Chapter 27: Sisters

Chapter 27: Sisters

Chang Chun Palace, once the residence of the Empress Dowager when she was still the Noble Consort, was always meticulously maintained by the Palace Interior Bureau. Sun Manyun, accompanied by Hua Mei, made her way there, each step presenting a new view.

Zhao Ru Yun greeted her in front of Han Zhang Hall. After exchanging a few words and laughs, they entered the palace hand in hand.

Upon entering the room, Sun Manyun looked around hesitantly, as if she had something to say but was holding back.

Seeing this, Zhao Ru Yun dismissed the unnecessary palace maids, leaving only her trusted maid Dong Qing to serve them, then said, "Manyun, if you have something to say, just speak frankly."

Sun Manyun grasped Zhao Ru Yun's hand and said with a soft huff, "Sister Yun, you might not be aware, but someone from the Palace Interior Bureau has gone to Jiang Xue Xuan."

The Palace Interior Bureau had many duties, but if Sun Manyun made a special trip to mention it, it was undoubtedly about serving the emperor for the night.

"So they came, but why mention it to me?" Zhao Ru Yun asked, not concerned, as she led Sun Manyun to sit on the couch. "The emperor's choice of concubines is not something we can intervene in."

"Oh, my dear sister," Sun Manyun said anxiously, "This is not the time for your usual modesty. You are the Empress Dowager’s niece, the emperor's cousin. How can you let a commoner's daughter overshadow you?"

Before Zhao Ru Yun could respond, Sun Manyun complained, "Sister Yun, you shouldn’t have lent her those hairpins and jewelry. Yesterday, when His Majesty didn’t stay with you, at least today, to save your face, he should have chosen you. But now, Feng's family has stolen the opportunity!"

"Manyun, watch your words!" Zhao Ru Yun chided softly, then continued more gently, "Sooner or later, it will be our turn. Why fret over such trifles and spoil the mood?"

After hearing this, Sun Manyun fell silent for a while, then said in a low voice, "But I heard that if the emperor chooses a lady but doesn't favor her, it’s a matter of ridicule. Sister Yun, if you don't assert your dominance, I... I just fear for you..."

Zhao Ru Yun smiled, "Don’t worry, the Empress Dowager is there for us."

"But Sister Yun, my mother also had strong backing from her family, yet without my father’s love, she still fell victim to that vile woman and lost her life..." Sun Manyun’s usually charming face twisted with hatred, "Sister Yun, you're our highest-ranking ally. Even with the Empress Dowager's protection, you must be careful."

Zhao Ru Yun squeezed Sun Manyun's hand and after a long pause, said, "I know you care for me, but if our aunt knew, she would want you to be safe and sound. The way you act in the palace, like this morning in Feng Yi Palace, if Xu Xiu Yuan had been more ruthless, how would you have escaped?"

"I understand," Sun Manyun lowered her head in acknowledgment, and after a while, she sulkily added, "If Sister Yun doesn't care about Wan Cairen, then I won't either. But you can't be indifferent towards His Majesty..."

She paused, seeing Zhao Ru Yun's composed face, before continuing, "What exactly happened yesterday? If it's a misunderstanding, tell me, so I can explain it to His Majesty when it's my turn to serve. After all, I'm also of Cairen rank, and I have a better chance of being chosen."

Zhao Ru Yun shook her head somewhat embarrassedly, speaking softly, "It's nothing really, just that..."

"Just what?" Sun Manyun urged.

"...just that I unexpectedly got my period. As you know, I've always been irregular, maybe due to the shock I experienced recently in Chu Xiu Palace. Last night, after dinner, it suddenly started, so I guess my token wouldn't have been placed in the selection today," she spoke increasingly softly, her face reddening.

Sun Manyun's mouth fell open slightly, and after a moment, she regained her composure and smiled, "I thought it was something serious. If nothing happened between Sister Yun and His Majesty, that's even better!"

After some chit-chat, Sun Manyun took her leave.

Dong Qing escorted her to the gate of Chang Chun Palace and then asked her mistress, "My lady, why did you keep it a secret from Sun Cairen?"

"I didn't exactly keep it a secret. In a few days, His Majesty will come again," Zhao Ru Yun said, sitting by the window, staring at the ginkgo tree in the courtyard, "Manyun... after aunt’s passing, she has changed a lot."

