Fang Sideng said respectfully, “Mei Ren, the shichen is getting late. Soon people from various places will come to collect candles and lamps. Please allow this servant to have the candles and lamp oil carried out for preparation.”
The palace maids from the Shangqin Bureau carried several tables and placed them under the eaves on the west side of the storeroom. The accounting dianyi held writing brushes and ink, carefully arranging account books on the tables.
Jiang Ling said, “Very well. We mustn’t delay the collection of lamps and candles from various departments. Proceed according to the previous arrangements.”
As Fang Sideng had the palace maids carry out the candles, the door to the lamp oil storeroom was also opened. Jiang Ling couldn’t help but walk over to take a look, and her headache intensified.
The lamp oil was stored in large earthen jars, their openings sealed tightly with oilcloth. Palace maids used copper ladles to transfer the oil into smaller jars, measuring with you duanzi before distributing to various departments.
There was inevitably some loss during oil distribution, plus evaporation occurred. Whether the you duanzi was filled completely or only seventy to eighty percent, whether all the oil was poured into the measuring vessel or some residue remained – all this was controlled by the palace maids of the Shangqin Bureau.
The lamp oil accounts were utterly chaotic.
Jiang Ling rubbed her temples and decisively abandoned the lamp oil issue, turning instead to inventory the candles.
Huang Momo and Zhong Shanggong followed at a distance behind her. Jiang Ling’s eyes shifted – better others suffer than oneself.
Currently she only had four assistants at best. Since Zhao Defei had dragged her into this and she couldn’t refuse, she might as well make some effort.
“Huang Momo, Zhong Shanggong, I’d like to trouble you both to lend a hand with the inventory. This way we can work faster.”
Huang Momo’s expression changed slightly. Reacting quickly, she smiled and said, “Under normal circumstances, if Lady Jiang had to ask, it would be this servant’s fault. However, Her Highness cannot be without attendants. May Lady Jiang please wait while this servant returns to seek Her Highness’s instructions.”
Jiang Ling inwardly scoffed. She wasn’t skilled at diplomatic talk and tried her best to control herself from showing displeasure, nodding with a stiff expression.
Zhong Shanggong looked troubled and said, “With the Emperor’s sacred birthday approaching, this servant dare not be negligent. Guifei Niangniang previously sent someone to inquire about the luanjia matters. This servant must hurry to report to Her Highness. Could Lady Jiang make an exception? After this servant has seen Guifei Niangniang, I will return to help with the counting.”
It was clearly an excuse, yet one couldn’t find fault with it. Jiang Ling hadn’t rested at noon and was already exhausted. Moreover, since she held the position managing lamps and candles, Zhong Shanggong was technically her subordinate.
She couldn’t control Huang Momo, and Zhong Shanggong could leave to attend to her duties, but surely not all the other palace maids in the Shangqin Bureau would coincidentally be unavailable.
“If you need to report to Guifei Niangniang and cannot stay, then send twenty palace maids from Sideng Si to assist,” Jiang Ling said. She actually didn’t know how many palace maids were in the Shangqin Bureau – the more the better, so she randomly called out a number.
Zhong Shanggong showed no panic. She gave a bitter smile and pointed outside, saying, “Lady Jiang, they are all already on duty here.”
Jiang Ling followed her gaze and saw about ten palace maids busily working under the eaves. Fang Sideng was directing and arranging nearby, as people had already begun arriving to collect candles and lamp oil.
Since open flames couldn’t be used in the lamp and candle storeroom, and the palace needed to be lit by evening, they truly couldn’t leave their posts.
Jiang Ling was so angry she wanted to curse. A rare stubbornness was forced out of her. She said to A Ruo, “Go back and bring everyone from our courtyard.”
The rough work palace maids and eunuchs from Fanying Pavilion, including the gatekeeper, totaled six people. Together with A Ruo and the other three, that made ten people total – surely they could work faster.
Zhong Shanggong lowered her eyelids and, along with Huang Momo, remained silent. They both bowed in succession and took their leave.
Jiang Ling called Fang He and the other two, entering the candle storeroom and giving instructions one by one: “Fang He and Qing Wen, you count the beeswax. Wen Juan, you count the white wax. After counting, keep them separate—don’t mix them up.”
The three acknowledged the order and stepped forward, opening the wooden crates to begin the inventory. Jiang Ling held the ledger, rolling up her sleeves as she tallied the counts beside them.
After a while, A Ruo arrived with six others. Since there was a large quantity of white wax and Chinese tallow wax, Jiang Ling assigned all of them to count these two types.
The storeroom was bustling with activity, and more and more people came to collect lamps and candles. The prepared candles were soon distributed, and Fang Sideng entered with palace maids to carry them out.
Seeing this, Jiang Ling pointed to the counted candles and said, “Take these here.”
The palace maid carrying the candles did not move, instead looking at Fang Sideng and waiting for her order. Jiang Ling inwardly sneered, bracing herself for a confrontation.
Fang Sideng, however, replied with great deference, “Yes.”
