Chapter 3, Encounter

Take something, but where is that something

Jingning knew that from the moment she accompanied the noble lady into Kun Ning Palace, she had already been chosen. There was no way back, and she would never be allowed to turn back.

Opening the lacquered wooden square food box, layers of exquisite pastries are arranged inside, all of which are gifts from the noble family on ordinary days. They are too precious to eat, so they are kept together, saved for later to be sent to Yingzhui.

With a flick of her sleeve, she left behind a phrase that was light and carefree, then turned and departed

If time could flow back, she did not know whether to continue to accept it as it is or to return the opportunities that belonged to her

"Generous? Kind?" Dong Fuxi chuckled softly, "You are indeed new to the palace and still do not understand!"

Without having time to think much, she suddenly knelt down on the ground with a "thud"

It is a reflection, surprisingly it is a reflection

This thing is called "cooling medicine." She had seen it more than once while at the Zhongcui Palace

So quickly, it has been known...

In today's time, it is contraception

She bowed her head, becoming increasingly humble. "The master is generous and kind; for a servant like me to serve the master is a blessing earned over several lifetimes."

"Is it... serving beside that master?" Xuanye squinted his eyes, suddenly pulling back his gaze. He looked at her face with a half-smile, his dark eyes flickering slightly, and a trace of inexplicable color passed through the depths of his eyes.

There was no blame in the words, yet her heart grew colder; she lowered her head very low, and behind her, she was already drenched in cold sweat

In the palace, the company one keeps determines one's fate. You are a wise person, so be sure not to choose the wrong side!" After saying this, she elegantly glanced at her, commanding a nearby palace servant to hand her the small bottle adorned with the pattern of nine twists of golden lotus scales.

"Jingning, you have been serving in the Yan Hong Hall for half a month now. Is there anything you are not accustomed to?" Dong Fuxi asked seemingly casually while stroking the carved railing.

The Winter Forbidden City is quiet and solemn, with intricately carved railings and jade-like structures, the snow-white marble ridges winding gracefully. The dim yellow sunlight casts upon the yellow and green glazed tiles of the imperial city, creating a shimmering effect that sparkles with golden reflections.

I said to you, girl, when your master commands you to rise, you must rise; to defy the order is to incur a greater punishment! That abrupt voice sounded impatiently once more, and Jing Ning understood this time that it was likely a eunuch from the palace

At the shoulder, it seems that there is still a lingering warmth

What is she doing? Why isn't she hurrying to leave? What is she still thinking about here?

I am afraid that such an opportunity will never arise again in the future

It feels much better to be out here, much more relaxed than being cooped up in the palace. Dong Fuxi gazed at the distant pavilion, her heart moved by the sight, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

Master

If it were not for the revelation of the whole story by the noble person today, she would still have gone to visit Yingzhui with a clear conscience, bringing some jewelry and food, feeling quite satisfied. But now, she has lost all face.

Jingning was momentarily stunned, her complexion growing increasingly unsightly, and she could only nod, "Your Majesty is wise..."

As the weather turns cool, my lord, please take care of your health

"Which palace are you a maid of, running around recklessly and breaking the rules? Be careful for your life!" A sudden voice rang out from behind, pulling her back to reality.

The noble lady has not returned, and in the sleeping quarters, there are only two attendant maidens, Bi Lian and Xia Zhu. Compared to Jing Ning, their status is a rank lower, thus regardless of their age, they must address her as "Sister Ning" upon seeing her.

Where is this?

The maid took her leave with a hasty bow and fled in a panic

I deserve to die!

Why does she lavish herself with countless favors, and why does she readily agree to her requests? In that moment, she suddenly realized.

Dong Fuxi nodded slightly, then waved her hand towards her, "Alright, you need not follow me any longer. I will grant you half a day's leave to visit your friend. I imagine the scenery of the Chengqian Palace must be far more beautiful than here"

Among the candidates for palace maids who entered the palace in the same year as her, there was only one person with the surname Su

Jingning's heart suddenly tightened

On that day, it was an abortion

Jingning trembled all over, raising her head in disbelief

Chengqian Palace

Stepping on the thick layer of snow, Jingning followed Dong Fuxi closely.

Wandering aimlessly along the vermilion palace walls, Jingning did not know how far she had actually walked. Unable to return to the Yan Hong Hall, unable to go to the Cheng Qian Palace, in the vast Forbidden City, she truly did not know where she should go or could go

Your coming to serve in the Yan Hong Hall can be considered a fate between us as master and servant. Regardless of the past, seizing the future is what truly matters. Jing Ning, do you understand?" Dong Fu Xi smiled gracefully and composedly, yet did not conceal the coldness and warning in her eyes.

Behind them are two eunuchs in attendance.

Her face flushed crimson, and in a hurry, she turned around and ran back without even lifting her head. As she passed by the two, she accidentally bumped into Xiao Luzi, which made him laugh heartily.

