Cold sweat broke out all over Shen Ying’s back. It was a great blessing that she had not followed the original route she had planned.
After they entered Jichuan Prefecture, the older woman accompanied Shen Ying all the way to Glazed Tile Quarter. She was so warm-hearted and eager to help that she refused to leave until she had seen Shen Ying safely inside a home.
But Shen Ying dared not actually go up to the door and knock. She could only walk around the outer courtyard wall and slip away, disappearing from the older woman’s line of sight.
Wang Dachui had met Shen Ying before, but fortunately, there was a simple outdoor latrine built beside the wall, which provided her with a place to hide temporarily.
It was a foul, filthy place, and she stayed there for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea. Only when she could no longer hear any sounds or voices nearby did she dare to take out her bundle again.
When she opened it to check its contents, Shen Ying was completely stunned.
Inside were stacks of silver notes, four or five gold bars, and countless pieces of jade, emeralds, and pearls.
She was now incredibly wealthy, yet how was she supposed to spend any of this wealth without drawing attention?
Just at that moment, the little prince began to cry again, as he was hungry. Shen Ying had no choice but to break off a small piece of gold ornament and rub it repeatedly against the cracks between the bricks until it was reduced to a small, manageable portion.
She took this piece of gold to a pawnshop and exchanged it for two strings of standard silver coins.
The shopkeeper looked at Shen Ying, whose hair was disheveled and face covered in dirt, and saw that the gold piece she had brought also looked worn and old. He simply assumed she had found it somewhere by chance.
With the money she received, Shen Ying first bought herself a thick cotton-padded jacket to keep warm. She then purchased two portions of steamed buns and stopped at a street stall to buy a bowl of millet porridge.
She fed the porridge to the little prince to satisfy his hunger, while she herself ate the plain vegetable buns slowly and calmly.
As she watched the crowds of people passing back and forth along the long street, Shen Ying’s eyes grew distant and unfocused, lost in thought.
She did not have any official travel documents or identification papers, which meant she had no way to register or stay at any inn or lodging house.
She recalled the time just after she had arrived in this world. Back then, she had imagined that with her intelligence, knowledge, and broad understanding of many things, she could surely make a name for herself. She thought that even if she could not rise to the position of an official lady at court, she could still stand out among others and navigate every situation with skill and ease.
However, after spending time in the imperial palace and witnessing the endless schemes, betrayals, and power struggles that took place there, she had long abandoned those ideas.
Feudal societies were cruel and ruthless systems that devoured people without leaving a trace. Those who held power and influence truly could do whatever they pleased, with no one to stop them!
Now, all she wanted was to stay alive!
To survive by any means possible, using every ounce of strength and wisdom she possessed!
As these thoughts ran through her mind, she bit down on her bun with renewed determination, and a bright, resolute light returned to her eyes.
Just then, a small yellow dog caught the scent of food and trotted closer, wagging its tail eagerly.
Shen Ying noticed that its fur was smooth and shiny, and a red cord was tied neatly around its neck.
In these troubled and chaotic times, dog meat was considered a rare delicacy that very few people could afford to eat. Yet this little creature was clean and well-kept, clearly not a stray that had been wandering the streets alone.
Shen Ying tore off half of her bun and gave it to the dog. It ate happily and eagerly, and seeing its enjoyment made Shen Ying’s simple meal taste far better than it had before.
Not long after, a young girl dressed in a green hibiscus-patterned dress came running over quickly. She scooped the small dog up into her arms, her face filled with worry and distress, and she was on the verge of tears.
Wangcai, why do you keep running off like this? What would I do if you got lost? I would surely be beaten and punished for letting you stray away!
Shen Ying had guessed correctly. This was a pampered pet belonging to a wealthy family.
Miss, could I trouble you for a small favor?
Shen Ying seized the opportunity immediately and spoke to the young maid with a warm smile. I have traveled here from the southern regions, and I have nowhere to go and no one to turn to. Could you please ask whether your household is still in need of maidservants to do heavy or simple tasks?
