Chapter 9, New Year

Although the Empress Dowager went to bed late last night, she appears to be in good spirits today. Her makeup is also somewhat more elaborate than usual. The golden sash, purple court beads, and the crimson-gold bat-patterned outer garment make the Empress Dowager exceptionally regal. Upon seeing Princess Lu Yuan standing beside Yan Er, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Did you sleep well with Yan Er last night?"

The numerous concubines of the harem have also arrived, greeted each other, and, led by the Empress, proceeded into the palace to perform the ritual of three prostrations and nine bows

Upon entering the palace gates, I quietly instructed the young eunuch accompanying me to find Bi Lian, who had spent the night with me, and have her wait in my room for me

Zhang Fuma left the palace alone in a carriage, preparing for the court meeting the next day. Yan'er was naturally delighted, having not seen her mother for several months, and her feelings of longing were evident. Princess Lu Yuan also missed her daughter, and along the way, her words of concern floated out from the phoenix carriage. My injury had not yet healed, and I still felt pain in the area where I had been struck with the cane while walking. I feared that Yan'er would be unable to handle the family banquet and would have to accompany me, but fortunately, Yan'er had someone prepare a small litter for two to carry me. The Weiyang Palace had already sent someone to prepare everything the princess needed and assigned reliable palace maids for the night. Yan'er allowed me to rest, but even though I had returned, I was still uneasy, feeling as if something was about to happen, frequently peering out to look at the Qifeng Hall. The night grew deeper, and the cold wind was biting. I only fell asleep after seeing the lanterns at Qifeng Hall extinguished. On the first day of the New Year, before dawn, every palace courtyard hung peach wood charms, creating a lively scene. The palace maids and eunuchs stood outside the hall waiting for the empress to rise and bestow rewards, as the New Year was the only day of the year they could seek rewards.

"Oh? What else was said?" I asked eagerly. "It seems there wasn't much said, just that the Empress mentioned something interesting. Those eunuchs said they had carried the wrong person while escorting her back. It seems it was a lady from another palace that the Emperor wanted, but a few confused eunuchs mistakenly entered the wrong palace." In a moment of panic, my blood surged, and I spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Bi Lian turned to call for help, but I held onto her collar, supporting myself on the table, and as the blood surged again, I spat out another mouthful. Bi Lian turned to call for help, and I pulled her collar, pressing my face close to her ear and said: "What happened today must not be spoken of by anyone, otherwise your life will be in danger." My lips were stained with the fresh blood I had just spat out, and my face was extremely grim. She trembled in fear, naturally nodding in agreement without hesitation.

The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction: "Lu Yuan can indeed speak; where is there any talk of longevity? As long as the family can hold a grandchild, they can close their eyes in peace." The Emperor suddenly stood up and bowed: "I am terrified, Your Majesty." "This child, always like this, just speaks without meaning it. Get up now." The Empress Dowager seemed to harbor a sense of disappointment towards the Emperor for not living up to expectations.

The scene was indeed beautiful and charming. The Empress Dowager maintained a calm and gentle demeanor. After pondering for a long time, she did not instruct her to rise. The favored concubine, Wang, could hardly contain herself, beads of sweat trickling down her temples, soaking the front and back of her garments. "You are bearing the Emperor's child; you must be cautious in all matters. Should anything happen, I will not spare you. Rise now." The concerned words from the Empress Dowager sent chills down one's spine. Wang thanked her, bracing herself against the ground and swaying a few times, but she could not stand. Her accompanying palace maid had to step forward to assist her. She sighed in relief as if freed from a heavy burden and retreated to her seat, still savoring the peril she had just faced. I secretly laughed, thinking that Wang believed she had escaped disaster, but she was gravely mistaken; the Empress Dowager was merely paving the way for future events.

The Empress Dowager laughed heartily and pointed at Princess Lu Yuan, teasingly saying: "I have endured you, how pitiful indeed." Princess Lu Yuan, acting coy, replied: "I have also endured this just to arrive early and pay my respects to Mother. What reward would be appropriate for me?" "Very well, I shall grant you one hundred thousand shi," the Empress Dowager casually responded. Princess Lu Yuan hurriedly bowed in gratitude. It is evident that Princess Lu Yuan was favored by the Empress Dowager, for one hundred thousand shi was already the annual salary of a high-ranking official.

