Chapter 3: The Office of Imperial Bedchamber

Chapter 3: The Office of Imperial Bedchamber

Upon Rong Bi's return to the Office of Imperial Banquets, she found, as expected, that many were already aware of her summons by the Empress and her appointment as the Accountant. Reactions varied.

Chun Ni, known for her blunt speech and sharp tongue, commented loudly, "Tsk, it seems being pretty does have its perks. She's managed to get close to the Crown Prince after all."

"But I heard the Crown Prince hasn't shown any interest in the Accountants appointed by the Empress. Hehe, how many of them have had a good ending? They often disappear before the prince even establishes his own household. Simply surviving until they can leave the palace is considered a victory."

Rong Bi remained as silent as usual. Under the supervision of the Chief Lady, the sisters at the Office of Imperial Banquets gathered around a table, celebrating Rong Bi's farewell.

The meal was an awkward one. Many who had previously been distant now showed her unusual warmth, holding her hand and talking to her. Their conversations inevitably revolved around Rong Bi's beauty, their envy, and bits and pieces of rumors about the Crown Prince.

Some said the Crown Prince was picky, demanding absolute cleanliness. If he found even a single hair on his bed, everything would be replaced. If the scent was off, all the bedding would be changed – he was quite a difficult person to please.

Others claimed that the Crown Prince was extremely handsome, with a heavenly appearance. Serving him would still be a privilege.

From these fleeting impressions, Rong Bi became increasingly curious about the Crown Prince, whom she had never met. She also grew accustomed to the sensation of being at the center of attention.

Crown Prince Yuan Jun was soon to turn eighteen. Typically, princes married at sixteen, but he had yet to have his grand wedding at eighteen. Despite suggestions from ministers to choose a Crown Princess for him, Emperor Chengping, who had long been detached from court affairs, paid no heed.

The Empress Dowager held great influence and the Emperor was deeply engrossed in seeking immortality through Taoist practices. He spent his days concentrating on alchemy with Daoist masters from all corners of the kingdom and often secluded himself for Taoist Five Elements techniques, claiming to have sensed an aura that foretold the eventual perfection of his inner elixir.

It was rumored that Emperor Chengping believed his Taoist cultivation would grant him longevity, allowing him to remain on the throne indefinitely. Thus, the urgency of the Crown Prince's marriage was not a pressing matter. The Empress Dowager, on the other hand, showed clear favoritism towards her own son, ignoring the matter entirely.

Rong Bi had picked up these insider stories during her long years in the Palace, working in the Imperial Kitchen. So, what was the Crown Prince like? From what she had seen, he was certainly handsome, and also fastidious and cleanliness-conscious – a demanding master, but such was the nature of the nobility. When she served in the Imperial Kitchen, many ladies of high rank insisted on having their personal maids oversee the cooking to ensure cleanliness. If a bit of dust found its way into the soup, it would cause a great uproar.

While bustling about in the kitchen, Rong Bi overheard numerous whispers about the concubines. Many had fiery tempers; they were gentle and charming in public, but their treatment of servants could be quite different. Chastisement, docking wages, forcing them to kneel, or even using the cane – these were common occurrences.

Rong Bi thought that it was just the young palace girls who were still adjusting to life in the palace.

Lost in thought all night, Rong Bi didn't sleep at all. The next day, she packed her belongings and prepared to leave the Imperial Kitchen for the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau to report for duty.

The Chief Attendant of the Imperial Bedchamber was named Xu Ziyun, a delicate-looking woman with an honest and sincere demeanor. She had entered the palace as part of Empress Luo's dowry and was now 28 years old. When Rong Bi was to be released from the palace at the age of 25, Empress Luo had asked for her wishes. With no family left outside and no intention to marry, Xu Ziyun didn't know how to make a living, so she chose to stay in the palace and continue serving the Empress.

Xu Ziyun, reviewing accounts at her desk, looked up and said, "You've arrived? There's still a month until the Crown Prince's birthday. Another girl named Han Suyin, chosen from the Bell and Drum Tower, will join you as a comptroller. You'll share a room with her. On the prince's birthday, both of you will attend to him. Spend this month studying diligently under the teaching mothers. Since you're new, be prepared to learn more and bear with any extra responsibilities."