It turns out that she had long been determined to have her.

Within the imperial garden, pavilions and towers, rugged rockeries, are all covered with a thick layer of snow. The mountains and waters that were interdependent during the scorching summer, with their scattered hedges, have now transformed into a scene of galloping wax elephants, silver snakes dancing among the mountains, and a vast expanse of evening clouds stretching for a thousand miles.

After taking a nap, Fugui felt a lack of appetite and instructed that there was no need to prepare dinner. Since it was still early, he decided to go out for a stroll.

As if a reward

A person's life is only lived once; once it is lost, everything in the world will no longer be related to you. There is nothing more important than life, which should be cherished above all else

"Master, she clearly is..." As the figure gradually receded into the distance, Xiao Luzi opened his mouth in doubt, but before the words could leave his lips, he was silenced by Xuan Ye's indifferent gaze that swept over him.

Since it has been blurted out, let us go through the motions completely. At this moment, even if it means 'deceiving the emperor', one must never reveal the truth; otherwise, if it were to reach the ears of the other concubines one day, she would have no way to explain herself, no matter how many mouths she had. Moreover, by that time, even Noble Lady Fu might not be able to tolerate her.

As she thought this, her heart immediately turned cold

I, your humble servant, have acted inappropriately and disturbed the sacred presence. I implore Your Majesty to impose punishment upon me

In less than half a year since she entered the palace, she has witnessed too many schemes. For instance, the Empress, the Noble Consort Rong, and those concubines and palace maids who have yet to make their mark. None of these individuals are easy to deal with

"The great kindness of my master, I shall never forget!" She knelt on the ground, bowing her head in gratitude.

Jingning cast a suspicious glance at the pair of shoes, made of black satin and embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. Such exquisite and luxurious craftsmanship could only have been produced by the court tailors of the Imperial Garment Bureau. ... So, who is this person ...

Gazing blankly at the lacquered box, Jingning was lost in thought

This medicine contains musk, a minimal amount of safflower, and mercury; it is not poison, yet it is sufficient to render a woman incapable of bearing children forever. The Empress Dowager, with a serene smile, spoke as if discussing the most ordinary of matters.

These red pills in hand, just a tiny one, when added to the daily diet, unbeknownst to anyone, will forever deprive the fortunate person of the chance to vie for favor

"Could it be that you just happened to forget what you were supposed to take and specially came back to ask?" A broader smile appeared on his lips, as if he hadn't felt such good spirits in a long time

The Zhongcui Palace is merely a place responsible for education, yet the selection of candidates has been predetermined from the moment you entered the palace. Dong Fuxi's eyes were filled with understanding, and she smiled coldly, "If it weren't for your family's connections, the money spent, and your countless pleas, do you think my father would have known about a mere lowly maid?"

Father, what is the purpose of this suffering!

Your Majesty, this humble servant is a palace maid serving beside Master Cha Jizuo." As if fearing he did not know who Cha Jizuo was, she deliberately emphasized her tone.

With a faint smile, he tugged at his lips, his gaze falling upon her increasingly clenched hands and her exceptionally handsome face, which revealed a hint of playful amusement. After a moment, he spoke slowly, saying: "Alright, you may go. Master Zha is notoriously difficult to please; if you are late, you will surely be blamed."

Why would there be men moving about in the Forbidden Palace?

Jingning turned into a corner of the wall, leaning against the vermilion wall, and soothing her still unsettled heart. The faint fragrance of ambergris lingered in her nostrils, and everything that had just transpired felt like a dream

Hesitating, she slowly rose to her feet, clasping her hands before her chest, bowing her head, and respectfully made way.

Take out the red cloth pouch hidden under the pillow, open it, and inside is a small porcelain bottle, which contains a few red pills.

"The servant humbly greets Your Majesty, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!" She, filled with trepidation and fear, prostrated herself on the ground, performing a grand salute and bowing her head.

She is her personal maid, responsible for all daily meals, which are prepared by her. Although there are already some tensions, if she were to act with intent, it would still be difficult to guard against. Therefore, she is the most suitable person.

With a softened tone, three parts teasing and three parts mockery, it created a fleeting illusion for Jingning. She slightly raised her head, but upon seeing the golden dragon pattern on the bright yellow brocade, she immediately froze.

A commander of the imperial guard receives a salary each year that barely suffices to support several younger siblings, and he must also allocate funds for her to navigate the complexities of court life. To enable her to stand out among the numerous palace maids, it is likely that he has exhausted his blood and sweat.

Jingning felt a haze enveloping her senses, as if everything before her had become unreal. The words she had just spoken seemed utterly audacious, something she would not have dared to even think about on ordinary days. However, after the moment of danger had passed, she secretly felt regretful, realizing that in her preoccupation with propriety and decorum, she had not even taken a glance at the Emperor's countenance.

