“Chapter 18: Borrowing the Blade”

"Chapter 18: Borrowing the Blade"

"'Sister Yun, have you heard? His Majesty is going to the Purple Bamboo Forest this afternoon, just outside Chuxiu Palace!'"

"In Chuxiu Palace, at the Liuyun Pavilion."

"After finishing their study of palace etiquette, Sun Manyun secretly pulled Zhao Ruyun to her room and shared the news in a conspiratorial tone."

"'The Purple Bamboo Forest? Manyun, where did you get this news?' asked Zhao Ruyun, frowning."

"'I spent ten silver taels to buy this information from a gatekeeper eunuch,' Sun Manyun boasted, but seeing Zhao Ruyun's expression, she hesitated, 'What’s wrong, Sister Yun? Is there a problem?'"

"Zhao Ruyun sighed and cautioned, 'How could a Chuxiu Palace eunuch know the Emperor’s whereabouts? Even if the news is true, it’s probably a trap set by someone else. Manyun, don’t do anything foolish. If Matron Qin finds out, you could be dismissed and sent home.'"

"'Ah? But the eunuch said his godfather's fellow villager’s sister serves before His Majesty, so it must be true!' Sun Manyun said, confused."

"Zhao Ruyun still shook her head."

"Disappointed, Sun Manyun lowered her head, fiddling with her handkerchief, disheartened."

"'Manyun, who else have you told about this?'"

"'Just the Miss Qi who shares the room with me, and now you, Sister Yun,' Sun Manyun said, holding up two fingers."

"'How did you explain it to Miss Qi?'"

"With a sly smile, Sun Manyun said, 'I told her I overheard it by chance while passing by the gatekeeper eunuchs chatting.'"

"Relieved, Zhao Ruyun squeezed her hand and whispered, 'Forget about it. Pretend you know nothing. If Miss Qi invites you, do not agree.'"

"'I understand,' Sun Manyun replied reluctantly."

"After a moment, as if struck by a thought, she became excited again:"

"'Sister Yun, I can't go out, but you can. You're the Empress Dowager's own niece. Even if you leave Chuxiu Palace, who would dare dismiss you?"

"'And with your beauty, meeting His Majesty sooner and making a good impression... maybe, maybe you won't even have to wait for the final selection...'"

"Zhao Ruyun shook her head, 'I have already met His Majesty at my aunt's place.'"

"But Sun Manyun’s expression suggested the unspeakable, 'Sister Yun, even if His Majesty wanted to do something at the Cining Palace, it’s not the right place!'"

"Hearing such bold words, Zhao Ruyun's cheeks quickly flushed crimson, her eyes darting away as she refused, 'No, it’s not appropriate. Just forget about this idea.'"

"Leaving Sun Manyun's room, Zhao Ruyun didn’t feel like returning to hers. She left the Liuyun Pavilion and started wandering around Chuxiu Palace."

"Passing by the Qinfang Pavilion, she heard the faint sound of a pipa."

"With the final selection emphasizing the talents and virtues of the maidens, and even though it had ended, to keep them occupied, Chuxiu Palace was fully equipped with instruments, tea sets, embroidery materials, and other necessities."

"Zhao Ruyun approached and listened for a while, recognizing the piece as 'Spring Sunshine.' The pipa music, with its chirping birds and flowing beads, was so skillfully played that Zhao Ruyun found it exceptional."

"Soon, the music ceased. After waiting a moment and hearing no further sound, she regretfully returned to her room in the Liuyun Pavilion."

"Upon entering, she saw Feng Pingping sitting in front of a mirror, getting ready, while the young maid assigned to them, Ling'er, was helping her with her hair."

"Seeing her return, Feng Pingping cheerfully called out, 'Sister Zhao, you're back! Come and help me decide, should I wear a double flat bun or a hanging bun?'"

"Zhao Ruyun carefully assessed her."

"Feng Pingping, already delicate and charming, was dressed in a light blue plain silk dress. Her lustrous black hair cascaded down, enhancing her fair, porcelain-like complexion."

"'A double flat bun looks too youthful. Go for the hanging bun instead. Add some beaded flowers and a pearl hairpin, and it will be even better.'"

