The seventh month’s fire star was descending, bringing a hint of coolness to the mornings and evenings, but the midday sun remained scorching.
The sun was dazzlingly bright. The bluestone ground seemed to be shimmering with a layer of water, a sight that made one dizzy.
The room was so stuffy it was hard to breathe. The cicadas chirped with all their might, adding to the sense of agitation.
The palace maid Fang He lifted the curtain and entered the room, panting heavily as she threw a food box onto the table. Hearing the commotion, A Ruo put her needlework into a wicker basket and walked out from the side room, starting to speak with her in a low voice.
“The weather is so hot, why is it these greasy dishes again? We can’t even get a single ice bowl,” A Ruo complained.
“The kitchens have plenty of delicacies from the mountains and seas. It’s just our bad luck that we don’t serve a favored master, so it’s not our turn!” Fang He sneered, setting the bowls and plates on the table with a clatter.
“Keep your voice down,” A Ruo reminded her in a hushed tone.
“What’s there to be afraid of? It’s not like they can punish us!” Fang He retorted defiantly.
Despite her words, her movements became a little gentler.
The master of Xie Fang Pavilion was not favored, and everyone in the Imperial Food Bureau, from Chen Shanggong at the top down to the Lady Scribes, was accustomed to fawning over the powerful and trampling on the lowly. If they broke a bowl or plate, a punishment would be unavoidable.
Their entire conversation reached the ears of Jiang Ling, this unfavored Cairen (Concubine). She remained unmoved by their resentment.
This was because she had transmigrated into a palace intrigue novel, a book teeming with masters of the craft.
The original book was still being serialized. Jiang Ling had skimmed through it, her mind jumping from one thing to another. Accustomed to fragmented reading, she was left with only vague memories.
She had a cheat, but unfortunately, only a tenth of it was unlocked.
The original owner of this body was merely a background character, a fifth-rank Cairen (Concubine) used to fill the numbers.
Jiang Ling herself had severe social anxiety and loved solitude. Whenever she had to interact with people, she would become flustered and short of breath within two sentences, as tense as if she had done something wrong.
In summary, if she had to face off against the masters of palace intrigue, she had one coping mechanism.
That would be to kneel and beg for mercy: “Spare my life, great masters!”
For unfavored imperial concubines, all their daily necessities, except for the clothing that concerned the imperial family’s dignity—which the staff dared not be too obvious about—were subject to cutbacks.
Things like having their food rations reduced or not seeing an ice bowl in the height of summer were perfectly normal.
When one person achieves success, their entire entourage benefits. With Jiang Ling being neglected, A Ruo and Fang He, who had been assigned to serve her, lost their prospects along with her.
Jiang Ling understood their desire for a better life; after all, she also wanted to live comfortably.
Unfortunately, none of them had the fate, nor the ability, for it!
Besides, Jiang Ling’s life was far more miserable than theirs.
The short two months since she had transmigrated felt like years.
In the past, Jiang Ling’s wish was to lie around doing nothing every day.
Now, she could be considered to be doing nothing, but the difference between the two was like heaven and earth.
The most fundamental difference was that her former self was free and independent. As long as she had her phone, she wouldn’t mind not leaving the house for ten days or half a month.
The current Jiang Ling was so bored she was almost in the same state as Ke Yun after losing her child.
According to the experience summarized from short videos and palace intrigue novels, crowded places like the imperial garden were high-risk danger zones.
A person’s heart is separated by their belly. Jiang Ling was not good at dealing with people, nor could she discern the verbal barbs and hidden traps in their words, so she simply stayed behind closed doors.
The few other people living in Xie Fang Pavilion would occasionally come to visit. When Jiang Ling truly couldn’t avoid it, she would brace herself and sit with them for a while. That constituted the entirety of her social life.
The few books in the room, such as Admonitions for Women and collections of boudoir poetry, were Jiang Ling’s second most precious treasures, essential items for when she used the commode.
Her most precious treasure was the one-third basin of ice she received daily.
Jiang Ling sat on the Arhat bed, guarding the copper basin in front of her, which was wrapped in a thin quilt, silently chanting the Heart-Clearing Mantra.
She didn’t actually know the Heart-Clearing Mantra. In her mind, she just repeated randomly, “Heart-Clearing Mantra, Heart-Clearing Mantra, Heart-Clearing Mantra… As urgent as the statutes and ordinances, cool down quickly!”
In this godforsaken weather, she could only rely on willpower and metaphysics to cool down.
Unfortunately, none of it was very effective. Jiang Ling was wearing only a thin silk undergarment, yet sweat still streamed down like raindrops.
“Cairen (Concubine), it is time to dine,” A Ruo came in to report.
Jiang Ling grunted in acknowledgment but remained seated.
