At the fifth watch, as the dawn drum atop Chengtian Gate sounded, the clear morning bells rang throughout Chang’an, echoing the solemn drumbeats. The dark blue morning clouds scattered, and scattered rays of dawn light pierced the thin mist, illuminating the gradually awakening hundred or so li-fang wards.
“Did you not sleep well?” Shen Hui was awakened, stretching lazily in bed, twisting like a twisty bread, and looked at Shen Wei’s dark circles under her eyes.
“No, I didn’t sleep soundly last night.” Shen Wei drew back the bed curtains and took down the hanging gown and skirt.
“You call that not sleeping soundly? I’m the one who didn’t sleep well!” Shen Hui said irritably. “There are clearly two beds, but you insisted on squeezing over to mine and kept clinging to me. I was so scared I didn’t dare turn over.”
“It’s my fault, sister. Please don’t be angry.” Shen Wei hurriedly apologized.
Shen Hui dressed quickly, opened the door, and took the water brought by the young maidservant to wash her face. “Tossing and turning all night—you’re not regretting it, are you?”
“No, no, it’s just that I’m a little…” Shen Wei fetched a silk ribbon to help her tie up her hair. “Sister, the rules in the wangfu are strict. Can we stay here safely?”
“Since we’re here, let’s make the best of it. If you’re scared, go back to the manor estate now.” Shen Hui pointed outside the door.
Shen Wei shook her head. “I won’t go back. Wherever you are, I’ll be there.”
“Then what are you worried about?” Shen Hui dampened a cloth and wiped Shen Wei’s face a few times, then mixed crushed clove and mint medicinal beans with warm water for her to rinse her mouth. “Let’s go eat. Sister Qing’er said today’s breakfast is lengtao, with toppings of fatty chicken with bamboo shoot cubes and chicken soup with song vegetable.”
Lengtao, a type of cold noodles, was most popular in Chang’an when made with pagoda tree leaf juice, resulting in huaiye lengtao—noodles with a bright green color, paired with various toppings. It was very refreshing to eat in the summer.
“You’re here, come sit quickly.” At the stone table in the courtyard, Qing’er led them to sit. “Leave this spot empty for Chun Tao.”
“Is Sister Chun Tao coming?” The gluttonous Shen Hui didn’t stand on ceremony, slurping noodles topped with fatty chicken and bamboo shoot cubes as she ate heartily.
Chang’an had many Hu merchants, so spices were slightly cheaper than elsewhere, leading to a preference for strong flavors. The bamboo shoot cubes in the topping were marinated in vinegar, zhuyu, pepper, and rice wine, then simmered with fatty chicken cubes before being sprinkled with a spoonful of garlic juice—spicy, salty, and fragrant.
“Chun Tao loves a bowl of lengtao with garlic juice, but unfortunately, the mansion doesn’t allow servants to eat such things.” Qing’er, who didn’t crave rich flavors, chose the lighter chicken soup with song vegetable topping. “From now on, when you and A Wei enter the wangfu, no matter who you befriend or get along with, don’t openly break this rule.”
Servants’ diets avoided all strongly flavored and cold dishes to prevent bad breath or persistent diarrhea, which could delay their duties.
“Yes, I understand, sister.” Hearing the words “openly,” Shen Hui knew this wasn’t an absolute rule, but she still obediently agreed.
After finishing half a bowl of noodles, Chun Tao rushed over in a flurry.
“I’m here, I’m here! Sister Qing’er, where’s my portion of lengtao? I want the fatty chicken with bamboo shoot cubes topping, with two spoonfuls of huma you and one spoonful of garlic juice, and plenty of broth.” She had been craving lengtao so much she could hardly sleep at night.
“You silly girl, you really treat Madam Xu’s home like a lengtao eatery.” Qing’er scolded her with a laugh.
“Don’t blame me, Sister Qing’er. I’m just so terribly hungry for it.” Chun Tao pretended to be pitiful. “Eating warm stewed radish and stewed loofah every meal, I’m practically turning into stewed Chun Tao.”
Qing'er instructed the young maidservant to serve Chun Tao some lengtao (cold noodles), while she herself stopped after eating less than half a bowl. She then took a piece of xingzi mijian (apricot preserves) to cleanse her palate. "A Hui, you and the others can continue eating together. I'm going to find Madam Xu. After noon, I'll come out of the wangfu (princely mansion) to teach you and A Wei the rules of the mansion."
