Chapter 1, The Person in the Pearl Palace
She said, "Please grant me another two days, my lord."
However, despite the anger, the matter has already occurred, and cursing now will not remedy the urgency. She turned around, lowered her posture, and squatted down, saying, "This servant will hasten to prepare a new set for replacement right away. It is not yet the hour of Wu Zheng, so it will not delay the master from attending court. Lord Su, please take a look..."
The steward of the Ministry of Clothing hurriedly exclaimed, "Yes, this servant has heard..."
While speaking, she casually extended her hand to offer support. Turning her head, she instructed to take the garments inside to change and infuse them with fragrance. Several palace maids behind her responded affirmatively and stepped forward to receive the crown and the seven ceremonial garments.
The inner garment was thoroughly soaked, clinging to the skin in the biting cold, and I felt as if my head was being twisted into a needle, causing my three souls and seven spirits to spill and scatter from its tip. Sifting through the chaff, at the end of a desperate path, the palace is certainly not a place that values human feelings; I am well aware of how this will end. I wish I could just close my eyes in one go and be done with it, but I cannot yet close them; I must hold on. In my shock, I saw a hem embroidered with sea patterns enter my field of vision, the lantern illuminating the gold and silver threads woven between the warp and weft, occasionally bursting forth with a blinding light. I wish I could just close my eyes in one go and be done with it, but I cannot yet close them; I must hold on. In my shock, I saw a hem embroidered with sea patterns enter my field of vision, the lantern illuminating the gold and silver threads woven between the warp and weft, occasionally bursting forth with a blinding light.
Upon hearing this, she understood immediately; it was impossible to count how many times it had been, as women sometimes just enjoy vying for those trivial titles
The birth mother of the Crown Prince, Empress Gong, passed away six years ago, leaving the position of the Empress vacant. The Emperor favors Consort Zuo but is unwilling to grant her the title of Empress. Consort Zuo is just a step away from the position of Empress, yet that step feels as distant as a thousand mountains and rivers, making it impossible to cross. So how can she assert her status in front of the officials and the princes? It is nothing more than asking the Emperor to set aside his state affairs and visit her Fengchun Palace to inquire about her well-being. The favor of the Emperor remains strong, and the news of it would be quite impressive; over time, it would be enough to stand alongside the previous Empresses. It is nothing more than asking the Emperor to set aside his state affairs and visit her Fengchun Palace to inquire about her well-being. The favor of the Emperor remains strong, and the news of it would be quite impressive; over time, it would be enough to stand alongside the previous Empresses.
Aunt Wei was stunned, her legs went weak and she knelt down, pressing her hands against the brick seams and crawling on the ground, "I have failed in my duties, I implore the esteemed lord to impose punishment."
The palace maids lowered their eyes, staring at their toes, as waiting was the most excruciating. Unlike before, this time the examination seemed to take longer; they waited anxiously, but no sign of a result came, and a vague sense of foreboding began to emerge. No one dared to raise their eyes, and with each pounding heartbeat, they bent lower. The only sound was the creaking of the iron hook of the wind lantern swaying on the eaves, each creak sharp and piercing in the stillness of the deep night.
Words, of course, are in the mouths of people, whether good or bad depends on their mood. Aunt Wei felt a great sense of relief at having survived a dire situation, expressing her gratitude repeatedly, "In the future, if you have any need for me, I will certainly do my utmost to repay you."
After a long wait, a cold voice finally emerged, saying without emotion: "Today, at the Hall of Governance, the eunuchs came back and forth before the Left Imperial Concubine, saying that the Concubine's health was unwell and requesting the Emperor's inquiry."
Aunt Wei gritted her teeth in anger, "What kind of person is that Xia? After all these years of being a nuisance, you all still want to listen to him!"
Why
She listened and then stepped over the threshold.
The velvet curtain hung down after the landing, obscuring the prince's figure. Only a half piece of dark-colored wide sleeve could be seen trailing on the footrest, slightly moving, with the sleeve's edges shimmering.
"In response to Auntie, it was said during the inspection led by Xia that the Crown Prince likely does not favor the taste of Canaan. It was reported that a string of prayer beads was presented as tribute from the south, but the Crown Prince did not ask for them to be kept; he merely had someone send them to the Four Treasury immediately..."
This time, however, she did not respond, merely furrowing her brow in silence
As expected, she chuckled softly, "The scent of tuberose is not favored by the master. Tomorrow is the day when the ceremonial cover should be used; this is the only one bestowed by His Majesty. Where can my aunt find an identical one to replace it? Of course, I can say anything here, but I fear I won't be able to explain it to the master. Aunt Wei knows that the Crown Prince has specific rules regarding fragrances; overly prominent scents can harm his constitution and are in conflict with him.
