May the Four Seasons Bring Peace, and Fortune and Longevity Be Yours
Walking from Chuxiu Palace all the way to Changqing Palace in the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, Shen Yanshui kept to the middle of the group, remaining silent and composed throughout the journey.
Among the ranks of the Crown Prince’s wives and concubines, aside from the Crown Princess herself,
according to ancestral regulations, the positions below her were, in descending order: Liangdi, Liangyuan, Chenghui, Zhaoxun, and the lowest, Fengyi.
Among the four newcomers, she had been granted the title of Zhaoxun.
Above her were one Liangyuan, one Chenghui, and below her was one Fengyi.
She pondered the family backgrounds of the others and realized that, apart from herself, none of the others came from military or noble families. Their fathers and brothers were almost all civil officials.
This did not surprise her, as Dayong had long prioritized civil officials over military ones—a practice that had persisted for quite some time.
After passing through several winding corridors, she heard the eunuch leading them exchange a few cheerful words with the palace maids at the entrance.
Soon after, their group was ushered inside.
Raising her eyes, she saw a main hall with five bays and side rooms on either side. The courtyard was paved with dark green bricks, their patterns intricate and flowing like rippling water.
In the center of the courtyard stood an artificial hill made of stacked Taihu stones, their shapes elegant and refined. A thin stream of water trickled down from between the stones, and clusters of exotic flowers and plants grew from the crevices—unfamiliar in name but blooming splendidly.
“Your servant pays respects to the Crown Princess. May Your Highness enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”
“Rise,” a gentle voice tinged with a hint of warmth and laughter responded.
The Crown Princess was dressed in a light purple jacket embroidered with gold thread and floral patterns, paired with a pleated skirt adorned with pearls and vibrant floral designs. On her head, she wore a peony crown and a gold hairpin embellished with pearls, her demeanor dignified, gentle, and radiant.
As soon as she finished speaking, Hongling, a senior palace maid in a brown printed round-collar robe with her hair tied in a bun secured by a mud-gold crimson hairband adorned with gold beads, stepped forward with a smile and handed over a small pouch. “You’ve worked hard today, Eunuch Zhang.”
Zhang Fu accepted the pouch with a beaming smile, tucking it into his sleeve. “Your Highness need not worry. All those entering the Eastern Palace have been personally approved by His Majesty. They are surely all of good character and will not trouble Your Highness. The young ladies are currently waiting outside. Shall we…”
The Crown Princess smiled warmly. “Then let them all come in. I would like to meet the new sisters.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Shortly after, the four newcomers were led into the hall by Nanny Zhao, passing around a Huanghuali wood screen embroidered with landscapes of the four seasons.
Shen Yanshui quickly glanced at the Crown Princess seated at the front—a woman of dignified, gentle, and opulent bearing.
Palace maids on either side lifted the pearl-adorned golden curtains, and Nanny Zhao from the Gongzheng Department led the group in with a cheerful smile, curtsying respectfully. “Greetings to the Crown Princess. May Your Highness enjoy eternal peace.”
Shen Yanshui stood in the middle, keeping her eyes lowered and fixed on her toes as she followed the others in performing the proper courtesies.
“Please rise, there’s no need for such formality,” the Crown Princess said, her gaze sweeping over the group of strikingly beautiful newcomers before her. For a fleeting moment, her flawless smile stiffened imperceptibly.
Nanny Zhao bowed and introduced them one by one: “Your Highness, this is Lady Zhang, whose grandfather is Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Rites.”
Lady Zhang had a serene, scholarly appearance, dressed in a sandalwood-colored plain silk gown with subtle silver embroidery and wearing a jade hairpin. She looked every bit the dignified and well-mannered daughter of a noble family.
The Crown Princess nodded with a smile and asked, “Then the lady beside her must be Lady Wu, daughter of Minister Wu of the Dali Temple?”
“I have long heard that the young lady of the Wu family possesses a beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall—a face that puts the moon and flowers to shame. Seeing you today, the rumors indeed hold true. At first glance, I was nearly left breathless.”
Upon hearing this, Lady Wu instinctively lifted her chin slightly, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips.
She had a strikingly beautiful and radiant face, dressed in a pomegranate-red ruqun embroidered with intertwining chrysanthemum patterns. A hibiscus-patterned jade pendant adorned her waist, and her hair was adorned with gold, jade, and agate ornaments, making her appear dazzlingly resplendent.
Now, having received praise from the Crown Princess, she felt even more pleased with herself. With a flattering and ingratiating tone, she fawned, “Your Highness flatters me. My humble appearance is not even one ten-thousandth of Your Highness’s beauty.”
Shen Yanshui stood with her head bowed and eyes lowered, as if she could clearly sense the sudden silence that fell around them.
She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. This Lady Wu had likely flattered the wrong person.
Lady Wu was indeed beautiful—her features were bright and bold, a true great beauty. But as for the Crown Princess’s appearance…
Though not unattractive, compared to Lady Wu, it could only be described as delicate and refined.
Lady Wu’s words sounded less like flattery and more like mockery.
