==Chapter Eight==
The lights in Yuzhao Hall remained lit for half the night, and in Jingya Pavilion, someone also lay awake until dawn.
Qin Baolin listened to the sounds of water being called for next door in the middle of the night, her heart feeling as if it had been soaked in sour water. No amount of imagination could compare to the despondent heartache brought on by witnessing it firsthand.
She had no idea how she managed to endure until daybreak that night.
As the first light of dawn appeared, Qin Baolin rose from bed. Since she couldn’t sleep anyway, lying there only tormented her.
Qingwen sighed inwardly and signaled the palace maids to enter quietly and attend to her. Qin Baolin sat before the bronze mirror, somewhat distracted, her gaze drifting occasionally toward the window, lost in thought.
Qingwen observed her expression closely, her heart sinking as she lowered her head to help her mistress with her makeup.
Just as the silver hairpin was being placed, Qin Baolin couldn’t help but speak up, her words hesitant and evasive:
“Has there been any movement… in Yuzhao Hall?”
Qin Baolin spoke slowly, as if hoping for something yet also fearing it.
Her suspicions confirmed, Qingwen replied awkwardly:
“There hasn’t been much movement. It’s been quiet all along.”
Of course, she knew what her mistress was asking—nothing more than the Emperor’s whereabouts, hoping to seize an opportunity to encounter him by chance.
It was good for a mistress to have ambition, but such methods were far too conspicuous and easily offended others.
Learning that the imperial carriage had not yet departed, Qin Baolin breathed a sigh of relief, but anxiety soon crept in again. The entire Jingya Pavilion fell silent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
Qin Baolin lowered her head, waiting for the right moment.
She had been in the palace for two years now, and the number of times she had seen the Emperor could be counted on one hand. When she first moved into Changle Palace, she had been delighted. With such a well-positioned palace, it was exceptionally convenient whether going to the imperial presence or paying respects. Moreover, she was the only one living there, with no one in the principal position to oppress her—what freedom and ease!
But within a year, such thoughts had faded away.
Living alone in Changle Palace was indeed relaxed and comfortable, but she rarely saw the Emperor even once a year. The Emperor was a heartless man, utterly unable to remember someone like her.
As time passed, those beneath her saw clearly that she was not favored, and neglectful attitudes began to surface. There were no major humiliations, only minor inconveniences like meals arriving late or cold—precisely the kind of trivial matters that wore one down the most.
Such a life drained one’s spirit and ambition. She was only eighteen, yet her life seemed to stretch out predictably before her.
Lost in her thoughts, Qin Baolin suddenly heard movement outside. She stood up almost instantly, but as she turned, she caught a glimpse of Qingwen nervously swallowing. In that moment, her legs felt as if they were nailed to the threshold.
A single step could have taken her across, yet the threshold now seemed as high as a mountain.
Qin Baolin clutched the door curtain, her heart pounding rapidly like a drumbeat, striking her ribs with such force that it nearly brought tears to her eyes.
By the time the imperial carriage had completely disappeared from Changle Palace, Qin Baolin still had not stepped out of Jingya Pavilion.
The entire Changle Palace returned to silence. Realizing this, Qin Baolin couldn’t help but bite her lip tightly, hating herself for her lack of resolve!
She wanted to fight for her chance, yet she lacked even the courage to step outside.
Seeing her mistress halt, Qingwen hurried forward to support her, also noticing that the sounds outside had faded. She murmured softly:
“Mistress?”
Qin Baolin's nose tingled as she lowered her gaze. Her voice held little emotion, only a slight hoarseness as she asked, "What time is it?"
Qingwen turned to glance at the hourglass in the hall before whispering softly, "There are still two quarters left until Chen hour."
In the palace, the imperial concubines paid their respects at Kunning Palace every day at Chen hour.
Qin Baolin had nearly torn through the tihua curtain. After a long while, she gave a self-mocking smile, closed her eyes, and released her grip. "Let's go. It's time to pay respects at Kunning Palace."
