“Chapter 15: Ruyun”

"Chapter 15: Ruyun"

"'Miss, please wait!'"

"They had only taken a few steps when they heard a suppressed call from behind. Turning back, they saw a maid dressed as a senior palace maid hurrying towards them."

"Zhao Ruyun glanced at Matron Li and stopped."

"The maid approached Zhao Ruyun, bowed respectfully, and asked, 'Are you the third Miss of Marquis Changping, heading to the Cining Palace?'"

"Stepping forward, Matron Li recognized the maid as Pomegranate and replied, 'Indeed, may I ask if the Noble Consort has any instructions for us?'"

"The maid, Pomegranate, smiled and said, 'I am Pomegranate, servant of the Noble Consort, pleased to meet you, Miss, and Matron Li. The Noble Consort said that the journey from the Yaohua Palace to the Cining Palace is quite far and has kindly offered a jade palanquin for Miss Zhao’s use.'"

"As Pomegranate spoke, she gestured behind her where Zhao Ruyun saw eight young eunuchs carrying a palanquin towards them."

"Zhao Ruyun glanced at Matron Li, bowed slightly, and said softly, 'In that case, I thank the Noble Consort and you, Pomegranate.'"

"Pomegranate stepped aside, then heard Zhao Ruyun continue, 'Please allow me to personally thank the Noble Consort.'"

"'The Noble Consort is enjoying the view, it’s a mere trifle, no need for Miss Zhao to express her thanks in person,' Pomegranate declined."

"'In that case, I would be remiss not to accept such courtesy.'"

"Pomegranate bowed again, watched Zhao Ruyun board the palanquin, then turned and quickly made her way back, lifting her skirt as she crossed the shallow wooden bridge leading to the Fenglai Pavilion to report back to her mistress."

"My lady, Zhao Sanniang wishes to personally thank you in the pavilion. As per your instruction, I have already declined," her maid reported.

Jiang Hui responded with a faint "Hmm."

Pomegranate, however, frowned slightly, showing some reluctance. "Why should the master bother helping this Miss Zhao? In the palace, with its hierarchy of red tops and whites, those unaware might think that you, a noble concubine, are afraid of her!"

Jiang Hui smiled and said, "By helping her, I am also helping myself."

She looked up at the sky and said softly, "At this hour, His Majesty should have finished his court session."

*

Zhao Ruyun sat in her carriage, accompanied by Nanny Li, and traveled to Cining Palace. She was led into the main hall by two palace maids dressed in peach-colored armor. As she was about to greet her aunt, she saw someone seated in the highest seat, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe – it was the Emperor, who had come to pay respects after court.

"This servant girl greets His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. Wishing peace to His Majesty and the Empress Dowager!"

Zhao Ruyun's face turned slightly red as she bowed deeply.

"Yun'er, rise quickly! Come here to me!" came the affectionate voice of the Empress Dowager from the head seat.

A palace maid at her side immediately came to help Zhao Ruyun up and led her to sit on a cushion next to the Empress Dowager.

"Why are you a bit late today? Has someone in the palace upset you?" asked the Empress Dowager, her eyes fixed on Nanny Li.

Zhao Ruyun hurriedly replied:

"No one has troubled me. The sedan you sent to fetch me had a mishap on the way. Nanny Li and I walked to the palace. On the way, we passed Yao Hua Palace and met the Noble Consort. She was very kind and lent me her jade sedan when she saw me walking."

Nanny Li also responded, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, indeed, that is what happened. The eunuch carrying the sedan accidentally twisted his ankle, and the Third Miss, not wanting to keep Your Highness waiting, suggested walking here. On the way, we happened to meet the Noble Consort."

"Oh?" The Emperor, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "What was the Noble Consort doing?"

Zhao Ruyun's gaze swept across the Emperor's handsome face. Lowering her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, she respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the Noble Consort was taking a leisurely break and enjoying the scenery at Suoyue Pond Pavilion."

"Enjoying the scenery?" the Emperor echoed softly, nodding slightly without further comment.

The Empress Dowager then spoke up, "The Noble Consort is good indeed, but what is the Internal Affairs Department doing? If the palanquin bearers are so clumsy as to sprain an ankle, what if they had dropped the principal occupant?"

Zhao Ruyun, not knowing how to respond, kept her head down, silent.

The Emperor then said, "Mother, don't worry. Let's have the Internal Affairs Department retrain them."

The Empress Dowager let the topic drop and turned to inquire about the Changping Marquis House from Zhao Ruyun.

"Quan’er has also been preparing for these years, is he going to participate in the imperial examination this time?"

"Yes," Zhao Ruyun steadied herself before replying, "Father said that my second brother's learning still has room for improvement, but this time, he can participate in the examination to gain experience."

"Your father is too strict," the Empress Dowager half-jokingly complained. "Quan'er became a scholar at twelve, far surpassing his father. Yet he never receives a word of praise."

“Mother also says father is too harsh,” Zhao Ruyun said with a light smile. “But she also thinks he is too lenient with us sisters.”

“Your mother is right. Although daughters should be pampered, they also need to possess some skills in managing household affairs.”

After chatting for a while, the Emperor stood up to take his leave: “Mother, you continue talking with Miss Zhao San. I have matters to attend to and will visit you again tomorrow.”

“Go ahead, state affairs are important,” the Empress Dowager waved him off.

Once the Emperor left, Zhao Ruyun breathed a sigh of relief. The Empress Dowager then asked, “Are you nervous about the reselection the day after tomorrow?”

The Great Zhou Dynasty's selection of consorts involves three stages: initial selection, reselection, and final selection.

During the initial selection, candidates enter the palace through Chaoyang Gate and are reviewed at Yuhua Pavilion by the Palace Warehousing Bureau and the Internal Affairs Bureau. Those with suitable appearance and stature are selected.

The reselection typically takes place three days after the initial selection at Yuhua Pavilion. The Empress Dowager and the Empress send female officials to review the candidates' talents and virtues. Those selected reside in the Chu Xiu Palace, where they are trained in palace etiquette. If any exhibit improper behavior during this period, they are sent home for independent marriage arrangements.

After ten days of training in Chu Xiu Palace, the candidates participate in the final selection at Ying Xiang Pavilion by Taiye Pond, personally reviewed by the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and the Empress.

Finally, all candidates return home. Those awarded flowers arrange their marriages independently, while those awarded sachets await the imperial edict for official appointment and enter the palace on a chosen date.

“Li Momo told me that although reselection focuses on a woman's talents and virtues, unless a candidate is excessively inappropriate, they generally won’t be eliminated. Besides, with my aunt here, who would dare to eliminate me? I’m not nervous,” Zhao Ruyun playfully said, using a more intimate term for her aunt now that the Emperor was not present.

“Who would dare?” the Empress Dowager joined in the laughter.

She tapped Zhao Ruyun’s forehead, saying, “Candidates only see the Emperor during the final selection. Many can’t bear the loneliness in Chu Xiu Palace and eagerly inquire about the Emperor’s whereabouts. You, being shy and reserved, have such a great opportunity here in Cining Palace. Why are you so quiet in front of the Emperor when you’re usually lively and confident with me?”

Zhao Ruyun's cheeks flushed, and she fidgeted, not speaking, causing the Empress Dowager to laugh again.

After laughing, the Empress Dowager affectionately said, “You are the Emperor’s first cousin. Don't be overly formal like outsiders. Just be yourself.”

“Yes,” Zhao Ruyun replied seriously. “Thank you, Aunt, for your advice.”