Princess Lu Yuan also asked this, and the Empress replied that the Emperor spoke to her for an entire night

I took the opportunity while Princess Lu Yuan was combing her hair to subtly remind Yan'er to pay attention to her titles. Yan'er seemed quite unconcerned. Today is the New Year, so naturally, the attire must be formal. I styled Yan'er’s hair into an upright bun, adorned with a twelve-pronged phoenix tail golden crown, which swayed and shimmered magnificently. Her bright red robe flowed elegantly behind her, revealing intricate phoenix tail patterns. A golden sash hung diagonally, with one hundred and eight lustrous pearls from the East China Sea serving as morning beads, radiating brilliance.

The Empress led all the concubines in the harem to congratulate the Empress Dowager on the new year. The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and everyone withdrew to sit on the ground. "Which one is Lady Wang?" the Empress Dowager suddenly asked. A voice answered from a distance, and upon hearing it, Lady Wang quickly stepped forward and knelt down to bow. Seven months into her pregnancy made it difficult for her to bend her body; she struggled to lower herself, and beads of sweat and tears appeared on her forehead, likely due to the effort. Today, she was quite obedient, knowing that the Empress Dowager did not favor seductiveness, so she wore a dark red elegant robe, which was simply embroidered with a few floral designs. She did not adorn her head with a full array of jewels, but instead, she had two red jade hairpins inserted at an angle, giving her a fresh and simple appearance. The Empress Dowager raised her voice: "Lift your head so I can see you." Lady Wang trembled slightly as she raised her head: "This humble servant, Wang Mi, pays her respects to the Empress Dowager, wishing you good health and longevity."

I entered the hall, and the princess had already awakened. I gently shook Yan'er awake. With sleepy eyes, Yan'er saw me standing by the bed and murmured, "Sister Qingyi, what time is it?" I silently lamented, "Your Majesty, it is the hour of the rabbit; we must go to the Jianzhang Palace to pay our respects." "Oh..." Yan'er sat up with her eyes closed, allowing me to dress her. Princess Lu Yuan rose, and another palace maid presented her clothes. After a round of washing, I styled Yan'er’s hair. Princess Lu Yuan looked at me with a profound expression, as if pondering something.

Will she report this matter to the Empress Dowager while staying in Jianzhang Palace today? How will the Empress Dowager deal with me? I am merely a servant, without any father or brother in the court to rely on. In the inner palace, I am nothing more than a blade of grass, easily disposed of at a whim, leaving me with no place to be buried.

What I fear the most is that my death will not be enough to appease the Empress Dowager's anger, and that it will be redirected towards my grandfather and father who are exiled beyond the borders. What should be done about the extermination of the nine clans

"I, I... I fell asleep and didn't hear anything," she murmured softly. "Think again, you must remember something," I asked patiently. "I really fell asleep," she pouted as if feeling wronged. In my anxiety, I waved my hand and smashed the teacup on the table, which shattered instantly, and tea leaves splashed with the hot water. She was clearly startled by the loud noise, watching the blood flow from my palm, her lips trembling in fear.

I felt as if struck by five thunders, momentarily stunned. I steadied my mind and asked, "Does Her Majesty the Empress say whether she has received favor?"

The Punishment Bureau is a place where the palace maids and eunuchs who have made mistakes are imprisoned. Not only must they endure hard labor, but they also face beatings and canings. Anyone who enters this place is certain to meet their demise within a month. She trembled all over, unable to rise from her knees, crawled to my feet, and tugged at my sleeve, pleading: "Sister Qingyi, please spare me, do not send me there." I did not look at her, maintaining my gaze straight ahead: "Then what do you remember?" Her face was covered in tears, constantly wiping it with her sleeve, she lowered her head and recalled: "It seems that the Empress said, one night, the Emperor covered her face with a handkerchief and took her to the Lingxiao Hall. Later, just as dawn broke, he sent her back. You know this too." I maintained my gaze straight ahead: "Then what do you remember?" Her face was covered in tears, constantly wiping it with her sleeve, she lowered her head and recalled: "It seems that the Empress said, one night, the Emperor covered her face with a handkerchief and took her to the Lingxiao Hall. Later, just as dawn broke, he sent her back. You know this too."

Countless thoughts of longing turn around, yet there seems to be no way out, leaving my heart in despair. With Jin Mo just deceased, I am once again in distress. How heartbroken and sorrowful must my exiled parents be? The only hope now is that Princess Lu Yuan has not reported this matter to the Empress Dowager. No one can inquire whether my hopes can come true; I can only wait and see what kind of punishment will fall from the heavens. It is so difficult to have one's fate in the hands of others. If you were to ask me what my wish is at this moment, I would certainly pray to be someone who can control my own destiny in my next life. The days of celebration in the palace pass by in my anxious unease. Hearing that Princess Lu Yuan has left the palace at noon brings me some comfort, yet I still dare not let my guard down. After some time, there is still no news from Jianzhang Palace. My heart begins to calm slightly. It seems that Princess Lu Yuan is prepared to turn a blind eye for Yan Er's sake, after all, my full protection of Yan Er has also been beneficial to her. After a few more days without any news, I gradually regain my former tranquility.

