Chapter 4: Cinnabar

Chapter 4: Cinnabar

On the day of the palace relocation, the weather was clear and pleasant, no longer snowy – a good day chosen by the Astronomical Bureau.

Following the late Emperor, the Empress Dowager stayed in the Cining Palace, consorts without sons remained at Pulo Temple, and the rest of the consorts moved to the Ci'an Palace in the northwest corner of the imperial city. Only Consort Li personally requested to attend the late Emperor, choosing to stay long-term at the imperial mausoleum.

The Palace Warehousing Bureau had been busy for half a month, rearranging the palaces for the ladies to reside.

The carriage stopped outside the gate of Yaohua Palace. Qiu Kui assisted Jiang Hui, who walked slowly inside, observing everything carefully.

Yaohua Palace, with its red walls and green tiles, multi-eaved and pointed roofs, featured a small Lock Moon Pond outside. Covered with a thin layer of ice and snow in winter, it shimmered under the sunlight, exquisitely beautiful.

Inside the palace gate was another world entirely, with pavilions, towers, ornamental gardens, and wells. From the central courtyard, one could vaguely see a plum grove in the northwest corner...

It could be described as lavish and meticulously designed, with attention to detail everywhere.

The previous owner of this palace was Ning, a Consort of low origin who gave birth to the late Emperor's youngest son. Despite her humble background, she received considerable favor and rose to the rank of one of the nine consorts.

However, it is said that Consort Ning spoke disrespectfully while attending the late Emperor during his illness. Before the late Emperor's death, she was sent by the then Noble Consort, now the Empress Dowager, to the Pulo Temple outside the palace.

Whether Ning Shi had indeed spoken disrespectfully or not, Jiang Hui had no interest in finding out. Her gaze swept the hall, catching the unease in the eyes of Quan Fu, the senior eunuch accompanying from the Palace Internal Affairs Department, and she revealed a slight smile.

Quan Fu was an old servant of the palace, now extremely humble in front of the Noble Consort. Given her illustrious family background, the Emperor's favor, and the imperial heir she carried, no one could afford to be disrespectful to her. If he could gain the Noble Consort's favor, it might even lead to a future position as the head of the Palace Internal Affairs Department.

His thoughts whirling rapidly, Quan Fu respectfully said, "Is the Noble Consort satisfied? If there's any need for changes in the arrangements or decorations, just send a word to the Palace Internal Affairs Department."

"Everything is quite satisfactory," Jiang Hui nodded in approval. "Qiu Kui."

Understanding her mistress's intent, Qiu Kui took out a prepared purse, "Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Fu. Please use this to buy some refreshments."

Quan Fu accepted the purse generously, pleased with its weight, and tactfully took his leave.

Qing Feng quickly followed, offering to escort Eunuch Fu.

Soon after the departure of the Palace Internal Affairs staff, the Imperial Household Department sent representatives, led by a slender and serious-looking eunuch named Quan Xi.

He was followed by a line of palace maids, now standing in two rows in the freshly cleared central courtyard, ready for inspection by Jiang Hui, who stood under the veranda.

This was for Jiang Hui to select new attendants for her service.

As per protocol, a Noble Consort's retinue included a managing matron, a managing eunuch, four senior palace maids, four secondary eunuchs, eight secondary palace maids, eight junior eunuchs, and several servants for various tasks.

"Does the Noble Consort find anyone suitable?" Quan Xi asked, bowing.

At these words, most of those in the courtyard looked anxious yet hopeful, clearly considering Yaohua Palace a desirable assignment.

Jiang Hui glanced at Qiu Kui, who, understanding her mistress's cue, smiled and said, "Eunuch Quan Xi, please introduce some of them."

"Yes!" Quan Xi responded and stood beside Jiang Hui, pointing to someone in the courtyard, "This girl named Ah Xia is very clever. She used to serve in the Imperial Household Department and is skilled at hairdressing."

Jiang Hui looked up and saw a pretty young girl, seemingly about sixteen or seventeen, appearing relatively composed.

This was the person her mother had sent.

She nodded slightly, and Ah Xia quickly positioned herself behind Qiu Kui.

Quan Xi continued, "This girl, Ping'er, may be a bit rough but she's strong. She used to serve in the palace of the former Imperial Noble Consort..."

After a round of introductions, Jiang Hui had made her choices, personally selecting four palace maids and four eunuchs. The rest would be picked by Ping Auntie, and the remaining were sent back with Quan Xi.

As the sun shifted, new servants gathered outside the Qionghua Hall of Yaohua Palace, where Ping Auntie was instructing them.

