Xiang gui ren's rooms were buzzing with energy early the next morning. She would be officially welcomed into the back palace. Everything had to be perfect. One wrong misstep and like sharks in the water, someone would strike. Jiayi was sure that Jiang gui ren would take any chance to fan the flames.
"Jiayi, there's a purple changfu with white peonies and black and gold trim in my closet. I'll wear that," Ordered Xiang gui ren as Molan twisted her hair up.
"Mistress, you shouldn't wear that one today," said Molan.
"Why not? His Majesty personally picked out all of my clothes,"
"It may be a bit arrogant," said Jiayi. She went to the closet and pulled out a pale green robe patterned with bamboo shoots, "At your status, something like this would be more appropriate. If you were an Imperial Concubine, purple would be appropriate. You should such save beautiful things for special occasions or...bed service,"
"Mistress, what about this one?" Asked Ping'er, holding up a light pink changyi. It was simple, with bright white lilies only embodied on the hem, cuffs, and across the bodice, but it was incredibly delicate.
"So plain," groused Xiang gui ren.
"Mistress, why does it matter if your clothes are plain or not? When you're that beautiful, a rice sack becomes elegant," replied Ping'er.
A peal of laughter tumbled out of Xiang gui ren's mouth.
"Yo, Big Cutie stuffed her mouth full of candy this morning I see to say such sweet words, fine then, I'll wear that one,"
Xiang gui ren hummed and ran her hands over her jewelry box. She picked up the gold buyao that Wang gugu whipped them over.
"And this?"
"Silver only," said Molan turning away from the sight of it,
"Maybe a golden chai* would be okay. A small one" suggested Jiayi, equally as uncomfortable.
Xiang gui ren turned to Pie'er, "What do you think?"
Pie'er, who was content to stand silently in the corner, looked startled. Blushing, she said, "Mistress, you'd look beautiful in anything,"
"Don't give me that! Choose something! Quickly, quickly!"
Pie'er scurried over and looked at the array of beautiful accessories. Her eyes were particularly drawn to a pink velvet peony hairpin. The bright yellow stems in the center made the petals look even brighter.
"Is this okay?" She asked.
Xiang gui ren nodded, "Put it on then,"
Gulping, Pie'er stood behind her mistress and tucked the pin right where her liangbatou and scalp met. Xiang gui ren admired herself in the mirror before nodding, "Not bad,"
Xiang gui ren added a few more velvet flowers and some silver and jade chai.
Jiayi stood by and watched Xiang gui ren powder her skin and draw on her eyebrows with the skill of an artist. No single movement was wasted.
"What's wrong?" Xiang gui ren said as they locked eyes in her bronze mirror, "Am I very silly for putting so much makeup on at my old age?"
Jiayi bowed her head, "I wouldn't dare!" She glanced up at her, "You're just very good at makeup,"
Xiang gui ren laughed and turned away, "Really? Or is it that you're just a big fan of my face? You spent all night drawing me and still want to look? You're a strange girl,"
A hot blush covered Jiayi's cheeks and she bowed her head further. It got boring waiting on a sleeping woman! She had to do something to keep herself awake.
"This lowly one apologizes for ruining your rest,"
"That depends. How did you draw me? No one's told me I sleep like a beast, but how can I tell? Let me see,"
Jiayi pursed her lips and went to fetch the paintings she had stashed under her bed. Showing those sleep-deprived sketches was the last thing she wanted to do. But an order was an order. She just hoped Xiang gui ren would have mercy on her.
Xiang gui ren had finished dressing and was eagerly waiting on her. Jiayi presented the drawings, eyes to the ground.
"Hmph!" Xiang gui ren crowed, "I'm just as beautiful sleeping! Even if I'm not, Jiayi painted me at my best. What a good girl. I think I'll gift this to His Majesty,"
"You can't!" Jiayi replied, "I drew these half asleep, they're so messy! I–these will dirty his eyes!"
"Jiejie is too humble!" Said Ping'er, "Mistress, she's really good at drawing animals, too! I'll show you her fishing frog!"
Jiayi blushed, "Pie'er, tell mistress that Ping'er is being silly,"
Instead of being the level-headed girl Jiayi had come to know, Pie'er shook her head and said "Jiejie draws beautiful flowers, too. I feel like I can smell them,"
"Oh? Go get them for me," said Xiang gui ren.
Helpless, Jiayi watched as Pie'er and Ping'er ran off to fetch her drawings.