Seeing this, the palace maid stood up and walked over, lifting the counted candles.
Jiang Ling’s pent-up anger had no outlet.
Fang Sideng curtseyed and withdrew. Shortly after, she returned and said, “Lady Jiang, the Neizang Treasury has delivered candles and lamp oil.”
Jiang Ling was taken aback and inwardly groaned.
So, she had been too slow to realize. The deepest trap Zhao Defei had set for her was not in the inventory check but in the Neizang Treasury!
The Neizang Treasury was Yuan Mingdi’s private treasury, but it also functioned as the state treasury.
All provisions for food, clothing, and daily necessities in the palace came from the Neizang Treasury. The eunuchs of the Neizang Treasury, along with the palace eunuchs in service, were all under the jurisdiction of the Neishi Inner Province.
Apart from tributes from various regions, the supervising officials of the Shiyi Department were responsible for purchasing firewood, rice, oil, salt, and other supplies. Once delivered to the palace, the Neiwuliao Supervising Official took over, distributing them to the various storerooms.
Eunuchs carried candles and lamp oil, filing into the storeroom one after another. Ku Jian Shen Yi entered, glanced around, and called out, “Fang Sideng, where are you?”
Fang Sideng hurriedly responded and stepped forward, saying, “Ku Jian Shen, I was reporting to Lady Jiang. Consort De has entrusted the management of lamps and candles to Lady Jiang. From now on, all matters regarding lamps and candles must be referred to Lady Jiang.”
Shen Yi paused for a moment, then raised his hand in a salute to Jiang Ling, who had slowly stepped forward. “This humble servant Shen Yi has come to deliver candles and lamp oil. I await Lady Jiang’s instructions.”
Jiang Ling observed Shen Yi: his face was dark and beardless, his body stout, his waist almost as thick as the large oil urns.
Although the eunuchs of the Neishi Inner Province held low ranks, they wielded substantial power. The historically infamous eunuch Tong Guan, who amassed immense authority, had come from the Neishi Inner Province.
Knowing she could not afford to offend him, Jiang Ling said straightforwardly, “Fang Sideng, just follow the usual procedures and store them.”
Fang Sideng acknowledged the order. Shen Yi gave Jiang Ling an inconspicuous glance, then raised his hand in farewell and went to coordinate with Fang Sideng.
The counted candles were quickly distributed and entirely depleted. The candles delivered by the Neizang Treasury soon filled the empty spaces again.
As dusk fell, the distribution of lamps and candles concluded. The palace maids began cleaning up, and it was time to close the storeroom.
Jiang Ling took stock and found only ten crates of counted candles piled in the corner. Given the storeroom’s inventory and Zhao Defei’s cunning, it was more than ninety percent likely that the Neizang Treasury would continue delivering candles the next day.
After all the hard work, it felt like pouring water into a sieve—ultimately, her efforts had been in vain.
Returning to Fanying Pavilion, Jiang Ling lay on the couch, exhausted both physically and mentally, not even wanting to lift a finger.
After dinner, her spirits revived somewhat, and her mind began to work again. Suddenly, a spark of insight flashed before her eyes.
The next day, after finishing breakfast, Jiang Ling took her attendants to the storeroom. She had made up her mind to thoroughly inventory the candles and other items before the Sideng Si distributed them that afternoon.
By mid-morning, half the candles had been counted when the Neizang Treasury delivered additional candles and lamp oil. Fang Sideng and Shen Yi arrived together at the storeroom, approaching respectfully to pay their respects.
Upon seeing them, Jiang Ling’s face turned pale, her inner turmoil overwhelming.
From the eunuchs of the Neizang Treasury, the Shiyi Department, and the Neiwuliao Supervising Official, to the Shangqin Bureau and Sideng Si—Jiang Ling estimated that few, if any, both high and low, inside and out, were innocent.
Recalling how candle supplies had been embezzled before, Jiang Ling suspected the accounts for candles were utterly corrupt, and Zhao Defei was eager to wash her hands of the matter.
If Jiang Ling meticulously checked the candles Shen Yi delivered, whether the numbers matched or not, it would bring her no benefit.
If the numbers didn’t match and she exposed the discrepancy impartially, she would offend everyone from the Neizang Treasury and Shangqin Bureau to Sideng Si, and even Lin Guifei and Consort Liu, who oversaw palace affairs.
Palace administration covered everything from daily necessities to food, clothing, and lodging. A problem with the candles would be like pulling up a radish—bringing the mud with it—and have widespread repercussions.
If she pretended ignorance and turned a blind eye, she would be held responsible for any shortages.
But if the numbers matched, that would be even more terrifying.
After all, Shen Yi’s move was essentially forcing the candles into her hands, compelling her to take inventory.
She had no clue about their intentions and couldn’t fathom their motives.
Jiang Ling was certain that even if she gave up the inventory now and temporarily muddled through, there would surely be another trap waiting for her.
The pit Zhao Defei had dug was truly bottomless.
Jiang Ling felt like a little lamb being herded by the fierce tiger Zhao Defei, forced to jump in with her eyes wide open!