Since the dishes were greasy, they must be some fatty mutton, served with baked cakes and overcooked water spinach, bean sprouts, and cabbage.
For breakfast, she had Imperial Academy Mantou with mutton filling, and her burps still smelled gamy. Lunch was more gamy mutton. Smelling of mutton herself, Jiang Ling had little appetite.
A Ruo glanced over with a complicated expression but didn’t press further. She returned to the south window and continued her needlework.
In this remote part of the deep palace, pavilions like Xie Fang Pavilion housed unfavored palace women.
Previously, including Jiang Ling and another Cairen (Concubine), Su Yue, plus other unranked ladies, county ladies, and imperial attendants, a total of eight people were squeezed in here.
Now, only Jiang Ling, Cairen (Concubine) Su Yue, and two Imperial Attendants remained in Xie Fang Pavilion, half the original number.
Who developed hysteria, who died without a sound, who died of illness, who was sent to an imperial temple for a life of asceticism—all were commonplace sights.
After a while, Jiang Ling unwrapped the thin quilt and reached in to feel the bowl. It was ice-cold, and she couldn’t help but feel a secret joy. She preciously took the bowl out and brought her face close, feeling the coolness emanating from the remaining crushed ice.
Fearing the ice would melt and worried the chilled tea would turn warm again, Jiang Ling was quite busy. She wrapped the thin quilt back around the remaining ice, then picked up the bowl and drank her homemade “iced tea.”
The bowl was colder than the tea, and it was old tea at that, so the taste wasn’t great, but Jiang Ling drank it with relish.
Of course, nothing in the world is perfect. Jiang Ling swirled the bowl gently, full of regret. “If only I had a stemmed glass.”
Look at her, with that darned sense of ceremony!
After finishing the iced tea and thinking about the long afternoon she still had to kill, Jiang Ling ate a few bites of her meal and returned to the side room for a nap.
The weather was too hot. Jiang Ling had to press herself right against the ice basin to barely fall asleep. The crushed ice in the basin finally couldn’t hold out any longer and all melted into water.
Jiang Ling turned over in her sleep, knocking over the ice basin. It fell to the floor with a deafening crash, startling her so much that she shot up like a stiff fish, instantly sitting bolt upright.
A Ruo and Fang He rushed in from the side room. Seeing the basin on the floor and the soaked thin quilt, they cursed under their breath and went forward to clean up.
At that moment, Su Yue appeared at the doorway. She curiously surveyed the chaos in the room and curtsied gracefully. “What happened, Elder Sister Jiang?”
The two were of similar age, both in their early eighteenth year, and both were background characters in the original book.
In the rear palace, seniority was mainly determined by rank and who received their title first.
The original owner of the body had been ennobled as a Cairen (Concubine) before Su Yue, so she lived in the main building of Xie Fang Pavilion, while Su Yue lived in the western side courtyard.
Su Yue had delicate features and fair skin. When she smiled, a dimple bloomed on her left cheek, making her look sweet and charming.
The original owner was also a beauty, with vibrant and striking features. In the prime of her youth, even a blooming peony would pale in comparison.
The one thing the rear palace did not lack was beauties. The other two Imperial Attendants in Xie Fang Pavilion were also in the flower of their youth, with outstanding looks.
They were all in the deep palace, destined to wither in obscurity.
“Please sit, Younger Sister Su.” Seeing Su Yue, Jiang Ling felt awkward despite being somewhat familiar with her. After greeting her, she first went to the lavatory to wash and change.
After dawdling for a long while, Jiang Ling reluctantly returned to the side room. Su Yue was still there, discussing needlework with A Ruo.
Jiang Ling didn’t even know how to sew on a button. Unable to join the conversation, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief and quietly sat down to the side.
“Elder Sister Jiang.” Su Yue put down her needlework and spoke to Jiang Ling with a bright smile.
Her smile was sincere and warm, and she said with a hint of flattery, “A Ruo’s needlework is truly excellent. Elder Sister Jiang is so fortunate.”
How A Ruo’s good needlework translated into her own good fortune was something Jiang Ling’s mind couldn’t quite process at the moment.
Su Yue smiled and asked, “Consort De’s birthday is the day after tomorrow. Is Elder Sister Jiang planning to gift Consort De some needlework as a birthday present?”
In the original book, the Empress of the Central Palace, Cui Huanghou, had died early. Lin Guifei, Zhao De Fei, Liu Xianfei, and others jointly managed palace affairs.
Hearing the name of the favored Zhao De Fei, alarm bells went off in Jiang Ling’s head. She definitely wouldn’t go join the excitement. Besides, she had no idea Zhao De Fei’s birthday was approaching, let alone the customs for imperial concubines’ birthdays. She planned to subtly inquire about it.
“According to the rules, what should be sent?”