Qingwen hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, before finally saying, "Mistress, aren't we waiting for Shen Meiren to go together?"
Since her mistress and Shen Meiren resided in the same palace, it was customary for them to go to Kunning Palace together. If her mistress left first, it would clearly signal that she and Shen Meiren were not on the same side, which could easily offend Shen Meiren.
Qin Baolin wanted to say she wouldn't wait, but in reality, she only wiped away her tears in frustration.
Shen Shiyuan was completely unaware of what had happened in Jingya Pavilion. She slept until nearly Chen hour before Qingzhi woke her. Still drowsy, she wanted to burrow back into the brocade quilt, her eyes unfocused as she looked at Qingzhi and mumbled, "Wh-what's going on?"
At Shen Mansion, Sun Yun Ning never required her to pay morning respects, and at the imperial summer palace, no one cared when she woke up. Shen Shiyuan had long grown accustomed to waking naturally. Suddenly being forced awake, she radiated reluctance from head to toe.
Qingzhi coaxed her gently, "Mistress, it's almost time to pay respects at Kunning Palace."
Shen Shiyuan heard her clearly. She struggled to open her eyes, propped herself up on one arm, and forced herself to wake up. Weakly, she said, "Help me wash up."
Just as she finished freshening up, Lüe entered to announce that Qin Baolin was waiting for her outside.
Before entering the palace, Shen Shiyuan had learned some palace etiquette. She didn't pay much attention to the fact that Qin Baolin was waiting for her, nor did she deliberately hurry. She simply asked Lüe to invite Qin Baolin to sit in the outer hall while she leisurely continued her grooming.
She didn't know how to hold back.
Having enjoyed the benefits of her beauty, she wanted to keep enjoying them, hoping to be radiant and elegant at all times.
Shen Shiyuan gazed at herself in the mirror, feeling her mood lift slightly just from looking at the beauty reflected there. She asked Qingzhi to style her hair in a duoma ji, secured and adorned with a jade hairpin, silk ribbons, and pearl flowers, giving her a charming and languid air. Paired with her sorrowful eyebrows, it added a touch of pitiable allure.
Only after everything was ready did she go out to meet Qin Baolin.
Unlike Shen Shiyuan's lotus root-colored palace attire, Qin Baolin wore a green dress. Whether from lack of rest or not, there was a hint of weariness between her brows. Shen Shiyuan glanced over it briefly, showing little concern. She still remembered to offer some polite words: "I was exhausted yesterday, so I woke up a bit late today. Sorry to keep you waiting."
Her mention of exhaustion referred to the fatigue of the journey the day before, but to others, it carried a different meaning. Who didn't know she had served the Emperor last night? By bringing it up now, Qin Baolin felt she was showing off.
Even Qingzhi couldn't help but glance at her mistress, thinking these words were truly inviting resentment, unsure whether her mistress had said them intentionally or not.
The humble smile on Qin Baolin's lips nearly stiffened. After a long pause, she managed to say, "Shen Meiren, you flatter me. This concubine has only just arrived."
Shen Shiyuan remained completely unaware of others' emotions. It was her first time paying respects, and she was still in an excited state: "Then let's hurry. We mustn't miss the time for paying respects."
Qin Baolin hung her head in silence, refusing to speak, only grumbling inwardly that if it weren’t for waiting for Shen Shiyuan, she would have arrived at Kunning Palace long ago.
Kunning Palace.
It was barely past the hour of Chen, and the hall was almost filled to capacity, except for the principal consorts. The Empress had not yet appeared. Some familiar imperial concubines were whispering to each other, occasionally glancing at the tihua curtain by the entrance as if waiting for something.
The Virtuous Consort arrived first.
Though she was the most favored, she rarely arrived late for morning greetings and had little patience for ostentation. She was usually the first among the principal consorts to arrive at Kunning Palace.
The assembled imperial concubines hurriedly rose to pay their respects to her.