She gritted her teeth and said, "In my humble opinion, this is not the time to withdraw the case."
A half-person-high gilded dragon incense burner was brought in, and as it was set down, it made a low, muffled sound upon touching the golden-brick floor. Two palace maids stretched the sleeves of their ceremonial robes and hung them on a rack, while in a basin, they twisted half-dry handkerchiefs, wiping back and forth at the cuffs of their collars.
As the last glimmer of light at dusk fades away, a faint hint of blue lingers on the horizon, and the stone pavilions along the path begin to light their lamps. Young eunuchs, around twelve or thirteen years old, carry oil buckets and hold paper wicks, taking small steps forward. The wind causes the tiny spark at the top to shine brightly, weaving a line that rises and falls in the haze, meandering along the base of the wall.
The person across from me had a normal complexion, with a hint of a conciliatory demeanor in their expression. "In the palace, there are always times when teeth clash against the tongue. Since I can handle the needle here, why should I make things difficult for your thread"
"They are all acquaintances, so there is no need for concern." The superior's tone changed, becoming particularly warm, "The subordinates acted on their own accord, and although the aunt was negligent, it is not a serious offense. How about this: the palace attendants on duty will each receive thirty strokes of the rod from the Yeching Bureau. As for the aunt, she will be confined for ten days and have her salary deducted for six months; this is a minor punishment meant to serve as a warning."
The palace lantern hangs high above, and the carved edges of the rosewood kang emit a dim, dark light. He rests his hands on several surfaces, his joints like jade, both cold and sharp.
After the Frost's Descent, the days grow colder with each passing day. The chill within the palace is an intangible cold, akin to drifting silk, gnawing and biting its way into the very marrow.
The mermaid standing inside the chamber stepped out in succession, and the hall was quiet, occasionally interrupted by the sound of water dripping from the timekeeper. She walked through the mottled light and shadow, circled around the screen, and stopped at the edge of the carpet to pay her respects, saying, "I await the master's command"
The previous fragrance has already permeated the texture, and it must be diluted somewhat before infusing others. The palace maid pressed her voice to inquire: "My lord, shall we continue to infuse Canaan as usual?"
The person on the couch pondered for a moment, then let out a sigh, "Well, it doesn't matter; I've been putting it off long enough, a few more days won't make a difference." That hand slowly lifted, adopting a more affectionate tone, beckoning like calling a cat or dog, "Xinghe, come here."
The hall is vast and deep, with the center designated for governance and administrative affairs. At both ends are two side chambers, and behind the gilded six-bowl diamond-patterned door on the east side lies the prince's sleeping quarters
Lady Su, Su Xinghe, is the female Minister of the Eastern Palace. She is different from most of her peers due to her background; upon entering the palace, she served as a respectful palace maid, holding an official rank of fourth grade. Five years later, she was promoted by one rank to serve as the Minister of the Eastern Palace, responsible for reviewing documents from outside the palace on behalf of the Crown Prince, thus belonging to the Crown Prince's office. However, in this world, women have always been treated unfairly; even though her official title sounds impressive, the prefix "female" serves as a constraint, and while she assists in governmental affairs, her primary responsibility remains the care of the Crown Prince's daily life.
The Crown Prince finally became aware, set aside the documents, and sat up
The person on the couch let out a long sigh and said, "There is also the case of the prince consort being attacked; Princess Hualing is insisting on closing the case, and it cannot be delayed any longer. Later, you should make another trip to the Control Military Division and provide a plausible reason for everyone to accept, and temporarily withdraw the case."
Committing a mistake in one's position is a grave taboo, especially with something as closely related as this. There is no way to downplay it; once it is exposed, it will inevitably implicate a large number of people. Aunt Wei felt a sense of fear; she had worked in the Imperial Garment Bureau for over ten years and had always been smooth sailing. Over time, it is inevitable to become complacent. Now, if a mistake occurs, even survival becomes difficult, let alone other matters such as official salary and position, which are not even worth considering.
The ceremonial robe, with its sharp edges clearly visible, was presented on a large red lacquer plate, as the person in the shadows slowly stepped into the beam of light. She slightly turned her face, her complexion appearing luminous under the lamp. Raising her hand, she examined every edge and seam of the master's attire; from the finished garment to its delivery to the Eastern Palace, it had to undergo countless layers of scrutiny, and the closer it got to the final moment, the more cautious one had to be.