"I've heard the wangfu (princely mansion) has many rules. Is it alright for you to leave the mansion so freely, sister?" After Qing'er had completely left, Shen Hui subtly moved closer to Chun Tao, probing for information.
Chun Tao had a good appetite and was already starting on her second bowl of noodles. "Of course, we can't leave freely. I secretly gave silver to the old woman guarding the side gate so I could leave the mansion."
"Ah?" Shen Hui hadn't expected her to be so straightforward.
"There's nothing wrong with saying this," Chun Tao said in a low voice, like a seasoned workplace veteran coaxing an intern to find loopholes. "There are exceptions to everything. For example, just like the main streets outside, the wangfu (princely mansion) has a xiao jin (curfew). After the ward gates close, the various side gates of the wangfu (princely mansion) are about to shut as well. Then, the various stewards start taking roll. If anyone is missing, it's immediately noted. If noted twice, they're immediately famai (sold off/disposed of). But if you promptly offer silver, they might just overlook noting you down once."
"Written in black and white, how can they overlook it?" Shen Wei squeezed to Chun Tao's right, flanking her with Shen Hui on the left.
"Precisely because it's written on paper, it's easier," Chun Tao lowered her voice even further. "The weather is dry. If a candle 'accidentally' burns something, there's no way to verify it, and it just has to be recopied."
What could happen during the recopying went without saying.
Listening to Chun Tao eloquently impart these little tricks, Shen Hui felt increasingly reassured.
Suddenly transmigrating into a servant, she had been most afraid that violating even the slightest rule would lead to being beaten to death without reason. Now, it seemed that the entire Chu Wangfu was far from a monolithic entity. Within the intricacies of human relationships, there were plenty of opportunities to maneuver.
She had been an orphan in her previous life, with only the counselor who always helped her apply for subsidies to miss. She truly hoped her sudden death wouldn't hinder the counselor's work.
As for the future, Shen Hui merely wanted to rely on her aunt, Madam Xu, to try and cling to Consort Zhao's coattails, idling away as a slacker. Limited by her intelligence and perspective, she didn't believe that just because she knew the plot, she could dominate everything. It was better to obediently lie low.
In the small garden of Ningyuan Residence, Madam Xu leaned against the couch in the baosha (attached pavilion/room), sewing boots.
Third Young Master had already begun martial arts training, practicing horseback riding and archery for ten days each month. When going to the riding grounds, he often changed into fanling hufu (lapel-style Hu clothing) and liuhe xue (six-stitch boots). However, the leather soles were hard, and Madam Xu worried he might be uncomfortable, so she sewed a layer of suluo (plain gauze) soft cloth inside.
Beside the couch, the lattice window was half-open. Qing'er sorted the silk threads, occasionally glancing at the lush, verdant zizhu (purple bamboo) filling the courtyard to rest her eyes.
"Lady, guess what sentence I heard A Hui say?" She finished organizing a spool of yin xian (silver thread) and began cutting a handkerchief.
"What sentence?" Madam Xu didn't even look up.
Qing'er said curiously, "A Wei is shy and doesn't sleep well. A Hui comforted her sister, saying, 'Since we are here, let us be at ease.' Using such classical phrases, it sounds like something only young masters and ladies would learn."
"That sentence comes from the Lunyu (Analects), but it's used incorrectly. Using such words to comfort someone clearly shows she only knows the literal meaning without understanding the context." Only then did Madam Xu pause slightly, recalling the classics she had memorized. "But for A Hui to remember it is already quite remarkable."
Where would Shen Hui have studied ancient texts? She had just said it offhand, overlooking that in ancient times with limited information flow, for a young maidservant like her, even being literate was considered rare.
"That's why I was so surprised." Qing'er had studied writing for a few days but only knew how to write her own name, so she greatly admired Shen Hui. "A Hui once tearfully complained that Lady Jiang forced her to copy books to sell for money. She must have memorized them while copying—truly remarkable, being able to remember everything after just one glance."
"She may not be as clever as you think, but if she is a bit clever, learning more skills will give her more options. It's not good to remain a young maidservant forever, only to be married off when she comes of age and repeat the same mistakes." Madam Xu couldn't help but think of her ill-fated elder sister and sighed.