The young girl turned to look at Shen Ying, surprised by her request. Then she glanced at the bun Shen Ying had just given to the dog, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
I’m afraid I cannot make such decisions myself. I will have to ask the head of the household for permission first.
The young girl worked in the household of a wealthy man named Master Chen, and it was no surprise at all that she was willing to introduce Shen Ying.
In large, prominent families, those who were entrusted with the care of small animals such as cats and dogs were usually people with kind and gentle hearts.
Ever since she had left the palace, Shen Ying had been aware that the identity she had created for herself was not entirely secure or foolproof. The imperial court had offered a reward of several hundred taels of silver for the capture of fugitives. If she did not find a temporary place to stay and seek protection soon, all her efforts and careful planning would be ruined.
Right then and there, the young girl led Shen Ying to the front of a cosmetics and perfume shop.
Inside, the shopkeeper was speaking enthusiastically and persuasively to a woman who, though no longer young, still carried herself with grace and charm, trying to convince her to buy various powders, blushes, and eyebrow dyes.
The young girl glanced back at Shen Ying and gave her a subtle look, signaling her to wait quietly and not disturb the woman while she was busy.
Shen Ying observed the woman carefully, though she tried not to make her scrutiny obvious. She wore fine makeup and elegant clothing made of the best silks and satins, and on her feet were a pair of embroidered shoes in rose-pink, decorated with patterns of narcissus flowers.
From these details, Shen Ying could tell that she was likely a concubine, and one who was gradually losing the favor and affection of her master.
It was a common situation. Just as beauty fades and flowers wither and fall from their branches, many older concubines within the palace faced the same fate. They all went to great lengths to dress themselves up as beautifully as possible, hoping to hold onto attention and favor for as long as they could.
Persuaded by the shopkeeper’s eloquent and convincing words, the woman ended up buying a large quantity of products.
Satisfied with her purchases, she walked out of the shop. The young girl stepped forward to take the boxes and packages that the shopkeeper carried out for them, and then spoke up.
Third Concubine, this woman here has fled from the southern regions to escape hardship and disaster. She is hoping to find work and a place to stay. I wondered if there might be any suitable position for her in our household.
The woman glanced briefly at Shen Ying, then immediately frowned and looked down at her with disdain.
Where did this beggar come from?
Shen Ying had expected such a reaction. How could a concubine who valued her own beauty and status so highly ever be willing to accept someone who looked as ragged and dirty as she did?
But Shen Ying was quick-witted and composed. She knelt down gracefully and calmly on both knees.
Madam, I may not be highly skilled or accomplished, but I once ran a cosmetics shop in the southern regions. Unfortunately, the floods destroyed everything I owned, and I have now fallen into complete destitution. If you are willing to take me in and give me shelter, I will gladly share my secret recipes and beauty formulas with you as a token of my gratitude.
The young girl had called her Third Concubine, but Shen Ying chose to ignore that title completely.
In noble households, the title of Madam was one that concubines and secondary wives could only dream of, as it was reserved exclusively for the official wife of the family.
Moreover, Shen Ying had mentioned that she had run a cosmetics shop, a business that specialized in creating products used by noble ladies to maintain and enhance their beauty.
It was widely known that the most skilled artisans and experts in the cosmetics trade from the southern regions possessed formulas and techniques that could preserve youthful beauty and restore a radiant complexion as if turning back the hands of time.
Just as Shen Ying had anticipated, the woman’s expression immediately shifted to one of great joy and excitement.
Are you telling me the truth?
Shen Ying bowed her head respectfully.
You may employ me for just a few days, Madam. If I fail to deliver what I have promised, you may send me away from your household, and I will not utter a single word of complaint.