The Crown Princess’s smile stiffened for a moment as she scrutinized Lady Wu. “Has Lady Wu’s mouth been sweetened with honey today?”
Lady Wu, failing to catch the undertone, replied with a beaming smile, “It is because Your Highness is naturally beautiful and blessed with such grace.”
From the corner of her eye, Shen Yanshui seemed to notice the Crown Princess’s slightly rigid smile.
Nanny Zhao cleared her throat and resumed the introductions, this time more swiftly and succinctly.
Whether due to exhaustion or other reasons, the Crown Princess did not show any further special attention to the others.
Only when Nanny Zhao introduced Shen Yanshui did the Crown Princess sigh and praise her for her fine appearance.
No mention was made of Consort Lan or her elder sister, Lady Shen.
Shen Yanshui noticed Lady Wu’s unfriendly gaze directed at her and responded with a slight smile, not taking it too much to heart.
Seeing her smile, Lady Wu frowned in displeasure.
After the introductions, Shen Yanshui learned that among the four newcomers, the last one, Lady Lin, was the daughter of the magistrate of Xuzhou.
A palace maid from the Crown Princess’s quarters brought up several teacups, and starting with Lady Zhang, each presented tea to the Crown Princess in turn.
When it was Shen Yanshui’s turn, she followed the protocol, bowing her head and presenting the tea with humility. At the same time, she felt a gaze from above settling on her face.
After a brief pause, the Crown Princess finally raised her hand to take the teacup, lightly touching it to her lips. She glanced down at the face before her—a beauty that was in no way inferior to Lady Wu’s, and perhaps even more striking—and felt a deep discomfort.
However, recalling Shen Zhaoxun’s connection to Consort Lan in the palace, her heart eased somewhat.
Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince had never been one to indulge in feminine charms. What did it matter if she possessed a face that could topple cities? She would still be unable to stir up any trouble.
After everyone had presented their tea, the Crown Princess assumed a solemn expression and delivered a few words of admonishment according to protocol before relaxing her brow and smiling. “I hope all you sisters will serve His Highness the Crown Prince with utmost devotion and bear him heirs as soon as possible.”
“Yes, we shall heed Your Highness’s teachings.”
“Very well. I have been feeling unwell these past few days, so I shall not keep you for further conversation today, lest I pass on any illness,” the Crown Princess said with a smile before adding, “Nanny, please escort the sisters to their respective courtyards to settle in.”
Nanny Zhou replied respectfully, “Yes, Your Highness.”
The Crown Princess’s daily residence is called Xiefang Hall, which belongs to the rear hall of Changqing Palace. The front hall, Dunben Hall, is primarily where the Crown Prince meets with his Eastern Palace officials, while the main hall of Changqing Palace serves as the Crown Prince’s daily study and living quarters.
Behind Xiefang Hall lies a row of rear annex rooms, which house the Crown Prince’s concubines.
The rear annex consists of five small courtyards arranged side by side. Shen Yanshui was led by Nanny Zhou, who serves the Crown Princess, to the leftmost courtyard.
Nanny Zhou smiled warmly and said, “Lady Shen and Lady Liu will reside in this Lotus Heart Court from now on. Lady Shen will occupy the east wing, and Lady Liu the west wing. If you find yourselves lacking any daily necessities, please send word, and this old servant will ensure everything is arranged properly for you both.”
Shen Yanshui turned slightly and offered a half-curtsy in return.
In terms of rank, the chief nanny serving the Crown Princess held a higher position than she, a mere seventh-rank Zhaoxun of the Crown Prince.
With a smile, she stepped forward and quickly supported Nanny Zhou’s arm, saying, “We’ve troubled you today, Nanny Zhou.” As she spoke, she discreetly handed over a pouch she had prepared earlier.
Nanny Zhou did not refuse, accepting it with a smile while politely remarking, “You are too kind, Zhaoxun.”
Noticing this, Lady Liu, who stood nearby, suddenly removed a gold-inlaid jade bracelet from her wrist and said with a smile, “We may have to rely on your guidance often in the future, Nanny. Please do not take offense.”
Nanny Zhou accepted it with the same cheerful demeanor, exchanged a few polite words, and then said, “If there is nothing else, this old servant will take her leave to report back to Her Highness.”
“Take care on your way, Nanny.”
Only after Nanny Zhou’s figure had disappeared from sight did Shen Yanshui withdraw her gaze and turn her attention to the several palace maids and eunuchs who had been waiting nearby.
One of the maids, dressed in a blue round-collared robe with a goose-yellow waist apron, promptly stepped forward with quick wit, bowed again, and greeted, “This servant Cuiyun pays respects to my lady. The east wing has already been tidied up. Would my lady like to rest inside first?”
“Very well, lead the way,” Shen Yanshui replied with a clear, cheerful laugh.
There was no rush to explore the small courtyard just yet. Having spent the entire morning walking, standing, and kneeling, she preferred to sit down first, rest a little, and familiarize herself with the servants assigned to her.
Before leaving, she glanced at Lady Liu and said politely, “Please make yourself at home, Lady Liu. I shall retire to my room to rest.”
