“Chapter 17: The Maiden.”

"Chapter 17: The Maiden."

"As Jiang Hui wrote, her expression was earnest. From Xiao Sheng's angle, only her half-face, fairer than frost and snow, could be seen."

"He realized he had misunderstood and also understood Jiang Hui's subtlety and restraint, which soothed him like warm water."

"He spoke, 'Hui'er's calligraphy is captivating and graceful, truly exquisite.'"

"Jiang Hui washed her hands in the copper basin in the corner, chuckled at his words, 'Back in the Chongwen Pavilion, Teacher Lin used to say that Your Majesty should learn this skill from me.'"

"As a young student in the Chongwen Pavilion, Xiao Sheng's handwriting was notoriously bad. It was only after years of diligent practice that he achieved his current proficiency."

"The Emperor coughed lightly. Now revered and commanding, few dared to speak to him as they used to. Unfazed by having his past shortcomings revealed by the Noble Consort, he smiled and said:"

"'Back then, Hui'er boasted about her skill to our father and Empress Dowager Chengping for days, quite full of herself.'"

"Jiang Hui blushed slightly, dried her hands with a silk towel, and offered him a plate of the long-neglected peach blossom cakes, 'Would Your Majesty like to try?'"

"Xiao Sheng tasted a piece. It was soft, slightly sweet, with an underlying tartness, and a subtle milky fragrance lingered in his mouth – sweet but not cloying, tart but not sharp."

"'Delicious,' Xiao Sheng said softly."

"The Emperor, having tasted many varieties of cakes, knew that peach blossom cakes usually didn't have hawthorn bits. Jiang Hui added them because Xiao Sheng didn’t like sweets but enjoyed sour flavors."

At the Chongwen Pavilion, the peach blossom cakes Jiang Hui brought him always had a bit more hawthorn pieces than others, a fact Xiao Sheng thought revealed her feelings.

However, if asked, the Grand Princess Chengping would say her daughter added more rock sugar for the Crown Prince, less milk for the Prince of Anguo, and for the Prince of Qi... the Prince of Qi didn’t like these cakes.

After a private conversation, the couple went together to visit their child, not discussing further plans for the moment.

*

In the spring of the first year of Jianzhao, on March 21st, the Chu Xiu Palace welcomed the selected ladies from the reselection.

With the Emperor's harem lacking and few heirs, following the Empress Dowager's wishes, the female officials selected a total of one hundred and eighty-six candidates.

From daughters of officials to commoners, all were to reside in Chu Xiu Palace, awaiting instruction in palace rules by the matrons appointed by the Internal Affairs Bureau.

Zhao Ruyun, dressed in a pleated skirt reflecting moonlight, was surrounded by other candidates, ready to listen to the matron's address from below the steps of the main hall of Chu Xiu Palace.

The matron, clad in a gray-blue robe with a simple silver hairpin in her hair, her eyes sharp and triangular, gazed sternly at the candidates.

Beside Zhao Ruyun, a showgirl in a peach-pink brocade dress adorned with butterflies and a charming face whispered in her ear, “Sister Ruyun, this matron looks so fierce. I wonder if she’s easy to get along with?”

This was Miss Sun Manyun from the family of the Minister of Dali Temple.

Zhao Ruyun turned her face slightly and shook her head gently at her.

But Sun Manyun misunderstood Zhao Ruyun’s gesture and whispered in alarm, “Not easy to get along with? How will we survive these ten days?”

“Cough cough——”

Two loud coughs from the stern-faced matron fixed her gaze on Sun Manyun, causing her to turn red and pale alternately. The matron then withdrew her gaze and turned to all the showgirls, bowing slightly, and slowly said:

“My surname is Qin. Entrusted by the Empress Dowager and the Empress, I am appointed from the Internal Affairs Bureau to be the instructor matron for you young ladies.”

"Surveying the room and seeing that all 186 maidens were listening attentively, she continued, 'You may call me Matron Qin.'"

"'Greetings, Matron Qin,' the maidens said in unison, bowing slightly."

"Matron Qin nodded with satisfaction and stepped forward:"

"'During the ten-day training in Chuxiu Palace, there are only three rules."

"'First, from early morning until noon, you will learn palace etiquette here. Latecomers will not be accommodated.'"

"'Second, the rooms in Chuxiu Palace have been cleaned and prepared. You will be paired up, two to a room, and can choose your roommates shortly.'"

"'Third, and most importantly—'"

"Matron Qin’s voice grew stern and her gaze sharp: '—During the training period, unless under special circumstances, you are not allowed to leave Chuxiu Palace. Violators will be immediately dismissed from selection!'"

"'Matron Qin—' a voice emerged from the crowd, '—does this mean we won’t see His Majesty before the final selection?'"

"Matron Qin looked toward the source of the voice. The maidens had stepped aside, revealing the speaker, who was now isolated, accompanied by soft snickers."

"The girl appeared modestly dressed, seemingly from a common family, but strikingly beautiful with a tender face, delicate eyebrows, and almond-shaped eyes with a teardrop mole at the corner, eliciting a sense of pity."

"Realizing the reaction of those around her, her face turned red with embarrassment as she quietly said, 'I... I just wanted to ask...'"

"Seeing her face, Matron Qin’s expression softened a bit, 'Miss Feng, according to the rules, you will not see His Majesty before the final selection, unless His Majesty chooses to visit Chuxiu Palace.'"

"'I understand,' Feng Pingping said timidly."

"‘...Perhaps because of Miss Feng’s 'distinctive' behavior, the other maidens were reluctant to room with her. In the end, it was Miss Zhao from Marquis Changping's household, kind-hearted, who agreed to share a room with her.'"

"In the Qionghua Hall of Yaohua Palace, a young maid in a gray-green shawl was animatedly recounting the day's events at Chuxiu Palace."

"Jiang Hui, standing at her desk practicing calligraphy, didn't comment. Shan Zhai came up behind her, handing the young maid a plump plain pouch, and asked with a smile, 'Thank you for the news. What’s your name?'"

"The young maid, excited, knelt on the floor and said loudly, 'I am Xi'er, serving under Matron Qin in the Chuxiu Palace. I am willing to serve the Noble Consort.'"

"After Xi'er left, Shan Zhai asked, 'My lady, about this Xi'er...'"

"'Let her be. We have Xi'er here, and the Fengyi and Guangyang Palaces have Le'er and Ping'er. They are all just seeking favor. Just listen and ignore,' Jiang Hui replied indifferently, her attention still on the calligraphy in her hands."

"'Yes,' Shan Zhai acknowledged, only to hear Jiang Hui casually add, 'Quietly pass a message to Matron Qin. Tell her His Majesty will visit the Purple Bamboo Forest near Chuxiu Palace for a stroll in three days, at the hour of Xu.'"