“Caiyun… mind your words…”
A girl about the same age as Caiyun tugged lightly at her sleeve, timidly reminding her.
Jiang Zhuo suddenly recalled the days in her previous life, after she was disfigured—when she refused to see anyone and could only soothe herself by playing the pipa.
The pipa, to Jiang Zhuo, was far more than a simple hobby. At one time, it had been her only means of survival within the inner courtyard.
“Sharpening the knife doesn’t hinder chopping firewood,” Jiang Zhuo explained patiently. “Since our livelihood depends on the instrument, then we ought to care for it well and improve daily. If we don’t spend time studying the craft that feeds us, what else should we spend our time on?”
“You make it sound easy.”
Caiyun gazed at Jiang Zhuo with undisguised resentment.
“If you were like us—born poor, practicing through bitter winters and scorching summers day and night just to earn a meager monthly wage; even when your nails crack or your fingers split you still must continue to play; even when the nobles who demand your music don’t understand a single thing about it—then you would know just how cheap the instrument you painstakingly maintain truly is, and how unnecessary these so-called techniques are to people like us!”
Jiang Zhuo froze for a moment, about to reply.
But the palace gate suddenly fell silent.
“What’s all this noise?!”
A woman in a plain blue gauze outer robe, hair styled in a concentric knot, lips tinted with cinnabar, strode over with several palace maids trailing behind her, eyes downcast. She looked not yet thirty.
At the sight of her, all the female officials of the Etiquette Bureau immediately knelt.
This must be Chief Etiquette Officer Chen, Jiang Zhuo realized.
Seeing no one dare speak, she asked again:
“Making a ruckus so early in the morning—what for?!”
“Replying to Your Ladyship, the sisters were merely curious seeing Music Officer Jiang working on pipa strings here. They talked a bit too loudly, but it was nothing serious.”
Qin Liuyun was the first to answer, covering for both Jiang Zhuo and Caiyun.
Chen’s sharp gaze swept over everyone before stopping on Jiang Zhuo.
“You’re the new Music Officer Jiang?”
“Yes, subordinate Jiang Zhuo greets Your Ladyship.”
Jiang Zhuo bowed even lower from her half-kneeling posture.
“As it happens, tomorrow night is the Marquis of Wuwei’s birthday banquet. Yesterday, that girl Tao Tao requested leave.” Chen’s voice was level, revealing no emotion. “Since you enjoy taking on tasks, you will accompany Qin Liuyun tomorrow to oversee the banquet. Remember—you’re not some noble lady here. Don’t you dare cause trouble for me.”
“Subordinate obeys.”
Jiang Zhuo’s expression shifted faintly, but she still answered obediently.
After naming several other female officials and giving out additional instructions, Chen hurriedly left with her attendants.
The moment she stepped out of the palace gates, the tension among the women eased, though they no longer behaved as casually as before. Everyone returned to their duties.
“Chief Chen manages countless affairs. She oversees all court etiquette and music. Besides us Music Officers, the Registrars, Reception Officers, and Ceremonial Assistants are all under her jurisdiction.” Qin Liuyun approached to explain. She hesitated a little, embarrassed. “Caiyun, the one who argued with you earlier—that’s my younger sister. She has had a bad temper since she was young. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“It’s fine. I wasn’t entirely right either… but…” Jiang Zhuo felt uneasy. “Isn’t the Etiquette Bureau responsible for palace affairs? The Marquis’s residence is outside the palace. Why are we being sent there?”
“Under normal circumstances, we Music Officers don’t leave the palace.” Qin Liuyun patiently explained, “But this time, it’s the Marquis of Wuwei’s twenty-fifth birthday. His Majesty has granted imperial favor by bestowing music.”
Jiang Zhuo’s face grew increasingly pale.
Her fear of Marquis Ling Heng was etched into her bones.
As for Ling Heng’s so-called “devotion,” it too was engraved deeply.
In her previous life, all of the capital knew Ling Heng admired Jiang Zhuo. After the Jiang family fell, he searched the entire city for her.