Lady Liu was momentarily dazzled by Shen Yanshui’s radiant smile and instinctively curtsied in response. By the time she regained her composure, she could only see Shen Yanshui’s graceful, retreating figure.
Any intention she had to stroll around the courtyard vanished instantly, and she turned to enter the west wing instead.
Once inside her room, Shen Yanshui glanced around but found nothing particularly remarkable about the furnishings—after all, she had lived a life of luxury for over a decade.
The palace maids and eunuchs behind her watched as their new mistress walked directly to the soft couch placed beneath the window in the east warm chamber.
After sitting down, she casually pulled over two light yellow printed soft pillows and leaned back against them, reclining with practiced ease as if her bones had suddenly melted away. The servants were momentarily taken aback.
Yet, even in such a relaxed posture, their mistress remained breathtakingly beautiful, almost too dazzling to behold directly.
Leaning comfortably on the soft couch, Shen Yanshui let out a soft sigh and smiled at the four maids and two young eunuchs before her. “Now, introduce yourselves,” she said.
It was Cuiyun, the maid who had stepped forward earlier, who knelt first and replied respectfully, “In response to my lady, this servant is Cuiyun. I entered the palace three years ago and previously served in the Imperial Food Bureau.”
The others followed suit, kneeling respectfully and saying, “In reply to our mistress, this servant is Liu’er. I entered the palace three years ago and previously worked in the Laundry Bureau.”
“This servant is Xiuzhu. I entered the palace three years ago and was responsible for sweeping and cleaning duties in the Imperial Garden.”
“This servant is Chun’er. I am fifteen this year and have just entered the palace a year ago. I have been learning the rules from the matrons all along.”
After the four palace maids kneeling at the front introduced themselves, the two young eunuchs kneeling behind them, dressed in crow-blue narrow-sleeved round-collared robes with slits and wearing crow-colored headscarves, finally spoke.
One was called Xiao Luzi, eighteen years old, with an honest and somewhat dull appearance. He had previously served tending flowers and plants in a Beauty’s palace, but after the Beauty violated palace regulations and was confined to the Cold Palace, he was sent back to the Ministry of Internal Attendants.
The other was called Xiao Fuzi, sixteen years old, with a small round face. When he smiled, two small dimples appeared. Fair and clean, he looked quite handsome and pleasing.
“This servant was responsible for airing books in the Zhaowen Pavilion and knows a few characters.”
Shen Yanshui was slightly surprised to hear this, as it was rare for palace maids and eunuchs within the palace to be literate.
“Are any of the others literate?”
Indeed, the chances of continuously uncovering treasures like this were still too slim. Even so, she was not disappointed and maintained her smile as she looked at them. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t know characters, as long as you are willing to learn.”
After all, someone had to do the work, right?
Understanding the implication, they all couldn’t help but feel pleasantly surprised. “Thank you for your grace, Mistress!”
It wasn’t that they were unwilling to learn characters, but without the permission of the mistress they served, the palace would not teach palace maids and eunuchs to read.
And if one wanted to climb higher, literacy was a necessary skill.
Seeing their excited and grateful expressions, Shen Yanshui smiled. “Don’t hurt your heads from kowtowing. Since this is our first meeting and you are not yet familiar with my temperament, I’ll simply say this: I rarely lose my temper, but that doesn’t mean I have no temper.”
“Usually, you just need to be loyal and diligent in performing your assigned duties.”
“If, after some time, anyone wishes to seek another path, just tell me directly. We have been master and servant for a time, so let’s part on good terms. However…”
As she spoke, her voice grew even softer, and she continued with a leisurely tone, “If anyone harbors ill intentions, schemes, or attempts any act of betrayal…”
The expressions of the palace maids and eunuchs instantly tightened, and they quickly insisted they would never dare.
They hadn’t expected this mistress, who from the start appeared smiling, gentle, approachable, and without airs, to suddenly say such things. It was clear that their mistress was not as weak and easily bullied as she seemed on the surface.
The palace was a place where people fawned on the powerful and trampled on the weak. To live well, one had to climb higher, and they were no exception.
Following a clever and perceptive mistress who was not easily fooled was far better than serving a foolish one.
“Since we have followed you, Mistress, we will naturally serve you wholeheartedly and with undivided loyalty. We beg you to bestow names upon us.” Once Cuiyun spoke up, the others also requested their mistress to give them new names.
Observing their expressions, Shen Yanshui raised her hand to signal them to rise. After a moment’s thought, she smiled and said, “In that case, from now on, Cuiyun shall be called Chunping, responsible for tea, snacks, food, and the storeroom.”
“The other three shall be named Xia’an, Qiuru, and Dongyi, respectively, in charge of various matters both inside and outside the rooms.”
“Xiao Fuzi shall henceforth be called Quanfu, responsible for the storeroom keys and all external affairs. Xiao Luzi shall be renamed Quanshou and will report to Quanfu.”
“From now on, all matters in the household shall be temporarily managed by Chunping.”
“Yes, Master,” the servants promptly replied.
Shen Yanshui smiled as she looked at them. Four seasons of peace, blessings and longevity—this was her greatest hope for herself.