As soon as she opened her mouth to protest, Xiang gui ren shook her head, "How dare you," she said, a smile on her face, "Arguing with you master?"
"This servant would not dare," said Jiayi, "This servant is too untalented! You don't want to see my nonsense,"
"Enough, enough. Go fetch my breakfast now. Your whining is making my head hurt,"
Dismissed, Jiayi slunk away. She hated the idea of Xiang gui ren looking at her drawings. They were just for fun! However, it was far better than her showing them to The Emperor. She would prefer that he continue to consider her invisible.
The other servants gave her a wide berth as she made her way down the streets. She paid no mind to their whispering or their stares. Even before Xiang gui ren's arrival, rumors about her ran rampant throughout the Forbidden City. Now that she had arrived, it was all anyone could bother to talk about.
She stood in the courtyard and waited for one of the junior eunuchs from the kitchen to deliver the food to her.
Jiayi stumbled as a maid shoved passed her.
"Did you hear? Prince Han is coming back to the capital today!" She announced.
The news caused a ripple effect. Every maid nearby rushed over to hear the gossip. Jiayi only knew bits and pieces about the late Emperor's Prince Han. He was the Emperor's youngest brother and was raised by the Emperor and the Empress after his mother was disgraced. He was famous around the capital for his skills on the battlefield and in court. But it looked like the most famous thing about him was his face.
"What time is he arriving? Maybe I can walk past him!"
"Li gugu says he's grown too, he's even taller!"
"Ah, maybe he's grown a beard, he'll be so handsome!"
The crowd squealed at this news.
"He's only 19 and is already a prince of the 3rd rank. I hear His Majesty is going to give him a manor in the capital, too."
A gasp, "That means he's going to get a wife!"
The mention of matrimony sent shivers down Jiayi's spine. It wasn't too long ago that Jiayi herself was close to having the "good luck" of becoming a wife. She rounded a corner and stopped. Like the devil himself, there was Su gonggong smack dab in the middle of the street, his bulbous eyes boring into her own. Jiayi gulped and clutched the stacked lunchbox close to her.
"Yi'er," he said with a gleam in his eyes, "I've found my Yi'er,"
"I'm not your Yi'er!" Jiayi snapped.
"Ungrateful bitch!" Su gonggong grabbed her arm tightly and yanked her close, "I gave you all my care and you used it to climb up! What's next huh? His Majesty's bed?"
Jiayi wrenched herself away, heart rabbiting in her chest, "I didn't ask for your care," she hissed, "Leave me alone,"
"Ask? Don't pretend you weren't throwing yourself at me this whole time. Do you think I'll get another chance to ask for a reward for the Emperor? Do you know what you've stolen from me?!" Su gonggong raged, spittle flying.
He yanked into an alcove hidden by a drooping tree and enthusiastic summer bush. Jiayi froze. This Su gonggong was a different man. Back in the hard labor camp, Su gonggong favored a sly hand or a crass remark. He'd never put a hand on her before.
Jiayi's throat locked up in fear.
"I'll go to His Majesty about you and tell him you've thrown yourself at me like a bitch in heat. You'll wish he'd taken your head when they send me back to you!"
"Who's back there?" A voice called.
Even though she couldn't make her voice work, shivers of fear propelled her to dash under Su gonggong's arm and into the street. Jiayi fell to the ground in front of an Imperial guard.
"He–he-!" Tears of frustration blurred her vision. Why couldn't she just open her stupid mouth?
Su gonggong sprung from the thicket and ran down the street.
"Men," the guard called, "Follow him!"
A trio of guards followed the trail.
Jiayi wiped her face and bowed, "Thank you, daren†,"
The guard shook his head and helped her up, "Are you alright, guniang‡?"
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Shaking, Jiayi shook her head, "My mistress' breakfast is ruined. How can I face her?"
The guard scoffed, "You were almost beaten by that scoundrel and all you can think of is that?"
"What else should I think of?" Snapped Jiayi.
The guard sighed before calling over another guard, "Go back to the kitchens and say you knocked over a maid and need a new meal for–"He turned to Jiayi, "Who is your mistress?"
"Xiang gui ren," she replied, bracing for the guard to change his tune.
"Bring a new meal for Xiang gui ren," The guard ordered his closest companion.
The guard nodded and ran off. Jiayi was so relieved that she almost started to cry again.
"Xiang gui ren," the guard said again, scratching his beard, "Do you know Molan? My mother told me she's also serving Xiang gui ren,"
Jiayi wiped her face again and nodded.