"How could she remain a young maidservant forever?" Seeing no one around, Qing'er closed the window. "The palace has repeatedly summoned consorts to attend to the emperor's illness, and the great prince has been supervising the state for nearly half a year. It's possible that soon… with you here, A Hui and A Wei will surely be able to leave the estate."
The current emperor, the Mingde Emperor, had always doted on his eldest son, Yu Wang. Since Yu Wang died in battle, the emperor had been despondent. Coupled with the recurrence of old injuries, he had been bedridden for months, reluctantly ordering his legitimate son, Prince Chu, to supervise the state.
If Prince Chu ascends the throne, he will select a small portion of servants to bring into the palace. The rest will either have their slave status revoked or be assigned to imperial estates.
However, Madam Xu had never considered having her two nieces freed from servitude.
Not being a servant is good, but once her nieces come of age and remain unmarried, they will be pressured by the authorities. And if they choose to marry, without any support, can they truly find a good match?
It would be better for them to enter the palace together and take the examinations to become female officials. Even if they remain as low-ranking female scribes for life, they could at least earn several hundred taels of silver by the time they leave the palace.
Madam Xu glanced at Qing'er, signaling her to be quiet. "Don't say too much."
"You're right, lady." Qing'er opened the window again.
"Let's first see if A Hui and A Wei can handle their duties well." Madam Xu finished sewing the leather boots, opened a small white porcelain box, scooped out some rose hand cream, and applied it to her fingertips. "Granny Duan is sensible. She returned my sister's belongings and spoke sincerely. It's good for A Hui to follow her cousin. Tell A Hui that from now on, she will go to the Beast House. As for A Wei, she is simple-minded. Let her work in the Servants' Kitchen—at least she won't go hungry."
The kitchen is full of opportunities for profit, but those who are ambitious all flock to the kitchens that prepare meals for the masters. The Servants' Kitchen, which only provides three meals a day for the servants, is neither high nor low, so no one competes for it.
After the Qiqiao Festival, the supervisory senior maids re-registered the rosters, and Shen Hui and Shen Wei's duties in the estate were finally decided.
Upon hearing the message from the young maidservant, Shen Wei felt uneasy. She put down the half-embroidered pouch, on which the orchid pattern had just taken shape, its long leaves stretching out. "Sister, are you really assigned to the Beast House?"
"Yes. Sister Qing'er told me that Aunt said Granny Duan's cousin is indeed Aunt Duan from the Beast House, a good person. She ordered me to follow her and learn well." Shen Hui packed her small cloth bag efficiently.
She was an optimist, quite adaptable.
Whether as a university student or as a third-class maidservant in the Beast House, one must survive. Since she must live, it's better to live happily one day at a time.
"But I have to go to the Servants' Kitchen." Shen Wei tugged at Shen Hui's sleeve. "I'll miss you, sister."
"The Servants' Kitchen and the Beast House are only separated by a flower room, so they're very close." Shen Hui didn't mind.
"We've never been apart since we were little." Shen Wei was timid. The thought of not being able to see her sister all day frightened her, and her eyes reddened.
"If you miss me, come find me." Shen Hui's mind was filled with thoughts of food. "Besides, Sister Chun Tao said that if you secretly bribe the kitchen cooks, you can buy food cheaper than going to a restaurant. I'll definitely visit you often."
Within Chongren Ward, aside from Chu Wangfu, there were also Wu Guogong Fu and a nisi funded by Huyang Zhang Gongzhu. The owners of the remaining residences were likewise not lacking in official families. The eateries and taverns in the ward were expensive, and Dongxi Shi only opened at noon. If one craved a snack, it was better to go to the Servants' Kitchen to kai xiaozao.
Seeing Shen Wei still looking sorrowful, Shen Hui tapped her forehead with a finger: "You're eleven years old now, learn to grow up. Granny Duan returned the silver hairpin Mother left, I'll give you one as a keepsake. Those two gauze blouses were worn by Lady Jiang, Aunt and I found them distasteful, so we sold them. Aunt first gave each of us two hundred wen, the remaining two thousand wen she is keeping for us. Take good care of yours."
Shen Wei sniffled, holding back her tears, determined to step out from her sister's care and strive to stand on her own: "Sister, don't worry, I will learn."