Before Jiang Ling could react, Shen Yi had already directed the eunuchs: “Lady Jiang is short-handed. Hurry and open the crates, count each candle carefully—not a single one can be missed!”
The eunuchs busied themselves, meticulously counting every candle without missing one.
Jiang Ling stared blankly at the scene, her mind reeling as she realized that Huang Momo and Zhong Shanggong hiding and refusing to help wasn’t about putting her in her place.
It was a deliberate ploy to lure her into persisting with the inventory!
It was utterly terrifying. Jiang Ling felt a chill run through her, filled with dread and unease.
What were they really after?
The tactics and maneuvers she’d seen in clips of palace intrigue dramas were completely useless here.
Jiang Ling felt utterly powerless, on the verge of tears. They simply weren’t following the script!
Still, she had learned one thing: feigning illness or fainting to escape.
Without a loyal, intuitive maid by her side, if she fainted straight away, she was afraid it would hurt too much when she hit the ground.
Her eyes darting slightly, Jiang Ling pressed a hand to her lower abdomen. “Aiyo!” she cried out in feigned pain. Anxious and flustered, her movements were stiff and her expression exaggerated—clearly an act.
Even with advanced modern medicine, it would be hard to diagnose such feigned stomach pain. A Ruo, standing nearby, heard Jiang Ling’s cry and rushed over, asking with concern, “Mei Ren, what’s wrong? Oh, Mei Ren, is your menstruation coming soon?”
A Ruo murmured the word “menstruation” softly, but though Fang Sideng and the others only heard her exclamation, being women themselves, they roughly understood what she meant.
Jiang Ling thought to herself that even a fool occasionally hits on the truth—A Ruo had proven somewhat useful after all. She hadn’t considered this point herself, and when A Ruo mentioned it, she neither admitted nor denied it. Instead, she lowered her head, clutched her abdomen, and said with great discomfort, “Fang Sideng, I leave the storeroom in your hands. Just follow the usual procedures.”
Fang Sideng, as steady as ever, bowed respectfully and replied, “If Mei Ren is feeling unwell, please return to rest. It’s important to take good care of yourself.”
Jiang Ling gave a stiff nod. Concerned for her health, she called everyone in Fanying Pavilion back to attend to her.
Qing Wen and the others bustled in and out, bringing water and handkerchiefs. Eager to prove herself, A Ruo said, “Mei Ren always suffers during her menstruation. This servant will summon the imperial physician to examine you.”
Even as a consort in the inner palace, one could only use a menstrual belt. During these few days each month, Jiang Ling teetered on the brink of collapse, terrified of accidentally staining the bed.
At that moment, wanting to avoid dealing with Arou Fanghe, she used her discomfort as an excuse to seek some peace and quiet.
Hearing A Ruo’s intention to fetch the imperial physician, Jiang Ling retracted her earlier praise and said with utter resignation, “Don’t make a fuss. I just need to lie down for a while.”
A Ruo, full of concern, wanted to persuade her further, but Jiang Ling had already closed her eyes and fallen silent. Disappointed, A Ruo reluctantly held her tongue.
As she lay there, Jiang Ling had intended to ponder deeply, but unexpectedly, she drifted off to sleep.
“Mei Ren, wake up! Consort De is here!” A Ruo rushed into the room, shaking Jiang Ling awake with some force.
Jiang Ling opened her eyes, bleary-eyed, and glanced out the window. The late autumn sun shone brilliantly, filling the room with light.
Suddenly alarmed, she instinctively grew tense. She sat up, leaning against the soft cushions, pulled the brocade quilt over her knees, and did her best to appear sickly.
Wen Juan and Qing Wen led Zhao Defei into the side chamber. Jiang Ling struggled to rise from the couch to pay her respects, but Consort Zhao quickly stopped her: “Sister Jiang is unwell. Please lie down and don’t move.”She sat sideways on the edge of the couch, her hand resting lightly on the brocade quilt as she studied Jiang Ling with concern.” “Sister Jiang, are you feeling better now? Why haven’t you called for the imperial physician?”
Consort Zhao’s nails were painted with vivid red polish, and she wore an emerald green jade ring on her slender, delicate fingers. Her proximity made Jiang Ling feel as if a great mountain were pressing down on her, making it hard to even breathe.
Now there was no need to pretend—Jiang Ling’s face was as pale as if she were truly ill. Anxiously, she asked, “I’m fine. Why has Your Highness come?”
“After all, I entrusted the lantern and candle duties to you. If you’ve fallen ill because of it, how could I rest easy?”
Consort Zhao’s willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed slightly as she spoke apologetically, “If you’re truly unwell, you must have the imperial physician examine you carefully. Don’t let a young age lead to chronic illness.”
Faced with Consort Zhao’s earnest advice, Jiang Ling felt nothing but chills down her spine.
She knew she was no match for them. After a moment’s thought, she decided to throw caution to the wind and asked bluntly, “Why did Your Highness assign the lantern and candle duties to me?”