"Are you her cousin?"
"No, our mothers are just close. That girl's never mentioned a Chang Lingxiu?" The guard asked.
The adrenaline was leeching out of her bones, so her brain was slow to respond. Jiayi sifted through all the information Molan volunteered about herself. They had only known each for a short time, but Molan was never short of words. Eventually, the name rang a bell.
"Little fish?"
Little fish was the nickname of the boy Molan had dragged out a river as a child. The heroic act had given her family a set of masters that were close to the Imperial family. Molan mentioned that he also served in the palace.
At once, a ruddy blush crept onto Lingxiu's face, "She has some nerve to still tell that story! You should start calling her 'sit-down' and see how she likes it!"
Jiayi must have looked confused because Lingxiu told her the tale of Molan running around during the wedding of a relative despite being told to sit down several times. She continued to run and eventually fell butt-first into a bed of hot coals set aside to roast a duck. Molan was more startled than hurt but was called 'sit-down' for many years.
Lingxiu was a good storyteller and by the time the other guard returned with a fresh meal, Jiayi had calmed down a bit.
"Here," Lingxiu said, passing her the stacked box.
"Thank you, Chang daren,"
"You're welcome...er,"
"We-Wei Jiayi,"
"Wei Jiayi? From the picture?" He asked.
Seeing the confusion on Jiayi's face, he continued, "You drew a portrait for Molan, right? She sent it to her mother and wrote about you in her letter and now my mother wants me to get one done since I don't have much time to visit. How much do you charge?"
Jiayi shook her head, "Charge? Chang daren, you misunderstand. I draw when I have free time. I'd be a scoundrel to charge money for it,"
In Jiayi's opinion, the fewer people who knew about her hobby, the better. It had already attracted too much attention.
"Let me walk you back to Xianfugong, see how Molan is doing for Shang furen's§ sake,"
The entire walk back, Lingxiu switched from trying to convince her to draw a portrait he could send home to regaling her with tales of his and Molan's shared childhood. When they arrived at Xianfugong, Molan was waiting near the gates. She looked shocked at the sight of them both.
"Little fish? What are you doing bothering my jiejie?" Molan cried.
Lingxiu snorted, "Not everything is about you Sit down. Your jiejie and I were just going the same way,"
Molan's face burned bright red, "You! You're supposed to be protecting the Forbidden City but you're running around telling stories!" She grabbed Jiayi's arms, "Let's go!"
"Hold on, hold on!" Lingxiu grabbed Jiayi's and placed a few copper coins inside, "My mother has been asking that I send home a portrait with my next letter. I'll come fetch you when I have time to sit,"
Molan shook her head and pulled her inside the courtyard, "What a stingy old man! How could he think your portraits only cost a few pieces of copper?"
Jiayi pinched Molan's cheeks, "Is 'sit-down' getting jealous?"
"I can't believe he told you that!" Molan screeched as they ran inside.
Xiang gui ren ate only a bit of her breakfast before pushing it away and saying the servants could have it. She was all smiles but they could tell she was nervous.
Jiayi and the other servants ate quickly, piling the dirty dishes in the little kitchen. Molan fanned Xiang gui ren while Jiayi kneeled to massage her knees.
"You don't have to worry, mistress, His Majesty favors you and you have time to become close to Her Highness. When that happens, no one can offend you,"
Bolin walked in and bowed, "Mistress, Jiang gui ren is here,"
Xiang gui ren smoothed down her sleeves, "Let her in," she said.
"Xiang meimei, are you ready?" said Jiang gui ren. She stared at Xiang gui ren and frowned.
"Why are you dressed so plainly? Look at your hair, didn't I tell you what to do?" She huffed and glared at Jiayi and Molan. "I can see these cheap slaves are already poor at their jobs!"
"Jiejie," Xiang gui ren said with a sickly sweet smile, "Clothes mean nothing where real beauty is concerned. Am I so ugly that I need to adorn myself to be considered presentable?"
"Of-of course not," said Jiang gui ren, "I just don't want people to bully you. If you show people your favor, no one would dare to touch you,"
Ping'er interrupted them, "Mistress, Zhang Wei gonggong is here," Zhang Wei walked inside two other eunuchs trailing behind him. The eunuchs were toting silk gift boxes on lacquered trays.
"Wei gonggong," Jiang gui ren said, "What brings you here?"
