In Jade Dew Hall, the Third Prince Zhou Hong was talking and laughing with his father. He looked very much like the emperor, with a high forehead and wide face. The Noble Consort served food beside them. The three of them looked like a happy family.
During the meal, the Noble Consort spoke casually.
“Today, during the selection of female officials, the best girl was chosen by Consort Shu at first glance. I said no. A good girl should be sent to the Eastern Palace. Otherwise, people will say I treat the Eastern Palace poorly.”
When the emperor did not respond, she added,
“Her family background is also the best in this group. She is the daughter of Minister Yan.”
The emperor, Emperor Zhou Yuanzai, asked,
“The granddaughter of General Yan? The one who grew up in Jialan Pass?”
“Yes,” the Noble Consort smiled lightly. “She looks gentle and quiet. You would not guess she grew up at the border.”
The emperor smiled. “The old general loves his granddaughter very much. In his memorial before the New Year, he wrote that she was not even as tall as his knee when she first came to him. Now she has grown into a graceful young lady. She did not want to leave him and return to the capital first, but he could not bear to let her marry at the border. So she had to come back to the capital.”
He continued, “For the past ten years, he has asked to retire every year. So I can tell whether he truly wants to return or is just saying it. He has stayed at Jialan Pass for thirty years. He has worked very hard.”
The Noble Consort said, “That is because Your Majesty trusts him.”
The emperor nodded. “My father once said we should never doubt Yan Anbang’s loyalty. With him guarding the border, I did not need to worry. But people grow old.”
She added, “General Chen was also promoted by Your Majesty. His loyalty should not be doubted either.”
The Crown Prince was sitting quietly in a silent room. No one was allowed to speak.
After leaving the room, Yan Zigui smiled and stopped Zhang Cheng.
“Eunuch Zhang, I just arrived and don’t know the rules of the Eastern Palace.”
“Today is my first day. I want to treat the maids and eunuchs to some desserts. Is that proper?”
“It is proper,” Zhang Cheng said with a smile. “Free food is always welcome.”
Yan Zigui smiled. “I was worried people might think I am showing off. I just arrived and feel unsure, so I thought it is better to be polite.”
“Please help me arrange it,” she said.
Zhang Cheng was surprised.
Yan Zigui said shyly, “I don’t know how many people are in the Eastern Palace or who to ask. I only entered the palace yesterday. I have not even been back in the capital for a month.”
Zhang Cheng laughed. “Alright, I will arrange it.”
Yan Zigui secretly gave him a small money pouch.
He weighed it in his hand. “This is too much for buying desserts.”
“But I cannot let you work for nothing,” she said with a smile.
Zhang Cheng laughed loudly. “Lady Yan is truly born to be an official.”
He did not handle it himself but asked a young eunuch to do it. Another young eunuch ran in and greeted him.
Zhang Cheng opened the pouch. Inside were small silver pieces. He gave a few to the young eunuch. “You came at the right time. Share some.”
The young eunuch said, “My master told me to inform you. Today the Noble Consort mentioned Lady Yan before the emperor. For the next two days, it is best that she stays near the Crown Prince in case the emperor asks about her.”
Zhang Cheng felt confused. “Many noble daughters enter the palace as female officials. Why is she so special?”
The young eunuch replied, “The emperor has allowed General Yan to retire. When he returns to the capital, the emperor will reward him.”
Zhang Cheng nodded. Later, he sent money to the kitchen and said, “Today everyone in the Eastern Palace gets an extra bowl of meat. Say it is from Lady Yan.”
Qian Ming wanted to make things difficult for Yan Zigui but failed. During their first meeting, she smiled coldly. Yan Zigui acted polite and humble and asked her for guidance.
Qian Ming sneered. “You are already winning people’s hearts. I have nothing to teach you.”
She decided not to let Yan Zigui serve close to the Crown Prince. Instead, she assigned her to manage storage rooms and birds and flowers.
But the next morning, after court ended, the Crown Prince was to have breakfast with the emperor. Zhang Cheng said Lady Yan would follow him.
Qian Ming was shocked. Going with the Crown Prince to see the emperor was an honor. It had always been her duty.
“Lady Yan just arrived,” she said.