Returning to the Yan Hong Hall, it is already past noon

Do you know that the one originally selected to enter the Yan Hong Hall was supposed to be a person with the surname Su, not you

I remember when my mother was alive, she would always hold me, calling my name while telling me to be simple and to be a good and kind woman. Later, when I met Yingzhui, I realized how beautiful the term 'naive' is, as it signifies a lack of worldly knowledge. However, having entered the palace, if one wishes to secure a place and a livelihood, it is destined that one will have no connection with the word 'innocence' for the rest of their life

Is this not what my mother said when she was alive, that once you enter the palace gates, you become a pawn? ... The palace walls are deep, and there is only one prime position; on the path to ascend, it is either you compete or I seize, and there will never be any feelings involved, nor can there be any sincerity

The Su surname is a noble family, the Su surname ... ...

Just now, I was completely preoccupied with thoughts of the falling star and did not even realize where I had walked. Could it be that I have inadvertently trespassed into some palace and disturbed the master

"Your Majesty, this humble servant... De Wan, is serving in the... Ruyi Pavilion."

However, she also wants to preserve her life

"Hey, not over there, it's this way!" A gentle and elegant laughter came from behind.

At this thought, cold sweat had already beaded on her forehead

"I do not dare to speculate on my master's thoughts; I only know that the grace of being appreciated should be repaid with my life a thousand times over." She answered carefully, yet had to avoid the most concerning question.

Seeing her momentarily stunned, Dong Fuxi let out a chuckle, her gaze becoming increasingly profound. "Do you know why I specifically chose you that day in the Zhongcui Palace?"

She nearly fell, yet he inexplicably reached out to gently support her, but in an instant, he withdrew his hand before she could recover from her shock. "The Ruyi Pavilion is located to the north of the Treasure Pavilion; how could you not even recognize the way back!"

That is the Emperor, the true Emperor

The deep black eyes swept over the person in front who was bowing low, so "respectfully" that he could hardly see her face clearly. A pair of slender, fair hands were clasped together, and in the palms, there should be nothing at all.

Only Jingning remained in the snow-covered ground behind her

"Which palace are you from, and what is your name?" He spoke again, yet his gaze drifted beyond the red walls and green tiles, light and carefree, sparse and distant.

Yuan Ye slightly curled the corners of his lips, smiling ambiguously, "I just came out of the Ruyi Pavilion, how come I have not seen you before?"

Do you know that the one who was originally supposed to be selected into the Yan Hong Hall was a person with the surname Su, not you

She unexpectedly blurted it out, not knowing where her courage came from

Jingning never expected that, for half a month, she had been staying in the Yan Hong Hall with a clear conscience, only to realize that it was at the expense of someone else's position.

"You certainly have a way with words," Dong Fuxi said with a slight smile, "but do you know that the one who was originally supposed to be selected to enter the Yan Hong Hall was a servant with the surname Su, not you"

Was I just dreaming

Regardless, she must live; as long as she is alive, it is better than being dead

The servant is newly entered into the palace, of low status and humble origin. Just now, the master ordered the servant to go to the treasure house to fetch something, therefore... the servant has not yet seen the imperial presence...

At that time, there was a servant with the surname Zhao who had illicit relations with the city guards. She was caught by Li Dequan, the chief of the Internal Affairs Office, who forced her to drink this kind of poison several times. The vivid red blood and the heart-wrenching wails are forever etched in her memory, as is the horrifying appearance of that woman after she consumed the poison

"Xiao Luzi, you are bullying people again!" The footsteps approached from afar, and Jing Ning did not dare to raise her head. She could only see the pair of apricot-yellow satin shoes with pointed toes that stopped in front of her, the shoe surface embroidered with exquisite cloud patterns and auspicious emblems.

At that moment, Jingning was in a state of utter confusion.

After the palace banquet, Lady Fu's spirits remained low. Lady Yi, who lived in Yonghe Palace, often came to visit her. Their conversations were mostly filled with light-hearted pleasantries and gentle encouragement. Later, a royal physician was summoned, who prescribed some tonics, and her condition gradually improved a little

As pure and innocent as Noble Consort Niu Hulu, she is the one with the deepest scheming. She can subtly sow discord between the Empress and the newly promoted noble ladies without raising any suspicion; she can also use small favors to create a rift between them and their servants.

At that moment, she knelt on the ground in a state of confusion, her mind completely blank.

"It is hard to discern, yet it is quite awakening," the visitor chuckled softly, their magnetic voice as faint as mist, reminiscent of a cold moon and a gentle breeze, inadvertently striking a chord in the heart. "There is no need for formalities, please take a seat!"

She does not wish to harm others

The words of the noblewoman were like a nightmare, each word and phrase resonating deeply within her heart

Having instructed on the ingredients to be prepared for dinner, Bi Lian and Xia Zhu went to the imperial kitchen as usual to deliver the message, dispersing the other attending eunuchs, leaving only Jing Ning alone in the vast palace chamber