The southeastern coast of Wei State was far from the capital. Riding back from the border to Zhaojing took dozens of days.
By the time Prince Nan entered the palace, it was already deep winter.
The northern wind swept through the entire imperial palace, with snow swirling and scattering like blossoms from the sky, accumulating on the corridor eaves under a fluffy white blanket.
The winter sun seemed weary, casting a hazy glow through the window lattice.
Lifting the curtain to enter the room, the gilded beast-head incense burner burned plum blossom-shaped Incense Cakes, their warm smoke drifting lazily. The charcoal fire in the room burned fiercely.
The Empress Dowager, growing older, increasingly could not bear the cold. Even the palace maids serving in the room had thin layers of sweat on their palms.
Prince Nan, who had long resided in the coastal regions, was fortunate to be robust and strong; otherwise, he might have struggled to endure the northern chill. Now, in the steamy warmth of Shouning Palace, he found it just right.
Prince Nan was burly in stature, with a prominent scar on his forehead that accentuated his fierce, almost demonic appearance.
He scanned the palace maids in the main hall, his eyes showing obvious disappointment.
He withdrew his unrestrained gaze and looked toward the Empress Dowager seated in the main position, dressed in a palace robe embroidered with golden pine and crane patterns, her hair simply styled in a flat bun.
The Empress Dowager was somewhat gaunt in build, yet her face bore no trace of harshness, instead presenting the image of a fortunate and noble lady.
Her gaze fell upon Prince Nan, this not-so-close illegitimate son of hers.
“Prince Nan is thoughtful to have come all the way to Shouning Palace. Had it not been for my old ailment flaring up recently, I certainly would not have missed your welcoming banquet.”
Prince Nan shook his head; he did not care for such formalities.
“Your health and well-being, Mother, are the greatest blessings,” he said. Unskilled in flattering pleasantries, he spoke only this before getting straight to the point.
“However, I have heard that Jiang Heling’s daughter is serving in Your Majesty’s palace?”
The Empress Dowager’s fingers, adorned with protective nails, paused slightly before she spoke as if it were of no consequence: “Does Prince Nan wish to ask for someone from me?”
Her tone carried a hint of amusement, and even the corners of her lips lifted slightly. Yet, upon closer inspection, her eyes remained calm and devoid of any real mirth.
Prince Nan, unfamiliar with subtlety, took the Empress Dowager’s words at face value and nodded: “If Mother is willing to part with her, I have a position as a concubine that I can offer her.”
In a prince’s household, there was one principal consort, two secondary consorts, six concubines, and the rest were low-ranking maids without official status.
Although Prince Nan’s household had many beauties, those granted official titles were indeed few.
If Nianyao were merely an ordinary palace maid, the Empress Dowager would have agreed, but…
The Empress Dowager sighed: “It is just unfortunate timing. That girl has recently been punished by me and sent to the Buddhist hall.”
The Buddhist hall was austere and strict, and it would certainly not allow a maid still serving there to enter a prince’s household as a concubine.
Prince Nan’s brow furrowed tightly. His already fearsome appearance now seemed as if he could devour someone whole.
Even Mama An, who had seen much at the Empress Dowager’s side, could not help but feel a tightening in her heart, moving slightly as if to shield the Empress Dowager.
Fearing that Prince Nan, having been away for too long, might not understand propriety and startle the Empress Dowager.
Before she could move, the Empress Dowager sensed it and reached out to press Mama An’s hand, preventing her from moving an inch.
The Empress Dowager remained as steady as Mount Tai, her expression unchanged.
Her face still wore a smile, much like the revered Guanyin Bodhisattva enshrined high in the temples.
Only after a long moment did Prince Nan seem to realize that his earlier anger should not have been displayed before the Empress Dowager.
However, he was currently extremely irritable, his lips pressed into a tight line.
With his plan thwarted, Prince Nan had no desire to put on the act of a dutiful son in front of the Empress Dowager.
He stood up, and it seemed as if the entire main hall trembled slightly.
Bowing to the Empress Dowager, Prince Nan at least performed a perfectly proper salute.
“In that case, I wouldn’t want to trouble Mother to part with what she holds dear. I shall not disturb you any further today.”
The Empress Dowager nodded, her words as gentle as a spring breeze.
“Zhu’er, see Prince Nan out.”
Mama An stepped forward, a proper smile on her face, identical to her mistress’s.
“Your Highness, Prince Nan, please.”
Prince Nan cupped his hands in salute and strode away with long, swift steps. Once his figure was no longer visible,
all the palace maids in the hall silently let out a sigh of relief.
After seeing Prince Nan off, Mama An returned, a trace of anxiety flashing across her face.
She was worried about Nianyao.
After so many years as mistress and servant, the Empress Dowager could tell what Mama An was thinking with just a glance.
The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and said, “Summon her here.”
Mama An bowed her head in acknowledgment. “Yes.”
Nianyao was in her room weaving knots, slender red threads passing through her delicate fingers, transforming into various shapes.
The room was quiet and cool, and Nianyao’s fingers were reddened from the cold.
But these knots were to be sold outside the palace later. Her craftsmanship was excellent, and each could fetch twenty wen. When Nianyao had little work, she would secretly weave knots in her room.
Hearing a sound outside, Nianyao placed the half-finished knot in a small bamboo basket, stood up, and opened the door.
Seeing it was Mama An, Nianyao was slightly surprised.
“Mama, why have you come? Please come in and have a cup of hot tea.”
But as soon as Nianyao spoke these words, she pursed her lips. The room was cold, and what she called “hot tea” was merely not icy to the touch.
Mama An politely declined her invitation, her expression turning somewhat serious. “Her Majesty the Empress Dowager summons you. Do not forget the etiquette I taught you earlier.”
A flicker of surprise passed through Nianyao’s eyes.
Since she had been promoted to a first-rank palace maid, although she saw the Empress Dowager more frequently,
it seemed as if the Empress Dowager paid her no mind. Even the others, who had thought the Empress Dowager favored her, gradually gave up their hopes of currying favor with Nianyao to rise together in status day after day.
Today, the Empress Dowager had actually summoned her, which truly took Nianyao by surprise.
Nianyao looked down at her clothes. Though not exquisite, they were at least neat and tidy.
She nodded to Mama An. “Yes, Mama. This servant will not forget.”
After learning etiquette from Mama An for so many days, Nianyao now carried an indescribable grace in her every movement.
Even as she followed Mama An into the hall,
the third-rank palace maids serving outside couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
“Hey, don’t you think Nianyao seems even more beautiful now?”
“Exactly, exactly. Before, she was pretty, but she lacked a certain charm. Now she looks even more delicate and captivating. Even wearing the same palace attire as us, her figure looks so slender and graceful from behind. Even as a woman, I can’t help but envy her.”
Yunrou naturally overheard this conversation. She bit her lip and glared at those gossiping behind her back, her heart filled with resentment.
If the Crown Prince hadn’t been summoned by His Majesty that day, it would have been her learning those manners now!
Nianyao kept saying she didn’t want to compete with her, yet she opposed her at every turn and even made her lose so much face in Shouning Palace.
Just wait and see.
Yunrou narrowed her eyes slightly as she watched Nianyao’s graceful, slender figure, a shadow of darkness flashing through her heart.
She would definitely not let Nianyao off easily.