“On her first day she could comb His Highness’s hair,” Zhang Cheng replied. “On the second day she can see the emperor. Her rank is the same as yours. You cannot order her.”
Qian Ming’s face darkened.
Yan Zigui asked Cui Yun to go with her so she could help if needed.
The emperor woke at five in the morning. As his son, the Crown Prince could not wake up late.
The emperor went to court.
The Crown Prince did not attend court. He studied the classics every morning.
Standing behind the curtain, Yan Zigui finally looked clearly at the Crown Prince’s face. She was slightly surprised. He was even more handsome than she expected. His skin was smooth and flawless. He looked different from any man she had seen before.
She whispered, “His Highness looks like a heavenly being.”
Cui Yun widened her eyes and pulled her sleeve. “Since the late emperor’s time, emperors have not taken female officials as concubines. Don’t be foolish.”
Yan Zigui laughed softly. “I am only admiring beauty. I do not have improper thoughts.”
“Just don’t think too much,” Cui Yun warned.
When court was about to end, the Crown Prince went to Zichen Hall to have breakfast with the emperor. It was not far from the Eastern Palace, but he still rode in a sedan chair.
Yan Zigui walked beside it and thought, He won’t even walk such a short distance. No wonder he looks delicate.
Inside Zichen Hall, the atmosphere was even more serious. She kept her head down.
Father and son ate in silence. Only when tea was served did the room become active again.
The emperor looked at her. “You are the eldest daughter of the Yan family?”
Yan Zigui stepped forward and bowed. “I greet Your Majesty.”
“Raise your head.”
She lifted her head slightly, met his eyes for a moment, then lowered it again.
“You just returned to the capital. Why not spend time with your family? Why enter the palace? Is the Yan family home in the capital less comfortable than Jialan Pass?” he asked.
Yan Zigui quickly thought about his meaning. Did he know about her family troubles? No—if he did, she would not be allowed into the palace.
Why compare the capital and Jialan Pass? Did he want to know if the Yan family felt resentment after guarding the border for so long?
In a short moment, many thoughts passed through her mind. Her back began to sweat.
She answered, “Last month, while walking outside the city, the Eldest Princess joked that I could become a female official. I wanted to try. By Your Majesty’s great grace, I was lucky to pass.”
“My family and I never dared to hope for such a blessing.”
The emperor said, “Your father ranked high in the imperial exam. You cannot be lacking in talent. Since you are here, serve well in the Eastern Palace. When your grandfather returns, your family can reunite.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After leaving, Cui Yun asked, “Does that mean when your grandfather returns, you can go home?”
“Who knows?” Yan Zigui smiled. “I will just do my duty for now.”
The Eldest Princess’s son, Lan Siyu, was the Crown Prince’s study companion. He was one year older. Last year, before marriage talks, the Princess asked the emperor to give him an official title. In the end, the emperor appointed him as a Remonstrance Official.
Now he worked in the morning and studied with the Crown Prince in the afternoon.
He complained, “Other princes attend court and discuss politics. Why must you only study year after year? What is the point?”
The Crown Prince, Zhou Hui, smiled gently. “Perhaps my body will not last until that day.”
“Don’t say that!” Lan Siyu said quickly. “People like you, who look sickly, often live the longest.”
Yan Zigui stood quietly in the hallway, but her mind was elsewhere. Since returning from Zichen Hall, she has been busy without rest.
Lan Siyu noticed her. “Did the Noble Consort send someone into your palace?”
The Crown Prince smiled. “Perhaps not. Maybe she changed her method.”
He added, “My aunt chose her.”
Lan Siyu frowned. “Does she even care about this?”
The Crown Prince teased, “Maybe she chose a wife for you. Don’t argue with your mother about marriage.”
Lan Siyu became angry. His father died when he was young. Later, his mother remarried and had more children. Since then, he lived in the palace and rarely visited her.
The Crown Prince said gently, “You live in the palace and became an official at a young age because you are her son. You have gained everything because of her status. Yet you say she does not care about you?”
“Life and death cannot be controlled. She suffered greatly after your father died. Later, she remarried because she was lonely. You were a child then and did not understand. But do you still not understand now? Must your mother stay alone forever? Does she not deserve happiness again?”