The palace maid supporting the lacquer tray was greatly startled, her ten fingers tightly gripping the edge of the tray, causing her nails to turn white from the pressure
The master is unable to go, so I will visit the Phoenix Chicks Palace tomorrow to inquire about the empress's well-being on behalf of the master
Court life is, in fact, far less colorful than what outsiders might imagine; there are fixed rules dictating what tasks are to be done at what times. She stepped back, standing in a corner of the grand hall, surveying the scene: the incense hall, the incense mats, the lowered canopies, and the drawn curtains—all proceeding in an orderly manner beneath her watchful eyes. This place values stability and composure; there is no room for panic or noise. She particularly enjoys this aspect, watching the young girls move gracefully with their hands and their feet entwined; even the most skilled dan performer on stage may not be able to replicate their fluid movements.
Those proud and beautiful eyes finally smiled, and a hint of indulgence surfaced in the tone. "Given the circumstances, it seems that this case should indeed not be withdrawn. Not only should it not be withdrawn, but it also requires a thorough investigation, correct?"
What is going on! She was suddenly startled and turned her head to sternly reprimand the palace maid, "Who took the liberty to change the incense?"
The sin of losing one's head, receiving a punishment of six months' salary, was soon taken care of. The people of the Ministry of Clothing, having returned to their senses from the heights of turmoil, knelt down in gratitude, expressing their thanks profusely. Aunt Wei repeatedly offered her blessings: "Lord Su is truly compassionate; if it weren't for your mercy today, we would not have survived."
The person in charge raised their head in trepidation, directly meeting a pair of beautiful eyes. These eyes had not been tempered by the trials of suffering; they were alive, filled with vast waves and gentle spring waters. However, the better something is, the more it tends to create a sense of distance. Just like the Bodhisattva in the shrine, one can only revere, not engage in petty disputes.
As the wall door opened, a surge of moist air rushed in, sending a shiver through one's heart. A palace maid stepped out to take a glance, then retreated to report back. In the shadow beside the door stood a person, adorned with a floral crown and wearing a deep red round-collared robe. A belt of sunflower jade was tightly fastened around the waist, and the black velvet collar was trimmed at an angle across the cheeks, revealing distinct and profound features even in the dim light.
The lacquer tray was pushed over by a slender finger
Female officials associated with the outer court can sometimes be difficult to negotiate with. Especially this one, who is known for her strictness; those who fall into her hands are likely to face dire consequences
The female official of the inner court stepped out and said to her, "My lord, please enter and speak with the esteemed guest."
The person opposite smiled and said "good," then turned around and headed towards the main hall
The prince consort Gao Yangshan died in the inner residence, and Princess Hailing was eager to conclude the case without inquiring about the cause of death. The princess was born of the Left Imperial Concubine, who was currently making various efforts to ascend to the position of Empress...
She shook her head, stating that tuberose and frankincense could not harmonize. She said, "Use benzoin." This fragrance is not as precious as ambergris or the renowned frankincense, nor does it possess particularly distinctive characteristics, but it has a gentle undertone that can accompany anyone. The book records that it "initially does not have a strong scent, but when blended with other fragrances, it becomes particularly beautiful." Sometimes, being moderate can be more valuable.
The garments from the Ministry of Clothing have arrived, please take a look, my lord
How is it?
The palace maid received the order; one lifted the lid of the incense burner, while another tossed in the fragrant tablets. The incense ignited easily, and through the carved top of the burner, the scene quickly became lively. The ceremonial robe was spread out, and the rounded arc of the incense cover perfectly arched over the four-clawed dragon on the back, its majestic horns and scaly mane appearing vibrant and fierce against the backdrop of the dark blue satin.
Standing at the door, one can see that the inner chamber and the outer room are separated by a silk tapestry depicting mountains and rivers. The fabric is light and thin, and on the table inside, an oil lamp flickers, casting a hazy glow over a palace maid who is bowing to serve tea. From behind a brocade curtain adorned with intricate patterns, a hand emerges, its fingers long and slender, gracefully taking the tea tray as if plucking a flower, the weight of the cup seemingly dissipating in their grasp.
Aunt Wei felt a sense of panic and shortness of breath, trembling as she rolled up her sleeves to lift the incense from her garment. The fragrance was faint, having dissipated somewhat, yet it still lingered sweetly at the tip of her nose, almost cloying.
A delicate sleeve of the pipa gently swayed by, and a soft voice floated down from above, "Aunt Wei, have you ever smelled the fragrance of Canaan?"
Sensitive to odors, this is merely a superficial statement. The Crown Prince sometimes develops rashes due to certain smells, and in severe cases, he even experiences shortness of breath. As the heir to the empire, what kind of thing could cause him to struggle for breath? Who would dare to make him unable to breathe? The metaphor behind this is chilling upon analysis