"The Jewelry House created a few trinkets by His Majesty's order for the two of you. Please take a look,"
The eunuchs presented the trays and Jiayi and Susu handed them to their respective mistresses. Inside Xiang gui ren's box was a pair of nail guards. They were silver, with lotus flowers carved down the middle. In the center of each flower was either a shining piece of white jade or rose quartz.
Jiang gui ren received a pair as well, but she wasn't as excited. Her nail guards were smooth, polished silver. Stamped on the base in copper was the phrase, 'The flower of the heart in full bloom'.
The two of them dropped to their knees to thank The Emperor.
"This concubine thanks His Majesty for his grace,"
Zhang Wei helped Xiang gui ren to her feet, "His Majesty will be glad to hear how happy you are. I'll take my leave,"
Xiang gui ren exchanged the nail guards she was wearing for the ones Zhang Wei just delivered.
"Jiejie, look! Aren't they pretty?" She asked.
Jiang gui ren gave a tight smile, "It's a bit flashy for me. His Majesty knows that sometimes I like simple things,"
Jiayi felt the need to step back just in case Jiang gui ren was struck by lightning. That was the most incredible lie she'd ever heard.
"Why aren't you wearing yours?" Asked Xiang gui ren, "Don't you want to show off His Majesty's gift?"
Smiling dimly again, Jiang gui ren replaced her dazzling pair of gold and topaz nail guards. Arm in arm, Jiang gui ren led them to Yikungong.
Jiayi couldn't keep her eyes from roaming as Jiang gui ren led them into Yikungong's main hall. They had been there just yesterday but it was different when the room was filled with glamorous concubines.
"Meimei, allow me the honor of introducing you to your new sisters,"
Jiang gui ren started with the highest-ranking women first. Shen huang gui fei, De gui fei, Jin pin, Tong pin, Lian pin, Jiang gui ren, An gui ren, Jiao gui ren, Wang chang zai, Cha chang zai, Jin chang zai, and Zhen chang zai.
The handful of His Majesty's second-class female attendants weren't given the honor of staying after paying respects to The Empress. Usually, Shiyi would accept the respects on The Empress' behalf before sending them away.
As Jiayi helped Xiang gui ren to her seat, she snuck a glance at the famous Shen huang gui fei. With only one child, a daughter no less, she managed to become second to The Empress. The only merit her family ever made was her mother having the luck of being The Emperor's beloved nursemaid. There was a rumor that at one point The Emperor asked for Shen huang gui fei to be his di fujin¶. The Empress Dowager had convinced the late Emperor to refuse him, suggesting a young gêgê from her own prominent Borjigit clan. Shen huang gui fei hadn't even been granted the title of ce fujin**. She faithfully served The Empress in the Old Manor and was rewarded handsomely for her service as the years went on.
"Xiang gui ren has just arrived, I hope you all will chat with her and treat her well," said The Empress.
"Yes, Your Highness," the women chorused.
"Has Xiang meimei settled in well?" Asked Lian pin, "Xianfugong must be so different from your old home,"
"It must be miles above the stable she used to rest in," Jiao gui ren whispered to Jin chang zai. They fought to smother their laughter.
"It's more beautiful than His Majesty described to me in his letters," replied Xiang gui ren, "And seeing him again after so long has made my heart happier than I could've imagined,"
"That's good then. You're welcome to come by my Jingrengona†† and visit me and An gui ren when you're free,"
Xiang gui ren nodded.
"Xiang meimei, I admit that I was shocked when I learned that you'd be joining our family, but looking at you now, I'm not surprised that His Majesty couldn't bear to leave you behind,"
"I don't deserve huang gui fei's compliments," replied Xiang gui ren.
"Meimei is just so beautiful. Don't you dance and play the guzheng‡‡, too? Honestly, will His Majesty have eyes for anyone ever again?"
Instantly, the temperature in the room dropped. Jealous black eyes glared at Xiang gui ren from all sides.
"I suppose the rest of us are just old news," Shen huang gui fei finished.
"Jiejie, how could any of us be old when Wang nainai§§ is here?" Said Jin chang zai.
The women broke out into giggles as 38-year-old Wang cháng zài sunk into her chair. She'd been at that status for over 20 years and was the most forgotten of all the Emperor's women. The Emperor cared for her so little that she couldn't even get a pity promotion. For a moment she had been favored enough to be promoted from a bed maid in the Old Manor but it had been brief.
"What disgusting behavior," snapped De gui fei.