So when Zhao Mingjing grew weary of Jiang Zhuo, his first thought was to hand her over to Ling Heng as a convenient favor.
But it was only upon entering the Marquis’s residence that Jiang Zhuo realized how unbearable Ling Heng’s “love” truly was.
Ling Heng liked Jiang Zhuo—but only her face.
At first, he catered to her every whim, but he also imposed harsh demands on her clothing, makeup, and figure.
Initially, Jiang Zhuo mistook this for possessiveness.
But after she was disfigured, Ling Heng instantly lost all interest in her, leaving her to be bullied and tormented in the back courtyard.
Ling Heng’s affection was the affection one had for an object. To him, Jiang Zhuo was like a porcelain vase—once broken, no matter how it was repaired, it would always show cracks. It was easier to replace it entirely.
Such was Ling Heng in her past life, and such would he be again in this one.
“Don’t worry, Sister Jiang. Tao Tao is always childish and lazy. I can handle the palace banquet by myself. You only need to assist me a little—just watch and learn.”
Seeing Jiang Zhuo silent for a long time, Qin Liuyun assumed she was worried about being assigned outside and unable to handle the work.
“…Thank you, Sister Qin.”
Jiang Zhuo returned to herself and bowed slightly to express her gratitude.
Even if she wished otherwise, tomorrow arrived swiftly.
Dressed in the formal uniform of a Music Officer, fully prepared, Jiang Zhuo originally planned to ride in the same carriage as Qin Liuyun. But seeing Qin Liuyun talking to her sister beside the carriage, Jiang Zhuo voluntarily invited Qin Caiyun to ride with her.
“Pretending to be kind won’t make me like you!” Caiyun declared coldly as soon as she got in.
Jiang Zhuo could only laugh helplessly.
If Tao Tao’s hostility felt like teasing meant to test her, Caiyun’s hostility was real—a naked resentment toward Jiang Zhuo’s sudden position and status.
It was understandable. The Etiquette Bureau had always been strictly hierarchical, and she—an inexperienced newcomer—appeared out of nowhere. Anyone would feel displeased.
But Jiang Zhuo had far more troubling matters to worry about.
Watching the scenery retreat outside the window, she knew she was drawing closer to the Marquis’s estate.
“What troubles you, Sister Jiang?”
Qin Liuyun, ever attentive, noticed her distraction.
Jiang Zhuo nodded, speaking honestly:
“When I was still at home, I heard that although the Marquis of Wuwei is wealthy beyond measure, he also enjoys collecting beautiful maids and concubines. Now that I’m leaving the palace, I fear…”
“As expected of a refined young lady—so delicate and treasured. If someone like me, born of the common folk, became a concubine in the Marquis’s residence, others would probably call it a fortunate rise.” Caiyun cut in coolly.
“Caiyun!” Qin Liuyun scolded her sister once more.
“To serve as a concubine is nothing more than being a higher-ranked servant. One’s food, clothing, and shelter are all controlled by others. It’s far less free than being a female official. We may lack wealth and luxury, but at least we earn our own keep and live freely.” Jiang Zhuo spoke with some resentment.
“Sister Jiang, since you don’t wish it, I will certainly do all I can.”
Qin Liuyun smiled gently. She didn’t comment on Jiang Zhuo’s words, but her tone held a soft promise.
Ling Heng possessed countless enterprises. His wealth was said to rival the nation’s, and even the emperor yielded to him at times. When Jiang Zhuo entered his estate in her past life, the extravagance of her daily life had rivaled the imperial palace.
With such power, Jiang Zhuo didn’t expect Qin Liuyun to truly protect her. Still, hearing her promise warmed her deeply, and she clasped Qin Liuyun’s hand in gratitude.
It had to be said—since entering the palace, Qin Liuyun was the kindest person Jiang Zhuo had met. She not only shielded Jiang Zhuo many times but also mediated whenever disputes broke out among the women.
The world was fickle; no one could guarantee outcomes. For someone who barely knew her to offer sincere concern was already more than she could ask for.
Just then, the carriage came to a stop.
They had reached the Marquis of Wuwei’s residence.