Turning to the nearby palace maid, she instructed, "Go fetch Aunt Luo and Comptroller Han. I need to brief them as well."

Rong Bi softly acknowledged the instruction.

Xu Shangqin, hearing her soft and gentle voice, thought it was indeed pleasing to the ear. But the Crown Prince was notoriously picky, so it might not be enough. Han Suyin had a lovely voice too – but hadn't all the previous candidates been outstanding? Ah, if both Rong Bi and Han Suyin were eventually rejected, Palace Matron Zhou would surely cause another fuss.

Zhou Shuyun, Liu Jiyun, and Xu Shangqin were all maids raised in the Luo family, serving in their household before accompanying Empress Luo into the palace. Zhou Shuyun and Liu Jiyun, for some reason, had always clashed, leaving Xu Shangqin caught in the middle and constantly mediating. The Crown Prince knew they were the Empress's people; how could he possibly take them on? The thought gave Xu Shangqin a headache, and she whispered to Rong Bi, "His Highness the Crown Prince has high standards. He may not choose you. Be prepared. If he doesn't select you, you'll be returned to the Shangqin Bureau."

If she wasn't chosen, she'd be sent back, right? And then she could return to the Shangqin Bureau?

And finally be released from the palace at twenty-five?

A wave of relief washed over Rong Bi, filling her with excitement.

She even developed a hint of fondness for the Crown Prince.

Soon, Aunty Luo, the teaching matron, arrived. Her hair was neatly coiled, her expression stern. A young woman with a graceful figure followed closely behind, both respectfully greeting Xu Shangqin. With a glance, Rong Bi noticed the slender phoenix eyes of the young woman, adorned with a faint red mark at the corners, likely from rouge, giving her an innate allure. This must be Han Suyin.

Their eyes met, and Han Suyin offered Rong Bi a friendly smile, revealing a tiny dimple. Her gaze was as gentle as a silken thread, stirring Rong Bi's heart. She found Han Suyin incredibly beautiful and so amiable – surely she would be easy to get along with!

Han Suyin stepped to stand beside Rong Bi. Xu Shangqin explained, "This is Rong Si Zhai, transferred from the Shangshian Bureau. Aunty Luo, please take the time to teach her the rules properly. There's only one month left, so be diligent." Turning to Han Suyin, she continued, "I've checked your birth dates. Rong Bi is a month younger than you, and you've grown up in the palace, familiar with its regulations. Please teach your younger sister well and be patient with her."

All three agreed, and Aunt Luo took Rong Bi and Han Suyin back with her.

In the small room, two narrow beds stood side by side. Rong Bi organized her belongings and made up her bed, while Han Suyin came over to help with the canopy, chuckling. "We've been talking about another Accountant joining us, and I was curious who it might be. Rumor had it that they were going to select someone from the Bell and Drum Department. Little did I expect such a lovely sister to arrive today."

Rong Bi humbly replied, "Sister, you're too kind."

Han Suyin laughed. "I think the girls in the Bell and Drum Department must be going crazy. Hahahaha! They've supposedly sent many gifts to Lady Liu to secure that last spot, but now that Zhou Shuyun has swooped in and sent you, their plans have fallen apart."

"Does Sister cook well since you're from the Imperial Kitchen?"

Rong Bi modestly said, "Not really, just average. I originally thought learning culinary skills would help me make a living after leaving the palace, so I focused on pastry-making."

Han Suyin's smile was particularly enchanting as she playfully said, "That's wonderful! We'll be so fortunate from now on. How nice, a proper lady, unlike us musicians of low birth in the Bell and Drum Department. We only have this path to carve out our futures, whereas you can return to your family and marry with honor. However, for a beauty like you to remain unknown in the countryside would be a waste."

Rong Bi found this somewhat troubling and simply smiled silently. Han Suyin's words seemed to serve as a warning: she had choices, but Rong Bi didn't, and if she hindered Han Suyin's path, there would be consequences. It was best to maintain a peaceful distance during these days of mutual suspicion. If Han Suyin liked the Crown Prince, let her serve him. Eventually, when she retreated, she could go back home.

Seeing her silence, Han Suyin merely smiled, thinking that Rong Bi appeared to have a good temperament, hoping she wasn't hiding malicious intentions.