When Sun Manyun returned to Zhu Xia Xuan, she saw the Feng Luan Chun En carriage parked outside Jiang Xue Xuan. She watched from the window for a while, observing Feng Pingping, dressed alluringly, being helped into the carriage by the supervising nanny. Then she turned to Hua Mei, "Hua Mei, take some silver and go find Eunuch Gong Ye from the Palace Interior Bureau. Ask him if Min Jieyu's token was really removed today."

Hua Mei complied and soon returned discreetly, reporting to Sun Manyun, "My lady, Eunuch Gong Ye said they forgot to remove Min Jieyu's token today, but it will be removed tomorrow. Indeed, it was His Majesty’s personal instruction as Min Jieyu is having her period and it's inconvenient."

"Forgot?" Sun Manyun frowned, then relaxed slightly, "Let’s wait and see."

The emperor favored Wan Cairen for four consecutive days, sending a stream of rewards to Jiang Xue Xuan, causing many women to secretly tear their handkerchiefs in envy.

After four days, on the fifteenth of April, Wan Cairen, along with others, went to Ci Ning Palace to pay respects. The Empress Dowager, particularly fond of her, suggested that Wan Cairen stay with her for three days to accompany her in Buddhist rituals. This gave the other ladies hope of their opportunity, leading to an increase in offerings sent to the Two Instruments Hall.

The emperor, overwhelmed by the attention, randomly picked a selected attendant to reprimand and demoted her to the rank of an eighth-grade imperial maiden, bringing some quiet to the palace.

On this day, as Jiang Hui was in Yao Hua Palace watching her maids play with her son, Qiu Kui suddenly came to report that Xue Bao Lin from Qing Xin Ge of Chang Xin Palace had requested an audience.

Xue Bao Lin?

Jiang Hui pondered for a moment, recalling such a person named Xue Bi Ling. Her father had once worked under the Marquis of Ningyuan and, after being transferred back to the capital, had obtained the position of Jinyiwei (Golden Guard) Captain, one of the twelve imperial guards, making him a trusted confidant of the emperor.

"Have her wait in the flower hall," Jiang Hui instructed.

After changing into a suitable outfit for receiving guests, Jiang Hui entered the flower hall to find Xue Bao Lin sitting quietly, sipping tea. She appeared plain and unadorned, dressed modestly.

"I apologize for keeping Xue Bao Lin waiting," Jiang Hui said as she took the main seat, gesturing for Qiu Kui to help Xue Bao Lin, who had risen to greet her, back to her seat. "What brings Xue Bao Lin to Yao Hua Palace?"

"I apologize for disturbing the Noble Consort," Xue Bao Lin began, getting straight to the point. Before coming, she had spent some silver to learn from old palace hands that the Noble Consort preferred straightforwardness to beating around the bush.

"The Empress Dowager and the Grand Princess's birthdays are approaching, and my sisters from Chang Xin Palace and I are unsure of what gifts to prepare. Therefore, I took the liberty to come and seek your guidance."

The Empress Dowager and the Grand Princess shared the same birthday at the end of April, and it was already close. Why was she asking now?

Aware that Xue Bao Lin’s true intention wasn't just about the gifts, Jiang Hui replied indifferently, "The Empress Dowager is a devout Buddhist, and the Grand Princess, being young, loves things appropriate for girls."

"Thank you, Noble Consort!" A look of joy appeared on Xue Bao Lin's face. "At home, my father often spoke of Marquis Ningyuan's bravery and the Noble Consort's elegance and intelligence. Now that I have met you, I only regret not being able to be closer to you every day."

Jiang Hui sipped her tea lightly and responded after a moment, "Your father is too kind in his praise."

After a short while, Xue Bao Lin rose to take her leave.

Shan Zha, puzzled, said, "My lady, did Xue Bao Lin come just to ask about the Empress Dowager and Grand Princess’s birthdays? Anyone could find out about that from the old palace staff."

"Silly girl, Xue Bao Lin didn’t come for that," Jiang Hui said with a slight smile. "From the moment she entered Yao Hua Palace and was led to the flower hall, to being received without delay, and her probing with the birthdays, though what I told her was basic information, it was enough for her."

"Ah?" Shan Zha was still puzzled.

"To her, it’s important that I granted her some respect. This allows her to use her family background to seek protection in Yao Hua Palace."

"Oh," Shan Zha understood, "I heard that recently all the young ladies are busy trying to attract the emperor’s attention. So, Xue Bao Lin came to seek your support. But my lady, you didn’t give her any concrete promise, did you?"

"Whether she's worth it or not, we'll see," Jiang Hui said indifferently, "A knife, if not useful, is better left unused."