The moment the words left her mouth, Jiang Ling, though her face didn’t show it, was internally going crazy.
So much for being subtle!
Su Yue was taken aback for a moment, then covered her mouth and giggled. “Elder Sister Jiang is so amusing. There are many sisters in the palace, and many birthdays, so how could there be any fixed rules? Sisters who are on good terms just exchange some birthday gifts and gather for a cup of wine.”
That made sense. There were over forty palace women with titles and nearly thirty without. If everyone had to send gifts and celebrate, the rear palace would be busier than a morning market.
Jiang Ling subconsciously felt that Su Yue’s visit was not simple; she must be probing for something. Fearing she would misspeak, she simply remained silent.
Su Yue’s eyes darted around, a light sorrow clouding her brow. “Consort De is deeply favored by His Majesty and constantly receives rewards; what fine things has she not seen? Even if I emptied my family’s coffers, I couldn’t produce a decent birthday gift. I just plan to go pay my respects and offer my congratulations. Would Elder Sister Jiang like to go together?”
They both lived in Xie Fang Pavilion. If Su Yue went to offer birthday congratulations and she didn’t, it would seem arrogant.
Left with no choice, Jiang Ling nodded. “I’ll go too.”
Hearing this, Su Yue smiled again. “Then the day after tomorrow, I will go with Elder Sister Jiang.”
After Su Yue left, A Ruo approached with her wicker basket, holding up a pair of nearly finished silk socks. “This is what I’ve been making for you, Cairen (Concubine). It will be ready by tomorrow. You can take it as a birthday gift for Consort De.”
Jiang Ling’s mouth fell slightly open, her surprise unconcealed.
The Imperial Wardrobe Department only made the outer garments for palace women. Personal items like undergarments and silk socks were all made by themselves after receiving the fabric.
A Ruo usually did her needlework silently on the side, and Jiang Ling had assumed she was making things for her own use. She never imagined she was actually making a birthday gift for Zhao De Fei.
“Cairen (Concubine) Su was asking all those questions earlier, trying to sound me out. Hmph, I would never tell her.”
A Ruo was indignant, pouting as she said, “Cairen (Concubine), don’t be fooled. Cairen (Concubine) Su doesn’t have good intentions. She must have prepared a birthday gift long ago to curry favor with Consort De. If she gains the Consort’s appreciation, she might get a chance to show her face before His Majesty and have him flip her nameplate again.”
Jiang Ling was dumbfounded. She reckoned that, besides herself, even the ants in the rear palace were experts at palace intrigue!
Even A Ruo could see through Su Yue’s actions, so how could Zhao De Fei not know?
Since she had decided to stay away from the high-level games, Jiang Ling’s resolve grew even firmer. She would just follow the crowd and go offer her congratulations.
On the day of Zhao De Fei’s birthday, Su Yue got dressed and ready early in the morning and waited in the main building.
Jiang Ling was so nervous her whole body was stiff as she stepped out of Xie Fang Pavilion for the first time to go to Zhao De Fei’s Fu Ning Palace to offer her congratulations.
Author’s Note:
Next book preview: A Guide to Resisting Ancient Domestic Abuse. Synopsis below, please add it to your collection.
Cheng Nian transmigrates to become the six-year-old legitimate youngest daughter of the Cheng family of the Ministry of Personnel in the capital. She has a full-blooded older brother and sister.
Father, Cheng Shilang: Elegant and dashing, exceptionally capable, having reached the high position of Vice Minister at a young age.
Mother, Shen Furen: Literate and well-read, from a scholarly family, gentle and loving.
Cheng Nian, a corporate drone who worked herself to death in her previous life: I can finally lie flat in this life.
Until one day, Cheng Nian discovers that Shen Furen’s accidentally exposed arm is covered in purple and blue bruises. Some marks have already faded, clearly indicating new injuries on top of old ones.
It turns out that the crying she faintly heard late at night was not a dream.
It was Shen Furen being tortured and beaten by Cheng Shilang.
And it wasn’t just Shen Furen; the other concubines were the same.
They were suffering domestic abuse from Cheng Shilang.
Reading Guide:
This is a fictional historical setting, please do not scrutinize for historical accuracy.
Note: The ranking system for rear palace imperial concubines is set as follows:
1.Empress
2.Fei (Consort, First Rank Proper, with Guifei being the highest; others are not ranked hierarchically) Guifei (Imperial Concubine) Shufei Defei Xianfei
3.Pin (Concubine, Second Rank Proper)
4.Jieyu (Lady of Handsome Fairness, Third Rank Proper)
5.Meiren (Beauty, Fourth Rank Proper)
6.Cairen (Cairen (Concubine), Fifth Rank Proper)
7.Other unranked concubines Guiren (Noble Lady) Junjun (County Lady) Yushi (Imperial Attendant)