These people would first be observed for a month or two before being gradually integrated into the palace. Even Ah Xia, sent by her mother, would have to undergo this process.

Qiu Kui and the others had already unpacked the chests and rearranged the Qionghua Hall according to Jiang Hui’s preference. Now, they were preparing her meal—it was time to eat after a long day.

Lan Song quietly came in, waiting by the curtain until the dampness was driven off by the charcoal fire, then approached Jiang Hui to whisper, "My lady, Doctor Liu has results."

Jiang Hui set down her spoon and signaled for her to continue.

With Pomegranate and Hawthorn standing guard outside, Lan Song spoke even lower, "Doctor Liu said the incense burner was mixed with cinnabar."

Cinnabar?

Jiang Hui frowned slightly. She had read various books and knew that cinnabar, when heated, releases mercury, a highly toxic substance. Though the amount seemed small, it was dangerous, especially for someone pregnant like her.

Lan Song detailed the treatment methods Doctor Liu had mentioned for accidental ingestion, then heard Jiang Hui instruct, "Go and call Qing Feng."

Having just escorted Quan Fu from the Palace Internal Affairs Department back, Jiang Hui asked Qing Feng, "Did you say that Xiao Linzi and Beauty Shi are from the same hometown?"

"Yes."

Qing Feng, aware of the seriousness of the matter, carefully recounted, "Recently, when I went to the Imperial Household Department to borrow staff, as Yaohua Palace would soon need to select servants, the palace staff there were quite enthusiastic towards me. In our casual conversation – ensuring that my true intentions remained hidden – I learned that Xiao Linzi and Beauty Shi are both from Nanning. They entered the palace in the same year through a minor selection. Later, one was assigned to the Palace Internal Affairs Department, and the other to Changchun Palace. Eventually, Beauty Shi, along with another maid, caught the Empress Dowager's eye and was bestowed to His Majesty as a personal maid."

"And Xiao Linzi?"

"Still serving in the Palace Internal Affairs Department. I subtly inquired, and it seems he got these errand tasks for various masters due to some connection with a senior eunuch in charge."

"The managing eunuch?"

Qing Feng nodded, unconsciously swallowing, "Yes, Eunuch Quan Ning from the Palace Internal Affairs Department, who managed the Dingzi storeroom. He was said to be old and frail and passed away in July due to heatstroke."

The room fell silent for a moment. Jiang Hui didn’t ask further and, after pondering, instructed Qing Feng, "Keep the incense burner safe; I have another use for it."

After dinner, a messenger from Fengyi Palace brought a gift for the relocation. Jiang Hui glanced at it, seeing a respected white-glazed plum vase with dark patterns, and instructed, "Call Ah Xia here."

Hawthorn quickly went to the outer chamber and soon returned with Ah Xia.

"Ah Xia pays respects to the Noble Consort. May the Noble Consort be well," the newcomer said, promptly kneeling in greeting as she turned around the bamboo screen painted with birds and flowers.

"Rise," Jiang Hui observed her tender white fingers and the calluses between her index and middle finger, asking, "Was your mother previously a female physician in the Princess's household?"

"Yes," Ah Xia replied respectfully.

"Female physicians aren’t registered as servants. With a clear background, you could have easily found a good match outside the palace. Why enter the palace?"

Jiang Hui looked at Ah Xia, her tone gentle.

"To answer the Noble Consort, my father was a minor official in the Pingcheng military camp. In the 28th year of Qian Ning, he was exiled to Qiongzhou, and all the female members of my family were conscripted into the Music Bureau. Fortunately, the Princess saved me, and I served as a maid in her household."

In the 28th year of Qian Ning, the incident in Pingcheng... it coincided with the tragedy involving Crown Prince Yuan Hui. The late Emperor was furious, leading to the downfall of hundreds of officials in Pingcheng.

Jiang Hui nodded and asked, "What is your birth name?"

Ah Xia replied calmly, "My family name is Zhang, and my given name is Ying."

"Then, I shall call you Hongying."

"Thank you for bestowing a name, my lady," Hongying said, kneeling again to express her gratitude.

Jiang Hui instructed her to rise and turned to Hawthorn, "Tell Ping Auntie outside that the other three maids are to be renamed following Hongying’s style. As for the eunuchs, let Qing Feng decide."

Hawthorn left to relay the message, and Jiang Hui pointed to the plum vase on the rosewood cloud-patterned stand and instructed Hongying, "From now on, double-check everything sent to Yaohua Palace."