Princess Lu Yuan said with a smile: "This child loves to sleep and is quite unrestrained; I have been kicked awake by her several times."

I asked you once more, what did you hear? I questioned sternly. I truly did not hear anything, really, she replied in a faint voice. Alright, alright, I said with a smile instead of anger: If you won't speak, then let's find a charge of disturbing the queen and send it to the disciplinary office

The hour of the ugly has passed, and the Empress Dowager feels somewhat fatigued. The Emperor and Empress, accompanied by the various concubines, rise to take their leave. The family banquet thus comes to an end. As a court audience is required on the morning of the first day of the new year, Princess Lu Yuan does not leave the palace with her husband but instead goes to the Weiyang Palace to reside with Yan'er.

Princess Lu Yuan was not particularly extravagant, and even appeared somewhat simple. I understood this in my heart and did not inquire further. After getting dressed, she commanded the palace maids to pay their respects, and after three bows and nine prostrations, Princess Lu Yuan instructed to distribute rewards. I took out a large amount of gold coins to bestow, which elicited laughter and joy from those present. Subsequently, we prepared to go to the Jianzhang Palace to extend New Year greetings. Outside, the weather was cold, so I draped a white snow mink fur cloak over Yan'er and put on purple long-furred gloves. Princess Lu Yuan wore a gray mink cloak adorned with golden sparrow feathers, complemented by matching gloves of the same fur color, exuding both dignity and elegance. Two carriages were surrounded by dozens of palace maids as we made our way.

The scene of peace and prosperity across the four seas, filled with joyous songs, added radiance and pride to the outline of the Empress Dowager. This realm, which she single-handedly created, has achieved eternal peace, and she has every reason to be the most revered person at this banquet, her brilliance overshadowing that of the Emperor. Princess Lu Yuan raised her wine cup and smiled, saying, "I wish my mother a spring that lasts as long as the sun and moon." The prince consort also stood up from the table to offer his congratulations.

At this moment, the Jianzhang Palace is enveloped in the morning light, with the rays of the rising sun wrapping the entire palace in a golden hue, creating an exceptionally grand and solemn atmosphere

After Yan'er finished changing, I hurriedly walked out of the Qifeng Hall, turned down the long corridor, and returned to my room. Bilian clearly did not understand why she had been summoned, nervously rubbing her sleeves. Upon hearing the noise, she turned around and saw my stern expression, which startled her into immediately kneeling down. I helped her up; she was only about twelve or thirteen years old, and her fearful gaze reminded me of Jinmo. I sighed deeply, softened my tone, and asked her to sit down. "Bilian, I need you to answer my questions honestly, without concealing anything, do you understand?" Bilian nodded like a chick pecking at rice, indicating that she understood. I chuckled lightly and said, "You don’t need to be afraid; I’m just asking a few questions."

The Empress Dowager and Princess Luyuan were engaged in pleasant conversation, while the concubines, lacking a decree, stood in the hall, hesitant to speak. Upon noticing this, the Empress Dowager felt a surge of annoyance and waved her sleeve, saying, "Everyone may leave; it is quite pointless for you all to stand here. Luyuan, stay and converse with me." The concubines, upon receiving the decree, let out a long sigh of relief, and within a quarter of an hour, the hall was cleared. Yan'er and I also returned to the Weiyang Palace. Throughout the journey, I remained silent, pondering the ulterior motives behind Princess Luyuan's gaze.

The music for the court's tribute changed its style, specifically selecting performances favored by the Empress Dowager, while Lu Yuan exerted all his efforts to amuse her

"You may leave now." I weakly sat down. She scrambled out in a hurry. I did not look at her again, but tightened my brows, contemplating back and forth. The situation has become complicated; how should I escape? How could someone as clever as Lu Yuan not realize that the so-called mistaken target must be me? Accepting favor privately may be a minor issue, but bringing humiliation to the Empress is a grave matter. A single act of deceiving the sovereign could easily lead to my demise. The situation has become complicated; how should I escape? How could someone as clever as Lu Yuan not realize that the so-called mistaken target must be me? Accepting favor privately may be a minor issue, but bringing humiliation to the Empress is a grave matter. A single act of deceiving the sovereign could easily lead to my demise.

She seemed to be somewhat at ease, yet her hands continued to twist the fabric of her clothing. "Did you hear anything last night between Her Majesty the Queen and Princess Lu Yuan?" I inquired cautiously.