The Virtuous Consort waved a hand dismissively, her gaze sweeping casually around the room. She attended morning greetings daily, and with just a glance, she could easily notice the difference in Kunning Palace today—an extra chair had been placed in the hall.
Positioned directly across from Lin Meiren, it was clear whom this seat was intended for.
No wonder Lin Meiren’s smile seemed somewhat forced. Though the two were seated opposite each other, the right side was traditionally considered superior. Now, with Lin Meiren on the left and Shen Meiren on the right, it subtly placed Shen Meiren above Lin Meiren.
It was no surprise that Lin Meiren was displeased.
But the Virtuous Consort was not at all surprised by the Empress’s arrangement. The Empress was the one who best understood the Emperor’s intentions. Anyone with eyes could see the Emperor’s regard for Shen Meiren, even if it was only temporary. Their Empress had no qualms about bestowing honor upon Shen Meiren during this time.
As her thoughts settled, an announcement came from outside: Shen Meiren and Qin Baolin had arrived.
The hall fell silent for a moment as all eyes turned toward the entrance. The tihua curtain was lifted by a palace attendant, and a woman, supported by another attendant, entered. Her spirits were visibly high. A lotus jade hairpin was tilted in her hair, with a strand of black hair naturally cascading down. When she lifted her gaze, the entire room seemed to brighten.
The Virtuous Consort’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Every time Shen Meiren appeared, her beauty was so striking that it was impossible to overlook.
If even they couldn’t ignore it, how much more so the Emperor?
Shen Shiyuan felt a gentle tug from Qingzhi and promptly curtsied to the Virtuous Consort. “This concubine pays her respects to the Virtuous Consort.”
Regardless of what the Virtuous Consort thought of Shen Shiyuan, this was Kunning Palace. The Virtuous Consort was not foolish enough to flaunt her authority here. She merely covered her lips lightly and said:
“Shen Meiren truly looks radiant. It seems His Majesty truly dotes on you. Please rise.”
Qingzhi frowned imperceptibly. The Virtuous Consort’s words sounded like praise, but they were also stirring resentment. The Emperor’s favor was limited; if one received more, others would naturally receive less. Who would be pleased with that?
But when her gaze fell upon her mistress, Qingzhi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Shen Shiyuan only heard the Virtuous Consort say that the Emperor doted on her, and a hint of pride involuntarily crept into her expression. She tried to hide it but failed, letting it spill out charmingly. Her smile curved her eyes, and her pink lips lifted slightly, exuding a bright and innocent demeanor that was utterly endearing.
She seemed to want to appear humble and low-key, replying politely as she rose:
“This concubine is not as good as Your Highness says. Your Highness is the one in the prime of youth and beauty.”
The Virtuous Consort’s fingers, holding her cup, paused. Looking at Shen Meiren’s foolish appearance, she couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly. To regard such a fool as a serious threat would be to underestimate herself too much.
In this palace, beauty is indeed important, but without intelligence, one simply cannot survive long.
She could no longer be bothered to pay attention to Shen Meiren and responded perfunctorily, "Shen Meiren truly has a sweet tongue."
Shen Shiyuan was most sensitive to the emotions of outsiders. Sensing the Virtuous Consort's dismissiveness and contempt, the smile she had been concealing faded slightly. She was a person of great pride—hatred or jealousy from others could be brushed off without a second thought, but being looked down upon was what truly upset her.
Fortunately, she was not foolish enough to show it outright. Instead, she sat down quietly in her seat, though her handkerchief was crumpled tightly in her grasp.
Someone seated below Shen Shiyuan happened to catch sight of her downturned lips and felt a pang of anxiety.
The hall fell silent, but fortunately, the stillness was soon broken. The tihua curtain was lifted, and Yang Zhaoyi swept in with great fanfare. Even before her figure was fully visible, her words had already landed, her gentle voice ringing out:
"Have I arrived late?"
Author's Note:
Daughter: (Annoyed) What does she mean? Looking down on me?
Xiao Qi: Ahem.
[No, no, you're wonderful.]
[My daughter can be quite petty.]