Those who served in bed the previous night were permitted to arrive for morning greetings a quarter-hour later—a rule established by the Crown Princess upon her entry into the Eastern Palace to showcase her virtue as the mistress.
Kan’er had slept deeply through the night and only upon being awakened did she realize her entire body ached terribly, especially the inner sides of her thighs.
It was far worse than it had been during the night.
Tiao Zhu couldn’t help but whisper, “Our mistress is so young, yet Dianxia shows no consideration.”
The small of Zhaoxun’s back and the hollows behind her knees were almost entirely bruised purple, and one could even see the clear imprints of a man’s palms.
If she hadn’t known their Zhaoxun had been serving in bed, she would have thought her mistress had been beaten by Dianxia.
“Watch your words.”
Hansu, having finished styling Kan’er’s hair, reminded her upon hearing this.
Tiao Zhu chuckled twice.
Ying Gugu also felt sorry for Kan’er having endured such hardship, yet this was a suffering countless women in the rear court would beg for in vain.
If they still weren’t satisfied, it would be seen as excessive affectation, and spreading such sentiments would only harm their Zhaoxun mistress.
Thus, Ying Gugu admonished Tiao Zhu.
Tiao Zhu obediently acquiesced, then remembered something.
“Mistress, should we extinguish the lamps at night from now on?”
Kan’er took a moment to comprehend the question.
After some thought, she replied, “We’ll follow Dianxia’s preference when the time comes.”
In her previous life, during the initial years, the Crown Prince indeed had the habit of extinguishing lamps at night—perhaps it was merely a habit.
But habits could be changed.
In later years, that rule had vanished.
So Kan’er didn’t dwell on it.
Once ready, Kan’er, as usual, brought Tiao Zhu along and headed out.
Outside Jiarong Hall stood several attendants accompanying Cao Liangyuan, who spotted her and her maid approaching from a distance.
These people appeared to keep their eyes lowered humbly, but in reality, their gazes were filled with either resentment, scorn, or contempt.
Kan’er pretended not to see.
In her previous life, when she became a Fengyi, a similar scene had unfolded.
At the time, she thought they simply looked down on her background, believing her unworthy of competing for favor with their mistress.
It was only later that Kan’er understood.
Among them, there might have been some who genuinely felt indignant on Cao Liangyuan’s behalf, but most were driven by jealousy and resentment.
After all, they were all servants, yet she had become a mistress.
This was likely a case of “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”
In her previous life, the teenage Kan’er would have sighed, “Born of the same root, why such urgency to torment one another?”
Now, she entered the courtyard with her back straight.
Behind her, the crowd looked ashen-faced.
By the time Kan’er reached the main hall’s reception room, Cao Liangyuan and Qin Zhaoxun were already seated in their respective places, having finished a cup of tea.
Zheng Mingzhi was also present.
Seated in the main position to the north, she listened to their sporadic conversation, though all three were distracted.
The moment Kan’er entered.
It was as if they suddenly came to life, their sharp gazes almost simultaneously fixating on Kan’er.
They saw her wearing a lotus-root-colored jacket embroidered with hibiscus and peonies, paired with a mint-green pleated skirt adorned with cranes and cloud motifs.
It was still the same face, but the natural, flowing allure and charm emanating from her brows and eyes were startling to behold.
It was as if a flower bud, already stunningly beautiful, had suddenly bloomed overnight, eagerly stretching its petals under the sunlight to display its splendor.
Granny Pang, having navigated the inner court for thirty years and having borne children herself, recognized at a glance that this little minx had received the dew of favor.
And received it abundantly!
Zheng Mingzhi detested this fox-like appearance the most, inwardly cursing Kan’er as a seductive vixen.
She thought to herself: Had she not initially seen this flirtatious creature as someone who looked fertile, she would never have agreed to let such a trash taint her eyes!
Cao Liangyuan maintained a calm expression, but inwardly she was so choked with resentment that she wished she could scratch Kan’er’s face on the spot!
Qin Zhaoxun pressed her lips tightly together, her delicate fists clenched beneath her sleeves.
Pretending not to notice the subtle atmosphere, Kan’er stepped forward and performed a greeting salute to Zheng Mingzhi.
Zheng Mingzhi felt disgusted.
But when she noticed the changes in Cao Liangyuan and Qin Zhaoxun’s expressions, she suddenly felt pleased again.
“Song Zhaoxun worked hard last night, you may rise.”
Seeing the smile on Zheng Mingzhi’s face, Cao Liangyuan felt as if she had swallowed a fly, then she too let out a hearty laugh.
She stood up and went over to link arms with Kan’er.
“Congratulations, sister. Look at this little face, fresh as a flower. Compared to you, we’re all faded pearls.”
“Look how Dianxia has exhausted you – even your eyes are shadowed. You must get proper rest when you return later. Lack of sleep is a woman’s worst enemy.”
Come on then.
Since she was uncomfortable, nobody else would be comfortable either!
Kan’er genuinely admired Cao Liangyuan’s troublemaking skills.
While appearing to offer sisterly praise and teasing, she actually brought up the most sensitive topic for women – age.
Then deliberately mentioned Dianxia and her lack of sleep.
This both earned Kan’er resentment.
And stabbed Zheng Shi and Qin Zhaoxun in the heart.
Two birds with one stone.
The key was that Cao Liangyuan’s words and actions always appeared straightforward, making people think she could take charge.
No wonder in her previous life in the Eastern Palace, Cao Liangyuan had secured the top position among the concubines in the Back Palace.
Later when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, she was granted the title of Duanfei.
She occasionally assisted Zheng Shi in managing the six palaces.
Kan’er also remembered.
After Yao Ge’er died, it was Cao Liangyuan who gave birth to the Eastern Palace’s second son and eldest daughter – the auspicious dragon-phoenix twins.
