After Yan Zigui managed to get the Wei Zi peonies, she gained her own reputation in the Eastern Palace.
However, she still did whatever Qian Ming told her to do.
Cui Yun reminded her, “You have the same rank. There is no need to listen to her all the time.”
Yan Zigui said, “I am new here. Even if I make mistakes now, I can explain that I just arrived and do not understand. So I should use this time to learn all the palace work clearly. Later, I will not have such an easy excuse.”
Cui Yun felt confused. When someone first arrives, shouldn’t they be careful and avoid mistakes? Why was Yan Zigui doing the opposite—acting boldly in a strange place? Was that right?
For several days in a row, Crown Prince Zhou Hui saw Yan Zigui morning and night. He thought she was being trained by the senior officials. But after she brought back Wei Zi and proved her ability, she should have gained some authority. Yet the next day, she was still working from morning to night.
Zhou Hui asked directly, “I remember that palace maids and female officials take turns on duty?”
Qian Ming felt nervous and worried Yan Zigui would complain.
But Yan Zigui only said, “I miss my family very much. The others kindly gave me their chance to leave the palace on rest days. To thank them, I volunteered to take their shifts.”
Qian Ming almost spoke to argue. Who gave her their chance? And new officials could not leave so quickly! But when she looked up and met the Crown Prince’s knowing eyes, she lowered her head. She knew her actions were not very fair.
“Zhang Cheng,” Zhou Hui said, “give her a jade token from the Eastern Palace.”
“From now on, when you want to leave the palace, report it and you may go. You do not need to use the official leave quota.”
This time Yan Zigui truly felt grateful. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Tomorrow will be the eighteenth day. She had only been in the palace for seven days, but it felt much longer. Soon she would go out.
If she did not control herself, she wanted to run and shout happily like a horse set free.
Her happiness was so clear that people around her felt it too.
In the meditation room, Zhou Hui looked at the peonies like clouds and thought of them as his gift to her.
Early the next morning, Yan Zigui dressed neatly and waited to leave as soon as possible. She had slept in the duty room often and rarely met her roommate.
Today she met her and smiled. “I am going out today. If you need anything, I can bring it back.”
The roommate gave her a pouch and said, “If you pass by, please see what new dishes the restaurants have.”
At the palace gate, Gancao and Dansha were already waiting. They were waiting for Yan Zigui and also for Qingluan, hoping she would help them again.
The night before, Yan Zigui had asked Qingluan what she wanted from outside.
Qingluan saw the jade token at her waist and was surprised.
“In the Eastern Palace, only two people have this token—Zhang Cheng and Fu Ning, the Crown Prince’s wet nurse. Both were arranged by the late Empress and are deeply trusted.”
Yan Zigui was shocked. She had only been there a few days. Why did the Crown Prince trust her so much?
“Fate between people is hard to explain,” Qingluan smiled.
At the gate, Gancao and Dansha could hardly believe their eyes. Yan Zigui signed her name and ran toward them, holding one under each arm.
“Hurry! Time is precious. I must return this afternoon.”
They were so excited they cried.
“You are the famous Miss Yan of Jialan Pass. Leaving the palace is easy for you,” she joked.
They said they missed her and asked if they could enter the palace too.
“Did anyone trouble you at the Yan household?” she asked.
They said no. Some maids had returned to the main courtyard, but Zier stayed.
“That’s fine. Those who want to leave can leave.”
Yan Zigui got into the carriage but did not go home first. She went to the biggest restaurant on Zhuque Street.
“Why are we here?” Gancao asked.
“I have many things to do. If I go home first, it will be a waste of time.”
At the restaurant, she ordered the newest dishes and asked for paper and a brush. She quickly wrote two lists and gave them to Gancao and Dansha.
One list was for underclothes and socks.
“We can make these at home,” Gancao said.
“In the palace, I am too lazy to wash such things. I will buy common ones and throw them away if needed,” Yan Zigui replied.
The other list was for herbs.
“Buy the herbs and put them into small scented pouches,” she said.
“Also buy some fine rings and earrings. I can use them as gifts.”
When the food arrived, she was still writing. She sealed a letter and gave it to Gancao.
“Send this to Jialan Pass tomorrow. Do not wait for the family’s letter. Go directly to the Ministry of War’s courier station.”
They sat down to eat. Whatever they could not finish, she asked them to wrap in lotus leaves and give to beggars.
They asked how she was doing in the palace.
She only said good things.
“I entered the palace with a rank—seventh grade. I serve in the Eastern Palace. There are few people and little work. Most of the day I am free.”
“I have a good friend named Qingluan. No one bullies me.”
“I have met the emperor, the Crown Prince, the Noble Consort, and Consort Shu. They all look like immortals.”
“Come to the palace gate every eighth day. Even if I cannot leave, I can speak with you at the gate.”
“Stay safely in the Yan household. When Grandfather and Grandmother return, I will leave the palace too.”
After comforting them, it was already past noon.
Back at the Yan residence, Mrs. Song was worried and wondered if Yan Zigui was afraid in the palace.
Suddenly a maid ran in. “Madam, the eldest young lady has returned!”
Mrs. Song stood up in surprise. Yan Zigui entered wearing the same clothes as when she left.
“How did you come out?” Mrs. Song asked.
“His Highness allowed me to leave on rest day because I miss home.”
“You are already serving in the Eastern Palace? So fast?”
“Yes. On my second day, the Noble Consort sent me there.”
Yan Zigui answered clearly but did not say more than asked.
She asked for Zier’s contract.
Mrs. Song hesitated, then offered to give all the contracts.
“No need. People follow higher paths. Zier is enough.”
Mrs. Song handed over Zier’s contract.
Outside, Zier was waiting.
“All my maids are named after herbs. I will rename you Zisu. Is that alright?”
Zier immediately knelt. “Thank you, Miss, for giving me a name.”
“Follow me, and you will not suffer,” Yan Zigui said.
As she left, Biyun ran to the carriage and handed her two heavy pouches.
“One has silver peanuts. The other has agate earrings. Use them as gifts in the palace.”
“Also, Li Shangyi of the Six Bureaus is your aunt’s cousin. If you need help, you may find her. Mrs. Song even sent gifts to ask her to look after you.”
“Mrs. Song may not say it, but she worries about you deeply.”