"Feng Pingping was initially pleased, but then hesitated. After sending the young maid away, she timidly said to Zhao Ruyun:"

"'Sister Zhao, I only have some plain silk flowers, a gold-plated hairpin my mother gave me, and a pearl hairpin from the Palace Internal Affairs Department on the day I entered the palace. Could I possibly…'"

"Zhao Ruyun smiled, 'You can use mine.'"

"Saying this, she opened her makeup box and took out several pink beaded silk flowers, a pearl peach blossom hairpin, and a pair of peach blossom earrings, handing them to her."

"Feng Pingping thanked her profusely, quickly tied up her hanging bun, and carefully inserted the ornaments into her hair."

"'By the way, why are you getting dressed up today, Miss Feng? Are you going somewhere?' Zhao Ruyun asked while helping her with stray strands of hair, seemingly asking casually."

"'Yes, it’s…' Feng Pingping bit her lower lip, then, with determination, whispered, 'Sister Zhao, Qi sister said that we might see His Majesty at the Purple Bamboo Forest outside Chuxiu Palace tonight… Will you come with me?'"

"Zhao Ruyun frowned, 'But if Matron Qin finds out, you could be disqualified.'"

"Feng Pingping murmured, looking down, 'But Qi sister said, if we all go, Matron Qin can’t possibly dismiss so many maidens.'"

"She was naturally beautiful, and even in her timid and uneasy state, she was captivating. Zhao Ruyun thought to herself that perhaps only the Noble Consort could compare to her in beauty."

"After a moment of silence, Zhao Ruyun smiled slightly and said:"

"'That's true, if so many go, Matron Qin might also face criticism for failing to manage properly. But I won’t go. I caught a chill this morning and have a bit of a headache.'"

"'Sister, you're sick. Should we tell Matron Qin and ask for a physician, no, an imperial physician to come?' Feng Pingping asked worriedly."

"'No need. I'm generally healthy. I just need some rest,' Zhao Ruyun said with a smile."

*

"'When Matron Qin went out and saw over a dozen maidens in the Purple Bamboo Forest, even bumping into Noble Consort Xu Xiuyuan, her face turned pale. She hurriedly apologized to the Noble Consort...'"

"'Seeing these maidens, Noble Consort Xu Xiuyuan seemed to think of something and decided to return to Guangyang Palace. Before leaving, she ordered each of those maidens to kneel for two hours as punishment...'"

"'Matron Qin said that all these maidens who left Chuxiu Palace without permission must pack their belongings and prepare to return home. Now, they are all pleading with Matron Qin for mercy. They claimed they were instigated by a maiden named Qi...'"

"In Yaohua Palace, Xi'er came under the cover of night, vividly recounting the events at Chuxiu Palace."

"Jiang Hui was playing with a pellet drum, amusing her son, who had woken up in the middle of the night and refused to sleep without clinging to her."

"As usual, Shan Zhai rewarded her with a purse and praised her, then quietly sent her away."

"'My lady, why would Noble Consort Xu Xiuyuan go to the Purple Bamboo Forest?' Shan Zhai asked curiously."

"'She probably believed some rumor from Le'er or Ping'er,' Jiang Hui replied, raising the pellet drum slightly. Seeing her son crawling on the thickly carpeted couch, reaching out his chubby hands in vain pursuit, she laughed with joy in her eyes."

"Shan Zhai chuckled, then covered her mouth with a handkerchief, shaking with laughter. After a while, she regained composure and said, 'I heard from Qingfeng, these days, Noble Consort Xu Xiuyuan has been frequently visiting Taiye Pool for sightseeing. It seems she doesn't even spare the Purple Bamboo Forest.'"

"'Her pursuit for favor and a child is indeed straightforward,' Jiang Hui remarked. 'People like Xu Xiuyuan are truly endearing. Even the Emperor, though annoyed by her persistence, hasn’t done anything to her.'"

"Quietly, Qiukui added, 'My lady, that Qi maiden in Chuxiu Palace might also have been used as a pawn by someone else.'"

"'She's a bit too clever for her own good. She'll have a tough time in the days ahead,' Jiang Hui said indifferently."

"Regarding the incident in the Purple Bamboo Forest, Matron Qin was unyielding and impartial, dismissing over a dozen maidens. They were to be sent home the next day. However, unexpectedly, the next morning, a maiden was found dead in Chuxiu Palace."