The laughing stopped at once. De gui fei had a reputation herself. It wasn't unusual for her to be called the 'venerable De gui fei' behind her back for her pious nature and stringent adherence to the rules. How a sweet and playful girl like the Second Princess had De gui fei for a mother was a mystery to many.
Eager for any opportunity to pile on, Lian pin said "You dare dirty The Empress' ears with such talk. You've been here for quite some time yourself Jin meimei and only served His Majesty once. Wouldn't you call that old news?"
Jin chang zai clamped her lips shut.
"Lian meimei, don't let a few careless words ruin the mood. We're here to welcome our newest sister today," said Shen huang gui fei.
"True," said Lian pin, "Ah, Xiang meimei, I heard that Zhang Wei delivered a gift from His Majesty to you this morning,"
Xiang gui ren smiled, "Jiejie's ears are sharp. His Majesty sent over these nail guards," she said, showing them off, "His Majesty had a pair made for Jiang jiejie as well,"
Called out, Jiang gui ren was forced to present what she considered her second-class gift to the room. Lian pin hid a smile behind her handkerchief, "Yes. If I could describe Jiang meimei, surely it would be about her love of simple beauty,"
Jiang gui ren smiled, "Jiejie is correct. His Majesty knows this too, sending these to me. When His Majesty decides to learn jiejie's preferences, surely he won't forget to pamper you,"
Whatever Lian pin wanted to say was interrupted by Zhang Wei running into the room.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!" Zhang Wei called as he ran inside.
"Zhang Wei, what's the meaning of all this excitement?" Asked Shiyu gugu.
"Prince Han is at the main gates. His Majesty asks that you come to Qianqinggong¶¶ to wait for his arrival,"
"Prince Han is back? Are you sure?"
"I wouldn't dare lie,"
"Tell His Majesty that I will be there shortly,"
Zhang Wei bowed and backed out of the room.
"Don't let me keep you here on such a nice day, I'll go first," said The Empress.
The concubines rose and knelt, "Sending Your Highness The Empress off with respect,"
Shen huang gui fei walked over to Xiang gui ren and took her hands, "Meimei, I've only looked upon you for a moment, but I almost don't want to let you go. Come by my Zhongcuigong*** for tea,"
"Huang gui fei, you said you were going to have the Hall of Pleasing Sounds put on a performance for me today," said Jiao gui ren.
"Oh!" Said Shen huang gui fei, "That completely slipped my mind with the excitement of meimei's arrival. You wouldn't mind rescheduling, right?"
"But–"
"Huang gui fei, don't trouble yourself on my account. I feel a little tired. I think I'll head back to Yikungong and rest," said Xiang gui ren, "I'll take my leave,"
On the walk back to Yikungong, Jiayi took the risk to ask Xiang gui ren a question.
"Mistress, why didn't you go with huang gui fei? Wouldn't it be best if you became close to her?"
"Her and Jiang gui ren are quite close, aren't they? There's no way Jiang gui ren hasn't shown jiejie her true face. There's no point. Now, De gui fei on the other hand," Xiang gui ren said with a smile, "That is a woman worth being close to,"
"De gui fei?" Parroted Molan, "She's not unfavored but I wouldn't call her one of The Emperor's favorite women. His Majesty flips huang gui fei's tag far more often. Even Lian pin's as well,"
"It's just nature, Pretty,"
Molan furrowed her brows, "Nature? Mistress, I don't understand,"
Xiang gui ren bopped Molan on the head, "Listen closely. Which is better? The butterfly or the rock? The butterfly is beautiful but goes from flower to flower. When the garden is spent, it flies away. The rock, however, stays set in the garden, enduring all of the seasons,"
"Is the rock jade?" Asked Ping'er, "Or gold?"
"Maybe it's a big diamond," said Pie'er.
With a sigh, Xiang gui ren shook her head, "I keep forgetting that all of you were born a few minutes ago. No matter, you'll understand soon,"
Jiayi spent the trip back to Xianfugong marinating on her mistress' words. Wouldn't it make sense to be a butterfly and go where opportunity was? Why stay stuck somewhere even when there was no benefit to it?
What a silly riddle.
–––––––––––––––
*Chai: Hair stick with dual prongs
†Sir or Lord. Respectful title to a male official of higher rank
‡Miss
§A title given to a man's legal/primary wife
¶First legitimate wife
**Second legitimate wife
††Palace of Great Benevolence
‡‡Chinese zither
§§Granny
¶¶Palace of Heavenly Purity
***Palace of Accumulated Purity