Unlike the mountain watcher, who had been suspicious and cautious of everyone, this woman did not possess such sharp instincts or wariness. She kept pets and had easily been swayed and persuaded by the shopkeeper’s smooth talk, making it clear that she was not a particularly clever or discerning person.
In the past, Shen Ying had often read stories online that claimed people could create their own identities and status wherever they went. She had always thought of such ideas as nothing more than amusing jokes or fictional tales.
But now, faced with her current difficult circumstances, she had no choice but to adapt quickly and use every means at her disposal to survive.
Shen Ying followed the woman back to the residence of Master Chen.
Life here was very different from what it had been in the imperial palace. Within the vast grounds of the palace, there were usually only one or two people of the highest status and authority.
But in the Chen family residence, it was said that the master had twelve wives and concubines in total. Each courtyard, separated by elegant moon-shaped gateways, served as the home and private domain of one of these women.
Take her away to wash and clean herself properly, and tend to the child as well. Bring them out often so that the master can see them and become familiar with them.
Third Concubine had her own plans and intentions. She had never given birth to any children, and she was now approaching forty years of age. During her time in this household, she had watched as new favorites were welcomed with joy while those who had lost favor were abandoned and forgotten.
She was desperate to win back the affection and attention of her master, but she had never found a way to achieve this goal. If she could give birth to a child with Master Chen, her life and status within the family would become far more secure and comfortable.
At last, Shen Ying no longer had to endure the hardships of sleeping outdoors or going without proper meals. She was given hot water to bathe and clean herself thoroughly, and she changed into clean, comfortable clothing suitable for a maidservant.
The young girl gave her clear instructions.
Third, Concubine has told me that if anyone asks about your background or origin, you are to say that you are a distant relative of the family. You must not reveal your true identity or the details of how you came here.
Shen Ying accepted these instructions without hesitation, and in fact, this arrangement suited her perfectly.
Third, Concubine viewed her as a valuable tool and resource to help her regain her husband’s favor, and for this reason, she would also ensure that Shen Ying was protected from the schemes and interference of the other women in the household who competed for status and attention.
That very night, Shen Ying began preparing her special formulas and beauty treatments. She created cucumber toner, centella asiatica healing ointment, and a face mask made from white atractylodes and ginseng.
These were not new or unfamiliar remedies to her. She had made them many times before in her spare time while living in the Moonlight Palace, preparing them for Imperial Consort Wan’s personal use.
In addition to these products, Shen Ying also used cochineal insects to create a rich, long-lasting lipstick.
Within just a few days, Third Concubine began to regard Shen Ying as her most prized possession. She no longer felt the need to visit the cosmetics shop, and she would spend long hours sitting in front of her bronze mirror, admiring how smooth, clear, and radiant her skin had become, and carefully applying the vivid, beautiful lipstick that made her lips look fresh and alluring.
They had enjoyed several peaceful and stable days, and the little prince was now also able to drink goat’s milk, ensuring he was well-fed and healthy. However, early one morning, their peace was suddenly shattered when a group of people burst violently through the doors of the courtyard.
Leading the group was one of Master Chen’s favored concubines, and she had brought along the official wife of the household. They accused the Third Concubine of using evil and forbidden magic and spells to bewitch the master and steal his affection.
The official wife ordered her servants to slash and scar Third Concubine’s face, and they proceeded to ransack and destroy everything within Third Concubine’s courtyard, smashing furniture and breaking objects in a fit of rage and destruction.
Shen Ying had never intended to stay in this household for a long time anyway. As it happened, on that very same day, crowds of refugees forced their way into Jichuan Prefecture, throwing the entire city into chaos and disorder.
Shen Ying seized the opportunity, picked up the little prince in her arms, and tried to slip away unnoticed through a side gate, but she was stopped abruptly by the young girl she had met earlier.
You are the one responsible for all this trouble and suffering! You have brought disaster upon Third Concubine, and now you dare to try and run away and leave her fate behind? What—what exactly is inside that bundle you are carrying over your shoulder?