“Mama Li, what exactly is this Sixth-Rank Assistant Musician position? What will our young lady be doing in the palace?”
Seeing her mistress so downcast, Tonghua was the first to speak, hoping to ease the heavy mood inside the carriage.
“Assistant Musicians under the Siyi Bureau are generally of Sixth Rank, either full or subordinate,” Mama Li explained. “They’re selected from respectable families. Their duties are mainly to arrange music and dance for palace banquets during festivals, manage instruments, and oversee the musicians.”
Having just witnessed the father and daughter’s painful conflict, Mama Li understood the situation well and soon continued chatting to lighten the air.
“Miss Jiang, you may rest assured. From what this old servant knows, the Siyi Bureau already has two full-ranked officials, two Seventh-Rank Music Supervisors, and two Ninth-Rank Music Attendants. There is no shortage of hands. When you go, your position will most likely be idle—you won’t have much to do.”
“If it’s such an idle role, why did the Empress Dowager insist on having our lady enter the palace?” Tonghua blurted out impulsively, then blinked and added, “Could it be the Empress Dowager also thinks my lady plays the pipa exceptionally well and wants to hear it often?”
Jiang Zhe couldn’t help a faint laugh.
There were many possible reasons the Empress Dowager wanted her in the palace. Perhaps Jiang Zhe had offended the imperial authority by publicly refusing marriage at the Qionghua Banquet and the Empress Dowager wished to warn her. Or perhaps the Emperor wanted to subtly admonish her father about his conduct at court.
The only impossible explanation was that it had anything to do with her musical talent.
Mama Li gave two awkward chuckles.
“Well… the Empress Dowager’s thoughts are beyond this old servant’s understanding.”
Tonghua, still young and innocent, likely shouldn’t be brought into the palace at all.
Jiang Zhe’s brief smile faded.
When they reached the side gate of the palace, the rest of the journey would be on foot. Jiang Zhe was just about to descend with her pipa when she heard a familiar deep male voice outside.
“Is the one inside the carriage the newly appointed Assistant Musician Jiang? Where are you headed?”
Jiang Zhe’s hand froze on the curtain.
Mama Li, keen and experienced, immediately sensed Jiang Zhe’s concern about propriety and stepped out first to answer.
“Your Highness, yes, this is Lady Jiang. By order of the Empress Dowager, she is to attend Her Majesty at Qing Shou Palace.”
“As it happens, I am also entering the palace today to greet Imperial Grandmother. Shall we go together?”
Jiang Zhe’s face turned pale.
Now that she was entering the palace as a female official, being associated with Zhao Mingjing would bring nothing but trouble.
But before she could hope for Mama Li to decline on her behalf, she heard the sound of fabric and a few soft rustles.
“…Very well. Lady Jiang, you may descend without worry. I and my guards will accompany you—perfectly proper according to palace etiquette.”
Money truly did move mountains in this palace.
Jiang Zhe clenched her teeth silently, then stepped down, performing a respectful curtsey.
“Your servant greets Your Highness Prince Jing. May Your Highness enjoy peace and good fortune.”
“It is truly difficult for this prince to see Miss Jiang even once.”
Before her eyes was a pair of black leather boots trimmed with cloud motifs. When Zhao Mingjing signaled for her to rise, Jiang Zhe looked up and saw him in black-gold court robes, the golden python embroidery vivid against the dark silk. He held the reins of a tall brown horse, looking every bit the striking noble prince.
His sharp brows remained unchanged, but when his gaze swept over her tear-stained cheeks, he paused, as if sympathetic.
“Why have you cried so badly?”
“Your servant has been raised in the inner chambers all her life. Parting from my father today saddened me, Your Highness.”
Jiang Zhe lowered her gaze, steadying her emotions.
As her first husband in her past life, and also her former beloved while she was still unmarried, Jiang Zhe could not claim she felt nothing for him.
She remembered how he had once rescued her in her hour of danger, remembered the promises he made when she was most helpless… but she also remembered the gentle affection in his eyes when he looked at Shen Guanzhi, and remembered how easily—how casually—he had handed her over to Ling Heng.
A man’s affections may be spoken lightly, but a woman’s heart once given cannot be reclaimed.
In her previous life, Jiang Zhe, proud of her beauty, had never struggled to win a man’s admiration—yet she never obtained loyalty that lasted a lifetime.
Zhao Mingjing, unaware of her turmoil, consoled her gently:
“Do not worry, Miss Jiang. Imperial Grandmother likely acted on a whim. She may release you soon, allowing you to reunite with your father.”
Jiang Zhe simply nodded softly.
Prince Jing had always been tender toward women; anyone who cried before him could soften half his heart.
His attitude did not surprise her.
Soon Zhao Mingjing grew more animated and began pointing out the palace buildings as they walked.
Princes were permitted to ride within the palace, yet he deliberately chose to walk beside Jiang Zhe, leading his horse. Palace attendants could not help glancing their way.
Sensing the impropriety, Jiang Zhe lowered her head and stepped back a little, responding only briefly now and then.
“To the right is Jiying Hall with its four corner eaves. Father will host the new top scholars there this year—it can hold over a hundred banquet seats.”
“I see. Your servant learns much.”
“We just passed Shuixin Hall. It looks ordinary now, but there’s a water gate beneath it. In summer, the wooden windows can be removed for ventilation.”
“Your Highness is most knowledgeable.”
“That two-story pavilion with crossed ridges is Baoqiong Pavilion. Father stores many exotic tribute gifts there.”
“Is that so?”
Jiang Zhe continued to reply politely but distantly.
Zhao Mingjing rambled on, wandering farther and farther off the direct path.
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Mama Li interjected.
“Prince Jing, the Empress Dowager is waiting for both of you at Qing Shou Palace.”
Only then did Zhao Mingjing stop.
Before long, the Empress Dowager’s residence came into view.
“Your Highness, Lady Jiang, please wait here a moment while this old servant announces your arrival.”
Mama Li bowed and entered the palace hall.
Once they were momentarily unobserved by the Empress Dowager’s attendants, Zhao Mingjing stepped closer and asked with a smiling invitation:
“Behind Imperial Grandmother’s quarters is the Yichun Garden. Father has planted many rare flowers there. The hydrangeas are in full bloom now—pink, pale blue, white, enormous clusters. If you love qionghua blossoms, you will surely love these as well. Why not take a look later?”
“During the Sui dynasty, Emperor Yang dug the Grand Canal merely to watch willow catkins, and cruised south to Yangzhou…” Jiang Zhe stepped back, bowing. “Your servant does not love qionghua, nor does she wish to become a flower that brings ruin.”
“It is only legend. Why take it seriously?” Zhao Mingjing frowned lightly. “If those in power ruled wisely, how could a mere flower cost them their kingdom? Qionghua gained fame because of the tale, nothing more.”
“Consort Yang was renowned for beauty and dance, fond of lychees—yet she ended her life at Mawei Slope. Is that not also a famous tale? Such fame, your servant would rather refuse.”
Her tone remained polite, but the chill in her expression deepened.
Seeing the widening misunderstanding between them, Zhao Mingjing sought to explain further—
But Mama Li returned just then.
“Prince Jing, Lady Jiang, the Empress Dowager invites you both to enter together.”