“Thank you for your advice, Sister Cao.”
Kan’er collected her thoughts and made a proper curtsy.
“So well-behaved.”
Cao Liangyuan smiled, ignoring Qin Zhaoxun’s complicated expression and Zheng Mingzhi’s fading smile. She affectionately pinched Kan’er’s cheek before returning to her seat.
Someone came to serve tea to Kan’er.
As fate would have it, the tea server was Xiahe.
Perhaps she hadn’t expected that someone who until recently had been inferior even to herself – just a lowly servant guarding the tea stove – was now someone she had to serve tea to.
Xiahe’s expression was stiff.
Kan’er pretended not to notice, smiling faintly as she took the teacup from Xiahe’s hands, nodding slightly to her.
“Sister Song looks quite different from the day before yesterday,” Qin Zhaoxun said meaningfully while looking at Kan’er.
“Sister Qin, how am I different?”
Kan’er played dumb.
Qin Zhaoxun remained serious, her voice cool.
“The day before yesterday, you were more timid and shrinking.”
Qin Zhaoxun’s conduct style matched her appearance – often giving people the impression of being above worldly affairs, disdaining to associate with others.
Coupled with her scholarly aura.
In her previous life, Kan’er was often compared to Qin Zhaoxun, with people saying Qin Zhaoxun was the moon in the sky while she was the mud on the ground.
They said Qin Zhaoxun and the Crown Prince standing together were like the golden boy and jade girl, a match made in heaven, while she was just a meddling seductress.
After the Eastern Palace underwent great changes, following Cao Liangyuan giving birth to the dragon-phoenix twins, Qin Zhaoxun bore the Crown Prince’s second daughter.
Later when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Qin Zhaoxun was granted the title of Liangfei.
Kan’er and Qin Zhaoxun had some unpleasantness over the second daughter, but otherwise had no major conflicts.
“However, with a changed status, one’s demeanor and etiquette must indeed adapt accordingly,” Qin Zhaoxun lightly covered her lips with a handkerchief.
Cao Liangyuan scoffed inwardly.
So much for her aloof and non-competitive facade—she couldn’t even maintain it for long.
“Sister Qin is right.”
Kan’er lowered her head, smiling bashfully.
“I, too, wish to learn from my elder sisters, but I’m afraid my attempts at imitation have only made me appear clumsy. Please forgive my awkwardness.”
Though Qin Zhaoxun claimed not to compete, she could never truly swallow the fact that Kan’er—a former palace maid—now held the same rank as her.
Thus, she seized this chance to mock Kan’er.
Yet, to her surprise, Kan’er responded with neither humility nor arrogance, simply acknowledging the remark—making Qin Zhaoxun appear vulgar in comparison.
Qin Zhaoxun’s gaze turned cold.
Deliberately, she remarked, “You used that idiom quite well. Do you know where ‘attempting to draw a tiger but ending up with a dog’ originates from?”
The Great Jing palace had strict rules:
Aside from personal attendants and supervisors who were permitted basic literacy, all other maids and eunuchs were forbidden from reading or writing.
Those who had studied before entering the palace could avoid harsh labor like laundry or cleaning duties.
Kan’er had never received an education before her entry. Her placement in the Guangchu Department as an embroiderer was due to her fair appearance and deft hands.
Qin Zhaoxun’s question was clearly intended to humiliate.
Kan’er laughed inwardly but feigned confusion outwardly.
Then, with embarrassed discomfort, she replied, “As a former servant, I barely recognize any large character calligraphy. How could I possibly know this phrase’s origin…?”
Rising, she bowed slightly to the three present.
“I apologize for embarrassing the Crown Princess and my elder sisters. I am dull-witted and beg for your guidance in the future.”
This time, not only Qin Zhaoxun but even Zheng Mingzhi and Cao Liangyuan were taken aback by her reaction.
Had it been anyone else publicly exposed for illiteracy, they would have been too ashamed to speak.
But Kan’er— though appearing modest, carried herself with grace and composure, immediately outshining Qin Zhaoxun who had posed the question.
“No need for apologies, none at all.”
Cao Liangyuan covered her mouth with a tinkling laugh.
“Many in the palace are illiterate. Not everyone comes from a scholarly family like your Sister Qin. As long as you’re willing to learn and improve, it’s hardly a matter of shame, don’t you agree, Sister Qin?”
Qin Zhaoxun flushed crimson at Kan’er’s response, and Cao Liangyuan’s mocking tone only fueled her humiliation.
She shot to her feet.
After a hurried bow to Zheng Mingzhi, she said coldly, “I am unwell. I beg permission to take my leave.”
Zheng Mingzhi disliked Kan’er’s unyielding composure, but she enjoyed watching the Back Palace’s petty squabbles.
It amused her like observing kittens and puppies tussling.
Pleased by the spectacle, she was happy to play along.
“Go then. The weather grows hotter—take care not to fall ill from the heat.”
Turning to Kan’er and Cao Liangyuan, she added, “That will be all for today. You may all disperse.”
Outside Jiarong Hall, Qin Zhaoxun strode away stiffly, sleeves fluttering, without so much as a glance at Kan’er.
Cao Liangyuan said, “Don’t take it to heart, sister. Your Sister Qin has always been like this. She’ll calm down soon enough.”
Kan’er softly acknowledged.
She said nothing more.
Cao Liangyuan studied her briefly, her smile not reaching her eyes.
Constantly guarding against schemes and traps—even for Kan’er, who was accustomed to such a life—was exhausting, especially when she was already unwell.
So much so that upon returning to her own courtyard, Kan’er could no longer hold herself upright, collapsing weakly into Tiao Zhu’s arms.