frightened by this scene that I broke out in a cold sweat. In a panic, I hurriedly lowered my head to the ground and prostrated myself, saying, "I deserve death, please show mercy, Your Majesty."

The emperor frowned, his face devoid of color. In such situations, he usually did not need to speak; the chief steward would handle it. The palace maids and eunuchs who had startled the emperor had no other option but to face execution. Rongshou, aware of the old customs, signaled to the eunuch on duty in the corridor, "What are you still dawdling for? Go ahead and beat them to death."

Her heart was pounding like a drum, and she thought she would not escape this calamity. Unexpectedly, the Prince Rui emerged and saved her life. She could not recall when she had cleared the snow or made a path for this nobleman, but she had to express her gratitude for his life-saving grace. It felt as if she had walked through hell; she bowed repeatedly, saying, "I thank Your Majesty for your grace, and I thank His Royal Highness for his grace."

The emperor is a skilled martial artist, with a sturdy physique, and remains unmoved when collided with. However, she was dazed by the impact, and in her dizzy state, she heard the chief steward Rong Shou's reprimand, "You dog servant, are you seeking death?"

The emperor's expression was cold, his usual face resembling a plaster mold, lacking in vividness. When Hongxun spoke of something joyful, his brows danced with excitement, but the emperor was different; a slight lift of the corners of his mouth was considered a smile. Noticing the emperor's relaxed demeanor, Hongxun pressed on, "Have you decided on the autumn hunting yet? I've been itching to go for a long time. I heard there are bears in the forest; I could catch one and skin it to make a chair for my brother."

Hong Xun, feeling very pleased, made a sweeping gesture with his bare arms, respectfully bowed with a thousand greetings, and smiled up, saying, "May Your Majesty be well!" He then got up and leaped away to join his brothers and nephews in merriment

Walking in the narrow passage, she felt a sense of seeing the light of day again. At this moment, her calves were still twitching, and she moved forward as if riding on clouds. Deciding to stop, she looked around to see no one was present, and then squatted against the palace wall for a while

The emperor lowered his head to glance at the person kneeling on the ground, who had a pleasing appearance. She was slender and tall. When she bumped into him earlier, her chest had brushed against his elbow, suggesting that she was among the taller women in the palace. A woman of such height, it was no wonder she appeared foolish. He was a magnanimous person, and seeing Hongxun pleading for her, he felt it inappropriate to pursue the matter further. Punishing a palace maid was a trivial matter, and it was not worth sacrificing brotherly affection over it.

The emperor glanced at her, his expression remaining impassive, yet the corners of his mouth tightened even further. This face seemed somewhat familiar; upon closer examination, it was difficult to pinpoint exactly which aspect, but the demeanor and expression bore a striking resemblance to that of the Empress Dowager of Changchun Garden. No wonder Hongxun came to support her; it was likely for this reason, perhaps out of a sense of affection for the person and her connections.

However, it is strange to say that she thought although her life was spared, she would inevitably face punishment, yet there was none. The emperor asked her, "Which banner is your family from? Who is there in your family?"

No, no... Those two people were being polite, "Aunt has been worried about our sister's matters, and we dare not let her spend any more money."